WRT 102 - East (Leighou) Writing II: Literary Resources on the Web

• Google Scholar 

Most are not that familiar with web searching.   Many also do not understand that Google only brings to one’s fingertips .004% to 10% of the web.  Most of us do a simple search in Google (two words or less) and look at the first 10 or so hits.  Be aware that you can use an advanced search in Google. 

There are also sites for general literary criticism:

• Literary Criticism 
  A merger of “Internet Public Library” and “Librarians’ Internet Index” provides discussions of numerous titles and authors.
• Schmoop Literature Guide 
  Check out the “best of the Web” on stories covered to find other good websites. The site provides overviews and analysis by students in Ph.D and master's programs from top universities on many commonly studied books and stories.
• SparkNotes 
  Study guides are for studying and writing papers that contain summaries and insightful critical analysis.
• The Internet Movie Database 
  A very good resource for movie directors and the movies they made.
• Youtube 
  A good source for interviews with contemporary authors such as Amy Tan and Khaled Hosseini.

• Overview of How to be a Chicana Role Model from LatinoStories.com 
  Book Review by Christine Granados, Hispanic Magazine (December 2000)
• Michele Serros on La Plaza, Part 1 (YouTube) 
  Interview of author Michele Serros with Illan Stavans.
• Michele Serros on La Plaza Part 2 (Youtube) 
  Interview of author Michele Serros with Illan Stavans.
• Michele Serros on La Plaza Part 3 9 (Youtube) 

It pays to find an author’s archive or official website such as: Ernest Hemingway: Online Resources from the Ernest Hemingway Collection of the John F Kennedy Presidential library.

When researching the web:

You cannot cite works (literary criticism) from other students.

You cannot use (cite) unpublished works (class notes, lectures, etc.) though you can use them as reference.

Most contemporary authors maintain an official website where they can share news about publications, appearances and awards with their fans. Many also now have Facebook pages and Twitter feeds.

Try these Google searches, substituting your author's name, in the search box below:

"Chef Jeff Henderson official website"

"Stephen King facebook"

"Jodi Picoult Twitter"