Guide to finding pro/con arguments
Why use pro or con arguments?
Analyzing pro and con arguments forces readers to confront multiple points of view. This enables
readers to consider more facets of an issue and to develop a better understanding of the issue.
When to use pro/con arguments.
Pro or Con arguments often deal with current, controversial topics. As you begin to search for
information keep in mind the dates when your topic was of particular interest. You are most likely
to get the best results in your search for topics of national, rather than local or regional,
interest.
General search tips:
- Avoid using the terms pro and con in your search, unless the issue frequently uses pro- or con-
to identify supporters of the position (i.e. pro-life or pro-choice).
- Read the abstracts, when available, as these will provide you with a brief summary of the
writer's viewpoint.
- Finding resources that support a given position might require a familiarity with the discourse
surrounding the issue.
- As you become more familiar with the arguments for both sides, reconsider your search terms and
keywords.
- Remember that pro/con stakeholders may be arguing or emphasizing very different points.
- An article that supports one side of an issue might contain valuable information about the
other; don't rule out an article simply because it's not written from "your side".
Sources for Pro/Con arguments
Books
Many books compile materials that support either or both positions of a given issue. Examples
include the titles in these series:
- Contemporary World Issues
- Current Controversies
- Information Plus
- Opposing Viewpoints
- Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial...
Many books in the Undergraduate Library and UIUC Online Collection include pro/con information.
To name a few:
Electronic databases
To enter the databases:
- From the
Undergraduate Library
home page, hover over the
Find option near the top of the page and select
Articles from the list that pops up.
- The databases included under
Starting Points (General Databases) and
Newspapers will provide good starting points for finding pro/con sources. But you
can explore some of the others, depending on your topic.
Explore some of the following recommended databases to find pro/con research:
CQ
Researcher
- Type your keywords in the search box. For example:
stem cell
- To view individual reports click on the title of the report.
- Every CQ Researcher Report includes a Pro/Con section.
Academic
Search Premier
(EBSCOHost)
- Type your search terms in the search box(es).
- Go to the
Limit your results section of the page and in the
Document Type category select
Editorial.
- To view individual editorials click on the
HTML Full Text or
PDF Full Text links. If neither of these links is included, an editorial is not
full-text in this database.
LexisNexis
Academic
- Select the
Power Search option.
- Enter your search terms with the following: AND editiorial.
- In the
Select Sources section, select
U.S. Newspapers and Wires
- If a specific date range is desired, select an option in the
Specify Date section.
- Click
Search.
Business
Source Complete
(under Business)
- Type your search terms in the search box(es).
- Go to the
Limit your results section of the page and in the
Document Type category select
Editorial.
- To view individual editorials click on the
HTML Full Text or
PDF Full Text links.
JSTOR
(under History)
- Click on the
Advanced Search link.
- Enter your search terms in the boxes.
- Check the box next to
Opinion piece
- Click
Search.
Other Online Pro/con sources
You may be tempted to rely solely on websites for pro/con arguments. While there is certainly no
lack of opinions available online, you'll still need to consider the author's profession, political
alignment, and obvious biases.
Before you begin, check out the Undergraduate Library's
Guide to Evaluating Internet Sources for tips.
-
Ethics Updates compiles several
valuable resources for several topics of applied ethics.
-
Policy Issues of the U.S.
Department of State lists issues of national interest and provides information to contextualize the
issue.
-
Radical
Religious Right includes the websites of groups both opposed to and aligned with "the religious
right." This will provide ample opportunity to read for bias!
-
Social Issues
provides the websites of several pro/con advocate groups for a number of topics.
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