Research for Author's Note and Picture Book

Research is an important part of the writing process; throughout your journey in writing and illustrating your picture book, you will probably have to different do different levels of research to help you deepen your understanding of your topic.

I. Collect at least 2-3 primary or secondary sources that relate to your topic.

Types of sources you might use:

• primary sources: poetry, plays, fiction, and other creative works, or original documents (speech, interview, autobiography, etc.)
• secondary sources: articles, textbooks, histories, criticisms, news footage, documentary, etc. 
• you can use a picture book or article or film that has inspired your story or even conduct your own interview

Specific information you might need:

• definition of _______________
• statistics on ___________
• history of ___________
• how _________ live
• anecdotes and experiences of people who _________________
• solutions for ______________

Research guidelines:

1. Make sure you find trustworthy, relevant sources. Start with the MS51 library website. Also, use the Brooklyn Public Library website.
2. Go back to and use sources you have already read and that relate to your picture book.
3. Ask for help from Ms. Ahart or any librarian at a public library or from me. 

II. Author's Note - you will need to incorporate your sources in your author's note; keep in mind:

• it is written for an older audience than the picture book story, so it should give specific information about your issue. For instance, if your specific topic is anorexia, then provide specific facts and information about anorexia.
• when you quote or paraphrase information from a source, be sure to cite the source in your sentence; this is called in-text citation (see handout).
• at the end of your author's note, include Works Cited, a list of the sources you cited in your writing (see handout).

For your author's note, please cite at least 2 different sources on the specific issue that your picture book story deals with.

III. Throughout your process, conduct more research as necessary.

IV. Due Friday - read, annotate, and bring in at least 2 relevant and reliable sources.


My research:
Statistics of Filipinos in NYC
http://www.aafny.org/cic/briefs/filipino2013.pdf

Website about Bulacan, Philippines
http://www.bulacan.gov.ph/municipalities/index.php