Course research guide
ENGL 2332 - Maria Garcia

This guide provides titles of and links to library resources that can help you with your research assignments. Have fun with your search, and let me know if you have questions or need help at any time!

NOTE: Recordings of the library sessions are linked here! Look for the Fall 2006 sessions: sacelibrary.2006-09-24_1337.vcr or sacelibrary.2006-09-25_1740.vcr

You need the Elluminate plug-in to see and hear these recordings. You can hit the play button, fast forward, pause, etc.

I. Define Topic - locate background material using reference sources

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

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.

NOTE: The Ref print sources above contain both partial AND complete critical essays. Look for the phrase "in the following essay" to find the full critique.

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

If you're researching a particular work, you basically have two elements to work with: the author's name & the title of the work. Same thing for movies. Use the title of the movie and other keywords to find reviews. Use those to do your search:

• plato AND cave
• plato AND republic
• plato AND republic AND criticism
• plato AND republic AND cave
• plato AND criticism
• matrix AND movie AND review*
• matrix AND film AND review

If you're researching a particular topic, such as "orality and literacy", then you need to list as many synonyms and related key words as possible. Use the list of words to create multiple combinations with the word AND (orality and ong; oral tradition and ong; etc.) in order to have a successful search:

• orality, oral tradition, storytell*
• literacy, literate, written word, printing
• ong, william ong

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. 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. Looking for BOOKS, VIDEOS, other items?

QuickSearch Books & Media (Catalog)

By: Keyword Title Author Subject Call Number Search for:
• 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.
  
  
• netLibrary (eBooks) - try a Keyword or Full Text search; put phrases "in quotes"
• How to check out books & eBooks

B. Looking for periodical ARTICLES?

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

• Academic Search Complete (all topics; movie reviews)
• InfoTrac OneFile (all topics)



• JSTOR (use ADVANCED search - select "Search full-text" & Narrow Types to: "Article")
• Project Muse (some movie articles; put phrases "in quotes")
• Literature Online (lit criticism and reference)
• MLA Bibliography (lit criticism)
  
  
• InfoTrac Custom Newspapers (movie reviews)
• NewsBank (click on Access News, select a country to see current news events)
• More Newspaper databases...


• More databases by Subject area...

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.

C. Looking for free WEB SITES?

• Literature Links: American and British
• World Literature Sources
• Internet Movie Database (movie info)
• Rotten Tomatoes (movie info, reviews)

IV. Evaluate and Cite your sources