Department of Education

SHS
Reading Academic Texts: Using Various
Techniques in Summarizing A Variety of
Academic Texts
First Quarter: Module 3

Rosalia J. Gaddi
Writer

Glendle L. Lunar
Dr. Ma. Carmen D. Solayao
Validators

Schools Division Office – Muntinlupa City

Student Center for Life Skills Bldg., Centennial Ave., Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
(02) 8805-9935 / (02) 8805-9940

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 This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to
help you use various techniques in summarizing a variety of academic
texts. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different
learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level
of students.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. define the concept of summarizing a text;
2. explain the various techniques in summarizing;
3. write a detailed summary of a text using various techniques in
summarizing.

Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. It is a synthesis of the main ideas of an article, restated in your own
word.
a. summary c. central idea
b. thesis statement d. paragraph

2. _______________ is defined as taking a lot of information and creating

a condensed version of a text that covers the main points.
a. summarizing c. note-taking
b. paraphrasing d. reading

3. It refers to a process of analyzing, interpreting and evaluating a text.

a. critical reading c. note-taking

b. paraphrasing d. writing

4. _____________________ is the practice of recording information captured

from an article.
a. critical reading c. note-taking
b. paraphrasing d. writing

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 5. Note-taking helps the writer record important information, freeing
their mind from having to _________ everything.
a. paraphrase c. recite
b. summarize d. recall

6. It refers to the level of understanding of a reading material or a

message.
a. paraphrase c. comprehension
b. summarize d. recall

7. It is the condition of retaining or keeping something in mind.

a. paraphrasing c. comprehension
b. retention d. recall

8. _____________ critically can lead to the deeper understanding of any

text.
a. paraphrasing c. decoding
b. reading d. recalling

9. _________________ enables a reader to identify the most important

ideas in a text and to combine the main idea
a. paraphrasing c. comprehending
b. reading d. summarizing

10. The seven strategies of reading are finding the ___________,

sequencing, summarizing, making predictions, using imagery, writing
and retelling.
a. main ideas c. phrases
b. text structure d. summary

11. It is a process of translating a printed word into a sound.

a. reading c. summarizing
b. decoding d. paraphrasing

12. Summarizing helps a reader how to identify the most important ideas
in a text, how to ignore _____________ and how to combine the central ideas in
a meaningful way.

a. irrelevant information c. main ideas

b. thesis statement d. opinion

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 13. ______________ skills are important in understanding a text that will
help a reader in writing an accurate summary of an article.
a. summarizing c. opinion
b. reading d. facts
14. Summarizing involves taking a large portion of a text and reducing it
into _________ that presents the central ideas and key points of the
original text.
a. shorter version c. new version
b. long version d. old version

15. It expresses the main idea of a research paper or essay.

a. opinion c. statement
b. summary d. thesis statement

Reading Academic Texts: Using Various

EAPP
Techniques in Summarizing A Variety of Academic
MODULE 3 Text

In this lesson, you will discover the concept of summarizing and

several summarizing techniques. You will also recognize the important
aspects of reading skills that are essential in understanding the content
of a text. The high level of understanding the text will help you to write
an accurate summary of an article. Summarizing teaches you how to
identify the most important ideas in a text, how to ignore irrelevant
information and how to combine the central ideas in a meaningful way.

Directions: Answer the following questions.

1. What is text structure?
______________________________________________________________________
2. What are the types of text structure?
______________________________________________________________________
3. Why is text structure important in writing an essay?

______________________________________________________________________

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Activity 1. Motivation Questions
Direction. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer.
1. In two to three sentences, discuss your background knowledge
in writing a summary of an academic text.
2. Why is critical reading important in writing a summary?
Activity 2. Reading Skills
Directions: Arrange the jumbled letters to form the correct term. Write
your answer on the line provided.
DINGCODE It is a process of translating a printed word
_____________________ into a sound.

PRESIONHENCOM It refers to the level of understanding of a

_____________________ text/message.

TENTIONRE It is the condition of retaining or keeping

something in mind.
____________________

Discussion of activity 1 and 2

Summarizing depends on how a reader analyzes and understands the
content of a text. Reading skills are important in understanding a text
that will help a reader in writing an accurate summary of an article.
Reading critically can lead to a deeper understanding of any text.
Summarizing teaches a reader how to identify the most important ideas
in a text and how to combine the main ideas. The seven strategies of
reading are finding the main-idea, sequencing, summarizing, making
predictions, using imagery, writing and retelling.

