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SĚĒĒĆėĞ WėĎęĎēČ:
AVIDThis quick reference describes the
steps a reader should take when
summarizing expository texts.
When we summarize purely
informational texts, we want to
account for the main ideas.
Because informational texts can be
content heavy, we will need to
read carefully for the most
important content. Not all the
information in the text is
important. Seek to understand the
reading and writing tasks.
Establishing a purpose for reading
will help narrow our focus as we
make decisions about what we
should include in our summaries.
The following steps will help us
complete this type of reading and
writing assignment.Step 1: Seek to understand the
reading and writing tasks.
What are you expected to know
and do? What are you
summarizing?
Step 2: Carefully read the text.
Read the text once to get a
general idea of what the text is
about.
Step 3: Reread and mark the
text. Circle terms and underline
information relevant to the
reading and writing tasks.
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
deϐining, 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. We should 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.
DVHS Continuous School Improvement
Purpose: Improve Writing SkillsGOAL #1 SęėĆęĊČĞ : SĚĒĒĆėĞ WėĎęĎēČ
AVID
Updated 12/01/17