By Phil Davies, 10th March 2016

Writing an Encyclopaedia Entry
MARCH 10, 2016 / PHILDAVIES72
By Phil Davies, 10^th March 2016
Writing an encyclopaedia entry can be a quicker and easier way of getting published than submitting an article to a peer-reviewed journal. It is also a way to get your own specialist area of research out into the public domain, and, where appropriate, your own work cited, and therefore publicised.
An encyclopaedia is generally understood as an ‘authoritative’ reference work suitable for students and professionals, whether online or in printed form. They are normally ‘scholarly’ and ‘professional’ but of interest to a wider audience. They give a comprehensive view of a subject (more than is available in a dictionary) without going into the complicated detail of a specialist text. Very often, they are the entry-point to a topic for students and researchers alike.
Many authoritative encyclopaedias are now found online, along with a host of more traditional printed versions, along with ‘companions’, ‘quick reference guides’ and ‘[extended] dictionaries’. Most online encyclopaedias accept online submissions for entries.
The objective, structure, contents, format and style of an encyclopaedia entry are different to other forms of academic writing, and we attempt to give an overview of the most important points here.

1. 
   Getting started
   

Most professional encyclopaedias, both on-line and in print, have their own guidelines for the objective, structure and style of their entries. Where available, this should be consulted first, as it may determine your choice of which publication to approach. They will, for example, detail the acceptable length of the entries in word-count, the required structure and format, and the word-processing software required (e.g. Microsoft Word) or text format (e.g. HTML). Some encyclopaedias may require a formal contract to be agreed by the contributor (an agreement to transfer the copyright of the material from the author to the publisher) before accepting an entry for publication.

2. 
   Word count
   

The word-count of an entry varies greatly from encyclopaedia to encyclopaedia, depending on the scholastic objective of the publication. ‘Quick reference guide’ entries can be as short as 200 words, entries in large, specialist subject-matter encyclopaedias can be as long as journal articles and even short monographs (6000-12,000 words). Here are some examples:
A Dictionary of Critical Theory (OUP): c.200-400 words
Encyclopedia of Postmodernism (Routledge): c. 800 words
Encyclopedia of Literature and Criticism (Routledge): c.4000 words
The Encyclopedia of Literary and Cultural Theory (Blackwell): c.4000 words
Stanford Encylopedia of Philosophy (online): up to 12,000 words

3. 
   Structure
   

The exact structure of an entry varies from publication to publication and is usually outlined in the submission guidelines. However, the following are common characteristics:

• 
  A short one, or two-word title, sometimes including relevant dates for people, organizations, or events
  
• 
  A brief definition, or description of the subject at the beginning, followed by more detailed examination in the main body. This initial description might also state the subject’s interest and significance, and mention the main topics to be covered in the main body
  
• 
  A main body, sometimes with sub-sections and sub-headers depending on the length of the entry
  
• 
  References and further reading
  
• 
  Related entries
  

4.