Hiram College Library: Hiram Library Research Guide: Write Using Evidence

Write Using Evidence

Good researchers don’t just collect sources — they use them to support an argument.

Think of yourself as joining a conversation: your sources are the other voices, and you decide how to bring them together.

Use sources to:

Learn how to paraphrase and quote effectively, then test your understanding with a quick quiz video.

Courtesy of FIT Writing & Speaking Studio

1. Top bread – Introduce the quote: Say who said it, where it’s from, and give a little context so your reader understands it.

2. The meat – The quote itself: Use the author’s exact words.

3. Bottom bread – Explain the quote: Show how it supports your point or argument.

See how it works in this example.

Courtesy of FIT Writing & Speaking Studio

1. Give each source its own color (Source A = blue, Source B = green, Source C = yellow).

2. Highlight quotes or paraphrasing in that color as you draft.

3. When you look back, you’ll quickly see:

You can instantly see which sources you’ve used most often.
Gaps will pop out — if a section is missing colors, it probably needs more evidence.
It keeps your paper balanced, so you’re not leaning too much on one source.

Don’t just stack quotes—explain how they connect to your thesis in your own words.

See how it works in this example.

Academic Term: Synthesize
Combine ideas from different sources to support your own argument.

Strategy adapted from Joy McGregor, 2004