The goal of this exercise is to teach students how to use theory sources to complicate and deepen their claims. Start by reviewing a sample paragraph that draws on a theory source in the service of making a claim about an exhibit source. Then, have students create their own paragraph in small groups. Because this exercise focuses on how to effectively use sources, it can help to provide brief excerpts for this group activity. The sample exercise provides students with short quotations from argument sources; the students have to decide which parts of the exhibit and theory to focus on to shape their group paragraph.

Objective

To practice using a text as a theory source; to appreciate how a theory source can deepen and complicate the analysis

Key Terms

BEAM/BEAT; theory source

Exercise

    1. Create a handout for students using the following directions and template.
    2. Refer to this example from one instructor’s class, to see how the sources might work together.
    3. Consider sharing with students this sample, from a former student, of one possible way to use a theory source effectively; analyze and discuss. Alternatively, refer to papers in the WR Journal for additional examples.

Directions to students: With your group, choose one of the two exhibit sources below. Then choose one of the two corresponding argument sources and write a paragraph that responds to it (i.e. challenges/qualifies/builds upon) by closely analyzing evidence from your exhibit source and using one of our shared texts as a theory source.

  • #1 Exhibit source:
    [Instructor lists the title of a novel or poem here, or selects a few pages of text from a longer work, or a photograph, painting, poem, etc.]
  • Argument source:
    [Instructor puts a short, provocative quote from an argument source/critic here.]
  • Argument source:
    [Instructor puts a short, provocative quote from a different argument source/critic here.]
  • Theory source:
    [Instructor references the name of one or more theorists the class has discussed together.]
  • #2 Exhibit source:
    [Instructor lists the title of a novel or poem here, or selects a few pages of text from a longer work, or a photograph, painting, poem, etc.]
  • Argument source:
    [Instructor puts a short, provocative quote from an argument source/critic here.]
  • Argument source:
    [Instructor puts a short, provocative quote from an argument source/critic here.]
  • Theory source:
    [Instructor references the name of one or more theorists the class has discussed together.]