English 221: Literatures in English to 1650 (Renaissance)
A Guide to Library Resources
Fall 2007
Dictionaries | Indexes, Databases & Bibliographies | Biographical / Critical Sources
Additional Reference Materials | Catalog
Interlibrary Loan | Resources on the Internet | Citation
DICTIONARIES
Oxford English Dictionary 20v. plus 3 volumes of Additions Series [RR PE1625.087 1989] Entries outline the history of a given word, from the date of its introduction to the present. They illustrate how meaning, pronunciation, and use change over time. A good portion of each entry consists of examples of use over the centuries and includes references to the actual publications.
OED Online
Contains the complete text of the 20-volume Second Edition and its 3-volume Additions Series. St. Olaf has a subscription to this resource.
A Guide to the Oxford English Dictionary [RR PE1617 .049 B47 1993]
A great source explaining the various nuances of the OED.
Dictionary of Literary-Rhetorical Conventions of the English Renaissance [RR PR531 .D6]
INDEXES, DATABASES & BIBLIOGRAPHIES
MLA International Bibliography
The online version of MLA, produced by the Modern Language Association. MLA provides access to scholarly research in over 3000 journals and series. Also covers monographs, essays, working papers, proceedings and other formats. Subjects include literature, language, linguistics and folklore.
JSTOR
An index to and full text of select, academic journals. Among various disciplines covers language and literature, including PMLA and a range of core journals in the diverse fields of literary criticism that have emerged in the last thirty years .
Iter: Gateway to the Middle Ages and Renaissance
An index to books and journals in all areas of medieval and Renaissance studies (400-1700) since 1842.
Academic Search Premier
This database provides access to over 8040 multi-disciplinary publications, many in full-text. Covers 1975 to present.
Guide to British Poetry Explication 4v. [RR PR311 .M34 1991]
Milton's Sonnets: An Annotated Bibliography, 1900-1992 [RR PR3567 .J68 1994]
The Essential Shakespeare: An Annotated Bibliography of Major Modern Studies [RR PR2894 .C49 1993]
Shakespeare: An Annotated Bibliography [RR PR2894 .R65 1992]
The New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature 5 v. [RR PR57 .N4 1969]
BIOGRAPHICAL / CRITICAL SOURCES
Biography and Genealogy Master Index
An index to biographical encyclopedias and dictionaries.
Dictionary of World Biography [RR CT104 .D54 1998]
Volume III: The Renaissance
British Authors Before 1800: Biographical Dictionary [RR PR105 .K9]
Major Tudor Authors: A Bio-ibliographical Critical Sourcebook [RR PR411 .M25 1997]
A Biographical Dictionary of Renaissance Poets and Dramatists, 1520-1650 [RR PR421 .S33 1983]
The Critical Temper: A Survey of Modern Criticism on English and American Literature from the Beginnings to the Twentieth Century 5v. [RR PR83 .C75]
Use Volume 1: From Old English to Shakespeare.
THE GALE SERIES OF LITERARY CRITICISM:
Dictionary of Literary Biography (DLB) [RR PN451 .D4-]
Covers writers, movements, and periods in scholarly essays by authorities. Contains selective bibliographies. Also available on-line:
Dictionary of Literary Biography.
Poetry Criticism (PC) [PN1010 .P62-]
Excerpts from criticism of the works of the most significant and widely studied poets of world literature.
Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800 (LC) [RR PN86 .L56 -]
Critical discussion of the works of 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th century novelists, poets, playwrights, philosophers, and other creative writers.
Shakespearean Criticism: Excerpts from the Criticism of William Shakespeare's Plays and Poetry, From the First Published Appraisals to Current Evaluations (SC) 67v. [RR PR2965 .S44 1984]
"Presents significant passages from published criticism on the works of Shakespeare."
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE MATERIALS
Crowell's Handbook of Elizabethan & Stuart Literature [RR PR19 .8]
Calls itself "the first alphabetical guide to the drama, poetry, and prose of the Renaissance in England, with biographies of their authors."
