Using Effective Evidentiary Support
Learning Objectives: - Identify the most effective portions of a text to use as evidence in an essay or written response.
- Use attributive phrases and in-text citations appropriately in an essay or written response.
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LESSON
Part of developing an essayA short piece of writing that focuses on at least one main idea. Some essays are also focused on the author's unique point of view, making them personal or autobiographical, while others are focused on a particular literary, scientific, or political subject. involves identifying sourcesA person, book, article, or other thing that supplies information. that will strengthen your thesisAn overall argument, idea, or belief that a writer uses as the basis for a work.. Equally important is recognizing the most effective portions of those sources that you should present to your readers. Finding the right sources and the most effective portions of those sources is crucial to building evidentiary supportEvidence that supports the claims or viewpoints expressed in an essay and helps convince readers that an argument has merit. Evidentiary support may take the form of facts and statistics, expert opinions, or anecdotal evidence. for your thesis.
It is wise to be selective about the type and amount of source material you use in your essays. Be cautious in using others' work; your readers want to read your ideas—not a copy of someone else's. Using too much source material without enough of your own analysisTo analyze is to make a thoughtful and detailed study of something. An analysis is the end result of analyzing. demonstrating how the evidence supports your own thesis can detract from your own authority on the topicThe subject of a reading. .
Once you have identified the relevant source materialInformation that is quoted or paraphrased from outside works, such as journal articles, online documents, and books. , make sure you incorporate it properly using attributive phrasesA short introduction to source material that identifies the author and often the title of a work that will be quoted or discussed in an essay or research paper. and in-text citationsInformation about a source, such as the author, date, and page number, in an essay or research paper that helps readers find the source in the works cited or references page. There are different rules for how to use in-text citations depending on the context of the citation and the style of formatting you are using.. In this lesson, you will learn how to identify the most effective parts of source material to use as evidenceFacts, statistics, or expert testimony that supports a claim. in an essay, as well as how to citeTo give credit to the source of ideas or information. them appropriately with attributive phrases and in-text citations.
Identifying the Most Effective Portions of a Text
To identify the most important portions of a readingA piece of writing to be read. A reading can either be a full work (i.e., a book) or partial (i.e., a passage). to use as support, you first need to have an idea of the claimsA statement that something is true, such as the thesis of an essay. A successful writer must present evidence to prove his/her claim. that you are going to make so that you can develop questions to select the best evidence. For this lesson, let's suppose that you are writing an analysisTo analyze is to make a thoughtful and detailed study of something. An analysis is the end result of analyzing. of the book Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin.
First, develop a thesis, such as: In Happier at Home, Gretchen Rubin successfully argues that one's possessions greatly contribute to one's happiness.
Next, develop the questions that this thesis prompts in both your mind and the mind of your intended audienceThe group of people a writer expects to read a text. Writers use specific language, details, and examples to speak directly to their intended audience. For example, you would write and organize your work differently if your audience was a group of experts in the field of your work than if it was a group of undergraduate students being introduced to the topic..
- What specific details did Rubin share that made her argumentA set of statements or reasons making a case for or against something.?
- What specific examples illustrate that possessions can increase happiness?
- What sources does Rubin incorporate to strengthen her claim?
After creating these questions, read through the text and search for the answers to them. To begin with, skimTo read over quickly in order to pick out the main ideas but not the details. the text for any quick signs of identifying markers that an answer may be near. These could be headings, pictures, figures, and charts. Quotation marksA set of single or double inverted commas (' ' or " ") that are placed around a word or passage to mark the beginning and end of a direct quotation or a title. are an indicator that your source has incorporated its own source. Additionally, you may develop new questions as you read. Your research may turn up new evidence that will cause you to adjust your thesis and analysis.
For example, in reading Happier at Home, one would find an answer to the last question, "What sources does Rubin incorporate to strengthen her claim?"
On pages 21 and 22, Rubin quotes researchers who have found that in most cultures, people's possessions are central to their lives.
Continue to analyze the reading until you've found the answers to all your questions. Be sure to note where the words and ideas are coming from because you will need that information to properly incorporate your source into your essay.
