Phrases for Retelling

I am going (I want, I would like) – to retell a (funny, humorous…) story, a text, a fable, a chapter from the book…, written by a famous (popular, well-known) English, American, French, Russian author…

– to retell a Russian, English… fairy-tale. Fairy tales often have no authors, because they were written long-long ago by simple folk, and were retold by word of mouth from father to son.

– the title of it is… The title helps me to understand what the text is about (who the main character(s) is (are),the plot, the idea, the message of the text).

This text is about…(is about how) – try to say it in one sentence.

– The story is set (develops) in the forest, in the street, at school, at home, in a fairy land…

– It takes place in winter, in the evening, at night, during some days...

– In fact there is one main character in the story (there are two… main characters); name them – It is… they are...

– There are also minor characters who help(ed) me to understand the story (the plot, the main idea) better – name the minor characters.

– Then you retell the story, without details. You speak only about important facts and deeds of the main characters:

**

After your retelling, you speak about the main characters:

– appearance

– age

– traits of character with examples

– As I have understood the author teaches us (the reader)

– to find a way out of any difficulty

– to be diligent and hard-working

– to be attentive at the lessons

– to be kind and friendly

– to help people in trouble

– to always keep your word or promise

– to tell the truth

– to tell right from wrong

– to love our native land

– to be helpful to grown-ups (parents, friends, teachers, people in need)

– to be tolerant

– not to be idle or lazy

– never to deceive anyone

– not to tell a lie

– never to do harm to nature or animals

– not to pollute (nature, forests, parks…)

– not to boast

– not to play jokes on people

– not to laugh at those who are weaker, etc.

III. Personal Opinion

– I like the story, book, text…because

– The story is interesting, instructive, funny, true to life