1. Chapter 4
Evaluating Arguments

2. An argument is the statement of a point of view and the evidence that supports it in a way intended to be persuasive to other people
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3. Basic Library Information Sources
The library staff
Encyclopedias
Almanacs
The New York Times Index
Indexes to periodicals
Government publications
Abstracts of scholarly works
The library’s catalog of holdings
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4. Tips for Internet Research
Use a search engine
Develop a resource list
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5. Tips for Interviewing Others
Make an appointment
Arrive on time
Ask permission to tape
Avoid “yes or no” questions
Pay attention to the answers
Ask follow-up questions
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6. Plagiarism is passing off other people’s ideas or words as one’s own
Plagiarism is passing off other people’s ideas or words as one’s own. Plagiarism is unethical because it steals and deceives
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7. How to Avoid Plagiarism
When researching, separate sources’ ideas from yours
If you use others’ ideas only, use your own words, credit the author, and cite the source
If you use others’ ideas and words, be exact, use quotation marks, credit the author, and cite the source
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8. Evidence is reliable information offered in support of an opinion
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9. Kinds of Evidence “Reasons” for thinking as you do
Anecdotes and cases-in-point
Published reports
Eyewitness testimony
Expert testimony
Experiments
Statistical studies
Surveys
Research reviews
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10. Evaluating Complex Arguments
Step 1: Identify facts and opinions
Step 2: Check the facts and test the opinions
Step 3: Conduct research
Step 4: Evaluate the evidence
Step 5: Make your judgment
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11. Be Cautious About Bias
For bias toward ideas that confirm your personal view be more open to opposing ideas
For bias toward familiar ideas don’t exempt familiar ideas from analysis
For bias toward your likes and dislikes carry your preferences lightly
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