Selecting a Topic Make sure you can find information on your topic. Turn your topic into a question. Identify the main keywords in your question; they may be potential search terms. Discuss your ideas with your teacher or librarian. Look at an online encyclopedia to see available information If you are finding too much information and too many sources, narrow your topic. Finding too little information may indicate that you need to broaden your topic.

CREATING NOTECARDS A. Top Right: Initials (First, Middle and Last) B. Top Line: Subtopic Subtopic should be stated in form of a question. Example: What is the greatest cause of depression in teenagers? C. Keep items limited to 4-8 D. Back: Your source of information (Next Slide)

1. Only write information directly related to your question 2. Write only essential words, abbreviate when possible. 3. Be accurate: double check direct quotes and statistics. 4. Identify direct quotes with quotation marks and the person's name. 5. Use ellipsis points (...) where you leave out non- essential words from a quote.

What is the cause of homelessness? KMA 1. Homelessness is caused by tragic life occurrences: a) Loss of loved ones b) Job loss c) Domestic violence d) Divorce and family disputes. 2. Many factors push people into living on the street: a) Depression b) Untreated mental illness c) Post traumatic stress disorder d) Physical disabilities (Reference source about this information is on the back. (3) #2 Notecards: Example

CITING YOUR SOURCES BACK OF NOTE CARD Sources See Library Box for templates, if necessary You may number the source and just put the number on the back of your cards.

You will need at least 3 sources of information Books Magazines Internet sites Interviews Encyclopedias Videos

What causes teenagers to get depressed? Who is affected by child slavery? What is a day in the life of a returning soldier like?

When you are finished with all your note cards, you should create a cover card which should include: YOUR TOPIC YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME SUBTOPICS -EACH QUESTION BECOMES A SUBTOPIC INCLUDE HOW MANY CARDS PER SUBTOPIC

When you are done sorting then you can number the note cards in the order in which your presentation will be organized.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of presenting the words, ideas, images, sounds, or the creative expression of others as your own.

STUDENTS IF … you have included the words and ideas of others in your work that you neglected to cite… you have had help you wouldn’t want your teacher to know about…

Using another person's words without giving them credit. Using another person’s ideas without giving them credit. Using another person’s research, results, diagrams, or images without giving them credit.

Zero on the assignment Possible parent notification Possible referral to administrators

Inadvertent plagiarism is as bad as the intentional kind. If you plan ahead and use good research skills, you won’t have to run to the library at the last minute, make up citations, surf the web for all your research, falsify your data.. Learn from your past mistakes. Realize that an act of plagiarism might cost you your reputation, your degree, or your professional career.

You may want to use “electronic index cards.” If so you can use the following slide to help you create these cards. You are not allowed to “cut and paste.”

START BUTTON ALL PROGRAMS MICROSOFT OFFICE MICROSOFT PUBLISHER POSTCARDS SELECT 3x5 or 4x6 Font at 12 or 14 ALWAYS SAVE PRINT OUT