Step 2: Baseline Research
After you've identified the event or person you will write about, your goal is to refine the scope of your event/story. As you browse and narrow down your topic consider the following:
To answer these questions, it helps to read a few background articles on the topic. These background articles are often found in encyclopedias, both print and online. This will provide you with context of events will also help you identify vocabulary for your research.
Encyclopedias can provide good introductions to topics. Encyclopedias reliably introduce vocabulary, various subfields of the topic, different approaches to the topic, fundamental issues and problems, important people in the field, and good sources for further reading. Use the library catalog to locate encyclopedias on various locations, peoples, disciplines, or even ideas. Search Hints: "encyclopedia" AND "topic" or "history" AND "topic". Here are a few selected encyclopedia collections:
Wikipedia is similar with the exception that it is often written and edited by laypeople (anyone can do it!). You will not be citing Wikipedia, rather you will use it to familiarize yourself with vocabulary and to gain an overview of the topic.
At the end of encyclopedia entires are a list of citations. Looking over the sources and recommended reading lists at the end of texts is a great place to continue your research. For reliable information about a topic, read many different sources.
Actively read the article and take note of important dates, people, and other facts that stand out to you. As you read more on the topic, your scope may change or you may have additional questions you are seeking to address.
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