Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then
The Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then (SWBST) strategy is used during or after reading to help understand story structure. It is also a great plot summarization technique.
5. Then: What was the resolution of the story?
4. So: What does the main character do about it?
3. But: What gets in the way of the main character?
2. Wanted: What does the main character want or need?
1. Somebody: Who is the main character (protagonist)
SWBST is also a helpful way to identify the main characters in the story (e.g., protagonist and antagonist) as well as to identify specific plot elements and forms of conflict.