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Before going to books, articles, or web sites it's a good idea to do some background research. This will give you some idea of the scope of your topic, its history, and standard theories or research. Knowing that, you will not only be able to narrow or expand your subject as needed, but you will also have some kind of standard with which you can evaluate the value of the sources you discover. In background research you are looking for an explanation by an established expert in the field that is comprehensive, up-to-date, and non-biased. One of the best places to look for background information is in specialized encyclopedias. To locate specialized encyclopedias in the College of Dupage Library, you will need to know what Library of Congress call number represents your subject. For example, if you were doing a speech on a medical topic, you would want to browse the call letter "R" in the reference area; for a topic of crime you would be in the call letter "HV". Articles found in the CQ Researcher or Issues and Controvieries on File also make excellent sources of background information since they are written as objective overviews.
Books may be an appropriate source to find information on your topic. Books in the COD Library are considered reputable sources, but they may not contain the most up to date information on the topic. Use the Library Catalog to do a subject search on your topic. If you don't locate anything with a subject search, try a keyword search to look for essays or chapters in books. If you still aren't finding anything ask at the Reference Desk in person, by phone at 630-942-3364, or online.
The following are whole series of books that specifically cover controversial issues. Many of these will lay out specific arguments for each topic. Clicking on the series name will take you to the list of the titles we own.
Articles are best for the most current information. Remember that some articles may be slanted, so it's important to evaluate them against your background research. You will need to have your library card to access these databases from off campus.
If you see a 
, you can click on it for a short tutorial on how to use that database.
Speech students often use statistics as attention getters or to support arguments. Statistics may be found in books, in articles, or at reliable web sites. When using statistics it is important to keep in mind the source of the statistics. Some things to consider include: what exactly is being counted, are the statistics from a reliable group or organization, are they reasonably current, can they be verified from a second source? Some good sources for statistics are:
Opinion pieces, such as editorials or polls are particularly useful for persuasive speeches. Some soures you may want to consult are:
Quotations from experts will usually be found in the sources that you are using in your research: articles, interviews, etc. For more literary or historical quotations, you may want to consult some of the Library's books of collected quotations. Most of these can be found in the reference collection at the call number PN 6081.... Some of the more familiar titles include:
Audiovisual aids can be very important visuals that help make your point. You may find illustration, charts, or diagrams in the reference books you used for background research or in books or magazines in the Library. The Library has the necessary equipment for you to make copies or transparencies (black and white or color) or to scan pictures onto a disk.
You may also use the Library catalog to locate videos or other types of media. Just do a subject search on your topic and limit the results to the material type you are looking for.
The web is also a good place to find visual aids and there are now several search engines that make the process easier. A Google Image or Video search is usually very helpful.
Some other sources on the web include:
You may also want to refer to the Library's list on online image resources.
Students often turn to the web as the first source for information. It may be the most convenient, but it is not always the most reliable source. Anyone can publish a web site. You will find lists of reliable websites in the articles in CQ Researcher or Issues and Controversies, as well as in the bibliogrpahies of many of the reference sources you consulted above. You may also want to consult some of htese well-respected subject directories:
For more information about preparing your speech, please refer to your textbook, consult with your professor, or make an appointment with the Speech Assistance Area.
Feel free to contact the Reference Desk or the Communications Librarian for help researching your topic.
This guide was last updated July 23, 2007. A collaborative project of the C.O.D. Speech Department and the Library.
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