Summarize Nonfiction

What is the main idea to be included in a sumary of "Homework on Patents"?

• It is easy to obtain a patent.

• Patents are legal documents that protect people's intellectual property.

• Patents only protect inventions from colonial times.

• The first U.S. Patent was issued on July 31, 1790

All of the following are characteristics of a summary except:

• A summary is shorter than the original text.

• A summary is in the reader's own words.

• A summary includes new information not in the original text.

• A summary includes the main idea and key supporting details of the original text.

What is the main idea of a paragraph 5 of "Homework on Patents" that should be part of a summary?

• where to go to apply for a patent

• the best time to apply for a patent

• how long it takes to get a patent

• the process of obtaining a patent

Select the best answer that explains the difference between a summary and the original text.

• A summary is longer in length than the original text.

• A summary uses original text for the main idea only.

• A summary adds new details to the original text.

• A summary is the shorter version of the original text.

Read the following. A patent keeps anyone from copying or selling another person's invention, unless they have obtained that person's permission. Patents do not last forever; generally the length of time they are valid is 20 years from when the application was filed. Select the student's error in writing the above summary of paragraph 4 of "Homework on Patents."

• It is written in the reader's own words.

• It is the same length as the original text.

• Some of the details from the original text are missing.

• It contains new information.

Select the best summary of paragraph 4 of "Homework on Patents."

• Different types of patents have some things in common. After the applicant files for a patent, all patents will last about 20 years. All U.S. patents are legitimate in the U.S. territories, in addition to the U.S. All are protected by licensing, which is profitable, to avoid the design being copied without approval from the holder of the patent.

• Patents last only 20 years in the U.S.

• Patents granted by the U.S. government are valid only in the U.S. and or its territories. They are not valid in Asia.

• All patents must be licensed, or others could sell an idea without permission from the patent holder.

When writing a summary, which of the following should you include?

• A detailed explanation of everything the author said

• Personal feelings about the topic

• The central idea and key supporting details

• Minor details that aren’t important to the main idea

Which of the following is a characteristic of an objective summary?

• It contains the writer's feelings

• It includes facts without judgment

• It is written in the first person

• It shares the writer's personal beliefs

What is the central idea of a text?

• The specific facts that support the topic

• The main point or message of the text

• The writer’s personal opinion about the topic

• A story that the writer includes for fun

What should a summary of an informational text include?

• Personal opinions and judgments

• A complete retelling of the entire text

• The central idea and key details

• Unrelated information and side stories