Summarizing What is it Summarizing is restating in

Summarizing What is it? Summarizing is restating, in your own words, the meaning of what you have read – using different words from those used in the original text. Summarizing enables a reader to determine what is most important to remember once the reading is completed. Many things we read have only one or two big ideas, and it's important to identify them and restate them for retention.

Characteristics of a summary: Short To the point, containing the big idea of the text Omits trivial information and collapses lists into one word or phrase Is not a retelling or a “photocopy” of the text Focus on the 5 W's and 1 H: Who, What, When Where, Why, How Written objectively (no opinions)

Examples of Good Summaries: 1. Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee: In the mid-1950's, a grown-up Jean Louise Finch returns to Maycomb and realizes that her adored father is a racist. 2. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: Two sisters are separated in World War II France; one in the countryside, the other in Paris.

Example of a Bad Summary: Today I went to skool. I got up at 8 am and wuz almost late to my first class. My mom dropped me off and I got there on time. 1 st I went to math class which was ok but I don't like math. Then I went to social studeies which was cool and finally I went to inglish. That was also ok. Finally it was lunch, I wuz so hungry. I ate like 10 burritos. I hung outside wit my friends. Then I went to art and then gym class. Then I was done. It was a long day.