Expository writing includes most forms of essays, each having its own approach. Use the Library's databases to find credible information on your topics. Different paper formats are listed under this tab to help you understand the best approach.
Access our databases using the links below.
Stop searching and start finding. Search most of our resources at once and find what you need.
Use the EDS limiters to narrow down your results by selecting source types, subjects, date ranges and more. These limiters will be located on the left side of your results.
You can also use the Advanced Search to refine your search results.
The TX All Text option will give you more results by searching the full-text of the document for your search terms. Use caution with the other options in this list, they may not do what you think they should. For most searches, it's best not to select an option. Use the TX option when you don't get any or many results.
What are academic, peer reviewed articles? Learn about Peer Review in 3 Minutes from NCSU Libraries.
Journal articles are long and laden with highly technical or specialized language. The attached document explains how to efficiently read to get the information you need and come away with an understanding of the article's key content.
Credit: Lorain County Community College, Library/Learning Resources Division
This graphic on the Anatomy of a Scholarly Article from North Carolina State University will help you differentiate amoung journals that contain research data and others that are simply reporting on someone else's findings.
There are specific indicators that aid in identifing whether a source is scholarly, these include:
-layout
-general appearance
-number of citations
-author (who is it)
-language (level)
-purpose or intent of publication
-intended audience.
Distinguishing Scholarly Journals from Other Periodicals (adapted from Cornell University Library), discusses these cues and gives examples of all article types on the scholarly/formal to popular/informal spectrum.