Writing: Summarizing & Paraphrasing (Basic) (B1) - Lesson 2: Writing a Short Summary (1-2 sentences) of a Paragraph
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Hello B1 Learners! 👋
In our last lesson, we learned how to find the main idea of a text. Today, we'll use that skill to do something very important: write a summary! A summary is a short version of a longer text that includes only the most important information.
We will focus on writing very short summaries (1-2 sentences) of a single paragraph.
In this lesson, you will:
- Understand what a summary is and why it's useful.
- Learn the steps to write a good, short summary of a paragraph.
- Practice writing 1-2 sentence summaries.
What is a Summary?
A summary is a brief statement that presents the main points or most important information of a text in a shorter form. It gives the reader a quick understanding of what the original text is about without all the details.
Key Characteristics of a Good Summary:
- Concise: It's much shorter than the original text.
- Accurate: It correctly represents the main idea(s) of the original.
- Objective: It usually does not include your own opinions or comments about the original text (unless you are asked to write a critical summary, which is different).
- In Your Own Words (Mostly): You should try to use your own vocabulary and sentence structure as much as possible, not just copy sentences.
For this lesson, we are focusing on summarizing a single paragraph in just 1 or 2 sentences.
How to Write a Short Summary (1-2 Sentences) of a Paragraph
- Read and Understand: Read the paragraph carefully until you understand its topic and what the author is saying about it. Look up any important new words.
- Identify the Main Idea: Ask yourself, "What is the single most important point the author is trying to make in this paragraph?" (This is what you learned in the previous lesson!). Look for the topic sentence, if there is one.
- Identify 1-2 Key Supporting Details (Optional for 1-sentence summary): If you are writing a two-sentence summary, or if the main idea needs a little more to make sense, find one or two very important details that directly support or explain that main idea. Don't include minor details or examples.
- Draft Your Summary: Combine the main idea (and key details, if any) into one or two clear sentences. Try to use your own words as much as possible. Start with the main idea.
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Check Your Summary:
- Is it short (1-2 sentences)?
- Does it accurately state the main idea of the paragraph?
- Is it mostly in your own words?
- Did you leave out unnecessary details and your own opinions?
- Is the grammar and punctuation correct?
Examples of Summarizing a Paragraph
Original Paragraph:
Learning a new language offers many significant advantages. Firstly, it can open up new career opportunities, as many companies today operate in a global market and value bilingual or multilingual employees. Secondly, knowing another language allows for richer travel experiences, enabling deeper connections with local people and cultures. Finally, studies have shown that language learning can improve cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and memory, benefiting brain health overall.
Finding the Main Idea and Key Points:
- Main Idea: Learning a new language has many important benefits.
- Key Supporting Points (examples of benefits): Better job options, richer travel, improved brain skills.
Good 1-Sentence Summary:
Learning a new language provides various important benefits, including better career prospects, enhanced travel, and improved cognitive abilities.
Good 2-Sentence Summary:
Learning a new language has several key advantages. These include opening up career opportunities, enriching travel, and boosting brain health.
Not-So-Good Summary (Too much detail / Copied phrases):
Learning a new language is good because it opens new career opportunities for the global market and makes travel better with local people, and also studies show it improves cognitive skills like problem-solving for brain health.
(This one is too long, copies too much, and is a bit clunky.)
Not-So-Good Summary (Includes opinion / Misses main point):
I think everyone should learn languages. Traveling is the best part about it.
(This includes personal opinion and focuses only on one detail, not the overall main idea of *many benefits*.)
Practice Writing Short Summaries!
Activity 1: Choose the Best 1-Sentence Summary
Read the short paragraph and choose the sentence that is the best summary.
Activity 2: Write a 1-2 Sentence Summary
Read the paragraph below. Then, write a 1-2 sentence summary in your own words that includes the main idea and very key details.
✨ Tips for Writing Good Summaries ✨
- Understand First, Write Second: Don't try to summarize until you fully understand the original text.
- Focus on the Main Idea: This is the most important part of your summary.
- Use Your Own Words: This shows you understand the material. Avoid just copying. If you use a unique key phrase from the original, it's okay, but most of it should be yours.
- Be Brief: For a paragraph, 1-2 sentences is usually enough for a B1 level summary.
- Leave Out Small Details and Examples: A summary includes only the most important points.
- Don't Add Your Opinion: Stick to what the original text says.
- Check for Accuracy: Does your summary correctly reflect the main point of the original?
Great Summarizing! 👍
Being able to write a concise summary is a very useful skill for studying, understanding information quickly, and sharing key points with others!