Tips for searching Writer’s Help

• Take a look at your assignment. Use an important term from the assignment (such as analyze or outline or brainstorm) in the search bar.
• Try using a comment from a tutor, teacher, or peer (such as emph, agr, or run on) as a search term.
• Try using only essential words in your search. Instead of using How do I begin my paper, try begin paper.
• If you get too many search results at first, it’s possible that the term you used is too broad. Try narrowing it. Instead of article, use citing an article.
• For a term that might have two meanings, try to narrow down the meaning you are looking for. Subject, for instance, could refer to the subject of a sentence or the subject of a paper. Try a narrow term: subject of sentence or subject of paper.
• If you can’t think of a particular term, try to describe the problem. If you can’t remember thesis, for example, try main idea or main point.
• Browse the table of contents using the Contents button in the left panel. The table of contents is organized by broad categories. You can click a top-level category to reach more specific topics that may help you find what you are looking for or that may suggest search terms to try.
• Discuss your search with your instructor or peers. They may be able to help you develop your ideas.