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Summarizing
Another key strategy for learning and remembering the ideas in a text is to
summarize what you have read. This means rewriting the important parts in a
much shorter form, using some words from the text and some of your own words.
Summarizing is especially useful for:
• Reviewing and memorizing information in textbooks for exams;
• Preparing information or ideas from different sources so you can include them in
a report or paper.
Summarizing a Passage
When summarizing a passage, the first step is to write a one-sentence summary of
each paragraph. Then you can combine the sentences to write a summary of the
whole passage.
Step 1. Summarizing a paragraph • Write a single, complete sentence that is much shorter than the paragraph.
• Include the main idea and supporting facts and ideas.
• In the summary sentence, follow the same pattern of organization as in the
paragraph.
• Do not add any facts, ideas, or opinions that are not in the paragraph.
Note: The topic sentence or main idea sentence can sometimes serve as the
summary sentence, but it often needs to be changed to include important details
found in the paragraph.
Example:
Read the paragraph and mark the text to show the main idea, the pattern of
organization, and the supporting facts and ideas. Then read the summary sentence
that contains the most important ideas in the paragraph.
In developing countries, poor people have suffered the most from shortages
of clean water. There are several reasons for this. First, in many developing
countries, the majority of houses in poor villages and urban slums are not yet
served by a piped water system. People living in these places often have to walk
many miles to find water and carry it home in jugs and plastic containers. Second,
these people usually have few alternatives to the piped water supply. There may be
water closer by in rivers or lakes, but this is often dangerously polluted. In some
areas, street vendors sell water by the liter, but they often charge extremely high
prices for water that is not always safe to drink.
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Main idea: Poor people in developing countries have suffered the most from
shortages of clean water for several reasons.
Pattern of organization: Listing
Supporting facts and ideas: People in poor villages and urban slums are usually
not served by a piped water system.
These people have few other sources of fresh water.
Summary sentence: Poor people in developing countries suffer the most
from shortages of clean water because their homes
do not have piped in water and they have few other
sources of water
EXERCISE 1
A. Working with another student, read each paragraph and mark the text to show
the main idea and the supporting facts and ideas. Then fill in the information
below.
Wetlands
1. Wetlands are areas of land that are covered by water all or part of the year.
Throughout history, people have considered wetlands to be land that was wasted
and could be put to better use. For this reason, from the time of the Romans,
wetlands have been drained and filled so that the land could be used for human
activity. Wetlands have been converted into farmland, city neighborhoods,
industrial facilities, or garbage dumps. However, in recent years, scientists,
environmentalists, and even politicians have begun to realize that wetlands are a
valuable part of the environment, as well as a valuable resource for humans.
Main idea: _________________________________________________________
Pattern of organization:_______________________________________________
Supporting facts and ideas: ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Summary sentence: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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2. From a biological point of view, wetlands are not wastelands at all, but are
among the most productive ecosystems in the world. They contain an immense
variety of animal and plant species, which have evolved over millions of years and
which depend on wetland ecosystems for their survival. The life cycles of all these
species depend on the particular habitat of the wetlands, with its rich mixture of
water and organic material from the breakdown of plants in water. The enriched
material—known as detritus—feeds many small animals living in the water, such
as aquatic insects, shell fish, and small fish. These small creatures, in turn, attract
larger predatory animals that feed on them, including fish, reptiles, amphibians,
birds, and mammals.
Main idea: _________________________________________________________
Pattern of organization:_______________________________________________
Supporting facts and ideas: ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Summary sentence: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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3. In recent years, city planners and politicians are beginning to realize that
wetlands are valuable for another reason as well. In 2006, 13.3 inches (about 34
cm) of rain fell on the city of Newburyport in northeastern Massachusetts. In the
neighboring city of Haverhill, only about 10 inches of rain fell. However,
Haverhill suffered millions of dollars worth of damage from flooding, while
Newburyport suffered almost no serious damage. Why such a difference? Both
cities are built along the Merrimack River, but in Haverhill the area all along the
river has been developed with housing, roads, and commercial buildings. In
Newburyport, however, the area along the river has been left in its original state—
marshland (wetlands). These wetlands gave the river waters space to spread out
when there was a sudden increase in volume due to the rain. The wetland plants
and soil also acted like a giant sponge to absorb water. In Haverhill, on the other
hand, the water could not spread out, so it rose higher and higher, until it
overflowed the banks and flooded areas of the city.