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 A summary is a shorter version of an original text. Summarizing
involves taking a large portion of a text and reducing it into shorter
version that presents the central ideas and key points of the original
text.

Techniques in writing a summary

1. Read and understand the original text to determine the author’s
thesis and main points.
2. Make an outline of all the main ideas and key points expressed
in the original text using your own words without changing the
original ideas.
3. Re-read while taking notes.
4. Organize your notes.
5. Write a thesis statement for the summary.
6. Write a draft of the summary paragraph.
7. Check the summary for accuracy and rewrite the summary for
the final copy.

Summarizing will help students improve reading

comprehension skills, identify main ideas from details, create a
thesis statement, differentiate facts from opinion and analyze the
text. Note-taking is important in writing a summary because it
helps students record important information, freeing their mind
from having to recall everything.

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

HAVIGHURST’S DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS DURING THE

LIFE SPAN

Robert J. Havighurst elaborated on the Developmental Tasks

Theory in the most systematic and extensive manner. His main assertion
is that development is continuous throughout the lifespan, occurring in
stages, where the individual moves from one stage to the next by means
of successful resolution of problems or performance of developmental
tasks. These tasks are those that are typically encountered by most
people in the culture where the individual belongs. If the person
successfully accomplishes and masters the developmental task, he feels
pride and satisfaction, and consequently earns his community or
society’s approval. This success provides a sound foundation which
allows the individual to accomplish tasks to be encountered at later
stages. Conversely, if the individual is not successful at accomplishing a
task, he is unhappy and is not accorded the desired approval by society,
resulting in the subsequent experience of difficulty when faced with
succeeding developmental tasks. This theory presents the individual as
an active learner who continually interacts with a similarly active social
environment. Havighurst proposed a biopsychosocial model of
development, wherein the developmental tasks at each stage are
influenced by the individual’s biology (physiological maturation and
genetic makeup), his psychology (personal values and goals) and
sociology (specific culture to which the individual belongs).
Sample outline of main ideas and thesis statement for the article’s
summary

Thesis statement:

The Development Tasks Theory of Robert J. Havighurst emphasizes the

continuity of a person’s developmental tasks throughout the lifespan.

Topic sentences/main ideas

1. If a person is successful in completing the tasks, it helps him

attain community approval, however, if he fails, it leads to the
difficulty in dealing with the succeeding developmental tasks.
2. The theory shows that a person is an active learner who
continuously interacts with an active social environment.

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 3. Havighurst’s bio psychosocial model of development asserts that
developmental tasks are influenced by individual’s biology,
psychology and sociology.
Summary:

The Development Tasks Theory of Robert J. Havighurst

emphasizes the continuity of a person’s developmental tasks throughout
the lifespan. If a person is successful in completing the tasks, it helps
him attain community approval, however, if he fails, it leads to the
difficulty in dealing with the succeeding developmental tasks. The theory
shows that a person is an active learner who continuously interact with
an active social environment. Havighurst’s bio-psychosocial model of
development asserted the factors influencing developmental tasks such
as biology, psychology and sociology.

Source:

Que-Legaspi, Estesa Xaris, Quiba, Carolyn C., Rafanan, Mae R.,

Velasquez-Garcia, Zisa, Wong-Fernandez, Barbara, (2016). Personal
Development Reader. Quezon City: Department of Education

Activity 1. Summarizing a passage

Directions: Read the passage below and do the following:
1. Create a title for the passage related to the main idea.
2. Accurately summarize the text.
3. Your summary must describe all key ideas from the text.
4. Highlight or underline key ideas in each passage.
5. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer.

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 1. Electric trolley cars or trams were once the chief mode of public
transportation in the United States. Though they required tracks and
electric cables to run, these trolley cars were clean and comfortable. In
1922, auto manufacturer General Motors created a special unit to replace
electric trolleys with cars, trucks, and buses. Over the next decade, this
group successfully lobbied for laws and regulations that made operating
trams more difficult and less profitable. In 1936 General Motors created
several front companies for the purpose of purchasing and dismantling the
trolley car system. They received substantial investments from Firestone
Tire, Standard Oil of California, Phillips Petroleum, and other parties
invested in the automotive industry. Some people suspect that these
parties wanted to replace trolley cars with buses to make public
transportation less desirable, which would then increase automobile sales.
The decline of the tram system in North America could be attributed to
many things—labor strikes, the Great Depression, regulations that were
unfavorable to operators—but perhaps the primary cause was having a
group of powerful men from rival sectors of the auto industry working
together to ensure its destruction.

