EN8 Q2W7D3: Researching Sources

🎯 Learning Goals - Day 3: Researching Sources

1. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to differentiate between credible and non-credible sources with at least 80% accuracy.
2. Students will be able to gather at least three credible sources to support their claim in an Issues Map within the class session.
3. Students will be able to cite sources properly in their notes or Issues Map using basic citation format by the end of the activity.

🧩 Key Ideas & Terms - Day 3: Researching Sources

• Credible Source - information that is reliable, accurate, and trustworthy.
• Evidence - facts, statistics, or expert opinions that support a claim.
• Bias - a preference or prejudice that may affect the reliability of information.
• Citation - giving credit to the original author or source of information.

🔄 Prior Knowledge - Day 3: Researching Sources

Task: Recall your Issues Map from Day 2. Answer these prompts:

1. What issue did you map out?
2. What claim did you make about that issue?
3. What arguments did you include for and against?
4. Did you use any real sources, or were your arguments based only on opinion?

Show Answer

(hidden – answers will vary depending on each student’s Issues Map from Day 2)

📖 Explore the Lesson - Day 3: Researching Sources

1. Why Research Matters in Persuasive Writing

In persuasive writing, your opinion alone is not enough. A strong argument is built on evidence—facts, data, expert opinions, and examples from credible sources. Without research, your arguments may sound weak, biased, or one-sided. Research strengthens your claim and makes your writing more convincing.

• Example:
  Claim: Plastic bags should be banned in stores.
  Weak support: Plastic bags are bad for the environment.
  Strong support (with research): According to the United Nations Environment Programme (2020), over 8 million tons of plastic waste end up in oceans every year, killing marine life and disrupting ecosystems.

The difference is clear: researched evidence adds credibility.

2. What Makes a Source Credible?

Not all sources are reliable. When researching, it is important to separate credible from non-credible sources.

• Credible Sources:
  • Academic journals (e.g., JSTOR, Google Scholar)
  • Books published by experts
  • Government websites (.gov)
  • Educational websites (.edu)
  • Reputable news agencies (BBC, New York Times, CNN)
• Non-Credible Sources:
  • Personal blogs without evidence
  • Social media posts (unverified)
  • Wikipedia (useful for background, but not as a citation)
  • Opinionated sources without facts

Checklist for Credibility:

• Author is an expert or authority on the topic.
• Published by a trusted organization.
• Information is current and updated.
• Provides sources or references.

3. Understanding Evidence

Evidence is the support you use to prove your claim. There are different types of evidence:

• Statistical Evidence – numbers, surveys, research data.
• Expert Testimony – words of professionals, specialists, or academics.
• Examples and Case Studies – real-life instances that illustrate the issue.
• Historical Evidence – events or precedents that strengthen the claim.

• Example:
  Claim: Schools should start later in the morning.
  • Statistical Evidence: The American Academy of Pediatrics (2014) reported that later school start times improve sleep and academic performance.
  • Expert Testimony: Dr. Wendy Troxel, a sleep researcher, emphasized that early school schedules are harmful to teens’ mental health.
  • Example: Districts in the U.S. that shifted start times saw higher attendance and lower tardiness.

4. Recognizing Bias

Bias means favoring one side unfairly. Some sources may hide facts or exaggerate to influence opinions.

• Example:
  • Biased source: A soda company article claiming soft drinks have no effect on health.
  • Unbiased source: World Health Organization study linking sugary drinks to obesity.

To check for bias, ask:

• Who published this information?
• Do they benefit if I believe them?
• Are other credible sources saying the same thing?

5. Avoiding Plagiarism with Proper Citation

Plagiarism means copying someone’s ideas or words without credit. It is dishonest and weakens your credibility. Always give credit through citation.

Basic Citation Examples:

• MLA: World Health Organization. “Obesity and Overweight.” WHO, 2021.
• APA: World Health Organization. (2021). Obesity and overweight. WHO.

