## WRITING A SUMMARY 

## Selecting the points 

## Summarising and Reporting 

## 9 

Whether you have to write a summary or précis for an exam or whether you need to summarise a report for convenience, it is essential that you first thoroughly understand the mean- ing of the passage. Jot down the main points – using your own words. It is then a good idea to put away the original material and write the piece in your own words. 

Sometimes you might be asked to summarise a piece using a certain number of words. Often the length required is a third of the original passage. Make sure you are within a word or two of the number required. Summarising is an excellent way of training yourself to write concisely. There is no room for any unnecessary words. Adjectives and adverbs should be deleted. So should any examples or illustrations. Save those for use in a longer report. 

The final summary should be a competent piece of prose in your own words. It should read well and should follow all the 

