Ryan Library: Subject Guide for Literature

AMERICAN PERIODICALS

1740 -1940, includes journals covering Arts topics during historically-significant periodicals.

 BIOGRAPHY IN CONTEXT (GALE)

Authoritative source of biographical information of important and influential people. Provides excellent resources for writing a critical analysis of famous historical figures across a wide variety of subjects and disciplines.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS (GALE)

Looking for a good read but don't know where to start? Books and authors can help you find books of all genres and subjects based on your own interests. It has reviews, synopses and award informataion listed in a easy to use search and browse format. making it a great reader's advisory.

CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS (GALE)

Informative database of biographical and analyses of major contemporary literary figures.Covers 120,000 modern authors. Easy to search by last name, works, titles and even award winners or genres.

LITERATURE (GALE)

Cross search all of GALE's extensive literary database collection all at once.

LITERATURE CRITICISM (GALE)

Easy search interface makes finding literary analysis of works representing all genres, subjects and time periods. Has facsimalies of the original content and includes both popular and scholaryly commentaries.

LITFINDER (GALE)

Search for literary works and secondary sources for literary works. Find plays, speeches, summaries and photos along with more than 132,00 full text poems and 670,000 poetry citations.

OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY

This dictionary is arguably the most respected authority on the English language and it has more than just definitions. There are timelines, categories, interactive graphics, pronunciation guides, video tutorials and information on the authors who are quoted throughout the dictionary. Continually updated with new words. Also updated with expanding knowlege of words that have changed meaning over time.

VOCABULARY.COM

Students report that this is the most fun they've ever had learning new words. Set up like a flashcard or quiz interface that promotes you as you learn so like a game, you will be competing to reach ever higher levels. Classes can have fun with competitions. There are fantastic pre-populated word lists for literary works as well as standardized tests such as the SAT.