Library Research Guides: ENG 120: Critical Interpretation: Find Background & Overviews

Why Use Reference Works?

Reference works such as specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handbooks can provide

an overview* of a topic, person, or work; often written by scholars in the field*	definitions of key terms
suggestions for further sources	vocabulary (keywords) for database searching

Literature Online (LION) This link opens in a new window
To find background, biographical information, and overviews of authors, works, movements, etc., check the box for Reference Works under Content Type when doing your search. You can also filter to Reference Works after running your search.
Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new window
Biographies, bibliographies and full-text critical analysis of authors from all genres and eras, including the contents of Contemporary Authors, Dictionary of Literary Biography, and Contemporary Literary Criticism.