COM ARTS 100: Introduction to Speech Composition (Spring 2025) : Finding Sources

You are giving an informative speech for this class, and will need to do research to find sources to support the points in your speech.

Let's look at an example together! Here is our sample topic: "I wish to inform my audience about possible connections between social media use and mental health among teenagers.  One point I plan to address is a possible connection to loneliness."

To find sources, use the Libraries' article databases:

1. Start at the UW-Madison Libraries homepage.
2. Select the word 'Catalog' above the large search box. This will open a drop-down menu.
3. Select 'Databases' from the drop-down menu.
4. Select the 'Introductory Databases' link under the search box.
5. Select Academic Search from the list of databases and their subject areas. 

We can search: "social media" and loneliness and teenagers

You will want to revise your search using database tools to find the most useful articles for your research. Look for:

• Subject Terms: wording suggestions or 'tags' the database provides to help you find additional relevant articles on a topic. 
• Other words related to those we've already entered (for example, adolescent).
• Filters, such as article type and publication date. Use the tools that are most helpful for your topic, assignment, and research goals!

Our revised search is: ("social media" OR "social networks") and loneliness and (adolescent OR teenager)

1. To find the full text of an article, look for a full text link on the database page. 
2. If there is not a full text link directly from the database page, click on the red 'Find it at UW-Madison' link. This searches all of the Libraries' databases to see if we have the full text, and if so, provide links to those databases.
3. If it's still not available, there will be a link to request a copy. A librarian will find the article and send it to you for free!

1. Using the Academic Search database, enter search terms from your topic.
2. Skim the first page of results.
3. Do any articles appear useful for your speech/research?

The resources listed below may be helpful as you're searching for articles:

Books often provide background and comprehensive information about a topic. They are also outstanding for topics related to history!  You don't need to read the whole book. There is likely an introductory chapter that frames the history/historical event, and then individual chapters that cover subtopics (aspects of the history/historical event that may serve as subpoints you wish to address in your speech).

Still deciding on an informative speech topic? Or you have a topic and you're trying to identify subpoints? CQ Researcher provides overview information, especially related to current issues.