http://library.chattanoogastate.edu-----697-4448 

AP English--Hixson High School--Ms. Rhonda Foster
Library Instructor:  Tisa Houck, 697-2577

"A poet can survive everything but a misprint."  ~Oscar Wilde

Assignment:  Literary Analysis Research Paper--Poetry--After reading as many primary sources as you can, look for patterns, trends, contrasts and similarities in style, characterization, theme, etc. in the poems.  Develop a thesis based on your opinion, resulting from the reading.  After selecting and reading at least six poems by your poet, choose two or three poems for explication and analysis in a critical paper.  Use secondary sources to stimulate, to support, and/or to defend your view.  Use a minimum of five sources and follow MLA style.  The paper should be 5-7 pages in length with copies of the poems attached. 

1. Search the catalog for books to check out or view online.
    (You may have a community patron card made and check-out two books when you present a photo ID.)

• Click  the tab

• Type your author's name in the search box.

• Click on the blue title link to see more information or to access an electronic book.   

• Check the STATUS for books that are available for check out.

Entries with Online netLibrary Book Collection  as the Library Location are electronic books. 
        (Available only on-campus.)

  2.  Consult reference books--for use in the library or to photocopy selected pages

• Thematic Guide to American Poetry--Ref PS 303.B875 2002

• Poetry Criticism--Ref PN 1010 .P499

• Critical Survey of Poetry (English language)--Ref PN1111.C7 2003 

• Dictionary of Literary Themes and Motifs--Ref PN 43.D48 1998 2 vols.

Other reference books are available if you need to find additional information.  Ask a librarian for help. 
 

3.  Find critical analysis from scholarly journals and books in these databases (on-campus use only):

            Literature Resource Center

Type in the title of the poem and select <Name of Work>.
OR
Type in the name of the author and select <Person-By or About>.

Basic Search Find: Search for words in:    Person - By or AboutName of WorkKeywordsAll Text

            Wilson OmniFile Full Text Select

• Search by the poet's name OR the title of the poem.
• Put quotation marks around the title of the poem (if more than one word).
• Choose the Peer Reviewed tab to limit your results to scholarly journals, if desired.

Also search within the full text of the articles, for extra results

            JSTOR

• Click on the <Advanced search> link above the search box.

• Search by author's name and/or the title of your work.

• Uncheck the Search for links to articles outside of JSTOR  

• Narrow your search to only the Article type by checking that box.

4.  Look for critical analysis in these authoritative websites. 

5.  Cite your sources correctly by following the examples in these documents.

        MLA Citation Examples (Electronic Databases)

        MLA Citation Examples (WWW Sites)

Tisa Houck
2/08