Writing Application
Learn
Now that you have practiced summarizing texts, it's time to apply those skills in your own writing. Good writers regularly summarize source material to support their ideas, provide background information, and build arguments. This lesson teaches you how to integrate summaries smoothly into essays and reports.
Why Include Summaries in Your Writing?
- Provide evidence: Summaries of research or expert opinions support your claims
- Give context: Background summaries help readers understand your topic
- Show comprehension: Demonstrating you understand sources builds credibility
- Save space: Summaries let you reference long sources concisely
Types of Summary Integration
1. The Lead-In Summary
Use at the beginning of a paragraph to introduce a source before analyzing it.
Example: "In her article 'The Hidden Cost of Fast Fashion,' journalist Maria Santos explains how clothing production harms the environment through water pollution, carbon emissions, and textile waste. This research supports the need for more sustainable shopping habits."
2. The Supporting Summary
Use in the middle of a paragraph to back up a point you've made.
Example: "Exercise benefits mental health in many ways. A study by the University of Michigan found that regular physical activity reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression by releasing endorphins and improving sleep quality."
3. The Comparative Summary
Use to show how different sources agree, disagree, or add to each other.
Example: "While Dr. Chen argues that homework helps students develop responsibility, Professor Williams counters that excessive homework creates stress without improving learning outcomes. Both researchers agree, however, that the quality of assignments matters more than quantity."
Signal Phrases for Introducing Summaries
Use signal phrases to clearly show when you are summarizing someone else's ideas:
- According to [author/source]...
- [Author] argues/claims/explains/suggests that...
- In [title], [author] demonstrates...
- Research by [organization] shows...
- [Author]'s study reveals...
- As [author] points out...
Blending Summaries Smoothly
Avoid "dropped" summaries that appear without connection to your ideas. Always introduce and follow up on summaries:
Weak (dropped summary):
"Students should have longer lunch periods. A study found that students who had 30-minute lunch breaks ate more fruits and vegetables than those with 20-minute breaks. Schools should consider extending lunch time."
Strong (integrated summary):
"Students should have longer lunch periods because rushed meals prevent healthy eating. Research from the Harvard School of Public Health found that students with 30-minute lunch breaks ate significantly more fruits and vegetables than those with only 20 minutes. These findings suggest that extending lunch periods could improve student nutrition and overall health."
Examples
Example 1: Writing a Research Paragraph with Summary
Topic: Why schools should teach financial literacy
Source material: A survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education found that only 24% of millennials demonstrate basic financial literacy. Many young adults struggle with budgeting, understanding credit, and saving for emergencies. The survey also found that people who received financial education in school were more likely to have savings accounts and less likely to have high-interest debt.
Paragraph with integrated summary:
Financial literacy education should be required in all schools because too many young people lack basic money management skills. According to a survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education, only 24% of millennials can demonstrate basic financial knowledge, leading to problems with budgeting, credit, and savings. However, the same research shows that people who learned about finances in school are more likely to save money and avoid problematic debt. These statistics make a compelling case for adding financial literacy to school curricula.
Example 2: Using Multiple Sources
Topic: The debate over year-round schooling
Paragraph:
The debate over year-round schooling reveals strong opinions on both sides. Supporters point to research from the National Association for Year-Round Education showing that students in year-round programs experience less "summer slide" and retain more learning from year to year. Critics, however, cite a study by Ohio State University that found no significant academic difference between year-round and traditional schedules. Educational researcher Dr. Paul Thompson suggests that the real issue is not calendar structure but the quality of instruction, arguing that "excellent teaching matters more than how we arrange the school year." Given this conflicting evidence, schools must weigh multiple factors when considering schedule changes.
Example 3: Summary in an Introduction
Topic: The importance of protecting coral reefs
Introduction paragraph:
Beneath the ocean's surface lies one of Earth's most valuable and threatened ecosystems. According to the World Wildlife Fund, coral reefs support approximately 25% of all marine species while covering less than 1% of the ocean floor. However, a report from the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network warns that 14% of the world's coral has died since 2009 due to rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and acidification. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for international action to protect coral reefs before it is too late.
