How to Summarize a Story in 1 Sentence?

A Story is easier to Understand & Present if it can be summarized.
It also allows you to Pitch it more progressively.
If a potential client is interested in your Story but cannot hear too much of it.
Finally, It offers you the concision you need to Remember all your core Storylines.
- Because, you’ll write many of them.

Start with the End.
1. Depict a Clear ending.
2. Draw it.
Find 9 More Ideas.
Turn these 10 Ideas in 10 Chapters.
Summarize each Chapter with 4 Word, 1 per Scene.
Turn these 4 Words into a Phrase.
Turn these 10 Phrases into a Paragraph.
1. Which will serve as the Story’s Summary
Synthetize this Paragraph into 1 Phrase.

Summarize a Short Story in 1 Sentence

1 Phrase
Which kind of Phrase should you Write?
A Short Phrase.
An extrapolated Phrase.
You’ll make use of Amplification & Paradox figures.
- Such as Hyperboles & Antiphrasis.
- These Figures create Logical bypasses which capture the Public’s attention.
As well as Metonymies & Periphrases.
- These Figures allow you to create Allegories more easily.
- Allegories, and symbols in general, cement an Idea in one’s mind.

Consistency & Concision
How much should you write?
What should you write about?
It’s all about necessity.
- What does the Public need to know to want to read?
- What does the Public need to know to be entertained?
- What does the Public need to know to be entertained?
Not revealing too much while creating a compelling atmosphere may seem difficult.
Of the 2 privilege the Atmosphere.
Even if it leads to revealing a crucial piece of information.
- The Public is unlikely to notice before reading the rest of the Story.
You can even Give a glimpse of the End.

10 Chapters
You are creating a Cycle.
10 Sentences make a Story.
10 Images make a Story.
Which Images will you choose?
What will they relate?
A 10 Chapter structure make the Story predictable enough without removing you the possibility to alter the Structure.

4 Scenes per Chapter
4 Scenes per Chapter are enough to define a consistent Rhythm.
Summarizing a Scene in 1 Word is quite easy.
What’s the Fundamental event in this Scene?
Is there a Crisis?
Which kind of Crisis?
You can summarize every Chapter with these 4 Words:
- Atmosphere
- Issue
- Resolution
- Outcome
Here you have a simple template to find your 4 defining words.
Certain Chapters will be longer and you may need 5-6 words.

4 Words, 1 Sentence
How do you choose the 4 Words?
Why are they pertinent?
Can you really Reduce a Scene to 1 Word?
- Yes.
Isn’t it Over-limited?
- You define the limits.
- It can be a very long word.
What do they reveal on the Chapter?
Do they summarize the Chapter Accurately?
- They do not need to if it is not your Goal.
Do they create a Compelling Atmosphere?
- This, on the other hand, is necessary.

Expanding the 4 Themes
Your Story is defined by 4 Main Themes.
Those can be developed into 12 Secondary Themes.
Developing a Story with 12 Words will often be sufficient to provide the balance between Consistency & Diversity you need.
These 12 words also allow you to Expand the story easily.
Here’s the summary of your whole Story.

10 Chapters, 10 Images
Drawing each Chapter is a sure way to Clarify them.
- For you at least.
Draw 1 Picture per Chapter.
Use Icons to represent the Chapter’s main idea.
Which new development occurs?
- A Crisis?
- A New Character?
- A New Environment?
Use Images to Summarize the 10 Chapters.
Place the Images at each Chapter’s end.
Use these 10 Images to create a larger Picture.