WRITING GOOD SUMMARIES [What Makes a Summary “good”?]

The summary is complete. It includes the main facts: Who does what? when? where? why? Be sure to include beginning/middle/end of the text. And the summary is arranged to show the sequence in the text.

The summary is accurate & specific. This means that the facts are correct to the story. This means that the facts are not vague or ambiguous. Example: The character dies. vs. The character is shot. Example: The weather was bad. vs. The hurricane threatened. In “By Any Other Name”, which is specific? They leave the school because it is racist. OR They leave the school because the teacher says that Indians cheat.

The summary uses present verb tense called literary present You can remember to write about literature in the present tense because you are currently reading or thinking about it. Every time you open a book it should seem as though the events are currently happening; every time you read an essay it is as though you are currently speaking to the writer. Which is present tense? Santha and Premila attend a day-school. OR Santha and Premila went to a day-school.

The summary leaves out details. DO include main facts, but don’t add unnecessary details. For “By Any Other Name”, do we need to know that Santha is 5 ½ or that Premila is 8 years old? Not really, so leave it out.

The summary uses connecting words Be sure to show cause-effect, sequence, and contrast with connecting words. FANBOYS (for, and, nor, buy, or, yet, so) Conjunctive adverbs: therefore, consequently, however, … Subordinating conjunctions: because, while, as, since, when, …

The summary uses the fewest words possible. Keep it brief!

The summary avoids repetition.

The summary uses key names from the text. Be sure to name the protagonist and characters who affect the plot. Also name the main locations in the text.

The summary does not include reader opinion.

for Ms. Brennan: 1 sentence

Let’s critique: Britain takes over India and two girls go to a British day-school and realize that it’s nothing how they imagined.

Let’s critique: Santha was a girl who had to go to a British school because her dad had to work, and it was really hard to adapt.

Let’s critique: Two sisters go to school because their father is at war, so they were forced to go to school, where they were given new names, so they don’t like school very much, but then their mom gets sick.

Let’s critique: Premila and Santha start day-school, but they are some of the only Indian students there, so they don’t fit in, and they leave because Premila is discriminated against.

Let’s critique: In British-colonized India, Santha and Premila must attend the day-school, where the headmistress gives them new names and sends them to class, which is very different from their Indian culture, but they adapt until Premila is told “Indians cheat” and they leave the school permanently.