Persuasive+Research+Project



To access the databases from home, go to Destiny. Click on First Colonial High School on the lower right. Log in as you would at school. The links are on the right under the heading "Online Databases from Home." Use the usernames and passwords, which are provided as needed for specific databases.

Use the following resources to find information - citations are done for you!!!


 * Gale's Opposing Viewpoints in Context Select a topic from the subject list (use "View All" to expland each category's topics list), or search for your topic by subject or (if that fails) keyword. Scroll down, and click "View All..." to choose from the following types of articles: viewpoints (pro/con), reference (factual), news, academic journals, statistics, and magazines. You'll find selected web sites, videos, images, and audio files too. They give you the citations!


 * Proquest's SIRS Leading Issues Select a topic from the subject list, or search for your topic by subject or (if that fails) keyword. In the "Topic Overview" box on the left, click on the "more..." link. Under the "Pro/Con Issues" heading, select a sub-topic of interest to you. Then, use the articles listed under the "Yes and "No" headings in the middle of the page, or scroll down for many more articles to browse. Limit your results by clicking on the links on the left to magazine, newspaper, viewpoints (pro/con), and reference (factual), and selected web sites. Click on the "Graphics / Media" link on the left for pictures. Citations are given to you!


 * Gale's Global Issues in Context Click on "Browse Topics and Regions," and select a topic, or conduct a search. Then it works the same as Opposing Viewpoints (above). They give you the citations!


 * ABC-Clio: Issues Click on "Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society." Click on "Explore an Issue," and select one, or conduct a search. Read the Overview article in the center, and use the links on the left for additional articles. They give you the citations!


 * Pro v. Con set of books - Use the index at the back of volume 24 to determine the volume that includes your topic, and use the Table of Contents in the correct volume to determine if there is a viewpoint article that you can use.
 * Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. "Title of Article." //Pro v. Con//. Vol. #. Danbury, CT: Grolier, Date of Publication. Print.


 * Other Books - Conduct a subject or keywork search in the library's book catalog in Destiny to find books of interest to you. Write down the call number of each so that you can find them in the stacks.

For citations help or to create digital note cards or outlines, go to Easy Bib, or click on this document for model citations:

Need help developing a thesis statement? Consider the following criteria:

- Must indicate the narrowed topic of your paper. - Must indicate the subtopics you will cover in your paper. - Must indicate your opinion on the issue.
 * Example: not just drug abuse, but the causes of teen drug abuse
 * Example: factors that cause teen drug abuse are family influence, peer influence, and self-esteem issues.
 * Example: Although there are many causes of teen drug abuse, such as family influence and self-esteem issues, the factor that is most significant is peer influence.