What is a summary
What is the purpose of a summary?
To briefly tell the most important ideas of a text.
What do we call the most important idea in a paragraph or text?
The main idea.
Should a summary be shorter or longer than the original text?
Shorter.
Should a summary copy sentences from the text word-for-word?
No.
What should you read first before summarizing?
The entire text.
A summary should be mostly made up of which ideas?
The main ideas.
What do details do in a text?
Support or explain the main idea.
What word describes a good summary: detailed or brief?
Brief.
What does it mean to “use your own words”?
Paraphrase the ideas.
What should you do after identifying the main idea?
Find key supporting ideas.
True or False: A summary should include every detail from the text.
False.
Which belongs in a summary: a main idea or a small detail?
A main idea.
What happens if a summary is too long?
It includes too many unnecessary details.
Why is copying from the text not a good summary strategy?
It doesn’t show understanding.
What is one question you can ask yourself to decide if a detail belongs in a summary?
“Is this important to the main idea?” (or similar)
What is one thing you should NOT include in a summary?
Opinions, minor details, or examples.
If a detail can be removed and the text still makes sense, should it be in the summary?
No.
What is one strategy to help shorten a summary?
Combine ideas or remove extra details.
What reading skill helps you restate ideas in your own words?
Paraphrasing.
Why should you avoid including examples or minor details in a summary?
They make the summary too long and distract from the main idea.
Why is summarizing an important reading skill?
It helps readers understand and remember the main ideas.
How can identifying the main idea help you write a better summary?
It helps you focus on what matters most.
Why is it important for a summary to be concise?
So readers can quickly understand the text.
How can you check if you truly used your own words in a summary?
See if it sounds like how you would explain it.
Name three things every strong summary should include.
Main idea, key details, own words (brief and clear).