Liberty University ENGL 101 Mindtap week 4 assignment complete solutions correct
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Version A
1 . Introduction to Source Reliability
Reliability is the degree to which something can be trusted or believed. When consulting a
secondary source, always evaluate its reliability before using it. A reliable secondary source is well
written or well presented by an expert in the field, carefully researched, and accompanied by
thorough documentation. The most reliable sources are also reviewed by a committee of peers
(fellow experts in the field). Although some types of primary sources, such as a map or a personal
letter, can be biased, they are often considered reliable because they are firsthand accounts.
Click on the name of each type of secondary source to find out how reliable it is.
Reliability of Secondary Sources
Academic journal articles and books
Unregulated Internet material
News stories
Trade books and journal articles
Business and nonprofit publications
Tabloid articles
Government publications Textbooks
Miki is writing a paper on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles—also called drones—in wildlife
conservation efforts. Which of the following are extremely/highly reliable sources to use in her
research? Check all that apply.
A book on the development and capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles written by an
aeronautical engineer
A lengthy article in a tabloid publication that describes an unmanned aerial vehicle missile attack
on ivory poachers
Several bits of information and opinions on what roles unmanned aerial drones should play in
military and civilian use, pulled from an online discussion board on a military enthusiast’s website
A peer-reviewed journal article written by a field researcher with a PhD in conservation who is
working at a rhinoceros sanctuary in southwest Africa
Lupita has found an interesting perspective on how to handle student debt. It is in the form of an
editorial. Why should she be cautious of using this source?
Lupita should not be cautious of using an editorial.
Editorials, although often found in newspapers, are opinion pieces.
Editorials are usually poorly written.
Version B
1 . Introduction to Source Reliability
Reliability is the degree to which something can be trusted or believed. When consulting a
secondary source, always evaluate its reliability before using it. A reliable secondary source is well
written or well presented by an expert in the field, carefully researched, and accompanied by
thorough documentation. The most reliable sources are also reviewed by a committee of peers
(fellow experts in the field). Although some types of primary sources, such as a map or a personal
letter, can be biased, they are often considered reliable because they are firsthand accounts.
Click on the name of each type of secondary source to find out how reliable it is.
Reliability of Secondary Sources
Academic journal articles and books
Unregulated Internet material
News stories
Trade books and journal articles
Business and nonprofit publications
Tabloid articles
Government publications Textbooks
Aileen is writing a paper on the factors that contribute to a web-posted video going viral. Which of
the following are extremely/highly reliable sources to use in her research? Check all that apply.
A detailed tabloid article on viral video stars and their personal lives
A book on viral Internet trends written by a professor of marketing with a specialty in digital
marketing
A peer-reviewed journal article written by a digital communications expert describing the origins
and rise to popularity of three recent viral videos
A personal blog of an individual who claims to know several tricks for making a personal video
get a million or more hits on the Internet
Why would a personal blog about how to make viral videos be an unreliable source?
A personal blog may reveal content that is far too private to share with others.
Personal blogs consist of the author’s personal opinions, experiences, and agendas, and are
generally not based upon careful research.
Personal blogs are usually written by people with too much time on their hands.
Version C
1 . Introduction to Source Reliability
Reliability is the degree to which something can be trusted or believed. When consulting a
secondary source, always evaluate its reliability before using it. A reliable secondary source is well
written or well presented by an expert in the field, carefully researched, and accompanied by
thorough documentation. The most reliable sources are also reviewed by a committee of peers
(fellow experts in the field). Although some types of primary sources, such as a map or a personal
letter, can be biased, they are often considered reliable because they are firsthand accounts.
Click on the name of each type of secondary source to find out how reliable it is.
Reliability of Secondary Sources
Academic journal articles and books
Unregulated Internet material
News stories
Trade books and journal articles
Business and nonprofit publications
Tabloid articles
Government publications Textbooks
Lupita is writing a paper on student debt. Which of the following are extremely/highly reliable sources
to use in her research? Check all that apply.
A peer-reviewed journal article written by a prominent economist
A book that analyzes the practice and ramifications of marketing credit cards to college students,
written by a financial expert who specializes in debt management
A personal post on a social media website referring to the high costs of student loans and soliciting
advice in dealing with them
A detailed web advertisement for debt management services geared toward graduating college
students
Why should Miki consider using her textbook, which is 10 years old, as a source? not
Miki can use her textbook; a 10 year old publication date is not a problem.
Textbooks are not well-written, nor are they thoughtfully researched.
Textbooks only contain small pieces of information on larger topics; also, a 10 year old book that
discusses aeronautical engineering would be out of date.
Version A
2 . Evaluating the Reliability of Online Sources
The Internet is one of the most useful and widespread research tools available. For most people,
not a day goes by when they are not online seeking answers to important questions and everyday
ones, too. Keep in mind, however, that the information you find on the Internet can range from
thoughtful and reputable to illogical and misinformed. When determining whether to use that
information as part of your research, treat it as you would any other source by evaluating its
reliability.
Directions: To learn more about how to evaluate information you find online, explore the following
interactive table.
Directions: Read the annotated bibliography card for each online source, and answer the questions
that follow.
Source 1: “The forests in Washington state are in acceptable shape as of 2008, according to the
standards of the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA keeps scheduled statistics on a
quarterly basis.”
—From Wendy Walsh, a conservation biologist with the EPA, as quoted on forests.gov
Based on the information provided, is the domain of Source 1 reliable or unreliable?
Unreliable
Reliable
What do we know about the reliability of the author in Source 1?
The author is reliable because she is an expert in her field and works for a reputable
organization.
The author is unreliable and biased because of her conservation agenda.
Not enough is known about the author to determine reliability.
Source 2: “Black holes should emit radiation. Radiation allows black holes to lose mass. Black
holes that lose more matter than they gain through other means are expected to dissipate, shrink,
and ultimately vanish.”
—From Stephen Hawking, professor of mathematics at the University of Cambridge and author of
the best-selling book , writing on A Brief History of Time stephenhawking.cambridge.edu
Based on the information provided, is the domain of Source 2 reliable or unreliable?
Unreliable
Reliable
What do we know about the reliability of the author of Source 2?
The author is reliable because he is an expert in his field and is well respected across the globe.
The author is unreliable because of his bias towards his beliefs about mathematics and science.
There is not enough known about this author to determine reliability.
Version B
2 . Evaluating the Reliability of Online Sources
The Internet is one of the most useful and widespread research tools available. For most people,
not a day goes by when they are not online seeking answers to important questions and everyday
ones, too. Keep in mind, however, that the information you find on the Internet can range from
thoughtful and reputable to illogical and misinformed. When determining whether to use that
information as part of your research, treat it as you would any other source by evaluating its
reliability.
Directions: To learn more about how to evaluate information you find online, explore the following
interactive table.
Directions: Read the annotated bibliography card for each online source, and answer the questions
that follow.
Source 1: “Birds don’t eat monarch butterflies. We tasted a male butterfly while vacationing in
Costa Rica and it tasted like hazelnuts. We didn’t get sick or throw up, so the butterflies can’t be
toxic. Birds must not like the taste of hazelnuts.”
—From nature enthusiasts Robin Brooks and Jasmine Birch, writing on wildlyedible.com
Based on the information provided, is the domain of Source 1 reliable or unreliable?
Unreliable
Reliable
What do we know about the reliability of the author in Source 1?
The authors are unreliable because “nature enthusiasts” would never eat butterflies.
The authors are unreliable because the term “nature enthusiast” does not necessarily mean
“expert”; not enough is known about them besides being vacationers.
The authors are reliable because as “nature enthusiasts,” they probably pay a lot of attention to
the behavior of the animals in their surroundings.
Source 2: “All politicians are dirty rats who will sneak into your back pocket and steal your wallet
if they have to. They are nothing but glorified thieves in a suit and tie. They commit crimes left
and right without being punished. We should throw them all into prison and let out the rest of the
convicts so they can run the country. The convicts would do a better job of making this country a
respectable nation again.”
—From “cynic9871,” in a message board post on politiciansstink.com
Based on the information provided, is the domain of Source 2 reliable or unreliable?
Unreliable
Reliable
What do we know about the reliability of the author of Source 2?
The author is unreliable because he or she is anonymous and expresses personal opinions.
There is not enough known about this author to determine reliability.
The author is reliable because he or she is not afraid to express how he or she really feels;
nothing is being hidden from readers.
