An encyclopedia is a reference book that provides facts about people, places, and things. It is organized alphabetically by volume, with each volume covering a different letter of the alphabet. Entries can be found using the guide words at the top of each page, which indicate the first and last words listed. Encyclopedias contain factual information and are meant to be referenced at the library rather than fully copied or removed.

1. Encyclopedias

2. What is an encyclopedia?
• True book that gives facts about people
(famous ones!), places, and things
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3. How is an encyclopedia
organized?
• Alphabetical order
• Each volume (or book) in the
encyclopedia set contains a different letter
—the letters are shown on the spine of the
encyclopedia
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4. • To look up places or things, go to the
volume that contains their first letter
– Example: to look up koala bears you would
go the K volume
• To look up people, go to the volume that
contains the first letter of their last name
– Example: to look up Abraham Lincoln, you
would go to the L volume
• Don’t forget to use the guide words!
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5. What are guide words?
• Found at the top of each page
• Tell you the first and last words listed on
that page
– Example: If the guide words are rabbit and
rhino, would Russia be on that encyclopedia
page?
– No because R-U comes after both R-A
and R-H
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6. Using encyclopedias
• Do not copy word for word--instead, write
things down how you would remember it
• Don’t try to write down everything—just
the main facts that you need
• Reference books that cannot be checked
out of the library
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