Brainstorm
Before you start writing, take some time to think about what you want to write about. What topic is interesting to you? Then do some research to learn more about the issue BEFORE you take a stance.
Padlet gives you a blank wall. You and your students can put anything you want on it, anywhere. Simple, yet powerful.
Create professional-quality flowcharts, organizational charts, UML diagrams, network diagrams, wireframes, technical drawings and more. Gliffy works directly in your browser, no downloads necessary. Free account allows 5 public diagrams, no private ones.
Lucid charts redesigns the entire diagramming process to make it as easy as possible. Make flow charts, wireframes, mind maps, and organization charts.
Popplet is a tool for the iPad and web to capture and organize your ideas.
Skill Module: Choosing a Topic
This module walks through the process of choosing a viable topic, and transforming that topic into a research question.
Review the boxes on each tab, including the questions at the bottom to check for understanding. Once you have reviewed the tabs, complete the quiz at the end.
Background Information
Reference sources can be a great place to go for general background information, definitions, and overviews of a particular topic. Not finding what you need? Just ask a librarian!
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Credo Reference via NCLIVECredo is a database of background content, containing full-text entries to help learn the basics of any topic. Start your research here to focus your topic, find keywords and people, and discover more in-depth books and articles.
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Gale eBooksSearch individual or multiple online encyclopedias and dictionaries covering a wide range of subjects, from science to education to history.
Topic Databases
These databases organize their content by topic to help you find information on current issues. Not all the articles in these databases represent opinions. Some provide information that may help you support your argument, bring in another perspective, or help you refute an opposing argument.
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Opposing ViewpointsOpposing Viewpoints in Context is the premier online resource covering todays hottest social issues, from capital punishment to immigration, to violent video games.
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Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Researcher via NCLIVEIn-depth coverage of some of the most controversial topics of our day in health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy.
Biographical Information
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Gale in Context: Biography via NCLiveAuthoritative reference content alongside magazine and journal articles, primary sources, and multimedia on more than 750,000 individuals. Continuously updated with new biographies.
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Biography Reference Center via NCLiveContains more than 430,000 full-text biographies. In addition to searching the names of individuals, users can also search by occupation, nationality, and publication, to pull larger groups of people.
Statistics & Data
You can find additional resources on our Statistics Guide, or ask a librarian for help!
