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How to Write a Summative Essay – Guide with Example

Published by Jamie Walker at March 18th, 2022 , Revised On October 9, 2023

Summative essays are formal assessments or tests developed to compare and evaluate students and assess their aptitude as compared to other students. Summative essays are used to test the results of learning and knowledge over time and are usually criterion-referenced.

A summative essay is a comprehensive piece of writing and will need quite a lot of class time to revise, complete, instruct, edit and draft. This is not a type of assignment that can be revised or improved by students after grading.

The complexity and length of the summative essay will vary depending upon the academic level of the students. Students must comprehend the style and purpose of the assignment to write an effective summative essay.

The summative essay is usually longer than 5 pages. One page comprises of introduction and the rest of the pages have arguments that support the topic. Like other essay types , it ends with a conclusion and a list of references.

Also read: How to write an academic essay

Types of Summative Writing

Different types of summative writing have unique requirements which must be carefully checked for comprehension before starting the summative assessment. Adequate time must be allocated for clearly comprehending the requirements of the summative writing, drafting, reading, editing, and revising before submitting it for checking or grading.

Here are the six key main types of summative essays

Information/Explanatory

This type of writing is a common choice in most social science curriculums. It is mainly the collection of the main points, key ideas, and domain-specific theocratic ideas taught inside of the unit plan.

Even though the opinions and persuasive arguments are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different from each other. An opinion simply requires you to state your thinking and back it up with facts and logic. Students in this type of writing are expected to show steady improvement throughout their degree programme, so their teachers could evaluate them for grading. Opinion writing is introduced to students in the 5th grade.

Argumentative

Argumentative type of writing needs the establishment and development of a claim made by the student in the introduction which is supported by the details containing resources and information in the main essay body . On the other hand, the opposing claim is used to present the exact opposite and contrasting point of view with supporting evidence.

Also read: How to write an argumentative essay

Compare & Contrast

This type of comparison writing attributes itself to the themes and backgrounds that have various aspects to them including individual personalities and specific geographic locations. The compare and contrast summative essays must be comprised of a set of attributes and qualities that the student can compare and contrast using text and research evidence. They do not ask the writer to prioritize one choice on the other, however, they do requires the writer to demonstrate comprehension of both and make a comparison.

The evaluative type of summative writing asks the writer to take a particular element, idea, or individual discussed during the unit and evaluate it using particular criteria. Students should take a stance on the theme and support it with text evidence and unit materials.

Theorising is a form of writing that gives answers to questions such as “What if?”. A theory is put forth on a particular theme that reflects reality or contrast to reality. The writer is expected to take an event, era or an individual.

Elements of a Good Summative Essay

If you want to write an effective summative essay, the following are the elements that you should consider:

Reliability: The writing delivers alike results throughout settings of classrooms, daily conditions and student groups.

Validity: The writing appropriately reflects what has been taught to students in the period of instruction.

Authenticity: The writing reflects a variety of skills related to the real world that are appropriate outside of the context of the classroom.

Variety: The essay reflects the usage of different words and views. Make sure to use different words and views to bring variety into the essay.

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Tips to Write an Effective Summative Essay

Here are some of the tips while writing a summative essay:

• Look for authentic academic material that is relevant to your essay topic
• Develop an outline before writing an essay.
• Make sure the essay is organised in the form of good paragraphs.
• Before starting the essay, make sure that you have some knowledge about the topic. Do some reading regarding the topic, before initiating the writing.
• Lastly, proofread the essay to avoid grammatical errors

Writing a good introduction: For a good start begin your essay with an introduction . It should briefly provide the general ideas presented in the original text. The introduction should involve the author’s name, some contextual information about the author and work title. While in the paragraphs of the main body write the ideas that you have chosen while reading.

Use the rubric: Rubrics aid in setting a certain standard for the performance of a class on an assignment or test. They outline the key requirements and criteria you will be evaluated against.

Relevant to real-world: When writing a summative essay make sure that you are making it relevant to the real world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to write a summative essay.

To write a summative essay, start with a clear thesis statement, organize your points logically, support with evidence, and conclude by summarizing key ideas. Edit and proofread for clarity and coherence. Follow the required format and citation style for a polished final draft.

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How to Write a Summative Essay: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples

Introduction to Summative Essays

A summative essay is a comprehensive piece of writing that aims to evaluate a student’s understanding and knowledge of a particular subject at the end of an instructional unit or course. Unlike formative essays, which are designed to provide ongoing feedback during the learning process, summative essays serve as a final assessment tool. They often encapsulate the entirety of the learning objectives, enabling educators to gauge the depth and breadth of a student’s grasp on the subject matter.

Summative essays differ from other types of essays such as analytical essays, which focus on dissecting and interpreting specific elements of a text or a concept. While analytical essays require a critical examination of a topic, summative essays are more holistic in nature. They demand a synthesis of information and a demonstration of comprehensive understanding. This makes them particularly important in academic settings, as they contribute significantly to a student’s final grade and overall academic performance.

The primary purpose of a summative essay is to assess the cumulative knowledge and skills that a student has acquired over a period of time. It challenges students to reflect on what they have learned, how they have applied that knowledge, and how they can demonstrate their proficiency in a coherent and structured manner. This type of essay not only evaluates a student’s retention of information but also their ability to organize thoughts, present arguments, and support those arguments with evidence.

In this article, we will delve into the main components of a summative essay, including the introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each section will provide detailed guidance on how to construct an effective summative essay, complete with examples to illustrate key points. By the end of this guide, readers will have a clear understanding of what a summative essay entails and how to approach writing one successfully.

Understanding the Essay Prompt

Before embarking on the journey of writing a summative essay, it is paramount to thoroughly understand the essay prompt. The prompt serves as your guiding framework, outlining the key terms and requirements that your essay must address. Misinterpreting the prompt can lead to a misaligned essay, which may not sufficiently cover the necessary points and ultimately affect your grade.

To effectively break down the prompt, start by identifying the main question or directive. Look for action verbs such as “analyze,” “compare,” “evaluate,” or “discuss,” which indicate the type of response required. These verbs guide you in shaping your thesis and structuring your essay. For instance, a prompt asking you to “evaluate the impact of industrialization on 19th-century European society” requires a different approach than one asking you to “compare the industrialization processes of Europe and America.”

