HOW TO WRITE A MULTIPLE SOURCE ESSAY
FIRST SOME BASICS - GET THE BASICS RIGHT BECAUSE IT'S THE EASY PART!
DO:
DO NOT, EVER:
FIRST SOME BASICS - GET THE BASICS RIGHT BECAUSE IT'S THE EASY PART!
DO:
- You must write this essay in the PAST TENSE.
- You must base all your points and arguments on the sources that are provided.
- You must use paragraphs with the PEEF format.
- You must produce an argument and a counter-argument.
DO NOT, EVER:
- Do not write “In this essay I will….” In fact, never use the pronoun I or we.
- Do not rewrite the question out as a heading.
- Never ask your own question(s).
- You may not put brackets or reference your quote at end of a paragraph.
Possible Essay Questions to use as our example:
To what extent was the USSR to blame for the confrontation that developed in Europe, after the Second World War?
To what extent was the USSR to blame for the confrontation that developed in Europe, after the Second World War?
START WITH THE PLANNING
*NB: you need to come up with points to argue from the sources. Not from your own understanding or learning. This is all about the sources. So don’t pre-determine what you want to write about. Write about what the sources have to offer….
Also, at this point you don’t know what stand to take…. Don’t decide yet!
The long and hard part of this essay is in the planning and preparation. Actually writing it should be quick and easy.
Step One:
Look at the Essay question and make sure that you understand what it is asking. Know what you have to answer/argue.
Step Two:
Summarize your sources. Explain what the source is about in your own words. You will use this precis later on in your essay.
Step Three:
Decide how to use the source. How does it help you to answer the essay question? Which angle is it taking? Does it lean in favour or against the basic outline of the essay question?
Then, lump your sources – put all the sources that have the same leaning or direction together. I.o.w. physically allocate them to one side of the argument. You should now be able to see in which direction your essay should take. And only now can you know what stand to take! Whatever argument has the most number of sources to support it, that’s your stand. The other sources will be used in the counter argument.
Step Four:
Each source should hold a point or an idea, or a contributing factor, etc.
Whatever it is talking about, that’s the point you are going to argue. Theoretically there should be approx. 7 sources, each with a different idea or factor, which means you have 6 or 7 points to use. And therefore 6 or 7 paragraphs in your essay. Figure out what those points are!
Step Five:
Decide on which order to use the sources and thereby present your points. They can be used in chronological order, but sometimes it makes more sense to use them according to topics or ideas.
You never use the sources in the same order that they appear on your worksheet. So never use the sources in alphabetical order.
*NB: you need to come up with points to argue from the sources. Not from your own understanding or learning. This is all about the sources. So don’t pre-determine what you want to write about. Write about what the sources have to offer….
Also, at this point you don’t know what stand to take…. Don’t decide yet!
The long and hard part of this essay is in the planning and preparation. Actually writing it should be quick and easy.
Step One:
Look at the Essay question and make sure that you understand what it is asking. Know what you have to answer/argue.
Step Two:
Summarize your sources. Explain what the source is about in your own words. You will use this precis later on in your essay.
Step Three:
Decide how to use the source. How does it help you to answer the essay question? Which angle is it taking? Does it lean in favour or against the basic outline of the essay question?
Then, lump your sources – put all the sources that have the same leaning or direction together. I.o.w. physically allocate them to one side of the argument. You should now be able to see in which direction your essay should take. And only now can you know what stand to take! Whatever argument has the most number of sources to support it, that’s your stand. The other sources will be used in the counter argument.
Step Four:
Each source should hold a point or an idea, or a contributing factor, etc.
Whatever it is talking about, that’s the point you are going to argue. Theoretically there should be approx. 7 sources, each with a different idea or factor, which means you have 6 or 7 points to use. And therefore 6 or 7 paragraphs in your essay. Figure out what those points are!
Step Five:
Decide on which order to use the sources and thereby present your points. They can be used in chronological order, but sometimes it makes more sense to use them according to topics or ideas.
You never use the sources in the same order that they appear on your worksheet. So never use the sources in alphabetical order.
So, you should end up with planning that looks something like this:
THE INTRODUCTION
Very similar to the Discursive essay; make sure that you show both sides of the argument. But then pick a side to count as more important than the other (depending on your sources). Clearly indicate your stand.
Eg.
Post World War II, the United States was to a greater extent, responsible for the period of confrontation that developed in Europe. Undoubtedly, the USSR was not blameless, especially when considering how Stalin occupied the Eastern Europe countries and installed communist governments. However, evidence tends to suggest that it was America who provocated the conflict and tension that arose in Europe after the Second World War.
The introduction is very short.
It has used the same wording that was in the question.
It has a clear stand, (the role of the USA).
It has also hinted at the counter-argument (the role of the USSR).
