1. What it is, What it isn’t, and how to write one
The Objective Summary
What it is, What it isn’t, and how to write one

2. Objective Summary What is it?
Objective = No opinion, no emotion, only facts
Summary = Short statement including a central idea and key details
An Objective Summary is a short paragraph which presents the central idea and key details of a text without emotion or opinion.
It starts with an IVC Statement, is supported by quotes, and ends with a conclusion sentence.

3. Objective Summary The Components (Pieces and Parts)
TITLE of the text
Large works such as books, movies, or plays are either italicized or underlined:
Dracula or Dracula
Star Wars or Star Wars
Romeo and Juliet or Romeo and Juliet
Small works such as poems, songs, or articles are in quotes.
“Mary had a Little Lamb”
“The Star-Spangled Banner”
“Abigail Adams’ Last Act of Defiance”

4. Objective Summary The Components (Pieces and Parts)
AUTHOR of the text
The author’s full name should always be used first:
George Orwell…
William Shakespeare…
Thereafter, you can use the author’s last name alone:
Orwell…
Shakespeare…
To avoid repetition, you can also say “the author” or “she/he.”

5. Objective Summary The Components (Pieces and Parts)
VERBS
There are more verbs than just “states” or “says.”
Use your Academic Verb List!
Analyze
Determine
Interpret
Argue
Develop
Organize
Compare
Evaluate
Summarize
Contrast
Imagine
Support
Describe
Integrate
Transform
George Orwell analyzes…
William Shakespeare explores…

6. Objective Summary The Components (Pieces and Parts)
CENTRAL IDEA
The main idea of the text. For example…
…greed can be ruinous.
…our five senses are important and limited.
…the concept of beauty.
…the history of basketball.
…why the driving age should be ten years old.
You will be demonstrating your understanding of the CENTRAL IDEA by citing quotes and key details from the text.

7. Objective Summary IVC Statement (ID, Verb, Central Idea)
In TITLE, AUTHOR VERB CENTRAL IDEA. I
for “ID”
V for “Verb” C
for “Central Idea”
In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare explores the influence of family grudges.

8. Objective Summary IVC Practice
TIMED
In three minutes…
Write an IVC Statement for Woody Holton’s “Abigail Adams’ Last Act of Defiance.”
Use your list of Academic Verbs!
See below for a template.
In TITLE, AUTHOR VERB CENTRAL IDEA.

9. Objective Summary More Components (Pieces and Parts)
QUOTE
Directly from the text.
Supports your central idea and key details.
Must include a citation (usually the line number).
Keep as brief as possible.
Format with [ ] and …
Example:
According to Shakespeare, Verona was a place “[w]here civil blood makes civil hands unclean” (line 4).

10. Objective Summary More Components (Pieces and Parts)
KEY DETAILS
Key details should be an explanation of your quotes.
Should be in your own words.
Should support the CENTRAL IDEA.
Example with quote:
According to Shakespeare, Verona was a place “[w]here civil blood makes civil hands unclean” (line 4). In other words, the citizens of the city were murdering each other.

11. Objective Summary Quote and Key Idea Practice
TIMED
In fifteen minutes…
List three key details from Woody Holton’s “Abigail Adams’ Last Act of Defiance.”
Provide three quotes which illustrate those key details.
Make sure you cite the line numbers of the quotes.
See below for a template.
According to AUTHOR, “QUOTE” (lines x-x). In other words, KEY DETAIL.

12. Objective Summary Conclusion Sentence
A conclusion sentence is a rewritten IVC Statement that demonstrates you’ve made your point.
In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare explores the influence of family grudges.
Quotes and Key Details
Thus, Shakespeare explores the influence of family grudges.
Clearly, Shakespeare explores the influence of family grudges.
Therefore, Shakespeare explores the influence of family grudges.

13. Objective Summary Conclusion Practice
TIMED
In three minutes…
Rewrite your IVC Statement to be conclusory.
Use your list of Academic Verbs!
See below for templates.
Thus, AUTHOR VERB CENTRAL IDEA.
Clearly, AUTHOR VERB CENTRAL IDEA.
Therefore, AUTHOR VERB CENTRAL IDEA.

14. Objective Summary Putting Pieces Together - Formula
In “TITLE,” AUTHOR VERB CENTRAL IDEA.
According to AUTHOR, “QUOTE 1” (citation).
In other words, KEY DETAIL 1.
AUTHOR also VERB, “QUOTE 2” (citation).
AUTHOR’s point is KEY DETAIL 2.
AUTHOR closes by VERB , “QUOTE 3” (citation).
Here, AUTHOR means KEY DETAIL 3.
Clearly, AUTHOR VERB CENTRAL IDEA.

15. Objective Summary Conclusion Practice
TIMED
In thirty minutes…
Combine your IVC Statement, quotes, key details, and conclusion sentence into an Objective Summary.
Vary your transitions to improve flow and provide interest