Summarizing Summarizing A Definition A summary is a

Summarizing

Summarizing: A Definition · A summary is a shortened version of written material that presents the central ideas and key points expressed in a piece of writing.

Why Summarize? · Summarizing helps you review and understand what you are reading.

How often do you summarize? · Think about these questions: · · · Hey, what did you do last weekend? That book looks good. What’s it about? What happened in the game last night? Okay, tell me what he said? So, what are your plans over break? · Now, turn to your neighbor and answer this question: · What did you do after school yesterday?

How to Summarize… · To summarize: · Step 1: · Skim the text. · Use your THIEVES elements to help you get a sense of the central ideas.

To Summarize Nonfiction: · To summarize: · Step 2: · Perform a close reading · Distinguish important information from unimportant information · Learn the central ideas

To Summarize Nonfiction: · To summarize: · Step 3: · Write your summary

Stick to the Facts! · Summaries should be objective (free of any personal opinions). · Ask yourself: · · Who is the story/text about? What is going on? When is it happening? Where does it take place?

Summarizing · The goal of a summary is to condense a text without omitting key points.

Summarizing · A good summary should: · Include the central ideas · Include only important information · Tell about the entire text in an organized manner · Be free of any personal opinions · Restate meaning in the reader’s OWN WORDS

Example: · "Last night, the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 3 -1, to win the National League Division Series. Barry Bonds hit his third home run of the series in the fourth inning against pitcher Kevin Millwood. The Braves had a chance to win in the ninth inning, but Sheffield struck out with two men on base, and Jones grounded into a double play. "