Loving Your Library
Ms. Boreland’s guide to
research and writing
excellence
Getting the tools
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You need to learn to use a complex set of skills in
order to conduct accurate and useful research and
communicate your understanding in written form.
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Read each task carefully, think for yourself first,
attempt the activity and if you are still confused ask
ME for help.
Enjoy!!
Contents
Before you start
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Make sure you use a dictionary to understand the
meaning of each word in the question that you are
trying to answer
You are responsible for keeping your work neat and
organised. Use the headings and sub-headings from
the slideshow and complete each task in your work
book, OR, ask your teacher for worksheets to
complete.
Think about what you can do – don’t panic
The internet has a lot of information that is
available in one place.
Task 1 – Quick as you can
1.
2.
3.
4.
Create your own research question about an ancient
civilization
Time how long it takes you to find and record the title
and author of 4 print resources
Now, time how long it takes you to locate and record the
URL’s for 4 appropriate internet sources on this topic
Identify which method was the most efficient and
explain why you think this was the case.
Task 2 – It’s okay to be
picky
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Locating sources is the
first step.
Now you must decide
whether the author
can be trusted
(reliability) and if the
source will actually
help answer your
question (usefulness).
1.
Using the sources from the
previous task , click the
button below and complete
the check list for each
source
2.
Now, compare your findings
and rank the sources from 1
to 8.
1 = useful and reliable
8 = irrelevant and
untrustworthy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Who is the author and what are his/her
qualifications? – R Is the source: selling a product (.com); a
government publication (.gov); educational (.edu);
or produced by another organisation (.org)? - R Does the source have a bibliography/reference list? – R Does the source refer to other authors, statistics,
dates charts or images? – R Does the source have information that
answers my question or does it only
contain general information? – U -
Reading for research is not like reading for
pleasure.
To conduct your research efficiently you must
always read with a purpose and ensure that you
record important information (note making) and
the reference details of each source
(bibliography)
Once you have located a suitable resource you need to ensure
that you understand what you are reading and that you take
notes.
1. read the headings and sub-headings
2.
3.
4.
5.
look at the images and diagrams
read the first and last sentence of each paragraph
scan the text for unfamiliar words (use a dictionary)
NOW, read the whole text and take notes
- record the name of the source, key dates, ideas,
statistics, names and events
AVIOD COPYING CHUNKS OF TEXT. IF YOU DO COPY A SEQUENCE OF WORDS
OR WHOLE SENTENCES, MAKE SURE YOU USE “QUOTATION MARKS”.
While you are making notes, you must
also record an annotated bibliography
1.
Bibliography =
2.
Annotation = 2 to 4 sentences, after each
bibliography entry, explaining what the source is
and how it helped your research
author, title/URL, publisher, date of publication/access
Try Task 3 - Notable Personalities
Select an individual from ancient history
that interests you:
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1.
2.
3.
Use an appropriate research strategy to find at
least 2 useful and reliable sources on the
individual
Use the reading guidelines to understand and
make notes from each text
Record an annotated bibliography including each
source
At last!! You are now allowed to write up your
research findings!
But wait!... You must select the appropriate
format (text type), make sure that your work
meets the marking criteria, and remember
spelling and grammar.
Usually, your teacher will tell you what text type they
are expecting. So, don’t be creative here, just do what
they ask for.
Text types can be tricky because they involve
rules and conventions that must be learned.
Click on the button below for a brief list.
…and the text types are…

Recount – written in the past tense; retells a series of events
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Report – introduction, sub-headings, information, recommendations/conclusion
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Narrative – setting, characters, conflict/dilemma, complication, climax,
resolution
Essay – introduction, argument based on evidence,
conclusion
Diary entry – draws on empathy and emotion, an individual’s perspective
Letter – date, greeting, recount/issue, complimentary close
Feature article – eye-catching heading, introduction,
discussion/detail, conclusion
Procedure – a sequence that must be followed to achieve a specific outcome
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Webpage – headings, sub-heading, hyperlinks, images
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Review/reflection – critical evaluation written from the perspective of
the reviewer
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Extended response – paragraphs, brief description or evaluation
Short answer – a name, date or statistic
Plagiarism is about
protecting the rights of
those who have worked
hard to produce
valuable, reliable work
Referencing and selecting your
own words are the only ways to
ensure that you avoid serious
academic and legal penalties

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Referencing
include an annotated
bibliography
identify all copied work with
“quotation marks”
use a referencing system
such as footnotes or in text
referencing to indicate the use
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of another writer’s ideas
O.K. You have found reliable and useful sources, made accurate
notes, recorded an annotated bibliography, used the
appropriate text type and ensured that your writing is not
plagiarised.
NOW YOU MUST EDIT YOUR WORK FOR ERRORS IN
SENTENCE STRUCTURE, SPELLING AND GRAMMER, and
CHECK THAT YOUR WORK MEETS THE MARKING
CRITERIA AND.
(Tip: read your work backwards to check spelling)
Remember: you will get the marks that your final submission
deserves.
Now for the finale…
Task 4 – Show-off you new skills
Use all of the skills that you have gained to
present your research on a feature, event
or individual from ancient history.
You must include an annotated bibliography
and submit your notes from at least 4
reliable sources.
CLICK THE ARROW TO VIEW THE MARKING CRITERIA
Marking Criteria
Criteria
Mark
Uses sophisticated language and appropriate text
type. Includes accurate spelling and grammar.
Submits comprehensive notes from reliable and
useful sources. Includes an annotated
bibliography.
9-10
Uses an appropriate text type and submits notes
from reliable and useful sources. Includes an
annotated bibliography.
6-8
Attempts to use an appropriate text type.
Submits some notes from relevant sources.
Attempts a bibliography.
3-5
Attempts a response to the task.
1-2
now you just need to remember
and use your new skills