Instructions

To read the poem, click here.

How to write a good summary

When we write a summary, we reduce a large amount of information to a few sentences. Only major points are included in a summary; details and examples are omitted unless they are essential to the main idea. Connectors show you when important points are introduced (Firstly, Secondly, It is important to note, Finally, etc.). Other connectors can show you where additional details are added (for example, in addition) and are thus not important enough to be included in a summary.

Summaries vary slightly according to the kind of text you have to summarise. A summary of a narrative, for example, would include the main events, when, where and who was involved and why something happened.

Remember: It is important not to change the meaning of the original text. When you write a summary, follow the steps below.


1.Read carefully. Underline the main points: Connectors can help you identify main points.
2.Write out these points in your own words.
3.Review your summary to see if you can reduce it any further.
4.Write out your summary. Check you have used the number of words specified in your composition question.

Every summary should include:

1. An OPENING STATEMENT: All the key things in one sentence (type of text, people, time, and place).

E.g.: In this first chapter (story/ passage/ article/ interview, etc.) Ava falls in love at first sight with ALEX when she sees him at the mail box.

2. KEY ASPECTS in an organized way (name, explain and give examples)

1) Writer and nationality: An American teenager.
2) Main characters (Name, age): Ava-17, Alex-18
3) First meeting

E.g.: Ava is the main character of this American story written by a teenager.

Ava and Alex (who is the other important character in the story) are teenagers as well. They are 17 and 18 respectively.

They see each other at a winter break in December 1964 when Alex is helping his wealthy father move to a new house in a coastal town of New England. Ava is collecting the mail when she first sees Alex. However, it is not until the next day that they talk to each other while taking their dogs out for a walk. Not for long, because Ava’s mom is calling her. But, something has started.

This is a link to the short novel Ava.  You can print it or download it onto your computer. Read a chapter each week and send me the summary by email.