How to Write on a Topic You Know Very Little About

As a writer, people expect you to write only on areas you are versed in. However, there are times you would be required to write on a topic you have little or no knowledge about. This kind of task can be nerve wrecking and difficult, because of your lack of knowledge about the subject; but it doesn’t have to be. There are ways of getting around this challenge and producing a fantastic piece like an expert.  Try these tips:

1. Go online

The first thing you should do when you are required to write on a subject you know little about is to go online to gather information about the subject. You can make use of a search engine like Google to read on all relevant materials relating to the subject.

2. Visit the library

The truth is, there are some subjects that you might not get enough relevant materials for online. In such a situation, what you need to do is visit a public library to get books on the subject. Aside from a public library, you can also go to a university and visit their departmental library to source for materials relating to the subject you intend writing on. You can also get relevant materials from your office library, if you have one.

3. Use social media ideas

Surely, there are people on social media who would have written on, or commented on a post similar to the subject you want to write on.  Therefore, what you should do is to go on social media to read people’s post relating to the subject and get their opinions. If the topic is related to career, LinkedIn would be a good place to start. If it is about politics, you might want to consider Facebook; and if it is about the review of a place or a product in Nigeria, Nairaland is the best platform to get the information.

4. Ask an expert in the field

Also, asking for information from an expert in the field would help you gain a lot of knowledge on what you want to write. You may request for an interview with the person, and once the person agrees to it, you should go along with a list of questions on things you would like to know about the topic. Aside from a face-to-face interview, the information can also be gotten via a phone call or even an email, depending on the schedule of the expert.  If you don’t know any expert in the field, you can ask for referrals from your friends or colleagues.

5. Take notes

While doing your research, take notes of all the information you acquire and use them to develop your article. Also, while writing, ensure you quote relevant authorities from the field and credit your sources accordingly.

6. Get an editor

Since the subject you are writing on  is unfamiliar, it is advisable you get an editor from the field to help you edit your work. Take notes of the feedback you get from the editor and work on them before you send your article out for publishing.

When you follow the guidelines above, you would have written an article that seems like that of an expert. In addition, even if you are not required to write on a subject you know little about, you can practise and write on subjects that are out of your expertise in order to develop your writing skills.

Simbiat Bakare