4.2 Paraphrasing & Summarizing Non-Fiction and Stories

Paraphrasing & Summarizing Non-Fiction and Stories

Florida B.E.S.T. Standard Alignment: ELA.3.R.3.2 — Summarize a text to enhance comprehension.

Being able to retell what you read in a clear, brief way is one of the most important reading skills for third graders. On the FAST ELA Grade 3 test, summary questions check whether you can identify the main points of a text without getting distracted by small details or personal opinions.

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1. Paraphrasing vs. Summarizing vs. Retelling

Many students confuse paraphrasing, summarizing, and retelling. Understanding how they differ ensures you pick the right strategy:

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2. Summarizing Fiction / Narrative Texts: The SWBST System

When summarizing a story, fable, or realistic fiction passage, use the SWBST Strategy (Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then):

+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                         THE SWBST SUMMARY SYSTEM                        |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  S - SOMEBODY  --> Who is the main character?                           |
|  W - WANTED    --> What was the character's goal or desire?             |
|  B - BUT       --> What problem or obstacle did they face?              |
|  S - SO        --> What action did they take to fix the problem?        |
|  T - THEN      --> How did the story end? What was the final outcome?   |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

SWBST Example Walkthrough:

Short Story: Samantha was excited to bake a blueberry pie for her grandmother's birthday. However, when she opened the refrigerator, she discovered she was completely out of fresh eggs. Not wanting to give up, Samantha walked next door and borrowed two eggs from her friendly neighbor, Mrs. Gable. She finished baking on time and surprised her grandmother with a delicious hot pie.

• Somebody: Samantha

• Wanted: To bake a blueberry pie for her grandmother's birthday.

• But: She was missing eggs.

• So: She borrowed eggs from her neighbor, Mrs. Gable.

• Then: She successfully baked the pie and surprised her grandmother.

• Combined Objective Summary: Samantha wanted to bake a birthday pie for her grandmother, but she ran out of eggs. So, she borrowed eggs from her neighbor and completed the pie on time. (Notice how minor details like the neighborhood walk or refrigerator opening were left out!).

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3. Summarizing Non-Fiction / Informational Texts: The 5 Ws & H

Informational summaries focus on facts, central ideas, and evidence. You do not use SWBST for non-fiction because articles do not have fictional characters or plot resolutions.

Instead, ask the 5 Ws and H:

1. Who / What is the text mostly about? (The topic)
2. What happened or what is the main idea about this topic?
3. Where and When does this take place? (If relevant)
4. Why is this topic important?
5. How does the process or event work?

Informational Summary Rules for Grade 3:

• Rule 1: Stick to Central Ideas. Combine the main ideas of each paragraph.
• Rule 2: Leave Out Minor Details. Omit specific numbers, date lists, or tiny examples unless they are essential.
• Rule 3: Keep It Objective. Never add your own feelings or words like "awesome," "scary," or "I think."

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4. Evaluating Summary Choices: Identifying Distractors

On the FAST ELA Grade 3 test, summary questions are usually multiple-choice. Incorrect options fall into four predictable trap categories:

SUMMARY DISTRACTOR TRAPS TO AVOID:
[ Trap 1: Too Narrow ]   --> Focuses on only one tiny detail or single paragraph.
[ Trap 2: Too Broad ]    --> Is so general that it misses the specific point of the text.
[ Trap 3: Inaccurate ]   --> Changes facts or combines ideas incorrectly.
[ Trap 4: Opinionated ]  --> Adds personal feelings not stated in the passage.

Comparison Table: Evaluating Summary Options

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5. Passage Walkthrough & Summary Creation

Read the non-fiction excerpt below:

Informational Passage: The Power of Wind Energy

Wind is a clean, natural resource that can be turned into useful electricity. For hundreds of years, people used giant wooden windmills to grind grain and pump deep water. Today, modern wind turbines stand tall on wind farms across open plains and ocean shores.

When the wind blows, it turns the giant blades of a turbine. These spinning blades turn an internal generator, which creates electrical power. Unlike burning coal or oil, wind power produces zero air pollution and will never run out. As technology improves, wind energy is becoming an important way to power homes and schools across Florida and the nation.

Draft Summary Steps:

1. Paragraph 1 Main Idea: Wind is a long-used natural resource now captured by modern wind turbines.
2. Paragraph 2 Main Idea: Spinning turbine blades generate clean, pollution-free electricity for communities.
3. Final Combined Summary: Modern wind turbines capture natural wind energy to generate clean electricity without causing air pollution.