HOW TO WRITE A SUMMARY

HOW DO
YOU
START ?

SPM TIP
Look at the summary question as if it is a comprehension question, except that
it requires a longer answer
HOW DO YOU START

Mark the Sentence Same

part connectors Tense

Identify & Indirect

Expand
underline speech

Avoid Own words

Refering
repeating / Copy

SPM TIP
The most important thing in a summary is READING and UNDERSTANDING
before you can even attempt to write the summary
TRIMMING DOWN EXCESS MATERIAL
Unnecessary details & Repetition & redundant
relative clauses sentences

SPM TIP
Leave out unnecessary details, relative clauses, examples, elaboration, lists,
repetition, redundant sentences, details, adjectives and long descriptions
LINKERS AND CONJUNCTIONS
However
Nevertheless
Meanwhile After
Hence Eventually that

Moreover Finally Consequently

Despite

Contrary Later
However
to

Besides Next

SPM TIP
Use a general term for a list of things and change the sentence structure to
reduce length
For continuity, use linkers and conjunctions
 LINK POINTS
WITH
WRITE CONNECTOR
OUT THE S
LIST OUT POINTS IN
RELEVANT SENTENC
POINTS ES
IDENTIFY THE
PART TO
SUMMARISE

UNDERSTAND
THE TEXT AS
A WHOLE
WRITING A SUMMARY

School-leavers have a lot of

options in choosing a suitable
course to pursue.
QUESTION 31

Write a summary on the steps

to be taken when selecting the
best course to study.
Begin your summary as
follows:
To choose the best course to
study, school-leavers have
to..
SUMMARY CONTENTS

1 Visit several universities

2 Speak to the academicians

3 Speak to the students

4 Select a programme that gives flexibility to change direction

5 Listen to parents

6 Seek advice from siblings

7 School career counsellors

SUMMARY CONTENTS

8 University academic staff

9 Attend as many career talks as possible

10 Select recognisable diploma or degree programme

11 Focus on tertiary institutions that are respected

12 Be critical

13 Select university that has a lot of doctorate qualified staff