English - Major Literary Paper
General information
For this assignment you are required to explore a theme or literary technique through the comparison and analysis of two novels, two plays, or a selection of short stories or poems. As you consider options for your texts, research the themes, symbolism, and read summaries/overviews of possible texts to ensure you choose wisely. It is also wise to read biographies of the authors since an author will often have common techniques or themes in their texts.
In this guide we provide some tips about choosing your texts as well as information about how to use databases to research effectively.
For more information about a specific database or to view all the online resources and tutorials to help you get the most out of the online databases, please visit the Library Resources page or click the Databases icon.
To access the databases at home you will need the usernames and passwords found on mySJR under links ( Educational Resources Log in and Password Information) or click the Database passwords icon to the right.
Getting Started: Choosing your primary texts
There are a number of ways to approach choosing your texts:
Choose a theme/technique - research texts that use that theme/technique
Choose a text then look for a companion text based on author or on the theme(s) you identity in the first text
Choose an author - research common themes used - choose texts
Search Destiny (Library catalogue)
Best databases for critical analysis and interpretation
Gale databases
Although you can search Gale's literary databases separately, it is helpful to use their Gale Literary Sources platform. This will allow you to search Twayne's Authors Online and Literature Resource Center simultaneously.
Infobase - Bloom's Literature
Originally edited and curated by Yale University professor Harold Bloom, this database includes thousands of critical essays, author biographies and character analyses, along with the full text of hundreds of reference books, and full-length videos of classic plays and films.
EBSCO databases
EBSCO is a great source for the literary criticism. Although you may research across EBSCO databases, consider searching the Literary Reference Center Plus separately to take advantage of research helps.
EBSCO's Literary Reference Center allows you to search themes, works, and authors. It will also provide you with literary criticism.
If you want to search all of EBSCO's databases at one time, choose the EBSCOhost Research Database platform. Remember to choose the databases you want to search.
NoveList Plus
Novelist Plus is a reader's advisory database. It provides recommendations for texts based on read-alikes, themes, and authors.
Using NoveList, you can search by Themes, Genre, and Author Read-alikes.
University of Manitoba - Library Catalogue
St. John's-Ravenscourt has a partnership with the University of Manitoba Libraries which allows community members to borrow resources.
**Items must be borrowed through the Bonnycastle Library. Please contact Mrs. Bergen for more details.
Remember to cite your sources.