Jul 29, 2014 / Intermediate

Talking Taboo: Writing About Sensitive Topics

Blogs aren’t blogs without opinions — but putting yours out there can be scary. With a few basic guidelines, you can dive into the most divisive topics with confidence.

Over in the Commons for Writing 201, we’ve been working on finding our angles as writers. I’ve found myself responding to the same question from several bloggers: “I want to write about X, but I don’t want to seem too opinionated. What should I do?”

Hanging your opinion out on a global laundry line can be scary, especially when you’re writing about potentially contentious topics. We often tiptoe around those stalwarts of family dinner table arguments, politics and religion, but any issue on which two reasonable bloggers can differ can be divisive — and therefore scary — to tackle publicly. Human sexuality. Parenting decisions. Food choices. Who should win The Bachelor.

Today, let’s look at some dos and don’ts for writing about sensitive topics in ways that are both constructive and true to you.

First, a deep breath.

Before we delve into specifics, a pause and a deep breath for perspective…

  1. Blogs thrive on opinions. Without an opinion, a blog post is like an encyclopedia article, or maybe a set of assembly instructions for an end table — utilitarian, but not that interesting. We read blogs because we’re engaged by the people behind those blogs, and that engagement happens when we a blogger’s unique point of view resonates with us.
  2. You can’t please all of the people all of the time. Honestly, you can’t please most of the people most of the time, either, and there are days (and topics) when pleasing some of the people some of the time is also a tall order. But you can engage your people most of the time. And who are your people? The ones who are drawn to your voice and perspective.

If you tamp down your opinion, your people can’t find you. You may be tempted to appeal to the widest audience by keeping your blog blandly palatable, but your posts will miss out on the thing that makes blogs so compelling: point of view. Sure, you won’t get hate mail… but you won’t get fan mail, either.

This doesn’t mean you should go out of your way to court controversy, but please don’t be scared of your voice or your opinions. They’re what make you a blogger worth reading.

Dos!

We’re talking about your blog and your opinions — I can’t give you hard-and-fast rules, but there are a few things you can keep in mind when writing about sensitive or controversial issues:

If your opinions did spring fully formed from a magical opinion suitcase, that’s definitely an experience you should post about. Also, you should keep that suitcase somewhere safe.

  • Root your opinions in your experience. Rather than making blanket pronouncements, make your experiences the basis of the discussion. After all, your opinions didn’t spring fully formed from a magical opinion suitcase. Explaining the threads that contribute to your point of view gives us a richer understanding of your position. Acknowledging the ways that your views are products of your experiences also creates a space for readers to share their own stories, whether they agree or disagree.
  • Put your opinions in context. Divisive issues are a great opportunity to draw other bloggers into your post. Sharing what others have already written puts your post into a larger context, which in turn provides more entry points for readers to understand and engage with you. It also builds the connection between your blog and others, strengthening the fabric of the blogging community — good for the individual post, good for your blog, and good for the blogosphere.
  • Give your post a rest before publishing. This is a useful thing to do for any post; it’s easier to see things you could improve or spot typos with fresh eyes. For a post you worry might be controversial, it’s even more important. Taking a break gives the emotion that bubbles up while writing time to settle. After a time-out, you can review your post to ensure that it comes from a place of passionate care, not anger.

Opinionated posts can stimulate lively comment conversations. They may also awaken some trolls — but don’t worry, we’ve got guidance on that, too.

As you develop your voice, you’ll come to a place where you no longer need to keep these tips front-of-mind while writing. In the beginning, when publishing new posts still produces that fizzle of adrenaline, they’ll help you be more comfortable with how you’re framing your opinion.

Don’ts!

Where there are three Dos, there are also three Don’ts:

  • Don’t namecall or denigrate others. Personal attacks may have a few of your die-hard supporters pumping their fists, but that’s it. They don’t sway anyone and they don’t make an argument stronger. Attacks block any conversation with those who don’t agree with you, and may even drive away some of those who do.
  • Don’t share personal details that aren’t your own. Rooting your opinions in experience is a good way to keep a heated discussion grounded, but make sure they’re your experiences. Others’ experiences are not yours to appropriate, unless you’ve been given permission — and even then, you’re not writing from as strong a position (and never know when you might inadvertently misrepresent someone).
  • Don’t namecall or denigrate others. Okay, I lied, that’s only two Don’ts. This one’s important, so it’s here twice. Remember: personal attacks really just make you look bad.

