Writing Workshop: Summary

Read the excerpt from the introductory note of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. "[He] set up a printing house of his own from which he published 'The Pennsylvania Gazette,' to which he contributed many essays, and which he made a medium for agitating a variety of local reforms. In 1732 he began to issue his famous 'Poor Richard's Almanac' for the enrichment of which he borrowed or composed those pithy utterances of worldly wisdom which are the basis of a large part of his popular reputation. In 1758, the year in which he ceases writing for the Almanac, he printed in it 'Father Abraham's Sermon,' now regarded as the most famous piece of literature produced in Colonial America." Which is the best summary of this excerpt?

A Benjamin Franklin founded "The Pennsylvania Gazette" and authored many articles for the paper that focused on local reforms. In 1732, he began writing his famous "Poor Richard's Almanac," and in 1758, he printed "Father Abraham's Sermon," which is considered one of the most well-known pieces of colonial literature.

Read this excerpt from The Crisis, Number I, by Thomas Paine. "I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent." Which is the best way to paraphrase the underlined portion of the excerpt?

A I believe that

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?

A It has a variety of sentence structures

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?

D sentence 4

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?

NOT A It contains an emotional appeal.

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?

NOT B sentence 2

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?

NOT C It is a compound-complex 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?

NOT C 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 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?

NOT D It contains sentence variety.

Read the excerpt from Common Sense, by Thomas Paine. "If we omit [forming our own constitution] now, some Massenello may hereafter arise, who laying hold of popular disquietudes, may collect together the desperate and the discontented, and by assuming to themselves the powers of government, may sweep away the liberties of the continent like a deluge." Which choice best rewords the underlined phrase with more objective language?

NOT D take away our continental liberties