13.6: Writing with Sources
- Page ID
- 315336
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)As you collect evidence for your paper, you should continue to read actively and annotate each of your sources. You may find it helpful to print off your sources to mark them up more organically, but you can use electronic annotation tools with just as much success if you are comfortable with them. The goal is to maintain a critical dialogue with your sources so that you know how they fit into your paper; some sources may align with your perspective, while others may contradict it, for instance.
One useful way to keep track of your own thought processes as you build your paper is to keep note cards or a notebook, either on paper or using software like NoodleTools, a source integration tool accessible through the Butler library system. Each card or entry on a page should contain citation information for the source (in either APA or MLA style, depending on the assignment requirements), and a summary of the source’s overall content and main ideas. If you incorporate direct quotes, summaries, or paraphrases from the source, you should also include specific page numbers to keep track of the location of the ideas you want to incorporate into your paper.
Many students prefer to take source notes electronically to save time, but remember to be careful with this method: you want to be sure to highlight any source material you cut and paste into your notes to signal to yourself that these are not your words. Also, don’t forget to document your sources as you go; be sure to include URLs and enough information that you can easily find the source again later (your best bet is to include a full citation). One popular method for keeping track of sources is to download PDF copies of database sources and take notes on those copies. Using sites like Google Docs, Office 365, or NoodleTools will allow you to access your sources and notes at any time, whether in class or at home. DO NOT simply keep your sources open in your browser without taking notes that allow you to get back to it; if something goes wrong, you will likely lose your sources and have to start from square one.
As you create your notes, you will begin to see how your sources agree, disagree, and add to each other’s perspectives. This will help you to make your own argument. Your sources will probably dissent with one another to some extent and observing differences between perspectives will help you to sharpen your ideas–if a source’s ideas seem poorly thought-out or just plain incorrect, you can point that out to your readers and offer an alternative way of understanding the topic that relies on stronger logic. This kind of critical engagement with your sources will enhance your credibility as your paper progresses.
When you have gathered your sources and feel ready to begin integrating them into your paper, remember to blend ideas from these sources into your own writing in a way that allows your work to flow smoothly and logically. Using the techniques for creating clear signal phrases and in-text citations in Chapter 8 will help you to accomplish this.