Finding the answers in the text to these types of questions shows you exactly which parts of the reading will work best as evidentiary support for your essay. Although there may be many aspects of a text that are interesting and important, answering questions related to your thesis will help you narrow your focus to what is absolutely necessary.
Citing Sources Using Attributive Phrases and In-text Citations
Once you have identified the information from your source that will best support your claims, you need to properly incorporate it into your own essay or response. Whether you paraphraseThe use of different words to express the meaning of an original text or speech. or quoteTo use the exact words of someone else in a writing. Quotes are indicted in a writing using quotation marks and attributive phrases. your source, it is always best to introduce your source with an attributive phrase. If additional information is required to lead your readers to the correct entry in your list of works cited/references page, include that information in an in-text citation. In MLAA grammar and reference guide used mainly by students and scholars writing about the humanities (languages and literature). style, the attributive phrase and in-text citation must include the author's last name and the page number where the paraphrase or quote comes from. The first time an author is mentioned in prose, use both first and last names. After that, only the last name is required. In APAA set of guidelines for citing sources used in literary and academic writing. APA style is most commonly used in the social sciences. style, the required information is the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number.
MLA example:
In her book Happier at Home, Gretchen Rubin remarked, "the proper relationship of possessions to happiness is hotly debated. People often argue that possessions don't—or shouldn't—matter much to happiness, but I think they do" (21).
"Gretchen Rubin remarked" is the attributive phrase. There is a comma separating the attributive phrase from the quote, and there are opening and closing quotations marks around the quote. The quote is "the proper relationship of possessions to happiness is hotly debated. People often argue that possessions don't—or shouldn't—matter much to happiness, but I think they do." The in-text citation is "(21)" and it is followed by end punctuation—in this case, a period.
APA example:
In her book Happier at Home, Gretchen Rubin (2012) remarked, "the proper relationship of possessions to happiness is hotly debated. People often argue that possessions don't—or shouldn't—matter much to happiness, but I think they do" (p. 21).
"In her book Happier at Home...Gretchen Rubin remarked" is the attributive phrase. The year of publication is "(2012)." There is a comma separating the attributive phrase from the quote, and there are opening and closing quotations marks around the quote. The quote is "the proper relationship of possessions to happiness is hotly debated. People often argue that possessions don't—or shouldn't—matter much to happiness, but I think they do." The in-text citation is "(p. 21)" and it is followed by end punctuation—in this case, a period.
Sometimes, an attributive phrase does not include any of the necessary information, in which case it all needs to appear in the in-text citation.
MLA example:
A recent study found that possessions do seem to influence our happiness or lack thereof (Rubin 21).
"A recent study found" is the attributive phrase. "Rubin" is the author's name and "21" is the page number.
APA example:
A recent study found that possessions do seem to influence our happiness or lack thereof (Rubin, 2012, p. 21).
"A recent study found" is the attributive phrase. "Rubin" is the author's name, "2012" is the year of publication, and "p. 21" is the page number. Notice the commas following the author's name and the year of publication.
There are also instances when you may not utilize an attributive phrase at all—for example, when an idea or fact is present in several cited sources, or when you wish to place the emphasis on the idea or fact rather than on its author. In these instances, you will need to include all the required information in the in-text citation.
MLA example:
Possessions do seem to influence our happiness or lack thereof (Rubin 21).
"Rubin" is the author's name and "21" is the page number.
APA Example:
Possessions do seem to influence our happiness or lack thereof (Rubin, 2012, p. 21).
"Rubin" is the author's name, "2012" is the year of publication, and "p. 21" is the page number. Notice the commas following the author's name and the year of publication.
+ PRACTICAL APPLICATIONYou will encounter many situations that will require you to choose the most effective evidence in both the school and work settings. One specific academic scenario is when you are preparing to write a research paper. Regardless of the discipline—art history, philosophy, biology, or psychology—you need to be able to pick out and understand which pieces of the reading provide the best evidentiary support for your own analysis or thesis.
