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Where To Research Literature
Welcome to the English Literature Research Guide! Follow these research steps:
1. Primo search: Journal Articles, Books, Chapters, Videos, Biographies, Letters, & Reference Entries (definitions).
2. MLA database and other literature databases to find journal articles, books, and book chapters (literary criticism).
3. Literature Resource Center for brief author biographies and quick info.
4. Google Scholar to find articles & book titles. Link it to Regent (menu; Settings; Library Links; search for Regent; Save).
5. Oxford English Dictionary, an in-depth historical dictionary that is preferred for defining words used in literature.
6. LibKey Nomad browser tool to get instant links to library articles & e-books from Wikipedia & the web.
7. Websites like Victorian Web & Shakespeare Online, and other free classic books online (searchable with control F).
8. Ask a Librarian through email, chat, or appointments any question or for help with researching your topic.
Defining Words & Literary, Philosophical, or Historical Terms
Writing & MLA Citation Help
- MLA Handbook Plus
See the Appendix providing citation examples for the final word on how to cite various sources in MLA. - RefWorks Premium
Export sources from Primo with "RW." Then click "Import," select sources, "Create Bibliography."
Types of Literary Analysis
Ideas for how to write a literature paper:
1. Thematic analysis: how the same idea or message recurs throughout a piece of literature & is emphasized by the author
2. Literary device analysis: how a certain element, such as metaphor or symbolism, is used to get across a theme
3. Historical context analysis: how history can shed light on the piece of literature
4. Biographical analysis: how an author's life may have influenced and sheds light on his/her literature
5. Influence analysis: how other authors have influenced the piece
6. Theory: using a theory such as ecocriticism or Freud's "uncanny" to analyze a piece, while still staying focused on the text
7. Answering a difficult question of interpretation: making an argument about something that is ambiguous or hard to understand
8. Social themes analysis: how the author critiqued society's strictures, wrong ideas, or unfairness towards a certain group
9. Innovation and quality: showing how a certain piece was innovative compared to what came before, or skillfully & meaningfully crafted