Skip to Main Content

EN 1251: Introduction to Literature: Background Information

Find Background Information

Look for background information about your research topic in encyclopedias and biographies. Reading background information about your research topic helps you to find subtopics and to narrow down what you want to write about. Background sources can also help you learn the vocabulary used to describe your topic. This new vocabulary will help you with your keyword searches. 

Subject Headings

"Literary criticism" is actually not a subject heading. Adapt or use on of the following as an example or use keyword search and glean subject headings that are useful. They can help you focus on more relevant materials quickly.  

Sources for Background Information

Video Databases