Summarise Without the Topic Words
Explain the main idea in everyday language, then restore the precise subject vocabulary.
Worked model: Summarise Without the Topic Words
- 1Explain the main idea in everyday language, then restore the precise subject vocabulary
- 2Select essential relationships and exclude illustrative detail
- 3Express the meaning in new wording without distorting the source
- 4Check the summary against the whole passage
Summarise a short explanation without simply repeating its topic label. Instead of only “evaporation”, explain that liquid particles can escape from the surface into the air as gas.
Teach the move
Prepare · 5 minutes
Choose a short source and define how much meaning the summary must retain.
- 1
Explain the main idea in everyday language, then restore the precise subject vocabulary.
- 2
Select essential relationships and exclude illustrative detail.
- 3
Express the meaning in new wording without distorting the source.
- 4
Check the summary against the whole passage.
EAL upgrade
Reduce the summary frame and ask learners to justify what they omitted.
Keep the subject challenge. Offer one model, visual or language prompt where needed, then check a fresh independent response.
Try it tomorrow
Choose a short source and define how much meaning the summary must retain.
Explain the main idea in everyday language, then restore the precise subject vocabulary. Select essential relationships and exclude illustrative detail.
Ask whether the summary retains the central relationship when the examples are removed.
Reduce the summary frame and ask learners to justify what they omitted.
What to look for
Ask whether the summary retains the central relationship when the examples are removed.
Teacher language
Adapt these prompts to the task and your learners.
Our purpose is: Explain the main idea in everyday language, then restore the precise subject vocabulary.
Show the relationship and explain the choice you made.
Try the new case on your own. Show the detail or reasoning that supports your answer.
Which support do you still need, and which part can you now do independently?
Across subjects
Humanities: summarise a source position. Maths: summarise the logic of a method without copying every calculation.
Adjust language support
Use a small word bank, visuals and partner rehearsal when needed. Extend with precise explanations and qualifications. Judge the support from the response to this task.