Citing Sources
When and How to Cite Research Sources by Janie Lynn Panagopoulos
This is our last article on research sources. I am sure there are a few of you that are very glad about that. Now, down to business, the work of properly citing research sources for your writing varies, depending upon the source and how it is used.
First and foremost -- remember -- Citing a source gives credit where credit is due, not citing a source could lead you in the direction of plagiarism.
When should you cite your source? If you have quoted an author (including Internet authors) or have used any words or arranged words in a sentence that is not originally yours. Yes, I know, no words are originally our own, but if these words or sentences have been arranged to fashion someone else’s writing or if it “hints” at giving you credit when you have not preformed the original research, you are doing something illegal.
Cite a source if:
you restate an idea or thought stated by another author.
you are not the original person involved in the original source research.
you are using facts that are not common knowledge.
Types of citing:
Parenthetical (citing within a text)
Endnotes (explanatory or information at the end of your writing)
Footnotes (older form of citing placed at the bottom of page)
Information you need to collect (depending upon source):
Periodical: title of original publication, author of the article, title of article, date of publication, volume and or issue number, page number.
Book: title of book, editor, series title, publisher, publication date, volume number, article and chapter title (if needed) and authors name.
Internet: name of author, URL, name of Internet site.
Email: name of person interviewed, subject line in quotation marks, description of message that includes the recipient and date of message.
Panagopoulos, Janie L. “Re: IP Videoconferencing”. Email to You the Reader, 17 December, 2008.
Images: (any media) name of artist, name of individual image, when it was created, where it is currently housed or from what collection, URL (if on Internet), and date of posting.
(if on Internet)
Maps: name of location, where it was found, what year issued, and URL.
Formatting Sources:
List of citation usually appears at end of work on new page
Center title “Works Cited”
Double-space between title and first entry.
Begin entry at left-hand margin – second line – five spaces in
Alphabetical order of entries by author’s last name (if known) or first important word in the title, excluded “a”, “an”, and “the”.
Author with more than one work cited, do not repeat name, use three hyphens and a period in place of author’s name and cite work as above.
Double-space entire list and use a period at end of entries.
Underline titles of books, plays, poems, pamphlets, periodicals, and films.
Resources:
These sites may be of help while creating your form
Easy bib: http://easybib.com/
WorldCat: www.worldcat.org
Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://landmarkcitationmachine.com/
Last comment, you might wonder, if you are writing a fiction piece, why is citing important? I write historical fiction that is categorized as “documentary” historical fiction, using factual people or events from history to build a story. I write for the 3rd-8th grade educational market and my books are used in schools to help teach Social Studies. For me, it is essential to have material available for teachers and readers to use as reference materials while using my novels in the classroom and it is also essential to provide documentation for editors when they ask for sources. So, getting in a regular habit of collecting and citing sources is a very important part of my work and it might also play an important role in yours.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Plagarism
Plagiarism – What it is and how to avoid it
Janie Lynn Panagopoulos
After gathering research information, purchasing reference books and reading through everything you have gathered, please be aware of “how not” to use the information you have found. Please know the words you write must be your own, if they are not your words and ideas, you must cite the sources or ask permission to use them.
Plagiarism is becoming a big issue today because of so many sources that are available to us to use on the Internet. Sometimes students don’t even realize they are plagiarizing; they are just putting down what they found. But if you, by chance, use the same words as the author without citing your sources, you are plagiarizing and it is illegal.
If you are a student reading this you might think, this is silly, words are words and there they are right in the open for everyone to use. Well, just because books and the Internet make information and documents readily available, it doesn’t mean you have permission (without proper citation) to use that information – word for word -- and turn it in as your own. That is cheating and considered fraud by the law. The term plagiarism refers to the unaccredited (uncited) use of someone else’s words.
But what if you accidently used someone else’s words? Well, that is illegal too.
As a historical fiction writer, one way that helps me not to use someone else’s words by accident is that I avoid reading fiction. I read only reference material or primary sources to educate myself and try to find the most unique way to present that information in a storyline.
Here are some tips to help you avoid plagiarism in your writing.
1. If you are not the original researcher on a subject, cite the source.
2. If the information is not common knowledge, such as information from a phone book, cite source.
3. Use quotation marks if you are copying the words of another author and cite the source.
4. If you copy information off the Internet, cite the source.
5. Do not use anything from the Internet, without permission of the author, especially if you see a copyright symbol on their work.
6. If you are using a book for research and you need to copy small portions of the information, word for word, cite the source.
Please, plagiarism is easy to do; be careful, aware and responsible when you are writing. Make your work original. Write it in your own words, work hard to make your work your own. There is so much more satisfaction and pleasure making your work your own. That is how you become a real writer.
And, after all, if you are copying someone else’s work, you will always only be a second best writer to that person you are copying.