Version C
2 . Evaluating the Reliability of Online Sources
The Internet is one of the most useful and widespread research tools available. For most people,
not a day goes by when they are not online seeking answers to important questions and everyday
ones, too. Keep in mind, however, that the information you find on the Internet can range from
thoughtful and reputable to illogical and misinformed. When determining whether to use that
information as part of your research, treat it as you would any other source by evaluating its
reliability.
Directions: To learn more about how to evaluate information you find online, explore the following
interactive table.
Directions: Read the annotated bibliography card for each online source, and answer the questions
that follow.
Source 1: “The central question surrounding the problem of school violence is whether it should
be addressed primarily through changes in legislation or by raising awareness in schools and
among parents.”
—From the transcript of an interview conducted by National Public Radio with Dr. Harlan Collar of
the New York University School of Law, posted on gunlaws.nylaw.edu
Based on the information provided, is the domain of Source 1 reliable or unreliable?
Unreliable
Reliable
What do we know about the reliability of the author in Source 1?
The author is unreliable because as a law professor, he probably knows how to manipulate
others into agreeing with his agenda.
Not enough is known about the author to determine reliability.
The author is reliable because he is an expert in his field and is deemed worthy of an interview
by a respected radio station.
Source 2: “Troy Landsdale, a self-proclaimed expert in personal safety, designed an armor that
can protect people from grizzley bear attacks. People can even use it in the military to ambush
crazy evildoing enemys. It costs only $495.00. Troy is currently wearing the suit on a march
across the United States. Go to the shopping cart now while supplies last.”
—From the homepage of grizzleysuit.com
Based on the information provided, is the domain of Source 2 reliable or unreliable?
Unreliable
Reliable
What do we know about the reliability of the author of Source 2?
There is not enough known about this author to determine reliability.
The author is unreliable because he or she is financially invested in the product he is offering;
there are also multiple spelling errors.
The author is reliable because he or she clearly wants to keep people safe from bear attacks.
Version A
3 . Using Notecards to Record Source Information
Has this ever happened to you? You’re in the process of writing a research paper or assignment,
and you realize that a specific quotation, fact, or example you found during your research process
would fit perfectly within your paragraph. But there’s one problem: You can’t remember what it
was or where you found it.
Developing a personalized note-taking system can help you organize and apply your research. The
system that you use will depend on the type of research you are conducting and your note-taking
preferences. Some students like to take notes by hand using a pencil and index cards, whereas
others opt to use a computer. However, all systems will share certain key characteristics. Consider
the following example.
Isaac is writing a research paper on the benefits of driving an electric car. One of his sources is an
article from that compares electric cars to traditional gasoline-powered cars in Consumer Reports
terms of overall cost. He has already determined that the source is reliable. Now he wants to
record information using a note-taking system.
To learn more about note-taking best practices, read the information that follows.
A System for Taking Notes
Over time, owning an electric car saves you money.
• A Nissan Leaf (pure electric) sells for $35,430 and costs $1.74 to drive for 50 miles.
• A Toyota Corolla (gasoline) sells for $18,404 and costs $5.94 to drive for 50 miles.
• The author states, “Maintenance on an electric car is theoretically miniscule compared with
gasoline cars.”
Evarts, Eric. “Leaf, Volt Tests Show Electric Cars Cost Less Per Mile to
Operate.” ConsumerReports. December 2011,
www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/12/leaf-volt-tests-show-electric-cars-cost-
less-per-mile-to-operate/index.htm.
Always identify the source. Identifying the source will help you find it again later and ensure
that you give full credit to the original author for his or her ideas.
Many instructors require students to use a specific documentation style, such as MLA or CMS, in
their research papers. In this example, Isaac has identified his source using the appropriate MLA
style. This will save him time and effort later on in the research process.
Key information generally consists of which of the following? Check all that apply.
Ideas
Publication dates
Statistics
Facts
Examples
Directions: Review the following note card. Then answer the questions that follow.
Problems of an aging prison population
• Longer sentences and more older people being sent to prison = twice as many prisoners 55 and
older now than in 1995
• Prisoners are at higher risk of dementia than their unimprisoned counterparts
• Identification and care of prisoners with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is expensive
• Paul Kleinman, psychologist, said, “There’s a number of people [with Alzheimer’s] in the system
that we really haven’t tapped. They’re not being identified properly.”
The final note on this card (“Paul Kleinman, psychologist, said . . .”) is which of the following?
Phrase or sentence connecting the information to the topic
Source
Direct quotation
What information is missing from this note card?
Phrase or sentence connecting the information to the topic
Direct quotation
Source
Version B
3 . Using Notecards to Record Source Information
Has this ever happened to you? You’re in the process of writing a research paper or assignment,
and you realize that a specific quotation, fact, or example you found during your research process
would fit perfectly within your paragraph. But there’s one problem: You can’t remember what it
was or where you found it.
Developing a personalized note-taking system can help you organize and apply your research. The
system that you use will depend on the type of research you are conducting and your note-taking
preferences. Some students like to take notes by hand using a pencil and index cards, whereas
others opt to use a computer. However, all systems will share certain key characteristics. Consider
the following example.
Isaac is writing a research paper on the benefits of driving an electric car. One of his sources is an
article from that compares electric cars to traditional gasoline-powered cars in Consumer Reports
terms of overall cost. He has already determined that the source is reliable. Now he wants to
record information using a note-taking system.
To learn more about note-taking best practices, read the information that follows.
A System for Taking Notes
Over time, owning an electric car saves you money.
• A Nissan Leaf (pure electric) sells for $35,430 and costs $1.74 to drive for 50 miles.
• A Toyota Corolla (gasoline) sells for $18,404 and costs $5.94 to drive for 50 miles.
• The author states, “Maintenance on an electric car is theoretically miniscule compared
with gasoline cars.”
Evarts, Eric. “Leaf, Volt Tests Show Electric Cars Cost Less Per Mile to Operate.” ConsumerReports.
ConsumerReports.org, December 2011, http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/12/leaf-
volt-tests-show-electric-cars-cost-less-per-mile-to-operate/index.htm.
When taking notes, try to record key information and direct quotations. Try writing key
information—facts, statistics, ideas, and examples that you can use to support your research—in
your own words. If you want to use a passage, sentence, or phrase exactly as it appears in the
source, be sure to identify it as a using quotation marks. direct quotation
In this example, Isaac has included two pieces of key information and one direct quotation.
Key information generally consists of which of the following? Check all that apply.
Ideas
Publication dates
Statistics
Facts
Examples
Directions: Review the following note card. Then answer the questions that follow.
How Alzheimer’s is diagnosed
• Alois Alzheimer first described the disease in 1906
• Alzheimer’s disease can still only be detected after death through autopsy of the brain
• A pathologist, a person who studies diseases, looks for plaque on the brain
• High rate of misdiagnosis in living patients—20%
What information is missing from this note card?
Key information
Source
Phrase or sentence connecting the information to the topic
This note card shows the rate of misdiagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease is 20%. Why is this
information included on the card?
It provides a direct quote.
It provides key information.
It is a source.
Version C
3 . Using Notecards to Record Source Information
Has this ever happened to you? You’re in the process of writing a research paper or assignment,
and you realize that a specific quotation, fact, or example you found during your research process
would fit perfectly within your paragraph. But there’s one problem: You can’t remember what it
was or where you found it.
Developing a personalized note-taking system can help you organize and apply your research. The
system that you use will depend on the type of research you are conducting and your note-taking
preferences. Some students like to take notes by hand using a pencil and index cards, whereas
others opt to use a computer. However, all systems will share certain key characteristics. Consider
the following example.
Isaac is writing a research paper on the benefits of driving an electric car. One of his sources is an
article from that compares electric cars to traditional gasoline-powered cars in Consumer Reports
terms of overall cost. He has already determined that the source is reliable. Now he wants to
record information using a note-taking system.
To learn more about note-taking best practices, read the information that follows.
A System for Taking Notes
Identify Your Source
Record Key Information and Direct Quotations
Connect Your Source to Your Topic
Over time, owning an electric car saves you money.
• A Nissan Leaf (pure electric) sells for $35,430 and costs $1.74 to drive for 50 miles.
• A Toyota Corolla (gasoline) sells for $18,404 and costs $5.94 to drive for 50 miles.
• The author states, “Maintenance on an electric car is theoretically miniscule compared with
gasoline cars.”
Evarts, Eric. “Leaf, Volt Tests Show Electric Cars Cost Less Per Mile to Operate.” ConsumerReports.
