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English: American Supernatural Literature: More on MLA

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MLA Thesaurus

At the top of the search screen, select Thesaurus.

After marking a term, click the ADD button for a search.  Note the Explode option by some terms with subsets.

The thesaurus can also help users determine appropriate subjects for broadening or narrowing their searches.

 

Subject heading

The term or name chosen to describe the contents of the document

Used for

Alternative (nonpreferred) terms or names, which include synonyms, variant spellings, and older versions of the heading

Broader subject headings

More general terms or concepts

Related subject headings

Related terms or concepts

Narrower subject headings

More specific terms or concepts

 

MLA Search Strategy

The MLA International Bibliography is not easy to use.

POSSIBLE SEARCH STRATEGY:

  • Using Search Any Field find an items that is relevant to your search
  • Carefully examine the indexing for the items
  • Look for headings and select them for deeper searches:
    • SU Subject Terms
    • Period
    • SA Primary Subject Author
    • SK Primary Subject Work
    • GD Genre
    • GT Literary Topic
    • TQ Literary Technique

Note: Subjects terms results can be  limited since few subjects were included until 1980.

  • Use the Thesaurus (link at the top of the initial search screen)
  • Use Names as Subjects (link at the top of the initial search screen)
  • Try keyword and other types of searches.

The Modern Language Association has created an in-depth advanced search guide. MLA Guide to Searching the MLA international Bibliography

Works ABOUT Authors

Pull down Select a Field

You may choose

  • SU Subjects All
  • SA Primary Subject Author
  • Leave as default (keyword) 

Note the AU Author search is limited to works written by the searched name!

  • Last name - first name: wharton edith
  • Last name (if unique): lovecraft
  • If in doubt, select Names as Subjects (link at the top of the initial search screen)

The name you enter may not be the preferred subject term used. Select Names as Subjects

Example:  Mark Twain is indexed in MLA as "Clemens, Samuel" 

Literary Work

Pull down Select a Field

Choose 

  • SU Subjects All
  • SK Primary Subject Work
  • Leave as default (keyword) 

Enter title of a work.name: country of the pointed firs
If needed: use quotation marks:  "little room"
If needed: add author's name in SU field
Use the Thesaurus if in doubt

Note: The work as subject is limited since few titles were included in subject until 1980. Try other types of searches, including author as subject.