Objective summary — English definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- A short retelling of the most important events or ideas of a text, stated in your own words and kept free of personal opinions, reactions, or judgments. (English 6)
- A summary that reports only what the text says, with no personal opinions or outside information added. (English 8: Trust, Community & Responsibility)
Where it is taught
- Theme & Summary — Reading Literature, English 6, Grade 6
- Central Idea & Objective Summary — Informational Reading & Media, English 8: Trust, Community & Responsibility, Grade 8
In use
Grade 6 asks you to do one more thing alongside theme: write an objective summary.
Theme & Summary
Once you have the central idea and its key support, you can write an objective summary — a short, in-your-own-words report of what the text says, in roughly the order it says it, with zero opinions added.
Central Idea & Objective Summary
Questions using objective summary
Problem 1
- This was the best story I have ever read, hands down.
- A shy boy overcomes his fear and finally reads his poem aloud at the assembly.
- The ending made me so happy I almost cried.
- You will absolutely love how brave the main character is.
Answer and explanation
A shy boy overcomes his fear and finally reads his poem aloud at the assembly.
An objective summary reports events without opinion words. Only choice 2 states what happens; the others add feelings and judgments.
Problem 2
Answer and explanation
A summary must be objective so it reports what actually happened in the text rather than how the reader felt about it, which keeps it accurate and useful to someone who hasn't read the story. Objective version: 'In the climax, the hero rescues the other characters from danger.' The words 'amazing,' 'heart-pounding,' 'incredibly brave,' and 'saves everyone' as praise are opinions, so they are removed and replaced with the plain event.
Problem 3
Answer and explanation
Theme: Sharing your work, even when you doubt it, can help you grow more than keeping it hidden. Objective summary: A girl who hides her drawings out of fear is encouraged by her teacher to share them, and over time she grows more confident and her art improves.
Theme: Sharing your work, even when you doubt it, can help you grow more than keeping it hidden. Objective summary: A girl who hides her drawings out of fear is encouraged by her teacher to share them, and over time she grows more confident and her art improves.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 4
Answer and explanation
Measuring success more broadly can reveal overlooked needs. Tavi changes his record after learning of a use his borrowing count missed. The summary reports the change without claiming every possible use is now included.
Measuring success more broadly can reveal overlooked needs. Tavi changes his record after learning of a use his borrowing count missed. The summary reports the change without claiming every possible use is now included.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.