7-LS1ENGLISH-LC7-Summarizing Text
7-LS1ENGLISH-LC7-Summarizing Text
Have you experienced being asked by your teacher to sum up a plot of a novel
you read or a film you watched? How about reading a long informative essay and briefly
stating its important points after? How did it go? Did you tell the story as it is from the
opening scene to the end credits or did you simply talk about the essential parts of the
novel or movie?
Probably, you did the latter because obviously, it is the more practical choice,
and you did the right thing! More often than not, the gist or the most important part is
what is given out to provide a background, not only in talking about movie plots but
also in writing academic and professional papers.
Welcome to the third module of the first quarter! Here, you will be learning
strategies on how you can simplify longer texts into its most essential parts.This module
contains:
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Let’s See What You Already Know
Before you start studying this module, take the following test first to find out
how well you know the topics to be discussed.
There are many beauty pageants held yearly in the Philippines. We have the major
pageants such as the Miss International, Miss World. Aside from these major
contests, there are also small pageants from local television shows. Many young
Filipinas aspire to win one of the crowns at stake. However, to win a crown, you have
to be physically fit, beautiful, smart, and wise. So what does it take to be beautiful
and smart? Young women should see to it that they maintain a healthy and balanced
diet, exercise at least thrice a week and be aware of social and environmental issues.
SUMMARY
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How was the activity? Do you think you’ve done well? Check your answers in
the Answer Key on page 18 to find it out.
If you got all the correct answers, very good! This shows that you are familiar
about the topics in this module. You may still go through this module to review what
you know. Who knows you might encounter few more things that you’re not yet familiar
with.
If you got a low score, don’t feel bad. This means that this module is for you.
This will helps you understand some important things that you might use in your day to
day activities. If you study this module carefully, you will learn the answers to all of the
items in the test and a lot more! Are you ready? Let’s begin.
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Lesson 1
SUMMARIZING TEXT
Understanding what you read is not just about the words. Rather, it is about
understanding the ideas, how these ideas are organized, and which ideas are more or
less important. But, before you learn some strategies in summarizing, you need to learn
first the basic concepts about summarizing.
What is Summary?
Summaries aim to precisely condense a larger work to present only the key ideas.
It conveys the gist of what has been read, listened to, or viewed.
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Let’s Read
Why is summarizing a significant critical reading skill?
Barrot and Sipacio (2017) argues that summarizing is an important skill because it
helps you:
⮚ deepen your understanding of the text;
⮚ learn to identify relevant information or key ideas;
⮚ Combine details or examples that support the main idea and key words presented in
the text; and,
⮚ capture the key ideas in the text and put them together clearly and concisely.
Let’s Remember!
Strategies/Techniques in Summarizing
1. Finding the Main Idea
Every coherent text has one central idea which connects the different parts of the text.
You need to find this main idea for you to understand and summarize the text. However,
there is not a single way to find the main idea because every text is different. Instead, you
need to look at the whole thing. Here are some things you should look at:
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b. What is the first sentence about? Often, the first sentence of a text or a paragraph will
summarize the main ideas. But main ideas can also be located in the middle or at the last
sentence of the text.
c. What does most of the text talk about? Look at each sentence and paragraph. Is there a
single topic that connects them?
Distinguish general ideas from details or examples. It is important that you do not
confuse the general idea from the details because you might misunderstand the overall
meaning of what you are reading. Unfortunately, there are no clear markers which show
you what is general or not. A single sentence might mix general ideas and details together.
So, how are you going to separate general ideas from details?
First, skim the text, reading fast and trying to understand the overall idea in a simple
way. In order to distinguish general ideas from details, you need some context. Until you’ve
read the whole thing, you will not get the text’s context or background.
Second, look for linking phrases like ‘for example’ ‘for instance’, ‘specifically’, or in
particular’. Linking phrases like these show you that what follows is an explanation of a
more general idea that was mentioned before.
Third, remember that one sentence can contain both general ideas and details mixed
together.
One of the problems you may often encounter when reading English texts is that there
are words which you do not understand. You might have several words which you do not
know and that makes things more difficult but there are strategies you can use.
