If you’ve ever faced the challenge of writing a concise, compelling summary for a short story, you’re in the right place. The ability to completely understand a text—whether a novel, a poem, an email, or Anton Chekhov’s “The Lottery Ticket”—and distill it down to its most essential parts is a crucial skill.
But if it’s a skill you struggle with, fret not!
We’re here to walk you through how to evaluate a text, identify its most important elements, and then craft them into an effective, well-written summary that everyone can understand.
But before we jump into our tips and tricks, let’s take a peek at Anton Chekhov and his short story “The Lottery Ticket,” which we’ll use to walk you through every stage of summarization.
A Brief Look at Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov was a Russian playwright and short-story writer renowned for his prolific, much-beloved contribution to modern literature. Often lauded for his ability to capture complex characters, themes, and ideas in concise yet evocative language, Chekhov is known as a master of short-form writing, from plays to short stories and novellas.
Throughout his lifetime, Chekhov composed many works, most of which lingered in the oddities of human nature, the complexities of everyday life, and themes of fate, hope, and disillusionment.
The Lottery Ticket: The Basics
“The Lottery Ticket” revolves around the shared life of a Russian couple: Ivan Dmitritch and his wife, Masha. The story begins as Ivan realizes that the lottery ticket they purchased matches the winning series announced in a newspaper. Thrilled by the possibility of winning a large sum, the couple fantasizes about how to spend the money.
However, as they discuss their plans, they reveal their true colors and selfish desires, leading to mutual resentment and bitterness. The story concludes with the revelation that their ticket was not a winner after all, leaving them to face the stark reality of their mundane life—and their newfound knowledge of their true feelings.
Crafting a Summary: Lessons from “The Lottery Ticket”
Step 1: Identify the Core Elements
The first step in summarizing a short story like “The Lottery Ticket” is to identify its core elements: the setting, characters, plot, conflict, and theme. If that feels overwhelming, break it down, item by item:
- Setting: Describe where and when the story takes place.
- Characters: Introduce the main characters and their relationships.
- Plot: Outline the sequence of main events, including the exposition, the rising action, the climax, and the falling action.
- Conflict: Explain the main problems or challenges the characters face.
- Theme: Highlight the underlying message or moral of the story.
Step 2: Focus on Brevity and Clarity
A good summary is concise, to the point, and strips the story down to its most essential elements—all without getting sidetracked by minor details or subplots. For “The Lottery Ticket,” focus on the couple’s reaction to the possibility of wealth and how it reflects their personalities and relationship dynamics.
Step 3: Use Your Own Words
It may be tempting to use memorable lines from the story to validate your claims—and you can—but a summary should primarily be written in your own words. Not only does it stretch your storytelling muscles, but it also helps you convey the story’s essence without unintentionally slipping into the pitfall of plagiarism. For example, instead of quoting Chekhov directly, you might echo the sentiment he expressed or explain the subtext dividing the letter of the text from his true meaning.
Step 4: Keep It Neutral
The purpose of a summary is to inform, not persuade or entertain. Maintain a neutral tone and avoid inserting personal opinions or interpretations—your goal is to provide a clear and factual account of the story’s key points. While you may feel a certain way about the text—in this case, you may think Ivan did indeed win the lottery—this isn’t the place for it. So, when summarizing “The Lottery Ticket,” simply state what happens and refrain from commenting on the characters’ decision or conjecturing about the story’s outcome
Step 5: Review and Revise
Once you’ve drafted your summary, take the time to revise it. Check for accuracy and coherence, ensuring your words—and your version of the story—flow logically and seamlessly from beginning to end. It’s also helpful to compare your summary to the original story, just to make sure you’ve captured all the important details.
Now that you know how to approach summarization, you’re ready to take on any task. But, just in case you need a little extra support, we’ve got you covered: Check out our guide on studying for literature tests, or take a peek at our steps to writing a perfect summary. And, if that still doesn’t cut it, you can find our entire how-to series here!