ConsumerReports.org, December 2011, http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/12/leaf-
volt-tests-show-electric-cars-cost-less-per-mile-to-operate/index.htm.
The information you record in your notes should be related to your research topic and help
describe or support one of your main points. Always try to connect your notes to your
topic and capture that information on the note card.
In this example, Isaac has associated the information with the portion of his research that
addresses the financial benefits of owning an electric car: It will save the owner money.
Key information generally consists of which of the following? Check all that apply.
Ideas
Publication dates
Statistics
Facts
Examples
Directions: Review the following note card. Then answer the questions that follow.
• Alzheimer’s patients often suffer from not only memory loss but personality changes and a lack
of social skills
• A new trend in Alzheimer’s care is to allow patients almost anything that comforts them in order
to stabilize their mood and behavior
• Director of research at Beatitudes (a nursing home) Tena Alonzo said, “The state tried to cite us
for having chocolate on the nursing chart. They were like, ‘It’s not a medication.’ Yes, it is. It’s
better than Xanax.”
• Studies show Alonzo is right. Food, art, music, and exercise help to improve moods and
behaviors of Alzheimer’s patients
Belluck, Pam. “Giving Alzheimer’s Patients Their Way, Even Chocolate.” The New York Times. 31
December 2010, www.nytimes.com/2011/01/01/health/01care.html?_r=0.
The first note (“Alzheimer’s patients often suffer from not only memory loss . . .”) provides which
of the following?
Direct quotation
Phrase or sentence connecting the information to the topic
Key information
What information is missing from this note card?
Direct quotation
Source
Phrase or sentence connecting the information to the topic
Version A
4 . Understanding Your Library Resources
Although the Internet allows you to access information from anywhere, physical libraries remain
useful places to conduct research. Besides providing a quiet place to work, physical libraries offer
books and periodicals, such as magazines and journals, that are not available online or require a
subscription. In addition, librarians can show you how to search for library materials or use specific
resources, such as subscription databases, which are systems that index articles and scholarly
papers according to specific subjects and topics. If your college or institution doesn’t have a
library, try going to one in your community. Taking advantage of the resources available to you
will always result in stronger, more productive research activities.
Use the interactive graphic to explore some basic library resources.
Know Your Library Resources
Directions: Help Isaac start his research and use library resources effectively by answering the
question that follows.
Isaac is writing a research paper on the benefits of driving an electric car. Using the library’s
catalogue, he located a nonfiction book available for loan called Electric and Hybrid Cars: A
History by Curtis and Judy Anderson.
How can Isaac best use his college library to help him?
Isaac should head to the periodicals section of the library to find the book on the shelves.
Isaac should head to the reference section of the library to find the book on the shelves.
Isaac should head to the circulating materials section of the library to find the book on the
shelves.
Besides the book he is searching for, what other type of potentially useful source might Isaac be
able to locate within the same section of the library?
Isaac may be able to find magazines that discuss the latest trends in electric car engineering.
Isaac may be able to find reference materials that clearly define what an electric car is and its
history.
Isaac may be able to find DVDs on the subject of electric cars.
Directions: Read the following student scenario, and then answer the question that follows.
Sondra is starting a research paper on homeless populations in rural Maine. Her college library
subscribes to an online database containing articles in the field of sociology. From her computer at
home, Sondra uses the database to locate a relevant magazine article. The full text of the article,
however, is not available online.
How can Sondra best use her college library to help her?
Sondra should try to locate the article in the library’s reference section.
Sondra should head directly to the circulating materials section to see if she can locate the
article among the stacks of books.
Sondra should search the periodicals index to determine whether her college library has the full
text of the article in print form or electronic form.
After searching for the full text version of the article she found, Sondra has been unable to locate
it. However, she is not sure she is effectively searching for the source and is hesitant to give up
looking. What can Sondra do at this point?
Sondra should search for article online.
Sondra should just give up. It’s not worth the frustration to continue looking.
Sondra should ask a librarian to help her search.
Version B
4 . Understanding Your Library Resources
Although the Internet allows you to access information from anywhere, physical libraries remain
useful places to conduct research. Besides providing a quiet place to work, physical libraries offer
books and periodicals, such as magazines and journals, that are not available online or require a
subscription. In addition, librarians can show you how to search for library materials or use specific
resources, such as subscription databases, which are systems that index articles and scholarly
papers according to specific subjects and topics. If your college or institution doesn’t have a
library, try going to one in your community. Taking advantage of the resources available to you
will always result in stronger, more productive research activities.
Use the interactive graphic to explore some basic library resources.
Know Your Library Resources
Directions: Help Isaac start his research and use library resources effectively by answering the
question that follows.
Isaac is writing a research paper on the benefits of driving an electric car. He’s having trouble
using one of the subscription databases the library provides.
How can Isaac best use his college library to help him?
Isaac should stop using databases and try a different research tool.
Isaac should ask a librarian for assistance.
Isaac should stop researching his topic and try again another day.
Isaac would like to locate an encyclopedia so he can gain a general understanding of how electric
cars have progressed over the years. However, he is not sure where to find one. Where should
Isaac look?
Isaac should look in the circulating materials section of the library.
Isaac should look for an encyclopedia in the reference section of the library.
Isaac should look in the periodicals section of the library.
Directions: Read the following student scenario, and then answer the question that follows.
Vicky is starting a research paper on the history of stunt performers in Hollywood. She read an
article online about Florence Lowe “Pancho” Barnes, a famous aviator and founder of the first
union for movie stunt pilots. The article mentioned a documentary film about Pancho that Vicky
would like to watch, but it’s not available online.
How can Vicky best use her college library to help her?
Vicky should conduct a catalog search to find out if the DVD is part of the library’s collection.
Vicky should try to locate the DVD in the library’s reference section.
Vicky should head directly to the periodicals section to see if she can locate the DVD.
If the library carries the DVD Vicky is searching for, in which section would she find it?
Vicky would have to ask the librarian for the DVD because they are kept in the library offices.
Vicky would find the DVD in the circulating materials section.
Vicky would find the DVD online in a subscription database.
Version C
4 . Understanding Your Library Resources
Although the Internet allows you to access information from anywhere, physical libraries remain
useful places to conduct research. Besides providing a quiet place to work, physical libraries offer
books and periodicals, such as magazines and journals, that are not available online or require a
subscription. In addition, librarians can show you how to search for library materials or use specific
resources, such as subscription databases, which are systems that index articles and scholarly
papers according to specific subjects and topics. If your college or institution doesn’t have a
library, try going to one in your community. Taking advantage of the resources available to you
will always result in stronger, more productive research activities.
Use the interactive graphic to explore some basic library resources.
Know Your Library Resources
Directions: Help Isaac start his research and use library resources effectively by answering the
question that follows.
Isaac is writing a research paper on the benefits of driving an electric car. Since electric cars are
relatively new and often discussed in the media, he wants to find articles from magazines and
newspapers that deal with the topic.
How can Isaac best use his college library to help him?
Isaac should search for articles using a subscription database.
Isaac should avoid articles from periodicals because they’re too hard to locate.
Isaac should head directly to the periodicals section of the library and start browsing magazines
at random.
Isaac has located a couple of good articles, but needs to find more sources. Where else can he
look for the latest information on his topic?
Isaac should search the Internet outside of subscription databases for up-to-date, credible
articles on websites, in online magazines, or in online newspapers.
Isaac should turn back to reading only books, since he cannot find all he needs in online
databases.
Isaac should peruse the magazine stands at the local stores for headlines on his topic.
Directions: Read the following student scenario, and then answer the question that follows.
Emma is starting a research paper on the life cycle of the spring peeper (a species of small chorus
frog) for an environmental science class. She found a web page that came from a reliable source.
However, the article on the web page did not contain the level of detail she had been hoping for.
She checked the bibliography at the end of the article and discovered the title of a nonfiction book
that she feels would be useful in her research.
How can Emma best use her college library to help her?
Emma should try to locate the nonfiction title in the library’s reference section.
Emma should conduct a catalog search to find out if the book is part of the library’s collection.
Emma should head directly to the periodicals section to see if she can locate the book.
Emma is struggling to locate this specific book. She is also struggling to find other sources she
feels would be relevant to her research. What should Emma do?
Emma should search the Internet for any source she can find on her topic.
Emma should ask a librarian for help locating sources.
Emma should give up and leave the library.
