【Key Points for Learning Japanese Summarization】
- First, it is important to “always start by writing a summary on your own, without any hints.” Without relying on dictionaries or answer keys, read the English text on your own and underline the words and phrases you think are important in each paragraph. Then, based on the underlined parts, summarize the main points of each paragraph and finally combine them into a single paragraph. After that, compare your summary with the model answer. At this stage, your summary does not need to match the model answer word for word.
- Compare your summary with the model answer to identify common elements and any elements missing from your summary. By reviewing the parts you’ve omitted or deemed unnecessary, you’ll develop the ability to determine which information is “essential for a summary.”
- Rather than worrying about the word count and keeping your writing brief, it’s better to start by writing a bit more than necessary. If you try to keep it short, you tend to rephrase or repeat the same points, which can make the content seem shallow. Instead, include a wide range of elements first, then trim down the word count by removing duplicates and less important parts. This approach will result in richer content and help you improve your summarization skills more quickly.
【Tips for Logical Structure and Selecting Information in Japanese Summaries】
① Identify the logical flow of each paragraph
English essays are often written in a three-part structure (introduction, body, and conclusion).
First, identify the “role” and “topic sentence” of each paragraph.
| Paragraph | Common configurations | Key Points |
| Paragraph 1 | Presentation of the Theme / Raising the Issue | “What does the author want to discuss?” The thesis statement (main topic) appears in the first or second sentence. |
| Paragraph 2 | Specific examples, reasons, and background | The explanation focuses on “why” and “how.” It often includes supporting arguments and examples. |
| Paragraph 3 | Summary, Arguments, and Recommendations | The author’s conclusions, opinions, and outlook for the future are presented. The last one or two sentences summarize the main points. |
Jotting down the following in a single line for each paragraph is recommended: (1) What is being stated, and (2) How it relates to the previous paragraph (e.g., reason, contrast, result, etc.).
② Understanding the relationship between paragraphs
When summarizing, it is important to understand the “connections” (logical relationships) between paragraphs. The relationships between paragraphs can be categorized into the following patterns.
| Configuration Patterns | Paragraph flow | Information to include in the summary |
| ①“Problem → Reason → Solution” | Paragraph 1 = Introduction of the issue / Paragraph 2 = Explanation of the causes / Paragraph 3 = Proposal | Focus on the overview of the issue and the author’s argument (solution). Keep the explanation of the cause brief. |
| ②“Thesis → Example → Restatement” | Paragraph 1 = Thesis / Paragraph 2 = Example / Paragraph 3 = Conclusion | Summarize the relationship between the argument and the example in one sentence. Keep the example brief. |
| ③“Current Situation → Opposing View → The Author’s Position” | Paragraph 1: Description of the current situation / Paragraph 2: Opposing viewpoints / Paragraph 3: The author’s opinion | Focusing on the author’s ultimate position, provide a brief overview of the current situation and the key points of contention. |
After reading a paragraph, be able to explain in a single sentence what role it plays in supporting the author’s argument.
→ Example: “The second paragraph presents reasons that support the argument,” etc.
③ Scope of information to include in the summary
The information included in the summary should be limited to “elements directly related to the author’s argument.” It is easier to organize your thoughts by considering the following points.
| Types of Information | Should this be included in the summary? | Criteria |
| Overall theme (topic) | ✅ Be sure to include | State what the text is about in the first sentence. |
| The author’s ultimate argument | ✅ Be sure to include | The concluding part of the final paragraph. This forms the core of the summary. |
| Key reasons and factors supporting the argument | ✅ Include briefly | Summarize why you say that in one or two sentences. |
| Specific examples, data, and proper nouns | ❌ Basically, delete | Omit unless essential to understanding the argument. |
| Metaphors, Background Information, and Additional Details | ❌ Omitted | This tends to dilute the content. |
Guidelines：
When summarizing a 200–250-word English passage into 150–180 characters, identify one key point from each paragraph (three points in total) and organize them into a single paragraph in the following order: “Introduction of the theme → Reasons or background → Argument or proposal.”
④ Practical Steps for Filtering Information
- Underline key words in each paragraph (topic sentences and supporting ideas)
- Mark the parts of the underlined text that “support the author’s position”
- Remove examples, numbers, and additional explanations
- Organize the remaining content into Japanese in the order of “theme → reason → argument”
- Edit the text to fit within 150 to 180 characters while ensuring the flow of meaning remains smooth
Summary (Study Tips)
- Be mindful of the “main idea” and “function” of each paragraph.
- Make sure to clearly establish the author’s position (which side they’re on) and their argument (what they’re trying to say) as a top priority.
- As a general rule, specific examples and figures should be omitted. However, brief “illustrative examples” that support the author’s argument may be included.
- Finally, after reading the summary, check to see if you can identify the theme of the passage and the author’s conclusion.