Choosing Keywords

What words should you use?

Keywords capture the key things you want to learn about. Use them to search library tools and on the web.

Tips: Try keyword combinations (Children's literature AND biography) and keyword phrases "young adult literature."

• Put phrases in quotes:
  • ex: "middle school"
• Connect and focus key ideas with AND:
  • ex: "middle school" AND "graphic novels"
• Use OR for synonyms or related ideas:
  • ex: tweens OR adolescents
• Look for and use relevant Subject Terms used in library databases:
  • ex: children's literature
  • ex: book reviews
  • ex: literacy fiction

Info Types to Consider

Your assignments in English 180 will require you to find and use many different kinds of articles about youth literature, including:

• reviews of children's and young adult literature
• scholarly analysis
• professional literature for educators

Consider:

Popular Magazines and Daily Newspapers cover popular interest and current issues, including book reviews, author interviews and articles on issues of concern to youth, families and educators.

Magazine and newspaper articles are written for the general public, rather than specialists in a field.

Best tools for Finding Magazines

Scholarly Journals

Scholarly Journals are also called academic journals or peer-reviewed journals.

Use a Journal

• when doing scholarly research
• to find primary research
• to find out what has been studied on your topic
• to find factual, documented information
• to find bibliographies that point you to other relevant research

Best Tools for Finding Journal Articles (limit to scholarly peer-reviewed journals)

• Library databases such as ProQuest or Academic Search Complete.
   

Professional Journals

Professional Journals are written for an audience within a specific profession or field within the profession.

There are thousands of professional publications for educators, librarians, and others who work with children, youth, and literature.

• Limit to Trade Publications.