Choose a topic. Be careful not to choose a topic that is so broad that it overwhelms you. For example, instead of immigration reform in general, try focusing on some aspect of that topic, such as the ethics of denying healthcare to the sick children of immigrants. If the topic is privacy in the 21st century, you might explore the ways that public libraries do or do not protect users' personal information.
Research the topic. A large public or university library should contain more than enough information. Aim for the most current information. Take careful notes on all your findings.
Interview experts. These can be professors, social workers, legal professionals or anyone who works on behalf of social justice in the community. Interviews add a human element to the material.
Formulate a thesis based on the evidence collected during your research. A thesis statement is the backbone of any academic paper. A good thesis takes a position and anticipates counterarguments. The topic of capital punishment might lead to a thesis like "capital punishment is not consistent with a civilized society."
Assemble an outline of your notes. Discard anything that's not relevant to the topic and the thesis. Begin to think about your paper's organization. Write your thesis statement at the top of your notes.
Draft an outline for your paper. This is distinct from the outline of your notes. Remember the basic parts of all papers: introduction, body and conclusion.
Insert the thesis into the introductory section of the outline.
Fill in body paragraphs with information and details from your research. Make sure that everything in the body relates to the thesis in some way.
Compose a draft of the paper. Don't worry about making everything perfect at this point. Use a spell-checker to catch the most obvious errors.
Read your draft aloud. Have a friend read it as well. Mark all awkward sentences for revision. Decide if the overall organization is sensible and clear.
Revise the paper. Repeat the editing and revision process if necessary.