Internet Academy

Reading

	Federal Way Public Schools

Comprehension
Lesson 2

Summarizing Text

Objectives/Vocab/Tips > Examples: 1 | 2 | 3 > Practice: 1 | 2 | 3 > Self Check

Practice 1:

Now it's your turn to put all the tips and tools together and show you know:

how to identify a summary statement

and how to write a sentence or two telling what a story or poem is about!

Instruction:

Have you ever had a friend who was quite different from your other friends? Kate, in Dave's Song, by Robert McKay, finds herself in that situation. This retelling of a short passage of the book tells of her confusing thoughts.

Click on the book link to the right to read the passage from Dave's Song. Check out the question you will be answering to jump-start your brain to look for connections as you read. This gives your reading a purpose and activates your brain cells!

Dave's Song

While Reading:

Take notes on these topics as preparation for thinking about the story's message.

What do you think is the main topic or idea?

What is important or essential in this passage?

What are the topic sentences in the story?

You will read lots of examples and supporting details, but remember those are not part of a summary.

Do you see clues the author uses to highlight the main idea? You might find a concluding sentence that helps summarize the text for example.

Question:

Which statement best summarizes the reading passage?

Yes	No	Maybe		Answers
			A.	Kate flunked her biology test because she was thinking of Dave and their date Friday night.
			B.	Because there was something very different about Dave, Kate was surprised to find she really liked him.
			C.	It bothered Kate that Dave was defiant, stubborn and belligerent.
			D.	Kate felt Dave was more interested in raising chickens than having her for a girlfriend.

Is your answer A, B, C or D? Check for the correct answer.

Practice 2 >>