How do you gather the proper evidence to support your argumentative essay?

In this lesson you will learn how to collect evidence that

supports your thesis by using a variety of properly cited

resources.

Let’s Review

Finding Supporting Evidence

Choosing a topic / argument

A Common Mistake

Repetition due to lack of evidence.

Point made.Then, says it again and again

Core Lesson

Ask yourself and list, ‘What type of evidence will I need to make a convincing argument?’1

2 Select supporting evidence by reading texts, interviewing, and searching online.

3 Jot down citation information for each piece of evidence to guard against plagiarism.

Core Lesson

The lack of clean water in Africa has negative impacts on people’s health, the health of the environment and even the health of the economy that leaves many countries unable to improve, which is why more people need access to this precious natural resource.

What evidence will I need to make a

convincing argument?

• ✓

• Statistics about the number of people affected

• Medical information about the diseases caused

• Amount of time spent looking for clean water

• Interviews with classmates

✓

✓

✓

?

• News about efforts taken to find a solution✓

Core Lesson

• 884 million people do not have clean drinking water, three times the population of the USA (http://water.org/water-crisis/water-facts/water/)

Maybe I can start with an internet search to find out about the people affected

by unclean water?

• 2.5 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation, about 40% of the world’s total population (http://www.wateraid.org/uk/what_we_do/statistics/default.asp)

• 10 countries in Africa only have enough clean drinking water for half their population (http://criticalstages.com/samples/web_support_files/water/index.htm)

Search Phrase: “Unclean water facts”

• Each year, 3.5.75 million people die worldwide as a result of unclean water(http://www.hydratinghumanity.org/water-facts.php)

Core Lesson How do I use MLA format to cite the

sources I selected for use in-text?

• Water.org = (Water.org)

• WaterAid.org = (WaterAid)

• Water Facts Quiz = (Water Facts)

• HydratingHumanity.org = (Hydrating Humanity)

Core Lesson How do I write citations for use in the

works cited?

• "Water Facts: Water." water.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Aug 2012. <http://water.org/water-crisis/water-facts/water/>.

• "Statistics ." WaterAid:UK Site. WaterAid, n.d. Web. 18 Aug 2012. <http://www.wateraid.org/uk/what_we_do/statistics/default.asp>.

 • "Water Facts Quiz.”. Speakers Bureau, The World Bank, n.d. Web. 18 Aug 2012.

<http://criticalstages.com/samples/web_support_files/water/ index.htm>.

• "Facts About Water - Drinking Water Facts." Hydrating Humanity , 2012. Web. 18 Aug 2012. <http://www.hydratinghumanity.org/water-facts.php>.

 

• "Facts About Water - Drinking Water Facts." Hydrating Humanity , 2012. Web. 18 Aug 2012. <http://www.hydratinghumanity.org/water-facts.php>.

• "Statistics ." WaterAid:UK Site. WaterAid, n.d. Web. 18 Aug 2012. <http://www.wateraid.org/uk/what_we_do/statistics/default.asp>.

• "Water Facts Quiz.”. Speakers Bureau, The World Bank, n.d. Web. 18 Aug 2012. <http://criticalstages.com/samples/web_support_files/water/ index.htm>.

• "Water Facts: Water." water.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Aug 2012. <http://water.org/water-crisis/water-facts/water/>.

 

Core Lesson

Ask yourself and list, ‘What type of evidence will I need to make a convincing argument?’1

2 Get supporting evidence by reading texts, interviewing, and searching online.

3 Jot down citation information for each piece of evidence to guard against plagiarism

In this lesson you learned how to collect and choose evidence

that will effectively support your thesis by using a variety of properly cited resources.

Guided Practice

The lack of clean water in Africa has negative impacts on people’s health, the health of the environment and even the health of the economy that leaves many countries unable to improve, which is why more people need access to this precious natural resource.

Where else can you look for evidence?

When you take notes, make sure to include your sources.

What is your evidence?

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

With a partner, read an article from the op-ed section of your local newspaper. Make a list of the evidence the author used to support his/her position. Was this information believable? Cited? Explain, why or why not.

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

With a partner, come up with reasons you think you should be able to vote. Make a list of what kind of information you might need to support your position. Then, do a quick search on the internet and write down 2-3 pieces of evidence. Make sure to cite where you got this information.

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

Pick your favorite singer or sports team. Now, come up with reasons why they are the best. Make a list of evidence, along with the sources you used for this list. Then, ask yourself, “Would I be able to convince a classmate of my position?”

Let’s Review

Quick Quiz

On your own, think of a topic you want to argue. Collect relevant evidence to support your thesis. Make sure to use proper citations.