ENG101: First-Year Composition (Lacayo-Salas)

This guide was created specifically for students in ENG101 First-Year Composition.

Gathering Background Information

Gathering background information from a variety of sources can help out in a number of ways:

  • If you are unfamiliar with the topic, it provides a good overview of the subject matter.
  • It helps you to identify important facts related to your topic such as terminology, dates, events, history, and relevant names or organizations.
  • It can help you refine your topic.
  • Background research can lead you to references that you can use to find additional sources of information.

Encyclopedias are a great source for background information! Enter your keywords directly in the search boxes below to locate background information in encyclopedias and dictionaries from Credo Reference and Gale eBooks.

Search

How Do I...?

Popular Questions About Borrowing, Returning, and Searching for Books

Using OneSearch

Books and ebooks can be found using One Search, the Library's search tool. Try searching for your topic in the search box.

Search for Books

 

Books that are available for check out are located on the 2nd floor of the Library. Reference books are located on the first floor by the Reference Desk.

Using eBook Databases

Choosing to search a specific eBook database will give you different filtering options that can help you narrow your search. You will also have less unrelated information to sort through. 

Popular eBook Databases:

Using Interlibrary loan service

Looking for a title we don't own?

Downloading eBooks