Research Subject Guides: English: Literature, Rhetoric, and Composition: Reading Lists and Comps

English: Literature, Rhetoric, and Composition : Reading Lists and Comps

Potential Book Sources

Special formats like encyclopedias, companions, handbooks, or bibliographies are often where senior scholars summarize the most important arguments and publications in their field.

Library Catalog in Scholar One Search
Search for your topic plus Library of Congress keywords like review, encyclopedia, companion, handbook, bibliographies, e.g. Handbook of Material Culture.
WorldCat
Once you find a good search strategy for Scholar OneSearch, use it for WorldCat, too.

Dissertations and Theses Global (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
The literature review and bibliography of a topical dissertation in your area can be invaluable.

Cambridge Histories Online: Chronological Reviews

Not only do Cambridge Histories provide authoritative overviews, but they often include chronologies and timelines that can be helpful for broad review before comprehensive exams.

Cambridge Histories Online: Literary Studies
Valuable scholarly guides in all areas of literary history, including Cambridge Histories of African and Caribbean literature, American literature, English literature, Classical literature, European literature, and more.

Find titles on literature in English and other languages such as:

Review Articles & Specialty Bibliographies

In other words: great new stuff that's been published in your field, gathered and evaluated by a scholar in the discipline.

Oxford Bibliographies Online
Authoritative research guides developed with scholars worldwide, featuring excellent overview entries and annotated lists of recommended books and journals on topics across a wide variety of subjects. Many topics germane to Composition and Rhetoric will be found in Communication.
Year's Work in English Studies
Thorough and evaluative reviews of recent work in almost all sub-fields of English.
American Literary Scholarship
Thorough and evaluative reviews in American literature, both by author and time period (e.g. "Fiction 1930s to 1960s.")
Studies in English Literature
Focuses on British Literature with a review of recent studies at the end of each issue. Deep archive available through JSTOR.
Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory
Thorough and evaluative reviews in theory, from postcolonial, continental, and translation theory to media studies, visual culture, and more.