This guide is recommended for use by students in CAS 215: Argumentation.
This course will introduce you to the “Theory of influencing belief and conduct, gathering of material, analysis of proposition, case building, briefing, outlining, evidence, cross-examination, refutation, rebuttal, composition and delivery of the argumentative speech.”
The Guide will provide you with a variety of resources some freely available on the Internet and others only available to you as a Penn State Student, which must be accessed through the Libraries’ web site.
- Use these resources to find:
- Try These First resources will provide you with a quick overview to help you understand the full extent of your topic and a variety of fact-based sources that will help you begin to define how you will frame your argument.
- Facts that will provide details and evidence to support (or undermine) an argument
- Current News and Events from magazine and newspapers.
- Statistical Sources and Public Opinion Polls will provide data that has been collected (number of arrests related to drug use by age group, for example and public opinion over time in support of a position. Public opinion from different surveys (European Union or U.S. citizens are useful to help understand how political and cultural context influence public attitudes.
- Government Agency Sources and Reports that will provide background and policy perspectives.
- Congressional Sources that will provide testimony, debate, and speeches in Congress.
- Policy and International Organizations sources which may provide information about issues from a global perspective and background reports from interested groups and organizations.
- Research and Scholarly Journal Sources may provide evidence based on research conducted by academic researchers or research organizations.
