Things You'll Need:
- Index cards
- Notebook
- Computer
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Step 1
Gather up your index cards or notebook and take them with you to the library.
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Step 2
If you know how to use the card catalog or the library's computerized one, browse through the appropriate subject matter until you find information that looks promising for your speech. If you have difficulty using these methods, or if you cannot find the specific information you need, talk to the reference librarian. He will not only be able to point you in the right direction, but will also likely suggest other resources or avenues that never occurred to you.
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Step 3
Once you have selected the materials, browse through them for the information you need. Remember, you will probably not have the time to read every word of every text you gather (especially in books) so skim though the material. An easy way to skim text is to pause at each bold heading to see if it makes reference to the information you need and, if so, read the first few sentence of the first paragraph to see if it applies.
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Step 4
As you come across relevant material, take notes on your index cards or in your notebook. A rule of thumb is to have one idea per index card or one section per idea on notebook paper. In either case, always write the source of your information directly beneath each one.
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Step 5
When you finish taking notes, browse through them to see if you can find any open “holes” that need filled. These holes will include any additional facts or statistics you will need to support the ideas in your speech.
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Step 6
It is easy to fill these holes. The government is a credible source of facts and statistics, and most federal, state, and city offices have official websites. Search the Internet for these. If you find you still need additional information, call public relations' offices of the industries you are researching and/or call human resources departments or executives for interviews. Don't be afraid of asking for interviews as most people love to talk about their jobs and their opinions on certain industries and companies.
