| Source Function |
Explanation |
Examples of Types of Sources |
Where you might use it in your paper |
| B: Background |
Factual and noncontroversial information, providing context |
Encyclopedia articles, overviews in books, statistics, historical facts |
Introduction |
| E: Exhibit/ Evidence |
Data, observations, objects, artifacts, documents that can be analyzed |
Text of a novel, field observations, focus group transcriptions, questionnaire data, results of an experiment, interview data (primary sources) |
Body/Results |
| A: Argument |
Critical views from other scholars and commentators; part of the academic conversation |
Scholarly articles, books, critical reviews (e.g. literacy criticism), editorials |
Body, sometimes in Introduction or in Literature Review |
| M: Method |
Reference to methods or theories used, usually explicit though may be implicit; approach or research methodology used |
Part of books or articles with reference to theorists (e.g. Foucault, Derrida) or theory (e.g. feminism, post-colonialism, new historicism etc.); information on a research methodology |
Methods or referenced in Introduction or Body |
A source may serve more than one function. For instance, a journal article could provide you with background information, exhibits, argument, and method. However, some sources are focused on a single function. For example, an encyclopedia entry is likely to only serve as background information.
Citation: Bizup, Joseph. “BEAM: A Rhetorical Vocabulary for Teaching Research-Based Writing.” Rhetoric Review 27.1 (2008): 72-86.
Credit: This page adapted from "Source Functions: Background, Exhibits, Argument, Method (BEAM)" from the University of California Merced Library.