Version A
5 . Finding Information in Databases
A is a collection of published information that includes articles from periodicals library database
(newspapers, magazines, or scholarly journals). You can use the database at your college library
to locate pertinent information on research topics. Most libraries subscribe to databases, so if you
have a library card for your school library or local city library, you can talk to a librarian to find out
what databases your library membership will allow you to access.
To use a database, you need to understand how to read the results that appear following a search.
These are called . A citation tells you important information about a source: database citations
who wrote or created it (the author), what it is called (the title), when it was published or created
(the date), where it appears (magazine, newspaper, periodical, or journal), the type of source
(editorial, journal, newspaper, magazine article, or advertisement), word count, and the available
form (abstract or full-text, with or without graphics). Usually the title of the source is also a link
that will take you to the electronic copy of the source. Take a look at the following sample
database citation:
Directions: Use the following database search results to answer the questions that follow.
Which of the following can a database include?
Updates from social media sites
The full text of periodical articles
Search results from major search engines on the Internet
Which of the search results include graphics?
#30 and #32
#28 and #31
#29 and #32
When was the article “New Points of View” published?
October 2004
January 23, 2004
December 7, 2004
Which of the search results is an editorial?
#32
#31
#28
If you were writing an essay on leadership and motivation in business, which of the search results
would probably be the best source of information?
#29
#30
#32
Version B
5 . Finding Information in Databases
A library database is a collection of published information that includes articles from periodicals
(newspapers, magazines, or scholarly journals). You can use the database at your college library to
locate pertinent information on research topics. Most libraries subscribe to databases, so if you have
a library card for your school library or local city library, you can talk to a librarian to find out what
databases your library membership will allow you to access.
To use a database, you need to understand how to read the results that appear following a search.
These are called database citations. A citation tells you important information about a source: who
wrote or created it (the author), what it is called (the title), when it was published or created (the
date), where it appears (magazine, newspaper, periodical, or journal), the type of source (editorial,
journal, newspaper, magazine article, or advertisement), word count, and the available form
(abstract or full-text, with or without graphics). Usually the title of the source is also a link that will
take you to the electronic copy of the source. Take a look at the following sample database
citation:
Directions: Use the following database search results to answer the questions that follow.
How do you use a database?
Type a search term into the database to get a list of hits.
Type your topic into a major search engine on the Internet.
Perform a search for your topic on social media platforms.
What is in search result #29, “We inspire you, you inspire us.(news from mother)”?
A summary of the article
The author of the article
The link to the article
What volume and issue number of The Journal of Light Construction contains the article “New Points
of View”?
Volume 127, Issue 8
Volume 2004, Issue 1009
Volume 23, Issue 1
Who wrote the article “Inspiration”?
Carmine Gallo
National Commentary
Stan Degroot
Which are the two most current search results?
#28 and #29
#29 and #30
#30 and #32
Version C
5 . Finding Information in Databases
A is a collection of published information that includes articles from periodicals library database
(newspapers, magazines, or scholarly journals). You can use the database at your college library to
locate pertinent information on research topics. Most libraries subscribe to databases, so if you have
a library card for your school library or local city library, you can talk to a librarian to find out what
databases your library membership will allow you to access.
To use a database, you need to understand how to read the results that appear following a search.
These are called database citations. A citation tells you important information about a source: who
wrote or created it (the author), what it is called (the title), when it was published or created (the
date), where it appears (magazine, newspaper, periodical, or journal), the type of source (editorial,
journal, newspaper, magazine article, or advertisement), word count, and the available form
(abstract or full-text, with or without graphics). Usually the title of the source is also a link that will
take you to the electronic copy of the source. Take a look at the following sample database citation:
Directions: Use the following database search results to answer the questions that follow.
What is a database?
A searchable collection of published information designed for use by researchers
A collection of mathematical data on topics that need to be researched
A tool used by librarians to categorize transactions and periodicals
What would clicking on the results for search #30 lead you to?
A complete article
A website about business leadership
An abstract of the article
What is the name of the periodical in search result #31?
National Commentary
Inspiration
Business Credit
How many pages long is the article “Inspiration”?
One page
Six pages
Ten pages
Which of the search results appear to come from -business-related periodicals? non
#31 and #30
#28 and #29
#31 and #32
Version A
6 . Indicating the Boundaries of a Source
It can be fairly easy to indicate the beginning of a citation: just plug in the author’s name and the
title of the outside source in the beginning of your sentence. However, it can be a little trickier to
indicate where your paraphrase or summary ends and your own thoughts, ideas, or comments begin.
Thus you must clearly indicate the boundaries of a source in your text. The following expressions
can help you convey this shift to readers.
Expressions That Indicate the Boundaries of a Source
To introduce a source:
To shift from a source to your own
commentary:
According to . . . It follows that . . .
(Author or source) makes the point that . . . (Author’s) explanation shows that . . .
(Author or source) points out . . . The data show that . . .
As (author) once said . . . As a result . . .
In (title of source), (author) argues/suggests/points
out . . .
Evidently . . .
A survey/poll conducted by (name) reveals that . . . Obviously . . .
Clearly . . .
Apparently . . .
Directions: Review each pair of citations in the tables that follow. In one citation, the writer uses
clear boundaries to separate his or her commentary from outside source material. In the other
citation, these boundaries are unclear. Use the dropdown menus to indicate the type of boundary
for each citation.
Citation
Citation
Boundary
A. According to Candace Savage in Crows: Encounters with the Wise Guys of the Avian
World, crows exhibit several traits of higher intelligence, including tool use and complex
social behavior. Apparently there is more to our feathered friends than meets the eye.
Clear citation
boundary
B. According to the author, crows exhibit several traits of higher intelligence, including tool
use and complex social behavior. There is more to our feathered friends than meets the eye.
Unclear citation
boundary
Citation
Citation
Boundary
A. A recent study found that people who are organized tend to make healthier food choices and
live longer than people who are disorganized. The study also found that people who favor
cluttered environments tend to be more creative than their neater counterparts. There are
advantages and drawbacks to both personality types.
Unclear
citation
boundary
B. As reported by Gretchen Reynolds in “What a Messy Desk Says About You,” a recent study
found that people who are organized tend to make healthier food choices and live longer than
people who are disorganized. The study also found that people who favor cluttered
environments tend to be more creative than their neater counterparts. Clearly there are
advantages and drawbacks to both personality types.
Clear citation
boundary
Citation
Citation
Boundary
A. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that lifelong
smokers lose an average of ten years of their life expectancy. Evidently individuals who
want to increase their life span should avoid or quit smoking.
Clear citation
boundary
B. A recent study found that lifelong smokers lose an average of ten years of their life
expectancy. Individuals who want to increase their life span should avoid or quit smoking.
Unclear citation
boundary
Version B
6 . Indicating the Boundaries of a Source
It can be fairly easy to indicate the beginning of a citation: just plug in the author’s name and the
title of the outside source in the beginning of your sentence. However, it can be a little trickier to
indicate where your paraphrase or summary ends and your own thoughts, ideas, or comments
begin. Thus you must clearly in your text. The following indicate the boundaries of a source
expressions can help you convey this shift to readers.
Expressions That Indicate the Boundaries of a Source
To introduce a source:
To shift from a source to your own
commentary:
According to . . .
It follows that . . .
(Author or source) makes the point that . . .
(Author’s)
explanation shows that . . .
(Author or source) points out . . .
The data show that . . .
As (author) once said . . .
As a result . . .
In (title of source), (author)
argues/suggests/points out . . .
Evidently . . .
A survey/poll conducted by (name) reveals
that . . .
Obviously . . .
Clearly . . .
Apparently . . .
Directions: Review each pair of citations in the tables that follow. In one citation, the writer uses
clear boundaries to separate his or her commentary from outside source material. In the other
citation, these boundaries are unclear. Use the dropdown menus to indicate the type of boundary
for each citation.
A. In American culture, the number 13 is considered to be unlucky. In “Superstitious Numbers
Around the World,” Jackie Skurie points out that a similar belief exists in China. In Chinese
culture, the number 4 is bad luck because the pronunciation of is nearly identical to that of four
the Chinese word for Evidently superstitions surrounding numbers are common across death.
many cultures and countries.
Clear citation
boundary
B. In American culture, the number 13 is considered to be unlucky. Similarly, in Chinese
culture, the number 4 is bad luck because the pronunciation of is nearly identical to that of four
the Chinese word for Superstitions surrounding numbers are common across many death.
cultures and countries.
