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TOPIC: Controversial Topics

Locate information about controversial issues for writing persuasive, pro / con or argumentative essays or speeches.

Your purpose is to convince your reader or listener of your point of view. You may want them to change their minds on particular subject or convince them to take a course of action or accept your perspective.

Persuasive essays may also be called argumentative essays or position arguments. In a successful essay or speech, you:

  • define the issue
  • take a clear position
  • make a convincing argument
  • acknowledge opposing views

Analyzing Point of View

By examining point of view in depth, students learn to critically evaluate statements made by experts and other participants in a debate on an issue. Some individuals or organizations might be advancing a particular viewpoint, while others take a more neutral position, seeking merely to inform the debate without advocating a particular point of view. Some questions to consider in analyzing statements: Does the person have a personal stake in the outcome of a controversy? Or is his or her intent merely to inform? How does knowing an individual's point of view affect the impact of that person's statement?

Definitions - The following definitions will help students in assessing viewpoint.

  • Bias - Prejudice or preconceived notion that causes a person to favor one person or side of the debate over another.
  • Moderate - Holding views that are neither excessive nor extreme.
  • Neutral - Not aligned with any side in a controversy, or with a particular political or ideological group.
  • Objective - An objective position is one based on fact, not influenced by personal feelings or prejudices.
  • Subjective - A subjective opinion is affected by personal viewpoint or experiences, rather

Background

As you start finding a topic, it helps to think about various aspects of a topic.

Locating a brief introduction to your topic can help you generate “touchpoints” that will lead you to other sources of information. Examples of these "touchpoints" fall mostly into these five categories:

  • Who
    Knowing the names of individuals, groups, or organizations connected to your topic will help you focus your search on information they've published.
  • What
    A summary of your topic will help you understand it better. It can also provide you with key words, specialized vocabulary, and definitions, all of which will be useful for future searches.
  • When
    If your topic has significant events associated with it, knowing what they are and when they happened will help you choose the best sources to consult (for example: historical databases). You can also use this information to narrow your search by date.
  • Where
    Sometimes places are important to a topic. For example: the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City (the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement) or Bhopal, India (the site of one of the world's worst industrial catastrophes caused by corporate negligence).
  • Why
    Getting background on why people are interested in your topic can help you develop an approach to your topic or help you craft an argument

If you haven't chosen a topic yet, there are many places to get ideas.  The Barksdale Library recommends these three:

Check the following websites for more ideas:

  • ProCon.org  - Website which promotes critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship by presenting research on controversial issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan, and primarily pro-con format.
  • Hot Topic Guides - Lists of research guides on hot topics from St. Ambrose University.
  • Rand Corporation – a nonprofit institution that addresses the challenges facing the public and private sectors around the world.  Their website contains research and hot topics.
  • 300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing - Recent Student Opinion and Picture Prompts, categorized by topic, to help students discover the issues that matter to them.
  • Pew Research Topics - Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research.

Remember that your topic may have to fit specific guidelines set by your instructor, and that you may have to broaden, narrow, or change the focus of your topic as you find more information.

What Next?

After you find a usable topic, then what?    You will need to find more information on other aspects of the topic.   Click the tabs at the top of the page to find more resources.  These will help you:

  • Research the issues surrounding the topic
  • Read other writers’ arguments for and against
  • Take a stand
  • Present supporting evidence in favor of your position
  • Make your case persuasively 

Helpful Tools

Idea Generator - looking for a research topic?  Access the Idea Generator provided by the Old Dominion University Libraries.

FactCheck -  This site monitors the accuracy of claims by politicians, political ads and chain e-mails. Cut through the spin and tell what is fact and what is not.

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