PMR Tips_Summary Writing

HOW TO DO WELL IN SUMMARY WRITING

* Understand the passage and messages conveyed clearly
* Understand the requirement of the question
* Identify the main ideas
* Ability of word substitutions
* Omit unnecessary details, examples and repeated points
* Linking all the points in one paragraph as a summarized text.


Strategies and Guidelines

1. Steps to take note of when writing a summary
You should:
o Read and understand the passage well.
o Pick out the main points in the passage.
o Express these points in good and fluent English.
o Express these points in your own words as far as possible.
o Make sure that the points flow smoothly one into the other.
o Keep to the required number of words.
o Write a summary in one paragraph.

2. Number of word
o A word, whether it is a one-letter word or more, is a word and every word should be counted as such.
o A proper nouns and names of events can be counted as one word. For example Petronas Twin Towers, Speech Day, PJ Half Marathon, Mother’s Day.
o If the question states ‘in not more than 60 words’, then you are allowed to have a summary of between 58 to 60 words.
o If the questions states ‘about 60 words’, then you are allowed to have a summary of between 57 to 63 words.

3. What to omit
o Omit unnecessary details.
o Ignore points that are repeated.
o Leave out examples.
o Ignore information that is irrelevant to the main points.

4. How to lengthen or shorten your summary
o To lengthen, add in points that might have left out. Do not just add extra words.
o To shorten, look for unnecessary details or replace phrases or clause with single words or short expressions. Do not just drop lines.

5. Grammar check
o Read the final draft thoroughly to check for grammatical errors.
o Check for noun – verb agreement, spellings, correct usage of linking words and the appropriate form of tense.