Let’s be brief

Think about how you would respond to the following prompts. Then, select one prompt and respond to it using only 10 words.

1. Describe your favourite day of learning so far.
2. Describe a book/audiobook that you are currently reading.
3. Describe an exciting moment you recently experienced.

Was it challenging to respond to the prompts in just 10 words? Why or why not? How do you think this activity relates to summarizing?

What does it mean to “summarize”?

In this learning activity, we will explore how to create a summary for a nonfiction text. We will also compare how nonfiction and fiction summaries are similar and different. This way, you have some idea of where to begin when you need to summarize a fiction text.

A summary is used when you want to explain a topic, without repeating every word and detail. Although we focus on summarizing nonfiction texts in this lesson, you can summarize both nonfiction and fiction texts.

How do you create a summary?

• First, determine the topic and main idea of the text. (The main idea may not always be explicit or obvious).
• Then, identify key supporting details. You can use the Five W’s and H (e.g., who, what, where, when, and why and how) to create an overview of the text and avoid unimportant details.

Nonfiction and fiction summaries

How is a nonfiction summary different from a fiction summary?

Nonfiction and fiction summaries are quite similar. They are both short and concise descriptions of the main points of a text. However, while nonfiction refers to real-life stories focused on actual events, people, or things, fiction refers to plot, characters, and setting. This is also why we summarize nonfiction and fiction texts a little differently.

You can use the Five W’s and H (who, what, when, where, why, and how) to create a summary for a nonfiction text, and the SWBST strategy (Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then), for fiction texts.

A quick tip: You can use the Five W’s and H to self-assess your nonfiction summaries:

Similarly, you can use the SWBST strategy to self-asses your fiction summaries.

The following table breaks down the Five W's and H strategy and the SWBST strategy.

This is how we do it

Explore the following episode of TVOK News. As you listen and/or watch the video, keep track of the Five W’s and H using the printable Nonfiction Summary template or another method of your choice.

Press ‘Nonfiction Summary Example’ to reveal the Nonfiction Summary Example.

Nonfiction Summary Example

Select and summarize!

Select a nonfiction text to summarize. This can be a news article, textbook, biography or autobiography, or another informational text.

Record your summary using the following fillable and printable Nonfiction Summary template. You can also record your summary in your notebook or use another method of your choice.

Let’s reflect

Use the following questions to reflect on your learning:

1. How does summarizing passages help you to make sense of a text?
2. What is something you have learned about creating a summary?

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.

Discover More