Summarizing is a short restatement of the main idea of the 1.3.
1.3. The third graphic organizer will help you identify and
text. The output is called a Summary. It is the shortened organize the main ideas as well as the other supporting details
version, ideally, only one-third of the original text. It contains and evidences from the text. Using this will help you write a
the main points and important details of the text and should be good summary.
written in your own words.
For you to do proper summarizing, there are tips you can
actually follow.
Tips in summarizing:
1. Read the original text not just once but several times. Make
sure to comprehend it well.
2. Identify the text structure (compare-contrast, cause-effect,
sequence, descriptive, question-answer, and problem-solution)
by looking into how the relationships between ideas are
established.
3. Take note or highlight the important details in the text.
4. After getting the main idea and important details, write your
preliminary summary.
5. Make sure to use your own words. 2. Outline (traditional or modern)
The second technique in summarizing is through outlining.
6. Check if your work does not go stray from the original text. Yes, it is also a good
7. Read it again and make necessary revision or editing. strategy that you can use in summarizing.
The sample given shows that through outlining you can easily
1. Use of Graphic Organizers organize the key points, supporting points, evidences, and
other important details needed in making a good summary.
Aside from the general tips, you must also learn that there are You can decide whether to use the traditional format or the
various techniques that you can use in summarizing academic modern format. You may use the sentence outline since your
texts.
objective is to select important details from the text in order to
Techniques in Summarizing:
The first technique is using graphic organizers. You may use come up with a good summary.
“Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” as guide
questions in making or using your graphic organizer. Provided
here are three examples of graphic organizers that you can use
depending on the kind of text you are going to summarize.
1.1. The first graphic organizer will require you to supply
key points from the text as well as the supporting Example of outlining:
details. I. Topic
A. First Key Point
1. Supporting point
2. Supporting point
a. Evidence/Sample
b. Evidence Evidence/Sample
B. Second Key Point
1. Supporting point
2. Supporting point
1.2. The second graphic organizer requires you to provide a. Evidence/Sample
important information from the text by answering the b. Evidence/Sample
questions written inside the circles.
Summarizing is a valuable skill needed in academic writing.
You should know how to summarize properly the information
that you have read, seen, or heard. Most assignments given in
school require you to research, read and analyze information
from different sources. Hence, it is important that you know
how to restate or retell the original text using your own words
in order to avoid plagiarism. Also, your knowledge in
summarizing is vital in writing your reports and research
papers particularly on writing the review of related literature,
etc.
