To write a summary of a piece of informational text, just refer to the information you added to your graphic organizer, and write. A summary of a short passage should only be a few sentences. A summary of a longer article will be a paragraph or in some cases a page, depending on the length of the original piece. All summaries are organized in about the same way regardless of their length.
The passage on the previous page was so short that it could be summarized in a single sentence. Look back at the web you created for the passage, and write one sentence that includes the web's ideas. Then compare your sentence to ours.
Fifteen teens went on a weekend camping trip so they could learn about camping and possibly train to be summer camp leaders.
Let's look at some more examples of good summarizing statements. Read the short paragraph on each of these flashcards and think about how you could best summarize each passage. Then click the card to see a good summary statement for that passage.
How can this paragraph be summarized?
Dentists see all sorts of problems every day–problems that could have been prevented by regularly scheduled dental visits. Not all dental problems can be stopped before they start, of course--people sometimes break a tooth or injure their mouths. But many types of tooth and gum disease can by avoided if patients schedule the recommended twice-yearly dental check-up. Although not all insurance companies pay for two visits a year, it is a good idea for dental health.
Dentists recommend having an examination twice a year to ensure good dental health.
How can this paragraph be summarized?
Some students wait until the night before a big test to study. They find they have many chapters to read and many ideas to memorize. They usually end up with quite a bit of information to read, unfortunately, and all that last-minute cramming turns out to be unsuccessful. Students who do not study regularly often get lower grades than they had hoped.
Cramming for a test rarely works.
How can this paragraph be summarized?
Like toddlers, puppies are adorable and often difficult to resist. They are warm and sweet and lots of fun. They do require lots of work, though. Like a toddler, a puppy needs constant attention and special food and cannot be left alone.
Puppies can be as much work as a toddler.
Summary
Correct:
Incorrect:
Could it really be that simple to write a summary? Sure it is! The writer had the tough part. She had to write the article or passage.