THE BODY
It perfectly permissible, and recommended, to write this essay in two halves. Because you have just taken a stand, carry on in support of that stand. Spend the first half of the essay using all those sources that back up your stand. But obviously present two or three per paragraph as you’ve co-lumped them. Approx. 4 paragraphs.
Then write the other half of the essay, the counter-argument, that focuses on all the sources that say the opposite. Approx. 2 paragraphs
At the end of a paragraph, show that you have kept focus by explaining how your point has answered the [original] question, or clarified the point of the paragraph.
Below is an example of how a Source Based Essay should be written:
Very similar to the Discursive essay; make sure that you show both sides of the argument. But then pick a side to count as more important than the other (depending on your sources). Clearly indicate your stand.
Eg.
Post World War II, the United States was to a greater extent, responsible for the period of confrontation that developed in Europe. Undoubtedly, the USSR was not blameless, especially when considering how Stalin occupied the Eastern Europe countries and installed communist governments. However, evidence tends to suggest that it was America who provocated the conflict and tension that arose in Europe after the Second World War.
The introduction is very short.
It has used the same wording that was in the question.
It has a clear stand, (the role of the USA).
It has also hinted at the counter-argument (the role of the USSR).
THE BODY
It perfectly permissible, and recommended, to write this essay in two halves. Because you have just taken a stand, carry on in support of that stand. Spend the first half of the essay using all those sources that back up your stand. But obviously present two or three per paragraph as you’ve co-lumped them. Approx. 4 paragraphs.
Then write the other half of the essay, the counter-argument, that focuses on all the sources that say the opposite. Approx. 2 paragraphs
At the end of a paragraph, show that you have kept focus by explaining how your point has answered the [original] question, or clarified the point of the paragraph.
Below is an example of how a Source Based Essay should be written:
THE CONCLUSION
Again keep it short. Do not write your essay here. No new points. No rehashing. Just confirm and reiterates the stand you took in the beginning.
Again keep it short. Do not write your essay here. No new points. No rehashing. Just confirm and reiterates the stand you took in the beginning.
PARAGRAPHS
You may not write one sentence on its own. That is not a paragraph. You may not even write 2 or 3 sentences and think it’s a paragraph. There has to be a minimum of 4 sentences for it be considered to be a paragraph, which means you must use fullstops! Don’t use more than 7 though. And remember that paragraphs are separated by an empty line.
Stick to PEAEL for the paragraphs: P oint
E vidence (Source C)
A & E argument and more evidence (Source E)
F ocus (go back to the question)
Example:
P: The British were to blame for the demise of the Basotho nation because they took grazing land from the
Sotho, depriving them of living space and grazing grounds for their cattle.
E: “The Sotho refused to accept the Warden Line….” (Source B)
A&E: The Warden Line was drawn up by Sir Harry Smith and effectively it changed the boundaries of the British
and Sotho land, in favour of the British. Arguably, this created a problem for the Sotho who lost grazing
rights and prestige, (Source E) contributing to their eventual decline.
F: As a result, not only were the British to blame for taking land that led to the repatriation of the Sotho
people, but it also resulted in the Battle of Viervoet.
(Of course you don't write it line by line, like this, but in paragraph form.)
You may not write one sentence on its own. That is not a paragraph. You may not even write 2 or 3 sentences and think it’s a paragraph. There has to be a minimum of 4 sentences for it be considered to be a paragraph, which means you must use fullstops! Don’t use more than 7 though. And remember that paragraphs are separated by an empty line.
Stick to PEAEL for the paragraphs: P oint
E vidence (Source C)
A & E argument and more evidence (Source E)
F ocus (go back to the question)
Example:
P: The British were to blame for the demise of the Basotho nation because they took grazing land from the
Sotho, depriving them of living space and grazing grounds for their cattle.
E: “The Sotho refused to accept the Warden Line….” (Source B)
A&E: The Warden Line was drawn up by Sir Harry Smith and effectively it changed the boundaries of the British
and Sotho land, in favour of the British. Arguably, this created a problem for the Sotho who lost grazing
rights and prestige, (Source E) contributing to their eventual decline.
F: As a result, not only were the British to blame for taking land that led to the repatriation of the Sotho
people, but it also resulted in the Battle of Viervoet.
(Of course you don't write it line by line, like this, but in paragraph form.)
REFERENCING SOURCES
When you reference, you can do it in 3 different ways.
1. “Quote directly and use speech marks and brackets.” (Source B)
2. Put it in your own words, with no speech marks but still use brackets. (Source B)
3. Introduce the source at the beginning of your sentence and don’t use brackets.
Eg. Source G claims that Moshoeshoe was robbed when it points out that all the fertile land was taken from him. This is supported in Source D which also says that important grazing land and access to water were taken from him.
