Issues & Controversies @ FACTS.com

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from 1995 to the present from 1995 to the present – In-depth essays giving multiple perspectives on In-depth essays giving multiple perspectives on

issues in today’s societyissues in today’s society– Need a Research Topic?Need a Research Topic?– Issues: Pro and Con Issues: Pro and Con – Issues in the HeadlinesIssues in the Headlines– Subject IndexSubject Index– Table of ContentsTable of Contents– Primary Source DocumentsPrimary Source Documents– Editorial CartoonsEditorial Cartoons– BibliographiesBibliographies– Curriculum AidsCurriculum Aids– Interviews with ExpertsInterviews with Experts– Bill of Rights in DebateBill of Rights in Debate– Groups to ContactGroups to Contact– By the NumbersBy the Numbers– Photos, Charts, & News MapsPhotos, Charts, & News Maps– Newspaper EditorialsNewspaper Editorials– National High School Debate TopicsNational High School Debate Topics

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– Menu accessMenu access• Issues in the HeadlinesIssues in the Headlines• Issues: Pro and ConIssues: Pro and Con• Editorial CartoonsEditorial Cartoons• By the NumbersBy the Numbers• Interviews with ExpertsInterviews with Experts• National High School Debate National High School Debate

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(helpful for current events/background)(helpful for current events/background)

• Title Field SearchTitle Field Search– Hits have keyword in titleHits have keyword in title– Boolean, keyword, or phrase searches Boolean, keyword, or phrase searches

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• Searching the Title FieldSearching the Title Field– Reduces the “noise” in broad searchesReduces the “noise” in broad searches– Keywords in titles indicate major developmentKeywords in titles indicate major development– Focuses some types of search (e.g., name)Focuses some types of search (e.g., name)

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• Too many hits?Too many hits?– Make search argument more narrowMake search argument more narrow– Use “Title Search”Use “Title Search”– Restrict number of databases searchedRestrict number of databases searched– Make use of date rangesMake use of date ranges– Avoid using “OR” – more inclusive operator Avoid using “OR” – more inclusive operator

than “AND” so less focused searchthan “AND” so less focused search

• Easy to use for novicesEasy to use for novices– Hyperlinks can allow “one-step” searching; one Hyperlinks can allow “one-step” searching; one

hit can be the key to many storieshit can be the key to many stories– Hyperlinks reveal the complexity and Hyperlinks reveal the complexity and

pervasiveness of an event or issuepervasiveness of an event or issue– Searches are easy to construct and refineSearches are easy to construct and refine– The interface is consistent between databasesThe interface is consistent between databases– Search History allows user to repeat a search as Search History allows user to repeat a search as

is or with variationsis or with variations

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1.1. Terrorism and “Al Qaeda”Terrorism and “Al Qaeda”

2.2. Logging and forestsLogging and forests

3.3. China policyChina policy

4.4. Energy shortageEnergy shortage

5.5. Global WarmingGlobal Warming

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Issues & ControversiesIssues & Controversies• Tools to promote critical thinking and Tools to promote critical thinking and

learninglearning– Town hall meeting organizerTown hall meeting organizer– Discussion questions & activitiesDiscussion questions & activities– Assign student interviewsAssign student interviews– Interviews with expertsInterviews with experts– Newspaper Editorials giving opposing opinions Newspaper Editorials giving opposing opinions

on key issueson key issues

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• Town Hall Meeting OrganizerTown Hall Meeting Organizer

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• Town Hall Activity Format SampleTown Hall Activity Format Sample

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• Interviews with ExpertsInterviews with Experts

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• Newspaper EditorialsNewspaper Editorials

• Curriculum templates in multiple formatsCurriculum templates in multiple formats– MS Word 6.0MS Word 6.0– HTMLHTML– Adobe Acrobat PDFAdobe Acrobat PDF

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