VARIOUS TECHNIQUES IN

SUMMARIZING A VARIETY
OF ACADEMIC TEXTS
(Quarter 1 – Module 3)

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What is THESIS STATEMENT?

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 What is SUMMARIZING?
 reducing text  condensed versión
 clearly articulating  most important facts or
 thesis ideas
 main ideas  short and clear form
 “simply, briefly, and
accurately”

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 Various Techniques in Summarizing a
Variety of Academic Texts
1. Read the work first to understand the author’s intent.
This is a crucial step because an incomplete reading could lead
to an inaccurate summary. Note: an inaccurate summary is
plagiarism.
2. One of the summarization techniques you can do is to present
information through facts, skills and concept in visual
formats. You can provide the cause and effects charts,
timelines, and Venn diagrams, templates for outlines, use flow
charts or infographics.
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 Various Techniques in Summarizing a
Variety of Academic Texts
3. To avoid difficulty, you need first to know the main points
and the supporting details. You can exclude any illustrations,
examples or explanations.
4. You need to analyze the text to save time in thinking what you
will do.
5. Think what information you will put in your summary. Be
sure to cover the main points and arguments of the document.

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 Various Techniques in Summarizing a
Variety of Academic Texts
6. One of the best things to do in auto summarizing is
restating the words into different one. You should
avoid using the original words of the author instead; use
your own vocabulary but be sure to retain the
information.
7. You will fully understand what the document is when
you organize all ideas.

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 Various Techniques in Summarizing a
Variety of Academic Texts
8. One of the things you can do is to write down all information
in a coherent and precise form. Keep in mind that a
summary is a condensed version of the original paper, so avoid
making it long.
9. You can also decide to represent information through using
dimensional constructions in representing concepts, skills or
facts.
10.Paraphrasing is one of the skills you can do in writing a
summary. With it, do not use the same words with the author.
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 Example 1: Japanese Rail Tunnel
Due to an increase in traffic between the various island which make up
Japan, and predictions of a continuing growth in train travel, a rail tunnel was
built to connect the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. The Seikan Tunnel in Japan
is today the longest tunnel in the world, with a length of almost 54km. When the
tunnel was opened in 1988, all existing trains went through it. However, newer
Japanese bullet trains have never used the tunnel because of the cost of extending
the high speed line through it. Consequently, the train journey from Tokyo to
Sapporo still takes about ten hours. In contrast, the journey by air takes only
three and a half hours. This has combined with the fall in the cost of flying, has
meant that more people travel by plane than train and the tunnel is not used as
much as forecasters had predicted.
 Example 1: Japanese Rail Tunnel
 Increase in traffic  54km
 connect Islands  Opened in 1988
(Honshu & Hokkaido )  Bullet trains
 Predictions and  Never used tunnel
continuing growth
 Fall in the cost of flying
 The longest rail tunnel  Not used as much as
 opened 1988 forecasters predicted
 Example 1: Japanese Rail Tunnel
(SUMMARY)
The longest railway tunnel in the world links the
islands of Honshu & Hokkaido. This 54km tunnel was
inaugurated in 1988 to deal with the predicted increase in
rail traffic. However, the fall in the cost of flying and the
fact that high speed trains cannot use the tunnel have
resulted in the tunnel being less widely used than
expected.
 Example 2: The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous architectural wonders
of the modern world. Instantly recognizable both for its roof shells and its
impressive location in Sydney harbor, it has become one of the best known
images of Australia. Situated close to Sydney Harbour Bridge, this large
performing arts center was started in 1959 and completed in 1973. After a
competition to choose the design, the Danish architect Jorn Utzon was chosen.
The Opera House includes five theatres, five rehearsal studios, two main halls,
four restaurants, six bars, and several shops. The construction of the Opera House
was fairly controversial as the final cost of the building was much higher than
predicted. It was expected to cost $7 million, but in fact, the final cost was $102
million.
 Example 2: The Sydney Opera House
This was due to difficult weather conditions, problems with
structural design, and changes to contract. The remarkable roof shells
were also difficult to construct. Furthermore, the construction too longer
than planned. Completion of the building was initially expected in four
years, in 1963. Unfortunately, because of the many problems and changes
which were necessary in the design, the building was not completed until
ten years later, in 1973.It was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth 2 on 20th
October 1973, and millions of people attended the ceremony. The event
was televised, and included a fireworks display and classical music
performance.
 Example 2: The Sydney Opera House
 Most famous architectural wonders of the modern world
 Recognizable both for its roof shells
 Location in Sydney harbor Performing arts centre
 Started in 1959 & completed in 1973
 Competition: the Danish architect Jorn Utzon
 Five theatres, five rehearsal studios, two main halls, four restaurants, six
bars, and several shops.
 Controversial: expected $7 milllion / the final cost $102
 Difficult weather conditions, problems with structural design, and changes
to contract.
 Inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth 2 on 20th October 1973
 Example 1: The Sydney Opera House
(SUMMARY)
The Sydney Opera house, has been described as ‘one of the wonders of
the modern world’, is located in Sydney Harbour, Australia. Designed by
Danish Architect, Jorn Utzo, this large performing art centre with numerous
theatres, restaurants and other facilities, took fourteen years to build at a cost
of over $100 million. The construction was seen as controversial as it was
estimated to only cost $7 million but adverse weather, design difficulties and
contractual problems made expenses spiral out of control. It was inaugurated
by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973 at a ceremony televised to the world.
Adapted from Philpot, S & Curnick, L. 2011. Headway Academic Skills, Level 3.
OUP