There a lot of subjectivity here and we’re all learning as we go — I’d love to hear from you about a time when you weren’t sure, a time you think you may have gotten it wrong, or the personal guidelines you have for writing about sensitive topics.

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  4. Great post. So true. I post about personal or controversial things (tactfully) sometimes and I always have to give myself a serious pep-talk before clicking the post button! But it’s worth it, because I feel like my voice is authentically my own. Who wants a boring blog that makes everyone happy and unchallenged? Not me!

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Thank you for sharing this since I am very new to this environment:) In fact, I am investigating whether this is something worthwhile for me to do. I believe that this would be a fruitful endeavor for me since my topics, though some are very opinionated or controversial, are all based on my personal experiences:)))

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I loved what you have written here! Trying to take a stance on a topic, whether it is something seen as having a stigma or being taboo can be difficult. You said it best, don’t bad-mouth others or bring others down to prove your point. Everyone has a story and we have to remember to look at ourselves under a magnifying lens as well. Maybe by being objective about others, sprinkling in our experience(s) and shaking out what we’re really afraid to say brings the best thing to the piece we are writing…honesty. I think if people know you’re being true, they will better understand your angle. You can’t fake honesty or integrity…both make for a well read piece. Who knows, maybe you might help people see life in a whole new light?

    Thank you for writing this! Very inspiring! đŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

  10. This is really well worded and I completely agree, especially where you said, “Blogs thrive on opinions. Without an opinion, a blog post is like an encyclopedia article”. I love reading blogs where people show me who they are, express themselves through their writing whether it be writing about an experience they had or fiction I find it quite powerful.
    As far as taboo topics go I think I have got as personal as I can with my curly haired Adonis post so I can’t go back to boring now hahaha.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Although I’m not in complete agreement with everything you say, this is an intelligent post which points out both sides of a controversial topic in and of itself (whether to be controversial or not publicly).

    I have personally been threatened twice by legal counselors who intimated their clients were considering libel or slander suits unless I take down certain posts, which they felt “denigrated” their client.

    Well, I’m not in the habit of posting false information, nor am I in the habit of backing down from those who attempt to intimidate me with groundless threats. And, since i am positive that they cannot prove my “highly negative characterization” of their clients to be false (because I use facts and personal experience to base my opinions about them, which I believe most people would concur with my assessments… of course if… all things being true).

    I simply write them to say “good luck”, but that you can’t hide the truth and we both know what it is. I admit this does nothing to make me more popular with readers, as I’ve always noticed that almost ANY negative statement or post draws silence in Social networks, blogs, etc.

    And yet, I can only say that I don’t write to be liked, only to be heard. Since my blog is personal and non-monetized i don’t worry about the financial aspect of my choices, but i do sometimes worry about losing good friends who have opposing views (and thus have several posts inside my head waiting for the right timing), and were either indoctrinated as such or simply not very well informed. Some topics are very important to my worldview but they may be considered heretical by some good but narrow minded friends. Same goes with politics. I juggle between taking the risk and telling it like it is with an understanding that some friends and relatives can’t handle the truth or not being able to look myself straight in the eyes in the mirror. I like who I see in the mirror most when he is upfront and honest, willing to hear all sides, but remains grounded in logic, reason, and fact. By not posting there’s a part of me that feels fraudulent.

    That said, thank you for writing a realistic approach to this topic for most people… because for most I believe you are exactly on-point… have some balls, just don’t get them hung out on a limb.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Pheap. Cool, but…? What exactly… if anything does your reply mean? Having trouble reading between one line…?

        Though if you read my blog you’ll find I’m not exactly new, just not prolific. But, I do feel the variation of style, topic, prose/poetry, and subject matter would lead one to think i wasn’t born yesterday.

