Questions: In a research paper, when can a summary be the most useful way to incorporate material from sources? Check all that apply. When you want to discuss different approaches that have been taken by your topic When you want to give readers a sample of a text that you will analyze When you show your readers in a general way how ideas about a topic are developed over time When you want to give readers background on the topic you will discuss When you have a lot of specific data you want to convey to your readers When you want to tell readers about a source that you will proceed to analyze and evaluate

The answer is:

• When you want to discuss different approaches that have been taken by your topic
• When you show your readers in a general way how ideas about a topic are developed over time
• When you want to give readers background on the topic you will discuss

Summarizing is useful here because it allows you to condense various approaches into a concise format, making it easier for readers to understand the different perspectives without getting bogged down in details.

This option is less suitable for a summary. Instead, a direct quote or a paraphrase would be more appropriate to provide a specific sample for analysis.

Summarizing is effective for providing a broad overview of the evolution of ideas, helping readers grasp the general progression without needing to delve into the specifics of each source.

A summary is ideal for giving background information, as it can succinctly present the necessary context and foundational knowledge that readers need to understand the subsequent discussion.

Summarizing is not the best approach for conveying specific data. Detailed data is better presented in tables, charts, or detailed descriptions to maintain accuracy and clarity.

While summarizing can provide a brief overview of a source, it is often more effective to use a combination of summary and direct quotes or paraphrasing to set up a detailed analysis and evaluation.