Unclear
citation
boundary
Citation
Citation
Boundary
A. A record 31.1 million viewers tuned in to watch the broadcast of the London summer
Olympic games in 2012. Summer events are among the most entertaining Olympic sports to
watch.
Unclear citation
boundary
B. According to Richard Sandomir, a record 31.1 million U.S. viewers tuned in to watch the
broadcast of the London summer Olympic games in 2012. The data show that summer
sports are among the most popular Olympic events.
Clear citation
boundary
Citation
Citation
Boundary
A. A national survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2013 reveals that 52% of
Americans favor legalizing marijuana, up from 41% in 2010. The majority of the support is
found among young people between the ages of 18 and 32. It is clear that attitudes toward
marijuana usage continue to shift and change over time.
Clear citation
boundary
B. A national survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2013 reveals that 52% of
Americans favor legalizing marijuana, up from 41% in 2010. The majority of the support is
found among young people between the ages of 18 and 32. Attitudes toward marijuana usage
continue to shift and change over time.
Unclear citation
boundary
Version C
6 . Indicating the Boundaries of a Source
It can be fairly easy to indicate the beginning of a citation: just plug in the author’s name and the
title of the outside source in the beginning of your sentence. However, it can be a little trickier to
indicate where your paraphrase or summary ends and your own thoughts, ideas, or comments
begin. Thus you must clearly in your text. The following indicate the boundaries of a source
expressions can help you convey this shift to readers.
Expressions That Indicate the Boundaries of a Source
To introduce a source:
To shift from a source to your own
commentary:
According to . . .
It follows that . . .
(Author or source) makes the point that . . .
(Author’s) explanation shows that . . .
(Author or source) points out . .
.
The data show that . . .
As (author) once said . . .
As a result . . .
In (title of source), (author)
argues/suggests/points out . . .
Evidently . . .
A survey/poll conducted by (name) reveals
that . . .
Obviously . . .
Clearly . . .
Apparently . . .
Directions: Review each pair of citations in the tables that follow. In one citation, the writer uses
clear boundaries to separate his or her commentary from outside source material. In the other
citation, these boundaries are unclear. Use the dropdown menus to indicate the type of boundary
for each citation.
Citation Citation Boundary
A. Venus transversed the sun in 2012. It is a shame if you missed this spectacular event;
the next Venus transit will not occur until 2117.
Unclear citation
boundary
B. According to NASA, Venus transversed the sun in 2012. Clearly it is a shame if you
missed this spectacular event; the next Venus transit will not occur until 2117.
Clear citation
boundary
Citation
Citation
Boundary
A. According to Jennifer S. Holland in “A Fragile Empire,” the Great Barrier Reef in
Australia is home to over 5,000 types of mollusks, 1,800 species of fish, and 125 types of
sharks. As a result of this remarkable diversity, the reef is likely one of the top scuba diving
destinations on the planet.
Clear citation
boundary
B. “A Fragile Empire” points out that the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is home to over
5,000 types of mollusks, 1,800 species of fish, and 125 types of sharks. The reef is likely one
of the top scuba diving destinations on the planet.
Unclear citation
boundary
Citation
Citation
Boundary
A. In recent years, the wisdom of raising children on a strict vegan diet, a vegetarian food
regimen that excludes all animal products, has come under scrutiny. In 2004, a six-week-old
American boy died of starvation because his vegan parents fed him primarily apple juice and
soy milk. Parents should not impose a vegan lifestyle on their children.
Unclear
citation
boundary
B. In recent years, the wisdom of raising children on a strict vegan diet, a vegetarian food
regimen that excludes all animal products, has come under scrutiny. Nina Planck points out
that in 2004, a six-week-old American boy died of starvation because his vegan parents fed
him primarily apple juice and soy milk. Evidently parents should not impose a vegan lifestyle
on their children.
Clear citation
boundary
Version A
7 . Conventions of Academic Style
Imagine the kind of clothes you would wear to a party at a friend’s house. Would you wear the
same style of clothing to a job interview? Most people would likely say no: what’s appropriate in
one situation isn’t necessarily appropriate in another.
The same concept applies to writing: different styles work in different situations. Consequently,
whenever you write in academic situations, it’s important that you write in an
appropriately . To learn about the traits of academic style, read the information academic style
that follows.
Academic Style
Most people relate the idea of to the sound of a person’s voice. Someone who is having a tone
good time is likely to sound or , while someone who is nervous is likely to happy enthusiastic
sound or . It’s important to recognize that tone applies to all types of uncertain afraid
communication; both written words and spoken words are accompanied by tones.
The tone of a piece of writing can create a powerful impression. Consequently, when you write in
academic situations, it’s important that your work carry an . When writing has an academic tone
academic tone, it suggests that the author should be taken seriously and that the ideas have been
carefully considered.
An academic tone IS:
•
serious
•
formal
•
thoughtful
•
dispassionate
•
fair
•
earnest
•
respectful of subject and audience
An academic tone is NOT:
•
funny
•
casual
•
careless
•
overcome with emotion
•
one
-
sided
•
sarcastic
•
disrespectful of subject or audience
Writing that does not carry an academic tone may suggest many things about the author, but it
will not typically suggest that the composition is a thorough, fair, and well-reasoned examination
of a subject.
Directions: Read this student’s concern, and then answer the question that follows.
“I’m writing an essay for my English class. Which of these sentences uses a voice that’s
appropriate for a literature essay?”
Which sentence uses a grammatical voice that is appropriate for the writing situation?
American literature was revolutionized by Mark Twain.
Mark Twain revolutionized American literature.
Directions: The following paragraph is part of an academic essay. Read the paragraph, and then
answer the question that follows.
Can Murder Be Justified? The Ethics of Mystery and Crime Fiction
It’s my belief that the meaning of justice is addressed in mystery and crime novels. I believe you
don’t even have to look beyond the novels of famed British writer Agatha Christie, whose
murderers are always punished. (I HATE it when murderers get away with the crime—that’s the
absolute worst.) However, in books by author John Dickson Carr, murderers do occasionally get
away with it, especially if the victim seems to have been a terrible human being. This leads one to
conclude that sometimes murder is justified.
As a piece of academic writing, this paragraph is flawed. However, in some ways it adheres to
academic style. What aspects of this paragraph are appropriate for a piece of academic
writing? Check all that apply.
It tries to draw connections between ideas.
It argues with evidence.
It avoids using slang.
It uses the word . I
It uses contractions such as and . don’t can’t
The writing sounds highly emotional.
Version B
7 . Conventions of Academic Style
Imagine the kind of clothes you would wear to a party at a friend’s house. Would you wear the
same style of clothing to a job interview? Most people would likely say no: what’s appropriate in
one situation isn’t necessarily appropriate in another.
The same concept applies to writing: different styles work in different situations. Consequently,
whenever you write in academic situations, it’s important that you write in an
appropriately . To learn about the traits of academic style, read the information academic style
that follows.
Academic Style
Part of what makes academic writing different from other kinds of writing is the way it approaches
its subject. In general, does the following: academic writing
•
Tries to answer challenging questions. Academic writing doesn’t seek to answer
questions that have easily identifiable right and wrong answers. Instead, it tackles
questions whose answers aren’t obvious or simple—
questions without definite answers, or
questions that might reasonably cause people to disagree.
•
Explains, analyzes, or persuades
. The goal of academic writing is usually to help readers
understand an idea or convince readers to agree with the author. In some cases, academic
writing may pursue all of these goals simultaneously.
•
Argues with evidence. In academic writing, the main point is heavily supported with
evidence—that is, with things like facts, statistics, examples, and expert opinions.
Personal observations may also be used as evidence in academic writing, although the use
of these is often limited.
•
Draws connections. Academic writing explains how ideas relate to each other: How does
one idea compare to another? How do supporting ideas connect to the main point? How
does the main point connect to the life of the reader or the world at large? By answering
questions such as these, academic writing enables readers to understand the relevance of
key concepts.
•
Stays focused. Academic writing doesn’t draw attention to information that isn’t related
to the main point. It keeps a continual focus on the issue at hand.
Directions: Read this student’s concern, and then answer the question that follows.
“I’m writing an essay for my psychology class. Which of these sentences uses a voice that’s
appropriate for a psychology essay?”
Which sentence uses a grammatical voice that is appropriate for the writing situation?
In this experiment, students were asked about their feelings about their parents.
In this experiment, the scientists asked students about their feelings about their parents.
