TwosWrite things down

4 Summarising Techniques (Best for Reel Creation)

4 Summarising Techniques (Best for Reel Creation)

by itsnextlevel · 55 things on Twos

SWBST METHOD
Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
Somebody – Identify the main character in the story.
Wanted – Determine what the main character wants or their main goal.
But – Describe the main conflict or challenge the character faces.
So – Explain how the character tries to resolve the conflict.
Then – Conclude with the outcome of the story.
Example
Tim, a young aspiring musician, wants to win his school’s talent show. But, he is nervous about performing in front of a large audience. So, he practices daily and seeks advice from experienced musicians. Then, on the day of the show, Tim performs confidently and wins second place.
In this example:
Somebody: Tim, the young musician.
Wanted: Wants to win the talent show.
But: He is nervous about performing publicly.
So: Practices daily and seeks guidance.
Then: Overcomes his nerves, performs well, and wins second place.
SAAC Method
Setting, Action, Affect, and Conclusion
Setting involves describing where and when the story takes place.
Action details the main events of the story.
Affect explains how these events impact the characters or the outcome.
Conclusion sums up how the story ends or what is resolved.
Example
In a small coastal village during the early 1900s, a young girl named Eliza discovers a washed-up treasure chest. The villagers help her open it, revealing antique jewelry and a map. The discovery excites the community and leads them on a hunt for more treasure. They find nothing more, but the initial find enriches the village and strengthens their bond.
In this example:
Setting: A small coastal village, early 1900s.
Action: Eliza finds a treasure chest; the villagers open it.
Affect: The community is excited and motivated.
Conclusion: No further treasure is found, but the village benefits from the jewels and grows closer.
5Ws, 1H
This technique involves answering six critical questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.
Who is involved or is the main character?
What happened in the story or event?
Where did it take place?
When did it happen?
Why did the events occur, or what caused them?
How did the events unfold or were resolved?
Example
Last Saturday, at Greenwood Park, a charity run organized by the local high school raised over $5,000 for cancer research. Over 300 participants, including students, parents, and staff, ran five kilometers. The event was planned to support community health and contribute to a worthy cause.
In this example:
Who: Students, parents, and staff of the local high school.
What: A charity run that raised $5,000.
Where: Greenwood Park.
When: Last Saturday.Why: To raise money for cancer research and support community health.
How: By organizing a five-kilometer run with community participation.
First, Then, Finally
If your story has a lot of subplots that might derive the reader’s attention, “First Then Finally” is a great way to handle all that.
First: Start by identifying the initial situation or the problem. This sets the stage for what is about to unfold.
Then: Describe the development or actions that lead from the initial situation towards a resolution. This is typically where the main events or conflicts occur.
Finally: Conclude with the outcome or resolution of the situation. This wraps up the narrative or explanation by showing how the events settled.
Example
Maria needed to gather community support for the local park’s renovation. First, she organized a meeting to discuss the park’s issues and gather ideas. Then, she and other volunteers distributed flyers and started a social media campaign to raise awareness. Finally, they successfully hosted a fundraising event, which raised enough money to start the renovation.
In this example:
First: Maria organized a meeting to highlight the park’s issues.
Then: She promoted the cause through flyers and social media.
Finally: The fundraising event was successful, securing the needed funds for the park’s renovation.