Are toxins virulence factors?

No. For something to be virulent it must be alive. Virulence usually refers to pathogens, like bacteria, viruses, and yeasts But, pathogens, themselves, can create toxins by their metabolic activity.

Still, however, the toxin itself wouldn't have the property of being virulent, only the "bug" would be.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.