Reference: Summarizing Worksheets and Activities (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/free-reading-worksheets/reading-
comprehension-worksheets/summarizing-worksheets-and-activities

Main idea related title for the passage:

Write a summary of the passage.

Rubric for the Activity

5 points - The student wrote a precise and concise summary of the

paragraph that presented the main ideas of the original text. The student
followed the rules of correct grammar and sentence construction.

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 3 points - The student wrote a summary of the paragraph but unable to
include two main points of the original text. The student followed the rules
of correct grammar and sentence construction.

1 point - The student did not correctly summarize the article due to
incorrect main ideas from the original text. The student did not follow the
rules of correct grammar and sentence construction.

Legend: 5-Excellent 3-Fair 1- Needs Improvement

Activity 2: Summarizing an Article

Directions:
1. Read and understand the article.
2. Determine the thesis statement and main ideas/topic sentences of
the article.
3. Write your summary.
4. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer.

The Development of Ethical Views Regarding the Environment

Environmental ethics emerged in the 1970s, advocating human

responsibility and action with regard to environmentalism issues. Its main
ideas are the following:

 All nonhuman elements of the world, including animals and natural

resources have intrinsic vales and should be preserved.
 The preservation of the environment will benefit humans by providing
for the needs of present and future generations.
 Humankind has a responsibility to safeguard the planet as stewards
of creation.
Environmental ethics has resulted in the development of varied views:
 Social ecology applies an ecological and ethical approach in analyzing
society, and sees a relationship between social problems and
environmental problems. Society should therefore, implement
changes in order to address issues regarding the environment.

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 Concepts such as climate ethics and climate justice arose from the
growing concern with climate change, and consider it a significant
ethical, social and political issue. These views were greatly influenced
by the concept of environmental justice, which refers to the fair
distribution of environmental benefits, as well as the burden of
meeting environmental challenges. Advocates of environmental
justice emphasize equity and the meaningful involvement of
communities and governments in addressing environmental
challenges and in planning and implementing environmental policies.
 Another perspective in environmental awareness is environmental
aesthetics, which originally focused on concepts of beauty in nature,
but has become increasingly influenced by environmental concerns.
Environmental aesthetics began in the twentieth century, concerned
primarily with natural beauty in the context of maintaining order and
balance in the environment. For its adherents, knowledge about
nature will not only enable humans to appreciate nature’s innate
beauty but will also help them relate more effectively with the
environment.
Significant social movements that were inspired by increased
environmental awareness include the environmental protection and
conservation movement, animal rights and green politics. Activism
and increased organized action are indications of the growing
awareness of environmentalism in today’s society. Environmentalism
has also become an important issue in international politics as
governments and international organizations have devoted efforts to
discuss environmental issues and formulate plans to address them.
Significant developments include the signing of the Kyoto Protocol in
1997, where various nations committed to reduce their greenhouse
gas emissions in order to curb global warning. The celebration of
Earth Day, first instituted in 1970, it is a global effort to raise
awareness of environmental issues and to inspire action among
communities.

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 The Philippines is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol and our
government has enacted laws to address environmental problems that
contribute to global warming such as the Clean Air Act of 1999, Ecological
Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and the Wildlife Resource
Conservation and Protection Act.

Reference:

Abella, Roberto D. (2016) Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human

Person. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Rubric for the Activity (This rubric will be used by the teacher in
evaluating the summary written by the students.)

10 points - The student wrote a precise and concise summary of the article
that presented the main ideas of the original text. The student followed the
rules of correct grammar and sentence construction.

8 points - The student wrote a summary of the article but unable to

include two main points of the original text. The student followed the rules
of correct grammar and sentence construction.

6 points - The student wrote a summary of the article but unable to

include three main points of the original text. The student followed the rules
of correct grammar and sentence construction.

4 points - The student did not correctly summarize the article due to
incorrect main ideas from the original text. The student did not follow the
rules of correct grammar and sentence construction.

