Nonfiction Summary
Read one of the articles below. Write a summary using the following checklist.
Got Allergies? Panthers in Peril Save the World Who Wants a Spiny Snack? Rain Forest Rescue |
ExampleIn the book, "Deserts" by Leon Gray the author explains in the section "People" the many challenges that people face when they live in the desert. For example, many tribes have to move from place to place in order to hunt animals and gather plants. Fortunately, there are areas called Oases that supplies water for animals and crops that tribes use. Due to the hot weather, people have to wear specific types of clothes to protect their bodies from the desert heat as well as the sunshine. These challenges make it difficult for people to live and survive in the desert.
|
Analyzing Part to the Whole
When writing about how part(s) of a text fit with
others, remember to: • explain why the part is important • explain how the part fits with the rest of the text. Option 1: Read the following article. Why is the section “Take Cover” important to the text? Option 2:Read the following article. Why is the first paragraph important to the text? Option 3:Read the following article. Why is the section "Five Easy Ways to Go Green" important to the text? Option 4:Read the following article. Why is the section "Amazing Amazon" important to the text? Option 5:Read the following article. Why is the last paragraph important to the text |
ExampleThe author included this to teach us about what the people who live in the desert eat. This part fits with the whole text because the rest of the text discusses how people survive in the desert and what they eat. This part highlights a specific group of people and what they eat to help them survive.
|
Analyzing Author's Craft
When analyzing author’s craft, remember to:
• identify craft technique(s) the author used • write about the writerly goal(s) the author seems to have been aiming toward • elaborate on this, writing at least a few sentences. Option 1: Read the following article. In the third paragraph the author uses a craft technique. It says, "Allergies [are] increasing over time," said Andy Nish. He is a doctor from Georgia." Option 2: Read the following article. In the third paragraph the author uses a craft technique. It says, "The main difference between the two is that Earth has processes that can erase almost all evidence of past impacts. The moon does not. " Option 3: Read the following article. In the last section the author uses a craft technique. It says, "If you use plastic forks, knives, or spoons during meals, wash them and then use them again the next day. You will have less garbage, and you won't need to spend as much money on utensils." Option 4: Read the following article. Towards the end of the article the author uses a craft technique. It says, "How does the pufferfish make this amazing transformation?" Option 5: Read the following article. At the end of the 5th paragraph the author uses a craft technique. It says, "Or they might use camouflage, special patterns or colors that help them hide in their environment. " Option 6: Read the following article. At the end of the 5th paragraph the author uses a craft technique. It says, "Four thousand out of the 15,000 Cherokee people died due to the hunger, exhaustion, and disease they faced on their forced march from their lands to present-day Oklahoma." |
ExampleThe author quoted an expert. The author quoted an expert because they have the most knowledge about the subject. Also, it makes it more believable for the reader.
|
Synthesizing
OPTION 1: Read the articles Frogs at Risk and Panthers in Peril. Both teach about an important subtopic—species population decline. Explain what these texts teach about species population decline.
When synthesizing, remember to: • focus on the subtopic • include information from each text that fits with this subtopic • organize information into categories (if possible). OPTION 2: Read the articles Alzheimer's Disease: The Mind Robbers and The Scoop on ADHD. Both teach about an important subtopic—dealing with their disease. Explain what these texts teach about dealing with their disease. When synthesizing, remember to: • focus on the subtopic • include information from each text that fits with this subtopic • organize information into categories (if possible). OPTION 3: Read the articles Shasta Dam and The Shortest Path. Both teach about an important subtopic—man-made structures that help people. Explain what these texts teach about man-made structures that help people. When synthesizing, remember to: • focus on the subtopic • include information from each text that fits with this subtopic • organize information into categories (if possible). |
ExamplePeople have lived in both the rainforests and deserts for thousands of years. Additionally, both groups decide to move from place to place throughout the seasons. However, the variety of plants and animals in the rainforests make it easier for people to survive there. This occurs because of the vastly large amount of rainfall the rainforest gets. On the other hand, the desert is subjected to a small number of oases which is where most of the plant and animal life exists. This makes it more difficult for people to live there because they are not as wide spread as in the rainforest.
|
Analyzing Perspective
What is the point of view of the text? Why is that important?
When writing about point of view, remember to: • name the point of view (is it firsthand or secondhand?) • write about how the point of view affects how information is presented. Option 1: Read the following article and answer the questions above. Option 2: Read the following article and answer the questions above. Option 3: Read the following article and answer the questions above. Option 4: Read the following video and answer the questions above. |
ExampleThis article is written in first person because Martin L. King Jr. is giving the speech about his experiences.
Martin L. King Jr. is passionate about his topic because he has been treated unfairly. He wants African Americans and whites to have the same rights and that comes through in his emotional speech. |