Skip to Main Content
Go to Penn Libraries homepage   Go to Guides homepage

Copy of Critical Writing Program: Art of Persuasion - Fall 2019: Overview

Rhetoric: A Very Short Introduction

Scholarly Databases

These databases will help you find scholarly articles about your topic.

Why use this guide?

This Critical Writing Program guide will help you to:

  • Read a citation
  • Find books and articles using citations and keywords
  • Choose the best scholarly resources for your topic
  • Get personalized assistance!

How to Read a Citation

Book citations generally show a publisher and a city of publication. Book chapters will include the title of the chapter as well as the name of the book.

Article citations have a journal/periodical title in addition to the article title. They will usually also show a volume and issue number, and may show a day and month.

Using Citations to Find Articles

If you have a complete article citation, search Articles+ to find the full text of your article.

No luck? That doesn't mean we don't have access to the article - it could be in print! Try using the PennText Article Finder as a next step. You can find PennText on the Library homepage.

Penn Libraries main search

To find the full-text of an article, enter the journal name into the PennText article finder. A pop-up box will give you options to access the article online, in print, or the option to request through interlibrary loan.

Using Citations to Find Books


If your citation is a book, use Franklin, the Library catalog. Franklin will help you find the library in which the book is located, and the call number.

You can search for a specific book by title, author, or ISBN. You can also do a keyword or subject keyword search to find books on a particular topic.

Penn Libraries catalog dropdown

Other important resources for finding books:

Subject Guide

Profile Photo
Nick Okrent
Contact:
Van Pelt Library, room 204
215-573-2217

Chat

Boolean Operators

Three venn diagrams used to explain how boolean operators work. First venn diagram has only the center section colored in and says, AND broadens, both terms. Second venn diagram is completely colored in and says, or broadens, either term. Third venn diagram the left side is only colored in and does not overlap and says not excludes, just one term

Keyword Searching

This document suggests a good method of crafting effective keyword searches:

Penn Libraries Home Franklin Home
(215) 898-7555