An essay assignment on the subject of racism is a challenging one – how much more is there to say about a long-disproven idea that a person’s merits can be determined by the colour of their skin? However, new and harmful forms of racism continue popping up to this day, and writing about it could be a rewarding opportunity.
If you’re wondering how to write a winning essay about racism, these tips will help you along the way. Keeping these suggestions in mind, you’ll be able to submit your paper with confidence.
- Come up with a topic.
While the idea of writing about racism seems like a fairly limited subject, there are many different approaches you could take. More modern issues like bullying or the “reverse racism” associated with affirmative action could make for some very interesting papers. Try to choose something you feel strongly about, as this will make it easier for you to create an opinion to form your thesis statement around.
- Get organized.
After choosing your topic, start collecting as much information as you can about it. While an essay should reflect your own thoughts and opinions, you’ll also need facts and evidence to support your conclusions. It’s important to gather sources and start your research before you begin writing, because you may find that it’s difficult to find enough material to support your opinion – which will require you to reconsider what your paper will cover.
- Make it personal.
To make your essay more engaging, try to start with an anecdote of your own experiences with racism. By showing your audience where you’re coming from and how your opinion has been informed by personal encounters, you’ll create a stronger connection right from the start. It’s easier to persuade readers to agree with you when they can understand where you’re coming from.
Then, lead right into your thesis statement. This will be your opportunity to answer the essay question and clearly present your opinion. It should be fairly short and to the point, but you also want to relate it somehow to the story you shared in your introduction.
- Balance it with supporting evidence.
Once you’ve got the reader hooked with your personal anecdote, reel them in with facts and information that prove your thesis statement. Each paragraph should present a strong argument, with evidence and examples, to support your position. Start with your most powerful argument and end with the weakest – but be sure to follow it up with a solid conclusion that reinforces the strength of your position as a whole.
- Don’t forget to proofread.
One of the most important steps to writing any essay is to revise it before handing it in. Make sure you’ve saved yourself enough time to spend at least a day away from your essay before you come back to give it a final read-through. You’ll be better able to pick up on any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. Try reading it out loud, as well, to check that your essay flows easily from one paragraph to the next.