6 Steps to Writing an Objective Summary

What is an objective summary? Unbiased Without your own opinions Not influenced by personal feelings Provides just the facts.

What is an objective summary? Shortened retelling of the text Includes most important points Written in your own words

Step One- Determine the Central Idea The central idea can also be called the main idea. It is the chief, key, most important, most vital, most basic reason for reading the text.

Step One- Determining the Central Idea To determine the central idea, we look at: The author’s purpose of the text (entertain, persuade, inform, show cause/effect, compare/contrast, express an opinion, etc.). the organization (structure) of the text.  Is it written in chronological order (time), order of importance, or by description?

Step One- Determining the Central Idea Ask yourself, What are the three most important points being made in the text? Often the main ideas are given in the first or the last sentence of the text. What is the CENTRAL idea of the text? (three main points)

Step Two- Write 3- Part Topic Sentence Name It: Identify the title of the text and the author. Verb It: Use one of the following “summary” verbs: shows, describes, explains, discusses, lists, explores, illustrates, teaches, compares, states. State It: State the central idea of the text.

Step Two- Write a 3- Part Topic Sentence Name It Verb It State It News article “One family’s journey to food freedom” by John Knowles describes one couple gave up grocery shopping, saved thousands of dollars, and became healthier by planting their own garden Key Points Visited local farm; inspired Planted a small garden; grew over the years Produced all food; stopped shopping Saved money Healthier

Step Two- Write 3- Part Topic Sentence In his article, “One family’s journey to food freedom,” John Knowles describes how one couple gave up grocery shopping, saved thousands of dollars, and became healthier by planting their own garden.

Step Three: Writing the Body of Your Summary Go back to the big ideas/key points. Write these big ideas in your own words. Use transition words to make your summary cohesive. Make sure the order and structure of your summary follows the order and structure of the original text. For example, if the original text is in chronological order, the summary should be as well. Leave out minor details found in the text.

Step Three- Writing the Body of Your Summary In his article, “One family’s journey to food freedom,” John Knowles describes how one family gave up grocery shopping, saved thousands of dollars, and became healthier by planting their own garden. The Jones family decided to start a small family garden. Their garden grew while their grocery bill disappeared. They produced enough food to meet all of their family’s needs. The family encourages others to begin gardening as a way to not only save money but to become healthier by consuming more organic, locally grown food.

Step Four- Add Transition Words and Phrases In his article, “One family’s journey to food freedom,” John Knowles describes how one family gave up grocery shopping, saved thousands of dollars, and became healthier by planting their own garden. After a field trip to a local farm, the Jones family decided to start a small family garden. Over the next three years, their garden grew while their grocery bill disappeared. They eventually produced enough food to meet all of their family’s needs. The family now encourages others to begin gardening as a way to not only save money but to become healthier by consuming more organic, locally grown food.

Step Five- Check for Bias In his article, “One family’s journey to food freedom,” John Knowles expertly describes how one smart family gave up costly grocery shopping, saved thousands of dollars, and became healthier by planting their own garden. After a life- changing field trip to a local farm, the Jones family made the best decision ever when they decided to start a small family garden. Over the next three years, their garden grew while their insanely high grocery bill disappeared. They eventually produced enough food to meet all of their family’s needs. The family now encourages others to begin gardening. Growing your own food is not only a great way to save money, but it is the best way to eat healthy, organic, locally grown food.

Step Five- Check for Bias In his article, “One family’s journey to food freedom,” John Knowles expertly describes how one smart family gave up costly grocery shopping, saved thousands of dollars, and became healthier by planting their own garden. After a life- changing field trip to a local farm, the Jones family made the best decision ever when they decided to start a small family garden. Over the next three years, their garden grew while their insanely high grocery bill disappeared. They eventually produced enough food to meet all of their family’s needs. The family now encourages others to begin gardening. Growing your own food is not only a great way to save money, but it is the best way to eat healthy, organic, locally grown food.

Step Six- Evaluate Your Summary Did I convey the information accurately? Is my summary too narrow or too broad? Would someone who has never read the original piece be able to understand the text’s key ideas? Are the ideas in the right sequence? Did I leave out my opinion? Did I use my own words and style? Did I use transition words to tie my summary together?