A Step by Step Look at 25 Word Summaries

Step 1:  Read the original article.

 

 

Step 2: Circle key words and underline main ideas.

 

 Step 3:  Begin to capture the main ideas by using the key words and ideas in sentences.

 

First draft:  Balls of ice are formed high up in the clouds, and these are blow up in the sky by strong winds. They freeze in the colder air and fall. This process happens several times before these ice balls fall to earth as hailstones. (43 words)

Draft two: Hailstones, balls of ice, are formed from raindrops, which are blown upwards into colder air, freeze, and fall repeatedly until they are heavy enough to fall to earth.  (28 words)

Draft three: Hailstones, balls of ice, are raindrops that are blown upwards into colder air, freeze, and fall repeatedly until heavy enough to fall to earth.  (24 words)