What could a writer/presenter/performer do with this source?
More on "How to Use Sources Effectively."
Based on Bizup, J. (2008). BEAM: A rhetorical vocabulary for teaching research-based writing. Rhetoric Review 27.1, 72-86.
1. Who is the author? Is he/she a scholar? A historian? A social scientist? A journalist? A blogger? Is it or is it not clear who the author is?
2. What was the author's purpose for writing this article/book/website? Who is the intended audience? How do you know?
3. What kinds of evidence does the author use? Does the author document her/his sources? Does the author rely on opinion or unsubstantiated claims?
4. What kinds of questions can we ask using this article/book/website?
5. What questions are we unable to answer using this article/book/website?
| Information Need | Sources to Consult | Search Tools & Help |
|---|---|---|
| Overview of Topic |
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| Definitions |
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| Primary Sources (first hand or contemporary accounts) |
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| Secondary Sources (comprehensive and/or detailed analyses) |
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| Facts |
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| Current Events, Popular Culture |
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| Historical Information |
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| Evaluative Sources |
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