Argumentative Essay Resources

Find ARTICLES and REPORTS:

To find articles and reports, search the online databases suggested below.
You will need passwords to access the databases from off-campus.

Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
Access viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles on controversial topics.

Issues & Controversies
In-depth reports on current and controversial topics.

CQ Researcher
Comprehensive, non-biased reporting and analysis on issues shaping our world. Each report includes a Pro/Con section.

Academic Search Premier
General topic database that covers many topics. Includes articles from journals, magazines, and newspapers.

Newspaper Source Plus 
Provides cover-to-cover full text for 149 national & international newspapers and selective full text for 410 U.S newspapers; also contains full-text television & radio news transcripts.

Find BOOKS:

Online Library Catalog
Use the online library catalog to search for materials in the library such as books, videos, etc.

“Words or phrase” search tips:

• Choose a word or two to describe your topic.
• Remember to vary your terms if you do not find any results.
  
  Example: “death penalty” vs. “capital punishment”

“Series” search tips:

• Books in the following series are specifically designed to help students write argument-based papers:
  
  Opposing Viewpoints
  At Issue
  The Reference Shelf
  Point Counterpoint
  
  Just type the title of one of these series into the search box to get a list of books covering various issues.
• If you are having trouble coming up with a topic, searching by series title is a good way to get some ideas.

NetLibrary
NetLibrary is an online database that contains full-text books and audio books. This database contains all types of books including biographies, fiction, nonfiction, and even literary criticism!

You will need a password to access this database from off-campus.

WEBSITE:

Public Agenda
Provides non-biased public opinion research.

MLA Citation Help:

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th and 7th editions are available.) There are copies located on the second floor of the library in Reference and the General Collection.
7th edition (2009) - LB 2369 .G53 2009

Cite Your Sources (MLA)
This website was created by a PCC Librarian and includes examples of how to cite various resources.

Need Help? Ask a Librarian!