6.1: Writing About Literature
- Page ID
- 327991
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 6.1.1: Introduction to Writing About Literature
- This page highlights the importance of exploring literature beyond surface meanings to evoke deeper emotional and intellectual responses. It details learning outcomes that include using historical sources for context, applying literary criticism for analysis, and following MLA citation standards. A quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes emphasizes the reader's engagement with the text, suggesting that a book's true essence is found in the thoughts and feelings it generates.
- 6.1.2: Distinguish Between Primary and Secondary Sources
- This page highlights the importance of differentiating between primary and secondary sources in research. Primary sources are direct accounts from witnesses, while secondary sources are analyses of these accounts. It suggests key questions to evaluate sources, emphasizing the author's expertise and the evidence provided. Critical assessment of both types is crucial for grasping the truth of events.
- 6.1.3: Annotated List of Useful Online Resources
- This page offers an annotated list of eight valuable websites for first-year undergraduate students, focusing on free and open access resources. It includes general and specialized sites like the CIA World Factbook, various government statistical sites, the Internet Archive, and ProCon.org. Additionally, it features writing support from Purdue University and UNC Chapel Hill. Each website entry comes with a description, publisher information, and recommended research applications.
- 6.1.4: Using Databases- Periodical Indexes and Abstracts
- This page covers the use of various periodicals—magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals—in research, noting their unique styles and target audiences. It explains the significance of periodical databases, how to use them effectively, and the difference between indexing and full-text access. Online resources improve research efficiency by enabling searches by various criteria.
- 6.1.5: Annotated List of Useful Databases
- This page emphasizes the significance of digital sources and databases in research, highlighting their advantages over internet search engines. It categorizes databases into broad, source-type, and subject-specific, mentioning key ones like Academic Search Complete and JSTOR. It discusses two databases, one for social sciences and another, ScienceDirect, for physical and life sciences, detailing their full-text access and relevance to students.
- 6.1.6: Finding and Evaluating Research Sources
- This chapter highlights the significance of using diverse sources for research writing, distinguishing between primary and secondary sources. It stresses the importance of both print and electronic materials, encouraging familiarity with library resources and critical evaluation of sources. The text provides guidance on engaging with campus libraries and improving research through hands-on experiences.
- 6.1.7: Finding Literary Criticism
- This page covers literary criticism, focusing on the analysis of literature in context rather than just summarizing plots. It stresses the importance of examining themes and characters for deeper understanding and advocates for using scholarly sources, particularly recommending peer-reviewed journals and databases like ABELL and MLA International Bibliography, while discouraging reliance on non-scholarly sources like SparkNotes. Specific academic resources are suggested for further research.
- 6.1.8: Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Style
- This page covers MLA style's importance in the liberal arts for formatting research papers, focusing on aspects like manuscript format, in-text citations, and works cited sections to ensure clarity and prevent plagiarism. It highlights MLA's non-copyrightable nature while emphasizing the need for clear and accurate citations.
- 6.1.9: Additional Resources
- This page explores the MLA formatting for coursework and analyzes Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," focusing on its allegorical themes representing early America and Great Britain through characters Ichabod Crane and Brom Van Brunt. The conflict between them encapsulates colonial struggles and America's aspirations.