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English 190 (Brokaw): Starting Your Search

What will I search for?

  • What are the main ideas you are writing about?
  • Are there related concepts?
  • What people / places / movements / schools of thought are connected to your topic?
  • What are other ways of talking about your topic (e.g., if you are interested in Shakespeare, you might also search for the names of particular plays)

Tip: Generate Ideas in Search Tools

Search for a work, author etc. and look at associated Subject Headings.

If interested in an author, find that author's work or look at the author's identity page for themes.

screenshot of Go to author

Reference & Literature Databases

These databases can be useful for locating background information, primary sources (texts), and also secondary materials (literary criticism).