Drew University Library

Research Guide:
English 4: Writing in the Discipline
Fall 2005, Sections 1 and 2


General guides to research:
Consult these for recommendations for the basic tools in an area.
Reference
016.8209
H289l

Harner, James L. Literary research guide: An annotated listing of reference sources in English literary studies . NY: MLA of America , 1989, 1993, 1998, 2002.

Reference
016.8209
B797r
1998

Bracken, James K. Reference works in British and American literature . Englewood , CO : Libraries Unlimited, 1998.

Encyclopedias, dictionaries and reference sources:

General sources:

Reference
820.3
O98o

Oxford companion to English literature. Edited by Margaret Drabble. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2000
    Gives useful synopses of English-language authors' lives, works, dates and bibliographies. Includes groups associated with an author.

Reference
803
C964d
1998

A dictionary of literary terms and literary theory, 1998

Reference
423
O98o
The Oxford English dictionary. 1989.
http://dictionary.oed.com/

Reference
820.9
B862b

British writers . Edited under the auspices of the British Council. NY: Scribner, 1979-
    Gives an overview of each writer included, and an extensive bibliography for further research. It is easy to navigate and is a good starting point for researching a particular author.
Research Resources Literature resource center
Reference
801.9503
E56e		 Encyclopedia of literary critics and criticism, 1999.

Focused sources:

Reference
809.03
N714n

Nineteenth-century literature criticism, 1981-

Reference
941.08103
E56e		 Encyclopedia of the Victorian era, 2004.
Reference
973.03
D554d
Dictionary of American history, 2003
Reference
821
S545Z
E47l		 A lexical concordance to the poetical works of Percy Bysshe Shelley

Bibliographies and indexes:

To find magazine or journal articles, you should use an index, which may or may not include the actual articles. On the Research Resources page of the Library's web site, under the heading Recommended Online Sources by Subject , you'll find descriptions of specific indexes, arranged by topic.

Bibliographies:

Reference
016.8209007
L776l

Literature of the Romantic period, 1998.

Reference
012
C496
A427e
The essential Chaucer: an annotated bibliography of major modern studies, 1987.
    An annotated bibliography divided by topics, titles of works and themes which guide researchers towards useful, reputable sources. This would be helpful if a researcher already has a topic in mind, but is still searching for sources.
Reference
016.8209 R432r 1 		Research guide to biography and criticism, 1985.
    This work on English-language literature is sorted by author, giving biographical information, historical context, and an overview of other biographical and critical sources. Useful for determining what information is available and where it may be found.

Ongoing bibliographies and indexes:

Reference
820.9
E58e

Year's work in English studies (YWES) . London : Blackwell, 1920-2002.
    This work has the potential to be very helpful in the introductory research stage. Individual authors and their works are mentioned, as well as specific themes.
    Interesting because it gives topics researchers are exploring. Each volume covers one year, and it spans every time period in English literature. Composed of reviews of critical essays and their general theses.
Research Resources MLA (Modern language association) international bibliography . MLA, 1963 –
Research Resources

Historical Abstracts, 1450-
America: History and Life
These provide abstracts of articles, essays and reviews on history.
Research Resources WorldCat.

For indexes that do not include the full-text of the article, you need to check TWO places:

A guide to the process of determining if we own a specific magazine or journal is available under Library User Guides on the Research Resources page.

Questions?
If you have questions, call the Reference Counter at x3588.  We're available 9-5, Monday-Friday and 6-10, Sunday-Thursday. Or email me at jcaldwel@drew.edu!

Annotations by students in English 4, Fall 2005.

Jody L. Caldwell/9/16/05
www.users.drew.edu/jcaldwel/Eng4-05
Link from http://www.depts.drew.edu/lib/courses/index.html on Research Resources