When in doubt, cite your source! Even if you paraphrase (putting it in your own words), you must still give credit.

6. Sample Issues Map Improved with Research

Let’s return to our Issues Map on plastic bags. This time, we add researched evidence.

Category	Details
Issue	Should plastic bags be banned?
Why People Should Care	Plastic waste is harming the environment.
Stand/Claim	Plastic bags should be banned.
Arguments For	Reduce pollution (United Nations, 2020), save marine life (National Geographic, 2019), encourage eco alternatives.
Arguments Against	Plastic bags are cheap and convenient (Retail Industry Report, 2021). Reusable bags may cost more (Consumer Studies, 2020).
Examples/Situations	Local rivers clogged with plastic, shops charging for bags.

Notice how the addition of sources makes the arguments stronger and more trustworthy.

7. Steps for Researching Sources

1. Identify your issue – Use your Issues Map from Day 2.
2. Decide what you need – Do you need statistics? Expert quotes? Examples?
3. Search strategically – Use search engines, academic databases, and reliable news outlets.
4. Evaluate credibility – Use the checklist (author, organization, currency, references).
5. Record your sources – Take notes and copy the citation.
6. Insert evidence into your Issues Map – Update arguments with researched support.

8. Real-Life Example: Junk Food in Schools

Issue: Should junk food be banned in schools?

• Claim: Junk food should be banned.
• Arguments For (with research):
  • Increases risk of obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019).
  • Poor diet affects student focus (Harvard School of Public Health, 2020).
  • Encourages healthier choices (World Health Organization, 2021).
• Arguments Against (with research):
  • Some argue banning limits student freedom of choice (Education Policy Review, 2019).
  • Junk food sales support school funds (National Education Association, 2018).

This example shows how sources add balance and credibility to the debate.

9. Why Research Strengthens Persuasion

• Makes your claim trustworthy.
• Shows you have evidence, not just opinion.
• Prepares you for counterarguments.
• Trains you to be a critical and responsible user of information.

10. Transition to Day 4

Now that you can identify, evaluate, and cite sources, you are ready for Day 4: Drafting a Position Paper, where you will begin putting your claim, arguments, and evidence into a formal structure.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (2014). School Start Times for Adolescents. Pediatrics, 134(3), 642–649.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Childhood Nutrition Facts. https://www.cdc.gov
• Harvard School of Public Health. (2020). Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu
• National Education Association. (2018). School Nutrition and Funding. https://www.nea.org
• National Geographic. (2019). Plastic Pollution Facts and Information. https://www.nationalgeographic.com
• United Nations Environment Programme. (2020). Single-Use Plastics: A Roadmap for Sustainability. https://www.unep.org

💡 Example in Action - Day 3: Researching Sources

Worked Example – Adding Sources to a Claim:
Claim: Schools should start later in the morning.

• Without sources: Students are too tired to focus in the morning.
• With sources: The American Academy of Pediatrics (2014) reported that later school start times improve sleep, mood, and academic performance among teenagers.

👉 The second example is stronger because it includes evidence from a credible organization.

Now You Try – Mini Tasks (5 items)

For each claim, add one credible piece of evidence (fact, statistic, or expert opinion).

1. Claim: Plastic bags should be banned.
2. Claim: Junk food should not be sold in schools.
3. Claim: Students should be required to do community service.
4. Claim: Social media should have age restrictions.
5. Claim: Sports should be given equal importance as academics.

Show Answer

Answers will vary – look for claims supported by real statistics, expert opinions, or studies.

📝 Try It Out - Day 3: Researching Sources

Directions: Find one credible source for each issue below. Record the source with a simple citation.

1. Issue: Should homework be banned?
2. Issue: Should uniforms be mandatory in schools?
3. Issue: Should the internet be free for all students?
4. Issue: Should voting age be lowered to 16?
5. Issue: Should schools provide free meals to all students?

Show Answer

Hidden – students’ responses should include credible sources with author/organization and year.

