HNU Library: English and Literature Research Guide: Web Resources

What is a Credible Web Source?

When evaluating a web site, check these basic points:

Author – if you cannot determine who is responsible for the content of a website (either an individual or organization), you won't be able to gauge their expertise or relationship to the subject.
Domain – the last segment of the "root" of the URL (for example, hnu.edu) will tell you if the source of information is educational (.edu), governmental (.gov), or commercial (.com).
Date of creation or revision – it is important to establish that any content containing data, facts or statistics is up-to-date and still relevant.
Intended audience – if the content is intended for an academic audience, the website should provide information that can be verified using citations or external links.
Purpose of the information – the ratio of content to advertisement will tell you whether the site is being used to inform readers, or to make money.

Online Literary Criticism Collection
Contains 1584 critical and biographical websites about authors and their works that can be browsed by author, by title, or by literary period. Maintained by the Internet Public Library.
ASLE online
The Association for the Study of Literature and Environment website deals with literature that considers the relationship between human beings and the natural world. It covers the genres of literary nonfiction, nature poetry, and environmental fiction, including ecofeminism.
Alex Catalogue of Electronic Texts
A collection of public domain and open access documents with a focus on American and English literature as well as Western philosophy. Its purpose is to help facilitate a person’s liberal arts education.

Modern Language Association
In addition to administrating publishing programs in the humanities, the MLA is a leading advocate for the study and teaching of languages and literatures and serves as a clearinghouse for professional resources for teachers and scholars.
California Writers Club
The California Writers Club started over 100 years ago and hosts events for all levels of writers. Network at workshops, seminars, contests and conferences or the writers’ picnic at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland. Each branch presents its own speakers and resources. Find a branch in your area including Berkeley, Marin, San Francisco, hosting events with young writers’ and writers’ advice and Napa Valley which just started a writers’ salon.