Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

8 Zest for Progress

Z Peal of artnership

ENGLISH
Quarter 4 – Module 4
SYNTHESIZING ESSENTIAL
INFORMATION

Name of Learner: ___________________________

Grade & Section: ___________________________
0 Name of School: ___________________________
 What I Need To Know
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You have learned that reference materials in the internet can give you answers to most
factual questions, if not information, on almost any subject in which you are interested in. You have
also learned that articles and blogs are useful sources of information. However, not everything you
read from these reference materials is factual.

You need to scrutinize and think critically when you read reference materials for your paper.
This module is designed to guide you to develop your reading comprehension as well as writing
skills. In addition, you are expected to be selective in choosing the details that will be included in
your paper.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this module, the learners are expected to:
 Synthesize essential information found in various sources. (Uncoded)
 gather information from different sources;
 note and summarize important details in a text and,
 synthesize essential information from various sources.

What I Know

Activity 1
Directions: Read each item carefully then circle the letter of the correct answer.
1. You are tasked to synthesize information from a given text, which will be your first step?

A. Organize the ideas of the text C. Synthesize the information

B. Read the text several times D. Identify relevant information

2. Ana gathered details for her paper mostly from the internet. Which of the following should she
consider?

A. The content of the text C. The time the text was published
B. The length of the text D. The name of the author

3. Student A is done gathering information from different sources. What would be the next step?

A. Cite the sources C. Organize the ideas

B. Synthesize the text D. Review the content

4. Why is there a need to note important details?

A. To help you remember things that could help you for future reference.
B. To help you build up vocabulary on the process.
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 C. To help you select the ideas and concepts needed for your paper.
D. To help you read and review the content before submission.

5. Your teacher in Arts gave you an assignment to synthesize the information with the topic ‘Kulintang in
The Philippines.’ You then resorted to search on the internet and found multiple responses. Do you
think you are doing the process of synthesis correctly?

A. Yes, because the first step in synthesis is to search the net for information.
B. Yes, because the first step in synthesis is to gather information from sources.
C. No, because the first step in synthesis is to gather a summary of the information needed.
D. No, because the first step in synthesis is to acknowledge the authors properly.

What’s In
Activity 2. Solve me
Directions: Solve the word puzzle by studying the clues given below.

C
E

I
N R I

B G W
S

Across Down
1. Details 1. Important
2. Unfamiliar 2. Proof
3. Connection 3. The point of origin
4. To join

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 What’s New
Activity 3. Check me
Directions: Write () on the space provided if it is a source of information and () if it is not.

_________1. Magazines _________6. Imaginations/Infatuation

_________2. Your own senses _________7. Paper and pen
_________3. Television/Radio _________8. Pamphlets
_________4. Internet _________9. Monographs
_________5. Articles _________10. The people around you

How did you categorize the items above? What makes the items a source of information?
Briefly discuss your answer.
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What Is It

To synthesize information entails the learner to become a wide reader and to have patience
in gathering factual information. This skill is critical and falls under higher order thinking skills
since one needs to undergo a process to come up with a good result.

A learner cannot directly synthesize information without passing through a process. In

addition, the learner must have a background knowledge on citing sources since this plays a
significant role in synthesizing information. Whenever you gather details, factual or not, you must
always review the sources and annotate them as well to avoid plagiarism (when one uses the idea of
another without proper citation).

Main idea vs. Significant details

In synthesis, there is a need to refrain from unwanted ideas. One must know how to
distinguish the main idea from the supporting details. Usually, we only get the main idea to include
in our paper.

