Library Guides: COMP-101 Composition I: Research Starters: Issues, Controversies, & Hot Topics

ProCon

ProCon.org

"Our Mission: Promoting critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship by representing controversial issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan, and primarily pro-con format." (Taken from "About Us" on website).

ProCon.org offers a wide range of debate topics, presenting both sides of key issues to encourage critical thinking and informed discussions.

See:

Debate Topics - https://www.procon.org/debate-topics/
Sample Citations - https://www.procon.org/background-resources/how-to-cite-procon-org-in-bibliographies/

CQ Researcher

CQ Researcher

Provides in-depth coverage of current issues related to health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy.
More database information from CQ Press.

Provides in-depth original, comprehensive reporting and analysis on issues in the news. Offers unbiased and authoritative coverage of political, social, and cultural issues, with regular reports on a wide range of topics including health, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, the U.S. economy, crime, and civil liberties.

Includes:
  • background information,
  • chronology,
  • maps,
  • charts,
  • current issues,
  • pros/cons, and more.

opens new windowCQ Researcher Overview (4:04 mins.)
opens new windowTutorial (2:28 mins.)

Points of View Reference Center

Provides essays that present multiple sides of current issues, each with an overview (objective background/description), point (argument), counterpoint (opposing argument), and a Guide to Critical Analysis.

Current, controversial topics with multiple sides supported by articles, primary sources, news briefs, interviews, and more.

Browse topics by category or try a basic keyword search. Includes magazines, newspapers, academic journals, radio and TV transcripts, international newspapers, and more.