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AP Language Synthesis Paper: Websites

Websites focused on Current Issues

  • The Pew Research Center -- This nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take positions on policy issues.
  • ProCon.org -- Pros and cons of controversial issues -- gathered by an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit group.
  • Public Agenda -- Research, public engagement and communications that improve democratic problem solving"
  • Civilrights.org -- Their goal is to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States.  
  • League of Women Voters -- LWW encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
  • United Nations --  The United Nations can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, such as peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, human rights, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health emergencies, gender equality, governance, food production, and more.
  • AllSides -- Provides balanced news and civil discourse.

Google Scholar

As a supplement to a regular Google search, Google also indexes scholarly sources on a website Google Scholar. Some articles here are public. Others you can access using Jesuit login/password. Others you'll have to pay to access (don't do this -- email the info to one of us and we'll try to get the article for you).

Google Scholar is like Academic Search Complete. My suggestion is to use it to complement to all the other tools (Opposing Viewpoints, SIRS Knowledge Source, or Explora).

The interface is a little different than those other databases yet the same search principles apply. Begin with a short keyword search, use date / subject limiters, and always archive permalinks to content. Be aware that Google Scholar often links to abstracts which are not easily available to us.

Google Advanced Search

Google Advanced Search - Information on educational and governmental websites tend to have more reliable information.  In the advance search, along with your search terms, enter .edu or .gov in the box labeled "Search within a site or domain:".

Many of the best sites to use are those from international (.int), education (.edu), government (.gov), and private organizations & foundations (.org). To easily search for sites from these entities, use the "site:" search to limit your results.

Sample Search Statements

  • "gender roles" -site:com

  • Media AND gender site:gov

  • Society AND gender AND traditional

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