Framing the Context: Using Subject Specific Databases to Explore your Topic
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Transcript of Framing the Context: Using Subject Specific Databases to Explore your Topic
Framing the Context:Using Subject Specific Databases to
Explore Your Topic
Nicole BranchSanta Clara University Library
Image courtesy of flickr user Jeff Babbitt
Objectives• Practice a model to help develop
assignment topics
• Become familiar with subject-specific library resources
• Develop a strategy for searching for sources for your assignment
Image courtesy of flickr user Kirsten Pauli
Developing Your Topic
Topic -- Question -- Significance
Image courtesy of flickr user D. Robert Wolcheck
Choosing Your Topic
• An interesting subject that came up in class
• Something you are passionate about
• A topic you would like to learn more about
Image courtesy of flickr user Evelyn Flint
Warm up
• Write down your topic as it currently exists
• If you don’t have a topic yet, write down any topic you are interested in
Focus your topic
• If you can state your topic in 2-3 words, it is too broad.
• Narrow your topic by adding a context:History
Different communities
Discipline
Audience
Other ideas?
Examples
• History
» Depictions of war in film over time
• Different Communities
» Depictions of African American soldiers in film
• Discipline
» Communication; Political Science; Business
• Audience» Popular; Experts; Critics
Discussion
• Describe your primary topic to your neighbor.
• Integrate a context to develop your topic.• History
• Different communities
• Discipline
• Audience
Question
• Add a question such as how, why, or in what ways to your topic.
• How have African Americans been depicted in films about war over the past 70 years?
Common Mistakes
• Avoid questions with one word answers or that cannot be answered within limits of the assignment.
• Avoid questions that are too vague or cannot be answered with research.
• Avoid speculation without evidence.
Significance
• So what?• I am studying…. So that…..
• What do you want your reader to understand?• I am studying…. In order to help my reader to
understand…
Stereotypes, War & Film
I am studying
Depictions of African Americans in films about war
Because I want to find out» If common stereotypes of African Americans are present
in films produced since the end of World War II
So that
» Writers and filmmakers can be more aware of how to authentically depict African Americans in film.
Keep it Open
I am studying
Depictions of African Americans in films about war
Because I want to find out» If common stereotypes of African Americans are present
in war films
So that
» Writers and filmmakers can be more aware of how to authentically depict African Americans in film.
Reflection & Discussion
Apply significance to your question
• I am studying ___________ because I want to find out ___________ in order to help my reader understand ______________.
Thesis Statement
By examining film criticism, scholarly literature, and popular sources related depictions of African Americans in films about war, this paper establishes that common media stereotypes of African Americans are less prevalent in films depicting African American soldiers. The author demonstrates that these war films are more successful at authentically depicting African Americans than other films, and shares strategies for writers and filmmakers to counteract stereotypes in their work.
Identifying Keywords
Joshua Vossler, Selecting and Using Keywords
Identifying Keywords
I am studying
– Depictions of African Americans in films about war
Because I want to find out» If common stereotypes of African Americans are present
in war films
So that
» Writers and filmmakers can be more aware of how to authentically depict African Americans in film.
Identifying Keywords
I am studying
– Depictions of African Americans in films about war
Because I want to find out» If common stereotypes of African Americans are present
in war films
So that
» Writers and filmmakers can be more aware of how to authentically depict African Americans in film.
Collaborative Exploration
• Select a subject specific database
• Explore in your groups
• Record your thoughts on Padlet
• Share with the class
Nicole BranchInstruction Librarian
408.554.5436
Thank you to flickr users:Jeff BabbittEvelyn FlintKirsten Pauli& D. Robert Wolcheck
for sharing their work through creative commons license.