Example Tools

This first tool (click here) Links to an external site. is a rough draft using a form layout. The answers to this will fill in a Google Spreadsheet.

This second tool (below) is a rough draft feeding into a study guide, like those you would find in the bookstore that are laminated.

I. KEY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS -

Analogy – a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification
Analysis - finding the parts of the problem, separating them, trying to see how things fit together
Argument – one form of persuasion, relies on reason
Assumptions – one or more unexamined beliefs
Backing – the implicit assumptions made in an argument
Claim – conclusion or thesis
Deduction – the mental process of moving from one statement to another to further a statement
Ethos – persuasion by appealing to ethics
Evaluation – judging the merit of our claims and assumptions and the weight of the evidence in their favor
Fallacies – a mistaken belief, one based on unsound judgment
Grounds – explicit evidence, reasons, support on which the claim is based
Heuristic – a method or process of discovering ideas
Induction –using what we have observed as a basis for asserting /proposing something new
Logos – persuasion by appealing to reason
Modality – form something exists or is expressed and believed to hold true, e.g. qualifying assertions
Ostensive definition – a way to define something by pointing to an example
Paradox – a assertion that is essentially self-contradictory and therefore is not true, or a seemingly contradictory assertion that nevertheless is true
Paraphrase – a word-by-word or phrase-by-phrase rewording of a text
Pathos – persuasion by appealing to the emotions
Premises – stated assumptions used as reasons in an argument
Rebuttals - reasons advanced by someone who rejects the authors’ claim, or who concedes their claim but rejects the grounds offered in its support
Satire – witty ridicule
Stipulative definition – a specific definition that the speaker/writer stipulates due to no standard definition being available or for purpose of an argument
Syllogism – an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion
Testimony – the citation or quote of authorities
Thesis – chief point, major claim
Warrant – guarantee that the reasons offered supports the claim or lead to the conclusion

II. WRITING AN ARGUMENT -
1. A. Skim the intro for the thesis - what is it and what is being argued?
  1. 1. Does the thesis make an arguable assertion rather than assert an unarguable fact, announce a topic, or declare an unarguable opinion or belief?
  2. 2. Is the thesis broad enough to cover the entire argument that I will be presenting but narrow enough for me to be able to cover the topic in a space allotted?
2. B. While you skim the body paragraphs you should underline, highlight, and/or annotate the key passages
3. C. Read the entire paper and take notes while reading, summarize each paragraph in a sentence or two and list the contents of the paper, as well as the strengths and weaknesses
4. D. Jot down a summary – make sure it is accurate, covers all main points, and will be clear and helpful to anyone who reads it. A key question to ask yourself is: Did you put yourself in the author’s shoes?

III. WATCHING AN ARGUMENT –
1. A. For a short video watch it completely first.
  1. 1. Write out what you think the thesis is and the main points.
  2. 2. Watch it a second time and determine the audience if you can. Also try to get any main points you missed.
  3. 3. If analyzing or using the video as a source you may need to watch it several more times to be accurate in your analysis, supports and quotes.
2. B. For a longer video you should watch it in shorter segments.
  1. 1. For each segment write a summary of what happened and the main points.
  2. 2. Attempt to determine the audience and the thesis.
  3. 3. If analyzing or using the video as a source you should watch it in smaller segments to make sure you get the main points, support and quotes written correctly.
  4. 4. If possible try to find a transcript to compare to your notes for accuracy.

IV. TARGETING THE AUDIENCE –
1. A. Who are my readers? What do they believe? What common ground do we share? What do I want my readers to believe? What do they need to know? Why should they care?
2. B. Have I provided necessary background (including definitions of special terms) if the imagined readers probably are not especially familiar with the topic?
3. C. Are these imagined readers likely to be neutral? Sympathetic? Hostile?

V. FORMATS OF PAPERS -
1. A. CLASSICAL ARGUMENT –
  1. 1. Writing a Classical Argument –
    1. a. Present the case you want to make.
    2. b. Add the important background the reader will need to understand the argument including defining key terms.
    3. c. State your position on the issue being discussed and how you will present the argument.
    4. d. Discuss the reasons for your position and make sure you cite evidence to back up your reasoning.
    5. e. Address the people and ideas that oppose you in a fair manner including any fallacies.
    6. f. Summarize your key points and make a final appeal to the reasonableness of your readers.

2. Analyzing a Classical Argument Using Toulmin Model –
1. a. What claim does the argument make?
2. b. What grounds are offered for the claim?
3. c. What warrants the bond between the grounds to the claim?
4. d. What backing supports the claim?
5. e. With what modalities are the claim and grounds asserted?
6. f. To what rebuttals are the claim, grounds, and backing vulnerable?

