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Contemporary American Fiction: ENG 3332

Research help for the course, ENG 3332: Contemporary American Fiction.

Why Use Reference Works?

Young woman sitting at the library using books and laptopReference works -- like encyclopedias, handbooks, and dictionaries -- provide great overviews and background information. 

  • They help you contextualize your topic and generate questions.
  • They help identify keywords you can use later when searching for scholarly sources. 
  • They contain bibliographies that lead you to the most respected secondary and most useful primary sources on a topic.

In short, reference works are a great way to begin your research. 

Curated Reference Works of Interest

Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Handbooks, and Guides

Need to look up a name, place, term, or event? The sources below contain many different kinds of encyclopedias and dictionaries and are excellent starting points.  

Introductory Essays & Topic Overviews

Need some context? These are detailed guides to authors, composers, philosophers, genres, various literatures and other fields of study, providing context and analysis for a thorough introduction.

Literary Theories & Theorists

reading glassesStill trying to wrap your head around a literary theory or theorist? Then this source is for you!