The paragraphs in a selection or composition present ideas that can be considered either as
main ideas or significant details. The main idea is the topic of the paragraph and answers the Wh-
questions. It controls all other sentences in the paragraph. It is often found at the beginning of the
paragraph. It could also be found in the concluding part of the paragraph. Whereas the significant
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details are the facts, examples, incidents, reasons, procedures or other specific points that back up
or elaborate the main idea. They are considered to be supporting details or body of the story.
Noting details
Noting details is a skill that a learner should develop. It is an important reading, writing
and study skill. When a learner masters noting details, he/she can perform more difficult
comprehension skill like summarizing and synthesizing.
Noting details is a brief record of something. Usually it is written down in a paper. It could
be a statement, a quote or anything that one may have written down in order to remember. The
details noted may be used for any future reference. It could later be used for speech, to write an
essay, to deliver a news report or any other type in oral or written form. In this module you will use
this skill as a tool for your synthesis. Take note only of the important details to avoid overloaded
ideas.
Study the news report below then note the important details you will find.

Pacquiao is Best in the World-FWB

Las Vegas – Filipino boxer, Manny
Pacquaio, was named here on October 7, 2007 by
FWB as the best boxer in the world for 2007.
Pacquaio’s superior hand speed and hard
punches put a stop to the boxing career of Mexican
fighter, Marco Antonio Barrera.
manny-pacquiao.jpg (806×605) (ndtvimg.com)

From the sample, here are the details that were noted.

When: October 7, 2007

Who: Manny Pacquiao
What: Best in the world
Where: Las Vegas
How: superior hand speed and hard punches
Summarizing a text
Summary is a brief paragraph and is a surface level explanation of what is happening in a
text. It uses sentences which are rewritten in your own words. Remember that in summary, you just
simply retell what has been said and not put your opinion nor make a judgment. A summary is not
as long as the original text. It uses keywords from the text showing the understanding of the subject.
Study the text below.

Last month, my sister, Karen gave me a new cellphone for my online classes. My
new cellphone is a smartphone. Applications I needed for my classes were already
installed. It also has a free headset. Sometimes I listen to music while answering my
modules.
My phone came with a free silicon case, but I prefer to cover it with a customized
one. Of course, my favorite anime character is my wallpaper. Now, I can browse and
answer my assignments anytime, anywhere.

From the example, here is a summary.

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 Last month, Karen gave her younger sister a smartphone for her online classes. And all
applications needed for her assignments were already installed so that she can browse anytime,
anywhere.

(Note that there is no opinion or interpretation in the sample. It simplifies our understanding
of the text.)

Sources of information

There are different types of sources of where we can get information. In your previous
module, you have learned two of the different sources of information.

1. Primary Sources display original thinking, report on new discoveries, or share fresh
information such as journal, articles, speeches.
2. Secondary Sources often try to describe or explain primary sources, such as textbooks,
research works.

Synthesizing Essential Information

Synthesis is a process of gathering information from different sources, reviewing their

reliability, citing sources, summarizing and writing them down to come up with a desired result.

To make a synthesis, first you need to find suitable sources, and then select the relevant
parts in those sources. You will then use your paraphrasing and summarizing skills to write the
information in your own words. The information from all other sources has to fit together into one
continuous text. Remember, though, that when you synthesize work from different people, you
must acknowledge it.

4 Steps to synthesize information from different sources

Step 1: Organize your sources

One way to begin synthesizing the literature is to put your notes into a table. Depending on
your topic and the type of literature you’re dealing with, there are a couple of different ways you can
organize this.

Step 2: Outline your structure

Now you should have a clear overview of the main connections and differences between the
sources you’ve read. Next, you need to decide how you’ll group them together and the order in which
you’ll discuss them. For shorter papers, your outline can just identify the focus of each paragraph; for
longer papers, you might want to divide it into sections with headings.

Step 3: Write paragraphs with topic sentences

What sets a synthesis apart from a summary is that it combines various sources. The easiest way
to think about this is that each paragraph should discuss a few different sources, and you should be able
to condense the overall point of the paragraph into one sentence.

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 Step 4: Revise, edit and proofread
Checklist for Synthesis
 Do I introduce the paragraph with a clear, focused topic sentence?
 Do I discuss more than one source in the paragraph?
 Do I mention only the most relevant findings, rather than describing every part of the studies?
 Do I discuss the similarities or differences between the sources, rather than summarizing each
source in turn?

