Literature Research Overview LRC@TCC

literary terms:

• Anthologies/Collections-copies of the literary work either in full or part, some include commentaries, analyses, or criticisms.
• Bibliographies-lists of books or periodical citations referring to the author.
• Biographies-accounts of the life of the author and influences on their work.
• Book Reviews-published summaries and comparative analyses of works of literature.
• Criticisms-critical, evaluative or comparative statements about a literary work.

key concepts:

• Do you want a copy of the work by an author? Use the library catalog and do an author search using your author's name.
• Do you want information about an author, such as biographical information? Use the library catalog and do a subject or keyword search using your author's name.
• Do you want information about the work of an author? Use the library catalog and do a keyword search using your author's name and a key word from the title of the work.
• What gender is your author, male or female?
• What genre are you researching? Drama, poetry, short stories? Religious? Historical?
• What nationality is your author? American, British, African-American? Asian?
• During what time period did your author write? Classical Greek or Roman, Medieval, Nineteenth Century, Contemporary?

the process:

• Work from general resources to specific resources.
• Use the library catalog first. Browse the bookshelves in areas where you find books on your topic.
• Use both general literature and biographical reference books to gather background information.
• Use literature reference books as sources.
• Use literature reference books with criticism excerpts/discussions.
• Use literature reference books as indexes for locating criticisms printed elsewhere.
• Use electronic or printed periodical indexes and databases for articles and essays.
• Use the library's interlibrary loan service to borrow materials from another library.

tips:

• Ask for assistance!
• Read the "how to use" page of a reference book.
• In a multi-volume set of reference books, use the index.
• Write down every piece of information you find, you'll need it for your citation. This includes the name of the electronic database you use.
• Print what you need when you find it, you may not be able to find it again.
• If the item you need is not available at your library, ask about interlibrary loan services.
• There are many online resources available. Most of which are electronic versions of printed resources. Use our literature subject guide.