When you're finding sources for the short essay, weed out any unnecessary sources so that you don't become overwhelmed. Only cite sources that directly inform the topic you want to address. If you're unsure about which sources are relevant, or which types of sources you should be gathering, talk with your instructor. So, if you're writing about Death of a Salesman, an article about symbolism in Arthur Miller's plays would be useful. But, an article about the average cost of Midwestern hotels in the 1940s would be irrelevant. If you're writing a scholarship essay, double-check the instructions to clarify what types of sources you're allowed to use. Especially when writing a college application essay, it's crucial that you stay within the word count. Cut extra words and information that isn't strictly necessary. Remove adverbs, adjectives, and lengthy verb phrases, as well as cliches and generalizations. A common cliche you might find in an essay is a statement like, "I'm the hardest working student at my school." For example, this sentence is too verbose: "I have been a relentlessly stellar student throughout my entire high school career since I am a seriously dedicated reader and thoroughly apply myself to every assignment I receive in class." Shortened, it could read: "I was a stellar student throughout my high school career since I was a dedicated reader and applied myself to every assignment I received." Writing in the active voice will help you keep your sentences succinct and to the point. Write sentences that express an idea clearly and directly. To keep your sentences brief, begin most sentences with the subject (the person or thing performing an action) and the action they perform, rather than describing how an object is acted upon. Avoid writing something like, "Willie Loman can be seen as having achieved little through his life because he is not respected by his sons and is not valued by his co-workers." Instead, write, "Arthur Miller shows readers that Willie's life accomplishments have amounted to little. Willie's sons do not look up to him, and his co-workers treat him without respect." If you're passionate about your essay topic, you may feel inclined to include multiple arguments relating to multiple facets of the topic. However, this will almost certainly put you over the word count. To avoid this problem, include only the best evidence supporting your strongest claim. For example, if you're trying to prove that WWII pulled the USA out of the Great Depression, focus strictly on an economic argument. Avoid bringing in other, less convincing topics. For example, don't dedicate a paragraph to discussing how much it cost the USA to build fighter jets in 1944.
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One-sentence summary -- Quote only from secondary sources that are related to your topic. Remove verbiage to keep your essay under the word count. Write short sentences in the active voice. Present only the most relevant argument in your essay.

Article: Your friend may or may not be aware that he or she is insecure. Let your friend know that you have noticed. This can encourage your friend to open up to you and share their feelings. You may say, "Hey, I noticed you were really hard on yourself when you got your report card back. Are you alright?" or "You seemed upset when we were shopping for clothes the other day. Is everything okay?" If your friend is not aware of their insecurity, this may bring it to their attention. When your friend is talking, you may feel the urge to give advice, offer a solution, or judge. Because your friend is insecure, it may be difficult for them to share their feelings. You want your friend to feel comfortable speaking to you and know that you are not going to criticize. Make eye contact and give your friend your full attention. Don't look through your phone or do anything else that will distract you. Use neutral statements and nodding to show you are listening. Try saying things like, "uh-huh," "yes," and "I see" to demonstrate that you are paying attention. You can also nod your head as you listen. Try asking questions to show that you are listening and clarify what your friend means. For example, you might say something like, "So you're saying that you don't like to eat around other people because it makes you feel like they are judging you?" Being a good listener also tells your friend that you value their opinions and feelings and that they are important to you. You don't need to solve your friend's problems. You're offering a lot of help just by listening. Instead of telling your friend your opinion, ask if there is anything you can do to help. Are you willing to look up information on the internet for your friend? Can you help your friend pick out some new clothes or explore a new hobby? For example, if your friend says that he or she is severely depressed, then you might offer to help your friend find a counselor. You may say, "I noticed that you ___. I want to help you. Is there anything that I can do?"
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Discuss the subject. Listen to your friend. Ask how you can help.