Imagine you are writing an essay on the effects of cigarette smoking on our economy's overall health costs. It is important to review your source materials carefully, asking questions about whether or not the author has provided reliable, credibleDescribes a person who is trusted and able to be believed; reliable. sources to support her arguments or if there are gaps. Being able to pick out which are the most effective pieces of a reading to use as evidentiary support for your own thesis is essential.
Another example is in the work setting: Your boss has tasked you with researching, writing, and presenting a report that presents different approaches to customer service. In doing so, you are expected to read reviews of countless customer service approaches. Developing the ability to find the most effective materials from these readings to support your own argument is extremely valuable in the workplace.
+ EXAMPLEFirst, read the following passage. Then, consider a sample thesis that evaluates the reading. Later, you will consider some questions based on that thesis that will help identify the most effective evidence from the reading. Finally, you will see how an effective portion of the reading can be incorporated into an essay sentence.
The Case for Recess by Linda Acri, 2013
Under pressure to improve student grades, many schools have cut back on recess, or even dropped it altogether. This is shortsighted and potentially dangerous, since studies show that unstructured play promotes educational, social, emotional, and creative development.
It may seem logical that more time in the classroom leads to better grades, but research suggests that recess is also important for academic success. Switching between structured and unstructured activities refreshes the brain and enhances its ability to store new information. Too much time spent on one type of task reduces the amount of information a child can absorb, while occasional breaks from schoolwork improve concentration.
The positive effects of recess go beyond grades into expanding the social and personal skills of children. Recess gives children time to talk and connect with one another, which strengthens their communication skills and puts them at ease with school and their peers. Free time at school can help children develop persistence and self-control. Creative skills are boosted when kids plan and design their own games and activities. If we want schools to help children not just learn but also grow as people, we must provide them with time each day just to be kids.
In his 2012 study "Sedentary Children are Blue, Bored, and Belligerent," Doctor Mark Phillips of the Main Hospital demonstrates that children need exercise, fresh air, sunlight, daily interaction with peer groups, and time at school during which they aren’t being told what to do. Otherwise, they become "tired, bored, depressed, angry, antisocial, and unfocused." Phillips goes on to say that "schools must take responsibility for what is happening to children," and even suggests that the elimination of recess "borders on criminal."
Recess is also important because many children don't have the opportunity or inclination to play outside when the school day ends. Some participate in sedentary after-school programs like tutoring or arts and crafts. Others go right home, but stay indoors watching electronic entertainment or doing homework rather than playing tag in the yard or throwing around a ball. Many parents don't let their children roam their neighborhood the way they themselves once did. Due to both real and imagined dangers, few adults are comfortable letting their children play outside, particularly in urban neighborhoods or after dark. When I talked with one mother, she told me, "It's just not safe to let them go outside. Look at all the child abductions on television!"
We must help our children to thrive in all the ways they should. School administrators, city councilmen, and parents, think back to your childhood. Remember when you could barely sit still at your desk, filled with gleeful anticipation of schoolyard games, friend time, freedom from the stuffy classroom air, and the opportunity to rest your mind and pencil-gripping hands? Let's give kids a break. Bring back recess!
Now, read this thesis that evaluates the reading.
Thesis: Linda Acri's "A Case for Recess" successfully makes a convincing and persuasive case for why we must fight for our children's recess time.
The next step is to develop questions based on the thesis that will help identify the most effective evidence in the reading. Here are some questions to consider:
- What specific details does Acri provide to make her argument?
- Which examples illustrate that children's recess time is valuable and worth fighting for?
- What sources did Acri incorporate that support her claims?
Next, go back though and review the reading, keeping these questions in mind. Then, consider the answers to these questions.
- What specific details does Acri provide to make her argument?
Acri describes how children learn more and become better acclimated to school when they get time to relax, socialize, and play during the school day. She also points out that recess may be the only opportunity many children have to play outdoors because of the current realities of family life in urban settings.
- What examples illustrate that children's recess time is valuable and worth fighting for?
Acri does not provide specific examples of children benefiting from recess, but she does describe in general terms how recess enhances educational, social, emotional, and creative development and helps children avoid boredom, attention deficits, depression, and a lack of social skills.
