Academics > Library > Research Help

Finding Topics for Papers and Speeches

The following sources may be helpful in either choosing a topic or in finding general information for a research paper or speech.

Web Sites

As with any Internet resource, the sites listed below are going to present information from different points of view, such as conservative, liberal, or religious. Be sure to look at the "About" page provided on most sites to determine the point of view or bias of the site or organization.

Best Information on the Net: Hot Paper Topics (St. Ambrose University)
A selection of current and/or controversial topics and links to resources about them.

The Brookings Institution: Research Topics

The Brookings Institution: Policy Briefs
Brookings Policy Briefs provide timely short, and informative analysis that bring background and recommendations on current issues to policymakers, journalists, and the general public.

Congressional Research Service Reports
Congressional reports on environmental topics.

CQ Researcher (Access is limited to 5 simultaneous users. Please logout when finished)
A weekly publication covering the most current and controversial issues of the day with complete summaries, insight into all sides of the issues, bibliographies and more.

CSA - Hot Topics Series
Comprehensive information on current issues with an overview of the subject, key citations with abstracts, and links to web sites.

Cursor
Highlights news stories and links to articles written in alternative publications. May be a great sit to generate a current-issue topic.

Documents in the News (Current Events)

FindLaw Constitutional Law Center: Hot Topics

FirstGov
Launched in September 2000, this is "the only official U.S. Government portal to 30 million pages of government information, services, and online transactions. Our site offers a powerful search engine that searches every word of every U.S. government document. - - "About" page

FrontLine
PBS series devoted to in-depth reporting of controversial and political issues.

Argumentative Essay Topics (Glendale Community College, AZ)

Homework Center: Social Issues

HOT TOPICS - scroll down to Hot Topics on the Web (San Diego State University)

Hot Topics (University of Louisville)

Idea Central
Find reports on policy issues by subject.

Idea Generator (Old Dominion University Libraries, VA)
Dosn't provide links to information BUT does give you hundreds of topic ideas. Click on each of of the subject areas for a list of topics.

International Affairs: News & Topics

Issue Information
Maintained by Project Vote Smart. Seeks to inform citizens with "factual, relevant, independent information."

Issues and Causes (YAHOO)

LexisNexis Congressional -Hot Bills & Topics (Thiel Access Only)
Covers U.S. Government Bills that have received national attention and selected topics on major issues of the day.

Librarians' Index to the Internet
A searchable, annotated subject directory with more than 12,000 web sites listed.

Speech and Term Paper Topics (Manhattan, NY Community College)

Media Awareness Network: Media Issues
Covers media issues such as Media Violence, Media Stereotyping, Online Hate, and Information Privacy.

General Reference Sources: Current Topics & Events (Montgomery College, MD)

National Issues
National issues with pros/cons with links to some articles and other relevant websites. Includes historical data and statistics.

NewsHour Index: The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Broadcasts
Look for a very handy list of topics on the left side of the page.

NewsLink
A listing of over 5400 newspapers around the world.

Hot Paper Topics (Northwest Missouri State University)
Page is designed for students writing position or persuasive papers.

OCLC Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS) - Hot Topics

PBS ONLINE NEWSHOUR: ONLINE BACKGROUNDERS

Politics1: Political Issues & Debates
Left, right, libertarian, radical ideologies and issues along with such topics as abortion, affirmative action, budget & taxes, campaign & plitical reform, .........

PUBLIC AGENDA ONLINE
Great source for colorful charts and quick facts. Only covers 19 topics such as abortion, crime and immigration issues.

Religious Tolerance Organization - Currently Active Conflicts

Hot Topics (Saint Mary's College of California Library)
Choose "Research" from the menu on the left of the screen, then click the "Hot Topics" link.

Science In the Headlines

Social Psychology Links
Topics include racism, sexism, civil rights, affirmative action, gender studies, interpersonal relationships, violence.

Society (GOOGLE)

SpeakOut.com - Issues
Showcases leading research, opinions and events shaping public policy on dozens of issues including education, the environment, technology, and healthcare.

Today's News & Hot Topics (CSU Fullerton, CA)