In my third paper I used my outside sources as a way to support my argument as well as a way to include naysayer points in my paper. On page 3 and 4 I introduce a quote from the article “Paying Students to Play Would Ruin College Sports.”
All of those involved are hired to do their part and are therefore paid for their time. In fact, “The 30 largest universities in the country each routinely generate annual revenues exceeding $100 million from sports […]” (McDavis). Much of this money is going toward the paychecks of each person that has helped keep the team afloat, but not a single cent is ever directed toward the players. This is despite the fact that the players are the whole reason that the team even exists and is making any sort of profit in the first place. College athletes have to undergo years of hard work and training to get to the level of greatness that is expected of them. On the other hand, staff and faculty are simply hired for the job before they begin to receive paychecks. It seems contradictory to make students work so hard to get to a collegiate level, where their lives revolve around sports, without being able to receive any sort of compensation.
I first introduced my quote by giving a general statement about the staff and faculty that are involved in college sports. Then I added the direct quote to show text evidence of how much some universities are really making through their sport programs. I was able to use the explanation of the quote to support my argument by showing how much money these schools are really making and how much of it is actually going to the players. I even mentioned a point about the work that it takes for college athletes to get to that high level of performance and once they are finally there they have no option to be rewarded for their continuous work by being paid.
I think that over time I have definitely gotten better at explaining my quotes and how they support my argument. Once I have a clear thesis and a clear opinion on an argument it becomes much easier for me to explain why the source I’m using supports what I’m arguing. In my past experience I have found myself unclear about my thesis or how to argue my point. However, through this semester I have found it to be much easier for me to pick a side and support it with evidence, both personal and textual.
