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ENG 101 English Composition

This guide will provide a starting point for students researching topics and seeking background information for English composition.

Researching Controversial Issues

When you see something of interest, note the terminology that is used in the discussion.  Try to isolate key concept words or key phrases to use when searching the online catalog and electronic databases.

Locating Scholarly Articles

This database features a box you can check to limit your search to scholarly/peer-reviewed articles.

Scholarly Databases

These databases contain scholarly journals in a wide variety of subjects.

Researching Newspapers and Current Issues

NYTimes.com

Pepperdine Libraries now provide full complimentary access to NYTimes.com, New York Times mobile apps, and New York Times in Education to Pepperdine students, faculty, and staff.

Access to NYTimes.com provides:

  • Tools to stay informed on the latest in world and national news, business, the arts, technology, travel, opinion, science, medicine and more
  • Breaking news articles, blogs, videos and interactive features
  • The option to save articles of interest and share via email and social media
  • Visit this link to create a free NYTimes accoutn by clicking on "Account". Sign up using your Pepperdine e-mail address.

Wikipedia vs. Reference Books


Wikipedia is an encyclopedia written collaboratively; anyone with internet access can write and edit Wikipedia articles.  Users can contribute anonymously, under a pseudonym, or, if they choose to, with their real identity. 

Gale Virtual Referance Library (GVRL) is a collection of encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources; these trusted, authoritative reference works are available 24/7 Titles can be searched alone, by subject, or all titles can be searched together.

Whether you are researching a topic that's new to you or just need a few quick facts, reliable information can be found in reference books.