Use the databases below to search for short, background articles on an array of topics. Be sure to search by simple keyword and to jot down any useful terms or related topics you find. You can later search the terms in other, more complex sources.
The purpose of reference is to educate, not argue, so while reference articles report on debates, they generally don't take a stand on them.
Go to the next tab, called EXAMPLE: Reference article on Veganism, to see what to look for in a reference article, and to see how one article can provide you with definitions, an overview of the issues and debates, history, statistics, terminology and key concepts, and leads to other sources.
The excerpts below are from an article on veganism from The Sage Encyclopedia of Food Issues in GVRL.
Consider how this article that addresses different reasons why people become vegans might be useful for finding common ground and compromise in constructing a Rogerian argument on going vegan.
The article also provides basic definitions, terminology and concepts, history, an overview of debates on the issue, as well as leads to more reading on the topic. Also note how the article doesn't take a stand on the debates; it just informs the reader about them.
Note: One reference article may not fill in all the background information you need on your topic, so look through articles from different disciplines and perspectives.
Image 1: the Introduction may provide a definition, overview, terminology and other introductory info. (Click on Image to Enlarge)
Image 2: Reason 1 for going vegan - health benefits (click on image to enlarge)
Image 3: Reason 2 for going vegan - environmental concerns (click on image to enlarge)
Image 4: Reason 3 for going vegan: ethical concerns (click on image to enlarge)
Image 5: This same article addresses debates within veganism. This would be very useful for constructing arguments on veganism! (click to enlarge)
Image 6: Further Reading (Click on Image to Enlarge)
Full Article:
To gather background information that provides context, history and insight into your subject.
To get a sense of key issues, concepts, debates, and terminology.
To gather key words (or keywords) you can use to search for relevant source material on the subject.
To find leads to other sources of information on your topic.
Learn about the broad topic first. Then you will understand where to focus your research and discussion more deeply.