Week of July 14 ,2013 - Writer’s Research Tools

By: Joan Whetzel

Writing - whether fiction, nonfiction or business – requires research. Using many of the same tools, writers use research to provide background information and textual clues to the fictional subplots and sub currents, to related ideas in nonfiction, and to reference other topics and projects in business. These clues are meant to provide context for readers and improve their understanding of the written material as well as providing deeper meaning. Writers have a number of places to perform that research.

The Internet

Provides you research information at your fingertips. You can find just about any subject specific or industry specific resources on your choice of websites. But care must be taken, as some sites and some information may not be reliable. All information must be backed up by at least 2 or more  reliable sources. That’s not to say, though, that unreliable or questionable information can’t be used, as long as you have a reason for using it in your writing, and make it evident to your readers why you’re using it.

The Library

Libraries have a number of resources, not the least of which is the books and magazines. But there are also now digital media, CDs, DVDs, and the internet and online library. Probably the best resource, though, is the librarian.

Bibliographies and Indexes

Most books, articles, and some online resources have bibliographies and/or indexes. Bibliographies, when they’re provided, give a list of the resources that the writer used. Check into those resources. They may well provide you with the details and additional information you’re looking for.

Indexes help locate specific information within the book or magazine. So, instead of reading an entire book or article, you can go directly to the piece of information you need. Makes it easier to locate specific details

Databases

Online databases list journal articles, symposium events, research papers, reviews and the like. All separated by subject matter. They’re like an online card catalog  for an online reference library.

Primary Sources

Locate letters and diaries, recordings of events (i.e. news footage), and doing interviews are great ways of getting those personal details that  bring a story to life. For business and some nonfiction writing, the interviews offer the opportunity to gain a better understanding from subject matter experts.

Archival Collections

Overtime, information becomes outdated or obsolete. But sometimes the historical information and viewpoints make for great details and can provide background for a particular argument. You may not be able to find that information because the resources are no longer in print. Archives and archival collections may be the only place these resources exist.

Biographical Resources

These resource include biographies, biographical dictionaries, and profiles like “Who’s Who.” Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to find out everything they could about the subject’s life and record it. They also provide context with the time period.

Reference Materials

Reference materials include dictionaries, thesaurus’s, encyclopedias, and almanacs, the kinds of books that libraries don’t let you check out. They’re great for details, for gaining a better understanding or a deeper meaning, and for locating specific facts (e.g. weather, money, language, religion, culture).

 

These resources can be added to any personal library. Better yet, if you can find them online, and have easy access to a computer, you can find just about any information you need to bring your writing to life.