- What sources did Acri incorporate that support her claims?
Acri references a peer reviewed study conducted by a research physician from a well-respected hospital.
Finally, see how an effective portion of the reading can be incorporated into an essay with an attributive phrase and with an in-text citation.
Original: "The positive effects of recess go beyond grades into expanding the social and personal skills of children."
MLA Citation Style
Attributive phrase with a quote:
In her article "The Case for Recess," Gretchen Acri discusses the link between child development and recess: "The positive effects of recess go beyond grades into expanding the social and personal skills of children" (1).
In-text citation with a paraphrase:
There does appear to be a connection between recess and a child's social, emotional, and creative development (Acri 1).
APA Citation Style
Attributive phrase with a quote:
In her article "The Case for Recess," Acri (2013) discusses the link between child development and recess: "The positive effects of recess go beyond grades into expanding the social and personal skills of children" (p. 1).
In-text citation with a paraphrase:
There does appear to be a connection between recess and a child's social, emotional, and creative development (Acri, 2013, p. 1).
+ YOUR TURNFirst, read the following reading. Next, using a thesis that evaluates the text, you will develop questions based on that thesis that will help identify the most effective evidence from the text. After you have developed these questions, review the reading to answer those questions. Finally, you will incorporate a portion of the text into essay sentences that use an attributive phrase and an in-text citation.
Small But Mighty: Go For Quantity More Than Quality in the Scholarship Hunt
by Lena Morales, 2014
Every student dreams of winning a full college scholarship, one that will pay tuition and even living expenses for all four years. But the reality is that these major awards are rare and the competition for them is exceedingly fierce. While they are definitely worth trying for, a smarter strategy for most students is to devote more effort into getting smaller scholarships. As the old saying goes, sometimes less is more.
In his article "Top 10 Myths About Scholarships," Mark Kantrowitz, author of numerous works on financial aid, describes why a smart student should be willing to think small. He says that less generous scholarships are easier to get because many people don't bother with them. Plus, not only does every little bit help, it can also add up to a substantial amount if there are enough of them. Kantrowitz also points out that every scholarship you win, no matter how small, is another line to add to your resume. Each one shows that someone was willing to invest in you, and that may help persuade the next grantor to do the same. Although applying for scholarships takes time and effort, it does get easier as you get used to the process and gain experience in writing essays and answering questions about yourself.
Once you accept the value in smaller scholarships, you need to learn how to find them. Because they aren't as high profile as awards in the tens of thousands of dollars, you may have to do a lot of digging. Luckily, you don’t need to do it alone.
U.S. News, which regularly publishes tips and tricks on finding scholarships, recommends dividing the hunt into two areas: on the homefront, and on the spot. On the homefront, it recommends that you enlist the aid of parents, friends, and high school counselors to see if scholarships are available from employers, school networks and alumni associations, community organizations and service clubs, and religious institutions. The recommendation for finding scholarships on the spot is that once you've been accepted to a college, look to your department, student aid office, and check with campus organizations like sports, clubs, sororities, and fraternities (2010, 2013, 2014).
The Internet is undoubtedly the greatest source of information on scholarships, but the sheer amount of advice it provides can be bewildering. Use caution! As James Montoya, vice president of higher education at The College Board says, "There are many scams out there charging for scholarship information that is available for free on the Internet. Avoid companies that claim they will do all the work for you, or those that guarantee scholarship money, or those who claim to have exclusive information" (2011, p. 2). Katherine Cohen, founder and CEO, IvyWise and ApplyWise.com has more advice: "There's $3+ billion in scholarships. Research and apply to many 'good fit' scholarships. Find scholarships aligning with your background and abilities using free online tools: FastWeb.com, CollegeBoard.com, and Scholarships.com" (2011, para. 8).
Once you've put together a list of scholarships that you qualify for, it's time to apply. Start early, and make sure you understand the deadlines and documentation needed for each application; a spreadsheet will come in handy. Work hard at making each application specific and appropriate to the scholarship, and don't reuse essays – grantors aren't impressed by form answers.
