Research Guides: English & Literature: Articles

Databases - Useful for Literature Research

MLA International Bibliography This link opens in a new window
Subject index for Humanities and interdisciplinary scholarship including books, articles, and websites published on literary theory, criticism, dramatic arts, folklore and linguistics. There is full text access to over 1,000 of the most used journals and articles, some foreign language articles and documents dating back as far as 1881. The database also includes records and links to full text in JSTOR and Project MUSE. The VWU subscription to the MLA International Bibliography also includes access to the MLA Directory of Periodicals database, which provides detailed information on more than 6,000 journals and book series that fall within the scope of the bibliography, as well as the MLA Thesaurus which includes names of persons, languages, groups, genres, stylistic and structural features, themes, sources, influences, processes, theories and other related topics.
While this database is not all full text content, users still can obtain the articles using the Check for Full text link or through Interlibrary Loan.
JSTOR This link opens in a new window
Full text scholarly articles and e-books in many disciplines. Most recent 3-5 years full text not included. Access to JSTOR Arts & Sciences I-VII and Life Sciences archive collections. Journal subscriptions to The College Mathematics Journal, 2006-; The William and Mary Quarterly, 2001-; The American Mathematical Monthly 2006-. All e-books in JSTOR are digital rights management-free (DRM-free).
The Advanced Search of all collections is the default. If you do not want to search all of the collections at JSTOR, scroll down and check one or more collections to search.
Gale Literary Sources This link opens in a new window
Critical scholarly resources in literature and the humanities, including critical analyses, biographies, and bibliographies. Full text to e-books and articles in Gale Virtual Reference Library, Literature Resource Center, Scribner Writers Online, and Twayne’s Writers Online.
Gale Primary Sources This link opens in a new window
The Gale Primary Sources cross-search interface provides access to The Illustrated London News Historical Archive, 1842-2003, and The Times (London) Digital Archive, 1785-2012. Does not include access to the Sunday Times.
Humanities International Complete This link opens in a new window
Provides full text journals, books, and other published humanities sources from around the world.

Tutorials - Using the MLA International Bibliography Database

You can find tutorial videos on using the MLA International Bibliography online.

Journal Finder

Writing for Literature

The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's handout, Writing for Literature, has explanations of the kinds of writing you may be asked to do in this discipline.

Newspapers

Illustrated London News Historical Archive, 1842-2003 This link opens in a new window
The Illustrated London News Historical Archive provides access to the entire run of the Illustrated London News from its first publication on 14 May 1842 to its last in 2003.
NewsBank Access World News This link opens in a new window
News database with global, national, regional, and local news sources, including a unique range of formats (full-text articles, PDF image editions, web-only content, broadcast transcripts, and videos).
This resource supports a diverse range of research needs across multiple academic disciplines. Updated daily.
Includes access to our local Virginian-Pilot newspaper.
Newspaper Source Plus This link opens in a new window
Provides a full text digital collection of the world's major news content, including millions of articles from newspapers, newswires, and news magazines.
New York Times with Index This link opens in a new window
Full text coverage from 1851-2019 of the largest daily metropolitan newspaper in the United States. New York Times has been published since 1851.
Times (London) Digital Archive This link opens in a new window
The Times (London) Digital Archive, 1785-2014 is one of two digital archives included in Gale Primary Sources. This cross-search interface provides access to both The Times Digital Archive and The Illustrated London News Historical Archive, 1842-2003. Access to the Sunday Times (London) is not included.