State
Explain, in your own works, what the author (or other source) said.
(You may use the source's exact words, if desired.) Be sure to
identify who made the comment or who provided the information.
Include the title of the book, magazine, newspaper, etc. Identify
the source - Is the writer/source an author, a doctor, a
psychologist, a spokesman for a particular organization, a reputable
database, a prominent news source or what? (In written work,
introduce directly quoted material and enclose what the
author/source said in quotation marks.)
Elaborate
As you read the information, consider the main goal or purpose of
the piece of writing, the author's/source's main assumptions, and
the implications and/or application of the material to real life.
Include the answers to these considerations as a follow-up to what
the author or source stated. (In other words, you want to elaborate
or expound upon the author's or source's points to make them
pertinent or real.)
Exemplify
As you read the works of other, you will discover the terms and key
concepts to include in your report - whether the report is oral or
written. As you introduce these terms and concepts, provide a clear
example of each. Be sure to tell from where the example came -
another source, a case study, a personal interview, your own
experience?
Illustrate
Provide as many aural/verbal and graphic/visual illustrations as
practical. Help your audience members or readers understand your
thoughts and the source's words by helping them visualize or picture
the information. If the chart, graph, or drawing came from a source,
give credit to the proper person or organization.
Conclude
Analyze and clearly summarize the information that you have provided
to your audience or readers. Whether you give statistics, examples,
illustrations, or visual, you need to explain the material's
significance. Recap your findings and information. Signal your
ending and bring your oral or written report to a definite closure.
(To demonstrate credibility, don't forget to provide your audience
or readers with a list of references in MLA or APA format, which you
used in your report.)
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Quick Information Search Tips (From North Harris College) - a great checklist to use before, during and at the end when writing a paper. Research checklist.
Links are to North Harris College catalogs and databases. Use for checklist purposes only.
Checking for Content (From G. Nosich) - a checklist for the content used in your paper. This list goes hand-in-hand with the research checklist and ensures that you have covered all the appropriate research and content to produce a viable written paper. Remember you can also schedule a one-on-one session with a tutor in the Writing Center located in the H building for additional help.
(Note: this is a Blackboard link available ONLY to currently enrolled students.)
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