Summary Writing

All you need to know to ace it!

© Yolanda PaulWizznotes.com Tutor

Table of Contents:SLIDE NO. CONTENT

3456789

1011121314

Real Life Situation #1Real Life Situation #2Meaning of Summary

In other wordsSummary for CXCThe CXC ApproachThe “Do” & Don’t”

Key NotesTime Structure

Sample QuestionSample Question Cont’d

Conclusion

(c) Yolanda Paul

Real life Situation #1:• You were driving on one of the main streets in your town

and you witnessed a car accident. The Police officer asks you to briefly tell him what you saw. What would you say?

Real Life Situation #2:

• Your mother comes home tired and missed the News broadcast. She quickly asks you for the main highlights.

What would you say?

So, the meaning of summary is

• (noun) -a comprehensive and usually brief abstract, recapitulation, or compendium of previously stated facts or statements.

• (adjective) - brief and comprehensive; concise. • - direct and prompt; unceremoniously fast: to treat

someone with summary dispatch.(Excerpt adapted from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/summary)

• Synonyms: succinct, brief, compact, condensed,short, short and sweet

• Antonyms: lengthy, long winded, unabridged, wordy

In other words….• When someone asks you to tell them “quick” or “fast”

“what went on” or “wat ah gwaan,” all they would like to know is the main information as to what happened. They would like to know what happened, with whom, when, where and the end result.

Summary for CXC:• The examiners have taken a skill we use every single day in

our day to day lives and have just given you a passage with information and asked you to summarise it the way you would summarise a day at the beach or a day in the market or a car accident for a friend.

• DO NOT BE DETERRED: When looking at the passage, just think about your sister, gf/bf, friend and give them the relevant information as well.

Summary: The CXC Approach

Steps:•1: Read (passage) ) – Read the passage to get a general understanding of what the author is trying to convey.•2: Read (question)-Read the question asked by the examiner so that you have a better understanding about the information you need to get from the passage.•3: Read the passage (2nd time) – Read the passage again and highlight the points that you think are appropriate to use in answering the examiner’s questions.•4: Order the points – Place the points in order of priority i.e. most important to least important.•5:Begin writing: Ensuring that the information you provide answers the question asked by the examiner.

Summary: The “Do” & “Don’t”

DO DON’T Word Limit

ALWAYS stick to the word limit.

RepetitionUse YOUR OWN WORDS at all times. The only

exceptions to this rule are for repeating proper names i.e. Name of a study/country/group/project

etc. (e.g. CSME, Guadeloupians, PLHIVS etc)In other words names that you cannot change the

names for.Note also that you only include these proper names if

they are NECESSARY in answering your question.

Use Vocabulary words & phrasesUse vocabulary words & phrases that would convey

the same meaning without wasting wordsE.g. Consequently, Therefore, As a result of,

Subsequent to, Prior to which, ascertain etc.

Word LimitNEVER cross 120 words/ the number of words as

stipulated in the instructions by the examiners (as it is the maximum). Examiners mark up until that

point!

RepetitionDo NOT REPEAT words/ phrases from the passage.

Examiners will deduct marks for this. Note that any vocabulary word/s used must be explained simply or using synonyms. REPETITION is NOT allowed!

Remember: The point of summary writing is for Remember: The point of summary writing is for you to tell the story in your own words as you to tell the story in your own words as

briefly and succinctly as possible including briefly and succinctly as possible including all relevant information.all relevant information.

Use Vocabulary words & phrasesDo NOT be LONG WINDED. There are some words/

phrases which can be replaced by other shorter more concise ones to convey the same meaning.

Sticking to the WORD LIMIT is important!

Keynotes:• When thinking SUMMARY think

- brief, concise, to the point - in my own words - sticking to the word limit - giving information that is relevant to the question

• Easy as A…B…..C…

Time Structure:• CXC recommends that you spend NO MORE THAN 35

mins on the Summary Writing piece. Try to STICK to the suggested time structure!Why? – Once you have successfully completed this question, you will never need to return to it, giving you time to focus on the others.

(c) Yolanda Paul

15 minutes Preparation time (i.e. 1st read of

passage, reading question, re-

reading passage, ordering points)

(Refer to slide #7).

20 minutes Write the Summary Writing

piece.

5 minutes Re-read written work & correct

errors.

TOTAL MINUTES: 35 minutes

FULLY COMPLETED QUESTION

Sample Question:

• Imagine that you are Lizzie. In not more than 120 words, write the letter to the villagers.

Troy: Lizzie Smith! Don't you know that the students from Guadeloupe arrive on September 20th?

Lizzie: Yes Troy, both the boys and the girls.

Troy:Yes and that's only a month away . We haven't found

accommodation for them as yet. The hotel says there won't be any room at that time. As secretary, it's your responsibility...

Lizzie:

I know, I know. I'll arrange for them to stay in private homes. I'm sure the villagers won't mind taking them in for a small charge. It's only for two weeks. Our visitors are booked to leave on the

30th.

Sample Question Cont’d 

Troy:

Not a bad idea. Why don't you write to all the villagers asking them to write to us if they are

interested in putting up these students? I wonder how much they'll charge.

Lizzie:

I'll ask them to give their rates. We'll have to insist, though, that the villagers who are

interested must be able to speak French. The Guadeloupans speak no English.

Troy: At least not the six who are coming. Should the villagers provide meals?

Lizzie: Breakfast and dinner, except on Sundays when they must include lunch as well.

Sample Question Cont’dTroy:

I think we should let the villagers know that two club members will want to

inspect homes and chat with the applicants before making the selection.

Lizzie:

Agreed. Letters from those who are interested should reach us by August

15th. Then our members can visit on the 20th.

Troy: After six p.m., I suppose? Should the villagers write to you as secretary?

Lizzie: Right on both counts; I'll tell them to

write to: The Secretary

Old Boys’ Sports ClubP.O. Box 65

Salmon Village.

Troy: But suppose a villager can put up more than one student?

Lizzie: Then that’s just a bigger plus for us!

Conclusion:• I dare you to accept the challenge of attempting the

Sample Question having read the steps to Summary writing. Remember this:

1. Challenge yourself always. You CAN do it2. Practice & Writing makes PERFECT

Look out for a sample answer for the question in our next module!

Good luck!