5.5 Applying these Skills in Academic Work
Incorporating Strong Evidence in Your Writing
When presenting arguments, lead with your claim, follow with factually supported evidence and finally, cite your sources clearly and consistently (see APA and MLA methodologies).
Example
- Claim: “Income inequality contributes to lower educational outcomes.”
- Support: “A 2023 OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) study found that students in the lowest income quartile scored 18% lower in mathematics compared to peers.” (OECD, 2023)
Building a Logical Thread
Make sure the connection between your claim, your evidence and your conclusion is strong and avoid logical fallacies.
Thinking Like an Academic
Evaluating evidence is not just a skill; it is a reliable approach. It requires:
- Intellectual humility (avoid thinking that you know what you do not know)
- Attentive and meticulous work in sourcing and verification
- A persistent and clear desire to establish the truth
By mastering these skills, you will rise above superficial reading and become a thoughtful participant in scholarly conversations. You will not be a gullible, passive part of an audience but a grounded, articulate, and credible participant.
Synthesizing Multiple Sources
When you have been working with multiple sources to address a topic, make sure you identify consensus and debate, compare the methodologies used, and highlight any gaps or inconsistencies that you find in any of the sources being consulted. This not only demonstrates concentrated and meticulous reading but also shows academic maturity.
Your instructor will provide you with readings with which you will be able to put these abilities to the test. Enjoy your reading! It is a powerful adventure, loaded with discovery and valuable knowledge.