Next, pinpoint the key terms and themes within the prompt. These are usually nouns or noun phrases that define the scope of your essay. In the aforementioned example, terms like “industrialization,” “19th-century,” and “European society” are critical. Understanding these terms helps you focus your research and discussion on the relevant aspects, preventing you from veering off-topic.

Interpreting complex prompts can be challenging, but breaking them down into smaller, manageable parts can make the task more approachable. If a prompt is multifaceted, it may help to rewrite it in your own words or create a checklist of points to address. For instance, a prompt like “Discuss the social, economic, and political effects of industrialization in 19th-century Europe” can be dissected into three distinct sections: social effects, economic effects, and political effects. This ensures that you comprehensively cover all aspects of the question.

Common summative essay prompts often require a deep dive into specific themes or topics. For example, “Analyze the causes and consequences of World War I” demands an exploration of both the reasons behind the war and its subsequent impact. By methodically breaking down such prompts and ensuring each component is addressed, you can craft a well-rounded and insightful essay.

Conducting Research and Gathering Evidence

Conducting thorough research is a fundamental step in writing a summative essay. The quality of your essay largely depends on the credibility and relevance of the sources you use. To start, identify the key themes and questions you need to address. This will help you focus your research on gathering pertinent information.

Begin by consulting a range of credible sources. Scholarly articles, books, and reputable websites are excellent starting points. University libraries and online academic databases like JSTOR, PubMed, and Google Scholar provide access to peer-reviewed journals and publications. Government publications and reports also serve as reliable sources of data and statistics.

Using a variety of evidence types can strengthen your argument. Statistics can provide a quantitative basis for your points, while quotations from experts can lend authority to your argument. Case studies offer detailed examples that illustrate broader trends or phenomena, making your essay more compelling and relatable. Ensure that each piece of evidence you include directly supports your thesis and arguments.

Effective note-taking is crucial to organizing your research materials. As you gather information, take detailed notes, including the source of each piece of evidence. Use annotation tools or digital note-taking apps like Evernote or OneNote to categorize your notes for easy reference. This organization will facilitate the integration of your research into your essay, allowing for a smooth writing process.

Finally, always evaluate the credibility of your sources. Verify the author’s credentials, publication date, and the source’s overall reliability. Cross-reference information from multiple sources to ensure accuracy. By carefully selecting and organizing your evidence, you will be well-prepared to write a robust and convincing summative essay.

Creating an Effective Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay. It serves as the foundation upon which the entire essay is built, guiding the direction and focus of the writing. In a summative essay, the thesis statement plays a crucial role by succinctly stating the writer’s position or argument in response to the essay prompt.

To craft a strong thesis statement, it is essential to ensure that it is clear, specific, and arguable. A well-formulated thesis directly addresses the essay prompt and articulates the writer’s viewpoint in a manner that sets the stage for the ensuing analysis or discussion. Here are some guidelines to follow:

1. Direct Response: The thesis statement should directly answer the essay prompt without ambiguity. It should clearly convey the writer’s stance on the topic.

2. Specificity: A specific thesis statement narrows down the focus to a particular aspect of the topic, making it easier to develop a coherent argument. Avoid vague language and broad generalizations.

3. Arguability: An effective thesis statement should present a viewpoint that can be supported with evidence and analysis. It should invite debate and not be a mere statement of fact.

Common pitfalls to avoid when writing a thesis statement include being too broad, too narrow, or too vague. Additionally, avoid using first-person language and ensure that your thesis statement is not merely a statement of intent or a question.

Here are examples to illustrate the difference between strong and weak thesis statements:

Weak Thesis Statement: “Many people believe that climate change is a serious issue.”

This statement is weak because it is too broad and lacks specificity. It does not clearly state a position or direction for the essay.

Strong Thesis Statement: “Climate change poses a significant threat to global ecosystems, and immediate action must be taken to mitigate its effects.”

This statement is strong because it is specific, arguable, and provides a clear direction for the essay by stating the writer’s position on the issue.

By adhering to these guidelines and avoiding common pitfalls, you can create an effective thesis statement that serves as a solid foundation for your summative essay.

Outlining Your Essay

Creating a detailed outline before writing your summative essay is a crucial step that can significantly enhance the clarity and coherence of your work. An outline serves as a roadmap, helping you organize your thoughts and ensuring a logical flow of ideas throughout your essay. By structuring your essay beforehand, you can avoid unnecessary digressions and maintain a focused argument.

To begin, divide your outline into three main sections: the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. In the introduction section, jot down the main points you want to cover, including your thesis statement. This is your opportunity to grab the reader’s attention and provide a clear direction for your essay.

Next, outline the body paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea that supports your thesis. Begin with a topic sentence for each paragraph, followed by bullet points or short notes on the evidence, examples, and analysis you plan to include. This will help you maintain a logical progression of ideas and ensure that each paragraph transitions smoothly to the next.

Finally, outline your conclusion. Summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis in a new light, reflecting the insights gained from your analysis. This section should leave a lasting impression on the reader, reinforcing the significance of your argument.

There are various formats you can use for your outline, such as alphanumeric, decimal, or full-sentence outlines. The alphanumeric format uses Roman numerals, capital letters, Arabic numerals, and lowercase letters to organize information hierarchically. The decimal format, on the other hand, employs a numbering system that clearly delineates each level of the outline. Full-sentence outlines involve writing out each point in complete sentences, providing a more detailed structure.

Choose the format that best suits your essay topic and personal preference. Regardless of the format, a well-structured outline will guide your writing process, making it easier to craft a coherent and compelling summative essay.

Writing the Introduction

An effective introduction is a crucial component of a summative essay, serving as the gateway to your arguments and analysis. The introduction should begin with a compelling hook that grabs the reader’s attention. This can be an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a relevant quote. The purpose of the hook is to pique interest and encourage the reader to continue.

