Persuasive/ Argumentative Research

Searching Tips and Tricks

Quick Tips & Shortcuts for Database Searching (YouTube video)

Creating an Effective Search Strategy (YouTube video)

Building Search Strings, Part 1: Boolean Operators (YouTube video)

Building Search Strings, Part 1: Boolean Operators Quiz

What Are Databases and Why You Need Them (YouTube Video)

Helpful Databases and Websites

Destiny

Search Destiny for your topic or for "opposing viewpoints" to find print resources on the issue you're researching.

NC WiseOwl Databases/Resources

NC WiseOwl resources are now accessed through NCEdCloud. You no longer need passwords for individual sites since you are accessing them through NCEdCloud.

Database tutorials can be found on the CATA Virtual Learning Commons website-https://sites.google.com/a/ucps.k12.nc.us/cata-media-center/online-resources/research 

In NCEdCloud, click on the EBSCO icon and scroll to the database you need.

Resources to try through EBSCO:

• Points of View Database

• Explora

Remember to always check the Full Text box so that you can actually get the article in the database. Check the Peer Reviewed box for scholarly articles that are checked by other experts in the field. Be sure to use the permalink, if one is available, for the URL in order to get back to the resource. 

There is also an icon for Britannica in NCEdCloud and that encyclopedia is good for background knowledge on your topic.

NC Live Databases Through Union County Public Library

These are available through our school system's partnership with the public library. Go to nclive.org or access from the Virtual Learning Commons.

Click on Articles, Current Issues from menu on left.

When you click on a database you’ll need to log in. Select Union County Public Library. Your user ID is your student ID number and your password is the year you were born.

Some helpful databases from NC Live:

• SIRS Issue Researcher

• CQ Researcher

• ProQuest Research Library

• US Newsstream

Remember to always check the Full Text box so that you can actually get the article in the database. Check the Peer Reviewed box for scholarly articles that are checked by other experts in the field. Be sure to use the permalink, if one is available, for the URL in order to get back to the resource. 

Citation Help

• • MLA Style at a Glance

  • Sample MLA Works Cited Page

  • Parenthetical (in-text) Citations in MLA style

  • Example of MLA Sample Paper

    • This example from Purdue OWL shows an essay in proper MLA format and explains the different MLA components required.