How to Write a Controversial Essay on Alfred Russel Wallace vs Charles Darwin

Writing guide
Posted on December 4, 2015

Writing a controversial essay is often a challenge for students because of the delicate nature of the controversy itself; it can be difficult to present information that is both factual and well-balanced, especially when the issues are topics about which both sides feel strongly. Many of the most popular controversial essay topics are considered popular social issues about which people make their decisions based on personal religious affiliations or personal values. It is for this reason that people tie stronger emotional holds to their opinions and take any presentation of the opposition first and foremost as an attack on their related affiliation or values. For this reason primarily, it is imperative that such a writing assignment remain free from personal bias, be full of factual information to substantiate the points, and be critical and thoughtful in the analysis and not “preachy”.

While the overall goal in a controversial essay is similar to any argumentative piece, such that you want to convince your reader with facts and evidence that your side is best, it is nonetheless imperative that you do so in so delicate and confident a fashion that you do not taunt the opposition, use name calling, or imply that it is inferior, but merely that it is not as well supported with evidence as your side.
To begin such a piece you must include the following components:

  • Select a topic you are confident you can defend with justification and valid arguments, especially if your overall goal is to persuade the reader to adopt your perspective at the end of the writing. To make your life easier you can choose among the suggested topics on Darwin’s vs Wallace’s theories.
  • Prepare a thesis statement which should function as a stand alone single sentence representative of the point you are making. This thesis statement should be introduced to the reader in the first, introductory, paragraph. This paragraph should be laid out like a road map for your reader, telling them what stops to expect along the way and where your paper is headed. You want to assert your point of view right from the start.
  • For each point you are making to substantiate your side of the controversial topic, you must start a new body paragraph. You must check out amazing facts on natural selection theories by Darwin and Wallace because they can give you clear statement for each paragraph.
  • When you have presented everything, it is time to wrap up your work with a concluding paragraph. This is where you reiterate to your reader what support you provided for your argument and what you did to refute the opposing viewpoint. This should be similar in layout to the introduction, but rather than regurgitating verbatim the introduction, you want to remind the reader what evidence you presented in each of the body paragraphs.

You see? It is not a complicated matter if you find the right source to enrich your knowledge about writing a controversial essay. So, read these tips, reflect on them and start writing a paper now!

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