Writing Center
@ GAVILAN COLLEGE
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Understand and restate the author’s
argument.
Give your opinion on whether you agree or
disagree with the author’s argument.
Throughout your essay, demonstrate you
understand what the author is saying.
Provide support for your point of view.
GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
There are 3 parts to the writing prompt.
1. Summarize the author’s opinion.
2. State whether you agree or disagree.
3. Support your thesis with specific examples from
the article and your own experience.
GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
Summary
+ Your Thesis
Introduction
Main Idea 1
Main Idea 2
Main Idea 3
Conclusion
GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
Summarize the author’s thesis and main points in the
introduction.
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GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
Identify the author and the title of the article.
Restate the author’s overall topic and overall main
idea (thesis).
Summarize all or most of the author’s supporting
main ideas from the body paragraphs.
Use your own words.
May include one direct quote or no quotes at all.
Typically ¾ of a page long.
Avoid personal opinion in the summary of the article.
Refer back to the author/article often (author argues,
claims, states, believes, etc.).
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
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GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
The last sentence of your
introduction is your thesis.
Choose the side of the
argument you can best
support.
State clearly “I agree with the
author because . . .” or “I
disagree with the author
because . . . .”
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
Support your thesis with at
least 3 points (1 per
paragraph).
 Refer to the author’s words as
you develop your own
argument.
 Draw on your personal
experience and reasoning to
argue your case.
GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
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GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
Restate the author’s name
and thesis.
Restate your thesis and
summarize your main points.
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
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GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
Research or review the author and
context of the article.
Read and annotate the article.
Discuss the article.
Define unfamiliar vocabulary.
Highlight quotes in the article.
Ask questions.
Write the summary paragraph.
State your position.
Outline your main ideas.
List supporting personal experience.
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
Your annotated article
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 Define key words
 Identify important points
 Highlight quotes
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1 page of notes
 Summary paragraph
 Rough outline of essay
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2 pens
Loose leaf paper
Dictionary/thesaurus (not electronic)
GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
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Read the prompt carefully. If you have
questions, ask your instructor for clarification.
If there are multiple parts to the prompt, be
sure to address all parts.
Adjust your outline accordingly.
Write your response tailoring it to the prompt.
Reread the prompt to make sure you’ve
answered the question.
Proofread your essay.
GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
5-10 minutes
15-20 minutes
20-30 minutes
15-20 minutes
GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.
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Double space your response.
Neatly cross out and correct spelling,
punctuation, and grammar errors.
It’s okay to add a paragraph or rearrange
your essay as long as the order is clearly
marked.
GAVILAN COLLEGE
Writing Center
LI120
PHONE:
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
(408)848-4811
writingcenter@gavilan.edu
gavilan.edu/writing
The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish
to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408)8484811. Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information.