Transcript: Riley
Chapter 3: Riley says sources are keyed to information needs
Throughout my years of writing research papers, I have sometimes found it difficult to find sources. As I write my papers, I constantly have to remind myself that the struggle to find a source is so worth it due to the level of credence it gives my argument.
I didn’t really learn about information needs before coming to college. But I have found them very helpful whenever I get overwhelmed in my search for sources.
Another major thing that changed when I got to college was the use of Wikipedia. If your high school was anything like mine, Wikipedia was talked about like it was the devil. However, the reality is that librarians love Wikipedia for background information. While you won’t end up citing Wikipedia as a final source, it can be useful in getting your footing in a certain topic and understanding the main issues.
Overall, I’ve found that the most important part of writing your paper and convincing your audience of your claim is the way in which you present your evidence. Organizing your sources is key to proving a solid argument.
It took me a while to learn these things. So don’t feel intimidated by all this information. Just remember your information needs and ask yourself what sources you should be looking for and you’re going to do great.
