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ENGL 1101 Comp I LEJEUNE: Getting Started

Your Assignment

Comp 1101: 

Part one: 

You choose for your topic a piece of literature (a short story or a poem or a news article) that means something to you or your major. You will research it, its author, the original publication site and write up information about your sources for this information, so use this week to carefully choose a text and discuss with your peers. 

Examples of topics used in the past: 

  • Nicole Homer's poem on poem of the day (poets.org)
  • Beyonce's Lemonade 
  • Tedx talk on texting and communication 

Part two: Interview a peer about their initial reaction or thoughts on the text, look up reviews or reactions or editorial responses. 

Part three: analyze the text using material from your research. Write an additional response explaining step by step each part of your analysis. 

Keyword Searching in a Database

It is important to map out how you will go about searching for research materials on your topic prior to beginning your search. 


Steps for Creating a Search Strategy

1. Summarize your topic
2. Identify main concepts (keywords)
3. Identify synonyms, alternate words and/or related words
4. Try different combinations of keywords

Example: How does exposure to smokers affect children who have asthma?

What are the main concepts or keywords?
.....smoking, children, asthma

Think of synonyms, alternate words or/and related words.
.....secondhand smoke, smokers..... toddler, pediatric, child .... allergies, breathing problems

Develop your search strategy using the terms above.

Mix and match terms. If one keyword doesn't work, try to vary your keywords with synonyms.

Boolean Operators

Boolean operators help to narrow or broaden your search. The most useful are AND, OR, NOT which help to connect keywords or concepts.

boolean

You can use more than one Boolean connector in the same search statement:

  • Depression AND Teenagers OR Adolescents

You should have a research topic and a list of some keywords as well as a search strategy. 

*Adapted from McKillop Library 

Tips for Effective Searching

Subjects: English