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English Literature: Home

Welcome

This is a guide to researching for an essay or dissertation in English Literature.

Step 1: Search the library catalogue for books

Search tips:

  1. Choosing keywords. Try searching on alternative keywords if you don't get the results you expect.
  2. Phrase searching. Try putting common phrases in quotation marks, e.g. "industrial revolution".
  3. Truncation/wildcard. Put an asterisk at the end of the stem of the word to search for any letters which come after it, e.g. film* will find film, films, filming, etc.
  4. Refining to ebooks. Use the ebook filter.

Step 3: If the library doesn't have the book/article

Suggest a Book for the Library

Help with academic skills

Step 2: Search databases for research articles

The databases listed below contain research in English Literature (journal articles and book articles). Choose a database appropriate for your specific topic. The MLA International Bibliography is a good general database in this subject.

Search tips:

  1. Choosing keywords. Try searching on alternative keywords if you don't get the results you expect.
  2. Combining search terms. Combine concepts with AND. Combine alternative keywords with OR, e.g.  (film OR cinema) AND (horror or suspense)
  3. Phrase searching. Try putting common phrases in quotation marks, e.g. "industrial revolution"
  4. Truncation/wildcard. Put an asterisk at the end of the stem of the word to search for any letters which come after it, e.g. film* will find film, films, filming, etc.
  5. Refining search. Refine your search using the filters available, e.g. date, language
  6. Evaluating results. Read the abstract and subject headings to decide whether the article is relevant to your research.
  7. Finding full text. If you don't see a PDF link, try clicking on the WebBridge button - this may take you to the full text. If not, see Step 3 below.

Step 4: Evaluate web sources

It is important to critically analyse information before you use it in an essay, report or assignment.

General

Pre 1500

1500-1700

1700-1900

1900 to present

Your Librarian

Profile Photo
Helen Beardsley

Step 5: Cite your references

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