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In this challenge, we’re going to look at how to take your presentation to the next level. This involves building a strong argument and using your sources to answer your research question.
In previous units, you read about historical arguments. Remember, a historical argument needs to make a claim or take a position about the past that is supported by evidence. When you answer the question you chose for your presentation, you’re making a historical claim. When you support the reasoning behind your answer with credible and relevant sources, you’re providing evidence to back up your claim.
As you read earlier in this course, it’s important to choose sources that are credible and relevant. It can also be helpful to choose different types of sources (a combination of images, written documents, firsthand accounts, and/or official data). By including different types of sources, you’re using corroboration — building a strong case by proving that the conclusion you’ve drawn is supported by information from different accounts. Your argument and your sources will be the building blocks of your presentation.
Here are some tips to help you build an argument to make your case.
| Tips for Building an Argument | Description |
|---|---|
| Be Selective | You only have so much space and time in a presentation. When you’ve researched your topic thoroughly, you have a lot of information to choose from—so you should be selective about the sources you decide to summarize and quote. Choose a few compelling examples that directly support the main points you’re making. Finally, be sure to include any sources you’ve used to inform your presentation in your source list. |
| Make the Connection | Primary sources provide essential support for historical arguments. You might choose to include a compelling quotation from someone who lived through an event, for example, or a statistic that shows the big picture about how that event affected the population. You’ll probably also want to include historical images in your presentation—they’re primary sources, too. No matter which type of primary source you use, remember to use your own analysis to connect it to your main idea. |
| Practice Your Argument | Before finalizing your presentation, be sure to test it out. Saying your ideas out loud can help you get a sense of how they fit together. Can you summarize your argument in one or two sentences? If you record your presentation and listen to it, can you follow your own argument? Practicing your presentation in front of a mirror or with friends and family is a great way to plan out what you want to say and make sure it flows naturally. |
In this challenge, you will learn how the evolution of technology has changed communication throughout history. Check out this Sophia Story to see how two Atlanta realtors are leveraging today’s technology to communicate their way to success.
Now it’s time to dive into the history of communication technology and see how inventions from the television to the computer have affected the way the world communicates today.
Source: Strategic Education, Inc. 2020. Learn from the Past, Prepare for the Future.
