Summarizing Research 4 1 Main Idea and Details

Summarizing Research 4. 1. Main Idea and Details 2. Summary and Précis 3. Summarizing Research Comparing and Contrasting Research

Main Idea • main idea – what the paragraph is mainly about

What is the main idea of the paragraph? Yorkshire terriers are small, energetic dogs with big attitudes. Fully grown, Yorkies stand only around eight inches tall and weigh a mere seven pounds or less. Full of energy, they love to play and hunt, but because of their small size, they do not need a lot of room for exercise. Though small, these dogs make great watchdogs. Seemingly unaware of their petite stature, Yorkies will bark ferociously at strangers and larger dogs. Despite their size, they are confident and independent dogs that make great companion pets for people who appreciate their personalities.

Details details – ideas in a paragraph that support the main idea -identify details correctly—do not read into a paragraph something that isn’t there

Details My first little Yorkie was named Little Bo Peep, and she was the best and sweetest dog I ever had. I called her “Peep. ” She was special to me for many reasons, but the most important reason was that she was born deformed. She had three long legs that were about the length and size of a pencil instead of having the short, sturdy legs most Yorkies have when they are born. Peep’s one short leg made her sort of hop when she walked. Her legs didn’t slow her down though. She looked like a silver streak the first time I saw her because she could move so quickly. Look at the following statements. Which one accurately gives a detail from the paragraph? A. B. C. D. Little Bo Peep was a Yorkie that was born deformed. Peep was special to the writer despite the dog’s deformity. The writer called her dog “Peep” because of the way she barked. Peep had three short legs and one long leg.

Practice • Complete handout pg. 62 (1 -4)

Summary (or Précis) • a summary or précis (pray-see) is a shorter version of a text that gives only the main points – 1. – 2. – 3. – 4. – 5. written in your own words 1/4 th the original length contains only the main points follows the same order as the original keeps the author’s meaning and opinion

I [Booker T. Washington] spoke of an instance where one of our graduates had produced two hundred and sixty-six bushels of sweet potatoes from an acre of ground, in a community where the average production had been only forty-nine bushes to the acre. He had been able to do this by reason of his knowledge of the chemistry of the soil and by his knowledge of improved methods of agriculture. The white farmers in the neighborhood respected him and came to him for ideas regarding the raising of sweet potatoes. These white farmers honored and respected him because he, by his skill and knowledge, had added something to the wealth and the comfort of the community in which he lived. I explained that my theory of education for the Negro would not, for example, confine him for all time to farm life—to the production of the best and the most sweet potatoes—but that, if he succeeded in this line of industry, he could lay the foundations upon which his children and grand-children could grow to higher and more important things in life. Which of the following is an accurate and appropriate summary of this paragraph? A. Washington gave an example of a graduate who produced more sweet potatoes in his community by using his knowledge of soil chemistry and improved agricultural methods. The white farmers in his neighborhood respected him. B. Washington didn’t believe that education would confine former slaves to farming but that it would give future generations a stepping stone to success. For example, one graduate was able to produce more sweet potatoes by using what he learned. C. Booker T. Washington believed in educating former slaves. Successful graduates gave him examples to use in his speeches to promote his cause. He believed that graduates could better themselves, gain respect among whites, and improve the lives of their children and grandchildren. D. Washington explained how a graduate increased sweet potato production by using his education and how his success gained the respect of white farmers in the community. Washington believed that educating former slaves paved the way for their children and grandchildren to achieve greater success.

Practice • handout pg. 66 (1 -2)