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Current and Controversial Topics

Need to find quality sources on controversial topics? A guide to sources for argumentative papers and persuasive papers

Choosing a Topic

Often the hardest part of any research asignment is thinking of a topic to research! Below are some tips in helping you choose a topic:

  1. Interest --> Choose a topic that you are interested in!
  2. Knowledge --> It is possible to be interested in a topic that you may not know anything about (in the beginning)!  Read about the issue (article, encyclopedia) beforehand to get a grasp of terminology and background on your topic.

Search for Books

How to Find Books

You may search the Hoffman Family Library's Online Catalog to search for the books and other items we physcially have available in the library.  To view our eBooks and online periodicals, you may search any of the library's databases. You can search by "keyword," "author," "title," or "subject."


Bibliographies are lists of books, articles, or other materials such as films and manuscripts.  They are often overlooked resources for related sources; some may be annotated, with short descriptions.  A well-organized, carefully selected and annotated bibliography can lead you to the most relevant and best sources on your topic!