Writing an Objective Summary
SomebodyWantedButSoThenFinally
To summarize a piece of literature, a writer should write an
objective summary, one that is free of opinions or judgments. It is a
presentation of the facts/events of a text. You can use the
Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then-Finally strategy to help you piece
together the plot of the story to ultimately right an accurate
summary. Answer these questions as a guide.
1. Who is the somebody of the story (the protagonist, a character,
people, etc.)?
2. What did that somebody want or not want?
3. But, what happened? This is where you examine the conflict.
4. So, how does the character try to solve the problem/conflict?
5. Then, what happened at the end?
6. Finally, what was the final resolution or lesson of the story?
Somebody
Wanted
But
So
Then
Finally, how did everything work out (resolution, outcome, result)?
Now, use the information in the chart to write your summary in sentence form.
An Example Using The Three Little Pigs
Somebody Wanted
the big, bad
wolf
to eat
pigs for
dinner
But
So
Then
The pigs built
homes to
protect
themselves
from the wolf.
The wolf tried
to blow down
the homes.
The wolf could
not blow down
the last house of
bricks.
Finally, how did everything work out (resolution, outcome, result)?
The pigs were safe, and the wolf ran away.
Summary: The big, bad wolf wanted to eat pigs for dinner, but the pigs
built homes to protect themselves. Consequently (So), the wolf tried to
blow down the homes; however, he could not blow down the last house
made of bricks. In the end, the pigs were safe, and the wolf ran away.
**You can use this strategy when writing about fiction or
when writing about nonfiction (history, Bible, science).
An Example Using Nonfiction
Somebody
Wanted
But
So
Then
Christopher
Columbus
to find a
safer and
shorter trade
route to Asia
He did not
have men or
ships.
He went to
Queen Isabella
and King
Ferdinand for
help.
He set sail,
landed, and
claimed San
Salvador for
Spain.
Finally, how did everything work out (resolution, outcome, result)?
He continued to explore the “New World” and made several voyages.
Summary: Christopher Columbus wanted to find a safer and shorter
trade route to Asia; however, he did not have men or ships, so he went
to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand for help. Then, he set sail and
landed on San Salvador, which he claimed for Spain. In the end,
Columbus continued to explore the “New World” and made several
voyages.
Name ____________________________________________
SomebodyWantedButSoThenFinally
Objective Summary
Story Title: __________________________________
Author: __________________________________
1. Who is the somebody of the story (the protagonist, a character,
people, etc.)?
2. What did that somebody want or not want?
3. But, what happened? This is where you examine the conflict.
4. So, how does the character try to solve the problem/conflict?
5. Then, what happened at the end?
6. Finally, what was the final resolution or lesson of the story?
Somebody
Wanted
But
So
Then
Finally, how did everything work out (resolution, outcome, result)?
In the space below, write your summary in sentence form.