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English Research Guide

Searching for Information in the PCC Library's Online Catalog

As you prepare to write your English 1A essay, get to know some basic academic research strategies by watching this brief video tutorial: 

Getting Started on the Advertisement Essay

In order to find scholarly articles for the Advertisement Essay, you'll need to brainstorm some keywords (search terms) related to the topic. Since the essay requires you to analyze the depiction of masculinity in an advertisement, you may want to search for sources using terms such as: 

  • advertising
  • marketing
  • media representations
  • gender roles
  • gender stereotypes
  • masculinity

Here are two examples of scholarly journal articles found in in library databases using the terms "gender roles" and advertising. 

Getting Started on the Fight Club Essay

In order to find additional sources for the Fight Club essay, you will need to brainstorm some keywords (search terms) related to the essay topic. Since you will be expected to address the "connection between consumerism and the narrator's identity and his lack of social relationships," you might consider using search terms such as these: 

  • consumerism
  • capitalism
  • materialism
  • "social isolation" 
  • loneliness 
  • relationships
  • alienation

You may also wish to search for articles including analysis of Fight Club to find out other scholars' views on the book. Search the Gale Literature database for Fight Club and browse Literature Criticism: 

Recommended Library Databases for the Advertisement or Fight Club Essay

Citing Sources in MLA Format