EGS 215: Workplace Writing (Cotugno): Finding Information on Writing and Communication in Your Profession

Here is a strategy to use when searching for articles, books, or e-books on writing and communication in your profession:

1. Search "writing in" or "communication in" as a Subject on one line.  There are formal subject headings applied to articles or books, such as "writing in art" or "communication in the social sciences," which might be relevant for your profession. Using those phrases can help locate them or other relevant subject headings.  Then add your profession or discipline as a keyword in the second line of the search.

This approach will work in the Miami University Libraries Search to find articles, books, or e-books.  Here is what entering the search looks like in Miami University Libraries search. You may click the "Books" or "Articles" options below the search blank to specify one type of publication:

2. If searching "writing in" or "communication in" as subjects does not work well for your profession, try searching the name of your profession on one line and then "writing" or "communication" on another line. 

This approach can work well in the Miami University Libraries Search.  But, you might find it more useful to find a database focused on your profession and search those terms there.  Our Subject & Course Guides list includes topical lists of databases for every major at Miami (including our Regional degree programs).  Go to a guide and look under "Best Bets" to find a related database for that area.  Then enter your search terms in that database.

3. You can try searching specific publications related to your profession (sometimes called "trade journals").  One way to find these publications is to search our Journal Finder, using the "Journals by Category" option.  Choose a subject area to see journals related to that topic, or search a profession name to see if there are related journals.  Then, when you choose a particular publication by clicking on its title, use the "Search for articles within this journal" link to search articles published in that journal.

4. You will come across e-books in the Miami University Libraries Search, but don't forget to also try O'Reilly E-books for e-books discussing writing and communication for professions in engineering, business, and IT.

5. Not finding what you need?  Contact me using the methods on the Home page of this guide, and I can help you find the right direction.