Academic Writing Standards and Research Resources

Posted on Mar 1, 2026 in Other university degrees and diplomas

Academic Paper Structure

  • Abstract: Outlines the goal, content, results, and other key elements. It is usually limited to one paragraph and is optional.
  • Introduction: Presents the topic and the central argument to be examined. It can include historical context, a review of existing literature and related research, and an outline of the structure. It covers the methodology or scholarly approach, scope, and delimitation. It provides a brief introduction to the topic, a preview of the structure (what comes next), and the aims or thesis statement.
  • Main Body: This section has its own title and develops the argument in detail. It is normally divided into sections and sub-sections. In literary studies, it includes a theoretical and/or contextual part. Arguments are backed by primary sources, while secondary sources contextualize or provide further evidence.
  • Conclusion: A short summary that introduces no new information. It might retrace the argumentative line, re-position the work in a scholarly context, and mention questions that were not addressed.
  • References: A complete list of all works cited.

Research Process and Source Types

  • Primary Sources: Original materials which have not been filtered through interpretation.
  • Secondary Sources: Works that interpret, analyze, or comment on primary sources, such as scholarly articles or monographs.

Academic Journals vs. Academic Books

  • Academic Journals: Offer rapid availability and a relatively fast publication process for very recent research outcomes. They often have a highly specialized focus and may use inaccessible language.
  • Academic Books: Provide extensive information on a topic and synthesized knowledge with a full bibliography. Authors are established experts. They often present a specific standpoint, and due to the long publication process, the information may be outdated.

Evaluating Online Sources

Reliability can be determined by four factors:

  1. Authority: Who provides the information?
  2. Purpose: Why is the information provided?
  3. Accuracy: What is provided (coverage and objectivity)?
  4. Currency: How recent is the information?

English Department Library Resources

  • General Rules: Use lockers for personal belongings. The Info Desk is available for help, borrowing, and returning items.
  • Borrowing Policy: 5 books per week with a maximum of 4 renewals. Not all items can be borrowed (e.g., journals and the sample library).
  • Facilities: A copier is available for use with a student ID. Group rooms can be reserved for 3 hours.
  • Specialized Rooms and Collections:
    • Shakespeare Room: SH / XVI / XVII.
    • Dictionary Room: Use KatalogPlus for searching.
    • Cubicles: Linguistics, Postcolonial, LIT, and Journals.
    • American Studies (AR).
    • Didactics: Materials can be borrowed for 1 week.
    • Big Room: 18th–21st century, Book Studies, and pedagogy.

Libraries and Search Tools

KatalogPlus

  • Searches materials available in or through the ULB Münster.
  • Provides direct links to full-text versions for articles where available.
  • Includes filters for limiting and refining results and a citation function.

Interlibrary Loan

For books, book chapters, and articles not available in Münster, use the ULB Münster Interlibrary Loan. Check availability via:

  • Karlsruher Virtueller Katalog (KVK)
  • WorldCat: The world’s largest network of library content and services.

Scholarly Databases for English Studies

Databases provide access to high-quality, peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, book chapters, dissertations, and other searchable digital collections of scholarly materials.

  • MLA International Bibliography
  • The Annual Bibliography of English Language and Literature (ABELL)
  • The Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (available at the ULB)
  • Bibliography of Linguistic Literature
  • Scopus
  • JSTOR (Journal Storage)
  • EBSCOhost: Provides access to a range of databases, e-journals, and e-books. It allows searching across more than one database.
  • Project Muse (Journal Storage)
  • Elektronische Zeitschriftenbibliothek (EZB) (Journal Storage)

MLA Style and Citation Standards

Core Elements: Author. Title of Source. Title of Container, Contributor, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Date, Location.

List of Works Cited

  • Sorted alphabetically by the author’s last name.
  • Use “—” to indicate the same author as the previous entry.

Self-Contained vs. Contained Works

  • Self-contained: A separate work that is complete and independent.
  • Contained works: A part of a larger work, such as articles inside journals, chapters inside books, TV episodes, or webpages.
  • Titles of contained works: Use “Quotation Marks” (open quotation marks resemble ’66’ and close quotation marks resemble ’99’).