Essay Writing Guide
Essay Topics
Interesting Essay Topics to Ensure A Better Grade
25 min read
Published on: Sep 16, 2017
Last updated on: Jan 23, 2023
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Essays are hard to start.
It's especially challenging when you have to keep track of all the things your professor wants in your paper
Essay assignments can be confusing and overwhelming. There are so many different types of essays, and each professor seems to have a different set of requirements. You might feel like you have too many options or are unsure of what the professor is looking for.
With over 380+ topics to choose from, you're sure to find one that fits your assignment perfectly. Our extensive list of essay topics has everything you need to get started on your next writing project. From fresh, innovative ideas to classic prompts, we have it all covered. Whatever type of essay you're looking to write, we have a topic for you.
Let's dive right in!
Tips for Choosing the Best Topics
The topic of your essay is the most important part. If your topic is not good, it will be hard to write a good paper.
The best topics are the ones you can easily write about. When choosing your essay topic, think about your audience.
If your audience doesn't know a lot about the topic, don't choose a topic that is too technical or specialized. Also, think about what would be interesting for your readers. What would they like to learn about?
The following essay topic ideas will help you impress your teacher and get a better score.
Covid-19 Topics
- The current COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on families
- Coronavirus and its medication
- How does coronavirus damage a person's health?
- How did the world change after the coronavirus?
- Negative side effects of Covid-19
- Everything you need to know about the coronavirus
- How did Covid-19 impact businesses?
- What medicines are good for coronavirus?
- How does covid-19 lead to cabin fever and anxiety symptoms?
Essay Topics for Different Types of Essays
For writing an essay , the first step is to decide on the topic.
You might think that it is better when teachers assign you a topic. But having the right to come up with your own ideas is always better.
Here you can find interesting topics and ideas for different types of essays to help you get started.
Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics
- Education should be made free for everyone.
- Junk food is the primary culprit behind obesity in US
- Internet access to students should be limited.
- Does asking someone to reduce weight equate to body shaming?".
- Should physical education be mandatory for college students?
- Does the keto diet leads to weight loss in a healthy manner
- Is golf still a popular sport?
- Should death penalties be implemented in every country?
- Sports players on steroids should be banned.
- Should kids be allowed to adopt e-gaming as a progressive career?
Funny Argumentative Essay Topics
- Do you hate your favorite childhood superhero now?
- What’s better: a hot dog, a delicious sandwich, or a burger?
- Is the body or the mind primary?
- Do you think that drug use should be legalized?
- It is a crime to eat french fries without ketchup
- Is Nutella the best sandwich spread ever made?
- Fast food is making America fat.
- Taking candy from a baby.
- Are the gender equality rules at the school fair?
- Is the common core good for students?
Looking for more argument essay topics? We have a detailed list of more good argumentative essay topics for your help.
Persuasive Essay Topics
- Contemporary exams do not match the student’s ability.
- Soda should not be given to children in restaurants.
- Women should be allowed to breastfeed in public.
- The internet was created to perform social engineering in societies
- Parents should be responsible when it comes to providing their children with a healthy diet.
- Churches should pay taxes too.
- The drinking age should be raised.
- Gender identity is determined when a child is young.
- Same-sex marriages should be made legal all around the world.
- Illegal immigrants should not be sent to jail.
Explore our detailed guide on persuasive essay topics and find a hot topic or a good idea for your paper.
Cause and Effect Essay Topics
- Advertising influences brand image.
- Insomnia influences a person’s cognitive ability.
- How exercising regularly helps reduce stress.
- Cause and effect of poverty.
- Effect of school bullying on children.
- Uber’s influence on taxi drivers.
- Cause and effect of the internet on the promotion of social programs.
- Optimal Omega-3 intake leads to better heart health
- What are the causes of terrorism?
- Effects of professional sports on children.
Related: Cause and Effect Essay Topics - 100+ Ideas for Your Essay
Compare and Contrast Essay Topics
- College versus junior high.
- Unemployed students versus students who work.
- Washington versus Lincoln.
- Burger versus pizza.
- English versus Maths.
- Movies versus Television shows.
- Comparison between an apple and an orange.
- Coke or Pepsi.
- The sun or the moon.
- Popcorn or Nachos.
If you need more ideas, here are some interesting compare contrast essay topics for your help.
Narrative Essay Topics
- Memories from your first day of school.
- The day when you got your dog.
- Your favorite movie and why?
- Memories from the day the power was out.
- A day at the amusement park.
- A sad experience with someone you care about.
- The day you experienced a historic event.
- An act of kindness.
- A time when you got lost in a mall.
- Your most disappointing birthday.
Related: Interesting Narrative Essay Topics For Your Essay
Expository Essay Topics
- A social issue that has impacted our society drastically.
- Why do women choose to continue an abusive relationship?
- The instances where people face gender discrimination in the workplace.
- How do people become racist without being unaware?
- Which religion will you introduce to your children?
- What materials can be used in building a sustainable structure?
- If you could create a cure for one disease, what would it be?
- Which country will you repeatedly visit and the reason behind it?
- How does pop music impact our way of our life?
- The sales and production of tobacco should be made illegal.
Here are some more interesting expository essay topics for your help.
Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics
- "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls.
- "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson.
- "The Revenant" By Michael Punke.
- "Witches Loaves" By O'Henry.
- Tintern Abbey in Pride and Prejudice.
- "Yes, Please" By Amy Poehler.
- Analyse Edgar Allen Poe’s poem ‘Raven.’
- "Success Strategies” by David Oedepo
- A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
The best way to write an interesting essay is by choosing one of our many rhetorical analysis essay topics .
Analytical Essay Topics
- The impact of Martin Luther King's speech “I have a dream” on modern American politics
- The significance of Pablo Picasso's artwork “The Old Guitarist”
- Important characteristics of Denzel Washington Speech at the University Of Pennsylvania
- Impact of the psychoanalytic theory on modern psychology
- The impact of Romeo and Juliet on the modern concept of love
- The significance of national security strategy 2018 on great power politics
- How does the author's treatment of the subject matter in “The Catcher in the Rye” differ from that in “The Great Gatsby”?
- How are the characters in “To Kill a Mockingbird” used to illustrate different aspects of racial prejudice in America during the 1930s?
- How is the treatment of love different in Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet” and “Othello”?
- How does the author use symbolism to develop the theme of good vs. evil in “The Scarlet Letter”?
Follow the link to get some more ideas and interesting analytical essay topics to begin writing.
Descriptive Essay Topics
- A painting.
- A best friend.
- A dream apartment.
- The beautiful moment of your life.
- A day at work.
- A life-changing experience.
- Last day at school.
- Your lucky charm.
- A class reunion.
- My favorite singer.
Our essay writers have gathered a huge list of descriptive essay topics ideas for your help. Give it a thorough read.
Informative Essay Topics
- The education system is changing.
- Why we should be worried about global warming.
- How many planets are in space?
- Effects of global warming.
- Can wild animals become pets?
- The cost of college textbooks.
- How to reduce stress.
- The influence of modern art.
- Alcohol and the nervous system.
- Famous Fast food chains and their business model
You can choose from a wide variety of interesting informative essay topics to meet your needs.
Definition Essay Topics
- What is dreaming?
- What is climate change?
- Define true happiness.
- What does love mean?
- What is global warming? And how can it be stopped?
- What is pro-choice and pro-life?
- What are communism and capitalism?
- What are the characteristics of good mental health?
- What is e-learning and what are its pros and cons?
- Define sportsmanship.
Problem Solution Essay Topics
- How to prevent social media bullying?
- How to help a depressed person?
- How texting affects face-to-face relationships?
- How to prevent injuries in sports?
- How can parents teach their children about time management?
- How to deal with manipulative and dominating people?
- How can schools and colleges be made safer?
- How to prevent deaths due to drunk driving?
- How to help families with a child with mental illness?
- How to stop violence in schools?
Personal Essay Topics
- A person you admire the most.
- Are you addicted to games?
- How did you learn to draw?
- What is your life’s goal?
- Things you hate the most?
- Why do I prefer online shopping?
- Your biggest achievement.
- What does success mean to you?
- What annoys you the most?
- Why is volunteering important?
Proposal Essay Topics
- In what ways can we reduce obesity?
- How to encourage children to be more active in extracurricular activities?
- How should students be graded?
- How to manage food resources correctly.
- How can we stop desertification?
- How to reduce underemployment?
- How can technology be used to save the environment?
- What measures should be taken to avoid the next economic crisis?
- What is the best way to discipline kids?
- Effects of unemployment.
Evaluation Essay Topics
- The dip in Manchester United's performance after the exit of Sir Alex Ferguson
- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of American secondary education.
- Evaluate the early and later music career of Micheal Jackson
- Modern and ancient arts: differences and similarities.
- Analyse the consequences of cultural shock.
- What is the difference between European and American curricula?
- Impact of social media on social relationships.
- Traditional relationships vs. online relationships.
- The impact of socioeconomic inequalities on modern American political fault lines
- Impact of Pearl harbor incidence on World War II
Process Analysis Essay Topics
- How to start a blog?
- How to set up your own website?
- How to plan the perfect birthday party?
- How to use social sites sensibly?
- How to end a bad relationship?
- How to write a book?
- How to make money online?
- How to start losing weight in 30 days?
- How to apply for an internship?
- How to find a perfect job?
The best way to write an essay is by coming up with a topic that you're passionate about. If your interests are narrow, then be sure to check out some other process analysis essay topics for inspiration!
Illustration Essay Topics
- Describe how you would make a decision about what career to choose.
- Illustrate the importance of learning different languages.
- Is it possible that there is life on other planets? Explain.
- What is the best way to revitalize your hometown?
- Can women do everything that men can do? What’s your point of view?
- Describe the benefits of playing video games?
- Describe the elements of a sincere apology.
- Describe why people get married?
- Describe how movies influence your look at life.
- Write about your best friend.
If you're stuck on what topic to write about, check out these creative and engaging illustration essay topics .
Exploratory Essay Topics
- What are the benefits of online dating?
- Should marijuana be legalized?
- How safe is nuclear energy?
- What should be the role of a woman in society?
- What are the challenges of raising a kid as a single parent?
- What are the effects of early marriages?
- The effect of reality tv shows on society
- Is a long-distance relationship effective?
- Advantages and disadvantages of globalization.
- The aftermath of the Tsunami.
Classification Essay Topics
- Types of eating disorders.
- Types of Facebook users.
- Different types of video games.
- Different types of students in college.
- Types of self-help strategies for stress and depression.
- Different types of political systems.
- Teaching strategies in high school.
- Types of exercises to lose weight easily.
- Home remedies for acne.
- Types of phobias.
We hope that by now you have a good topic for your essay. If not, check out these other classification essay topics .
Synthesis Essay Topics
- The Electoral College as a tool to determine the outcome of Presidential elections.
- Predicting animal adaptation by examining various evolutionary theories.
- A side-by-side analysis of the theories behind JFK's shooting
- Economic and social impacts of proposed legislation by Donald Trump
- Comparing plans to attract more visitors and create business opportunities.
- Examining crime rates in urban locations and the countryside
- Analysis of different theories on the causes of the Great Depression
- An account of the American Civil War from historical texts
- A synthesis of different theories of motivation to create behavioral change
- A unified approach to managing diabetes by examining global research from around the world
- The scientific method as a means of acquiring knowledge
We hope that you will find the perfect topic for your essay. If there's a specific kind of subject matter which interests you, be sure to check out more synthesis essay topics .
Good Essay Topics for Students
The following are lists of ideas for essays on various topics for students.
Essay Topics for Kids
- Environmental pollution
- Internet and its usage
- Importance of friends
- My favorite book
- Global warming
- Your favorite fruit
- Life without a mobile phone
- What is the use of a computer?
- Computer and science
Essay Topics for Grade 3
- Sports and games.
- Time management.
- Women empowerment.
- Corruption.
- My last summer vacation.
- Is it good to be bilingual?
- Eating healthy.
- PE in the curriculum.
Essay Topics for Grade 4
- Importance of discipline.
- Natural resources.
- Importance of family.
- Peer pressure.
- Capital punishment.
- Importance of recycling.
- Dedication.
- Child memories.
Essay Topics for Grade 5
- A memorable trip with the family.
- Self-discipline.
- Greenhouse effect.
- The conversation of nature.
- Communication skills.
- Secular state.
- Fundamental rights.
- Health and fitness.
- Benefits of morning walk.
- A city that you like to visit.
Essay Topics for Middle School Students
What are some good essay topics for middle school?
Remember, middle schoolers, your final grade also depends on the topic you choose for your essay. Many middle school students find it difficult to come up with an interesting topic for their essays. For your help, we have provided you with interesting essay topic ideas that you can choose from.
- Different methods to mow the lawn.
- Ways to deal with insomnia and other sleeping disorders.
- Ways to help you get rid of bad habits.
- Things that you need to throw an excellent party.
