The Art of Writing various essays, Summaries of English

Download The Art of Writing various essays and more Summaries English in PDF only on Docsity! ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE The art of writing a summary First Steps Read the question – twice! Underline what the question is asking you to find in the text You are looking for six content points relating to the question 5 points for language There may be more than 6 content points in the summary, there may be exactly six You cannot have language marks if you don’t have any content points: Then your use of language is awarded 1-5 marks: Worked Example – June 2012 There are two parts to this question – what are they, in your own words? As estimated numbers last year dropped to fewer than 3000, we are now dangerously close to losing the wild tiger in many parts of Asia. However, the managers of the World Wildlife Fund have devised an ambitious plan to help double the population by 2022. In spite of a global ban, the illegal hunting of tigers and the trade in their body parts continue, partly because of their use in traditional medicine. The fall in the number of tigers has been a cause for concern for several years, but recent estimates suggest that numbers are now declining even more rapidly. More and more tigers are being killed, particularly to satisfy the constant demand for their skins. Unless action is taken immediately the wild tiger may soon cease to exist in many parts of Asia. Yes - these paragraphs contain points Yes – Habitat destruction / forced to live in small areas makes them easier to find (all the same point – just one point!) Yes – communities kill tigers to protect them selves and their livestock Yes – rising sea levels caused by climate change threatens tiger habitat (So, six, just for the first part of the question!) There paragraphs - any points? Recently, the managers of the World Wildlife Fund have launched an ambitious plan to double the tiger population by the year 2022, which is to be called “The Year of the Tiger”. They have already improved their extensive tiger conservation efforts by increasing the number of their anti-hunting patrols and by making the staff of these patrols better trained and equipped. The main focus is on twelve key landscapes, which some of the world’s top tiger experts have identified as offering the best chances of increasing the world’s tiger populations. In these areas the main objectives are not only to protect the adult animals, but also to make their habitats safe for their young and ensure a continued supply of prey for tiger families to feed upon. This far-reaching plan to double tiger populations by 2022 represents the best chance to preserve these magnificent animals. To achieve their aim, the World Wildlife Fund managers also need to increase the support of governments and the general public. Additional money is required in order to make the vital work possible, and, thankfully, a major charity has promised to double any gift received online in the foreseeable future. This means that, thanks to this generous offer, a gift of one hundred dollars could put an extra anti-hunting patrol into the field for a month, and any similar financial assistance will go twice as far towards giving the wild tigers the | support which they so urgently need. There paragraphs – any points? Yes! Yes – ‘Year of the Tiger’ Yes – anti-hunting patrols Yes – continued supply of prey Yes – increase the support of governments and the general public Write in full sentences [Draft 1] There are many reasons for the decline in the number of tigers. First, tigers have been unlawfully hunted and hunters trade tigers body parts which are then used in traditional medicine. Their skin is also in demand. Another reason why the numbers of tigers is declining is that the territories they inhabit are shrinking, making them easier to find. Communities also slaughter tigers to protect themselves and their livestock. The World Wildlife Fund is trying to stop their decline in a number of ways, including having a ‘Year of the Tiger’ to raise awareness. There will also be anti-hunting patrols and a final step is to increase the support of governments and the general community. [115 words] Draft 2 [Reduce some words] There are many reasons for the decline in the number of tigers. First, tigers have been unlawfully hunted, hunters trading tigers’ body parts which may be used in traditional medications. Their skin is also sold. Another reason why the numbers of tigers is declining is that the territories they inhabit are shrinking, making them easier to find. Communities also slaughter tigers to protect themselves. The World Wildlife Fund is trying to stop their decline by having a ‘Year of the Tiger’ to raise awareness. There will be anti-hunting patrols and a final step is to increase the support of governments and the general community. [104 words] Read the following article about Manisha Kaur, a female boxer in Manipur, India, who has established a boxing academy for young people. On the opposite page, write a summary about the difficulties teenagers face in Manipur AND how Manisha is a role model for them. Your summary should be about 100 words (and no more than 120 words). You should use your own words as far as possible.  Any Points here? ——————— Manisha Kaur is the name that these young people J mention all the time. One of the world’s most successful female boxers, Manisha set up this academy in the state of Manipur several years ago with the simple wish of helping young people in this region. They have very few opportunities to achieve success in life in their home area and one of the main reasons is the high rate of unemployment. Manisha started the academy with her own money but now she receives help from different organisations. The academy provides accommodation and coaching to around fifteen young people. They pay very little to attend or maybe even nothing at all. Manisha says:‘‘At the academy I try to provide them with equipment, but most importantly | want to help out by giving them the feeling of a family relationship, which many of them do not have. This is so important to young people, as they often feel isolated from the rest of the community” Manisha’s own boxing achievements are exceptional. In addition to the many national titles that she has collected, she has won the world women’s boxing championship five times and the Asian championship on two occasions. She was a member of the group Any Points here? Yes – few opportunities to achieve success in life Yes – high rate of unemployment Yes – feel isolated from the rest of the community / gives them a feeling of a family relationship Yes – boxing achievements inspire others Any Points here? Yes – her strength of character Yes – admired for defiance and forcefulness All Points Together few opportunities to achieve success in life high rate of unemployment feel isolated from the rest of the community / gives them a feeling of a family relationship boxing achievements inspire others her strength of character admired for defiance and forcefulness came from a very simple background totally dedicated and trained twice as hard as anyone else Change some into your own words few prospects to attain success in life high proportion of unemployment feel secluded from the rest of the community / gives them a feeling of a family relationship boxing achievements motivate others her strength of character admired for boldness and forcefulness came from a very modest background totally devoted and trained twice as hard as anyone else Write it in full sentences Teenagers in Manipur face multiple difficulties. There are few prospects to attain success in life, a high proportion of unemployment and many teenagers feel secluded from the rest of the community. Manisha is a fantastic role model who gives them a feeling of a family relationship. Her boxing achievements motivate others and people like her strength of character, admiring her boldness and forcefulness. People also know she came from a very modest background but has achieved much due to being totally devoted and training twice as hard as anyone else. [90 words]