Summarize Fiction

When summarizing fiction, what should be the main focus?

• Minor details and background information

• The key plot events, characters, and central conflict

• Describing the setting in great detail

• Sharing your favorite parts of the story

What does an effective summary of a fictional text include?

• Personal opinions on the characters’ actions

• The most important elements of the plot, including the beginning, middle, and end

• A list of every character in the story

• Descriptions of the author's writing style

How can you identify the main events to include in a summary?

• By focusing on what happens to the characters at the beginning, middle, and end of the story

• By writing down every action that takes place

• By including every character's conversation

• By only summarizing the dialogue between characters

Which of the following should be left out of an objective summary of fiction?

• The central conflict and resolution

• The names of key characters

• Your personal thoughts and reactions to the story

• Important events in the plot

Mikah and his family took a vacation to Florida. Mikah had never been to the beach, so he was very excited. He wanted to swim and make a sand castle. He also wanted to look for sea shells. They drove for two days to get to Florida. They played car games and told stories and listened to music. It was a very long drive. Mikah was glad when they made it to Florida. When they arrived, it was raining. Mikah's mom said this happens by the beach. There is a lot of water in the air, so it sometimes rains a little bit each day. She thought the rain would be gone the next day. The rain did not stop the next day. It kept going for six days. On the last day of their vacation, it finally stopped raining. Mikah and his brother played on the beach all day to make up for a rainy week. Mikah hoped they would never have such a wet vacation again. Which of the following best summarizes the story?

• Mikah and his family drove to Florida for vacation. Mikah was excited to play on the beach, but when they arrived, it was raining. It rained for six days. On the last day, Mikah and his brother were finally able to play on the beach.

• Mikah's family drove for two days to go to the beach in Florida. Mikah was glad when they arrived because it took a long time to get there. It was a very long drive. When they got there, it was raining, and they were disappointed.

• Mikah and his brother spent their last vacation day on the beach because it had rained the entire rest of the time. His family had driven for two days to get to the beach in Florida. They played car games and told stories.

• Mikah wanted to build a sandcastle, swim, and look for sea shells, so his family drove for two days to get to Florida. They played car games and told stories and listened to music. It was raining when they got to the beach.

What is the best summary of the story above.

• Mary's dress got dirty when she fell walking to school. Mary went home to change and her mother drove her back to school where she had a great day despite the morning mishap.

• Mary knew her mother didn't like her red dress so she fell in the mud on the way to school. Mary got dressed and changed her clothes only to stay home from school anyway.

• Mary hated red dresses and she changed to a blue dress so she could wear it to school.

• Mary wore her favorite dress to walk to school. She fell in the mud and went back home to change to her blue dress.

What strategy do you use to summarize FICTION?

• SWBST

• WWW3

Nora sped along the sidewalk on her bike. The sweet smell of spring was in the air. That meant school would be out in two months. Nora could hardly wait. She rounded the corner and glanced into Mrs. Bob's front yard. Her name wasn't really Mrs. Bob. Her husband's name was Bob, and everyone called him that. Mrs. Bob became her nickname since their last name was impossible to say, let alone remember. Mrs. Bob was an amazing gardener. Her front yard was positively blooming in the spring. Nora always enjoyed peeking her nose through the front gate to smell the beauty. This time, though, Nora noticed that something was wrong. Mrs. Bob's garden was a mess. Dead leaves and small branches littered the walkway. The grass was overgrown, and the hedges were in need of a trim. Nora hesitated. Then she went boldly up to the front door and knocked. Mr. Bob came to the door. Answering Nora's questions, he explained that Mrs. Bob had taken a bad fall that winter. She had broken her hip and was still recovering. "The gardens would have to wait," he said, sighing sadly. Nora had a plan. She talked with her parents and rallied the neighbors. The next Saturday, they descended on Mrs. Bob's front yard. They raked and hoed and weeded. They bought all of Mrs. Bob's favorite flowers and spent the afternoon planting. Neighbors who had barely seen each other all winter were chatting and laughing together. Mrs. Bob herself even came to the front window, astonished. She waved and laughed. Mr. Bob said he hadn't seen her smile like that in months. Nora was so proud of her neighborhood that day. Which summary of the selection is correct?

• A young girl rallies her neighborhood to help an older neighbor.

• An elderly neighbor falls down and cannot move for the whole winter.

• A young girl feels proud of her neighborhood in the springtime.

• A young girl rides her bike down the street and notices some trouble.

It was that time of year again. The fifth grade spelling bee was in one week, on Friday. Kendra was nervous. Every fifth grader in the school had to participate, and she was not a great speller. Kendra set herself a goal. She was going to get to the third round of the spelling bee. In third and fourth grade, she was out after the first round. She wanted to at least make it two more rounds. Kendra had studied for weeks and weeks. She studied day and night. She even made her parents ask her words at dinner. Kendra was determined to do well this time. The day of the spelling bee, Kendra felt like butterflies were in her stomach. She was really anxious. Her first turn, she spelled her word correctly. Kendra felt relieved. She was at least going to make it to the second round. Round after round went by, and Kendra was still going. It was down to her and a new kid, Vinny. Vinny misspelled his word. Kendra stood up and walked to the microphone. She breathed in, thought a minute, and spelled the word. Suddenly, everyone was clapping. Kendra had won the spelling bee! Which of the following best summarizes the story?

• Kendra set a goal of making it to the third round of the spelling bee. She was extremely nervous, so she studied her words at dinner. Everyone clapped when she won the bee.

• Kendra and Vinny were the last students in the spelling bee. Vinny misspelled his word, but Kendra spelled her word correctly. Kendra ended up winning the spelling bee.

• Kendra was nervous about the spelling bee. She wanted to make it to the third round this year, so she studied very hard. Kendra ended up winning the spelling bee.

• Kendra studied hard and made her parents help her practice. She studied her words at dinner. Kendra spelled all of her words correctly, so she won the spelling bee.

Why is it important to keep a summary brief?

• To avoid including too much irrelevant information

• To make the summary more personal

• To include as many details as possible

• To share your opinion about the story’s theme