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Short stories can be found in a number of ways. First, try a search for the title of your short story in the Library Catalog. Choose Keyword search and enter the name of it. If that does not work, try looking by author. Perhaps your short story is one of many in a book by that author. To retrieve sources by an author, use the Library Catalog. Choose Author search and enter the last name first.
Sample search for a title
Sample search for an author
If you are unable to locate a copy of the short story in our library, use a specialty index to short stories. For example, “Short Story Index” does not refer to criticism. Rather, it indicates where short stories are published, such as in a book or periodical. Using indexes is a two-step process. Find where it is published, and then find out if the Library owns that source.
How do I find criticism for short stories?
First, try a search in the Library Catalog for books about the author or his or her works.
Sample search for an author
Second, use our collection of books specifically for short story research.
The following books are available in the Reference Collection.
Critical Survey of Short Fiction Ref PN 3321 .C7 1993
Reference Guide to Short Fiction Ref PN 3373 .R36 1994
Short Stories for Students Ref PN 3373 .S3844
Short Story Criticism Ref PN 3373 .S386
Third, use an index or bibliography to refer to discussion often published in scholarly journals or books about a short story. Usually, the actual critical essay is not listed. Instead, the index lists where you will find the critical essay.
Essay & General Literature Index Kept on Periodical Index Shelves
Humanities Index Kept on Periodical Index Shelves
Literary Criticism Index Ref PN 523 .W4 1984
Twentieth Century Short Story Explication Ref PN 3373 .W3
Magills Bibliography of Literary Criticism Ref PN 523 .M3 1979x
Can I find any criticism online?
First, try the following databases for articles (not web sites) about your author or short story. Remember, library staff can assist you in person, by phone, or online with search strategies. These databases are available on and off-campus. Have your library card handy when accessing the databases from off-campus. You will be asked for your name and library card number before you can search them.
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