MIT Libraries Research Guides - 21F.222.01: Expository Writing for Bilingual Students

Quick Look Up

Need a quick fact or more background reading on a topic? The links below will take you to sources that cover many different subject areas.

Oxford Reference Online

Includes both standard dictionaries as well as more specialized titles from a variety of fields--sciences, social sciences, humanities, and more!
Gale Virtual Reference Library

Specialized online encyclopedias, including the St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture (listed under History)
CQ Researcher

* Covers current events & controversial topics
* Great background material!
* Allows for 5 users at a time--try again later if you get a "busy" message.
CQ Global Researcher
Similar to CQ Researcher, but with a focus on world affairs. Covers roughly 2007 to the present
Literature Resource Center

Need quick information on an author? This database provides biographical information as well as some criticism on authors from many different fields
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology

Great source of background information on science and technology topics.