- Tricks that can help you find a nice roommate in college.
- Do schools do enough to prevent bullying?
- Is climate change real, and is it happening?
- Write about the funniest experience you have ever had.
- Should we fear failure?
- Is fast food to blame for the obesity problem?
Essay Topics for Grade 6
- Freedom of the press.
- Vehicle pollution.
- Does art pay?
- Domestic violence.
- Impact of stress on health.
- Causes of racism.
- Importance of tree plantation.
- Life on Mars.
- Reading books.
Essay Topics for Grade 7
- Financial literacy.
- Morning walk.
- Child labor.
- Life of soldiers.
- A funny incident.
- Why learning history is important.
- Benefits of ebooks.
- How to prevent global warming.
- Effects of erosion.
- Environment and human health.
Essay Topics for Grade 8
- Population growth.
- Social networking sites.
- Culture and tradition.
- Pollution due to firecrackers.
- How to help animals.
- Why homework is important.
- The best reality tv show.
- Video game addiction.
- Problems faced by working women.
- Consequences of global warming.
Essay Topics for Grade 9
- Horror films.
- Bad language.
- Is tattoo art?
- Healthy food.
- Cleanliness.
- Career and goals
- Train journey
- How can one prevent stress due to COVID-19?
Essay Topics for Grade 10
- Should you pay attention to what other people say about you?
- Regulation of alcohol usage.
- What causes addiction to junk food, and how to combat it?
- Obesity: main causes and remedial steps.
- Teenage versus adulthood.
- Comparison between cats and dogs.
- Difference between homework and class assignments.
- Pros and cons of traveling alone.
- Are public schools better than private schools?
- Homeschooling versus attending an actual school.
Essay Topics for Grade 11
- Difference between exams in colleges and schools.
- Difference between driving a bike and a car.
- Essay writing versus blog writing.
- The best childhood memory.
- My family treasures.
- What is the importance of a kid's participation in sports?
- Do fad diets actually work?
- What will life be like in 2050?
- Your most memorable trip
- A visit to a hill station
Essay Topics for Grade 12
- The most striking news of the past year
- The era of digitalization
- Highly graded subjects
- What is an allergy?
- Why are movies better than books?
- A successful marriage
- Recycling should be compulsory
- Life before and after the internet
- Career tips for students
- What is your role model?
Essay Topics for High School Students
Finding an interesting essay topic for a high school essay is not an easy task. That's why our experts have curated a list of interesting topics for your help.
Have a look at the following topics for high school essays to come up with your own ideas.
- Does the fashion industry need to change the way they advertise?
- Do beauty pageants carry any benefits for women?
- Should women get plastic surgery?
- What instigated World War 2?
- What do people mean when they say “Fake news?”
- Can constant use of drugs cause brain damage?
- Can gun control help in regulating crime?
- Is summer school designed to help children?
- Methods that are used by professionals to get their dream job.
- The ways to deal with on-campus violence.
Essay Topics for College Students
Teachers expect more from college students. Therefore coming up with ideas that can grab the teacher’s attention is an important yet difficult task to accomplish. To help college students, here are some interesting topic ideas to make the start of your essay writing much easier.
- Role of Modern Media in contributing to eating disorders.
- Is technology turning people into zombies?
- Is censorship on the internet necessary?
- Will there be a 3rd World War?
- Every student should have the right to choose the discipline they are interested in. Discuss.
- What does it take to become a politician?
- The reasons behind high unemployment rates.
- The aftermath of earthquakes.
- Which countries have the most corruption?
- Should there be a restriction on the sales and production of tobacco?
Essay Topics by Subjects
During the course of any subject, teachers ask students to write essays related to one general topic. The variety of subtopics can easily confuse students to make up a good essay topic. To help such students, here is a list of essay topics by subjects to choose from.
Essay Topics on Languages
- The change of language over time.
- The use of text messages has ruined the modern language: is it true?
- How to explore new languages.
- Neuro-linguistic programming and how it works.
- Physical communication or verbal communication: which is effective?
- Explore the ways in which people can communicate.
- Benefits of learning a second language.
- Explain how learning languages work.
- Is learning a new language in high school important?
- Why is English important?
Essay Topics on Social Media
- Influence of social media on youth.
- What are the cons of social media?
- Should texting and driving be illegal?
- The impact of social media on the life of teenagers.
- How does social media affect the relationship between parents and children?
- Does social media like Pinterest should be used in the classrooms?
- How to handle the problem of being bullied through social media?
- What rules should students follow when posting to social media?
Essay Topics on Technology
- Technology and the global economy.
- The positives and effects of technology.
- The role of 3-D printing in Medicine.
- What science has to offer to disabled people?
- Face detection software and the problem of identity theft.
- Adding connectivity to our home devices: is it helpful or not?
- Cloud computing and artificial intelligence
- How has technology changed our life?
- Life without technology
- Technology has its own rules
Essay Topics on Current Affairs
- The Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Economy
- The Impact of Brexit on the European Union
- The Refugee Crisis in Europe
- Climate Change and its Impacts
- Terrorism and its Impact on International Relations
- The Challenge of Global Terrorism
- The Crisis in Ukraine
- The Conflict in Syria
- The Rise of Populism
Essay Topics on Corruption
- The Impact of Corruption on Economic Development
- The Relationship Between Corruption and Inequality
- The Role of the Media in Combating Corruption
- The Impact of Corruption on Political Stability
- The Relationship Between Corruption and Crime
- The Use of Technology in Combating Corruption
- International Cooperation in Combating Corruption
- The Private Sector and Combating Corruption
- Civil Society and Combating Corruption
- The Causes of Corruption
Essay Topics on Climate Change
- The effects of climate change on human health
- The impact of climate change on global food security
- The economic impacts of climate change
- The role of the media in communicating the risks of climate change
- The ethical implications of climate change
- The Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture
- The Impacts of Climate Change on Wildlife
- The Potential Solutions to Climate Change
- The Challenges in Implementing Solutions to Climate Change
- The Role of the Individual in Solving Climate Change
- Social media and its impact on society
- The role of social media in promoting democracy
- The use of social media in marketing and advertising
- Social media and its impact on relationships
- The role of social media in education
- The use of social media by law enforcement and other government agencies.
- The role of social media in the spread of misinformation and fake news.
- The impact of social media on the way we consume news and information.
- The role of social media in the rise of “echo chambers” and filter bubbles.
- The potential for social media to be used as a tool for surveillance and control
Essay Topics on Democracy
- The origins of democracy
- The evolution of democracy
- The benefits of democracy
- The drawbacks of democracy
- The future of democracy
- The different forms of democracy
- The relationship between democracy and development
- The impact of globalization on democracy
- Democratic theory and practice
Essay Topics on Social Issues
- The Impact of Social Media on Society
- The Relationship between Education and Social Class
- The Role of the Family in Child Development
- The Effects of Poverty on Health
- The Impact of Technology on Human Interaction
- The impact of technology on social interactions
- The effects of social media on body image
- How to deal with cyberbullying
- Raising children in a digital age
Essay Topics on Current Issues
- The rise of the gig economy and its impact on workers
- The role of technology in increasing inequality
- The challenges of climate change adaptation
- The implications of Brexit for the European Union
- The rise of populism and its impact on democracy
- The increasing inequality of wealth and income
- The spread of infectious diseases
- The threat of nuclear proliferation
- The decline of democracy in developed countries
- The rise of China as a global power
- The spread of religious extremism
Essay Topics About Mental Health
- The prevalence of mental health disorders in the United States.
- The impact of mental health disorders on individuals and society.
- The causes of mental health disorders.
- The treatments available for mental health disorders.
- The challenges faced by individuals with mental health disorders.
- CBT for obsessive compulsive disorders
- Role of Antidepressants in treating Depression
- Impact of noise pollution on mental health
- Social media use leads to negative self-esteem
- Attachment issues in adults is related to childhood parenting issues
Essay Topics about Music
- Music as a form of expression
- The role of music in society
- Music and emotion
- Music and the brain
- The history of music
- The positive role of music in improving mental health
- Music and the college life
- Pop music has reduced the importance of classical music
- Good lyrics are important for the success of a classical song
- Good music leads to successful blockbuster movies
Essay Topics About Love
- Love as a universal emotion
- The different stages of love
- The concept of love in different cultures
- The role of love in our lives
- The impact of love on our mental and physical health
- The evolution of love over time
- The different types of love
- Love and sex
Essay Topics About Yourself
- Introduce yourself in a unique way that captures your reader's attention.
- Discuss an accomplishment that you are proud of, and how it has shaped who you are today.
- Describe a time when you faced a challenge, and how you overcame it.
- Share an experience that has helped to shape your values and beliefs.
- Discuss what you hope to achieve in the future, and how your experiences to date have prepared you for this.
- What are your hobbies and interests?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your career aspirations?
- Describe a time when you faced a challenge and how you coped with it.
- Tell us about a time when you were proud of yourself and why.
- What are your plans for the future?
Essay Topics About the Environment
- The impact of human activity on the environment
- The role of the government in protecting the environment
- The importance of the greenhouse effect
- The challenges of climate change
- The future of the environment
- The threat of climate change
- The impact of deforestation
- The loss of biodiversity
- Water pollution
- Air pollution and impact on human health
Feel free to choose from the above topics and start writing your essay confidently.
Get Essay Help On Any Topic From Expert Writers
Keep in mind that your essay topic accounts for 50% of its success. It plays an important role to get the attention of readers and invoke their interest.
If you decide on a good argumentative topic and support it with relevant discussion, you will definitely get a good grade. Otherwise, you can also hire a professional essay writer online .
Hopefully, our essay help online succeeded in giving you several interesting ideas in regard to different topic choices.
We have suggested topics for different levels of education, types of essays, and subjects. We have provided you with the best and latest English essay topics for your help.
Therefore, refer to the above essay topics list to drive ideas and then create an interesting paper.
Contact our best writing services if you need your essay written by experts!
Nova A. (Literature, Marketing)
Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.
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- Describe a facet of your identity, background or story that is essential to who you are.
For this essay, try finding a part of your identity that will set you apart and highlight the unique perspective you will bring to the university. Try to avoid writing an essay that a school will most likely get a million different times — for example, an essay about your talent playing a sport or your early love of learning. Think about an aspect of your personality, family or upbringing that is truly special.
- Write about a time that you failed at something. How did that failure affect you?
Don’t be afraid to dig deep and talk about something that may feel vulnerable. Try to conclude with an example of how the failure improved the way you deal with similar situations now. It can be uncomfortable for anyone to admit they’re less-than-great at something, but that honesty can be refreshing, especially if you tell your story in an authentic, relatable way.
- Tell us about a time where you challenged your pre-existing worldview. Why? Would you do this again?
In this essay, choose a time that you were able to listen to experiences and perspectives contrary to yours with respect and maturity. Demonstrate that you are able to zoom out from your personal worldview and learn from those you may disagree with. This can not only give colleges an idea of your ability to engage in difficult ideological debates, but also your character and humility.
- Write about a problem that you have or want to solve. It can be as big or as small as you can think of!
For this question, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. It is easy to say a typical world issue — like hunger — but a creative problem can showcase your specific passions and interests and set you apart. An admissions officer is much more likely to remember an applicant who has a very specific essay written in a unique and quirky way.
- Write about a moment that illustrated your shift from child to adult within your community or family.
If you can’t immediately think of a pivotal event for this essay, you may want to skip it and try a different one. Essays like this are best answered with significant and unique moments rather than less important ones.
- Describe a favorite book or movie where the main character has to decide something difficult. What did you think about their choice?
The defining factor for this essay is what book or movie you choose. Stay away from pop culture novels that many people may use ( Harry Potter , The Hunger Games , etc.) and try to pick a book you have read in school or something unique you read for fun that stayed with you. However, don’t use a book you didn’t enjoy! Inauthenticity will always come through in your writing.
Coordinate tutoring sessions for admission help with a sign up. SAMPLE
- Write your top 10 list.
With this prompt, get creative. Don’t simply put 10 things you enjoy — get specific! Pick something you love and give your top 10 — maybe top 10 memories of your life, top 10 favorite books, top 10 quotes, etc. Make sure you give clear explanations of the items on your list as well. The more specific your list is, the better.
- Tell us a topic that you have changed your mind on in the past three years.
For this essay, don’t hesitate to get silly or serious — but make sure you go all the way whichever side you choose! Pick an issue that doesn’t come immediately to mind. Try to pinpoint a specific “a-ha” moment your opinion changed, and make sure to give an example of how your changed perspective has influenced your behavior.
- Write about your life goals.
To answer this prompt, go beyond the generic career and family goals. Try to answer things with a personal spin — maybe talk about goals you have for yourself as a person (e.g., to be more kind) or something unique you want to check off your bucket list!
- Pick a quote that describes a lot about you, and explain why you connect with it.
