A current event essay is a type of argumentative writing that asks students to make judgments about an issue that has recently occurred. Tutors use these essays to assess students’ knowledge of news events that impact their community or the world. Students should write a current event essay using facts to support their judgments. They must also acknowledge the source of their information to avoid accusations of plagiarism.
Find current news articles and resources for teaching U.S. History, Government, and Civics classes. Each week, the Bill of Rights Institute searches for contemporary news articles that explore important themes and connect to BRI resources.
The best way to prepare for a current events essay is to become familiar with the topic. Familiarity with the topic makes it easier to identify key details and arguments. This will help you develop a strong thesis statement and persuasive conclusion. To do this, read extensively about the topic. As you read, jot down all the facts and claims in the story. This will help you establish inconsistencies that will make your current event essay stronger.
Newspapers and online news sources are most likely to have up-to-date information about a current event. These are good resources for researching a specific topic when you need very recent information, lived experiences, facts and descriptions, or primary sources. You can also access scholarly sources for additional research on a particular topic. Examples of these include the CQ Researcher and EBSCOhost.