Course research guide
World Literature
This guide provides titles of and links to library resources that can help you with your Literary Essay assignment. See: Search Sheet (Word doc)
Have fun with your search, and let me know if you have questions or need help at any time!
| I. Define Topic | II. Devise Strategy | III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web | IV. Evaluate & Cite |
I. Define Topic - reference sources in section III. below can help you with this part!
What topic are you researching?
List what you know about your topic -- who, what, when, where, why, and how:
What would you like to find out about your topic? What questions do you have? What are your learning issues?
II. Devise Strategy - create a flexible search plan, list key words/names
If you're researching a particular work, such as "Antigone", think of as many synonyms and related key words as possible. Use the list of words to create multiple combinations with the word AND in order to have a successful search:
- antigone, greek tragedy, drama, play
- sophocles, classical literature, greek literature
- critiques, criticism, crit*
| antigone |
|
sophocles |
|
criticism |
|
|
|
|
||
| play |
|
greek |
|
critiques |
|
|
|
|
||
| drama |
|
classical |
|
crit* |
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. (* = , etc.)
- 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.
| I. Define Topic | II. Devise Strategy | III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web | IV. Evaluate & Cite |
III. Search Sources
A. REFERENCE sources - Looking for background information or facts?
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.
| Location & Call No. | Reference Source Title |
| REF PN610.C53 | Classical and Medieval Literature Criticism |
| REF PN86 .L56 | Literature Criticism from 1400 to1800 |
| REF PN1601 .D59 | Drama Criticism |
| REF PN1701 .D73 | Drama for Students : presenting analysis, context and criticism on commonly studied dramas |
| REF PN1010.P6 | Poetry Criticism |
| REF PR2965 .S43 | Shakespearean criticism : criticism of William Shakespeare's plays and poetry |
| REF PR2987 .S47 2000 | Shakespeare for students |
| REF PN523 .W67 1992 | World Literature Criticism |
| REF PR9080.5 .W67 2004 | World Writers in English |
| REF PN451 .M67 | World literature and its times : profiles of notable literary works and the historical events that influenced them |
| REF PN50 .L574 | Literature and its times : profiles of 300 notable literary works and the historical events that influenced them |
| See also: | Course research guide for Ms. Aguilar's ENGL 1302 class for a longer listing of reference works for drama, poetry, and short fiction. |
| REF BS540 .B62 1989 | Books of the Bible (2 v.) |
| REF BS500 .D53 1999 | Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation (2 v.) |
| REF BS491.2 .N484 | New Interpreter's Bible (12 v.) |
| REF BS1225.52 .D53 2003 | Dictionary of the Old Testament |
| REF BP109 2002 | An Interpretation of the Quran: English translation of the meanings : a bilingual edition |
| REF BP134 .P745 W48 2002 | Prophets in the Quran : an introduction to the Quran and Muslim exegesis |
| REF BM50 .K37 2006 | Encyclopedia of Judaism |
| Online databases | Screen captures - clickable! |
|
This is the big enchilada of online literature criticism databases. BUT...if you are unable to find your work or author in LRC, then you'll have to interrogate the Reference books listed above. |
 |
|
This source can provide biographies, reviews, and overviews of works including character analysis, themes & meanings, and context. |
 |
| Gale Virtual Reference Library Includes encyclopedias of RELIGION. You can also find some very nice entries on medieval drama, Everyman, and morality plays. Just do a keyword search for each. |
 |
| I. Define Topic | II. Devise Strategy | III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web | IV. Evaluate & Cite |
B. BOOKS, VIDEOS, other items - Looking for in-depth information?
Remember the old timey Card Catalog? There were 3 ways you could search it: Author, Title, SUBJECT With the online Catalog, start with a Keyword, then look for Subject headings.
- Greek drama (Tragedy) -- History and criticism
- Sophocles. Antigone.
- Antigone (Greek mythology) in literature
- Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Criticism and interpretation
- netLibrary (eBooks) - Create a Free Account for direct access @ http://www.netlibrary.com; use quotes "for phrases"
- How to check out books & eBooks
| I. Define Topic | II. Devise Strategy | III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web | IV. Evaluate & Cite |
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.
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.
| I. Define Topic | II. Devise Strategy | III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web | IV. Evaluate & Cite |
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
