Find Good Evidence
Good evidence usually comes from asking a precise question. Searching the whole topic often gives you interesting information; searching the claim gives you evidence you can actually use.
Start with the sentence you need to prove
Before searching, write the exact claim or mechanism that needs support.
This keeps you from collecting facts that are related to the topic but irrelevant to your argument.
Search the claim, not the broad subject
Broad search: “benefits of later school starts.”
Better search: “later school start time student attendance absenteeism study.”
Match evidence to the argument
If your claim is about attendance, evidence about student mood is not enough.
If your claim is about learning, evidence about popularity alone does not prove it.
Prefer evidence you can explain aloud
A complicated source is not automatically stronger.
Choose evidence whose relevance you can explain clearly in one or two sentences.
Example
Argument: “Later school starts reduce absences.” Weak search: “why later school is good.” Better search: “later start time attendance absenteeism school district study.” The better search targets the exact outcome the argument depends on.
Common mistake
Starting with a topic search and then forcing whatever you find into the argument.
Try this
Write one argument you want to make. Under it, complete this sentence: “I need evidence showing that ____ leads to/changes/is associated with ____.” Use that as your search target.
Keep in mind
Search from the claim, not from the topic.
Practice this skill
Use it in a real debate and see how well it holds up when you have to respond to an opponent.