Library Guides: Communication: COM 314

For Topic Ideas

CQ Researcher
Weekly, in-depth reports on current issues in the news.

Forty-four reports are produced each year, with four expanded reports. Each 12,000-word report features comments from experts, lawmakers and citizens on all sides of the issue. Charts, graphs, a pro-con feature, chronology, bibliographies and a list of contacts complete each report.

Gallup.com
Results of current public opinion polls conducted in the United States.
Public Agenda.org
Unbiased, nonpartisan information on contemporary issues.
Speech Topics (from Buzzle)
Lists of hundreds of speech ideas, from persuasive to entertaining, demonstrative and informative.

Help Citing Sources

APA Style Guide
from Purdue's OWL.
How to Avoid Plagiarism
from Purdue's OWL.

About this page ...

Welcome! This page is a resource for students taking COM 314. You'll find places for speech topic ideas, finding statistics, or finding other sources for your speeches like articles, images, and more. Please let us know if this guide is useful, and what else you'd like to see here by filling out the feedback form on the bottom left side of the page. Need help, or have questions? Email Communication Librarian Jean-pierre Herubel.

Finding Sources for Your Speech

Links below provide access to articles (current and historical), images, and news. Read each description for specifics.

New York Times Historical

Purdue University eArchives
Use this website to search for Purdue-related photographs, papers, yearbooks, and more, dating back to the 19th century.

Tired of PowerPoint?

Check out these five awesome web-based PowerPoint alternatives.

Giving a toast?

Check out these nifty tips from Toastmasters, so you're prepared and polished.

Finding Statistics

Links below provide access to reputable statistics on a wide range of topics. Hover over each link for additional info.

CDC FastStats: Health and Disease Statistics
"The FastStats site provides quick access to statistics on topics of public health importance and is organized alphabetically. Links are provided to publications that include the statistics presented, to sources of more data, and to related web pages."
FedStats.gov
This site brings together statistics from all the U.S. government agencies, searchable by state, agency, and subject.
National & International Energy Forecasts
Data projections for oil, natural gas, electricity, coal, and nuclear power sources.
U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics
Data on the courts system, jails and prisoners, correctional programs, and much more.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
"The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics."
U.S. Census Bureau
"The U.S. Census Bureau offers the most comprehensive demographic data for the United States. The site includes information and statistics on the nation's population, housing, business and manufacturing activity, international trade, farming, and state and local governments."
U.S. Department of Education Research and Statistics
Statistics and reports on the state of education in the U.S.