For this essay, choose a quotation that the admissions officers won’t see over and over. Stay away from individuals who are constantly quoted — like Dr. Seuss — and make 100 percent certain your quote is correctly attributed! Genius Tip : Check out these 25 inspiring volunteer quotes .
- Write about your most embarrassing moment and how you learned from it.
This is a great opportunity to get creative and share a funny experience! Try transitioning the experience into a more serious explanation of how it changed you — for example, maybe it encouraged you to be more considerate toward others’ feelings.
- Tell us about a time where you had to either take a risk or stay safe. What did you do? What happened? Would you do it again?
For this situation, if you made a poor decision, focus on the way you would change it. On the other hand, if you made a good decision, focus on what influenced you to make that decision and how it has changed you. You might think you have to pick an example where you took a risk, but your essay could be more memorable if you choose a candid example of when you chose to play it safe.
- Describe something you’re passionate about. How do you learn more about it? What makes it so appealing?
This is the perfect essay to set yourself apart from other applicants. Talk about that thing you love, that obscure topic you’re an expert about — anything, as long as your passion shines through in your writing!
- Pick your own topic for this essay.
This is a great instance to use an essay you’ve already written for another college. (Make sure to include modifications as needed.) This way, you can limit the number of essays you write and focus on quality of writing over quantity of essays.
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- Tell us the best advice you’ve ever gotten, who told you it and whether or not you followed the advice.
Don’t write a generic essay — find an example of advice that was specific and personal to you. Explain why it was so important, and connect it to a specific example in which you did or did not follow it.
- Write about the role that a certain activity (sports, theater, band, etc.) has had on your life.
This prompt gives you the opportunity to talk about your passions and show off your extracurricular activities. Make sure to connect the importance of the activity to a certain experience or story to give the essay direction.
- If you could meet with any person, living or dead, for an hour, who would it be and what would you say to them?
For this prompt, stay away from figures that are likely to be written about by hundreds of potential students (presidents, Mother Teresa, etc.), and pick a figure you are actually passionate about and interested in, rather than what you think sounds most academic. If you want to go personal and choose a family member, make sure you have a memorable and unique reason.
- If you were to give a very important speech or a TED talk, what would it be about?
When writing this essay, pick a topic of interest. Additionally, make sure whatever you write about has a clear, one sentence takeaway that you can stress throughout the essay to give it direction. To prep, watch a few TED talks online to help give your essay voice.
- If you were to teach a class, what would your class be on?
This essay topic is a great opportunity for humor. Choose a unique topic that others might not think of, and whatever you choose, make sure you know a lot about it!
- Tell us a “Eureka” moment that you had and what sparked it.
For this essay, make sure you think of a turning point that’s also an interesting story. This can be an opportunity to talk about an experience from one of your jobs or extracurricular activities. Tie it in to what you learned and how you’ve taken that lesson and incorporated it into your life.
- Write an essay about a time that you had to be brave or stand up for what you believed in.
This can be a great opportunity to talk about what’s important to you and what beliefs you hold most central to who you are. Center the essay around one experience or time in your life. Don’t play this one down the middle — take a stance and defend it.
- What makes you angry? What are you doing or what have you done about it?
Take this essay as big or as small as you want, but commit to it! Whether you write a funny essay about pet peeves or write one about large social problems, go all the way.
- If you could change one day of your life, what would you change? Why?
If you can’t immediately think of a significant day, you probably don’t have a lot of material for this essay. Save this essay for an unusual experience!
- Talk about a personal accomplishment that is unrelated to academics, but that means a lot to you.
For this essay, focus on a unique accomplishment that illustrates the diversity that you can bring to your university and really tells a lot about who you are. It can be a big or small accomplishment as long as it means a lot to you.
- If you could time travel to any time and place, where would you go?
When writing this essay, either pick a historical, personally significant or futuristic moment, but make sure you are passionate about whichever moment you choose. Begin with explaining the moment’s significance and your desire to experience it, then describe your personal connection to it.
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- If you could give any advice to an incoming high school student, what would it be?
In this essay, try to stay positive. Give advice about helpful things the student could do to benefit their high school career, rather than pointing out and seemingly complaining about the negative parts of high school (unless you are really funny) and then giving advice about how to deal with it. Be honest about your high school experiences while also displaying the perspective you have gained.
- If you could stop one invention from being invented, what would it be?
Try to be unique for this prompt. Make sure to outline not only your reasons for choosing the invention, but also the impact that the invention not being created would have on the world.
- Why do you want to attend this college/university?
For this essay: BE SPECIFIC! Colleges can tell when your essay is just a form essay. Make sure your essay mentions specific and unique aspects of the college/university you’re applying to so it’s clear that your essay is not just generic. There’s so much information out there on the Internet that there’s really no excuse for a poorly researched response.
- Pick a law and explain why it is so important to you.
There are many ways to interpret this kind of prompt. Whether you talk about a political law, religious law, physical law or something else, make sure to connect it your personal experiences. The more unique you are, the more likely an admissions officer will remember your essay.
- What do you want people to know about you but are afraid to tell them?
In this essay, don’t be afraid to get vulnerable and be specific. Whether you pick a trait or simply a specific memory, connect it to what it means to you personally and why you don’t generally tell people about it.
- If you could add an amendment to the Constitution, what would you add?
Silly or serious, this essay can be fun. Just make sure the amendment is NOT already part of the Constitution, and be sure to outline the impact your new amendment would have. Go a step further by explaining your strategy for getting the amendment passed.
- Talk about a person in your life who has helped you understand yourself better.
For this essay, give a few examples of how this person has impacted you. Then, conclude the essay with how you have understood yourself better because of these experiences.
- What book would you recommend to everyone?
Stay away from books that are likely to appear many times. This might go without saying, but make sure it’s a book you’ve already read! Rather than just summarizing the book, explain why you’re recommending it.
- Who is someone you have spoken up for because he/she cannot speak for him/herself?
If you don’t have a good example for this essay, don’t massage a story to make it fit. You’ll risk sounding privileged. This essay can be good, but it needs to be about a significant moment where you spoke up for someone who couldn’t speak for him/herself.
- What is one thing you want to accomplish in college?
In this essay, focus on the interests/activities that you’re passionate about. Make sure to focus your essay around one or two focused and achievable goals. This is also a great opportunity to mention specifics about the college you’re applying to.
With these prompts and ideas, you’ll be off to a great start on your college applications. One last piece of advice: Give yourself plenty of time to outline ideas and review — don’t wait until the last minute!
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35 College Essay Prompts and Topics
21 College Essay Topics & Ideas That Worked (Guide + Examples)
You’re looking for a giant list of college essay topics to choose from.
And that’s exactly what you’ll find at the bottom of this page.
Wouldn’t it be nice if I gave you two great brainstorming exercises to help you find your own college essay topics?
I’ll answer that rhetorical question: Yes.
And that’s what you’ll find before we get to that giant list.
How do I know these exercises work? Because over the years I’ve worked with thousands of students, many of whom (like you)...
Have decent grades and a pretty good but not perfect SAT score
Are afraid they don’t have outstanding extracurricular activities to write about
Feel like their essay could make a difference in their college application but aren’t sure where to start.
Sound familiar?
My hope is that, by going through these step-by-step brainstorming exercises, you’ll find a topic that’s elastic, meaning that it’s stretchy enough to talk about lots of different parts of you, which is a characteristic you’ll find in most outstanding personal statements.
Great brainstorming is key to a great application. Want to see an example of a student’s brainstorming exercises, and the essays and application that brainstorming led to? Go here .
Pro Tip: Download your own blank template of that list and fill it in here.
All right, let’s do this.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Topic Brainstorming: The Values Exercise
- Topic Brainstorming: The Essence Objects Exercise
- Topic Brainstorming:"Everything I Want Colleges to Know About Me" List
- Essay Topics and Ideas
The Values exercise
This exercise is useful for identifying both your core values and your aspirations by answering this question: WHAT DO I VALUE?
The Essence Objects Exercise
This is one of my favorite brainstorming activities for generating college essay ideas. Why?
It’s one of the most efficient ways I know to help create a TON of content for your personal statement and also add texture to bring your essay to life.
Also, it’s just fun to do and a great way to reflect.
Ready to do it?
Click here for a list of questions to help you with the exercise. Then, watch the video below.
What’s one of your essence objects?
The ‘Everything I Want Colleges to Know About me’ Exercise
Make a list of all the things you want colleges to know about you.
How? You can do this either:
in a bulletpoint format (organized, easy to read)
on a blank sheet of paper (with drawings, get creative)
on a timeline
For more detailed instructions, head here .
College Essay Topic Samples
Here’s a list of essay topics and ideas that worked for my one-on-one students:
Essay Topic: My Allergies Inspired Me
After nearly dying from anaphylactic shock at five years old, I began a journey healing my anxiety and understanding the PTSD around my allergies. This created a passion for medicine and immunology, and now I want to become an allergist so no other child will have to feel the same.
To read the full essay, click here.
Essay Topic: My Foreign Exchange Experience
My 28 months in America living with five families helped me develop five values: open mindedness, spending quality time with family, understanding, discipline, and genuine appreciation.
Essay Topic: Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
I’ve created my own essay prompt: why did the chicken cross the road? In short, the chicken discovers that her idyllic world is not all it seems, and she must cross the road to discover her true purpose in life. She may come to realize that the world is more terrible and beautiful than she’s ever known.
To read the full essay, click here .
Essay Topic: A Palestinian Hunger Strike Turns Into a Purpose
My experience supporting a hunger strike in my native land, and watching my fellow students slowly lose interest in the strike and my protest, taught me to be passionate about social justice and inspired the creation of my own ethical clothing company.
Essay Topic: Lessons From My Pilgrimage to Mecca
My pilgrimage to Mecca taught me that I am valuable and family is centrally important. Now, I'm proud of my heritage, passionate about languages, and excited to bring all of it to college.
Essay Topic: From Homeschool to the Football Field
Instead of my original plan of playing football in high school, I freed myself of my fear of social interactions and my age gap by discovering a love for coaching.
Essay Topic: My First Flight Failed, But My Love Was Born
While my attempt at flight when I was five years old ended in disaster, my passion only grew as I became older. My love of engineering has taught me collaboration, social justice, curiosity, and diligence.
Essay Topic: Poop, Animals, and the Environment
I don’t mind being pooped on, bitten or scratched because my passion for animals is bigger than all of that. I know the world is rife with environmental problems, and I’m ready to spend my life making a difference.
Essay Topic: A Word a Day, A Life of Imagination
The NYT word of the day reminds me of something: my own imagination. My curiosity has taught me to love playing basketball, the violin, and inventing new words.
Essay Topic: Where I’m Home
I find myself feeling at “home” wherever I am, whether it’s spending quality time eating chicken with my family, diligently working on my chemistry research in the lab, or expanding my world through my college electives at Governor's School East.
Essay Topic: Easter, Travel, and Dad
Despite my abusive father’s wishes, I took a trip abroad and discovered my independence. Now, I want to pursue international relations and women’s studies to help women around the world discover who they are.
Essay Topic: My Cosmetic Journey
Although I initially saw my interest in cosmetics as a superficial obsession, through research and advocacy I’m now a community leader and online advocate for ethical cosmetics testing and labeling.
Essay Topic: Transformers Are Not Just for Boys
Being punished for playing with transformers because they “aren’t for girls” didn’t stop me from becoming passionate about robotics, where I created and fought for an open source platform that educates children about robotics around the world.
Essay Topic: The Instagram Post
Being publicly shamed for my pro-choice stance taught me to be passionate about my point of view, and now I understand that, while dissent and social justice are sometimes painful, they are sometimes necessary.
Essay Topic: My Grandmother Passing
My grandmother is my source of inspiration. When she passed away I couldn’t help but reflect on my love of family, passion for education, and my volunteering experiences at a cancer treatment center.
Essay Topic: My Self-Proclaimed Identity
I love writing, philosophy, speech and debate... and punk rock music. But I am not any one of these things, because I am all of them. I call myself a “punk-rock philosopher.”
Essay Topic: My Grandma’s Kimchi
I’ll always remember the passion and attention to detail my grandmother put into making kimchi. Watching my grandmother eventually lose her ability to make this important dish made me reflect on memory, death, and the importance of family. Now I’m the one who makes the kimchi.
Essay Topic: How Traveling Led to My Love of Language
My experiences traveling around the world influenced my interest in language and human connection. That interest is what I want to bring into my dual majors of foreign language and linguistics.
Essay Topic: A Girl Muses on a Dead Bird
One day, my cat attacked a bird in the front yard. In my vain attempt at saving its life, I was forced to reconcile with losing one of my best friends in a tragic accident years ago.
Essay Topic: I Shot My Brother
My lifelong jealousy towards my little brother erupted when I shot him with a bb gun. Haunted with guilt, I sought to treat my brother with newfound respect and love, and learned the importance of family.
