Corrine Syster Reference & Instruction Librarian ccsyster@hacc.

edu | 717-221-1781

1. Skim the assignment 2. Wait three weeks 3. Sit at computer: Check Facebook, E-Mail, etc. 4. Play Solitaire 5. Write paper 6. Search Google 7. Skim first few results 8. Pick out stuff that fits with what you wrote 9. Paste stuff in & change a few words 10.Lengthen with wide fonts

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Read the assignment! Choose a topic / Thesis Statement Create an outline Figure out what you need Find Information Read what you found Take Notes Write Paper Cite your sources

When is it due? Did my professor assign a topic? How many pages do I have to write? How many sources do I need? What is the real goal of this assignment? What are my professors expectations?

Write properly about a topic

Grammar & Spelling! Relate facts accurately Avoid rhetorical questions, idioms, and SLANG!!! Avoid plagiarism with correct citations

Write intelligently about a topic

Use the best resources available Show your understanding of a topic Share your thoughts on a topic

Write logically about a topic

Have a point, and stick to it Successfully support your statements Reach a logical conclusion

TOPIC General idea of what you are writing about Usually a couple of words

THESIS STATEMENT Summary of main idea or argument Full and proper sentence Included in introductory paragraph of paper Used to let the reader know what the paper is about

Make sure youre following the assignment If a topic is given, what interests you about it?
If the answer is nothing How does it relate to something you are interested in? Why is this topic important?

If a topic isnt given, what interest do you have that will work for this assignment? What do you hope the person reading your paper will learn from it?

Brainstorming Thesaurus Encyclopedia Mind Map Table of Contents Wikipedia

Fish

Pets

Dogs

Cats

Population Breeds Training

Start with the general idea Narrow to a specific topic or topics Take a position on the topic Use specific language to develop a full sentence Make a claim based on clearly stated support

Assignment: Write a three-page paper on a controversial issue. Choose a side and explain why you support that side. Choosing a topic: Choose a current controversy that interests you Writing a thesis statement: State your position on the controversy and why you have taken that position.

Example Topic Idea: Legalization of Marijuana Example Thesis Statement: Decriminalizing the sale and possession of marijuana will help stimulate the economy through sales tax, a decreased prison population, and the creation of legitimate business opportunities.

Assignment: Write a three-page paper about television and marketing. Choosing a topic: Ask yourself questions about the relationships that exist between television and marketing, or what elements of television and advertising interest you. Writing a thesis statement: State what specific aspects of the topic interest you, and explain what is new, interesting, or controversial about the topic.

Example Topic Idea: DVR/TiVo and Product Placement Example Thesis Statement: With the advent of digital video recording technologies like TiVo, marketers have been forced to find more creative ways to advertise products within television programming.

Are you feeling

Scattered, having trouble seeing how it all relates Unfocused and indecisive Like theres entirely too much information

You wont meet the minimum length requirements Youre the only person interested in the topic There is no information out there

TOO BROAD

TOO NARROW

Work from your thesis statement

Pick out main ideas Figure out the most logical flow for your paper Introduction Background of the Main Ideas Synthesis of Main Ideas Conclusion Write out heading for each section Questions Thoughts

Introduction Background of the Main Ideas

What is marijuana? Why is it illegal? What are the punishments? How will it help stimulate the economy? Why will the prison population decrease? What types of businesses would be created? What arguments could be made against this? Are there any examples to show this would be a good change? What effects will this have on our society? Why should anyone care about this? Include thesis statement

Synthesis of Main Ideas

Conclusion

Introduction Background of the Main Ideas

Why should anyone care about this? Include thesis statement

Synthesis of Main Ideas

What are digital video recording technologies? Are there different types, and how do they work? Why is that related to advertising? What types of advertising takes place on TV?

Conclusion

How do DVR & TiVo affect marketing? What was advertising different before DVR&TiVo? How are advertisements and advertisers changing?

Should advertisers, TV executives, or software developers worry about their

future? What can we expect in the future on this topic? What solutions are being developed to make both parties happy?

What do you already know about the topic? What do you need to find out about the topic? What types resources can you use?
Are these resources readily available? How much time do I need to get these

resources?

How much information do you need?

Books
General Encyclopedias
Subject Encyclopedias Atlases Handbooks Resource Compilations

Articles (Handout)
Scholarly /Peer-Reviewed

Journal Professional / Trade Publication Popular

Library Databases
EBSCO Hoovers Westlaw Opposing Viewpoints

Web pages
Free databases Subject Indexes Google Scholar

Learn to identify relevance

Abstract First paragraphs, first lines Pivotal Words (handout)

Learn how to read for comprehension

SQ3R (handout) Reading difficult materials (handout)

Be careful not to view information in a bubble!

Keep track of where youve been!

Print out web pages Photocopy title pages Print out abstract views

Make notes of exact quotes and paraphrases

Use codes to keep things straight

Q : in front of direct quotes P : in front of paraphrases ? : for questions that arise during your reading ! : For thoughts you have while reading

Cite as you write

Structure of an academic paper

Introduction Overview of what youre writing and why Includes thesis statement / summary of main idea Purpose of the paper (Inform? Persuade? Explain? Compare?) Body Support of main idea Conclusion Offer solutions and analysis Summarize main points of the body Works Cited/Bibliography

Paraphrase vs. Quote

P: Ideas of others in your words Q: Ideas of others in their words

In-text Citations
Brief, refers to works cited

Works Cited
Full citations Alphabetized