Watch this video to learn how to use the library tools and find quality sources of information. The strategies and demonstrations in the video will help you save time as you search.
Need help with something specific? Jump to sections in the video that might be most relevant:
We want to thank Beth Downing and Jenny Semenza for recording and editing this video.
Thank you for coming to the COMM 1101 Introduction to Speech guide. Find links to library databases containing scholarly, magazine, and newspaper articles on all sorts of topics. Use the "Locating Materials" tab on the left to access those resources.
The "Research: Getting Started" tab will lead you to databases that specialize in giving background information on a topic. Background information can help you understand the big picture, while also identifying some of the narrower aspects of a bigger topic. Understanding how to narrow your topic will be useful as you focus your research in a way that is meaningful, making it easier to contribute to topic discussion.
Sometimes "Locating Polls & Statistics" can be useful in supporting your argument or speech.
Librarians at Idaho State University have identified several tools or sets of criteria for evaluating information sources. These tools suggest questions you might ask to analyze sources for quality, timeliness, the reason why the information exists, the authority, as well as the appropriateness or relevance of a source. Take a look at the "Evaluating Material" tab and begin vetting your sources.
Finally, the "Citation" tab can guide you to know how to document your sources, so your audience, particularly your instructor, knows where to find your sources. In Academia it's important to give credit where credit is due. This helps us recognize the contributions of previous individuals, as well as avoid plagiarism. Doing your work honestly helps you gain skills and abilities that prepare you for the future. When we cut corners or plagiarize our homework assignments, we run the risk of failing an assignment, failing a course, and sometimes even being expelled from the University.
Naturally, if you have any questions about searching for any type of information, please be sure to contact the University librarians. We are happy to help and want you to succeed. Good luck on your speech. We're rooting for you. Roar, Bengals, roar!
This library workshop is designed to assist students in finding library books, articles, and other information sources for their COMM 1101 argumentative speech. If you need help creating an outline or writing a paper, please consider contacting the Writing Center.
