Framing the Context:Using Subject Specific Databases to

Explore Your Topic

Nicole BranchSanta Clara University Library

Image courtesy of flickr user Jeff Babbitt

Objectives• Practice a model to help develop

assignment topics

• Become familiar with subject-specific library resources

• Develop a strategy for searching for sources for your assignment

Image courtesy of flickr user Kirsten Pauli

Developing Your Topic

Topic -- Question -- Significance

Image courtesy of flickr user D. Robert Wolcheck

Choosing Your Topic

• An interesting subject that came up in class

• Something you are passionate about

• A topic you would like to learn more about

Image courtesy of flickr user Evelyn Flint

Warm up

• Write down your topic as it currently exists

• If you don’t have a topic yet, write down any topic you are interested in

Developing Your Topic

Topic -- Question -- Significance

Topic

War and Film

Focus your topic

• If you can state your topic in 2-3 words, it is too broad.

• Narrow your topic by adding a context:History

Different communities

Discipline

Audience

Other ideas?

Examples

• History

» Depictions of war in film over time

• Different Communities

» Depictions of African American soldiers in film

• Discipline

» Communication; Political Science; Business

• Audience» Popular; Experts; Critics

Topic

War and Film

• Depictions of African Americans in films about war

Discussion

• Describe your primary topic to your neighbor.

• Integrate a context to develop your topic.• History

• Different communities

• Discipline

• Audience

Developing Your Topic

Topic -- Question -- Significance

Question

• Add a question such as how, why, or in what ways to your topic.

• How have African Americans been depicted in films about war over the past 70 years?

Common Mistakes

• Avoid questions with one word answers or that cannot be answered within limits of the assignment.

• Avoid questions that are too vague or cannot be answered with research.

• Avoid speculation without evidence.

Question

• How have African Americans been depicted in films about war over the past 70 years?

Writing Reflection

• Transform your topic into a question.

• Incorporate

How

Why

In what ways

Developing Your Topic

Topic -- Question -- Significance

Significance

• So what?• I am studying…. So that…..

• What do you want your reader to understand?• I am studying…. In order to help my reader to

understand…

Stereotypes, War & Film

I am studying

Depictions of African Americans in films about war

Because I want to find out» If common stereotypes of African Americans are present

in films produced since the end of World War II

So that

» Writers and filmmakers can be more aware of how to authentically depict African Americans in film.

Keep it Open

I am studying

Depictions of African Americans in films about war

Because I want to find out» If common stereotypes of African Americans are present

in war films

So that

» Writers and filmmakers can be more aware of how to authentically depict African Americans in film.

Reflection & Discussion

Apply significance to your question

• I am studying ___________ because I want to find out ___________ in order to help my reader understand ______________.

Thesis Statement

By examining film criticism, scholarly literature, and popular sources related depictions of African Americans in films about war, this paper establishes that common media stereotypes of African Americans are less prevalent in films depicting African American soldiers. The author demonstrates that these war films are more successful at authentically depicting African Americans than other films, and shares strategies for writers and filmmakers to counteract stereotypes in their work.

Questions?

Identifying Keywords

Joshua Vossler, Selecting and Using Keywords

Identifying Keywords

I am studying

– Depictions of African Americans in films about war

Because I want to find out» If common stereotypes of African Americans are present

in war films

So that

» Writers and filmmakers can be more aware of how to authentically depict African Americans in film.

Identifying Keywords

I am studying

– Depictions of African Americans in films about war

Because I want to find out» If common stereotypes of African Americans are present

in war films

So that

» Writers and filmmakers can be more aware of how to authentically depict African Americans in film.

Finding the Context

• Research Guides

• Background Information

• Article Databases

Collaborative Exploration

• Select a subject specific database

• Explore in your groups

• Record your thoughts on Padlet

• Share with the class

Questions?

Any last questions about

• Topic Development

• Database searching

• Search strategy

Nicole BranchInstruction Librarian

nbranch@scu.edu

408.554.5436

Thank you to flickr users:Jeff BabbittEvelyn FlintKirsten Pauli& D. Robert Wolcheck

for sharing their work through creative commons license.