Tertiary sources compile, summarize, index, or help identify scholarly sources on a topic. They are useful for background research or to get an overview of a topic before delving into secondary or primary sources. Common tertiary sources for literature include dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, and other reference sources. This page includes links to some best bets, but you can also search the library catalog for books that give an overview of your topic of interest.
An authoritative guide on the English language, detailing the meaning, history, and usage of 500,000 words and phrases past and present, from across the English-speaking world.
