Somebody Wants But So

Comment now » // July 18th, 2007

Here is a great strategy for building reading comprehension and summarization skills:

Somebody Wants But So (click here to download a Microsoft Word template of this strategy)

When used with fictional literature, the matrix is filled in using this formula:
The plot begins with somebody (the main character) who wants something desperately, but something or someone stands in the way (the conflict), so the character takes steps to overcome the obstacle. This formula may repeat itself several times in a story until the plot ends.

If used with non-fiction (news articles, magazine articles), the formula may look something like this:
The subject [somebody] wants something or has some goal [wants] , but there is some kid of obstacle (person, place, or thing) [but], and the subject tries (plans to try or does try) to overcome the obstacle through specific methods or strategies [so].

This strategy and more can be found in:
“I Read It, but I Don’t Get It: Comprehension Strategies for Adolescent Readers” (Cris Tovani)