Writing an Objective Summary

What is an objective summary?

• A brief explanation of the main points of most of the text (without spoiling the ending); it should contain some opinions and bias

• A brief explanation of the main points of the entire text; it should not contain any opinions or bias

• A brief explanation of the main points of most of the text (without spoiling the ending); it should not contain any opinions and bias

• A brief explanation of the main points of the entire text; it should contain some opinions and bias

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

One thing that should not be included in an objective summary:

• How the text ends

• Who wrote the text

• An interesting part of the text

• A specific quote from the text

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Another thing that should not be included in an objective summary:

• Small details about the text

• The title of the text

• What happens in the middle of the text

• Basic facts about the text

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How should you start an objective summary?

• Explain what happens in the first few minutes of the text

• Name the title and author of the text

• Ask a rhetorical question about the text

• An interesting hook

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How long should the average objective summary be?

• 1-3 sentences

• 3-6 sentences

• 6-9 sentences

• As long or short as you want it

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How detailed should an objective summary be?

• You should never put details--no names, spoilers, or anything.

• You should put in a lot of details so the reader can imagine the whole text in their head.

• You should only put in the major details so it's not too long.

• It's just like adding garlic to a recipe--measure the details with your heart.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How many quotes from the text can I put in an objective summary?

• NONE.

• Only one or two of the best ones!

• Your objective summary can just be a small section of the actual text, word for word.

• You should have a few because you're writing about the text, so you need evidence.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Should an objective summary include the ending of the text?

• No--you shouldn't spoil the text for anyone who hasn't read it.

• No--that would be too much detail.

• Yes--you're supposed to summarize the entire text, whether or not the reader has read it before.

• Yes--the only purpose of the objective summary is to spoil the ending for people who don't care about that kind of thing.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which answer below is the best objective summary?

• Finding Nemo is my favorite movie. Everyone should watch it. Dory is my favorite character because she is so goofy and fun, but she also cares about Marlin and Nemo.

• Have you ever watched Finding Nemo? If not, you should--it's so good! It's about an overprotective clown fish named Marlin who must find his son Nemo after he is captured by humans. He meets a helpful fish named Dory. Does he find Nemo? Watch to find out!

• An overprotective fish named Marlin must find his son Nemo after he is captured by humans. He meets Dory, who helps him overcome his fears. Marlin eventually finds Nemo, and he becomes more trusting.

• In the movie Finding Nemo by Disney/Pixar, an overprotective fish named Marlin must find his son Nemo after he is captured by humans. He meets Dory, who helps him overcome his fears. Marlin eventually finds Nemo, and he becomes more trusting.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which sentence is the most objective (the least biased or opinionated)?

• "Bye Bye Bye" is a song by N*SYNC from their album No Strings Attached, and most people seem to like it.

• "Bye Bye Bye" is a song by N*SYNC from their album No Strings Attached, and it is SO good.

• "Bye Bye Bye" is a song by N*SYNC from their album No Strings Attached, and it was released in the year 2000.

• "Bye Bye Bye" is a song by N*SYNC from my favorite album of theirs, No Strings Attached, and it was released in the year 2000.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.6