Persuasive Essay

DATABASES:

Big Chalk E-Library.
In the dropdown menu under "Select a Database," choose "eLibrary" and click on "Go." Enter the HRMS 14-digit number in the space provided for access to the database. Then click "Go," then "BigChalk E-Library" on the next page. Key in your search term in quotation marks.

Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society.

• Check your printed Resources Sheet for username and password.
• You will be taken to the "Issues" home page, from which you will begin your search.
• There are two ways to use the "Issues" database for this project. #1: Click on "Explore An Issue" on the Issues homepage. This will give you a list of general topics. Click on one. This will bring you to an overview, links to more articles, images, events, etc., related to your topic.
• OR: #2: Key your topic into the search box on the Home page and click "GO." If you are looking for an exact phrase, enclose your phrase in quotation marks. Remember to use related keywords if necessary, i. e. book banning = censorship = "free speech" = "Bill of Rights" = public school book banning = parents' rights public school books.
• Note: Some of the articles under "Analyze" on the homepage may apply to your topic. Click on "Analyze" to find out.
• There is yet another option that refines your search: click on the "Advanced Search" tab on the homepage and narrow results to particular formats and media.
• We are primarily interested in searching the "Issues" database for this project, but you may find something in "American History." You may switch to this database if you go back to the "Issues" home page and click on "American History."

ProQuest - Mass. Newsstand
An online resource that provides instant full-text access to individual newspaper titles. With Mass. Newsstand, you will receive the full text access to 12 Mass. newspapers. Under "Select a Database," choose "ProQuest - Mass. Newsstand." Key in our HRMS 14-digit password and click "GO." Click on "Massachusetts Newsstand." Click on "Advanced" in the horizontal tabs under ProQuest. Key in "editorial" in the first space box and choose "Section" from the dropdown menu. Then key in your topic keywords in the next space box, choosing "Document Text" from the dropdown menu. (Be more specific if you get too many hits. For example, try "censorship" in the second space box along with "freedom of speech" in the third space box, searching the "Document Text" for both terms.)

UXL American Decades
Some of you will find information related to your topic in this E-book. Key in the ID in the space provided. You will find the correct ID on your printed Resources Sheet. Key in your topic keyword(s) in the space provided. Try it with and without quotation marks.

FREE WEB:

Multnomah County Homework Site Social Issues
Many links here: abortion, censorship, drugs and drug abuse, environmental protection, euthanasia and assisted suicide, global warming, same sex marriage, violence in schools, and much more. Click on the link that matches your topic and you will be brought to many more links.

The White House
Explore this site by clicking on topics in the menu on the left-hand side. Examples: Education, Energy, Renewal in Iraq, Current News (which includes speeches by President Bush). Check for related links on each page on the right-hand side.

ACLU: Students' Rights
"Press releases, legal documents, fact sheets, and other resources from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on constitutional rights topics pertaining to students and young people. Includes sections on discrimination, dress codes and uniforms, drug testing, zero-tolerance policy, freedom of expression, off-campus conduct, privacy, religion, and sexuality." (lii.org) Click on "Issues" in the top right to get a list of issues that match some of your topics. If you don't see your topic, go to the url noted under "More Issues" at the bottom of the page.

Euthanasia and the Right To Die
"Legal, medical, and ethical issues involved in palliative care, assisted suicide, and euthanasia." (lii.org) Scroll down for links on both sides: proponents and adversaries of euthanasia.

Israel's Security Fence
"This is the official site from the State of Israel about the security fence between certain sections of Israel and the areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority, including areas in the West Bank. The site features information about the purpose of the fence, its route and construction, and news updates. Includes a map and images. Also available in Hebrew." (lii.org)

American Rhetoric
Try the "Speech Bank" to get the lists of speeches. Or click on "Top 100 Speeches" in the left-hand menu, then "Top Speeches by Rank" on the right side to find a list of famous speeches you can listen to.