 Resources for working the internet
from home.
RESEARCHING TOPICS FOR WRITING
© 2001 Vicki M. Taylor
When researching or investigating a topic for your writing, you have the greatest research
source readily available: The Internet.
However, like all sources, you must be aware that not everything on the Internet is fact.
It's important to verify all your facts, no matter what
the resource.
So, you have an unlimited resource tool at your fingertips, where do you start?
INTERNET RESOURCES
Research-It!
One of the most comprehensive research sites on the Internet today is Research-It! at
www.itools.com/research-it..
Their Language tools alone encompass English, Computing, Rhyming, Pronouncing, and Law
dictionaries, an English thesaurus, and Universal and specific translators.
The Library tools let you search biographies and quotations, While the Geographical tools
gives you access to all kinds of maps of the United States and World, telephone numbers,
and the CIA Factbook.
Other tools that may not help you with Technical Writing research, but are awesome,
nonetheless, are the Financial tools for converting currency and finding stock quotes, and
the Shipping & Mailing tools for package tracking and locating areas by zip codes.
There is also an Internet search to locate e-mail discussion groups.
All in all, this site, while very comprehensive, limits your searches because you have to
use their search tools.
What if you want to find information that doesn't fall into these categories? Then you go
to a basic search tool on the Internet like a search
engine.
Search Engines
Search engines can be found within every Internet Service Provider and Browser. Their
names and locations change every day while more are added.
I've located two excellent sites that can help you learn where to find search engines and
how to use them to your advantage.
How to Search the World Wide Web : A Tutorial for Beginners and Non-Experts
Sink or Swim: Internet Search Tools & Techniques
Libraries
Practically every college and university library in the world is on the Internet now and
you can use their tools to research any topic. You can also visit your local city library
for a more "hands on" approach to research.
Software Product Research
If you're researching a product, go to the company website and see if you can download a
trial version or other kind of temporary version. Or, if the product isn't available yet,
contact the company and see if you can get an alpha or beta version that you can use. Some
companies may not be as open about sharing their product information as others. Don't feel
slighted if they refuse your request. Companies must protect their interests first. If you
are writing an article that may put a positive spin on the company's product, they may
offer a trial, discounted, or even free version of the software in exchange for reviewing
the article before it goes to print.
And, if all else fails, don't forget to fall back on your interviewing techniques and just
go to the source and ask questions!
Resource Box: Vicki M. Taylor writes thrilling fiction with strong women
characters. You can find out more about her at http://get-me.to/VickiMTaylor
.
Vicki M. Taylor
vicki@taylor-d.com
http://get-me.to/VickiMTaylor < -- NEW website!
Coming Soon - Forever Until We Meet at Crossroads Publishing
http://www.crossroadspub.com
Suite101 Contributing Editor - Technical Writing
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/8567
If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older. -Abraham
Sutzkever
(c) Copyright 2001, all rights reserved. All original work by Vicki M.
Taylor is copyright protected.
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