Before you can construct an effective argument, you must first have a solid understanding of your topic. As you read, take notes on key themes and ideas that you can use to research further.
What kinds of information will you need?
Background Information is crucial to understanding your issue. This includes:
Important definitions of words and concepts associated with your topic
Important people, dates, events (who / what / where / when)
Demographic data and statistics
Reference sources are a great place to start your research. These resources provide a broad overview of your topic (the who, what, where, when, and why). Types of material include encyclopedias, almanacs, and dictionaries, or even sites like Wikipedia.
Before you can construct an effective argument, you must first have a solid understanding of your topic. Below are resources that provide a broad overview of a particular issue. As you read, take notes on key themes and ideas that you can use to research further. For very current topics that are constantly in flux, take a step back and see if you can tie that into broader themes.
Includes the complete encyclopedia, as well as a Merriam-Webster dictionary and thesaurus.
Formerly Gale Virtual Reference Library. A database of over 1,000 reference ebooks, such as encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.
Offers international viewpoints on a broad spectrum of global issues, topics, and current events. Featured are hundreds of continuously updated issue and country portals that bring together a variety of specially selected, highly relevant sources for analysis of social, political, military, economic, environmental, health, and cultural issues.
Find overviews, news, and opinions on hundreds of today's important social issues.
A full-text database designed to provide students with a series of essays and materials from leading political magazines, newspapers, radio and TV news transcripts, primary source documents, and reference books that present multiple sides of a current issue. The database provides 200 topics, each with an overview (objective background/description), point (affirmative argument), and counterpoint (opposing argument).
Statistical Collections:
Categorized into over 20 market sectors, Statista provides business customers, researchers, and the academic community with direct access to relevant quantitative facts on media, finance, politics, and many more areas of interest.
Access data on social, behavioral, humanistic, and natural sciences including history, economics, government, finance, sociology, demography, education, law, natural resources, climate, religion, international migration, and trade - quantitative facts of American History.
Below is a small selection of valuable resources to get started.
Can I use Wikipedia? Yes! Wikipedia is an excellent resources for gaining a basic understanding of a current topic. As with any reference source, you should not directly quote evidence from Wikipedia into your paper, but you may use it to inform the direction of your research.
What about ChatGPT or other AI sources? If you are using AI as a starting point to gain some basic knowledge on your topic, or a list of resources to explore, use with caution. Remember that AI platforms are not objective, and may not always provide factual information either. Bias in your initial question can lead to bias in the results. Remember that you must cite any AI prompts that you use.