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. Boolean terms are AND, OR, NOT.
AND will narrow your searches by including results that include all your search terms.
OR will broaden your search by retrieving results with all your search terms.
NOT will narrow your search by excluding results with the terms you indicate.
Test your terms in one of these databases:
CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window.
Provides inādepth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy.
Credo Reference This link opens in a new window.
Encyclopedic coverage in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities
Encyclopedia Britannica This link opens in a new windowAn authoritative source for general information on virtually any topic.
Refine Your Search
As you are searching, examine your results. Are your terms too narrow? too broad? Be prepared to change your searches as you go.