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Essay on Library and Its Uses for Students and Children

500 words essay on library and its uses.

A library is a place where books and sources of information are stored. They make it easier for people to get access to them for various purposes. Libraries are very helpful and economical too. They include books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, manuscripts and more. In other words, they are an all-encompassing source of information.

A public library is open to everyone for fulfilling the need for information. They are run by the government, schools , colleges, and universities. The members of the society or community can visit these libraries to enhance their knowledge and complete their research.

Importance of Libraries

Libraries play a vital role in providing people with reliable content. They encourage and promote the process of learning and grasping knowledge. The book worms can get loads of books to read from and enhance their knowledge. Moreover, the variety is so wide-ranging that one mostly gets what they are looking for.

Furthermore, they help the people to get their hands on great educational material which they might not find otherwise in the market. When we read more, our social skills and academic performance improves.

Most importantly, libraries are a great platform for making progress. When we get homework in class, the libraries help us with the reference material. This, in turn, progresses our learning capabilities and knowledge. It is also helpful in our overall development.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Uses of Library

A library is a very useful platform that brings together people willing to learn. It helps us in learning and expanding our knowledge. We develop our reading habits from a library and satisfy our thirst and curiosity for knowledge. This helps in the personal growth of a person and development.

Similarly, libraries provide authentic and reliable sources of information for researchers. They are able to complete their papers and carry out their studies using the material present in a library. Furthermore, libraries are a great place for studying alone or even in groups, without any disturbance.

Moreover, libraries also help in increasing our concentration levels. As it is a place that requires pin drop silence, a person can study or read in silence. It makes us focus on our studies more efficiently. Libraries also broaden our thinking and make us more open to modern thinking.

Most importantly, libraries are very economical. The people who cannot afford to buy new books and can simply borrow books from a library. This helps them in saving a lot of money and getting information for free.

In short, libraries are a great place to gain knowledge. They serve each person differently. They are a great source of learning and promoting the progress of knowledge. One can enjoy their free time in libraries by reading and researching. As the world has become digitized, it is now easier to browse through a library and get what you are looking for. Libraries also provide employment opportunities to people with fair pay and incredible working conditions.

Thus, libraries help all, the ones visiting it and the ones employed there. We must not give up on libraries due to the digital age. Nothing can ever replace the authenticity and reliability one gets from a library.

FAQs on Library and Its Uses

Q.1 Why are libraries important?

A.1 Libraries help in the overall development of a person. They provide us with educational material and help enhance our knowledge.

Q.2 State some uses of the library.

A.2 A library is a great platform which helps us in various things. We get the reference material for our homework. Research scholars get reliable content for their papers. They increase our concentration levels as we read there in peace.

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• School Education /

Essay on Library: 100, 200 and 250 Words

• Updated on  
• Apr 24, 2024

A Library is a place where students and people interested in reading books visit very often. It constitutes several collections of books of variable genres to please the reader. The library is the in-person source of information. It is an easily accessible place for students and raiders. Every school and college has a library with multiple books. Besides that, it is economical for the students. This article will provide an essay on library for students and children studying in schools. Enjoy Reading.

Table of Contents

• 1 Sample Essay on Library
• 2 100 Words Essay on Library
• 3 200-250 Words Essay on Library
• 4 Short Essay on Library

Also Read: English Essay Topics

Sample Essay on Library

The library is an important place for the community. It includes books, newspapers, magazines, manuscripts, DVDs, and more such informational sources. It plays a significant role in the kid’s learning phase. Despite the advancement in technology , the library still plays a critical role in everyone’s life. One can borrow books from the library. There are two types of libraries one is a private library that is controlled by the school and college authorities, whereas the other is a public library that is open to all. 

100 Words Essay on Library

A library is a place where books belonging to different subjects and genres are stored. My school also has a very big library next to the computer lab. Our timetable is designed in such as format that we could visit the library twice a week and explore books apart from our syllabus. This practice of visiting and exploring books in the library induces a habit of reading in all the students.

My school library has autobiographies, picture books, comics, novels, fictional books, books on culture, art, and craft, and many other materials. Students can borrow the desirable book to read for one week and then, on a specific date we need to return that book to the school library.  Thus, the library teaches us the value and importance of books and inculcates the habit of reading and imparting knowledge.

Also Read: Bachelor of Library Science

200-250 Words Essay on Library

The library is the place where people come together to learn and gain knowledge. Books are arranged on large bookshelves. Books belonging to similar genres are arranged on the same shelf by the librarian. The librarian is in charge of the library.

Some libraries have digital software to keep track of books issued and received to and from the library. Owing to technological advances, books are nowadays available on online platforms. Readers can read the book on apps like Kindle. But still, the library has its role, it is easily accessible plus it will provide a trustworthy source of information. 

Good raiders prefer books to read in their physical form as they cherish the quality of pages, type of writing , and the authenticity of book covers. Thus, the library plays an important role in the student’s as well as adults’ life.

Every school allots specific hours for students to visit and read books from the library so that they can induce reading habits from childhood itself. Students also refer to books from the library to complete their assignments or summer vacation homework. 

There are set rules and regulations of the library. Generally, we are not allowed to talk so that readers won’t get distracted and lose their pace of reading. Besides that, if any book issued from the library gets misplaced, damaged, or lost from the borrower then, he/she has to pay a fine to the librarian. 

Thus, the library is an excellent resource for books that spread knowledge and information along with entertainment . 

Also Read: One Nation One Election Essay in 500 Words

Short Essay on Library

Also Read: Speech on President of India for School Students in English

A. The library plays a critical part in every individual starting from the school itself. It helps in developing the overall personality because reading books and gaining knowledge help people to make a good career.

A. Include points like what is a library, why books are important, and the importance of a library in the life of students and children. Divide your essay into three parts introduction, body, and conclusion. End the concluding paragraph on a positive note. 

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11 Places to Find Great College Essay Examples

College Essays

 Sure, you might know the theory behind what a college essay is supposed to sound and look like . But just like reading a description of the Golden Gate Bridge pales in comparison to seeing it in person, there’s no replacement for seeing actual college essays written by students just like you. Well, almost like you – they’ve since gotten into college.

But where do you find good sources for reading sample college essays? How can you make sure that these resources will actually strengthen and improve your writing? And what is the best way to use the college essay examples that you do find? In this article, I’ll go over the best books and websites for finding essays, I’ll point out a few to avoid, and I’ll explain how to make the most out of other people’s essays while avoiding common pitfalls.

Why Look At College Essay Examples?

There are some very good reasons for wanting to check out how other people have handled the college admissions essay.

First, because you'll be able to get a better sense of what colleges are looking for, you will necessarily broaden your own topic brainstorming past your first, easiest, and most c lichéd i deas . It's one thing to hear that a completely mundane topic is way better than one focusing on your greatest sports moment. But once you see other students writing about a family meal, or an obsession with a particular board game, or a love of cultivating cacti, you'll be convinced to find your essay in the small moments of your life.

Second, you'll see how your life and writing compares to that of your peers . The great diversity of voices, topics, tones, points of view will show you just how many things you could possibly write about, and how to keep the essay connected to your personality and your voice.

Finally, if you really do have a good story to tell about something that gets written about a lot, like divorce, pet death, a community service trip, or winning the big game, you can get ideas for how to approach a potentially lackluster essay topic in a novel and striking way .

What Makes A Good Sample College Essay Resource?

First, the basics. A source is only as good as its content, so make sure you're reading  college essays that worked, from people who actually got into the schools they applied to . Also, it's best to focus on new essays (not older than 10-15 years), so you are reading what has worked in the most recent past, rather than seeing outdated ideas and historical perspectives.

Next, what you really want is diversity in voice and perspective . Make sure the essays featured come from many different kinds of students: either from applicants to both top and lower-tier schools; or from students with different ethnic, economic, and racial backgrounds; or from writers using both formal and more experimental essay techniques.

Finally, the best sources of admission essays will feature explanatory material . This will give each essay some kind of context: commentary on what makes the essay good, explanations of the drafting process, or, at least, biographical information about students. Without commentary or context, it’s hard to know what you’re supposed to learn from the essays you read.

Where to Find Great College Essay Examples

Here are my recommendations for excellent resources, as well as some warnings about resources that I think you should avoid. 

College Essays Collected in Books

I've taken a look at many of the books that collect college essays, so here are my recommendations. I've divided them into three categories:

• Excellent  – meaning  having really diverse essays or very helpful commentary on each essay, or both
• Worthwhile  – meaning either a helpful collection of essays without a lot of context or commentary, or some great advice but a narrow selection of essays geared toward one particular type of school
• Don't Bother   – not useful either as a source of college essays or as a source of essay-writing advice and explanations

Also, please note that although I’ve listed the Amazon prices for all the books, you should definitely check your school and public library for copies before buying them. And even if your library doesn't have a copy, ask them to request one either from another library in the same system or even from the Library of Congress through interlibrary loan .

Excellent Books

Heavenly Essays: 50 Narrative College Application Essays That Worked

Written by Janine W. Robinson, who blogs about college essays at EssayHell , this book features great sample essays. But it's Robinson's precise and clear explanations of how to use a narrative style in your essay to tell a story about your life that make the book really outstanding. Through long and detailed commentary on each essay, Robinson shows why narrative is exactly the kind of structure that works best for personal essays. You can check out sample sections from the book on her blog. The book retails for $10 new on Amazon.

On Writing the College Application Essay, 25th Anniversary Edition: The Key to Acceptance at the College of Your Choice

Harry Bauld used to be an admissions officer at Brown, so he certainly knows what he is talking about when he writes about  how and why to avoid clichés and explains how to find and keep your specific voice . Bauld demonstrates his points with sample essays, showing how they go from first to final draft. The book is easy to read, uses humor to make points, and his advice will carry over into your college writing as well. It is $12.50 new on Amazon, but there are much cheaper used copies available there as well.

The Berkeley Book of College Essays: Personal Statements for California Universities and Other Select Schools

This compilation features college admissions essays written by seniors from Berkeley High School (which is not affiliated with UC Berkeley). Because the city of Berkeley is economically, racially, and ethnically very diverse, these essays are about many different interests, perspectives, and experiences, and are written in many different styles and tones . Although there is no commentary for the essays, this collection is a great way to get a sense of the broad array of essay possibilities.

Also, because many of the students from Berkeley High apply to UC schools, this collection separates out UC application essay packages. (If you are interested in UC, also check out our own guide to writing excellent UC essays !) This book is currently $15 on Amazon. 

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays: What Worked for Them Can Help You Get into the College of Your Choice

Edited by the staff of the Harvard Crimson, this is a great collection of essays from a not particularly diverse group of students. It is very useful to see how the very top students approach the college essay, as long as their best effort neither intimidates nor stymies you. The contextual material is excellent, with helpful explanations of what makes each essay work well. This book retails for $12 new on Amazon, with much cheaper used copies also available.

Worthwhile Books

College Essays That Made a Difference, 6th Edition

This Princeton Review guide is mostly distinguished by its introductory material, which has detailed interviews with many different colleges at many different tiers about what role essays play in college applications, what kind of mistakes are okay, and what to write and not to write about. The sample essays themselves come without commentary, but each features a very short bio of the student, including test scores, GPA, a list of colleges where the person applied, and a list of colleges where the person got in. Right now, it's $11.50 new on Amazon, but there are cheaper used copies as well.

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays

This collection of of college essays that worked, edited by Gen and Kelly Tanabe, has somewhat spare, but insightful, commentary explaining what each essay does well and what it could have done better . It also includes an interview with an admissions officer explaining how essays are used in admissions decisions and some comments from students about the writing process. The link above is to a downloadable PDF file.

50 Successful Stanford Application Essays: Get into Stanford and Other Top Colleges  

If you like the Tanabes' approach (they are the authors of the previous book), then you will find this one useful as well. The narrow diversity of essay content and the style of commentary (thoughtful, but not particularly detailed or expansive) is very similar. It's priced at $13.25 new on Amazon with some used options as well.

Fiske Real College Essays That Work  

The "Fiske" of the title is Edward Fiske, who used to be the Education editor of the NY Times, and who therefore has some experience with what colleges want from their applicants. The book itself features an introduction with some helpful essay-writing tips, a diverse selection of essays built around narrative, but unfortunately has very little commentary to go with each essay . It retails for $12.50 new on Amazon, with cheaper used options available.

2015 Elite College Application Essays

Although there's almost no commentary or discussion of what makes these essays work, this book is a reasonably good collection of essays from students who are now enrolled at Ivy and other top-tier schools. What's particularly appealing about this college essay compilation is how very new these essays are: all are from students who became freshmen in 2015 . The book is $14 new on Amazon.

Don't Bother

100 Successful College Application Essays

I'd recommend not spending your time on any of the editions of this collection. The essays are decades old in some cases, the topics are clichéd and boring, and there is little to no commentary to make any of them useful. 

College Essays Published Online

I'll split my recommendations here into "worthwhile" and "don't bother" categories. There aren't any truly great collections of sample college essays online.

