ENGL 4303 Introduction to Shakespeare

Encyclopedias & Dictionaries--The Basics

All good research of a topic begins with a solid definition or a clear overview of the topic. Encyclopedias and dictionaries offer clear, concise information about a topic and are a good starting point. Encyclopedias are good for an overview of your topic, while dictionaries are useful for "sound bite" definitions that are easy to insert into the beginning of a paper or speech. For basic information, try these general favorites: