Do you ever fear the use of evidence in your paragraphs? Maybe you struggle with finding appropriate evidence for your paper?
When it comes to academic writing, it is very important to use evidence, specifically scholarly evidence. On the other hand, it can feel overwhelming to determine what makes evidence scholarly.
As an educator in higher education, I have seen students struggle with the appropriate use of evidence. Sometimes, students would use direct quotations, and that’s it. However, a strong paragraph does not consist of just quotation marks.
Overall, scholarly evidence comes from credible sources, such as peer-reviewed articles or other scholarly articles written by faculty, researchers, and scholars.
Now that you know what determines scholarly evidence in academic writing, here are four powerful ways to use evidence in a paragraph.
- The Usefulness of the Source
When you need to find evidence, it is important to remember your paper’s purpose. The purpose will help you determine whether a source might be useful. It is important to consider the source’s credibility (e.g. the author’s credentials and the author’s experience related to the subject).
- The Importance of Critically Reading the Source
When it comes to academic writing, critical reading will help determine the importance of the source. You can take a look at the author’s arguments, reasons, and the source’s alignment to your paper’s topic. These specific points will help you determine whether you have a substantial source as evidence.
- Applying the Evidence from the Source in your Paper
A critical step in the use of evidence is the ability to apply sources in the academic paper. After you find evidence, consider whether you want to use it as a direct quotation (word-for-word citation) or paraphrase (putting it in your own words and citing it). In academic writing, students are encouraged to paraphrase to show scholarly skills.
- Introduce the Source through Signal Phrases
A powerful way to use evidence is through the introduction of the source. Signal phrases is a great way to introduce the author of the source and creates a scholarly tone (e.g. According to Jones).
I hope you find these four tips helpful along your academic journey!
If you need help with the use of evidence or other academic writing concerns related to undergraduate school, graduate school, or the dissertation/capstone process, book your free 30-minute writing consultation with me today. In this session, I’ll listen and address your concerns, provide helpful writing suggestions to assist you, and create a writing plan for you as well.
Chat soon!
Jeannie