Following the hook, provide some background information on the topic. This context is essential as it sets the stage for your essay, helping the reader understand the significance of the subject matter. Contextual details ensure the reader is not lost and can follow the essay’s line of reasoning.

The thesis statement, usually located at the end of the introduction, is the most critical element. It succinctly presents the main argument or point of the essay. A well-crafted thesis statement should be clear, specific, and arguable. It provides a roadmap for the essay, indicating what the reader can expect in the following paragraphs.

For instance, consider the following introduction:

“Global warming is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, with catastrophic effects on the environment. From shrinking ice caps to rising sea levels, the consequences are becoming increasingly dire. This essay explores the primary causes of global warming, examining human activities that contribute to the phenomenon and evaluating potential solutions to mitigate its impact.”

This introduction is effective because it starts with a striking fact that highlights the urgency of the topic. It then provides essential background information on the environmental crisis before presenting a clear thesis statement that outlines the essay’s focus.

To craft a strong introduction, ensure a smooth transition from the hook to the thesis statement. Each sentence should logically flow into the next, guiding the reader seamlessly into the main argument. By mastering these elements, you can create an engaging and informative introduction that sets a solid foundation for your summative essay.

Developing Body Paragraphs

A well-structured body paragraph is crucial for the clarity and effectiveness of a summative essay. Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea. This sentence acts as a mini-thesis, guiding the reader through the argument or point being made. Following the topic sentence, the paragraph should include supporting evidence, which can be in the form of quotes, data, or examples that reinforce the main idea.

After presenting the evidence, it is essential to provide analysis. This part of the paragraph explains how the evidence supports the topic sentence and connects to the overall thesis of the essay. The analysis should be insightful, demonstrating a deep understanding of the subject matter. Finally, each body paragraph should end with a concluding sentence that summarizes the main point and provides a transition to the next paragraph, ensuring a smooth flow of ideas.

Coherence and cohesion are fundamental in writing effective body paragraphs. Coherence refers to the logical connection between ideas within a paragraph, while cohesion involves the use of linking words and phrases to create a smooth transition between paragraphs. To achieve coherence, each paragraph should focus on a single idea, with all sentences contributing to that idea. Cohesion can be enhanced by using transitional phrases such as “furthermore,” “in addition,” and “however,” which help guide the reader through the essay.

An example of a well-developed body paragraph might look like this:

“To begin with, the rise of social media has significantly changed the way people communicate. According to a study by Smith (2020), 70% of individuals now prefer to interact online rather than face-to-face. This shift is largely due to the convenience and immediacy of digital communication. Furthermore, platforms like Facebook and Twitter have made it easier for people to stay connected, regardless of geographical barriers. Consequently, the traditional methods of communication have seen a decline, indicating a profound transformation in social interactions.”

Maintaining a consistent tone and style throughout the essay is also essential. This consistency helps in building a cohesive narrative and ensures that the essay remains engaging and professional. By adhering to these guidelines, writers can develop body paragraphs that are both informative and compelling, significantly enhancing the overall quality of the summative essay.

Crafting a Strong Conclusion

The conclusion of a summative essay is a crucial component that synthesizes the information presented and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. A strong conclusion effectively encapsulates the main points, restates the thesis in a nuanced way, and offers a final thought or call to action. It’s essential to avoid introducing new information in the conclusion, as this can confuse the reader and undermine the coherence of the essay.

Summarizing the main points is the first step in writing a compelling conclusion. This involves briefly revisiting the core arguments or findings discussed in the body of the essay. By doing so, you reinforce the key takeaways and help the reader recall the most significant aspects of your work. Restating the thesis in a new light is equally important. This doesn’t mean repeating the thesis verbatim but rather presenting it with a fresh perspective, reflecting the insights gained through the essay.

Providing a final thought or call to action can significantly enhance the impact of your conclusion. This could be a thought-provoking statement, a rhetorical question, or a recommendation for further research or action. Such elements can leave a memorable impression and encourage the reader to reflect on the essay’s broader implications.

For instance, in a summative essay on climate change, an effective conclusion might read: “In sum, the escalating impacts of climate change underscore the urgent need for comprehensive environmental policies. By acknowledging the scientific evidence and taking proactive measures, we can mitigate the adverse effects and safeguard our planet for future generations. The time to act is now.”

In contrast, a literary analysis essay might conclude with: “Ultimately, the recurring theme of redemption in ‘The Great Gatsby’ illustrates the enduring human desire for second chances. Fitzgerald’s masterful storytelling invites us to reflect on our own lives and the possibilities for personal growth and transformation.”

By adhering to these strategies, you can craft a conclusion that not only reinforces your essay’s main points but also resonates with your audience, leaving them with a lasting and meaningful impression.

Editing and Proofreading Your Essay

Editing and proofreading are essential steps in the writing process, ensuring that your summative essay is polished and free from errors. These stages help refine your argument, enhance clarity, and improve the overall quality of your work. Below is a checklist of common errors to watch for during revision:

Grammatical Mistakes: Pay close attention to common grammatical issues such as subject-verb agreement, incorrect tense usage, and misplaced modifiers. Simple mistakes can detract from the professionalism of your essay.

Awkward Phrasing: Identify and rephrase sentences that sound awkward or unclear. Reading your essay aloud can be particularly helpful in spotting these issues, as it forces you to process the text more thoroughly.

Logical Inconsistencies: Ensure that your arguments are logically sound and that your evidence supports your thesis. Look for gaps in reasoning or unsupported claims, and make necessary adjustments.

Beyond this checklist, seeking feedback from peers or mentors can provide valuable insights. Fresh perspectives can highlight issues you might have overlooked and offer suggestions for improvement. Constructive criticism is a powerful tool for refining your essay.

Additionally, utilizing editing tools and resources can significantly enhance your essay’s quality. Automated grammar checkers, such as Grammarly or Hemingway, can help identify errors and suggest corrections. However, these tools should complement, not replace, manual proofreading.

In summary, thorough editing and proofreading are crucial for producing a well-crafted summative essay. By carefully reviewing your work, seeking external feedback, and leveraging editing tools, you can ensure that your essay is clear, coherent, and compelling.

