Crowder Academic Reading and Writing Center

CARAWC

194 College Rd. Rm. #112 / #104
Jane, MO
64856

carawc@crowder.edu

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How to Make TACOS

An essential tool in understanding reading a text and/or writing an essay:

Making TACOS:

T – THESIS:   Develop / Identify the Thesis

A – ARGUMENTS (MAIN POINTS):  Find 3 main points to support the thesis

C – CONCLUSION:  A summary of the thesis and the 3 main points, (when writing) include a major factor that drives your point home to the reader; it is the last thing they will remember.

O – ORIGIN:  Writing: Establish your credibility, your historical knowledge, and present any credible resources you have.  Reading: Ask what credentials the author holds regarding experience and education, does the author or institution have a commercial motivation, a moral motivation, or a religious motivation for their writing. When was the piece written?  If it is too old to use, don’t use it. Consider if there is any possible way anyone could make money from the source – if so, then it is most likely biased.

S – SUMMARY: Restates the thesis and touches on the main points and general ideas of the essay. It does not touch on the specifics, such as examples, opinions, and illustrations that are presented in a larger context of the essay.