Finding Books

Reference sources are a good place to start your research. You will find reference sources in the print reference collection, e-books and electronic databases.

Suggested reference books include:
  • MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
    • REF LB2369.G53
  • Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)
    • REF BF76.7.P83
  • The Elements of Style
    • REF PE1408.S772
  • Oxford English Dictionary
    • REF PE1625.O87
Suggested reference databases include:

Available off-campus from the Off Campus Access Menu.

A catalog search is the best way to find books owned by the library.

If you want to browse the shelves, most grammar and literature books are located at the following call numbers:

  • P - Language & Literature
    • PE - English (grammar and writing)
    • PA - Classical Literature
    • PR - English Literature
    • PS - American Literature

Finding Articles

Much college-level research will be done using periodicals/journal articles. Journal articles can be found through our subscription databases.

Suggested article databases include:

Available off-campus from the Off Campus Access Menu.

Search Tips

AND

Narrows it down!

 tattoos AND artists Finds items containing BOTH terms.

OR

Brings more!
college OR university
Finds items that contain ANY one of the terms
"QUOTATIONS"
"Mchenry County College"
Finds items that contain the EXACT phrase.

Online tools for the research process:

Brainstorming Made Simple

Google Wonder Wheel

KwMap: A Keyword Map for the Whole Internet

Visuwords: Online Graphical Dictionary

Finding Websites

Remember to carefully evaluate information found on the Internet. Unlike most traditional print sources, Internet sources may not go through any review process before the information is made available to the public.

Recommended websites

Search Engines