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ENGL Rivers - Position Argument

Research and Databases

Read This Before Narrowing Your Topic

OneSearch Tutorial

This video tutorial will help you become more familiar with OneSearch - the Pellissippi State Libraries' main tool for searching books, articles, news reports, and statistics.

Your essay must include references to two of the texts we read for class AND at least one (maximum of two) that we did not. Note the deadline for submitting an outside source. You’re responsible for finding and evaluating a credible source from outside sources. The New York Times—to which you have a free subscription—may be an excellent place to begin). Be sure you evaluate the credibility of your sources. Shoddy evidence/sources equals a shoddy argument.

We’ve discussed the current debates about Voting. For your third formal writing assignment, choose one of the following:

  1. In the readings for this topic, the writers agree that Election Day should be made a national holiday. However, there is much debate about this subject; in their respective texts, the authors identify and address the main points of opposition. After reading all these arguments and considering the pros and cons of both sides, write an essay in which you take a position on this question: Should Election Day be made a National Holiday

  1. As some of the authors we’ve read identify, the low voter turn-out in recent elections is a major point of concern. The debate about how to improve these rates rages. After reading all the articles and considering the pros and cons of both sides, write an essay in which you take a position on this question: Should voting be made compulsory? If so, why and what would be the outcome? If no, why not; what would be the result?

Database Tools

OneSearch covers a wide variety of academic & popular topics and it searches many of our databases simultaneously. For more focused research, try SIRS Issues Researcher or Opposing Viewpoints in Context on the other tabs. 

Select Keywords

Keywords are the words you will use to find information about your topic. These are the words you type into OneSearch or into one of our databases to find your sources. Let's Practice!

Research Topic: The negative effects plastic has on oceans
Keywords: plastic, pollution, ocean, health, marine, trash 
Research Topic: The environmental benefits of driving an electric car
Keywords: electric cars, environment

These topics are well-covered by academic research. "Ask a Librarian" if you need more assistance choosing good keywords to find your sources. If you aren't finding useful information, try using different keywords:

  • sea instead of ocean
  • vehicle or automobile instead of car

Select Keywords

Keywords are the words you will use to find information about your topic.  These are the words you will type in the search box in the Library's OneSearch or in one of the Library databases. 

These topics are well-covered by academic research. "Ask a Librarian" if you need more assistance choosing good keywords to find your sources.

 

Select Keywords

Keywords are the words you will use to find information about your topic.  These are the words you will type in the search box in the Library's OneSearch or in one of the Library databases. 

These topics are well-covered by academic research. "Ask a Librarian" if you need more assistance choosing good keywords to find your sources.