Techniques in Summarizing a Variety of Academic Text

Many places will have record levels of pollen this spring. This is just one reason Americans are expected to spend $4.7 billion this year on prescription allergy medicines. The top three medications are Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec. A new study finds that almost two-thirds of those people who take these drugs do not need them.

"It is very obvious to anyone in the allergy field that many patients are being misdiagnosed," said Dr. Beth Corn. Corn is an allergist at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.

Which statement best summarizes this passage?

• Americans are expected to spend billions of dollars on allergy medication. Many of these people taking the medicine do not actually need it.

• Dr. Beth Corn is an allergist in New York. She works at Mount Sinai Medical Center. She often gives her patients Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin.

• Americans could spend well over $4 billion this year on different allergy medications. Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra are three kinds of medication.

• Record amounts of pollen aggravate the allergies of people each year. Some people take Claritin, while others take Allegra to ease their allergies.

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

Jet lag is a problem suffered by many flight attendants, pilots, and frequent flyers. When people travel rapidly across numerous time zones, as they do when flying long distances, they sometimes develop a condition called jet lag. These long trips disturb normal body rhythms. After a trip, travelers may have trouble falling asleep at night and staying awake during the day. Experts advise travelers flying eastbound to go to bed later than usual before traveling and those flying west to go to bed earlier than usual. These changes should help minimize the effects of jet lag.

Which statement best summarizes this paragraph?

• Flight attendants, pilots, and frequent flyers often suffer jet lag. Experts have many tips for travelers that will help prevent jet lag.

• Jet lag is a problem for people who fly a lot. To prevent jet lag, people can change the time they go to sleep before they take a trip.

• People who suffer jet lag have trouble falling asleep and staying awake. This is because people's body rhythms get thrown off by travel.

• Long-distance travel is unsafe because of a condition known as jet lag. Jet lag happens when people travel across many time zones.

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Small newspaper seeks writers. Writers must work well under pressure and focus on details. Good writing skills are necessary. Related experience preferred. Must be flexible with hours. May need to work overtime, nights, and weekends. Call 555-1234 for information.

What is the best summary of this advertisement?

• Most newspapers want flexible workers. They want people who are able to work nights, weekends, and even overtime.

• A small newspaper is looking to hire writers. They would like someone who can work under pressure and have flexible hours.

• Writers at newspapers work long hours. They often have to work at night or on weekends. They also have to deal with stress.

• You need experience to get a good job. For example, in order to get a writing job, it is helpful to have some writing experience.

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Have you always wanted to own your own boat but thought you couldn't afford to? Now there's a way to purchase a small skiff for less than retail price. All you need is time, patience, and skill in working with carpentry tools. For $175 you can obtain a kit to build your own eight-foot rowboat. The kit contains complete instructions, precut wooden parts, metal fittings, sandpaper, sealant, and paint. The only decision left up to you is choosing the color of the hull; everything else has been provided. For purchasing information, log on to our Web site.

Which is the best summary of this passage?

• Some people think that boats are really expensive. Only large boats cost a lot of money; small ones do not.

• You can buy a small boat for under $200. Most people think that boats cost thousands of dollars.

• You can build a small, inexpensive rowboat from a kit. The kit has all of the pieces and paint that you need.

• People can actually buy a rowboat on the Internet. You can find out more information on the Web site.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.2

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Which among the following is a step in summarizing?

• Using synonyms to replace words

• Retaining the number count

• Retaining all information given

• Using keywords and important details

Read the following passage and then answer the question.
The Elk River flows from the far northern part of the state all the way to the southern tip. All kinds of animals rely on it for drinking water, people eat the fish they catch in it, and farmers in the state depend on it for irrigating their crops. Since there is very little rain in this state, the Elk River gives animals and humans the water they need to stay alive. Even though the river is not nearly the biggest in the nation, it is very important to the people and animals that live near it.

• The Elk River is a small river.
• The Elk River starts in the northern part of the state.
• The Elk River is very important to people and animals.
• People catch fish in the Elk River.

You should write your summary __________.

• in your own words with complete sentences.

• in a secret language that you make up.

• in one draft without revising.

• in fragments without punctuation.

A summary does __________.

• nothing.

• tells an opinion.

• makes an educated guess.

• is a shorter way to explain a text with important information or key points.

The FIRST step to summarizing & paraphrasing is _______________________.

• read the text until you understand it

• copy & paste the text

• make a citation

• giving up

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After you write a summary or paraphrase, you should check your writing against the original.

• true

• false

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