Main idea: _________________________________________________________
Pattern of organization:_______________________________________________
Supporting facts and ideas: ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Summary sentence: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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EXERCISE 2: Read the paragraph. Answer the questions.
Most communities have laws about how high fences can be in residential
neighborhoods. Why? One reason is safety. Fences that are too high can block
the view of motorists in driveways or near intersections. Another reason is that
people tend to argue about fences that neighbors put up, saying they are
unattractive or made of ugly materials. Fences can also restrict the rights of others
by blocking views, light, or airflow. Good laws help settle such disputes.
How can fences be a safety problem? ___________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How can fences irritate neighbors? ______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How can fences infringe on the rights of others? ___________________________
__________________________________________________________________
The title that best summarizes this paragraph is
A. Blocking Motorists’ Views
B. Building Fences in Neighborhoods
C. Eliminating Ugly Fences
D. Why Communities Have Fence Laws
Use your answers to help you write a summary of the paragraph.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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Step 2. Summarizing a whole passage
• Read the passage all the way to the end and mark the overall thesis and the
supporting points.
• Determine the overall pattern of organization.
• Write a one-sentence summary of each paragraph.
• Write a short paragraph by combining the summary sentences of the
paragraphs (with any necessary changes to connect them).
• The main idea of the summary paragraph should be similar to the thesis of
the whole passage and the pattern of organization should be the same as
the overall pattern of the passage.
Note: Only the most important ideas and supporting points of the original passage
should be included in a summary paragraph. It should not include minor details or
your own opinions or ideas. Above all, it should be much shorter than the original.
EXERCISE 3
Wetlands
Wetlands are areas of land that are covered by water all or part of the year.
Throughout history, people have considered wetlands to be land that was wasted
and could be put to better use. For this reason, from the time of the Romans,
wetlands have been drained and filled so that the land could be used for human
activity. Wetlands have been converted into farmland, city neighborhoods,
industrial facilities, or garbage dumps. However, in recent years, scientists,
environmentalists, and even politicians have begun to realize that wetlands are a
valuable part of the environment, as well as a valuable resource for humans.
From a biological point of view, wetlands are not wastelands at all, but are
among the most productive ecosystems in the world. They contain an immense
variety of animal and plant species, which have evolved over millions of years and
which depend on wetland ecosystems for their survival. The life cycles of all these
species depend on the particular habitat of the wetlands, with its rich mixture of
water and organic material from the breakdown of plants in water. The enriched
material—known as detritus—feeds many small animals living in the water, such
as aquatic insects, shell fish, and small fish. These small creatures, in turn, attract
larger predatory animals that feed on them, including fish, reptiles, amphibians,
birds, and mammals.
In recent years, city planners and politicians are beginning to realize that
wetlands are valuable for another reason as well. In 2006, 13.3 inches (about 34
cm) of rain fell on the city of Newburyport in northeastern Massachusetts. In the
neighboring city of Haverhill, only about 10 inches of rain fell. However,
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Haverhill suffered millions of dollars worth of damage from flooding, while
Newburyport suffered almost no serious damage. Why such a difference? Both
cities are built along the Merrimack River, but in Haverhill the area all along the
river has been developed with housing, roads, and commercial buildings. In
Newburyport, however, the area along the river has been left in its original state—
marshland (wetlands). These wetlands gave the river waters space to spread out
when there was a sudden increase in volume due to the rain. The wetland plants
and soil also acted like a giant sponge to absorb water. In Haverhill, on the other
hand, the water could not spread out, so it rose higher and higher, until it
overflowed the banks and flooded areas of the city.
A. Look back at the three paragraphs in Exercise 1. Together they form a longer
passage with a thesis statement. Underline the thesis statement. Then write a
summary paragraph that includes the thesis statement and your summary
sentences.
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EXERCISE 4
The light bulb is probably one of the most important inventions in science.
It has changed the world by letting people do their work at night. Before the light
bulb, people had to use candles or fires to see at night. These light sources did not
give off enough light. In some places, like coal mines, using candles could be
dangerous. The light bulb provided a cleaner and safer light source.
The light bulb allows people to drive their cars at night. Lighthouses also
use light bulbs to guide ships safely to shore. The light bulb is used in sports,
television, and many other businesses.
1. Which of these best summarizes the selection?
A. Lighthouses use light bulbs to help guide ships that are at sea. The light bulb is
also important because it lets people drive their cars at night.
