How to Work with Controversial Topics of Essays

February 20, 2020

Controversial topics are great for any academic paper. There are always at least two opinions on the problem, and it is exciting to argue about them.

If you have a task to write an essay on some controversial topic, it can be challenging too. First of all, it is because you have to explore both points of view. Thus, you need to research the arguments both pro and contra. It can incline emotional difficulties if the topic is burning for you. But in most cases having a controversial topic helps to make a good discussion or an excellent essay.

In this article, we have gathered helpful tips for you to master the task of writing essays on controversial topics.

Choosing a controversial topic

A winning topic is one of your main benefits. It helps you to demonstrate your beliefs and enthusiasm. When you are genuinely engaged, your audience fees it, and it helps to persuade them in your rightness.

Note also some additional rules that will help you to make a wise choice:

Select the topic that is interesting for you personally. The thing is, you need to run researches and look for solid arguments – it will be more appealing if you feel excited. At the same time, try to choose the topic that is not very painful for you.

Choose the actual topic. You can refer to the most discussed issues in debates. It will guarantee that you draw public attention and make them engaged as well.

Think about your audience – how it will accept the topic. Your readers or listeners will have own opinions on the subject, and you should consider arguments opposing your points of view.

Examples of Controversial Topics

These are several samples for your consideration. You may use one of them or get inspired and formulate your own topic.

The capital penalty must not exist in modern society.
Gender equality is a myth that will never come true.
Vaccination must be obligatory.
Global warming has nothing to do with human activity.
Internet access must be controlled.
The USA should interfere with other countries’ policies for the greater good.
The “glass ceiling” issue is a problem to fight.
Intellectual property is atavism in the modern world.
Corruption in the government becomes more severe.
GMO food is dangerous.

Getting prepared to work with controversial topics

The essential thing you should remember is that controversial topics always require good arguments. People stick to one or another point of view because of their own faiths. When you declare your opinion on the matter, it is your personal attitude that does not have value. It is just another way round if you support your claims with accurate facts.

For the controversial topics, it is vital to choose reliable sources. When you get it clear with the problem, you will need to research it. Note the following aspects when you work with the sources:

Is this source up-to-date? You may refer to the older ones if they are valid. Still, make sure that the data from those sources are not refuted.

Is this source original, or it uses data from other sources? In the latter case, you need to check their credibility or find the original authors and cite them directly.

How unbiased or biased that source can be? When you deal with the controversial topics, you should appeal to the objective data from the scientific works and statistics. If your audience finds your source biased, it may shake your grounds.

Research the sources supporting both points of view. This way, you can predict the possible reactions to your statements and counterarguments to parry them. Your counterparts will have their own grounded opinions, and you need to know them.

Make notes of the sources and format the citations correctly at once. The formatting style will depend on the requirements, but you have to apply the rules of quotes for every case. The style must be the same throughout your essay.

The Structure of the Paper on Controversial Topic

Essays are various, but their structure is more or less the same. You need to have three significant parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The introduction and the conclusion must be shorter, and all-together, get no more than 25% of the paper.

Requirements for the Introduction part

This is the opening of your essay, where you must draw the audience’s attention and explain what your work is about and why they should care about it. Here you also give the thesis statement where you clarify your opinion on the controversial topic.

The distinction of this part is “the hook” – the first sentence or a couple of sentences. Their goal is to grasp the public and evoke them emotionally. The hook must be catchy – an anecdote, or rhetoric question, or some interesting fact. But you must assure that it relates directly to the topic.

Then you need to explain the topic briefly – introduce the context (for example, how people discuss it now, or the history of the problem), provide additional information that your audience might lack. And declare the thesis.

The thesis statement is the clear and undoubtful claim of your position on the topic. However, you should remember that your opinion may and will be argued, and the goal is to prove you’re right.

Requirements for the Body part

Here you need to explore the topic, provide arguments to support your opinion, and mention arguments contra. It is essential to make the exposition logical.

Each of your claims must be supported by evidence. And the general “plotline” must be evident throughout the text. Its core is the thesis statement, and all the things you approach must relate to the thesis.

Appeal to the specific things and give details. The controversial topic is always about tangible things.

Requirements for the Conclusion part

This part is the short restatement of your thesis, however, from a different angle. Use your arguments to stress that your claims are right. Also, present the conclusions as a part of a bigger picture. A proper technique is to end the text with a call to action or a question.

Recommendations on the Style

Be very clear. You have chosen the topic, and you are going to support your opinion. So, assure that the audience won’t misinterpret your statements.

Be ready for criticism. No matter how persuasive you seem to yourself, the topic is controversial, and the alternative opinions have their grounds.

Polish the text – track and correct all mistakes. Use reliable online grammar checkers for this, or refer to the professional editor.

Check the text for plagiarism. This stage should be obligatory for any text work, as you might not even realize that you used someone else’s words. But note that correctly formatted citations are not plagiarism, so check all direct and indirect quotes in your text.

Double-check all the facts. In the present day, readers may google the proofs for each of your pieces of evidence, and it will be a shame if they find they are not truthful.

Consider the language – avoid sophisticated words and rare phrases, as they don’t help you to be effective. Use clean and concise sentences instead. Assure that your statements are easy to perceive.

And if you feel you need additional help with the controversial topic of your choice, you can always use our professional assistance. We are more than capable of consulting you or of performing the task on your demand.