English Language · Lesson 2

Summary writing

JAMBWAECNECO

What the syllabus asks

JAMB: comprehension and summary-related items (main idea, best title, purpose)

WAEC: Summary — identifying main ideas in a passage, writing them in one complete sentence each, in the candidate’s own words, avoiding irrelevant details, examples and repetition; answering a stated number of points; one-sentence summaries of whole paragraphs

NECO: Summary — identifying main ideas in a passage, writing them in one complete sentence each, in the candidate’s own words, avoiding irrelevant details, examples and repetition; answering a stated number of points; one-sentence summaries of whole paragraphs

What you will learn

Understand what WAEC and NECO examiners reward in summary.
Identify the main ideas relevant to a given question.
Separate main ideas from examples and supporting details.
Rewrite points as complete sentences in your own words.
Summarise a whole paragraph or passage in one sentence and suggest a title.
Manage time and avoid common errors.

Key points

Read the question first: what to find, how many points, where.
Find main ideas; topic sentences help but the question decides relevance.
Drop examples, statistics, quotes, anecdotes and repetition; generalise lists.
One point per complete sentence with subject and finite verb.
Use your own words where possible; keep technical terms.
Give exactly the number of points required.
Titles are short and cover the whole passage.
Plan about 30–35 minutes: read, mark, draft, write, proofread.

Start here: What is a summary?

When your mother asks, "What did the principal say at the PTA meeting?", you do not repeat the whole hour-long speech. You say: "He said school fees will rise next term, the new hostel will open in January, and students must be in school by 7:30." That is a summary: the main points, briefly, in your own words.

A summary is a brief restatement of the main ideas of a passage that answer a particular question, leaving out details, examples and repetition.

In WAEC and NECO Paper 2, Section C, you read a passage of about 500–600 words and answer questions such as:

"In four sentences, one for each, summarise the reasons given in the passage for rural–urban migration."
"In one sentence, summarise the last paragraph."

The skills tested are: understanding the passage, selecting relevant points, and expressing them clearly in correct English.

Worked example 2.1

Summarise in one sentence: "Many students fail mathematics not because they lack ability, but because they do not practise regularly. They wait until the week before the exam, cram formulas and panic."

Main idea: failure is due to lack of regular practice.
"Cram formulas and panic" are details.

Many students fail mathematics mainly because they do not practise regularly.

Try it yourself. How many marks does Summary carry in WAEC Paper 2?

Show solution

30 marks.

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Practice questions

1. In summary writing, you should write

in your own words where possible
long sentences copied from the passage
your opinions on the topic
examples and illustrations

Show answer

A: in your own words where possible
Avoid lifting whole sentences.

2. A summary answer should normally be written in

note form with arrows
a single word
abbreviations only
complete sentences

Show answer

D: complete sentences
Unless notes are asked for.

3. The first step in summary writing is to

count the words in the passage
write a title
read the question to know exactly what is required
start writing at once

Show answer

C: read the question to know exactly what is required
Focus on what is asked.

4. Which of these should be left out of a summary?

The required number of points
Illustrations and repetitions
Main points
Key facts asked for

Show answer

B: Illustrations and repetitions
Only the main ideas are needed.

5. If a question asks for "five ways", you should write

five sentences, one point each
one long sentence
ten sentences
as many as possible

Show answer

A: five sentences, one point each
Match the number required.

Key words

Summary: A brief account of the main points of a passage.
Main idea: The central point of a paragraph or passage.
Topic sentence: The sentence that states a paragraph’s main idea.
Supporting detail: Examples, figures or explanations that back up a main idea.
Lifting: Copying the words of the passage wholesale.
Paraphrase: Restating an idea in different words.
Relevance: Connection to the question asked.
Redundancy: Unnecessary repetition.
Fragment: An incomplete sentence lacking a main clause.
Gist: The essential meaning.
Title: A short heading that captures the central idea.

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