What kind of information would
you look for to evaluate the
credibility of a source you
have found? What do I need
to consider when researching
my claim? How many sources
do I need? How do I outline my
essay before writing?
Evaluating Credibility of
Sources
 Who wrote the article? What background
information do you have about the author?
 What is the purpose of the article? What
evidence is provided in the article?
 When was the article written? When was the
information found for the article?
 Where did the information come from? Survey?
Scientific study? Research by an expert in the
field?
Research
 Go to the library website.
 Click Researching (there is also an English section
that has links)
 Use the websites provided including SIRS,, World
Book Online, ProQuest, elibrary, etc.
 Read and take notes about your topic.
 Find your evidence.
 For each of your sources, identify the credibility of the
source/author/information.
 Remember to think about what would need to be
proven for your argument to be fully supported.
 Wikipedia is NOT a valid source! For any site that you
are not sure of, see the previous slide to determine if it
is credible or ask your teacher or librarian.
What you’ll need to prove in
supporting paragraphs (by type
of approach)
Definition:
 each essential characteristic in the definition of B laid out, then lined up
against data characterizing A.
Evaluation:
 each essential criterion in measure B laid out, then aligned with A
Cause/Effect
 because without the cause(s), the effect(s) wouldn’t/would have occurred
 direct/indirect contributions of identified cause led to identified effect.
Proposal:
 direct/indirect contributions of proposal to intended effect laid out, then
compared/contrasted with analogous A’ to B’ relationship(s) to determine
informed guess of consequences. (similar situation where a similar proposal has
worked).
Make sure you find enough
evidence
 Write out your 2 supporting claims (reasons) –
these will become your first two body
paragraphs.
 For each of your claims (reasons), find a minimum
of 2 pieces of supporting evidence.
 Identify counterclaims to your specific claimsevidence of that counterclaim AND identify a
rebuttal and supporting evidence to refute the
counterclaim.
 Overall, you will need a minimum of 6 outside
sources for your essay: 4 supporting, 2 for counter
evidence.
WORKS CITED REQUIRED
 You are required to create a works cited page.
 Evidence must be cited in text, and in the works
cited page.
 Use Noodle Tools! You will need to export and
copy and paste your Works Cited into your
Google Doc at the end of your essay.
Outline
 Create a solid, fully developed outline for your argument using
the graph organizer worksheet provided by your teacher)
 For each supporting paragraph (you need 2).
 Supporting claim
 Evidence (2)
 For your counterclaim paragraph (1)
 Discuss the counterclaims to the claims presented in your
supporting paragraphs AND then provide a rebuttal that
provides reasons and evidence that REFUTES the
counterclaim.
 You can plan your intro and conclusion if you wish, but don’t
have them written out. These are often easier to write once you
have the body of your paper written.