East Los Angeles College
This research guide provides a list of resources and strategies which may prove helpful when you need to research suitable topics for an argumentative essay. The library can provide you with a list of interesting topics for your project, but this is not a comprehensive list.
The resources covered in this guide will include some that are available through the ELAC Library, and others that are available freely on the Internet. This is only a starting point; for more detailed information come to the library and ask for a consultation at the Reference Desk.
Your research strategy might include some or all of the following:
Use reference sources to find an overview of your topic, or to find general background information on your topic
Use the library's online catalog to find books on your topic
Use the library's licensed databases to find journal, magazine, newspaper, and other types of articles on your topic
Use the Internet to find credible web sources on your topic
How do I find an overview or general background information about my topic?
Reference sources are a great place to start a research project. You can use reference sources to find topic summaries, overviews, and bibliographies for further reading on your topic. If you haven't decided on a point of view, an overview will help you focus your research and provide a context. Listed below are a few examples of reference works available through the ELAC Library:
The Encyclopedia Americana
Reference Collection (REF 030 Enc 1996 v. 1-30)
The New Encyclopaedia Britannica
Reference Collection (REF 031 New 2005 v. 1-32)
The World Book Encyclopedia
Reference Collection (REF 031 Wor 2005 v. 1-22)
How do I find books about my topic?
From the ELAC Library's web site, click the "Our Library Catalog" link to look for books on your topic. You can try typing your search words in the text box and clicking the "Words or Phrase" button (this is called a keyword search). Sometimes this method will bring back too many results, some of which might be irrelevant. In that case, try doing a "Subject" search. You can do a Subject search by typing your terms in the text box and clicking the "Subject" button. If you don't get any results, try using some of the official Library of Congress Subject Headings listed below:
Critical thinking
English language--Rhetoric
English language--Writing
Persuasion (Rhetoric)
Reasoning
Report writing
If you're still finding too much materials, try doing a "Power Search." Type in one of the above terms in the "Subject" box, then type another term that you might be interested in into the "Words or Phrase" box.
If you're still stuck trying to find and do research on a hot or controversial topic, you might find the following series of books at the ELAC library helpful. All you have to do is go to the library's online catalog, type the name of the series in the text box, and click the "Series" button.
At Issue
Current Controversies
Information Plus
Opposing Viewpoints
There is also another series of books that you might find useful. In order to find these, you'll need to do a "Title" search. From the library's online catalog type the following search terms in the text box and click the "Title" button:
Taking Sides Clashing Views
How do I find journal, magazine, newspaper, and other types of articles on my topic?
You can find full-text articles and biographical information by using these electronic databases:
Θ Important note: You will need a special username and password in order to access these databases remotely. Please come to the reference desk at the library to pick up the necessary access codes.
How do I find credible web sources on my topic?
In this section, "web pages" means the "free web"--web sites anyone can access--not web-based research tools like the databases that the library provides. The free web has a lot of great things to offer, but not all the sources found there are appropriate for academic research. How can you determine if the sources you've found are credible? Ask yourself the following questions:
Who created the site?
Can you determine if the author is an expert in the field?
What kind of an audience was the site created for? General adult population? Scientists? 3rd graders?
Can you determine if there is any kind of bias expressed in the site? Is the site trying to sell you a particular point of view?
When was the web page last revised?
What is the date range of the materials covered in the site?
What other resources (print & non-print) are available in this area?
What is the relative value of the web site in comparison to the range of information resources available on this topic?
You can try looking for relevant web sites on your own using subject directories like InfoMine, Open Directory Project, and the Librarian's Internet Index. As well, you can try some of the web sites listed below:
This site offers many topic choices. Click on the topic, a thesis statement is provided and web sites discussing both sides of the issue.
Public Policy Issues and Groups
Contains current issues from cloning to youth suicide. Each issues links to internet sites that provide more information.
provides topics with "on one hand and on the other hand" viewpoints (concept of pros and con).
How do I get more help finding sources for my topic?
If you feel like you need help getting started, finding more detailed materials, or if you have any questions in general, please feel free to come to the library and ask a reference librarian for help.
Last uptated 09/25/08 JA
Billy Pashaie: 9/24/06
© Helen Miller Bailey Library
East Los Angeles College