How To Write An Essay: Evidence and Citation

Ariel Bissett
17 Apr 201804:58
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this educational video, Arielle emphasizes the importance of evidence and citation in essay writing. She suggests using school library resources to find supporting materials and stresses the need to ensure that evidence directly backs up one's thesis. Correct placement of evidence and explaining its relevance are highlighted as crucial for a strong argument. Arielle also warns against plagiarism, urging proper citation for academic integrity and a better reading experience. The video is sponsored by Squarespace, a platform for creating websites with ease.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“š Evidence and citation are fundamental to essay writing, as they help strengthen the argument by backing up your own ideas with research.
  • πŸ”Ž Evidence can be found everywhere, including newspapers, YouTube videos, and especially through your school's library website.
  • 🌐 Originality in essays comes from creating a unique network of ideas by connecting various sources that support your argument.
  • πŸ“Œ It's crucial that the evidence you use directly supports your thesis statement and the points you are making in your essay.
  • 🚫 Avoid randomly inserting evidence into your essay; it should be well-integrated and supported within the context of your paragraphs.
  • πŸ“ When introducing evidence, always explain why it is important and how it supports your argument – don't assume the reader will understand its relevance.
  • πŸ“š The placement of evidence is critical; it should be strategically placed within your essay structure, ideally following your topic sentence in a paragraph.
  • βœ… Properly citing evidence is essential to respect academic traditions, avoid plagiarism, and enhance the readability of your essay.
  • πŸ“š A well-cited essay provides a better reading experience by clearly showing where your evidence comes from, including correct page numbers and titles.
  • πŸ’‘ Always explain the importance of the evidence you've chosen and ensure everything is properly cited to improve your essay's credibility and readability.
  • πŸŽ‰ The video is sponsored by Squarespace, which offers a platform for creating various types of websites, including portfolios and shops, with beautiful templates and a free trial available.
Q & A
  • What is the main focus of Arielle's series on essay writing?

    -The main focus of Arielle's series is to guide viewers on how to write an essay, with a particular emphasis on evidence and citation in this specific video.

  • Why is using evidence fundamental to essay writing?

    -Using evidence is fundamental to essay writing because it strengthens the writer's argument by backing up their points with research and other people's ideas.

  • Where can one find evidence to support their essay?

    -Evidence can be found in various places such as newspapers, YouTube videos, but the most reliable source is often the school's library website where one can conduct in-depth research.

  • What is the importance of originality when using evidence from other sources?

    -Originality is important because it involves creating a unique network of ideas by finding and connecting disparate ideas to support the writer's own argument.

  • What is a common mistake students make when using evidence in their essays?

    -A common mistake is not properly applying the evidence to support their thesis statement, and not explaining why the evidence is important or relevant to their argument.

  • Why is it crucial to explain the importance of the evidence used in an essay?

    -It is crucial because it helps the reader understand the relevance and significance of the evidence in supporting the writer's argument, and it prevents the evidence from being perceived as randomly inserted.

  • What is the proper way to introduce evidence in an essay?

    -The proper way to introduce evidence is by having a topic sentence, making a point, introducing relevant evidence, and then explaining why the evidence is important.

  • Why is proper citation important in academic writing?

    -Proper citation is important to respect the academic tradition of sharing ideas, to avoid plagiarism, and to enhance the reading experience by providing clear sources for the evidence used.

  • What are the consequences of not properly citing evidence in an essay?

    -Not properly citing evidence can lead to accusations of plagiarism, a lack of credibility, and a poor reading experience for the reader who may not know the origin of the evidence.

  • What does Arielle recommend for a better reading experience in an essay?

    -Arielle recommends correctly introducing evidence, having a well-organized bibliography page with correct page numbers, and including a title page for a better reading experience.

  • What is the promotional offer mentioned by Arielle for Squarespace, and how can viewers take advantage of it?