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How to Write a Summative Essay

Published by Boni on November 3, 2022 November 3, 2022

Have you ever been asked to write an essay about a book, movie, article, speech, or other reading material? Perhaps your teacher gave you a prompt and asked you to respond to it in an essay. If so, that was most likely a summative essay. A summative report is a short piece of writing about someone else’s work. It explains the main ideas of the reading material and evaluates them. Such essays are often assigned to test your ability to understand what you read and articulate your thoughts. This post will explore valuable tips for writing a successful summative essay.

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What is a Summative Essay?

A summative essay is an academic paper that requires students to evaluate and synthesize information learned over a unit or semester. It summarizes, describes and evaluates the main ideas of the reading material. A summative essay can be written about almost any topic. It can be based on a book, a speech, an article, or other reading material. To report a good summary essay, you must read the material carefully, take notes, and think about what the author is trying to say.

Then, you should organize your notes and use them to write a summary. A summative essay is not the same as a book review. While both summarize reading material, book reviews focus on quality. They give an evaluation of the book based on a set of criteria.

Types of Summative Writing

There are different types of summative writing a student can handle. Understand that every style is unique and has other requirements. That means you must understand the summative writing asked before handling it. Allocate adequate time to the essays since you have to read, draft, edit and revise the paper before submitting.

Below are the main types of summative writing:

Persuasive and opinions arguments may be used interchangeably. However, you should understand that they are pretty different. In an opinion essay, you have to state your ideology and then back up your side of the story with logic and facts. In this type of summative writing, students should show some improvement throughout their studies for evaluation from the teachers. This type of summative writing is given to students in 5th grade who must write a persuasive speech based on their opinion.

2. Explanatory

This summative essay is quite common in social science curriculums. Here the students focus on the unit plan’s key ideas, main points and domain-specific ideas such as a reaction paper .

3. Argumentative

The argumentative summative essay requires developing and establishing a claim the student makes during the introduction. The claim has to be supported by details such as information and resources in the essay’s body. There should also be an opposing claim where the student should state the contrasting point of view and add supporting evidence.

4. Evaluative

In this summative essay, the writer is supposed to take a given idea, element or individual in the curriculum and evaluate them in a specific criterion. Here students have to have their theme and stand by it using unit materials and text evidence. A good example is a cause and effects essay .

5. Compare & contrast

This essay has diverse attributes to the backgrounds and themes, such as specific geographic locations or individual personalities. These essays comprise a set of qualities and characteristics that students should compare and contrast using research evidence.

These summative essays do not require the student to pick a side. However, they are asked to cover both sides in comprehension and compare them thoroughly.

6. Theorizing

These essays will answer critical “what if” questions. The student is given a theory that contrasts or reflects the society today. The writer should take an individual, era or event to work on.

Elements of a Good Summative Essay

An effective summative essay ought to have the following crucial elements:

• Validity – the report should reflect what the students have learned during the term or semester.
• Reliability – the writing should deliver similar results throughout daily conditions, settings of classrooms and student groups.
• Authenticity – the summative essay should reflect the skills in the real world outside the classroom context.
• Variety – this essay should reflect the usage of different views and words to make the diverse.

Here is a summary essay with a response on how to tame a Wild Tongue that you might be interested in reading.

Format of Summative Essays

The summative essay formats are almost similar to any essay you have written. These essays will typically follow the standard format for writing an essay. An effective summative report must include an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

• Introduction

The introduction should be clear, interesting, and engaging. It should also be written so that a reader who has never read the material can understand what it is about. A good introduction gives the reader a preview of what you will discuss in the rest of the essay. It hooks the reader and makes them want to read more.

The body is where you discuss the reading material and support your argument with evidence. The body should be well-organized. You can use various strategies to organize your essay, including a chronological order, a compare-and-contrast order, or a topical order.

The conclusion is the final part of the summative essay. The conclusion should restate your main point, summarize the paper, and bring the reader back to the introduction.

A standard essay is usually between five and ten double-spaced pages long. The introduction should be between one and three paragraphs long. The body of the paper should be between two and five paragraphs long. The conclusion should be one paragraph long.

Tips on How to Write a Good Summative Essay

Before writing a summative essay, you should read the reading material carefully. Remember to highlight or take notes while reading so you don’t forget important points. Here are some of the tips to keep in mind when writing this essay:

• Create an outline before you begin writing the essay
• Get authentic academic material and only use that for the essay
• Organize your paper in paragraphs
• Gather more information and knowledge on the topic of discussion
• Proofread the article before submitting it to ensure everything is okay, and there are no grammatical errors
• Curate a superb introduction – your introduction should be catchy and precise. It should invite your readers to keep reading.
• Relevant essay – as you create your summative report, ensure it is relevant and meaningful to the real world. A typical person should resonate with your paper.

A summative essay explains the main ideas of the reading material and evaluates them. To write an excellent summarizing essay, you must read the reading material carefully and take notes. You should also clearly understand the reading material and write your essay based on the material, not your opinion.

Need Help Writing Your Summative Essay?

Writing an summative essay is difficult, especially if you don’t have much experience writing such essays. Even if you read the material carefully and take notes while reading, summarizing it right in your own words may not be straightforward. Supporting your thesis statement with evidence from the reading material can be even more challenging. If you are having trouble writing a summative essay, you could seek professional speech writing help .

Most students do not have enough time to complete their essays, and that is where the speech writing help comes in. These services are efficient since they use professional writers and tools to produce high-quality papers. You could talk to us at Gudwriter, and we will help you with the summative report.

Explore the best tips on how to write an explication essay .

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Writing a Summative Essay - A Guide with Tips and Examples

Summative essays are among the most common ones academic tutors and lecturers use to assess their students' analytical and learning abilities. This type of essay is normally used to examine the students' comprehension and knowledge of certain concepts or course material. And just like other essays, summative essays have three main sections: the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Summative assessments synthesize students' understanding and learning of specific academic content and are often administered at the end of an academic year or term. These assessments usually establish the overall comprehension and proficiency of the evaluated topic.

This, however, leaves a lot of students uncertain of where to begin and what to do. But do not fuss! You do not need to panic; this comprehensive guide will break down everything you need about summative essays.  That said, keep on scrolling to find out more.

