Step 3 Summary

STEP 3: Draft (reduce, rephrase, edit)

In summary, there are a few ways to condense a passage yet retaining the essence of the message and the writer’s intent. Of course, the language will not be as colourful but the ideas are clear.

(A) Leave out unnecessary words and details.

Some words are meant to emphasize a point or create an effect. But they are unnecessary in summary. Details are also important when you need to elaborate your main idea and support it with illustrations or examples. These again, can be left out in summary.

Example:

Sentence	Try re-writing
Her hair was in a mess and very untidy.	Her hair was unkempt/bedraggled/disheveled. (‘A mess’ is the equivalent of ‘very untidy’. Including both words is not necessary.

Now you try:

1.     It is common knowledge, but it is still worth pointing out, that most countries are affected by recession.	Most countrie s are affected  by recess ion.
2.     The suspect made a statement in which he admitted possessing ten grams of heroine.	The suspect admitted possessing ten grams of heroi ne.
3.     The crowd pushed and shoved their way into the stadium.	The crowd shoved into the st
4.     In order to lose weight, Angie cut down on her food intake and ate less than she normally did.	To lose weight, Angie cut down on her food intake./ To lose weight, Angie ate less than she nor mally did.
5.     The dangerous journey put the passengers who were travelling in the bus in danger.	The journey put the passengers in danger.

(B) Substitute a Word for a Phrase

The right word or shorter phrase can replace a lengthy phrase.

Example:

Sentence	Try re-writing
All of the sudden	Unexpectedly/without warning

Now you try:

1. In the end	Finally/ Eventually
2. With much hesitation	Hesitantly
3. Without proper care and concern	Negligent
4. With great skill and competency	Professionally/ skilfully and competently
5. With utmost care	Careful
6. In the beginning	Initially/ At first
7. Without any question or doubt	Indisputably

(C) Replace Idle Words

Some words can be re-expressed with just one word.

Example:

Sentence	Try re-writing
Give consideration to	Contemplate/ponder

Now you try:

1. In view of the fact that	Because/ In view of
2. Take into account the fact that	Consider
3. On account of the fact that	Because/ As
4. Have an effect on	Affect
5. With respect to	About

(D) Use Plain English

Avoid jargon, clichés, inflated language and important-sounding words in summary writing.

Example:

Sentence	Try re-writing
Owing to the fact that the room possessed another occupant in addition to herself, she made an exit in haste.	As the room was occupied/used, she left hurriedly.

Now you try:

1. In the modern world of ours, life is one big hustle and bustle.	Life is hectic
2. We will be eternally indebted to you if you would grace us with your presence at our party.	Please come to our party

(E) Avoid Unnecessary Relative Clause

Use an adjective or adjectival phrase instead of an adjectival clause. The same goes for noun and adverbial clauses.

Example:

Sentence	Try re-writing
A word which is not relevant	An irrelevant word

Now you try:

1. The way in which you did the project is wrong.	You did the project wrongly.
2. The rules that are implemented by the school are flawed.	The school rules are flawed.
3. He speaks as if he were a robot.	He speaks like a robot

(F) Generalise

You can also condense information by means of a general term.

Example:

Sentence	Try re-writing
She bought some pencils, pens, rulers, erasers and paper for the new school term.	She bought some stationery for the new school term.

Now you try:

1. He collects books of all kinds: fiction, biology, history, art, science and drama. They are written in several languages: English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese.	He collects books of all genres, in different languages.
2. The lady who was trying to sell me the slimming pills would not admit that she had misrepresented the facts to me.	The salesgirl insisted she did not mislead me OR The salesgirl insisted she had not misrepsented the facts to me.

Using your own words

As you have seen, you can summarise the passage by using simpler language or/fewer words. In many cases, you will need to use your own words.

You must, as far as possible, use your own words when you write your summary. i.e., you must rephrase the language used in the passage. This is where your knowledge of synonyms will come in handy.

You will be allowed to use words and phrases (but not sentences!) from the passage, that are difficult to substitute, but you must change the sentence structure.

Example:

Sentence	Try re-writing
It is certainly the case that in the next century human beings will inhabit other planets.	Undoubtedly, people/we will inhabit other planets in the next century.

Now you try: (Use your own words to replace the words in bold only).

1. Water, which contains large amounts of salt, is not fit for drinking.	Salty water is not fit for drinking.
2. A friend who is understanding and who can offer sympathy in times of distress is a person to be treasured.	An understanding and sympathetic friend in times of distress is a person to be treasured.
3. At the rear of the shopping mall, there was a car park.	Behind the shopping mall, there was a car park.
4. The electricity supply is not to be trusted.	The electricity supply is unreliable.
5. Medical practitioners have warned against the effects of inhaling tobacco smoke.	Doctos have warned against the effects of smoking.
6. The findings of the recent survey on traffic congestion are open to doubt.	The findings of the recent survey on traffic congestion are uncertain.
7. Not knowing about the law is not an excuse that is allowed in court.	Ignorance of  the law is not an excuse that is allowed in court.
8. Rapidly moving passenger sedans can be lethal as they are convenient.	Speeding cars can be lethal as they are convenient.
9. The sporting arena was lit up by bright powerful lights.	9. The sporting arena was illuminated by floodlights
10. The customer was quite annoyed and disgruntled with the service from the waiter.	10. The customer was dissatisfied with the service from the waiter.

