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Where To Research Literature
Welcome to the English Literature Research Guide! Try 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. Google Scholar to find articles & book titles. Link it to Regent (menu; Settings; Library Links; search for Regent; Save).
4. Oxford English Dictionary, an in-depth historical dictionary that is preferred for defining words used in literature.
5. LibKey Nomad browser tool to get instant links to library articles & e-books from Wikipedia & the web.
6. Google to find websites like Victorian Web & Shakespeare Online, as well as free classics online (search w/ CTRL + F).
7. Get research help! Ask a Librarian through questions, email, chat, or appointments for help with researching your topic.
Defining Words & 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."
Grammar Checker
- Grammar CheckFree resource.
Types of Literary Analysis
Ideas for how to write a literature paper:
1. Thematic analysis: close reading of how the same idea or message recurs throughout a piece of literature
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 focusing on the text
7. Answering a difficult question of interpretation: making an argument about something that is ambiguous.
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.
10. Textual and Manuscript Questions: which is the best, most authentic edition to use; is it as the author intended?
11. Literary History: who was the first to use iambic pentameter or rhyme in English? How did a certain genre develop?