Use our summarising boosters to become a Summarising Superstar! Try out our clever strategies as you read your next book.
Top Three Things
After reading a book or watching something, stop and ask yourself: “What are the three most important things I should remember?”
Write them down or draw quick pictures to show each key idea.
Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
After reading a chapter or watching a TV show, ask yourself: “Can I explain what happened in just a few sentences?”
With a friend or family member, take turns to see who can give the clearest and shortest summary.
You can use this handy structure to help you:
- Somebody – Who is the main character?
- Wanted – What did they want?
- But – What problem got in the way?
- So – What did they do about it?
- Then – How did it end?
Top tip: A great summary tells the main events without adding extra details!
One-Sentence Challenge
Can you sum up what you’ve read or watched in just one powerful sentence? Add the sentence to the blurb that your wrote.
Top tip: Use your best vocabulary and focus on the main idea, not the small details!
Freeze-Frame It!
Pause after reading a chapter or watching part of a show. Ask yourself: “If I could freeze just one moment, which would it be?”
Draw or describe that moment and explain why it is important to the story.
Write a Blurb
When you’ve finished your book, imagine you’re the author trying to tempt someone to read it!
Write a short blurb that tells the reader:
- The genre (funny, scary, adventure, mystery, etc.)
- Who the main characters are
- Where the story is set
- What the story is mostly about (without giving away the ending!)
Top tip: A blurb goes on the back of a book, so it needs to be short, exciting, and informative. Make the reader want to open the book and read on!