English 1023Library Instruction for the Argument Paper

Susan Whitmer, Reference LibrarianTWU Libraries

Spring 2016

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2Agenda

1. Review elements of the argumentative paper2. Examine the research process3. TWUniversal finding aid

1. twu.edu/library4. ENG 1023 Class Page and government sources

1. libguides.twu.edu/literature/ENG10235. Citation logic6. Survey

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3Arguing a Position

Elements of an argument paper:• Focused issue• Supported position• Effective response to opposing views• Logical organization

Source: Axelrod, Rise B. and Charles R. Cooper. “Chapter 6: Arguing a Position.” The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing. 10th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. 242-295. Print.

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4Research Process

Research process review• Find a topic• Write an argument statement• Focus on nouns and synonyms as search terms

Finding Tools• TWUniversal Library Catalog

• twu.edu/library• ENG 1023 Class Page

• libguides.twu.edu/literature/ENG1023

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The Three Stages of Research Grief

1. Hard work Pleasure of the hunt

2. Frustration Satisfaction

3. Confusion Confidence

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6TWUniversal

TWUniversal• Congressional Digest• Electronic books• Intelligence Squared – debates on video

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7Locate Congressional Digest @TWUniversal

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8Select E-Journals

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9Type Congressional Digest in search box, click on search

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Congressional Digest

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Select Academic Search Complete

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13Search within this publication

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Congressional Digest

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Congressional Digest

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Congressional Digest

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17Locate Electronic books @ TWUniversal

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18TWUniversal: Electronic Books

1. 2. 3.4.

1. In the Any pull-down menu, select in subject 2. In the contains pull-down menu, select phrase 3. Enter gun control in the search box4. In the Resource Type pull-down menu, select “Electronic Books”5. Click Search

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19Electronic books

Click icon to view book

Sorting options

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20Locate Intelligence Squared @ TWUniversal

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Intelligence Squared

1.

4.

3.2.

1. Select “phrase” from the pull-down menu2. Type “intelligence squared” in search box3. Select “Media/Streaming” from Resource Type pull-down menu4. Click “Search”

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Intelligence Squared

Click icon to view video

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Intelligence Squared

Click on Films on demand

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Intelligence Squared

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ENG 1023 Worksheet Part 1: TWUniversal

1. Select one topic

2. Write a sentence expressing an opinion about your topic

3.Locate information using suggested sources from TWUniversal:• Congressional Digest• Electronic Books• Intelligence Squared

4. Fill in available citation information

5. Review your source and write notes:• Supporting your argument• Alternate perspectives to your argument

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Part 2

Searching A-Z Databases

and

Government Sources

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27Recommended Databases

Databases DescriptionAmerica: History & Life • American History, American Life

• Only 6 users at a time

Credo Reference Reference Books: Almanacs, dictionaries, encyclopedias

Issues & Controversies • Clear explanations of opposing points of view

• Articles, chronologies, illustrations, bibliographies

Newspaper Sources • LexisNexis• Newspaper Source• New York Times

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29Credo Reference

Credo Reference is a multidisciplinary reference source that searches encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, etc.

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Issues & Controversies

Issues & Controversies covers current and historical events. It is an authoritative source for factual analysis and clear explanations of opposing points.

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Newspaper Sources

• LexisNexis• Newspaper Source• ProQuest National Newspapers

Newspaper sources include editorial opinion pieces as well as articles.

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Government Sources

Government Sources on the Internet• Bureau of Labor Statistics, bls.gov• Census.gov• USA.gov

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33Government sources

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, bls.gov, is a Federal agency that measures labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.

USA.gov is the United States government’s official web portal. USA.gov provides access to U.S. government information and services on the web.

The United States Census Bureau, census.gov, is the agency responsible for producing data about the American people and economy.

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34Citations

A citation is a reference to an authoritative source.

Why cite materials used for research?

1. To build credibility, gesture of confidence2. To build on previous research3. To give credit to creators4. To provide a path for future scholars5. To avoid plagiarism

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35Citations

Citation sources:

1. Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)1. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/

2. APA and MLA Citation Game 1. https://depts.washington.edu/trio/quest/citation/

apa_mla_citation_game/

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Citing sources in the text

• Include author-page number citation information in the text to acknowledge information sources

Example:

Medieval Europe was a place both of “raids, pillages, slavery, and extortion” and of “traveling merchants, monetary exchange, towns if not cities, and active markets in grain” (Townsend 10).

Author Page #

Source: MLA Handbook 214

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37Citation Logic

1. Each in-text citation matches an entry in the Works Cited list

2. Parenthetical means within parenthesis, example (MLA Handbook 214)

3. The hanging indent:

Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. The St. Martin’s

Guide to Writing. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St.

Martin’s, 2013. Print.4. Practice citing a source without a guide

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ENG 1023 Worksheet Part 2: Databases and Government Sources

1. Write what you now believe about your subject; rewrite/revise your topic sentence.

2. Search A-Z database sources:• Credo Reference• Issues & Controversies• Newspaper Databases• Opposing Viewpoints

Government Sources:• Bureau of Labor Statistics• Census.gov• USA.gov

3. Fill in citation information

4. Review your source and write notes:• Supporting your argument• Providing alternate perspectives to your argument

5.Survey: libguides.twu.edu/ENG1023

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39Survey located at: libguides.twu.edu/ENG1023

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40References

Works Cited

Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. Print.

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2009. Print.

Whitmer, Susan. English 1023 Class Page. Texas Woman’s University, 2016. Web.

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Contact Information

Susan WhitmerReference Librarian

TWU Libraries

swhitmer@twu.edu