Business Communication (BUSI 120): Home

The best way to search your topic is using key words. Pick the one or two words that best describe your topic, then think of one or two synonyms (words that mean the same thing) in case you need to play with your search terms.

Example topic: What is the best available leadership training program?

Key words: Leadership and training

Synonym: Leadership: supervision, management, captaincy 

        training = teaching, instruction

If your first search does not give you enough results, try using the other key words you came up with to search again.

You can also use multiple words strung together to change your results. If you use the word AND with two key words, you will narrow your results. If you use the word OR you will get more results. These terms tell the search database what to include in the returned results.

Finding information that supports your main idea is the goal of your research. Some types of information you will be looking for are:

• FACT - a piece of information that can be proven by testing, observing, or by consulting reference material
• EXAMPLE - a single instance that supports your statement
• ILLUSTRATION - a detailed example
• ANECDOTE - a brief, amusing story. Because they are entertaining, they will help your audience to remember the information.
• STATISTIC - a numerical fact
• DEFINITION - explains what a word or concept means. Define any words or concepts that your audience may not understand.
• DESCRIPTION - when you sue words to create a mental picture of a person, place, thing, or event
• QUOTATION - when you use someone's exact words. You must credit the source when you use a quotation.