1. Topic selection

2. To Consider
The expectation is the you will produce an original piece of writing.
Avoid topics you investigated last year.
Don’t select a topic that you may want to cover during Senior Project
Be creative in your topic and development of an argument
Address Multiple Points of View
6 full pages in length
Cite 6 sources

3. The Research Process: An Overview

4. Where to Begin
Create a rough outline of some ideas you think your paper might cover
Try to get some “common knowledge” or basic understanding of your subject

5. How Should I Search? Use a variety of search terms
Use “not” “and,” and “or” to help narrow your search.
Use a variety of search engines
Google, Dogpile, AltaVista

6. DON’Ts and DO’s
Encyclopedia's DON’T count as a source and should NOT be used.
(This includes WIKIPEDIA!!!! )
Don’t use personal blogs, or websites that don’t have a person or organization that you can verify.
You DO need at least 4 types of sources
Books
Magazines/Journals
Internet
Interviews
TV/Video
Newspaper

7. *We have this until the end of March, Email Documents to yourself.
EBSCO
Subscription database for ALL types of source
Username: losaltos
Password: trial
*We have this until the end of March, Documents to yourself.

8. Citing EBSCO Sources
Pilger, John. “Why the Oscars are a Con.” New Statesman 15 February 2010: 20. EBSCO. Los Altos High School Library, Hacienda Heights, CA. 8 March 2010 < ebscohost.com/>.

9. Starting the Source Card and Note Card Process
Determine the usefulness of a particular resource
Does it include information you don’t have already?
Is the information coming from a trustworthy source?

10. Evaluating Internet Sites
Use the most academic and scholar-like sources
University
Non-Profit Organization
Government Website
Reputable Company
Beware of tildes (~)! These often indicate that the host is not monitoring/verifying the site

11. Starting the Source Card and Note Card Process
Create a source card for the resource
Put source information in MLA format as it will appear on your Works Cited page. Be sure to collect all information!

12. WEB SITES
Author. “Title.” Website. Date of Revision. Sponsoring Organization. Date of Access <URL>. Give as much information as the website provides.

13. SAMPLE SOURCE CARD
Moen, Bruce. “How Do You Know It’s Real?” Afterlife Knowledge. 16 Oct < knowledge.com/index.html>.

14. How Do I Cite Other Sources?
See the guidelines on Weebly.
Give as much information as is available.
If the source was published in print and online you MUST give BOTH sets of information (Find Articles/ Google books)

15. Starting Note Card Process
Create individual note cards for that source
Only one piece of information per card
Create a system for organizing your note cards and linking them with the source (Author’s last name, Letter, Color)

16. Starting Note Card Process
Put information in your own words or put in “QUOTES” so that you remember to paraphrase it later.

17. Sample Piece of Information
“Two episodes pushed Spitz toward his journey. The first occurred at a congregant’s funeral. During the graveside service, Spitz was horrified because he called the widow by the wrong name. He rushed to apologize, but she said she was thrilled because the name he had used was her late husband’s nickname for her.”

18. Sample Note Card
Personal Experiences Alger
Rabbi Elie Spitz believes in life after death because of experiences he has had. The first occurred when he accidentally called a congregant’s widow by the wrong name, only to discover that he had used the deceased husband’s nickname for her.

19. Sample Rough Outline Topic: Background information
Establish controversy, explain the multiple points of view.
Different people’s experiences – American public, experts, various stakeholders
Facts and evidence related to the topic

20. Homework, Due Monday, 3/15
1. Come up with a viable topic and complete the Topic Proposal Form
2. Look on Ebsco for your first sources. Print at least one document from Ebsco and bring to class on Monday.
3. On a note card develop a rough research outline

21. Brainstorm – American History
PEOPLE
PLACES
EVENTS
Technology
Health/Science
Culture
Environment
Entertainment
Sports
Politics
International Relations
Domestic Policy