Summary Writing

Summary writing
 Summarization is the restating of the main ideas of the text in as few words as
possible. It can be done in writing, orally, through drama, through art and music,
in groups and individually.
 Summarizing is a way to recap or retell the information in a story or text. ... A
summary is a short retelling of a story or text that includes only the most
important information.
 A summary is a shortened version of a text that highlights its key points.
 "Summarizing condenses in your own words the main points in a passage. . . .
 Reread the passage, jotting down a few keywords.
 State the main point in your own words. . . . Be objective: Don't mix your
reactions with the summary.
What summary does
 "The purpose of a summary is to give a reader a condensed and objective account of the main ideas and
features of a text. Usually, a summary has between one and three paragraphs or one hundred to three
hundred words, depending on the length and complexity of the original essay and the intended audience and
purpose. Typically, a summary will do the following:
 Cite the author and title of the text. In some cases, the place of publication or the context for the essay
may also be included.
 Indicate the main ideas of the text. Accurately representing the main ideas (while omitting the less
important details) is the major goal of the summary.
 Use direct quotation of key words, phrases, or sentences. Quote the text directly for a few key
ideas; paraphrase the other important ideas (that is, express the ideas in your own words.)
 Include author tags. ("According to Ehrenreich" or "as Ehrenreich explains") to remind the reader that
you are summarizing the author and the text, not giving your own ideas. . . .
 Avoid summarizing specific examples or data unless they help illustrate the thesis or main idea of the
text.
 Report the main ideas as objectively as possible. . . . Do not include your reactions; save them for
your response.
What to summarize
 A statement
 A paragraph
 A story
 An article
Strategies (ref, step ahead book 4)
 Identify key words in summary question
 Identify required information,
 Write draft summary
 Check length of your summary to the required length
 Use these techniques
(a) generalize a sequence of events or actions in one word
 (b) use one word or phrase to cover similar items
Use one word or phrase to cover similar items
 1. For the students we bought melons, roasted maize, sugar cane
 and chips.
 = For the students we bought food
 2. Jim Reeves cane to contend with our Lucious Banda, Joe

 Gwaradi, Ndirande Singers and Ethel Kamwendo.
 = Jim Reeves came to contend with our musicians.
Generalize a sequence of events or actions in
one word
 1. Households were run on a handful of change; you ate from the
same palte with your brothers and sisters, wrestling with your
hands for the meat – at night you wrestled for the blankets with
visitors from the country, while your father brooded over school
fees’ invoices in the candle light.
= Families struggle to survive

EXERCISE (ref flash)
HOW DOES ONE SUMMARIZE A PARAGRAPH?
 Summarizing a paragraph involves reading the paragraph, underlining the main points, writing
the summary and revising the final copy. The purpose is to give the original meaning of the
paragraph without rewriting it.
Step 1: Read the paragraph
 Read critically the whole paragraph without underlining or making any marks. This is important
in getting the main idea of the paragraph. Note the main point after reading the text.
Step 2: Underline the main points
 Read the text again while underlining the main points. Do not include details, such as examples,
explanations and descriptions. Ensure only the main phrases and words are underlined and not
complete sentences.
Step 3: Write and revise the copy
 Using the points you underlined, create complete sentences to write your summary. Do not
include anything that is not important. Conclude your summary with a statement that portrays the
writer's point of view. Read through the summary and make any necessary changes.
Example paragraphs…
A tornado is a powerful, twisting windstorm. It begins

high in the air, among the winds of a giant storm cloud.
People who have watched a tornado’s howling winds
reach down from the sky have said it’s the most
frightening thing they have ever seen. In some parts of
the United States, these windstorms are called twisters
or cyclones.
Main idea and supporting
details
Tornado is
powerful, twisting
windstorm
Also called
Part of giant
Frightening twister
storm cloud
or cyclone
Paragraph Summary…
Tornadoes are frightening, powerful,

twisting windstorms sometimes called
twisters or cyclones that start in giant
storm clouds.
Summarizing a story
 Elements of a story
 1. Character
 Can be: Animals, plants, people
 Types: Major and minor characters
 2. Plot
 3. Language use: grammar, register, tone & mood, style
 4. Theme : central ideas; political, love, power struggle
 5. Setting: time and place
Summarizing an article
 1. Abstract (article/report summary)
 2. Introduction (background, research problem, purpose of study,
research objectives/qsns, justification)
 3. Literature Review (on areas covered by objectives)
 4.Methodology ( design, population, sampling, data collection tools,
data analysis, ethical issues)
 5. Findings and Discussions ( follow stated objectives/ questions)
 6. Conclusion and Recommendation (base on findings)

Summary Writing

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 2. Jim Reeves cane to contend with our Lucious Banda, Joe

= Families struggle to survive

A tornado is a powerful, twisting windstorm. It begins

Tornadoes are frightening, powerful,

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