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Mission:

The mission of the CBA Markert Library program is to teach information literacy in collaboration with classroom teachers within the context of the content curriculum, inspire and develop a love of reading, and provide diverse materials and services to enable students to become life-long learners and effective users of information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big 6 Research Method for the Persuasive Paper

1.1. Define the problem

1.2 Identify the information requirements

Write a persuasive (controversial, global or national, relevant) issue paper.

What is the the cause (supporting data, history) of the situation? Who is involved, who are the players? What is their agenda? What kind of change is desired?  What are the effects (money) of the issue

 

Format: text, graphs or charts

2.1 Determine kinds of sources

2.2 Prioritize sources

Books, Internet, databases, newspapers, tv (news)

Books: have older, but more carefully researched, information

Internet: more current information, but need to be careful

Databases: current and reliable information - depending on your topic, may be too limited

3.1 Locate actual resources

3.2 Locate information

Books: Social issues are in the 300's; use the catalog to locate books on your topic.

Databases: Wilson and Ebsco are issues (pro and con) databases; Newsbank has newspaper articles; Gale Student Resource Center will have background info, as will Britannica and World Book.

Internet: Google, but be sure to establish the credentials of the information source. Be VERY careful of online journals and newspapers - these must have solid journalism credentials in order to be used.

Reminder: You will be graded on the academic acceptability of your resources!

REMEMBER: ONE ENCYCLOPEDIA ARTICLE ONLY

4.1 Engage (read, view, interview)

4.2 Extract (make notes)

Take notes electronically, making sure to capture info for citation.

Citation generator

You are responsible for the accuracy of your citation, not the generator. Check against citation examples.

5.1 Organize information

5.2 Present information

The Works Cited page will be the last page of your paper.

Make sure you follow MLA formatting: 1" margins, 12 point Times New Roman font, with resources in alphabetical order in hanging format.

Be careful to use MS Word View>Header and Footer for the pagination.

Use proper MLA date formatting:

Heading: 21 October 2009

Citation: 21 Oct 2009

example paper

MLA Basics handout

6.1 Judge the product

6.2 Judge the process

What did you learn about your topic? Did you change your opinion after your research? Why or why not? Did you address the questions raised in step one?

What did you learn about research? What would make you more efficient?

The "Big6™" is copyright © (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more information, visit: www.big6.com