How to cite history before man existed

By Anonymous on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 18:19

Forums

Hi,

I'm not at all an historian, but I'm a writer who is extremely interested in history.

I've started a history book that begins with how the earth originally formed (billions of years ago). How do I write about this topic legally, since there are no original documents and I'm not an expert? So far I've been reading multiple websites, and writing in my own words.

Also, what determines when I have to cite websites I've read?

Thanks!

Kara

 

Submitted byEEon Tue, 03/31/2015 - 22:48

Kara, if you write history for the popular market, citations are not common—certainly not citations as rigorous as those expected in scholarly works.

As for how you can write about pre-history "legally": any one of us is free to write about any topic, so long as we do not violate copyrights and avoid plagiarism. Beyond the advice on this subject that you'll find in EE's QuickLesson 15, the best way for us to avoid both these problems is to study our subject widely and deeply. When we have a sound grasp of our subject, we'll see it through our own eyes. We'll have thoughts and concepts and conclusions that other writers haven't expressed. That is what justifies our presenting a book on any subject.

As for citing websites (or books): Even though popular history is lackadaisical about citations, some writers still (and commendably) feel honor bound to add acknowledgments or an appendix that credit the other writers and works that shaped their own ideas. Acknowledgments are usually quite informal. A source list or bibliography at the end of a work of history should follow standard bibliographic formats.

In the end, our market or intended readership will determine how we approach the identification of our sources. Here again, studying the works of writers you admire, in your planned genre, will give you guidance.

Submitted byKara888on Mon, 04/27/2015 - 17:20

Hi,

I thought I thanked you after you replied to my comment. But now I'm looking back at this post, and I see my reply didn't go through for some reason.

I want to thank you sooo much for your well-written and detailed answer. You may have made a new career decision for me as a popular history writer!

I'd like to give you a donation if that's possible. Please let me know how to do so.

Thanks again!

Kara

 

Submitted byEEon Mon, 04/27/2015 - 19:04

Kara, you are kind, but I don't accept donations. The best way any reader of this site can show appreciation is by helping someone else in return—and you do seem like the kind of person who does that. 

When you publish your first work in the genre you've chosen, do let us know.

Submitted byKara888on Mon, 04/27/2015 - 19:46

You're very kind too! I'll let you know. It may be years because I have several health issues, and can only work on the book very part-time.

Kara