When summarizing, what should a student focus on?

When summarizing, a student should concentrate on distilling the key points and main ideas of the text. This practice involves identifying the most significant concepts and themes, which allows for a more concise understanding of the material. Summarization is about capturing the essence of the content without getting bogged down in excessive detail.

Focusing on key points ensures that the main message or argument of the text is effectively communicated. Students learn to prioritize information that supports the overall understanding of the text rather than getting sidetracked by specific examples, personal opinions, or summaries of characters and settings. This skill is fundamental in effective reading comprehension and is crucial for academic success, as it helps students engage with the text more meaningfully.