Selecting A Topic - ENGL 1301 - Comp 1 - Argumentative/Persuasive Research

Finding a Topic

Ideas for interesting Argumentative/Persuasive paper topics are everywhere! You can find them in the news, online and of course in the library. One of the best places to being looking is our Opposing Viewpoints database. From there you can browse through a list of current controversial topics, or search for one on your own.

Selecting a Topic - Resources

These websites are collections of controversial and current topics. A great place to begin browsing for ideas!

Times Topics The New York times collection of popular news topics. Each topic page collects all the news, reference and archival information, photos, graphics, audio and video files published on a variety of topics.
A to Z list of Research Topics A detailed list of topics designed to inspire research from the University of Exeter
Top 100 Research Paper Topics A selection of topics broken down by category from Midway University
National Archives - Research Topics A selection of topics utilizing primary sources from the national archives
Topic Suggestions for Argumentative Research Paper Suggestions of topics and helpful do's and don'ts on selecting a topic for an argumentative/persuasive paper.
Choicework Discussion Starters Based on decades of research and experience concerning how average citizens think and talk about issues, Public Agenda's Choicework Discussion Starters are designed to help people think and talk productively about public problems.
Pew Research Center Topics A detailed listing of Pew Research Center polling and demographic topics and subjects

Another Great place to look is the front page of your favorite newspaper. These topics are very current and often people have many different opinions on these issues. In other words, they are perfect starting points for an argumentative paper. You can go to the website of your favorite newspaper, or you can browse hundreds of newspapers through several of our library newspaper databases.

Newsbank (America's Newspapers) This link opens in a new window Newspapers.
Newspaper Source Plus This link opens in a new window Newspaper articles, newswires, television and radio transcripts.

Newspapers

10,000 ideas for term papers, projects, reports, & speeches by Lamm, Kathryn This guide covers 130 categories, with each topic keyed to level of difficulty, availability of research material, and possibilities for variation. Two copies are available at the second floor reserve desk.
Call Number: LB1047.3 .L35 1995 Reserve Desk

Video Tutorial - Picking a Topic

From North Carolina State University