This is a short essay where you discuss a subject outside of yourself, that is premised on class inequality.
- Pick a current issue that you’d like to talk about. Make sure it’s as specific as possible. Click here for a mapping of general issues to specific ones you can work on. You can take from the map or go even more specific.
- Read up on the issue you want to talk about. This is not an argumentative essay, but you will need to take a stand on the issue that you choose. Think of it this way: what would you sound like if you just wanted to share your passion about a specific issue with your friends? THAT is the tone you need to use.
- Remember: the feature article is one that’s about describing a subject, delivering facts about it, and fleshing out a realization in relation to it. This is the gender essay except that this time you’re talking about something outside of yourself.
- It’s called a “feature” because you’re literally featuring a subject. :)
- Click here for a supplementary video on The Essay.
BASIC STRUCTURE
Here are questions for writing your feature essay that you need to answer. You’re using your own voice, and talking about the issue, so there’s no need for this to sound like it’s a report. But there is a need to be talking about facts that strengthen your stand on the issue.
- Introduce your subject. Make sure it’s an interesting introduction. What makes this issue important or unique, what made you choose it? Who is directly affected by this issue, and why are they important to talk about? Are you directly affected by this issue? If yes, how? If no, why are you talking about it? What are your feelings about this issue? You can also talk about your experience of the issue: make sure that you are able to connect your experience to this issue, without being blind to the experience of it by those directly affected. (Approx 150 words)
- Flesh out the issue. What has given rise to this issue, who is to blame for its existence? What facts of the issue to you are important to discuss? What facts of the issue made you realize that you had to side with the most disenfrachised or oppressed in relation to it? What aspects of the issue are being missed by those who have yet to talk about it, or those who have yet to care? (Approx 200 words)
- Talk about why this issue is important. Why should everyone be looking at this issue? What does it mean for us if we ignore it, what does it mean for the people who are affected by the issue? How has this issue made you feel about your privilege? What is your realization in relation to this issue? (Approx 150 words)
