Gathering evidence

1. Gathering
Evidence
Or researching your topic

2. Researching your Topic
 Know what you are researching.
 Possible search terms
 Break down your question.
 Thesis statement (Debatable & Narrow)
 Know where to go to get your info.
 Evaluate your sources. All sources ARE NOT
EQUAL.
 Browse or Direct/Search Box
 Gather evidence that supports your assertion.
 Cite your sources.
 It’s the right thing to do.
 Adds credibility to your argument.

3.  Sometimes
finalizing your
thesis comes
after you begin
to collect
evidence.
 Fact vs. opinion
Use databases and
websites to gather
your evidence
Are you composing an
ARGUMENT or PERSUADING
someone.

4. Libguide
 Opposing Viewpoints Database
 Database vs. Search Engines
Websites
 Data online
http://libguides.stewardschool.org/simpsonhistory

5. Opposing Viewpoints Database

6. Opposing Viewpoints Database

7. Opposing Viewpoints Database

8. Opposing Viewpoints Database

9. Opposing Viewpoints Database

10. Opposing Viewpoints Database

11.  Anyone can publish a
website. (wanna see
mine?) So, look at them
closely. If you found the
answer to your question in
a click or two on the
Internet, it’s probably
mediocre evidence.
 Think to yourself: Is it
credible? Accurate? Is
there a date of publication
at the bottom of the
website? What does it say
in the “About” section of
the website? Was it paid for
by an organization with a
vested interest?
 What is the URL? .org; .gov
is more credible than .com
 There are times that
Google and Wikipedia are
fine to explore a topic and
there are times you need
to pull “the big guns” out
and find your evidence on
a database.
Want more than
the database?
Selecting a source
Think critically

12.  Plagiarism is a
violation of the
honor code.
 Paraphrase your
research!
 Attribute thoughts
and ideas
accordingly.
 Check your rubric
for bibliography
requirements.
 OWL Purdue is the
best digital
reference for MLA
Citation Style.
MLA Citation
You must cite your evidence!
Not only is it the right thing to
do but it improves your
argument.