Getting Started with Gale Literature
Gale Literature can be used to research literary topics, authors and their works, as well as biographical information, reviews, and criticism. It includes the Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature. The resource brings together Gale’s premier literary databases. In doing so, it allows researchers of all levels to find a starting point, search across a wide array of materials and points in time, and discover new ways to analyze information.
How to access Gale Literature
It can be accessed either through our A-Z list of Databases or via the method below.
- Go to tpl.ca and enter “Gale Literature” in the search box.
- Click on Access Online under Gale Literature.
- Enter your library card number and PIN.
Basic Search
Enter your search term(s) in the box. When you start typing a search assist feature shows possible term(s).
Search Results
Essays (under “Literature Criticism”) are the first group of results.
To get to plot summaries, scroll down to “Topic & Work Overviews” (or click on this category in the upper right, under “Content Types”).
To search for biographies of literary authors:
- Click on “Person Search” (next to “Works Search”) and when prompted, enter the author’s name or parts of it.
- Click on the search result on the next screen that matches the author.
- Click on “Biographies” in the upper right (under “Content Types”).
Viewing Results
Click on the title of an article to get to the article. Some results show a PDF page view. Use the plus and minus icons to make the font easier to read, should you need to.
To Cite, Email, Download, and Print
Use the Tools menu on the top of the article to cite, email, download, or print the article.
New Search
Click on the Gale Literature logo at the top of the page.
For more information or for help, please contact our Answerline service.