Using background information is important when writing an essay or paper because it provides context, establishes the significance of the topic, and helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the discussion. It allows the writer to build a strong foundation for their arguments and analysis, which strengthens the overall quality and persuasiveness of the work.
The first place to start your paper is by looking for background information. There are tools to help you understand the major points of your topic, what is known about it, and how it relates to other topics.
But you need to be careful! Some of this information is often vetted (peer-reviewed, scholarly, and written by experts). Just as often you will find background in news and magazine articles, opinion pieces, and editorials, some of it written by experts, some written by reporters that may not be experts, and in some cases, (like the blog comments on news web sites), you may not even know who wrote it.
So where can I find Background Information?
Here at the WIU Libraries we have several resources suited for the task. Some common resources include dictionaries and encyclopedias, almanacs, and bibliographies. The library has these in both print and electronic forms. Some databases provide background information. Some of these resources can be found in magazines and newspapers in large general databases like Academic Search Complete, ProQuest, and Nexis Uni.
There are also specialized databases with articles and reports with good background information on various topics. These include America's Newspapers, Opposing Viewpoints, and CQ Researcher.
The video below from Oakton LIbrary outlines the basics of the tools and process in greater detail.
