Another Humanity

How to summarize your Story in 1 Page?

  • Presenting a whole book is tedious.
  • A Summary allows you to pitch your story.
  • A 1 page Summary, or 1-Pager, contains all the essential information on your Story.
  • It helps the reader to get into the Story.

Summary – 4 steps to a 1-Pager

  1. Write the Title, which is your Core Theme
  2. Write 4 paragraphs, corresponding to your 4 Main Themes
  3. In each Paragraph, write 3 Scenes.
  4. For Each Scene :
    • Define the Setting
    • Define the Characters
    • Define the Stakes & Outcome
  • The 2 Fundamental Questions.
  • Which Information is Available?
  • Which Information is Necessary?
  • Both for the Public & the Characters.
  • If you can answer these 2 questions at all point, your Story will be Clear.



Why summarize?

  • Revise your Story
  • A 1-Pager makes the revision faster.
  • It makes the Editing easier.
  • More Comfortable.
  • And it allows you to Add missing elements.
  • Choose your Title to Summarize your Story.
  • It will be your Core Theme.
  • The Theme which will define your Story.
  • And the synthesis of your 4 Main Themes.
  • The 4 paragraphs composing your 1-Pager, correspond to your 4 Main Themes.
  • Sell your Story
  • A 1-Pager allows you to Present your Story quickly.
  • The Public needs to be able to estimate their affinity with the Story.
  • 4 Paragraphs should be enough.
  • Summarize each Chapter in 4 Phrases.
  • Or each Scene in 1 Phrase.
  • For Each Scene, define:
    • The Setting
    • The Characters
    • The Stakes & Outcome
  • Continue your Story
  • Do you want to write Sequels?
  • The 1-Pager allows you to track your Characters’ evolution.
  • It ensures that you preserve their Coherence by remembering essential elements.
  • And that you do not over or underuse these elements, ensuring Consistency.
  • Do you want to start a Series & or a Saga?
  • A 1-Pager allows you to track your Themes’ evolution.
  • Therefore, helping you develop certain themes which may have been forgotten.
  • Preserving the Story’s Continuity.
  • Or helping you to control the Changes on the Story, if you wish to modify it substantially.
  • Difference between Function & Role.
  • Function in the Environment.
  • Usefulness for inhabitants.
    • Ex : A Torch produces light.
  • Role in the Story.
  • How it will advance the Story.
    • Ex : The same Torch can be a memento of a lost relative.

If you want to know more about narrative Cohesion.



The 1 Pager’s Structure

  • Start with the Title.
  • It is your Core Theme, the synthesis of your 4 Main Themes.
  • Then, write your 4 paragraphs.
  • Each of them should be Highlighted by the Corresponding Title.
  • The 4 Main Themes should be developed in each Paragraph.
  • You can create transitions between them.
  • If it’s your 1st story it is not recommended.
  • It is preferable to prioritize Clarity.
  • The Paragraphs’ Structure
  • Main Locations
    • Function & Role
    • Limits
  • Returning Character/New Characters
    • Goal
    • Role & Function
    • Why they can’t reach it?
    • What do they intend to do about it?
  • Items
    • Found/Lost
    • Function & Role
  • Action
    • Stakes
    • Options
    • Outcome

If you want to know more about Story Structure.

Introduction – chapter 1 to 3

Introduction’s Title/Theme

  • Chapter 1 – Exposition
  • Scene 1 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 2 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 3 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Chapter 2 – Threat’s revelation
  • Scene 1 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 2 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 3 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Chapter 3 – Crisis 1
  • Scene 1 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 2 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 3 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Specific to the Introduction
  • Put the Emphasis on the World.
  • Where do we start?
  • Atmosphere – Climate, Light, Colors.
  • People – Quirks, Daily Conversations, Daily Life.
  • Landscape & Landmarks – Animals, Plants, other Symbols.
  • Organizations – Goal, Hierarchy, Leaders. (Optional)

If you want to know more about creating Worlds.

Development – chapter 4 to 6

Development’s Title/Theme

  • Chapter 4 – 1st Anchor
  • The 1st Anchor represents the 1st major Setting Shift.
  • Scene 1 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 2 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 3 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Chapter 5 – A Hidden Menace?
  • Scene 1 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 2 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 3 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Chapter 6 – Crisis 2
  • Scene 1 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 2 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 3 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Specific to the Development
  • Put the Emphasis on the Crisis.
  • What are the Triggers?
  • What triggered Crisis 1?
  • What triggered Crisis 2?
  • What are the Consequences?
  • How did Crisis 1 lead to Crisis 2?
  • How will Crisis 2 lead to Crisis 3?
  • Is the end already foreseeable?

If you want to know more about developing Crisis.



Conclusion – chapter 7 to 9

Conclusion’s Title/Theme

  • Chapter 7 – 2nd Anchor
  • The 2nd Anchor represents the 2nd major Setting Shift.
  • Scene 1 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 2 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 3 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Chapter 8 – Preparing for the End
  • Scene 1 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 2 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 3 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Chapter 9 – Final Crisis
  • Scene 1 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 2 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 3 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Specific to the Conclusion
  • Put the Emphasis on the Relationships.
  • What are the Relationships between…
  • …the Main Characters & the Threat?
  • …the Main Characters & the Menace?
  • …the Threat & the Menace?
  • How did they originated?
  • How the Relationships impact the Story’s Resolution?
  • What’s their Impact on the choice of the Final Setting?
  • What’s their Impact on the becoming of other Characters?
    • Present or not
    • Direct or Indirect stakeholders

If you want to know more about creating Relationships.

Epilogue – chapter 10(+)

  • The End
  • This paragraph will be shorter.
  • Write it 1st.
  • Start with the End to give yourself more Clarity.
  • Writing the End
  • How can you Compare the Exposition & the Epilogue?
  • What is the difference between the 1st & the Last Scene?
  • What makes this End memorable?
    • The Environment
    • The Crisis/Stakes
    • The Relationships

Epilogue’s Title/Theme

  • Chapter 10 – Epilogue
  • Scene 1 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 2 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.
  • Scene 3 – Location, Character, Stakes, Resolution, Outcome.

If you want to know more about writing Satisfying Endings.

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