Controversial Topic Sources
Counterargument Topics: How to Begin...
1. Choose a Topic of Interest: Start by selecting a general area you're passionate about or curious about (e.g. Should college athletes be paid?)
2. Refine Your Topic: Look for an issue that has multiple viewpoints and is currently debated.
Look at the two databases, Explora Points of View and NewsBank and the two websites, ProCon and Pew Research Center for help with ideas.
3. Gather Information: Understand the context and what the issues are that makes the topic controversial.
4. Look for Credible Sources: Use mix of academic articles, reputable news outlets, and primary sources that can be found under the Library's Find Articles box. Consider using the AND operator to combine your topic with one or more of the following terms: controversy, debate, argument, dispute, opinion. e.g. College Athletes AND (Controversy OR debate OR argument OR dispute OR opinion).
5. Contact the Library for more information: Drop-in, Email: library@cuchicago.edu, Call 708-209-3050 or Make an appointment on Navigate.
Points of View Explora (Database)
BEST FOR: Exploring and Discovering Popular Topics
- Points of View Reference Source - ExploraPoints of View is designed to assist researchers in understanding the full scope of controversial subjects. Undergraduate students can use Points of View as a guide to debating, developing arguments, writing position papers, and developing critical thinking skills.
NewsBank (Database)
BEST FOR: Discovering and Exploring Topics by Subject
- NewsBank This link opens in a new windowNewsBank consolidates current and archived information from thousands of newspaper titles, as well as newswires, web editions, blogs, videos, broadcast transcripts, business journals, periodicals, government documents and other publications
Pro/Con (Credible Website)
BEST FOR: Exploring and Discovering Topics by Newsworthiness, Categories, and Alphabetically
- ProCon.orgProCon.org serves as a non-biased information source for our users, presenting pros and cons of debatable issues and reference information on those issues. Owned by Britannica Group producer of the famed Encyclopedia Britannica
Pew Research (Credible Website)
BEST FOR: Research Topics & Publications on a Wide Variety of Issues including by Regions & Countries & via Different Formats e.g. Fact Sheets, Features, Videos & Data Essays
- Pew Research CenterA nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world by conduction data-driven social science research.