SECTION B: SUMMARY - ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE PAPER 1 GRADE 12 STUDY GUIDE AND NOTES

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A summary is a shortened version of a longer text. It keeps the basic  meaning of the text. It contains relevant facts and accurate information  from the text. It does not contain details from the text, for example, direct  quotations. 
In this section, you will learn the steps that will help you to write the  summary question in the exam: 

  1. The exam summary
  2. Writing a summary 
  3. What is expected from you in the exam? 

1. The exam summary 

In the exam for Section B: Summary, you will be instructed to:  

  • Read a text of about 250 words; 
  • Write a summary of the text in point form. Write SEVEN points using no  more than 70 words in total. Make sure each point is numbered. 
  • Write only one point per sentence. Each point must be a complete  sentence; 
  • Not quote or copy sentences directly from the text. Use your own words,  as far as possible; and  
  • Count your words when you are finished and write the total number of  words down underneath your summary.  

Think of a summary as the skeleton of a fish. You are given a whole  fish and you have to extract the bones only. The shape of the fish stays  the same, just as the basic meaning of the extract or text stays the  same. 

 fishes
  • Keep to the topic means  that you keep to the main idea or message in each of your seven points.
  • Key words and key  sentences link to the main idea or topic in the  extract.

2. Writing a summary 

A good summary should contain seven correct points that keep to the  topic and are expressed clearly. You should use your own words, as  far as possible. Your summary should not contain grammar, spelling or  punctuation errors.  

Steps to writing a summary  in the exam 

There are five steps involved in answering a summary question in the exam. 

Step 1 - Read the question 

  • Read the question carefully. The question will tell you what the summary  is about. 
  • Look for the key words in the question. These will guide you so that you  know what information to look for in the text extract. 
  • Read the instructions. 

Step 2 - Read the text extract 

  • Read the text extract carefully. 
  • Underline key sentences that are related to the topic in the question.  

Step 3 - Plan your summary 

  • Look at the key sentences or phrases you have underlined. Make sure  that they focus on the topic. 
  • Number each sentence to check that you have identified seven points.  

Step 4 - Draft and edit your summary

  • Write a draft summary – your list of seven points – in your own words.
  • Edit your work by correcting any errors.  
  • Count the number of words to check whether you need to write more or  edit (cut) your text down. 

Step 5 - Write your final summary 

  • Write your final summary of seven points. 
  • Cross out your draft. 
  • Count the number of words and write an accurate word count in brackets  at the end of your summary. 
  • Be honest in your word count!  If you write more than 70  words, the examiner will only  mark up to 70 words
  • Summarising is a skill we all use. When you tell a friend about a film you watched, you give them a brief outline of the story. That’s a summary! 
  • It’s true.  Also when you revise for  exams, you make notes  and summarise important  points.

Worked example: Summary 

  • Read the question and  instructions carefully.

Here is an example of a summary question from a past exam  paper. Try to do the summary, following the steps on the next  page. When you have finished, compare your summary to the example on  page 18. 

Question 

The summer holidays are approaching. You have been asked to write a list  of SEVEN safety tips for this period. Use the following passage to compile  your list. 
Read the passage (TEXT C) below and write a list of SEVEN main points for  inclusion in your list. 

Instructions 

  1. List SEVEN points in full sentences using NO MORE than 70 words.
  2. Number your sentences from 1 to 7. 
  3. Write only ONE point per sentence.
  4. Use your OWN words.
  5. Indicate the total number of words you have used in brackets at the  end of your summary. 

 TEXT C

PLAY IT SAFE THIS SUMMER 

Summer is here and those long winter days of being cooped up in the house are all but gone.  But while we want to have fun, warmer weather comes with many hidden dangers, some  of which can be fatal. The hot summer weather attracts all South Africans to water, but it is  not just a pool that can pose a drowning risk. Our country also has many rivers, dams and  beaches. Regardless of their swimming ability, children should never be allowed in the water  without adult supervision.1 
Avoid sunburn. Applying a good sunscreen and reapplying often is vital.2 This goes for all  skin types. Use a good product and wear a wide-brimmed hat for extra protection.2 Active  people who sweat a great deal become dehydrated easily. Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent  dehydration is essential.3 Water, milk and fruit juices are ideal, but drinks containing caffeine  should be avoided. 
Insects carrying diseases love bushy areas as much as nature lovers do. A person showing  signs of fever, headache or fatigue may have been bitten by an insect. To avoid being bitten,  use long-lasting insect repellent and treat clothes with it too.4 Food poisoning is no fun.  Use caution when eating food from picnic baskets in hot weather.5 Pack food in insulated  containers and keep it cool with ice bricks. 
At a playground, ensure that all equipment is safe and be careful of hot surfaces 6 like metal  slides which can cause serious burns. Always adhere to safety regulations because a fun ride  on a scooter or skateboard without protective gear might end with you landing in hospital.7 A few simple precautions can ensure a healthy, happy summer in the great South African  outdoors. 

 [Adapted from YOU PULSE, 3 November 2011]

Step 1: Read the question 

The question says: 
‘The summer holidays are approaching. You have been asked to write  a list of SEVEN safety tips for this period. Use the following passage to  compile your list.’ 
The key words in the question are safety tips. This will be the topic of your  summary. 

  • Key words are words that  link to the main idea or topic  in the extract. 
  • The topic in this extract  is safety tips.
  • An imperative  sentence is an order or  instruction. “Sit!” is an  imperative sentence of just one word! 

Step 2: Read the text extract 

  • Read the text extract carefully. 
  • Underline key sentences that are related to safety tips. This has been  done in the extract on page 16 to show you how. 

