Notes
Figuring out words
- Context clues: definition, synonym, antonym, example and inference.
- Roots carry core meaning (bio = life, chron = time, port = carry, rupt = break, aud = hear, spect = look).
- Prefixes change meaning (un- not, re- again, mis- wrongly, pre- before); suffixes often change part of speech (-less without, -ful full of, -ology study of).
- Denotation is dictionary meaning; connotation is emotional association (thrifty vs. cheap).
Research
- Start with a focused, open-ended research question and search with keywords.
- Primary sources are firsthand; secondary sources interpret primary ones.
- Evaluate with CRAAP: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, purpose. Use lateral reading.
Using sources ethically
- Plagiarism includes copying, uncited paraphrasing and patchwriting.
- Quote exact words, paraphrase fully and cite every borrowed idea. Common knowledge needs no citation.
Topics in this unit
Each topic has its own short notes and practice.
Practice
The synonym clue "clear and easy to follow" defines it.
"Bene" means good.
"Curious" suggests healthy interest.
It interprets the event after the fact.
Missing author and date and careless errors are warning signs.
Clear notes keep quotes and sources straight.
Free response
Write your answer first, then open the scoring guide.
Free-response question
A student is researching the question "How does social media use affect teen sleep?" She finds: (1) a 2023 study by a university sleep lab; (2) a 2010 blog post by an unnamed writer; (3) a social media company's page saying its app "helps you relax at night."
(a) Rank the three sources from most to least reliable and explain your top choice using CRAAP.
Show the answer and scoring guide
1, then 3, then 2 (or 1, then 2, then 3, with reasoning). The university study is best: it is current (2023), relevant, written by experts (authority) and likely based on data (accuracy), with a purpose to inform.
Check off the points you earned:
(b) Explain why the company's page is a weak source for this question.
Show the answer and scoring guide
Its purpose is to promote its own product, so it is biased and may leave out evidence that the app harms sleep.
Check off the points you earned:
(c) The study says, "Teens who used phones within an hour of bedtime slept 40 minutes less on average." Write a correct paraphrase and explain how to avoid plagiarism with it.
Show the answer and scoring guide
Paraphrase: According to university sleep researchers, teens who use their phones shortly before bed lose about 40 minutes of sleep a night, on average. She must cite the study even though the words are her own, and she should not keep the original sentence structure.
Check off the points you earned: