Research Guides: English: ENGLISH 4730/5730 (Wonders)

Creative Nonfiction Workshop

In this class, you are exploring writing creative nonfiction that tells of your personal experiences while drawing connections to the universal (or at least ubiquitous). One tactic for writing effective personal narrative is to infuse research, which can take many forms!

This guide offers some entry points to doing this work.

Photo by Julia Joppien on Unsplash

Workshop Resources (Fall 2024)

Workshop worksheet (Fall 2024)

Strategies and Resources for Researching

Strategies

Brainstorm areas of your narrative that might be enhanced from research. There is no need for research for research's sake.
Consider the goals of different source types to determine which might be best for the angle you seek.
Think about your topic from broad to narrow. The entry point for (and availability of) research differs for each level.
Your goal is a Goldilocks search: not too big, not too small, just right.
Meet (or accept) the challenges that inevitably come.

Resources

Library Resources

A-Z Databases
Rod Library has a variety of unique databases that cater to specific subjects and contain different source types. Browse these databases by subject here or contact your librarian for suggestions.

New York Times This link opens in a new window
Did you know Rod Library provides free individual New York Times accounts? Sign up here!
Oxford English Dictionary This link opens in a new window
If you're fascinated by the history of words, OED is fun to consider.

Magazine/Newspaper Search
Is there a known magazine or newspaper you want to know if Rod Library offers coverage? Search the title here to find out.

Open Web Resources

Using a domain limiter on your search can do tons for narrowing your content.

site:.gov plus your search terms would return results only for that domain site:.gov obesity women statistics

site:.nytimes plus our search terms would return results only from that website. For example, site:.nytimes.com midsize OR curvy AND women OR model

Advanced Google Search
The open web has tricked us into thinking returning millions is helpful. It's really not. What you want is the right results. The more tips you know to narrow your search, even on the open web, the more likely you'll return helpful results.
Advanced Google Book Search
Google Books is a great search engine for finding primary sources. You may only be able to find a limited preview of a resource here, but it gives you the information you need to locate the full text.

Sources from class

Literary Magazines

Links to a few select magazines to which we have access to the most recent issues.

Guernica
Award-winning 501(c)3 non-profit magazine focused on the intersection of arts and politics.
Virginia Quarterly Review.
A national journal of literature and discussion published by the University of Virginia. Articles, poetry, fiction and discussions of recent books of note.
Fourth Genre: Explorations in Nonfiction
Devoted to publishing notable, innovative work in nonfiction.
New Yorker
An American magazine featuring journalism, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons, and poetry.
The Atlantic
Features articles for the general reader, reports & comments on recent events in history, humor, fiction, poetry, arts & leisure, & book reviews.
Ploughshares
Fiction, poetry, essays, commentary and reviews guest-edited serially by prominent writers, who explore different and personal visions, aesthetics and literary circles.
Kenyon Review
An international journal of literature, culture and the arts including poetry, fiction, drama, essays and reviews.

News (Newspapers and Magazines)

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
News for Cedar Falls and Waterloo, IA, and the Waterloo-Cedar Falls region of Iowa.

Des Moines Register (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
News articles from the Des Moines Register newspaper.

TIME Magazine
The 100-year-old global media brand with a mission to tell the essential stories of the people and ideas that shape and improve the world.