Literary Criticism: A Research Guide
Students of literature will find the materials below to help them as they begin their research. Whether looking for biographical information and writing style of an author or critiques of certain titles, the basic resources listed below will help students find them. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library’s catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.
Databases - Follow the instructions on the How to Find Books and Full-Text Articles handout to find Full-Text resources.
Literature Resource Center (Gale)
MagillOnLiterature Plus (EBSCO)
What Do I Read Next? (Gale)
Web Sites
Some of these web sites are external to CFCC. The owners of these web sites are responsible for their content, including their links to other sites on the World Wide Web. CFCC has not necessarily reviewed this site and assumes no responsibility for the Contents, nor does this “Link” imply endorsement of the site.
Critical Reading, A Guide — www.brocku.ca/english/jlye/criticalreading.html
An instructional guide on how to analyze and interpret literature, particularly poetry and fiction.
Literary Criticism, Internet Public Library — www.ipl.org/div/litcrit/
Contains critical and biographical Web sites about authors and their works that can be browsed by author, by title, or by nationality and literary period.
PAL: Perspectives in American Literature, A Research and Reference Guide —
www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/table.html
Covers major perspectives or literary movements in American literature. Discusses over 300 years of writing in America.
LitLinks — www.smpcollege.com/litlinks/home.htm
LitLinks are organized alphabetically by author within five genres: fiction, essays, poetry, drama, and critical theory.
Sparknotes — www.sparknotes.com
Offers free study guides for many literary works. Registration required.
Today in Literature — www.todayinliterature.com
Provides information on classic and international authors and poets. Includes life stories, selected links, and suggested readings.
MetaGlossary — http://www.MetaGlossary.com
Provides actual definitions as well as relevant links, serving as an important, easy to use tool for information seeking users.
Books - Follow the instructions on the How to Find Books and Full-Text Articles handout to find print resources.
***Many criticism books can be found in both the Reference and Circulation areas of the LRC. If you’re
not finding a book for your author or title, then please ask for help.***
Subject Headings
- criticism—terminology
- English language—terms and phrases
- literary form—terminology
- literature—terminology
