Almanacs

When you have access to an encyclopedia, it can seem redundant to use an almanac as well. However, this yearly publication allows you to see up-to-date information and statistics on a variety of topics.

Some of the almanacs that are currently published include:

Encyclopedia Britannica Almanac;

Farmers' Almanac;

The New York Times Almanac;

Wall Street Journal Almanac;

The World Almanac and Book of Facts.

While this is not a comprehensive list, it is a starting point when you want to seek out the information from an almanac. You will find these publications collect information from as far back as the 1800s.

Why use an almanac?

To talk about the past: When you look at an almanac, such as the Farmer's Almanac, you will see that the weather from as far back as 1818 has been recorded. This allows you to use this research to talk about weather in your report or presentation. You can point out things that happened in the past to show how things have or have not changed.

To show changes in time: Most of the time, an almanac is used to show just how much things have changed in the world. By looking at the numbers and facts from many centuries or decades before, you can show what technology has changed in society, for example, or how weather patterns have shifted.

To create relevance: When you need to talk about certain events in modern times, you can use the facts in an almanac to show why this event, or at least talking about it, is still relevant.

To present quirky facts: Many almanacs will also state strange facts or little known pieces of history to the readers. Starting with this sort of factoid in a research paper or a speech can help to draw in the interest of the audience.

To learn about cycles: If you take the time to look at each of the different almanacs created in each year, you can begin to notice trends and cycles. This allows you to create a strong hypothesis that is supported by facts.

To be able to specify dates of events: If you are researching a specific event in history, an almanac will allow you to have an understanding of what was happening in the world during that date. This can add creativity to a report or presentation.

To gain more directions for your research: In learning about the weather in a certain region and the advice that was given during that time, you can begin to find new avenues for your research. Almanacs often can cause you to look up additional facts you might not have thought to consider before looking at this reference tool.

Many almanacs are available on the Internet as well, to help you learn more about not only the facts they contain but the people who compiled those facts.

For example, if you were to talk about a certain country or population, finding a local almanac could give your research insight into the way things really were, as opposed to how they have been written about in other research sources.

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