Representative Reference Sources in English Language and Literature
When doing a search for information in English Language or Literature, start by establishing a basic understanding of the terms and concepts in the field. Reference works such as dictionaries, handbooks, manuals, and encyclopedias are great sources for this type of information.
Provides biographical information on major Authurian writers ranging from Gildas to Marion Zimmer Bradley. Each entry also includes critical reactions to their writings, along with sources for additional information.
This dictionary provides definition for terms used in science fiction like "time storm" or "hyperspace." Entries includes usage examples from various sci-fi titles.
This source helps in studying the initial reception of a work of literature. The Book Review Digest targets current titles, offers citations for multiple book reviews, and provides a brief excerpt of each review.
Indexes poems published in anthologies through May 31, 2006. Provides a main index of title, first line, or last line, along with an author and a subject index. At the beginning of the volume are a list of abbreviations used for the anthologies along with their bibliographical information.
With a focus on current authors and titles, this source samples notable criticisms about a particular titled work. The collection features a brief biography of the author and excerpts from criticisms.
Covers major authors and characters of the genre, along with entries on the sub-genres, and mysteries in other medias. Also provides a guide to other resources relating to mysteries. Indexes cover subjects, characters and authors.
This encyclopedia covers both Western and non-Western traditions in literary theory and provides a basic introduction to major literary movements, criticisms, and theories.
Covers "the social history of oaths, profanity, foul language, and ethnic slurs in the English-speaking world."
This resource covers literature from all areas of the world searchable by country or by author’s name. Entries include a list of the author’s works and secondary sources for continued research.
Covers Latino authors and major topics/issues in Latino literature.
Latin American Women Writers R 860.99287 L357a 2008
Provides biographies and bibliographies for the major Latin American women writers.
Masterplots Throughout reference in the 800s
Masterplots offers a general plot description for well-known literature. They offer a number of specialized series with focuses on world fiction, European fiction, American fiction, poetry, nonfiction, African-American fiction, and juvenile and young adult literature, for example.
Targeting authors that died between 1800-1899, this source samples notable criticisms about a particular titled work. The collection features a brief biography, an introduction, and a comprehensive listing of titled works, along with experts from notable criticisms.
The Routledge Dictionary of Modern American Slang R 427.09 R869 2009
Defines non-standard terms like "fiddle-faddle" or "hoodie" (among others), using pop culture examples.
Shakespeare's Language: A Glossary of Unfamiliar Words in His Plays and Poems R 822.23 S554s 2008
As the title says, this glossary covers unfamiliar words in Shakespeare's works, providing definitions and examples of usages from his plays/poems (including acts and scene information).
Short Story Writers R 809.31 S559s 2008
Mainly concerned with modern short story writers. Entries are organized alphabetically and provide biographical information analysis of their major works and a bibliography for more information.
Student Encyclopedia of African Literature R 896 K48s 2008
Entries include authors, titles, and important topics like feminism, etc. all from the context of African literature.
Twentieth Century Literary Criticism R 809.04 T971
Targeting authors who died between 1900-1960, this source samples notable criticisms about a particular titled work. The collection features a brief biography, an introduction, and a comprehensive listing of titled works, and excerpts of notable criticism.
Finding Books and Other Items in the Library
To find books and other resources on English literature and language in our general collection, start by going to the ALEX online catalog and searching by subject. Also use the subject search when you are looking for information about a specific author. When you are searching for information by a specific person, use the author search. Remember to invert the name: last name, first name. If a subject search is not successful, searching by keyword broadens your search and retrieves more information.
Browse by call number:
· 400-410 language and linguistics
· 420-430 English language
· 800 General literature and rhetoric
· 810-819 American Literature
· 820-829 British & Old English literatures
Resources for Finding Articles on English Language and Literature
For the latest information from authoritative sources, use scholarly journals. Online library databases like Academic Search Complete or JSTOR are general databases that contain information from multiple disciplines. The following databases are other examples, typically more specific in nature, that contain information geared towards this discipline.
Contemporary Literary Criticism Online
An online version of the Gale Series, featuring the entire content of the print version
Humanities International Complete
Contains full text from over 890 journals, some of which are unique to this database, along with citations from over 2,100 journals. Covers all of the humanities, including English.
Literary Resource Center
In addition to full text articles, LRC offers biographical and critical information about authors and their works. LRC also provides a portal to MLA.
MLA International Bibliography
The Modern Language Association’s International Bibliography is the most comprehensive index to scholarly periodicals in the field of Language and Literature.
Choose the Humanities subject area for citations, abstracts and full text from scholarly journals specific to English language or literature.
Oxford English Dictionary Online
The standard etymological dictionary in the English language is available online or in print.
Project Muse
This full text database offers nearly 250 quality journal titles from 40 scholarly publishers. Project MUSE covers most fields in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Journal Finder
If you are having trouble finding the full text of a journal, Journal Finder can help point you towards the right database.
Web Resources in English Language and Literature
There is a great variety of web sites that might be useful; the following are a few suggestions. For additional web resources you can check out the library's delicious page.
Bridgewater College English Department
The site is the home page of the English Department at Bridgewater College. Also contains a link to the BC Writing Center.
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Resource to help you with writing and information on using citation styles like APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.
E-server
E-Server [English server] has been online since 1990 and offers access to over twenty thousand works. You can search onsite for literary topics of interest or subscribe to their mailing lists
The Internet Public Library: Arts and Humanities
This site from the University of Michigan’s School of Information offers links to thousands of resources in the area of Language and Literature.
The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism
This is a searchable reference resource for scholars and students of literary theory and discourse. LT&C includes more than 240 alphabetically arranged entries on critics and theorists, critical schools and movements, and the critical and theoretical innovations of specific countries and historical periods.
The Mad Cybrarian’s Library
This site contains links to thousands of works of literature online.
Poetry Archive
Provides streaming audio recordings of over 140 English-language poets. It also includes a children's section with recordings geared specifically for children.
Project Gutenberg
This is a searchable library of over 18,000 free, full text, public-domain ebooks.
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