Learning_Skills

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Step 4: Pause to connect ideas
within the text. Connect what is
said to the visuals in the text.
Ask questions such as “How
does this section connect to the
previous section?” or “What
does this idea have to do with
that idea?”
Step 5: Write summary
statements in the margin. What
is this paragraph (or section)
about? What is the author
saying? What is the author
doing in this paragraph (or
section)?
Consider the following
when summarizing
informational text:
 Ideas are typically presented in
the order that they appear in the
text; however, you may need to
present ideas in a different
order if it makes sense to do so.
 Refer to your markings,
summary statements, and any
other comments you made as
you craft your summary.
 Use accurate verbs such as
defining, illustrating, or
introducing to describe what an
author is doing in a paragraph
or section of text.
 Include important content and
lesson-based vocabulary.
 Account for the main ideas in
the text. Include enough
information so that someone
who has not read the text would
understand the main points.
 Use your own words and
paraphrase when necessary.
Ideas taken directly from the
source should be properly
quoted and cited.
 What we quote and how we
quote it will depend on the
actual discipline. For example, a
science paper will have far
fewer direct quotations than an
English or social science paper.
As a general rule, we should
directly quote ideas that cannot
be expressed accurately through
paraphrasing or summarizing.
 Write objectively. Be sensitive
to biases; avoid inaccurate
interpretations or
representations. We should
express the ideas in the text
fairly and accurately.
 Summaries should be read for
clarity and accuracy.
 Summaries should not be more
than one-fourth to one-third the
length of the original text.
Purpose: Improve Writing Skills
GOAL
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Strategy: Summary Writing—Avid
AVID, Research. Retrieved February 24, 2015, from
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