Writing a summary in 6 simple steps

Read the text below and complete the following task.

The newspaper is an extremely useful learning tool to students today. Besides being easily
available and affordable, it offers them numerous benefits.
A survey carried out on the benefits of the newspaper clearly shows that students who read the
newspapers have better awareness of the world around them. This is because they are better
informed of the current issues happening around the world. Hence, they become more
knowledgeable.
As language proficiency seems to be a problem amongst students these days, reading the
newspaper also helps them improve their language skills. As such, they are able to put into
practice what they have learnt.
Meanwhile, once outside the classroom, students can use the newspaper to be a continuous
source of education and information. For example, it can be used to obtain reference material or
ideas for their school assignments.
The newspaper today also motivates students to learn because it contains educational
supplements that help them with their lessons. Besides, they also encourage students to develop
their thinking skills through extensive reading.
It is without doubt that the newspaper is beneficial to students. As such, we should encourage
them to read the newspaper every day.

Write a summary on how the newspaper can be a useful tool to students.

Your summary must:
not be more than 60 words, including the 10 given words below
be in continuous writing (not note form)
be written in one paragraph

Use your own words as far as possible without changing its original meaning. Begin your
summary as follows:

The newspaper is a useful tool that helps students to

Tips to answer a summary question:
Step 1:
Read the text once to get an idea on what the text is all about.

Step 2:
Read the question. Identify the keywords.
Write a summary on HOW the newspaper can be a useful tool to students.

Step 3:
Identify the content points. Read again the text. Read each sentence in the text one by one. Ask
whether the sentence answers the question HOW the newspaper can be a useful tool to
students?

Sentence from the text Does the sentence answers
the question HOW the
newspaper can be a useful
tool to students?
What is the content
point?(highlight or underline
the content point)* yellow
main points
* blue supporting points
The newspaper is an extremely
useful learning tool to students
today.
No None
Besides being easily available
and affordable, it offers them
numerous benefits.
No None
A survey carried out on the Yes have better awareness of the
benefits of the newspaper
clearly shows that students
who read the newspapers have
better awareness of the world
around them.
world around them.
This is because they are better
informed of the current issues
happening around the world.
Yes.When you see the word
because, the sentence
normally contains the
supporting point for the
previous sentence.
better informed of the current
issues happening around the
world.
Hence, they become more
knowledgeable.
Yes. become more knowledgeable.
As language proficiency seems
to be a problem amongst
students these days, reading the
newspaper also helps them
improve their language skills.
Yes. improve their language skills.
As such, they are able to put
into practice what they have
learnt.
Yes.When you see the phrase
as such, the sentence
normally contains the
supporting point for the
previous sentence.
able to put into practice what
they have learnt.
Meanwhile, once outside the
classroom, students can use the
newspaper to be a continuous
source of education and
information.
Yes. continuous source of education
and information.
For example, it can be used to
obtain reference material or
ideas for their school
assignments.
No.Pay attention to the words
like for example, like, such as.
These words indicate
examples. Dont write
examples in a summary.
None
The newspaper today also
motivates students to learn
because it contains educational
supplements that help them
with their lessons.
Yes. motivates students to learnThe
phrase after the word
because is the supporting
point:
contains educational
supplements that help them
with their lessons
Besides, they also encourage
students to develop their
thinking skills through
extensive reading.
Yes. to develop their thinking skills
through extensive reading.
It is without doubt that the No. None.
newspaper is beneficial to
students.
As such, we should encourage
them to read the newspaper
every day.
No. None.

*C indicates content:
C1 have better awareness of the world around them / better informed of the current issues
happening around the world
C2 become more knowledgeable
C3 improve their language skills / able to put into practice what they have learnt
C4 continuous source of education and information
C5 motivates students to learn
C6 encourage students to develop their thinking skills through extensive reading

Important:
If you are able to identify both main and supporting points, write either one in the summary.
It is not encouraged to write the supporting points. Sometimes, a supporting point is NOT
accepted as the content point!

Step 4:
Write the summary. Write five (5) content points only. Begin your summary with the ten (10)
words given. Copy the points EXACTLY from the text to avoid sentence errors and changing
the meaning of the original text. Use sequence connectors like next, then, moreover, furthermore,
lastly, etc.

The newspaper is a useful tool that helps students to have better awareness of the world around
them. (C1) They become more knowledgeable. (C2) Moreover, reading the newspaper also helps
them improve their language skills. (C3) Furthermore, students can use the newspaper to be a
continuous source of education and information. (C4) Finally, the newspaper today also
motivates students to learn. (C5)

Step 5:
Count the number of words and write it at the bottom right of the summary. Make sure your
summary is NOT MORE than 60 words.

The newspaper is a useful tool that helps students to have better awareness of the world around
them. They become more knowledgeable. Moreover, reading the newspaper also helps them
improve their language skills. Furthermore, students can use the newspaper to be a continuous
source of education and information. Finally, the newspaper today also motivates students to
learn.
(57 words)
Step 6:
Read your answer again. Make sure there are no spelling errors.
Marks for the above summary:

The newspaper is a useful tool that helps students to have better awareness of the world around
them. They become more knowledgeable. Moreover, reading the newspaper also helps them
improve their language skills. Furthermore, students can use the newspaper to be a continuous
source of education and information. Finally, the newspaper today also motivates students to
learn.

Content points 5 marks
Language 3 marks
Total marks 8 marks