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Summary
writing
Natasha Thomas, Contributor
Hello
all. Today, I want to discuss summary
writing with you. Summary writing
skills are tested in section one of
paper two. Summary writing falls under
factual writing. According to the
syllabus, the examination requires
you to "communicate factual information
clearly, concisely and adequately".
Factual
writing requires the development of
specific language skills. More than
other types of writing, it involves:
- The
ability to focus on accuracy
- Summary
skills
- Clarity
of expression
- The
use of connecting words and phrases
- The
ability to develop ideas on a given
topic.
One
of the flaws in students' responses
to this section of the exam is the
inability to select relevant material
and the inability to express ideas
with an economy of language. So then,
let us look at the characteristics
of a summary. A summary is a condensed
or shortened version of writing or
stretch of speech which gives the
reader the gist or salient points.
This skill is required both in school
and in society, for example when writing
book reports, taking notes, writing
news reports and taking minutes of
a meeting.
In
summary writing your language should
be simple, clear and concise:
- Simple
- A summary restates the essential
meaning of a passage.
- You
usually exclude figures of speech,
specific examples, statistical data,
repetitions or any device used by
a writer which does not add to the
basic meaning.
- Clear
- Your reader must be able to gather
the meaning of the original passage
easily and accurately.
- Concise
- Because there is a word limit
(which must be adhered to), every
word must be used carefully. Develop
the skill to use language economically.
You must practise your ability to
contract clauses into phrases and
phrases into single words.
- For
example: The phrase every two weeks
can be replaced by the word fortnightly
and the person who works at the
factory can be replaced by the factory
employee.
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Let
us look at an example. What
is the main idea in the following
paragraph?
Holiday
makers from North America and
Europe are more leisured and
affluent than ever before, and
now that the jet plane has provided
even faster air transport, they
have begun to look farther afield
than the beaches of Miami, Brighton
or Le Touquet for tourist attractions.
The islands of the Caribbean
are distant enough to add the
enchantment of adventure to
a holiday trip and they offer
such a variety of attractions
that there is something to appeal
to every taste. To please the
eye there is the lush tropical
vegetation and the beauty of
anthurium, bougainvillea and
jasmine. Indeed, there is an
infinite variety of flora and
fauna to enthral the discerning
naturalist. One can relax on
the magnificent beaches amongst
breathtaking coastal scenery
warmed by the generous sunshine.
The food is often exotic, always
different; mangoes, papayas
and pineapples, sweet peppers,
breadfruit and limes, bananas
and coconuts in abundance. The
musical combinations have developed
such sophistication that they
are intentionally known and
a tourist attraction in themselves.
In brief, the Caribbean as a
tourist area offers the diversion
of a new way of life.
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Here
are some key terms for you to understand:
- Main
idea - This is the salient, specific
point which the writer wishes to
convey. It is usually found either
at the beginning or at the end of
the paragraph.
- Supporting
details - These are the points/examples
the writer uses to support the main
idea.
- Writer's
intention - This is the writer's
purpose. It may be to inform, predict,
criticise, encourage, express a
particular point of view, teach
us something, persuade or to amuse.
Now
that you are aware of the characteristics
of a summary, as well as the key terms
related to summary writing, I will
give you the steps involved in putting
together the final piece.
Steps
1.
Read the passage at least twice -
This will give you the opportunity
to identify the general topic of the
passage as well as the writer's intention.
2.
Select the main idea in each paragraph
- Do not attempt to ascertain the
main idea as a whole. When you break
the passage down into parts, you will
be better able to understand it.
3.
Decide on the important general information
that supports the main idea and eliminate
unimportant details, examples and
illustrations.
4.
Combine the main ideas, omitting any
repetition of ideas and expressions.
5.
Ensure that you use your own words
as far as possible.
I
hope you read this paragraph at least
twice. Where do you find the main
idea? Yes, you are right! The main
idea is found in the last sentence:
In brief, the Caribbean as a tourist
area offers the diversion of a new
way of life. For practice, please
rewrite the main idea in your own
words.
Do
have a blessed week!
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Caribbean
Aviation Training Centre Flight
Academy annual graduation and
awards banquet for student,
private and commercial pilots,
held at Mona Visitors' Lodge,
UWI, Mona campus, on Friday,
April 3. From left are Jimmy
Moss-Solomon, Kamar Bardowell
and Racquel Jenkins.
- Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
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Natasha
Thomas is a teacher at Glenmuir High
School, May Pen. |
