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Rhetoric

This guide provides quick and easy access to library resources for Rhetoric assignments as well as guidance on getting research and writing help.

Introduction to Search Strategy

The ability to find information using library databases is directly related to your ability to develop effective keywords. Developing and searching with keywords can be frustrating at first as it is different than how most people find information with Google or AI. Taking a few minutes to develop keywords before searching library databases can both save you time and make it easier to find information relevant to your research topic.

A keyword is a noun that is related to your research question. A strong research question will have multiple aspects or elements so it is important to brainstorm multiple keywords. It is important to be flexible with your research question when looking for keywords. Some students benefit from thinking about the reason why they picked their research question as the rationale can often provide keyword ideas along with the research question itself. It is also important to think of alternatives to the keywords you brainstorm such as identifying synonyms and broader or narrower keywords.

This page provides suggestions on how to develop keywords, create a strategy for searching with keywords, and examples of this process.

Dissect Your Research Question Instructions

The Rhetoric Dissect Your Research Question worksheet provides a step-by-step method for developing keywords using a flexible mindset. Below are the steps recommended by librarians to developing effective keywords and search strategies.

  1. Write down your research question.
  2. Write down the reasons why you chose your research question.
  3. Circle the nouns that serve as keywords in both your research question and rationale.
  4. Sort your keywords into similar categories such as population, geographic area, or current event.
  5. Brainstorm additional keywords in each category by thinking of either broader or narrower keywords or synonyms.
  6. Write down keyword combinations. Each combination should have 3-4 keywords but only contain one keyword from a category and be separated by the Boolean operator AND.

An example of this process can be found further down as well as a useful worksheet that outlines this process.

Dissect Your Research Question Worksheets