FINDING
HUMOROUS
READINGS
You may either choose an author from your professor's
recommended list, or use on of the following print or electronic resources to
generate a list of authors. These sources may also be used to identify titles of
works, which can them be looked up in the Library's Catalog.
- Encyclopedia of American Humorists Birnbaum Ref PS430.E53
1988
- Provides biographies of 135 authors from colonial times to the present. Each essay is followed by
a bibliography of the author's works. Check for these titles in the Library Catalog.
- The World's Best Orations Birnbaum Ref PN6121.B842
1970
- Use the subject index to identify speeches that may be applicable to
your topic.
- Dictionary
of Literary Biography (Online Database) Access from the Library
Homepage (http://www.pace.edu/library); Click on Databases; Use the
list "please choose a database" and choose Dictionary of
Literary Biography; Select the Dictionary of Literary Biography TAB.
- Ways to search: 1) Scroll down until you see the option "select a
DLB volume title". Select American Humorists, 1800-1950. or 2) Search
by the GENRE of Humor/Satire. or 3) Same as #2, but add the Nationality of
the author to the search. **Each author entry includes a bibliography of
the author's writings. You will need to check the Library
Catalog or other sources for the full-text.
- Contemporary
Authors (Online Database) Access from the Library
Homepage (http://www.pace.edu/library); Click on Databases; Use the
list "please choose a database" and choose Contemporary Authors;
Select the Contemporary Authors TAB.
- Ways to search: 1) Search by the GENRE of Humor/Satire. or 2) add the
Nationality to search #1. **Each author entry includes a bibliography of
the author's writings. You will need to check the Library
Catalog or other sources for the full-text.
Use the Library Catalog to identify
collections of humorous stories in various genres and by various authors. Ask a
librarian if you need help.
Subject Search
Search the following suggested subject headings:
- Afro-American Wit and Humor
- American Wit and Humor
- Humorous Stories
- Humorous Recitations
- Irish Wit and Humor
- Jewish Wit and Humor
- Wit and Humor
Search the following suggested authors:
- Allen, Steve 1921-
- Allen, Woody
- Baker, Russell
- Barry, Dave
- Benchley, Robert 1889-
- Bombeck, Erma
- Buckley, Christopher 1952-
- Buchwald, Art
- Cosby, Bill 1937-
- Keillor, Garrison
- Marx, Groucho
- Parent, Gail
- Perelman, S. J.
- Rivers, Joan
- Rooney, Andrew A.
- Twain, Mark 1835-1910
- Wodehouse, P.G.
- Wofle, Tom
Search the following suggested titles of collections of essays:
- Encyclopedia of American Humorists
- Dictionary of Literary Biography
- Contemporary Authors
- titles you found in the above searches
Use the databases suggested below to find humorous essays in newspapers and
magazines. Search for columnists writing for newspapers/magazines in the
following databases. Some suggested names for you to search:
- Dave Barry
- Erma Bombeck (older years)
- Art Buckwald
- Christopher Buckley
- Molly Ivins
- Garrison Keillor
- Steve Martin
- Andy Rooney
- Calvin Trilllin
- Academic
Search Premier: (Online Database) Access from the Library
Homepage (http://www.pace.edu/library); Click on Databases; Use the
list "please choose a database" and choose Academic Search
Premier. Conduct an Advanced Search on the author's name. Click on VIEW to see the
results.
- Periodical
Abstracts Research II (PA Research II): (Online Database) Access from the Library
Homepage (http://www.pace.edu/library); Click on Databases; Use the
list "please choose a database" and choose Periodical Abstracts
Research II; Select PA Research II by clicking on the box from the list
provided by the vendor.
- Go to the Guided Search mode and conduct a subject search on Humor
and an article-type search on feature or commentary or column.
Or conduct an author search in the Guided Search mode.
NOTE: Not all of your results in these two
databases will be full-text. For those that are not available online full-text,
please see the online guide "Finding
an Article in the Pace University Library"
http://www.pace.edu/library/instruct/findmag.html for complete instructions.
- Lexis-Nexis
Universe: (Online Database) Access from the Library
Homepage (http://www.pace.edu/library); Click on Databases; Use the
list "please choose a database" and choose Lexis-Nexis Universe; Select
the category NEWS and then GENERAL NEWS or TRANSCRIPTS.
- Search the General News section for specific newspaper columnists.
Consider switching from "Major News" to Midwest or another region
from the Source List. OR Search Transcripts for commentators that appear on
television and radio.
- Yahoo
Links to Comedic Columnists http://dir.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Humor/Columns_and_Columnists/
- Includes links to Dave Barry and many other columnists.
Revised 11/27/00
Susan
Glickman
sglickman@pace.edu