Main Idea and Summary

What is the first step in writing a summary?

• Determine if a text if fiction or nonfiction.

• Identify the genre and the facts.

• Write about the main idea and then add details in chronological order.

A short statement that tells the main points or important ideas of a fiction text IN ORDER.

• Main Idea

• Summary

• Genre

• Purpose

What does the SWBST acronym go with?

• Main Idea

• Fiction Summary

• Nonfiction Summary

True or False...

A summary should NEVER have too many details. It should only include the most important details.

• True

• False

The main idea of nonfiction should NOT be told in order of the events, but in order of most important details to least important details.

• True

• False

Complete the SWBST

Somebody – Give the main character’s name.

Wanted – Say what the character wants or needed to happen.

Select ALL that apply:

• But - Explain the problem/conflict the character faces

• So - show the reader what the characters should have done to solve their problems

• So - Tell how the problem was solved. Give the solution to that problem.

• Then - Describe the conclusion or end of the story.

• Then - Describe your opinion about the story.

Give the main character’s name.

• Sombebody

• Wanted

• But

• So

• Then

Say what the character wants or needed to happen.

• Sombebody

• Wanted

• But

• So

• Then

Explain the problem/conflict the character faces.

• Sombebody

• Wanted

• But

• So

• Then

Tell how the problem was solved. Give the solution to that problem.

• Sombebody

• Wanted

• But

• So

• Then