Summary Writing (also known as a Retell)

What is a Summary? Means to write something short. A summary is an account of the main points in a piece of text.

What Makes a Great Summary? Only includes main characters, main ideas, and main events - focus on the major things that have happened. Only includes details from the pages you have read. Never write exactly what the characters say. Make sure your summary is in your own words – nothing should be copied directly from the text. However, you can include key words, names, etc.

Let’s Write a Summary Together! Nelson Literacy 4a pg# 32-40 Jenny Taylor’s Challenge or Koala Lou (by Mem Fox) Have students verbally tell story back to Mr. Ego, while he jots down the points of what happened.

Mr. Ego’s Koala Lou Summary Every night Koala Lou’s mother hugged her and told her “Koala Lou I do love you.” Soon, Koala Lou had several brother’s and sister’s running around which meant her mother had less time for her. This upset Koala Lou so she decided to enter the Bush Olympics to regain her mother’s love. Although she only came second her mother didn’t care, she was still waiting at home to give Koala Lou a great big hug and lots of love.

Find your partner Summary examples on your:

Your Turn! With a partner, write a summary for the story: Where the Big Fish Are Nelson Literacy 4a pg# 10-16 OR Jenny Taylor’s Challenge pg# 32-40

Summary Jot Notes Jenny’s dad finds their horse Bell stuck in the mud Bell is pregnant Dad wakes up mom and Jenny to go help get Bell out Mom, Dad and Jenny tried a variety of ways to get Bell out of the mud (using their truck and ropes) – but each time they failed Mom straightens the truck and slowly pulls Bell out – everyone is exhausted – it is 4 in the morning Bell gives birth They name the horse Pollywog Shortly after Bell dies

Jenny’s dad finds their horse Bell stuck in the mud Bell is pregnant Dad wakes up mom and Jenny to go help get Bell out Mom, Dad and Jenny tried a variety of ways to get Bell out of the mud (using their truck and ropes) – but each time they failed Mom straightens the truck and slowly pulls Bell out – everyone is exhausted – it is 4 in the morning Bell gives birth They name the horse Pollywog Shortly after Bell dies In the story ‘Jenny Taylor’s Challenge’, Jenny’s dad finds their pregnant horse Bell stuck in the mud and immediately runs to wake Jenny and her mom. Next, mom, dad and Jenny try a variety of ways to get Bell out of the mud, using their truck and rope, but every time they failed. Not to mention, it is now four in the morning and everyone is exhausted. Finally, mom straightens the truck and slowly pulls Bell out. When Bell got out she gave birth to a foal that they later named Pollywog. Unfortunately, shortly after giving birth, Bell died.

Summary Good Copy In the story ‘Jenny Taylor’s Challenge’, Jenny’s dad finds their pregnant horse Bell stuck in the mud and immediately runs to wake Jenny and her mom. Next, mom, dad and Jenny try a variety of ways to get Bell out of the mud, using their truck and rope, but every time they failed. Not to mention, it is now four in the morning and everyone is exhausted. Finally, mom straightens the truck and slowly pulls Bell out. When Bell got out she gave birth to a foal that they later named Pollywog. Unfortunately, shortly after giving birth, Bell died.

Steps to Writing a Great Summary Read the story carefully. Go back through the story and pull out the main ideas (important points/details) – jot them down. Turn them into sentences. Add opening: ‘In the story _____________’ Edit (punctuation, spelling, indent, makes sense, transition words). Good copy.