Writer of the Week

summary - A presentation of the substance of a body of material in a condensed form or by reducing it to its main points.

precis - a concise summary of a book, an article, or another text.

(Both definitions from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.)

Summarizing and precis writing are two valuable skills taught in the Classical Writing program. Students are presented with a systematic approach to writing a summary paragraph for a body of material. They then learn to further condense their summary paragraph into a one-sentence precis that encapsulates the entire story.

Here are Zachary's summary, precis, and chronological retelling for The Ransoming of Hector.

The Ransoming of Hector

by Zachary (age 13)

Summary

Zeus, angry at the Greeks for dishonoring Hector’s body, sent Hermes to guide Priam, the King of Troy, to the tent of Achilles, a Greek Captain. Priam gave Achilles gifts in return for his son’s body, and Achilles agreed to suspend the war for nine days while the Trojans buried their beloved Prince.


Precis

The body of Hector is ransomed from Achilles by King Priam.


Retelling in Chronological Order

The Greeks treated Patroclus’ body kindly and with respect, but they dishonored Hector’s body.

The mighty Zeus summoned Thetis, and said: “Go to Achilles and tell him he angers the gods by dishonoring Hector’s body, and that he should give it up for ransom to King Priam.” Thetis went to Achilles and gave him Zeus’ message, and he agreed to put up the body for ransom.

Then Zeus sent his herald, Iris, to tell King Priam that he should go with gifts to Achilles’ shelter to ransom his son’s body, and that Achilles would not refuse him. Priam was happy to hear this news, and he told his servants to place many prizes and riches into a cart, prepare animals to draw the cart, and also prepare a chariot with horses. He prayed to Zeus asking for a signal to show that he would be successful in his mission; Zeus sent a mighty Eagle over the city.

Then the King, along with one henchman, left the city of Troy and began his journey to the Greek stronghold. The henchman noticed a man in their path, and asked Priam, “Shall we retreat, or plead for his mercy?” Priam was alarmed. The stranger came close and said to them: “Where are you going with such treasures? Have you no fear? What if someone should see all this? You could hardly protect yourself. Fear not, for I shall guard you, for you resemble my own father.” King Priam answered, “Glad would anyone be to have a son like you. Zeus must be aiding me, since you have come.”

The stranger secured the reins of the chariot, and drove to the ditch around the Greek citadel. The guards were at their dinner, and the man cast a spell so that they were in a great slumber. He then opened the gateway, and escorted the King in with his gifts. When they arrived at the sanctuary of Achilles, the stranger said, “I am Hermes, dispatched by the mighty Zeus to be your pilot. Go, and plead at Achilles’ feet for his mercy.” With that, Hermes disappeared from view.

Then Priam entered into the pavilion of Achilles, kneeled at his feet, and said: “I beg you to have mercy on me and take the gifts I offer for the return of my son’s body.” Achilles had compassion on him, and answered: “How did you come to my dwelling without being seen? You must be brave.”

Achilles left the shelter and gathered the prizes from the cart, leaving a few garments so that they could cover the body of Hector. He ordered his servants to bathe and prepare the body. Then Achilles lifted the body and laid it in the cart.

Achilles entered the tent and spoke to the King of Troy: “The body of Hector has been returned. Now we shall feast.” After they feasted, Priam requested a bed to sleep on for the night. Then he said, “Please keep the battle away from Troy for nine days so we may pay proper respect to Hector.” And Achilles agreed.

In the night Hermes returned to the King, and urged him to leave while the Greeks had not yet seen him, for his sons would have to pay many things for his return. Priam and his henchman prepared the animals, left the Greeks, and returned to their city.

In nine days they held a magnificent ceremony for Hector, greater than any previously witnessed in Troy.