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Ready to cite your source? 

NoodleTools will ask:

1. Where did you find your source?

• Most likely it will be one of these:
  • Database 
  • Website
  • Print or in-hand

2. What is your source?

• Most likely, it will be one of these:
  • Journal
  • Magazine
  • Newspaper
  • Book
  • Reference Source
  • Web Page

PLEASE NOTE: Do not copy and paste citations from electronic sources. 

NoodleTools cannot generate footnotes from copied and pasted citations.

Not sure? 

Mr. Padgett, Ms. Taylor, and Mr. Previti can help!

A researched, thesis-based essay on a historical figure of your choice from between the start of the French Revolution (1789) and the Watergate Crisis (1974). The thesis should answer a central question inspired by your research.

Length: 3-5 pages

• Limit results to Full Text.

  • Make sure that all the results are items you can access by limiting results to Full Text results only. Databases often include a mix of full text items and abstracts/synopses of items. Selecting Full Text helps prevent frustration.

• Look for search terms in article titles. 

  • ​Database searches generally default to keyword. Using the drop-down list to the right of the search bar, look for title, document title, or comparable term such as newspaper Headline.

• Use Filters.

  • Look for filters / limiters on your results page, such as Subject and Source types. This will help ensure you get only the results that you want and will make sure you don't have to wade through as many results.

  • Look especially for:

    • Source types: xxxxxxx

    • Lexile levels of about xxxxxxx.

• Use AND / OR operators (also known as Boolean operators).

  • Use AND in your search when there are words that all need to be in your search results.

  • Use OR when there are two words that can be used interchangeably, but at least one of them needs to be present in your results.

  • Use NOT when you want to exclude a word from your search.

  • Examples:

    • Muhammad Ali OR Cassius Clay (All articles about Muhammad Ali, including those before he changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali.)

    • Muhammad Ali OR Cassius Clay AND Vietnam (Articles about Ali and his Vietnam protest activity)

    • Muhammad Ali OR Cassius Clay NOT Vietnam (Articles about Ali not relating to his Vietnam protest activity)

Boolean Operators Illustrated: Venn Diagram

• Tom March's Thesis Builder

This resource from the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) shows a sample paper in the Notes and Bibliography format of the Chicago Manual of Style, 17thedition.