Summarization

• A.

• B.

• C.

• D.

What is a summary?

• Supporting details

• What the text is about

• A 5 paragraph essay

• A brief retelling of the text

Which of the following should you not include in a summary?

• The central idea

• At least three supporting details

• Opinions

• Facts from the text

What is a central/main idea?

• The topic of the text

• The moral of the story

• What the text is about

• Who the story is about

Is the following a good or bad summary?

"Snakes play the most important role in the food chain. They make sure mice don't take over the world and hawks have something to eat. Plus, snakes are gross."

• Good summary

• Bad summary

Is the following a good or bad summary?

"Red pandas are found in the Himalayan Mountains but recently have entered the endangered animal list. Conservation has begun to help their population increase again in the wild."

• Good summary

• Bad summary

True or False: When writing a summary or central idea you should always write them word for word from the text.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Summaries and Central Ideas should always be written in your own words!

You can only summarize the entire text

• True

• False

True or False: Summaries should only be a sentence long

• True

• False

playground. They also take their bikes and ride along the sidewalk. Their parents always take along some food for a picnic. However, last Sunday, Marco’s family couldn’t go to the park. Marco’s little brother Joe was feeling sick and his parents had to take him to the doctor. Marco felt bad that their family could not take them to the park. His parents decided that they could make a picnic for him and his brothers in their backyard. Marco hoped that his little brother would feel better soon, so that next Sunday, they could enjoy an afternoon at the park.

What is the best summary of this selection?

• Marco’s brother felt sick and his parents took him to the doctor. His parents made a picnic for him and his brothers in the backyard. Marco and his family go out to the park every Sunday afternoon.

• Marco and his family go out to the park every Sunday afternoon. Last Sunday, Marco’s little brother felt sick and they could not go to the park. His parents decided to make a picnic for the boys in their backyard.

• Marco and his brothers love to play in the playground. They ride their bikes along the sidewalk. Marco’s family goes to the park every Sunday afternoon.