Your Argument Plan

Here is our Plan for Sources form from Sources and Information Needs updated with information from this section on where in your final product you’ll likely use particular kinds of sources. This one is filled out for a term paper as an example. You can download a blank copy to use with your own projects at http://go.osu.edu/planforsources. (Our Source Locator link can help you figure out where to look for sources.)

In this example, the sources are distributed between the introduction, evidence/body, and the conclusion of a term paper.

Your plan for sources should include where to use them in your final product.

EXAMPLE: Where to Use Your Sources in a Term Paper

Information need: To answer your research question(s) (and present your thesis statement)
Use Sources: Last couple of sentences of introduction

Information Need: To convince your audience that your answer is correct or, at least, the most reasonable answer.
Use Sources: Evidence / Body

Information Need: To report what others have said about your question, including any different answers to your research question.
Use Sources: Evidence / Body

Information Need: To describe the situation surrounding your research question for your audience and explain why it’s important.
Use Sources: Introduction / Conclusion