Embedded Files
Evaluating Resources
Evaluating Resources
TL; DR is not an option
TL; DR is not an option
Not all sources are equal
Not all sources are equal
If it is free, you are the product
If it is free, you are the product
unless it is the library
unless it is the library
(funded by the people for the people)
(funded by the people for the people)
AI vs Google Searches vs Databases
AI vs Google Searches vs Databases
Artifical Intelligence (AI) is a flawed simulation of human intelligence as it seeks information and creates something new that you have requested, but it's primary goal is to make you happy/make you want to keep using it thus hallucinates (lies) and gives you information that isn't real including fake resources & quotes.
When using AI - trust but verify.
Google Gemini is the Artificial Intelligence we use because we pay for it as a school district which means it is in agreement with us to not learn from our students and farm data. It is paid for (see above) and follows COSN guidance for student safety. If you are going to use AI today, use Google Gemini linked above.
Not ideal for research.
Verify with a reputable source.
Google Searches
Google Searches
Google searches <sigh>
The heartbeat of a quick search
Free (see that concern above, again)
Answers can have paid premium placement
AI overview (remember those issues)
ANYONE can post something
Not ideal for research.
Verify with a reputable source
A database is an organized collection of information (data) stored electronically.
A bit like a library but for digital information.
Minnesota Libraries purchase databases giving you access to credible resources
Find the right database for your needs - one size definitely does not fit all in this instance.
Click above to link to our databases.
These are reputable sources.
Vette the data
Vette the data
Is it peer-reviewed?
Is it peer-reviewed?
Has it cleared exerpts in the field and found to be valid
Has it cleared exerpts in the field and found to be valid
Who paid for the study?
Who paid for the study?
Be wary of reports published directly by companies or organizations with biased points of view - they may not be impartial
Be wary of reports published directly by companies or organizations with biased points of view - they may not be impartial
Is the data recent?
Is the data recent?
Example: AI research from 2022 is often "ancient" compared to 2025–2026 data
Example: AI research from 2022 is often "ancient" compared to 2025–2026 data
Noted
Noted
Quote like a boss
Quote like a boss
Less is more
Less is more
aka
aka
TL; DR is a thing
TL; DR is a thing
Tighten quotes
to increase impact
Know the
Know the
Golden Rule
Golden Rule
When trimming a quote,
keep its essence
Practice makes progress (aka how to search)
Practice makes progress (aka how to search)
Test Your Skills
Test Your Skills
On the quotes below, cut like a surgeon to get to the heart of the meaning
On the quotes below, cut like a surgeon to get to the heart of the meaning
Trim each quote down to 15 words without changing its meaning
Trim each quote down to 15 words without changing its meaning
Quoth Maya Angelou
Quoth Maya Angelou
on the Theme: Resilience
on the Theme: Resilience
"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it."
Quoth Sir Winston Churchill
Quoth Sir Winston Churchill
on the Theme: Determination
on the Theme: Determination
"We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."
Quoth Greta Thunberg
Quoth Greta Thunberg
on the Theme: Action
on the Theme: Action
"I don't want your hope. I don't want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day. And then I want you to act. I want you to act as if you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is."
Reminders
Reminders
Look for the Pivot
Look for the Pivot
Find the moment the speaker moves from the "problem" to the "solution."
That is usually where the heart lives.
The opening Salvo (where the problem is introduced) or the Peroration (grand finale/call to action) are also places to look.
Watch the Grammar
Watch the Grammar
If your edited quote sounds like a "broken robot," you may need to adjust where your ellipsis sits.
Keep Golden Phrase
Keep Golden Phrase
If it is a famous speech, did you keep the most recognizable part of it?
Integrity Test
Integrity Test
Read your shortened version. Does it still represent the speaker's original point?
If you changed "I don't want your hope" to just "I... want... hope," you've failed
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