Next article will cover citing sources.
J. L. Panagopoulos, 06/02/2008 ©
Janie Lynn Panagopoulos
After gathering research information, purchasing reference books and reading through everything you have gathered, please be aware of “how not” to use the information you have found. Please know the words you write must be your own, if they are not your words and ideas, you must cite the sources or ask permission to use them.
Plagiarism is becoming a big issue today because of so many sources that are available to us to use on the Internet. Sometimes students don’t even realize they are plagiarizing; they are just putting down what they found. But if you, by chance, use the same words as the author without citing your sources, you are plagiarizing and it is illegal.
If you are a student reading this you might think, this is silly, words are words and there they are right in the open for everyone to use. Well, just because books and the Internet make information and documents readily available, it doesn’t mean you have permission (without proper citation) to use that information – word for word -- and turn it in as your own. That is cheating and considered fraud by the law. The term plagiarism refers to the unaccredited (uncited) use of someone else’s words.
But what if you accidently used someone else’s words? Well, that is illegal too.
As a historical fiction writer, one way that helps me not to use someone else’s words by accident is that I avoid reading fiction. I read only reference material or primary sources to educate myself and try to find the most unique way to present that information in a storyline.
Here are some tips to help you avoid plagiarism in your writing.
1. If you are not the original researcher on a subject, cite the source.
2. If the information is not common knowledge, such as information from a phone book, cite source.
3. Use quotation marks if you are copying the words of another author and cite the source.
4. If you copy information off the Internet, cite the source.
5. Do not use anything from the Internet, without permission of the author, especially if you see a copyright symbol on their work.
6. If you are using a book for research and you need to copy small portions of the information, word for word, cite the source.
Please, plagiarism is easy to do; be careful, aware and responsible when you are writing. Make your work original. Write it in your own words, work hard to make your work your own. There is so much more satisfaction and pleasure making your work your own. That is how you become a real writer.
And, after all, if you are copying someone else’s work, you will always only be a second best writer to that person you are copying.
Next article will cover citing sources.
J. L. Panagopoulos, 06/02/2008 ©
Sunday, February 03, 2008
The Paper Trail, Part II
Research: Following the Paper Trail, Part II
When visiting research facilities, make sure you have made a list of information, dates, names (proper spellings of course), and locations that are important to your project or reflect the information you are looking for. Don’t wait until you get to a research facility to “think” what it is you are looking for. It can be very embarrassing to go to a research facility, address a reference librarian with the fact you are doing academic research on a subject for a possible book project and have the librarian ask you a question on “YOUR” subject and you don’t have the information available to give.
Study and explore card catalogs, computer databanks, collection lists and ask the reference librarian for suggestions about where else you might find information. It is amazing how “on top” of a facility most reference librarians are. Most really know their books and their collections and love to search out information that is difficult to find.
Skim and scan over information you find. Can you photocopy this information? If you can photocopy the needed information, wonderful, you are in luck. If not, start recording by hand. Make sure you have a notebook with you ‘just” for this information. Record collection and acquisition numbers, box numbers, book title page, copyright, publisher, page numbers, and the information needed.
If you are photocopying information from a book make sure you ask the librarian about the “fair use” law that they follow. YOU CAN NOT PHOTOCOPY ENTIRE BOOKS – It is illegal.
When photocopying, first, copy the front insert page that will give you the title of book, the author, the publishing house and the copyright information. Make sure when putting your material in separate folders that this title page goes in the front of the folder for later citation. Also, on the outside of the folder, write down the name of the facility, the date you visited, and the cost of photocopying (for tax write-offs if your book gets published and make sure you receive or ask for a receipt for copying).If you have not brought along separate folder files to keep your copies neat and together, make sure you tab the ends of the sheets together or better yet, paperclip them.
If, at a library, you want or need the information in the whole book, just photocopy the title page and purchase the book to help build your own reference library. The best place I have found to purchase books will take us back to our computers, where you can purchase used books for a fraction of the cost of new ones. Also, when you purchase a used book, you don’t feel so bad if you find it necessary to highlight a passage or underline something you will need to investigate as you are reading and learning more about your research subject.
If you are in a rare book collection or archival collection and you find “just” the perfect piece of information, keep in mind, you can not photocopy these things. You must hand copy the information (don’t forget to copy the cover page for citation).
In some rare cases a book or file, even if it is a reference piece, “might” be available to photocopy a certain portion. This again is where it is important to get to know the reference librarian, archivist or curator, because if they believe in your project and can make it happen for you to get the information in photocopy format, they will give you their best. If they say “no”, however, the answer is “no”. Be respectful, thank them and start copying by hand. Keep in mind; you never know when you might need their help again.
