Evaluating Texts 2D summary... précis... explication...

Main Idea and Details Main idea: the topic and controlling point of a paragraph; what the paragraph is about. If it is the main idea, the majority of the details will support it!

Main Idea and Details Stated Main Idea: look for a sentence in the paragraph Usually the first or last sentence Purple book page 59 Implied Main Idea: is suggested by the details Purple book page 60

Main Idea and Details Details: descriptions, reasons, examples, etc., that support the main idea Details will support the main idea but read carefully: stick to the facts of the paragraph! Purple book page 61

Analyzing and Evaluating Summary: a shorter version of a text that gives only the main points Précis: another word for summary

Rules for summary/précis Written in your own words About ¼ the length of the original Contains only main points: don’t leave any important points out! Follows the same order of the original Retains the author’s meaning and opinion NO personal interpretation: keep YOUR opinion to yourself! Purple book page 66 for practice

Analyzing and Evaluating Explication: a type of explanation that interprets; an explication will NEVER contain figurative language Sometimes longer than the original, but usually shorter on multiple choice tests Will only contain information that can be literally interpreted—always uses concise, plain language Avoids making a commentary or giving an opinion about the original text May simply state in one sentence the main idea of the passage

Analyzing and Evaluating What if you must pick an explication of TWO passages? Simply decide what the main idea is of each passage, then pick an answer that combines BOTH main ideas! Purple book pages for practice

Possible test questions Which is an appropriate and accurate explication of this paragraph? Which of the following is an accurate and appropriate summary of this paragraph? Which of the following is an accurate explication of both the statement and the excerpt?

Possible test questions (cont.) Which paragraph is an accurate and appropriate précis of the excerpts? Which is an accurate and appropriate explication of the two excerpts? Which paragraph is an accurate and appropriate summary of the two excerpts?

Possible test questions (cont.) Justify the accuracy of the précis by selecting the statement below that is a correct evaluation of the précis.

Terms to know Construct Unintentional Thrive Dilemma Inherit Irrelevant Omit

Mississippi SATP English II Revised: Multiple Choice Student Review Guide for Vocabulary/Reading