Overview

Students must summarise the key ideas of a text in a single sentence of 10 words or fewer. This forces extreme precision and accuracy with language. Different students will focus on different aspects — plot, theme, values — revealing varied but valid readings of the same text. It works well as a quick starter activity that can be extended through discussion or as a prompt for longer writing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Challenge students: Summarise the text in 10 words or fewer. One sentence only.
2. Give students 3–5 minutes to draft and refine their sentence.
3. Students share their sentences — write them on the board.
4. Discuss: Which sentences capture the text best? What did different students choose to focus on (plot, theme, character, values)?
5. Optionally, students vote on the best summary and discuss why it works.

Tips

• This is an excellent quick-start activity or lesson warm-up.
• The constraint forces genuine evaluation — students must decide what truly matters most.
• Follow up by asking: "Now expand your 10 words into a topic sentence for a paragraph."

More Summarising Activities