1. Print and Online Research
Encyclopedias

2. Types of Encyclopedias
Print
World Book Encyclopedia
Bound volumes
Digital
Britannica Online (Alabama Virtual Library)
Kids InfoBits (Alabama Virtual Library)
Wikipedia (not recommended for research)

3. Why Use an Encyclopedia?
What was the Boston Tea Party?
Background research
Verify a fact
Broad, topical information
When was the Declaration of
Independence signed?
What is a hurricane?

4. How are they organized? Each volume is numbered
Each volume has letters on the spine from A-Z
Articles are arranged alphabetically by subject
The last volume is the index.

5. What is in an Encyclopedia article?
Bold headings for subtopics
Key facts in tables
Graphs
Maps
Pictures

6. How to Use a Print Encyclopedia
Choose the volume using the first letter of the subject (for example – M for Moon).
Use guide words to find the topic
Read entry to find information

7. Which volume would you use to find information about Thanksgiving?
A B C- Ci- D E F G H I J- K L M- Mo N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Ci Cx Mi Mz
Index
Which volume would you use to find information about Thanksgiving?
Volume 22

8. Which volume would you use to find information about Cats?
A B C- Ci- D E F G H I J- K L M- Mo N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Ci Cx Mi Mz
Index
Which volume would you use to find information about Cats?
Volume 3

9. Can’t Find What You Need?
Use the Index
The index is the last volume in the set
Sometimes topics may be listed under different names. The index will help you find what you need.

10. Type words in the search box
Britannica Online
Type words in the search box
Browse topics by subject
Click hypertext
links within article

11. Other features in
Britannica Online

12. Credits Modified from the following:
Using an Encyclopedia, Alton R-IV Public School District.
Using the Encyclopedia, Alton R-IV public School District.