Mastering ICSE Summary Writing Question 4 (iv): Official CISCE Guidelines & Tips
- PAUL MASIH
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Mastering the summary writing task in Question 4 (iv) is often the difference between a good score and a great one in the ICSE English Language Paper 1. While it only carries 8 marks, it is a technical exercise that rewards precision, brevity, and strict adherence to board-prescribed formats.
Here is a detailed guide to help you navigate the 50-word grid and secure full marks.
1. The Power of the Grid in Summary Writing: Formatting Rules
Unlike a standard essay, the ICSE summary must be written inside a grid. This is a non-negotiable requirement of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE).
One Word, One Box: Each box in your grid must contain exactly one word.
Punctuation Placement: Commas, full stops, and semicolons do not get their own boxes. They must be placed in the same box as the word they immediately follow.
The Continuous Paragraph: Your summary should be a single, well-indented paragraph. Do not use bullet points or multiple paragraphs within the grid.
Standard Grid Size: A common practice is to draw a grid of 50 boxes (usually 5 columns and 10 rows).
2. Deciphering the Marking Scheme (8 Marks)
The 8 marks for this question are typically split into two main components: Content and Expression.
Content (Points Extraction): Examiners look for specific "Value Points" from the passage. Usually, you need to identify 6 to 8 distinct points that directly answer the prompt.
Expression (Linguistic Ability): This assesses your ability to rephrase the original text into your own words. Points are deducted for "lifting" (copying sentences verbatim) or gross grammatical errors.
3. Step-by-Step Strategy for Success
Step 1: Analyze the Prompt
Read the instruction for 4 (iv) carefully. It will specify exactly what part of the passage to summarise (e.g., "Summarise the reasons for the character's fear"). Ignore any information in the passage that does not relate to this specific instruction.
Step 2: The "Rough Grid" Method
Never write your final summary directly in pen.
1. Draft a Rough Version: Use a pencil to list the points in a rough grid.
2. Word Count Check: If you are over 50 words, look for "word wasters." Replace "a person who studies stars" with "astronomer."
3. Active Voice: Use active voice instead of passive to save space (e.g., "He opened the door" vs "The door was opened by him").
Step 3: The Fair Grid
Once your word count is exactly 50, transfer the text to the Fair Grid in pen. Ensure it is tidy, as clarity of presentation is part of the expression assessment.
4. Titles and Justification
In many years, the board asks for an apt title and a justification for that title.
The Title: [If asked for] It must be relevant to your summary, not the entire 50-word passage.
The Justification: Avoid circular reasoning like "I chose this title because it is suitable." Instead, explain why it fits (e.g., "The title 'Maya's Resilience' is apt because the summary highlights her ability to overcome three specific obstacles").
5. Common Pitfalls to Avoid (Examiner Feedback)
Based on official "Analysis of Pupil Performance" reports, students frequently lose marks for the following:
Lifting: Copying large chunks of text from the passage. This shows a lack of comprehension and results in a low expression score.
Irrelevant Details: Including examples, adjectives, or introductory "filler" that uses up the word limit without adding content points.
Hanging Punctuation: Placing full stops in a new box. This is a technical error.
Exceeding the Limit: Anything written beyond the 50-word mark is usually ignored by the examiner, which may mean your concluding points aren't even read.
Summary "Cheat Sheet" for Students
Feature | Rule |
Word Limit | Strictly not more than 50 words. |
Format | A grid (5x10) is mandatory. |
Punctuation | Inside the box with the word. |
Language | Your own words; avoid "lifting". |
Content | Identify ~6-8 specific points from the text. |
By practising "drill work" with previous year passages, you can train your brain to spot value points quickly and fit them into the 50-word constraint with ease.
