What kind of information would you look for to evaluate the credibility of a source you have found? What do I need to consider when researching my claim? How many sources do I need? How do I outline my essay before writing?

Evaluating Credibility of Sources  Who wrote the article? What background information do you have about the author?  What is the purpose of the article? What evidence is provided in the article?  When was the article written? When was the information found for the article?  Where did the information come from? Survey? Scientific study? Research by an expert in the field?

Research  Go to the library website.  Click Researching (there is also an English section that has links)  Use the websites provided including SIRS,, World Book Online, ProQuest, elibrary, etc.  Read and take notes about your topic.  Find your evidence.  For each of your sources, identify the credibility of the source/author/information.  Remember to think about what would need to be proven for your argument to be fully supported.  Wikipedia is NOT a valid source! For any site that you are not sure of, see the previous slide to determine if it is credible or ask your teacher or librarian.

What you’ll need to prove in supporting paragraphs (by type of approach) Definition:  each essential characteristic in the definition of B laid out, then lined up against data characterizing A. Evaluation:  each essential criterion in measure B laid out, then aligned with A Cause/Effect  because without the cause(s), the effect(s) wouldn’t/would have occurred  direct/indirect contributions of identified cause led to identified effect. Proposal:  direct/indirect contributions of proposal to intended effect laid out, then compared/contrasted with analogous A’ to B’ relationship(s) to determine informed guess of consequences. (similar situation where a similar proposal has worked).

Make sure you find enough evidence  Write out your 2 supporting claims (reasons) – these will become your first two body paragraphs.  For each of your claims (reasons), find a minimum of 2 pieces of supporting evidence.  Identify counterclaims to your specific claims- evidence of that counterclaim AND identify a rebuttal and supporting evidence to refute the counterclaim.  Overall, you will need a minimum of 6 outside sources for your essay: 4 supporting, 2 for counter evidence.

WORKS CITED REQUIRED  You are required to create a works cited page.  Evidence must be cited in text, and in the works cited page.  Use Noodle Tools! You will need to export and copy and paste your Works Cited into your Google Doc at the end of your essay.

Outline  Create a solid, fully developed outline for your argument using the graph organizer worksheet provided by your teacher)  For each supporting paragraph (you need 2).  Supporting claim  Evidence (2)  For your counterclaim paragraph (1)  Discuss the counterclaims to the claims presented in your supporting paragraphs AND then provide a rebuttal that provides reasons and evidence that REFUTES the counterclaim.  You can plan your intro and conclusion if you wish, but don’t have them written out. These are often easier to write once you have the body of your paper written.