Exploros | Summarizing Text

Summarizing Text

Students read an article and practice summarizing and paraphrasing it. Then they analyze and synthesize information to create new material that maintains the original meaning. They learn to distinguish the differences between paraphrasing and plagiarism when writing based on research from multiple sources.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

Engage

Overview

In this experience, students read an article and practice summarizing and paraphrasing it. Then they analyze and synthesize information to create new material that maintains the original meaning. They learn to distinguish the differences between paraphrasing and plagiarism when writing based on research from multiple sources.

Objectives

Summarize the key ideas in text in your own words.
Distinguish between paraphrase and plagiarism.

Duration

One class period. You may choose to have the students read the articles at home before beginning the experience.

Vocabulary Words Used in Articles

appendage: part of an organism that projects out from it and has a distinct function or appearance
myriad: many; an immeasurable amount
ingenuity: cleverness; insight; creativity
microorganism: microscopic organism (individual life form) visible only through a microscope
infectious: likely to spread an illness through the environment; contagious
epidemic: widespread outbreak of a disease in a particular place and time
paralyze: make unable to move
microbiologist: one who studies microorganisms

When you read an article for class, you often need to take notes on what you read for reviewing later. There are strategies you can use to summarize or paraphrase the information. You will learn how in this experience.

Objectives

Summarize the key ideas in text in your own words.
Distinguish between paraphrase and plagiarism.

Over your years in school, you have been assigned many different writing tasks. Sometimes, you write stories. Other times, you write essays or research papers. Think about these experiences. What makes the process of writing a fact-based essay different from writing a fictional story?

Write one or more sentences describing at least one way writing nonfiction essays is different from writing fiction.

Post your answer

Discuss the responses. Student answers will vary, but note that non-fiction often requires research from multiple sources.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.