1. Reading 101
Summary Skills

2. Learning Objectives

To learn a proven method in summarising any
given text.

To see how summarising is done, step-by-step,
to achieve the highest marks possible.

3. Introduction
Just to bring you up-to-speed in some statistics in
one of the toughest sections in English
Language paper – Summary
1) Most students fail it – it requires a mix bag of
skills, more than any other section.
2) It contains 8 marks – so most students do
poorly in English as they fail this section.
3) It is complex – the question contains many
parts that each needs its own explanation to
understand it.

4. On the other hand...

It is important to state at the onset that the
examiners will also provide plenty of relevant
points for you to summarise.

In other words, searching for points in the
passage to score for summary is not difficult.
You just need to know how and where to look
for them.
Let's start!

5. Mastering Summary - Step 1
Step 1: Underline the key ideas in the question
The key ideas are easily found as they happen right
after 'summarise'.
Take note where your points should be sourced from.

6. Example for Question's Key Ideas
Step 1: Underline the key ideas in the question
In Paragraph 4, the writer states that “many people
associated the Enron fraud with the Bush tax cuts.”
(lines 23 – 24)
Using material from paragraphs 4 to 5 of the passage
(lines 23 – 49), summarise the writer's rebuttal of this
view and her recommendations to address the flaws
in the capitalist system.
Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not
counting the opening words which are printed below.
Use your own words as far as possible.

7. Mastering Summary - Step 2
Step 2 – Scan for relevant points
Underline the relevant points in the passage.
Remembering to:
1) Number them – you need at least 8 points.
2) Compare them – whether the key ideas are
what the summary question wants

8. Example for Comparison
Summarise the writer's rebuttal of the view that
Enron fraud was related to Bush tax cuts.

It is irrational.

Tax reductions promote economic growth and
employment.

Corruption should be seen as an illegal act in
itself.

Q: Do the points you have chosen match the key
ideas highlighted?

9. Mastering Summary - Step 3

You need to paraphrase using these key
strategies.
1) Synonyms and Antonyms
2) Active and passive voice or repositioning
subject
3) Classification and Examples

10. Paraphrasing Strategy – Syn & Ant

This is the most common method employed.
Avoid word-for-word substitution. Rather,
paraphrase the key idea of the sentence/s.

A person was seen as responsible for his own
actions during the war when there is mass killing.

Ans 1: A person is regarded as being accountable
for his behaviour during a conflict when there is a
large number of deaths.

Ans 2 : Man was regarded as being accountable
for his atrocities during a war.

Q: Which is correct?

11. Paraphrasing Strategy – Voice

Sometimes, by changing the structure of the
sentence, including shifting the subject to
elsewhere, you can re-express the key idea in your
own way.

Small group discussions with participation by no
more than 12 to 15 people enables teachers to
know their pupils more intimately.

A: Teachers can understand students better if class
discussions are held in small teams.

12. Paraphrasing Strategy – Classification
Classification or example is especially useful when
attempting summary questions.
S: The indicators used are GDP, trade balance and
competitive index.
A: The government relies on financial/economic
figures.
S: Companies advertise through the mass media.
A: Businesses promote their products and services
through the radio, newspapers and television. .

13. Learning Activity
Paraphrase the writer's recommendations to
address the flaws in the capitalist system.
1) The white collar criminals should be brought to
justice.
2) Auditors have to change more frequently.
3) so they are not in bed with corporations or
firms.

14. Learning Activity Answers
1) The white collar criminals should be brought to
justice.
Legal action should be taken against the felons
1) Auditors have to change more frequently.
Companies need to change their auditors often
1) so they are not in bed with corporations or firms.
so they will not collude with the companies.
Q: What paraphrasing strategy is used for each?

15. Discussion

Why do we need to have a proper approach to
summary question?

What are the steps in tackling this question?

16. Discussion

The Summary question contains many parts and
involve different skills so a method is needed to
solve it.
1) Analyse Key ideas
2) Scan Key ideas
3) Compare Key ideas
4) Paraphrase with Key Strategies
Acronym – ASCP : all summaries can pass