English 11: One Big Change: Finding an Issue

We will all search for a topic on the same database.

The goal is to search and find a topic that you are interested in or want to learn more about - it may or may not end up being something you're super passionate about! (Meaning: you need to be able to explain the issue - all sides of it - clearly and with little bias)

How do we do this? 

Let's dive in!

NoodleTools will be used to not only track citations, but also for notetaking!

Log-in using the Google Logo and await further instructions!

(Make sure to follow along with your librarian!)

Once an issue has been found and you have submitted it to your teacher - we will all do our first research notecard together - based on the summary of the issue.

The following will be done together:

• Paraphrasing fact/s found in the summary of the issue
• Adding your notes about how the fact is important and why you'd potentially want to use it to teach your classmates about the issue
• In-text citations
• Complete MLA citation

How to decide if the source is one you want to use:

• Read the first paragraph
• Read any headings
• Read the last paragraph
• It will be one of the following:
  • Solid - you're going to read it all or most of it and most likely use it
  • Unsure, but possible - you're going to save the link for just in case and see if there's something better
  • Absolutely not - great, you haven't blown a whole lot of time - find a new option

When searching and garnering many results:

• Read the titles
• Read any blurbs
• Do those two things automatically count some out?
• If there are still many results, either consider changing the time frame and making it more recent and/or making your search term more specific

Gale is fabulous for a multitude of reasons:

• It gives you information on multiple sides of an issue
• It gives you multiple types of resources
• It gives you the MLA citation (although, you should always check that it's correct!)
• It's organization is easy to follow
• The entries are clearly written and laid out

Reminders:

• Find entries that fit the expectations ol the type of information you need to research (use the Scan & Skim lessons from above!)
• Take notes in the appropriate notecards
• Work today on FOUNDATIONAL & BACKGROUND information - save solution based research for tomorrow

Questions to think about for foundation/background:

Be as factual as possible today - this is not necessarily about a specific side yet (although, if you find good stuff - make a note!)

• Who is involved? Think about groups of people, government, organizations

• What is happening?

• Where is this most happening? Not just cities or states, but can say schools, or certain types of areas, like rural or cities

• When does this most happen? Or when did it begin? When did it get serious?

• How has this progressed over time? (Timeline)

• How does this affect American society?