: For this essay, you will select one of the sources you have found through your preliminary
research about your research topic. Which source you choose is up to you; however, it should be substantial
enough that you will be able to talk about it at length, and intricate enough that it will keep you (and your
reader) interested.
In order to foster learning and growth, all essays you submit must be newly written specifically for this course.
Any recycled work will be sent back with a 0, and you will be given one attempt to redo the Touchstone.
The introduction of this paper will involve introducing the source: Provide the author, the title, and the context
(where you found the source, where it was originally published, who sponsored it, etc.)
You will then go on to evaluate the source on two levels:
Credibility: Using the information in this unit as a guide, evaluate the source’s authenticity and reliability. Look
at all the information that you can find about the source to establish the author’s (or sponsor’s) trustworthiness.
Usefulness: Using a combination of summary and analysis, examine the source on a critical level. Determine
what the source’s purpose (thesis) is, and how it arrives at that goal. Examine its value to you and the project
you are working on. How will it help you prove your own points? How might it come in handy to back up a claim
(or address a counter-claim)?
Finally, you will include a conclusion which shows your final assessments on both counts.
A. Assignment Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it
meets these guidelines.

1. Source Identification
   The introduction of this paper will be introducing the source:
   Have you provided the author’s name?
   Have you provided the source title?
   Have you provided the context (where you found the source, where it was originally published, who
   sponsored it, etc.)?
2. Source Evaluation
   Have you provided a judgment on the source’s credibility?
   Have you used specific examples from the source to illustrate your judgment on credibility?
   Have you provided a judgment on the source’s usefulness?
   Have you used specific examples from the source to illustrate your judgment on usefulness?
3. Reflection
   Have you answered all reflection questions thoughtfully and included insights, observations, and/or
   examples in all responses?

Sample Solution