Literature

READING WORKSHOP 1 • Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Skills Preview

Key Reading Skill: Paraphrasing and

Summarizing

When you read “Cyber Chitchat,” think about the big

picture. Use your own words to write the author’s

main ideas and supporting details. Be sure to choose

only the most important ideas.

Write to Learn In your Learner’s Notebook, jot

down the main ideas of the selection as you read.

Then list the supporting details that explain each

main idea.

Key Literary Element: Author’s Craft

Part of the author’s craft is his or her purpose for

writing. By looking at the selection’s structure and

word choices, you will find clues to help you recognize

the author’s purpose.

As you read, use these tips to help you learn about

the author’s craft.

• Look at the structure of the text.
  How does the author organize the information?
  Does this help you see what he or she wants to tell
  the reader?


• Notice the author’s word choices. For example, the
  word atrocious is stronger than the word bad.
  What do the author’s word choices tell you about
  his or her opinion of the topic?

Partner Talk With a classmate, review the above

tips about author’s craft. When you read a nonfiction

article about someone’s opinion, which tip do you

think will be the most helpful? Why?

Get Ready to Read

Connect to the Reading

Have you ever felt confused when you saw or tried

something for the first time? The author of this essay

watches in surprise as her daughter chats online with

her friends. As you read, think about how your reac-

tion and the author’s would be the same or different.

Think-Pair-Share Think of some times when you

tried to understand something new but just didn’t get

it. With a classmate, discuss how each of you reacted.

Build Background

In this essay, the author and her daughter talk about

the language of chatting on the Internet.

• The Internet was developed by the United States
  Department of Defense.


• In 2001, more children and teens used the Internet
  than adults.


• In 2003, 70 percent of students in grades 6–8 were
  using the Internet.

Set Purposes for Reading

As you read the selection “Cyber

Chitchat,” think about whether new technologies such

as the Internet and online chatting are always good.

Set Your Own Purpose What else would you like

to learn from the story to help you answer the Big

Question? Write your own purpose on a note card

and add it to Foldable 5.

Keep Moving

Use these skills as you read the following

selection.

Interactive Literary Elements Handbook

To review or learn more about the literary

elements, go to http://www.glencoe.com.

Cyber Chitchat 545