SUMMARY WRITING Drilling exercise

SUMMARY WRITING

THINGS TO DO & REMEMBER

1

Read the question and determine the parts you have to summarise. (e.g. use only the material from line 10 to 54) Identify the stipulated area (from line ... to line ..) and box the area. Do not lift information outside the box drawn.

2

Identify the keywords of the task you are required to do based on the bullet points. Task is usually set on:

- problems faced by writer - feelings of the writer - action/s taken by him / her - causes of a certain incident - effects of the incident - process and procedure

3

Read the passage. Identify the content points relevant to the task and number them. You need to find 10 points. A summary passage usually has 13 -15 points.

4

Write out your summary by adding proper linkers.

Addition – again, also, and, furthermore, besides, moreover Comparison – likewise, similarly Result – accordingly, consequently, hence, then, thus Contrast – but, however, nevertheless, yet, despite Listing – firstly, next, finally

5 Begin with the 10 words given.

6 Pay attention to the tense and the pronouns in the 10 words given. Change direct speech into indirect speech.

7

a. Use your own words where possible. BUT make sure meaning is not changed.

b. Do not include examples and elaborations.

8 Edit verb tense for consistency. Let meaning flow.

9

Count and write the total number of words at the bottom right of the summary. The summary must not exceed 130 words.

COUNTING THE NUMBER OF WORDS IN A SUMMARY:

The words Counted as

Proper Nouns

Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Catherine MacPhail

4 words 2 words

Contractions I’m won’t He’s haven’t wouldn’t aren’t they’ll isn’t

2 words

Can’t / cannot 1 word

Hyphenated words

Sister-in-law Ice-cream Well-being

1 word

Numbers Twenty two 2 words

22 1 word

SAMPLE: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR SUMMARY

3

4

There are countless ways for people to show acts of kindness. It is not limited to giving money by donating to a needy cause, but we can also take time out to listen to someone who has a problem and needs a friend. “Somebody paid for my order at a restaurant once,” says Syed Haizir. “It really made my day, so I try to do something similar as often as I can,” he adds. Au Yeong, a student, also found inspiration from the movie, Pay It Forward. On some days, he buys copies of newspapers and puts a note between the pages saying, “Enjoy reading …. From someone who just wants to be kind,” Then he gives the newspapers free to people waiting at the bus-stop or at the train station.

A little creativity is very helpful in making people happy. If you come across a humorous comic strip or an inspiring article, cut it out. Pass it on to someone who might be interested in reading it. This will put a smile on their faces. Put together writing kits with stationery, envelopes, stamps or art supplies and hand them over to patients at a hospital. These items will come in handy to help patients keep in touch with friends as well as to keep them occupied. You can give students inexpensive raincoats which they can keep in their bags. On rainy days, these will really be appreciated; textbooks and uniforms can be kept dry, and cold may be prevented. A small act of kindness goes a long way.