✏️ WritingGrade 4Lesson 17
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Research a Topic Using Books and Websites

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Identify and evaluate different types of research sources
  • 2Use a note-taking frame to record information from each source
  • 3Match each source type to the correct way to use it
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Mini Lesson

Good research starts with finding the right sources. A source is any place you get information — books, websites, encyclopaedias, magazines, and even interviews. Not all sources are equally reliable, so researchers always check who wrote it and why.

Types of Sources

  • Non-fiction books — written by experts; use the index to find your topic quickly.
  • Websites — check the URL (.edu, .org, .gov are usually reliable); note the date.
  • Encyclopaedias — great for overviews; look up the topic entry and note key facts.
  • Magazines and articles — useful for current events and recent discoveries.
  • Expert interviews — primary sources that give first-hand knowledge.

How to Take Source Notes

  1. Write the source title and author.
  2. Note the type of source (book, website, etc.).
  3. Record three or more key facts in bullet form.
  4. Write the page number, URL, or section heading.
  5. Note the date you accessed it (important for websites).
Source Note-Taking FrameA research note frame with fields for source title or URL, source type, author or publisher, key facts, page or section, and date accessed.Source Note-Taking FrameSource Title / URLWrite the book title or web address hereSource TypeBook / Website / MagazineAuthor / PublisherName or organizationKey Facts / NotesFact 1: ___________________Fact 2: ___________________Fact 3: ___________________Use one frame per source you findPage / SectionDate Accessed
One frame, one source — fill it in as you research.
Source Types and How to Use ThemA table comparing five source types — non-fiction book, website, encyclopedia, magazine, and expert interview — with strategies for using each.Source Types and How to Use ThemSource TypeHow to Use ItNon-fiction booklibrary / home shelfRead index, use chapterheadings to find factsWebsite.edu / .org / .govCheck the author, notethe URL and dateEncyclopediaprint or digitalLook up the topic entry,take notes on key factsMagazine / articlecurrent topic infoSkim headlines, readfor specific detailExpert interviewprimary sourcePrepare questions, recordanswers carefullyTip: Use at least 2 different source typesfor a stronger research projectAlways note where each fact came from
Each source has its own strategy — mix at least two.
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Tip: Use at least two different source types for any research project. This makes your information more reliable and well-rounded.

Vocabulary
research
Looking up information to learn about a topic.e.g. She did research on dolphins for her report.
source
A place where information comes from.e.g. Books, websites, and articles are sources.
reliable source
A source you can trust to be accurate.e.g. An encyclopedia is a reliable source.
website
A page or set of pages on the internet.e.g. The library website has news and events.
author
The person who wrote the information.e.g. Check the author to see if a source is reliable.
note-taking
Writing short reminders of important facts.e.g. Note-taking helps you remember what you read.
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