Individual College Websites . There are many essays published online by the various colleges where these students now go. This means these essays are guaranteed to be real, authentic, and to have worked on someone's application . Some of the essays even come with brief commentary by admissions officers about what makes them great. (The link will take you to our list of over 130 essays from more than 15 different colleges.)

Teen Ink Magazine . Teen Ink publishes all sorts of writing by teens, including college admission essays, which are split off into their own section on the site. The essays necessary feature a wide range of experiences and perspectives, so this is a great place to get a broad sense of what other students are writing about. The essays don't have any context except comment sections that run the gamut from generic “this is good” comments to some insight. Readers also get a chance to vote on which essays are featured as #1, #2, etc., which may be misleading because readers of Teen Ink aren't admissions officers.

Don't Bother 

Watch out for paid websites like AdmitSee, CollegeMapper, and Acceptional, which claim to give you access to college essays for a monthly or fixed fee. Because of the paywall, there's no way to verify the quality of the essays these sites have. Also, there are enough books that you could borrow from your library that you don’t need to pay monthly fees to these places. Finally, I would particularly stay away from AdmidSee, which uses Amazon reviews for other essay resources as a marketing platform.

The Best Ways To Use College Admission Essay Samples

So now that you've rounded up a bunch of sample college essays, what should you do with them? Here are some tips for your next steps.

When Should You Read Essay Examples?

I'd advise waiting until after you've done some brainstorming of your own before you start immersing yourself in other people's work and ideas. (If you're not sure how to brainstorm, check out our guide to coming up with great college essay topics .)

This way, you can use other people’s essays to think about different possibilities for writing about your own topic. For example, looking at how other people tackled their life experience can show you:

• how to focus on a different detail in your own story
• how to change the insight you want to draw from your story
• how to think about different ways to start and end your narrative

What Can Good College Essays Teach You?

There are both broad and specific learning opportunities to be found in reading other people's work.

Broadly speaking, seeing how other people are approaching the problem of writing a college essay can jog your own creative process. Likewise, reading a diversity of thoughts and voices will show you that even the most normal and boring seeming experiences be made into riveting essays.

More specifically, if you find essays from applicants to your target school, you can get some sense of the level of sophistication they expect to see from your writing. 

Finally, good context and commentary on the essays can show you how they are put together and what makes them work. You can then put this advice to use when rewriting your essay later.

Pitfalls To Avoid

Of course, being surrounded by other people's work, especially when some of that work is much better than what you think you can manage, has its share of temptations. So what do you need to guard against when looking at sample essays?

Plagiarism. This one is basic and obvious. Do not copy these sample essays! Admissions officers have seen them all, read them all, memorized them all – you will not get away with it.

Copying and mimicry. Think of this as a softer kind of plagiarism. Even if you really like someone else’s style, don’t borrow it. Even if someone’s life sounds more exciting than yours, don’t steal a piece of it for your own essay. Why? Because if you don’t sound like yourself, it will be visible to an experienced reader (and guess what, admissions officers are very experienced readers). Also, if you’re writing about experiences that aren't yours, your unfamiliarity will show through the lack of believable details.

Resources for Essay Writing Advice

In researching this article, I came across books and websites that don't necessarily feature a lot of sample essays, but that give really excellent advice on writing your own college essay. I strongly recommend you spend some time checking them out.

Essay Hell blog . This great resource is written by Janine Anderson Robinson, an English teacher and a journalist, whose book Heavenly Essays I recommended above. The blog posts feature lots and lots of well-explained, detailed, easy to understand advice about how to write your essay, and are broken down into easy to understand, bite-sized nuggets of usefulness.

Slate 's Getting In podcast . The entire series is an interesting look at the college application process, with useful tips and explanations about all aspects what seniors are going through. Check out Episode 2: The Essay , in which a student gets feedback in real time on their essay from a former Princeton director of admissions and a panel of experts talk about essay dos and don’ts. The episode is 26 minutes long.

The College Essay Trap: Rescue Your College Application Essay From the "Maybe" Pile

This is incredibly concise and excellent explanation of what not to do and what to avoid when writing your personal statement. It's short, sweet, to the point, and is praised to the skies by legendary Princeton admissions dean Fred Hargadon. Currently $12 new on Amazon.

The Bottom Line

• Look at college essay examples to broaden your own topic brainstorming and get ideas for fixing lackluster topics.
• Look for resources with diverse and recent essays, from many different kinds of students and with explanatory material that explains what makes each essay good.
• Look at essay samples after you’ve generated some of your own ideas to think about different possibilities for writing about your own topic.
• Seeing how other people are approaching the problem of writing a college essay can jog your creative process.
• Avoid both actual plagiarism and “borrowing”: don’t use someone else’s style, voice, or life experiences as your own.

What’s Next?

If you’re starting to work on college essays, check out our article laying out every single kind of essay prompt out there and a step by step guide to writing a great college essay .

Are you working on the Common App essay? Read our breakdown of the Common App prompts and our guide to picking the best prompt for you.

Or maybe you're interested in the University of California? Check out our complete guide to the UC personal statements .

Working on other pieces of your college applications? We’ve got guides to choosing the right college for you ,  writing about extracurriculars , and requesting teacher recommendations .

Thinking about taking the SAT one last time, or prepping for your first run at it? Read our ultimate guide to studying for the SAT and make sure you're as prepared as possible.

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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James Baldwin : Collected Essays

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Essay Writing

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This resource begins with a general description of essay writing and moves to a discussion of common essay genres students may encounter across the curriculum. The four genres of essays (description, narration, exposition, and argumentation) are common paper assignments you may encounter in your writing classes. Although these genres, also known as the modes of discourse, have been criticized by some composition scholars, the Purdue OWL recognizes the wide spread use of these genres and students’ need to understand and produce these types of essays. We hope these resources will help.

The essay is a commonly assigned form of writing that every student will encounter while in academia. Therefore, it is wise for the student to become capable and comfortable with this type of writing early on in her training.

Essays can be a rewarding and challenging type of writing and are often assigned either to be done in class, which requires previous planning and practice (and a bit of creativity) on the part of the student, or as homework, which likewise demands a certain amount of preparation. Many poorly crafted essays have been produced on account of a lack of preparation and confidence. However, students can avoid the discomfort often associated with essay writing by understanding some common genres.

Before delving into its various genres, let’s begin with a basic definition of the essay.

What is an essay?

Though the word essay has come to be understood as a type of writing in Modern English, its origins provide us with some useful insights. The word comes into the English language through the French influence on Middle English; tracing it back further, we find that the French form of the word comes from the Latin verb exigere , which means "to examine, test, or (literally) to drive out." Through the excavation of this ancient word, we are able to unearth the essence of the academic essay: to encourage students to test or examine their ideas concerning a particular topic.

Essays are shorter pieces of writing that often require the student to hone a number of skills such as close reading, analysis, comparison and contrast, persuasion, conciseness, clarity, and exposition. As is evidenced by this list of attributes, there is much to be gained by the student who strives to succeed at essay writing.

The purpose of an essay is to encourage students to develop ideas and concepts in their writing with the direction of little more than their own thoughts (it may be helpful to view the essay as the converse of a research paper). Therefore, essays are (by nature) concise and require clarity in purpose and direction. This means that there is no room for the student’s thoughts to wander or stray from his or her purpose; the writing must be deliberate and interesting.

This handout should help students become familiar and comfortable with the process of essay composition through the introduction of some common essay genres.

This handout includes a brief introduction to the following genres of essay writing:

• Expository essays
• Descriptive essays
• Narrative essays
• Argumentative (Persuasive) essays

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Essay On Library

Library means a house of books. But its true meaning is the centre of precious knowledge. It's a treasure trove of new and old ideas and insights. People who come here not only spend their time, but also expand their wealth of knowledge.People spend their whole day in library to gain knowledge in different subjects to enhance their skills. Here are a few sample essays on the topic “Library”.

100 Words Essay On Library

Our college has a really big library. There are over 10,000 books. I regularly read in the library. This place is the quietest and calmest place in the college. I feel really good when I'm there. There are two librarians who manage all the data. You can issue any book home. The library is constantly catalogued by trained staff. They are catalogued to meet community needs. Since the catalogue is also entered and saved on the computer, searching becomes easy.

You must become a member for a small annual fee to issues books and use the computer for educational purposes.There are many different kinds of books in the library.I read mostly science and history books. I am a big book lover and love reading these books at the library.I love to check out new books which come in our library every month.

200 Words Essay on Library

A library is a storehouse of books. It offers a variety of sources to read on the premises or borrow to take home.Library's collection includes books, manuscripts, journals, magazines and videos, audio, DVD, and various other formats of information. A wide variety of books are stored in the library and arranged in order on the bookshelves. You can't have that many books at home as you can have in a library. You can access various genres of books and other resources in a library. Libraries also eliminates the need to purchase expensive books and resources. Without libraries, many students who love to read would have been deprived of reading.

Importance Of Libraries | A library is a building filled with piles of books and resources. Modern libraries are also made up of electronic resources. Libraries provide a wealth of knowledge, resources, space and environment to discover and learn about the world of books, or just read for fun. Libraries have countless benefits as they play a key role in helping people by providing access to information, knowledge and entertainment resources. Libraries are an important part of educational institutions such as schools, colleges and universities. Such libraries are open to students of the institute to which they belong. As such, it contains a wide range of resources that are important to students. Libraries attract students to read new books and novels. They increase your thirst for reading and broaden your knowledge. Libraries are also essential for all types of research on various subjects. Libraries are therefore important for research, information, knowledge and the enjoyment of reading.

500 Words Essay on Library

Libraries are treasure troves of knowledge. A well-stocked library is an asset to any school, college, university, or neighbourhood. A library is a place where not only books but also magazines and newspapers are available.

Purpose Of Library

A school library is a place within a school where students, teachers, and other staff can access books and other resources. The purpose of the school library is therefore to provide all members of the school with equal access to books, resources and information technology. Throughout history, libraries have played an important role in imparting knowledge.They facilitate the social, educational and cultural growth of students. A school library differs from other public and private libraries in that its primary purpose is to support and enhance the school curriculum. School libraries support student learning and helps with the student academic performance.Teachers and students need library resources and services to enhance their knowledge. School libraries support both teachers and students and are essential to the teaching and learning process.

My First Library Experience

If you want a quiet place to work, the library is a great place. I like going to the library because it enhances my existing knowledge and the books there interest me a lot. A walk to the library clears my head and allows me to see things more clearly. In addition to this, there are many books there that are accessible to the public and can be issued home. Libraries make for a great quiet workplace.

I like reading about physics so I always start browsing from the physics section first. A library is the place where I can read peacefully and research on a particular topic. Most of the time I prefer to study in the library because it’s peaceful and less crowded. I like reading fictional novels and engineering books and the library near my place is stocked with all the books that I need.

Importance Of School Libraries

School libraries provide quality fiction and non-fiction books that encourage more reading for enjoyment. They also contribute to our intellectual, artistic, cultural and social development.The atmosphere of the school library invites you to study undisturbed and make the most of your time.This makes it easier for us to learn faster and understand better.

It provides teachers with access to professional development, relevant information, and reference materials for planning and implementing effective study programmes. School libraries provide education and entertainment to students, professionals, and other members of the school. No matter what your financial situation is, you can come here and have free access to books that will inform you and change you for the better.

The use of the school/university and research library is limited to that particular school. Although restricted to college students only, state and local libraries are open to all, and anyone can use these libraries during working hours. It is no exaggeration to say that a library is a place where books of all kinds and subjects are kept under one roof.

Need For Libraries

It is important to get into the habit of going to the library regularly. School libraries are the place where we can study a lot of things.Library is the place where students learn new things. Libraries provide each student with easy access to essential resources and learning materials for a smooth learning process. It plays an important role in student’s life. Education and libraries cannot exist in isolation, they are two sides of the same coin. Libraries are an integral part of the education system.

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The Essay Library

The Essay Library Anthology Vol. 7: Adaptation

The Essay Library is a Discord server for video essay creators and viewers to chat about all things video essays. It's also the official server of r/videoessay. ▶ Click here to join The Essay Library on Discord. ▶ Links: The Essay Library YouTube Channel Beginner's Guide to Discord (from Discord Support) r/videoessay subreddit ▶ Accolades: The Exquisite Relay: An Essay Library Co-Construction was praised as a "fascinating experiment in essay structure" in " The best video essays of 2022 " (Sight and Sound). The Essay Library Anthology Vols. 2 + 3 received a special mention from the curators of " The best video essays of 2021 " (Sight and Sound). ▶ The Essay Library Anthology Compilations of 60-second micro-essays around a given theme. Volume 1 | "Beginnings" (2021) Volume 2 | "Time" (2021) Volume 3 | "Death" (2021) Volume 4 | "We Asked A Bot To Name 18 Video Essays" (2022) Volume 5 | "Secrets" (2023) Volume 6 | "Becoming Someone Else" (2023) Volume 7 | "Adaptation" ▶ Other Collaborations These Video Essays Do Not Exist - created for April Fools' Day 2024. Essayists were asked to respond to the prompt "things that don't exist," and interpretations ranged from fan theories, lost media, myths, to pure fiction using the form of a video essay. "When Essay Met Library: A Rom-Com Collaboration" - creating video essays based on each other's romantic comedy film recommendations. "The Exquisite Relay: An Essay Library Co-Construction" - a videographic twist on the exquisite corpse featuring two video essays made one minute at a time. The first video was made forward, the second backward. Each creator had four days to do their part before passing it on to the next person. Mentioned in Sight and Sound . "Tales from the Essay Library: Horror" - eight video essayists created work based on each other's horror movie recommendations. This essay chain had a time constraint of 5 minutes per essay. ▶ The best way to get in touch with the Essay Library moderation team is by joining the Discord server , but you can also contact us using the form below.

Every week, one member of the server is chosen at random to choose a video essay for others to watch. In doing this, we can learn how to improve our own videos. With its wide range of selections, this has prompted us to interrogate what defines a video essay. Are all of these works even video essays? The #essay-of-the-week channel is home to these discussions. Essays are chosen by different members in order to get a diversity of ideas. The videos below do not necessarily reflect the views of the mod team.

Taskmaster: A Masterpiece Of Existentialist Philosophy: Sartre, Kierkegaard, Camus & Horne Hermit Banana Monster

The Complex Problems with Mental Illness in Fiction Hello Future Me

Control, Anatomy, and the Legacy of the Haunted House Jacob Geller

Dead Doesn't Mean Gone - A Haunting of Bly Manor Video Essay Ladyknightthebrave

What Makes a Video Game Sublime? Kant's Philosophy in Video Games Gamedenker

Liminal Spaces (Exploring an Altered Reality) Solar Sands

Monsters University and Disability The Sin Squad

Scambaiting and the Robot of Global Capitalism Big Joel

In Praise of Chairs Every Frame a Painting

Why Generation 5 isn't as Bad as People Think NateWantsToBattle

Overthinking It: Calvin & Hobbes | Separating Consumption From Identity RomanBear Productions

How To Be Creative: How an Artist Turns Pro Storytellers

Hayao Miyazaki - How Animation Comes To Life kaptainkristian

Inextinguishable Fire Harun Farocki

Ocean Waves - Studio Ghibli's (Accidental) Queer Film eliquorice

Sonic Adventure 2 - A Postmodern Analysis Jonas Čeika - CCK Philosophy

Sofia Coppola: The Politics of Pretty Broey Deschanel

What Makes Satisfying Videos Satisfying? Capitalism. Jordan Schonig

This Movie Offends You? Good. Foundation for Economic Education

Monster Men: The Bureau Curio

The History of Tomorrowland 1955 Defunctland

My Mulholland Jessica McGoff

No Face is an Incel CJ The X

What to Do If You Run Out of Hope Pursuit of Wonder

The Essay Library Anthology Vol. 7

The Essay Library is putting together another collaborative video essay project! Each volume of the Essay Library Anthology is a collection of 60-second micro-essays based on a shared theme. Our previous prompts were Beginnings , Time , Death , bot-generated titles , Secrets , and Becoming Someone Else . For Vol. 7, the theme is "adaptation" . Whatever that means is up to you. For this project, anyone can participate, even those who have never made a video essay before. It's also great for seasoned video essayists looking to break up their routine and try something new. Submissions are open now until Sunday, June 2 at 11:59 PM EDT. See below for more information and FAQ. While working on your submission, we encourage you to discuss the project with other participants in the The Essay Library Discord .

Prompt: Adaptation (all interpretations welcome) Constraint: 60 seconds (55-65 second range allowed) Deadline: June 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM EDT. Submit here. Share ideas here (optional). Join The Essay Library on Discord.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nope! Just submit your video by the deadline. As long as it follows all the guidelines on this page, it will be included.

Video essays should be submitted here . We'll need two things from you:

• • A .mp4 file of your video via Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc. Remember to edit the permissions so anyone with the link can access and download it. This goes in the final compilation, so leave out any channel branding.
• • A YouTube link to your video on your own channel. Keep it unlisted until the launch day. This goes in the playlist and can include channel branding.*

* "Channel branding" refers to YouTube intros/logos, end screens, Patreon/ko-fi promotions, and anything else that is not part of the essay itself. You can put your name/username in the video if you'd like, but this will already be written on the title card before your video.

Submissions are due June 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM EDT. The essays will then be edited together and Vol. 7 will be published shortly after (a week or so later).

All participants will be credited with a title card before their segment appears in the final compilation AND in the video's description with their name and a channel link. Each segment will be marked using YouTube's "chapter" feature so that the creator can be easily located.

No. You can keep your part unlisted after launch. We just need to be able to make a playlist of everyone’s videos, so please do not set it to private.

We welcome submissions from non-YouTubers! If you cannot/do not want to make a YouTube account, we can upload your micro-essay to The Essay Library YouTube channel as an unlisted video.

Please be sure to indicate this on your submission form instead of providing a link. Your submission still has to follow all the guidelines regarding suitability for YouTube publication.

You can use this spreadsheet to list your name and your intended topic, as well as take a look at what other people are doing for their topics. Doing this is not mandatory, but can help avoid direct repeats.

• • Your submission should be appropriate for YouTube publication. It should not trigger any Content ID/copyright claims. Please avoid any NSFW images/content that would result in the video being blocked.
• • Voiceover narration is not required.
• • Essays with sped-up voiceovers will not be accepted.
• • All languages are welcome, but please provide English subtitles if your submission is not in English.
• • Your submission should stand on its own. It should be produced specifically for this collaboration -- don’t submit a clip from an existing video essay.

Yes! You can even do a horizontal submission for the big compilation and a vertical version for your own channel. In the past, we’ve had a mix of formats.

We would like you to do your best to keep your submission around 60 seconds. We will allow a range of 5 seconds shorter or longer (55-65 seconds).

While the body of your essay should remain the same in both versions, you can add channel branding that exceeds 60 seconds for the version on your own YouTube channel. Leave this out of the .mp4 submission.

Some examples of channel branding include adding an outro/end-screen, inserting graphics that encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel, or listing the names of your Patreon supporters.

Feel free to create your entry in any dimensions or framerate you desire. The final compilation will be 1080p/60fps, and submissions will be upscaled/downscaled to fit those dimensions. Aspect ratios will be preserved.

These Video Essays Do Not Exist

The Essay Library is hosting a collaborative project for April Fools' Day where participants are invited to create video essays based on subject matter that does not exist . Submissions should be kept to five minutes or less. Submissions are open now until March 23, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET. Keep reading for more details about how this all works.

Prompt: Video essays about subject matter that does not exist (open interpretation) Constraint: 5 minutes maximum (no minimum) Deadline: March 23, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET. Click here to submit. Click here to share ideas (optional). Click here to join The Essay Library on Discord.

What does the prompt mean?

The full prompt, which was submitted and voted on by Discord members, is “video essays but made up (the subject matter does not exist).” You can interpret this however you’d like. It’s intentionally open-ended; the goal is to collect as many perspectives and approaches as possible. Potential topics include:

Lost media.

What the next season of a canceled TV show would look like.

Work(s) published under a pseudonym.

How a certain work of art (film, song, etc) would be different if another artist made it.

100% fiction: for example, make up a fake country and discuss its history.

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Video essays should be submitted here . We'll need two things from you:

A .mp4 file of your video via Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc. (remember to edit the permissions so anyone with the link can access and download it) – this goes in the final compilation, so leave out any channel branding.

A YouTube link to your video on your own channel (keep it unlisted until the launch day) – this goes in the playlist and can include channel branding.

Both of these must be done. ”Channel branding” refers to YouTube intros/logos, end screens, Patreon/ko-fi promotions, and anything else that is not part of the essay itself.

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Submissions are due March 23, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET. The essays will then be edited together and the full collab will be posted on April Fools' Day (April 1 2024).

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The big compilation featuring every essay in one video will be posted on The Essay Library YouTube channel .

How do I know what topics other people are doing for their submissions?

You can use this spreadsheet to list your name and your intended topic, as well as take a look at what other people are doing for their topics. Doing this is not mandatory, but can perhaps help prevent repetition.

Are there any rules for what I can and cannot include in my video essay?

Your submission should be appropriate for YouTube publication. It should not trigger any Content ID/copyright claims. Please avoid any NSFW images/content that would result in the video being blocked.

Voiceover narration is not required.

Essays with sped-up voiceovers will not be accepted.

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How firm is the time limit on my submission?

There is a firm 5 minute maximum video length. There is no minimum length. While the body of your essay should remain the same in both versions, you can add channel branding that exceeds 5 minutes for the version on your own YouTube channel. An example of channel branding is adding a logo at the start or listing the names of your Patreon supporters at the end.

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All participants will be credited in a title card before their segment appears in the final compilation and in the video's description with their name and a channel link. Each segment will be delineated using YouTube's "chapter" feature so that the creator can be easily located.

That's it! If you have any other questions, you can discuss the project in the The Essay Library Discord .

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• Knowledge Base
• The four main types of essay | Quick guide with examples

The Four Main Types of Essay | Quick Guide with Examples

Published on September 4, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way. At university level, argumentative essays are the most common type. 

In high school and college, you will also often have to write textual analysis essays, which test your skills in close reading and interpretation.

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Table of contents

Argumentative essays, expository essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, textual analysis essays, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about types of essays.

An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a strong thesis statement —a clearly defined stance on your topic. Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such as quotations ) and analysis.

Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own position on a topic. This is the most common type of essay at college level—most papers you write will involve some kind of argumentation.

The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:

• The introduction provides your topic and thesis statement
• The body presents your evidence and arguments
• The conclusion summarizes your argument and emphasizes its importance

The example below is a paragraph from the body of an argumentative essay about the effects of the internet on education. Mouse over it to learn more.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.

Expository essays test your familiarity with a topic and your ability to organize and convey information. They are commonly assigned at high school or in exam questions at college level.

The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented.

A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is shown below. Mouse over it to learn more.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

A narrative essay is one that tells a story. This is usually a story about a personal experience you had, but it may also be an imaginative exploration of something you have not experienced.

Narrative essays test your ability to build up a narrative in an engaging, well-structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds of academic writing . Writing a personal statement for an application requires the same skills as a narrative essay.

A narrative essay isn’t strictly divided into introduction, body, and conclusion, but it should still begin by setting up the narrative and finish by expressing the point of the story—what you learned from your experience, or why it made an impression on you.

Mouse over the example below, a short narrative essay responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” to explore its structure.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

A descriptive essay provides a detailed sensory description of something. Like narrative essays, they allow you to be more creative than most academic writing, but they are more tightly focused than narrative essays. You might describe a specific place or object, rather than telling a whole story.

Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re describing.

A descriptive essay can be quite loosely structured, though it should usually begin by introducing the object of your description and end by drawing an overall picture of it. The important thing is to use careful word choices and figurative language to create an original description of your object.

Mouse over the example below, a response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” to learn more about descriptive essays.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

Though every essay type tests your writing skills, some essays also test your ability to read carefully and critically. In a textual analysis essay, you don’t just present information on a topic, but closely analyze a text to explain how it achieves certain effects.

Rhetorical analysis

A rhetorical analysis looks at a persuasive text (e.g. a speech, an essay, a political cartoon) in terms of the rhetorical devices it uses, and evaluates their effectiveness.

The goal is not to state whether you agree with the author’s argument but to look at how they have constructed it.

The introduction of a rhetorical analysis presents the text, some background information, and your thesis statement; the body comprises the analysis itself; and the conclusion wraps up your analysis of the text, emphasizing its relevance to broader concerns.

The example below is from a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech . Mouse over it to learn more.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

Literary analysis

A literary analysis essay presents a close reading of a work of literature—e.g. a poem or novel—to explore the choices made by the author and how they help to convey the text’s theme. It is not simply a book report or a review, but an in-depth interpretation of the text.

Literary analysis looks at things like setting, characters, themes, and figurative language. The goal is to closely analyze what the author conveys and how.

The introduction of a literary analysis essay presents the text and background, and provides your thesis statement; the body consists of close readings of the text with quotations and analysis in support of your argument; and the conclusion emphasizes what your approach tells us about the text.

Mouse over the example below, the introduction to a literary analysis essay on Frankenstein , to learn more.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.

Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”

The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.

Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:

• In a literary analysis essay, you might make an argument for a specific interpretation of a text
• In a history essay, you might present an argument for the importance of a particular event
• In a politics essay, you might argue for the validity of a certain political theory

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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MLA CITATION FORMAT (MLA Handbook, 8th ed., p. 20)

• Title of Source
• Title of Container (larger work, such as an anthology)
• Other Contributors
• Publication Date
• Date of access (recommended for online resources)

Entire Website

The website of the Library of Congress connects users to content areas created by the Library’s many experts. In some cases, content can be posted without a clear indication of author, title, publisher, or publication date. Look for available clues and give as much information as possible, including the URL and date accessed.

MLA Citation Format (MLA Handbook, 8th ed.)

• Name of the author, compiler, director, editor, narrator, performer, or translator of the work (when the site is also the publisher omit here and instead place in publisher section)
• Title of the work (italicized if the work is independent; in roman type and quotation marks if the work is part of a larger work)
• Title of the overall website (italicized), if distinct from item 2
• Version or edition used
• Publisher or sponsor of the site; omit if not available.
• Date of publication; omit if not available.
• DOI or URL (DOI is encouraged and “http://” is left out)

Examples: Last name, First name. “Section of Website.” Title of the Website, Other Contributors, Version, Number, Name of publisher or sponsor, Date of publication, DOI or URL. Day Month Year of access. opt. URL.

Library of Congress. United States Government, 10 Feb 2012, www.loc.gov/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2017.

Articles and Essays

Articles and essays include examples that illustrate collection themes. Many collections include specific items, such as timelines, family trees or scholarly essays, which are not primary source documents. Such content has been created to enhance understanding of the collection. If no author is named, in most cases The Library of Congress may be cited as the author.

MLA Citation Format: (MLA Handbook, 8th ed.)

• Author last name, author first name
• Title (italicized if independent; in roman type and quotation marks if the work is part of a larger work)
• Title of the overall website (italicized)
• Version or edition
• Publisher; omit if not available
• Date of publication (day, month, year); omit if not available
• Date of access

Examples: Last name, First name. Title. Title of the Website, Version or edition, Publisher,. Day Month Year of publication, URL. Day Month Year of access.

Brief History of the National Parks. Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/collection/national-parks-maps/special-presentation/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2012.

Cartoons and Illustrations

Cartoons and illustrations included in newspapers, magazines or other periodicals often represent the historical perspectives and opinions of the time of publication. This illustration, Join or Die from the May 9, 1754, Pennsylvania Gazette, was published by Benjamin Franklin and expresses his views about the need for the colonies to join forces to confront their mutual concerns with England. This is often referred to as the first political cartoon.

MLA Citation Format: (MLA Handbook,8th ed.)

• Artist last name, artist first name
• Title of work (in quotation marks)
• Format (cartoon or illustration)
• Title of Container (website or database) italicized
• Newspapers: Name of Print Publication date, page numbers (mark as pp. #)
• Journals: Volume number, date of publication, page number (mark as pp. #)
• Books: City: Name of Publisher, date of publication, page numbers if being referenced (mark as pp. #).
• DOI or URL.

Examples: Last Name, First Name. “Title.” Illustration. Newspaper title, [Location], Day Month Year of publication, page number, opt. URL. Day Month Year of access.

Franklin, Benjamin. "Join or Die." Illustration. The Pennsylvania Gazette, 9 May 1754, Library of Congress , www.loc.gov/item/2014647887/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2017.

Films and other moving images offer visual tools for studying not only the technology of a time, but also the prevailing social attitudes.

• Film Title (quotation marks)
• Director Name or relevant creator name, e.g., Dir. John Doe
• Title of Container (original producer) italicized, original production date.
• Version (if it is edited—e.g., director’s cut)
• Number (if within a set of episodes or section—e.g., part two)
• Title of database or website (italicized)
• Publication Date (omit if not shown)
• Location (DOI, URL)

Examples: “Film Title.” Directed by First name Last Name, Distributor, version, number, Title of the Website , Day Month Year, URL. Day Month Year of access.

Filmed by Frederick S. Armitage. “Bargain Day, 14th Street, New York.”, American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, 1905. Library of Congress,10 Aug. 2012, www.loc.gov/item/00694373. Accessed 16 Feb. 2017.

Government Publications

Many government publications originate through executive departments, federal agencies, and the United States Congress. Many of the documents are chronicled records of government proceedings, which become part of the Congressional Record. These documents are often posted without a clear indication of author, title, publisher or copyright date. Look for available clues and give as much information as possible, including date accessed.

• Name of government
• Name of agency
• Title of the publication (italicized)
• Publisher, year published.
• Title of the database or website (italicized)
• Congressional information or location (if applicable)

Examples: Government. Agency name. Title of Publication, page numbers. Publisher, Year published. Title of the Website. URL. Congressional information or location (opt.). Location. Day Month Year of access.

United States, House of Representatives. Annals of Congress, pp. 747-48. Gales and Seaton, 1849. Library of Congress . memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ ampage?collId=llac&fileName=llac003.db&recNum=370. Proceedings, 2nd Congress, 2nd session. Accessed 16 Feb. 2017.

Manuscripts

The Library of Congress online collections include letters, diaries, recollections, and other written material. One example is this letter from Helen Keller to Mr. John Hitz. Helen describes her trip to Chicago to visit the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893.

MLA Citation Format: (MLA Handbook, 8th ed.).

• Title (italicized, or quotation marks for a minor work)
• Date of composition (omit if not shown; for uncertain dates place a question mark—e.g. 1870?)
• Name of library, institution, or collection which houses the work, followed by the location
• Form of the material (version) – (Manuscript or Typescript)
• Publisher or website (italicized)

Examples: Last name, First name. “Title.” Date. Institution, city. Form of the material. Title of the Website. URL. Day Month Year of access.

Keller, Helen. “Letter to John Hitz 29 Aug. 1893.” 1893, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Typescript. Library of Congress. www.loc.gov/item/magbellbib004020. Accessed 16 Feb. 2017.

Maps and Charts

Maps are far more than just maps of cities and towns. They document historical places, events, and populations, as well as growth and changes over time. This map is from the Library of Congress online collections.

• Cartographer or Creator
• Title (italicized; in roman type and quotation marks if the work is part of a larger work)
• Title of Container (if part of a larger work, include that title, italicized, after the format)
• Format (map or chart)
• Publisher date

Cartographer. Title, Title of Container, Other Contributors, Map. Publisher, date, Location, Title of the Website, URL. Day Month Year of access.

Map of the West Coast of Africa from Sierra Leone to Cape Palmas, including the Colony of Liberia, Map. Finley, 1830. Library of Congress , www.loc.gov/item/96680499. Accessed 10 Feb. 2012.

Historic newspapers provide a glimpse of historic time periods. The articles, as well as the advertising, are an appealing way to get a look at the regions of the country or the world and the issues of the day.

• Author last name, author first name (if applicable)
• Title of article (in quotation marks)
• Name of newspaper (italicized), city of publication if needed, such as local, less-known newspapers (square brackets, not italicized)
• Version or Edition
• Issue Number
• Date of Access

“Free Education While You Wait For Orders Home.” The Stars and Stripes, 6 Dec. 1918. Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/sn88075768/1918-12-06/ed-1 . Accessed 10 Feb. 2012.

Oral History Interviews

MLA Citation Format: ( MLA Handbook , 8th ed.).

• Interviewee last name, first name
• Title of the interview (if any) In quotations if it is part of a publication, in italics if published independently. Use Interview without quotes or italics if there is no title
• Name of interviewer if known
• Publisher: Title of the database or website (italicized)
• Date of interview

Examples: Last name, First name. “Title of Interview.” By Name of Interviewer, Day Month Year of Interview. Title of the Website, URL. Day Month Year of access.

Patton, Gwendolen M. “Gwendolyn M. Patton oral history interview conducted by Joseph Mosnier. in Montgomery, Alabama, 2011-06-01.” Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/afc2010039_crhp0020/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2017.

Photographs

Photographs and drawings appear in many of the Library of Congress digitized historical collections.

• Title (italicized)
• Date of composition
• Version (photograph)
• Title of Container (name of the institution it is housed), country or state.
• Date published URL or DOI

Examples: Last name, First name. Title. Date of composition, Photograph, Institution, Country. Title of the Website, Date published on site, URL. Day Month Year of access.

Askew, Thomas E. Four African American women seated on steps of building at Atlanta University, Georgia. 1899 [or 1900] Photograph, Library of Congress, Washington D.C., www.loc.gov/item/2018667213/. Accessed 26 Feb. 2024.

Sound Recordings

This recording of Thomas Mann performing Haste to the Wedding is an example of Anglo-American dance music on the dulcimer recorded in July, 1937.

• Creator last name, creator first name
• Title (quotation marks)
• Title of Container (e.g. album—italicized)
• Any additional performers are listed here – first name followed by last name
• Indicate the original audio format (CD, audiocassette, etc.)
• Manufacturer and year published/issued
• When citing a performance, list the date of the performance here, with the abbreviation “rec.” preceding the date

Examples: Last name, First name. “Song title.” Perf. First name Last name, Manufacturer, Year, Rec. Day Month Year Original format. Title of the Website, URL. Day Month Year of access.

Mann, Thomas. “Haste to the Wedding.” Rec. July 1937 by Sydney Robertson Cowell, 78 rpm. Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/2017700868/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2012.

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Color struck : essays on race and ethnicity in global perspective

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• Williams, Hettie V
• Lanham, Md. : University Press of America, [2010]
• viii, 506 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
• Includes bibliographical references and index.
• Race, science, and human origins in Africa / Julius O. Adekunle -- Race and the rise of the Swahili culture / Julius O. Adekunle -- 'Caste'-[ing] gender : caste and patriarchy in ancient Hindu jurisprudence / Indira Jalli -- Comparative race and slavery in Islam, Judaism and Christianity : texts, practices, and current implications / Magid Shihade -- The dark craven Jew : race and religion in medieval Europe / James M. Thomas -- Growth of the Atlantic slave trade : racial slavery in the new world / Kwaku Owei-Tutu -- The yellow lady : mulatto women in the Suriname plantocracy / Hilde Neus -- Critical mixed race studies : new approaches to resistance and social justice / Andrew Jolivétte -- Militant multiraciality : rejecting race and rejecting the conveniences of complicity / Ranier Spencer -- Whiteness reconstructed : multiracial identity as a category of "new white" / Kerry Ann Rockquemore and David L. Brunsma -- Conversations in black and white : the limitations of binary thinking about race in America / Johanna E. Foster -- The necessity of a multiracial category in a race-conscious society / Francis Wardle -- Mixed race terminologies in the Americas : globalizing the Creole in the twenty first century / DeMond S. Miller, Jason D. Rivera, and Joel C. Yelin -- Examining the regional and multigenerational context of Creole and American Indian identity / Andrew Jolivétte -- Race, class, and power : the politics of multiraciality in Brazil / G. Reginald Daniel and Gary L. Haddow -- All mixed up : a new racial commonsense in global perspective / G. Reginald Daniel and Gary L. Haddow -- Black no more : African Americans and the 'new' race science / Hettie V. Williams -- Contesting identities of color : African female immigrants in the Americas / Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika -- Burdened intersections : black women and race, gender, and class / Marsha J. Tyson Darling -- Ethinc conflicts in the Middle East : a comparative analysis of communal violence within the matrix of the colonial legacy, globalization, and global stability / Magid Shihade -- Ethnic identity in China : the politics of cultural difference / Dru C. Gladney -- Shangri-la has forsaken us : China's ethinc minorities, identity, and government repression / Reza Hasmath -- The Russian/Chechen conflict and its consequences / Mariana Tepfenhart

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Federalist Papers: Primary Documents in American History

Full text of the federalist papers.

• Introduction
• Federalist Nos. 1-10
• Federalist Nos. 11-20
• Federalist Nos. 21-30
• Federalist Nos. 31-40
• Federalist Nos. 41-50
• Federalist Nos. 51-60
• Federalist Nos. 61-70
• Federalist Nos. 71-80
• Federalist Nos. 81-85
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The Federalist , commonly referred to as the Federalist Papers, is a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison between October 1787 and May 1788. The essays were published anonymously, under the pen name "Publius," in various New York state newspapers of the time.

The Federalist Papers were written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution, which was drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. In lobbying for adoption of the Constitution over the existing Articles of Confederation, the essays explain particular provisions of the Constitution in detail. For this reason, and because Hamilton and Madison were each members of the Constitutional Convention, the Federalist Papers are often used today to help interpret the intentions of those drafting the Constitution.

The Federalist Papers were published primarily in two New York state newspapers: The New York Packet and The Independent Journal . They were reprinted in other newspapers in New York state and in several cities in other states. A bound edition, with revisions and corrections by Hamilton, was published in 1788 by printers J. and A. McLean. An edition published by printer Jacob Gideon in 1818, with revisions and corrections by Madison, was the first to identify each essay by its author's name. Because of its publishing history, the assignment of authorship, numbering, and exact wording may vary with different editions of The Federalist .

The electronic text of The Federalist used here was compiled for Project Gutenberg by scholars who drew on many available versions of the papers.

One printed edition of the text is The Federalist , edited by Jacob E. Cooke (Middletown, Conn., Wesleyan University Press, 1961). Cooke's introduction provides background information on the printing history of The Federalist; the information provided above comes in part from his work.

This web-friendly presentation of the original text of the Federalist Papers (also known as The Federalist) was obtained from the e-text archives of Project Gutenberg. Any irregularities with regard to grammar, syntax, spelling, or punctuation are as they exist in the original e-text archives.

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