Saturday, September 11, 2010
The following are the six (6) steps for writing a summary
1.
Find the main idea of the passage:
Read the passage the first time for understanding.
(So you can get a sense of what point they are trying to make.)
Ask yourself, “ What was the passage about?”
(You should answer yourself with a sentence or a phrase)
Hint: If you are having problems, scan the passage to see which 'topic' word appears most often. This is likely the topic of the passage.
Now you have to figure out what is being said about the topic.
Read the passage a second time.
What is the overall point being made about the topic word?
You need to be able to see the "big picture" being presented by the passage. This is the main idea of the whole passage; Write it down.
Never start writing a summary before you read the passage for a second time.
2.
Find the supporting ideas in the passage:
(Supporting ideas are used to develop, explain or expand on the main idea.)
While "skimming" (reading through quickly) the passage for
the third time, look for the supporting ideas by reading over
the opening sentences of the paragraphs.
(A paragraph expresses and develops one main idea or point)
Underline topic sentences in the paragraphs and the key
ideas in them.
3.
After reading the passage for the third time, write one or two summary sentences for each paragraph describing the main idea that you see expressed by the paragraph.
If you see yourself repeating the same ideas, you will need to read the passage again to get a clearer picture and then revise your summary sentences.
4.
Join together the main idea of the passage and your paragraph summary sentences by using transitional words and/or phrases.
These transitional words/phrases do three things:
1) They give your summary a sense of being a "whole" - not just a group of unconnected sentences.
2) They also make your summary "flow" smoothly when reading
3) They reinforce and support the main idea being expressed in the passage.
5.
Reread (and edit if necessary) the summary to make sure it clear and to-the-point.
Eliminate repetitive words, too many descriptive words (adjectives and adverbs)and non-essential sentences.
The final version should read like a whole, sensible piece of writing.
**Check your spelling and grammar.
6.
Finally, check your summary against the author’s original. Have you correctly described the author’s main idea and the essential supporting points?
Make any necessary adjustments or changes to your summary.
Find the main idea of the passage:
Read the passage the first time for understanding.
(So you can get a sense of what point they are trying to make.)
Ask yourself, “ What was the passage about?”
(You should answer yourself with a sentence or a phrase)
Hint: If you are having problems, scan the passage to see which 'topic' word appears most often. This is likely the topic of the passage.
Now you have to figure out what is being said about the topic.
Read the passage a second time.
What is the overall point being made about the topic word?
You need to be able to see the "big picture" being presented by the passage. This is the main idea of the whole passage; Write it down.
Never start writing a summary before you read the passage for a second time.
2.
Find the supporting ideas in the passage:
(Supporting ideas are used to develop, explain or expand on the main idea.)
While "skimming" (reading through quickly) the passage for
the third time, look for the supporting ideas by reading over
the opening sentences of the paragraphs.
(A paragraph expresses and develops one main idea or point)
Underline topic sentences in the paragraphs and the key
ideas in them.
3.
After reading the passage for the third time, write one or two summary sentences for each paragraph describing the main idea that you see expressed by the paragraph.
If you see yourself repeating the same ideas, you will need to read the passage again to get a clearer picture and then revise your summary sentences.
4.
Join together the main idea of the passage and your paragraph summary sentences by using transitional words and/or phrases.
These transitional words/phrases do three things:
1) They give your summary a sense of being a "whole" - not just a group of unconnected sentences.
2) They also make your summary "flow" smoothly when reading
3) They reinforce and support the main idea being expressed in the passage.
5.
Reread (and edit if necessary) the summary to make sure it clear and to-the-point.
Eliminate repetitive words, too many descriptive words (adjectives and adverbs)and non-essential sentences.
The final version should read like a whole, sensible piece of writing.
**Check your spelling and grammar.
6.
Finally, check your summary against the author’s original. Have you correctly described the author’s main idea and the essential supporting points?
Make any necessary adjustments or changes to your summary.
This is a visual representation of what you do when you summarize a written passage
summary. Click on the highlighted word
What is a Summary?
A summary is a brief restatement--in your own words--of the contents of a passage.
