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FYS MUS01: How to Write One Song; Lyrics, Lives, & Listening

This is a guide specifically created for the FYS MUS01: How to Write One Song; Lyrics, Lives, & Listening course & annotated bibliography assignment.

Welcome!

This guide can be used to follow along with the librarian during your class instruction session, but it should also serve as a resource for you moving forward in this course. Different sections house resources that can help you search for materials to use for your annotated bibliography, as well as tips and other places to go if you need more help.

Library Assignment - Annotated Bibliography


Part 1: Brainstorm topics & keywords [in class activity, pre-library day assignment]
 
Part 2: Searching for materials [library day - Tuesday, October 1 at 2pm in GAC 163]

Use your batch of keywords to search in all of the following ways at least one time during the library day:

  • SU Library Catalog search for physical books in the collection (& locate a book in the stacks)

  • USMAI Catalog search for additional books that can be loaned from a partner institution

  • Search online academic databases to which SU is subscribed

  • A google scholar search

  • A simple internet browser search

Based on the yield of your materials, decide what your topic will be.
 

Part 3: Annotated Bibliography [due on the Sunday following the library day]

Select five quality materials related to your topic, found through your searches. Read through the abstract and/or skim through the material. Use a standard style of citation suitable for the nature of your topic/field to create an annotated bibliography of these sources. Prepare a short blurb for each source (1 paragraph / 100-250 words), and be sure to include: What is the main scope of this document? How is this document relevant to your topic?
 

Part 4: Information Literacy Certificate [due in the same assignment as Part 3]

You have laid the groundwork for research skills that you will utilize throughout your collegiate career and possible through your life. Specific to this course, these skills will be especially necessary to help you with the upcoming Musician Presentation (Unit 2 project). 

Your professor asks and challenges you to complete the FYS Information Literacy Certificate quiz while these processes are still fresh in your mind.