Because you will be conducting research in the process of writing an argument essay, it is important to use credible sources because they provide you with the strongest evidentiary support for your essay. Your reader will not be persuaded if you do not support your reasoning with outside sources. The goal of this activity is to help you practice the skill of summarizing source material concisely and accurately while integrating it smoothly into an essay to provide evidence.
AI Reminder: Review the English department’s AI policy located in the syllabus and at the top of the Content area of Blackboard. AI should not be used to write any part of this assignment — I want your own thoughts.
Instructions:
Step 1: Choose a source.
For this assignment, read through at least three different sources on study skills from this list. Then select one (1) to use for this assignment.
Study Skills and Strategies Sources
1. https://lerna.courses/study-tips-for-success/ 21 Study Tips for Online Class Success
2. https://graduate.northeastern.edu/knowledge-hub/tips-for-taking-online-classes/ Tips for Taking Online Classes: 8 Strategies for Success
3. https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/ Studying 101
4. https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/metacognitive-study-strategies/ Study Strategies
5. https://guides.lib.uoguelph.ca/StudyEffectively/Top40StudyStrategies Top 40 Study Strategies
6. https://www.educationcorner.com/habits-of-successful-students/ 10 Study Habits of Highly Effective Students
7. 8 Highly Effective Study Habits at https://psychcentral.com/lib/top-10-most-effective-study-habits/ 8 Highly Effective Study Habits
8. How to Succeed in College: 99 Student Success Tips at https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/student-success-tips Student Success Tips
Step 2: Focus on a particular study skill. Take source notes.
Read in your chosen source about the study skills and strategies, and identify key information about one (1) particular study skill that you feel you could incorporate into your academic life.
· Make a note of the MLA citation information you will need for your chosen article.
· Read the source carefully and take notes, highlight, or underline the main ideas and supporting details about the particular study strategy you have chosen for your focus.
· Pay attention to the author’s evidence and any particularly compelling points.
Step 3: Create a Summary
Write a short summary, using what you learned about the one specific study habit from your chosen source.
· Write a concise summary of no more than 3 sentences about the source material. If you are working with only a paragraph or less of material, try to keep it to 30 words or fewer.
· Use your own words while preserving the source’s original meaning and intent.
· Avoid copying exact phrases unless necessary, and if you do, place them in quotation marks.
Step 4: Integrate the Summary
Write a single paragraph in which you imagine integrating your summary. Integrate the best of your summary information into the paragraph. In your paragraph, be sure to include a real-life experience that connects to your study skill, like when you have used that skill or regretted not using it. Also, include your thoughts on how that study skill has affected your own life or grades.
· Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the study skill you have chosen.
· Include transitional/signal phrases to smoothly introduce your summarized material (e.g., “According to,” “The author argues that,” “Research suggests,” naming your source and/or author to properly give credit for your source material).
· Reference your real-life experience that connects to the study habit information you have chosen and include its effect on your life or grades.
· Conclude with a sentence that ties the source material back to the broader idea of studying or a hypothetical essay thesis about study habits.