Identify search terms you can use when searching for books, articles, and reference resources. For your argumentative essay, search for materials that will strengthen your case, but be aware of counter-arguments that could weaken it.
Some possible pro or con argument topics:
- Gun control OR Gun safety
- Teenage voting
- Cannabis legalization
- Affirmative action
For each topic, you should try searching with more than one search topic. If you chose to write about gun control or gun safety, you might try a combination of these alternate search terms:
- Second Amendment
- National Rifle Association (NRA)
- Mass shootings
Use quotation marks around specific phrases that you want to specify in your search, such as "Fenway Park".
Use Boolean searching depending on whether you need to narrow, expand, or combine your search terms.
Example of Boolean searches for AND, OR, NOT: