Key Terms
Examples
Most books, articles in databases, textbooks (sometimes classified as tertiary sources). Secondary sources cite and anal
Citation
Acknowledging and crediting borrowed material. Always has two parts:
Function
Builds writer credibility (ethos) and allows readers to verify sources.
Claim
The point you are making. Must be supported by research and evidence.
Counterclaim
The thoughtful acknowledgment and response to the other side's objections. Must also be supported by research.
Evidence
Findings from original research or borrowed information used to develop your thesis and support your reasoning.
Field Research
Primary research conducted through observation or experimentation. Examples: interviews, site visits, professional obser
Research Question
Narrows the scope of your topic; guides your line of inquiry. Comes from your purpose, audience, and genre.
Thesis
The claim, position, or hypothesis you use to answer your research question.
Reasoning
The organizational arrangement of supports and evidence that back up your thesis.
Topic
The general subject area. Strong topics involve controversy or debate.
Common signal verbs (vary them to avoid monotony)
Acknowledges, admits, argues, asserts, believes, claims, concedes, concludes, denies, emphasizes, illustrates, implies,
Short Quotations (MLA
4 lines or fewer prose; 3 lines or fewer poetry): Embed in the paragraph body. Use quotation marks.
Ellipsis Points
Three dots to indicate omitted words within a sentence; four dots when a complete sentence is omitted.
Brackets
Use [ ] to indicate any changes, additions, or clarifications to the original.