Summarizing a multi-paragraph text

Question 1

Topic

Answer 1

What the text is about

Broad, usually 1-2 words

Question 2

Main idea

Answer 2

What the author is saying about the topic (specific)

Question 3

Supporting details

Answer 3

Facts, examples, or reasons that explain or prove the main idea

Question 4

Informative texts

Answer 4

To teach or explain something

Gives facts, data, or explanations

Question 5

Persuasive texts

Answer 5

To change your mind or get you to act

Uses reasons, emotions, or strong language

Question 6

Main point

Answer 6

The most important idea the author wants you to understand or remember

Question 7

Jargon

Answer 7

Specialized words or phrases used by a specific group or profession that outsiders may not understand

eg. distal or proximal

Question 8

Inference

Answer 8

A conclusion you figure out using clues from the text plus your own knowledge

Question 9

Implications

Answer 9

What will likely happen because of what is stated

What follows a statement

Ex. If Mark was out in the rain we can implicate that he will get sick

Question 10

Explicit evidence

Answer 10

Information that is directly stated in the text

Question 11

Implicit evidence

Answer 11

Information that is suggested but not directly stated

Question 12

Scale (Map Scale)

Answer 12

Shows the relationship between a distance on the map and the actual distance in real life

Question 13

Bold

Answer 13

Emphasizes important words or ideas

Commonly used for:
Key terms
Headings
Definitions

Question 14

Underline

Answer 14

Often used to:
Point out exact answers
Show emphasis in handwritten work
Indicate links or titles (older style)

Question 15

Italics

Answer 15

Common uses:
Titles of books, movies, journals
Emphasis on a word
Foreign words
Scientific names

Question 16

Footnote

Answer 16

A note placed at the bottom of the page

Question 17

Endnote

Answer 17

A note placed at the end of a chapter, article, or book

Question 18

Glossary

Answer 18

A list of important terms and their definitions, usually found at the back of a book or textbook

Question 19

Index

Answer 19

An alphabetical list of topics with page numbers showing where those topics appear in a book

Question 20

Preface

Answer 20

An introduction at the beginning of a book that explains why the book was written and how to use it

Question 21

Pictograph

Answer 21

A graph that uses pictures or symbols to represent data

Question 22

Bar graph

Answer 22

Compares amounts between different categories using bars

Question 23

Line graph

Answer 23

Shows change over time using points connected by lines

Question 24

Flow chart

Answer 24

Shows steps in a process or decision using arrows and boxes

Question 25

Memo

Answer 25

A short written message used within an organization to share information, instructions, or updates

Question 26

Formal style

Answer 26

A serious, professional way of writing used in academic, technical, or official texts

Question 27

Sequence of a text

Answer 27

the order events or steps happen in a passage.

Question 28

Entertaining texts

Answer 28

Texts written mainly to amuse, interest, or engage the reader Not meant to teach facts or convince

Question 29

Descriptive texts

Answer 29

To paint a picture using details and sensory language Focuses on what something looks, sounds, smells, feels like

Question 30

Expository passage

Answer 30

To explain or inform Are informative texts

Question 31

Narrative passage

Answer 31

To tell a story Often written in first or third person

Question 32

Technical passage

Answer 32

To explain specialized information using professional language Like reading a radiology protocol instead of a basic anatomy summary