Literature Resource Center
- Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new windowBiographical and selected critical coverage of the most studied authors & works.
Focused on a certain work or author but not sure what to write about? Try the Literature Resource Center's Topic Finder tool. Just type in the name of a work or an author and you'll see some main ideas and themes that have been written about.
Here's a sample showing the search results for the author J.R.R. Tolkien.
Online Encyclopedias and Guides
Oxford Encyclopedia of American LiteraturePublication Date: 2004Includes 350 essays encompassing the range and depth of American literary history from the 1600s to the present day. The Encyclopedia includes essays on poets, playwrights, essayists, and novelists, as well as major works and essays on literary movements, periods, and themes.
- Oxford Encyclopedia of British Literature
Publication Date: 2006
Online resource
Provides coverage of the history of literature in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in the major literary languages (Anglo-Saxon, English, Welsh, Scots, Irish, and Latin). Includes accounts of individual authors and histories of particular themes, movements, genres, and institutions.
- Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new windowOnline resource
Biographical and selected critical coverage of the most studied authors & works.
Print Encyclopedias and Guides
The library also has many useful print encyclopedias and guides in the P - PT reference section on the first floor (call number starts with "Ref") or in the general collection on the 3rd floor. Many of the encyclopedias are dedicated to a literary movement, genre, ethnicity, or specific author. Below are some examples of major titles.
If you're having trouble finding any of these, please feel free to ask at the Research Help desk!
Critical Survey of Shakespeare's Plays
Research Starters
We all use Wikipedia, but if you want something authoritative and reliable, Britannica® Academic is a great option. Like all encyclopedias, this source is a good way to find background information on a topic.
- Encyclopedia Britannica - Academic This link opens in a new windowIf the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access Britannica Academic.
CQ Researcher is a great source for information about current events and controversies. However, it also has some useful historical information, usually about political events (ex. U.S.-Iran relations). We recommend this source when you're having difficulty coming up with a topic. It's also a good tool if you already have an idea, but aren't sure what direction to take.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowIf the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access CQ Researcher.
- Opposing Viewpoints In Context (Gale) This link opens in a new window
This link opens in a new window
If the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access Opposing Viewpoints.
This source is very similar to Opposing Viewpoints in Context - it's a good place to look for information on controversial issues.
- Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new windowIf the search widget above isn't working, you can click here to access Points of View Reference Center.
Plan Your Research
Not sure how long it will take you to complete an assignment? Want to make sure that you're not stuck at the last minute?
The Assignment Calculator can help you plan your work. Don't forget to email yourself the schedule, or print it - both options are at the bottom of the page.