Below is a synthesis sample:

“Sharpe (2016) observed an increase in students’ ability to focus after they had recess.
Similarly, Barnes (2015) found out that hands-on activities also helped students focus. Both of these
techniques have worked well in the classroom, keeping the students engaged in learning.”

Notice that the sources of the information were cited.

What’s More

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 Activity 4: Noting Important Details

Directions: Note the important details in the paragraph below and summarize them.

SOURCE A.
Clouds can be used to protect weather because different types of clouds signal
different kinds of weather. Cirrus clouds are generally wispy and elongated in form. They are
made of ice crystals and they usually appear before a storm. Stratus clouds (i.e., stratified
clouds) are heavily layered and often appear in a sheet-like formation. They are low, dark
clouds which may indicate snow or rain. Cumulus clouds are billowy. They are white and
may appear during good weather. Nimbus clouds are dense, dark, rain-producing clouds. The
identification of cloud types is an important skill for aviator meteorologists because clouds
present variable icing hazards. Ice formation can drastically reduce the effectiveness of
airfoils (wings, flags, rudder, ailerons, elevators) and may destroy the control of an aircraft.
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SOURCE B.
How Do Clouds Form?

Clouds form from water in the sky. The water may evaporate from the ground or move
from other areas. Water vapor is always in the sky in some amount but it is invisible. Clouds
form when an area of air becomes cooler until the water vapor there condenses to liquid form.
At that point, the air is said to be “saturated” with vapor. The air where the cloud forms must be
cool enough for the water vapor to condense. The water will condense around things like dust,
ice or sea salt – all known as condensation nuclei. The temperature, wind and other conditions
where a cloud forms will determine what type of cloud it will be.

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Activity 5: Synthesize Me

Directions: Since you have already gathered details and summarized each given source, following the
steps mentioned, it is time to synthesize essential information taken from the two sources. Use the
rubric as your guide.

Clouds and their formation

SOURCE A SOURCE B

“How Do Clouds Forms?”

Clouds can be used to protect weather because Clouds form from water in the sky.
different types of clouds signal different kinds of The water may evaporate from the ground or
weather. Cirrus clouds are generally wispy and move from other areas. Water vapor is always
elongated in form. They are made of ice crystals and in the sky in some amount but it is invisible.
8 Clouds form when an area of air becomes
they usually appear before a storm. Stratus clouds
cooler until the water vapor there condenses
(i.e., stratified clouds) are heavily layered and often to liquid form. At that point, the air is said to
appear in a sheet-like formation. They are low, dark be “saturated” with vapor. The air where the
 SYNTHESIZING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
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Criteria 10 7 4
Content The learner includes all of The learner includes almost The learner includes
the essential information all of the essential only some of the
needed. information needed. essential information
needed.

Organization All of the ideas and other Some of the ideas are Ideas are not
details are organized organized and other details organized.
clearly. are not so clear.

Total score:

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 What I Have Learned
Activity 6: Complete me

Directions: Supply the missing letters to complete the words below. Clues are given.

1. ___ ___ _M_ ___ ___ _R_ ___

Retelling the key points of the text by using your own words.

2. ___ ___ _A_ ___ ___ ___ _R_ ___ _S_ ___

Representation of another author’s language.

3. ___ _O_ ___ ___ _N_ ___ ___ ___ _T_ ___ _I_ ___ ___

Brief record of something that helps us to remember things.

4. ___ _Y_ ___ ___ ___ _E_ ___ ___ _S_

Combination of information from multiple sources into one text.

5. _C_ ___ _N_ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _N_

Needed to avoid plagiarism

Activity 7: Generalize me

Directions: Write a synthesis of what you have learned in this module.

I have learned that…

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What I Can Do

Activity 8: Search and Synthesize me

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 Directions: Look for other source that supports the topic about “Students’ Role in Garbage
Disposal”. Your task is to synthesize the details. Reminder: If you browse on the internet, make
sure to check the reliability of your source.