255 Unique Essay Topics for College Students [2023 Update]
The success of any college essay depends on the topic choice. If you want to impress your instructors, your essay needs to be interesting and unique. Don’t know what to write about? We are here to help you!
Our specialists will write a custom essay on any topic for $13.00 $10.40/page
In this article by our Custom-Writing.org team, you will find 255 interesting essay topics for college students. We’ve also included some helpful tips on choosing a topic that will make your essay stand out.
- 🔝 Top 10 College Essay Topics
- 📋 How to Choose a Topic
- 🧑 Personal Essay Topics
- 🖌️ Descriptive Topics
- 🏺 Narrative Topics: History
- 🔮 Creative Writing Topics
- 🎓 Topics for Various Fields
- ✍️ Topics for Different Essay Types
- 🚫 Topics to Avoid
🔗 References
🔝 top 10 essay topics for college students, 📋 how to pick a college essay topic.
There is no universal advice on picking a great essay topic. However, the tips below will surely help you avoid choosing a mediocre one. Just follow these steps:
STEP #1: Start with brainstorming.
Relax and write down everything that comes to mind. It can be related to your personal life or areas of interest.
STEP#2: Use outside sources.
If you need additional inspiration, find a list of essay topic suggestions. Pick several options that appeal to you.
STEP#3: Select a topic.
Once you have your list of possible topics, do the following:
- Review the essay instructions or prompt, if you have one.
- Exclude ideas that are not suitable or compelling enough.
- Decide which of the remaining topics you want to write about. It might be the one you are interested in or understand best.
College Essay Topics: Fields & Disciplines
Now that you know how to choose a theme for your assignment, let’s examine this list of college essay ideas. These exceptional topics are arranged by subject, so you can go right to the section that interests you the most.
🧑 Personal Essay Topics for College
- Your perfect date.
- Settling an argument.
- What’s usually in your bag.
- Your most memorable purchase.
- What your upbringing was like.
- One quote that inspired you the most.
- What you do to make the world better.
- Where you want to spend your life.
- When the effort was worth the result.
- An unusual feeling you’ve experienced.
- A life-changing adventure. There are many ways to write about adventure in an essay . You can describe an interesting situation from your own life or one experienced by another individual, perhaps a famous figure.
- Positive and negative leadership examples. Typically, essays on leadership describe a specific person or a situation. A more interesting perspective on this subject is highlighting episodes of disastrous leadership. Some examples include the expansion of fascism after World War I or exploitation under European colonialism .
- Decision making. Both mundane and monumental, earth-shattering decisions make great essay topics. You can choose a situation and describe what the decision-maker did correctly or incorrectly.
- Deciding what to wear today. This might be the most mundane decision that everyone makes daily. However, just because it’s so ordinary, it might yield a fascinating college essay if explored thoughtfully.
- President Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan. This decision may have been the most significant of human history. It marked the introduction of a technology that could annihilate the human race. This decision may have been the most significant of human history. It marked the introduction of a technology that could annihilate the human race.
- Purchasing decisions in the supermarket. Similarly, everyone decides what to eat several times every day. In an essay on this subject, focus on the most interesting factors influencing grocery shopping decisions.
- Picking a book to read. According to The Atlantic, an average modern American reads fewer books than at any earlier time in history. With this in mind, consider writing an essay on selecting a book to read. This is particularly interesting when you recognize that more books are being published nowadays than ever before.
- Childhood experiences as behavioral drives. An analysis of childhood experiences can help interpret individual character traits. Any challenge and achievement play a part in the formation of behavioral drives. You can discuss them in the context of one’s mental development .
- Parenting styles and motives. Everyone knows that the role of parents in children’s lives is crucial. For your essay, you can choose to evaluate specific approaches to interacting with a child. Obtain reliable data about a child’s habits and find correlations with social adaptation principles.
- Problem-solving skills in everyday life. Problem-solving skills allow a person to overcome challenges. You may assess these skills from your perspective. This essay can also highlight the traits that enable you to cope with difficulties.
- Negotiation skills and conflict resolution attainments. The ability to compromise is a valuable personal quality. It can be helpful in different areas of interpersonal communication . In your paper, analyze ways to enhance this skill for successful conflict resolution.
- Bill Gates’ initiative to create Microsoft and change the world. Thanks to Bill Gates , computer technologies became available to everyone. Assessing his career path can help identify specific components of success. What valuable lessons can we learn from him?
🖌️ Descriptive Essay Topics for College Students
- What your hometown is like.
- What you dislike about the Internet.
- If emotions were personified.
- How you experience art.
- Holiday season and nostalgia.
- Your personal teaching experience.
- How regular workout makes you feel.
- The impact of music on your body.
- National holidays in different countries.
- Traditions you observed around the world.
- Marriage: then and now. In bygone eras, most children were born within wedlock. In the contemporary world, fewer marriages take place than before. What are the reasons behind it?
- Pressure on women to marry. In the past, women were coerced into marriage more forcefully than men. Unfortunately, this tendency remains in many societies even today. You can choose this topic to investigate sexism in everyday life.
- Sports in your life. Everywhere in the world, fans fervently adore sports . It’s a spectacular subject for an essay, no matter if your tone is serious or lighthearted.
- Football : pros and cons. An essay about this popular American sport will surely spark your readers’ interest. For instance, you may explore the long-term health risks associated with concussions.
- Basketball as a global sport. After soccer, basketball is the most rapidly growing sport globally. Your basketball essay could delve into the geopolitical implications of this newly globalized sport.
- What is love ? It is the quintessential human emotion , and that’s why it’s a timeless topic for any writing assignment.
- Happiness and how to achieve it. Love and happiness go together, so it is no surprise that happiness is a fruitful writing topic . You can choose to concentrate on pursuing happiness, simply being happy, or anything else.
- The 19 th century origins of Christmas carols . You could write about the origins of Christmas carols, most of which date back to the 19 th century. Before that, Christmas songs were restricted to church hymns .
- Christmas carols around the world. Every country with a significant population of Christians celebrates Christmas uniquely, making the global diversity of Christmas carols one of the more interesting essay topics.
- Personal feelings evoked by Christmas carols. Once again, you can focus on your personal experience. Simply describe how Christmas carols make you feel. feel.
🏺 Narrative Essay Topics for College Students: History
- The life of Socrates.
- Nero and the Roman Empire.
- Everyday life of Puritans.
- Events of Mexican-American War.
- Life during the Great Depression.
- Women in Trojan War.
- The start of the Nuclear Age.
- Heroes of the Space Race.
- Pearl Harbor through the eyes of a witness.
- The fall of the Sumer civilization.
- Local heroes. You can write a fantastic college essay on a historical personality who is highly appraised in your state. What is this person’s contribution, and what makes them outstanding?
- Real-life villains. The Ivy League essays often include an analysis of notorious people’s deeds or personalities. You can write about Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin , Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, Josef Mengele, H. H. Holmes, Caligula, and many others.
- Influential people in any area. Your college essay can focus on some notable figures in politics, finance, science, literature, architecture, visual arts, music, sports, or pop culture.
- The most influential women. You can write about women who achieved a lot in the “men’s world.” Choose between Elizabeth I , Margaret Thatcher , Indira Gandhi, and many other renowned figures.
- Scientists who changed the world. You may write a great college essay about the contributions of Nikola Tesla, Charles Darwin , Thomas Edison , and other scientists. What areas of our lives have changed thanks to these people?
- Great conquerors and their power. Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan , Attila, and other commanders were outstanding people of their time. They expanded their territories thanks to successful military campaigns. Your essay may focus on one of these great conquerors.
- Hitler’s decision to unleash World War II . Adolph Hitler’s personality is often explored in academic works. Your paper can explore what prompted the German leader to popularize Nazism in Europe . Understanding it may help prevent the repetition of such events.
- Religious figures. Explore individuals who developed essential doctrines and spiritual teachings. Your essay may include the key ideas of people such as Thomas Aquinas and Joseph Smith Jr.
- Fighters for justice and equality. Democratic societies were significantly influenced by those who struggled for human rights. Freedom of people around the world was their primary goal. Your essay can assess the roles of Mahatma Gandhi , Nelson Mandela, or Martin Luther King Jr .
- Voyagers and discoverers. Thanks to the great explorers of the past, the world as we know it today was shaped. You can write about Christopher Columbus , Ferdinand Magellan, and others in your paper.
- Roman emperors . Ancient Rome was the greatest civilization of its time. Throughout its history, individual emperors have contributed to its prosperity. Julius Caesar , Nero, and other rulers can be the focus of your essay.
🔮 Creative Writing Topics for College Students
- A conversation with yourself from the past.
- What would life be like on a rogue planet?
- If you were an ancient conqueror.
- A children’s fairy tale.
- What if there is no money in the world?
- A new perspective on a famous story.
- If you lived in another era.
- What are animals thinking?
- A perfect world as you see it.
- A horror story in the style of Kafka.
- Detective stories . Suspense is often the key to interesting essays. You can write a unique story about a murder in a castle, a theft in your college dorm, or fraud in a famous (or fictional) company.
- The world of your fantasy. Write an outstanding college essay that describes a brave new (or beautiful) world. Your dreams, books, films, or even news you’ve heard can be the source of your inspiration.
- Stream of consciousness . It can be the most straightforward task you have ever completed. Just write about your thought, dreams, and ideas. Whatever comes to your mind! Make sure to edit it afterward.
- Description of a dystopian world. Come up with a dystopian scenario to assess contemporary vices and problems. Use descriptive words to make your essay stand out.
- A new look at traditional values. For a creative essay, try rethinking traditional values. For instance, you may provide new perspectives on compassion, charity, respect, and other essential components of a civilized society.
- A short movie script. One of the ideas is to write a short film script on any topic. This task will allow you to showcase your storytelling skills .
- The future as you imagine it. You can pay particular attention to social issues and their development. Will the situation improve in the future?
- Reporter experience. Conduct an investigation and report your findings in a creative essay. This work may include interviews, illustrations, and the analysis of issues. This approach allows moving away from traditional forms of essay writing .
- On behalf of another person. Take an opportunity to explore an issue from someone else’s perspective. For instance, you can assess the difficulties faced by people of the opposite sex. It can help analyze the problems of interpersonal communication .
🎓 College Essay Topics for Various Fields
College life essay topics.
- Making a choice. You can write your college essay about making a decision. For example, how did you choose your college? Are you happy with your choice?
- Good and bad habits . Write about the patterns that affect your academic life. How can you get rid of the unproductive ones?
- Major challenges . In your college experience essay, you can describe the major issues you have faced during your school years. How did you handle them?
- Time-management practices. College studies are often stressful. That’s why multitasking is an important skill. In your essay, explore the topic of time management. Analyze the algorithms for competent task distribution.
- Memorable events. Did you ever have a life-changing experience? You can write a perfect college essay about it.
- University life: expectations vs. reality. You can also try to imagine your future and write an essay on your expectations related to university life .
- Interaction with classmates. An interesting topic for a college life essay is building relationships with classmates. It can be helpful to study the basics of teamwork. Conflict resolution practices are also important factors of interpersonal peer communication.
- Freshman experience. You can describe it in anecdotes or conduct some research. For instance, assess the challenges and barriers that first-year students face. Then, determine optimal mechanisms to overcome them.
- Teamwork and group activities. Describe appropriate ways to communicate with people in groups. Or, you can focus on the crucial features of effective teamwork .
- Research work experience. College education involves conducting many kinds of research. They refer to theoretical training and the practical study of subjects. In this regard, you can describe your personal research experience.
- The importance of self-education. Students often face the need to study some subjects on their own. Self-education and its aspects can be an exciting topic to explore. Focus on honing individual skills and overcoming academic challenges.
- A comparison of high school and college. For many high school students, the idea of college study is different from reality. You can describe the distinctions between the two levels of education. Give personal views on the learning process and common pitfalls.
Health Topics for College Students
- Healthy eating . In the wealthiest and poorest countries on Earth, healthy eating has very different meanings. Focusing on cultural variations of healthy eating has plenty of potential.
- Fast food and its popularity. People have never eaten so much fast food as they do now. Consider writing about this interesting trend and its health implications.
- Childhood obesity as a global health issue . Because of all the high-calorie foods available today, many children in industrialized countries have weight problems. This issue has some extraordinary potential for persuasive writing.
- The problem of alcoholism . Substance abuse problems such as alcoholism have been an exemplary subject of writing for a long time. You can contemplate the implications of this problem in your college essay.
- Teen pregnancy: risk factors . In many regions of the world, teen pregnancy rates are higher than ever . The phenomenon is often associated with poverty and lower levels of education.
- Smoking in public . Should it be outlawed? Is it a public health hazard or just fundamental liberty that the government is unjustified to control or even regulate?
- Why do people smoke ? All smokers have their initial justifications for starting to smoke, so perhaps use your essay to explore one or several reasons.
- Quitting smoking . Some people use tobacco substitutes like candies or even nicotine gum. Whatever the methods are, everyone struggles when trying to overcome an addiction.
