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 in the Undergraduate Library
Several 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...
Several books in the
Undergraduate Library Reference Collection include pro/con information. To name just a
few:
-
Abortion : an eternal social and moral issue 363.46 Ab76122000
-
Drugs and drug policy in America: a documentary history 362.290973 B411d
-
Encyclopedia of Crime and Punishment Q. 364.03 En193
-
Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues 363.7003 En192
-
Encyclopedia of Special Education Q. 371.903 En192000
-
Encyclopedia of White Collar and Corporate crime Q. 364.16803 En19
-
Gun Control and the Constitution 344.730533 G954
-
Index to International Public Opinion 303.38016 In2
-
International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family Q.306.803 In8212003
-
Issues and controversies on file 973.05 IS
Finding pro/con sources in electronic databases
To enter the databases:
- From the
Undergraduate Library
home page, click on
Articles in the
Find category on the left side of the screen.
- 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.
Recommended databases for locating Pro or Con Arguments:
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 Premier
(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.
Finding pro/con sources online
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.
-
Electronic Policy
Network click on the
For the Press tab to: "Get facts, quotes, and breaking information... on issues
ranging from health care to childcare and economics to foreign policy."
-
Ethics Updates compiles several
valuable resources for several topics of applied ethics.
-
Issues and Press 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.
Print a handout for Finding
Pro/Con Arguments.
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