Writing Summaries in Haiku

Objective

Students will use the highly structured form of haiku to write summaries.

Haiku Rules

Line 1: five syllables
Line 2: seven syllables
Line 3: five syllables

I've used Toy Story as my sample story.

1. Write Plot Summaries

cowboy, toy leader
spaceman takes his place – jealous!
must learn to be friends

2. Use Character Perspectives

Woody
Andy loves me best.
Tossed aside. Replaced? I’m lost.
Andy loves us both.

Buzz
Shot down. Strange planet.
Just a toy? Not a hero?
I bring Andy joy.

3. A Specific Moment

Woody tries to hide Buzz, but accidentally knocks him out the window.

Buzz chosen? Alone.
My chance – favorite again!
Too far! What am I?

Steps

1. First, students summarize a story's plot as a haiku, using the three lines of the poem to summarize the beginning, middle, and end.
2. Next, they'll write a haiku from a character's perspective.
3. Then, they'll write a different character's perspective.
4. Now, they'll sum up a dramatic moment in the story from a particular character's point of view.
5. Finally, they will revise their haiku.

Resources

• Worksheet (PDF)
• Worksheet (Google Slides)