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Library Research. Lisa Sloniowski, English Literature Librarian. Where?. “Doing research on the Web is like using a library assembled piecemeal by pack rats and vandalized nightly." -- Roger Ebert. “Doing research on the Web is like asking people randomly on the street.” – Roy Tennant.
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Library Research Lisa Sloniowski, English Literature Librarian
“Doing research on the Web is like using a library assembled piecemeal by pack rats and vandalized nightly." -- Roger Ebert “Doing research on the Web is like asking people randomly on the street.” – Roy Tennant The Web as Kitchen Junk Drawer
Where’s the Literary Stuff? • PN -- General Literature • PR -- English Literature • PS -- American Literature (incl. Canadian) (but remember that locations vary)
Issues in the Organization of Literary Material • The rise of critical theory & interdisciplinary approaches • The problem of literature itself • The emergence of “aboutness”
How? • Search Tools: Catalogues and Periodical Indexes • Subject Guides • EN1001 Course-Related Library Guide
Search Tools • Books, Films, Encyclopedias: • Library Catalogue • Journal Articles, Performance Reviews: • Periodical Indexes: • MLA Bibliography, • International Index to the Performing Arts • Factiva
Evaluating Your Search & Sources • Number of Results? • Relevance? • Keywords/Subject headings/Descriptors? • Correct Syntax … Boolean operators? • Usefulness to your thesis question/statement
Last Thoughts • Research is inextricably linked to the writing process • The quality of your research process has a huge impact on your GRADE • Mastery of Information = Genius?
“Marjorie Perloff has recently begun using the term "unoriginal genius" …. to describe a new tendency emerging in literature. Her idea is that due to changes brought on by technology and the internet, our notion of genius -- a romantic isolated figure -- is outdated. An updated notion of genius would have to center around one's mastery of information and its dissemination.” ~Kenny Goldsmith