Expository Writing I Library Days! October 2010 Please have a seat

What’s the point? You get to embark on research— we get to help you get there Where to search How to search How to cite it all How to get help

Investigative Report Essay that revolves around an interview of an “older” person. This essay treats the significant historical and social events of the person’s life. Ex: The federal government’s treatment of Japanese Americans during WWII was inhumane.

What kind of sources do you need? Investigative report: At least one published source –“[S]upport, complement, or contradict the information from the interviewee.” –Print source (books, journals, textbooks!) OR –“[I]nformation found on a suitable website” (Debes, et al, p. 177) Source: Debes, Cynthia et al., eds. Writing Communities and Identities: Expository Writing I. 6th ed. Plymouth, MI: Hayden-McNeil Publishing, Print.

Informative Memo Local issue relevant to the K- State/Manhattan community that relates to gender, race, and/or class. Ex: There is inadequate support for GLBT students on the K-State campus.

Audience The local audience for this topic could be: Office of Student Activities and Services, Office of Diversity and Dual Career Development, and/or Lafene Health Center. To gain a better understanding of your local audience, visit official web pages and/or conduct personal interviews.

What kind of sources do you need? Informative Report “[A]t least two research sources” (Debes, et al., p. 121) Source: Debes, Cynthia et al., eds. Writing Communities and Identities: Expository Writing I. 6th ed. Plymouth, MI: Hayden-McNeil Publishing, Print.

Prepare to search What do you know? What do you want to know? Create a cluster diagram OR Start a list of ideas Be prepared for it all to change as you learn more information

How to search: The databases and catalog don’t understand sentences or questions. The databases and catalog understand simple words or phrases (keywords). Even Google doesn’t understand your sentences, it just matches your words with words on websites

Discovering keywords Reduce your research question to separate concepts: The need for an organization on campus that allows multiracial students share and celebrate their heritages multiracial—biracial, Eurasian… heritage—identity… students—college, university…

Where to start:

DATABASES You must access the Libraries’ databases through our web site or in K-State Online. You cannot “Google” them…. ….Well, you can Google them, but they’ll ask you for passwords you don’t have and your credit card. Your tuition pays for your access, so go through K-State and the Libraries’ website

Historical New York Times Digitized version of the New York Times since its first issue in You can search the full text of articles to find something relevant to your topic. This might be easier to search after your interview because language changes over time—try some of the terms your interviewee used…. Yes, even some of the politically incorrect ones that make you cringe.

Diversity Database Suite The Diversity Database Suite allows you to search on topics that relate to your larger curricular theme of ‘communities and identities’. Tip—look for the box that says “Search full text articles” UNCHECK IT—you’ll get more articles, especially thanks to the magic GetIt button.

LexisNexis Academic Allows you to search all sorts of news outlets (newspapers, radio transcripts, etc…) Look for College & University news under the News heading on the left You can search newspapers from universities, like the Collegian

Online Catalog The online catalog is located on the Libraries’ web page. Like the databases, you can search the catalog using keywords.

K-State Online –Cite It Get help constructing your MLA style Works Cited sheet. –Find web pages at K-State. Use the Google search box on the K-State page. –Ask a Librarian Get immediate help, regardless of location.

How to Get Help Ask a Librarian Look for the Ask a Librarian link that is located throughout the Libraries’ web site as well as in K-State Online.

Summary GET HELP!! Ask a Librarian.Ask a Librarian Play with the databases. Don’t expect to pull up the perfect search the first time you try. Think creatively and be flexible with your topic.