Summarizing, Retell, and Paraphrasing

Open Ended

How do we retell nonfiction accurately?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the difference between retelling, paraphrasing, and summarizing nonfiction?

• Retelling involves recounting each key event in order, paraphrasing means rewriting a smaller chunk in your own words, and summarizing states the main idea and a few big facts.

• Retelling and paraphrasing are the same, but summarizing is different.

• Paraphrasing means copying the text exactly, while retelling and summarizing use your own words.

• Summarizing includes every detail, while retelling and paraphrasing leave out details.

Open Ended

In 4–5 sentences, retell the whole passage 'An Unusual Burglar.' Start at the beginning and move in order. Include each key event, but do not add new ideas. Use your own words, like telling a friend what happened.

Open Ended

Read paragraph 2 of 'An Unusual Burglar.' Write 3 or 4 new sentences that tell the same events in your own words and in the same order. Do not copy the author’s exact phrases.

Open Ended

In 2-3 sentences, write a concise summary of the whole passage “An Unusual Burglar.” Keep the main idea and important details, but leave out small examples and quotes.

Multiple Select

Which of the following are important steps when writing a concise summary of a passage?

• Include the main idea

• Add small examples and quotes

• Leave out unimportant details

• Keep it short

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the difference between retelling, paraphrasing, and summarizing nonfiction texts?

• Retelling covers every detail in order, paraphrasing rewrites a small part in your own words, and summarizing states only the main idea and key facts.

• Retelling and summarizing are the same, but paraphrasing is different.

• Paraphrasing and summarizing both leave out important facts, while retelling does not.

• Summarizing is more detailed than retelling or paraphrasing.