Students’ Role in Garbage Disposal

SOURCE A SOURCE B

The students play a big role in __________________________________

saving our environment. It starts at __________________________________
home: the students should not forget to __________________________________
segregate the trash in the wastebasket __________________________________
before having the garbage collector __________________________________
collect it. Then, while at school, the __________________________________
student should participate actively in __________________________________
symposia and other similar activities __________________________________
organized by other students who, like __________________________________
them, advocate a clean and healthy __________________________________
environment. Lastly, before going home, __________________________________
the students should make a pledge to __________________________________
protect the environment whenever __________________________________
possible. Truly, when the future is at __________________________________
stake, the whole student body could __________________________________
really help a lot. __________________________________

SOURCE: GRADE 8 EXPRESSWAY Source: __________________

SYNTHESIZING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

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Assessment
Directions: Read each item carefully then circle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Archie is doing a synthesis on the “Preferred Study Habit of HS Students.” Which of the
following will most likely be his consideration?
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 A. Taking new beliefs and evaluating them for reason.
B. Taking pieces of information and creating something new out of them.
C. Taking what you have learned and completing a test on it.
D. Taking various sources that must have contrasting points of view.

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. You can interpret the text during summary.

B. You can synthesize sources without a summary.
C. You build your own idea after synthesis.
D. You note details from one source only.

3. How should writing a synthesis start?

A. Cite sources whenever it is needed.

B. Read and understand the text.
C. Gather several information from various sources.
D. Transfer all the information on to one piece of paper.

4. Why is there a need to cite sources?

A. Citing sources properly helps you avoid plagiarism.

B. Citing sources adds to the fluency of your paper.
C. Citing sources gives credits to your work.
D. Citing sources helps us to locate the owner of the site.

5. Which one is an example of writing synthesis?

A. Getting information from different sources in order to review for exams.

B. Asking your neighbor to answer your survey questionnaire.
C. Noting important details from a live news report.
D. Gathering data to be discussed on a plenary.

6. Your teacher instructed you to note the important details of the announcement made by the
principal. Which of the following details should include your answer?

A. The time the announcement was made.

B. The mood of the principal during announcement.
C. The reason why the announcement was made.
D. The contents of the announcement of the principal.

7. Why is there a need to note important details as you read the text?

A. To have a good summary after gathering information.

B. To gather more information from multiple sources.
C. To help you avoid unwanted ideas.
D. To remember the details you are looking for.

Study the text below to answer item # 8.

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January 20, 1948 was a dark day for India. On that day, Gandhi was
assassinated by a young man of the Hindu extremist who thought Gandhi was too
partial to Muslims. But in reality, Gandhi was not.
8. How would you summarize this text to note the important details?

A. Gandhi was assassinated in India by a Hindu extremist who thought he was too partial to
Muslims.
B. On January 20, 1948, a dark day for India, he was assassinated by a Hindu extremist
who taught he was too partial to Muslims.
C. Gandhi was assassinated in India by a young man who thought he was too partial to
Muslims on January 20, 1948.
D. On January 20, 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by a young man who thought he was too
partial to Muslims.

9. Tina gathered information from various sources. However, she forgot to take note of the
important details in each source. As a result, she is having a hard time working on her paper.
Which one could be a possible reason for this?

A. She is bombarded with multiple ideas and concepts.

B. She cannot identify the important details.
C. She skipped this part of the paper.
D. She read the text several times.

10. What makes synthesizing information from various sources a process?

A. It involves gathering of information from multiple sources.

B. It involves a series of steps to come up with a new thought.
C. It involves higher order thinking skills.
D. It involves organizing and citing sources properly.

