Course research guide

ENGL 1302 - Liz Ann Aguilar

Literature Criticism: Poetry, Drama, & Short Story

This guide provides titles of and links to library resources that can help you with your literature criticism assignment.

Have fun with your search, and let me know if you have questions or need help at any time!

I. Define Topic - reference sources in section III. below can help you with this part!

What are you researching?

List what you know about your topic -- who, what, when, where, why, and how:

What would you like to find out? What questions would you like to answer?

II. Devise Strategy - create a flexible search plan, list key words/names

If you're researching a particular work, such as "Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy, then you can use the author's name and the title together in a search. You could also try putting the authors name together with other words such as "criticism" or "poetry." Use AND in order to have a successful search:

• piercy AND barbie doll
• piercy AND criticism
• piercy AND poetry

So...what's the difference between KEYWORD v. SUBJECT searching?

• Keyword search = to combine key words or for more specific search; finds items that contain your keywords
• Subject search = for broad search or when you know terminology; finds items that are about that topic

TIPS:

• Use symbols such as the * at the end of key words to pick up alternate endings. (poet* = poet, poets, poetry)
• Use keyword and subject searching together: start with a keyword search, find an item that's relevant, then look for subject headings within item descriptions and incorporate those subject words into your search strategy.
  

III. Search Sources

A. REFERENCE sources - Looking for background information or facts?

These sources will give you background on your author, the work itself, AND may compile several essays/criticisms in one place!

Sources labeled Ref are in print and available at the SAC Library, 2nd floor reference room. You can also check your local library catalog to see if they own a copy. Online databases require a login from off-campus.You can get login info HERE.

Online databases	Screen captures - clickable!
Literature Resource Center
Magill on Literature

B. BOOKS, VIDEOS, other items - Looking for in-depth information?

QuickSearch Books & Media (Catalog)

By: Keyword Title Author Subject Call Number Search for:


• Start out with a Keyword search, then look at/click the Subject headings listed for any relevant item!
• A few Subject headings (just copy & paste into box above!) you can use to do a Subject search:
  

• Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Criticism and interpretation
• American poetry -- Women authors -- History and criticism
• American poetry -- 20th century -- History and criticism
• Glaspell, Susan, 1876-1948 -- Criticism and interpretation
• Hughes, Langston, 1902-1967 -- Criticism and interpretation
• Antigone (Greek mythology) in literature
• Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983 -- Criticism and interpretation
  
  
• netLibrary (eBooks)
• How to check out books & eBooks

C. ARTICLES - Looking for current information or need to highlight a specific issue?

Online databases require a login from off-campus.You can get login info HERE..

• Literature Online
• Literature Resource Center
• MLA Bibliography
• More...

NOTE: If the full-text of the article isn't available online use the Journal Locator. Just type in the periodical title to see if SAC Library owns a paper copy or if another database offers full-text.

D. FREE WEB SITES

• Literature Links: American & British (SAC web guide by librarian Tom Kuykendall)
• World Literature (SAC web guide by librarian Eileen Oliver)

IV. Evaluate and Cite your sources