Writing: Summarizing and Paraphrasing (Basic) (B1) - Lesson 2: Writing a Short Summary (1-2 sentences) of a Paragraph

B1 Lesson 2: Writing a Short Summary (1-2 sentences) of a Paragraph

In our last lesson, you learned how to find the main idea of a paragraph. Today, we will use that skill to write a summary¹. A summary is a very short statement that gives only the most important points of a text, written in your own words².

What Makes a Good Summary?

A good summary is like a small, ripe mango – it gives you all the flavor and sweetness without the big seed and skin. It should be:

• Short and Concise: Much shorter than the original text.
• Accurate: It must correctly represent the original author's main idea.
• Objective: It should only include the author's ideas, not your own opinions.
• In Your Own Words: You must paraphrase³; do not just copy sentences.

How to Summarize a Paragraph in 3 Steps

Let's practice by summarizing a paragraph about the benefits of tourism in Siem Reap.

Step 1: Read and Understand the Original Paragraph

Tourism is extremely important for the economy of Siem Reap. The large number of international visitors creates thousands of jobs for local people in hotels, restaurants, and as tour guides. Furthermore, tourists spend money on locally made souvenirs, which supports local artisans and craftspeople. This constant flow of money helps the entire community to grow and prosper.

Step 2: Identify the Main Idea

What is the one most important point of the paragraph?
→ The main idea is that tourism is vital for Siem Reap's economy because it creates jobs and brings in money.

Step 3: Write the Summary in Your Own Words

Now, rewrite that main idea in one sentence. Do not include details like "souvenirs" or "artisans."

Bad Summary (Copying the topic sentence)

Tourism is extremely important for the economy of Siem Reap.

Good Summary (Main idea in your own words)

According to the text, the economy of Siem Reap depends heavily on tourism because it provides jobs and income for the community.

✍️ B1 Summary Checklist

• ✔️ Have I accurately stated the original author's main idea?
• ✔️ Is my summary much shorter than the original paragraph?
• ✔️ Have I used my own words and sentence structure (paraphrased)?
• ✔️ Have I left out the specific examples and minor details?

🧠 Practice Quiz: Which is the Best Summary?

Read the short paragraph and choose the best one-sentence summary.

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Paragraph:

Regular physical exercise provides many benefits for mental health. For example, activities like running or cycling can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Exercise also releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the brain that improve your mood and make you feel happier. Therefore, staying active is not just good for the body, but also for the mind.

1. Exercise can reduce stress, anxiety, and release endorphins.
2. The text states that regular physical activity is good for a person's mental well-being.
3. Staying active is good for the body and mind.

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Answer: B. This is the best summary. It accurately states the main idea in different words. Answer A includes too many specific details. Answer C copies the last sentence too closely.

📝 Homework: Write a Summary

Read the paragraph below. Your homework is to write a one-sentence summary in your notebook.

Paragraph to Summarize:

Climate change presents a serious threat to agriculture in Cambodia. Increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns make it difficult for farmers to know when to plant their rice crops. Furthermore, rising temperatures can damage sensitive crops like the famous Kampot pepper, reducing the harvest. These environmental challenges require farmers to find new and adaptive ways to continue their work successfully.

Follow the 3-step process and use the checklist to help you write a good summary.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Summary: (Noun) - សេចក្តីសង្ខេប - A short statement giving the main points of a text. ↩
2. In your own words: (Phrase) - នៅក្នុងពាក្យផ្ទាល់ខ្លួនរបស់អ្នក - To express an idea using your own vocabulary and sentence structure, not the author's. ↩
3. To paraphrase: (Verb) - បកស្រាយ - To rewrite a passage in your own words. ↩
4. Concise: (Adjective) - ខ្លី - Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief.
5. Objective: (Adjective) - កម្មវត្ថុ - Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; based on facts.