Debate Topics Research Guide
Databases
Books
Selected Websites
Databases
CQ Researcher
Weekly reports on topics of current interest, with pro and con arguments.
Issues and Controversies
Current in-depth information on the most prominent and hotly debated issues of the day.
LexisNexis Academic
Newspaper and magazine articles, including editorials and other opinion pieces.Boston Globe
1980 to present.Boston Herald
7/26/1991 to present.Polling the Nations
Results from over 12,000 surveys on a variety of topics. Limited to one user at a time.
Books
The following series of books are particularly useful for putting together a debate. The series listed below devote entire books to single topics. Titles in these series often present unique and interesting arguments on a topic. Search for these titles and others in the Library Catalog.
Contemporary World Issues Reference Collection, call numbers vary
Individual titles, such as Hate Crimes, Violence in the Media, and World Poverty, include background information, further readings, chronologies, and more.At Issue Circulating Collection, call numbers vary
Opinion essays reprinted from newspapers, magazines, and scholarly journals. Titles include Teen Suicide, UFOs, and Internet Piracy.Current Controversies Circulating Collection, call numbers vary
Each volume focuses on a specific social, political, or economic topic, such as homeland security or animal rights.Opposing Viewpoints Circulating Collection, call numbers vary
Pro and con arguments on a variety of current topics, including human cloning, domestic violence, and drug abuse.
These reference books provide background information and statistics to support your argument.
Editorials on File [X] D839 .E3
Editorials dating back to 1970 from newspapers across the United States.Historic Documents [X] E839.5 .H57
Presidential and congressional documents dating back to 1972.Statistical Abstract of the United States [X] HA202 .A75
Statistics from the U.S. census. Also available online at the Census Bureau website.
Websites
FedStats
Statistics from over 100 federal agencies, arranged by topic.Best Information on the Net
Collections of websites by topic, representing wide ranges of opinion.Debatabase
Maintained by the International Debate Education Association, this site lists pro and con arguments, motions, and links for dozens of topics.openDemocracy
This forum covers a wide range of global issues, conflicts, and debates.