Examples:
When you quote directly
Even though there were matters on which both parties disagreed, the Groote Schuur Minutes paved the way for further negotiations. “Both the NP and ANC, despite their differences agreed to further talks in the near future.” (Source D) As a result the Pretoria Minutes took place five months later. Unfortunately however, the continued violence in the country, and specifically the Boipatong and Bisho killings, resulted in mistrust and a breakdown in negotiations. "The IFP were instigators of violence in Boipatong and Bisho." (Source E). IFP supporters brandished IFP t-shirts whilst carrying traditional weapons. (Source F) As a result, the negotiations stalled and progress was slow but the negotiations did continue.
Or
When you start by referring to the source
Even though there were matters on which both parties disagreed, the Groote Schuur Minutes paved the way for further negotiations. Source D points out that both the ANC and the NP were committed to further talks in the near future. As a result the Pretoria Minutes took place five months later. Unfortunately however, the continued violence in the country, and specifically the Boipatong and Bisho killings, resulted in mistrust and a breakdown in negotiations. For example, Source E claimed that the killings were IFP attacks on ANC supporters and this is supported in Source F which shows people wearing IFP t-shirts brandishing traditional weapons as they marched whilst bodies lie on the ground. As a result, the negotiations stalled and progress was slow but the negotiations did continue.
Or
When you put it into your own words
Even though there were matters on which both parties disagreed, the Groote Schuur Minutes paved the way for further negotiations. It was evident that both parties, the ANC and NP, were committed to further talks in the near future (Source D). As a result, the Pretoria Minutes took place five months later. Unfortunately however, the continued violence in the country, and specifically the Boipatong and Bisho killings, resulted in mistrust and a breakdown in negotiations. For example, Source E is supported in Source F as both sources blame the IFP as the cause of violence, as Source F shows people wearing IFP t-shirts brandishing traditional weapons as they marched whilst bodies lie on the ground. As a result, the negotiations stalled and progress was slow but the negotiations did continue.
Very important!
You never, never ever, end a paragraph with a source reference. Notice how I made sure there was another sentence, totally unreferenced at the end of each paragraph that not only showed focus on the point, but also linked to the next paragraph.
When you reference, you can do it in 3 different ways.
1. “Quote directly and use speech marks and brackets.” (Source B)
2. Put it in your own words, with no speech marks but still use brackets. (Source B)
3. Introduce the source at the beginning of your sentence and don’t use brackets.
Eg. Source G claims that Moshoeshoe was robbed when it points out that all the fertile land was taken from him. This is supported in Source D which also says that important grazing land and access to water were taken from him.
Examples:
When you quote directly
Even though there were matters on which both parties disagreed, the Groote Schuur Minutes paved the way for further negotiations. “Both the NP and ANC, despite their differences agreed to further talks in the near future.” (Source D) As a result the Pretoria Minutes took place five months later. Unfortunately however, the continued violence in the country, and specifically the Boipatong and Bisho killings, resulted in mistrust and a breakdown in negotiations. "The IFP were instigators of violence in Boipatong and Bisho." (Source E). IFP supporters brandished IFP t-shirts whilst carrying traditional weapons. (Source F) As a result, the negotiations stalled and progress was slow but the negotiations did continue.
Or
When you start by referring to the source
Even though there were matters on which both parties disagreed, the Groote Schuur Minutes paved the way for further negotiations. Source D points out that both the ANC and the NP were committed to further talks in the near future. As a result the Pretoria Minutes took place five months later. Unfortunately however, the continued violence in the country, and specifically the Boipatong and Bisho killings, resulted in mistrust and a breakdown in negotiations. For example, Source E claimed that the killings were IFP attacks on ANC supporters and this is supported in Source F which shows people wearing IFP t-shirts brandishing traditional weapons as they marched whilst bodies lie on the ground. As a result, the negotiations stalled and progress was slow but the negotiations did continue.
Or
When you put it into your own words
Even though there were matters on which both parties disagreed, the Groote Schuur Minutes paved the way for further negotiations. It was evident that both parties, the ANC and NP, were committed to further talks in the near future (Source D). As a result, the Pretoria Minutes took place five months later. Unfortunately however, the continued violence in the country, and specifically the Boipatong and Bisho killings, resulted in mistrust and a breakdown in negotiations. For example, Source E is supported in Source F as both sources blame the IFP as the cause of violence, as Source F shows people wearing IFP t-shirts brandishing traditional weapons as they marched whilst bodies lie on the ground. As a result, the negotiations stalled and progress was slow but the negotiations did continue.
Very important!
You never, never ever, end a paragraph with a source reference. Notice how I made sure there was another sentence, totally unreferenced at the end of each paragraph that not only showed focus on the point, but also linked to the next paragraph.