LibGuides: WRA 135 Writing: Public Life in America: Background Info

Searching With A Purpose

Video tutorial to help with your research focus and getting started with searching.

Video credit: Megan Kudzia

Quick video on how to critically examine information online.

Video credit: Emilia Marcyk

Can't find what you need in SearchPlus? Try these online encyclopedias for more background information:

Gale Virtual Reference Library This link opens in a new window
Searches several online encyclopedias at once
Oxford Reference Online (Premium Edition) This link opens in a new window
Contains online versions of dictionaries and encyclopedias previously published in paper by Oxford University Press.

Click on the title link for more information on where to find these encyclopedias in the Main Library.

Oxford Encyclopedia of American Cultural and Intellectual History
Contains thorough entries on all aspects of American thought and expression throughout history.
The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Social History
Covers all aspects of social history such as family life, work life and labor, education, and more.
American Decades
Guide to various decades in American history. Covers such topics as key events and people, social trends, business and economic activity, education, arts, religion, and much more

You can also search for specific reference books:

(try gender, sport, religion, etc)

USA.gov
Official US Government Web site - great place to start for statistics and official information.