I need to write an essay on a controversial topic. I am interested in religion, especially Islam, as this is a major topic in the news today. I am...

Since your essay needs to be controversial, why not decide
upon a thesis that argues one religious point of view (Islamic) is the best for solving
today's problems?  You could list some of the ills of our modern world -- poverty,
crime, war, etc. --- and then, from your research about the Muslim faith, create an
argument that suggests that the followers of Mohammad have the answers that our society
needs for improvement.

A few important steps to remember
when writing your essay.

1. Come up with a clear
   and supportable thesis statement.


2. Gather your information
   on the practices of the Islamic faith, so that you know enough specifics about the
   beliefs of the religion.


3. If you were to choose to write
   about solving the ills of the world, make sure to have a list of specific circumstances
   that this religion would address.  For example, rather than simply stating that the
   faith addresses poverty, pick an exact situation of poverty, like the plight of the
   inner city child in America.  You will probably need to do research for this part of
   your essay as well.

Often, in the conclusion of
a persuasive essay, it is a good idea to  moderate your position by taking a look at the
other point of view.  This would be a good place to mention, briefly, how other
religions might also provide some of the solutions that you have found in the practices
of the Muslim faith, while maintaining that the Islamic path would be the best solution
to the problems you have defined.