English 2P69: ContemporaryAmerican Prose

Justine Cotton, English Liaison Librarian

AgendaAgenda Taking a research topic into library

resources

Oxford Encyclopedia of American Literature

Subject Searching in the Library Catalogue

Databases

Citing Sources

Getting StartedGetting Started

Author Vladimir Nabokov's researched materials on file cards for his book 'Lolita'.

Building your SearchBuilding your SearchTopic: How do any of the novels ask us to reconsider the

meaning of a socially acceptable and “moral” love relationship?

What are the relevant keywords?

novel title (e.g. Lolita)

love or romance or relationship

moral*, deviant, “socially acceptable”

Your search might look Your search might look like this:like this:

Sakai ResourcesSakai Resources

Background Background InformationInformation

Oxford Encyclopedia of American Literature information and further readings about authors for this course limited # of users (if you can’t get in, try again in a few minutes)

overviews of literary works & authors

Subject Searching in Subject Searching in the library cataloguethe library catalogue

Why? allows a more precise search for literary criticism eliminates works written BY the author

General DatabasesGeneral Databases cover a wide range of subjects

are a useful starting point for locating research articles

e.g. Scholars Portal E-Journals

Literature-Specific Literature-Specific DatabasesDatabases

include content only on literature topics

offer a more comprehensive search

e.g. MLA International Bibliography

Citation ToolsCitation Tools

More help!More help! Use the Sakai resource pages to get started

Visit the Help Desk in the Library

Contact Justine justine.cotton@brocku.ca