Estimados Estudiantes:  If you are reading this post, CONGRATULATIONS  to YOU.  We are going places with our Research Papers.  I've enjoyed reading your assignment submissions on Canvas.   Your enthusiasm for your topics shows through your writing.      

Next Up on Our Research Agenda:  The Summary of a Research Article.

Jay's Tip:  In your summary, consider the following questions:

1. WHAT is the article about?
2. WHAT is the MAIN IDEA – What is the author telling you?
3. WHAT are the main arguments – What are like 2-3 most important points!
4. CAN you provide a MEANINGFUL EXAMPLE from the text?
5. WHAT is the essay's CONCLUSION – How does it end?  What's it all mean?
6. WAIT!  Don't forget to include the title of the article when you introduce your paragraph.

Your summary will be critical to your essay – We will put it near the top of your paper.  You will show your readers you are SERIOUS about your research.  You will identify important ideas and express  them in your own words.  Your readers will only want to read MORE!   

I listen to a lot of Joni Mitchell on my bike rides.  I studied Sam Shepard in grad school.  I really like seeing both of them in  this Netflix documentary The Rolling Thunder Review. So, why am I telling you this?  I searched the internet for an article describing the time that Joni wrote a song about Sam.  It's called "Coyote."  Below, I try to summarize the article for you. It try to follow my own instructions the best I can.  Jaja.

1. WHAT is the article about?

Joni Mitchell’s song “Coyote” is about a brief but intense love affair between two writers.

2. WHAT is the MAIN IDEA – What is the author telling you?

Writer Angie Mortoccio  shares Joni’s inspiration in her Rolling Stone article “That Time Joni Mitchell Brought Gordon Lightfoot’s House Down With ‘Coyote’”

3. WHAT are the main arguments – What are like 2-3 most important points!

*   Joni met playwright Sam Shepard on Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review tour.  Joni sang on stage each night, and Sam was asked to write a screenplay based on the music.  

* Mortoccio recreates party scene from The Rolling Thunder documentary where Joni shares the song for the first time with other musicians. She wrote "Coyote" in one night.  She played in front of a live audience the following day.

* According to Mortoccio, by the time she played the song, the affair may have been over, but Joni shows no  animosity in her lyrics.  In fact, Joni says she may have written the song the way Sam would have (if  he played the guitar.)

4. CAN you provide a MEANINGFUL EXAMPLE from the text?

* In the film, Joni looks very hippie in a green beret and hoop earrings.

* Sitting across from her is the Bob Dylan.  Although Bob may have been the world's most  famous singer songwriter at the time, it's Joni teaching him her  song.  She's in full control.  

* Everyone else is just trying to follow with their guitars, just trying to avoid making a mistake in front of the two legends.

* Sam is nowhere to be found.

5.  WHAT is the essay's CONCLUSION – How does it end?  What's it all mean?

In the end, Mortoccio reaffirms Joni's place in music history.  Clearly she was more than a talented songwriter.  She was a historical figure that could hold her own with the most heralded figures in the business.  Joni's body of work is important today as it was 5o years ago. 

6.  WAIT!  Don't forget to include the title of the article when you introduce your paragraph.

Below: Joni sings "Coyote" for the first time!

This is what I get when I COPY and PASTE my responses together.

Joni Mitchell’s song “Coyote” is about a brief but intense love affair between two writers. Journalist  Angie Mortoccio  shares Joni’s inspiration in her Rolling Stone article “That Time Joni Mitchell Brought Gordon Lightfoot’s House Down With ‘Coyote.’” Joni met playwright Sam Shepard on Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review tour.  Joni sang on stage each night, and Sam was asked to write a screenplay based on the music.   Mortoccio recreates party scene from The Rolling Thunder documentary where Joni shares the song for the first time with other musicians. She wrote "Coyote" in one night.  She played in front of a live audience the following day.  According to Mortoccio, by the time she played the song, the affair may have been over, but Joni shows no  animosity in her lyrics.  In fact, Joni says she may have written the song the way Sam would have (if  he played the guitar.)  In the film, Joni looks very hippie in a green beret and hoop earrings. Sitting across from her is the (pronounced thee) Bob Dylan.  Although Bob may have been the world's most famous singer songwriter at the time, it's Joni teaching him her  song.  She's in full control.  Everyone else is just trying to follow with their guitars, just trying to avoid making a mistake in front of the two legends.  No one explains why Sam is nowhere to be found. In the end, Mortoccio reaffirms Joni's place in music history.  Clearly she was more than a talented songwriter.  She was a historical figure that could hold her own with the most heralded figures in the business.  Joni's body of work is important today as it was 5o years ago. 

This is going to be GREAT. You will SEE.

Paz,

JL