Directions: The following paragraph is part of an academic essay. Read the paragraph, and then
answer the question that follows.
Can Murder Be Justified? The Ethics of Mystery and Crime Fiction
I think that ideas about the meaning of can be presented in mystery and crime novels. This justice
is shown, I believe, in books by the ace British writer Agatha Christie. In her books, the killer
always winds up being sent to the hole or put on the night train to the soul’s deepest midnight
(killed). I really like her books, especially , which I read once while I was Murder in Mesopotamia
visiting my friend in Romania. (Romania is an interesting country!!!) However, in books by
mystery author John Dickson Carr, someone does occasionally get away with wrecking someone—
especially when the victim, like, totally deserved it. . . .
As a piece of academic writing, this paragraph is flawed. However, in some ways it adheres to
academic style. What aspects of this paragraph are for a piece of academic appropriate
writing? Check all that apply.
It uses slang and informal phrases.
It presents evidence in support of its ideas.
It uses the word . I
It avoids contractions such as and . don’t can’t
It includes information not connected to the main point.
It tries to draw connections between ideas.
Version C
7 . Conventions of Academic Style
Imagine the kind of clothes you would wear to a party at a friend’s house. Would you wear the
same style of clothing to a job interview? Most people would likely say no: what’s appropriate in
one situation isn’t necessarily appropriate in another.
The same concept applies to writing: different styles work in different situations. Consequently,
whenever you write in academic situations, it’s important that you write in an
appropriately . To learn about the traits of academic style, read the information academic style
that follows.
Academic Style
The word can mean different things in different situations. When people talk about voice in voice
academic writing, they are typically referring to one of the two grammatical voices: active
voice and . Different academic subject areas favor the use of each voice. To learn passive voice
how these voices are different and what they’re used for, examine the following table.
Characteristic Active Voice Passive Voice
Purpose Emphasizing performs an who
action
Emphasizing action was what
performed
Usage Nonscientific disciplines such as
history and English
Scientific disciplines such as
chemistry and psychology
Examples his men to burn Cortes ordered
their ships.
The liquid by the was heated
scientist.
Shakespeare wrote plays to
appeal to everyone in his audience.
The test subjects to were asked
find their way through a maze.
Directions: Read this student’s concern, and then answer the question that follows.
“I’m writing an essay for my history class. Which of these sentences uses a voice that’s
appropriate for a history essay?”
Which sentence uses a grammatical voice that is appropriate for the writing situation?
Many duels were fought—and some opponents were even killed—by President Andrew Jackson.
President Andrew Jackson fought many duels—and even killed some of his opponents.
Directions: The following paragraph is part of an academic essay. Read the paragraph, and then
answer the question that follows.
Can Murder Be Justified? The Ethics of Mystery and Crime Fiction
Mystery and crime novels present a range of ideas about the meaning of . In books by justice
famed British writer Agatha Christie, for example, the murderer never gets away with the crime.
He or she is always adequately punished, which suggests that murder is never profitable or
justifiable—not under any circumstances. However, in books by contemporary author John Dickson
Carr, someone does occasionally get away with murder—especially when the victim was notably
evil. . . .
What about this paragraph makes it an piece of academic writing? effective Check all that apply.
It stays focused on the main point.
Its tone is lighthearted and funny.
It tries to draw connections between ideas.
It avoids using the word . I
The writer sounds overcome with emotion.
It argues without using evidence.
Version A
8 . Establishing the Appropriate Tone
Communicating effectively with your audience includes using an appropriate . But what is tone
tone? Tone can reveal your attitude toward the topic and toward the audience. However, you can’t
change the volume in your writing, and you can’t slow down or speed up your words, so how do
you adjust your tone on the page? The answer is to carefully select the words, the length of
sentences, and the variety of sentences you use. In most academic, business, and professional
writing, you will use a reasonable, sincere, and unemotional tone. You should keep your tone
consistent throughout your piece of writing.
Directions: Read each version of the passage, and answer the questions that follow.
Version 1
If you like sci-fi, I bet you’d love steampunk. It’s the best of the best! How could you resist stories
that take place way back in the past, but have made-up, steam-powered things, such as subs and
blimps. So, the past in these stories is different from the real past. This is why people are crazy
about steampunk fiction. It’s fun to pretend the past was different, and it’s so cool to read about
all the wacky, steam-powered machines and thingamajigs.
Which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of version 1? ( The answer Hint:
should match the tone of the rest of the passage.)
As steampunk crosses over to the mainstream, films, television shows, and video games
utilizing the genre are likely to emerge.
What an awesome treat it’ll be when steampunk flicks, TV shows, and video games come out.
Which words best describe the tone of version 1?
Casual and enthusiastic
Serious and academic
Version 2
For some reason, steampunk, which is an uninspired subgenre of fiction, is gaining traction.
However, steampunk does nothing more than substitute spacecraft, lasers, and artificial
intelligence with clunky, bizarre machines that run on steam. Once science fiction dilettantes figure
out that steampunk is neither innovative nor intelligent, they are likely to drift on to the next
popular dabble in science fiction.
Which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of version 2? ( The answer Hint:
should match the tone of the rest of the passage.)
If that occurs, at least steampunk will dwindle into obscurity and, finally, extinguish, like other
forgotten fad subgenres.
What an awesome treat it’ll be when steampunk flicks, TV shows, and video games come out.
Which words best describe the tone of version 2?
Pompous and annoyed
Humorous and academic
Version 3
Steampunk is a literary genre that has been gaining some popularity in recent years. Steampunk
stories are usually set in the past—often in Victorian England—in a world in which steam-powered
technology is ubiquitous. Unlike the sleek microchip and silicon technology of today, steampunk
technology is cumbersome and unwieldy, with lots of visible moving parts and hissing jets of
steam. Audiences enjoy the alternate-history settings and extravagant clockwork devices that are
central to steampunk tales.
Which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of version 3? (Hint: The answer
should match the tone of the rest of the passage.)
As steampunk crosses over to the mainstream, films, television shows, and video games
utilizing the genre are likely to emerge.
What an awesome treat it’ll be when steampunk flicks, TV shows, and video games come out.
Which words best describe the tone of version 3?
Authentic and objective
Sarcastic and exaggerated
Version B
8 . Establishing the Appropriate Tone
Communicating effectively with your audience includes using an appropriate tone. But what is
tone? Tone can reveal your attitude toward the topic and toward the audience. However, you can’t
change the volume in your writing, and you can’t slow down or speed up your words, so how do
you adjust your tone on the page? The answer is to carefully select the words, the length of
sentences, and the variety of sentences you use. In most academic, business, and professional
writing, you will use a reasonable, sincere, and unemotional tone. You should keep your tone
consistent throughout your piece of writing.
Directions: Read each version of the passage, and answer the questions that follow.
Version 1
Killer whales, notorious and brutal hunters of innocent seals, send sinister messages back and
forth to one another with a series of creepy calls and clicks. But when these dark beasts engage in
one of their bloody hunts, they mysteriously fall silent. The devilish creatures must be aware that
the harmless seals they intend to slaughter can hear them coming if they call to one another. Their
devious solution, then, is to carry out their massacres with stealth. Scientists are currently
studying these monsters of the deep to see how they plot and coordinate their bloody attacks
without communicating.
Which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of version 1? (Hint: The answer
should match the tone of the rest of the passage.)
Perhaps as this study progresses, researchers will gain more insight into this creature and its
rare communicative abilities.
Soon researchers will know more about how killer whales plot and execute their gory hunts and
what other methods they have for scheming with one another.
Which words best describe the tone of version 1?
Melodramatic and hyperbolic
Disinterested and academic
Version 2
Killer whales, also known as orcas, are a communicative species. Using distinctive calls and clicks,
they chatter among themselves. But when the whales hunt—a time when scientists hypothesize
communication would be of the utmost importance—they are silent. The orcas seem to understand
that their calls alert potential prey, so they hunt with stealth. Scientists are currently studying
orcas to determine how they coordinate their hunting efforts without auditory signals.
Which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of version 2? ( The answer Hint:
should match the tone of the rest of the passage.)
Let’s hope researchers figure out what these orcas are up to when they hunt.
Perhaps with further research, scientists will gain more insight into this creature and its rare
communicative abilities.
Which words best describe the tone of version 2?
