1. 10 Steps to Complete a Summary-based Essay Honors LA 11
How to Use Source Material:
Create a Summary-based Essay
Provide Support and Evidence
Avoid Plagiarism

2. STEP 1: Find Sources
Find sources that are appropriate for your topic Find sources that are credible:  unbiased  knowledgeable  experts in their field  reputable, fair and balanced organizations

3. STEP 2: Gather Your Source Material
Copy and paste source material to a document for your annotations.
Write/type the source at the top of copied source material. (You will use this to write your Works Cited page.)
Copy and paste just the portion that gives you the information you need.
Copy and paste each source onto its own document, with the source typed at the top.

4. STEP 3: Read to Learn
Read and annotate each of your copied- and-pasted source documents.
Underline key words, names, dates, and useful evidence
Interact with the material: draw diagrams, jot down your reactions, questions, comments
Interpret, make connections, draw conclusions, integrate new information with your ideas and prior knowledge
Complete this step with each of your copied-and-pasted source documents

5. STEP 4: Write a Summary of Your Learning
Without looking at the copied source material, summarize what you learned.
In your own words, tell what you learned from each source.
After writing summaries of your learning from each source, check for accuracy.
Make sure you haven’t copied any wording from your sources.

6. STEP 5: Combine Your Summaries
Your summaries form the body of your essay.
Your summaries and comments—your connections, analyses, and evaluations—make up your discussion.
Plan the order of your essay—make a list or outline.
Identify major points from your summaries, following your plan of organization. These will be your topic sentences.

7. STEP 6: Add Supporting Evidence from Your Source Material
Determine what would help support and clarify your discussion
Look back at your source material for this specific information that you need.
Grab these pieces of evidence from your summaries, your paraphrases, and useful direct quotes and drop them where needed to support your major points.
“Sandwich” this borrowed material: Introduce it, use it, comment on it.

8. STEP 7: “Sandwich” Borrowed Source Material
For each use of source material, provide the “sandwich”
Introduce the borrowed material with attribution: According to UCLA professor James Green,
Use the source to illustrate what you mean or add additional specific facts or explanation: According to UCLA professor James Green, “Advertising is influential to social morals.”
Comment on the source material: interpret, connect, or explain the quote— say what is significant about the information: According to UCLA professor James Green, “Advertising is influential to social morals.” Indeed, the models of behavior and consumption we view shape our sense of propriety.

9. STEP 8: Write an Introduction
After the body of your essay is drafted, write an introduction to your essay.
“Hook” your reader—lead into your topic and create interest in your topic
State what your topic is
Provide any background information needed to understand what your topic is about and/or why it is important
Provide a look at what major points your essay will discuss (a “plan of development”)

10. STEP 9: Write a Conclusion
Wrap up your essay and leave readers with a final, memorable idea about your topic.
Briefly summarize your major points—without repetition of your wording in the essay
Restate your thesis—what is important/significant about your topic
Exit with a flourish—leave your readers with a final idea to “chew on” and remember (just as you “hooked” your reader)

11. STEP 10: Write a Works Cited Page
From your copy-and-pasted sources document (see Step 2), alphabetize and format a works cited page.
Refer to the OWL Purdue guidelines (MLA 7) to format your list and each citation.
Refer to the sample works cited page to see how your page should look (double spacing, hanging indent)
Make sure your in-text “key word” (last name, “Article first word,” or website name first word) matches your works cited list, including matching the formatting.

12. PREPARE YOUR FINAL DRAFT: Read ALOUD and Revise, Revise, Revise
Use an editing guide and CAREFULLY; listen to your sentences.
Read once for the sound of your sentences and revise.
Read again for the organization and support of your ideas and discussion.
Read two or three more times for punctuation, spelling, use of plurals/possessives, and grammar.
Check use and formatting of sources in your report and on your works cited page.