Writing a One-Paragraph Summary of a Novel A template and guide using Gary Paulsen's Hatchet as an example novel.

Writing a Summary When you are writing a response to a literature essay or a book review, you should summarize the action of the book, but that should not be the entire report. One big mistake students make on an essay or report is to just write a big, long, boring summary.

Writing a Summary To keep from ruining your essay with a too-long summary, follow this template to keep your plot events in order, show that you read the story, and lead the rest of your essay into what is important, the analysis of the story.

Summary Template In the (genre) novel (title) by (author), (protagonist name) learns/changes/grows through (theme). Example: In the adventure novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Brian grows through perseverence.

Summary Template Summary Template In the exposition (beginning, at the onset) of the novel, (character name) is a (age) (gender) who is (a character trait or situation).In the exposition (beginning, at the onset) of the novel, (character name) is a (age) (gender) who is (a character trait or situation). Other stuff you can include: setting if it is important to the novel. The setting for Hunger Games is pretty important!ExampleOther stuff you can include: setting if it is important to the novel. The setting for Hunger Games is pretty important!Example In the exposition of the novel, Brian is a teenaged boy who is flying to meet his newly divorced father.In the exposition of the novel, Brian is a teenaged boy who is flying to meet his newly divorced father.

Summary Template Summary Template As the conflict develops, (character name faces the challenge of (name the major conflict of the story). Example As the conflict develops, Brian faces the challenge of survival when the pilot of the plane has a heart attack and dies.

Book Report Summary In the rising action of the story, (character name) (what the character does). Then (something else happens). Later, (one more event).In the rising action of the story, (character name) (what the character does). Then (something else happens). Later, (one more event).Example In the rising action of the story, Brian crash-lands the plane into a lake. Then, he eats too many berries and drinks too much water and gets sick. Later, he builds a shelter and learns to fish and hunt for food.In the rising action of the story, Brian crash-lands the plane into a lake. Then, he eats too many berries and drinks too much water and gets sick. Later, he builds a shelter and learns to fish and hunt for food.

Summary Template Summary Template The climax of the story happens when (character name) faces the greatest challenge when (event that turns the story around).The climax of the story happens when (character name) faces the greatest challenge when (event that turns the story around). This part can clearly be expanded.This part can clearly be expanded.Example The climax of the story happens as Brian faces the greatest challenge when a tornado destroys everything he has created and stored for survival.The climax of the story happens as Brian faces the greatest challenge when a tornado destroys everything he has created and stored for survival.

Book Report Summary The falling action tells of (character name) (action).The falling action tells of (character name) (action).Example The falling action tells of (Despite all the challenges) Brian being rescued after turning on a transmitter that he finds in the plane’s survival kit.The falling action tells of (Despite all the challenges) Brian being rescued after turning on a transmitter that he finds in the plane’s survival kit.

Book Report Summary In the resolution, (character name) (how he is at the end of the story).In the resolution, (character name) (how he is at the end of the story). Remember, if you are doing a book trailer, you will not include the ending/resolution.Remember, if you are doing a book trailer, you will not include the ending/resolution.Example In the resolution, Brian returns home a stronger person mentally and physically, and adjusts to his parents divorce.In the resolution, Brian returns home a stronger person mentally and physically, and adjusts to his parents divorce.

Summary Put Together In the exposition of the novel, Brian is a teenaged boy who is flying to meet his newly divorced father. As the conflict develops, Brian faces the challenge of survival when the pilot of the plane has a heart attack and dies. In the rising action of the story, Brian crash-lands the plane into a lake. Then, he eats too many berries and drinks too much water and gets sick. Later, he builds a shelter and learns to fish and hunt for food. The climax of the story happens as Brian faces the greatest challenge when a tornado destroys everything he has created and stored for survival. The falling action tells of Brian being rescued after turning on a transmitter that he finds in the plane’s survival kit. In the resolution, Brian returns home a stronger person mentally and physically, and adjusts to his parents divorce.In the exposition of the novel, Brian is a teenaged boy who is flying to meet his newly divorced father. As the conflict develops, Brian faces the challenge of survival when the pilot of the plane has a heart attack and dies. In the rising action of the story, Brian crash-lands the plane into a lake. Then, he eats too many berries and drinks too much water and gets sick. Later, he builds a shelter and learns to fish and hunt for food. The climax of the story happens as Brian faces the greatest challenge when a tornado destroys everything he has created and stored for survival. The falling action tells of Brian being rescued after turning on a transmitter that he finds in the plane’s survival kit. In the resolution, Brian returns home a stronger person mentally and physically, and adjusts to his parents divorce.

In the exposition of the novel, Brian is a teenaged boy who is flying to meet his newly divorced father. As the conflict develops, Brian faces the challenge of survival when the pilot of the plane has a heart attack and dies. In the rising action of the story, Brian crash-lands the plane into a lake. Then, he eats too many berries and drinks too much water and gets sick. Later, he builds a shelter and learns to fish and hunt for food. The climax of the story happens as Brian faces the greatest challenge when a tornado destroys everything he has created and stored for survival. The falling action tells of Brian being rescued after turning on a transmitter that he finds in the plane’s survival kit. In the resolution, Brian returns home a stronger person mentally and physically, and adjusts to his parents’ divorce.In the exposition of the novel, Brian is a teenaged boy who is flying to meet his newly divorced father. As the conflict develops, Brian faces the challenge of survival when the pilot of the plane has a heart attack and dies. In the rising action of the story, Brian crash-lands the plane into a lake. Then, he eats too many berries and drinks too much water and gets sick. Later, he builds a shelter and learns to fish and hunt for food. The climax of the story happens as Brian faces the greatest challenge when a tornado destroys everything he has created and stored for survival. The falling action tells of Brian being rescued after turning on a transmitter that he finds in the plane’s survival kit. In the resolution, Brian returns home a stronger person mentally and physically, and adjusts to his parents’ divorce.