SECTION B: SUMMARY – ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE PAPER 1 GRADE 12 STUDY GUIDE AND NOTES Are you gearing up for your Grade 12 English First Additional Language Paper 1 exam and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material to cover? Fret not! In this comprehensive study guide and notes,
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:
- The exam summary
- Writing a summary
- 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.
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- 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.
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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
- List SEVEN points in full sentences using NO MORE than 70 words.
- Number your sentences from 1 to 7.
- Write only ONE point per sentence.
- Use your OWN words.
- 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 [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. verb + object, without a subject. For example, a sentence states: “Everyone must follow all safety rules.” |
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
- List SEVEN points in full sentences using NO MORE THAN 70 words
- Number your sentences from 1 to 7.
- Write only ONE point per sentence.
- Use your OWN words.
- 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. [Adapted from Longevity, June 2009] |
Answers to Activity 3
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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