How to find the best evidence

What's your topic?
Think: What sources do you know address this topic? start there.

Look for evidence that...

...is full of solid reasoning and warrants, not just claims.
...is a few sentences or a paragraph long.
...is recent and comes from qualified sources.
...comes from unbiased sources.

Good evidence vs bad evidence

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce Direct Commercial Sales and/or Foreign Military Sales of arms from the United States.

cx debate topic 2019-20

UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia increased by 175 percent in the first nine months of 2017 according to an investigation by the Campaign Against Arms Trade. Similarly, France and the US are major exporters of arms to the oil-rich Gulf state; in 2017 alone, they were worth around US$2.6 billion.


excerpt from "How the arms trade is used to secure access to oil" (2019) by Vincenzo Bove from The conversation: Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context database

In his first term, President Barack Obama approved two large (arms sales) packages worth a total of $12 billion, then moved on sales of less than $2 billion in 2015. President George W. Bush approved packages worth less than $5 billion total in his first term, then pushed through sales worth more than $10 billion in his second term.

Excerpt from "U.S. Sale of Fighter Jets to Taiwan Could Complicate Trade War With China" (17 Aug 2019) by edward wong. new york times: opposing viewpoints in context database

All recent administrations have taken into account the timing of arms sales to Taiwan in order to avoid upsetting Beijing at critical moments.

'There is never a good time to sell arms to Taiwan, but this timing is probably the worst possible choice,'' said Evan S. Medeiros, professor in Asian studies at Georgetown University and senior Asia director on Mr. Obama's National Security Council. ''Trade talks will stall, China will try to hit American companies hard and Chinese will see a conspiratorial link between U.S. support for Taiwan and Hong Kong.''

excerpt from "U.S. Sale of Fighter Jets to Taiwan Could Complicate Trade War With China" (17 Aug 2019) by edward wong. new york times: gale opposing viewpoints in context database

the team with the best evidence, tied to a strong argument, will win. overwhelming the case with evidence is not enough.

Search tips!

• Use the research organizer.
• Start with a source you know and explore it fully.
• Look for a bibliography and follow it to better sources.
• Be creative. Revise your search strategy.

Become an expert on your topic.

library tools at your disposal:

• research organizer using inquiry
• "the more" evaluation form
• topic guides for pros/cons, history/geography, etc.

When you set out to find evidence, it is helpful to have an idea of what arguments you are trying to support ahead of time.

bias

Bias means that the source has a motivation or prejudice that could override their interest in telling the truth.


manipulative vs. honest motives

to identify bias, ask yourself:

How does the author feel about the subject and how do I know?

Is there any information that has been left out? If so, was it done on purpose?

Guiding questions for debaters:


a. The claim (“What do I think?”)

b. The reasons (“Why do I think this?”)

c. The evidence ("How do I know this is the case?")

d. Warrants ("How can I logically interpret the evidence and show how the claim is true?"
may consider and respond to possible counterarguments.)

To get started, visit