How do I evaluate a website? How do I cite my sources? Mrs. Martin, Librarian

Evaluating Websites

Targets I can evaluate a Website I can cite a book and website source in MLA format. I can use in text citations in my paper. I can access credible websites & databases provided by the school.

Why do we need to check the credibility of our sources? Image Source Credit: NYTimes.com

C is for: Credibility of the Author Who is the author? What are his/her credentials? Does s/he have sufficient authority to speak on the subject? Is there any way to reach him/her? Is there an organizational or corporate sponsor?

A is for Accuracy Is the content accurate, complete, and well written? Do there appear to be errors (spelling, grammar) on the page? Is the content relevant to your topic or question?

R is for Reliable (Look at the URL) What is the purpose of the site or page? Commercial (selling products).com Nonprofit-.org (originally for nonprofits, but many use the.org now.) Educational.edu Internet Service Provider.net Government.gov.mil.ms Entertainment, Informative, Personal, Persuasive?

D is for Date Is the information on the page up-to-date? Can you tell when the page was last updated? Are there dead links? Is there a difference between the date the information was created and the date the page was last updated?

S is for Source Do the authors give credit for information used? Is the information based on primary or secondary sources? Do they list sources? Are there working links to these sources?

Let’s Practice orleans-vampire-tour.aspx

What is Plagiarism According to dictionary.com, plagiarism is: an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting the original author.

Examples include: (without citing your sources) using another’s idea copying word-for-word Copying a passage and changing some of the words translating another’s work paraphrasing (aka restating something using other words, usually to make it simpler or shorter)

Learn how to cite a book

Example: Chin, Lisa C. When a Gene Makes You Smell Like a Fish. New York: Oxford Press, Print.

Cite a website ii/world-war-ii-history ii/world-war-ii-history Example: History.com Staff. “World War II History.” A+E Networks Web. 20 Oct war-II-history. war-II-history

Today we are going to practice different kinds of citations. This is where you take another’s words, include it in your paper, and give them credit. The two basic types are: Direct quotations (copying word-for-word what the author says) Paraphrasing (putting the author’s words into your own words)

Direct Quotations (in-text citation) Elie Wiesel struggles to understand what it means to be in Auschwitz. He worries for his family, for their well-being, and about what will happen next. “Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed” (Wiesel 32).

Paraphrasing (in-text citation) Elie Wiesel struggles to understand what it means to be in Auschwitz. He worries for his family, for their well-being, and about what will happen next. Wiesel knows that he will never forget that first night that is burned in his mind for as long as he lives; for him, camp was like night which gives way to fear (32).

Sources “Research Skills.” World Book Student. World Book, Web 23 Oct =ar750287&st=how+to+write+a+citation&sc= 3#cite