If, by chance, you've never used the databases at WCCC before, click here for a general overview.
When using the databases for ENG 141, you should stick to EBSCO Discovery Services, as this single database contains multiple literary databases, including Bloom’s Literary Reference, Contemporary Authors, Literary Reference Center, and Literature Resource Center.
It is helpful to include both the name of the author and the title of the short story, poem, play, etc., like this:
Using AND tells the database that you are looking for articles that mention both Poe and The Tell Tale Heart.
If you come across an article that does not have either the PDF Full-Text or HTML Full-Text option, it might have a link like the one in the picture below:
Just click on the link. It will take you to a second database where you can get the full-text of the article.
Literary Analysis
According to Rowan State Community College (n.d.), "Students are asked to write literary analysis essays because this type of assignment encourages you to think about how and why a poem, short story, novel, or play was written. To successfully analyze literature, you’ll need to remember that authors make specific choices for particular reasons. Your essay should point out the author’s choices and attempt to explain their significance."
For more information regarding literary analysis essays, please visit their OWL site.
The WCCC Library has several series of books that are filled with nothing BUT literary criticisms for students to use, including:
They are located in the Library's Reference Collection, which is upstairs in the library.
To use these books, pick out a single volume from one of the series and turn to the Author Index in the back of the book. Once you find your author, it will list which sets and which volumes literary criticisms; something like this:
Then you go to the series indicated (NCLC in the example), find the right volume (1 in the example), and the entries in the volume are alphabetical by author's last name.
To cite these books and the information in the books, click here.
Warren County Community College
Haytaian & Maier Library
475 Route 57 West
Washington, New Jersey 07882
Text: 908-652-4445
lstoll@warren.edu