Wikipedia as a Source
Many of the Identification Topics for American Realities are followed by a small “w” – this indicates a link to the term in Wikipedia. This information may be helpful as a starting point if you wish to explore the particular term or concept beyond what you learn in the text. BUT keep in mind two considerations:
(1) If you are reading American Realities for a history class, you will likely be tested on these terms based on your reading and learning about the topic in the book. Make certain that you understand the term as explained in American Realities. So be sure to read the book!
(2) Some historians admire Wikipedia; others are critical of the project. Most will at least concede that it is a good starting point on many topics, but your instructor may require further research if you are using Wikipedia for, say, a term paper – and of course the articles in Wikipedia themselves list further reading. Be certain to determine your instructor’s policy on Wikipedia before using its information in a paper or on a test. (You can get a good sense of current discussion of Wikipedia’s reliability by doing a Web search for the term “Wikipedia reliability.”)
(1) If you are reading American Realities for a history class, you will likely be tested on these terms based on your reading and learning about the topic in the book. Make certain that you understand the term as explained in American Realities. So be sure to read the book!
(2) Some historians admire Wikipedia; others are critical of the project. Most will at least concede that it is a good starting point on many topics, but your instructor may require further research if you are using Wikipedia for, say, a term paper – and of course the articles in Wikipedia themselves list further reading. Be certain to determine your instructor’s policy on Wikipedia before using its information in a paper or on a test. (You can get a good sense of current discussion of Wikipedia’s reliability by doing a Web search for the term “Wikipedia reliability.”)