Summary Lesson 2: Identifying Main Ideas

3. Step 2: Selecting relevant points

1. Read the relevant section of the passage, and as you read, underline (in pencil) or highlight each relevant point you find.

2. Include only main points in your list. Leave out the following:
• Dialogue
• Examples
• Repetitions
• Quotes

If, however, the question specifically asks you to summarise the various examples, decide on which examples qualify to be main points.

3. Select at least 8 main points to be included. – 8 marks are allocated to Content, so you will only be awarded marks for the first 8 relevant points you identify. More often than not, there will be at least 8 relevant points in the marking scheme. 7 marks are awarded for Language use. So, there is a total of 15 marks for summary.

4. List out the main points you have selected (in point form). Re-examine each point to make sure they are relevant to the topics in the summary question.

5. Sometimes it may help to organise the points and link them by using effective connectors in the order that you will present them in your summary. For example, if you are required to summarise the advantages and disadvantages of the transport system in Singapore, it may be good to write on the advantages first, then the disadvantages (or vice versa).

Task 2

For each of the following passages,

(1)  read the question carefully and highlight / underline the key words or phrases;

(2)  decide on the number of topics to be summarised for each question; then

(3)  create a list of relevant points for your summary.

1. Changes in the design of the family home reflect changes in the lifestyle of modern city dwellers. In the 1950s, the typical suburban home had a kitchen, which was separate from the dining room. Most homes today have dispensed with this, and have a combined dining and kitchen area. During the last decade, it has become standard for home designs to include a family room, which is primarily for the use of children. This was not known in the 1950s. Today, parents retire to a master bedroom which will have an ensuite bathroom. For the previous generation, one bathroom was sufficient for the whole family.  

Q: Summarise the features of the modern home which were not present in earlier homes.

2. Mr Tan was charming. He stood in front of us each morning and we all listened to his lessons attentively. He was witty and humorous. His presentation was not only instructive but also entertaining. He maintained interest by displaying slides of the places he described. His material was dazzling. He had collected spears and shrunken heads, all of which he brought into the classroom. Despite his great knowledge, he impressed us all with his modesty. 

Q:  Summarise the reasons why Mr Tan’s lessons were popular.

     

1. witty and humorous

2. presentation is instructive and entertaining

3. maintained interest by displaying slides

4. materials are dazzling

5. modest despite being knowledgeable

3. Beached whales are a regular occurrence on the Tasmanian coastline. There are several theories about why whales become stranded on a beach, but no one knows for certain. Some scientists believe it is a deliberate suicide, perhaps caused by the whales’ rejection from the pod. Others believe that an infection of the inner ear affects the sonar by which whales navigate, causing them to lose their way. There is another view that it is the coastal terrain which is to blame. Invariably, whales are beached on long, sandy beaches, where the incline of the sea-bed is gentle. It is thought that this somehow deceived them and they are accidentally run aground. They may be chasing fish who intentionally lead them to shallow water in order to avoid being eaten. Perhaps there is no single reason. Each one of the above may apply, depending on the particular circumstances of each stranding.  

Q:  Summarise the possible reasons why whales beach themselves.

     

4. The Internet is perhaps the most remarkable invention of the twentieth century. It is an advertising medium through which commercial enterprises promote their products. Some businesses no longer operate through conventional retail outlet, but use the Net exclusively as the site from which their business is conducted. The Net is also a means of sharing knowledge, as a form of non-commercial transaction. There are many academic sites devoted to discussion between individuals about issues of importance. The Net has also revolutionised personal communications. Electronic mail allows instantaneous communication between individuals and ‘chat lines’ even facilitates conversations between people who may be thousands of miles apart. 

Q:  Summarise the uses of the Internet.

     

1. \
2.  

r art.

5. Before 1960, schooling was perceived as a means through which a set body of facts was transmitted to a new generation. However, in the second half of the twentieth century, it became apparent that what counted for a “fact” was open to dispute: many so-called “facts” were no longer facts. In Science, new theories in Physics changed our understanding of atomic particles, and astronomers changed our understanding of the universe. New maps of Europe, Africa and Asia turned a generation’s geographical knowledge into history. To accommodate this, education systems began to emphasise processes of enquiry rather than products of enquiry. Put simply, thinking becomes more important than memory. 

Q: Summarise the points which describe, exemplify and give reasons for the change in the  education system in the second half of the twentieth century.

    

1. many so-called
2.