Guidelines: A short summary of a piece of writing should contain the following:
oThe title of the story (in quotes) and name of the author
oThe setting (place and time), if it is important to the story
oThe author's main point or idea
oA few important details of the reading (from general to specific)
oA reference to the significance or important outcome of the story, in the last sentence
In "Zen and the Art of Burglary," Wu-Tsu Fa-Yen compares Zen to the art of burglary. He illustrates his comparison by telling the story of the son of a burglar. As the father gets older, the son realizes he should learn the art of burglary because soon it will be his responsibility to support the family. The father agrees with the son's idea and takes him to a large house where they break in. He tells his son to get into a large clothing chest. The father then wakes the family and runs away. The son has to find a way to escape from the chest and the house by himself. When he arrives home, he is very angry with his father, but after hearing how the son escaped, the father tells him that he has learned the art of burglary through this experience. It is important to learn some things for ourselves.
Below are several possibilities for beginning a summary (remember you need to identify both the author and the title).
In his story entitled "Zen and the Art of Burglary," Wut-su Fa-yen informs us that. . .
states
claims
shows us
In " Zen and the Art of Burglary," Wut-su Fa-yen indicates that . . .
implies
suggests
The article " Zen and the Art of Burglary," by Wut-su Fa-yen reveals …
Learning, according to Wut-su Fa-yen in " Zen and the Art of Burglary" can result from ou personal experience more than from other people.
Summary Grading Name: ______________________
_____ Beginning contains correct title and author. (1)
_____ Beginning answers the question, "What is the story about?" (1)
_____ Ideas are presented from general to specific. (2)
_____ Summary captures overall meaning accurately and clearly. (2)
_____ Ending provides a significant idea or theme-related result from the
story (2)
_____ TOTAL (out of 10 points)
In "School Days of an Indian Girl," Zitkala-Sa shares stories from her childhood when she had to leave her Indian home to study in a missionary school where she experiences cultural conflicts. She explains how her initial sense of adventure turns to fear and confusion when she is forced to wear the clothing of the Whites, eat the way the Whites eat, and obey the Whites' rules. Yet, when they try to cut her hair, she begins to fight against the insensitive treatment she receives from the missionaries by hiding, even though eventually she had to accept the haircutting. In the end, however, Zitkala-Sa tells us how she expresses her inner anger in a spirit of revenge by mashing the turnips so hard that she breaks the jar. This makes her feel triumphant. Throughout her story, Zitkala-Sa shows us how she changes from a quiet, fearful girl into one that stands up for herself.
According to Zitkala-Sa, in "The School Days of an Indian Girl," she has bad experiences in her school days as an Indian living among white people. On the way to school, white people stare at her rudely because of her race. In addition, she suffers extreme indignities at her school. For example, her hair is cut without her agreement, and short hair had a bad meaning in her culture. Besides that misunderstandings bring unjustifiable frights and punishments into her life. The story shows the problems of cultural ignorance.
(about 6 to 8 sentences)
o The title of the story (in quotes) and name of the author
o The setting (place and time) -- Note: this is no longer optional
o The characters
o A brief description of the plot or story line
o A reference to the significance or important outcome of the story, in the last sentence of the summary
Sample summary of "In the Land of the Free" by Sui Sin Far
In "In the Land of the Free," Sui Sin Far focuses on the problems of a Chinese couple, Lae Choo and her husband Hom Hing, who become victims of U.S. immigration changes in the late nineteenth century. They spend 10 long months trying to get their two-year-old son back after US immigration officials detain him because the parents do not have proof of his identity. They are confused and unhappy, especially Lae Choo, because they cannot believe that the government in "the land of the free" would take away their child. Finally, they have to get a lawyer named James Clancy to help them. He takes all of their money and Lae Choo's jewels to pay for his help. When they finally go to get their son back, but he doesn't remember his family or his language anymore. This story shows the tremendous suffering of Chinese immigrants in the late 1800's due to racism and exploitation.
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This page last updated October 2001