✅ Check Yourself - Day 3: Researching Sources

Part A - Multiple Choice (5 items)

1. Which of the following is a credible source?
   a) A Facebook post from a stranger
   b) A research article from a medical journal
   c) A personal blog without references
   d) A Wikipedia page
2. What does bias mean in a source?
   a) Information that is neutral and balanced
   b) A preference or prejudice that favors one side unfairly
   c) Facts supported by multiple studies
   d) A direct quotation from an expert
3. Why should we use citations in research?
   a) To make our writing longer
   b) To give credit to authors and avoid plagiarism
   c) To confuse the reader with technical words
   d) To copy exact sentences from a book
4. Which of the following is an example of evidence?
   a) “I think this is true.”
   b) “In 2020, the CDC reported that childhood obesity rates have tripled since the 1970s.”
   c) “Everyone says so.”
   d) “It looks obvious to me.”
5. Which is the best strategy for checking credibility?
   a) Look only at the website design
   b) Check the author’s expertise and references used
   c) Count the number of words in the article
   d) Use only sources that agree with your opinion

Part B - True or False (5 items)

6. Wikipedia can be used as a main source for academic research.
7. Expert opinions are considered a strong form of evidence.
8. Plagiarism is acceptable if you change just a few words.
9. A credible source is often written by an expert and supported by references.
10. Citing your sources shows respect for the original author.

Part C - Short Answer (5 items)

11. Give one example of a credible source you could use for school research.
12. Why is it important to avoid bias when gathering sources?
13. Write one short example of a citation in MLA or APA format.
14. How does adding research evidence strengthen your claim?
15. Explain what plagiarism is in your own words.

Show Answer

Answer Key
1. b
2. b
3. b
4. b
5. b
6. False
7. True
8. False
9. True
10. True
11. (Sample: World Health Organization report)
12. (Because bias makes information unreliable or unfair.)
13. (Sample MLA: World Health Organization. “Obesity and Overweight.” WHO, 2021.)
14. (It makes your writing more credible and convincing.)
15. (Copying someone’s ideas or words without giving credit.)

🚀 Go Further - Day 3: Researching Sources

Activity 1: Source Detective

Choose a news article online. Identify whether it is credible or not by checking the author, date, and organization. Explain your answer.

Show Answer

Sample: An article from BBC with a named journalist and recent date is credible.

Activity 2: Fact vs. Opinion

Read three statements given by the teacher. Decide if each is a fact (evidence) or opinion (not evidence).

Show Answer

Fact: “The CDC reported that childhood obesity has tripled since the 1970s.” Opinion: “Junk food is the tastiest food.”

Activity 3: Citation Practice

Take one source from your previous research and write it in MLA format and APA format.

Show Answer

MLA: World Health Organization. “Obesity and Overweight.” WHO, 2021.
APA: World Health Organization. (2021). Obesity and overweight. WHO.

Activity 4: Bias Hunt

Find an online advertisement. Identify how bias is shown and explain why the information might not be reliable.

Show Answer

Sample: A soda ad that claims “soft drinks are healthy” shows bias because the company benefits from the claim.

Activity 5: Mini-Research Challenge

Pick one issue (e.g., school uniforms, internet access, junk food). Find two credible sources that support your side and one counter-source that opposes it.

Show Answer

Hidden – answers vary; students must show 2 credible supporting sources and 1 credible opposing source.

🔗 My Reflection - Day 3: Researching Sources

Option 1: Checklist

Put a ✔ if you agree with the statement, ✖ if not.

• I can identify credible sources for my research.
• I can explain what makes a source biased or unbiased.
• I can use evidence from research to strengthen a claim.
• I can properly cite sources to avoid plagiarism.
• I feel more confident about using research in my persuasive writing.

Option 2: 3-2-1 Reflection

Write your answers in your notebook.

• 3 things I learned about researching sources: __________
• 2 challenges I faced while finding credible sources: __________
• 1 way I can improve my use of research in the future: __________