Why do we need to make summaries?
Sometimes someone may ask us to tell them what a movie or a class was about. At that point, they don’t expect us to tell them every word that was said in the movie or every word that the teacher said. Instead, they expect us to give them the main plot of the movie or the main topic of the class and the major points of interest that help us to understand what happened in the movie or the class.
In the same way, a summary is the way in which we are asked questions such as,|
“what was the movie about?”
“how did the game go?” and
“what did I miss in class today?”
you must be able to summarize.
Your questioner doesn't want to know every word and action in the movie, every play in the game, or every word from class; the questioner is asking you to select the most important details and summarize them.
Similarly, when you summarize a reading you need to be able to find the important data and then present it as clearly and concisely as possible.
summary. Click on the highlighted word
What is a Summary?
A summary is a brief restatement--in your own words--of the contents of a passage.
Why do we need to make summaries?
Sometimes someone may ask us to tell them what a movie or a class was about. At that point, they don’t expect us to tell them every word that was said in the movie or every word that the teacher said. Instead, they expect us to give them the main plot of the movie or the main topic of the class and the major points of interest that help us to understand what happened in the movie or the class.
In the same way, a summary is the way in which we are asked questions such as,|
“what was the movie about?”
“how did the game go?” and
“what did I miss in class today?”
you must be able to summarize.
Your questioner doesn't want to know every word and action in the movie, every play in the game, or every word from class; the questioner is asking you to select the most important details and summarize them.
Similarly, when you summarize a reading you need to be able to find the important data and then present it as clearly and concisely as possible.
This 1) Introduction
Persuasive essay
The introduction of a persuasive essay presents the writer's position on a topic and lists the points that he will use to support his position on the essay topic.
The introduction of a 300 word (CXC length) persuasuve essay is one paragraph long.
Short story
The introduction of a short story introduces the characters, setting and plot of the story. Since a short story has a main plot or event that it is talking about and since it is short, then the short story will introduce the plot of the story immediately- in the introduction.
The introduction of an approximately 450 word (CXC length) short story is usually one paragraph long.
Descriptive essay
The introduction of a descriptive essay begins the description of a scene, character/s or an event. A descriptive essay may take the 'point-of-view' of a character in the scene. 'Point-of-view' means that the description is being told through their eyes.
The introduction of a 300 word (CXC length) descriptive essay is one paragraph long.
2) The Body
Persuasive essay
The body of a persuasive essay develops and expands on the points presented in the introduction. It expands on points supporting the writer's position or statement. Points against the writer's position may also be presented and dismissed in the body of the persuasive essay.
The body of a 300 word (CXC length) persuasive essay is usually three (3) to five (5) paragraphs long.
Short story
The body of a short story develops the plot of the story that was presented in the introduction. It is important that the body of a short story moves the "action" of the story along quickly to a conclusion. The body of the short story uses the 'action' of the story plot to develop the characters in the story. That is, it shows the personality of the characters by describing their actions in the plot of the story.
The body of an approximately 450 word (CXC length) short story is usually five (5) to six (6) paragraphs long. Please check the CXC annual best short stories to verify.
Descriptive essay
The body of a descriptive essay develops the description of scenes, events or characters by providing more details, and using literary devices to capture the imagination. Literary devices used may include metaphors, figurative language, and imagery.
The body of a 300 word (CXC length) descriptive essay is usually about three (3) to five (5) paragraphs long.
3) The Conclusion
Persuasive essay
The conclusion of a persuasive essay restates the writer's position and sums up the relationship between the supporting points and the writer's position statement.
The conclusion of a 300 word (CXC length) persuasive essay is one paragraph long.
Short story
The conclusion of a short story describes how the story’s plot issue is settled or resolved.
The conclusion of an approximately 450 word (CXC length) short story is usually one paragraph long.
Descriptive essay
The conclusion of a descriptive essay sums up the 'picture' created by the writer's description. It may offer a summary from a particular 'point-of view'.
The conclusion of a 300 word (CXC length) descriptive essay is one paragraph long.
offers information on the different types of writing and essays expected.
