This learning outcome is focused on the processes of illustration, analysis, and synthesis. I will be using my final draft from prompt two as an example. To view the final draft, click here to go to “LO 1”, where my final draft is posted below my rough draft.
Using sources as evidence to support a thesis requires knowledge about the source. Not just knowledge on what the source is about, but knowledge on what the author is communicating in each sentence. I almost have to analyze the source before grabbing quotes because I want to make sure that whatever quote I pick truly supports my thesis. Just because a source is relevant to a topic and even on the same side as a thesis, it doesn’t mean that every quote would support any claim on the paper. The key is figuring out which puzzle pieces fit. As an example, I’ll use the quote at the bottom of page four: According to Dr. Ricarda Steinbrecher of EcoNexus, “the underlying mechanisms leading to cell death in the larvae aren’t fully understood and thus can’t yield “precise and predictable results” (The Week 13) (should be “Why are scientists”).
The first two steps are present here. I have selected my quote of choice and integrated it into a sentence that provides a signal phrase to introduce the quote. The final step is explanation. How does this quote support my point? Here is my analysis: Who knows what these long term consequences might be? The outcome could potentially be worse than not doing anything. Not only that, the effects on the environment aren’t known either.
Because underlying mechanisms aren’t precise and predictable, any possible long term consequences may be worse than the current situation. I used that quote to support a point already made up in my head. Picking quotes comes from reading, but also previous homework assignments (while I don’t think I used any quotes here, it’s a good example of how quotes can be found). Knowing where to put this information comes with the format of the paragraph (TRIAC or BARCLAYS). One last thing is that signal phrases can also be helpful with analysis and not just illustration. While the quote I chose isn’t an example of this, this is: Dalai Lama states, “One of the social and cultural consequences of new genetic technologies is their effect on the continuation of our species, through interference with the reproductive process” (66). Lama explains the ethical concerns behind this process such as manipulating genes to benefit an individual’s wants. (Page 2).
The ability to understand the process of using sources comes with experience and I’m just fortunate enough to have been used to this before from high school. I’m still developing however and this class has helped me learn more from this process.
