Northeastern State University Libraries

For general information about the library, see the hours and maps available. All materials in the library are organized using the Library of Congress Classification System. For assistance contact the Reference Desk at ext. 3240 in the middle of the first floor. The Physical Overview of the Library provides background information on the library's materials and services. The library's CLIP tutorials are available to reinforce and expand upon resources discussed in class.
 

Where can I Locate Speeches?

Use the Library Catalog  to search for the subject heading speeches addresses, etc..to find anthologies of speeches.  If looking for a specific speech, try Speech Index, Ref. AI3 .S85 1966.  Representative American Speeches (PS 668.B3) on the third floor and Vital Speeches of the Day (Per. PN 6121.V5) on the second floor would be useful sources for locating speeches. In Reference, try an anthology such as The World's Great Speeches  (Ref. PN 6121.W66) and Speeches That Changed the World (Ref. PN 6122.S68 1999). On the Internet, use American Rhetoric,  Gifts of Speech:  Women's Speeches from Around the World, Internet Public Library:  Speeches, White House Press Office.  

The following sections on third floor can be browsed for material:
                                    General               American                British
Orations                    PN 6121-6129    PS 660-668        PR 1321-1329

Where can I find Information for an Informative Speech?

Use the Library Catalog to find books on your topic.  Use the periodical databases for magazine and journal articles.
For example:
Magazines:  Masterfile Premier
                    Readers' Guide

Journals:   Academic Search Premier 
Oklahoma newspapers:  Newsbank

For other subject areas, try the Subject Databases guide.

For Internet sources, try Internet Public Library, the Librarians' Internet Index, the Library's Communication Subject page, or the Library's Subject pages. For a generic search engine, try Google. 

Where can I find Information for a Persuasive Speech?

Use the same resources as for an informative speech.  In addition to the above tools, try locating statistics to make a point.
Facts on File Ref. D 410.F3
U.S. Census C 3
Statistical Abstract of Oklahoma Ready Ref. HA 585.O452  (Origins)

Quotations can also be a useful way to persuade an audience.  Try Bartlett's Familiar Quotations Ref. PN 6081.B27.
Internet Public Library:  Quotations

Where can I find Information on Listening?

Try the Library Catalog under Listening.  Articles would be available in the following databases:  Masterfile Premier, Readers' Guide, and  Academic Search Premier .

Where would I find Sources on Making a Toast?

After-dinner speeches
Toastmaster's International
Toasts

Where can I find Biographical Information about a Speaker?

Biography and Genealogy Master Index is a good place to start finding basic information about a speaker.  It is an idex that will lead to reference books that contain brief entries about people from all fields.  Check the Library Catalog by searching the person as a subject, last name first, to see if the library owns any full-length biographies on the individual.  Biographical information can also be found in the periodical literature and the Internet.

Magazines:  Masterfile Premier
                  Readers' Guide

Journals: Academic Search Premier 

For other subject areas, try the Subject Databases guide.

How can I Acquire Materials not Available at NSU?

The ILLiad system is available for requesting books and articles not available at NSU.  Allow approximately two weeks for requests.  Print orders will be available at the Circulation Desk.

How do I Find Help for Citing Resources?

Try the KnightCite Bibliography Machine.

SophiaBeverley Threatt, MLS, MA
Instructor of Library Services
Languages and Literature and Communication, Art, & Theatre
Resource Coordinator
(918) 444-3267
threatt@nsuok.edu