WR 95 - Spring 2013

Argumentative Essay
Identifying and Researching a Controversial Issue

I need...

Tips for Identifying a Topic

The Library provides two terrific databases that will help you identify (and then research) a controversial topic.

These databases are

• CQ Researcher
• Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Both of these databases cover current events and controversial topics. Both are accessible from the Library's home page by clicking on the "Articles and More" icon.

If you aren't sure what you want to write about yet, CQ Researcher and Opposing Viewpoints can help you find a topic.

In Opposing Viewpoints, click on the "Browse Issues" link at the top of the screen to see a list of issues. Now, these issues in and of themselves may not be controversial, but if you click on one you find interesting, it will link you to controversial issues on that topic.

If you click on a link to one of the issues, let's say "Distracted Driving," you go to a page that compiles "Viewpoints" (opinions) on that topic, plus links to scholarly sources ("Academic Journals"). The Viewpoints in Opposing Viewpoints are written by credible authorities on the topic you're viewing. These authorities might include journalists, specialists in a particular field, scholars, or leaders of organizations associated with these issues. These are terrific in identifying a topic, because they help you get a sense of where the controversy is. And, if you decide to work on one of these issues, you can use the links under "Academic Journals" to start finding your scholarly sources.

CQ Researcher also has a feature that helps you identify a topic.

Click on the small arrow by "Browse Reports" at the top of the screen. From the drop down menu this opens, choose "By Topic."

Select a broad topic (like "Education" or "Health") and you'll see narrower, more specific topics. Select one of those more specific topics, and you'll finally see a list of CQ Researcher reports on that topic.

When you select one of the reports, you'll get a report that really helps you understand the issue. Also, it's worth noting that the "Pro/Con" feature (on the menu on the left side of the page) can help you identify a specific controversy related to that topic. This can be a very useful way to identify a controversial topic for your argumentative paper. As with Opposing Viewpoints, the Pro/Con features are written by credible authorities on the topic you've selected.

Finding Scholarly Sources

You can also use Opposing Viewpoints and CQ Researcher to find the scholarly sources you need for your paper.

As you learned in the Identifying a Topic section, an Opposing Viewpoints topic page includes links to Academic Journals (scholarly sources). Sometimes, though, these links are just short articles or books reviews and not enough to get you going for your paper. So, what next?

I'm going to suggest that once you've identified your topic and used Opposing Viewpoints or CQ Researcher to learn more about it, you go to another library resource, Academic Search Premier (also available from the "Articles & More" icon on the Library's page.)

After entering your search terms, look at the "Search Options." Notice that you can check a box to get back only Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journal articles in your results. Check that box, then click the Search button.

In most cases, you can get the full-text of articles from Academic Search Premier. Just click on the "PDF Full Text" (or "HTML Full Text") button you see below the article.

Sometimes, though you may see a button labeled "Link to Full Text." When you click on this, it's going to search our library to see if we have the article online anywhere. If we do, it'll link you to the full-text. If we don't, it'll show you a screen with a red X. This isn't an error! It's just telling you we don't have that full-text in any of our subscriptions. You can request articles unavailable through our databases via a library service called Interlibrary Loan (ILL). It's free and only takes 1-3 days for us to borrow the article from another library and deliver it electronically to you.

Academic Search Premier is a terrific resource that you can use throughout your college career. You can learn even more about using it with our video tutorials.

Citing Sources

The Library also has tools to help you cite your sources in your paper.

If you use Opposing Viewpoints, every document has a citation at the bottom. The format is very similar to MLA, so all the elements you need are there.

In CQ Researcher, look for the "CiteNow!" link at the top of the screen to cite a CQ Researcher report. The citation style defaults to APA, so click on the "MLA" link at the top of the box to get the style you need.

In Academic Search Premier, look on the right side of the screen for an icon that looks like a little yellow piece of paper. Click on this icon, and you'll get a citation for the article you're viewing in a variety of styles, including MLA.

The Library also maintains a page of citation tools, where you can find useful guides to MLA style and citation builders (tools that help automate the citation building process).

Always remember that even if you get a citation from a Library resource, like Academic Search Premier, or use an online tool, you are responsible for the accuracy of the final product. Double check any automatically generated citations for the correct elements, spelling, and punctuation!

Get Help from a Librarian

If at any point in the topic exploration, research, or citation process you get confused, lost, or have questions, COCC's friendly librarians are available and happy to help. You can click on the "Chat Now" button on our website to chat with a librarian 24/7, or you can contact us by phone (541-383-7567) or email (refdesk@cocc.edu). And, of course, we're always happy to see you in person at the Information Desk in the Library.

If you want to contact Michele DeSilva, the librarian who visited your class, specifically, you can find my contact information in our library staff directory.