1. For your Speak essay, you need to use the novel itself and at least ONE other VALID source. This PowerPoint is intended to help you find a source that can accurately support the arguments that you make in your introduction.

2.  First off, credible=trustworthy… ◦ There are four key questions you can ask yourself to find out if a source is credible  What are the qualifications and reputation of the source’s writer?  Does the source use stereotypes?  Is the source accurate and consistent?  What are the circumstances under which the author prepared the source?

3.  What are the qualifications and reputation of the source’s writer? ◦ Any good source should have an author. ◦ A qualified writer should be associated with a college or university, be associated with a reputable professional organization, or have some real experience with what they are writing about. ◦ The writer may be from a newspaper or magazine, but must show evidence that he or she has done RESEARCH on the topic!

4.  Does the source use stereotypes? ◦ Stereotypes are generalizations that indicate bias or prejudice.  Are all blondes dumb? All athletes dumb? All smart kids nerds? All rural people hicks and rednecks? All poor people criminals?  Stereotypes are NOT CREDIBLE because using them overlooks differences in people and is BIASED and INSULTING.

5.  Is the source accurate and consistent? ◦ A writer uses many sources in his or her work.  If an author cites other sources and supports his or her claims, then it is clear that the author is KNOWLEDGABLE on the topic.  What does it say about an author is he or she randomly addresses a different topic in the middle of the text?  The author should be specific about which studies, people or organizations he or she cites. If the author is vague, does that confirm that the author knows the facts? Or does it demonstrate that the author is opinionated?

6.  What are the circumstances under which the author prepared the source? ◦ Informative writing is usually more factual than entertaining. ◦ The author should not be angry about something! ◦ Writing that strongly supports something can be extremely biased (one-sided). ◦ Writing that does not support facts with citations from reputable sources, studies and research is often opinionated and can be UNTRUE.

7.  THESIS: a claim that is supported with body paragraphs in an essay  To make a point or argument POWERFUL, YOU must support it with evidence (quotes from sources) ◦ Without evidence, a thesis or argument IS JUST AN OPINION. ◦ REMEMBER: REAL EVIDENCE is supported with research, studies, interviews, etc. This is why you find a VALID source to back up your claims about issues addressed in Speak.

8.  You need to use FACTUAL EVIDENCE to support your claim. ◦ Example1: Teens who are depressed often consider suicide. ◦ Example 2: According to a study done at the University of Michigan, teens who suffer from depression are 70% more likely to have suicidal tendencies than their peers. ◦ Which one is more credible?