Web Site Reviews

For this course you will need to search the Internet and review ten web sites where additional information about the course or major writer(s) can be accessed. For each site you should identify as fully and completely as possible what others can expect to find there; be specific and let others know if this site is a valuable research spot or just so much fluff.  In your summary of the value of the site, you must use a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 200 words per site.

For specific information on how to cite online databases, consult the  MLA-Style Citations of Electronic Sources or the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th Edition, pp. 176-202. At a minimum, you should include the following in this order:

• Title of the project, website, or database (underlined or in italics)
• Name of the author or editor (if given)
• Electronic publication information, including version number (if relevant and if not part of the tile), date of electronic publication or of the latest update, and name of sponsoring institution or organization.
• Date of access and network address (Available at)

Other information may be required such as the title of the article (in quotations) or the journal, newsletter, or conference (underlined or in italics); name of the computer service (America On Line, Prodigy, etc.); the volume number, issue number, or other identifying number; year or date of publication (in parentheses); and number of pages or paragraphs (if given) or n. pag. (no pagination).

After this information, write the 100 to 200 words paragraph describing what is available at the site.

Samples:

Paradise Lost. Arts Library. October 7, 2000. Available at http://www.paradiselost.org/paradiseloststudyguide/new/artslibrary   

This was a very helpful site, perhaps the most of all that I found. It allows you to read the complete poem, look at summaries, essays, Bible references, illustrations, read about Milton, or view frequently asked questions and answers. The site includes a search that will define names, words, and phrases from the poem you are reading, and you can choose to read an annotated version if you’d like. The summaries include “The Arguments by John Milton,” “A Brief Overall Summary,” “Outline With Line References,” and others that summarize each book. These summaries would definitely be helpful to read after you read a book, to help you understand it better.

 Shakespeare Oxford Society Home Page. Shakespeare Oxford Society. October 16, 2000.  Available at http://www.shakespeare-oxford.com/

This is an interesting site if one is curious about the authorship controversies over Shakespeare.  The purpose of this site is to gain recognition of Edward de Vere as the real author of works under William Shakespeare’s name.   This site is full of links to other online magazines with articles supporting their debate.  It has introductory information for those not familiar with the debate as well as more detailed information.  This site has links to bookstores, chat rooms, and current news updates.  It also has a calendar of events including speakers, and symposiums, most of which are in England, some in the U.S.

English Language & Literature Medieval Studies. Sanford University Library. Nov. 28, 2001.  Available at http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/medieval/laneng.html          

This site is provided by the Sanford University Library (SUL) and offers much academic information about medieval English literature. It includes a Medieval English Dictionary, which students may find helpful. It also has a links to a selection of medieval drama links, Anglo-Saxon sources, and British history. The page provides access to the “Labyrinth Library Middle English Bookcase” which gives the full text of Everyman, the Canterbury Tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and many other middle English works. This site could be useful as a reference for research, but it is not among my favorites because at first glance it is difficult to locate information. One should know specifically what to look for when visiting this site; it is not organized to be very helpful for those who are just browsing.

Due (date as assigned) by midnight.  Send your web site reviews to me via the Blackboard DIGITAL DROPBOX or as an e-mail attachment at dking@montreat.edu. These are the only ways I will accept the reviews.