Summary Paragraphs

Why is it important? Reading comprehension checked by summarizing text Learn to use your own words

A Summary Should: Be significantly shorter than the original text Contain paraphrasing rather than directly copying words, phrases, and sentences Include BIG IDEAS in sequential order Leave out most details Leave out personal opinion Leave out outside information not from text Not have a formal conclusion

5 steps of a summary Create a 3 part summary Use “Jot Dots” to paraphrase and list BIG IDEAS “Write it Out Loud” Put on the corner of desk Get out clean sheet of paper and begin actual summary

Step 1: Create a 3 part summary Name It –Title and author Verb It –Carefully choose from a list Big Picture –States the Big Idea of the selection Can do before or after “jot dots” List of Verbs tells shows describes explains discusses lists explores teaches compares “is about”

Step 2: “Jot Dots” Jot dots are used to pull out 3-6 key events of points that are important in the summary Follow Rule of 5 –Each entry limited to 5 words or less Budget your jot dots –Something important from beginning –Important event from middle in sequential order –How the story ended/how problem was resolved

Step 3: Write it out loud Using jot dots orally write the summary Turn to your partner and turn your jot dot into a well developed sentence Will help you clarify your ideas before actually writing

Step 4: Put on Corner of Desk This will help you to look at your plan while writing the actual summary This is only the plan for the summary

Step 5: Write the Summary Recopy your topic sentence to begin the summary paragraph –Create topic sentence from your Name it, Verb it, Big picture Stretch each of your Jot Dots into a full detailed sentence