In written discourse objectives, what should students base their paragraph on?

For written discourse objectives, students should base their paragraphs on a text structure and data from sources because this approach promotes a clear and organized way of presenting information. Utilizing a defined text structure helps students understand how to arrange their ideas logically, whether they are creating an argument, a narrative, or an informative piece. Integrating data from reliable sources enriches their writing, lending it credibility and supporting their arguments or points of view with evidence. This practice encourages critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis of information, skills that are essential for effective communication in academic and professional settings.

In contrast, while personal experiences and individual ideas are valuable, they may not provide the depth or breadth of argumentation needed for academic writing. Relying solely on one's ideas might limit perspectives and restrict the richness of discourse that can be achieved through diverse sources. A mentor's written report, while potentially useful, does not engage the student actively in the writing process as effectively as using structured text and multiple sources does.