Inspiring complex writing in the social studies classroom begins with meaningful content and purposeful inquiry. When students engage with compelling historical questions, primary and secondary sources, and diverse perspectives, they develop the analytical foundation needed for rich, evidence-based writing. Teachers can foster this by modeling how to construct arguments, cite sources effectively, and synthesize information across texts. Using writing scaffolds—such as graphic organizers, sentence frames, and peer feedback protocols—helps students build confidence and fluency. Assignments that go beyond summary, like document-based questions (DBQs), position papers, and historical narratives, encourage deeper thinking and more sophisticated writing. Embedding writing into every stage of the learning process—from quick writes to final essays—supports continual growth. Most importantly, when students write with a purpose and understand the real-world significance of their work, they are more likely to write with voice, complexity, and conviction, ultimately strengthening both their academic skills and civic literacy.