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What You Need To Do First
Read Your Work of Literature
- Your best understanding of your work comes from your own reading and thinking
- Critical sources are intended to assist your own analysis.
- You will also be able to use critical sources much more effectively after you have acquired personal knowledge of the work.
Identify Your Search Terms
Usually when doing Literature Research the best (but not the only) search terms to use are:
- Title of the Work
- Author’s Name
- Other works by the author
Literary movements and theories may also yield good search results depending on your topic and assignment.
Bess & Frank Gladhill Learning Commons Hours and Location
The physical Learning Commons is closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the College transitioning to online instruction. Library and Tutoring services are still available digitally.
- Search our FAQs or contact us if you need help with research.
- Tutoring is available online through your Blackboard Course. More information can be found at our Online Tutoring Page.
- If you need help finding access to computers and/or the internet, send an email to assist@frederick.edu or call 301-846-2469.
Find Background and Overviews of Your Work
Find biographical and critical information on most authors, subjects, and works of literature in these databases.
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Gale Literature Resource Center Biographies and critical analyses of authors. Includes information from Contemporary Authors, Contemporary Literary Criticism, and Dictionary of Literary Biography.
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Gale Virtual Reference Library Search all of the encyclopedias available, not just those specific to Literature.
How to do Research in College
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How to do Research Guide
Includes tips on searching databases, finding scholarly sources, evaluating resources, and citing sources.
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Virtual Library Orientation
Get an overview of the Library Resources and an interactive introduction to conducting research.
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