Books
BOOKS can be found in the Auraria Library using the Book Search feature. OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS, TAKING SIDES, CONTEMPORARY WORLD ISSUES, and YOU DECIDE are some excellent series of books on controversial topics. Any keyword search can be customized by adding words like “controversial” “debates” “pro and con”, or “arguments” to the topical search.
Databases
this database is good for argumentative, persuasive, or position papers. CQ Researcher has a Pro/Con Button which neatly lines up the points on both sides of an argument. The online service provides articles, book chapters, newspaper clippings, interviews and television transcripts to help student researchers support their positions. CQ Researcher also has a “Suggest A Topic” feature to help would-be researchers who are stuck for ideas. Here is a very short interactive aid to help you use this data base CQ Researcher: The Movie.
Ideas for research papers or speeches
Recommended Starting Points
Check TOPICsearch - A multidisciplinary, full text, current events database covering social, political and economic issues, scientific discoveries and other popular topics. Over 1,100 magazines, 150 newspapers, 400 pamphlets, 1,500 popular biographies, 800 book reviews, numerous government reports, and 15,000 public opinion polls are included. 1990 - present. An excellent place to start if you need help choosing a topic!
Listed below are some suggested topics for research papers or speeches:
| virtual reality | nuclear energy | nanotechnologies |
| purity pledges | pot farms | MRSA Superbug |
| solar vehicles | Internet censorship | recoverd memory therapy |
| wetland protection | cyberbullying | carbon footprint |
| El Nino/La Nina | reincarnation/past lives | telecommuting |
| bird strikes & aircraft | natural disasters | social networking/social media |
| Internet predators | food safety | domestic violence |
| global warming or climate change | witchcraft or satanism | wind/solar energy |
| alternative fuel cars | global warming | endangered species |
| food safety | stimulus package | H1N1 Influenza A |
| child abuse | age discrimination | evolution vs. creationism |
| crystal meth/health | homeless families | welfare reform |
| harvesting human organs | violence in schools | tenure in higher education |
| retaining a first class workforce | Generation x, y, m | green jobs or green technology |
| aging/gerontology | cloning | women in the clergy |
| children and media | genetically modified food | death penalty/capital punishment |
| equal access & information | extremist groups | cyber warfare |
| health care reform | Al Qaeda | gay adoption |
| workplace safety | schools and poverty | extremist groups |
| stock market or Bernard Madoff | teenage pregnancy | invasive species |
| Osama bin Laden | eco-terrorism | world hunger |
| road rage | cosmetic surgery/teens | Woodstock |
| female genital mutilation | UFOs | hate crimes |
| holistic medicine | Generation Islam | technology & society |
| health/nutrition/exercise | extreme sports | body art |
| cell phones and driving | telemarketing | online dating |
| police brutality/abuse | racism | HOA's and owners rights |
| Napster/copyright | Economic Recovery Act | GAZA Strip |
| Antarctica melting | veterans rights | U.S. Patriot Act |
| human trafficking | Guantanamo Bay prisoners | light rail/monorails |
| local history | retirement security | psychic phenomenon |
| transgender issues | rape shield law | genetically modified food |
| elections and media | racial profiling | teens & driving |
| stem cell research | biological/chemical weapons | hacking/Internet security |
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| Lii.org (Librarians' Index to the Internet) is a well maintained source of quality web sites. |
Feedback
Please feel free to suggest other topics which you think would be good for papers or speeches.
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