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Using sources in an argument

In constructing a written argument, it is often essential to use sources. The key to persuading people to accept your argument is good reasons; and even if your assignment doesn’t specify that you must consult outside sources, they are often the most effective way of finding and establishing these reasons. Sources can help you to do the following:

provide background information on your topic
demonstrate your knowledge of the topic to readers
cite authority and testimony in support of your thesis
find opinions that differ from your own, which can help you sharpen your thinking, qualify your thesis if necessary, and demonstrate fairness to opposing arguments

Be sure to give appropriate credit for any sources, including images and media files, that you use in your argument. Follow the conventions of your genre and medium for citing sources; a Web site may use links to indicate the source of information, for example, but academic arguments almost always call for following the guidelines of a specific documentation style.