English 100 - Professor Torres-Guimaraes - Fall 2021: Your Assignment

 YOUR ASSIGNMENT     

• Choose and narrow a topic that interests YOU.
• Compose a research question or thesis statement.
• Consider what key words best describe your topic.
• Use the library databases to find at least 5-6 reliable sources.
• These will provide evidence and support for your own reasoning and analysis of your thesis.
• You must use at least 3 different types of sources:
  • A peer-reviewed/scholarly article from a Cerritos College database
  • A book, anthology, or textbook
  • A credible academic level website
  • Do not rely on one main source for most of your information. Use multiple sources and synthesize information found in them.
• Gather information about your topic and keep track of your sources in a Working Bibliography.
• Paper must be 2000 words (approximately 8 pages) plus a Works Cited page.
• Use MLA 8 format.

Now what?

• Use the tabs above to start your research. You may also use a research guide that relates to your particular topic. Simply search the index by your topic.

Breaking Down The Research Process  

The following outline gives a simple and effective strategy for finding information for a research paper and documenting the sources you find. Depending on your topic and your familiarity with the library, you may need to rearrange or recycle these steps. Adapt this outline to your needs. We are ready to help you at every step in your research.

1. Choose a topic - or have one assigned
2. Understand your topic
   • Background reading
   • Consider a main focus
   • Refine your topic
   • Make a list of your keywords and concepts
3. Search Sources
   • Find Books
   • Find Articles
   • Find Websites
4. Write your paper - Informative, Analytical, Argumentative, Critical
5. Cite your sources