Research Guides: CMN 456: Propaganda and Persuasion (UNH Durham) Borda: Background Information

Resources for Background or Overview Information

For a new or complex topic, it can be helpful to get an overview or examine a quick collection of reliable sources to develop a better sense of the background and issues involved. The following resources offer good examples of this.

ProCon.org

ProCon.org
With the goal of being "a non-biased information source," this site presents "sourced pros and cons of debatable issues, as well as a host of reference information relevant to those issues, thoroughly researched and compiled by [their] research staff and editors." The award-winning ProCon.org website is no owned by The Britannica Group.
Examples from ProCon.org:
History of Climate Change Debate
Vaping – Top 3 Pros and Cons

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window
Covers current social issues, from capital punishment to immigration to marijuana. It supports science, social studies, current events, and language arts classes. Informed, differing views help learners develop critical-thinking skills and draw their own conclusions.

Examples from this subscription database include:

CQ Researcher

CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Contains original, comprehensive reporting and analysis on issues in the news, providing in-depth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy. Reports are published 44 times a year by CQ Press. Note: There is a limit of 10 concurrent users. Dates of coverage: 1991-current

Examples from this subscription database include:

E-Cigarette Dilemma (2019)