STUDY AND WRITING SKILLS
85
8.5
WRITING SKILLS
A SUMMARY
8
Read techniques a–c about paraphrasing. Then
paraphrase sentences 1–6.
a
Using synonyms
Some people believe/say/argue/claim that innovation/
creativity is driven/stimulated by competition.
b
Changing the word class
innovation – innovate
or
innovative; competition –
compete
or
competitive; collaboration – collaborate
c
Changing the word order
Drawing people together from all over the world and
creating synergy is a powerful way of driving innovation.
One of the most effective ways of encouraging innovation
is to form an international team to work on a project.
1
So, increasingly, innovation is coming from the
combining of cutting edge expertise from diverse
scientific fields. (paragraph 1)
2
In a highly specialised world, scientists, medics and
engineers have to collaborate in order to innovate.
(paragraph 2)
3
His skill has been in bringing together truly
interdisciplinary teams. (paragraph 2)
4
But rather than prioritising profit, he decided to
‘open source’ the design. (paragraph 3)
5
It appears that the days of brilliant individual
inventors working in garages on their own is over.
(paragraph 4)
6
The inventor today is a global collaborator, a sharer,
and not a protector of ideas. (paragraph 4)
9
You are going to summarise an article about a
project on a Greek island. Before writing the summary,
do the following.
1
Underline the topic sentence in each paragraph.
2
Try to paraphrase each of the sentences.
10
Write your summary in approximately 120 words.
Use this structure. (To ensure that the summary is
cohesive, use linking words such as
however
,
in
addition
,
finally
.)
•
what the problem was
•
how the project started
•
how acorns can be used
•
environmental benefits of the project
The Greek island of Kea suffers, like many places,
from unemployment, especially amongst young
people. Although the island has a small tourism
industry, this isn’t enough to provide permanent
employment and a sustainable income for the
local population.
In the past, the island earned money from its
acorns.The ancient oak forests are the source
of giant acorn caps, known locally as hamada.
For hundreds of years, these were exported to
leather tanneries. Acorn caps are boiled in water
and animal skins are then soaked in the resulting
liquid to help in the creation of leather clothes.
In the 1960’s, chemicals were discovered which
could do a similar job more cheaply. Kea’s acorns
became unwanted and neglected.
The island needed someone who recognised the
value of its acorns and the energy to organise
a campaign. Marcie Mayer, an American who
is married to a local man, had the idea to use
crowdfunding to publicise the acorns and
purchase machinery to help in harvesting and
preparing them.The project raised $18000 and has
transformed the island’s fortunes.
The acorns have more than one use. Contracts have
been signed with luxury leather-making firms for
the hamada. Acorn caps are natural and produce
a better quality of leather than chemicals. Marcie
has also shown the people of the island that acorns
offer a healthy source of food. Although acorns
have an unpleasant, bitter flavour, this can be
removed by soaking them in water. Acorn flour is
rich in proteins and is gluten-free. Marcie produces
her own acorn cookies, which are sold on the island
and exported to shops all over Europe.
The project not only helps the people of Kea but
also the island itself. Beating the trees to remove
the acorns while they are still green makes the
trees stronger. It also increases the following year’s
harvest. Healthy trees are better at preventing soil
erosion and oak forests that provide a sustainable
income for farmers are more likely to be protected
and even extended.
Kea is just one example of a growth in small-scale
local projects. Similar schemes are springing up all
over the world and helping communities to become
self-sufficient once more.
