In Class blog post #6

Over the past two weeks during class, we have talked a lot about different sources to use on a research paper and what specific information to look for in each source. One of the sources that we learned about in class was a magazine. In a magazine we would find updated information such as, current updates, interviews between people, and current news articles. Magazines are a popular source because it is a source that gets looked at on a regular basis. There are many academic type magazines and this would be helpful towards answering a specific research question. Most of the information is true and valuable information. A second source we learned about is a newspaper. In Newspapers you would also find important new articles and information going on all over the world. There will be sections covering all types of topics, such as, current events, politics, alerts, etc. Newspapers are considered a scholarly and popular source. They get looked at everyday and there are new ones being printed every single day. A newspaper would be able to help answer a research question, as well. A third source that we talked about is a book. In books you can always find research, background information about a topic, and sometimes interviews, depending on what type of book it is. Books are considered a scholarly source, because they are usually the first source that people will use to research something specific. A book could definitely be used to answer my research question because there are all different kinds of books, and I would be able to get all my information from just books alone. They hit every aspect of my topic. A fourth source would be a website source. This can be a popular or scholarly source, but usually scholarly. They have all kinds of information to find on the inernet. The websites are my favorite sources to use, so I will definitely use them to answer my research question because it covers both points in my paper.

Homework Feb. 13th

My group's topic is: How does the media influence or affect Americans today? This is a very broad topic. I decided to do my individual research question on: Do video games and other media affect youth violence within the United States? This makes our overall research question more specific to one thing, and that is violence. It also is more specific with just children. I think that this is a very interesting topic, and I have already found some good sources to use for it. So far, I have found that video games, innappropriate TV shows, movies, and song lyrics and influence negative violence and thoughts within children. This question can have two different sides to it. Some people will argue that it does not affect violence, while others will absolutely say that it does. I will address both sides of the issue in my paper and will give facts and opinions to both sides as well. This paper will be a more argumentative paper, because these are the two points that I am going to be using in my research paper. I found a good bit of information in my pre-research, therefore my topic does not need revising.

In-Class Blog #5

Although I have only been in this class for less than two months, I feel as if I have already learned so much useful information. The information from this class is not only useful in here, but I can also contribute my new knowledge to my other classes, especially my English class. In English this semester, my class will be working on a research paper in the near future, and this class will prepare me for how to properly cite my cources without accidentally plaqarizing them. I used to be very confused on the difference between paraphrasing and plagarizing, but thanks to this class I now know how to word something correctly. In my English class, we have also begun looking up different sources for our papers, and I now know how to check websites and books to see if they are credible to be used as research for my papers. This class is not only preparing me for how to properly write papers in here, but also how to properly write papers in my other classes. I am still only a freshman and have already begun writing many papers. Papers and research will become a much more common thing in my later years of college. I also plan on going to Grad school, and I will definitely have to know how to right proper and solid papers. There is no way people would get away with citing a source incorrectly in Grad school. I am lucky that the school offers this class to students.

Homework Feb. 6th

Citation MLA:
Levine, Madeline. Viewing Violence: How media violence affects your child's and adolescent's development. New York; Doubleday, 1996. Print.

This source is all about how different forms of media can affect how children and teenagers for behaviors as they grow up. When teenagers and children see violence being portrayed as something good, it gives them reason to act out in ways that they sometimes do. Not only does the TV affect them, but also video games and music. Although this book is from 1996, it is still credible information because violence was bad during that time, but things have only gotten worse. I would use this book for some of my information, but not for all. I will also find a book that has more recent information, and then compare the two. This source will definitely help contribute to finfing the answer to my research question.

In class blog #4

This was not my first time using a library catalog, as Im sure it was not many peoples first time. Throughout Highschool we had to use the schools catalog to look up books for research projects and papers as well. In Highschool, we had librarians that would usually help us find books that we needed, so we were kind of babied when it came to that. Here in the West Georgia Library we have assistants to help us if we cannot find a book, but for the most part we learn to do it on our own here. The library catalog was very easy and simple to use. There are many computers in the library to help us search for a particular book. The black stand with the maps and other papers (by the elevators) is very helpful. It helps me find out exactly what section of the library, or which floor I need to go to in order to find a specific book. I did not have any trouble with searchin for a book here in the Ingram Library. Everything was layed out very well, and the library assistants are very friendly if you need help along the way. The books on the shelves are in exact order and not messed up at all. Everything is very organized and everyone is very helpful. This makes the research go much more smoothly.

Feb. 4th Homework

My group chose to do our research topic on how the media affects crime and negative actions in America today. For my individual research project I am going to research how violent video games/songs/movies being shown and introduced through media can lead to crime. This affects particularly younger teenagers and children. I went to the library catalog and researched "media affects" and then I also researched "media and crime". It came up with a lot of great books, and even some electronic books online. One of the books I found is called ""Viewing Violence: how media violence affects your child and adolescent's development"by Medeline Levine. This book is currently available in the library and the information seems like it is spot on to my research topic. Another good book that came up in my research was called "Constructing Crime: perspectives on making news and social problems" by Gary W. Potter and Victor E. Kappeler. This book would maybe be helpful to my project, but not as specific and relevant as the other book. I would definitely choose the first book I found because my topic relates much more to it. The book that I chose is from 1996, so I would definitely want to get some other information from more updated and newer sources as well. The other book that I did not choose was two years newer (1998), but it did not seem as good.

Research Topic

My group chose to do our research topic on how the media affects and adds to crime in America. Everyday there are different cases and crimes being commited and many of these criminals have gotten ideas from negative and violent TV shows or movies. Influences from deragotory and violent movies are available for anyone to see and and they can influence bad decisions. Each member in our group is going to be responsible for doing a different topic on different crimes that the media blows up. We will each research our topic and put them all together.