First, look for proper nouns, which start with a capital letter. Sometimes you might
think that you do not understand a word, but you do not realize that it is actually a proper
noun like a person’s name or a place name. You can work out that they’re place names
because of the use of the preposition ‘in’.
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Another strategy in finding key words is looking for repeated words. If words are
often repeated in a text that means that word is significant in giving meaning to a text .
Things to Remember!
General Guidelines in Summarizing
Now that you have already learned some techniques on how to better understand
what you are reading, here are some general guidelines in summarizing as suggested
by Barrot and Sipacio (2017):
1. Clarify your purpose before you read.
2. Read the text at least twice until you fully understand its content. Locate the gist or
main idea of the text, which can usually be found either at the beginning, in the
middle, or in the end.
3. Highlight key ideas and phrases; another strategy is to annotate the text.
4. Write all the key ideas and phrases you identified on the margins or on your
notebook in a bullet or outline form.
5. Without looking at the text, identify the connections of these key ideas and phrases
using a concept map.
9. Refrain from adding comments about the text. Stick to the ideas it presents.
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11. Compare your output with the original text to ensure accuracy.
12. Record the details of the original source (author’s name/s, date of publication, title,
publisher, place of publishing, and URL, (if online). It is not necessary to indicate the
page number/s of the original text in citing sources in summaries.
13. Format your summary properly. When you combine your summaries in a paragraph,
use different formats to show variety in writing. Writing a summary also depends on
certain disciplines and each discipline would require specific guidelines.
Academic writing would require you to adhere to these guidelines and structures
retrieved from University of New South Wales
(htttp://student.unsw.edu.au/paraphrasing-summarizing-and-quoting) as cited in Barrot
& Sipacio. (2017)
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Sample Research Abstract
✔ It is achieved by getting the thesis statement of the text and the main idea or topic
sentence of each paragraph;
✔ Main ideas are combined into a paragraph using cohesive devices;
✔ Name of the author and the title of the article are indicated in the first sentence.
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Sample Expository text
Formats in Summarizing.
The three formats that you may use in writing summaries are the following:
Example:
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2. Author Heading Format
In this format, the summarized idea comes after the citation. The author’s name/s
is/are connected by an appropriate reporting verb.
Example:
In this format, the summarized idea comes after the date when the material was
published.
Example:
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Let’s Read!
To make your summary more interesting and to show importance to each of your
sources, you should vary the verbs you use. You can use the past or the present tense of
the verb depending on your meaning.
⮚ Use the past tense if you think the idea is outdated and you want to negate it.
⮚The use of the present tense, on the other hand, indicates that you view the idea to be
relevant or agreeable.
⮚Reporting verbs are used according to discipline. Hyland (1999) lists a frequency of
reporting verbs according to discipline.
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2. What are the techniques or strategies in Summarizing?
____________________________ __________________________
____________________________ __________________________
Practice Task 1
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Directions: Skim through each text and identify its most appropriate summary. Write
only the letter/s of your choice on a separate sheet of paper. Each item is worth 5
points.
From Bowie to McCartney, Oasis to Coldplay and a thousand other acts you’ve
probably never heard of—Toots and the Maytals, anyone?—if you make your living from
music, there is only one place to play the ultimate gig: a field in the south-west of England
in the last week of June. This is the Glastonbury Festival, the largest music event in the
world, which takes place nearly every summer, come rain or shine, and attracts both the
biggest star names and the largest crowds.
Though it started fairly small in 1970, these days over 100,000 people attend, the
majority of whom stay for the full five days, camping overnight in tents. It’s not just
about music. To give it its full name, the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary
Performing Arts promises a diverse program, including circus acts, experimental theatre
and new-age dance, but also yoga sessions, palm readers, demonstrations of vegan
cooking, and the usual crowd of money-makers found at any large public gathering.
The thousands surely come for the headline bands, but many veterans claim it’s
the bits away from the main stage that really create the memories. After all, when Paul
McCartney plays, you’ll be standing half a mile away; it’s the closer encounters with
pioneers of reggae like Toots and the Maytals—as you munch on your veggie burger—
that make Glastonbury the glorious experience it is.
