Search Strategies

1. Identify your topic

2. Quick pre-search (read an article, get a basic idea)

3. Identify keywords

   • Words that repeat

   • Headings in articles

A search engine might not “understand” your first choices.  Use synonyms or related words.

• Indigenous -> Native American, Indian

• Enslaved -> Slave, African, Black

Language was different back then! 

• The term “teenager” wasn’t coined until the 20th century.  Words like “child”, “children”, “boy(s)”, “girl(s)”, “man/men”, “woman/women”, and “youth” will yield better results.

• Fun: recreation, leisure

• Food: meal, victuals

Add time and/or place to get more accurate results.

• Colonial/ Colonies

• American Colonies

• 17th century (1600s)

• 18th century (1700s)

• Revolutionary

• American Revolution