A summary is a short version of a longer text that captures the main ideas. Good summarising skills help you study, take notes, and show you truly understand what you've read.
๐ Steps to Summarise
1
Read the whole text carefully
2
Find the main idea of each section
3
Mark key points and details
4
Cut examples, repetition, minor details
5
Put key ideas in YOUR words
โ What to Include
- ๐ Main idea or topic
- ๐ Key points
- ๐ Essential details
- ๐ Conclusion or outcomes
- โ Examples (unless vital)
- โ Repeated information
- โ Your opinions (unless asked)
- โ Minor or "nice to know" details
โ The Summary Questions
- WHO is this about?
- WHAT happened or is being discussed?
- WHERE did it take place?
- WHEN did it happen?
- WHY is it important?
- HOW did it happen?
๐ก Example
"Kiwi are flightless birds found only in New Zealand. They are about the size of a chicken and have brown, hair-like feathers. Kiwi are nocturnal, meaning they come out at night to hunt for food. They eat insects, worms, and berries, using their long beaks to probe the ground. Their nostrils are at the tip of their beak, which is unusual for birds. Sadly, kiwi numbers have declined due to predators like stoats and dogs. Conservation efforts include predator control and kiwi sanctuaries."
"Kiwi are flightless, nocturnal birds native to New Zealand. They hunt insects using their unique beaks. Numbers are declining due to predators, but conservation efforts are helping."
โ๏ธ Activities
Read a short story or article, then summarise it in 2-3 sentences using the 5W's.
My summary:
๐ฉโ๐ซ Teacher Notes
- English: Reading โ comprehension
- English: Writing โ note-taking