Research Guides
Composition, Writing & Rhetoric: Background Resources
An introduction to multidisciplinary research resources for English composition and writing courses
What is a background resource?
Photo: UW Visual Asset Collection
Katherine B. Turner
Background resources provide contextual information and may include encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, maps, statistical sources, and more. Once you have identified the main topic and keywords for your research, find one or more background resources to read. These resources will help you understand the broader context of your research and tell you in general terms what is known about your topic.
Links to Background Resources
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
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Reports, summaries, and pro/con views on a range of current issues,1923-present. - Gale Ebooks This link opens in a new window
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Full text encyclopedias in all subject areas - Oxford Reference Online This link opens in a new window
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Contains encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference tools. - Oxford Research Encyclopedias This link opens in a new window
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In-depth articles in a wide range of subject areas. 1 user only.
- EncyclopediasContains encyclopedias covering a wide variety of subjects.