Source: https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/how-to-summarise-text
A. The text describes the Glastonbury Festival as two very different events – one with
big name rock stars and the other with musicians who are not famous, but just as
good.
B. The text describes the history of the Glastonbury Festival, how many people go to
it and some of the big names who have played there.
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C. The text describes who you can see at the Glastonbury Festival, including the world's
most famous music stars and lesser-known bands or non-musicians who are even more
memorable.
Source: https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/how-to-summarise-text
A. This text is about Guugu Yimithirr, and it gives some information about the history
of the language and how it has changed over time.
B. The text is about indigenous Australian languages which are spoken in northern
Australia, and which are often different from European languages in interesting
ways.
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C. The text is about Guugu Yimithirr, an Australian language which is unusual because
All three euphemisms, and many more, are still used regularly. English probably has an
indirect way of avoiding almost any topic you can think of, from embarrassing intimate
things like romance— “are they stepping out?”—to the most intrusive of matters to the
English mind: how much money someone earns— “I bet he takes home a packet”. Yet,
there is no subject more laden with euphemisms than the one thing that’s going to happen
to every one of us. Whether he “goes to meet his maker”, “kicks the bucket”, “pops his
clogs”,
https://examples.yourdictionary.com
A. The text is about the alternative expressions, called euphemisms, which English people
can use to avoid mentioning uncomfortable topics, such as death.
B. The text is about why English people prefer to use alternative expressions rather than
talking about death, romance, money and going to the toilet.
C. The text is about metaphorical expressions which we say in order to avoid using words that
sound unpleasant or uncomfortable.
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It seems like you already know how to digest
the essential parts of the text to arrive at a
possible summary. Did the previous
discussions help you? Great! This time, you
will be the one to find the key ideas and phrases
in the following texts.
4 3 2 1
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Text 1
When one hears the term “reality” applied to a television show, one might expect
that the events occurred naturally or, at the least, were not scripted, but this is not always
the case. Many reality shows occur in unreal environments, like rented mansions occupied
by film crews. These living environments do not reflect what most people understand to
be “reality.” Worse, there have been accusations that events not captured on film were
later restaged by producers.
Worse still, some involved in the production of “reality” television claim that the
participants were urged to act out story lines premeditated by producers. With such
accusations floating around, it’s no wonder many people take reality TV to be about as
real as the sitcom.
Summary:
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Practice Task 2
________________
Reading Text
Total Number of Words: ______________
Score based on rubric:_____/20
Source: https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/free-reading-worksheets/reading-comprehensionworksheets/
Questions
summarizing-worksheets-and-activities
Text 2
There are many types of lethal venom in the animal kingdom, but perhaps no stranger
carrier than the platypus. The platypus is one of few venomous mammals. Males carry a venom
cocktail in their ankle spurs that paralyzes victims with excruciating pain. Stranger still, the
platypus is the only mammal that uses electroreception. What this means is that the platypus uses
its bill to sense the electricity produced by the muscular movements of its prey. The platypus
neither sees, hears, nor smells its prey while hunting but, rather, pursues it through
electroreception. Perhaps most odd, the platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs rather than
giving birth to live young. The platypus is an odd creature indeed.
Summary:___________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
__
Total Number of Words: ______________
Score based on rubric: ______/20
Source: https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/free-reading-worksheets/reading-comprehensionworksheets/
summarizing-worksheets-and-activities
Text 3
Women entrepreneurs in the developing world often face challenges that limit
their chances for success and growth. They often have less access to education than
men and have difficulty getting financing
18 on their own. But with an understanding of
the essential aspects of doing business – such as planning, financing, networking and
marketing – they can overcome those obstacles. That's where the 10,000 Women
Nice! You are showing good progress by being able
to summarize a paragraph in your own words. I
hope you’ll do well again in your next task. Aside
from getting the gist or main ideas of the text in
order for you to write only the essential points and
details, you also have to cite the source of the text
(if the source is given), employ summarizing
format, and use appropriate reporting verbs. Below
is no longer a paragraph but an essay for you to
summarize.
