Tip #21 Writing Task 1: Summarize Written Text: Identify topic, highlight 2-3 subjects,, underline key points, list ideas & rephrase them, combine into complex & combine sentences, edit (avoid run-ons & fragments)

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1. Pre-Reading & Writing Strategies
Step 1: Read & Annotate (2 mins)

• Identify the Topic:
  • "Culture shock in international students" (from the first sentence).
• Highlight 2–3 Main Subjects:
  • Phases of culture shock (honeymoon, distress, recovery).
  • Coping strategies (social support, health, exploration).
• Underline Key Points:
  • Avoid: Examples ("NY parties"), statistics ("$1200/year"), minor details.

Step 2: Extract & Paraphrase (4 mins)

• List Core Ideas:
  1. Culture shock involves adjustment to new settings, causing mixed emotions.
  2. Three phases: honeymoon (excitement), distress (homesickness), recovery (adaptation).
  3. Coping methods: socializing, health routines, exploring the new environment.
• Rephrase:
  • Original: "Students can feel excitement or frustration for weeks."
    → Summary: "Initial emotions range from enthusiasm to confusion."

Step 3: Combine (3 mins)

• Use Complex Sentence Structures:
  • Template:
    "[Topic] involves [subject 1], specifically [detail]; however, [subject 2] such as [detail] can mitigate this."
  • Example:
    "Culture shock, a challenging adjustment period for international students, progresses through three phases—honeymoon, distress, and recovery—but can be alleviated by maintaining social connections, healthy habits, and curiosity about the new culture."

Step 4: Edit (1 min)

• Check:
  • Word Count (5–75 words).
  • Grammar: No run-ons, avoid double clauses ("which is…, which is…").
  • Clarity: One central idea.

2. Model Summary (300-Word Text → 1 Sentence)
Original Text: [See culture shock example above]
A common experience for international students is the adjustment period when they move to a new environment and have to adapt to completely different educational, cultural or social settings, or a new language. Students can expect to feel anything from excitement and wonder to frustration and confusion, from anywhere between several weeks to several months. The common term for this is 'culture shock' and it typically stems from the challenges of learning what is appropriate in your new surroundings and what is not. The positive news is that this learning helps most people to develop a more flexible and open attitude, and with this you will be better able to meet these challenges and benefit from them. Typically, there are three distinct phases: the honeymoon, distress and recovery. In the initial phase, you enjoy the novelty of everything, feeling excited and confident. Before long, the second phase sets in and you begin to miss your usual way of life and question or even criticise the new environment. Being immersed in a different language starts to exhaust you, and your health may suffer. Fortunately, when you make it to the final phase the result is usually regained confidence and comfortable adjustment. You may even surprise yourself and find a new preference for some aspects of your new home. In order to reduce the experience of culture shock, there are some simple practices you can follow. Firstly, remember it is very common and there will be others who are going through something similar. You’ll also benefit from sharing your experiences with friends and family. Make sure you keep to a healthy diet and exercise routine and get plenty of rest and recreation. Lastly, join some social clubs and make sure to explore your new home and learn as much as you can about it.
Summary (45 words):
"Culture shock, a transitional phase for international students, involves three stages—honeymoon, distress, and recovery—triggered by unfamiliar settings, but adopting strategies like social support, self-care, and cultural exploration can ease adaptation and foster resilience."
Key Techniques:

• Topic + Subjects: "Culture shock" (topic) + "stages" and "strategies" (subjects).
• Conciseness: Cut examples ("NY parties"), keep phases generic.
• Synonyms: "Ease adaptation" vs. "reduce negative effects."

Lay out all the sentences you wish to combine

1. LakeSuperior is celebrated as the biggest Great Lake
2. It is the largest freshwater  lake in the world
3. It faces many pollution problems
4. This is due to the dumping and acid rain
5. It needs a massive cleanup
6. Only government spending can achieve this

Subject, indirect clause, main clause conjunction 2nd main clause subordinate clauses
The Great Lake Superior, celebrated by Canadians as the biggest of the Great lakes and largest freshwater lake in the world, is facing many contamination problems due to dumping and acid rain so, according to conservationists,  it needs a massive cleanup, which can only be achieved by massive government spending.
 
3. Post-Writing Assessment
   Content:

• Covers main argument + 2–3 key points?
• Omits examples/extraneous details?
       Language:
• Single sentence (5–75 words)?
• Uses subordinate clauses ("triggered by," "adopting strategies")?
• Avoids plagiarism (no copied phrases)?
       Grammar:
• No run-ons/comma splices?
• Correct semicolon/bracket use (if any)?

Reflection Questions:

1. "Did I spend too long on minor details?"
2. "Did I vary vocabulary (e.g., ‘resilience’ vs. ‘adaptation’)?"
3. "Is my sentence mechanically sound (no fragments)?"

4. Practice Task
Text Excerpt (Climate Change):
"Rising global temperatures are primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions, notably CO2 from fossil fuels. Impacts include extreme weather, sea-level rise, and ecosystem collapse. Solutions require renewable energy adoption, reforestation, and international policy cooperation."
Your Turn: Write a 1-sentence summary (5–75 words). Compare to this model:
"Climate change, caused by fossil fuel emissions, leads to severe environmental disruptions like extreme weather, but transitioning to renewables, restoring forests, and global policy coordination can mitigate its effects."

5. Advanced Tips

• Colon/Semicolon for Lists:
  "Culture shock has three phases: excitement, distress, and adaptation; however, social engagement reduces its impact."
• Brackets for Precision:
  "The adjustment period (often called culture shock) spans weeks to months."
• Avoid:
  • Overloading clauses: ✖ "Which is…, which is…"
  • Jargon: ✖ "Quantitative meta-analysis" → ✔ "Research shows".