- Smoking should be banned . This is an extremely strong stance, but these are often the most entertaining essays to write.
- Smoking and mood. Studying the linkage between smoking and mood is undeniably intriguing, especially if you smoke or know a smoker.
- Dangers of secondhand smoke . When a person smokes, nearby people also breathe in many of the toxins. You could write about the moral implications or the societal and health impacts of this phenomenon.
- Smoking and cancer. Everyone understands that tobacco use is linked to cancer, so attempt to take a novel perspective if you choose this topic.
- Smoking and cardiovascular disease. Long-term smoking has been linked to heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD.) Try to convince your reader of these very clear dangers in your essay.
- Peer pressure and tobacco use. The vast majority of smokers develop this habit at a young age because their friends or acquaintances are already smoking.
- Smoking in pop culture. In the past, movies and TV shows often depicted smoking. Your essay could explore how this pattern has evolved.
- Acquiring bad habits from family members. As pointed out by a famous public service announcement from the 1980s, addictions such as smoking can run in families. You could explain the implications of it.
Ideas for College Essay on Ethics and Society
- Abortion as a controversy . You could use this topic for an abortion debate essay. Rather than taking one position, try to do your best to present different perspectives.
- The case against abortion . In writing a pro-life essay , you need to offer various reasons to oppose abortion.
- The case for access to abortion. You may also consider a pro-choice essay . In this type of abortion persuasive essay, you need to emphasize the costs to individuals and society when women are denied access to abortions.
- Shoplifting and its consequences. Your essay could explore the motivation for this practice, methods of discouraging it, or even its implications to retail businesses. Maybe you can even detail a personal story about a friend who has shoplifted .
- Domestic violence in developed countries. Violence against women and children is frequent in all societies, so you can use your essay as an opportunity to explore domestic violence .
- Types of animal cruelty . Another woefully widespread form of abuse is animal cruelty. It can range from dog fights to factory farming and everything in-between.
- Capital punishment: pros and cons. The vast majority of governments have banned this barbaric practice. When judicial systems have the authority to take lives as punishment for crimes , there are profound social implications.
- Current events analysis. If you have difficulty picking a topic, open up a newspaper or go to your favorite news website . Your next essay can be on the first article you read that captures your attention.
- History of child labor . Under this subject, you could survey the decline of child labor over time. You might also want to consider atypical counterexamples of this trend.
- Child labor laws . Child labor doesn’t occur on a larger scale because it is banned by law. Take some time to research the effectiveness of these laws.
- Child labor across the world. In this essay, try to evaluate how child labor practices vary from one geographic region to another.
- Unemployment and child labor. Sometimes, there aren’t enough jobs even for the adults in a nation, not to mention children. Consider exploring why this happens.
Environmental Issues Essay Topics for College
- Local environmental issues . Success in college essay writing largely depends on one factor: you should pick a problem you are interested in or know a lot about. For example, describe what environmental issues you and your community face.
- The most urgent ecological problems. Burning issues such as pollution, deforestation , biodiversity loss , and scarcity of natural resources can jeopardize the existence of the human race if solutions are not found. You can come up with a perfect essay on any of these challenges.
- Solutions to environmental problems. Winning college essays often include describing and analyzing efficient or inefficient solutions. You can write about emissions restrictions , the use of renewable energy sources, and so on. Why are some solutions ineffective?
- Renewable energy. Solar energy , windmills, electric vehicles, and many other solutions are implemented every year, but environmental issues persist. Your essay can answer the following questions: Why is renewable energy underused? Why is the production of electric vehicles in its infancy, although it started at the beginning of the 20th century?
- Global and political perspectives on sustainability . Some countries, especially in Western Europe, are making significant progress in developing sustainable practices. However, some states focus on gaining economic well-being or supremacy, especially in the developing world. Will the US be one of the global polluters in the future?
- Global warming and how to stop it. This is an urgent contemporary issue that deserves particular attention. An essay on a climate catastrophe may prompt readers to discuss the problem. Describe the ways to avoid adverse consequences for nature and humanity.
- Water and air pollution. Write about the impact of pollution on individual spheres of life. For example, focus on the correlation between contamination and economy.
- The depletion of natural resources. Ecological issues are often connected with natural resources. They’re essential in industrialized societies. You can discuss the depletion of these resources in your college essay.
- The issues of waste disposal. Environmental activists are concerned about severe soil pollution . They also address the negative impact of landfills on ecology. All of this shows that waste disposal is an urgent issue. Study how much of a threat it poses for humanity.
- The dangers of animal extinction. Over the past few decades, many species have become endangered . You can review this problem as a consequence of industrial development.
- Deforestation’s consequences. This topic is closely related to the issue of mass extinction. Forests are a habitat for countless species of animals and plants. What adverse effects does deforestation entail?
- The economic impact of environmental problems. Focus on financial aspects and budget spending on pollution control . You can also highlight the importance of addressing challenges associated with climate change.
Topics for Funny College Essays
- Humorous stories and personal experiences. University essay writing can be enjoyable and even entertaining. Describe some of your adventures or make up a funny story for your assignment. Be creative !
- Interesting historical facts. You can find tons of funny stories if you dig deeper into history. Many entertaining events are well-documented. Choose one and write an essay about it.
- Funny and awkward situations. All students know what it’s like to be in an uncomfortable situation. Try to describe such an event in a comical way. It will allow you to look at it from a different perspective.
- Dealing with unexpected tests. Sometimes professors don’t warn their students about upcoming tests . Did it ever happen to you? You probably didn’t enjoy these experiences. Still, why not describe them in a humorous essay?
- Your personal teaching experience . This topic is suitable for student teachers. Have you tried teaching a whole classroom of noisy children? Successful or not, these experiences make great anecdotes.
- Excessive efforts. Some students put too much effort into education. Sometimes it pays off, and other times it’s all in vain. Does it sound familiar to you? Write an essay about it!
- Poor time management. Delays, late deadlines, and other time management catastrophes can form the basis of this essay.
- Jokes on classmates. Innocent pranks help maintain a friendly environment and even serve as team building . Describe the memories of such humorous situations in your essay.
- Your professors’ jokes. Not only students but also teachers are often inclined towards humor. Occasional jokes on their part can be a good essay topic for college. Such gags can contribute to maintaining interest in a learning environment .
- Least favorite lessons. Describe the most boring or unpleasant class you can remember in a humorous manner.
- Making friends with other students. Awkward and funny situations often accompany these experiences. They can serve as a topic for a great essay.
- Unexpected praise. It’s always a pleasure to receive unexpected recognition from teachers. It’s especially gratifying when you do something well by accident or without even trying. Did anything like that ever happen to you? Then write a short story about it!
Best College Essay Topics on Gender Issues
- Machismo: what is it? How was the term coined? What are areas of life negatively affected by this phenomenon? Think about sports, politics, or popular culture.
- Gender roles in modern societies. Many Harvard essays provide answers to the following questions. How are gender roles distributed in your country, community, family? What factors led to this distribution?
- Famous feminists. Explore the contributions of Lucrezia Marinella, Anne Bradstreet, Emmeline Pankhurst, Eleanor Roosevelt , Marlene Dietrich, Alice Walker, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, and many other renowned women.
- Men’s views on gender. Writing a good college essay involves an analysis of different perspectives. It can be fascinating to examine men’s attitudes towards gender issues .
- Matriarchy as a social system. You can write about modern societies such as Bribri or Garo. Or, you can find examples of matriarchy in the past. What about Neolithic Ages or Bronze Age ?
- Biological differences between sexes. It can be an eye-opening experience to explore physical differences between men and women. Are they that different?
- Patriarchal society in today’s world. Assessing patriarchy as a trend can help identify key stereotypes and stigmas. How can we facilitate women empowerment ?
- Workplace gender discrimination . Even today, many women struggle to get promoted due to gender stereotypes. Biased attitudes are unacceptable in modern organizations. Where do they originate from, and what should be done about it?
- Conflicts between boys and girls at school. The foundations of interpersonal interaction are laid in a collective environment. Analyze students’ behavior patterns related to interactions between boys and girls. What are the most common causes of conflicts?
- Family violence from a gender perspective. Family violence is a grave social problem. In your paper, identify the underlying determinants of domestic abuse .
- The role of women in science . Assess the contribution of women scientists from different eras. You can focus on their specific achievements and auxiliary work. Both the humanities and the sciences are suitable for analysis.
- Individual duties in parenting. The roles of fathers and mothers in families are often separated. In your essay, analyze stereotypes and behavioral patterns related to parenthood. You can use specific variables such as the time spent with children.
- Women in male-dominated occupations. Assess the performance of women in positions usually occupied by men. You can study female CEOs, firefighters, or filmmakers. What are the career prospects for women in these fields?
Titles for College Essays on Diversity
- Cultural diversity’s importance . Many Stanford essays explore issues associated with cultural diversity and how it can affect individuals, workplaces, and societies.Many Stanford essays explore issues associated with cultural diversity and how it can affect individuals, workplaces, and societies.
- Ethnic diversity in different countries. The US is one of the most conventional examples of a melting pot. How do people of different cultural backgrounds co-exist there? What challenges do they face? How do they solve conflicts?
- Variety of religious beliefs. Religion is one of the most interesting subjects to write an essay on. You can concentrate on Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and dozens of other religions. Scientology or Happy Science can also be excellent essay subjects.
- Diversity related to sexual identity . You can write an outstanding argumentative essay on same-sex marriages or the inclusion of issues such as transgender identity in the K-12 curriculum.
- Personal contribution to diversity development. Address the promotion of diversity as an important social phenomenon. Your essay will raise awareness of this practice.
- Children’s and adults’ views on diversity and ethnicity. This essay can highlight crucial aspects of interpersonal communication . You can pose questions from a child’s perspective. Do other people’s ethnic backgrounds play an essential role for children compared to adults?
- Cross-cultural management in modern organizations. Leaders of various companies promote this valuable practice. It’s highly relevant in today’s business environment. The trend of globalization is one of its crucial factors.
- Gender diversity in the management field. Issues related to the distribution of leadership roles are often discussed in the context of gender. In your paper, evaluate the perception of male and female managers. This analysis may reveal the existing trends and views on the issue of diversity .
- Gender diversity from a criminological perspective . You can evaluate the current situation in the legal field. Assess offenses committed by people of different genders. The proportion of female prisoners, the severity of crimes, and other essential aspects can be used as criteria for comparison. This work may help assess potential bias.
- Gender diversity in the army. Attitudes towards women in military service are interesting to discuss. In an essay, you can present distinctive opinions. Mention the importance of involving people of all genders.
Short Essay Topics for College
- Teenagers’ concerns . You can write a simple essay on the appropriate age to vote or the proper age to buy alcohol. You may also want to examine major reasons for misunderstanding between teenage children and their parents.
- Best something ever. An excellent way to start a college essay is to write about something you admire, such as your favorite movie. What can you learn from it?
- Someone inspirational. For example, why not write an essay about your favorite teacher? How did this person change your life?
- Political issues in the US. Many short college essays are concerned with political life. You can write a winning essay about Electoral College or the flaws in the US voting system.
- An abstract concept. You can define an idea in your short essay. For instance, write about consumerism and the existing definitions of this term. Which one is the most appropriate? Why?
- Modern social values . The topic refers to the shift in moral values. For example, you can discuss the roles of wealth and personal beliefs. Compare them with the values of past eras to highlight the changes.
- Contemporary addictions and methods to deal with them. Explore excessive smartphone use, gaming , and other new addictions. Include the ways of dealing with these problems.
- A management theory overview. This paper can summarize individual findings related to management. Alternatively, you can present one of the theories of business development.
- Proposal of a legal act. This topic is perfect for a law essay. For example, discuss the document’s purpose, stakeholders , and industry-specific implications. The intersection with other regulations is optional.
- A geographic location. A short essay format is convenient for a description of a specific place. You can start by providing the basic facts about it. Include its population, area, resources, and several other parameters.
- Definition of an economic term. In this short essay, analyze a term of your choice. For instance, discuss inflation , capital , clearing, or any other definition. Explain the term you’ve chosen in simple words.
- A science to study. Choosing a science to learn is a potentially daunting task. In your essay, assess any field of study you like. Describe their benefits and pitfalls. You can also mention career prospects.
Great College Essay Ideas in Visual Arts
- Historical periods in art. Your paper can dwell upon a specific era. Why did the Renaissance occur? What are the central peculiarities of Postmodernism ?
- Artists and their personalities. Countless Cornell essays on art provide insight into artists’ legacy. Your essay writing can become a fascinating process if you focus on Leonardo, Paul Gauguin, Claude Monet, Andy Warhol , Artemisia Gentileschi , or Barbara Kruger.
- Prospects of artistic forms. You can use your imagination and think of the world in the 2100s. Try to predict the movements that will become popular in 100 years.
