8th ELA Choosing the right sources for research

Mr. Alonso

Stonecreek Jr. High​

8th ELA Choosing the right sources for research

CCSS.W.8.8

Choosing Sources for Research

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

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Poll

What makes a potential source of information reliable?

• It comes from a well known source.

• It is based on research.

• It establishes facts rather than states an opinion.

• Observations are supported by evidence.

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Primary Sources

• Specific data from a single source

• Results and observations in their original context

• New research findings

• Contains more details about f​ewer subjects​

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Secondary Sources

• Overviews of multiple print sources

• Information about trends, overarching themes, and backgrounds.

• Well-established facts

• ​Contains less detail about more subjects.

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Multiple Choice

You are tasked with researching and writing about a famous author you have never heard of. What might be the best place to start your research?

• The foreword of a book written by the author.

• An encyclopedia or wiki article about the author.

• A gossip website with rumors about the author's personal life.

• An interview with the author about their latest book.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a primary source?

• A collection of poems by the same author.

• The results of a scientific study published in a journal.

• An analysis of the genre of gothic literature.

• The first book in a long running series of fantasy novels.

Open Ended

You are tasked with researching a historical natural disaster that occurred between the years 1950-2000. What is in example of primary source you might use?

Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. It can be either intentional or unintentional

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Plagiarism & Academic Honesty

Do's and Dont's of Research

Do's

• Use direct quotations or paraphrase with citation.

• Summarize works entirely in your ​own words.

Don't

• Present somebody else's words as your own.

• Fail to properly attribute outside sources.

• ​Use copyrighted material*

A reference to a source embedded at the end of a quotation or paraphrase.

A dedicated page at the end of the document with precisely identified sources.

In-text Citation

Works Cited

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Multiple Select

Which of the following might be considered plagiarism?

• Including a quote in an essay without a citation.

• Buying somebody else's essay and presenting it as your own.

• Featuring statistics from a study without citation.

• Providing a broad summary of a topic without citation.

Performing research is an essential academic skillset. You must be able to gather reliable information from diverse resources, utilize it to support your claims, and inform the conclusions of your writing or presentation. Plagiarism must always be avoided through the proper citation and attribution of outside works.

Summary

End of Lesson Quiz

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Multiple Choice

You are tasked with writing a report about genetics. Which of the following would be a good source for your report.

• "An Overview of Modern Genetics" published by Oxford University Press

• An elaborate infographic published anonymously.

• A biography of Gregory Mendel

• The information page of a genetic testing company.

Multiple Choice

You need to find information about ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. Which of the following websites is most likely to be useful for the topic?

• A website promoting tourism of Mesoamerican Ruin sites.

• A travelers blog recounting travels all around Mesoamerica in the modern age.

• A journal of Mesoamerican history published by a University.

• A series of short wiki entries about the Mesoamerican Civilizations

Multiple Choice

Which of the following secondary sources might be useful when writing an essay about William Shakespeare?

• A collected volume containing all of Shakespeare's written works

• A movie adaptation of the play "Hamlet"

• An article listing and briefly describing the 50 most famous English writers.

• A book examining Shakespeare's influence on modern language and culture.

Multiple Select

What are the two most important tools in avoiding plagiarism?

• In text citation

• Works Cited Page

• Not using direct quotes

• Utilizing Paraphrase