Summary writing

Grade 8

English
Purpose of Summary writing
• To reduce a given extract to a certain number of words.
• To analyse and simplify materials to find main ideas and
key facts.
This skill will aid you in your studies in all subjects across the
curriculum.
Reading Strategies
⚫ Skim and scan for main ideas
Outcomes and theme
⚫ Understand the basic principles
⚫ Separate main ideas from
required for summary writing
supporting details
⚫ Compile an analysis of the
given text ⚫ Paraphrase the main idea in
own words
⚫ Write a well constructed
summary. ⚫ Sequence the sentences and
use conjunctions and logical
connectives to link them
together into a text
Word count for a summary
Gr 8
English Home Summary of 60 - 70
Language … words
 Instructions
• Find SEVEN facts.
• Read the text and find SEVEN key words, number
them and write them as the first step of the draft.
• Use each key word and formulate full sentences.
• ONLY use ONE fact per sentence.
• Write sentences in point form (HL as well)
• Number your sentences one to seven.
• While writing the draft, leave a line in between each
sentence where you can do editing after
proofreading.
• Make sure your summary is the correct length as per
instructions and grade.
• Write the actual word count at the end of the summary.
• You will lose the mark if the word count is not
indicated.
How to write a summary
Step. 1

1. Read through the extract.

2. Find any unknown words and write them in
the block.
3. Use a dictionary and find synonyms for the
unknown words.
4. Re-read the passage using the synonyms
and make sure you understand the text.
 Step 2

1. Analyse the text by removing the layers of your

hamburger.
2. Find the key words in the sentences e.g. noun or
verb
3. Circle or underline key words.
4. Scan through the text to find the most important
facts.
5. Number the facts in the text and make a list of only
the words.
 Step 3

Remove any
descriptions
Remove long
introductions
Remove names and
dates

Keep nouns and facts

Keep verbs and actions

 Step 4 Read the text
Lines, Lines - Bar codes

Have you ever looked at thick dark and thin lines with spaces between them
on products in the shops? Well they are bar codes and are found on
goods in shops. These codes provide information about the name of the
goods, the price, tax to be paid and other information which the
shopkeepers might need.
A bar code scanner was also developed to read these codes. It contains a
lazar and microchip to record the information. The product and be moved
in front of the scanner upside down, back to front, it only doesn’t read it
when the product is wet or the label has been damaged. The scanner can
work in bright light and can be hand held or attached at the pay point in an
neat box. The bar code contains lots of information in a small space which
is much shorter than having it all written out. An advantage of bar code is
that the shop owner can change the prices on their centre computer and
no need to remove price tags off thousands of products in the store. The
shop owner will also know how much stock is left of that product and when
he needs to order stock. It also saves time for the cashiers because it is
easier to just scan than to type in the name or search for the product on
the product list.
Instructions:
1. Read the text on bar codes.
2. Summarise the text by finding the
purpose and use of this system in
shops.
3. Use the following heading: “Use of Bar
Code System”
4. HL – Write the draft in point form then formulate a good
paragraph of no more than 70 words.
5. Submit both copies, remember to write the word count at
the end of the summary.
 Step 4 Find the key words
Lines, Lines - Bar codes
Have you ever looked at thick dark and thin lines with spaces between them on
products in the shops? Well they are bar codes and are found on goods in
shops. These codes provide information about the name of the goods, the
price, tax to be paid and other information which the shopkeepers might
need.
A bar code scanner was also developed to read these codes. It contains a
lazar and microchip to record the information. The product and be moved in
front of the scanner upside down, back to front, it only doesn’t read it when
the product is wet or the label has been damaged. The scanner can work in
bright light and can be hand held or attached at the pay point in an neat box.
The bar code contains lots of information in a small space which is much
shorter than having it all written out. An advantage of bar code is that the
shop owner can change the prices on their centre computer and no need to
remove price tags off thousands of products in the store. The shop owner
will also know how much stock is left of that product and when he needs to
order stock. It also saves time for the cashiers because it is easier to just
scan than to type in the name or search for the product on the product list.
 Now formulate your own sentences
using these words.
Draft copy 1. The code contains important information about
Key words: the product.
2. The scanner works with lazar and has a micro
1. information chip which reads the information.
2. scanner 3. The product has to be moved in front of the
3. lazar / microchip scanner to register the details.
4. Lots of information can be recorded in the
4. moved small space of the label.
5. small space 5. Prices can be changed without having to
remove stickers.
6. prices
6. The shop owner can keep track of stock and
7. stock order in time.
8. time 7. It saves time at the pay point and speeds up
the process. 90 words

Note that this is too long and needs to be edited

before the final copy can be written.

It is acceptable to have 3 words below or over the

required number.
 Editing process.

1. The code contains important information about the product.

2. The scanner works with lazar and has a micro chip which
reads the information.
3. The product has to be moved in front of the scanner to
Continue with the register the details.
editing process 4. Lots of information can be recorded in the small space of the
label.
5. Prices can be changed without having to remove stickers.
6. The shop owner can keep track of stock and order in time.
7. It saves time at the pay point and speeds up the process. 90
words

Note that this is too long and needs to be edited before the final
copy can be written.

It is acceptable to have 3 words below or over the required number.

 3. Facts:
Marking Tick the seven fact in context according to the
Guidelines for marking of memorandum.
summaries: Make a definite (√) above the main idea.
Read the summary at Mark only one fact per sentence.
least TWICE. If main ideas are not according to the topic, the
candidate will not get the mark for word count.
1. Look for facts and
obvious
grammar/punctuation
errors PENALIZE CANDIDATES ONLY ONCE PER TYPE
OF ERROR MADE!
7 marks for 7 facts
2. Direct quotes and 3 marks for grammar
incomplete sentences. Grammar:
Indicate some marking Indicate in the margin: F = ../7
L = …/3
code showing the
Deduct -1 for no indication or incorrect word count.
errors. -1 for direct quotes or telegram style.
- 3 from Language if the format is incorrect.
Summary skills will
be of value all your
days of your life, not
only for English
Reading and
Writing, but for all
your future studies
and materials you’ll
have to study for
exams.

Practice, practice
until you become an
expert!!!