- Masterpieces. Essay writing practice is associated with the ability to narrow topics down. You can choose a specific work for your analysis from the following list: The Birth of Venice , The Scream , Starry Night , and Girl with a Pearl Earring .
- Different genres and styles in visual art . Many distinctive genres characterize visual arts. They differ in style, period, and other aspects. In your essay, you can describe impressionism, surrealism , cubism, abstract art, and other genres.
- Mediums in visual arts. Every art form is distinguished by the use of materials. Explore the peculiarities of oil paintings, prints, or watercolors.
- Art galleries to visit around the world. You may want to choose one art gallery and describe its history. Your essay will be even more interesting if you add the descriptions of the most famous artworks found in the museum.
- How auction houses work. Numerous art pieces and collectibles are sold at auctions. One of the world’s most famous auction houses is Sotheby’s. In your paper, present the workings of an auction of your choice. Add individual examples of profitable deals from its history.
- The most expensive art objects . The cost of many classical paintings is enormous. The prices are usually estimated by qualified experts. Explore this topic in your essay and include information on the most expensive art objects.
- The comparison of classical and contemporary art forms. Art is a dynamic environment that is constantly evolving. New genres and forms of expression appear regularly. In your paper, compare classical canvases with modern means of creative expression such as graffiti . What influences the emergence of new art forms?
- Rescued artworks and their history. History knows examples of great artworks that were found centuries after their disappearance. Your essay can study several art objects saved during wars.
Conspiracy-Related College Essay Topics That Stand Out
- Space exploration . If your essay requirements concerning the topic are not too strict, you can try to answer some of the following questions. Did “a giant leap for mankind” really occur? Why was the Moon project shut down? Is there life on Mars ?
- Wealth distribution. An excellent essay for college students can focus on the allocation of resources. Is there a league of people who own or control all the resources ? How did the world’s wealthiest people earn their money?
- Secret societies of the past and present. Does the Illuminati exist? Can such a secret society persist in the modern world?
- Catastrophes and reasons behind them. Why did Titanic drown? Was the curse of the Pharaoh real? Was the Chernobyl nuclear disaster an accident , or was it an unsuccessful experiment of KGB?
- JFK’s assassination . Who killed the most loved president? Why was the investigation so inadequate? Were any other countries’ agents involved?
- Aliens among us. Does Area 51 exist? What do governments hide? With questions like these, essay writing for college students can be exciting!
- Did Adolf Hitler escape after World War II? One of the most mysterious conspiracy theories is the possible escape of Adolf Hitler. Some people believe that the Nazi leader moved to Argentina after World War II . Your essay may discuss whether his suicide was staged.
- Is HIV an experimental biological weapon against humanity? The end of the 20th century was a difficult time. During this period, a suspicion arose that HIV was a biological weapon. Pharmaceutical companies and governments were blamed for this. What caused this conspiracy?
- Did Elvis Presley fake his death? Elvis Presley , the idol of millions, passed away long ago. However, many fans don’t believe in this outcome. A conspiracy theory was born that the musician faked his death. You can explore its implications and determine what it says about American pop culture.
- 5G cell towers exposure and accusations against Bill Gates . Explore the public fears related to the potential exposure to 5G cell towers. Include the experts’ opinions and assess the role of Bill Gates as one of the promoters of fast Internet.
- Flat Earth theory and its followers. In recent years, many flat Earth proponents have emerged worldwide. In your essay, compare their arguments with officially existing data. Why is this conspiracy so widespread?
- COVID-19 conspiracy theory. Certain groups of people doubt the threat of the pandemic. They believe that the coronavirus is a fictional problem. Your essay might focus on the evidence for the virus’s existence.
✍️ Topics for Different College Essay Types
Below you’ll find writing prompts for problem solution, cause and effect, and definition essays. There’s also a section with personal statement essay topics. Check them out!
- In a problem-solution essay , you need to introduce an issue and suggest several ways to fight it. Usually, each body paragraph describes a different solution. This essay aims to convince the audience that these scenarios are the best ways to eliminate the problem.
- In a cause and effect essay , you need to discuss a problem, its reasons, and possible consequences. It’s better to pay attention to topics that involve multiple studies of the issue (you can read our cause and effect essay guide to learn more.)
- In a definition essay , you need to explain a term, concept, or idea. Sometimes a definition is only a part of a more extensive research paper. It’s crucial to study the topic from different perspectives to provide an extended definition. Before you start working on your essay, make sure that the meaning of the word you’ve chosen is not too simple.
- In a personal statement , you write about yourself. Writing a personal statement or a transfer essay is crucial when applying to college. How do you make it a winning paper? Read our personal statement guide .
Problem Solution Essay Topics for College Students
- How can students contribute to educational system changes in the United States? Discuss student communities and their impact on college life. Do students need to have more power and control over changes in the educational system?
- Ensuring access to clean water in developing African countries. Describe the achievements of charities that aim to help countries such as Ethiopia . You may also write about the costs of technologies that filter water. What are the possible solutions with a limited budget?
- How can you help make energy cleaner? Try to think about what you can do on campus that will enable clean energy access. Decide whether it should be a part of your curriculum.
- Ways of reducing plastic waste in oceans. Research the current efforts of environmental organizations and big businesses. Then, evaluate them and find the best solution.
- Healthy eating habits among children. Think about the right age to start educating children on healthy eating . Find several possible ways to develop the proper habits without forcing children.
- How can students address sustainability and climate change? Describe your participation in ecological projects, communities, etc. You can also discuss the possible things you and other students can do without spending too much time and money.
- Ways of stopping healthcare rising costs in the United States. Highlight the current problems of the healthcare model . What measures does the government take to solve them? Try to find the best way to optimize the resources.
- Psychological support for children who suffered from violence. Research the techniques specialists use when working with children. What do you find more preferable: therapy or medication ? Suggest how we can protect children from further offenses.
- How can we provide equal chances to children who want to receive an education? For this essay, find as much information as possible about financial aid , including grants, loans, and other projects. What’s the best way to make education accessible to everyone?
- Reducing homelessness in the United States. Study the factors that make people homeless and what the government does to fight it. Then try to come up with an action plan.
Cause and Effect Essay Topics for College Students
- The effects of regular alcohol consumption on women’s health. Everyone knows that excessive alcohol consumption has highly adverse effects. In your essay, you can discuss the causes of alcoholism in women. Try to find specific information about diseases, psychological problems, and lifestyle changes related to them.
- What causes bullying among preschool children? Children might get violent due to many factors. Describe what beliefs and behavioral patterns influence their actions at preschool age.
- What are the economic effects of the 2020 lockdown ? Write about the changes in the labor market, remote jobs, and new opportunities. How did small businesses manage to survive in extreme circumstances?
- Lack of education in African countries: causes and effects. Discuss why children in some African countries don’t have access to education. Then, explain how it affects labor markets and economies. Make sure to choose only one country as a research subject.
- What will be the effects of implementing higher taxes on tobacco ? Will it inspire people to quit smoking or buy fewer tobacco products? Study the previous cases of such measures and predict the outcomes.
- How does social media affect communication in families? For this essay, research the impact of social media on family relationships. Do social media users communicate more or less with their closest relatives? on family relationships. Do social media users communicate more or less with their closest relatives?
- The causes and effects of glacier melting . Global warming, ozone depletion , and many other factors contribute to this process. Discuss how this issue influences people and animals.
- What would happen if everyone started using electric cars? Study the benefits and drawbacks of electric vehicles . You might discuss the CO2 emissions and safety.
- What are the effects of animal hunting in the United States. We can call hunting a hobby, a sport, and even an illegal activity. In your essay, describe the current laws and why people want to hunt. How do these activities influence animals’ populations?
- The causes and effects of chemical pollution in China. China is the biggest manufacturer of goods in the world. However, the waste that the factories produce becomes dangerous for its ecology. In your essay, research how chemical pollution affects the everyday life and health of the Chinese people.
Definition Essay Topics for College
- Behaviorism in psychology and philosophy. Consider writing your essay on behaviorism as a psychological movement at the beginning of the 20 th century. Additionally, you can provide a broader definition by researching behaviorism in philosophy. century. Additionally, you can provide a broader definition by researching behaviorism in philosophy.
- How can we define egoism ? People interpret human behavior and character traits in different ways. Someone who seems to be an egoist to you can seem like someone with a sense of self-worth to another person. You can provide your own viewpoint on this issue.
- What is the definition of evil ? Some people believe in eternal evil , while others see evil even in the littlest bad things that happen to them. In your opinion, what makes someone or something evil?
- Does the term “commodification” only apply to goods? In the modern world, everything has value. Discuss the moral aspects of commodification and the limits of its application.
- What is your definition of the word “endurance” ? You can compare the physical abilities of athletes and non-athletes. Don’t forget to mention mental stamina that involves dealing with psychological pressure and overcoming difficulties.
- Does the word “ambition” have a positive or negative meaning? Naturally, you can’t give a single answer to this question. Instead, you can discuss both sides of this concept in your paper.
- How can you define the word “dualism”? Describe all the meanings of the word “ dualism ” in philosophy and daily life. Don’t forget to provide your understanding of the concept. You may also explain why this term is controversial.
- What does the word “identity” make you think of? Cover all the meanings of this word. Begin with a set of qualities that defines a person. Also, you may include a psychological interpretation of the term.
- What is your interpretation of the word “ justice “? Discuss the legal definition of this concept. Also, you can write about the moral aspects and the subjective meaning of the term. Describe how justice is related to rewards and punishments and its place in the modern world.
- What are your thoughts about realism ? This term is used in many disciplines. For example, it’s prominent in literature and art. In your essay, you may describe realism as a philosophical concept and its different forms and perceptions.
Themes for Your Personal Statement Essay
- Your academic credentials. When writing about your academic achievements , it is appropriate to mention the major things like your degree or courses you’ve had. It’s better to focus on the moral lessons you’ve learned rather than your grades and certificates.
- Your personality traits. A successful acceptance essay will reveal your character. Admission officers want to know who the applicants are. Every university has its specific culture, so they should make sure you can fit in.
- An event that changed your life. Of course, your college entry essay can’t be just an enumeration of character traits. Describe some circumstances where your personal qualities manifested themselves. Again, it’s best to focus on the lessons you’ve learned!
- Commitment as your character trait. Your college admittance essay should also show your dedication. Why do you want to study there? Why do you want to take the course you’ve chosen? What are you ready to do for your alma mater?
- Humor in your life. Even Harvard personal statement essays are often characterized by humor. Write about your failures in a funny way, and admission officers will see your ability to stand up and fight.
- Academic goals and ways to achieve them. Choosing a field to study is a responsible step. You can describe this process in a personal statement . Justify your choice and mention the academic skills necessary for this particular field.
- Creative writing . When applying to a course in English, it can be effective to write a poem rather than a typical description of your educational background.
- Views on society and contemporary values. You can impress the committee by discussing your opinions. One convenient approach is to focus on modern society and its values. Analyze the foundations of a particular cultural environment and assess interaction gaps.
- Professional objectives you want to achieve. Without mentioning professional goals, a personal statement will be incomplete. One effective strategy is to evaluate the desired prospects you want to achieve. They can be related to education as well as work. Pay attention to relevant resources needed to acquire optimal skills.
- Cultural background from an ethnic perspective. A personal statement can be focused not only on your academic experience but also on your cultural background . Include the basic facts about your ethnicity, parents, beliefs, family values, and other information. This way, you’ll present yourself comprehensively and impartially.
- Self-evaluation over time: personal strengths and skills. Both short- and long-term perspectives are worth mentioning. Assessing individual development and career growth can provide you with a helpful timeline.
🚫 College Essay Topics to Avoid
When it comes to college essays, some topics might produce a wrong impression or offend your audience. That is why you need to know what kind of content is not suitable for your academic writing.
Here are the most common examples of the topics that you should avoid:
- Your personal life. Better leave the stories about your breakups aside. For a successful application essay, you can focus on the other areas of your life. Try to choose a topic that will show how well you are suited for the college.
- Inappropriate humor. Provocative, mean, or cruel jokes are not suitable for college essays. Your audience probably won’t consider such humor clever or funny. If you are unsure if a joke fits your task, don’t hesitate to ask your professor.
- Tragic stories. This trope is critical to avoid when writing essays about yourself. It’s okay to mention tragic events, but it’s best to avoid making a pessimistic narrative out of your paper. Instead, you can describe such occurrences as challenges to overcome and focus on the positives.
- Sensitive or controversial topics. Avoid them if you know that they may offend your readers. Politics, religion, abortions, and cruelty are not the best topics for college essays. If your assignment requires writing an essay on one of those topics, make sure you don’t make bold statements or provoke your audience.
- Cliché topics. It’s better to avoid writing about your academic achievements, volunteering, or winning a sports competition. Admissions officers and professors have read similar essays thousands of times.
- Overly narrow topics . It’s good to choose a topic that stands out because it’s not cliché. However, it becomes harder to find enough relevant information if it’s too obscure or limited. Choose a topic like this only if you are sure you will have enough data to research.
