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You will probably use a number of anthologies during your English degree to access poems, short stories, plays, essays, and other information about authors and works of literature. The library has a number of these collections of writing, in various editions.
Thorough and helpful introductory matter, judicious annotation, complete texts wherever possible--this Eighth Edition is a collaboration between six new editors and six seasoned ones. Under the direction of Stephen Greenblatt, General Editor, the editors have reconsidered all aspects of the anthology to make it even better.
One of the best annotated anthologies of Canadian poetry and prose, ranging from the eighteenth century to the present. Volume I contains the work of 40 writers with 200 pages devoted to poetry and 350 pages to prose, including not only short fiction but five autobiographical pieces, eight essays of literary criticism, and a play. Many cross-connections in related subject matter, and introductions to the writers and their work, with annotations.
Ten topics reflect contemporary theoretical interests and guide the reader through fundamental questions, from the formation to the uses of theory, and from the construction to the interpretation of literature. Covers scholarship from both the United States and Europe and goes beyond traditional categories by focusing on issues rather than writers or critical movements, thus providing a forum for the continuing discussion of what theory is and does.
Covers a wide range of Middle English literature and supplies punctuation, capitalization, and accent marks when necessary to aid in comprehension by the inexperienced reader. The supplementary references include comparative media, since literature forms only a part of the whole cultural context.
The library has a number of Cambridge Companion handbooks that compile scholarly writing by various authors on specific themes and on specific authors. If you enter the search terms "cambridge companion literature" in the library catalogue search you will see a full list of these books, but here are some examples:
A clear and accessible introduction for those encountering Old English literature for the first time. Provides a discussion of the literature of the period 600 to 1066 in the context of how Anglo-Saxon society functioned. Offers an overview of the study and cultural influences of Old English literature to the present day.
Comprehensive introduction to major writers, genres, and topics in Canadian literature. Broad surveys of fiction, drama, and poetry and chapters on Indigenous writing, autobiography, literary criticism, writing by women, and urban writing. Nature-writing, exploration and travel-writing, and short fiction also discussed, and a substantial chapter on francophone writing is included.
Includes an examination of the development of the novel from the epic, history, romance, the picaresque. Discussion of the ways fiction developed in response to specific political, social, and economic forces, and how it has played a crucial role in the formation of those forces. Examines the recent interest in graphic novels as well as data, digitization, and a global literary marketplace's role in shaping the future of the novel.
Essays covering the 150-year history of the African American novel, addressing some of the major issues in the genre: passing, the Protest novel, the Blues novel, and womanism, among others, examining works by Ralph Ellison, Leon Forrest, Toni Morrison, Ishmael Reed, Alice Walker, John Edgar Wideman, and many others.
There are a number of general dictionaries in print in the library, as well as some specialized dictionaries that provide vocabulary for specific disciplines or areas of literature. Examples of targeted dictionaries are below, and you can find more general dictionaries listed here.
Provides explanations of almost twelve hundred terms, covering everything from the ancient dithyramb to the contemporary dub poetry. Also provides coverage of traditional drama, rhetoric, literary history, and textual criticism. Contains easy-to-use pronunciation guides for more than 200 terms, is thoroughly cross-referenced, and now offers a regularly updated companion website.
Containing over 750 in-depth entries covering the whole range of critical theory, including the Frankfurt school, cultural materialism, cultural studies, gender studies, film studies, literary theory, hermeneutics, historical materialism, internet studies, and sociopolitical critical theory. Entries clearly explain even the most complex of theoretical discourses.
Shakespeare is the most quoted--and probably also the most misquoted--writer in the English language. In this topically arranged collection of quotations, writers and speakers can find not only sayings on any of 600 subjects, but can be assured of the right wording and the precise source. Also contains keyword index.
This 2-volume dictionary consists of 143 essays covering themes relating to adventure, family life, the supernatural, eroticism, status, humor, idealism, terror, etc. Each entry contains a definition of each literary theme, a sketch on its origin and background, the significance of the theme in world literature and related information, as well as a selected bibliography. A cross-index to themes and motifs will enable the reader to find information on secondary or related topics.
Although this kind of information is now more frequently found online (you can find some more online encyclopedias that aren't Wikipedia in this libguide), there are a number of literature-focused Encyclopedias in print in the library. Some examples are below:
The Encyclopedia of Postmodernism provides comprehensive and authoritative coverage of academic disciplines, critical terms and central figures relating to the vast field of postmodern studies.
Post-Colonial Literatures in English, together with English Literature and American Literature, form one of the three major groupings of literature in English, and, as such, are widely studied around the world. This encyclopedia documents the history and development of this body of work.
The Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature serves as both guide and companion to the study and appreciation of American literature.
This reference work on African literature covers all the key historical and cultural issues in the field. The encyclopedia contains over 600 entries covering criticism and theory and African literature's development as a field of scholarship.
The library has a number of guides to effective writing and research in various aspects of literature and humanities disciplines, as well as more specific citation guides and guides to correct grammar.
You will most likely use the MLA citation style for academic papers in English classes. There is more information about that style and other specific citation styles in this guide.
Reorganized and revised, the third edition of the MLA Style Manual offers complete, up-to-date guidance on writing scholarly texts, documenting research sources, submitting manuscripts to publishers, and dealing with legal issues surrounding publication.
A Canadian Writer's Reference Seventh Edition and a variety of exciting digital options together represent a next-level tool for college writers, with an emphasis on help that is personal, practical, and digital. A Canadian Writer's Reference is reimagined as a system that offers innovative practice with writing, reading, thinking, and research; and that lives in an engaging multimedia environment. How-to pages, writing guides, student models, and exercises and activities deliver pragmatic, transferable lessons.
An indispensable language guide for anyone writing in the English language in Canada today. Provides answers to questions on abbreviations, hyphenation, spelling, the use of capital letters, punctuation, and frequently misused or confused words. Deals with letter, memo, and report formats, notes, indexes and bibliographies, and geographical names; also gives techniques for writing clearly and concisely, editing documents, and avoiding stereotypes. Also contains an appendix about presenting French words in an English text.
Learn to communicate exactly what you mean with this writing and speaking guide. From conjugating verbs to mastering punctuation to polishing your speaking skills, Perfect English Grammar makes it easier than ever to improve your grasp of grammar. Language learners of all levels can turn to this easy-to-navigate grammar guide for quick and authoritative information to improve everyday communication. Examples help you remember core grammar rules, and composition guidelines let you express yourself fully and accurately.
The library has an extensive collection of North American Indigenous literature. This libguide will help you find resources written by indigenous authors, as well as material about the works of these authors.
