I need help making a 3-5 sentence summary on Chapters 1-3 for To Kill a Mockingbird.

When writing a summary, remember to include only the main points that are most important to the task at hand. This means that you should identify the main plot elements, which are characters, setting, and possibly plot, for the first three chapters of a book. Usually the beginning of stories are mostly exposition of characters and setting, but if plot can be found, too, remember to use that as well.

For Lee's To Kill a...

When writing a summary, remember to include only the main points that are most important to the task at hand. This means that you should identify the main plot elements, which are characters, setting, and possibly plot, for the first three chapters of a book. Usually the beginning of stories are mostly exposition of characters and setting, but if plot can be found, too, remember to use that as well.

For Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, the first three chapters introduce characters and setting perfectly. Scout explains a little bit about the history of her town and her ancestors. She and Jem introduce Dill to the legend of Boo Radley and plot to get him to come out of his house ensues. The following is a possible example:

Within the first three chapters of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout and Jem introduce Dill to their local legend and boogieman, Boo Radley. Because Boo Radley has been a shut-in for twenty-five years, and because he's so mysterious, Dill challenges Jem to help him get Boo to come out of the house. Scout also starts first grade in chapter three; she gets a strict lesson in manners from Calpurnia; and she learns from her father to "climb" into other people's skin before judging them. The questions are: will the boys ever get Boo to come out; and, will Scout learn to use proper manners and not judge others before considering their perspectives first?

Depending on the requirements for your assignment, you can add or subtract from the above example. Also, quotes and citations are not usually needed for a summary--just a paraphrasing of major events is required.