"The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page." — St. Augustine
Scope
This
research guide to the St. Charles Library's literature collection
will help you find literary criticism of a particular book or author,
and author biographical information. Use this guide to find analysis
or evaluation of the qualities of a writer or work of literature,
as well as facts about the authors.
Online Research
You can access these databases through our Premium Search Databases. Choose the particular database you want, then enter your St. Charles Library card number, which is the barcode number on the back of the card, and your PIN number. Do not use any spaces or dashes. From within the Library, the databases are available at the ELR computers.
Internet
Resources
- The
E-Poet's Network

- Internet
Public Library's Online Literary Criticism Collection
-
Browse for criticism by author's last name, title of work, or
literary period.
- Literary
Resources on the Net
- Searchable guide to American and
English literature and criticism.
- Tumble Readables
- One of the best features is the online text and audio narration of its Shakespeare collection. Due to their dramatic format, Shakespeare plays are often best understood when performed. Also features classics of American and English literature.
- Shakespeare in Quarto
- the British Library’s 93 copies of the 21 plays by Shakespeare printed in quarto before the theatres were closed in 1642. Background information on Shakespeare, his works, his theatre world and the printing of his
plays.
- Shakespeare
Resource Center
- Everything about the Bard: play synopsis,
criticism, Shakespeare's life, and the Globe Theater.
- Shmoop
– Overviews, plot summaries, character analysis, themes, and more for students: Literature, and Poetry.
- Yahoo!
Authors
- Biographical information on selected authors.
Library
Catalog
Use the
library's
catalog to find resources about or by individual authors
or genres.
Examples:
- Type Steinbeck, John and click AUTHOR to find resources by the author.
- To find
works about the particular author, type Bradbury,
Ray and click SUBJECT.
- For works
containing a particular type of literature, type African
Poetry and click KEYWORD.
Print
Resources
These are some
of the many print resources from the Reference Collection which
may be useful:
General
|
| Contemporary
Literary Criticism |
REF 809
CRI |
| Dictionary
of Literary Biography |
REF 809.8
DIC |
| Magill's
Literary Annual, 1980 to current |
REF 809.04
MAG |
| MLA
Handbook for Writers of Research Papers |
Homework
Ref 808.02 GIB |
| New
Moulton's Pre-20th Century Criticism |
REF 820.9
NEW |
| Writers
Inc.: Student Handbook for Writing and Learning |
Homework
Ref 808.042 SEB |
Classic
Literature
|
| Literature
and its Times |
REF 809.93358
LIT |
| Epics
for Students |
REF 809.132
EPI |
World
Literature
|
World
Literature and its Times
Volume 1 Latin American Literature
Volume 2 African Literature
Volume 3 British & Irish Literature |
REF 800
MOS
(This is an ongoing series
and new volumes will
be added periodically.) |
| Encyclopedia
of World Literature in the 20th Century |
REF 803
WOR |
| Masterplots
II. World Fiction Series |
REF 809.3
MAS |
| Masterplots
II. British & Commonwealth Fiction Series |
REF 823
MAS |
| Latin American Writers |
REF 960.98
LAT |
| African Writers |
REF 896
AFR |
| African
American Literature |
Ref 810.80896
OXF |
Novels
|
| Masterplots |
REF 809
MAS |
| Critical
Survey of Long Fiction |
REF 809.3
CRI |
| Novels
for Students |
REF 809.3
NOV |
| Masterplots
II American Fiction Series |
REF 813.009
MAS |
Short
Stories
|
| Masterplots
II Short Story Series |
REF 809.3
MAS |
| Short
Stories for Students |
REF 809.31
SHO |
| Short
Story Criticism |
REF 809.31
SHO |
| Critical
Survey of Short Fiction |
REF 809.3103
CRI |
| Short
Story Writers |
REF 809.3103
SHO |
Poetry
|
| Critical
Survey of Poetry |
REF 809.1
CRI |
| Masterplots
II Poetry Series |
REF 809.1
MAS |
| Poetry
for Students |
REF 809.1
POE |
| World
Poets |
REF 809.1
WOR |
| Notable
Poets |
REF 809.1003
NOT |
Drama
|
| Critical
Survey of Drama |
REF 809.3
CRI |
| Drama
for Students |
REF 809.2
DRA |
| Masterplots
II Drama Series |
REF 809.2
MAS |
Shakespeare
|
| Shakespeare
for Students |
REF 822.33
SHA |
Nonfiction/Biography
|
| Masterplots
II Non-fiction Series |
REF 808.8
MAS |
Magill's
Literary Annual 1980-current year
This is a good source for information about both fiction and
nonfiction works. |
REF
809.04 MAG |
|