Heroism Research Guide

Annotation Using Fictional Sources and Poetry

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Unit 8A Independent Reading Goals

The goal during independent reading for Unit A is to gain a better understanding of heroism.
  • What makes an individual heroic?
  • What qualities or attributes do heroes possess?


Read multiple texts (see task overview for details) which deal with heroes and/or heroism.

  • Cite the source using MLA format on your annotated bibliography
  • Under the citation, compose a reflection in which you express:


  1. your thoughts on the content of the text
  2. why you chose the text
  3. how the text connects to the concepts of heroes and heroism.
Applicable Resources

Applicable Resources

  • Use the following resources to guide your project completion for unit 8A.
Books in Print Form

Books in Print Form

Click here to access the CMS online source for print materials.
  • Use the title or ISBN to cite your books using Easybib


Click here to access the Frisco Public Library's online search tool for Print Books


Helpful "How to Use Easybib" video at the bottom of this page
Books in Electronic Format

Books in Electronic Format

The Clark Library provides e-book access using two different platforms.

Click here for the Frisco ISD ebook listing (limited to two checkouts with a limited number of copies)
  1. Log in using your student ID number
  2. Place book in your cart
  3. Download Overdrive to computer or the Overdrive App to your device
  4. Download the correct book for your device
  5. Use Easybib to "Cite" the book source
  6. Type in the title, or ISBN and then select E-book: Online


Click here for the CMS ebook holdings through MackinVia (small selection of classic books with unlimited copies)

  1. Log in to MackinVia using the username and password given to you by the Librarian
  2. Select ebooks from the left margin
  3. Locate resource
  4. Scroll through selection, click more to get a complete description of book
  5. At the top of the Description page you can use the "Cite" button to transfer your citation to Easybib
  6. Open to read


Click here for the Frisco Public Library's digital catalog for eBooks

  1. Make sure that "Digital Catalog" is selected on the top right
  2. Select your search criteria (author, keyword, or all fields, etc.) and then your search phrase
  3. Scroll through your choices
  4. Select an eBook (availability is listed at bottom)
  5. Select Download
  6. Make sure the correct format is available
  7. Select Download again
  8. Enter your library card ID and Password
  9. Download Overdrive to computer or the Overdrive App to your device
  10. Use Easybib to "Cite" the book source
  11. Type in the title, or ISBN and then select E-book: Online



If you can't find anything with these three sources, you can try finding a free e-book from Google Books.


Click here to go to the advanced Google Books Search.

  1. In the "Find Results" box type in your topic or subject
  2. Under "Search" select "Google eBooks only"
  3. Under "Content" select "Books"
  4. Determine if there is any other pertinent information you need to complete
  5. Click "Google Search"
  6. Scroll through your list of returned items for the term "free" in the description
  7. Use Easybib to "Cite" the book source
  8. Type in the title, or ISBN and then select E-book: Online
Accessing and Citing Electronic Databases

Accessing and Citing Electronic Databases

  • To find electronic literature and poetry for your project, access the databases listed below.


  • To access databases at home, log in to Mackinvia.com
  • School: Clark Middle School, Frisco
  • User Name: Student ID #
  • Password: Student 8 digit birthday
Gale Database

Gale Database


  1. Go to Mackinvia.com login and then select Gale database.
  2. Scroll down and select "LitFinder"
  3. Open up "LitFinder" and select "Basic Search"
  4. Type in your search terms (use keyword or subject)
  5. Uncheck all boxes except "Primary Source and Literary Works"
  6. Using the Ctrl key select all of the Source Types that apply
  7. Click "search"
  8. Once you have found a useable source either save or print the information
  9. Select the "Citation Tool" on the right side of the screen to export the MLA citation to Easybib
  10. This can then be downloaded to Google Docs

  11. A second option is to send the citation directing to easybib to be exported to a Google doc.

Database Searching for 8A & 8B

Student Resource Center Junior

Student Resource Center Junior

Student Resource Center Junior


  1. Go to Mackinvia.com, login and then open Gale database.
  2. Scroll down to Student Resource Center Junior
  3. Click on the tab and continue or just open
  4. On the main page, scroll down to search using a particular resource: magazines, newspapers, primary sources, media.
  5. Search using your keywords
  6. Once you have found a usable source either save or print the information
  7. Select "Cite" to the right of the screen to download to Easybib
  8. Download all citations to Google Docs when ready

