This assignment is a departure from previous portfolios. Usually you are trying to write more; for the summary we want you to make it as short as you can (while still including all the essential details!
For this assignment, you will write a one-paragraph summary about one of the selections you read during this unit. Make sure to include at least 2–3 vocabulary words from this unit in your Summary draft.
Portfolio Requirements:
1 paragraph, no more than 1 page, double spaced, 12 pt font
Standard format (MLA or APA)
All the essential events from the story
No unnecessary details
2 to 3 Unit 1 vocabulary words
You need to turn in your rough draft and editing checklist along with your final summary
See the attached rubric for details of how your portfolio will be graded.
Summary Grading
Step 1: Prewriting
Choose which story you are going to write about: Your choices are:
The Odyssey Part 1 (Odysseus and the Cyclops)
The Odyssey Part 2 (Circe and the Sirens)
The Odyssey Part 3 (Return to Ithaca)
Orpheus and Eurydice
The Penelopiad (Honors English 9 only)
Fill out a graphic organizer: As you read or listen to the story, fill out one of these graphic organizers. This will help you identify the essential details of the story. You will turn in your completed graphic organizer along with the final draft and editing checklist in Lesson 7.
Summary Graphic Organizer 1
Summary Graphic Organizer 2
Step 2: Make it a paragraph
On a new document, form your ideas into a paragraph.
For each detail, ask yourself, "Will my reader still understand what is happening if I leave this out?" Only keep the details that are absolutely essential to understanding the plot!
Add transition words to smooth out the writing and show the order of events.
Add in 2 to 3 words from the Unit 1 Vocabulary. Put them in bold text to make them easy to find.
Step 3: Editing and Revision
Now that you have your draft, you need feedback! You will need to include your graphic organizer and the editing checklist with your final draft to earn full credit.
Here are some ways you can get feedback on your summary:
Ask a classmate, friend, or family member to read your summary and fill out the editing checklist for you.
Attend a peer editing LiveLesson and share your summary
Come to Work & Chat with Ms. Kumley or Mrs. Sodorff
Schedule an individual appointment through YCBM Ms. Kumley’s YCBM link Mrs. Sodorff's YCBM link
Step 4: Final Draft
Unit 1 Lesson 7
Be sure to turn in all of the following to the dropbox:
Your final, beautiful, and short summary
Your graphic organizer
The editing checklist with feedback from your editor
Your summary should:
Be 1 paragraph, no more than 1 page, double spaced, 12 pt font
Be in Standard format (MLA or APA)
Have all the essential events from the story
Have no unnecessary details
Contain 2 to 3 Unit 1 vocabulary words
Include your rough draft and editing checklist along with your final summary