Research for writing

Whether it is for writing a blog post or writing a novel. You will always need to conduct research to make sure the idea behind your stories is correct. The main way we research now is via the internet on sites like Wikipedia however they can not always be trusted to provide accurate information and if you publish the wrong information it can cause your reputation hassle. Read the tips below for planning to conduct research.

1. Have your plan first.

You need to have a plan first about what you are going to write about and what you need to research. When coming to the actual writing it could change from the plan but having it researched for the main idea will help you a lot when actually coming to conduct research. Make a plan of where you want to go with your story.

2. Set questions.

Have a bunch of set questions to find out when researching. Then simply input them into your search bar and find the best web pages for the information. Have questions like ‘how do you cure breast cancer?’ if you are going to include a part about cancer in the novel. Also use your head to think of main keywords that could give you some information.

3. Use a range of sources.

This can include using the internet, books and research by asking the professionals themselves. It could also mean checking a few websites or books and finding out if they are giving the same information. It is important to know you are using a wide range of sources to make sure you are including correct information when you come to writing about it.

4. The writing of information.

You should be making a lot of notes about what you need to know whilst researching. Do not think you will remember what you are doing… write it down so you can read it at a later date. Make long notes that cover all you need to know so you do not forget.

There is also a lot of other things you will have to know when it comes to writing a novel. Sometimes when researching you have other things to worry about. You might also need some ideas on ways to research.

Plagiarism.

When doing research it can be very easy to copy and paste from websites and not read it at all. Now this would be okay if you referenced it and it was only in your notes, however I suggest that you do read the whole information and then write it up yourself as it will give you more knowledge of the things you need to write about. Also if you write it up for yourself there is no chance you can end up just copying it when actually writing the novel.

Website research.

Search the web for some important information regarding the topic. Google is your best friend and you can easily find what you need with a simple search. As posted above, always make sure to read multiple websites for more information.

Book & field research.

Simply go to your local library and ask your librarian for advice on what books you can take out and read that will supply you with your information you need. For field research simply find a website or something that you can contact a professional and ask them if they have some time to answer your questions for a planned novel.

I hope this article does help everyone that wants to write in the future or current writers. It has been something that has always interested me and I want to start writing more. So enjoy your writing career.