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ENC 1101 (Evans) - Argumentative Essay: Preliminary Research

This is a research guide for students in Professor Evans' English Composition I class on West Campus. It contains resources and suggestions to complete your assignment.

Start Here

The databases listed on this page require a login. For access:

  1. Go to your Atlas account and log in.
  2. Click on the Search the Library link, under the "Courses" tab.
  3. On the page that follows, search the library catalog or  click Databases A-Z or Databases by Subject.
  4. Click on the name of the database, e.g. Academic Search Complete.

Note: If you do not access this guide through Atlas, you will be prompted for a Borrower ID and PIN when you click on the links to the databases

  • Your Borrower ID is the number is your VID card, including the 'V'
  • Your PIN is the last four digits of your VID

 

Smarthinking

Smarthinking Logo

Smarthinking is Valencia College’s online tutoring support. You can interact with tutors to get writing help or course specific tutoring such as Math, Medical and more.

Access Smartthing within Atlas.  Follow these steps:

  1. Log in to Atlas
  2. Go to the Courses tab
  3. From the My Courses box, click on 'Tutoring (online) - Smart Thinking'

Background

These resources provide background information on controversial topics especially historical background on key terms, people and events. Names of laws usually include terms such as Act, Statute, or Law. A law that has not been passed is called a Bill.

Preliminary Questions

The above library databases will provide useful background, pro and con arguments, and additional resources on controversial issues and laws. Gathering background information is part of the preliminary research phase. Think about some of the following questions while you are gathering background information:

  1. What issue/law will you research?
  2. What problem has been created by this issue/law?
  3. Do researchers suggest some possible solutions to the problem?

Now we'll move on to more specialized resources during the in depth research phase.

West Campus Librarians