Writing Papers

When being asked to write a scholarly paper, many students become very nervous and need help getting started.

We have assembled this whole section dedicated to research tips that should help you through your paper-writing journey.


Gale

Gale is a collection of online databases which Valor has purchased access to.  You can get access to scholarly journals, articles from popular periodicals, and eBooks.  You will need to use Valor’s username and password to get in, though.  The password is available from the Valor Librarian at library@valorcollege.edu

The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University has a variety of resources you can use in order to learn how to write an effective paper.  If you are unsure of your skills with writing papers, you are encouraged to check this out.

One of the resources that the Purdue OWL is most noted for is the section on how to properly format papers according to certain styles.  This section of the Purdue OWL can help you with formatting papers according to APA, or Chicago style. APA style is the official documentation style of Valor Christian College.


Boolean Operators

Boolean operators are a good thing to keep in mind as you are searching the Gale databases (or almost any search engine, for that matter).  They are a tool you can use to sharpen your searches.  You can use them to broaden or narrow your search.


Additional Resources

Also, you are encouraged to consult our section on information literacy before you do any research.  Information literacy is vital to consider before starting research, as it can save you time and help you stay on the right track.

Additionally, the LIBGuides might be a good asset to you as you begin your research.

If you need further assistance, ask the staff in the Valor library.

Assistance with Papers

Students are strongly encouraged to utilize the Valor Learning Center for assistance with course assignments.