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The Roaring 20's

Steps for Smart Searching

STEP 1:  Getting Started

To get started it is a good idea to do some general research about your topic.  This will help you decide where you want to focus and will help you gather keywords to help you do more in depth research.  Good places to start are WorldBook and American History Online.  Search using broad terms like Harlem Renaissance or Roaring Twenties. 

 

Search Tips: 

  • When you find an article in WorldBook, such as the article on the The Roaring Twenties, don't forget to click on the tab labeled Related Information.  This will take you to a list of useful articles, such as articles written on key figures like Eliot Ness and Jazz in the 1920's.
  • When looking at eBooks use the Search tool to locate the information you need without reading the whole book.
  • If you are having a hard time finding information on your topic make sure you have checked the General Resources listed on the bottom of the first page of this LibGuide (click on the tab labeled The Roaring 20's and scroll down).

STEP 2: Gathering Keywords

Once you have a topic, make a list of keywords that you can use to search for more information.  To gather keywords you can brainstorm to think of your own and browse articles to pick out major themes.

Example:  If my topic is The "New" Entertainment: Movies I could use the following keywords when searching:

  • Rudolph Valentino
  • Mary Pickford
  • Charlie Chaplin
  • Buster Keaton
  • Silent Movies
  • Marx Brothers
  • Walt Disney Steamboat Willie
  • Clara Bow and Rudolph Valentino
  • The Jazz Singer (film)
  • Talkies

Note:  These are just a few suggestions, to find the best information possible think of additional keywords you could use.

To make sure that you find the best and most comprehensive information it is important that you look in more than one place.  Below are links to two sources that you shouldn't miss! (the Library Catalog and American History Online)

 

Search Tip: After entering your search in the library catalog, select eResources from the options on the left.  This will make it so that only information that you can access online will be shown.

 

 

Still not finding what you need? Below are some additional resources with information related to the Roaring Twenties.

 

 

 

Worldbook  

 

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