The Oxford Companion to English Literature [RR PR 19 .D73 2000]
Encyclopedia of the Renaissance 6v . [RR CB361 .E52 1999]
The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance [RR CB361 .C27 2003]
A Companion to English Renaissance Literature and Culture [RR PR411 .C66 2000]
The Undergraduate's Companion to English Renaissance Writers and Their Web Sites [RR 421 .G35 2004]
Shakespeare: A Study and Research Guide [RR PR2894 B43 1995]
All Things Shakespeare: An Encyclopedia of Shakespeare's World 2v. [RR PR2892 .O56 2002]
Shakespeare's Words: A Glossary and Language Companion [RR PR2892 .C78 2002]
Shakespeare A to Z: The Essential Reference to His Plays, His Poems, His Life and Times, and More [RR PR2892 .B69 1990]
CATALOG
Bridge catalogs resources available at St. Olaf and Carleton libraries. Use Bridge to search for books (including subject-specific bibliographies and biographies) and periodicals, but not chapters within books or articles within periodicals.
Search Bridge by Title, Author, Keyword or Subject. Some relevant subject heading
SUBJECT=> English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700 -- History and criticism.
SUBJECT=> Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Sonnets.
SUBJECT=> Donne, John, 1572-1631 -- Criticism and interpretation.
SUBJECT=> English literature -- Early modern, 1500-1700 -- History and criticism.
You may request materials housed at Carleton directly from Bridge by clicking on the "Request" button.
INTERLIBRARY LOAN
Any item not owned by St. Olaf may be ordered through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) provided you allow enough time.
RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET
Remember to evaluate each site critically for authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage.
|
Ask: |
Look for : |
| Authorship |
Who wrote the page? Does the author have appropriate education, training, or experience to write with authority (credibility) on this topic? |
Linked biographical statements, resumes, or other background about the site author.
If no individual author is named, consider the reputation of the organization associated with the site. |
| Coverage |
Is the topic explored in depth? Is there considerable content on the page? Are entire articles or items provided or just excerpts from larger works? Does the site point you to other sites? |
Sources documented with footnotes or links.
Balance of text and images. |
| Objectivity |
I s the presentation biased (one-sided) or balanced (both pro and con viewpoints provided)? Are claims and arguments supported (with documentation) or unsubstantiated? |
References to alternative points of view.
Factual documentation of arguments. |
| Currency |
When was the page written or last updated? Is the site well maintained (eg.are links functional or broken)?
|
Page creation or revision dates.
"What's New" page that describes when content was updated.
Press releases or other dated materials. |
| Recognition |
Do others recognize the value of this site, either in reviews or by linking to it? |
Other sites that link to a site you are evaluating.
Reviews of the site. |
Based on "Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask." UC Berkeley - Teaching Library Internet Workshops. 7Jan. 2005. 14 Feb. 2005. <http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html>, and "Evaluating Web Sites." The Ohio State Univeristy Libraries. 14 Feb. 2005. <http://gateway.lib.ohio-state.edu/tutor/>.
A few good review sites that evaluate web contents:
Librarians' Index to the Internet -- "A searchable, annotated subject directory of more than 14,000 Internet resources selected and evaluated by librarians for their usefulness to users."
Infomine: Scholarly Internet Resource Collections -- "A virtual library of Internet resources relevant to faculty, students, and research staff."
The Scout Report Archives -- "A searchable and browseable database containing critical annotations of carefully selected Internet sites and mailing lists."
A few good sites to try:
16th Century Renaissance English Literature (1485-1603)
"An index of biographies, essays, images, full-text of works, and scholarly articles on the major English literary figures of the period, as well as links to other sites covering general aspects of the era. Represented authors include Henry VIII, Sir Thomas More, Edmund Spenser, Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, John Foxe, and Edward De Vere. From Luminarium."
Voice of the Shuttle - Renaissance and Seventeenth Century
A compilation of general resources in Renaissance, authors and works, cultural and historical contexts, and criticism.
Early Modern Literary Studies
CERES: Cambridge English Renaissance Electronic Service
| See also The Undergraduate's Companion to English Renaissance Writers and Their Web Sites [RR PR421 .G35 2004] for a good compilation of web sites. |
CITATION
Citation Guide from Purdue University by Jennifer Liethen Kunka and Joe Barbato. Provides examples and explanations of in-text citations and works cited in MLA format.
For an online guide to cite your sources, consult Assembling a List of Works Cited in Your Paper .
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers Sixth Edition [RR LB2369 .G53 2003]
| Contact Information: |
Page Information: |
Kasia Gonnerman
Rolvaag Library 301
507-646-3501
gonnermk@stolaf.edu |
Created by: Kasia Gonnerman | 03/16/2006
Created for: mary Trull and Karen Marsalekl
Updated by: Kasia Gonnerman | 10/14/07
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