"The purpose of an argument is to defend or refute a thesis, so choose a topic that can be seen from more than one perspective" (395).
Types of Databases
"By firsthand we mean information taken directly from the original source, including field research (interviews, surveys, personal observations, or experiments)" (398).
Rottenberg, T. and Donna H. Winchell. Elements of Argument: A Text and Reader. New York: St. Martina's, 2012. Print.
"Most papers will benefit from research in the library and elsewhere because development of the claim requires facts, examples, statistics, and informed opinions that are available only from primary and secondary research sources" (396).
Floating topic
The Library Catalog offers books, videos, and periodical publications.
Specialized Databases are specifically for delving deeper into a certain subject.
General Periodical Databases are perfect for searching for articles.
"Mastering the writing of arguments also gives you a valuable tool for communicating with other people in school, on the job, and even at home" (393).
"The success of any argument, short or long, depends in large part on the quantity and quality of the support behind it" (396).
