When I do school visits, I often ask students where they get reliable
information when they’re writing nonfiction. What kinds of sources do they use?
Of course, they mention books and using the Internet
cautiously. Some mention encyclopedic databases, such as PebbleGo.
cautiously. Some mention encyclopedic databases, such as PebbleGo.
With a little bit of prodding, they’ll often realize that
firsthand observations can be a good source if they’re writing about a local
animal, and interviews with experts can enrich a nonfiction report or project
about just about any topic.
firsthand observations can be a good source if they’re writing about a local
animal, and interviews with experts can enrich a nonfiction report or project
about just about any topic.
But at some schools, students include “personal knowledge” on
their list. And that worries me. A lot.
their list. And that worries me. A lot.
Personal knowledge is NOT a reliable resource. All of us
carry misinformation and misconceptions with us. And some of the things we
learned in the past may no longer be considered true. Our collective understanding of the
world is changing all the time. Simply put, we don’t know what we don’t know.
carry misinformation and misconceptions with us. And some of the things we
learned in the past may no longer be considered true. Our collective understanding of the
world is changing all the time. Simply put, we don’t know what we don’t know.
That’s why nonfiction writers need to question everything.
We need to “read around” our topics, gathering a wide range
of background information. We’ll
probably never use some of it, but it’s critical to have a broad base of
general knowledge before diving into specifics. If we don’t, mistakes can
happen.
of background information. We’ll
probably never use some of it, but it’s critical to have a broad base of
general knowledge before diving into specifics. If we don’t, mistakes can
happen.
And after the piece is written, we need to double check
everything. And I mean everything. Because we can’t rely on what we think we
know. We have to be sure.
everything. And I mean everything. Because we can’t rely on what we think we
know. We have to be sure.
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