Invective and emotional
Academic and objective
Version 3
Killer whales just rock. They are like the CEOs of the ocean. And so darned smart—these guys
actually chat with one another, but instead of texting or instant messaging, they send out these
clicky and shrieky noises that other whales pick up. The really interesting thing is that when they
team up and go hunting, they do it without making their usual racket. So how can they carry out
their game plan if they can’t talk? That’s the stumper scientists are working on now.
Which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of version 3? (Hint: The answer
should match the tone of the rest of the passage.)
Let’s hope researchers get as smart as these killer whales and get some answers ASAP.
Soon researchers will know more about how killer whales plot and execute their gory hunts and
what other methods they have for scheming with one another.
Which words best describe the tone of version 3?
Casual and humorous
Formal and academic
Version C
8 . Establishing the Appropriate Tone
Communicating effectively with your audience includes using an appropriate tone. But what is
tone? Tone can reveal your attitude toward the topic and toward the audience. However, you can’t
change the volume in your writing, and you can’t slow down or speed up your words, so how do
you adjust your tone on the page? The answer is to carefully select the words, the length of
sentences, and the variety of sentences you use. In most academic, business, and professional
writing, you will use a reasonable, sincere, and unemotional tone. You should keep your tone
consistent throughout your piece of writing.
Directions: Read each version of the passage, and answer the questions that follow.
Version 1
More than 300 years ago, the pirate Henry Morgan (also known as Captain Morgan) led one of the
most successful raids in history. With his gang of criminals, he marched through the jungle and
then attacked and razed Panama City, one of the biggest and most prosperous cities in the
Western Hemisphere at that time. Before the attack, however, four of Captain Morgan’s ships sank
off the coast of Panama. In the first months of 2011, an international team of marine
archaeologists recovered six iron cannons, believed to be from Morgan’s sunken ships.
Which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of version 1? (Hint: The answer
should match the tone of the rest of the passage.)
Once the laboratory experts have finished their forensic studies of the cannons, more details
about Morgan and his ships will emerge.
After the scientists give those old rusty guns the once-over, they’ll know more cool stuff about
Morgan.
Which words best describe the tone of version 1?
Objective and sincere
Emotional and ironic
Version 2
Centuries ago, Henry Morgan, a villainous and feared menace of the high seas, slashed through
the creeping vines of Panama’s jungle with his bloodthirsty band of pirates. Morgan and his
cutthroats ransacked and then utterly destroyed the bountiful and illustrious city of Panama. Prior
to the murderous rampage, four of Morgan’s ships met their demise on the jagged reefs off the
coast of Panama. Shortly after the arrival of the new year in 2011, a team of intrepid marine
archaeologists salvaged six iron cannons from the ocean depths. Incredibly, experts believe that
these cannons are the same ones from Morgan’s ships that sank so many ages ago.
Which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of version 2? ( The answer Hint:
should match the tone of the rest of the passage.)
Further analysis of the mystical artifacts should provide more enticing details about the
dreaded pirate and his lost ships.
After the scientists give those old rusty guns the once-over, they’ll know more cool stuff about
Morgan.
Which words best describe the tone of version 2?
Passionate and sincere
Disinterested and pretentious
Version 3
A long time ago, this pirate named Henry and his buddies hoofed it through the jungle and then
laid into Panama City, which back then was chock-full of booty. Before they trounced the city,
however, Morgan and his pals got served themselves—a reef did a number on the hulls of four
ships. The ships went kaput, Titanic style but without the iceberg. The amazing thing is that just
recently, a bunch of archaeologists scored big time; they found six iron cannons under the water.
Experts are thinking that those oversized shooters came from Morgan’s ships.
Which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of version 3? ( The answer Hint:
should match the tone of the rest of the passage.)
After the scientists give those old rusty guns the once-over, they’ll know more cool stuff about
Morgan.
Once the laboratory experts have finished their forensic studies of the cannons, more details
about Morgan and his ships will emerge.
Which words best describe the tone of version 3?
Casual and cute
Pompous and academic
Version A
9 . Avoiding Slang and Colloquialisms
In friendly letters, e-mails, social network communications, mobile device text messages, and so
forth, you may choose to use colloquial language and slang. Such writing often imitates the way
people speak in everyday life. In academic and professional writing, however, avoid colloquial
words and expressions. Instead, use language that matches the formal tone that this type of
writing calls for.
Directions: Match each colloquial word or expression (shown in bold type) with its formal
equivalent.
Colloquial Formal
The in the red car cut me off.
guy Driver
She was when she heard the news. pissed off Furious
He was to see her. psyched Thrilled
The show was a . hit Success
We felt that was a excuse. lame Inadequate
Directions: Read the scenario and answer the question that follows.
Blaine must submit a proposal for his research project. His first sentence reads:
“Climate change is really messing with sea levels around the world, so I’d like to research ways we
can stop it.”
Which revised sentence would better suit the formality of a research proposal?
Climate change is way bad for sea levels all over the world, so I’m gonna talk about how to stop
it.
This research project will analyze the impact of climate change on rising sea levels around the
world, as well as ways to resolve it.
In my research paper, I’ll talk about how climate change has jacked up sea levels all over the
world, plus ways we can put a cork in it.
Version B
9 . Avoiding Slang and Colloquialisms
In friendly letters, e-mails, social network communications, mobile device text messages, and so
forth, you may choose to use colloquial language and slang. Such writing often imitates the way
people speak in everyday life. In academic and professional writing, however, avoid colloquial
words and expressions. Instead, use language that matches the formal tone that this type of
writing calls for.
Directions: Match each colloquial word or expression (shown in bold type) with its formal
equivalent.
Colloquial Formal
She was very
into
the
television series.
Interested in
He
gave me a hand
during the move.
Assisted me
She
fired off
an e
-
mail.
Quickly sent
The meal was
okay
.
Decent
He
hung out
in the lobby.
Lingered
Directions: Read the scenario and answer the question that follows.
Vicky must submit a proposal for her research project. Her first sentence reads:
“It ticks me off that men still make more money than women, even in the twenty-first century, so
I plan to research why this is happening.”
Which revised sentence would better suit the formality of a research proposal?
I’d like to write about why men make more money than women, the latter who often get by
financially via the skin of their teeth.
This paper will show why men still make more than women at work, despite the latter often
doing their share, or more, of the heavy lifting.
This research project will analyze the causes and effects of the gender wage gap in the United
States.
Version C
9 . Avoiding Slang and Colloquialisms
In friendly letters, e-mails, social network communications, mobile device text messages, and so
forth, you may choose to use colloquial language and slang. Such writing often imitates the way
people speak in everyday life. In academic and professional writing, however, avoid colloquial
words and expressions. Instead, use language that matches the formal tone that this type of
writing calls for.
Directions: Match each colloquial word or expression (shown in bold type) with its formal
equivalent.
Colloquial Formal
A whole bunch of of protesters showed up. Many
She did a top notch job. High quality
The vehicle is a pain in the neck to drive. Difficult
He bad-mouthed the proposal. Criticized
The crash site was a ways away from the city Far
Directions: Read the scenario and answer the question that follows.
Henry must submit a proposal for his research project. His first sentence reads:
“I’d like to research the Ancient Romans because of lot of their inventions were seriously awesome
and are still used today.”
Which revised sentence would better suit the formality of a research proposal?
In my research paper, I’ll discuss some of the coolest and most useful inventions of the Roman
Empire.
The Romans were aces when it came to useful inventions, so I’d like to research how they’ve
impacted us today.
This research project will explore the enduring and modern impact of several Ancient Roman
innovations.
Version A
10 . Avoiding Passive Voice
For the most part, sentences should be active. This means they should describe who or what acts
upon someone or something. When too many sentences are passive (they instead describe who or
what is acted upon), your writing style may seem dull and wordy. Study the following examples:
Active Voice
The firefighters fought valiantly to save what was left of the burning house.
(Note: Here, the firefighters are doing the action of saving the house.)
Passive Voice
The burning house was saved by firefighters who fought valiantly.
(Note: Here, the house is being acted upon by the firefighters.)
Directions: Read each sentence in the following table and indicate whether the verb in is bold
active or passive.
Sentence Active
Passiv
e
The woman a scholarship by the committee.
was awarded
Mitchell on his thesis for two years. has been working
Ariana me to attend her class as a guest speaker. invited
Elspeth by mosquitoes. was bitten
Sentence Active
Passiv
e
Although I was tired, I to the park with my dog.
ran
Michelle Obama programs that prevent childhood advocates
obesity.
The goal remarkably well by the defensive is being defended
players.