  9. A second option is to send the citation directing to easybib to be exported to a Google doc.

  10. A second option is to send the citation directing to easybib to be exported to a Google doc.
Student Resources in Context

Student Resources in Context

Student Resources in Context


  1. Go to Mackinvia.com, login and then open Gale database.
  2. Scroll down to Student Resources in Context
  3. Click on the tab and continue or just open
  4. On the main page, scroll down to topic search
  5. Try and locate your topic
  6. Or search using your keywords
  7. Once you have found a usable source either save or print the information
  8. Select "Cite" to the right of the screen to download to Easybib
  9. Download all citations to Google Docs when ready

  10. A second option is to send the citation directing to easybib to be exported to a Google doc.
Ebsco Databases

Ebsco Databases

Ebscohost Web


  1. Go to the Mackinvia.com and login.
  2. Click "Ebscohost web"
  3. Select "MAS Ultra-School Edition and Middle Search Plus" or if researching an ethical issue a database that matches your topic
  4. Click "Advanced Search"
  5. Type in the subject and select "TX All Text"
  6. Select "and" as your Boolean Operator
  7. Type in your source type (poetry, short story, magazine, etc) and leave the field optional
  8. Select Linked Full Text Articles
  9. Click "search".
  10. Once you have found a useable source either save or print the information
  11. Select "Cite" on the right hand side of the screen to copy and paste your citation to your Works Cited page in Google Docs.

  12. A second option is to send the citation directing to easybib to be exported to a Google doc.


Student Research Center


  1. Go to the Ebsco database. (Use Mackinvia from home or the library website)
  2. Click "Student Research Center"
  3. Click "Advanced Search"
  4. Type in the subject and select "TX All Text"
  5. Select "and" as your Boolean Operator
  6. Type in your source type (poetry, short story, etc) and leave the field optional
  7. Uncheck all source types, except "Magazines"
  8. Select Linked Full Text Articles
  9. Click "search".
  10. Once you have found a useable source either save or print the information
  11. Select "Save" at the top of the screen to create a citation
  12. Copy and paste your citation to your Works Cited page in Google Docs

  13. A second option is to send the citation directing to easybib to be exported to a Google doc.

Explora for EBSCO

1. Login to Mackinvia.com

2. Select Explora for Ebsco.

3. Type in key terms in the search bar.

4. Once you have found a document either print or save the source to your computer or google drive.

5. Select cite on the right hand side of the screen to copy the citation to your google doc.

6. A second option is to send the citation directing to easybib to be exported to a google doc.

Google Scholar

Google Scholar

If you still can't find a database source, try Google Scholar

  1. Go to Google Scholar
  2. Type in the title of your topic in quotation marks, and the source type in quotation marks
  3. Click enter on your keyboard
  4. Use Easybib to create citations

Checklist for Evaluating Information from the World Wide Web

You should always evaluate information found on the Internet. START is an acronym that will help you remember the five categories of criteria for evaluating information sources found online.

The letters in the acronym stand for:

  • Scope
  • Treatment
  • Authority
  • Relevance
  • Timeliness


Click on the link below to see the full source evaluation checklist and description.

MLA Formatting

    Use the sources below to help in formatting your paper or project in the proper MLA format.


    Easybib Quick Guide to MLA


    Easybib Quick Guide to Intext Citations


    Printable Version of the MLA In-Text Citation Guide (Extensive)


    Purdue Owl


    CSU Oviatt Library MLA Quick Guide




    View the videos below for additional help regarding MLA formatting.

    A brief introduction to EasyBib
    Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting - The Basics
    Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting: List of Works Cited
    Need Assistance

    Need Assistance

    If you are having trouble or have a question about a resources availability or use please e-mail me with a question.

    Thanks,

    Mrs. Taber
    Your CMS Source Librarian


    taberk@friscoisd.org 469-633-4690 sites.google.com/a/friscoisd.org/yourcmssource/