In archival collections, if photocopying is permissible, the archivist or the assistant archivist, most often, would rather handle the ancient or fragile documents themselves and not risk having the paper the documents are written on be jeopardized by careless handling or soiling. In this case, you will select the documents and records you want copied and record what collection, box, file, number of pages, and page numbers you want, write this down for you records, also record on your copy the facility name, location, person helping you, date and time. Give a copy of your information sheet to the archivist. They will figure out the number of pages, and tell you the cost for their work and copies; you “generally” have to pay up-front for these documents, and so make sure you get only what you need, but everything in the file or box.
The archivist will ask for your address and tell you to expect it to take up to six weeks before you get the information. I know it can be time consuming but worth every minute of it as you now have original (copies) of documents in the original hand of the people or person you are doing research on. It is an incredible thrill when you finally get your copied originals in the mail and you sit down to “try” and decipher writings from a bygone era.
If you are at a visual research location such as a museum, check with the curator and ask if they have a museum library or a research book list on the artifacts you are looking at. This will help you create a reference list for you to look at and purchase reference books that will help you have a better understand of the things you are doing research on.
This type of research is an incredible education for a writer; everyone should do it, at least, once to really see what it is all about. It makes you feel like Indiana Jones of the book set.
When visiting research facilities, make sure you have made a list of information, dates, names (proper spellings of course), and locations that are important to your project or reflect the information you are looking for. Don’t wait until you get to a research facility to “think” what it is you are looking for. It can be very embarrassing to go to a research facility, address a reference librarian with the fact you are doing academic research on a subject for a possible book project and have the librarian ask you a question on “YOUR” subject and you don’t have the information available to give.
Study and explore card catalogs, computer databanks, collection lists and ask the reference librarian for suggestions about where else you might find information. It is amazing how “on top” of a facility most reference librarians are. Most really know their books and their collections and love to search out information that is difficult to find.
Skim and scan over information you find. Can you photocopy this information? If you can photocopy the needed information, wonderful, you are in luck. If not, start recording by hand. Make sure you have a notebook with you ‘just” for this information. Record collection and acquisition numbers, box numbers, book title page, copyright, publisher, page numbers, and the information needed.
If you are photocopying information from a book make sure you ask the librarian about the “fair use” law that they follow. YOU CAN NOT PHOTOCOPY ENTIRE BOOKS – It is illegal.
When photocopying, first, copy the front insert page that will give you the title of book, the author, the publishing house and the copyright information. Make sure when putting your material in separate folders that this title page goes in the front of the folder for later citation. Also, on the outside of the folder, write down the name of the facility, the date you visited, and the cost of photocopying (for tax write-offs if your book gets published and make sure you receive or ask for a receipt for copying).If you have not brought along separate folder files to keep your copies neat and together, make sure you tab the ends of the sheets together or better yet, paperclip them.
If, at a library, you want or need the information in the whole book, just photocopy the title page and purchase the book to help build your own reference library. The best place I have found to purchase books will take us back to our computers, where you can purchase used books for a fraction of the cost of new ones. Also, when you purchase a used book, you don’t feel so bad if you find it necessary to highlight a passage or underline something you will need to investigate as you are reading and learning more about your research subject.
If you are in a rare book collection or archival collection and you find “just” the perfect piece of information, keep in mind, you can not photocopy these things. You must hand copy the information (don’t forget to copy the cover page for citation).
In some rare cases a book or file, even if it is a reference piece, “might” be available to photocopy a certain portion. This again is where it is important to get to know the reference librarian, archivist or curator, because if they believe in your project and can make it happen for you to get the information in photocopy format, they will give you their best. If they say “no”, however, the answer is “no”. Be respectful, thank them and start copying by hand. Keep in mind; you never know when you might need their help again.
In archival collections, if photocopying is permissible, the archivist or the assistant archivist, most often, would rather handle the ancient or fragile documents themselves and not risk having the paper the documents are written on be jeopardized by careless handling or soiling. In this case, you will select the documents and records you want copied and record what collection, box, file, number of pages, and page numbers you want, write this down for you records, also record on your copy the facility name, location, person helping you, date and time. Give a copy of your information sheet to the archivist. They will figure out the number of pages, and tell you the cost for their work and copies; you “generally” have to pay up-front for these documents, and so make sure you get only what you need, but everything in the file or box.
The archivist will ask for your address and tell you to expect it to take up to six weeks before you get the information. I know it can be time consuming but worth every minute of it as you now have original (copies) of documents in the original hand of the people or person you are doing research on. It is an incredible thrill when you finally get your copied originals in the mail and you sit down to “try” and decipher writings from a bygone era.
If you are at a visual research location such as a museum, check with the curator and ask if they have a museum library or a research book list on the artifacts you are looking at. This will help you create a reference list for you to look at and purchase reference books that will help you have a better understand of the things you are doing research on.
