Skip to Main Content

English / Literature

At the beginning of a research project, reference sources such as encyclopedias can give you a quick snapshot of the important issues surrounding a topic. The resources below are great for orienting yourself on a topic before diving into the more detailed research contained in academic journals.

Literature

Need background information about important authors, works of literature, and related cultural movements and concepts? Try one of these academic reference sources for scholarly introductions to literary topics.

Pro Tip: Each database includes a different set of authors and works, with some overlap. If you don't find your author or work of literature in one database, don't despair! Try one of the others.

Issues, Controversies, and Debates

If your research goes beyond literature into broader issues in contemporary life and culture, try getting oriented to your topic using one of the following resources, framed around debates, controversies, or hot topics in the news.