cfp.english.upenn.edu

Call for Information Literacy Articles

Writing Commons is a peer-reviewed, open-education resource for undergraduate writers that attracts between 700 and 1,000 users daily. Currently, the editors are seeking articles related to the topic of information literacy. Submissions should be between 500–1,000 words and should take advantage of the capabilities offered by the digital space (i.e., the ability to include Creative Commons-licensed images, to embed YouTube or other videos, to hyperlink, etc.). Articles might address, but are not limited to, the following concepts:

• What is information literacy? (an introduction to the concept)
• Determining what information you need
• Approaching online sources/ conducting research online
o Identifying credible electronic sources
o Discovering and using library databases
• Understanding best resources for research
• An annotated list of electronic databases that first-year undergraduate students might find particularly useful
o Understanding the place of resources like Wikipedia in the research process
o Seeking digital resources not available via library databases
• Distinguishing between different types of sources (i.e., an edited collection, a book, a journal article, etc.)
• Understanding the connection between writing and research
• Avoiding plagiarism and citing correctly
o Formatting according to Chicago style
o Formatting according to Harvard style
• Citation mining

Submissions should be sent as Word docs to quentin@writingcommons.org by December 1, 2012. If images are used, please attach them to the same email as separate files (preferably jpegs), indicating their placement within the text file. Citations should follow the current edition of the MLA Handbook. For more about formatting and style, please see the “Guide for Authors.” Queries are encouraged and may be directed to either Quentin Vieregge at quentin@writingcommons.org or Jennifer Yirinec at jennifer@writingcommons.org.