This type of research is an incredible education for a writer; everyone should do it, at least, once to really see what it is all about. It makes you feel like Indiana Jones of the book set.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Research: The Paper Trail, Part I
Research – Following the Paper Trail, Part I
We have covered some “basics” of Internet research, but remember there is a world of information beyond your computer in research facilities around the world. And if you travel to another country to do research, be prepared for language barriers, unless you are fluent in the native tongue. I had this happen in Italy and was totally shocked that I hadn’t taken this into consideration when I made my research plans. This was my first European research trips and the last one I made this mistake with. Researchers must be prepared for many different circumstances and all facilities are different.
Now, this type of research is back in my realm of working and it might be a bit more demanding but you might also find some ”little known” treasures that no one else in the writing field is aware of.
Resources for research include:
· Library catalogs/Libraries
· Books
· Periodicals
· Archival Collections
· Museums
· Rare Book Collections
· Internet databanks at research centers
Keep in mind, most serious research centers request the researcher to be at least 18 years of age and have a photo I.D. for them to hold while you are in their facility or to present to the security guard or person controlling the door. If you are under 18 and still need to do research, see if you can find an adult (over 18) to go with you but make sure you contact the facility first to seek permission. Some locations, if you check first and arrive with an adult, will allow you to do work there as long as you are supervised. Some locations will still refuse entry until you are 18 years of age.
Visiting a research facility is a unique experience for most writers. I have been at facilities where researchers have been turned away at the door because they were not prepared for doing their research, at some locations the guards are trained to interview you to make sure you are there for the right reasons. I have been in facilities where security guards have kindly escorted researchers to the door telling them to return when their research needs were more thought out. I have been at facilities where a security guard arrived at a study table with the curator and asked the researcher to leave because he was not using proper etiquette, during this incident the security guard also handed the researcher a city map with the local public library circled. Researching at a facility is for the serious researcher, not for someone who is “just” curious about a subject and doesn’t know what they are doing or how to act.
And remember, if you are going to a research facility, pack a bag – seriously -- you will need to bring things with you that are approved by the facility for research and will show the directors of the facility you are serious about your work and worthy to be there working beside other professionals.
Make sure you have a small briefcase, a soft-sided one works best because if you are doing research in an archival collect, museum library, or even some rare book collections you will most likely be asked to leave all personal belongings in a locker outside the doors you are about to enter. A soft-sided case will hold all your needs but can be bent to fit a small locker, too. And ladies, your purses are not welcome, along with backpacks or book bags of any sort. The lockers do have locks to protect your belongings while working. The average locker will cost you .25cents which is “generally” returned to you at the end of the day.
Bring along a notebook, plenty of pencils with erasers, pens are not allowed, tissues (no gum), a magnifying glass and possibly a pair of white cotton gloves, if you are going to be handling artifacts or very old documents. Another thing to bring along is a bagged lunch (leave in the locker). Most facilities are notorious for not being located close to any restaurants, but they do “generally” provide a lunch room where you can purchase boxed sandwiches that have been on display for only a few months. It is better and safer to bring your own lunch and not be surprised or made ill because of overlooking this fact of research facilities.
This is the end of Part I, read tomorrow for Part II.
Part of the joy is the search for knowledge!
We have covered some “basics” of Internet research, but remember there is a world of information beyond your computer in research facilities around the world. And if you travel to another country to do research, be prepared for language barriers, unless you are fluent in the native tongue. I had this happen in Italy and was totally shocked that I hadn’t taken this into consideration when I made my research plans. This was my first European research trips and the last one I made this mistake with. Researchers must be prepared for many different circumstances and all facilities are different.
Now, this type of research is back in my realm of working and it might be a bit more demanding but you might also find some ”little known” treasures that no one else in the writing field is aware of.
Resources for research include:
· Library catalogs/Libraries
· Books
· Periodicals
· Archival Collections
· Museums
· Rare Book Collections
· Internet databanks at research centers
Keep in mind, most serious research centers request the researcher to be at least 18 years of age and have a photo I.D. for them to hold while you are in their facility or to present to the security guard or person controlling the door. If you are under 18 and still need to do research, see if you can find an adult (over 18) to go with you but make sure you contact the facility first to seek permission. Some locations, if you check first and arrive with an adult, will allow you to do work there as long as you are supervised. Some locations will still refuse entry until you are 18 years of age.
Visiting a research facility is a unique experience for most writers. I have been at facilities where researchers have been turned away at the door because they were not prepared for doing their research, at some locations the guards are trained to interview you to make sure you are there for the right reasons. I have been in facilities where security guards have kindly escorted researchers to the door telling them to return when their research needs were more thought out. I have been at facilities where a security guard arrived at a study table with the curator and asked the researcher to leave because he was not using proper etiquette, during this incident the security guard also handed the researcher a city map with the local public library circled. Researching at a facility is for the serious researcher, not for someone who is “just” curious about a subject and doesn’t know what they are doing or how to act.
