toefl preparation class – academic skills part 2
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TOEFL PREPARATION CLASS – ACADEMIC SKILLS (SUMMARIZING AND SYNTHESIZING)
SUMMARIZING Related to paraphrasing because you use
your own words When you paraphrase – you include all of the
information When you summarize – you include only the
main ideas Paraphrase is about the same length as the
original; a summary is shorter than the original
PROBLEMS YOU WILL CONFRONT WHEN SUMMARIZING 1. A summary does not include
everything in the original (try not to write too much)
2. Details and examples that support the main idea are usually not included in a summary (you will have to discriminate between the main points and the details/examples)
3. The author`s point of view must be maintained (you cannot express your opinion when you report the information)
HOW WILL THIS STRATEGY HELP YOU ON THE TOEFL? By learning to summarize you will be able to
answer the questions that are worth the most points on the Reading section
There are also questions that require you to produce summaries on the Writing and the Speaking sections
Research demonstrates that students who understand how to summarize and use this skill when they prepare for tests will be able to remember the information better
CONDENSE THE IDEAS – STRATEGIES TO USE1. Be brief - a summary is the shorter version of the
original (e.g. if the original is 1000 words, a summary would be 200-500 words)
a paraphrase is about the same number of words as the original, but a summary should be brief and concise
Details and examples are used to explain and extend the main points in a reading/lecture / to be brief, avoid them in a summary
2. Combine sentences Another good way to condense the ideas Connecting words put sentences together and
show the relationships between them Clauses of addition – and, moreover Clauses of reversal – but, however Clauses of result – although, even though,
because, since, when Clauses of contrast – whereas Descriptive clauses – which, who, that Chronology clauses – while, before, after Conclusion clauses – therefore, thus
IDENTIFY THE MAIN POINTS – STRATEGIES TO USE 1. Find a topic sentence The topic answers the question : What is this
reading/lecture about? Topic sentence – very general statement that
includes the subject of the reading/lecture and also the way that the author/speaker plans to develop the topic
The first sentence in the summary should be a direct statement – it should give the reader/listener a general idea of the topic for the reading/listening
Sometimes you can paraphrase a topic sentence from the original reading/lecture but sometimes you must create it yourself from several sentences in the orginial
2. Identify the major points A major point is almost always directly stated It has examples and details that refer to it It is often found at the beginning of a new
paragraph Inferences and conclusions or examples and
details are usually not major points
3. Identify the minor points It can be an example/detail that supports the
major point or it can be a point that is not very well developed
It can be mentioned without supporting examples or details in the original reading/lecture
It is usually not included in the summary If you can identify the minor points you can
eliminate them You can shorten your summary
REPORT THE INFORMATION – STRATEGIES TO USE 1. Use the same organization as the
original A summary should retain the same
organization as the original reading/lecture A good summary begins with the first major
point and follows with each major point in order that it appears in the original
First, determine the organization of the reading/lecture
Then – list the main points in the order in which you read/heard them (this list gives you an outline for your summary)
2. Report the content accurately You will be evaluated not only on how well
you use language to write a summary but also on how accurately you understand and report the content of the original
Read and listen for meaning. When you finished it review the content. Ask yourself some basic questions – who, what, when, where, why, how?
3. Retain the original emphasis The emphasis should be the same on both the
original and the summary When you read, think in terms of space (how
much space does the author devote to each point?)
When you listen, think in terms of time (how much time does the speaker devote to each point?)
