Choosing Search Terms

List the important words you've used in your thesis statement or essential question. Include words that describe your topic, like people, places, or groups. For each word you've written, think of larger categories that might include your word. Don't forget variant forms, plurals, and synonyms for your words. Also write words that are more specific, or words that are connected to your topic.

EXAMPLE

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Do violent television programs and video games affect teenage behavior?

• Search terms: violent, television, video games, teenage, behavior
• Variant forms or synonyms: violence, TV, adolescents, youth, teens
• Larger categories: media
• More specific words: [names of specific TV programs or video games]

You may not have words in every category, but this exercise will help you search!