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This page is for students in the CSUSM Graduate Literature & Writing Program and supplements the research instruction provided in your earlier coursework. The content provided on thesis preparation is for information purposes and if your committee states otherwise, please follow their guidelines.
Related Pages:Theses & Dissertations (CSUSM guidelines and more)
Graduate-level research in Literature is challenging in that you need to examine a range of texts and analysis, that can easily take you out of 'traditional' literature research resources. Research is only one part of the scholarly cycle and also requires adherence to the accepted citation conventions and adherence to the guidelines (read those as requirements) in thesis format, defense and submission.
Literature research and publication generally use the Modern Language Association guidelines. As an undergraduate student, you likely used the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Now, as a graduate student, you will be expected to use the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (3rd edition, 2008) which is directed towards more advanced writing and publication. If you are to use another manuscript/citation style, please contact the librarian or CSUSM Writing Center for help.
Publish, Not Perish Tutorial from University of Colorado
Practical Tips for Reading Critically-Academic Prose from UC Berkeley
While directed at graduate students and junior faculty working on their first scholarly manuscripts for publication and the review process, much of this site is useful for any scholarly communication planning.
A gentle reminder to read for purpose, not just to cover ground.Research-based and Anecdotal Tips for Improving Scholarly Productivity (University of Wisconsin)
CSUSM LTWR Department Thesis Requirements
CSUSM Library Guidelines and Contacts
- Note: "Helpful Hints" link opens a Word document.
- Note: "Thesis Guidelines" opens a Word document--very helpful for the process overview!
CSUSM Office of Graduate Studies and Research
(In referring to the MLA guidelines, if there is a disagreement with what you have read and what your committee wants they will overrule anything you see here!)
MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (MLA, 3rd ed. 2008). Copies held at the Research Help Desk and Permanent Reserves.
Diana Hacker: Documenting Sources
Manuscript Format for Three Bibliographic Styles provides a comparison chart between APA, MLA and Chicago to see what margins, page numbers, etc. are required.
MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (MLA, 3rd ed. 2008) CSUSM Library copies at RESEARCH HELP DESK and Permanent Reserve areas
Diana Hacker: Documenting Sources (her section on MLA)
Documenting Sources: A Hacker Handbooks Supplement specifically addresses the changes coming in 2009.
KnightCite (Calvin College) is a fill-in-the-box tool to create your citation for you. Use with care as it will not correct errors or misspellings you make and offers a limited number of options in resources.
Not as good as talking to your committee or your librarian, but helpful nonetheless.
Writing Guidelines: Tips and Pitfalls (Lewis and Clark College)
Assignment Calculator (are you a procrasinator? This research planner may just help!)
Books at CSUSM
Of course, thinking about books opens the question to whether you can access materials during the summer when you may not be enrolled. Current library policy is that if you present documentation (a dated letter from a member of your thesis committee is best) that you are enrolling in the fall semester to continue your thesis work, privileges for continued access will be provided. If you enroll in Extended Studies for summer session, you are automatically granted library privileges. These include Circuit and Interlibrary Loan as well.
Literary Research Guide (REF PR83 .H34 2002)
Feminist research practice: a primer (Stacks HQ1180 .H47 2007)
Handbook to Literary Research (REF PN73 .H36 1998)
Journals at CSUSM
Do a GENRE search on "Electronic journals literature" to retrieve all titles we have electronically-delivered full text
OR
A subject search on Literature--periodicals will return our general literature paper-based journals
OR
A keyword search on your topic with the word 'literature' and then limit/modify the results to periodicals or internet source will retrieve a more specific set of sources.
Conferences
Literature Conferences Worldwide
We'd like to hear from you!
Email us or call (760) 750-4348
