Pathfinder

May 1996

The following reference books can be used to get both biographical and critical information about authors. These sources should be used as a starting point--DO NOT base all of your research on material obtained from reference books. Use these sources to become better acquainted with your author; this will allow you to utilize more effectively the sources listed under COMPREHENSIVE LITERARY RESEARCH. These sources are located at the West Campus LRC; they may also be located at other local libraries.

BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES

Consult the following reference sources to get an overview of your author's life.

Contemporary Authors

REF Z 1224 .C6

This multivolume biographical source is best accessed via the Contemporary Authors Cumulative Index (REF Z 1224 .C58)

Black Writers

REF PN 490 .B53

Authors and Artists for Young People

REF PN 452 .A939

CRITICAL SOURCES

Consult the following reference sources to obtain critical analyses of your author and his/her work. The first sources listed will provide a more general critical analyses of your author, while the second set of sources will provide critical analyses of a more specific nature.

GENERAL CRITICISM

Dictionary of Literary Biography

REF PS 221 .D5

This multivolume reference source is best accessed via the Contemporary Authors Cumulative Index (REF Z 1224 .C58)

SPECIFIC CRITICISM

Contemporary Literary Criticism

REF PN 771 .C59

Look up specific literary titles in the separate title index.

Black Literature Criticism

REF PS 153 .N5 B556

Masterplots II: Women's Literature Series

REF PN 471 .M37

Masterplots II: American Fiction Series

REF PN 846 .M37

Masterpieces of African American Literature

REF PS 153 .N5 M264

Reference Guide to Short Fiction

REF PN 3373 .R36

COMPREHENSIVE LITERARY RESEARCH

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