STEP #1 Begin with an article that is relevant and interesting, one with meat to it. Read it and make sure that you understand it.

STEP #2 Select the most important points contained in the article. Underline or highlight those points.

STEP #3 Collect your key points.

Salt Lake City IOC awarded SLC the 2002 Winter Olympics. leak from disgruntled employee of organizing committee questions from member of IOC bidders suspected of bribing IOC members four groups investigating IOC members heavily courted members pledge to return gifts of over $150 IRS may investigate IOC members serve without pay but are allowed to accept plane tickets, accommodations, and lavish meals looks like nearly $400,000 was paid in scholarships and financial aid to 13 students six recipients related to IOC members members not accepting blame but citing past practices games will probably still be held in Salt Lake City city worried about sponsors pulling out IOC investigating some members may be forced to resign reform is needed

STEP #4 Place your ideas in sentences. Arrange your sentences into one unit, the "Synopsis."

By an overwhelming margin, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selected Salt Lake City, Utah, as the site for the 2002 Winter Olympics. But based on leaks from a disgruntled employee of the local organizing committee and questions from a member of the IOC, the Salt Lake City bidders are suspected of bribing IOC members. So far four groups have opened investigations. The IOC members serve without pay and are pledged to refuse gifts in excess of $150; but they are heavily courted and allowed to accept plane tickets, hotel accommodations, and lavish dinners. It now looks like they also took nearly $400,000 in scholarship money and financial aid to 13 students, six of whom were related to IOC members. So far no one is accepting blame; they are only citing past, similar behaviors. While the games will probably still be held in Salt Lake City, local organizers are concerned about the pull-out of sponsors and the possibility that the IRS might begin an investigation. The IOC is investigating and some members may be forced to resign. Reform is needed.

STEP #5 Think about the article and how it relates to the unit we're discussing. Present your ideas in the form of your "Reaction."

If it isn't one thing in sports, it's another. The idea of sport for the sake of competition has gone forever, only to be replaced by competition for the sake of dollars. The Olympics used to represent an ideal, a best of all possible worlds. Now they are nothing more than another money making scheme, where the rich get richer and the average person foots the bill.

STEP #6 Consider what you would like to do or study as a result of this situation. Present your ideas in the form of your "Follow-Up."

I would love to see a grass roots movement begin, a movement to boycott all organized sports. I'd be the first to join.

STEP #7 Add appropriate documentation for the original article. Check your handbook for the correct format.

* Richard Woodbury, Melissa August, Robery Kroon, "The Olympics Turn into A Five-Ring Circus," Time January 11, 1999: 33.