Persuasive essay
The introduction of a persuasive essay presents the writer's position on a topic and lists the points that he will use to support his position on the essay topic.
The introduction of a 300 word (CXC length) persuasuve essay is one paragraph long.
Short story
The introduction of a short story introduces the characters, setting and plot of the story. Since a short story has a main plot or event that it is talking about and since it is short, then the short story will introduce the plot of the story immediately- in the introduction.
The introduction of an approximately 450 word (CXC length) short story is usually one paragraph long.
Descriptive essay
The introduction of a descriptive essay begins the description of a scene, character/s or an event. A descriptive essay may take the 'point-of-view' of a character in the scene. 'Point-of-view' means that the description is being told through their eyes.
The introduction of a 300 word (CXC length) descriptive essay is one paragraph long.
2) The Body
Persuasive essay
The body of a persuasive essay develops and expands on the points presented in the introduction. It expands on points supporting the writer's position or statement. Points against the writer's position may also be presented and dismissed in the body of the persuasive essay.
The body of a 300 word (CXC length) persuasive essay is usually three (3) to five (5) paragraphs long.
Short story
The body of a short story develops the plot of the story that was presented in the introduction. It is important that the body of a short story moves the "action" of the story along quickly to a conclusion. The body of the short story uses the 'action' of the story plot to develop the characters in the story. That is, it shows the personality of the characters by describing their actions in the plot of the story.
The body of an approximately 450 word (CXC length) short story is usually five (5) to six (6) paragraphs long. Please check the CXC annual best short stories to verify.
Descriptive essay
The body of a descriptive essay develops the description of scenes, events or characters by providing more details, and using literary devices to capture the imagination. Literary devices used may include metaphors, figurative language, and imagery.
The body of a 300 word (CXC length) descriptive essay is usually about three (3) to five (5) paragraphs long.
3) The Conclusion
Persuasive essay
The conclusion of a persuasive essay restates the writer's position and sums up the relationship between the supporting points and the writer's position statement.
The conclusion of a 300 word (CXC length) persuasive essay is one paragraph long.
Short story
The conclusion of a short story describes how the story’s plot issue is settled or resolved.
The conclusion of an approximately 450 word (CXC length) short story is usually one paragraph long.
Descriptive essay
The conclusion of a descriptive essay sums up the 'picture' created by the writer's description. It may offer a summary from a particular 'point-of view'.
The conclusion of a 300 word (CXC length) descriptive essay is one paragraph long.
offers information on the different types of writing and essays expected.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Journal Writing Response lesson 4
After having viewed the web page with the life of Anne frank i am curious as to how she survived in hiding for so long. Wouldn't she have wanted to go out doors, speak to new people, just be free.It was as if she had imprisoned herself. She had done nothing wrong but she was locked up and all the wicked persons were running free, tormenting her life. I would go crazy, with nothing to do but write, i would miss all the deices I have now and most especially going on face book. if you think about it, facebook is my diary is some sense, i can do a nit more than write though.
Anne was really a very strong and determined person. She had lots of ideas and I guess she got rid of her frustration by writing in her journal. She has one advantage though, she did not have to go to school.
Anne was really a very strong and determined person. She had lots of ideas and I guess she got rid of her frustration by writing in her journal. She has one advantage though, she did not have to go to school.
Mr. Mc Arthur
In this story the teacher, Mr. Mc Arthur, seems to be very frustrated by his class. There are several unruly boys who have on many occasions tempted his patience. He has become tired and worn out from trying t teach the class. He goes home gloomily and from his haggard appearance he seems very stressed with his class. He changes from a weak and depressed person to one who fights back. He is very crafty and brave. He choose an unusual way to deal with the situation. Imagine waiting to catch that animal for his spell. I think many teachers would wish that children like this would disappear but he choose to turn them into pigs, probable based on their behavior. I do wonder if he thought about the consequences of placing that spell. I thought he would have given them detention. I wonder where he is and if he will have to do the same again, I mean children are the same everywhere. I think i will be paying more attention to my teachers, being turned into a pig is not so amusing, well at least not for me.
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