And remember, if you are going to a research facility, pack a bag – seriously -- you will need to bring things with you that are approved by the facility for research and will show the directors of the facility you are serious about your work and worthy to be there working beside other professionals.
Make sure you have a small briefcase, a soft-sided one works best because if you are doing research in an archival collect, museum library, or even some rare book collections you will most likely be asked to leave all personal belongings in a locker outside the doors you are about to enter. A soft-sided case will hold all your needs but can be bent to fit a small locker, too. And ladies, your purses are not welcome, along with backpacks or book bags of any sort. The lockers do have locks to protect your belongings while working. The average locker will cost you .25cents which is “generally” returned to you at the end of the day.
Bring along a notebook, plenty of pencils with erasers, pens are not allowed, tissues (no gum), a magnifying glass and possibly a pair of white cotton gloves, if you are going to be handling artifacts or very old documents. Another thing to bring along is a bagged lunch (leave in the locker). Most facilities are notorious for not being located close to any restaurants, but they do “generally” provide a lunch room where you can purchase boxed sandwiches that have been on display for only a few months. It is better and safer to bring your own lunch and not be surprised or made ill because of overlooking this fact of research facilities.
This is the end of Part I, read tomorrow for Part II.
Part of the joy is the search for knowledge!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Research - Search don't Surf
Research – Searching the Web not just Surfing…
The use of the Internet can be a valuable research tool for writers and there are many different ways to use it.
Surfing the Web is just one and is often a random, time consuming job. Surfing the Web is simply browsing without direction, like looking through stacks of books at a library without any specific one in mind to check out. Now, searching randomly, you might stumble upon an interesting book that can help you, eventually, on the other hand, why not simplify and use your energy in the right place with some direction.
If you want to narrow down your search, you might consider using one of these search tools to help you.
Directories: What is it and how do you use it? A Directory on the Internet is best used for searching through subjects and finding quality Web sites that might help you in your search.
Directories list categories for Web sites, using your research time more effectively. The people who create Directories are the ones who decide in which category a Web site should be listed. Directories include fewer Web sites than basic Search Engines because they have sorted out the sites that, in their minds, don’t apply to your KEYWORD search.
On your computer, under SEARCH, simply KEY in Open Directory to get started with your introduction to Directories.
Another tool, Search Engines, are large sites such as Yahoo, Google, AltaVista, HotBot, and AllTheWorld. that have massive listings of Web sites and each Search Engine lists sights in different ways. If you do a Yahoo search and get 1,000 Web site listings on a search word, you might want to try Google or AltaVista and put in the same search and you will most likely get 3 or 4 thousand more sites that go with your search word. Don’t just use one Search Engine to do your KEYWORD search, use them all and view a larger selection of information that might help you discover what you need for your writing.
Metasearch Engines, these are best used for comparing search results from common Search Engines. Metasearch Engines will take your KEYWORD and broadcast it to a selection of Search engines and give you a mixed search result from all the Search Engines they have available. When working with a Metasearch, make sure you keep your KEYWORDS simple and record them, also make note of the Search Engines that are being used by the different Metasearch Engines. Some of the better Metasearch Engines include: DogPile, Ixquick, Metacrawler, ProFusion, and Savvy Search. Any of these engines will be of help to you in your research.
Portals are another way to do research on the Web. Portals give you access to more contemporary information. They are doorways that lead you into a maze of facts and archival groupings. Most include a basic, on-site, search engine as well as a search directory. Recommended Portals include: Excite, Go.com, Lycos, NBCi.
When you are searching from site-to-site, keep with you a check list that will help you verify a legitimate site that you can use for your research.
Your check list should include these questions. If you can’t find answers to all these questions at the site you are searching, you probably shouldn’t use that site for your research.
The use of the Internet can be a valuable research tool for writers and there are many different ways to use it.
Surfing the Web is just one and is often a random, time consuming job. Surfing the Web is simply browsing without direction, like looking through stacks of books at a library without any specific one in mind to check out. Now, searching randomly, you might stumble upon an interesting book that can help you, eventually, on the other hand, why not simplify and use your energy in the right place with some direction.
If you want to narrow down your search, you might consider using one of these search tools to help you.
Directories: What is it and how do you use it? A Directory on the Internet is best used for searching through subjects and finding quality Web sites that might help you in your search.
Directories list categories for Web sites, using your research time more effectively. The people who create Directories are the ones who decide in which category a Web site should be listed. Directories include fewer Web sites than basic Search Engines because they have sorted out the sites that, in their minds, don’t apply to your KEYWORD search.
