Assignment for ready reference. Masterplots may be found at your local library. This presentation is intended for library reference students or library workers.

1. MASTERPLOTS:
A quick reference for literature questions

2. Have you ever walked by these volumes at
your library and wondered why they are so
worn and shabby?

3. Because they were used over the years…
and used often.
Magil, Frank. (c1976) Masterplots;
2010 plot stories and essay reviews
from the world’s fine literature
Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Salem Press

4. What is Masterplots?
It is not as ominous as it sounds. Masterplots is a
series of books that provide useful information
about many popular pieces of literature.
There are many editions, and you should be able to
make the most of the publication your library has in
its collection.
This presentation will examine the 1979 version.

5. Do you have a library patron who
would like to know:

6. Why an article they just read compares people in their
town to those described in Sinclair Lewis’ Main Street?

7. The name of the Hans ChristianAnderson story that
features a girl who cannot stop dancing?

8. How closely the plot of Jude The Obscure matches the
film adaptation Jude?

9. • First you must find the correct volume by using
the first few letters of the title.
The volumes are arranged alphabetically.
For Jude The Obscure you would use
Volume Six, JOU-MAN.

10. • Next, scan the list of titles until you find the one
you need.
(note: the author’s name is listed
after the title if you need further confirmation)

11. • Each title has a corresponding page number.
So, in the case of Jude
you would turn to page 3079.

12. Now you are at the correct page,
what information will you find?

13. Quick facts such as:
• Types of work
• Author
• Type of Plots
• Time of Plots
• Locale
• First Published
• Principle characters

14. • The Story
This is the plot synopsis.
It gives the overall plot arch as well as
picking out many key plot points throughout
the piece of writing.

15. • The Critique
If you are looking for finer details than the critique
provides, you may look past the plot section
to the section called:
Further Critical Evaluation of the Work.

16. In conclusion, Masterplots can be a very
useful quick reference source at your library.
You should take the time to become familiar
with it, and if you enjoy it…

17. you may also look into the benefits of having your library
purchase the 4th edition of Masterplots from Salem Press
which boasts complimentary online access and easier
search functions.
http://salempress.com/store/samples/masterplots_4/masterplots_4.htm

18. Thank you for reading this presentation.
For questions or more information you may contact me at
seagalli@my.dom.edu