Select one of the sources you have found through your preliminary research about your research topic.

Which source you choose is up to you; however, it should be substantial enough that you will be able to talk about it at length, and intricate enough that it will keep you (and your reader) interested.

The introduction of this paper will involve introducing the source: Provide the author, the title, and the context (where you found the source, where it was originally published, who sponsored it, etc.)

You will then go on to evaluate the source on two levels:

1. Credibility: Using the information in this unit as a guide, evaluate the source’s authenticity and reliability. Look at all the information that you can find about the source to establish the author’s (or sponsor’s) trustworthiness.

2. Usefulness: Using a combination of summary and analysis, examine the source on a critical level. Determine what the source’s purpose (thesis) is, and how it arrives at that goal. Examine its value to you and the project you are working on. How will it help you prove your own points? How might it come in handy to back up a claim (or address a counter-claim)?Finally, you will include a conclusion which shows your final assessments on both counts.

Requirements:

– Composition must be 2-3 pages (approximately 500-750 words).
– Double-space the composition and use one-inch margins.
– Use a readable 12-point font.
– All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
– Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
– Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.
Include all of the assignment components in a single file.
Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.

Example of Assignment:

https://www.sophia.org/download/attachment/10662-Touchstone%202.1%20Sample%20Essay.pdf

A. Assignment Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.

1. Source Identification
The introduction of this paper will be introducing the source:

❒ Have you provided the author’s name?
❒ Have you provided the source title?
❒ Have you provided the context (where you found the source, where it was originally published, who sponsored it, etc.)?

2. Source Evaluation
❒ Have you provided a judgment on the source’s credibility?
❒ Have you used specific examples from the source to illustrate your judgment on credibility?
❒ Have you provided a judgment on the source’s usefulness?
❒ Have you used specific examples from the source to illustrate your judgment on usefulness?