In this series, APA Style experts share methods with instructors for teaching APA Style guidance inside and outside the classroom.
Instructors, these posts will include quick lesson plans to supplement your curriculum. You may revise these lessons as needed.
This week’s topic is how to help your students become effective researchers.
A good research paper starts with strong, credible sources. Assign your students the Evaluating Online Sources Activity (PDF, 408KB)opens in new window to start the prewriting process. This activity can be done in class if a computer lab is available. If not, this handout can be completed as a fun library day (or a library week) activity; for example, you can send your students on a scavenger hunt to learn about, and find, the best resources the library has to offer on the topic they are researching.
If you would like your school library’s assistance with planning this activity, please make sure you contact the library staff as early as possible to schedule time for your students. The library staff can help you customize your students’ experience if you share in advance the Evaluating Online Sources Activity handout, the source types (e.g., books, journal articles, government reports) you want your students to use, and your students’ research topics.
Once your students find good sources for their research paper(s) and transition to the drafting process, share the Six Steps to Proper Citation Infographic (PDF, 110KB)opens in new window and then assign the Scaffolded Reference Elements Worksheet (PDF, 153KB)opens in new window as a practice exercise to ensure your students are accurately citing their sources in their work.
Next tip >>
Browse APA Style writing guidelines by category
Comments are disabled due to your privacy settings. To re-enable, please adjust your cookie preferences.