How to Summarise a Passage

What you will learn:

1. Understanding the purpose of summarising

2. The key steps in creating a summary

3. Summarising short passages

A summary is a brief recollection or an account of the main points in a text.

Definition

It conveys essential information.

Purpose

COMPREHENSION: It helps you to understand the main ideas of a text.

RETENTION: It helps you to remember key details.

COMMUNICATION: It teaches you how to share precise and important information.

​Why do we summarise?

Read the passage carefully.

Identify the main ideas.

Omit minor details and examples.

Rewrite the main ideas in your own words.

Ensure the summary is concise and coherent.

​How to Summarise

​How do you identify main ideas in a passage.

Look for sentences that tell you what the passage is about.
Pay attention to repetition.
Consider headings and subheadings if there are any.
Identify concluding sentences.

"The Great Fire of London was a major disaster that swept through the central parts of London in September 1666. The fire started in a bakery on Pudding Lane and quickly spread due to the wooden houses and narrow streets. Despite efforts to control the fire, it raged for three days, destroying thousands of homes and numerous buildings, including St. Paul’s Cathedral. The fire was finally brought under control when the wind stopped and firebreaks were created by demolishing buildings. After the fire, London was rebuilt with wider streets and brick buildings to prevent such a disaster from happening again."

• Main Idea 1: The Great Fire of London started in a bakery on Pudding Lane.

• Main Idea 2: The fire spread quickly due to wooden houses and narrow streets.

• Main Idea 3: The fire raged for three days and destroyed many buildings.

• Main Idea 4: The fire was controlled by stopping the wind and creating firebreaks.

• Main Idea 5: London was rebuilt with wider streets and brick buildings.

The Summary
"The Great Fire of London began in a bakery on Pudding Lane and spread quickly because of the wooden houses and narrow streets. It lasted for three days, destroying many buildings including St. Paul’s Cathedral. The fire was eventually controlled by stopping the wind and creating firebreaks. London was later rebuilt with wider streets and brick buildings to prevent future fires."

Be concise: Use few words to convey the main ideas.

Be accurate: Ensure the summary reflects the original text accurately.

Use your own words: Avoid copying phrases directly from the text.

Stay objective: Do not include personal opinions or interpretations.