Academic writing builds on the works of others. A chemist investigating a new, inexpensive way to produce hydrogen as an alternative fuel to gasoline will refer to earlier research in order to help readers understand the context of her present research. An economist analyzing the impact of increasing the minimum wage will refer to earlier analyses in order to establish comparisons. Each time you write a research paper, you refer to the work of others in an effort to blend ideas and information in a single, coherent discussion. Before using sources in your own work, you must understand them. And the most direct way to express your understanding is to write a summary—a brief, objective restatement of the source in your own words.