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English Literature Guide Ask Us

Guide Sections

Introduction

This guide presents various types of resources that you can find through the Library for research in English literature. You'll find a brief description of each type of source below.

When researching a new topic, it's usually best to follow the process of moving from general (background) sources to gradually more specific (detailed) sources. This is why we highly recommend that you start with the Encyclopedias, etc. tab, and then move through the other tabs from left to right. To learn more about how to conduct library research, visit our Research Help page.

The Research Process pyramid
Encyclopedias etc.
These resources will give you overviews of your subject, define terms, list useful books and journals, and help you frame your topic. Start with these and return to them when you encounter concepts or terms later in your research that you don’t understand.

 

Find Books
Books generally provide more in-depth information on your topic. Scan the table of contents and the index of the books you find, to see if they focus on your topic or on aspects of it.
 

Find Articles
Journal articles are shorter than books, and tend to provide less background information and focus instead on very specific topics.
 

Citing Your Sources
Learn how to cite the sources you use using MLA format.
 

Primary Sources
These are original documents (e.g., letters, newspapers, diaries, etc.) from various historical periods.
 

If you need help using this guide, please don't hesitate to contact your local librarian, Erik (Fredericton) or Nicole (Saint John).


Last modified on March 28, 2024 11:43