ANSWER KEY
WHAT I KNOW WHAT’S IN
Activity 1.
Activity 2
1. D
2. A
3. D
4. A
5. B

WHAT’S NEW
Activity 3
1. /
2. x WHAT’S MORE
3. / WHAT’S MORE
Activity 5
4. / 13
Activity 4
5. / Answers may vary
6. x Answers may vary
7. x
 Activity 6
1. SUMMARY
2. PLAGIARISM
Assessment 3. NOTING
1. B DETAILS
2. C 4. SYNTHESIS
3. C 5. CITATION
4. A
5. A
6. D WHAT I HAVE WHAT I CAN DO
7. D LEARNED
8. C Activity 8
9. A Activity 7
10. B Answers may vary
Answers may vary

References:
Textbooks

Anama, Gina A; Anna Lea A. Davide; Ricardo Ador Dionisio, Lerma L. Flandez; Armi Victoria A.
Fiangaan; Marcelino E. Ibanez; Gizelle V. Laud; Jovelyn A. Lita; Roselyn D. Mujal; Christine H. Pepito;
Prudencia M. Sanoy; Grace Annette B. Soriano; Peter S. Tentoco III, Riza R. Zuriga. Voyages in
Communication Learning Material Grade 8 English. Pasig City: Department of Education, 2013, 564-
565.

Bermudez, Virginia F. Ed.D., Josephine M. Cruz, Ph.D., Remedios F. Nery, Milagros A. San Juan,
Ph.D. English Expressway II. Quezon City: SD Publications, INC., 199, 239.

Online

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 Simply Psychology. “How to Synthesize Written Information from Multiple Sources.” Accessed on
January 28, 2021. https://www.simplypsychology.org/synthesising.html

Images

manny-pacquiao.jpg (806×605) (ndtvimg.com)

DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Writers: Rahma A. Majad, Basilan National High School
Jamaica Mustapha, Basilan National High School
Editor:
Language Editor:
Proofreader: Sayana S. Hasan, EPS
Illustrators: Rahma A. Majad, Jamaica Mustapha
and Christianvil T. Garcia
Layout Artist: Christianvil T. Garcia, Basilan National High School
Management Team:
Julieto H. Fernandez, Ed. D., CESO VI
SDS-Isabela City
Maria Laarni T. Villanueva, Ed. D., CESE
ASDS-Isabela City
Henry R. Tura, CID Chief
Elsa A. Usman, LR Supervisor
Helen De Leon, EPS-English, Module Coordinator

Region IX: Zamboanga Peninsula Hymn – Our Eden Land

Here the trees and flowers bloom Gallant men And Ladies fair Cebuanos, Ilocanos, Subanons, Boholanos, Ilongos,
Here the breezes gently Blow, Linger with love and care All of them are proud and true
Here the birds sing Merrily, Golden beams of sunrise and sunset Region IX our Eden Land
The liberty forever Stays, Are visions you’ll never forget
Oh! That’s Region IX Region IX
Our..
Here the Badjaos roam the seas Hardworking people Abound, Eden...
Here the Samals live in peace Every valleys and Dale Land...
Here the Tausogs thrive so free Zamboangueños, Tagalogs, Bicolanos,
With the Yakans in unity

My Final Farewell
Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun caress'd Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky,
Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost!, And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest
Gladly now I go to give thee this faded life's best, Let some kind soul o 'er my untimely fate sigh,
And were it brighter, fresher, or more blest And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on high
Still would I give it thee, nor count the cost. From thee, 0 my country, that in God I may rest.

On the field of battle, 'mid the frenzy of fight, Pray for all those that hapless have died,
Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed; For all who have suffered the unmeasur'd pain;
The place matters not-cypress or laurel or lily white, For our mothers that bitterly their woes have cried,
Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdom's plight, For widows and orphans, for captives by torture tried
T is ever the same, to serve our home and country's need. And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain

I die just when I see the dawn break, And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around
Through the gloom of night, to herald the day; With only the dead in their vigil to see
And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take,
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Break not my repose or the mystery profound
Pour'd out at need for thy dear sake And perchance thou mayst hear a sad hymn resound
To dye with its crimson the waking ray. 'T is I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.

My dreams, when life first opened to me, And even my grave is remembered no more
My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high, Unmark'd by never a cross nor a stone
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