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!
Match the blurb to the book!
Use your summarising skills to match the blurb to the book! Click the worksheets below to open them full size.