    -Arielle mentions a 10% discount on the first purchase for those who try Squarespace's free trial by visiting squarespace.com and using the code 'foritslifeaerial'.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“ The Importance of Evidence and Citation

Arielle introduces her series on essay writing, focusing on the significance of using evidence and proper citation to support one's argument. She emphasizes that while drawing from others' ideas is essential, it's crucial to create a unique synthesis of these ideas to back up one's own thesis. The video is sponsored by Squarespace, a platform Arielle uses and recommends for building various types of websites.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Evidence
Evidence in the context of the video refers to the data, facts, or arguments used to support a particular point of view or thesis statement in an essay. It is a fundamental aspect of essay writing, as it provides the foundation for the writer's argument. The script emphasizes the importance of using evidence to back up one's own ideas and research, illustrating the concept with the advice to find sources that support the writer's claims.
πŸ’‘Citation
Citation is the act of acknowledging the sources of the evidence used in an essay. It is crucial for avoiding plagiarism and giving credit to the original authors. The video script highlights the significance of proper citation by explaining that it respects academic tradition and enhances the reader's experience by making the origins of the evidence clear.
πŸ’‘Academic tradition
The academic tradition mentioned in the script refers to the established practices and standards within the scholarly community, particularly those related to the sharing and attribution of ideas. The concept is tied to the theme of the video through the discussion of proper citation as a means of honoring this tradition and ensuring academic integrity.
πŸ’‘Originality
Originality in the script is associated with the creation of a unique network of ideas. While the writer uses other people's ideas to back up their own, the goal is to synthesize these ideas in a way that forms a new perspective or argument. The script encourages finding disparate ideas to support a fresh idea, emphasizing the value of original thought in essay writing.
πŸ’‘Thesis statement
A thesis statement is a central argument or claim made in an essay, which the rest of the text is meant to support. The video script underscores the importance of ensuring that all evidence used in an essay directly backs up this thesis statement, providing a clear example of how evidence should align with the main point of the essay.
πŸ’‘Essay structure
Essay structure refers to the organization and arrangement of ideas within an essay. The script touches on this concept when discussing how to construct a paragraph, including the introduction of a topic sentence, the presentation of evidence, and the explanation of why the evidence is relevant, all of which contribute to a coherent and persuasive essay.
πŸ’‘Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of using another person's work or ideas without proper attribution, which is presented as a serious issue in the script. The video warns about the dangers of plagiarism and stresses the importance of proper citation to avoid it, thereby protecting both the writer's integrity and the original author's rights.
πŸ’‘Bibliography
A bibliography is a detailed list of the sources used in an essay, which is mentioned in the script as a component of proper citation. It is part of creating a better reading experience by providing the reader with a clear reference to the origins of the evidence presented in the essay.
πŸ’‘Squarespace
Squarespace is a website building platform mentioned in the script as a sponsor of the video series. It is used as an example of a service that can help create various types of websites, such as portfolios or shops, and is offered as a resource for viewers who may need such a platform.
πŸ’‘Reading experience
The reading experience in the script refers to how enjoyable and informative it is for a reader to go through an essay. The video emphasizes the importance of proper citation and structure in enhancing this experience, making it pleasant for the reader to follow the writer's argument and understand the sources of the evidence.
Highlights

Importance of using other people's ideas and research to back up your own argument in essay writing.

Evidence is fundamental to strengthening an essay and can be found everywhere, including newspapers and YouTube videos.

The best source for evidence is often a school's library website for academic research.

Originality in essays comes from creating a unique network of ideas that support your own arguments.

Many marks are lost in essays due to improper use and application of evidence.

Ensure that the evidence directly supports your point and thesis statement.

The placement of evidence in an essay is crucial and should not be random.

Evidence should be well supported and not just dropped in without context.

In essay structure, evidence should follow a topic sentence and be explained in terms of its importance.

It's essential to explain why the chosen evidence is important and not assume the reader knows its significance.

Proper citation of evidence is crucial to avoid plagiarism and respect academic tradition.

Citation protects you from academic trouble and enhances the reading experience.

A well-cited paper with correct bibliographic details is more pleasant to read.

The importance of explaining the significance of chosen evidence for a better grade.

The necessity of proper citation for academic integrity and reader clarity.

Squarespace is highlighted as a sponsor, offering domains and website templates.

Squarespace is recommended for creating portfolios, static pages, and shops.

A free trial offer for Squarespace is mentioned, with a discount on the first purchase.

Transcripts
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