Prompt for Analyzing Sources
When analyzing a source, consider its rhetorical purpose and function. As seen in the table below, the BEAM model
Download BEAM model of rhetorical source use describes four main ways sources are often used. BEAM is an acronym for Background, Evidence, Argument, and Methodology, and can be a good way to categorize sources. Download a Word document
Download Download a Word document of the chart below.
| Questions | Source #1 | Source #2 | Source #3 |
|
What kind of source is this? (article, website) |
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| What perspective(s) does this source take toward your topic? | |||
| Who is the intended audience? | |||
| How does it add to your understanding of the topic? | |||
| Why would you use this source? | |||
| How would you use this source in your work? (background/context, evidence, argument, methodology) |
Created by Meg Meiman for Meiman and Sheley’s workshop “CRAAP! Digital Information Evaluation is Hard.” Faculty Academy on Excellence in Teaching Conference, 4 November 2017. Handout adapted from CSU Chico (CRAAP) and Bizup’s “BEAM: A rhetorical vocabulary for teaching research - based writing.” Rhetoric Review 27.1 (2008): 72 - 86.
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