        I am seriously more interested in knowing your feelings about the various points i made about your excellent post…

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Thanks for giving us newbies a good dose of encouragement and clarity. No blog can be a voiceless or soul-less write however the themes may vary as being technical, to home and family or spiritual and so on. Personally my unleashing of the words on such a forum is more cathartic with a touch of ‘Buddhistic’ practice- that of embracing the middle path for I am niggled by the thought that someone may get offended though I did not mean it to. That I guess I shouldn’t coz it is definitely not earning me any opinions! Treading that thin line it is then…….

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Dear Editor,
    maybe at the end of each posts, you should add this
    ”P.S we appreciate your views but No room for debate”

    that will be alot more helpful!
    Express your views, but before then can someone tell how i can unsubscribe to follow up comments via email?? You need to see my emails, (the worse part, none has to do with me) I’ve got alot of stuff going to the trash can!
    You know this other thing called ”battery going down??”

    Have fun, remember to tell me. Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I have started a section on my blog about living in Nigeria. Its just practical information for people moving here and how to cope with the daily challenges of living under high security in a poor country. I keep it based on my experiences and try to be reassuring. No point scaring people. I would be very careful about controversial topics in Nigeria.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes you have. Great post. I’m left wondering if this is fiction or non-fiction and whether you have ideas for dealing with these challenges: specifically – the Arab/Israeli/Middle East conflict and more generally – hatred and/or lack of tolerance. It’s a tall order and one that requires our attention. Thanks for sharing it.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. I almost felt like you were talking about me (X) , I did post a blog about a very serious sensitive matter, now wondering if I should delete, however, it was my mood and what I was feeling at the time. it kind of went hand and hand with bad news that I had recently heard the night before. Thank you for you opinion, whoever it was meant for. đŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I’m new to WordPress, and this is one of the first articles I’ve read here. Good, solid advice, and actually, something I had been thinking about lately. Writing from personal experience can be so intimidating. I also find it hard to write about things in general without sounding like a narcissist!
    Thanks for this,
    Sinéad

    Liked by 1 person

  24. This morning, I was trying to decide whether or not to write about something a bit…controversial (the current “Women Against Feminism” trend) when this post popped up in my feed. Thank you! For me, this post was exactly the right thing at the right time!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. I am personally fascinated with religion, and have written a few posts talking about how my religious views have changed over time. Whenever I write about religion, I make sure to emphasize that I am writing from my personal view, and do not claim to be an expert. I also encourage people to leave comments and give me their point of view, so I can simply learn more about other people’s perspective. I like to think that I write with an open mind. This was a pretty awesome post, thanks for sharing these tips!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. I’d like to add a don’t that has to do with commenting more than posting: Don’t assume that a person would agree with you if only they weren’t so ignorant. There might actually be thought and knowledge behind their position. In response to a comment I made on a post, a fellow commenter wrote, “Please read the Scriptures carefully and pray.” Her comment may have been a sweet attempt to mentor a confused, Biblically illiterate new believer, but since I am not a confused, Biblically illiterate new believer, it came off as condescending. Prayer and many careful readings of the Scriptures is exactly what lead to the comment.
    Do: Ask questions before you reply. It will save you from making condescending assumptions.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Great!! I wish it had come 3days earlier.

    RIP humanity

    It’s nothing controversial, but an opinion on the road to which we all are going. I re-read it so many times before posting for deleting any controversy arising sentence, even though it isn’t a big thing.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Lol… Like seriously??
    Same here, my stats are doing just great for a 10 days old blog but then i really liked to feel the connection there!
    You know, when people share their own thoughts, it makes me happy… đŸ™‚

    thanks for sharing your views with me! Nice meeting you.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Hey there!
    I just checked out your blog site, okay i’ve somethings to say!
    See, i’ve always liked feedbacks on my posts so that i can know where i need to improve on and stuffs like that!
    So, i think you should write more posts that’ll engage your audience and with words that’ll get’em attached. I love your photograph, i think the camera’s perfect.
    Every other thing is great just a little work on your words!

    Hey, if you read my previous comments, you’d see i talked on people commenting on posts, they might just view’em, but they wont comment.
    So take your time, and get’em involved in your words.

    Nice meeting you… đŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person