How do you know when you have found a good book for your project? Look carefully at the book you have found, and ask yourself these questions:
 

1. Does it cover your topic? To find the answer to this question look at the table of contents at the front of the book and look for your topic in the index in the back of the book.

 
2. Can you understand the words in the book? Read a few paragraphs from the book to find out.

 
3. Does the book have enough information? Does the book only have a paragraph or two of information, or are there several pages of information? A whole chapter? Is there too much information for this project?

Use this exercise to evaluate a book you found for your project.

Book Title: _________________________________________________________________

Author: ____________________________________________________________________

Place of Publication: ______________________ Publisher: ___________________________

Date of Publication: ________________ Call Number: _______________________________

1)  Does the book cover your topic?

___ Yes, I found my topic in the Table of Contents.

___ Yes, I found my topic in the Index.

___ Yes, I found my topic in the Table of Contents AND the Index.

___ No -- I did not find my topic in this book.
 

3) Find the section of the book that covers your topic. Do you think this book gives you enough information about your topic? Circle one answer.

4) Would you use this book for your project?

____ Yes! It covers the topic, it is understandable, and it has a good amount of information for this project.

____ Maybe. I might use it if I cannot find good information in other books.

____ NO! This would not be a good book for this project.
 

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Copyright Northern Virginia Community College
Created by Anne Anderson
Updated June 2008