Creative research
The Art of Creative Research by Call Number: General - PN146 .G47 2017ISBN: 9780226179773Publication Date: 2017-02-23All writers conduct research. For some this means poring over records and combing, archives but for many creative writers research happens in the everyday world--when they scribble an observation on the subway, when they travel to get the feel for a city, or when they strike up a conversation with an interesting stranger. The Art of Creative Research helps writers take this natural inclination to explore and observe and turn it into a workable--and enjoyable--research plan. It shows that research shouldn't be seen as a dry, plodding aspect of writing. Instead, it's an art that all writers can master, one that unearths surprises and fuels imagination. This lends authenticity to fiction and poetry as well as nonfiction. Philip Gerard distills the process into fundamental questions: How do you conduct research? And what can you do with the information you gather? He covers both in-person research and work in archives and illustrates how the different types of research can be incorporated into stories, poems, and essays using examples from a wide range of writers in addition to those from his own projects.
Recommended Databases
- JSTOR
JSTOR provides electronic access to major journal titles, eBooks, and images. Subjects covered by this database include art, biology, business, ecology, botany, general science, language, literature, mathematics, sustainability, security, music, and more. JSTOR is a great resource for general research. A personal account can be created to store and organize resources.
- MLA International Bibliography with Full TextFrom the Modern Language Association (MLA) and EBSCO, this resource combines an extensive collection of full-text journals with the definitive index for the study and teaching of language, literature, linguistics, rhetoric, writing studies, folklore, film, theater, and other dramatic arts.
- Gale Literature Resource Center
Literature Resource Center contains analysis, biographical information, overviews, full-text literary criticism, and reviews on writers in all disciplines, from all time periods, and from around the world.
- Gale Literary Index
This is an online index to the Gale Literary reference books in the Library and Gale Literature Resource Center online database. Refer to Literature Resource Center for full-text online resources.
- Art & Architecture Complete
Art and Architecture Complete provides popular and scholarly articles, images, and videos for a broad range of related subjects including antiques, architecture and architectural history, archaeology, costume design, decorative arts, graphic arts, interior and landscape design, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Images are stored as PDFs.
- Academic Search Ultimate This link opens in a new window
Academic Search Complete provides both popular and scholarly journal coverage and video clips for nearly all academic areas of study including: social sciences, humanities, education, technology, engineering, physics, chemistry, language & linguistics, arts & literature, medical sciences and ethnic studies. Academic Search Complete is a great starting point for most general research.
- Statista
Statista provides statistical data on many topics including media, business, politics, society, technology, and education. Sources include market reports, opinion research institutions, trade publications, scientific journals, and government agencies. Charts can be downloaded or embedded for assignment purposes.
Search for Articles & E-Resources
Use the Library's subscription databases to locate journal, magazine, and newspaper articles.
Looking for a particular journal or magazine? Use our journal locator.