{"id":6395,"date":"2018-05-14T17:00:27","date_gmt":"2018-05-15T00:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/blog\/?post_type=essay-writing-blog&p=6395"},"modified":"2020-07-31T17:26:01","modified_gmt":"2020-08-01T00:26:01","slug":"write-powerful-social-issues-essay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/essay-writing-blog\/write-powerful-social-issues-essay\/","title":{"rendered":"Contemporary and Controversial: How to Write a Powerful Social Issues Essay"},"content":{"rendered":"

More often than not, when you\u2019re assigned an essay, you think, \u201cGreat. I have zero<\/i> interest in this topic. How am I supposed to write five pages about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

But every once in a while, you get that essay assignment that encourages you to write about something you feel passionate about. Something you can sink your teeth into. Something that you know<\/i> you can write five pages (or more) about.<\/p>\n

If that essay assignment involves arguing whether Game of Thrones<\/i> is better than The Walking Dead<\/i>, you probably don\u2019t have to worry too much about broaching a touchy subject or offending your readers.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, if your essay assignment requires you to write about a more serious and impactful social issue\u2014such as abortion, marijuana legalization<\/a>, or immigration\u2014you need to be able to write a thoughtful, convincing, and <\/i>respectful essay.<\/p>\n

In need of a little assistance navigating the waters of such subjects? Here are a few tips to help you write about contemporary social issues.<\/p>\n

How to Write a Powerful Social Issues Essay<\/h2>\n

Let me first start by saying that this post is designed to help you write about a specific type <\/i>of topic (a powerful social issue).<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re assigned to write about a social issue but haven\u2019t chosen a topic yet, check out 7 Awesome Secrets for Choosing More Interesting Essay Topics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once your topic is firmly in place, consider these tips before writing a social issues essay.<\/p>\n

Tip #1: Show some respect<\/h3>\n

If your grandmother is anything like mine, she has told you (likely more than once) to \u201crespect your elders.\u201d Her words of wisdom ring true not only when it comes to respecting (all) people in your daily life but also when writing essays.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example. Let\u2019s say you\u2019re a blonde, and you read an essay about how the \u201cdumb blonde\u201d stereotype is true. You might be offended, right?<\/p>\n

Now think about reading an essay that attacks your nationality, your gender identity, your religious beliefs, or your race. Think about how you\u2019d feel about that writer and how angry you might feel about the writer’s words.<\/p>\n

No one wants to read an essay that offends or attacks, so be respectful by carefully choosing your words<\/a> so that you don\u2019t offend your audience<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For instance, if you\u2019re writing about immigration, using the terms \u201calien\u201d and \u201cillegal\u201d can be offensive. Instead, use more correct terminology, such as \u201cmigrant,\u201d immigrant,\u201d or \u201crefugee,\u201d depending on the context of your discussion.<\/p>\n

Being respectful also means avoiding generalizations<\/a> about specific groups. Don\u2019t assume that all marijuana users are criminals or that all immigrants are \u201cbad people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, be careful to clarify that, while a segment of these populations may fall into one category, the groups themselves cannot be generalized into one broad definition or description.<\/p>\n

Tip #2: Stay cool<\/h3>\n

Being passionate about a subject is no excuse for going off on a rant. If you\u2019re ranting about a topic, your essay will sound like one big complaint.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example. Let\u2019s say you\u2019re unhappy about the homeless population who begs for money in your neighborhood.<\/p>\n

If your essay simply rants about how you think homeless people make your city look bad, how they shouldn\u2019t bother people, and that they should just go get a job, it does little to solve the problem or rationally discuss the topic. It simply lists a series of complaints.<\/p>\n

How do you keep a level head when discussing such a passionate topic? Try listing your concerns and opinions through a prewriting exercise<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This might mean that you list all of your complaints (and angry rant topics). That’s okay. Prewriting lets you get it all out of your system before <\/i>drafting. Then you can objectively examine your key points and decide which information is appropriate for your paper.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve drafted your social issues essay, make sure to revise your paper<\/a>. This will give you another chance to review your work to make sure that your arguments<\/a> are solid, rational points rather than mere complaints.<\/p>\n

If you want some help determining whether your arguments are appropriate, get additional help from the expert editors at Kibin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tip #3: Be convincing<\/h3>\n

In most cases, if you\u2019re writing about controversial issues, you\u2019re writing an argument essay<\/a>. This means that the goal of your paper will be to convince your readers. You can do that in three ways:<\/p>\n