On your computer, under SEARCH, simply KEY in Open Directory to get started with your introduction to Directories.
Another tool, Search Engines, are large sites such as Yahoo, Google, AltaVista, HotBot, and AllTheWorld. that have massive listings of Web sites and each Search Engine lists sights in different ways. If you do a Yahoo search and get 1,000 Web site listings on a search word, you might want to try Google or AltaVista and put in the same search and you will most likely get 3 or 4 thousand more sites that go with your search word. Don’t just use one Search Engine to do your KEYWORD search, use them all and view a larger selection of information that might help you discover what you need for your writing.
Metasearch Engines, these are best used for comparing search results from common Search Engines. Metasearch Engines will take your KEYWORD and broadcast it to a selection of Search engines and give you a mixed search result from all the Search Engines they have available. When working with a Metasearch, make sure you keep your KEYWORDS simple and record them, also make note of the Search Engines that are being used by the different Metasearch Engines. Some of the better Metasearch Engines include: DogPile, Ixquick, Metacrawler, ProFusion, and Savvy Search. Any of these engines will be of help to you in your research.
Portals are another way to do research on the Web. Portals give you access to more contemporary information. They are doorways that lead you into a maze of facts and archival groupings. Most include a basic, on-site, search engine as well as a search directory. Recommended Portals include: Excite, Go.com, Lycos, NBCi.
When you are searching from site-to-site, keep with you a check list that will help you verify a legitimate site that you can use for your research.
Your check list should include these questions. If you can’t find answers to all these questions at the site you are searching, you probably shouldn’t use that site for your research.
Look for and record:
- Author’s name or Institution (from the site)
- Author’s title or position
- Author’s contact information
- What is the URL address? Record it!
- Date of Web page creation
- Title of Article/Document you want to use/Where did the information come from?
- Date you visited the site
- What is the bibliographic citation for the site?
- List specific facts you are planning on using
- What other sources are you using to confirm the accuracy of facts listed? (should have 3 sources)
- What bibliography sources are listed on site for you to draw from for more information or checking information?
All of the above information is very important to your note taking if you are using the Internet for your research. Make sure you record all of the above for citing your sources.
I know what you might be thinking, “I’m not doing a research paper, I am writing a novel or a short story.” But let me remind you, nearly everything you write MUST have a "ring of truth" if you want your audience to trust and enjoy your work. If you have questions, believe me, so will your readers.
I will continue on with research and citations in my next blog postings.
Digging for research is half the fun of writing!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Internet Research
How to Research on the Internet
Write what you know… Here we go again! No really, write what you know. If you don’t know about what you want to write about, do the research.
Today, all you who are just breaking into the field of writing have got it easy. I started writing professionally over 32 years ago and guess what; there was no technology to help me out.
If I needed to learn about the fur trade, I had to drive to Quebec to the International Fur Trade Conference and pick the minds of experts. If I needed to look for information in the history of lumbering, I had to call around to different university libraries and track down the collections archivist and ask what they had in their holdings that might give me insight. I would talk, they would listen and explain they would have to check their collections list and snail mail me an inventory list (generally taking 7 to10 days of waiting). After that I would have to travel to the location ($$), no matter if it was in a different state or country, stay in a hotel ($$), no matter how long it would take to preview, read and hand copy the information from the documents in the collections, return home ($$) and hope and pray I “found” the best source from the best collection, to base my writings on.
All this took months and years. My average mss took me 3-5 years of on-sight research. It was a fabulous, time consuming, expensive way to learn and do research. Thank God that today, because of the Internet, it is so much easier and cheaper.
When I first started doing research online, I was lucky to find a university library that listed what was in their collections. Generally, the only thing listed was the time and location of the facility. Now, not only is it the time and location, I can find the collections list, the rare book list, and the archival list from most any institution and in most cases those facilities are now putting their documents online to read, print, and use for educational purposes. It is amazing. There is no excuse today for sloppy research for story ideas.
Word of warning: whenever you are using a source from the Internet, be positive it is from a site you can trust. Not just a Web site created by someone who has an interest or an imagination concerning the topic you are looking for. Please note: anyone can write anything they want and post it on the Web. Look for trusted, reliable professionals and well known collections to help you in your quest.
In research, you must first figure out what you will need. Ask yourself: “What do I already know?” “What do I need to find out?” (Make a list!). Next, ask yourself: “How do I refine what I need?” (Who the audience is will determine the refinement.)
Also ask: “What sources of information is available to me?” Because I come from a different learning in research, I always recommend a trip to the library. Of course, I know you access the library on the Internet. So, if it is the Internet, make a list of Keywords that relate to your search. You might even want to go to the University of South Carolina to check out “Searching the Web” http://www.sc.edu/beaufort/library/pages/bones/bones.shtml for some help.
