English Courses & Research

To make a consultation with the librarian, look for the "Schedule a Meeting" button to the right or above (depends on the size of your screen).

Ahead of the consultation, be sure you have thought through the answers to these questions about your sources. If you've already made your source choices, you've also already answered the questions, although you may not be aware that you did--now be sure that you're doing it deliberately and perceptively.

See below for questions as text.

What is it? Why do I care? What does it really say?

You answer these three questions every time you use a source, whether you know it or not. As you choose sources for everything from 1st-year courses to major-specific research courses to real life, notice how you answer these questions to ensure your sources are really meeting your needs.

Quick reference for the three questions:

• What is it: What is the source type and author credibility?
  • Quick Wikipedia checks are okay!
• Why do I care: Does the source type and author credibility meet your needs?
  • Decide this at the beginning so you know whether to investigate or find something better.
• What does it really say: Perceive how the word choices influence the knowledge.
  • How slanted the word choice is can make a difference in how or why you would use it.