This document provides an overview of information literacy and avoiding plagiarism for an English 102 class. It defines plagiarism and consequences, discusses using citations and primary vs secondary sources. It also introduces scholarly vs popular sources and peer review, how to evaluate journal articles, and databases for researching poets like James Weldon Johnson. Interlibrary loans are also mentioned as a option to request items not available at the university library. Contact information is provided for the librarian instructor.

1. English 102
Dr. Gebhard
Information Literacy Class
Mr. Jonathan Underwood
Assistant Professor
Information Literacy/Reference/Distance
Education Librarian
Ford Motor Company Library
junderwood@tuskegee.edu

2. • Provide information and resources needed to
effectively conduct academic research
• Understand different searching techniques
and learn to navigate the online databases
• Critically search for articles and evaluate
them for content
• Importance of citing correctly and use of
citation tools
Objectives:

3. Definition and Consequences of Plagiarism
Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines it as:
• To steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as
one's own
• To use (another's production) without crediting the
source
• To commit literary theft
Tuskegee University Academic Regulations and Procedures
for Undergraduates, pg. 26
“Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly
furnishing false information to officials of the University will
not be tolerated. The penalty could include failure in the
course and possible dismissal or suspension from the
University.”
• Receive a failing grade on the assignment and/or class

4. Avoiding Plagiarism
• Do not wait until the last minute to start an
assignment
• Use technology tools to help you
• Google, Bixby, Alexa, Siri, etc. to set up
appointments or set reminder alarms
• Cite the information correctly
• When in doubt, cite the information

5. • PRIMARY SOURCE - an original study, document,
object, or eyewitness account
• Primary Source Examples
• Diaries, letters, newspaper articles written at the
time, original documents, proceedings of
meetings, conferences, and symposia
• SECONDARY SOURCE - accounts written after the
fact with the benefit of hindsight. They are
interpretations and evaluations of primary sources.
• Secondary Sources ARE NOT evidence
• Secondary Source Examples
• Biographies, biographical works, commentaries,
criticisms, histories, and text books
Primary and Secondary Sources

6. Source: https://www.library.yale.edu/researcheducation/pdfs/Searching_Evaluating_Resources.pdf

7. Source: https://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/scholarly_articles
Popular vs. Scholarly vs. Professional Literature

8. A publication in which articles go through an
official editorial process that involves review
and approval by the author's peers (people
who are experts in the same subject area)
Peer Reviewed
Source: http://search.proquest.com/help/academic/glossary.html#P

9. The Trifecta of the Journal Article
1. Read the Abstract
2. Scroll down to the Conclusion
(sometimes called “Summary,” or
“Discussion”
3. Review the “Work Cited”

10. Poets and Databases
Poets
James Weldon Johnson and Paul Laurence
Dunbar
Databases
1. Credo
2. Literature Resources from Gale
3. Contemporary Literary Criticism(AVL)
4. Columbia Granger’s World of Poetry
5. PoemFinder (Poems and Short Stories)

11. Inter Library Loan
• Allows us to request items not located at
Tuskegee University
• If we do not have what you are looking for,
take advantage of interlibrary loan
• Journal Articles
• Books – (It takes time)
• Starting research early to anticipate any
delay!

12. Questions???
Please contact me if you need help
Remember, ask a Librarian, we are here to
help
junderwood@tuskegee.edu
Office hours:
M, W, & F – 8:00am - 4:30pm
Tue – 10:00am - 6pm
Thu – 2:30 - 10pm
Please complete the evaluation