How do I rewrite the points in my own words for a summary, instead of copying chunks from the passage?
Paraphrase the selected points into your own words for a summary, changing the wording while keeping the meaning, and joining the points into clear connected sentences
How to paraphrase summary points into your own words: changing the wording while keeping the meaning, joining points smoothly, and avoiding lifting whole phrases from the passage.
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What this dot point is asking
SEAB wants you to paraphrase the points you have selected for the summary: to put them into your own words, changing the wording while keeping the meaning, and to join them into clear connected sentences. After you have picked out the relevant points (the first step), this is the second step. The summary tests comprehension, so copying chunks from the passage scores poorly. The skill is to reword each point accurately and link the points together smoothly, so the summary reads as your own writing.
The answer
Why your own words matter
A summary checks whether you understand the points, not whether you can copy them. Lifting whole phrases from the passage shows you found them but not that you grasped them. So each selected point should be reworded. The meaning must stay the same, but the key words and often the structure should change.
Replace the key words
Swap the important content words for synonyms (words of the same meaning). "Enormous" becomes "very large"; "reluctant" becomes "unwilling"; "demolish" becomes "knock down". Small words (the, and, to) can stay, but the loaded words that carry the meaning are the ones to change, because they are the ones markers check.
Change the structure
As well as words, change the shape of the sentence. Turn "To save money, the family cut their spending" into "The family spent less so that they could save." Reordering and reshaping makes the point clearly your own rather than a lightly edited copy.
Join the points smoothly
A summary is connected prose, not a list. Link your points with connectors ("also", "in addition", "as well as", "because") so they flow. You can often combine two short points into one sentence, which reads better and saves words. The result should be a smooth paragraph that covers all the points in your own words.
Examples in context
Example 1. A point reworded. Passage: "Deforestation destroys the homes of countless animals." Paraphrase: "Cutting down forests wipes out the habitats of many creatures." Every key word is changed ("deforestation", "destroys", "countless animals") while the meaning is preserved, which is exactly what the summary rewards.
Example 2. Two points combined. Selected points: "the scheme saved water" and "it also cut household bills". Combined paraphrase: "The plan reduced water use and lowered families' bills at the same time." The two short points become one smooth sentence in the writer's own words, saving space and reading well.
Try this
Cue. Paraphrase "the noise disturbed the neighbours" for a summary. For example: "The loud sound bothered the people living nearby." The key words are all changed.
Cue. A student writes "exercise strengthens the heart" straight from the passage. What should they change? The key words: for example "exercise makes the heart stronger" or "working out builds a stronger heart".
Cue. Combine these two points into one sentence: "the festival brought tourists" and "the festival boosted local shops". For example: "The festival attracted tourists, which helped local shops do better."
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SEAB exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Original5 marksThe passage says: 'Regular exercise strengthens the heart and lowers the risk of serious illness.' Paraphrase this point for a summary in your own words, and explain what you changed.Show worked answer →
Paraphrase: Working out often makes the heart stronger and reduces the chance of getting seriously ill.
What I changed: "regular exercise" became "working out often", "strengthens the heart" became "makes the heart stronger", and "lowers the risk of serious illness" became "reduces the chance of getting seriously ill". The meaning is the same, but the key words have been replaced.
What markers reward: a paraphrase that keeps the original meaning but changes the key content words, showing the point has been put into the student's own words rather than copied. Lifting phrases like "strengthens the heart" word for word would lose the own-words marks.
Original4 marksExplain why a summary must be in your own words, and describe two techniques for paraphrasing a point without changing its meaning.Show worked answer →
A summary must be in your own words because it tests whether you understand the points, not whether you can copy. Lifting phrases straight from the passage does not show comprehension and loses marks.
Two techniques: (1) replace key words with synonyms, for example "enormous" becomes "very large"; (2) change the sentence structure, for example turning "to save money, families cut their spending" into "families spent less so that they could save money". Both keep the meaning while changing the wording. You can also combine two short points into one sentence to save words.
What markers reward: understanding that own-words summaries prove comprehension, and naming real paraphrasing techniques (synonyms, restructuring, combining points) rather than vague advice.
Related dot points
- Select only the relevant points from the part of the passage set by the summary question, using the focus of the question to decide what to include and what to leave out
How to find only the relevant points for a summary: reading the question focus carefully, working within the lines set, and leaving out examples, repetition and details that do not answer the question.
- Keep a summary within the word limit of about 80 words by writing concisely, counting words, and cutting unnecessary words while keeping every relevant point
How to keep a summary within the 80-word limit: writing concisely, using the given opening words, counting as you go, and trimming wasteful words without losing any relevant point.
- Answer comprehension questions in your own words by rephrasing the relevant part of the text accurately, changing the wording without changing the meaning
How to answer comprehension questions in your own words: finding the right part of the text, rephrasing it accurately, and avoiding the trap of copying whole phrases straight from the passage.
- Use connectors and linking words accurately to join ideas, show the right relationship between them, and make writing flow
How to use connectors and linking words in N(A)-Level English to join ideas and show the right relationship between them, with groups for adding, contrasting, giving reasons and showing time, so your writing flows.
- Build a wider and more precise vocabulary by reading, collecting useful words, and using new words accurately in your own writing
How to build a wider, more precise vocabulary for N(A)-Level English by reading regularly, keeping a word list, learning words in families, and using new words accurately so your writing earns more marks.