English Composition

Best Bets

Library and Information Resources Network

http://www.lirn.net

Proquest

ProQuest

Psychology Journals

InfoTrac

Gale Infotrac

Business, computer science, criminal justice, general academic, health and wellness, law, literature, newsletters, newspapers, opposing viewpoints, and reference with student resource center, Gale Virtual Reference Library and the InfoTrac OneFile.

elibrary

eLibrary

Selected periodicals, reference books, maps, pictures, and newspapers from around the world, along with transcripts of news and public affairs broadcasts.

 

APA Style Guides

Other Library Guides (APA)

 

Selected Websites

Argumentative Essay

To find a topic for an Argumentative Essay:

  • Gallup’s A-Z trends
    Explore Gallup poll topics in one convenient place. Questions are grouped by topic/trend.
  • ProCon.org: Pros and Cons of Controversial Issues
    “ProCon.org is an independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. We promote critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship by presenting research on controversial issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan, and primarily pro-con format. Our websites are free, unbiased, and updated periodically.”
  • PublicAgenda.org:
    “Public Agenda is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to strengthen our democracy’s capacity to tackle tough issues. We want to ensure the public’s views are represented in decision-making and that citizens have the tools and information they need to grapple with the critical challenges of the day. We conduct public opinion research, we run public engagement programs around the country, and we run this Web site to give both citizens and leaders the information they need to know.”<b< div=””>
  • NCSL.org: National Conference of State Legislatures
    “The National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation’s 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues.”
  • New York Times Room for Debate
    In Room for Debate, The New York Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues.

Structure the Information

Ask a question about the broad topic and narrower topic. 

For example, if the broad topic is “marijuana” and the narrower topic is “legalization,” then ask the question:   Should marijuana be legalized?

Follow a structure that will help to organize the argument. Separate facts from opinion.

Build an Argument

1) Get the facts

2) Find statistics about the topic

3) Look at opinions on both sides of the issue

4) Make up your own mind about what you believe.

5) Find examples:

a) to support your opinion

b) to counter the opposing viewpoint

 

Persuasive Essays

These links provide helpful suggestions for essay writing.

Need to find topic ideas?

In addition to the sites above, which were designed specifically to help students choose topics, the following sites may also be helpful.

Points to Consider

  • Choose something that appeals to you.
  • Your topic should be neither too broad nor too narrow.
  • Your topic should lend itself to the type of paper you are writing.
  • Avoid paper topics that deal with fixed beliefs like abortion, capital punishment, religion and so forth. People have spent many years deciding what they think about these topics and you are not likely to change their minds in a four to six minute speech. Don’t set yourself up to fail.

 

Topic Narrowing

Narrowing a topic requires you to be more specific about your research interest.  If you are unsure about how to narrow your topic, start by asking these questions:

  • Who – is there a specific group you would like to limit your research to?
  • What – is there a particular aspect of your topic you would like to limit to?
  • Where – is there a specific area or region that interests you?
  • When – what about a time period to focus on?
  • Why – is there anything particularly important or interesting to you?

 

Follow the Plan

How to do research to prepare a persuasive or argumentative essay:

1. Find a topic- in the news or from a list.

2. Get a brief overview about the issue.

3. Focus the presentation on only ONE aspect of the topic.

4. Get organized & structure the paper.

5. Search a database or two for facts and opinions.

6. Build an argument.

7. Cite your sources.

 

Informative Essay

An informative essay should educate rather than persuade.

Be sure to define, explain, and support your ideas. 

Check with your instructor for course specifics first; however, generally informative papers are about objects, processes, events, or concepts.

OBJECTS – An identification and then a discussion about an object and its benefits; i.e., a person, animal, structure, machine.

PROCESS – Instruction, step-by-step, on how something works, is made, or is done; i.e., how to bake a cake, build a birdhouse, use a software program, or fill out a FAFSA.

EVENTS – Information about something that has happened, is happening, or is expected to happen; i.e., the spread of the H1N1 flu virus, the history of the Afghan war, or an explanation of Ponzi schemes.

CONCEPTS – To examine theories, beliefs, or ideas; i.e., explain the theory that TV violence breeds violence or inform your audience about the Koran.

Some Questions to ask yourself:
  • What information do I want to convey to my audience?
  • How can I most effectively organize my information?
  • Can I support my information with outside sources?
  • Can I give examples and/or define terms?