Legend: 10-Excellent 8-Proficient 6-Fair 4- Needs Improvement

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Using the procedural graphic organizer below, write the steps in writing
a summary. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer.

Steps in writing a summary

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

Step 6 Step 5 Step 4

Step 7

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 Activity 1:
Directions: Copy a research article in the English Language from a
research journal/publication and write summary of it. Follow the
steps in summarizing. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer.

Rubric for the Activity (This rubric will be used by the teacher in
evaluating the summary written by the students.

10 points - The student wrote a precise and concise summary of the

article that presented the main ideas of the original text. The student
followed the rules of correct grammar and sentence construction.

8 points - The student wrote a summary of the article but unable to

include two main points of the original text. The student followed the rules
of correct grammar and sentence construction.

6 points - The student wrote a summary of the article but unable to

include three main points of the original text. The student followed the
rules of correct grammar and sentence construction.

4 points - The student did not correctly summarize the article due to
incorrect main ideas from the original text. The student did not follow the
rules of correct grammar and sentence construction.

Legend: 10-Excellent 8-Proficient 6-Fair 4- Needs Improvement

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 TEST I. Directions: Select the statement that best summarizes the
following paragraphs. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. The English were not the first Europeans to land their ships on American
soil. The Vikings had discovered North America in the 11th century.
Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492 for Spain, and the French began
expeditions to the New World in 1524. But the first English presence in
North America is important because the thirteen English colonies that
would later be established eventually became the country now known as
the United States of America.
a. Many Europeans landed in America before the English, but the thirteen
English colonies became the United States of America.
b. During the 11th century, the Vikings discovered North America.
c. There were many expeditions in America
d. The English has many colonies in America.

2. In April of 1585 Sir Walter Raleigh, under the authority of Queen

Elizabeth of England, sent an expedition of seven ships carrying 600 men,
half of them soldiers, to create an English colony in North America. The
colony was to be used to establish an English presence in the New World as
well as a base from which English privateers, or pirates, could attack and
plunder Spanish treasure fleets.
a. An expedition in North America was led by Sir Walter Raleigh in April
1585.
b. The colony was served as a base for English privateers.
c. Queen Elizabeth authorized an expedition in North America in 1585.
d. Sir Walter Raleigh started the first English colony to plunder Spanish
treasure ships.

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3. In July of that year the bulk of the fleet reached a small island off the
coast of Virginia that was called Roanoke. After building a small fort on the
north side of the island, the colonists initiated relations with a Native
American tribe that lived on the island, the Aquascogoc. These natives
showed little interest in building relations with the English colonists, and
they soon parted company. After this encounter, however, the English
noticed that one of their silver cups had gone missing, and they attributed
its disappearance to the Aquascogoc. Grenville, the English captain, was
furious. He believed that the Aquascogoc had stolen the silver cup. Whether
or not this was true, angry exchanges followed and soon the English burned
the Aquascogoc village. The English held their fort against the subsequent
attacks of the natives.

a. The English settlers at Roanoke got into a fight with natives over a
missing silver cup which led to the arson of the natives’ village and to the
attack of the natives against the English fort.

b. Native Americans showed little interest in stablishing relations with the

English colonists.

c. In July 1585, the English settlers reached Roanoke, a small island off
the coast of Virginia.

d. The English settlers burned the Aquascogoc village due to the

disappearance of one of their silver cups.

4.Despite their success in battle, the colonists had a miserable time because
they were mainly soldiers and adventurers, not farmers. They were hungry.
They missed the comforts of England, such as soft feather beds and dainty
foods. Also they had expected to find gold and silver on the island, and were
disappointed when they found none. Grenville soon tired of these conditions
and set out on his ship to plunder Spanish treasure fleets and return to
England. The colony was gradually abandoned.
a. The English colonists were disappointed because of their miserable time
in the colony.
b. The English colonists decided to plunder Spain’s treasure fleets.
c. The English colonists did not find any treasure on the island.
d. The English colonists did not find comforts and treasures on the island
and later, they abandoned the colony

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5. In 1587, Sir Walter Raleigh dispatched a further expedition of three ships
and 150 colonists, led by John White, to Roanoke. This time the expedition
included women and children, including White’s pregnant daughter,
Elenora. Shortly after they reached Roanoke, Elenora delivered a child
whom they named Virginia. Virginia was the first English person born in
America. But the English soon ran into more trouble with the Native
Americans. A colonist named George Howe was killed by natives while
searching for crabs alone on the beach. The colonists were scared. They
persuaded White to sail back to England to ask Sir Walter Raleigh for help.
White left behind 114 colonists, including his daughter Elenora and
granddaughter Virginia.

a. There was an expedition led by John White in 1587.

b. During the expedition, a colonist named George How was killed by

natives.

c. Another group of English settlers led by John White was sent to Roanoke
in 1587 and fought with the Native Americans, but later White left his family
behind to get help from Sir Walter Raleigh.

d. Sir Walter Raleigh left his family behind to ask support from Sir Walter
Raleigh.

