Pull out the most important aspects of your research question
Use different keywords / synonyms / alternate terms
Brainstorm a list or create a word web
Use a thesaurus to help you think of alternate words
Example:
How have modern adaptations of Shakespeare’s Othello dealt with the theme of racism through casting, staging and allusion to contemporary events?
- Othello
- Racism
- Theatrical Development
Othello: The Tragedy of Othello, the Moore of Venice, Un Capitano Moro, The Moorish Captain
Racism: prejudice, bigotry, inequality, injustice, bias, discrimination
Theatrical Development: casting, staging, allusion, production, themes, selection, direction, rendering, depiction