Library Instruction Resources for Expository Writing: Home

This site contains teaching materials that support instructors for ENGL 131, ENGL 121, ENGL 182, and other courses in the Expository Writing Program. Whenever possible, we follow an active learning approach in which students participate in demonstrations and activities rather than passively listen. If you have questions about these materials or wish to discuss customizing or creating activities to support your students' development of information research skills, we're happy to help! Please schedule a consultation with a librarian.

Selected UW Libraries Materials:

Developing Research Questions Module
Canvas module introducing concepts of research questions and search statements, with four practice activities at the end.
Concept Mapping Worksheet
Worksheet to guide students through creating a visual brainstorm about their topics.

Selected Outside Materials:

Little Red Research Questions
From Ohio State. Introduces a discussion developing research questions, using a "surprisingly detailed" 3-minute retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood story as a jumping off point.
Research Exploration Worksheet
From Loyola Marymount U. A detailed, editable worksheet leading students through a series of steps in developing a research topic and question.

Selected UW Libraries Materials:

Database & Search Skills
Canvas module from the UW Libraries Undergraduate Researcher Tutorial. Includes several suggested activities for students at the end.
Video: Using Keywords to Research
12-minute introduction to database keyword searching. Also a great point-of-need resource for guiding users while they search.
Search Tutorial Videos Series
This set of seven brief videos covering core skills and advanced strategies for navigating UW Libraries' resources.

Selected Outside Materials:

Database Speed-Dating
From CSU-Pueblo via CORA. Instructor lesson plan and student activity worksheet for engaging with a variety of search tools.

Selected UW Libraries Materials:

What Is a Scholarly Article?
Lesson plan for an activity engaging students in identifying the characteristics of scholarly vs popular sources.
Source Evaluation Jigsaw
Lesson plan for activity engaging students in evaluating a variety of sources.
Video: SIFT Source Evaluation
6-minute video overview of the SIFT method of evaluating sources through lateral reading.
BEAM: Using Sources Purposefully
Activities and presentation slides for engaging students in a consideration of the rhetorical purposes of sources.

Selected Outside Materials:

Source Evaluation Checklist
From Excelsior OWL. Interactive checklist for evaluating information sources -- ask students to complete one for each source they use, for example.
Who's the Intended Audience?
From Ohio State U. A discussion and worksheet to help students discern the intended audience for different types of sources.

EWP Instructor Consultations

Consult with a librarian about assignment design, ideas for information literacy activities, Canvas materials, and other ways to teach your students information research skills.