Go to the Harold Washington College Library site to access the CCC databases:
http://www.ccc.edu/colleges/washington/departments/Pages/Library-databases-by-category.aspx.
Or, go to the City Colleges of Chicago site to access the CCC databases: https://www.ccc.edu/departments/Pages/Library-Databases.aspx.
Search these two databases–Gale Virtual Reference Library and eBook Collection (EBSCOhost)–for information related to the topics of James McWilliams’ article, “Saving the Self in the Age of the Selfie” (the article that is the focus of Assignment 1)
The CCC databases are accessible from your home computer and Internet connection as long as you login using your CCC username and password — you will be prompted to provide this once you attempt to access he databases.
If you encounter problems, you can always contact the library by phone — see the weblink for details. And, of course, if you feel more comfortable working face-to-face with a librarian (this is sometimes a good idea, if you haven’t used databases before), who can help you find the information you are seeking, you can go to any of the seven City Colleges of Chicago’s libraries for help.
Always select “full-text” as one of your search criteria.
Locate one source from each of the two databases–everyone must identify unique sources; no one may use the same sources.
For help searching the databases, you can consult (in person or on the phone) a reference librarian at any one of the seven City Colleges of Chicago libraries. You can also view Wright College’s Library Database Guides page.
For each source, provide or respond to the following information:
Bibliographic Data:
Author(s) name(s), complete title, publication information, date of publication, database name, and date of access.
Authority/Credibility:
Is there an author (individual, multiple, or corporate)?
What are his/her/its/their credentials?
Is the “author” an organization or association?
What makes this author an expert?
Purpose/Context:
What is the goal of the article?
Is the goal of the source to inform? To persuade? To advocate an agenda? To sell something?
What is the article’s topic or the general subject area that it covers?
What is the purpose of the article?
Is it to introduce a new idea, present research, make an argument, provide an overview on a topic, or something else entirely? How can you tell?
What is the article’s thesis or main idea?
Audience:
What kind of source is the article (encyclopedia article, academic journal article, periodical article, etc.)?
What kind of periodical is it in? Is it an academic journal, a professional publication (for people in a particular field), or a popular magazine?
Does the periodical suggest a particular kind of readership (gender, education level, political stance, professional interests, level of wealth, hobbies)? (Hint: All periodicals, in some way or another, limit their readership to a particular “target group.”
Is the language technical (field-specific) or accessible to a more general readership?
If technical terms are used, are they clearly explained?
Does the article include a works cited or references list or some other form of source list?
Based on the information above, do you think the target audience is or could be an academic one? Why or why not?
Organization/Development:
How does the writer develop his, her, its, or their ideas?
Does the author compare or contrast? Use statistics or other numerical evidence? Use personal anecdotes? Develop by example? Appeal to authority (other sources) or to his or her own character/expertise? Describe a process? Evaluate?
Explain why the text is organized and developed the way it is. What does the writer do first, second, third. Why?
How credible do you think the means of support would be to an academic reader? Why?
Style:
How would you characterize the tone of this article?
Is it formal or informal? Is it humorous or serious? Do you detect any sarcasm or irony? How does the author’s choice of tone function to promote his or her purpose?
Does the author refer to him or herself using the first person (“I”)?
Is the style appropriate/compelling to an academic audience? Why or why not?
Currency:
When was the source published or created?
Is there a revision or update date?
A copyright date?
Accuracy:
Is the information based on fact or opinion?
Does the author provide evidence for statements?
Are sources provided?
Ease of Use: Is the source well-organized? Can you find what you’re looking for? Does the source offer anything unique?
Attach a PDF of each source to your post.
