DSPW 0800: Writing (Headrick--SVTC)

http://library.chattanoogastate.edu-----697-4448

DSPW 0800: Writing--Ms. Audrey Headrick
Library Instructor: Tisa Houck (697-2577)

Assignment: Each student will write a research paper on a controversial issue or topic of his/her choice. Five sources are required.

Note: Phrase your topic as a question that could be answered with a "yes" or "n0," for example:

Should mothers who kill their children receive the death penalty?
Will the use of surveillance cameras mean that I will lose my right to privacy?
Is global warming caused by human error?
Is death by lethal injection a form of cruel and unusual punishment?
Are performance-enhancing drugs safe?

1. Use these electronic databases to find information from magazines, newspapers, reference books, etc.
(You will need the current passwords for off-campus access.)

Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center (essays, statistics, magazines, newspapers, websites)

Search Tips:

Select a topic from the list provided, OR
Type in your topic in the search bar ( you may combine terms with and), then select Subject, Keyword, or Full text;
Choose from sources provided in a variety of categories.
The REFERENCE tab will provide Overviews of important questions/issues related to your topic.
The VIEWPOINTS tab will provide the pro and con arguments or controversies.

MasterFILE Premier

Search Tips:

Enclose exact phrases in quotation marks.
ex. "global warming"
Use "and" between keywords to narrow your topic
ex. "global warming" and controversy OR "global warming" and effects
Also try to focus your topic like this: death penalty and controversy OR steroids and debate

2. Use only reliable Internet sites such as:

When using the Internet, use only sites that are authoritative and reliable.

Advanced Google Search (limit the domain name to .org or .edu or .gov)

Librarians' Internet Index (http://www.lii.org)

3. Cite your electronic sources correctly by following these guidelines:

MLA format for citing electronic databases

MLA format for citing websites

Tisa Houck
4/08