- Insulting someone. Offensiveness is a wrong approach to your assignment that creates a negative impression. It’s crucial to stay objective and professional when it comes to academic writing.
- Fancy words. Avoid overcomplicating your essay’s title and its contents. It’s also not a great idea to begin your essay with a trite quote. Instead, it’s best to prioritize logic and clear structure during writing.
- Vague topics . It will likely make your essay lack a focus, which will come off as unprofessional. Make sure to always narrow your topic down to a particular issue.
- Untrue and unrealistic topics. It might be interesting to fantasize about impossible scenarios and get creative. Still, remember that you need to support your statements with solid evidence. It’s much harder to do when you deal with unrealistic topics.
We hope these college essay topics helped you make a great choice. If you need more proposal argument essay topics, feel free to use our topic generator . Let us know in the comments what topic you’ve chosen!
This might be interesting for you:
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✏️ College Essay Topic FAQ
Think about something that makes you genuinely interested. You will need to research the subject. So if you are bored from the outset, you won’t be able to do a good job and impress your readers.
A good topic doesn’t have to be very serious. It means that the subject under study should fascinate you. Then you would be able to make it enjoyable for others, too. Study something connected with your hobby, favorite author, or even a country.
To choose a good topic, you need to think about your assignment. Different issues are appropriate for argumentative, persuasive, and other types of essays. The main thing is that the subject should interest you. Your essay would be more exciting for the readers if you have fun writing it.
If you are lucky enough to choose a topic for yourself, you can have fun writing the essay. Don’t waste this opportunity! To figure out the best subject, think about your favorite things. If you want to share something with others, write an essay about it.
- Writing Tips: Thesis Statements: Writers Workshop, The Center for Writing Studies, Illinois
- Essay Introductions: UMGC, the University System of Maryland
- How to Read an Assignment: William C. Rice, for the Writing Center at Harvard University
- Thesis Statements: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Essay Writing: University of Wollongong
- How to Write High-Quality Papers and Essays More Quickly: Ransom Patterson, College Info Geek
- Essay Tips from Andrew K. Strickler, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid: Connecticut College
- Essays that Worked: Hamilton College
- Popular Application Essay Topics: The Princeton Review
- Women’s Health Topics: US Food & Drug Administration
- Essay Topics: Yale College Undergraduate Admissions
- Essay Topics and Tips: College of Arts and Sciences, Lewis & Clark
- Essay Prompts: Seattle Pacific University
- Essay Questions, Undergraduate Admissions: University of Michigan
- Writing the College Essay: Babson College
- The Essay: NYS Higher Education Services Corporation
- Over 1,000 Writing Prompts for Students: The New York Times
- How to Write a College Essay: Sofia Tokar, Southern New Hampshire University
- Personal Essay Topics and Prompts: ThoughtCo
- Who’s the Most Significant Historical Figure?: The Guardian
- The Dos and Don’ts of Campus Life: CollegeXpress
- Climate Change: National Geographic
- 4 Types of Parenting Styles and Their Effect on Kids: Very Well Family
- Campus Life: What to Expect: My Future
- Gender Equality and Women Empowerment: United Nations
- 100 Creative Writing Prompts for Writers: Writer’s Digest
- 13 Benefits and Challenges of Cultural Diversity at Workplace: Hult International Business School
- 7 Benefits of Gender Diversity at Workplace: Workplace.com
- Artists: The Art History
- Art Movements: Artyfactory
- 36 of the Most Popular Conspiracy Theories in the US: Insider
- Personal Statements: University of Connecticut
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Glad you found this post useful. Thanks for your feedback and be back for more helpful tips!
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Firstly, thanks for your feedback. I appreciate it. I’ll definitely take into consideration your request.
All people like adventures and traveling. Adventure essay writing is a nice opportunity to tell about the most amazing events of this kind you had in your life.
You’re absolutely right, Jacob! Thanks for taking a moment and writing the feedback. Hope you’ll be back 🙂
Thanks Thanks Thanks! This totally helped me write my adventure essay! I love your blog, so helpful with writing various types of academic papers.
Such a pleasure to read your warm feedback, Julia! Thanks!
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Essay Writing Guide
Essay Topics
Last updated on: Feb 8, 2023
Essay Topics: 100+ Best Essay Topics for your Guidance
By: Nova A.
14 min read
Reviewed By: Rylee W.
Published on: Jan 29, 2019
Let’s face it, essay writing can be tedious and boring. Spending hours to write a good essay is difficult, and brainstorming essay topic ideas can be even more confusing.
This is what makes writing essays difficult and time-consuming. Luckily, you can learn essay writing with practice and by following some good examples. But before that, you should know how to choose a good and engaging topic for your essay.
To help you get started, we have categorized a list of a number of different types of essay topic lists.
On this Page
Argumentative Essay Topics
An argumentative essay investigates a topic in great detail, forms an argument over it, and defends it using supporting data.
Below are some good argumentative essay topic ideas to help you draft winning essays.
- School students should be allowed to curate their high school curriculum.
- The role of physical education in the school system.
- Should the death sentence be implemented globally?
- It should be illegal to use certain types of animals for experiments and other research purposes.
- Should the government do more to improve accessibility for people with physical disabilities?
- Do people learn the art of becoming a politician, or are they born with it?
- Social media platform owners should monitor and block comments containing hateful language.
- Does technology play a role in making people feel more isolated?
- Will there ever be a time when there will be no further technological advancements?
- It should be illegal to produce and sell tobacco.
- Girls should be motivated to take part in sports.
- Rape victims should abort their unborn children.
- Fathers should get equal paternity leave.
- Do teenagers get into trouble because they are bored?
- Individuals who have failed at parenting should be punished.
- Vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes.
- Covid-19 vaccination has more cons than pros.
- Social media is the real cause of teenage depression.
- Is the American education system perfect for society?
- Recycling should be made compulsory.
Choosing a strong topic is key to writing a great essay. Have a look at our blog to select good argumentative essay topics to impress the audience.
Persuasive Essay Topics
A persuasive essay is similar to an argumentative paper. However, in it, the writer wants to convince the readers of their point of view. Simple essay topics would make better essays as they help the students stay focused.
Below is a list of some good persuasive essay topics for you:
- Energy drinks should be banned in schools and colleges.
- Gambling should be banned in the United States.
- Should abortions be banned worldwide?
- Hunting is an immoral act.
- Is it okay to use animals in a circus?
- Harmful dogs should be euthanized.
- Cell phones should not be allowed in schools.
- Teachers should pass a professional exam, just like students.
- Schools should reduce the workload on students.
- Sex education should be mandatory in high schools.
- Vlogging isn’t an actual profession.
- Is LinkedIn helpful for finding a job?
- Social media has played a big role in increasing business opportunities.
- Is Java becoming obsolete?
- Should employers go through the candidate’s social media profiles?
- Animal testing should be banned.
- Violent video games should be banned.
- Parents with mental disabilities should not be allowed to adopt children.
- Alcohol consumption should be legalized in Muslim countries.
- Every person should get Covid-19 vaccination.
For your help, we have gathered a wide range of persuasive essay topics . Give it a read.
Descriptive Essay Topics
A descriptive essay describes a specific thing by using sensory data. It is done to engage the reader’s five senses (taste, touch, smell, hearing, sight).
The following is a list of descriptive essay topic ideas for the students.
- The person who is responsible for making a difference in my life.
- Describe a smartphone and its benefits to someone from the ‘60s.
- The most interesting piece of art I have ever seen.
- Describe the experience of falling in love.
- What does a place that only exists in your imagination look like?
- Describe meeting a famous person.
- Describe yourself and your personality to a stranger.
- What will life be like in 2050?
- An experience that changed my life forever.
- Your idea of the perfect day.
- My first trip abroad.
- The most significant event in American History.
- A popular book series that disappointed you.
- A look into my daily life.
- A day in the life of an ER doctor.
- A trip to the museum.
- The most interesting movie I watched during my summer vacation.
- My favorite childhood memory.
- An incident that changed my life.
- An incident that restored my faith in humanity.
Here are some more descriptive essay topics to help you find a good idea for your essay.
Narrative Essay Topics
In a narrative essay, your goal is to share a personal experience by telling a story. This creative form of writing depends on how strong and exciting the theme is. The article topics for students given here are carefully curated and would help the students do good in their essays.
Some examples and topics of narrative topic ideas are presented below.
- The experience that taught me how looks could be deceiving.
- A week without internet and technology.
- The impact your first love had on your life.
- How much did your teachers contribute to making you the person you are today?
- An experience that made you realize your parents were or weren’t always right.
- A moment when someone you didn’t like surprised you with kindness.
- The influence technology has had on your hobbies and life.
- An achievement outside of academic life?
- Which school lesson had the biggest influence on your life?
- A day when you fought procrastination.
- The time you faced rejection.
- The time when you stood against your parents.
- An experience that left you helpless.
- The time you prayed to be an only child.
- An act of kindness you can never forget.
- Death of a loved one.
- Your biggest pet peeve.
- Your definition of a perfect weekend.
- The things you regret most in life.
- Your first experience of an air trip.
Choosing interesting narrative essay topics is essential to make the content compelling for the readers.
Research Essay Topics
While writing a research essay, the most crucial step is choosing a topic for your essay. Select a topic that is broad enough to compose an entire research essay on it.
Below are some of the best topics for your research essay.
- Effects of violent cartoons on children.
- Should universities provide accommodations to disabled students?
- Events and experiences I agree are causing the increase in terrorism.
- How do technology and gadgets affect the studies of children?
- Do children who attend preschool do better in school?
- Universities are becoming business-driven.
- Does college debt affect the future lives of students?
- Why has the divorce rate changed in the past decade?
- Schools should allow the use of smartphones in school.
- Effective ways to decrease depression among our youth.
- Analyze the relationship between the United States of America and North Korea.
- Why did the UK decide to leave the EU?
- Is it true that students learn better in a same-sex school?
- How does giving kids different gadgets affect their studies?
- Compare the immigration policies of two different countries.
- Events that lead to World War I.
- Pros and cons of studying abroad.
- How has Covid-19 influenced the education system of the world?
- Individual acts that lead to Global Warming.
- Effectiveness of the policies made to control Covid-19.
Looking for more? We have an extensive range of research essay topics to make the audience fall in love with your work.
Expository Essay Topics
While writing an expository essay, you have to explain and clarify your topic clearly to the readers.
Below is a list of expository essay topics:
- Why do teenagers commit suicide?
- What is the impact of music on our youth?
- What are the consequences of skipping school?
- Why do teenagers use drugs?
- How can pets make you happy and improve your life?
- Consequences of having alcoholic drinks within a school campus.
- How does drug use affect relationships?
- Is global warming a cause of skin cancer?
- Is sodium bad for your health?
- What is the line between being overweight and being obese?
- Why do you want to pursue your desired career?
- Explain how advancements in science improve the quality of life for humans.
- What are some unconventional ways of relieving stress?
- If you could swap your lives with someone, who would it be and why?
- What are some major stress factors in a teenager’s life?
- Why is getting a degree important for job life?
- Pros and cons of getting financial aid.
- How emotional support animals help in treating mental conditions.
- How does prostitution influence society?
- The environmental causes of smoking.
5StarEssays.com has gathered an additional and extensive list of expository essay topics .
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Compare and Contrast Essay Topics
In a compare and contrast essay, you evaluate and analyze the similarities and differences between the two subjects. Your reader must be able to form an opinion after weighing the pros and cons you have set forth.
Below are some topics for you to choose for your compare and contrast paper:
- Extroverts and introverts.
- Generation Y Vs. Generation Z.
- Traditional Helicopters Vs. Lifesize Drones.
- Unemployed students Vs. students with a part-time job.
- SAT and TOEFL.
- Persuasive and argumentative essays - How are they similar?
- How were the causes of World War I different from the causes of World War II?
- Education vs. professional career: what is more difficult?
- Real-life or spending your time daydreaming.
- Consequences of earthquake and tsunami: what’s worse?
- Being popular in high school or alone?
- Part-time work or studying for a higher degree?
- Getting married at an old age or a young age?
- Fashion today Vs. twenty years ago.
- Donald Trump Vs. Hillary Clinton.
- Democracy Vs. Dictatorship
- Vietnam War Vs. War on Terror.
- Benefits of drinking tea Vs. coffee.
- Greek and Roman methodologies - Similarities and differences.
- Traditional Vs. distant learning.
Get more interesting compare and contrast essay topics at 5StarEssays.com to impress your instructors.
Cause and Effect Essay Topics
The cause and effect essay explains why something happens and what happens as a result of those happenings. A cause and effect essay is a type of expository essay.
Here are a few topics for your cause and effect essay:
- What are the causes of eating disorders?
- Effects of climate change and global warming.
- The effects of the Feminism movement.
- What are the causes of increasing depression among teenagers?
