By HD Silversmith
I'm a Ph.D.-trained academic and I generally write nonfiction. So when I saw the title of Melissa Donovan's November 3 post "How to Use Research for Better Writing (and Credibility)" I was already sold.
And then I read it.
And I was sold all over again.
It's not just about the need to research and cite in traditional printed forms. It's also about research and citation in online forums. Blogs, for example. Like this one.
Online Research and Citation
I want to take a minute here to address research and citation on the Internet, where these practices are sorely lacking (particularly on blogs). Online, there is an added component of citation, which is to include a link back to your source. Even if your research comes from a book or magazine, you could link to the author’s website or to a store (such as Amazon) so readers can take a look.
We can get into a whole discussion about how links are internet currency and it’s considered polite or ethical to link to your sources. There are a boatload of benefits that come from using external links. Among these, building relationships with other writers or bloggers, but perhaps more importantly, making it easy for your readers to follow the information trail.
In any case, we all need to be conscious of link inclusion. After all, hyperlinks are what makes the Web go round. I know that I get frustrated when online writers discuss articles or books they’ve read and don’t bother to include titles, links, or any kind of reference. It’s something we should all keep in mind and practice more often.
These days, if and when bloggers link (and as Donovan notes, the practice is becoming less frequent), it's usually not for the purpose of citation or enabling readers to follow a trail. In my view, it's more often about linking to get hits. And it's often done in a lazy rhetorical fashion.
Okay, then. Go ahead and network. Build your community.
But could you a) evaluate your sources to determine if they're credible, and b) cite them in a responsible fashion, too? Work with me, people!
To read Donovan's article in its entirety (totally worth it), click here.
Recent Comments