Ideas for Topics for the Debate or Argumentative Research Paper
Free Web Sites
- CQ Researcher Index
The CQ Researcher is a magazine style publication available in the DCCC library in which the entire issue is devoted to a controversial topic each week, including a yes/no debate page. Use the online CQ Researcher index for the list of topics that CQ Researcher has covered since 1991. - National Library of Medicine: Social and family issues
- Google Directory: Social Issues
- Yahoo Directory: Social Issues and Causes
- National Public Radio: Talk of the Nation Discussion Topics
(caution: use this list to generate topics only. Opinions on issues are not necessarily from experts in the field.) - USA Today's Voices Page
Provides a list of issues of importance in the USA and around the world and articles related to these topics - a helpful starting point.
Databases
(Contact DCCC librarian for passwords to databases.)
- OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS
Login to the list of DCCC databases by clicking here. Select the Opposing Viewpoints database. View important issues from an alphabetical list of current controversial topics that links directly to the magazine/newspaper articles and other resources. - ISSUES & CONTROVERSIES
Login to the list of DCCC databases by clicking here. Select the Issues & Controversies database. Click on "Need a Research Topic?" This link provides an alphabetical list of current controversial topics with links to magazine and newspaper articles. - NEWSBANK DATABASE / "HOT TOPICS"
Login to the list of DCCC databases by clicking here. Select the Newsbank database. See "Hot Topics" for an alphabetical list of current controversial topics which links directly to the newspaper articles.
Other Library Resources
Library Resources for the Argumentative/Persuasive PaperIn PDF format.
Last Updated on November 18, 2009