Literature Resources from Gale
by Char Booth and Amy Wander
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What is it?
Literature Resources from Gale is an online gateway to information on literary figures from a variety genres and formats.
It
connects users to biographical information and critical analysis of over 90,000
authors. Literature Resources includes access to the following Gale databases:
- Contemporary Authors Online
- Contemporary Literary Criticism
- Dictionary of Literary Biography
- Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature
- Scribner Writer's Series
- Twayne's Author's Series
- Portions of Gale's For Students series
- Portions of Gale's Literature Criticism series
How do I use it?
- The LRC offers four distinct search
features: basic, advanced, person and works. The Gale Literary Index is also accessible, which allows users to search by author or title.
- This database is suitable for high school
and college students, as well as the sophisticated casual
user.
| Strengths |
Weaknesses |
• In-depth resource for literature and authors
• Offers full-text articles
•
Variety of search techniques, i.e. advanced searching
includes themes genres, and author's nationality
• Similar feel to Student Research Center -
compatible searching and help options
• Option
to print, email, and save articles |
• Only offers articles on a select number of
authors not comprehensive
• There is article
overlap among tabs offers redundant information at
times
• The number of different tabs can be
overwhelming to a new user
• No saving
searches
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The following examples show the
three most common searches you will use on LRG:
Where Do I Start
Searching?
1. This starting page directs you to the search options available in LRG.
2.
This page allows you to choose from four search options: basic, advanced, person, and works.
3. This screen offers a default advanced search .
4. From this page, you can
access more LRG information as well as the help
screen .
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Works Search allows users to search literary materials by
title.
EXAMPLE: : I'd like to find
information about the Richard Wright novel Native Son.
Step 1 : Choose whether you
would like to search for a title and/or an author name.
Step 2 :
In the first text box, enter the title of the work you would
like to search.
Step 3 : For increased specificity , in the
Author text box, enter the name of the author.
Step 4 : To narrow your search, use any of the other search functions such as publication year or author nationality.
Advanced Search For users with more complicated information
needs, the advanced search option provides a range of search
options.
EXAMPLE: How do I do a search for critical essays about autobiographical elements in Maya Angelou's work?
Step 1 : Enter your keywords
in the available entry fields if using multiple search
fields, determine whether you want your searches connected
with AND , OR , or NOT .
Step 2 : Use the drop-down boxes to determine your search
criteria - there are a number of options.
Step
3 : Browse the options in these
boxes before settling on any one choice. The options should
affect your choice of keywords.
Step 4: Choose the content and/or document type(s) you would like to
search.
Step 5: Click ' search. '
SEARCH TIP: Before conducting a
search, make a list of keywords and synonyms and try several searches
using different combinations of those keywords.
This page was revised by Danna Lamb in Spring 2009.
This page was revised by Sophronia Bruno in Spring 2007.
This page was revised by Jennifer Coffey in Spring 2006.
INF 382S: Library Instruction and Information Literacy, taught by Dr. Loriene Roy
School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin
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