Are You Writing or Rewriting? Research Tips for Freelance Writers

When I was in grade school and our teacher assigned a research paper, my friends and I walked the two blocks to the local library for information. Most of the time our research consisted of copying text from the encyclopedia. My parents weren’t always around in the evenings and it was very rare for someone to check my homework word for word, mostly they asked if it was done.

One day, my father read one of my reports and took issue. “Do you realize you’re copying, not writing?” Um..yeah. “Is that wrong,” I asked? My father, who was a librarian explained that copying isn’t writing or researching and it’s definitely not learning. Then he helped me with some ideas for finding information for my compositions without resorting to plagiarism.

I think about this when I’m researching online. Often, I come across articles on the same topic that are all obviously copied from the same source. Only a few words are changed around here and there to make each article look “original”. Except they’re not original, rewriters are taking someone else’s work and, well, rewriting it.

I was discussing this with another writer yesterday. She said she doesn’t consider herself a “rewriter” but for quick articles there’s no other way to research. I disagree. Anyone who is writing “off the top of my head” type articles should probably have amassed enough knowledge to write unique content without having to reword someone else’s. If a writer is researching, he should know that research involves more than Google and more than rewriting someone else’s words.

What follows are some research tips for freelance writers.

Don’t rewrite, take notes

Instead of rewriting directly from an article, create notes. Make bullet points and an outline for your article. From there, take your notes and use them to form ideas and sentences and paragraphs. Take your bullet points and make them into an article…your own unique article.

Read

Most of us write what we know. Thus, it only makes sense that we read everything we can in our chosen niches and genres. I have files in my cabinet filled with magazine and newspaper articles having to do with topics the various topics I like to write about. I also collect books having to do with my favorite topics. I use my books and articles for my notes. When the time comes to write an article around a certain topic, my reference materials are always close by.

Visit the library

The library is more than the encyclopedia. You’ll find books, magazines, audiotapes and DVDs. All of these will provide research for your articles. When the kids are taking out books or at a library class, take notes for your upcoming assignments. You’ll be surprised at how much more information is available offline than on.

Use the telephone

There are experts all around you. Call a teacher, doctor or nurse. Call an accountant, plumber or grocer. Many of these same people are your neighbors and don’t mind giving an expert opinion, especially if you link to their websites. Quoting an expert makes more of an impact than rewriting someone else’s work.

Find reliable online resources

A lot of online content is used for sales purposes and is often slanted to sell a product. Use sources that are a little more reliable. Government websites provide a wealth of information, try these first. Places like NASA.gov aren’t filled with regurgitated nonsense. Use this type of website for taking notes. Try this list of 49 Free Resources for Freelance Writers.

There’s an argument that web writing is quick and doesn’t pay a lot of money. Therefore it’s not worth it to do proper research because the end doesn’t justify the means. If this is the case, you’re choosing the wrong kind of writing. It doesn’t matter what kind of writing you do, if you can’t put out your best effort every time, there’s no sense in doing it. If you choose a topic that’s research heavy, but doesn’t pay enough to justify the work, leave it to someone more knowledgeable. Choose the topics you know best and take what you know to create original content.

I take issue when content writers are accused of plagiarism simply because they choose to write content. Avoid being lumped into this category by using all available resources and not rewriting someone else’s work.

Do you write or rewrite? How do you handle research?

Discuss…