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CRITERIA VGE GE SE LE N
5 4 3 2 1
The summary accurately reflects the
message of the original text.
The summary reworded the key ideas in
the original text without compromising
the accuracy or content.
The summary incorporates only the key
ideas.
The summary does not contain any
personal comments or opinions.
The summary cites sources properly.
The summary is shorter than the original
text.
The summary uses appropriate
reporting verbs.
The summary uses different heading
formats.
The summary has smooth transitions.
The summary is free from grammatical
errors
TOTAL
SOURCE:
Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic &
Professional Purposes for SHS. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.
Legend: VGE- To a very great extent; GE- To a great extent; SE- To some extent; LE-
To a little extent; N- Not at all
A decline in standardized test scores is but the most recent indicator that
American education is in trouble.
One reason for the crisis is that present mandatory-attendance laws force
many to attend school who have no wish to be there.
Such children have little desire to learn and are so antagonistic to school that
neither they nor more highly motivated students receive the quality education that is
the birthright of every American.
Schools should be for education. At present, they are only tangentially so.
They have attempted to serve an all-encompassing social function, trying to be all
things to all people. In the process they have failed miserably at what they were
originally formed to accomplish.
Source:
Write
Sipher,your summary
Roger. onNobody
“So That a separate
Has sheet
to Go of
to paper
School. If They Don't Want To.”
The New York Times, 19 Dec. 1977, p. 31.
SUMMARY:
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____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
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Congratulations! Getting this far
means you can already use the
different strategies and techniques in
summarizing academic texts. I hope
all those practice tasks helped you get
through with it. Now, why don’t we
go check how much you learned in
this module?
Let’s Sum Up
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__________ 8. Aimee reads her summary and compares it to the original text.
_________ 9. Marionne presents her summary in bullet form.
__________ 10. Pio writes in his summary how he feels after reading the text to be
summarized.
__________ 11. Vanessa looks for key words and phrases.
__________ 12. Darwin simplifies ideas.
__________ 13. Giovani does not acknowledge the original source in his summary.
__________ 14. Lily revised the main idea of the text.
__________ 15. Sheila extended the message of the text and included some of her
interpretations.
Assignment!
Choose your favorite book or movie and write a summary of its plot. Make
sure to follow the format below. Write your summary in a separate sheet of paper.
● Times New Roman, 12
● 1.5 spacing
● 1” margin on all sides
● Short bond paper
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Answer Keys!
TECHNIQUES:
✔ Finding the main idea
✔ Separating general idea from details
✔ Finding key words
SIGNIFICANCE
✔ deepen your understanding of the text;
✔ learn to identify relevant information or key ideas;
✔ combine details or examples that support the main idea and key words
presented in the text; and,
✔ capture the key ideas in the text and put them together clearly and
concisely.
FORMATS
✔ Idea heading format
✔ Author heading format
✔ Date heading format
GUIDELINES
(Students may give any of the guidelines given in the discussion)
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EXAMPLE SUMMARY
Roger Sipher (1977) makes his case for getting rid of compulsory attendance laws in
primary and secondary schools with six arguments. These fall into three groups—first
that education is for those who want to learn and by including those that don't want to
learn, everyone suffers. Second, that grades would be reflective of effort and
elementary school teachers wouldn't feel compelled to pass failing students. Third,
that schools would both save money and save face with the elimination of
compulsory-attendance laws
POST TEST- What have you learned?
1. N
2. E
3. N
4. E
5. E
6. E
7. N
8. E
9. N
10. N
11. E
12. E
13. N
14. N
15. N
References
SFU https://www.lib.sfu.ca.summarizing
Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate today ENGLISH for academic & professional
purposes for SHS. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.
https://pdfcoffee.com>module-moduleeapp
https://www.academia.edu>English
https://www.deped.gov.ph>roveapp
https://www.usant.gradschool.ma.thesis>corporal
https://www.teacher.com.ph/english
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