Analyzing & Reporting Research
The Basic Framework
• Introduce source and author. Who is author and
why should we hear what he/she says?
• Succinctly summarize the source.
• Identify the main claim.
• Point out reasons.
• Note how evidence supports reasons.
• Recognize warrants/assumptions of author.
• Characterize tone of source if this is important.
How to Introduce the Source
Deborah Tannen, professor of linguistics at
Georgetown University, discusses “agonism”
in public argument in her article “We Need
Higher Quality Outrage.”
Succinctly Summarized
According to Tannen, “agonism,” which she
defines as “ritualized opposition, a knee-jerk,
automatic use of war-like forms,” has taken
center stage in public argument. She suggests
that the public no longer hears “genuine
opposition” in debates over important issues
because most people seem to prefer a “riveting
fight.” Her article further concludes that
negative attacks and name calling often replace
healthy oppositional discussions(23).
Tone: Attitude of Writer Toward
Subject
• Writer’s tone will tell you
something about his/her
position on subject.
• Your job is to appear neutral
in your discussion of sources.
Your Turn
• Read and annotate “What are we fighting for?” by
Ralph Wedgwood
• Introduce source and author. Who is author and
why should we hear what he/she says?
• Succinctly summarize the source.
• Identify the main claim.
• Point out reasons.
• Note how evidence supports reasons.
• Recognize warrants/assumptions of author.
• Characterize tone of source if this is important