Library: Communications & Speech Research Guide: COMM 105: Persuasive Speech

Recommended databases

Start here

Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Encyclopedias and other reference sources.
ProQuest Ebook Central This link opens in a new window
Diverse collection of over 200,000 electronic books.
Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new window
Scholarly articles and magazines on many subjects.
Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window
Pro/con database of social issues.
CQ Researcher (Congressional Quarterly) This link opens in a new window
Database of extensive reports on major current issues.
MasterFILE Premier This link opens in a new window
Multidisciplinary database with mainly general interest periodicals.
Health Source - Consumer Edition This link opens in a new window
Health magazines
PsycARTICLES This link opens in a new window
Scholarly articles about psychology.
Business Source Premier This link opens in a new window
Scholarly journal articles, company and industry profiles.
ProQuest Newspapers This link opens in a new window
Statista This link opens in a new window
A large statistics portal covering a variety of topics

Salem Online This link opens in a new window
Ebook collection, including reference resources, including titles in history, science, health, literature, & careers

Use the advanced search mode so that you can search multiple terms at once
Think of related words you could try in different combinations.
- For example: body image, self-esteem, self-image, body dysmorphia,
Pair your topic with different populations or categories
- Textbook affordability for college students
- Body positivity and social media
- Gender bias in healthcare
To read the whole article, look for a button that says PDF Full Text or HTML Full Text. Sometimes you'll see a button that says Full Text Finder, you can click this to pull up articles in other databases.

Think generally when you use the catalog.
- Instead of searching kids on tiktok, try children and social media.
Put quotation marks around a phrase:
- children and "social media"
You don't have to read the whole book to use it as a source!
- Look at the table of contents and jump to the chapter that relates to your topic.
Our catalog also contains streaming videos, including documentaries, which are great potential sources.
To read e-books off-campus, you'll need to log in using your Carroll email address and password.

Choose an issue you'd like to explore or a problem you'd like to solve.
Research your topic and gather facts, statistics, expert analysis, and examples to make your speech more convincing.
Deliver a 5-8 minute persuasive speech in class.

3 credible/authoritative sources
Cite sources in a Works Cited (MLA) or References (APA) list submitted with your formal outline

Think about an issue that affects you or your community. For example:
- cost of living in Carroll County
Try to pick a topic that you're curious about. Think about:
- your hobbies
- the people and topics you follow online
- something that's always bothered you
Start searching - type a single word or phrase into OneSearch and see what people are saying about it

Some more ideas for where to find a topic:

There's multiple ways to find answers to your questions:

Other Contacts:

Book the Communication Lab
Did you know there's a Communication Lab on the ground floor of the Library? You can reserve the Communication Lab to practice and record your upcoming presentation!