Website Inquiry

Assignment Okay, we’ve read some of Poe’s stories, but we don’t really know much about the guy. Each of you will compose a short (one page) biopic of Edgar Allan Poe. While you can mention particular works of his, the paper should focus on the man himself. Questions to consider: –In what time period was he writing? –Where did he live write? Where did he write? –Who/what were possible influences of his? –How much fame did he appreciate in his lifetime? –What did you find most interesting about him?

Questions to Consider In what time period was he writing? Where did he live write? Where did he write? Who/what were possible influences of his? How much fame did he appreciate in his lifetime? What did you find most interesting about him? Does he resemble any characters we’ve read or talked about?

Parameters All sources must be from the Internet –Not GALE, EBSCO, JSTOR, etc. Find at least five “reliable” sources, two “unreliable” sources Include bibliography (MLA format) with 2-3 sentences for each site answering two questions. 1.Would you consider this a “reliable” site? 2.Why or why not?

Reliable Sources At first, I ask that you apply Cornell University Library’s criteria for evaluating web pages. 1.Accuracy. Whether the page lists the author and institution that published the page and provides a way of contacting him/her. 2.Authority. Whether the page lists the author credentials and its domain is preferred (.edu,.gov,.org, or.net) 3.Objectivity. Whether the page provides accurate information with limited advertising and it is objective in presenting the information 4.Currency. Whether the page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date 5.Coverage. Whether you can view the information without paying fees, updating browser technology, or downloading new software.

Websites Research these sites and apply Cornell’s criteria carefully. The Literature Network The Literature Network PoeStories.com The American Academy of Poets House of Usher Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore

Go! I’ll be around to answer questions while you research. Otherwise, we’ll talk in about 20 minutes.

Stop!

What’d you find? Which of these sites, if any, would you deem worthy of inclusion in your paper? The Literature Network The Literature Network PoeStories.com The American Academy of Poets House of Usher Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore

Alternate Criteria Now that we’ve discussed five websites based on Cornell’s method, I want you to explore other sites for your paper. You can keep using Cornell’s criteria for other sites you want to use or feel free to try the CRAP Test listed below. Currency Was the material previously published in another format? Is there a date listed on which the material was last updated? Are the links active? Reliability Are sources provided so that the information contained on the site can be verified? Authority Is it clear what organization, company, or person (OCP) is responsible for the contents? Is there a way to contact the OCP responsible for the site? Are the qualifications of the OCP responsible for the contents of the site indicated? Purpose/Point of View Who sponsors the site? Does the sponsorship affect the contents of the site? Is the point of view of the OCP evident? Is the site free of advertising?

Grading Perceived level of effort – 10 points –Did you use your research time effectively? Reliability of your biopic – 10 points –Is the information in your paper from reliable sources? Completion of bibliography – 15 points –Do you have seven sources? Are they in MLA format? –Did you clearly apply either Cornell’s criteria or the CRAP Test to each of your sites? –Did you answer the questions?