* Writing a Summary of a Story
Tips for Writing a Summary
Gathering Information
Ways to Organize Your Summary
- A summary should be no more than 1/3 the length of the original text.
- A summary should be objective (none of your own opinions or ideas).
- If there is a problem, make sure to describe both the problem and any solutions in detail.
- Identify TAG (title, author, genre) in order to be more specific.
- Starting your summary:
- Text is a genre by author mainly about central idea.
- Write in your own words.
- Use transitions between sentences. Examples: First . . . Second . . . Third . . . In conclusion . . .
Gathering Information
- Read the text.
- Read the text again to identify:
- Who?
- What?
- Where?
- When?
- Why?
- How?
- Draw a conclusion. What is the main idea, theme, or claim of the text?
Ways to Organize Your Summary
- There are many ways to organize your summary, but try to start your summary by identifying TAG.
- Sentence Starter
- Text is a genre by author mainly about central idea.
- Below are two different ways of organizing your summary.
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Sample Summary Paragraph:
Finding Nemo is an animated movie by Pixar that is mainly about overcoming your fears. The story is about a clown fish named Marlin and his search to find his son Nemo. The story takes place in the Great Barrier Reef. Marlin is always afraid that bad things will happen if Nemo is not careful, but Nemo wants to experience life, even if it means taking risks. The action begins when Nemo is abducted by a boat and sent to a dentist's office in Sydney, Australia. Marlin teams up with a fish named Dory who suffers from short-term memory loss, and they travel the long distance to find Nemo. After many adventures, the story ends when Marlin is reunited with Nemo. The author's theme is that family is important, but parents need to let their children be free to take their own risks and live their own lives.
Finding Nemo is an animated movie by Pixar that is mainly about overcoming your fears. The story is about a clown fish named Marlin and his search to find his son Nemo. The story takes place in the Great Barrier Reef. Marlin is always afraid that bad things will happen if Nemo is not careful, but Nemo wants to experience life, even if it means taking risks. The action begins when Nemo is abducted by a boat and sent to a dentist's office in Sydney, Australia. Marlin teams up with a fish named Dory who suffers from short-term memory loss, and they travel the long distance to find Nemo. After many adventures, the story ends when Marlin is reunited with Nemo. The author's theme is that family is important, but parents need to let their children be free to take their own risks and live their own lives.
