SPCH 1315 (Public Speaking) Prof. K. Stevens

1. Read your assignment carefully.
2. Make sure you understand the assignment requirements:

• Assigned topic (if one exists)
• The goal of the assignment, such as: discuss, explore, relate, compare (or compare and contrast), analyze, etc.
• The word count (or number of pages) you must create
• The type of information sources you are allowed (or required) to use for research
• The style guide required for the assignment, which determines:
  • Format (margin width, font, headers, sections of paper, etc)
  • Citation and reference style 
• Any special requirements your instructor has assigned
• The grading rubric your instructor will use (so you can strive to meet the standards it contains)
• Due date(s)

3. Ask your instructor if you have questions. It is best to ask your instructor instead of your classmates or other college staff because only your instructor knows exactly what she/he/they expect.
4. Make sure the paper you turn in meets all of the expectations you found during this process.

The video below will teach you the basics of using the MCC Library's search engine (which is located on the library's homepage). It includes information on:

• search basics
• signing in
• the item-preview page
• accessing items
• accessing more information about an item
• narrowing your search results
  • Hint: You will need to limit your results to peer-reviewed articles
  • Hint: You will need to limit your results by age (no more than 5 years old, but preferably no more than 3 years old)

The video below will teach you to use the cite, share, and save button's on the item-preview screen.

The video below will teach you to find more information about a search result by accessing its record page.

The boxes below appear on every page of this guide and provide information on where to find help with your assignments.

Are you struggling to find research materials, use our library databases, or write citations and references? Our research librarians can help!

Just need a little help? Visit the Learning Commons' third-floor desk in the Learning Technology Center (LTC), or contact us via live chat or email. You can also call us at 254-299-8325.

Need a lot of help? Schedule a research consultation with one of our research librarians. It's their job to help you succeed!

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Academic Support and Tutoring (AST) provides free tutoring to MCC students (including writing and citation assistance) and free support and tutorials for college-related software.

AST offers in-person support in the Learning Commons, located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Learning Technology Center (LTC). You can also reach out to AST via phone, Zoom, or email.

Use the link above to learn more about AST and locate its contact information and hours. 

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Cynthia Soll
Research Librarian
MCC Learning Commons
csoll@mclennan.edu
254-299-8343