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Once you have decided on a topic and it is approved, the next step is to locate sources on your topic and begin reading them. The typical order is to begin with TERTIARY sources, followed by SECONDARY sources. For some of your assignments, you may also use PRIMARY sources. DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE INTERNET, OR EVEN MAGAZINES IN THE LIBRARY! The reason for this is get the general ideas and information first. You find articles once you have narrowed your topic.
Tertiary Sources
Tertiary sources are those containing "tertias" (meaning 'general stuff on your topic'). Actually, tertiary sources are typically reference materials that contain unbiased general information. These sources will give you an overview of the topic. Examples include textbooks, encyclopedias, and specialized encyclopedias, including on-line encyclopedias.
During this early phase, read to help yourself get a better focus for your paper. Don't take notes yet! Since you have no thesis yet, it is a waste of time to take notes. You may want to jot down some definitions if you feel the need or to write down questions for yourself. Mostly, though, this stage involves your just getting familiar with the topic and learning the scope of it. We're EASING our way into this. Don't panic yourself with details, notes, running away, etc.
Secondary Sources
In general, most of your sources for a paper will be secondary, that is, books, articles, videos or other kgnds of materials which analyze or report on your topic. Often they interpret or evaluate aspects of your topic. Sometimes a specific point of view is presented, as, say, an editorial about cloning animals. The librarians can be very helpful with this stage; please don't hesitate to ask for help.
Books: Books, of course, are rectangular objects with pages in them. Use our catalogue in specific computer terminals in the library. If you need books from other
libraries, ask the librarian for help.
Articles: Our library has many magazines and newspapers on the shelf or in file. They
are a good place to start. The librarian will explain to you the excellent sites
that we have available to us that provide hundreds of magazine and newspaper
articles on hundreds of topics.
WARNING!
If you end up seeking on-line sources, be sure to read the material about on-line material from either your teacher or at the library. Much of what is out there is simply garbage, but some of it LOOKS genuine, though in reality is not. Ask your teacher if there are limits on how many sources can be from the internet. In general, the ONLY acceptable internet articles are written by legitimate writers in their field. The article should have appeared in a legitimate newspaper or magazine earlier. AVOID articles with no authors and no apparent connection to a major educational institution, health institution (Johns Hopkins, for ex.), or government institution.
AVOID articles that begin "Dude, you gotta read this."
Always gather more material than you think you will need, as many sources will probably be discarded later. If your assignment calls for 5 sources, get 10. If it calls for 10, get 25. If, however, you can't find your bed for the books, you may have gone overboard.
Primary Sources
Primary sources are sources of information that have not been analyzed, evaluated or edited in any way. They include speeches, historical documents, eyewitness accounts, newspaper accounts written at the time of an event, diaries, and interviews done by you or others. If your uncle is an expert or has something valid to say about your topic, go ahead and use him. Your teacher will tell you how many, if any, of this type of source are acceptable. |
