Summarize and Paraphrase

Review: main idea and details A main idea is the central, or most important, idea in a text. It is what a passage is mostly about. A supporting detail is a fact or detail that describes, explains, or strengthens the main idea of a text.

Example: The beginning of middle school can be both a fun and difficult time in a student’s life. Students have the chance to make new friends, join clubs, and gain more independence. These are usually activities, such as dances and school trips. On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. They may have trouble making friends. Some will struggle with the greater workload and difficulty of the assignments. Middle school often brings increased social pressures, like choosing the right clothes. For many students, middle school is a balance between the good and the bad.

Example: The beginning of middle school can be both a fun and difficult time in a student’s life. Students have the chance to make new friends, join clubs, and gain more independence. These are usually activities, such as dances and school trips. On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. They may have trouble making friends. Some will struggle with the greater workload and difficulty of the assignments. Middle school often brings increased social pressures, like choosing the right clothes. For many students, middle school is a balance between the good and the bad.

Example: The beginning of middle school can be both a fun and difficult time in a student’s life. Students have the chance to make new friends, join clubs, and gain more independence. These are usually activities, such as dances and school trips. On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. They may have trouble making friends. Some will struggle with the greater workload and difficulty of the assignments. Middle school often brings increased social pressures, like choosing the right clothes. For many students, middle school is a balance between the good and the bad.

Example: The beginning of middle school can be both a fun and difficult time in a student’s life. Students have the chance to make new friends, join clubs, and gain more independence. These are usually activities, such as dances and school trips. On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. They may have trouble making friends. Some will struggle with the greater workload and difficulty of the assignments. Middle school often brings increased social pressures, like choosing the right clothes. For many students, middle school is a balance between the good and the bad.

Example: The beginning of middle school can be both a fun and difficult time in a student’s life. Students have the chance to make new friends, join clubs, and gain more independence. These are usually activities, such as dances and school trips. On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. They may have trouble making friends. Some will struggle with the greater workload and difficulty of the assignments. Middle school often brings increased social pressures, like choosing the right clothes. For many students, middle school is a balance between the good and the bad.

Example: The beginning of middle school can be both a fun and difficult time in a student’s life. Students have the chance to make new friends, join clubs, and gain more independence. These are usually activities, such as dances and school trips. On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. They may have trouble making friends. Some will struggle with the greater workload and difficulty of the assignments. Middle school often brings increased social pressures, like choosing the right clothes. For many students, middle school is a balance between the good and the bad.

Example: The beginning of middle school can be both a fun and difficult time in a student’s life. Students have the chance to make new friends, join clubs, and gain more independence. These are usually activities, such as dances and school trips. On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. They may have trouble making friends. Some will struggle with the greater workload and difficulty of the assignments. Middle school often brings increased social pressures, like choosing the right clothes. For many students, middle school is a balance between the good and the bad.

Example: The beginning of middle school can be both a fun and difficult time in a student’s life. Students have the chance to make new friends, join clubs, and gain more independence. These are usually activities, such as dances and school trips. On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. They may have trouble making friends. Some will struggle with the greater workload and difficulty of the assignments. Middle school often brings increased social pressures, like choosing the right clothes. For many students, middle school is a balance between the good and the bad.

Example: The beginning of middle school can be both a fun and difficult time in a student’s life. Students have the chance to make new friends, join clubs, and gain more independence. These are usually activities, such as dances and school trips. On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. They may have trouble making friends. Some will struggle with the greater workload and difficulty of the assignments. Middle school often brings increased social pressures, like choosing the right clothes. For many students, middle school is a balance between the good and the bad.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

The main idea is stated in the first sentence. The beginning of middle school can be both a fun and difficult time in a student’s life. Students have the chance to make new friends, join clubs, and gain more independence. These are usually activities, such as dances and school trips. On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. They may have trouble making friends. Some will struggle with the greater workload and difficulty of the assignments. Middle school often brings increased social pressures, like choosing the right clothes. For many students, middle school is a balance between the good and the bad.

Find the Details that Support the Main Idea! Middle School can be fun. Middle school can be difficult. Students can make new friends, join clubs, and be more independent. Students can participate in activities like dances and school trips Students may have trouble making friends. Students may struggle with a greater and more difficult workload. Students will have to deal with increased social pressures, such as choosing the right clothes.

Summary and Paraphrase When you paraphrase, you restate part of the passage in your own words. Paraphrased text should always include all of the same details as the original text, and is usually about the same length as the original text. It just uses different words in a different order to tell the author’s ideas. A short retelling of a text. When you summarize, write the main idea and the most important details from the passage.

Summary: There are positive and negative things about entering middle school. The positive things include meeting new friends and taking part in fun activities and clubs. The negative things include adjusting to new situations and having extra work and responsibilities.

Paraphrase: Original: On the downside, not all students adjust quickly to their new situation. Paraphrase: Some students have trouble adapting to these different circumstances, however.