Vanessa Wood2024 was a landmark year. Whether you like writing source citations or not, we can cheer the arrival of The Fourth Edition of Evidence Explained.1 Reading the book is essential to understand the construction of source citations. Packing it in a suitcase of book bag can be gym-worthy workout. The Kindle ebook version provides genealogical writers with a flexible, portable citation reference. Having the ability to travel light and still have answers at your fingertips is a bonus for writers. Genealogists can carry a comprehensive 744-page reference in their pocket or on their desktop without needing a special Kindle reader.
Genealogist-friendly Features
Ebook newcomers might find the Kindle app’s features align with their writing and styles, and even offers additional features such as:
Device Flexibility
The free Kindle app can be used on Macs and PCs to view . Access the Evidence Explained ebook on smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers without requiring a special Kindle reader.
Portability
Carry the entire 744-page reference in your digital library, enabling reference to citation instructions at libraries, repositories, or research sites
Visual Accessibility
Zoom up to 400% to reduce eye strain and accommodate visually impaired researchers. Improved reading across devices.
Table of Contents
Move easily between topics through clickable chapter titles.
Dictionary
Quickly resolve unfamiliar terms with a double-click access to the New Oxford American Dictionary definition.
Search
Easily navigate the extensive content by using the ebook’s search feature, allowing location of specific information.
Bookmarks
Replace traditional “dog-earing” with digital bookmarks that allow you to mark and quickly return to specific sections of interest.
Highlights
Annotate your research with four different highlight colors.
Notes
Add personal notes directly within the text, such as formatting your own citations alongside existing examples for enhanced understanding.
Export
Export highlights and notes to project files on your computer or print them for attachment to draft articles, bridging digital and traditional research methods.
Support
Help is available through extensive online resources, including the app’s built-in help center and YouTube.com tutorials showing “how-to” do basic Kindle functions such as ebook purchasing, software installation, and app navigation.
Recognizing the Negatives
Doesn’t it seem that good things sometimes also have a downside? Using the Evidence Explained ebook comes with the temptation to rely upon fast word searches. Reading is still required to understand the principles of citation structure. Simply landing on a word and not understanding the context and citation standards can lead the user to construct an incorrect citation.
Ebooks may be a negative experience for some users. A Kindle device has anti-glare features designed to “feel” like a printed book. Using the app on a phone, tablet, or desktop offers greater clarity than a Kindle, but also the same level of light and reflection experienced on any website, program, or app.
Additional Resources
“Kindle Apps,” Digital Services and Device Support, Help & Customer Service, Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html : viewed 7 December 2024) > Top Menu “Customer Service” > Sub Menu “Digital Services and Device Support” > Kindle Apps.
Dave Johnson, “Everything You Need to Know About the Kindle App,” 11 April 2024, Amazon (https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/kindle-app-guide : viewed 7 December 2024).
In Summary
The Kindle edition of Evidence Explained transforms how genealogists consult this resource. The use of the book as a learning tool is enhanced with the ability to mark important passages, add personal notes, and export research materials. The ebook does more than provide information—it becomes an active reference companion, enabling genealogists to work more efficiently, and maintain the highest standards of documentation, whether they are conducting research at their desk or traveling.
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