Get Gobby Competition, Step 3: Using research as inspiration

Aaron Faunch

23 May 2013

In his latest blog for the Get Gobby Competition, Aaron Faunch reveals how research can be a source of creativity.

Research is tricky. It can feel like it's taking an eternity to do, and all you have to show for it are some scratchings in a notebook. But it can make your work well informed, persuasive and creative.

Before my research I had vague ideas, now I'm focused. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Wikipedia has a reputation for being an unreliable source, but as long as you double check your facts - using the reference notes - it can be a great starting point.

The best sources are those with authority. Those that are peer reviewed - or sources with big reputations that don't want to risk looking foolish.

Some organisations you might want to include:

• Government agencies like DEFRA
• Semi-autonomous agencies like Natural England
• The NHS, especially the NHS choices website
• NGOs like the Wildlife Trust, RSPB or Friends of the Earth
• Trade Unions like the NFU
• Universities and University lecturers
• And some media outlets like The Guardian and The BBC.

So I've done my research. I've got a few pages covered in useful information plus notes on how I think I could use them. Now I'm in the last stage before I start writing: order and presentation.

This stage is all about deciding what order to put your facts and arguments in so they become an interesting and engaging piece of work. This is where you start to put your own mark on your work.

I like to put what I think is most important at the front, as people may not read the whole thing. But I also pay a lot of attention to the flow.

The flow really just means how easy it is to read. Is the order of ideas and facts logical and understandable subconsciously for the reader? Jumping from one topic to another and then back again can be disorientating and might make them give up reading.

Of course, the order will change as you start writing, but it helps to have a rough idea before you start.

Now it's time to start writing. Hopefully you have done enough planning and research to make the writing part a doddle. Good luck. If you haven't entered yet, you've still got time.

Aaron Faunch is a volunteer in the Land Use, Water and Food Security team. He is also studying a Masters in Science and Environmental Journalism at the University of Lincoln.