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Rhetoric Research Guide: Researching Opposing Viewpoints

Welcome to the Research Guide for Rhetoric.  Research projects for this course are specific in form and content. Please follow instructions provided in your syllabus and by your professor. The suggested databases are available linked from here and from the Electronic Resources section found on the library home page.  Print resources are available in the PHC on-campus collection or by mail to distance learning members of the PHC community.  You may check the location and availability of an item in the on-campus collection through the online catalog, Voyager .

As you begin your research, remember that the professor expects you to take a particular policy approach in both the Analysis of Controversy and the Persuasive speeches. If you missed the lecture on the distinction between a particular policy controversy and a general one, review your "Choosing a Policy Topic" hand out, an excerpt from which appears below. You may also check with a friend from class, and, if you still need clarification, check with the professor.  

The following is an excerpt from "Choosing a Policy Topic" hand out: 

What to look for:

  • Is this a topic that is currently being debated?
  • Can you identify specific groups of advocates on both sides of the issue?
  • Can you find at least five pieces of evidence for each side?
  • Can the controversy be stated as a particular policy proposition, such as,"The proposed policy of ____ should be adopted to solve the problem of _____"?

Professional library assistance is invaluable in this course and is available on campus, by phone at 540-441-8400, or by email at askalibrarian@phc.edu. 

 

Subject Specific Databases

CQ Researcher - Reports are published weekly on a topic of current interest. Reports include an introductory overview; background and chronology on the topic; an assessment of the current situation; tables and maps; pro/con statements from representatives of opposing positions; and bibliographies of key sources. Articles range from 1923-present. Browse by topic, by date, or search by keyword. With the number of years included, it may give you a way to look at how the attitudes and arguments have changed over time.

Congressional Digest Debates covers opposing views on current controversial issues. Documents are drawn from Congress, the Supreme Court, the United Nations and other international tribunals.

Stratfor is a news analysis provider that covers current political, economic, and military developments can provide background material for debates with international implications.

 

General Full-Text Databases

ProQuest - Periodical database covering a wide range of topics. The "Suggested Topics" box at the top of the results list can help you refine your search terms or look at different aspects of your topic. Check the box in the search or click on the tab in the results to limit your results to Scholarly Journals.

LexisNexis - Database of newspaper articles, broadcast news transcripts, SEC filings, tax law, state and federal cases, state and federal codes, elected officials, legistlative bills, primary sources in US history, and statistical tables.

JSTOR - Database of scholarly articles from a broad variety of disciplines. Articles are not added to JSTOR until they are at lease 3 years old. In Advanced Search you can check the box to include "articles outside of JSTOR" to find titles of articles published in recent years.

 

Internet 

Thomas is a government depository for Congressional information about proposed and approved legislation.

Heritage Foundation offers a variety of fully researched policy position papers promoting conservative positions.

Center for Strategic and International Studies offers research into many current and controversial subjects with international implications.

You may also check the  Electronic Resources page for think-tanks and other related sources.

 

Books

Search Voyager to find items in the PHC on campus collection on your specific subject.

The following book series provides an overview or examples of stances on a controversial issue. Remember that these are only an overview of one person’s opinion, not a sufficient base for an entire research project. Generally, references are provided for further research on the topic.

  • "Opposing Viewpoints" series - Each book is its own controversial topic. The library currently owns 4 books in the series: Nationalism, Patriot Act, Illegal Immigration, and Environment. NOTE: This series approaches policy controversies from a very general perspective, you will need more specific and substantive resources. 
  • "Taking Sides" Reference Library - Each book covers a variety of topics within a broader topic, i.e. controversial political issues. The PHC collection currently contains seven different topics: religion, world politics, moral issues, American history, world history, political issues, social issues.
  • Counterpoints - Each book presents the arguments on a theological contention. Some are not likely to be policy issues, such as views on the rapture, but others are, such as women in the ministry.

Don't forget to search  eBooks for more resources available immediately! 

  

Research Tips

  • Search by subject: Once you have located an item in the catalog, click on a subject term within the record to search for other items on the same subject.
  • Once you locate an appropriate resource, potential valuable resources may be listed in the item's bibliography.
  • If you you are unable to find what you need within the PHC on-campus or online collection, you may request an item or article through Interlibrary loan (ILL).   An ILL request may be placed directly through the library database WorldCat.  If you have difficulty placing a request, you may use the form provided in the Interlibrary loan section of the library website or the library staff will be glad to assist you.
  • Loudoun County Public Library's Purcellville branch, located on Main Street, is available to students.  The catalog is accessible online and a library card can be obtained with a PHC ID. 

Proper citation for any research paper is essential.  Please use the citation style required by your professor.  Citation guides are available in the library and library staff are available to guide your search.  Online citation helps are available at a variety of sites including OWL (Online Writing Lab). 

 Created: McConnell, 2007   Revised: Pensgard, 2009.  Revised Tallmon/Thornhill, 2010. Revised Tallmon/Pensgard, 2011, Revised Tallmon/Thornhill, 2012.