Writing summaries and free vocabulary building sites

Sample summary

The Indian Dog tells about the author’s experience buying, and losing, a dog when he was twelve years old.  He describes his feelings for the dog and his attempt to keep it even though he could see that the dog did not want to stay, and he presents the dog’s character both as he wanted it to be, and as he knew it to be in actuality.  The story emphasizes both what the author knows and what he keeps himself from knowing, and concludes with a larger reflection on how our heart’s longing can blind us or open our eyes to the world as it is seen through the eyes of another.

Opening phrases:
In my memoir I write about. . .My memoir focuses on/presents/provides an overview of /tells the story of

 . . .

Development of the different points within your story:

I  begin by. . . (describing, relating, giving background, reflecting on
The story opens/begins with (a description of, stories about, bacground information about,

. . .

 

Vocabulary sites
ESL vocabulary lists   http://www.esl-lab.com/vocab/

5-minute English  http://www.5minuteenglish.com/vocabulary.htm

Sticky-ball.net ESL vocabulary  http://www.stickyball.net/esl-vocab.html