The document outlines a lesson plan from Santa Clara University on researching archetypes for writing, focusing on source categorization using the BEAM framework: Background, Exhibit/Evidence, Argument, and Method. It details the types of sources that can be used for each category, providing examples and suggested databases for finding relevant information. The course aims to help students develop their archetype characters and understand writing styles through effective sourcing and analysis.

1. BEAMing Your Selfie
Nicole Branch
Santa Clara University Library
Lesson adapted from Woodward & Ganski,
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee;
Engaging Ideas by John C. Bean, and
Joseph Bizup, Boston University. Image
courtesy of Flickr user Ayesha Stager.

2. Objectives
• Plan & execute a search strategy
• Evaluate sources for relevance & purpose
• Discuss potential value of sources
• Select sources for purposes of your
assignment

3. Researching Archetypes
• Develop your archetype character
• Find examples of writing styles associated
with your character
• Find sources to understand & develop style

4. Ways of Categorizing Sources
• Scholarly -------------------------- Popular
• Primary --------------------------- Secondary
• Good -------------------------------- Bad

5. Bizup’s “BEAM”
• Background
• Exhibit/Evidence
• Argument
• Method

6. Background
A background source is “any source, assumed to
be noncontroversial, used to provide context…
facts and information”
Examples include:
• Encyclopedia articles
• Biographies
• Historical accounts

7. Exhibit/Evidence
Exhibit sources are sources you analyze or use as
evidence. For this course you might identify a person
that embodies the archetype you would like to create to
serve as an example.
Examples include:
• Examples of person’s work (author, musician,
entertainer, etc.)
• Quotations
• Interviews with the author/musician/entertainer, etc.
• Field observations or research (for fields like sociology)

8. Argument
An argument source is a source that tells you
about “the conversation of critical views and
relevant scholarship” related to the topic.
Examples include:
• Critical reviews of a person’s work
• Scholarly articles on a particular topic

9. Method
Method sources provide information about the
theories or methods the
writer/musician/entertainer or other figure is
employing
Examples include:
• Articles on a particular writing genre or style
• References to particular theories or methods
(feminism, post-colonialism, etc.)

10. What can you do with these sources
for your writing?
• Understand factors that may impact the “character” of your
archetype/creator
• Understand the historical context of the archetype/creatorBackground
• Analyze and understand the style of the archetype (word choice,
tone, structure)
Exhibit
• Gather information about how the archetype is perceived by
others
• Gather additional information about the archetype/style/toneArgument
• Explore the genre and style of the archetype as it relates to the
field (of writing, entertainment, art, etc.)
Method
Listed below are specific ways that you can use BEAM sources for
your work in this course.

11. BEAM Your Selfies
For each of your three archetypes, use the mind
map to brainstorm sources for each BEAM
element.

12. Example
Image courtesy of The White House from Washington, DC (P042515LJ-0719) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

13. TheAlter-Ego

14. Where will you find these sources?
• Look for encyclopedia entries and biographies in:
• Reference sources (Wikipedia, CREDO, Gale Virtual Reference)
• Gale Artemis (biographies)Background
• Look for the complete text of a figure’s work or interviews in:
• OSCAR Library Catalog (books)
• Gale Artemis (primary sources)
• Google
Exhibit
• Look for reviews, interviews, and critiques in:
• Gale Artemis (for literature)
• Communication Source (for pop culture figures/genres)
• Film & Television Index (for film and television figures)
Argument
• Look for scholarly articles on genres/styles or theories/methods in:
• Gale Artemis (for literature)
• Communication Source (for pop culture figures/genres)
• Film & Television Index (for film and television figures)
Method

15. Find Sources
• Using the suggested databases, find sources to
help develop your archetype and for your
upcoming assignment

16. Don’t hesitate to contact me!
Nicole Branch
nbranch@scu.edu
x5436