Activities

1. Break a piece of nonfiction into sections: beginning/introduction, middle/confirmation, end/conclusion.
   
   
2. For each section, identify between 3 to 5 important details or events.

3. Choose the two most important events for each section.
   
   
4. In your own words, summarize the key details from each of the two most important parts or events of each section of the text.

5. Choose the two most important details that reflect the text as a whole instead of only for one of its narrative parts.
   
   
6. Explain why you have selected these details as the most important for the text as a whole.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Students are able to identify the sections of a nonfiction text as the beginning—when an author introduces an idea to be presented, middle—when an author confirms his or her ideas/argument, and end—when an author concludes his or her ideas.
   
   
2. Students identify key ideas or events—those that support the author’s purpose/thesis or the main idea of the text.
   
   
3. Students are able to identify the two most important details for each section of the text.
   
   
4. Students are able to summarize the key details from these events of the text.
   
   
5. Students are able to make evaluations as to which of their selected details are the most important to understanding the entire text, specifically the author’s purpose. Students are able to explain how one detail can indicate the purpose of an entire text.
   
   
6. In speech of in writing, students are able to justify the rationales for their choices, which will demonstrate their understanding of the text as a whole.

Suggested Rubric:  This rubric may be used to assess a student’s overall mastery of the standard or eligible content.