Summary writing
ELLO, STUDENTS. I really hope the lessons on summary writing have been helping to improve your summary skills and ridding you of any fears you may have had.
Below, I have provided a sample summary of the passage from last week’s lesson.
THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MIGRATION
International migrants are divided into categories: those who leave voluntarily and those who leave because of challenging circumstances. Migrants usually move from countries with limited employment opportunities to developed countries that offer better job prospects, often because of problems in the labour force or an ageing population. Inevitably, migration impacts home countries – remittance positively impacts fiscal growth, but brain drain may result. One way to combat migration’s negative impact is to encourage immigrants to return so they can influence nation building. However, this effort may be challenged as long as better jobs are available in other countries. (98 words)
You will note that certain expressions from the final paragraph of the original passage have been contracted. The expression: “Funds sent by migrants to families back home” has been replaced by the word ‘remittance’, and “when highly qualified people leave their home country, the investment made by the developing countries in their higher education is lost” has been replaced by ‘brain drain’. This practice of contraction is encouraged so that your completed summary is concise.
The CSEC English A’s report on this passage stated that “candidates were expected to identify the classes of migrants; the direction of migration; the relationship between migration, population growth/decline and the labour market; and the consequences of migration on source country and destination”. You will notice that their expectations are based on the paragraphing principle of identifying topic sentences and supporting points. If you apply this principle, then you will produce better summaries.
Let us look at another passage. It formed part of the January 2008 English A examination. You are usually instructed to write a summary in no more than 120 words.
The Caribbean is well known for its prowess in sports such as cricket, athletics, boxing, football and netball. During the last decade, much attention has been given in some countries to coaching, administration, sponsorship and physical preparation. Good as it is, it is no enough. Physical training is essential for success in sports, but the very best results can only come through a combination of professional training and good nutrition. In the Caribbean, unfortunately, very little planning has gone into nutritional aspects of the athlete’s preparation before, during and after sports events.
The athlete needs to recognise that performance during the competitive season is strongly related to nutritional status outside the competitive season. Although there are necessary changes in the quantity and quality of diet during competition, the overall approach should be in keeping with basic dietary guidelines for healthy living.
Nowhere is the need for proper nutrition more evident than in sports. The ability to succeed in sports requires good health based on a diet that provides all the essential nutrients in correct amounts over a period of time. Many of our athletes often ignore the most vital parts of the diet – food containing vitamins and minerals that provide stamina and endurance – in favour of foods that lack nutrients.
Will the average balanced diet that brings health benefits in the presence of normal activity also be adequate for people engaged in increased physical activity and competitive sports? Many athletes do not think so and they are exposed to, and are tempted by, numerous fads and diets which they expect to improve their performance.
The pressure to use performance-enhancing drugs is increasing dramatically because of the lure of lucrative prizes, contracts and product endorsements. This has tempted sportspersons particularly in athletics, to engage in illegal practices. But drug use not only negates the spirit of human competition, it can be hazardous to health. We should never forget that there is life after retirement from sports, and most importantly, we should give the public and fans the proof that our heroes are in fact drug free and worthy role models. Fitzroy J. Henry, Sports and Nutrition: Twins for Success
The passage focuses generally on sports in the Caribbean and articulates the significance of maintaining a proper nutritional programme for sportspersons, in addition to its usual physical training.
I have underlined the important points that the writer highlights and which should be included in a summary of the passage.
Below, I have provided a sample.
SAMPLE SUMMARY
The Caribbean is famous for its sporting talents. While the emphasis on physical training is important, scant attention is given to a proper nutritional programme for athletes. Basic dietary practices should be maintained before, during and after competition. Maintaining good nutrition is important in sports, but athletes often neglect this. Athletes are often sceptical about the benefits that proper nutrition offers and sometimes resort to fad diets in order to boost performance. However, through a combination of training and proper nutrition, optimal performance will be achieved. Also, despite the temptation to use drugs because of the financial benefits of winning, it must be understood that drug use is dangerous. Sportspeople should strive to be drug free and worthy of emulation. (120 words)
REMINDERS
You are encouraged by CXC to:
Recognise the topic sentence that is in each paragraph of a given extract. The topic sentence does not have to come in the first sentence or even the last; it can be implied.
Focus on text organisational patterns such as cause and effect, problem and solution, before and after and similar developmental strategies. This enables greater comprehension and synthesis of information.
Use meaning generated from the paragraphs to create a generalized piece of writing and submit one paragraph for your completed summary.
Use your own words.
Review all we have done on summary writing. I will see you next week.
Quote of the Week “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”