The English Essay as Research Essay
- word meanings
- literary allusions
- cultural, political, religious and historical background
- authors’ biographies
- literary critics’ interpretations
Using Secondary Sources
Finding Good Secondary Sources for English Essays
- Many university library websites offer subject-guide pages, specific to particular subjects or disciplines. The subject guide web page is the place to go to begin research in any discipline, not just English. Trent's English Literature subject guide gives information on and links to the following research tools:
- Online Indexes – Indexes are like search engines, but they search only for articles that have been published in academic journals/periodicals and other academic sources. You can search an index for relevant articles. Many indexes make full-text articles available online, some don’t and you have to find the print periodical to read the article in full. They are the best way to search for articles.
- Related Websites – The subject guide also lists websites related to the study of English literature. Take some time to browse through the sites listed. Note how they differ from essay selling sites in their emphasis on the free dissemination of knowledge and on the people and institutions behind the knowledge.
- Reference Books - The subject guide also lists all the reference books pertinent to English and where they are in the reference section of the library.
- Google Scholar can get you started finding scholarly sources online.
Many undergraduate English essays do not require extensive use of secondary sources. Critical editions of literary works, the library stacks, online indexes and subject guides should yield plenty with which to work. Finding good secondary sources is, of course, only a first step. The second step is to use them properly.
Tips on Using Secondary Sources
Read more about effective summarizing and paraphrasing to avoid plagiarism.