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.