1. How to Summarize Information
Interactive Skills
for Students
How to Summarize Information
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How to Summarize Information
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Why Learn This Skill?
 Summarizing what you have read helps you increase your understanding of the text.
 Summarizing helps you focus on main ideas and important details.
 Summarizing helps you remember what you have read.

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How to Summarize Information
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Learn It!
 Be brief—do not include many supporting details.
 Restate the text in a way that makes sense to you.
 Use the 5W questions to guide you. As you read a paragraph or section, stop occasionally and ask: Who? What? Where? When? Why?

4. Apply It! How to Summarize Information Read the text shown here.
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The Constitutional Convention
On May 25, 1787, a convention began in Philadelphia. A convention is a large, formal meeting. The purpose of this convention was to change the Articles of Confederation to make the national government stronger.
Fifty-five delegates attended. Many of them had been leaders in government. Most were well educated and wealthy. They included lawyers, merchants, and planters. Only Rhode Island did not send delegates.
As the convention process began, the delegates made some decisions. They chose General George Washington to lead the convention. He was greatly respected for his leadership during the American Revolution.
The delegates decided that the Articles of Confederation could not be fixed. The Articles were too weak and flawed. They decided instead to start over. They would write a whole new plan of government. The United States Constitution was the result of their work.
Apply It!
Read the text shown here.
Ask questions as you read to help you summarize information.
Use the 5W questions to guide your analysis.

5. Apply It! How to Summarize Information
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Apply It!
The Constitutional Convention
On May 25, 1787, a convention began in Philadelphia. A convention is a large, formal meeting. The purpose of this convention was to change the Articles of Confederation to make the national government stronger.
Fifty-five delegates attended. Many of them had been leaders in government. Most were well educated and wealthy. They included lawyers, merchants, and planters. Only Rhode Island did not send delegates.
As the convention process began, the delegates made some decisions. They chose General George Washington to lead the convention. He was greatly respected for his leadership during the American Revolution.
The delegates decided that the Articles of Confederation could not be fixed. The Articles were too weak and flawed. They decided instead to start over. They would write a whole new plan of government. The United States Constitution was the result of their work.
Who? 55 delegates; most were former government leaders, well educated, and wealthy; George Washington led the convention

6. Apply It! How to Summarize Information How To Summarize Information
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Apply It!
The Constitutional Convention
On May 25, 1787, a convention began in Philadelphia. A convention is a large, formal meeting. The purpose of this convention was to change the Articles of Confederation to make the national government stronger.
Fifty-five delegates attended. Many of them had been leaders in government. Most were well educated and wealthy. They included lawyers, merchants, and planters. Only Rhode Island did not send delegates.
As the convention process began, the delegates made some decisions. They chose General George Washington to lead the convention. He was greatly respected for his leadership during the American Revolution.
The delegates decided that the Articles of Confederation could not be fixed. The Articles were too weak and flawed. They decided instead to start over. They would write a whole new plan of government. The United States Constitution was the result of their work.
What? a convention, or large meeting

7. Apply It! How to Summarize Information Where? Philadelphia
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Apply It!
The Constitutional Convention
On May 25, 1787, a convention began in Philadelphia. A convention is a large, formal meeting. The purpose of this convention was to change the Articles of Confederation to make the national government stronger.
Fifty-five delegates attended. Many of them had been leaders in government. Most were well educated and wealthy. They included lawyers, merchants, and planters. Only Rhode Island did not send delegates.
As the convention process began, the delegates made some decisions. They chose General George Washington to lead the convention. He was greatly respected for his leadership during the American Revolution.
The delegates decided that the Articles of Confederation could not be fixed. The Articles were too weak and flawed. They decided instead to start over. They would write a whole new plan of government. The United States Constitution was the result of their work.
Where? Philadelphia

8. Apply It! How to Summarize Information When? began on May 25, 1787
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Apply It!
The Constitutional Convention
On May 25, 1787, a convention began in Philadelphia. A convention is a large, formal meeting. The purpose of this convention was to change the Articles of Confederation to make the national government stronger.
Fifty-five delegates attended. Many of them had been leaders in government. Most were well educated and wealthy. They included lawyers, merchants, and planters. Only Rhode Island did not send delegates.
As the convention process began, the delegates made some decisions. They chose General George Washington to lead the convention. He was greatly respected for his leadership during the American Revolution.
The delegates decided that the Articles of Confederation could not be fixed. The Articles were too weak and flawed. They decided instead to start over. They would write a whole new plan of government. The United States Constitution was the result of their work.
When? began on May 25, 1787

