Facts & Footnotes: Putting Your Research to Good Use SBTS Writing Center Workshop ————— Objectives:
1) Attendees will understand the function of evidence when making an argument. 2) Attendees will grow in discerning how to use quotations and data. 3) Attendees will be able to cite sources according to SBTS/Turabian style. —————
I. BEGINNING, MIDDLE, & END A. Every essay, section, and paragraph must have a beginning, middle, and end.1 B. The beginning and end serve a structural function, the middle serves a substantive function. 1. A typical ESSAY will begin with a thesis, outline multiple sections of sub-points, and use paragraphs to support these points—ultimately supporting the thesis. 2. In terms of the ARGUMENT, you will make a claim, provide reasons, and support these with evidence in a variety of forms. “Readers look first for the core of an argument, a claim and its support. . . . So as you assemble your argument, you must offer readers a plausible set of reasons, in a clear logical order, based on evidence they will accept.”2 II. EVIDENCE—MAKE THE MOST OF THE MIDDLE A. DATA: facts, statistics, information, Bible verses • e.g. lists, tables, figures that help present information in a clear and categorized manner • Tables & Figures: see Turabian chapter 8 or the SBTS style guide 4.12 • Lists: see the SBTS style guide 2.10 for formatting B. ANALYSIS: interpretation or examination of the data • e.g. quotes, paraphrases, summaries of what an author says on a given topic 1
Sheridan Baker, The Longman Practical Stylist: The Comprehensive Guide to Solid, Eloquent, and Persuasive Writing (New York: Pearson Longman, 2006), 27. 2
Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams, The Craft of Research, 3rd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2008), 131.
C. When to QUOTE: 1. Summarize: when details are irrelevant and source is less important 2. Paraphrase: when you can say it better for the sake of your argument 3. Quote: (1) when you want the actual words, (2) when you think the authority of the author will help you, (3) when you plan to discuss the words of the quote, (4) when you disagree and want to accurately represent your opponent.3 D. When to FOOTNOTE: 1. Flow of the Argument: At times you will want to say more on a topic, but further discussion would go too far afield from your argument. Putting that information in a footnote allows more curious readers to access your research. Be careful of over-using this type of footnote! You also have to decide which research gets cut altogether. 2. Side-Issues or Objections: At times you need to discuss a side-issue or objection to your argument that will lend you more credibility with the critical reader. This may be an objection raised by another author, or this may be an objection you simply anticipate. 3. Redirection to Other Sources: At times you present your own argument and thoughts on a matter, but you would also like readers to know about more detailed discussions. These footnotes provide a valuable service to your reader who may want to learn more than you provide in the essay itself.
3
Booth, Colomb, and Williams, The Craft of Research, 188–189.