Library Research and
Documentation
English Composition 1
Heather Hill
In your notebooks……
 Brainstorm a list of current controversial
topics
 If time, select the one that interests you the
most and brainstorm further, mind map, or
free write for a couple of minutes
The Research Process
 Plan the Research
 Find Sources in the Library
 Prepare a Working Bibliography
 Take Notes
Find Sources
 Primary research (original,
first-hand study of the topic)
 informative interviews
 surveys and
questionnaires
 inquiry letters
 observation and
experiment
 public and company
records and literature
 analysis of samples
 Secondary research
(info from others; usually
from the library)
 publications
 online databases
 broadcast media
 books
 magazine articles
 websites
Research and Information Literacy
 Let’s gain a little background:

Information Literacy: The Perils of Online
Research
Research Sources
 Relevant and reliable information is one click
away:
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NWTC Library – Online
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Research Guidance
E-books
Electronic Journals
 Opposing ViewPoints
 SIRS
 ProQuest
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Films on Demand
Avoiding Plagiarism
 To give credit when using others’ work, you
must acknowledge their work TWICE in a
document:
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In-text (parenthetical reference)
At the end of the document (Works Cited page)
In-text Citations
 In the text of your paper, you must include a brief
parenthetical reference with the borrowed material
that directs readers to a complete list of the works
you cite.
 Include just enough info for the reader to locate the
appropriate source on your Works Cited page
 Usually, this includes the author’s last name and the
page number from which the borrowed material came
 If the author is unknown, use the first few words of
the work’s title (or whatever is found first in the
“Works Cited” page)
In-text Citation Examples
“Violence on TV has a direct influence on the
actions of young children” (Torr 205).
“Parents need to be actively involved in what
their children are watching on television”
(“Time to Tame TV Violence”).
A startling 61% of television programs contain
some form of violence (Blake).
Works Cited
 Complete bibliography listing at end of outline.
 The point is to include enough information so that the
reader could locate the exact source if necessary
 Alphabetize the entire document
 Double space throughout and indent the second and
subsequent lines
 Refer to your LB Brief (Section 56) and examples on
BB for specific formatting guidelines
Works Cited
Kiesbye, Stefan. "Condemnations of Media Violence Are Often
Simplistic and Misguided." Is Media Violence a Problem?
Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010: n.page. Gale Opposing
Viewpoints In Context. Web. 21 Mar. 2011.
 Name of author, editor, or compiler (last name/first name)
 Title of article or web page (quotations)
 Title of journal, magazine, newspaper, book, or web site
(italics)
 Original Publisher and City Info
 Date of publication (n.d. if no date)
 Page numbers (n.page. if no pages)
 Website publisher, sponsor, or online database (italics)
 Publication Medium i.e. Web, Print, TV, etc.
 Date of access if website
Works Cited
Blake, Bill. "South Park, Simpsons, and Looney Tunes: Violence in Cartoons." The
Chronicle. 54.42 (2008): n. pag. Web. 20 Nov. 2009.
Koffler, Daniel. "Influence of TV Violence on Children." Reason Magazine. 37.5
(2008): 72-73. Print.
Proman, Jonathan M. "Play Fight Turns Violent." Milwaukee Journal. Milwaukee
Journal, 5 Jul. 2008: n. pag. Web. 31 Oct. 2009.
"Time to Tame TV Violence," Dateline. NBC. n.d. TV.
Torr, James D.. Violence in film and television. San Diego: Greenhaven Press,
2002. Print.
Annotated Bibliography
 Purpose: To learn more about topic and to
help other researchers
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Bibliography = a list of research sources
Annotation = a summary and/or evaluation
Annotated Bibliography = includes a summary
and/or evaluation of each of the sources.
Annotated Bibliography
 Includes the following:
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Citation
Summary Paragraph
Evaluation Paragraph
Reflection Paragraph (optional)
Annotated Bibliography - Citation
Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions
on Writing and Life. New York: Anchor
Books, 1995. Print.
Example Courtesy of: Purdue OWL Website
Annotated Bibliography - Summary
Lamott's book offers honest advice on the
nature of a writing life, complete with its
insecurities and failures. Taking a humorous
approach to the realities of being a writer, the
chapters in Lamott's book are wry and anecdotal
and offer advice on everything from plot
development to jealousy, from perfectionism to
struggling with one's own internal critic. In the
process, Lamott includes writing exercises
designed to be both productive and fun.
Annotated Bibliography - Evaluate
Lamott offers sane advice for those
struggling with the anxieties of writing, but her
main project seems to be offering the reader a
reality check regarding writing, publishing, and
struggling with one's own imperfect humanity in
the process. Rather than a practical handbook
to producing and/or publishing, this text is
indispensable because of its honest
perspective, its down-to-earth humor, and its
encouraging approach.
Annotated Bibliography = Reflect
Chapters in this text could easily be included
in the curriculum for a writing class. Several of
the chapters in Part 1 address the writing
process and would serve to generate
discussion on students' own drafting and
revising processes. Some of the writing
exercises would also be appropriate for
generating classroom writing exercises.
Students should find Lamott's style both
engaging and enjoyable.
Annotated Bibliography
 Questions?