Persuasive Research

Maine South High School
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Persuasive Issues

Print Resources ~ Physical and digital books prepared by subject-area experts presenting primary and secondary source information as well as statistics, images, facts, and/or narrative.

  • Most print resources on Social and Political Issues will be located in the 300's and 600's.
  • Print resources on specific topics may be found by searching the Online Catalog for books.

eBooks ~ eBooks on Social Issues from Gale Virtual Reference Library

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Databases ~ Special collections of information prepared by subject-area experts available digitally in a variety of formats. Invisible to search engines such as Google.

CQ Researcher reports cover a wide range of political and social issues, including topics in health, international affairs, education, the environment, technology and the U.S. economy. ~ Reports on social and political issues

Search the Student Research Center for magazines, newspapers, reference articles, and primary documents. Search NoveList for reviews, annotations and much more for over 125,000 fiction titles. ~ Magazine and newspaper articles

eLibrary~ Click the Topic Tab to explore subjects; continue to click to advanced to subtopics and articles.

Search Issues & Controversies for authoritative, up-to-date, in-depth and objective information on the most prominent and hotly debated issues of the day. ~ Click More Research Topics under the Need a Topic? Tab to view a list of broad topics. Click on a broad topic to view the questions associated with each issue and the accompanying subtopics. Click on a subtopic to view the Issues & Controversies reports.

Newsbank carries articles from U.S. and international sources covering politics, science, social science, and arts/culture. ~ Newspaper articles from U.S. and international sources. Social Issues Topic List

Search Opposing Viewpoints for viewpoint, reference, periodical, and primary source articles on social and political issues. ~ Use the Read Speaker Dashboard pictured here: Read Speaker Dashboard to listen to any Opposing Viewpoints document. You may also download articles as an mp3 file. Transfer the file to your iTunes library or other mp3 library and listen to the article.

Options to begin your research:

  • Select a topic from the list on the Opposing Viewpoint homepage.
  • Critical Thinking Topic Tree ~ Select a topic from this list to obtain introductory and pro/con articles on your topic.
  • Conduct a Subject Guide Search by entering a topic in the subject search box, click search and click Subdivisions or Related Subjects to narrow your search or view related topics.

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Science Resource Center ~ Reference, magazine, journal, and newspaper articles on science topics and issues

Search SIRS Renaissance for reference information in the arts and humanities. ~ Magazine and newspaper articles in the arts and humanities. Options to begin your research:

  • Enter a topic in the Subject Headings box and click search.
  • Click Browse Topics to explore a broad subject, subtopics, and articles.

Search SIRS Researcher for reference information in social issues, health, science, and business. ~ Options to begin your research:

  • Enter a topic in the Subject Headings box and click search.
  • Select an issue from the Leading Issues list.
  • Select a Top 10 PRO vs. CON Issue.

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Search Student Resource Center Gold for reference, periodical, and primary source articles as well as maps and images across all subject areas. ~ Reference, magazine, newspaper, and primary sources

Search Today's Science for scientific journals, magazines, and newspapers covering health, the environment, technology, life science, physical science, earth and space science, and science and society.~ Options to begin your research:

  • Click Need a Topic? to view a list of broad topics. Click on a TOPIC to view the questions and issues associated with that topic. Click on subheadings and article titles to view information.
  • Select a topic from the Issues and Controversies in Science list.

Search World News Digest for events, people, issues, facts, and figures from 1940 to the present. World News Digest also delivers maps, photographs, historic documents, and special overviews of key issues, newsmakers, and events since 1940. ~ Click Need a Topic? to view a list of broad topics. Click on a TOPIC to view the questions and issues associated with that topic. Click on subheadings and article titles to view information.

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Internet Resources

Consider these questions carefully when you seek information sources on the Web:

Accuracy:
1) Are the original sources clear and documented?
2) Is a bibliography provided citing the sources used?

Authority:
1) Is it clear who is responsible for the information?
2) Are the author's qualifications for writing on this topic clearly stated?
3) Is there a means to contact the author for more information (address, email, web site)?

Objectivity:
1) Is the information objective or subjective, fact or opinion?
2) Does it reflect bias? How?
3) Is a balance of perspectives represented?
4) Could the information be construed as humorous, a parody, or satire?

Relevance:
1) Is the information helpful or useful?
2) Is the information too broad or too narrow to answer your question or provide information?

Reliability:
1) Does the information come from a school, business, personal, or professional source?
2) What's the purpose of the information resource: to inform, instruct, persuade, entertain, or sell? What's their motive?

Timeliness:
1) Does the currency of information matter with the particular topic?
2) How current are the sources, copyright dates, and links (web sites)?

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Last update: 11/10/09