This instalment of the AI Guide on the topic of literature research using AI begins by explaining what constitutes good literature research. It then goes on to discuss whether and how AI can assist with literature research.

Schorer, S. and Legtenborg, W. J. for participate@UOL (2025). Literature Research with AI. Basic Knowledge.

In order to gain a rough orientation within German-language literary history during the course of the degree programme, reading primary literature is essential. Only with the help of this knowledge is it possible to classify literary texts historically, compare them with each other and recognise their specific features. It is therefore advisable to familiarise yourself with as many texts as possible from different periods and in different styles. But what to read? Where to start?

The list contains reading tips that reflect the individual research focuses and reading preferences of Oldenburg lecturers in Modern German Literature. The list should therefore not be understood as a 'best list', but as a subjective selection of what we find worth reading for various reasons. Of course, other authors and texts are also relevant for all the periods listed. Sometimes we have also given preference to the offbeat over the canonised (such as texts that are part of the school curriculum).

The list comprises 99 texts. The number 99 was chosen to emphasise the necessary incompleteness of such a collection. The selection attempts to cover a variety of genres and includes 'popular' titles as well as texts for children and young people. Where possible, reference has been made to books that have actually been published (and not to individual poems or stories). The dating is based on the year of first publication or, in the case of dramas, first performance. In addition, there is a further restriction: each author is only represented once in the list - which of course does not mean that other texts by these authors are not also worth reading. So the best thing to do is just keep reading - there's a lot to discover!

To the literature list.

For all those interested in film, there is also a film list with 29 films to build up knowledge within German-language film history.

To the film list.

The overview created by Ina Cappelmann, which you can download here, explains the correct citation of audiovisual media.