Summarizing a Literary Text

A summary of a story presents a critical description of the exhibit that we are analyzing. Close reading allows us to identify the components of a story as we read. In order to summarize a story, we draw on:

• Information about the text using foundational elements and literary elements
• The Plot line or story arc

Foundational Elements

As with any summary, we begin with basic information:

• The title followed by the year originally published in parentheses
• The author’s full name (first and last)
• The genre:
  • short story
  • novella
  • novel
  • play
  • film

Literary Elements 

• Narrator: Who (or what) is telling the story?
• Narration point of view: What is the point of view of the narrator?
  • First person: The narrator is both the storyteller and a character in the story.
  • Second person (very rare): The reader is telling the story.
  • Third person omniscient: The narrator is not a character in the story but can see and tell the actions and thoughts of all of the characters at all times.
  • Third person limited: The narrator is not a character in the story but can see and tell the actions and thoughts of some of the characters at all times.
  • Panel: The same story is told from different viewpoints.
• Setting: The setting provides the when and where of the story, which, in turn, provides the reader with context for the plot or action of the story.
  • When does the story take place? The setting can be the time period in history or even time of day.
  • What is the geographical location of the story, which can be a country, city, street, or even a room or seat at a table?
  • What is the atmosphere, such as socio-economic norms and status that influence the prevailing mental and emotional climate of the story?
• Characters: Who are the main and secondary characters in the story?
  • What type of beings are the characters (human, animal, robot)?
  • Who is the protagonist (hero/heroine)? Who is the antagonist (villain)? Keep in mind that many stories don’t have a clear protagonist and antagonist.
• Characterizations: Every character has traits that make them unique. Traits / characterizations allow readers to make predictions about what the character may do or how he or she may react to a situation and to make inferences about why the character reacts in a particular way.
  
  • How does the author express the character’s personality through direct or indirect discourse/dialogue, description, and/or reactions to situations?
  • What kind of person is the character?
• Method of characterization: Authors provide insight into the characters directly through speech or indirectly through physical description, action, inner thoughts, and reactions. The characterization also provides insight into how a character transforms (or doesn’t in the plot).
  • Flat: Two-dimensional characters with just one or two traits, who are often stereotypes. They help to move the plot quickly, since the audience easily understands them. Example: nerdy professor
  • Flat Round: Complex characters who have complex personalities and display unpredictable behaviors. They are usually the antagonists.
  • Dynamic: Characters who develop and experience essential change in personality or the way they see the world. They are usually the protagonists.
  • Static: Characters who do not change or develop from the way they are initially presented.
• Timeline: We have to consider the elements of time that are evident in the story.
  • Chronological / linear time: Begins at the beginning and moves through time to the end.
  • Flashback: Begins in the present and goes to the past.
  • Circular / anticipatory: Begins in the present, flashes back to the past, and returns to the present at the conclusion.
  • Foreshadowing: An indication or indications are provided early in the text that gives clues about what will happen later.

The Plot Line or Story Arc

Our central goal when summarizing a literary work is to describe the narrative plot line or story arc—the events that make up a story.

There are six elements of a plot diagram or traditional story arc, and they often—but not always—occur in a specific order.

1. Exposition: The characters and setting are introduced—before the action begins.
2. Conflict: The problem in the story, usually established just after the exposition. Characters can experience external and/or internal conflict.
3. Rising action: The events and series of conflicts or crises that lead up to the climax, builds suspense and develops conflict.
4. Climax: The story’s turning point, conflict is resolved, and situation improves for the protagonist, the story’s most intense moment
5. Falling Action: The action of the story that follows the climax
6. Resolution and Denouement: The loose ends of the story are tied up, bringing the story to its end (denouement).

The following diagram provides a visual representation of the plot line or story arc.

Reference: Effective Paragraphing, Functions of Sources