Use these easy strategies when you are looking for help online:
Don't only use Google. Google is helpful, but some results aren’t reliable. Try websites like Google Scholar, JSTOR, NOVELny, or your school’s online library for better-quality info that teachers will trust.
- Use specific words. Instead of just typing "writing help", try something more exact like:
- how to have voice in an essay
- improve rhetoric
- citation and writing
- Try different keywords. You might not find what you need right away. Try other ways of saying it, like:
- personal statement tips
- essay editing steps
- avoiding plagiarism in school papers
- Use helpful search tools:
- Use "quotation marks" around phrases to get exact matches. Example: "how to write a thesis statement"
- Use AND to connect ideas. Example: "grammar help AND writing clarity";
- Use NOT to leave something out. Example: "essay writing" NOT "college admissions"
- Look for student-friendly sources. Many universities have writing centers with pages made just for students. Try adding words like “high school,” “student,” or “beginner” to your search.