6. 2. Incorporating Sources— The ways we incorporate sources will be different at this level Simplistic patterns—introduce, quote, comment—we learned in earlier stages of writing don’t quite cut it anymore Engage, engage, engage
7. 2. Incorporating Sources— With every quotation or paraphrase or piece of data you include, ask yourself this question—What do I wish to prove here? And how will I position my commentary to help my reader follow my lead?
8. 2. Incorporating Sources— Your paper is not a collection of quotations and paraphrases that support your ideas Rather, your paper is in dialogue with other sources and with your reader
9. What makes my paper an argument rather than a research report? --Clear purpose --Clearly differentiated from ideas that came before --Emphasis on plan for change --Strong Voice
10. Incorporate these pieces Strong, persuasive thesis Call to action (clear, detailed plan) Topic sentences that give readers a guide rail—that is, they continue the argument Concession—Acknowledge & Respond to counter-arguments Convincing Evidence Very strong commentary
11. Making an Argument Suggestion 1—Give your paper some respect Your paper should be making an important contribution to public discourse, so allow it to do so Your paper should not simply parrot what the experts say
12. Making an Argument Suggestion 2—Give your paper a voice Your paper will argue what you believe in a manner that you consider ethical and appropriate Your paper won’t allow experts to shout you down—it will showcase your argument and use experts
13. Making an Argument Suggestion 3—Be Yourself Your paper will argue what you believe in a manner that you consider ethical and appropriate Your phrasing and approach will be unique to you, not dictated by the imaginary five paragraph essay form
14. Making an Argument Suggestion 4—Respect Your Audience They may disagree with you but be receptive to your ideas—let them in Give them good evidence, solid reasoning, and detailed explanations so they can make up their own minds Guide them instead of railing at them or your opposition
15. Making an Argument Suggestion 5—Give your audience something to chew on I love papers that make me think about a problem in a new way Avoiding same-old arguments requires branching out from your sources a bit and thinking for yourself Don’t be afraid to do so!
16. Making an Argument Suggestion 6—Think like everybody else, and then rethink the whole thing To make your work stand out, take a look at the conventional wisdom and then depart from it Anticipate objections to your argument Include a concession & response (counter arg.) I know, I know—carbon gasses cause global warming and I should drive less…. Give me a new way to view this, even if you must give me the same old statistics.
17. Test your argument out. Find someone whose ideology or worldview is different from yours. Ask someone to play devil’s advocate as you lay out your plan. Imagine the mortal enemy of your plan in supervillain garb—How would he or she take your plan/reasoning apart?
