With same passage in Activity 2, use the SWBS technique to summarize the text.
Answers
Explanation:
Somebody Wanted But So
Purpose of the ‘Somebody Wanted But So’ strategy:
The Somebody-Wanted-But-So strategy (MacOn, Bewell & Vogt, 1991, Beers, 2003) is used
during or after reading. It provides a framework to use when summarising the action of a story
or historical event by identifying key elements. The strategy also helps students identify the
main ideas, recognise cause and effect relationships, make generalisations, identify differences
between characters and look at various points of view. It is more often used with narrative text
but can also be used with expository text. For example SWBS can be used to summarise the
goal/motivation, conflict, event or barrier of a historic or contemporary character or group of
people.
Explicitly teaching ‘Somebody Wanted But So’:
Step 1
Model the ‘Somebody Wanted But So’ strategy by reading a selection of text aloud or retelling an
event – this could be a story, film or real life event. Complete the SWBS four column chart:
Somebody (character/figure), Wanted (goal/motivation), But (conflict), So/So then
(resolution/outcome). Point out that there can be more than one ‘Somebody Wanted But So’ in a
text selection/chapter and show how a second SWBS statement can be generated, if applicable.
Step 2
Read aloud a second text selection or retell an event. Ask students to identify the Somebody
from the event. Write down the name of the person in the first column. Explain that the Wanted
represents the plot or motivation of the person/people and complete the second column. Explain
that the But is the conflict or challenge the person/people faced and record the student
responses in the third column. Finally, explain that the So column is to record the outcome or
resolution and complete this column. Then read aloud the summary statement.
Step 3
Assign another selection of text or retell an event and in pairs/groups students complete a SWBS
chart. Share SWBS statements in small groups and discuss the similarities and differences in the
statements, as well as evidence in the text used to support each statement. Continue to guide
students until they can use the strategy independently.
* Students’ summarising skills can be further developed by using other NBSS strategy resources e.g. Get
the Gist, Summarising Maps, 5-4-3-2-1, Exit Slips.