ENGL 101 English Composition 1 (Beals)

Monster-themed 101

Start with Reference to Get Informed

Start with Reference

Type in key words that capture your research topic. Keep it simple - and try different words and word combinations. 

For my first search, I typed in nuclear disaster to see what I would find on my current issue - and to see if my search terms were on track. 

  • My search returned 66 different articles, including articles on specific nuclear disasters. 
  • Using the Subject Filter on the right, I found other useful words connected to my topic, including nuclear accidents and radioactive pollution.

Fukoshima

Get Informed on Current Issues with CQ Researcher Reports 

To find relevant sources in CQ Researcher, either use the SEARCH field OR BROWSE by TOPIC or REPORT.

To find this report on water scarcity, I clicked on Browse by Topic & selected Environment, Climate, and Natural Resources and then Climate.

Of the many climate topics, I opened Global Water Scarcity, because I thought it would work well with my monster.

Note the highlighted words I can use to find other relevant sources.

Monsters - as Research Entry Points

While you are not writing an essay about your monster, it can be helpful to look up your monster - and learn more about the issues they originally represented. 

In this example, I am researching Godzilla.

  • I limited my search to encyclopedia collections in the Arts, Environment and Literature. 
  • I found 41 articles, including articles on Godzilla as a pop culture phenomenon, Godzilla and film history, and Godzilla and the Cold War.

GVRL Godzilla results


A more refined search of Godzilla AND (cold war OR nuclear) returns fewer, more focused articles on that topic. 

Godzilla and cold war or nuclear

Including this article: 

Article on sci fi and cold war anxiety

Background Research

Your assignment requires you to research a cultural issue that your monster may be argues to represent. Use background sources on this page to learn about your cultural issue

Enter your CTClink student ID when prompted for access off campus

Introductory Resources

Other Reference Databases