ENGL 101 English Composition 1 (Theme: Language and Identity)

Why & How to Use Reference Sources

Why start with reference?

Reference refers to sources that we turn to for quick introductory information. Use it to:

  • gather background information that provides context, history and insight into your subject.
  • get a sense of key issues, concepts, and debates from sources that don't take a stand on the debates.
  • gather key words and terminology you can use to search for relevant source material on the subject.
  • help you find a focus for your research 

This first image shows an excerpt from an article titled "Code Switching" published in Asian American Society: an Encyclopedia. The images below show a definition of code-switching, suggest related concepts, and discuss motivations behind code switching.

click on images to enlarge

Code Switching - what is it?

Motivations for Code Switching

The image below shows some sample academic encyclopedia titles I found with a search of the keywords: code switch*

sample titles

Sample Reference Article from Gale eBooks

The images below of an article titled "Multilingualism" point to how useful reference can be. Note how the article:

  • Opens with a definition of multilingualism. It will define some other concepts as well, including mono and bilingualism
  • Offers an introduction to the concept of multilingualism and how it has evolved over time
  • Introduces key concepts and terminology. which help me understand the topic and provide me with additional search terms
  • Concludes with a See Also section of connected ideas and linked articles
  • Concludes with a list of recommended Further Reading, which can be a good source of additional relevant and authoritative sources.

The other essential thing to understand about reference articles is that their purpose is to be informative and not take a stand on issues, events, etc.

  1. Search in GVRL for multilingualism

keyword: Multilingualism

  1. Article Excerpt
(click on images below to enlarge them)

Ref Article Highlighted Keywords

  1. See Also at the End

See Also

  1. Further Reading

Further Reading

Search Library Reference Collections

Use these Databases to Find Reference