subject: How To Use Reference Sources [print this page] How To Use Reference Sources How To Use Reference Sources
As you go through school, you will need to use reference sources to find information about topics, locate facts, and answer questions. Here are five types of reference sources you should use. Each type is available in print forms, on CD-ROMs, and on the Internet.
1. Dictionary
To simply put it, a dictionary tells you what a word denotes. It provides you with a definition for each word.
Adictionarypresents information about a word with its meaning; it may also contain listing of the words of a language, pronunciation, syllabication, etymologies and spelling of words, and examples of usage. It may be presented in alphabetical order but sometimes also by topic.
Unabridged dictionaries try to be complete by including all words currently in use in a language. They provide extensive information about the words incorporated. Abridged dictionaries on the other hand omit words that do not regularly appear in books, magazines, and newspapers. Specialized dictionaries presents detailed information about the words that are appropriate to a particular subject such as space, math, biology, psychology, and many more. They include technical words that are rarely used outside of the subject.
2. Thesaurus
Athesaurus provides you words that mean the same as, or nearly the same as, another word. It contains synonyms for widely used words. A synonym is a word that has the same denotation. For example, "come into view," "show," "materialize" are synonyms for "appear." A thesaurus provides more synonyms for a word than a dictionary does. A thesaurus can assist you to precisely express your ideas when writing.
3. Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia provides information on a variety of subjects. Articles are written by experts on every subject. Encyclopedias can cover a lot of areas of interest, or they can focus on a specific field of study, such as a geographic area, an ethnic group, a time period, or an academic discipline. Almost all encyclopedias have hundreds or thousands of articles, each focusing on a distinct topic. Many of the articles contain illustrations, maps, diagrams, photographs, and other media elements that allow readers understand concepts.
4. Almanac
Analmanacbook or table containing an annual single-volume reference source that has useful facts about a wide range of topics. You can learn about countries of the world, sports, government, historical events and notes, and many other topics. Because almanacs are revised and published each year, the information is current.
5. Atlas
Anatlasis a collection of maps or charts. . It may present the entire world or specific regions and often contains indexes of place-names, populations, natural resources, main industries, and other factual information. Some atlases that are published may also be centered to a special subject, such as climate, diseases, agriculture, astronomy, or languages.
The most familiar atlas contains maps that demonstrate the political and physical features of countries throughout the world. A political map illustrates government boundaries. A physical map explains the features of the earth's surface such as mountains, deserts, and bodies of water. There are also specialized atlases for such things as weather across the world, oceans of the world, and even the anatomy of the human body.
