Montgomery College Libraries > Course Related Pages > RD102 Reading for Non-Native Speakers

As we discussed in the library instruction session, here are some reminders about how to locate the articles you need for your assignment. Should you have any trouble, I hope you will send me an e-mail (pat.semple@montgomerycollege.edu) and let me know the nature of your problem. I will do my best to reply to you within 24 hours.

Here are a few databases (collections of digitized articles) that will contain general articles on a wide range of topics:

SIRS Knowledge Source

Two choices: (1) Use "Leading Issues" directory, or (2) Select "Keyword/Natural Language" for search expression. Results from either option can be sorted by Lexile Score; a rating between 800-1200 is equivalent to the reading level range for the average American high school student.

Opposing Viewpoints

Use blue Subject Headings on opening page to search by topic. Contains information on current topics and controversial issues. Access persuasive essays, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and articles.

Academic Search Premier

Enter search expression in "Find" field and put checkmark in "Full Text" box. Results can be limited to Magazines or Newspapers from the bar at the top.

National Newspapers

Enter search expression in "Basic Search" field.

Remember to use the print button inside the database screen, and that results from any of these searches may be sorted by date (most recent first) or relevance (highest occurrence of keywords). Here are some sample searches using keywords (they tend to be nouns) and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT):

homelessness AND cities

hurricane AND rita

france AND riots

"supreme court" AND alito

medication AND children

violence AND (television OR tv) AND children

"peer pressure"

steroids AND (teens OR youth)

hiv AND africa

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