When picking a topic, you'll want to be sure to pick something you are interested in, since you will be working with this subject for the next few weeks!

Ask yourself the following questions to help you generate topic ideas: Do you have a strong opinion on a current social or political controversy? Did you read or see a news story recently that has interested you? Do you have a personal issue, problem or interest that you would like to know more about? Is there an aspect of one of your classes that you would like to learn more about?

Still nothing coming to mind? 

These databases cover current and controversial topics that might help inspire you:

• Gale Opposing Viewpoints

Sometimes a research assignment is so broad there isn't even an assigned topic to explore. When you need that first spark of inspiration, try browsing through the list of topics in Gale Opposing Viewpoints.

This list consists of hundreds of historical and contemporary events issues, both national and global. It's essentially an encyclopedia of potential research topics that directly connects you to reference entries, scholarly articles, news reports, and more!

• In Context: Global Issues

Global Issues is another resource that expands on the international perspectives of the issues in Gale Opposing Viewpoints including government, law, health, science and technology, society and culture, and more. These two resources are cross-searchable, meaning HCC community members can access both databases through the same search function and even retrieve results from both databases at once.