So today I just got assigned a report on doing a critique of a book. My teacher says she doesn't want a summary but like an analysis of the piece, possibly a character analysis and going about the message/theme of the cook. So anyone have any idea of how I should go about getting sources for this. This is my first big project that seems to require actual research and not just typing in one thing on Google.

So I'm kind of "overwhelmed" so to speak and don't know where to start. I need to have a tentative bibliography for Wednesday so she knows we are starting research. I'm doing the play "Death of a Salesman"

What do you mean by actual research? Are you saying that Internet research is not allowed?

The best I could say is to go to a good library or something, but most of us are probably used to using the Internet for research.

I'm not sure of your entire situation but, as Rome said, if you have access to a decent library that would be a pretty good place to start. But if you're anything like me searching through a very old, often very limited library can prove both tedious but often fruitless.

I can't imagine that your teacher would be opposed to using the internet entirely. Sure, wikipedia's not really something that you want in a bibliography but it's a great start to get an overview and understanding of the book's themes, techniques, etc. From there, there are online journals, articles and reviews on classic works that are both very productive and convenient. It might be something that you need to discuss with your teacher first because I acknowledge that some teachers refuse the use of the internet altogether, for whatever reason.

Character analysis' are something you would have to consult a library for. Your school librarian should be able to give you access to some very good resource books that most schools keep on their shelves for just these kind of things.

Also sometimes the books themselves will have some kind of analysis or blurb in them (depending on the edition), try to cite that if possible.

We can only you one website but we can use online periodicals and then books an stuff.

Anyone know exactly the difference between a periodical and a webiste. I know a periodical is like an article or something but, ehh?

A periodical would be something from a magazine or a journal.

Ok I ended up going to the library and they surprisingly had some really good stuff. Except they lost one book but I ended up finding the text on questia.com.

So now I just need one more source but What do you guys classify this as? And is that even reliable? I still need one more source and it has to be online. =/

Something I wouldn't use, and definitely not cite.

Try to get something off of encyclopedia Britanica, or gale, or grolier.

Your school should have access to a slew of online databases that they subscribe to, use one of them.