How to write a summary for IGCSE Lang (2019-2020 syllabi)

1. INTRODUCTION TO
WRITING
SUMMARIES
S O U R C E : C O X , M . ( 2 0 1 5 ) . F I R S T L A N G U A G E E N G L I S H
( 4 T H E D. ) . U N I T E D K I N G D O M : C A M B R I D G E U N I V E R S I T Y
P R E S S

2. WHAT IS A SUMMARY?
•A summary is a reduced version
of a text.
•It is informative.

3. HOW TO SUMMARISE
• When you summarise a passage, you need to identify
the key words in the text, i.e. the single phrases which
tell you what each part of the text is about.
• It is useful to have a highlighter with you in an exam
so that you can annotate the passage to select
material for any summary question.
• Highlight only the essential points rather than whole
sentences or paragraphs.

4. WHAT SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN A
SUMMARY?
• You should never include the following in your summary:
– Repetition
– Minor detail
– Quotations
– Direct speech
– Imagery
– Examples
– Lists

5. LANGUAGE USE IN SUMMARIES
• The summary question will ask you to summarise using your
own words, so be careful not to copy whole phrases or
sentences. It not necessary, however, to change every single
word.
• Try to paraphrase the information in texts and to make your
sentences shorter than those in the original.
• If you are not sure what a word means, don’
• It is good style, saves time and words, and avoids repetition to
use complex sentences when writing your summary.