Step 3: Plan your summary 

  • Make sure each of the sentences focuses on safety tips. 
  • Number the underlined sentences to check that you have identified  seven points. This has been done in the extract on page 16 to show you  how. 

Step 4: Draft and edit your summary 

  • Write a draft summary – your list of seven points – in your own words
  • Edit your work and correct any errors.  
  • Count the number of words to check whether you need to write more or  cut down the number of words. 

notes:

Writing summaries using the imperative form 

A useful way to write your summary for a text like this, which is about  giving instructions, is to use the imperative form for each of your  sentences. 
The usual word order in an imperative sentence is: 

verb + object, without a subject. 

For example, a sentence states: “Everyone must follow all safety  rules.”  
You can change this to the imperative form by dropping the subject (“Everyone”) and the auxiliary verb (“must”).  
Now your sentence reads: “Follow all safety rules.” 
This is an imperative sentence. 
Using imperatives will cut down the number of words in your summary. 

Step 5: Write your final summary 

  • Write your final summary of seven points. Number the points. Cross out  your draft.  
  • Count the number of words and write an accurate word count at the end  of your summary. 
  • The table below shows how the seven points identified in the text have  been rewritten in point form. The most important facts have been  drawn from the extract. It is an example of a good summary using the  imperative form. It has a total of 67 words. 

Answer to Worked example: Summary 

Point 

Relevant part of Text C 

Summary in point form in own  words

1. 

“Regardless of their swimming  ability, children should never  be allowed in the water without  adult supervision.”

Always supervise children near  water, even those who are good swimmers.

2. 

“Avoid sunburn. Applying a  good sunscreen and reapplying  often is vital” / “wear a  wide-brimmed hat for extra  protection.”

Protect yourself from sunburn  with effective sunscreen and a  wide-rimmed hat.

3. 

“Drinking plenty of fluids  to prevent dehydration is  essential.”

Keep hydrated by regularly  drinking fluids.

4. 

“To avoid being bitten, use  long-lasting insect repellent  and treat clothes with it too.”

Use an insect spray on yourself  and your clothes to prevent  harmful bites.

5. 

“Use caution when eating food  from picnic baskets in hot  weather.”

Avoid food poisoning by keeping  food in picnic baskets cool.

6. 

“At a playground, ensure that  all equipment is safe and be  careful of hot surfaces.”

Check for unsafe, hot playground  equipment.

7. 

“Always adhere to safety  regulations because a fun ride  on a scooter or skateboard  without protective gear might  end with you landing in  hospital.”

Follow safety rules and wear  protective equipment to avoid  injury.

Summary total: 67 words

Activity 3 

Question 
Last year has been one of the most exciting yet stressful years of your  life. You have been asked to talk to your fellow learners at the next school  assembly on how to manage stress. 
Read the passage (TEXT C) below and write a list of SEVEN points for  inclusion in your talk. 

Instructions 

  1. List SEVEN points in full sentences using NO MORE THAN 70 words
  2. Number your sentences from 1 to 7. 
  3. Write only ONE point per sentence.
  4. Use your OWN words.
  5. Indicate the total number of words you have used in brackets at the end  of your summary. 

Text C 

BEAT THE BURN 

We live in a stressful world. The general truth is that stress is not something that  happens to you, but something you do to yourself. The good news is that there  are a few things you can do to turn your stress into joy.  
Our thoughts create stress. 
When you have negative pictures in your mind, deliberately change them into  positive thoughts and paint the best possible pictures in your mind. Repeat this  as many times as it takes. The purpose of meditation is to keep your attention in  the present moment, away from stressful thoughts that are in the past or future.  When your mind runs away, mentally relax and focus on your breathing. When you  are stressed, you deprive your body of precious oxygen. At regular intervals, take  ten deep breaths in and out, feeling your stomach move. Visualise oxygen going  to your toes, fingertips and brain. Creativity takes your mind away from difficult  issues, forcing you to focus on the task at hand. Being creative can, therefore,  help you feel good while creating something beautiful. 
Any form of exercise rids the body of unfriendly hormones. Exercise causes your  body to release hormones which will leave you feeling great. Science has proven  that laughing can beat illnesses, including cancer. Laughing rids the body of bad  chemicals. Fill your diet with vegetables, fruit, nuts, lean meat and fish. Limit your  caffeine intake which will not only stabilise your blood-sugar level, but also your  mood. Do not have too many late nights as you could be deprived of sufficient  rest.  
Only you can turn your stress into joy. 

 [Adapted from Longevity, June 2009]

Answers to Activity 3

  1.  Convert negative thoughts into positive thoughts.✔ Think  positively. ✔
  2. Meditate to help focus your mind on the present. ✔
  3.  Take deep breaths regularly to enable oxygen to flow to your  organs. ✔
  4. Being creative can take your mind off your problems. ✔ 
  5. Exercise to rid the body of harmful substances. ✔
  6. Laughter helps to heal the body. ✔
  7. Eat healthy foods. ✔
  8. Get enough sleep.3 Rest sufficiently. ✔

3. What is expected from you   in the exam?  

In the exam, the summary question is worth 10 marks out of 80 marks for  Paper 1.  
The examiners are looking for seven correct points that keep to the topic  and are expressed clearly, using your own words. They must not contain  grammar, spelling or punctuation errors. Each correct point will earn a  mark; and 3 marks will be given for correct language use. 
The exam is two hours long and you should spend about 30 minutes on  comment the summary. 

For more practice on summaries, go to these past exam papers: 

  • November 2010, page 7, Question 3 
  • November 2011, page 8, Question 2 
  • Feb/March 2013, page 7, Question 2 

Remember practice makes perfect! Practise 

Last modified on Tuesday, 27 July 2021 06:38
Published in English First Additional Language (FAL) Paper 1 Grade 12 Study Guide and Notes

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