Writing Workshop: Summary

Read the sentences. Thomas Paine authored Common Sense, which argued for American Independence from Britain. Paine also wrote The Crisis. Which is the best way to combine these sentences?

(not Thomas Paine authored Common Sense, which argued for American Independence from Britain, also writing The Crisis.)

Read the excerpt from Common Sense, by Thomas Paine. "To talk of friendship with those in whom our reason forbids us to have faith, and our affections wounded through a thousand pores instruct us to detest, is madness and folly. Every day wears out the little remains of kindred between us [the colonists] and them [the British], and can there be any reason to hope, that as the relationship expires, the affection will increase, or that we shall agree better, when we have ten times more and greater concerns to quarrel over than ever?" Which is the best way to objectively summarize this excerpt?

According to Paine, the relationship between America and Britain worsens every day, and there is no hope that the nations will reconcile.

Read the excerpt from the introductory note of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. "Benjamin Franklin was born in Milk Street, Boston, on January 6, 1706. His father, Josiah Franklin, was a tallow chandler [candle maker] who married twice, and of his seventeen children Benjamin was the youngest son. His schooling ended at ten, and at twelve he was bound apprentice to his brother James, a printer, who published the 'New England Courant.' To this journal he became a contributor, and later was for a time its nominal editor. But the brothers quarreled, and Benjamin ran away, going first to New York, and thence to Philadelphia, where he arrived in October, 1723." Which of the following is a key detail about Franklin's employment in this excerpt?

Benjamin Franklin worked at the "New England Courant."

Read the excerpt from The Crisis, Number I, by Thomas Paine. "Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but 'to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,' and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth." Which is the best way to paraphrase this excerpt?

Britain has oppressed the colonists in many ways.

Read the sentence from a summary of Common Sense, by Thomas Paine. I believe that Common Sense presents arguments to convince the colonists of the need to free themselves from British rule. How does this sentence violate the principles of objectivity in writing a summary?

It brings the writer into the sentence.

Read the summary of the beginning of "The World On Turtle's Back." [1] In the beginning, there was no land, only the great ocean. [2] The Sky-World, the home of the gods, was above the ocean. [3] A sacred tree stood at the center. [4] One of the gods pulled out some of its roots for his pregnant wife. [5] This created a hole in the floor of the Sky-World. [6] The man's wife fell through the hole toward the ocean below, clutching the roots in her hand. Which best describes this summary?

It contains mostly simple sentences.

Read the summary of the conclusion of "The World on Turtle's Back." [1] When the twins grew up, they continued to fight. [2] One day they decided to hold a contest to determine who was stronger. [3] Though they tried to defeat each other in many different ways, neither one could win. [4] On the last day, they fought with weapons. [5] Using a deer antler, the right-handed twin overpowered his brother, and he threw him off the edge of the Earth. [6] Today, the right-handed twin lives in the Sky-World, and the left-handed twin lives in the dark underworld. [7] They rule the earthly world of men together. Which best describes this summary?

It has a variety of sentence structures.

Read the summary of the conclusion of "The World on Turtle's Back." [1] When the twins grew up, they continued to fight. [2] One day they decided to hold a contest to determine who was stronger. [3] Though they tried to defeat each other in many different ways, neither one could win. [4] On the last day, they fought with weapons. [5] Using a deer antler, the right-handed twin overpowered his brother, and he threw him off the edge of the Earth. [6] Today, the right-handed twin lives in the Sky-World, and the left-handed twin lives in the dark underworld. [7] They rule the earthly world of men together. Which best describes sentence 1?

It is a complex sentence.

Read the excerpt from a summary of "The World on Turtle's Back." [1] The twins had opposite natures: the right-handed twin was truthful, and the left-handed twin was deceitful. [2] The right-handed twin always did the right thing, and the left-handed twin always did everything backward. [3] In these ways, the brothers represented the two warring natures that are in all people. [4] Quarreling constantly, they used magical powers to create animals that fought one another, and to create plants and medicines that could be used for good or for evil. Which best describes sentence 2?

It is a compound sentence.

Read the summary of the first three paragraphs of "The World On Turtle's Back." [1] In the beginning, there was no land, only the great ocean. [2] The Sky-World, the home of the gods, was above the ocean. [3] A sacred tree stood at the center. [4] One of the gods pulled out some of its roots for his pregnant wife. [5] This created a hole in the floor of the Sky-World. [6] The man's wife fell through the hole toward the ocean below, clutching the roots in her hand. Which is the best way to combine sentences 4 and 5?

One of the gods pulled out some of its roots for his pregnant wife, which created a hole in the floor of the Sky-World.

Read the excerpt from The Crisis, Number I by Thomas Paine. "I once felt all that kind of anger, which a man ought to feel, against the mean principles that are held by the Tories: a noted one, who kept a tavern at Amboy, was standing at his door, with as pretty a child in his hand, about eight or nine years old, as I ever saw, and after speaking his mind as freely as he thought was prudent, finished with this unfatherly expression, 'Well! give me peace in my day.' Not a man lives on the continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, and a generous parent should have said, 'If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace;' and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty." Which is a central idea of this excerpt?

Paine believes that colonists should fight for independence so their children can live in peace.

Read the excerpt from a summary of the Declaration of Independence. [1] The Declaration of Independence is beautifully written. [2] Jefferson argues that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. [3] It is a government's job to protect these rights. [4] When a government fails, Jefferson asserts that the people can overthrow their government. Which sentence should be revised to make this summary more objective?

sentence 1

Read the excerpt from a summary of Common Sense, by Thomas Paine. [1] Thomas Paine believed that reconciliation with Britain was no longer possible. [2] Reconciliation had been attempted and had failed. [3] It was unfortunate that Paine called for action. [4] He urged the colonists to take up arms against the British. Which sentence in the excerpt includes the summary writer's personal opinion?

sentence 3

Read the excerpt from a summary of Common Sense. [1] Thomas Paine states that to talk of friendship with Britain is unwise. [2] Relations between the countries are steadily declining, and he is certain that they will not improve. [3] Paine concludes that reconciliation is not possible because some injuries are unforgivable. [4] Paine's logic is indisputable; without his words, America might have remained subject to British rule to this day. Which sentence should be revised to make this summary more objective?

sentence 4

Read the summary of Thomas Paine's Common Sense. [1] In Common Sense, Thomas Paine attempts to appeal to the colonists. [2] He argues that America must separate from Britain. [3] He asserts that there is no way for Britain and the colonists to reconcile and that British oppression is unforgivable. [4] Paine was correct in his belief that the colonists should be free from the king's rule. Which sentence contains subjective language?

sentence 4

Read the summary of the conclusion of "The World on Turtle's Back." [1] When the twins grew up, they continued to fight. [2] One day they decided to hold a contest to determine who was stronger. [3] Though they tried to defeat each other in many different ways, neither one could win. [4] On the last day, they fought with weapons. [5] After the right-handed twin chose a deer antler as a weapon, he overpowered his brother, and he threw him off the edge of the Earth. [6] Today, the right-handed twin lives in the Sky-World, and the left-handed twin lives in the dark underworld. [7] They rule the earthly world of men together. Which sentence is a compound-complex sentence?

sentence 5