In order to get the maximum use out of encyclopedias it is important to keep several points in mind. First of all, while the basic arrangement of an encyclopedia is alphabetical, and the bulk of material on a given subject will be in the article about that topic, there is a wealth of information scattered through the encyclopedia under different headings. While not every encyclopedia has an index, it is helpful to know how to use such an index. It is also helpful to be aware of the special features included in different encyclopedias. These bibliographies are helpful in suggesting sources of additional information for patrons interested in the topic.
Most encyclopedias have a combination of short entries and longer survey articles.
The longer articles often have an outline of their contents, and that outline can be a useful source for students looking for term paper topics. General encyclopedias are also good sources for such things as maps, illustrations, charts, diagrams, pronunciations, and so on. When searching for illustrations, it is important to remember that the material might be in another place besides the main article on the topic. For example, there will probably be pictures of elephants in the main article on the topic, but there may be additional pictures in articles about such topics as 'Africa', 'Asia', 'Circus', and so on. The index of an encyclopedia will generally indicate where illustrations are located.