Speech Issues Research Guide - LSC-North Harris

Starting Point

Think about your topic and what are you trying to answer.
Explore the following resources to help you find a topic:
- Issues and Controversies from Facts on File
- Opposing Viewpoints
Choose Key Words

These words are the main concepts of your topic statement. Before you begin looking for information, select up to 3 key words to begin your research. To save time, generate a list of related key words to use for back up information searches.

SAMPLE TOPIC: Schools Should Install Metal Detectors to Prevent Violence

Example:
PRIMARY SUBJECT: school violence
KEY WORDS: metal detectors, guns, schools, violence
RELATED WORDS: firearms, safety, shootings, students

Find e-books, streaming videos, and articles from magazines, newspapers, and journals.	Use your 14-digit library barcode number for off-campus access (the number is on the back of your student ID). Don't have an ID? Get one from the library. Distance students can fill out the online request form.
Academic Search Complete - for articles Video Tutorial Biography Reference Bank - for biographical articles Video Tutorial ProQuest Newspapers - articles of the major national newspapers
For additional databases see: Research Databases: Current Issues.

Find books, e-books, DVDs, and more.

Enter search terms.
Browse search results and click on the title to view the detailed item record.
Scroll to the bottom for availability, collection, location, and call number.
To find the book on the shelf you will need the complete call number.
To request a book from another location, click "request first available copy" then type in your library barcode number and your PIN.

Library Catalog Video Tutorials

Searching the Catalog

Web Sites

Here are some helpful websites about preparing and presenting your speech:

Speech Anxiety Is Just Extra Energy from Ron St. John, Instructor of Communication at Maui Community College (HI)
Video on effective presentation skills by Douglas Jefferys

Locate writing help on the Web at the following sites:

Bartleby.com Reference (includes dictionary, encyclopedia, thesauri, quotation collections, word usage, etc.)
Elements of Style (classic composition guide)
Information Please (includes almanac, dictionary, & encyclopedia)

Citation Help

Keep track of all of the information and sources you used during your research.
Ask your professor about the required citation style.
Consult Citation Help Guide from LSC-North Harris Library to help you construct your citations.

Each citation should answer the questions:

Who wrote the material you are using?
What did the author(s) entitle the piece he/she/they wrote?
Where and when was it published (for a book, what city; for an article, which periodical)?
If it's an article or a chapter, what pages is your source on?

Search all North Harris Library research guides:

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