SUMMARIES AND CRITIQUES Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference between a summary and a critique. What do you think is the difference between a summary and a critique?

Today’s Writing Assignment  You will be assigned to writing a summary and a critique for The Outsiders.  So, take good notes, for you can use them to do today’s assignment (how did you like my FANBOYS usage? )

A summary does not…  judge or evaluate what you read. – no opinions!  use irrelevant or unnecessary details. Summaries A summary does…  Begin with a topic sentence, telling the reader what they are about to read  restate what you read/saw in your own words.  maintain a neutral and objective stance.

 We first meet our narrator, fourteen-year-old Ponyboy, as he's walking home from the movies – alone, which is something we know he's not supposed to be doing. Ponyboy lives in a dangerous area. His East Side neighborhood is patrolled by bullying Socials, rich kids from the West Side of town. Pony's a Greaser and defenseless Greasers are the Socials' favorite targets. Sure enough, Ponyboy is attacked by a carload of Socials when he's in a vacant lot, just minutes from his home. Luckily his older brothers – Darry and Sodapop – and the rest of his gang – Steve, Two- Bit, Johnny, and Dallas – come to his rescue and chase away the Socials. We learn that Ponyboy and his brothers lost their parents recently in a car accident. Summary

A critique does not…  restate what you read—it is not a summary!  repeat unimportant or irrelevant details.  have an overly biased tone or style.  use slang or overly casual language. Critiques A critique does…  Begin with a topic sentence, telling the reader what they are about to read  Assess or analyze what you read/saw.  offer interpretations, opinions, and judgments about what you read/saw.  give evidence, from the text or media, to support your evaluation.

 Parents need to know that this story of peer pressure, rebellion, and identity centers on two rival groups of teens, the lower-class "outsider" Greasers and the more well-heeled, popular Socs (short for Socials). It includes fighting, underage drinking, delinquent behavior, a rumble, a fatal stabbing, and a suicide. But the indelible characters and compelling story have consistently hooked middle school kids, teens, and reluctant readers since The Outsiders was first published in This book appeals to preteens (many read it in sixth grade) because that's the time when kids break into social cliques and life becomes tribal. The feelings of being ostracized are timeless -- which is why this book is still so relevant more than 40 years after its original publication. Kids may also want to check out Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 film version.  Critique

Both should…  be written using the present tense (he remembers, she points out, the essay has).  include the title of the piece you’re writing about and the author’s name.  begin with a topic sentence, telling the reader what they are about to read Example Topic Sentences Example Topic Sentences Summary = The Outsiders, by SE Hinton, is a story about the three Curtis boys that find family with a town gang called the Greasers. The novel begins… Critique = The Outsiders,by SE Hinton, is an entertaining novel that grabs the attention of it’s readers in the exposition with a wonderfully exciting scene. The visual and sound effects were done well considering….  after the initial introduction of the author, you should refer to him or her by last name only.  be proofread before the final draft.

Fashion Police  In a summary,  The fashion police would just describe what they see people wearing. They would not say whether or not they liked the outfit.

Fashion Police  In a critique,  The fashion police would pick a part of the outfit they didn’t like and explain why they didn’t like it. Then, they might tell a part of the outfit that they liked and explain why. They would end with a final judgment or rating of the outfit. They would not describe the whole outfit first!

Now it’s your turn…  You will be assigned to writing a summary or a critique for The Outsiders.  In your writing, be sure to use correct grammar, spelling, caps, and punctuation.  You must also use a topic sentence that shows if the paragraph will be a summary or a critique. Use your notes!  You have 15 minutes!  If you finish early, go back and proofread your writing and make any necessary corrections.

EXIT TICKET  Read your shoulder partner’s writing.  Then, decide if the piece is a summary or a critique.  After deciding, explain why you believe the piece of writing is a summary or a critique. Cite evidence from their paper to prove your answer!