Nonfiction Note-taking Worksheet Version

Name: ________________________  Class: _______ Nonfiction Reading and Note-taking

Title: ________________________________________________Author: ___________________________________ I. Summary: Read the text and write the main idea of each paragraph in the margin. As you read, underline a few meaningful details that answer the questions: What does the author want me to know? What are the main/central ideas? What are the explicit, supporting details? Then write a concise 4-5 sentence summary. Sample summary:           Jeffrey Gettleman, the author of “Armed and Underage”, wants the reader to know that in countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, children under the age of 18 are forced to fight in armies often lead by warlords who care about nothing but stealing resources and having power. These leaders are able to manipulate children because they are separated from their families, are hungry and impoverished, and obedient; they will obey commands without complaining. Even though some commanders who recruited children are now facing criminal charges and UNICEF and other groups are trying demobilization programs, the lawlessness that is part of the reality of child soldiers continues to spread and children continue to be exploited and forced to kill. Your summary: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Tips for Writing Summaries: - summarize one section at a time - use your own words; you do not need to include quotations - be concise; you need to condense the information - look back at the text and circle words you can use in your summary - use sentence starters such as: According to… The author states/shows/explains/reports/informs/demonstrates… The author wants me to know… Based on… This article taught me… This article shows me… One example of… another example of… II. Reread the article a second time and look more closely at the author’s purpose and craft. As you read, underline meaningful details that you may use as quotations in your future writing and that relate to the following: What does the author want me to think and feel (implicit details)? What writing techniques does he/she use? Evaluate the author’s purpose and bias (unfair judgment of a particular subject). Does the author use “loaded” words that are highly opinionated? Who is quoted in the article? What do their perspectives add to the articles? Whose perspectives are missing or misrepresented? Why? Take notes. Either make two columns, one for quotations and the other for elaboration, or write a paragraph for each quotation. Tips for Writing: 1.     When responding to and elaborating on excerpts in the text, introduce and provide context for quotations. Use transitions and signal phrases such as: a.     One example that shows… b.     Name, profession or brief description, (ex. Ishmael Beah, former child soldier, states…) states/asserts/implies/believes/ that… 2.     For elaborating on the text, use sentence starters such as: a.     This shows/proves/demonstrates/illustrates… b.     This part of the text makes me think/wonder/feel… c.     The author wants the reader to… d.     The author shows bias by… e.     Also, in addition, another… Identify important quotations (textual evidence/excerpts from text): Elaboration: What does this part of the text make me think/feel? How does the text extend into your life and the world overall? What are your connections, questions, opinions, and realizations about the issue? Ex. According to Gettleman, the Lord’s Resistance Army is “filled with boys brainwashed to burn down huts and pound newborn babies to death.” (1) This makes me feel disgust and shock for the brutal violence that becomes the daily life of child soldiers. The author uses loaded words such as “brainwashed” and “pound” to emphasize the vicious behavior exhibited by young boys. III. Scan or skim the text and your notes. Synthesize or make sense of what you have noticed so far, and make conclusions. How has this article changed your thinking? How does it compare and contrast to your life and the world in general? What does the text make you question and wonder? What would you like to further research? Tips for Writing Conclusions: Use sentence starters such as… After reading this article, I have realized/concluded/decided/recognized/come to understand… This article has made me appreciate/acknowledge… This reminds me of/makes me think… This is similar/different from… Your conclusion: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________