Chapter Summary

When researching information for a speech you should first determine what you already know about the topic. Once this has been done, you should conduct research in a library using primary, secondary, print, and electronic sources. Primary sources are firsthand sources of information, such as manuscripts, letters, diaries, autobiographies, photographs, and surveys. Materials that interpret or analyze original sources, such as textbooks and encyclopedias, are secondary sources. Print sources include books, magazines, professional journals, brochures, and encyclopedias. Electronic sources include movies, television programs, recordings, computer software, and online sources. When researching, it is important to be selective and evaluate the sources for relevancy and reliability.

When taking notes while researching, write down direct quotes, paraphrases, or summaries of the information obtained. Each main point should be written on its own note card. Be sure to write down each source on a bibliography card in order to give a proper citation and avoid plagiarism. When writing a speech, it is important to include supporting evidence such as facts, statistics, and examples. Interviewing experts can also provide essential supporting evidence.

Online Links

Bookstore Web sites (Page 115)
www.amazon.com
www.bn.com

Search Engine Web sites (Page 128)
www.altavista.com
www.askjeeves.com
www.google.com
www.webcrawler.com

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