What Is a Summary

What is an objective summary?

• a restatement of the main idea of a text with the addition of the writer's opinion on the idea
• a restatement of the main idea of a text without the addition of the writer's opinion of the idea
• a paraphrase of the text with a focus on the writer's opinion and how it affects the main idea of the passage
• a paraphrase of the text with a focus on the reader's opinion

An objective summary should

• include supporting details.
• be brief, accurate, and objective.
• include both main points and supporting details.
• include the reader's opinion of the text.

An objective summary should always

• clearly show your opinions of the text.
• clearly communicate a summary of the text.
• clearly indicate all the characters in a text.
• include at least four sentences.

Which is the best summary of this passage?

• It was common for hatters to go crazy because they developed mercury poisoning from making hats without proper protection.
• Alice meets the popular character of the Mad Hatter at a tea party that was also attended by the March Hare and the Dormouse.
• The Mad Hatter was one of the most popular characters from Lewis Carroll's book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
• The character of the Mad Hatter may have been inspired by hat makers who went crazy from mercury poisoning.

Which detail would be most important to include in a summary of the passage?

• Today, hatters would not think of working with mercury without protection.
• The Mad Hatter, the March Hare, and the Dormouse are all at the tea party.
• Mercury poisoning could cause brain damage and confused speech.
• Alice meets the character of the Mad Hatter at a crazy tea party.

Which detail from the second paragraph would be most important to include in a summary of the passage?

• Audience members were tapping their feet.
• The kids involved were talented.
• Some songs were about the meaning of life.
• Songs were about a variety of subjects.

Which of these best summarizes the passage?

• The Celebration of Music Education, featuring student performances and attended by civic leaders, was held yesterday at the library.
• The Celebration of Music Education was held yesterday and featured students performing many types of songs solo and with larger groups.
• The Celebration of Music Education is an annual program held to raise awareness of the benefits of music education and to raise funds.
• The Celebration of Music Education was attended by many civic leaders who wanted to show their support for the important cause.

Which of these best summarizes the first paragraph?

• The Celebration of Music Education was held to raise funds and to show the importance of music education programs.
• Musicians between the ages of 11 and 17 performed yesterday at the downtown library for the Celebration of Music Education.
• Yesterday at the downtown library, a fundraiser was held featuring performances by local musicians between the ages of 11 and 17.
• Yesterday at the library, the Celebration of Music Education raised funds and awareness with performances by young musicians.

What is the best summary of this passage?

• Disc golf is a fast-growing sport because it is affordable. A new disc costs only about $10.
• Disc golf courses are being built in cities all over the country. Many cities have over a dozen courses.
• Disc golf is growing in popularity because it is easy and cheap to begin playing. More information is on Web sites.
• Disc golf is a sport that uses a Frisbee-type disc. Because most people can throw a Frisbee, it is easy to learn.

Which of these best summarizes the passage?

• Fear of flying is caused by many things, including lack of knowledge about planes and flying.
• To get past a fear of flying, the best help is education about planes and flight.
• Despite its safety, flying scares people for several reasons but can be treated by education.
• Even though flying is 29 times safer than driving, many people are scared of flying.