Summaries

What is a summary?

A summary covers the main points of a work (writing, movie, speech, article, etc.)

You will be writing summaries using the IVF format. Why write a summary? Find main (key) ideas Leave out extra & unimportant information Demonstrate that you understand what you read Increase comprehension You will be writing summaries using the IVF format.

What does IVF mean? I = Identify V = Verb F = Finish the thought

How to set up your paper for an IVF summary

Step 1: Fold your paper burrito style (3 columns) Name Period Date

Step 2: Label the columns Name Period Date Identify Verb Finish the thought

Step 3: Prepare the information Name Period Date Identify Verb (choose 1) Finish the thought · Author describes · Genre (type explains or kind) tells · Title Identify as many of these as possible!!

Example IVF summary Identify Gary Soto’s short story “Seventh Grade” Verb (choose one) explains tells describes Finish the thought a seventh grade boy’s first day of school and how he tries to impress a girl.

Now what do I do? Identify Gary Soto’s short story “Seventh Grade” Verb (choose one) explains tells describes Finish the thought a seventh grade boy’s first day of school and how he tries to impress a girl. Write your summary sentence: Gary Soto’s short story “Seventh Grade” describes a seventh grade boy’s first day of school and how he tries to impress a girl.