(And avoiding plagiarism!)

 Factual – based on facts - not hearsay, distortions, or opinions  Reliable – is the source trustworthy and authoritative?  Well supported – does the source list it’s sources?  Current – is the info up to date?  Verifiable – can you cross-check the information with other sources?  Fair – is the info unbiased?  Comprehensive – does the source include all relevant data and information?

 Ask questions: What is the source of this information? How do you know this is true? Why did this happen?  Reject information based solely on opinions  Research the author/creator of the source  Beware of groups with misleading names

 “It’s all over the internet, so it must be true.” – DO NOT BE SWAYED BY THIS  Don’t be dazzled by high-tech design  Investigate sponsors and authors Look for author credentials Get background info on sponsors Examine domain names (.org,.net,.com, etc.)  Look for a date created or updated

 3 types of plagiarism Wholesale copying – using a large portion or an entire work as your own Cut and paste – copying bits and pieces of one or several sources and patching them together as yours. Inappropriate paraphrasing – restating information in your own words (without giving credit)

 3 places you need to cite your sources In your speech In your outline On a Works Cited page

 An oral footnote or oral citation – giving credit as your proceed through your speech “According to the CBS Evening News on March 15, 2014…” “In the words of Abraham Lincoln….”  Always say the author’s name or title of website/source and the date.

 On a separate page  The words “Works Cited” should be centered, in bold, and without quotations  The first citation should be one space after the words “Works Cited.”  Citations should be placed in alphabetical order by the first word on the citation.  Citations should begin at the margin on the first line and be indented (tabbed) every line thereafter.

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication. Gleik, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. New York: Penguin, Print. Smith, Jane. “Pancreatitis and Its Effects on the Human Body.” Science Journal International 23.2 (1999):

 II. Body A. First, I will discuss the types of speeches you will give in college.  1. According to Cheri Simonds, director of Communication Education, at Illinois State University, there are 3 basic speeches you must give in order to pass the required COM 110 course. (Simonds)  a. In the textbook Public Speaking for College and Career it states there are two general purposes for speaking: to inform and to persuade. (Gregory 119)