Summary & Essay Writing – SS3 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

A summary is a shorter version of a passage, written in your own words. It states the main points and leaves out everything that is not essential. Summary writing involves analysing information, separating important points from unimportant ones, and expressing a lot of information in a few words or sentences.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain what a summary is and how to prepare to write one;
• list the types of essays;
• describe how to approach an essay question;
• state what is assessed in an essay;
• explain why paragraphing is important in essay writing.

What is a summary?

Summary is the contraction of the main point and essence of an essay, or of any formal document, into a few sentences. To summarise, describe in your own words a shorter version of the passage you have read. State the main points and leave out everything that is not essential.

Summary is more than retelling. It involves analysing information, distinguishing important from unimportant elements and putting a lot of information into a few words or sentences.

How do you read in order to summarise?

A summary allows you to reinforce the learning of major points. When reading to summarise, you need to:

1. Pull out the key details and points.
2. Focus on the main points or key details.
3. Use the key words and phrases.
4. Break down large ideas.
5. Take succinct but complete notes.

What should you avoid?

• Do not copy word for word.
• Do not be scanty in ideas.
• Do not write too much.
• Do not write incomplete sentences.
• Do not write down almost everything in the passage.
• Do not write ideas that are not expressed in the passage.

Points to note

1. Only the main point and some subordinate points are required.
2. The main point can be stated directly or implied.
3. All extraneous material should be left out. Use a few quotations.

What are the types of essays?

1. Narrative essay
2. Descriptive essay
3. Argumentative essay
4. Expository essay
5. Letter writing

How do you approach essay writing?

1. Gather ideas by writing an outline.
2. Organise the ideas or outline.
3. Develop the ideas. They must be in paragraphs.
4. Revise the ideas to correct errors.

Ideas should not be lumped into a single paragraph. Use linking words such as moreover, furthermore, again and in addition to start a new paragraph.

How is an essay assessed?

Content

The ideas presented must be relevant to the central theme.

Organisation

The writing must be judged as whatever it is intended to be: an article, a speech, a letter, an argument, a debate, etc. The qualities to look for are a suitable opening, adequate development, good paragraphing, balance, coherence and a suitable conclusion.

Expression

The positive qualities to look for under Expression include:

• Clarity and the general appropriateness of style.
• Variation of sentence structure and type.
• Judicious use of figurative language.
• Skilful and sophisticated use of punctuation.

Mechanical accuracy

The main categories of error are:

• Undeniable errors in grammar
• Punctuation errors
• Spelling errors

Assessment of length (450 words)

The number of lines needed to make 450 words depends on the number of words per line.

Evaluation

The teacher evaluates the lesson using the following questions. The students answer them.

1. List the types of essays.
2. State how to approach an essay question.
3. List the things that are assessed in SSCE essays.
4. State the importance of paragraphing in essay writing.

Assignment

Write the formal letter from the last examination.

References

• Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 17th edition, by Daniel Jones; SSCE marking scheme
• New Concept English Book 3 by Q. Adams et al.