ENGL 1020: English Composition II
This guide lists sources from AUM's Library which you can use to do the research on authors and their literary works. If you have questions, please:
- go to the Reference Desk on the Library's second floor
- call the Reference Desk at 334-244-3649 when we are open
- Ask A Librarian by e-mail
Reference Sources
Reference books and staff at the Reference Desk can help you:
- explore potential topics that interest you
- find background information on your chosen topic
- locate brief factual information like statistics, dates, names, and places quickly
- create a list of words that describe your topic (You'll need these when you search for books and articles on your topic.)
- determine the best sources for finding information on your topic
Reference books, which are located on the second floor, must be used in the Library. Ask at the Reference Desk if you need assistance with locating books in this area and with photocopying.
Literary Biography & Criticism
- Contemporary Authors
Reference: Z 1224 .C58- Dictionary of Literary Biography
Reference: PN 41 .D53- Literature Resource Center
- Short Story Criticism
Reference: PN 3373 .S56- Nineteenth-Century Literature Criticism (NCLC)
Reference: PN761 .N56- Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism (TCLC)
Reference: PN 771 .G27- Contemporary Literary Criticism (CLC)
Reference: PN 771 .C59
Books
Books shelved on the third through sixth floors can be checked out. You'll need to use the AUM Library Catalog to find books on authors and their work. eBooks from NetLibrary are also included in the online catalog.
Books on Authors & Their Work
At the Simple Search screen:
- type in the author's last name then first name, for example:
welty eudora- select Subject in the Search by box
- click on the Search button
- explore books listed under the subject headings
Locating Books in the Library
Journal Articles
You'll also need to find journal articles on your topic. To find articles, use the Library's online databases which are accessible off campus.
The entire text of many articles is included in the Library's databases. If an article is not in the database you are searching, you may be able to find it in another database or in the Library's Periodicals Collection by:
- clicking on Article Linker
OR- typing the journal, magazine, or newspaper title into Serials Solutions (AUM)
Journals in the Periodicals Collection on the second floor of the Library are arranged by call number. Ask at the Reference Desk if you need assistance.
You may request articles that are not available in the Library or the databases through Interlibrary Loan.
Literature Databases
- Literature Online (LION) (AUM)
- Literature Reference Center (AUM)
- Literature Resource Center (AUM)
- MLA (AUM)
Citing Your Sources
Why do sources have to be cited?
- to give credit to the original author
- to avoid plagiarism
- to help others find and verify information
You can read more about plagiarism in CQ Researcher (September 19, 2003).
How do I cite sources?
For this course, you'll use the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Copies of the MLA Handbook are available at the Reference Desk on the second floor. You can also consult Web sites providing information on MLA citation format.