Chapters 11-12: Organizing your Sources

Writing

Your writing should start with a introductory paragraph. It shouldn't just be the first paragraph but it should invite the reader to give attention to what you have to say. (380)

"Your style should be clear and readable, your or­ganization logical, your ideas connected by transitional phrases and sentences, your paragraphs coherent." (382)

Sketching A Primary Outline

Main topic

Reviewing the Research

Raise the relevant issues

Produce strongest evidence

Defend value claims

Argue with yourself

Consider the context

Evaluating Sources

Make sure they are relevant to topic

Are they unique sources?

Learn about the author and credibility

Revising

Should be the first thing you do after you
finish writing your paper.

Helps find mistakes in your writing.

Gets you a much better grade.

Oral Arguments

Professional and nonprofessional

Audience

When speaking you will need to have credibility

Organizing the Material

Defend the main idea

Refute the oppostion

Find the middle ground

Present the stock issues