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Literature Resources: Getting Started

Literature Resources at UCNJ Libraries

Literature Classics

                                                                      

What is Literature

Literary Terms

The following sites provides lists of literary terms to help you understand and interpret different written works.

Literary Terms (PURDUE OWL)

Literary Terms (literaryterms.net)

Sparknotes Glossary of Literary Terms 

LitCharts Literary Devices and Terms

How to Analyze Literature

Writing in Literature

It can be difficult finding a subject for your paper. The subject must be narrow enough that you can cover it in a few pages, yet broad enough that you can find sufficient resources.  If you need research assistance or help in finding a manageable topic, talk to a Reference Librarian.  Whatever your topic or interest might be, Ask a Librarian for help in managing the scope of your topic and finding resources.

Literature Topics and Research (PURDUE OWL)

There are many ways to read a work of literature and your selection of the best topics will come from your own reading of the work. This guide will suggest some basic approaches that you can use.

Literature Topics (Studycrumb)

Here you will find a list of possible topics.

Themes aren’t limited to stories. Every kind of creative writing deals with themes: poems, plays, movies and television, and creative nonfiction. Any piece of creative work has a theme, even when that theme is “no apparent theme.” Keep in mind that even when an author doesn’t consciously write about a theme, their work still communicates some type of underlying message—even if that message is mundane. 

Planning and Writing about Literary Texts 

Outlines the steps for planning and writing papers about literary texts. 

(University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Writing in Literature (PURDUE OWL)

These resources are useful for writing about different genres and contexts including poetry, fiction, film, literary essays and world literature. It also includes a list of literary terms.

A Guide to Themes and Writing in Literature

"Every kind of creative writing deals with themes: poems, plays, movies and television, and creative nonfiction. Any piece of creative work has a theme, even when that theme is “no apparent theme.” Keep in mind that even when an author doesn’t consciously write about a theme, their work still communicates some type of underlying message." (From Grammarly)

How to write a literary analysis (Sparknotes)

A guide to help you analyze and examine all the elements of a literary work (a novel, play, short story, or poem). These elements include the characters, setting, tone, and imagery and their creative effects.

Searching for Information

Use One Search on the library's homepage or UCNJ Library Catalog to find articles, eBooks, videos, DVDs, CDs and more in the entire UCNJ Libraries. You may search by a specific title or author and also by literary criticism. 

Ask a Librarian

Call Us

Cranford   908-709-7623

Elizabeth  908-965-6075

Plainfield  908-412-3546

Email Us

libraries@ucc.edu

Subject Guide

UCNJ LibGuides at Union College