Writing an Objective Summary

 Follow along in your textbook p. lii-liii (Roman numerals mean it’s before p.1) or on mrscthompson.com – choose “More” then “Notes”

Writing an Objective Summary  Records key ideas of the text  Demonstrates your understanding of the text

Characteristics of an Objective Summary  Focused – contains main idea and specific, relevant details only  Brief – short, but includes all important information  Accurate – captures the big picture of the original  Objective – contains no opinions or reactions

What to avoid in an Objective Summary An objective summary is not: 1.A collection of sentences or paragraphs from the original 2.A long recounting of every event, detail or point from the original 3.A place for your evaluative comments, opinions, or reactions to the piece 4.Your interpretation or critical analysis of the work

Read the Model Objective Summary  Read the model objective summary on p. liii of your textbook.  Identify two reasons it is an effective objective summary. Be specific.  Identify one reason that the editor deleted a sentence. Why was it removed?

Comprehending Complex Texts

 Follow along in your textbook on p. liv-lix

Comprehending Complex Texts A complex text has one or more of the following:  Challenging vocabulary  Long, complex sentences  Figurative language  Multiple levels of meaning  Unfamiliar settings and situations There are 3 strategies to use when reading complex texts  Multidraft Reading  Close Reading  Ask Questions

Strategy 1: Multidraft Reading  Read the text 3 times, doing something different each time

First Reading  Read for comprehension: look for key ideas and details that unlock basic meaning  Narrative text: who does what and to whom, what conflicts arise, and how the conflicts are resolved  Nonfiction: identify the main ideas and how they are presented  Poetry: identify the speaker, setting, and subject

Second Reading  Read for craft and structure: note the artistry and effectiveness of text structure  Determine text structure and organizational structure  Examine author’s use of language and its effects (ex. Rhyme, metaphor, hyperbole – why?)  Why did the author make these choices?  What effects do these choices make?

Third Reading  Read to integrate knowledge and ideas: text to self, text to text, text to world  Compare and contrast text to others you have read that are similar  Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the text: Did the author accomplish his purported goal?  Determine theme  REMEMBER! Theme is the message. Theme is a sentence. The topic is a word. Example: How the Grinch Stole Christmas is about community (topic). The message of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is that Christmas is about being with your loved ones, not getting presents (theme).

Complete the Multidraft Reading Chart  Read the excerpt from “Theodore Roosevelt’s Inaugural Address” on p. lv of your textbook.  As you read, complete the Multidraft Reading chart (draw one in your notes).  Read the speech one time, then complete the “First Reading” box, read it a second time to complete the “Second Reading” box, and read it a third time to complete the “Third Reading” box.  NOTE: you will need to read the speech multiple times. Refer to the speech to complete the chart.

Strategy 2: Close Read the Text  Close reading is the careful analysis of word choices, phrases, and sentences.  Recognizing literary techniques contributes to a deeper understanding of a complex text.  First, you need to understand what you read. Then, you can interpret and analyze it.

Tips for Close Reading  Break down long sentences.  Reread passages until you “get it.”  Use context clues in the sentence and paragraph.  Identify pronoun antecedents to know what words refer to.  Look for conjunctions to understand the relationships between ideas.  Paraphrase – restate ideas in your own words – to check your understanding.

Examine the Close Read Model  Read the Close Read Model on p. lvii of your textbook  What context clue helps you understand the meaning of “record”? How is the word being used? (3 rd paragraph)  Explain the long sentence in the first paragraph that begins with “I know that the American people” (1st paragraph)

Strategy 3: Ask Questions  Pay attention and ask questions as you read  Your textbook breaks questions down into 3 categories  1. Key Ideas and Details  Use references from the text (quotes) or draw inferences to answer these questions  2. Craft and Structure  Answer these by examining the structure or word choice in the text, and their effects  3. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas  Answer these by evaluating texts in different ways (example: compare texts, evaluate arguments)  Ask similar types of questions as you read.

Read the Sample Texts  Read the excerpt from “Classifying the Stars” on p. lix in your textbook  Read the sample questions in the margin  Now, read the excerpt from “Circumference”  Write 3-5 questions of your own about this text. Aim to write one from each category (Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas).