The present practical guide for the study of Old, Medieval and Renaissance literature is specifically designed for mythird year students of English Literature to be a tool both in the class and at home by which they can check the accuracyof their knowledge in this field in preparation for theirgraduation paper’s defence. It contains two types of drills: quizzes in the form of multiple choice, questions and suggested essay topics, followed by a short bibliographywith each literary work studied. The glossary is a list of basic literary terms that the students are suggested to use when answering questions and writing essays.

The tests are in line with the syllabus for the discipline I teach and may be used as part of seminar activities for 15 to 20 minutes. They will reveal if the students have read the recommended reading list announced at the beginning of the university year and also the capacity to synthesise the major ideas of a literary text that they will subsequently be required to comment upon and analyse, expanding the correct answers into essays and mid-semester papers.

At this end of this workbook the students may find instructions on how to write a good research paper in the hope that they will keep in mind it is not just enough to gather information in order to write on a certain topic. The hard work starts after the documentation phase, when they actually start working on the plan, organizing the material,refining the style, finding cogent arguments and examples.

This guide will be followed by an English Literature Coursebook and more supplemental materials in the form of appendices that I hope will prove helpful for my students’ study.