SUMMARIZING

SUMMARY

• Is a reduced version of the original.

• It includes only the main ideas.
• It requires a thorough
understanding of the text.

SUMMARY

• It enables you to extract the most

important points from a text and
rewrite them in your own words, in
a shortened form.
SUMMARIZING TECHNIQUES

• Keep in mind that the purpose

of summarizing is to get the
main idea very concisely.
• Read thoroughly the text and
highlight the important details.
• An ideal summary is about 1/3
of the original material. So,
never include repeated ideas
and irrelevant information in
your summary.
• Do not add your personal
opinions or views as part of the
summary.
 STEPS IN SUMMARIZING

• Read and comprehend the

text;
• Identify the main ideas and key
points; and
• Express these information into
your own words.
 EXAMPLE

Original version:
One of the most commonly
practiced activities in modern day
society is traveling between two
countries on a huge mechanical
device, which has two wings, a tail and
four engines, for no other purpose than
for pleasure.

 Summarized version:
In recent times air travel has
become very popular. 

This summary incorporates the notion of

air travel, an increase in popularity and
a sense of time, i.e. nowadays.

 CHOOSE THE CORRECT SUMMARY.

Original version:
Coffee, made from adding water to
ground coffee beans, is dark brown in
color, quite bitter to drink and is rapidly
becoming the preferred tipple of many
people throughout the world.

a. Coffee is gaining popularity. 

LET’S PRACTICE ☺
Original version:
• University professors, who have often
worked in the same institution for years
and years, are experts in their field of
interest and study and will probably
have written many books.

Summarized version:
• University professors who are skilled in
their fields might often have written
books.

Original version:
• Lester was lost. He didn't know where
he was, or how to get where he was
going. He had left the directions at
home and he didn't have a map. Now,
he was in a strange neighborhood and
he was confused. If he could find a
familiar landmark, he might figure
things out.

Summarized version:
• Lester got lost and couldn’t figure out
how to get to the place he was going.
He might know the directions if he
could find a familiar landmark.

Summarize the following paragraph:

1. Cats are affectionate, cuddly, and

independent. Unlike dogs, cats can stay
on their own if you go away overnight.
They do not need to be walked, and
can monitor their own food so they don't
overeat. Also, cats do not bark, so your
neighbors won't have any noise to
complain about. If someone wants to
have a pet, a cat is a great choice!

 ANSWER THE FOLLOWING.

• Paraphrase
Niagara Falls is viewed by thousands of tourists every
year.
• Summarize
Cats are affectionate, cuddly, and independent.
Unlike dogs, cats can stay on their own if you go
away overnight. They do not need to be walked,
and can monitor their own food so they don't
overeat. Also, cats do not bark, so your neighbors
won't have any noise to complain about. If someone
wants to have a pet, a cat is a great choice!