Evaluating Information with BEAM

Argument

Argument information comes from critical views from other scholars and experts. You can engage with these claims to become part of the scholarly conversation. You can refute, refine, extend, build upon, or affirm them. 

Argument resources include scholarly articles, books, literary or artistic criticism, and opinion or editorial pieces. 

In scholarly articles, you can find information about other writer's arguments in the Literature Review, and the author's arguments in the Discussion section.

Questions to ask:

• Does this source present a specific thesis or perspective that I can engage with?
• Can I use this source to support, refute, or complicate my own argument?
• Does the author take a particular stance on an issue that I need to consider?
• Can I engage with the ideas or theories presented in this source in my own analysis?

Click on the links above for examples or more information.