ENGL 220: Introduction to Writing about Literature (all sections)

Before you start your research and writing, you may need to gather more background information about the text or author you are studying in order to understand the text and its context. This kind of information is often found in what are called reference sources, like encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handbooks. Below are instructions on how to to find these kind of reference sources using the Gale Literature database and the Hunter College Libraries' OneSearch tool.

Be aware: while scholarly reference sources are considered a reliable source of information, they are often not the kind of sources you are being asked to engage with in your paper. Instead, they can be useful at the beginning of the research process to help you understand basic information about the text or author, or to explore potential research topics. They can also point you in the direction of academic books, book chapters, and journal articles that contain literary criticism: these are often listed in a section labeled "bibliography," "references," or "further reading." Be sure to check your assignment requirements to see what sources are appropriate for your paper or project, and consult with your professor if you are unsure.

OneSearch is a tool that allows you to search the Hunter College Libraries' print and electronic collections at once.

To find background information using OneSearch:

• Click on the logo above to open OneSearch in a new tab or, start from the Hunter College Libraries' homepage
• Type the name of the author and the title of the text into the OneSearch bar, along with any other relevant keywords
• When you see the search results, find the “Resource Type” filter on the left side of the page
• Click on the box next to “Reference Entries” under that menu
• Click on the green “Apply Filters” button 

With the filter applied, you'll see search results like this:

Gale Literature is a database devoted entirely to literature, and it includes both literary criticism and reference sources.

To find background information in this database:

• Click on the logo above to open the database in a new tab, or find it in the alphabetical list under the "Databases" tab on the Hunter College Libraries homepage
• Type the name of the author and/or the title of the text into the search bar
• When you see the search results, click on “Topic & Work Overviews” or “Biographies”

The sources you find using the steps above are considered reliable sources, but generally do not count as scholarly sources to use for papers in literature courses. They provide basic facts and generally accepted ideas about the texts, but they are not literary criticism. When you are asked to find a piece of literary criticism for your paper, you should be looking for an essay that makes a specific argument.

Signs a source is not a piece of literary criticism:

• It is labeled, tagged, or titled with words like: work overview, plot summary, synopsis, biography, “Introduction to…” "Explanation of..."
• It comes from a book or series with words like the following in the title:  Encyclopedia, Dictionary, Handbook, “…for Students” (for example, Short Stories for Students, Shakespeare for Students), "Guide to..."

If you have any doubts or questions about the appropriateness of a source for an assignment, consult with your professor or a librarian.