1. Summarizing

2. Summarizing: A Definition
A summary is a shortened version of written material that presents the central ideas and key points expressed in a piece of writing.

3. Why Summarize?
Summarizing helps you review and understand what you are reading.

4. How often do you summarize?
Think about these questions:
Hey, what did you do last weekend?
That book looks good. What’s it about?
What happened in the game last night?
Okay, tell me exactly what he said?
So, what are your plans over break?
Now, turn to your neighbor and answer this question:
What did you do after school yesterday?

5. How to Summarize… To summarize: Step 1: Skim the text.
Use your THIEVES elements to help you get a sense of the central ideas.

6. To Summarize Nonfiction:
Step 2:
Perform a close reading
Distinguish important information from unimportant information
Learn the central ideas

7. To Summarize Nonfiction:
Step 3:
Write your summary

8. Stick to the Facts!
Summaries should be objective (free of any personal opinions).
Ask yourself:
Who is the story/text about?
What is going on?
When is it happening?
Where does it take place?

9. Summarizing
The goal of a summary is to condense a text without omitting key points.

10. Summarizing A good summary should: Include the central ideas
Include only important information
Tell about the entire text in an organized manner
Be free of any personal opinions
Restate meaning in the reader’s OWN WORDS

11. Example:
"Last night, the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1, to win the National League Division Series. Barry Bonds hit his third home run of the series in the fourth inning against pitcher Kevin Millwood. The Braves had a chance to win in the ninth inning, but Sheffield struck out with two men on base, and Jones grounded into a double play."