Research Guides: Persuasive Essays: Websites

Web Searching Tips

site:search only within a specific site site:www.stanford.ed
filetype:find a type of file: PDF, DOC, TXT filetype:PDF
define:find definitions for a word define audacity
intitle:find words in the title of the webpage intitle:inspirational
..get ranges of numbers, dates, or prices presidents 1800..1900
word * word find other combinations of words between words
- wordsearch for homer, but NOT simpsons homer - simpsons
"word" find exact words - no synonyms or plurals "peace" "freedom"
"set of words" search for exact set of words, quotes or phrases "I have a dream"

Calculations:

+-*/add, subtract, multiply, divide12+68
% of percentage of a number12% of 68
cos() sin()trigonometry: cos, sin, tan, arcsin…cos(68)
km to miles convert units: temp (C to F), weight (kg to lbs) 100 km to miles

News Sites

Government Websites

U.S. Census Bureau: American FactFinder

Population, housing, community, economic and geographic data from U.S. Census Bureau's surveys and censuses.
ERIC (Education Resources Information Center)

The world's largest source of education information, with more than 1 million abstracts of documents and journal articles on education research and practice.

United Nations Statistics Division

Fact Checking Websites

Do not forget to check the "About" sections of these websites...

Websites focused on current issues

The Pew Research Center This link opens in a new window
The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take positions on policy issues.

ProCon.org
Pros and cons of controversial issues -- gathered by an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit group.
Public Agenda
"Research, public engagement and communications that improve democratic problem solving"
Civilrights.org
League of Women Voters
US Religious Landscape Survey
United Nations (English version)

Websites that can help narrow topics

The International Debate Education Association (IDEA) Databases

Browse issues by themes with links to articles on related topics that include "points for" (pro) and "points against" (con) views. Bibliography and formatted citations available.
Procon.org

This site provides controversial issues in primarily pro-con format.
Gallup's A-Z trends

Gallup poll topics; grouped by topic/trend.
Public Agenda's Choicework Discussion Starters

"Public Agenda is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to strengthen our democracy’s capacity to tackle tough issues." "The Public Agenda's Choicework Discussion Starters outline several approaches to solving specific public policy problems, along with the pros, cons and trade-offs of each choice."
New York Times Room for Debate

"In Room for Debate, The Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues."
Pew Research Center -- Topics

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other data-driven social science research.
NCSL.org: National Conference of State Legislatures

"The National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues."