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An Objective Summary:

An objective summary should include the major plot elements (shown below in the image).

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Plot Elements (Aladdin)

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An Objective Summary:

This includes:

the setting and characters, usually introduced in the beginning (Exposition)
the major events that lead up to the climax (The Rising Action)
the biggest turning point (The Climax)
the ending of the story (The Falling Action & Resolution)

Additionally, the Objective Summary should only include FACTS, no judgement or opinion.

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Shrek Summary

Example Summary:

When a green ogre called Shrek discovers his swamp has been 'swamped' with all sorts of fairytale creatures by the scheming Lord Farquaad, Shrek sets out, with a very loud donkey by his side, to 'persuade' Farquaad to give his swamp back. Instead, a deal is made. Farquaad, who wants to become the King, sends Shrek to rescue Princess Fiona, who is waiting for her one true love. But once they head back with Fiona, it starts to become apparent that not only does Shrek like Fiona, but Fiona is keeping something secret.

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Shrek Plot Mapping

Example of plot mapping:

Exposition: Shrek is an ogre that lives alone in the swamp.

Rising Action: 1- The swamp is invaded by fairytale creatures 2-Shrek makes a deal with Lord Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona in return for clearing his swamp 3- Shrek befriends Donkey and falls in love with Fionna during the journey back 4-Shrek misunderstands that Fiona loves him in return when he overhears Donkey and Fiona discussing how no one could “love a green monster.” 5-Donkey encourages Shrek to save Fiona

Climax: Shrek stops Fiona from marrying Lord Farquaad and discovers that she has been hiding a secret that at night she turns into a green monster herself.

Falling Action: Shrek and Fiona confirm their love and both she and the fairy tale creatures are saved from Farquaad.

Resolution: Shrek and Fiona return to the swamp to live together.

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Shrek BETTER objective summary

Better Objective Summary:

In the movie Shrek, Shrek is an ogre that lives alone in a swamp. When his swamp is invaded by fairytale creatures, he makes a deal with Lord Farquaad to rescue the Princess Fiona in return for clearing his swamp of the fairytale creatures. On the journey, Shrek befriends Donkey and falls in love with Fiona. However, Shrek misunderstands that Fiona loves him in return when he overhears Donkey and Fiona discussing how no one could “love a green monster.” Through Donkey’s persuasion, Shrek returns to save Fiona from marrying Lord Farquaad. In saving her, he discovers that she has been hiding a secret that at night she turns into a green monster herself. Shrek and Fiona confirm their love and both she and the fairy tale creatures are saved from Farquaad. In the end, Shrek and Fiona return to the swamp to live together.

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Your turn...

With a Partner

Choose a movie (other than Shrek & Aladdin) and identify the plot elements as done in the example

Then, on a separate piece of paper, you should EACH write an objective summary (using appropriate conventions and transitions) for your movie.