What is a Summative Essay?

Summative essays require students to assess and synthesize the information learned and knowledge gained over a semester or a particular unit.

A summative essay is often written at the conclusion of a semester or unit, permitting learners to display the knowledge gained over that duration.

To write an excellent summative essay, you should be able to identify the most important points from your coursework and arrange them into a rational argument.

Note that summative essays often assume the form of argumentative essays, whereby you should take a position on the issue being discussed and then support these claims using relevant proof.

Nonetheless, summative essays can also assume other forms like explanatory essays, personal narratives, and compare-and-contrast essays. No matter what form they assume, summative essays offer great opportunities for students to ponder on their learning and display their comprehension of the course material.

Remember that the length and complexity of a summative essay depend on the student's academic level. The students must have a great understanding of the style and aim of the assessment to come up with an effective summative essay.

Types of Summative Essays

There are different types of summative essays. Below are the main types of summative essays.

Explanatory/ Information

This is the most common type in social science programs. It primarily collects key ideas, main arguments, and domain-specific hypothetical ideas taught within the unit plan.

Opinion essays require students to state their thinking and then support it with logic and facts.

The evaluative kind of summative writing usually requires you to take a specific idea or element discussed during the unit and evaluate or assess it using a particular criterion. For such essays, you should take a stance on the chosen theme and back it with unit materials and textual evidence.

Argumentative

This kind of writing requires establishing and developing a claim made in the introduction of the essay, and reputable resources should support this claim in the essay's main body. Conversely, the opposing claim illustrates the opposing point of view with relevant supporting proof.

Theorizing is a type of writing that answers questions like 'what if? 'Here, a theory is presented on a certain theme that depicts or contrasts with reality.

Compare and Contrast

Compare and contrast summative essays comprise qualities and attributes the student could compare and contrast using text and research evidence. They do not require the student to prioritize one choice over another, and it, however, does require you to display an understanding of both and then make a comparison.

Structure of a Summative Essay

A summative essay takes shape and structure of the typical academic essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and concluding paragraphs.

The Introduction

The introduction is among the most critical parts of the paper, given that it offers a brief overview of its topic and main argument. It should immediately grab the reader's attention and give them a general feel of the remainder of the paper. And if you struggle to develop a good introduction for your essay, try using an anecdote or hook to engage the reader from the word go. The thesis statement , where necessary, is also included here.

The Main Body Paragraphs

For this section, it is vital to concentrate on key points and provide proof to support your thesis. Every paragraph should focus on an individual point. In addition, each paragraph should conclude in a sentence that links it back to the thesis.

By concentrating on different key arguments and providing relevant proof to support your thesis, you can effectively convey your position to the reader. Also, concluding all your body paragraphs with a sentence that links back to your thesis will remind your reader of your essay's overall argument.

Related Reading: Parts of a body paragraph .

The Conclusion

The conclusion of a summative essay briefly summarizes the main points and clarifies how they support the overall argument. Additionally, the conclusion should offer the reader a sense of closure by answering any pending queries or concerns that might have surfaced in the essay.

A brief and precise summary of your essay's main points ensures your reader completely comprehends your standpoint. In addition, tackling lingering concerns or questions gives your essay a sense of conclusiveness. All in all, the aim of your essay conclusion should be to provide your readers with a proper understanding of your argument.

Steps for Writing a Summative Essay

Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to write an excellent summative essay.

Step one: Know your essay topic

Though this appears to be the most straightforward process, many people often disregard it. Many writers look at different topics and then pick one because it seems to be the simplest or has found enough content.

Having some level of understanding for your lecturer's or tutor's opinion is vital here. What do they expect and want from you? This is an important step in producing relevant content for your summative essay. If you are somewhat confused about the topic, you can discuss it with your professor or colleagues.

Step two: Conduct research for the relevant content

Now that you clearly understand your summative essay's topic, you can go through your lecture notes or any available academic sources. Skim over the most important points. You can even refresh your brain with your course syllabus or study material.

And if you are lucky enough to have attended a workshop, seminar, or training course on the chosen topic, you'll have ample knowledge to put down.

Step three: Prepare an Outline

While going through relevant material, you can divide the literature into small paragraphs, giving you a quick overview of the literature. Most importantly, when skimming through the material, have the essay topic at the back of your head to note any valuable and relevant information.

Take note of any critical points that you feel may support your essay. Make sure you re-read all paragraphs and highlight all vital points. Mark those areas that you will want to refer to in your essay and those points you do not wish to include.

Step four: Come Up With A Thesis Statement for Your Essay

A thesis statement is simply a brief statement that recaps your essay's main argument. Your thesis statement should be brief and precise. It should also be specific enough that it is easily supportable by evidence from your research.

Step five: Write the Introduction

Your essay's introduction should quickly introduce the reader to your essay's main points. Also, remember to keep the intro short, not more than seven sentences. The thesis statement should be the final remark of your introduction.

The best sentence starters for summative essays include present tense verbs that adopt an active voice. For instance, 'the aim of this essay is to' or 'this paper will argue that.' You develop an engaging and livelier writing style by opening your sentences using an active voice and in the present tense.

Moreover, good sentence openers for summative essays can also incorporate strong statements or rhetorical questions. For example, you can start your summative essay with a question like 'What's the real value of friendship?' or a sentence like 'It is the little things in life that matter.' Opening your essay with such attention-capturing sentences ensures that the reader is hooked from the start.

Step six: Write the Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should highlight one main point that should be stated clearly in the first sentence. Use the rest of the paragraph to support the main point with proof from your previous research. Ensure all sources are referenced using the appropriate format (APA, MLA, Harvard).

End each body paragraph with a statement summarizing the main point and supporting your arguments.

Step Seven: Write the Conclusion

Your conclusion should briefly summarize the main points of your essay and have a strong conclusion sentence that leaves the reader with something to think about after reading your paper. Once again, this should not be too long; five to six sentences are enough.

