Summarizing an Essay with Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry

Use the essay, “Maya Angelou Taught Me the Power of a Mentor” by Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry and write a one-page summary of the essay following the template from the summary step-by-step.

This summary must include three direct quotations from Harris-Perry’s essay, biographical information about Dr. Harris-Perry, and the student’s opinion on the significance of the essay to a student at an HBCU.

This response must also include a works cited page, which will include the summarized essay and the source from which the student gained the biographical information on the writer.

You cannot use Wikipedia as a source for the biographical information.

Student’s First and Last Name

Dr. Mathis

EN131ZF

7 September 2021

Summarizing an Essay with Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry

Open with a brief understanding of the author and the topic

• This offers the biography
• This offers the thesis or thrust of the essay

Process the essay point by point

• What is the point of the first paragraph?
  • When I was…
  • Personal story
• Second?
  • In response, I cried…
  • Results of intervention
• Third?
  • By assigning me to work…
  • How she learns mentorship
• Fourth?
  • But learning how to addresses…
  • Define new terms: Activist mentoring
• Fifth?
  • In the wake of…
  • How she begins
• Sixth?
  • We tend to think…
  • This offers a perspective shift.
• Seventh?
  • Learning to navigate…
  • How to utilize a mentor
• Eighth?
  • Fortunately, there are examples…
  • Focus on activist mentors
• Ninth?
  • I’ve written before…
  • Extend mentorship
• Tenth?
  • Last week…
  • Young activist mentors
• Eleventh?
  • Activist mentors teach…
  • Overall (concluding)
• Twelfth?
  • All this must be replicated…
  • Closing action suggests further work