1. Start by Defining Your Topic
Identify the main concepts in your topic, phrase them as keywords, and try to think of synonyms for your keywords. Use Boolean logic to formulate an effective search strategy. Try using this search strategy worksheet to plan your search.
Check the "help" or "search tips" screens of the database(s) you are using to see which Boolean operators can be used.
If you need help, ask at the Reference Desk, 2nd Floor, Library or Ask a Librarian On-Line.
If you have not decided on a topic, you might want to start at step 2, and return to step1 later.
2. Get Background Information
Once you have identified the main topic and keywords for your research, you may want to find one or more sources of background information to read. These sources will help you understand the broader context of your research and tell you in general terms what is known about your topic. For background information on your subject, you can consult reference books (eg. dictionaries, directories, handbooks), located on the 2nd Floor, Reference or in the book stacks. Some useful reference works for essay writing and the study of literature are:
Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms
Critical Terms for Literary Study
Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
and on the Web:
Titles in the series: Oxford Reference Online Premium Edition, such as The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature
A Glossary of Literary Terms by Robert Harris
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