Kantrowitz, the financial aid expert, has some final words of encouragement:
| Apply for every scholarship for which you are eligible to increase your chances of winning a scholarship. It's a numbers game. Even among talented students, winning involves a bit of luck, not just skill. It is very difficult to choose a winner from among several excellent finalists, so it is often a bit random who wins and who doesn't. Most students who win many scholarships have more rejections than successful applications. Perseverance is a key to winning more scholarships. (2011, p. 4) |
Using the following thesis, develop questions based on that thesis that will help you choose the best support in the text.
Thesis:
Morales makes a strong but not definitive case that applying for many small scholarships is the smartest strategy for most students.
- Does Morales provide any evidence or thoughts in making her argument?
- What specific details does Morales provide that show the advantages of many small scholarships?
- What evidence is missing in Morales' argument?
- What sources does Morales incorporate that support her claims?
Now, go back and review the text, answering the questions you developed.
- Does Morales provide any evidence or thoughts in making her argument?
Yes, her arguments are logical and well supported. She suggests several ways to find small scholarships, illustrating that they are indeed widely available.
- What specific details does Morales provide that show the advantages of many small scholarships?
Morales points out that there are many more small scholarships available, as well as fewer applicants, so the odds of winning them are higher. She also notes that every award has a domino effect, making subsequent wins more likely. And she correctly notes that many small scholarships can add up to large amounts.
- What evidence is missing in Morales' argument?
Morales fails to provide statistics to back up her suggestion. She doesn't factor in the time, effort, and expense involved in applying for scholarships. It would be helpful to include a discussion of how individual students can decide which approach is right for their circumstances.
- What sources does Morales incorporate that support her claims?
She includes quotes from an expert in financial aid and from executives at scholarship search organizations. She also references a respected news magazine with a long history of reporting on college funding issues.
Finally, use the following portion of the reading to quote and paraphrase with an attributive phrase and in-text citation. You may use either MLA or APA format for your citations, depending on your instructor's preference.
Original quote:
"But the reality is that these major awards are rare and the competition for them is exceedingly fierce. While they are definitely worth trying for, a smarter strategy for most students is to devote more effort into getting smaller scholarships."
MLA Citation Style
Develop an essay sentence that integrates the source by using an attributive phrase with a quote and an in-text citation.
In her article "Small But Mighty: Go For Quantity More Than Quality In The Scholarship Hunt," Lena Morales argues that it makes more financial sense to pursue smaller scholarships: "But the reality is that these major awards are rare and the competition for them is exceedingly fierce. While they are definitely worth trying for, a smarter strategy for most students is to devote more effort into getting smaller scholarships" (1).
Develop an essay sentence that integrates the source by using an in-text citation with a paraphrase of the quote.
The truth is, most large scholarships are few and far between and sought after by many qualified applicants. A different strategy is to spend more time applying for multiple smaller scholarships (Morales 1).
APA Citation Style
Develop an essay sentence that integrates the source by using an attributive phrase with a quote and an in-text citation.
In her article, "Small But Mighty: Go For Quantity More Than Quality In The Scholarship Hunt," Morales (2014) argues that it makes more financial sense to pursue smaller scholarships: "But the reality is that these major awards are rare and the competition for them is exceedingly fierce. While they are definitely worth trying for, a smarter strategy for most students is to devote more effort into getting smaller scholarships" (p. 1).
Develop an essay sentence that integrates the source by using an in-text citation with a paraphrase of the quote.
The truth is, most large scholarships are few and far between and sought after by many qualified applicants. A different strategy is to spend more time applying for multiple smaller scholarships (Morales, 2014, p. 1).
+ METACOGNITIVE QUESTIONWhy is using an attributive phrase important when incorporating cited evidentiary support into your essay?
Attributive phrases are important when incorporating cited evidentiary support into your essay because they indicate to your reader that you are incorporating a source. They also show that you have carefully documented your research and are giving proper credit to the people whose ideas you have used.
This lesson follows the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual, published in 2019, and the 9th Edition of the MLA Handbook, published in 2021. Check the APA Publication Manual and the MLA Handbook for updates to the standards.
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