In this section, you learned about the importance of using evidence to support your stance on an issue. Regardless of the discipline in which you are writing, one key principle remains consistent: evidence never speaks for itself. You are responsible for integrating it into your own argument and clearly demonstrating how it supports your thesis.

Discussion Instructions

STEP 1: Write a 150-200 word summary of a research paper you have written in the past or summarize research that you have done in school, the workplace, or your personal life. In your summary, include the following details:

• Topic: Briefly describe what your research was about.
• Purpose: Explain what argument, claim, or main point you were trying to support.
• Evidence: Discuss the types of sources you used (e.g., scholarly articles, reports, interviews, experiments, surveys, etc.).
• Integration: Provide an example of how you integrated evidence to support your thesis. How did you explain or analyze the evidence in your writing?

STEP 2: Reply to two classmates in separate posts, writing at least 75 words per response. In your responses, consider the following:

• Evaluate Evidence: Did your classmate rely on qualitative research (e.g., interviews, case studies, observations) or quantitative research (e.g., surveys, experiments, statistical analysis)? How did this type of evidence support their argument?
• Ask Questions: What questions do you have about their research topic or approach? Are you curious about any additional details they could share?
• Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback on how they integrated their evidence. Could they have used other types of evidence to strengthen their argument?

Be respectful and thoughtful in your responses. Avoid repeating what others have said—provide specific feedback, new insights, or a different perspective to engage in a meaningful conversation.

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