The Outline Format for a Summative Essay

Below is what a five-paragraph summative essay outline looks like, together with the critical elements that it features:

Paragraph one: Introduction

• Hook sentence (attention grabber).
• Concise background information to give the reader a small preview of what is being discussed in the rest of the essay.
• Thesis statement.

Paragraph two: Body paragraph one

• Topic sentence: The first main idea of your essay clarifies the topic.
• Support proof.
• Analysis of the proof.
• Final remarks and then moving to the next point.

Paragraph three: Body paragraph two

• Topic sentence: It is the essay's second main idea.
• Supporting proof.

Paragraph four: Body paragraph three

• Topic sentence: It is the essay's third main point.
• Final remarks.

Paragraph five: Conclusion

• Restate your thesis statement.
• A summary of the entire essay.
• Address unanswered questions or lingering concerns.
• Call to action.

Example Outline for a Summative Essay

Below is an example of an explanatory summative essay outline that discusses how modern technological improvements have transformed human behavior and facilitated progress.

• Improvements in technology have transformed the universe into a global village.
• Background information on the low productivity levels before the improvements in technology.
• Thesis statement: Technological advancement enhanced human learning, thus paving the way for reformation.

Paragraph two: Situation before technological improvements

• Describe the low productivity levels before advancements in technology.
• Discuss how technology has impacted infrastructure, economies, education, and communication.
• Illustrate how this has promoted global change.

Paragraph three: Development and spread of technology

• Discuss the foundation of algebra and how this has helped to transform the technological world today.
• Demonstrate the consequences of this new technology on transport and production.
• Discuss the quick spread of technological advancements.
• Link this information to reformation.

Paragraph four: Impact of technology on reformation

• Discuss how ease of access to information globally has helped individuals.
• Discuss how technology has aided humans during the reformation period.
• Discuss the significant impacts these technological advancements have had on the planet.
• Restate the thesis statement: Technological advancement enhanced human learning, thus paving the way for reformation.
• Provide a summary of the main points in the paper.
• Highlight the value of technological improvements to the world today.

Sample Summative Essay

A compare and contrast summative essay comparing the economic system of Canada and that of the USA.

Both Canada and the USA are capitalist countries with a capitalist economic system. While these two North American countries use the same economic system, there are several differences in their approach to capitalism. Canada's capitalist economic system is highly regulated compared to the American one. There is more state intervention in Canada to ensure the citizenry has access to crucial services like education and healthcare. In contrast, the USA's capitalist economic system is more laissez-faire, and the government plays a relatively smaller role in the market.

Both capitalist economic systems have their advantages and disadvantages. Canada's highly regulated economic system ensures that most citizens get high-quality and affordable education and healthcare services from the public. However, the system also tends to lead to greater government bureaucracy. On the other hand, the laissez-faire approach employed by the USA ensures more innovation and private sector investments. Nevertheless, it also leads to increased inequality as it puts more money in the pockets of the rich.

While both economic systems have advantages and disadvantages, Canada's highly-regulated approach to capitalism is better than the American system. This is because it ensures the public enjoys high-quality and affordable essential services.

How to start a summative essay?

Summative essays are short. While they are short, an introduction is still necessary. And the introduction better contains everything you would expect in a typical introduction for it to be considered complete. A typical essay introduction starts with an attention-grabbing statement, followed by background information, and then a thesis statement. Ensure your summative essay introduction has all these things if you want it to be considered complete.

How to end a Summative Essay?

A summative essay ends with a conclusion. The perfect way to write a conclusion for a summative essay is to start with a restatement of the thesis and then provide a summary of the main points. If the essay is too short (less than 250 words), nobody will expect you to dwell on restating the thesis or summarizing the main points. A short concluding sentence will suffice. Nevertheless, you must restate the thesis and the main points for a proper conclusion. You also need to finish a powerful concluding statement that captures what you hope the impact of your research will be.

Tips for writing the best Summative Essay

Follow the tips below to become an expert summative essay writer.

• Brainstorm after reading instructions. After reading the instructions provided by your instructor for your summative essay, you should brainstorm; you should think about what the instructor wants for a couple of minutes. Doing this will help you to settle on a good topic. It will also help you to decide early what you want to do or to prove in your paper. Of course, this will make it easier for you to conduct research.
• Always use an outline. Before you start writing any essay, you should always create an outline. An outline is very important because it gives an essay structure and flow. Writing your summative essay without an outline may miss good structure and flow, resulting in a low or average grade.
• Credible sources only. It is absolutely crucial to use only credible sources in your research. Because if you don't, you can easily be misled in your essay. Furthermore, you can get an average or low grade. Instructors do not like learners who use non-credible sources such as blogs, random websites, and social media, as they think it is lazy and non-professional. So ensure you strictly use credible sources if you want a high grade on your essay.
• Do not forget to proofread your work. You must proofread your work when you are done. Nobody writes a perfect essay in their first draft. Therefore, it is vital to proofread your work after you finish it. Proofread it to eliminate grammar errors, typos, sentence errors, and so on. Ensuring it is flawless will increase your chances of getting a high grade in your final exams.
• Cite your sources. An essay without cited sources is not a complete essay. You will not get top marks in an essay if you don't provide in-text citations and reference page references. You are a learner, so when you are asked to write an essay, you are essentially being tested on your ability to find the correct information from experts and analyze it. Do not make the mistake of presenting a paper without references, and you will be penalized.

And with all that, what next?

Summative essays are fun to write, and you have everything you need to know to write a brilliant summative essay. The ball is in your court. If you have an assignment, it is now time to put what you have learned into practice.

If writing a summative essay is still confusing and you have an urgent summative essay, do not worry. Filling out the order form on our homepage signals that you want us to fulfill your ' write my essay ' order a summative essay on any topic. The moment you do so, we will quickly assign your paper to one of our expert writers, and they will produce an excellent quality paper ASAP.

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Eberly Center

Teaching excellence & educational innovation, what is the difference between formative and summative assessment, formative assessment.

