{"id":25,"date":"2016-04-07T01:56:03","date_gmt":"2016-04-07T01:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-level2-english\/?post_type=chapter&p=25"},"modified":"2016-07-25T18:27:13","modified_gmt":"2016-07-25T18:27:13","slug":"25","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-level2-english\/chapter\/25\/","title":{"raw":"Text: Reading and Using Your Sources","rendered":"Text: Reading and Using Your Sources"},"content":{"raw":"

Multiple Readings<\/h2>\r\nFinding information is just the beginning\u00a0of research. The next step is determining if the information you find adds to your argument and is credible, reliable, and useful. Some sources can be outdated, biased, or just plain wrong, and using that information makes it a lot more difficult for you to present a convincing argument.\r\n\r\nIn order to ensure the appropriateness of a source for your research, you\u00a0should expect to read through each source at least twice.\r\n

The First Reading<\/h3>\r\nDuring the first\u00a0reading you should analyze the rhetorical context\u00a0of the source. This includes examining the reasons the author wrote the work and his or her intended audience.\u00a0Start by looking for the topic and the thesis. What is the author's stated purpose? What kind of evidence does he or she use to support the argument? What is the author saying? What is her purpose? The author could be trying to explain, inform, anger, persuade, amuse, motivate, sadden, ridicule, attack, or defend. Once you understand the argument and purpose, you can begin to evaluate the argument.\r\n

The Second Reading<\/h3>\r\nDuring the second reading, you want to take notes and determine how to utilize the source in your own research.\u00a0This is the time to think about whether you agree or disagree with the source, and whether you have any commentary that you would like to make about the author's argument.\u00a0Determine whether you find the author credible or not. If you do, and if the author's purpose and argument support your own, you can begin incorporating the source into your own writing. If you find the author credible but disagree with his purpose, it can still be valuable to consider the source in your own writing so that you can anticipate and acknowledge counterarguments later in your essay.\r\n\r\nFinally, remember to pay attention to quotation marks as you read. It's important to note whether the author of a text is writing, or if she\u00a0is quoting someone else. Quotation marks are a helpful tool that authors use to help readers in distinguishing their voice from those of others. By paying attention to quotations and other cited material, you may also gain leads on other sources and authors you can incorporate in your paper.\r\n

Determining Usefulness<\/h2>\r\n\"Swiss\r\n\r\nWhile reading through your sources, you should determine if and how they will be\u00a0useful for your research. Below are lists of reasons to decide that a piece of information is or is not useful for your project.\r\n\r\nPotentially include information if it:\r\n