If your teacher asks you to write a current event essay, you should begin by researching the topic to become familiar with it. You should be able to identify credible sources that inform the topic and cite them as you write. Acknowledging your sources demonstrates your knowledge and helps you avoid cases of plagiarism. The current events essay requires you to comment on an issue that happened within a given time frame. Familiarizing yourself with the topic allows you to establish facts that will help you form a convincing argument.
News articles may include those from local newspapers, major national newspapers such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, or other international news agencies such as NBC or CNN. If you’re not sure where to look for information, check with your teacher for suggestions. He or she may have a preference for certain news sources. Also consider your assignment, such as whether you’ll be writing an essay or giving an oral presentation. News sources are likely to have up-to-the-minute information, whereas scholarly resources are more likely to provide context and historical perspective.
Each week, the Bill of Rights Institute collects contemporary news articles that explore important themes in U.S. history and government classrooms. You can view a selection of recent articles here.
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