Always remember: Anyone with a computer can create a Web site… Not all sites are created equal. There is no complete list of Web sites. There is no one "person" who checks for accuracy on Web sites. New sites appear and disappear everyday and therefore so does your cited information.
To help in your research you will probably want to check Directories, Search Engines, Metasearch Engines, and Portals. I will cover more on these locations the next few blog postings.
How to evaluate “general” Web sites:
Are there professional organizational links that lead you to primary source materials such as archival collections or libraries? Any pop-up advertisements on the site? Beware! When was the last update? When and where does the information come from? Is the information based on facts or opinions? Facts only with research! What is the quality of the site? The information? Check for grammar and spelling.
Write what you know… Here we go again! No really, write what you know. If you don’t know about what you want to write about, do the research.
Today, all you who are just breaking into the field of writing have got it easy. I started writing professionally over 32 years ago and guess what; there was no technology to help me out.
If I needed to learn about the fur trade, I had to drive to Quebec to the International Fur Trade Conference and pick the minds of experts. If I needed to look for information in the history of lumbering, I had to call around to different university libraries and track down the collections archivist and ask what they had in their holdings that might give me insight. I would talk, they would listen and explain they would have to check their collections list and snail mail me an inventory list (generally taking 7 to10 days of waiting). After that I would have to travel to the location ($$), no matter if it was in a different state or country, stay in a hotel ($$), no matter how long it would take to preview, read and hand copy the information from the documents in the collections, return home ($$) and hope and pray I “found” the best source from the best collection, to base my writings on.
All this took months and years. My average mss took me 3-5 years of on-sight research. It was a fabulous, time consuming, expensive way to learn and do research. Thank God that today, because of the Internet, it is so much easier and cheaper.
When I first started doing research online, I was lucky to find a university library that listed what was in their collections. Generally, the only thing listed was the time and location of the facility. Now, not only is it the time and location, I can find the collections list, the rare book list, and the archival list from most any institution and in most cases those facilities are now putting their documents online to read, print, and use for educational purposes. It is amazing. There is no excuse today for sloppy research for story ideas.
Word of warning: whenever you are using a source from the Internet, be positive it is from a site you can trust. Not just a Web site created by someone who has an interest or an imagination concerning the topic you are looking for. Please note: anyone can write anything they want and post it on the Web. Look for trusted, reliable professionals and well known collections to help you in your quest.
In research, you must first figure out what you will need. Ask yourself: “What do I already know?” “What do I need to find out?” (Make a list!). Next, ask yourself: “How do I refine what I need?” (Who the audience is will determine the refinement.)
Also ask: “What sources of information is available to me?” Because I come from a different learning in research, I always recommend a trip to the library. Of course, I know you access the library on the Internet. So, if it is the Internet, make a list of Keywords that relate to your search. You might even want to go to the University of South Carolina to check out “Searching the Web” http://www.sc.edu/beaufort/library/pages/bones/bones.shtml for some help.
Always remember: Anyone with a computer can create a Web site… Not all sites are created equal. There is no complete list of Web sites. There is no one "person" who checks for accuracy on Web sites. New sites appear and disappear everyday and therefore so does your cited information.
To help in your research you will probably want to check Directories, Search Engines, Metasearch Engines, and Portals. I will cover more on these locations the next few blog postings.
How to evaluate “general” Web sites:
Now, with this type of information you can begin your Internet research.
In the next few postings I will dig deeper into research and collecting information, both on and off the Internet.
Write what you know!Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Know thy Genre
After being on the road for a couple weeks, it is always nice to get back to my office to write. Know Your Audience
Writers write what they know or so the cliché goes, on the other hand, how could you or why would you write about something you are clueless about? Unless, of course, it is simply for amusement and silliness, and sometimes that type of writing can serve a purpose too, but your readers should know and understand “what” and “why” you are writing. A writer should also know the needs and wants of his/her audience.
If writing “just” for writing sake or for practice, it is probably a good idea you limit sharing this type of writing and put it in your personal journal. If, however, you are writing for a specific purpose in a specific genre, you must know your audience (the reader) and give them what they want. Understanding genre is a way to help you know and give your audience what they want.
Genre (kind or type) was originally created by publishers to help categorize published literature into a system to make it easier for customers to purchase a particular genre (type) of story. If a customer enjoys reading fiction, what type of fiction do they enjoy? Perhaps they enjoy a focus on science or history. Do they enjoy a romance, an adventure or a fantasy? Or do they enjoy a combination of them all? This helps the book dealer and publisher find books and writers that directly give the reader what they want.
Genre, although a simple idea created to meet a simple need, is often difficult to understand. If you put the reader or audience first, however, it will help you as a writer have a clearer understanding. Start first with the age of the reader that you are writing for. What are their needs?
