ARGUMENT WRITING RESEARCH OVERVIEW

Writing Standard 1b: ARGUMENT Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

evaluate relevant and sufficient support Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims. Reading standard (8) for informational texts After weighing the evidence, I say BAH HUMBUG!

Just because it is on the internet, does not make it true!!!

Ways to check for credibility of sources Avoid pro/con blogs — these CAN give you a fun quote to give a citizen perspective to add human interest to your writing for a hook, or conclusion—but comments from ordinary citizens are not your STRONGEST evidence in most cases. BUT BLOGS are sometimes written by experts— research the author! A blog by a superintendent of schools would be credible on issues related to school policy. A blog by a 4th grader at the school would NOT be as credible on that topic, but would be a reasonable source if you were writing about concerns of 4th graders.

Ways to check for credibility of sources Avoid pro/con blogs — these CAN give you a fun quote to give a citizen perspective to add human interest to your writing for a hook, or conclusion—but comments from ordinary citizens are not your STRONGEST evidence in most cases. BUT BLOGS are sometimes written by experts— research the author! A blog by a superintendent of schools would be credible on issues related to school policy. A blog by a 4th grader at the school would NOT be as credible on that topic, but would be a reasonable source if you were writing about concerns of 4th graders.

Google author’s names or sponsoring organization if given—see if they have credentials as EXPERTS— University professors, researchers with respected national or international organizations, high-level spokespeople with direct experience in the field related to your topic. Is there a bias in their publication? Greenpeace is an environmental group—so they have a bias that values clean water over jobs; Gatorade would have a bias to show facts that suggest sport drinks as healthier than water and leave out negative info…) Notice whether SEVERAL respected sources quote the SAME expert. This does not mean it is ABSOLUTELY true—but it helps you evaluate. Trust major news organizations –but verify if you can! N.Y TIMES, Boston Globe, CNN, ABC….are trustworthy MOST of the time— but double check THEIR sources by googling to find out more on the sources THEY used. WHO can you trust….? cont.

Compare these source on the danger in competitive sports for kids—which would you quote? Sample article text: In her book, Playing to Win, Hilary Friedman believes kids can benefit from competition and says, “Competitive sports prepare kids for adult challenges and obstacles.”Playing to Win Author Mark Hyman notes, however, “Demanding coaches and parents who expect their children to perform as stars and win college scholarships have taken the fun out of the games.”Mark Hyman Sports pose threats of lasting physical injuries for young players. According to Paige Osborne, “One reason football is too dangerous for children to play is because of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, otherwise known as CTE.”Paige Osborne

Keep CLICKING!!! You often find a BETTER source by clicking links Don’t start taking notes until you have clicked around! impact of youth sports article summaryimpact of youth sports article summary:// health/2013/10/the_impact_of_compet.html other writingother writing://hilaryleveyfriedman.com/kids-and-competition-writings/ Playing to Win home page