9. Apply It! How to Summarize Information
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Apply It!
The Constitutional Convention
On May 25, 1787, a convention began in Philadelphia. A convention is a large, formal meeting. The purpose of this convention was to change the Articles of Confederation to make the national government stronger.
Fifty-five delegates attended. Many of them had been leaders in government. Most were well educated and wealthy. They included lawyers, merchants, and planters. Only Rhode Island did not send delegates.
As the convention process began, the delegates made some decisions. They chose General George Washington to lead the convention. He was greatly respected for his leadership during the American Revolution.
The delegates decided that the Articles of Confederation could not be fixed. The Articles were too weak and flawed. They decided instead to start over. They would write a whole new plan of government. The United States Constitution was the result of their work.
Why? purpose of the convention was to change the Articles of Confederation; the U.S. Constitution was the result

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How to Summarize Information
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Apply It!
In analyzing the document, we used the 5W questions to help us summarize information. What did we find?
Question
Answer
Who?

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How to Summarize Information
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Apply It!
In analyzing the document, we used the 5W questions to help us summarize information. What did we find?
Question
Answer
Who?
55 delegates; most were former government leaders, well educated, and wealthy; George Washington led the convention

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How to Summarize Information
click your mouse or hit enter to advance animation
Apply It!
In analyzing the document, we used the 5W questions to help us summarize information. What did we find?
Question
Answer
Who?
55 delegates; most were former government leaders, well educated, and wealthy; George Washington led the convention
What?

13. Apply It! Question Answer How to Summarize Information Who? What?
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Apply It!
In analyzing the document, we used the 5W questions to help us summarize information. What did we find?
Question
Answer
Who?
55 delegates; most were former government leaders, well educated, and wealthy; George Washington led the convention
What?
a convention, or large meeting

14. Apply It! Question Answer How to Summarize Information Who? What?
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Apply It!
In analyzing the document, we used the 5W questions to help us summarize information. What did we find?
Question
Answer
Who?
55 delegates; most were former government leaders, well educated, and wealthy; George Washington led the convention
What?
a convention, or large meeting
Where?

15. Apply It! Question Answer How to Summarize Information Who? What?
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Apply It!
In analyzing the document, we used the 5W questions to help us summarize information. What did we find?
Question
Answer
Who?
55 delegates; most were former government leaders, well educated, and wealthy; George Washington led the convention
What?
a convention, or large meeting
Where?
Philadelphia

16. Apply It! Question Answer How to Summarize Information Who? What?
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Apply It!
In analyzing the document, we used the 5W questions to help us summarize information. What did we find?
Question
Answer
Who?
55 delegates; most were former government leaders, well educated, and wealthy; George Washington led the convention
What?
a convention, or large meeting
Where?
Philadelphia
When?

17. Apply It! Question Answer How to Summarize Information Who? What?
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Apply It!
In analyzing the document, we used the 5W questions to help us summarize information. What did we find?
Question
Answer
Who?
55 delegates; most were former government leaders, well educated, and wealthy; George Washington led the convention
What?
a convention, or large meeting
Where?
Philadelphia
When?
began on May 25, 1787

18. Apply It! Question Answer How to Summarize Information Who? What?
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Apply It!
In analyzing the document, we used the 5W questions to help us summarize information. What did we find?
Question
Answer
Who?
55 delegates; most were former government leaders, well educated, and wealthy; George Washington led the convention
What?
a convention, or large meeting
Where?
Philadelphia
When?
began on May 25, 1787
Why?

19. Apply It! Question Answer How to Summarize Information Who? What?
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Apply It!
In analyzing the document, we used the 5W questions to help us summarize information. What did we find?
Question
Answer
Who?
55 delegates; most were former government leaders, well educated, and wealthy; George Washington led the convention
What?
a convention, or large meeting
Where?
Philadelphia
When?
began on May 25, 1787
Why?
purpose of the convention was to change the Articles of Confederation; the U.S. Constitution was the result

20. click your mouse or hit enter to advance animation
How to Summarize Information
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Apply It!
To summarize information:
Read the text.
Be brief—do not include many supporting details.
Restate the text in a way that makes sense to you.
Use the 5W questions to guide your analysis of what you have read.

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How to Summarize Information
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Remember
 Summarizing will help you understand what you have read.
 Summarizing allows you to focus on main ideas and details and will help you remember important information from your reading.