Research Starting Guide:
Research/Hot Topics, Current Events & Speech Tips/Topics
The Research Process: How to do it! | Plagiarism: What is It? | Works Cited Tips | Sample Papers
Video Tutorials | Speeches How-to's | Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
Databases
TIP: Don't forget the subject specific databases... start with the general databases and then click on one of the subject displayed down the right side of this page.
TIP: Start out by using the databases in the order they are listed below, especially for Speech. The most useful databases, which include articles, great attention-getters and some images are listed first in this list.
- Student Research Center
(Tutorial)
- Great database for Speech and English research papers. Includes articles, pictures, biographies, country reports, news, transcripts, and e-books! Good source of basic statistics.
- Includes: photos and maps
- eLibrary Curriculum
(Tutorial)
- Biographies, npr, news and tv transcripts, magazines, and e-books. Includes: One of the best sources for pictures. Includes charts, graphs, and short video clips.
- SIRS Researcher (Tutorial)
- Great database for attention getter and motivater for Speech.
Includes a list of suggested topics, pros and cons, and country reports. Make sure to click on KEYWORD SEARCH. Summaries includes good information for Speech attention/motivators. - Includes: charts, graphs and pictures, maps
- Great database for attention getter and motivater for Speech.
- Opposing Viewpoints
- Great list of suggested topics for persuasive speeches. Includes e-books, pros and cons, and some images. REFERENCE section is good for informative speeches. The VIEWPOINTS tab is very good for persuasive speeches. STATISTICS tab includes charts and graphs.
- Includes: some charts, graphs and all articles are available as mp3 files.
- CQ Researcher (Tutorial)
- Includes a list of suggested "hot topics", images, in-depth, historical and current. Great charts and graphs for speeches.
One of the best sources for speeches about topics in the news! - Includes: charts, graphs and pictures
- Includes a list of suggested "hot topics", images, in-depth, historical and current. Great charts and graphs for speeches.
- Academic Search Complete (Tutorial or Tutorial)
- Articles from over 4,000 newspapers and magazines.
TIP: click the PULL DOWN MENU to add: Newspaper Source, Business Source, CINAHL, Regional Business News, and more - allowing you to search multiple databases simultaneously! - Includes: limited pictures
- Articles from over 4,000 newspapers and magazines.
- Omni/WilsonWeb
(Tutorial)
- Includes science, art gallery images, and biographies. Biography Reference Bank includes pictures with most biographies. Includes links to articles for additional information.
- Includes: pictures in the Biography Reference Bank.
- Gale Virtual Library
- Online e-books on hundreds of different topics.
- LexisNexis Academic (Basic Tutorial)
(Searching Tips)
- Great source for news, business, people. One of the best sources for information from newspapers.
Newspapers
- LexisNexis Academic (Basic Tutorial)
(Searching Tips)
- One of the best sources of information from hundreds of newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and newswires.
- InfoTrac Newspapers (articles from over 150 different newspapers) Tutorial
- Newspaper Source
- Dallas Morning News
- New York Times/Wall Street Journal (including the Historical New York Times)
Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
- Encyclopedia Britannica
- Information Please Almanac
- Free Online Dictionary and Columbia Encyclopedia
- Unique dictionary. Type in a word and it comes back with basic information, along with links to additional information. Includes information related to computers, english, medical, literature, thesaurus, online encyclopedia, and legal. Uses Wikipedia for encyclopedia information. Includes literary quotes for many topics.
- Dictionary.com
- Various kinds of word dictionaries, including tongue twisters.
- Newbury House Online American English Dictionary
- World Wide Words
Specialized Databases
- American History Online (Tutorial)
- More than history - includes information on anything dealing with American life and culture. Includes some pictures.
- Texas Reference Center
- Texas and Dallas history, landmarks, and famous people.
- Current Issues (part of WilsonWeb)
- Pro & Con Online
- Issues & Controversies
TIP: You may want to click on any of the topics displayed on the right side of the screen for more detailed information. For example, click on MEDICINE for medical information.
Check the Periodicals Guide to insure that the Library subscribes to the print journal you need. Request journals at the Circulation Counter.
-- END OF DATABASES --
Timer
- StopWatch (times your speech - includes a PAUSE button, a CLEAR button).
Video Tutorials
- Using the Databases to Find Information for an Informative Speech (video - 6 minutes - transcript)
- Using the Databases to Find Power Point Images for Your Speech Class (video - 6 minutes - transcript)
- Noodletools: Creating Citations
- NoodleTools: Using Notecards in NoodleTools
- Noodletools: Finding and Adding Pictures for PowerPoint to NoodleTools
- Creating a PowerPoint Presentation for Your Speech Class (video - 9 minutes - transcript)
Using the Internet as a Research Tool (videos)
- Answers... Who? Why? When? What? ... and Wikipedia...
Yes - The Library! (video)
Speech & Presentation Tips, Examples & Outlines
- Informative Speech Example (pdf)
- Informative Speech Outline (pdf)
- Persuasive Speech Example (pdf)
- Persuasive Speech Outline (pdf)
- How to Overcome Fear from Public Speaking
- 10 Tips for Better Speeches
- Effective Presentations
The best guide to resources is a librarian who can help you in using the catalog, databases and the Web. A librarian can also assist you in selecting materials appropriate for your needs. Please ask at any service desk for information or assistance!
The El Centro College Library does not guarantee the currency or accuracy of these web sites. Links to these sites do not represent an endorsement of the site or of information contained within the site.
Reference/Information Desk: 214-860-2174 Circulation:
214-860-2175
West Campus: Reference/Information Desk: 972-391-1433 Circulation: 972-391-1427
BJP: (Room 2300) 214-860-5780
Comments or suggestions are welcome.
©2006 El Centro College Library
Dallas, TX
Last Updated:
July 17, 2010