SUMMARIZING What is a summary Summary a brief

SUMMARIZING What is a summary?

Summary= “a brief statement or account of the main points of something” Next: What does it mean “to summarize” and how do we use it in Literature?

Summarize = -“to give a brief statement of the main points of something” -“to tell again using fewer words”

Example: Think of “sum” in math. Sum means to add everything. So when we make a summary, we are adding together all the main parts of the story

example of a Summary ? TAKING NOTES

“Rule-Based” Summary Strategy 1. Delete trivial material that is unnecessary to understanding. 2. Delete redundant material. 3. Substitute superordinate terms for more specific terms. 4. Select a topic sentence, or invent one if it is missing.

Delete Trivial Material • Cross out information that is not important • It is not important if you do not need it to understand the passage, story, etc.

Delete Redundant Material • Redundant= repeated • You only need one or two example of a point being made, any more only distracts from the main point

Substitute Superordinate Terms • Superordinate= general • Use more specific words or examples to make the point even clearer • Example: say “daises or roses” instead of just saying “flowers”

Topic Sentence • Select sentence that conveys the main point(s) being made • If there is not a good sentence like this, create one using the information given

Summaries in Literature: Narrative (Story) Pattern • Used to summarize fictional short stories or books • 7 elements

• Setting: The time, place, and context in which the story took place. (Where and When? ) • Characters: The main characters in the story. (Who? ) • Initiating event: The event that starts the action rolling in the story. (What? ) • Internal response: How the main characters react emotionally to the initiating event. (How? ) • Goal: What the main characters decide to do as a reaction to the initiating event — the goal they set. (What? ) • Consequence: How the main characters try to accomplish the goal. Resolution: How the story turns out. (How? ) • Resolution: How the story/goal turns out. (What? )

• Who are the main characters and what distinguishes them from others? • When and where did the story take place? What were the circumstances? • What prompted the action in the story? • How did the characters express their feelings? • What did the main characters decide to do? Did they set a goal, and, if so, what was it? • How did the main characters try to accomplish their goal(s)? • What were the consequences?

Narrative Pattern Chart • Recreate this chart using the information from the 7 elements that make up the story or chapter

Example: “The Three Little Pigs” • Characters: Pig 1, Pig 2, Pig 3, The Big Bad Wolf • Setting: The forest, or “neighborhood”. The house made of straw, house made of sticks, and house made of bricks • Initiating Event: Pigs set out to build their own houses (straw, sticks, bricks). Wolf is hungry and goes to Pig 1’s house and blows the house down. Does the same to Pig 2. • Internal Response: Pigs are scared, think to run to their brother’s house • Goal: After the first two houses are blown down, Pigs 1 and 2 decide to run to Pig 3’s house for safety • Consequence: Pigs 1 and 2 are safe in Pig 3’s brick house, wolf cannot get in • Resolution: Wolf either gives up or is cooked (different versions), Pigs 1 and 2 learn a lesson

Now it’s your turn! • Read “The Sniper” by James O’Flaherty individually • On a piece of loose-leaf, neatly write out the 7 elements of the Narrative Pattern for this story • Work with a partner and compare notes, then together create a Narrative Pattern Chart for this story • On the loose-leaf under your notes, write a 2 -3 sentence summary for the story using your notes and chart

Homework • Choose one of the following short stories (PDF or work document with text will be emailed to you before the end of the school day): “Rip Van Winkle”, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, “The Monkey’s Paw”, or “The Lottery” • Repeat today’s exercise (Take notes labelling out 7 elements of Narrative Pattern, make chart, and write 2 -3 sentence summary of story. No partners this time!)