If writing for children, you must always remember vocabulary, description and content. Age groups for this type of genre usually break down: 0-5, 5-7, 7-11 and sometimes 7-9 and pre-teens. Each group has its own vocabulary level and its own content level that must be appropriate or else a wise parent or teacher will discover your work and make sure it is no longer made available for their youngsters to read.
Writing for children does not mean dummying down your work or simplifying, it is often more difficult to write for children because children “learn” when they read even though they might be reading to be entertained. Be careful and responsible when writing for this level of reader (as with all levels of readers) as an error in judgment for this audience can sometimes ruin a writing career. Be mindful of age appropriate vocabulary, storylines, settings, and characters. A young reader, if they are to like your stories and request them over and over again, must identify with the story, even with limited life experiences (and their parents must like the stories, too).
Writing for the Young Adult age level is a slight bit easier as there are fewer limitations to this category. Generally, these types of short stories or novels portray a teen main character, rather than an adult or young child. The storylines typically reflects the age and experience of the main character, but after that, most YA stories cover nearly every level of fictional genre.
Adult fiction covers all genres, and there are as many genres and styles of writing as there are writers, books and categories. Adult fiction is thought to be, of course, more sophisticated with a developed use of words, vocabulary, settings and storylines. On the other hand, I have worked with publishers and editors who have reminded me to make sure, even if I am writing for an adult audience, to keep my writing level and vocabulary to an understanding and age limit of about a High School graduate. If too sophisticated, you lose readers. The simpler the better is often their motto. I personally disagree, but the publisher/editor does have the last word in all purchases and sales.
My best advice to writers: know your reader and their needs before you begin writing your story.
Suggested reading:
Teaching Genre by Tara McCarthy
Writing and Reading Literary Genres by K. Buss & L. Karnowski
Passport to Genre by Debbie Connolly
Writers write what they know or so the cliché goes, on the other hand, how could you or why would you write about something you are clueless about? Unless, of course, it is simply for amusement and silliness, and sometimes that type of writing can serve a purpose too, but your readers should know and understand “what” and “why” you are writing. A writer should also know the needs and wants of his/her audience.
If writing “just” for writing sake or for practice, it is probably a good idea you limit sharing this type of writing and put it in your personal journal. If, however, you are writing for a specific purpose in a specific genre, you must know your audience (the reader) and give them what they want. Understanding genre is a way to help you know and give your audience what they want.
Genre (kind or type) was originally created by publishers to help categorize published literature into a system to make it easier for customers to purchase a particular genre (type) of story. If a customer enjoys reading fiction, what type of fiction do they enjoy? Perhaps they enjoy a focus on science or history. Do they enjoy a romance, an adventure or a fantasy? Or do they enjoy a combination of them all? This helps the book dealer and publisher find books and writers that directly give the reader what they want.
Genre, although a simple idea created to meet a simple need, is often difficult to understand. If you put the reader or audience first, however, it will help you as a writer have a clearer understanding. Start first with the age of the reader that you are writing for. What are their needs?
If writing for children, you must always remember vocabulary, description and content. Age groups for this type of genre usually break down: 0-5, 5-7, 7-11 and sometimes 7-9 and pre-teens. Each group has its own vocabulary level and its own content level that must be appropriate or else a wise parent or teacher will discover your work and make sure it is no longer made available for their youngsters to read.
Writing for children does not mean dummying down your work or simplifying, it is often more difficult to write for children because children “learn” when they read even though they might be reading to be entertained. Be careful and responsible when writing for this level of reader (as with all levels of readers) as an error in judgment for this audience can sometimes ruin a writing career. Be mindful of age appropriate vocabulary, storylines, settings, and characters. A young reader, if they are to like your stories and request them over and over again, must identify with the story, even with limited life experiences (and their parents must like the stories, too).
Writing for the Young Adult age level is a slight bit easier as there are fewer limitations to this category. Generally, these types of short stories or novels portray a teen main character, rather than an adult or young child. The storylines typically reflects the age and experience of the main character, but after that, most YA stories cover nearly every level of fictional genre.
Adult fiction covers all genres, and there are as many genres and styles of writing as there are writers, books and categories. Adult fiction is thought to be, of course, more sophisticated with a developed use of words, vocabulary, settings and storylines. On the other hand, I have worked with publishers and editors who have reminded me to make sure, even if I am writing for an adult audience, to keep my writing level and vocabulary to an understanding and age limit of about a High School graduate. If too sophisticated, you lose readers. The simpler the better is often their motto. I personally disagree, but the publisher/editor does have the last word in all purchases and sales.
My best advice to writers: know your reader and their needs before you begin writing your story.
Suggested reading:
Teaching Genre by Tara McCarthy
Writing and Reading Literary Genres by K. Buss & L. Karnowski
Passport to Genre by Debbie Connolly
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