Lesson 5: Writing a Coherent Summary

🟦 Introduction

Now that you can identify main ideas, paraphrase, avoid repetition, and organize points—it’s time to learn how to write a complete, polished summary.

A strong WASSCE summary is:

• Concise – stays within the word or sentence limit

• Coherent – flows smoothly from point to point

• Accurate – captures only the relevant ideas from the passage

• Well-structured – ideas are grouped logically and written in your own words

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

• How to follow the exam’s specific summary instructions

• How to structure your summary clearly

• How to maintain coherence (flow and clarity)

• How to avoid common summary mistakes

🟩 Key Concepts and Explanations

1. Understand the WASSCE Summary Instructions

WASSCE usually gives clear instructions such as:

“In six sentences, state the reasons for the rise in road accidents.”
“In not more than 120 words, summarize the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.”

🟨 Always pay attention to:

• Number of points or sentences required

• Whether to use continuous prose or numbered points

• The specific aspect of the passage to focus on (not the whole passage)

2. Structure of a Summary

🟨 Unless asked for a paragraph-style summary, use one sentence per point.

3. What Makes a Summary Coherent?

Coherence means your summary is:

• Easy to read

• Logical from one idea to the next

• Free from confusing wording or grammar mistakes

Tips to improve coherence:

• Use transition words (e.g. “firstly”, “next”, “finally”)

• Avoid jumping between unrelated points

• Be clear, simple, and direct

4. Common Summary Mistakes

🚫 Copying sentences from the passage (lifting)
🚫 Using flowery or emotional language
🚫 Adding your own opinions
🚫 Writing more than required
🚫 Merging unrelated points into one sentence

🧭 Step-by-Step Walkthrough

🔸 Sample Summary Prompt:

Read the passage below and write a summary of the causes and effects of teenage drug abuse in six sentences.

Sample Passage (Excerpt):

“Many teenagers turn to drugs due to peer pressure and lack of parental guidance. Boredom and curiosity also lead them to experiment with harmful substances. Unfortunately, drug abuse leads to poor academic performance, health problems, and criminal behavior. Some drop out of school, while others become violent. Families often suffer emotionally and financially when a child becomes addicted.”

Step 1: Identify Relevant Points

• Peer pressure

• Lack of parental guidance

• Boredom and curiosity

• Poor academic performance

• Health problems

• Criminal behavior

• School dropout

• Family suffering

Step 2: Choose the six most important points and group them by theme

Causes:

1. Peer pressure

2. Lack of parental guidance

3. Boredom and curiosity

Effects: 4. Poor academic performance 5. Criminal behavior and school dropout 6. Family hardship (emotional and financial)

Step 3: Write in clear, coherent sentences

✅ Sample Summary:

1. Many teenagers abuse drugs due to peer influence.

2. A lack of supervision from parents also contributes to the problem.

3. Some take drugs out of boredom or curiosity.

4. As a result, their school performance suffers.

5. Drug use often leads to dropping out and engaging in criminal activities.

6. Families face both emotional and financial stress when children become addicted.

✅ Each sentence contains one idea, is paraphrased, and stays within the word limit.

🟨 Practice Exercises

Exercise A: Fix the Summary

The following summary is disorganized and has extra detail. Rewrite it more clearly.

“Teenagers use drugs because of peer pressure, and sometimes they feel bored. Some even want to try things for fun. Their grades drop and their parents get very sad and worried. Sometimes they steal and get caught. The problem happens when parents don’t talk to them.”

✅ Improved Version (6 sentences):

1. Teenagers begin using drugs because of peer pressure.

2. Some abuse drugs out of boredom and curiosity.

3. Lack of parental communication contributes to the issue.

4. Drug abuse causes poor academic performance.

5. It may lead to crime and dropping out of school.

6. Families suffer emotionally when their children are affected.

Exercise B: Write Your Own Summary

Prompt:
Summarize the effects of deforestation based on this short text:

“Deforestation destroys the natural habitat of many animals, causing them to migrate or die out. It also contributes to climate change by increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Without trees, soil becomes loose and easily washed away, leading to erosion. Communities that depend on forests for food and medicine lose their resources.”

✅ Your summary (in four sentences):

Try it first — then check a sample below.

✅ Sample Answer:

1. Deforestation destroys animal habitats and leads to species extinction.

2. It contributes to global warming by raising carbon dioxide levels.

3. Without trees, soil erosion becomes more common.

4. Local communities lose access to food and medicinal plants.

🔁 Recap

You’ve now learned how to:

• Follow WASSCE summary instructions

• Write clear, one-sentence points from grouped ideas

• Use transitions for coherence

• Avoid common summary-writing mistakes

🪞 Reflection Prompt

Find a short article or news report online.

• Try summarizing it in five sentences.

• Did you group similar ideas?

• Did you use your own words and link points clearly?