Researching Art Movements - ENGL 100 - Howard - Research Guides at Modesto Junior College Library

STEP ONE: Understand Your Assignment

English 100 Research Paper Prompt (Fall 2022)

Meeting Expectations

Before you start researching, closely examine the prompt. Familiarity with your instructor's guidelines is crucial for any research project. What are the goals of the assignment? What does your professor expect to see in your work? Review the prompt often as you research and write your essay to stay on track.

STEP TWO: Choose an Intriguing Movement or Artist

Need ideas on movements and/or artists?
Google Arts & Culture: Art Movements

Professor Howards List of Cool Movements

STEP THREE: Create Some Research Questions

Create some basic questions to guide your research and focus your reading. The questions below are based on your professor's assignment prompt, and will help keep you on track!

STEP FOUR: Find Sources to Answer Your Questions

Use the databases below to search for credible, full-text sources on art movements, artists, and specific works. Databases even provide MLA citations! MJC Library databases are accessible 24/7 from your home technology. If you need help navigating the databases, please do not hesitate to ASK A LIBRARIAN.

Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window Use this database for preliminary reading as you start your research. You'll learn about your topic by reading authoritative topic overviews on a wide variety of subjects.
eBook Collection: EBSCOhost This link opens in a new window Use this database to search our collection of thousands of eBooks the MJC Library owns through EBSCOhost.(EBSCO eBooks Instructions)
Gale OneFile: Fine Arts This link opens in a new window Use this database when you want to explore topics related to drama, music, art history, and film making. This collection contains more than 100 full-text publications.
Gale In Context: Biography This link opens in a new window This is a great database to use when you need to find information about a person.This Gale database includes more than 500,000 individuals from throughout history and from around the world.
Films on Demand This link opens in a new window Use Films on Demand when you want educational video content. This streaming video collection contains unlimited, 24/7 access to thousands of videos. Teachers can embed videos in Canvas. In addition, there are mobile options for iPad and Android.
Instructions for embedding Films on Demand into Canvas.
EBSCOhost Databases This link opens in a new window Search 22 databases simultaneously that cover almost any topic you need to research at MJC. EBSCO databases include articles previously published in journals, magazines, newspapers, books, and other media outlets.
Gale Databases This link opens in a new window Search over 35 databases simultaneously that cover almost any topic you need to research at MJC. Gale databases include articles previously published in journals, magazines, newspapers, books, and other media outlets.

The Library & Learning Center also has art books in print. Look them up in the library's catalog:

Library Catalog

STEP FIVE: Evaluate Your Sources

It is is essential you use credible, authoritative sources on all college work. Evaluation takes practice!

STEP SIX: Follow MLA Formatting & Citing Guidelines

This video explains how a format style like MLA affects your work. The MJC Library has great MLA resources on their LEARN TO CITE: MLA page.

ENGL 100 - Howard: Researching Art Movements