Practice
Practice 1: Add a Signal Phrase
Rewrite each sentence to include an appropriate signal phrase:
- Students who read for 20 minutes a day are exposed to 1.8 million words per year. (Source: researcher Dr. Timothy Rasinski)
- Video games can improve problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. (Source: article "Gaming's Cognitive Benefits")
- Plastic pollution has been found in the deepest parts of the ocean. (Source: National Geographic study)
Practice 2: Fix the Dropped Summary
This paragraph has a "dropped" summary that doesn't connect well. Rewrite it to integrate the summary smoothly:
"Schools should start later for middle and high school students. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that secondary schools start no earlier than 8:30 AM. Teens need more sleep. Later start times would help students be more alert in class."
Practice 3: Write a Lead-In Summary
Use the following source information to write a lead-in summary for a paragraph about space exploration:
Source: NASA's website states that the International Space Station has hosted over 3,000 research experiments since 2000. These experiments have led to advances in medicine, including better cancer treatments and improved water purification systems. The research has also helped develop stronger materials and more efficient solar cells.
Your task: Write 2-3 sentences that summarize this source and introduce how it supports the value of space exploration.
Practice 4: Compare and Integrate Two Sources
Write a paragraph that uses both sources below to discuss school uniforms:
Source A: A study by the University of Nevada found that schools with uniform policies reported 63% fewer disciplinary incidents related to clothing and appearance.
Source B: Research published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found no significant correlation between uniform policies and academic achievement.
Your task: Write a paragraph that accurately summarizes both sources and draws a conclusion.
Practice 5: Write a Body Paragraph
Using the source below, write a complete body paragraph arguing that cities should plant more trees. Include a topic sentence, integrated summary, and concluding thought.
Source: The U.S. Forest Service reports that urban trees provide $18.3 billion in value annually through air pollution removal, carbon storage, and energy savings. A single mature tree can absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and release enough oxygen for two people. Trees also reduce city temperatures by providing shade and releasing water vapor, which can lower cooling costs by 25-40%.
Practice 6: Summary for Different Purposes
Read the source, then write two different summaries - one for each purpose described:
Source: The Great Wall of China stretches over 13,000 miles across northern China. Construction began in the 7th century BC and continued for over 2,000 years, with different dynasties adding sections. The wall was built primarily to protect against invasions from the north. Millions of workers, including soldiers, peasants, and prisoners, labored to build it. Many workers died during construction due to harsh conditions. Today, the Great Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, receiving over 10 million visitors annually.
Purpose A: Write a summary for a report about ancient engineering achievements (focus on construction).
Purpose B: Write a summary for an article about popular tourist destinations (focus on tourism).
Practice 7: Introduction with Summary Hook
Use the source below to write an introduction paragraph for an essay about endangered species. Your summary should hook the reader's attention.
Source: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List currently includes over 42,000 species threatened with extinction. Scientists estimate that the current extinction rate is 1,000 times higher than natural background rates. Human activities including habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution are the primary causes. If current trends continue, up to one million species could face extinction within the next few decades.
Practice 8: Revise for Better Integration
The following paragraph uses summaries but needs improvement. Rewrite it to better integrate the sources and create smoother flow:
"Students should have recess every day. A CDC study says physical activity improves concentration. The American Academy of Pediatrics says recess is essential for development. Kids who have recess behave better. Recess helps with social skills too. Schools should not cut recess."
Check Your Understanding
Question 1: What is a signal phrase, and why is it important when including summaries in your writing?
Question 2: What is a "dropped" summary, and how can you avoid it?
Question 3: Name three purposes for including summaries in your own writing.
Question 4: What is the difference between a lead-in summary and a supporting summary?
Next Steps
- Review an essay or report you've written and check how well you integrated summaries
- Practice using different signal phrases in your daily writing
- Continue to the next lesson: Editing Workshop