Once you identify the main idea and supporting details in a passage or article, writing out the summary takes some organizing. One good way to organize ideas is to use a graphic organizer, such as a detail web. This format provides a space in the center of a "web" for the main idea, and spaces for supporting details around the outside of the web. Using this type of graphic organizer can help you remember that all supporting details must directly relate to the main idea.
A web can look like this, and it can help you make sense of your notes as you write a summary:
Using the web is simple enough. Here's a short passage. Read it and look for the main idea and three supporting details. Then draw a web like the one above that includes the passage's main idea and supporting details--written in your own words.
Fifteen teens from Richmond participated in Operation CampOut this past weekend. The trip was designed to introduce teens to our area’s newest campground and to help them decide if they want to train as summer camp leaders. "It was so much fun and so interesting," said Adam Morgan, of Bancock.
While at Operation CampOut, the teens learned to pitch a tent, build a campfire, and cook outdoors. They also got a firsthand look at the best campsites in Wandering Woods Park.
Of the teens attending, over half have expressed interest in training as a camp group leader. "I never knew camping was so cool. I want to train to be a camp leader and do this all summer," Morgan added. Training is scheduled to begin next month and will be held at Wandering Woods on four alternate Saturdays.
Here's how your web may have looked:
