How long should you commit to reviewing sources and selecting evidence in writing
The time commitment for reviewing sources and selecting evidence in writing can greatly vary depending on the scope of the project or paper. However, it's typically suggested to allot around 25-30% of the total time for this step. For instance, if you plan to spend 20 hours on a paper, you might spend about 5-6 hours on this process. This allows for ample time to thoroughly review relevant sources, evaluate their credibility, and select the most compelling and appropriate evidence to support your arguments or thesis. But remember that this is a guideline and some projects might require more or less time.
When it comes to reviewing sources and selecting evidence in writing, the time commitment can vary depending on the scope and complexity of your project. However, there are some general steps you can follow:
1. Determine the purpose of your writing: Understand the goal of your writing task. Are you trying to inform, persuade, or analyze? This will help you identify the specific evidence needed.
2. Define your research question or topic: Clearly establish what you are looking for, whether it's specific information, supporting arguments, or opposing viewpoints.
3. Create a list of potential sources: Identify potential sources that are relevant to your topic. These may include books, scholarly articles, reputable websites, or interviews.
4. Conduct initial screening: Spend some time skimming through the sources to determine their relevance and credibility. Eliminate sources that do not align with your research question or are not written by reputable authors/organizations.
5. Read in detail: For the remaining sources, read them thoroughly and take detailed notes. Highlight or annotate important information and potential evidence that supports your arguments or sheds light on your research question.
6. Evaluate the credibility of the sources: Assess the credibility of each source by considering factors such as the author's qualifications, publication date, peer review process, and reputation of the publishing platform.
7. Compare and contrast sources: Identify common themes or patterns among the sources. Analyze the different perspectives they offer and evaluate which sources provide the most compelling evidence to support your thesis or arguments.
8. Select the strongest evidence: Choose the evidence that is most relevant, persuasive, and credible. Ensure that it directly supports your main points and aligns with your research question.
Overall, the time commitment for reviewing sources and selecting evidence can vary. It is advisable to allocate sufficient time to conduct thorough research, critically evaluate sources, and carefully choose evidence that strengthens your writing.