10 th Grade Research Paper

Instructions  Read over the instructions.  Are there any questions about what is on the paper?

ISN : Project Overview  Take notes on the remaining slides.  Cornelling is optional

Review the Prompt  Brainstorm specifics for the following:  What is humanity?  How can a person/group have a positive influence on humanity?  How can a person/group have a negative influence on humanity?

Wading Through the Web Conducting Research on the Internet

Wading Through the Web InternetBooks/Text Anyone can publish a Web page No one checks to see if the information is true or false There are millions of places to look for information Using the Internet is much quicker You can narrow down what you’re looking for more easily The Internet uses search engines Both provide sources of information Both are viewed by millions of people each day 1. You’ve already compared and contrasted the Internet and books or other texts with your class. Can you think of any other ways they are different? The same? A book has to be published by a publishing company Editors check and verify the information Looking for a book can be more time consuming You have to visit a library The library uses the Dewey Decimal System

How to Search on the Internet

Wading Through the Web 2. How to Search on the Internet  Most search engines have something called an Advanced Search. An advanced search allows you to be more specific about what type of information you are looking for.  When you visit a search engine, the Advanced Search page is a great place to start!  Ex: If using Google, click on settings, and then choose “Advanced Search.”

Wading Through the Web 2. How to Search on the Internet  Most Internet search engines also allow you to use a set of words or symbols to narrow your search.  AND – use this word when you want to find two words together. For example “Vasco da Gama AND voyage”  OR – use this when you can accept a couple of words. For example, “Vasco da Gama OR European explorers”  - (minus sign) – use this symbol when you want to exclude a word. For example, “Vasco da Gama -hotel”  + (plus sign)– See above  “quotations” – use quotation marks when you are searching for an exact phrase. For example, if you were searching for a book title, you could type “The Voyage of Vasco da Gama” in quotations and the search engine will look for that exact phrase.

Recognizing Reliable Websites

Reliable Cites  Who wrote the information?  Can you identify the author?  What is his education, training, or experience in regards to the content?  Is the author connected with an organization? If so can you determine if it is a respected organization? Name it.  Can you contact the author/company? How?  If the author is unnamed, can you take extra steps to find information about the author?

Reliable Cites  When was the article written?  Does the author include a date for the information?  Is it important that the information be current?  Do the links on the site work, or are they outdated?

Reliable Cites  Can the information be verified for accuracy?  What sources does the author of this information use?  Are the sources listed/linked in the article?  Does the author include a works cited or other links to provide additional resources or original source information?  Are there identified sources for any data or statistics that are provided?

Unreliable Cites  Usually include  grammar errors  emotional language  biased or informal tones  Most wiki sites, including Wikipedia  Q&A sites (Ex: Yahoo Answers; ask.com)

When all else fails One simple way to tell if a site is reliable is to look at who runs the site. Usually, looking at the first section of a web address will tell you where it came from. If it came from a museum, university, or some other place you’ve heard of, chances are that it can be trusted. Such websites will usually end in an.edu or.org rather than.com

Session 3: How to Cite Internet Sources

MLA Source Citation  Purdue Online Writing Lab  8/ 8/  Son of Citation Machine (a link on the vvhs website)  ode=mla ode=mla

Choosing a topic  Would you rather research a hero or villain?  Someone you already know about or someone completely new?  Narrow down to your top 2 choices.  One will be a back-up in case your research doesn’t go well on day 1.  Ms. Martin at with your name and your 2 topics in the body of the

On Monday  Bring the following:  Textbook  Index cards, any size, (you need at least 30)  Prefer one side to be lined; colored if possible  Multiple colored highlighters  Source Cards  You will be responsible for color coding your cards.  Review handout. Any questions?