Skip to Main Content

Shelley - Frankenstein: Your Assignment

Frankenstein

Frankenstein's monster

What Do You Know?

You probably already know a little something about this author and literary work, but it's important to find out more in order to write an intelligent research paper. 

Ask yourself:

  • What do I know?
  • What can I find out?

biographical information
plot overviews
charatcter studies
themes
literary style
critical essays

What You Need to Know

Understanding Your Assignment

Before you begin looking for information you should make sure you understand your assignment. Some good questions are:

  • How many pages?
  • How many sources?
  • What kinds of sources?
    • Books
    • Articles
    • Websites
  • What format?

Your professor is your best resource to answer these questions.

image of student with her hand raised

What is Literary Criticism?

 Literary Criticism is discussion, analysis or appraisal of a literary work- whether a novel, poem, play, short story or essay.

As a literary critic, you will read and study a piece of literature and attempt to:

  • describe
  • analye
  • justify
  • interpret
  • evaluate

The guide will help you find biographical and critical information about authors and their works.

Research Basics - Step by Step

Breaking Down The Research Process  

  research process image

The following outline gives a simple and effective strategy for finding information for a research paper and documenting the sources you find. Depending on your topic and your familiarity with the library, you may need to rearrange or recycle these steps. Adapt this outline to your needs. We are ready to help you at every step in your research.

  1. Choose a topic - or have one assigned
  2. Understand your topic
    • Background reading
    • Consider a main focus
    • Refine your topic
    • Make a list of your keywords and concepts
  3. Search Sources
    • Find Books
    • Find Articles
    • Find Websites
  4. Write your paper - Informative, Analytical, Argumentative, Critical
  5. Cite your sources

            Talk to a Librarian

            Need Help 

             

            The Cerritos College Librarians can help you with your research in a variety of ways:

            Librarians are available during library hours to answer your questions by phone or chat.
            (562) 860-2451 x2425

            Cerritos College Library | 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650 | 562-860-2451 | Reference ext 2425 | Circulation ext 2424