The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning. More specifically, formative assessments:

• help students identify their strengths and weaknesses and target areas that need work
• help faculty recognize where students are struggling and address problems immediately

Formative assessments are generally low stakes , which means that they have low or no point value. Examples of formative assessments include asking students to:

• draw a concept map in class to represent their understanding of a topic
• submit one or two sentences identifying the main point of a lecture
• turn in a research proposal for early feedback

Summative assessment

The goal of summative assessment is to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark.

Summative assessments are often high stakes , which means that they have a high point value. Examples of summative assessments include:

• a midterm exam
• a final project
• a senior recital

Information from summative assessments can be used formatively when students or faculty use it to guide their efforts and activities in subsequent courses.

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How to Write a Summative Essay

Most students struggle to write a good essay. It’s even more difficult for them to write an excellent summative essay and get that stellar grade. A summative essay is the among most important essays you’ll write in college. And if you want an “A,” you need to make sure that you follow the correct format and have a good thesis statement.

So how can you write a good summative essay? Before knowing how to ace it, you first need to understand the essay’s features, characteristics, and format. This then clears the clouds for you to get it right.

Continue reading this blog to understand how to become one of the best summative essay writers.

What is a Summative Essay?

A summative essay is a short written piece, particularly an article that describes, summarizes, or evaluates a more extended passage. Because of its brevity, a short essay needs an exciting topic to capture the reader’s attention. It typically begins with an introduction and ends with a conclusion summarizing the main points covered.

On the other hand, summative assessment is the process your academic institution uses to determine your performance, understanding, and knowledge vis a vis the course.

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Learning institutions give these essays to test a student’s understanding of a topic, concept, or aptitude.

There are different types of summative writings. Each has a unique requirement, and you must understand these to nail them. The types are

These types derive their name from the word theory. A theory is given, which may be a reality or in contrast to reality, and you have to answer the question.

Evaluative essays require you to take a specific character, idea, or issue from the course work and evaluate it. You have to support your evaluation with texts and other evidence from the coursework materials.

Compare and Contrast

As the name suggests, these writings require you to contrast two characters, ideas, or elements from the course.

Argumentative

Argumentative writing pieces establish a claim in the introduction, and you build upon it with evidence. Afterward, you take a contrasting idea and explain it still with support from the coursework.

Opinionated

Opinionated essays are essays you write to show your clear standing and thoughts on an issue or topic. Sometimes, people call them persuasive essays, although slight differences exist between them. In the former, you state your stand, while in the latter, you state your perspective and ask people to support or follow it.

Information/Explanatory

This type of writing is the most common in your curriculum. The paper requires you to summarize a concept or topic you have covered in your own words.

Format of Summative Essays

Summative essays are structured into three parts. However, depending on the essay type, this structure may slightly change. Nevertheless, you can follow this basic structure

1.      Introduction

The introduction gives background information about your topic.

2.      Body

The body contains several paragraphs covering a different point of your essay topic.

3.      Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes the points you made in the body.

This format is consistent with APA guidelines for research papers and academic writing in general, so it’s easy to apply to summative essays if you’re already familiar with that.

Additionally, summative essays have an abstract if you follow the APA guidelines. An abstract provides a concise overview of the main points of a paper or report, including its purpose, results (if applicable), and conclusions.

It should be no more than 250 words and should be able to stand alone from the rest of your paper or report due to its length limitations. Use short sentences and simple vocabulary when drafting your abstract since people reading it will likely not have read through your whole paper yet.

Tips for Writing a Good Summative Essay

To stand out in your summative essay writing, you should consider the following elements

1.      Develop an Outline

Developing an outline will help you write a good summative essay quickly and effectively. Your outline should not deviate from the format discussed above. But if your instructor gives a specific form, you should follow it.

2.      Have a strong introduction

As you begin writing your summative essay, make sure it starts with a strong introduction. It’s essential to have a short introduction that clearly introduces the paper’s topic. In addition, this is where you’ll want to put your thesis statement.

You might also want to provide some background information and use exciting language that will help draw in your reader. Finally, one of the primary purposes of this section is to provide an overview of the rest of the essay.

3.      Include a thesis statement and provide a brief outline of the essay’s structure

Your thesis statement should respond to the essay question and provide a brief outline of how you will structure your essay. Make sure that your thesis statement is consistent with your essay structure.

Your body paragraphs should each address one point from the thesis statement and develop it with examples, evidence, and/or analysis. Finally, the conclusion should restate the answer you have arrived at through your analysis of the evidence presented in the essay’s body.

4.      Ensure each paragraph has a main idea or topic sentence that identifies the central message

This helps you present your ideas and arguments concisely. Some considerations to follow here include.

• Focus on one idea per paragraph to make it easier for you to support your point of view with evidence and examples, and avoid offering too much detail at once.
• Connect the topic sentence to your thesis statement. The reader should always be able to see clearly how each paragraph in the body of the essay contributes to the development and support of the thesis statement.
• Avoid long paragraphs. Paragraphs over five sentences tend to contain extraneous information and digressions rather than stick closely to the main point

5.      Proofread your work

After finishing your essay, you should go through it once more to remove any grammatical errors. A vital tip in proofreading is to leave your work for some hours before coming back to proofread it. If your deadline is far, you can even leave it for days.

Summative essays may seem challenging to write if you do not know what they entail and their different types. However, this post has taken you through them, and now you know how to write one. Further, it would help if you went through your coursework to help you write about the given topic.

Additionally, your summative essay should follow your school’s rubric because each institution may prefer specific guidelines that may differ from the general rules.

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Writing a Summative Essay in 6 Simple Steps

Published by Ellie Cross at March 21st, 2022 , Revised On April 24, 2024

Writing a summative essay is a common way used by academic tutors to assess students’ learning and analytical abilities. Summative essays are used to evaluate students’ knowledge and understanding of an extensive concept or course content. Like other essay types, it comprises an introduction , main body and a concluding section.

A summative assessment synthesizes students’ learning and understanding of a particular academic source and almost always takes place at the end of term or a complete academic year. Such assessments determine the overall understanding or proficiency of the assessed topic .

However, this leaves many students unsure of what to do or where to begin. But don’t worry! We assume that students do not need to panic as long as we guide them on how to write an excellent summary essay.

Here are six simple steps that can help you compose a first-class summative essay paper.