When you do this, you are determining the emphasis for each point in the original and you will know how much emphasis to give to these points in your summary
4. Maintain the objective point of view An objective point of view is a neutral position A summary is not an analysis or a commentary It does not invite an opinion In it, you should not agree/disagree with the
author`s/speaker`s ideas. Don`t make judgments Don`t add infromation When you report, you should include your
opinions or comments The conclusion should be author`s/speaker`s
and not yours
5. Check the summary Save some time at the end of your writter
summary to re-read it and check it Keep a short check-list in mind as you review
your content and organization
SHORT CHECK-LIST FOR SUMMARIES Be brief Use the same organization as the original Include the major points Report the content accurately Retain the original emphasis Paraphrase using your own words Maintain an objective point of view
SYNTHESIZING Means to combine two or more sources in
order to create something new Probably the most complex academic skill
because it includes all of the other academic skills (taking notes, paraphrasing and summarizing)
The result of a synthesis should be more than the sum of parts
PROBLEMS THAT YOU WILL CONFRONT WHEN YOU ARE SYNTHESIZING 1. The relationship between the sources
may not be obvious (you may have to figure out the connection)
2. One source appears to contain all of the necessary information (you need to be sure to balance the information so that all of the sources are used)
3. Synthesis requires a high level of thinking (you should have a plan in order to create a synthesis)
HOW WILL THIS STRATEGY HELP YOU ON THE TOEFL?
By learning to synthesize information from readings and lectures, you will develop ways of thinking that will help you prepare important integrated speaking and writing questions
INDENTIFY THEMES AND CONNECTIONS – STRATEGIES TO USE1. Identify the primary source At least 2 points are required for a synthesis The primary source presents the major
points and the secondary source provides additional information
The directions for a task or a question on a test will help you indentify the primary source
Read the directions very carefully to determine which source you are being asked to use your primary source
The primary source is usually but not always mentioned first
Example:
Primary source: Summarize the points that the lecturer makes,
Secondary source: explaining how they cast doubt on the information in the reading
2. Analyze the task The wording of the question/assignment will
direct your thinking Some words/phrases that refer to the
secondary source demonstrate agreement and extension, the others show disagreement and contrast
It is important to understand the meaning of these words/phrases in order to analyze the task; the way that you relate the secondary source to the primary source depends on these words
Agreement/ extension – add to; affirm; agree; concur with; confirm; prove; support; validate; verify
Disagreement/ contrast – cast doubt on; contradict; contrast with; counter; differ from; discredit; oppose
Neutral – describe; explain; list; outline; relate; summarize
3. Clarify the relationships The relationships between the primary
source and the secondary source is usually more specific than an extension or a contrast
Examples of relationships: Extension/agreement
Primary source Secondary source
Concept Example/ case study
Theory Research study/proof
Definition Example/characteristics
Cause Effect/result
Problem Solution
Contrast/disagreement
Primary source Secondary source
Definition/explanation Comparison
Issue/situation Comparison/contrast
Opinion Contrasting opinion
Advantages Disadvantages
4. Get organized Read the directions for your assignment or
the question for your test Ask yourself these questions: 1. What is the primary source?2. What is the secondary source?3. What is the task? Extension or contrast?4. What is the specific relationship between
the primary and the secondary source?
SELECT INFORMATION FROM BOTH SOURCES – STRATEGIES TO USE 1. Summarize the primary source You will often be asked to summarize the
main points in the primary source and then relate the secondary source to it
After you have taken notes on both sources, direct your attention to the notes for the primary source
2. Use transition sentences Very useful in a synthesis Can be used to contradict the information
from the primary source with the information from the secondary source
Show the specific relationships between the two sources (theory – research study; definition – example; case study – concept; cause – effect; solution – problem, etc.)
3. Include the secondary source A synthesis is not complete unless
information from the secondary source is included
FOLLOW A PLAN – STRATEGIES TO USE 1. Memorize a procedure and follow the steps Read the assignment/ test question 1. Identify the primary source2. Identify the secondary source 3. Decide whether the task is extension or contrast 4. Determine the specific relationship between the primary
and secondary sources Read the passage and take notes Listen to the lecture and take notes Plan and write a synthesis 1. Summarize the primary source2. Create a transition sentence to connect primary with the
secondary source3. Summarize the secondary source while making references
to the primary source
2. Work within time limits Read the assignment/ test question – 10 seconds1. Identify the primary source2. Identify the secondary source 3. Decide whether the task is extension or contrast 4. Determine the specific relationship between the
primary and secondary sources Read the passage and take notes – 3 minutes Listen to the lecture and take notes – 3-5 minutes Plan and write a synthesis – 20 minutes 1. Summarize the primary source2. Create a transition sentence to connect primary with
the secondary source3. Summarize the secondary source while making
references to the primary source
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