WEEK 2: EVALUATION OF

ACADEMIC SOURCES

Lecturer: Ms. Thinh

Nguyen, MA
Intended learning outcomes
• evaluate the relevance and reliability of sources
• determine which sources would be the most reliable and appropriate for strengthening their essay
arguments using scientific criteria
• distinguish discursive and argumentative essay
• write a general outline for your essay
SECTION 1: EVALUATION
OF ACADEMIC SOURCES

Step 1: Initial Appraisal

Step 2: Content Analysis
 Critically evaluating information sources
Fill in the quality checklist below:

Points to consider Details

e.g. Author/authority Author’s name
Author’s credentials/expertise (academic
background, scientific experience, affiliations)
Step 1: Initial Appraisal (Reviewing the
source)

Date of Edition or
Author
Publication Revision

Publisher
 What are the author's credentials?

Is the book or article written on a topic in

the author's area of expertise?

Author/authorship
Has your instructor mentioned this
author?

Have you seen the author's name cited in

other sources or bibliographies?
 Date of Publication

When was the source published? Is the source current or out-of-date

for your topic?
Edition or Is this a first
edition of this
Revision publication or not?

If you are using a

Web source, do the
pages indicate
revision dates?
Publisher
Note the publisher. If the source is
published by a university press, it
is likely to be scholarly. Although
the fact that the publisher is
reputable does not necessarily
guarantee quality, it does show
that the publisher may have high
regard for the source being
published.
Evaluate the samples
Jalongo, M. R. & Saracho, O. N.
(2016). Writing for publication:
Transitions and tools that support
scholar’s success. Springer
International Publishing.
Byers-Heinlein, K. & Lew-Williams,
C. (2013). Bilingualism in the Early
Years: What the Science Says.
Learn Landsc, 7(1), 95–112.
 Step 2: Content Analysis

INTENDED OBJECTIVE COVERAGE WRITING

AUDIENCE REASONING STYLE
 Intended Audience

What type of audience is the author Is the publication aimed at a

addressing? specialized/scholarly or a general
audience?
 Objective Reasoning
Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?

Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched, or is it questionable and unsupported by
evidence? Assumptions should be reasonable.

Are the ideas and arguments advanced more or less in line with other works you have read on the same
topic? The more radically an author departs from the views of others in the same field, the more carefully
and critically you should scrutinize his or her ideas.

Is the author's point of view objective and impartial? Is the language free of emotion-arousing words and
bias?
Coverage Does the work update other sources, substantiate
other materials you have read, or add new
information?

Does it extensively or marginally cover your topic?

You should explore enough sources to obtain a
variety of viewpoints.

Is the material primary or secondary in nature?

Primary sources are the raw material of the research
process. Secondary sources are based on primary
sources. Choose both primary and secondary sources
when you have the opportunity.
 Writing Style

Is the publication organized

logically? Are the main points
clearly presented? Do you
find the text easy to read, or Does the text make proper
is it stilted or choppy? Is the use of citations/references?
author's argument
repetitive?
 Jalongo, M. R. & Saracho, O. N.
Evaluate the (2016). Writing for publication:
Transitions and tools that support
samples scholar’s success. Switzerland:
Springer International Publishing.

Byers-Heinlein, K. & Lew-Williams,

C. (2013). Bilingualism in the Early
Years: What the Science Says. Learn
Landsc, 7(1), 95–112.
Now try with one of the materials
you have found
SECTION 2:
INTRODUCTION TO
RESEARCH-BASED
ESSAY
 Two essay genres
DISCURSIVE ARGUMENTATIVE

• A balanced view • Side taking

Organization of a discursive essay
Organization of an
argumentative essay
I. Introduction
- Background information

- Thesis statement (writer’s viewpoint required)

II. Body
- First argument

- Second argument

- Third argument/Counter-argument &

refutation

III. Conclusion
- Restatement of the main arguments

- Final thought(s)
THANK YOU