Library Class and Subject Guides: COMM 102: Public Speaking: Topic Development

Discover a Topic

These databases are a great place to discover topics for your speeches.

CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Full-text reports on political, social, health, educational, environmental, technology issues and more.
Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window
Research and materials on today's hottest issues.
Explora Teens This link opens in a new window
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Articles, primary sources, and multimedia about health and science topics.
Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new window
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Full-text database with over 250 topics including overviews, arguments, and counterpoints (opposing arguments).
Congressional Research Digital Collection This link opens in a new window
Full-text collection of U.S. Congressional committee and service reports for culture, business, sciences, social issues, medicine, and more.

Find Introductory Information

Introductory information can help provide an overview of the subject, help you better understand your topic, and also give you ideas for other terms and resources. Introductory information can be found in in encyclopedias and dictionaries and can help you start the research process.

The library has a number of online encyclopedias, dictionaries, and reference materials. Read the descriptions or ask a librarian to help you find one that will work well for your topic and information needs.

Britannica Academic Edition This link opens in a new window
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Media, articles, and biographies providing background and contextual information on a large array of topics.
Gale Ebooks This link opens in a new window
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eBooks on subjects like history, sciences, cinema, fashion, and more.
CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Full-text reports on political, social, health, educational, environmental, technology issues and more.
SAGE Knowledge This link opens in a new window
Online reference materials, including full-text handbooks, encyclopedias, and more. Try using the "works and sections" filter to limit your search to "chapters/entries" instead of "entire works."
AccessScience This link opens in a new window
Reference material covering all major scientific disciplines.

COMM 102: Public Speaking

Discover a Topic

Find Introductory Information

Find Resources by Subject