Directions: In each of the following sentences, the main verb (which appears in bold) is in the
passive voice. Select the sentence that uses the same verb and verb tense in the active voice.
Recently, more research has been done by sociologists on the relationship between diet and
acculturation among Latinos in the United States.
Recently, more research on the relationship between diet and acculturation among Latinos in
the United States was done by sociologists.
Recently, sociologists have done more research on the relationship between diet and
acculturation among Latinos in the United States.
Recently, Latinos in the United States have been researched more by sociologists on the
relationship between diet and acculturation.
Acculturation is the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group;
Latinos’ acculturation into American culture is shown in part by their food choices.
Acculturation is the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group;
the food choices of Latinos is shown to be part of the acculturation of Latinos into American
culture.
Acculturation is the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group;
the acculturation of Latinos into American culture is shown in their food choices.
Acculturation is the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group;
Latinos show their acculturation into American culture partly by their food choices.
Fewer fruits and vegetables and more fried foods by Latinos after they move to the are eaten
United States, causing an increased risk for diabetes and hypertension.
After moving to the United States, fewer fruits and vegetables and more fried foods are eaten
by Latinos, causing an increased risk for diabetes and hypertension.
Diabetes and hypertension are caused in Latinos after they move to the United States because
their diet is changed to include fewer fruits and vegetables and more fried foods.
Latinos eat fewer fruits and vegetables and more fried foods after they move to the United
States, causing an increased risk for diabetes and hypertension.
In conclusion, the worst American eating habits, such as consuming fast foods and snacking
excessively, by more Latinos; therefore, their rate of obesity has have been embraced
increased. This trend has contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being
overweight or obese.
In short, the worst American eating habits, such as consuming fast foods and snacking
excessively, have been embraced by more Latinos; therefore, their rate of obesity has been
increased. This trend has contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being
overweight or obese.
In conclusion, more Latinos have embraced the worst American eating habits, such as
consuming fast foods and snacking excessively; therefore, their rate of obesity has increased. This
trend has contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being overweight or
obese.
In conclusion, the worst American eating habits, such as consuming fast foods and snacking
excessively, were embraced by more Latinos; therefore, their rate of obesity has increased. This
trend has contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being overweight or
obese.
Version B
10 . Avoiding Passive Voice
For the most part, sentences should be active. This means they should describe who or what acts
upon someone or something. When too many sentences are passive (they instead describe who or
what is acted upon), your writing style may seem dull and wordy. Study the following examples:
Active Voice
The firefighters fought valiantly to save what was left of the burning house.
(Note: Here, the firefighters are doing the action of saving the house.)
Passive Voice
The burning house was saved by firefighters who fought valiantly.
(Note: Here, the house is being acted upon by the firefighters.)
Directions: Read each sentence in the following table and indicate whether the verb in is bold
active or passive.
Sentence Active
Passiv
e
All four sandwiches by Tony.
were devoured
She regularly my intelligence. insults
The sidewalk freshly by the Department of Public was paved
Works.
We with calls from marketing agencies. were bombarded
Allegedly, Mr. Fleming down his own house to collect the burned
insurance money.
Mei Su for a half marathon since April. has been training
Is that any way for a dog by its owner? to be treated
Directions: In each of the following sentences, the main verb (which appears in bold) is in the
passive voice. Select the sentence that uses the same verb and verb tense in the active voice.
Recently, more research by sociologists has been focused on the relationship between diet
and acculturation among Latinos in the United States.
Recently, research on the relationship between diet and acculturation among Latinos in the
United States has been focused on more by sociologists.
Recently, Latinos in the United States have been focused on more by sociologists in research on
the relationship between diet and acculturation.
Recently, sociologists have focused more research on the relationship between diet and
acculturation among Latinos in the United States.
Acculturation is the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group; the
extent of Latinos’ acculturation into American culture is illustrated by their food choices.
Acculturation is the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group;
the acculturation of Latinos into American culture has been illustrated in their food choices.
Acculturation is the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group;
the food choices are illustrated to be part of the acculturation of Latinos into American culture.
Acculturation is the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group;
Latinos’ food choices illustrate the extent of their acculturation into American culture.
Fewer fruits and vegetables and more fried foods are consumed by Latinos after they move to
the United States, causing an increased risk for diabetes and hypertension.
After moving to the United States, fewer fruits and vegetables are eaten by Latinos, causing an
increased risk for diabetes and hypertension.
Diabetes and hypertension are caused in Latinos after they move to the United States because
their diet is changed to include fewer fruits and vegetables and more fried foods.
Latinos consume fewer fruits and vegetables and more fried foods after they move to the
United States, causing an increased risk for diabetes and hypertension.
In conclusion, the worst American eating habits, such as consuming fast foods and snacking
excessively, have been adopted by more Latinos; therefore, their rate of obesity has increased.
This trend has contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being overweight or
obese.
In conclusion, the worst American eating habits, such as consuming fast foods and snacking
excessively, are adopted by more Latinos; therefore, their rate of obesity has increased. This trend
has contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being overweight or obese.
In conclusion, the worst American eating habits, such as consuming fast foods and snacking
excessively, were adopted by more Latinos; therefore, their rate of obesity increased. This trend
has contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being overweight or obese.
In conclusion, more Latinos have adopted the worst American eating habits, such as consuming
fast foods and snacking excessively; therefore, their rate of obesity has increased. This trend has
contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being overweight or obese.
Version C
10 . Avoiding Passive Voice
For the most part, sentences should be active. This means they should describe who or what acts
upon someone or something. When too many sentences are passive (they instead describe who or
what is acted upon), your writing style may seem dull and wordy. Study the following examples:
Active Voice
The firefighters fought valiantly to save what was left of the burning house.
(Note: Here, the firefighters are doing the action of saving the house.)
Passive Voice
The burning house was saved by firefighters who fought valiantly.
(Note: Here, the house is being acted upon by the firefighters.)
Directions: Read each sentence in the following table and indicate whether the verb in is bold
active or passive.
Sentence Active
Passiv
e
Renee was sitting in traffic for over an hour.
The building façade by middle school students. was vandalized
Moses of cheating. has been accused
Sentence Active
Passiv
e
Voice-recognition technology truly my father.
fascinates
William Shakespeare as a great dramatist. is known
Colleen her promise to us. hasn’t forgotten
The airliners with several new safety are being retrofitted
features.
Directions: In each of the following sentences, the main verb (which appears in bold) is in the
passive voice. Select the sentence that uses the same verb and verb tense in the active voice.
Recently, research by sociologists has been concentrated on the relationship between diet and
acculturation among Latinos in the United States.
Recently, research on the relationship between diet and acculturation among Latinos in the
United States has been concentrated on by sociologists.
Recently, Latinos in the United States have been concentrated on by sociologists in research on
the relationship between diet and acculturation.
Recently, sociologists have concentrated their research on the relationship between diet and
acculturation among Latinos in the United States.
Acculturation is defined by researchers as the process of adopting the cultural traits or social
patterns of another group.
Researchers define acculturation as the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns
of another group.
Adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group is a process that has been
defined by researchers as acculturation.
The process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group has been defined
as acculturation by researchers.
Fewer fruits and vegetables and more fried foods are contained in the diet of Latinos after they
move to the United States, causing an increased risk for diabetes and hypertension.
After they move to the United States, fewer fruits and vegetables are contained in the diet of
Latinos, causing an increased risk for diabetes and hypertension.
Diabetes and hypertension are caused in Latinos because fewer fruits and vegetables and more
fried foods are contained in their diet after they move to the United States.
After Latinos move to the United States, their diet contains fewer fruits and vegetables and
more fried foods, causing an increased risk for diabetes and hypertension.
In conclusion, as more of the worst American eating habits, such as consuming fast foods and
snacking excessively, are taken up by Latinos, their rate of obesity increases. This trend has
contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being overweight or obese.
In conclusion, as more of the worst American eating habits, such as consuming fast foods and
snacking excessively, were taken up by Latinos, their rate of obesity increased. This trend has
contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being overweight or obese.
In conclusion, as Latinos take up more of the worst American eating habits, such as consuming
fast foods and snacking excessively, their rate of obesity increases. This trend has contributed to
almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being overweight or obese.
In conclusion, as more of the worst American eating habits, such as consuming fast foods and
snacking excessively, have been taken up by Latinos, their rate of obesity has increased. This
trend has contributed to almost 73% of Latinos living in the United States being overweight or
obese.
