issues

Controversial Issues

When researching controversial issues, it's very important that you select a topic that really interests you.

1.		Evaluating information for bias, or different points of view.
1.		Skim through potential topics on the Opposing Viewpoints Database and select an issue. Look for bias. Find and print an article in support of the issue and one against the issue. Read both articles and highlight important information. Note the key points of your issue on the Key Points Graphic Organizer, indicating where the information came from so that you can refer to it later.

2.		Determine your position on the issue, develop a thesis statement with a list of questions.
2.		Use the Question Sheet 1 graphic organizer to develop a thesis statement and supporting questions on the background of your issue. Look for a specific example of your selected issue. Ask yourself if there are any laws, legislation and / or court cases pertaining to your issue. Try to find another article from a database with this information. Be sure that you understand the oppositions position. Use Question Sheet 2 to develop supporting questions that focus on the opposition. Try locating a website that represents your opposition. Evaluate it carefully for quality and credibility. For help determining the quality of information found on the Internet, refer to: Evaluating Information Found on the Internet.

3.		Determine your position and propose a way to effectively deal with the issue.
3.		Use the Question List 3 graphic organizer to develop questions that support your position. Consider statistics, numerical facts that can support and strengthen your position. Use only accurate information found on credible sources (both print and online). Properly cite all sources used using. Refer to a Citation Generator for proper MLA format.

Index of Issues offering both pro and con arguments

Multnomah County Library - Social Issues: www.multcolib.org/homework/sochc.html

University of Washington Libraries - Opposing Views: www.lib.washington.edu/mcnews/opposingviews/

Hot Topics
offering both pro and con arguments

Animal Rights (animal experimentation, factory farming, etc.): www.dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Animal_Welfare/Animal_Rights/

Gun Control: www.dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Gun_Control/

Death Penalty / Capitol punishment: www.dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Crime_and_Justice/Death_Penalty/

Environment (climate change, development, energy, genetic engineering, ozone depletion, pollution, waste and recycling, etc.) : www.dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Environment/

Euthanasia / Assisted suicide:

Internet Search Tips

Type the URL (web site address) of a search directory/engine in the address box: ex: www.google.com or
http://scholar.google.com/, etc.
(Be sure to type the address exactly the way you see it, including any uppercase letters and punctuation).
Type in keyword(s). (If your keyword has two parts such as: "capital punishment", be sure to put quotes around it so
that the search engine only finds the Internet sites on capital punishment as opposed to all of the sites containing the word
capital plus all of the sites containing the word punishment.
If you would like to search for something specific about capital punishment, try a combined keyword search by adding a comma followed by a space and your other search term. For instance; if I wanted to explore the controversy and debate over capital punishment, I would enter the following:

"capital punishment", controversy, debate

Hit Enter on your keyboard, or click on Search, then scan the description of the "hits" (entries) and click on the links that sound best.
Be sure to evaluate each Internet site for the following:

Authority: Can you tell if the author is credible (believable)?
Objectivity: Is the information objective (honest and free of bias)?
Currency: Is the information recent and up-to-date?
Design: Is the site designed in a clear and user friendly way?
Navigation: Is the site easy to navigate through, and are all links current and usable?

For help evaluating information found on the Internet, refer to the guides listed in Evaluating the Quality of Information listed above.

REMEMBER TO CITE EVERY RESOURCE YOU USE in gathering your information on a
Works Cited (Bibliography) page. Use the Works Cited Guide to access MLA format.

Created by Liza Zandonella, Library Media Specialist.

Home