Collaborative Summary Writing

Groups negotiate which points are essential and co-write a summary to a strict word limit.

Procedure

1. Students read a text individually.
2. In groups, discuss: what are the 3-5 most important points?
3. Collaboratively write a summary to a set word limit (e.g., 50 words).
4. Groups compare summaries.
5. Discuss what was included, excluded, and why.

Tips

• The word limit forces negotiation about what matters — this discussion IS the learning.
• Keep the limit tight enough that real choices are required.