Advanced Writing in the Disciplines (AWD) : Argumentative research

Northeastern University is committed to the principles of intellectual honesty and integrity and to respecting intellectual property.  See detailed guidelines for Academic Integrity Policy as set by Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR).

Also check out the subject guide on Plagiarism and How to Avoid It

Start by writing a question or statement that describes your topic.  For example:

• How can architects design buildings that are both aesthetically pleasing and in keeping with the goals of sustainability? 

• The bank bailouts didn't help the U.S. economy.

• Wikipedia is an important research tool.

• Is it a good idea to legalize marijuana?

Specialized search tools to find issues and opinions include:

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

  CQ Researcher full text collection covering major issues with an overview article, pros and cons, chronology (timeline of the issue), along with a bibliography. NOTE: Browse through topics-- there are a manageable number of titles.

Academic Search Premier will search and link to CQ Researcher full text. And it will help with your MLA bibliography. Don't forget to check the CITATION tab on the webpage for additional citation help.

LexisNexis Academic  has a Hot Topics box on their search page---here's a sample of recent topics