Summarizing

Informative Text

JANE SCHAFFE

R WRITING MODEL

A Jane Schaffer Paragraph is a five (5) sentence paragraph that has a definite

structure and transition from one idea to the next. You must follow the guidelines

specifically. Topic Sentence (TP): A broad sentence that mentions key details.

Concrete Detail (CD): The “what” of the text – facts, specific details, evidence, citations.

Commentary (CM): What think about the details; answers “so what”, opinion, inferences, interpretation

Concluding Sentence (CS): This must conclude your paragraph. Refer back to the topic sentence. It could begin with the sentence starter: "As a result" or “therefore” or “Consequently” or “In conclusion,” etc.

Color Code Your Reading

Blue- underline your topic in blue (every time your topic is mentioned in the text)

Red- circle concrete details in red (these are facts that have been proven)

Green- box commentary statements in green (these are the writers opinions)

Black- use black in the margins (write statements you may want to use for a conclusion)

Remember

It must not be written in first person

Every paragraph must be five sentences long –following the Schaffer Model

Each section (TS, CD, CM, CS) is only one sentence in length

Each section should only be written in present tense

Transitions

For example,

Because of…

As a result…

Therefore…

On the other hand…

Generally speaking…

Either . . . 0r

Neither . . . nor

In particular…

Not only . . . but also

In summary…

Example ParagraphNotice the color change-

these are from the details that were annotated in the article

A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending downward from the base of a cumulonimbus cloud. The velocity of winds revolving tightly around the core reaches more than 300 km per hour. These disturbances are among nature's most destructive forces. The visual aspect of the tornado is amazing, but the affects it brings are terrible. Due to the high winds of a tornado they are destructive and can destroy life and property.

Your Turn!1 Read the article

2 Color code as you read

3 Summarize your paragraph following the Schaffer 5 sentence modelTopic Sentence (TP): (UL)A broad sentence that mentions key details.

Concrete Detail (CD): (Circle)The “what” of the text – facts, specific details, evidence, citations.

Commentary (CM): (Box) What think about the details; answers “so what”, opinion, inferences, interpretation

Concluding Sentence (CS): (Margin Note) This must conclude your paragraph. Refer back to the topic sentence. It could begin with the sentence starter: "As a result" or “therefore” or “Consequently” or “In conclusion,” etc.