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Popular Culture for Composition

General Encyclopedic Databases (Online)

Once you have identified the main topic and keywords for your research, find one or more sources of background information to read. These sources will help you understand the broader context of your research and tell you in general terms what is known about your topic. The most common background sources are encyclopedias and dictionaries from the print and online reference collection. Class textbooks also provide background information.

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Where Do Words Originate?

You can learn where particular words come from and how they were used through the Oxford English Dictionary.

English Encyclopedias & Dictionaries

Subject encyclopedias and/or dictionaries offer a very quick way to get yourself started on research topics. They are compiled by experts in the field. To find a subject encyclopedia in our catalog, just add the word "encyclopedia" or "dictionaries" to your search: i.e.: "english literature encyclopedia".  This should find most of the encyclopedia on your topic.  Listed below you will find a sample of english literature encyclopedia and dictionaries.  The first two in the list are available in the library and online.  Just click the link.
 

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