Issues are the ideas that push people’s buttons, such as government spending, pollution from fossil fuels, or bias in news coverage. To be a good writer, you must analyze an issue from all sides and offer your opinion, based on solid reasoning and well-documented facts. The more controversial your topic and your opinions are, the polarized your readers will be.
An article about an issue is like a political debate, where both sides argue passionately, and each has their own points of view to present. An issue also involves a topic that is widely debated, such as whether men and women can be just friends.
The word issue is used mainly in business, law, and politics. It also means something that comes up or goes out, such as the distribution of food rations, clothing, and equipment to troops. It can also refer to a piece of printed material that has been issued, including the printing and delivery of a writ or court order.
These examples have been automatically selected from a variety of online sources, and may not represent the views of Merriam-Webster or its editors. They may also be biased or subjective.
Create an outline for your article based on your research and angle. Start with the main points and jot down your supporting details below them. Use an outline tool, such as Google Docs or Workflowy, to help you stay organized as you write. Then begin writing your article, incorporating your one-sentence opinion in the introduction and making strong arguments throughout.
