Research Guides: COM 231: Birthday Speech Research: Start Here

What is in this guide?

Use the resources listed in this guide to begin your research. Make sure that you pay attention to the search tips and examples featured on each page. They will help make your research more successful. If you are having trouble finding sources for your assignment, ask a librarian for help.

Starting Points

These resources are available for free online.
NOTE: CCP and ECHS students using PCS Chromebooks may run into issues accessing certain websites. If you are having trouble ASK your instructor or librarian for help!

Our State Magazine Archive [State Library of NC]
View entire issues of Our State from 1933 - 2018, including all of the images and advertisements.
Internet Archive
This is a collection of books, movies, software, music, websites, and more. Use the Advanced search and limit to your birthdate.

On This Day
Learn about significant events and other trivia about a specific date in history.
NPR Day-to-Day Archive
If you were born between 2003 and 2009, you can listen to news stories and events covered by National Public Radio.
LIFE Magazine Archive [Google]
Photographic magazine that chronicled the 20th Century. Full issues between 1936 and 1972 are available via Google Books.

Internet Search Tips

When using Google or other search engines...

Put your birthdate in quotes: "November 1, 2004"
Look for an advanced search page that lets you set a custom date range or specific date.
If you can't figure out who wrote the content or they don't tell you where they found their info, skip it and go on to something else. Not sure? ASK your instructor or a librarian to help you investigate.