B. ROGERIAN ARGUMENT –

1. Writing a Rogerian Argument -
1. a. State the problem and it’s need for solution
2. b. Objectively state the opposition
3. c. Acknowledge the opposing values and admit to the circumstances in which the position would indeed be acceptable.
4. d. The writer will attempt to show how the opposing position will be improved if the writer’s own position is accepted.
5. e. Show why under the circumstances your position has higher validity.
6. f. Conclude your argument making a final appeal to logos and ethos.

2. Analyzing a Rogerian Argument -
1. a. Has the problem been stated and is negotiation possible?
2. b. Is at least one other point of view stated objectively, authoritatively and completely?
3. c. Is the writer being courteous to those who hold views other than theirs?
4. d. Has the writer granted validity, at least in some circumstances, to at least some aspects of other positions?
5. e. Has the writer stated their position and indicated the contexts in which they believe it is valid?
6. f. Has common ground been established and addressed?
7. g. Has it been shown how other positions will be strengthened by accepting some aspects of the writer’s position?

C. RESEARCH PAPER–
1. 1. Writing a Research Paper –
  1. a. Review instructions completely

1) Determine the word or page count.

2) Determine the number of need sources as well as source types.

b. Choose a topic within the parameters of the directions for the assignment

1) Make sure the topic is something you can elaborate or condense enough to fit word or page restrictions for the assignment.

2) Make sure the topic is something you could cover thoroughly in the given time frame.

c. Formulate questions to research

1) Start researching the answers through acceptable primary and secondary sources.

2) Analyze the credibility of the source.

a) What is the purpose of the website, journal, book . . . ?

b) Is this an objective source and who is the intended audience?

3) Summarize the information gathered from each source as you go through them

a) Write a thesis statement for each work.

b) Comment on the source itself including its objective, audience, and credibility.

d. Writing your paper

1) Give enough background that the audience can fully understand the topic.

2) Add quotes or summaries from sources as needed particularly to support main points.

3) Expand on the relevance and importance of each quote or summary.

4) Link each main idea or section of paper to a thesis statement.

5) Cite each source in proper format for your paper as you go.

e. Reread and edit your draft

1) Check for clarity of thesis, appropriate citations, good grammar, and fix spelling errors.

2) Create title page, abstract, works cited, and running header with page numbers.

f. Revise for final draft

1) Reread paper and any feedback

2) Make any additions needed to fit assignment parameters including running header, title page, abstract, and proper works cited page if you haven’t done so already.

3) Fix any citation, grammar, or spelling errors you may have missed.

2. Analyzing a research paper –
1. a. Is the topic covered well in the allotted space?
2. b. Is the thesis clear and in the first few paragraphs?
3. c. Is there accurate background given so that you can understand the subject?
4. d. Are the main points clear?
5. e. Are the main points supported by credible sources?
6. f. Are all the main points linked to the thesis?

VI. CITATIONS -

A. MLA – used for English and other Humanities

1. Books -
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.
2. Periodicals -
1. a. Magazine
  Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Day Month Year: pages. Medium of publication.
2. b. Scholarly Journal
  Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume. Issue (Year): pages. Medium of publication.
3. 3. Internet -
  Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). Name of Site. Version number. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or publisher), date of resource creation (if available). Medium of publication. Date of access.

B. APA – used for Sciences

1. Books -
Author, A. A. (Year of Publication). Title of Work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Location: Publisher.
2. Periodicals -
1. a. Basic Form
  Author, A.A., Author B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number (issues number), pages. doi:http://dx.doi.org/xx.xxx/yyyyy
2. b. Magazine
  Henry, W.A., III. (1990, April 9). Making the grade in today’s schools. Time, 135, 28-31.
3. 3. Internet -
  Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Online Periodical, volume number (issue number if available). Retrieved from

VII. RESOURCES –

A. Son of Citation Machine – citationmachine.net

1. Use for citing in MLA, APA, Chicago, and Turabian
2. Free plagiarism check

B. Bib Me – bibme.org

1. Use for citing in MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian
2. Auto or manual fill for books, magazines, newspapers, journals, film, audio . . .

C. Purdue Online Writing Lab – owl.english.purdue.edu

1. Use for citing MLA or APA
2. Resources for finding sources, example papers, professional writing help

D. Writer’s Reference – based on seventh edition

1. Use for help in citing in MLA and APA formats
2. Help for writing, revising, grammar, word choice, and punctuation.

This third tool is from a Face to face class--images uploaded (a flow chart)