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COMP Guide J: Literature

Step by Step

How to use the Online Resources to find scholarly (peer-reviewed) articles:

First, EBSCOhost

·         Open EBSCOhost in the list of Online Resources on the library’s website (www.bucks.edu/library)

·         You’ll notice that Academic Search Elite is already checked—it is the default database because it indexes academic articles in many disciplines.

·         Check MLA Bibliography in this list, too. It focuses on literature.

·         Click ‘Continue.’

·         Type in a topic. [“Death of a Salesman” ]

·         Narrow this to full-text only, and search only peer-reviewed journals.

·         Narrow your search by adding AND plus another search word, maybe something that relates to a theme you’d like to explore within a specific work. [Capitalism]

·         Add the appropriate citation(s) to your folder so that you can print, email or save all the relevant works at the same time.

 

For literary research, also try LION (Literature Online Reference Edition)

  • Choose Criticism before typing in a topic.
  • Type your writer’s name as the Subject [Ibsen].
  • You can put the title in the Keyword box [Doll’s House].
  • Look for the full-page icon to find full-text articles.

 

JSTOR:

·         Type a topic in the search box [Austen, Jane AND marriage], or choose the Advanced Search for multiple boxes.

·         Choose the subject areas you need from the list. (Hold down the Control key to choose Language and Literature along with another discipline.)

·         These articles should all be available in full-text.

 

How to use the online catalog to find books:

  • Type a subject in the box.  
  • Jot down the call number—we use the Dewey Decimal System which classifies books by subject.
  • Refine your search:
  • Power Searches give you the option of using Boolean terms to be more specific:
    • Arthur Conan Doyle AND Sherlock (AND narrows the search)
    • Arthur Conan Doyle OR Sherlock (OR widens the search)
    • Arthur Conan Doyle NOT Sherlock (NOT limits the search)

 

Databases for Literature Topics

EBSCOhost Tutoral

Please watch this up-to-date video tutorial to learn more about EBSCOhost and score some great tips on using it effectively.

Underneath, find another video on advanced search techniques which also happens to use EBSCOhost.