B2 Lesson 1: Summarizing Longer Texts Accurately
Welcome to B2 Summarizing and Paraphrasing. At the B1 level, you learned to summarize a single paragraph. Now, we will develop the skill of summarizing a longer text, like an article or an essay. This requires you to accurately1 identify the overall argument and its main supporting points.
A good summary shows you have understood the most important information and can report it objectively and concisely2.
The Process: How to Summarize a Short Article
To summarize effectively, you need a systematic process. Let's practice with the short article below about the rise of cafe culture in Cambodia.
Step 1 & 2: Read the Text and Identify the Thesis
First, read the whole text to understand the general topic. Then, find the author's main argument, which is the thesis statement (usually at the end of the introduction).
The Growth of Modern Cafes in Urban Cambodia
In the last decade, Cambodia's major cities, such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, have seen a dramatic increase in the number of modern, Western-style coffee shops. This trend is driven by more than just a love of coffee. The rise of cafe culture in Cambodia is primarily fueled by the growing youth population's need for social spaces and the demands of a modernizing economy.
Step 3: Identify the Main Point of Each Body Paragraph
Look for the topic sentence of each body paragraph. This is the main supporting point for the thesis.
Firstly, these cafes have become essential social hubs for young Cambodians. Unlike traditional settings, modern coffee shops provide a comfortable and neutral space for friends to meet, study together, and socialize outside of home or school.
Furthermore, the shift towards a more digital and flexible economy has created a demand for informal workspaces. Many young professionals and university students use cafes as a "third space" where they can work on their laptops, access reliable Wi-Fi, and hold informal business meetings.
Step 4 & 5: Draft the Summary and Check for Accuracy
Combine the thesis and main points into a new, short paragraph, using your own words (paraphrasing). Make sure it is objective and does not include minor details.
Example Summary ✅
The author argues that the recent increase in modern coffee shops in Cambodian cities is caused by two main factors. They explain that these cafes serve as important social spaces for young people and also function as informal workplaces for students and professionals in the new economy.
✍️ B2 Summary Checklist
- ✔️ Does my summary begin by stating the author's main thesis in my own words?
- ✔️ Does it briefly include the main points from the body paragraphs?
- ✔️ Is it much shorter than the original text and free of minor details and examples?
- ✔️ Is it objective and written in my own words (paraphrased)?
🧠 Practice Quiz: Main Idea or Detail?
Imagine you have read an article about the reasons for the decline of a certain animal population. Which of the following statements is most likely the overall main idea (thesis), and not just a supporting detail?
- The animals' habitat is shrinking due to deforestation.
- The population of the Irrawaddy dolphin has declined due to a combination of habitat loss and illegal fishing practices.
- Illegal fishing nets are a serious threat to dolphins.
Answer: B. This is the overall thesis. It presents the main argument and covers both main points that the essay will likely discuss. A and C are specific supporting details that would be explained in the body paragraphs.
📝 Homework: Write a Summary Paragraph
Your homework is to read the short, two-paragraph text below and write a 2-3 sentence summary of it in your notebook.
Text to Summarize:
The increasing availability of smartphones has fundamentally transformed the way people consume news and information. In the past, people relied on traditional media such as newspapers or television, which had fixed publication schedules. Today, news is instant, with breaking stories and updates delivered directly to users' phones in real-time.
This shift also has a significant social impact. While instant access to information can be very beneficial, it has also led to the rapid spread of "fake news" and misinformation. The lack of editorial fact-checking on social media platforms means that users must now be more critical than ever about the information they read and share.
Follow the step-by-step process and use the checklist to guide you.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Accurately: (Adverb) - យ៉ាងត្រឹមត្រូវ - In a way that is correct in all details; exactly. ↩
- Concisely: (Adverb) - ដោយសង្ខេប - In a way that gives a lot of information clearly and in a few words. ↩
- To synthesize: (Verb) - សំយោគ - To combine a number of things into a coherent whole. ↩
- Thesis Statement: (Noun Phrase) - ប្រយោគនិក្ខេបបទ - The sentence that states the main argument or points of a text. ↩
- Objective: (Adjective) - កម្មវត្ថុ - Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.