B. The light bulb was safer to use than candles inside the coal mines. The light
bulb is also used in sports, television, and many other businesses.
C. The light bulb helps people in many different ways. It allows people to work or
drive at night, helps keep people safe, and is used in many businesses.
D. Before the light bulb was invented, people had to read and write by candles
and fires. These light sources were not very bright, and they could be dangerous.
Fat
Fats are found in animals and plants. Foods that you eat every day are made
of fats. Butter is made mostly of animal fat. Margarine is made mostly from plant
fat. Fats that are liquid at room temperature are called oils. Oils are used on salads
and can be used to fry food.
Fat is stored under the skin of humans and many animals. Fat helps keep
people and animals warm. It also helps protect areas around eyeballs and other
body parts. In plants, most of the fat is stored in the seeds. The fat provides food to
the seed when it first begins to grow.
Is it possible to have too much fat? Of course! Doctors say that people
should be careful about how much fat they eat. Most foods have a little fat, but a
person can get sick if he or she eats a large amount of food with too much fat.
2. Which is the best summary of the selection?
A. Fats that are liquid at room temperature are called oils. Fat helps seeds get
food when they first start growing.
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B. Doctors say that people should not eat too much fat in their food.
However, most foods have a little fat in them.
C. Fat helps keep people and animals warm and protects their bodies. In
plants, most of the fat is stored in the seeds.
D. Fat, which is found in animals and plants, is important to living things.
Eating too much fat can make a person sick.
3. Which sentence shows an idea that would be important to include in a summary
of this passage?
A. Fats are found in animals and plants.
B. Margarine is made mostly from plant fat.
C. Fats called oils can be used to fry food.
D. Butter is made mostly of animal fat.
Recycling should be part of our lives each day. Everyone can recycle.
Communities have made recycling much easier. Many have services that will pick
up recyclable materials. Aluminum, paper, and plastic are examples of materials
that you can recycle.
Soda cans are made out of aluminum. These cans must be put in a recycling
bin for pickup day. They can also be taken to a recycling center.
Paper can also be recycled. By reusing paper, you can help cut down on the
amount of paper being produced each year. Fewer trees will be needed to make
new paper products.
Plastic can be recycled, too. Plastic bottles have been recycled into park
benches! It only takes a few minutes to do your part to help the environment.
4. Which of these best summarizes the passage?
A. Aluminum, paper, and plastics can be recycled. Plastic bottles have been
recycled into really neat park benches.
B. Recycling soda pop cans helps the environment. Cans should be put in a
recycling bin or taken to a recycling center.
C. The Earth needs to be cared for. Recycling should be part of everyone's
lives every single day. Everyone can recycle.
D. Recycling can help the environment, and communities have made it easy to
do. People can recycle aluminum, paper, and plastics.
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Most fourth graders can show a younger child how to tie shoes. The strange
thing is this: it is easy to show but harder to tell. On the telephone, the instructions
would sound impossible:
Begin with a simple knot.
Cross one string behind and under another string.
Now pull the ends outward.
Then form a loop with the shoestring in your right hand.
The directions make it sound like you need three hands to tie your shoes!
They just don't make sense. One thing is clear, though: the best way to teach a
beginner is to show them. After a few tries, children see that they don't need extra
hands to tie their shoes. Good luck!
5. In a short summary of this passage, which detail would be most important to
include?
A. Fourth graders can show someone how to tie a shoe.
B. Instructions are difficult to give over the telephone.
C. The best way to teach a beginner is to show them.
D. Good luck is needed to learn how to tie a shoe string.
Summarizing Long Passages
When you summarize a long passage (more than four or five paragraphs), you
need to add an additional step:
• Read the passage all the way to the end and mark the main points (including the
thesis and the supporting points).
• Determine the overall pattern of organization.
• Divide the passage into parts. Each part should match a supporting point and may
include several paragraphs. (In textbooks, the chapters are usually already
divided into subsections or parts.)
• Write a summary sentence for each part.
• Write a paragraph that combines the summary sentences (with any necessary
changes to connect them).
• The main idea of the summary paragraph should be the same as the thesis of the
original passage, and the pattern of organization should be the same.
Read the passage on the following page and answer the questions.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
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5.
6.
7. What is the overall pattern of organization?
_______________________________________________________________
8. Write a summary sentence for each part.
9. Write a summary of the whole passage, combing the summary sentences you've
written for each paragraph.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
10. Write the main idea of the passage.
_________________________________________________________________
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