Using reference materials: Research Skills Using reference materials: Dictionary Encyclopedia Atlas Almanac Thesaurus

DICTIONARY A dictionary is a reference book that gives the meaning, spelling, and pronunciation of words. Words are arranged in alphabetical order. No single dictionary contains a complete list of all words in the English language.

ENCYCLOPEDIA An encyclopedia is a collection of comprehensive articles about people, places, events, and things. Besides explaining the who, what, where, when, why, and how of things, encyclopedias contain pictures, diagrams, and maps that supplement the text and make topics easier to understand.

ATLAS An atlas is a reference book of maps containing facts and figures about places. A geographical atlas usually has maps, charts, and tables. The maps may indicate the location of cities, towns, roads, countries, rivers, and mountains.

ALMANAC An almanac has facts about special events, entertainment, sports, foreign countries—and many other subjects. Each yearly edition has the latest, up-to-date information. The general index at the front of the almanac lists subjects and main headings alphabetically. Subjects related to the main headings are listed under the main headings.

THESAURUS A thesaurus is a book of synonyms and antonyms. Synonym—examples of words with the same meaning Antonyms—examples of words with the opposite meaning

OTHER REFERENCES BOOK OF QUOTATIONS—a collection of sayings and the names of the people who first said them. BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY—a book that gives facts about famous people. GEOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY or GAZETTEER—names, locations, and descriptions of countries, cities, mountains, rivers, and other physical features of places. READERS’ GUIDE TO PERIODICAL LITERATURE—an index to articles that have appeared in popular magazines.