Yes, you can. Yes, it matters.

You live in the "Information Age," which is another way of saying "more lies, faster than ever before."

To solve problems, you need good information.

A high school graduate should know the difference between good information and bad information.

One strategy for good information is to use trustworthy sources. Keep track of the sources you use, so if a mistake is found, it can be corrected.

It's that simple.

A Ten-Step Process:

1. Pick a problem worth solving. Write it as a specific "research question."

2. Use keywords from your research question to find answers in InfoTrac. NO GOOGLE!!! InfoTrac ONLY. From home: enter discovery for library card #.

3. When you find each part of an answer in an article, copy its source citation and fact/s into your grid. SAVE this document after every paste. Print or BACKUP daily.

4. As you learn more about your topic, continue narrowing and focusing your question. It is actually EASIER to write about "How can we help land mine victims in Afghanistan?" than just "land mines."

5. When you have the required number of notes and sources, AND when you have enough information to answer your research question, sort your facts by subtopic.

6. Write an outline based on your subtopics.

7. Write a bibliography by copy+pasting each source (complete citation) in alphabetical order.

8. Write a thesis (a one-sentence answer to your research question). Start your draft with thesis.

9. Draft the body of your paper by copy/pasting from your sorted grid. Put "" around all direct quotes. Enter the parenthetical citations (first part of each bib entry) at the end of each paste. End draft with a restatement of your thesis.

10. Rewrite to develop flow and clarity of ideas. Paraphrase and summarize direct quotes, while keeping the citations in place and removing “” as appropriate. Write intro, conclusion, and transition sentences. Proofread, polish, type and assemble final pieces.

Example Source + Note Cards ("eCard" format): Download .doc template here.

source citation (source card)	qps	fact (note card)	subtopic
"Conventional arming and disarming.(arming and disarming of mines in Afghanistan )(Brief article)." Arms Control Today 39.2 (March 2009): 5(1). General OneFile. Gale. Flathead High School. 19 May 2009	q	The UN News Centre reported that more than 82,000 anti-personnel mines and 900 anti-tank mines were cleared in 2008 alone. note...this is in Afghanistan	statistics / solutions
Longstreth, Karen J.. "The Use of Land Mines Violates Human Rights." Opposing Viewpoints: Human Rights. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Flathead High School. 19 May 2009	q	Land mines are a daily threat in many countries where the number of leftover mines is particularly staggering: Afghanistan (10 million), Angola (15 million), Bosnia (3 million), Cambodia (10 million), Croatia (3 million), Iraq (10 million), Mozambique (2 million), Somalia (1 million) and Vietnam (3.5 million).	statistics
Longstreth	s	Land mines left over from wars that are now over continue to cause injuries in many parts of the world.	overview
"Low-cost robot to locate land mines." Machine Design 76.15 (August 5, 2004): 36(1). General OneFile. Gale. Flathead High School. 19 May 2009	q	The United Nations says over 2,000 people are killed or maimed by landmine explosions monthly	statistics
“Low cost robot…”	s	College students have developed a mechanical robot that can locate and mark possible mine locations.	solutions

Example Body Text with Parenthetical Documentation

Example Bibliography for Sources Cited in Example Body Text

Land mines have a huge impact globally. Over 50 million mines remain in Angola, Afghansitan, Cambodia, Iraq and other countries (Longstreth), and the United Nations estimates casualties in the range of more than 24,000 per year ("Low-cost robot..."). Fortunately, progress is being made: in one recent year, Afghanistan had nearly 100,000 mines removed ("Conventional arming and disarming...").

"Conventional arming and disarming.(arming and disarming of mines in Afghanistan )(Brief article)." Arms Control Today 39.2 (March 2009): 5(1). General OneFile. Gale. Flathead High School. 19 May 2009 Longstreth, Karen J.. "The Use of Land Mines Violates Human Rights." Opposing Viewpoints: Human Rights. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Flathead High School. 19 May 2009 "Low-cost robot to locate land mines." Machine Design 76.15 (August 5, 2004): 36(1). General OneFile. Gale. Flathead High School. 19 May 2009