Citations, Summarizing, etc.

Citations

When you read a book, article, or post and then write about it, you need to cite, or give credit to, the person's work, even if you don't directly quote the author. If you use information that isn't basic common knowledge, you should credit the author who wrote the information you discuss.

In-text citations give credit to the author within your paper, slideshow, etc.
A reference page or works cited page is a list of the works you cited within your writing.
A bibliography is a list of everything you read on the topic, whether you used it or not.
An annotated bibliography is a list of works you read along with a short summary of the work.

MLA (Typically used in English classes):

APA (Typically used in Science classes):

Picture of woman at desk

Proof Reading

Read your writing aloud. Does it make sense? Is it logical and accurate? Before you correct technical and grammatical errors, be sure it says what you want it to say. Don't assume the audience knows what you know. Remember that your introduction tells what you're going to say and the conclusion says what you told the audience and connects to the world in a broader way.
Check that every sentence has a capital letter and ending punctuation. When your voice drops, this indicates a need for punctuation. Usually it is a period, but it may be a comma.
Capitalize proper nouns - anything with a city or country (Italy, Italian), first and last names, I is always capitalized, etc.
Look at the verbs to make sure they are in the correct tense (past, present, future, etc.). A common error is switching back and forth from past and present even in the same sentence. For example: He went to the store and then he goes to the bakery. Went is past and goes is present. Use this site for information when writing academic nonfiction (in science for example).
DO NOT start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction: And, But, Or, Yet, So
Try not to use get/got and am/is/are/was/were/be. Verbs make writing strong and precise. Instead of get on the train you can board the train. Instead of he is happy, make the happy person do something.
Use a thesaurus. Said is so boring. What about concurred, conjectured, yelled, agreed, mentioned, etc.?
Use subordinating conjunctions to connect ideas.

YouTube video link to summarizing fiction

Summarizing Fiction

Somebody Wanted (The Character and His/Her Goal)

But (The Conflict)

So (Steps the Character Takes to OVERCOME the Obstacle/Conflict)

Then The Resolution

YouTube video link to Khan Academy summarizing nonfiction

Summarizing Nonfiction

Main Idea, Important Details

Keep it Short (3-5 sentences)

USE YOUR OWN WORDS - Use a thesaurus if you need help changing the vocabulary.

DO NOT:

Add information not in the original writing
Add too many details
Change the information
Use the same words as the original piece. If you do, you must use quotation marks and a citation. However, this is not typically used in a summary.