6. Unfortunately for White and the colonists, England was preparing for a
naval war with Spain. All shipping from English ports was ceased. It took
White three years to get his relief expedition back to Roanoke. When he
returned in August of 1590, White found no sign of his daughter,
granddaughter, or anyone else. They found three letters, “CRO,” carved on
a tree and the full word, “CROATOAN,” on a nearby post. Possibly this
referred to the Croatoan Island, which was nearby. White searched long and
anxiously, but failed to find them.

a. After three years of being stucked in England due to a naval war between
England and Spain, White returned to Roanoke in August 1590 and found
out that the colonists, including his family, had vanished.

b. There was a preparation for England’s naval war with Spain.

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c. Shipping operations from English ports were cancelled during a
preparation for England’s naval war with Spain.

d. During his return to Roanoke, White did not see his daughter and
granddaughter.

7. No further trace of the lost colony has ever been found. Sir Walter Raleigh
himself searched for the colonists in 1595, and he sent another search-
party in 1602, but nothing came of either attempt. To this day no one knows
for certain what happened to the colonists.

a. Sir Walter Raleigh searched for the colonists in 1595.

b. Despite Sir Walter Raleigh’s search for the colonist in 1595 and 1602,
none of the colonists were ever seen again.

c. A search-party was sent by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1602.

d. Sir Walter Raleigh attempted to search for the colonists.

Summarizing Worksheets and Activities (n.d.). Retrieved

fromhttps://www.ereadingworksheets.com/free-reading-
worksheets/reading-
comprehension-worksheets/summarizing-worksheets-and-activities/

Test II. TRUE/FALSE: Read each statement below carefully. Write T on the
line if you think the statement is TRUE and an F if it is FALSE.

_____________1. A summary must include all key ideas from the text.
_____________2. Do not include your personal opinions in the summary.
_____________3. Summarizing enables a reader to focus on key words and
phrases of an article or essay.
_____________4. Summarizing helps a reader to determine the main
points of an article or essay for more concise understanding.
_____________5. Summary does not contain the main thesis of an article
or essay, restated in your own words.

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_____________6. Summary is a synthesis of the main ideas of an article,
restated in your own word.
_____________7. Reading critically can lead to the deeper understanding
of any text.

_____________8. Note taking is important in writing a summary.

Copy a summary of an academic text from an academic journal

/publication. In two to three sentences, write your evaluation of the
summary. Determine whether the summary contains the original
message of the author as well as the appropriate thesis statement and
key points.

Write your answer here:

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Assessment What’s More What’s In
TEST 1 Activity 1: 1. A
1.A Answers may vary 2. A
2. D Activity 2: 3. A
3. A
1.D 4.C
4. D
2.B 5.D
5. C
3.B 6.C
6. A
4.A 7.B
7. B
5.C 8.B
TEST II
6. A 9.D
1. T
7. D 10.A
2. T
8. B 11.B
3. T
4. T 9. D. 12.A
5. F Activity 3. 13.B
6. T Answers may vary 14.A
7. T 15.D
8. T
References
Abella, Roberto D. (2016) Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human
Person. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Tibar, Clarissa P. (2019, November 19). Summarizing Varieties of

Academic Text. Retrieved from
https://lrmds.deped.gov.ph/detail/16467

Que-Legaspi, Estesa Xaris, Quiba, Carolyn C., Rafanan, Mae R.,

Velasquez-Garcia, Zisa, Wong-Fernandez, Barbara, (2016). Personal
Development Reader. Quezon City: Department of Education

Summarizing Worksheets and Activities (n.d.) Retrieved from

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/free-reading-
worksheets/reading-
comprehension-worksheets/summarizing-worksheets-and-activities

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