1۔ Know Your Exact Summative Essay Topic

Even though this seems to be the simplest part of the process, it is often disregarded. Most people look at specific topics and select one because it appears to be the easiest or they have found sufficient material to work on it.

Understanding your professor’s opinion is essential here. What exactly does he expect from you? It is a significant step to produce good content for your summative essay. If you are confused about the topic, discuss it with your professor, friends, or colleagues.

Or our experts can provide a unique topic for your summative essay for free.

2. Search for the Relevant Material

Now that you have a clear picture of the topic of your summative essay, the next thing to do is to start reading the lectures notes or the academic sources available on the topic. Skim over the important points. Refresh your mind with your study material or course syllabus.

If you have ever attended a training course, seminar, or workshop on the topic, you will have a good amount of knowledge to write down as it will help you get a handle on some of the more complicated issues on the topic.

3. Make an Outline

While reading the relevant materials, split the literature into small paragraphs. This way, you can quickly get an overview of the literature. When reading the material, remember the essay topic you are writing so you can extract and note down useful information.

Jot down notes on any argument that you think might support the title of your essay. Then re-read each paragraph , and highlight all crucial points. Mark the areas you want to refer to in your summative essay and the points you do not wish to include.

Read: How to write an essay outline

4. Writing an Introduction

The introduction of your summative essay should briefly explain the main idea of the original paper, and provide the name of the author, the title of the paper, and the basic background information. Try to keep everything precise. As a rule, 250-300 words are sufficient for the introduction. Also, add the thesis statement as you will have to conclude your essay with reference to the thesis statement.

5. Writing the Main Body

Divide the essay into 2-4 themes in the main body, which you can argue and support in detail—elaborate these themes with one or more examples from the original paper. Include only necessary information and avoid irrelevant things.

6. Conclusion

A concluding paragraph is only required if your professor asks for it. Otherwise, it is not necessary.

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Important Points to Consider

• One of the most important points to remember when writing a summative essay is to keep it related to the source.
• Remember that your interpretations of the source may mislead your readers, so the text should be clear enough to give the reader an idea about the original work.
• Proofread your essay and revise it when it is finished. Do not rush to submit the first draft as it is. There is always room for new additions. You may discover a useful quote to include. Read the essay thoroughly. Check for spelling mistakes. Pay special attention to the sentence structure.
• If it’s feasible for you, rewrite a few sentences or whole paragraphs using an advanced article rewriter . It can revamp the text and give a whole new look to your essay.
• Delete every unnecessary information. Keep your content short and meaningful.
• Ask your friend or colleague to read to see if they can comprehend the main idea of the original source after reading your summative essay.
• Now that you have been introduced to the basic tips and rules for writing a summative essay, its time to give yourself a try to select any interesting topic and write your essay!!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a summative essay.

A summative essay is a type of assessment that evaluates a student’s understanding, knowledge, and skills at the end of a course or academic period. It typically requires students to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and critical thinking through a formal written essay, which is assessed for its overall quality and achievement of learning outcomes.

What are the 6 steps involve in writing a summative essay?

• Know Your Exact Summative Essay Topic
• Search for the Relevant Material
• Make an Outline
• Writing an Introduction
• Writing the Main Body
• Writing Conclusion

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Essays compose a considerable part of academic curricula. The importance of essays kept increasing with the increasing level of study. A student is writing essays starting from kindergarten up until graduation, on several topics to showcase their knowledge on the subject.

An argumentative essay makes an original argument in response to the subject matter under discussion. In an argumentative essay, the author supports their stance on the topic by presenting evidence material.

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Summative Assessment: Essay Preparation

A free professional blog to support English teachers

As the school year progresses, students find themselves facing the intimidating challenge of summative assessments. These evaluations, especially in the form of essays, demand more from your students than a good memory — they require critical thinking, effective communication, and planning. To help students navigate this crucial phase successfully, we've put together a guide to help you prepare them for summative assessments that involve essay writing.

Understanding Summative Assessment

A summative assessment is a culmination of a student's learning over a specific period, usually marking the end of a unit or course. We have a specific blog post on Summative assessment which you can find here . Essays are a common format for summative assessments, assessing students' understanding of concepts, analytical skills, and ability to articulate their thoughts.

Key steps to help guide your students through Summative Assessment Preparation

• Review the topic with them: Before diving into essay preparation, carefully review the assessment guidelines with your students. It is important to help them understand what the essay should be about, how you will be marking their essay and any specific expectations regarding structure, formatting, and references.
• Help them understand the Essay question: Encourage your students to break down the essay question into the key concepts. Identify the main question, any sub-questions, and the theme of the essay. This will guide their research and stay focused on the central theme.
• Encourage them to do lots of research: Gather relevant information from reliable sources to support your arguments. Use a combination of textbooks, academic journals, and reputable online resources. Take notes on key points, quotes, and references that you can incorporate into your essay.
• Create an Outline: Show your students how to plan their essays, create an outline and organise their thoughts. Remember a well-organised essay typically includes an introduction, the main body, and a conclusion. Encourage them to outline the main points they want to cover as well as the supporting evidence in their plan.
• Drafts and proofreading: One of the great things about setting an essay as an end-of-unit assessment is that your students have time to research and refine their answers. Encourage them to leave time at the end of the assessment to rewrite sections if needed and remind them that proofreading is important to check for spelling or grammatical errors.

Key takeaways to prepare your students for summative assessment: essay success!

(You can print these key points out or write them up for your students to copy)

• Break down the essay question and identify the main theme.
• Conduct comprehensive research using reliable sources.
• Create a well-organised outline to guide your essay.
• Build coherent body paragraphs each with a strong topic.
• Cite sources properly using the specified citation style.
• Craft a thoughtful conclusion that summarises key points.
• Allocate time for thorough revision and proofreading.

By following these steps, students can approach summative assessments with confidence, knowing they have a solid plan for essay success. Remember, preparation is the key to performing well under the pressure of summative assessments. Good luck!

Read more blog posts from The English Classroom here and be sure to sign up for our English teaching resources here. We will also send blog posts directly to your email.

Written by Rebecca Sparling

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