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Communication: Explore a Topic

Find Background Information

Good places to find background information:
  • Your textbook or class readings
  • Encyclopedias and reference books
  • Credible websites
  • And of course ...

Communication Reference Sources

Are there books on your topic?

When a reference tool is too broad, it can be useful to seek out a book.

Important Considerations
  • Is there a specific area within the broader topic that you're curious about or even irked by?
  • Is there a cause-effect relationship that you're curious about?
  • Look for unanswered questions.
  • Are there time periods or groups of people within the discipline that strike a chord for you?
  • If you think you've got a topic worth writing about, try to explain it informally to a friend. Are there gaps in what you know? Did any questions come up?

Book Databases

More Reference Databases

Handbooks, Encyclopedias, & Dictionaries