📖 ReadingGrade 4Lesson 10
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Summarize Nonfiction and Fiction

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Summarize a nonfiction passage using key points without copying the original text
  • 2Summarize a fiction story by identifying who, what, when, where, why, and how
  • 3Distinguish between a summary and a retelling
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Mini Lesson

A summary is a short version of a text that includes only the most important ideas. A good summary does not copy the original — it uses your own words to capture the key points. Summarizing nonfiction and fiction requires slightly different skills.

Summarizing Nonfiction

  • Find the main idea of each section or paragraph.
  • Note the most important supporting facts — skip minor details.
  • Restate the ideas in your own words, in a shorter form.
  • Check: does your summary cover the key points without copying?

Summarizing Fiction

  • Identify: WHO (characters), WHAT (main problem/events), WHEN and WHERE (setting).
  • Include WHY the events happen and HOW the problem is resolved.
  • Focus on major plot points — leave out small scenes and descriptions.
  • Keep the summary in order: beginning, middle, end.
Nonfiction summary frameworkNonfiction summary: main idea plus three key facts in a pyramid shape.Nonfiction Summary FrameMain IdeaKey Fact 1Key Fact 2Key Fact 3
Fiction summary: who, what, when, where, why, howSix labeled boxes for fiction summary: who, what, when, where, why, how.Fiction Summary: 5W + HWHOWHATWHENWHEREWHYHOW
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A summary is NOT a retelling. A retelling goes through every event in detail. A summary covers only the most important points in a few sentences.

Vocabulary
Summary
A short version of a text, written in your own words, with only the key pointse.g. My summary of the chapter was three sentences long.
Retelling
A detailed account of events in a text, often following every scenee.g. She retold the whole story from start to finish.
Key point
The most important idea or event in a section of texte.g. The key point of the article was that rainforests produce oxygen.
Paraphrase
To restate a text in your own words without changing the meaninge.g. He paraphrased the scientist's findings in simple language.
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← Lesson 9: Find Main Idea and Supporting DetailsLesson 11: Make Inferences and Draw Conclusions →