CompFAQ/Support: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:25, 12 April 2023

📝 English Composition Writing FAQ	1101 • 1102 • 📖

Supporting Arguments in College Essays

Crafting a strong argument is a crucial aspect of writing a successful college essay. However, an argument alone is not enough to persuade your audience. To effectively convince your reader of your position, you need to provide strong support for your argument. This support can come in many forms, including evidence, research, examples, and personal experiences. But how do you know what type of support to use and how to use it effectively? In this post, we will explore the art of supporting arguments in college essays and provide you with some tips and strategies to help you make your case effectively.

Supporting an argument is one of the most critical elements of writing a college essay. Without effective support, your essay can come across as unfounded or simply your opinion, which can diminish its impact on the reader. The key to successful support is using a variety of primary and secondary sources to bolster your argument.

Primary sources are original documents or firsthand accounts, such as interviews, diaries, letters, literary texts, or artworks that provide direct evidence for your argument. Secondary sources, on the other hand, are works that interpret, analyze, or comment on primary sources. Examples of secondary sources include books, articles, and essays written by scholars or experts in the field.

When using primary sources, evaluate their credibility, relevance, and accuracy. Make sure the source is reputable and unbiased, and that it directly supports your argument. Additionally, be mindful of how you incorporate primary sources into your essay. Direct quotations can be powerful, but they should be used sparingly and only when they serve a specific purpose. Paraphrasing or summarizing a primary source can be just as effective and more seamless in your writing.

Secondary sources can provide valuable context and analysis for your argument, but again, be sure to choose sources that are reputable and relevant. When using secondary sources, cite them properly and integrate them smoothly into your writing. Be sure to accurately represent the author’s ideas and arguments, and to clearly show how they support your own argument.

Ultimately, effective support requires a balance of primary and secondary sources, as well as thoughtful and deliberate integration into your writing. By using a variety of sources and carefully considering their relevance and credibility, you can strengthen your argument and create a more compelling essay.

note: For more on supporting your argument, see “Use Strong Evidence and Examples” for specific types of support, and “The Power of Research: Enhancing Your College Essays” for how to find and cite strong sources.

Written: 2002, 2022; Revised: 04-12-2023; Version: Beta 0.7		💬

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-The best '''support''' when writing a college essay is gained through researching '''secondary sources'''. A secondary source is a document or material that provides information about a topic but does not originate from the topic itself. Instead, it is created by someone who is referencing, analyzing, or commenting on the primary source, which is the original source of the information. Examples of secondary sources include textbooks, biographies, encyclopedias (including Wikipedia), review articles, and other materials that synthesize, interpret, or analyze information from primary sources. Secondary sources can be valuable resources in research and essay writing, as they can provide context, analysis, and multiple perspectives on a topic.
+{{dc|C}}{{start|rafting a strong argument}} is a crucial aspect of writing a successful college essay. However, an [[CompFAQ/Thesis|argument]] alone is not enough to [[CompFAQ/Persuasive Writing|persuade]] your [[CompFAQ/Audience|audience]]. To effectively convince your reader of your position, you need to provide strong support for your argument. This support can come in many forms, including [[CompFAQ/Evidence|evidence]], [[CompFAQ/Research|research]], examples, and personal experiences. But how do you know what type of support to use and how to use it effectively? In this post, we will explore the art of supporting arguments in college essays and provide you with some tips and strategies to help you make your case effectively.
-When researching to support your argument, it’s important to ensure that the evidence is relevant, credible, and properly cited. You should also use a variety of evidence types to provide a well-rounded and compelling case for your argument.
+Supporting an argument is one of the most critical elements of writing a college essay. Without effective support, your essay can come across as unfounded or simply your opinion, which can diminish its impact on the reader. The key to successful support is using a variety of primary and secondary sources to bolster your argument.
-The best place to get evidence to support your argument will depend on the specific topic and context of your essay. However, here are some general sources to consider:
+'''Primary sources''' are original documents or firsthand accounts, such as interviews, diaries, letters, literary texts, or artworks that provide direct evidence for your argument. '''Secondary sources''', on the other hand, are works that [[CompFAQ/Interpretation|interpret]], [[CompFAQ/Analysis|analyze]], or comment on primary sources. Examples of secondary sources include books, articles, and essays written by scholars or experts in the field.
-# '''Academic research articles''': Academic journals are perhaps the best source of information and can provide you with the latest research and data on your topic.
-# '''Books''': Books can provide in-depth analysis and perspective on a topic and are often written by experts in the field. Consider books published by university presses before those by more popular publishing houses.
-# '''Government publications''': Government reports and statistics can provide objective data and information on a wide range of topics.
-# '''Expert interviews''': Interviewing experts in your field or related fields can provide firsthand insights and perspectives on your topic. Also, published interviews in periodicals and books are also strong sources.
-# '''Online databases''': Online databases, such as JSTOR or ProQuest, can provide access to a wide range of full-text academic articles and research studies. These are often available through your university library.
-# '''Reliable websites''': Websites such as those run by reputable organizations or academic institutions can provide credible information and data.
-When using evidence to support your argument, ensure that the evidence is relevant, credible, and properly cited. Evaluate your sources carefully and choose the most reliable and relevant ones for your argument.
+When using primary sources, [[CompFAQ/Evaluation|evaluate]] their credibility, relevance, and accuracy. Make sure the source is reputable and unbiased, and that it directly supports your argument. Additionally, be mindful of how you incorporate primary sources into your essay. Direct quotations can be powerful, but they should be used sparingly and only when they serve a specific purpose. Paraphrasing or summarizing a primary source can be just as effective and more seamless in your writing.
-{{A note|Note}} In general, reference sources, like dictionaries and encyclopedias, may be '''consulted''' but should not be '''cited''' in academic writing, as they often provide general information that can be found elsewhere and may not have undergone the same level of rigorous scrutiny and review as other academic sources. Use sources like Wikipedia to get an overview of the topic and consult the secondary sources the article lists in its bibliography.
+Secondary sources can provide valuable context and analysis for your argument, but again, be sure to choose sources that are reputable and relevant. When using secondary sources, cite them properly and integrate them smoothly into your writing. Be sure to accurately represent the author’s ideas and arguments, and to clearly show how they support your own argument.
+Ultimately, effective support requires a balance of primary and secondary sources, as well as thoughtful and deliberate integration into your writing. By using a variety of sources and carefully considering their relevance and credibility, you can strengthen your argument and create a more compelling essay.
+{{A note}} For more on supporting your argument, see “[[CompFAQ/Evidence|Use Strong Evidence and Examples]]” for specific types of support, and “[[CompFAQ/Research|The Power of Research: Enhancing Your College Essays]]” for how to find and cite strong sources.
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+[[Category:Research (FAQ)]]
+[[Category:Rhetoric (FAQ)]]