- What are the causes of suicidal thoughts?
- Is keeping a pet effective in calming your mind?
- How does divorce affects children?
- Why are men afraid of commitment?
- Effects of social media on youth.
- Has social media affected relationships among families?
- Discuss the effects of homeschooling on children.
- Causes of heart diseases.
- Causes of sibling rivalry.
- Cramming doesn't help improve test scores.
- Cause and effect of depression in the workplace.
- How do abusive parents influence the mental stability of a child?
- Causes and effects of bullying.
- Causes of obesity in teenagers.
- Effects of taking a balanced diet on health?
- Causes and effects of insomnia.
To get more ideas, visit our cause and effect essay topics that are remarkable and well-suited for a great essay.
Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics
Argumentative essay topics are quite popular assignments in universities. If you are a student searching for a captivating argumentative essay topic, here is a list of ideas you can consider.
- Third world war should be prevented by the Russian and US governments.
- Political policies and practices affecting students.
- Is gun control effective in reducing crime?
- Same-sex marriage and constitutional law.
- Is society over-regulated?
- Are leaders born or made?
- No one should be above the law.
- Monarchy: pros and cons.
- Rules on Political Activities by Federal Employees.
- The most corrupt countries in the world.
- Mercy killing should be legalized in all countries of the world.
- Death penalties should be abolished.
- Third-world countries should be provided with education plans by the developed countries.
- Muslims should not be labeled as terrorists.
- Illegal immigrants should be given equal rights.
- Abortions should be legalized.
- Live-in relationships should be encouraged.
- Professional athletes should be allowed to consume steroids.
- Should physical punishments be given to children?
- Smoking in public should be an offensive crime.
Funny Argumentative Essay Topics
Are you looking for some funny argumentative essay topics for your essay? If so, choose a topic from the following list.
- Why do people like watching funny videos?
- What your cat is really thinking.
- Why spam emails should be your favorite type of email.
- Why wearing braces is fun.
- School dropouts are the best in our society.
- Why I don't like country music.
- Types of dates.
- A better way to get things done.
- What organic food really is.
- Things guys do that girls hate.
- How to annoy your friend.
- Why do women pretend that they enjoy sports?
- Things preventing you from completing your homework in time.
- Funny things we see in wedding ceremonies.
- Why are spam emails more interesting?
- Why does Starbucks coffee taste better?
- Why are backbenchers smarter than other students?
- Clowns are scarier than funny.
- Should we be maintaining social distancing even after Covid-19?
- Why is watching movies better than reading books?
Informative Essay Topics for Students
Essay writing requires depth. However, you don’t have to choose a complex topic in middle school, high school, or college.
Here is a list of interesting essay topics for middle school, high school, and college students.
Essay Topics for College Students
- Virtual classes cannot replace the traditional class system.
- Advantages and disadvantages of online classes.
- Is there a need to reform the college education system?
- Assault weapons should not be legal.
- People with a history of mental illness should not be allowed to purchase firearms.
- The taxation system needs to be changed around the globe.
- Kids should not be the target audience in advertising.
- The number of calories should be mentioned with every meal.
- Feminists have effectively improved the workforce for women.
- Is the death penalty effective?
- How to identify fake news?
- How to maintain a healthy life?
- How to treat PTSD naturally?
- Should people be judged on their appearance?
- How is technology influencing the work performance of people?
- Private Vs. public schools
- How to choose majors in high school?
- Impact of legalizing drugs on society.
- Significance of learning social values.
- How to prevent bullying on campus?
Essay Topics for High School
- The choice to join the armed forces should be an individual decision.
- Listening to music can increase work efficiency.
- Being honest has more cons than pros.
- People who have been in an accident value life more than others.
- Embarrassing moments help boost your confidence.
- Kindness is the most valuable personal trait.
- Spontaneity can improve your life.
- Can hobbies help improve the richness of one’s life?
- Dressing properly in the office improves work efficiency
- Being organized can help in school as well as the office.
- Impact of homosexuality on society.
- What is feminism?
- How to overcome fears and phobias?
- Significance of having leadership skills in job life?
- Causes and treatments for bipolar disorder.
- Side effects of consuming antidepressants.
- How important is mental health in succeeding professionally?
- How do teaching methods influence learning abilities?
- Should specially-abled people be allowed to work in offices?
- Discrimination and racism in the US.
Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!
Essay Topics for Middle School
- Every child should have chores at home.
- There should not be any summer classes.
- Should students continue studying during summer vacation?
- Parents should pay attention to the amount of time their children spend watching television.
- Favorite family summer vacation.
- Sports should be mandatory in every school.
- Processed foods should not be part of private and public school lunch.
- Do students still use newspapers for research?
- Every individual should spend a year doing community service.
- The weekend should be 3 days long.
Hopefully, you would have selected a topic for your essay. If you are looking for more ideas, try this free essay topic generator . You will find plenty of ideas for your essay.
Still need help choosing an essay topic? 5StarEssays is a professional essay writing service that helps you get a high quality essay. We have a team of essay writers who are professionals and can do your essay .
As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.
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46 Great Essay Writing Topics for Students
Before you sit down to write, you need a topic, and these essay writing topics can help you get started.
Writing an essay is an important skill for high school and college students. Essays show a writer’s ability to think through a topic, explore their point of view and persuade or inform others of that. Yet finding essay writing topics can feel vague.
This list will help students find the right topic for a descriptive essay or argumentative essay. It outlines a number of hot topics that students can delve into in order to express their opinions and showcase their writing skills. You can use these to practice your essay writing skills or as prompts for you or students.
Best Essay Writing Topics for Middle School Students
Controversial essay writing topics for older students, persuasive essay topics for older students, compare and contrast essays for older students, narrative essay topics for older students, informative essay topics for older students, a final word on the best essay writing topics, faqs about the best essay writing topics, essay writing resources.
If you are picking an essay for a 7th or 8th-grade student, the topic needs to be something that students in that age range are interested in. This will help them want to do the research and explore their ideas. This age range will often write expository essays or narrative essays, rather than persuasive ones.
Here are some essay topics to consider:
1. Is Climate Change Real?
Climate change is a hot topic with middle schoolers, and this essay topic idea lets them explore it. This essay topic can work well for a persuasive, informative, or cause-and-effect essay.
2. The Benefits (Or Drawbacks) of Homework
Few middle school students enjoy homework, but this can be a great way to get them to dig into why the education system relies on homework. Students can give their opinion about the need for homework or why homework should be eliminated.
3. A Funny Childhood Memory
Middle school students who are not ready to write on argumentative essay topics can practice their English essay writing skills by writing about a funny thing that happened as a child. This topic should focus on entertaining, engaging storytelling.
4. Video Game Addiction
Many young students spend a lot of time playing video games, and this can translate into an essay topic. Exploring the mental health effects of too much video gameplay is a good option. Ask them to write about games they live or spend too much time playing.
5. A Dog, Cat Or The Family Pet
Sometimes younger students find it difficult to write an entire essay about a challenging topic. If that’s the case it’s much easier to write an essay about something they’re familiar with or spend time with every day. Often that’s the family dog cat or pet. They can write about what this animal means to them.
6. My Summer Vacation
This is a staple choice of teachers everywhere, particularly after the summer break. All younger students can write essays easily enough about how they spent a few weeks of school what it is and where they went. Perhaps it was time with a family member or a best friend? There is a good reason that many elementary and middle school teachers assign this as a writing assignment at the start of school.
7. A Personal Victory or Success
A student could start writing this essay by writing about when they felt like all was lost. Then, they could describe how picked themselves up off the dirt and achieved a victory.
8. What Will Life Be Like In 2050?
Will we find solutions to the problems we face today, like poverty and homelessness? Will technology enrich our lives further or be the cause of new issues?
Many young students often think about the future, and this topic allows them to let their imagination run loose.
This way they can express their ideas on how the world will look like in a few decades. It also gives you insight into the child’s personality. Do they see the positives in everything, or are they a bit more realistic?
9. A Trip To The Museum
As children, we loved going to the museum. Even today, it’s interesting to look at historical art, sculptures, and old vehicles.
This essay topic works exceptionally well right after a school holiday. Maybe the young student just witnessed some of the best historical pieces. Writing about this topic allows them to reconnect with the emotion they felt.
In this essay, ask students what they liked most about visiting the museum, important lessons they learned, and how they felt in the moment.
10. Describe Meeting A Famous Person
We all have favorite celebrities that we’d love to meet. This could be an actor, musician, or athlete.
In this essay topic, ask students to describe what it’s like to meet a famous person. How would they feel, what questions would the student ask them, and what activities would they do together.
By asking your student to write the essay as descriptively as possible, they’ll experience the positive emotions associated with meeting their idol.
As they enter high school and college, students should start transitioning from informative essays to persuasive ones. Controversial essay topics are a good way to do this. They help students develop their critical thinking skills and learn how to reason an argument. The below topics the bill well:
10. Why the Sale and Production of Tobacco Should Get Banned
Few people would argue about the health benefits of tobacco, yet it remains a top-selling product. This essay would explore the benefits of banning the sale of the product altogether.
11. Should Every Country Have the Death Sentence?
The death sentence is definitely a controversial ethical and social issue. This essay topic would explore whether or not it is a good way to punish for serious crimes and the benefit or drawback of adding it to every country across the globe.
12. Is Homeschooling Better or Worse than Public School?
Homeschooling is growing in popularity, and this school essay topic would explore the benefits or drawbacks of this particular school choice. It may pull from personal experience if the student homeschooled.
13. Is The US Election Process Fair?
Elections are an essential part of our lives. It gives us the power to determine who’ll govern our country. However, is the election process fair?
In the essay, your student will get an opportunity to voice their ideas, describe what changes they’d like to see, and how those changes will positively impact the nation.
This essay topic requires more research, and students walk away with knowledge that can help them in the long term.
14. How Can We Reduce Climate Change?
Climate change is a serious topic that impacts everyone’s life. Sea levels are rising, which makes it difficult for animals like polar bears to survive.
When writing about this essay topic, students will have to research the effect of climate change, what causes it, and how to reduce its impact.
This requires logical thinking and creativity. It’ll encourage students to come up with a plan of action. Maybe they’ll limit the number of carbon emissions released by companies, promote solar power, or decrease the price of energy-efficient appliances.
Persuasive essays work to convince a reader of the writer’s point of view. These topics lend themselves well to a great essay that focuses on persuasion.
15. Why Soda Should Not Be on Fast Food Kids Meals
Fast food kids meals target young consumers, and soda is often included. Making junk food a way of life contributes to childhood obesity, and this topic could explore alternatives to soda for these kid-centered meals.
16. Illegal Immigrants Should Not Be Jailed
When people enter a country illegally, putting them in jail does not solve the problem. Instead, alternative punishments or even help with attaining legal immigrant status can reduce the strain on an overloaded system while also helping these individuals become part of society.
17. Breastfeeding in Public Should Be Considered Normal
Babies need breast milk to survive, yet many places in society frown on women feeding their babies in public. This essay topic would explore why this is an outdated and unhealthy idea.
18. Why Gun Control Is Needed
The best topics for persuasive essays are ones that are a little controversial. Gun control fits the bill well, and it can be a good topic for an essay. Other topics include alcohol, drugs and, in some cases, religion. That said, it depends on the nature of your students and school.
19. A Turning Point In Your Life
All the students can typically point to an occasion or life event when their worldview or concept that themselves changed ask them to write about a defining life experience.
20. Should Religion Be Taught In Schools?
This essay topic is for older students and adults learners who can take a thoughtful but critical stance on the role of religion in school’s today. Should it be taught or removed from schools and why?
21. Recycling Should Be Compulsory
The average American produces 1,704 pounds of garbage per year. Most of this is thrown in landfills, which can be equally as damaging to the environment as littering. Oceans are also filled with plastic that negatively affects the lives of marine life.
However, if we can recycle all that waste, we won’t damage the environment. This essay topic encourages older students to research recycling and the pros and cons of making it mandatory.
22. Colleges Are Becoming Business Driven
Getting a tertiary education is essential. It allows you to learn a marketable skill that other people pay you for.
However, private colleges are becoming more common, leading people to think that these institutions are more focused on making money.
When writing about this topic, students need to research the cost of college tuition, how this high price negatively impacts your adult lives, and how the government can fix it.
This type of essay compares two like or unlike things, drawing ways they are the same or different. It’s useful as it provides structure for aspiring essayists that they can use to outline a longer work. Some ideas include:
23. Homework vs. Class Assignments
Which has more value, homework or assignments completed in class? This essay topic would explore the contrast between these two types of school assignments. For fun, give it to students to complete in class… and then ask them to revise it at home.
24. Social Media Vs. In-Person Interaction
Social media can keep people connected, but the increased push for social media connection can detract from in-person communication. This essay would explore the contrast between the two types of communication.
25. Physical Education Vs. Nutritional Education
Both exercise and diet play a role in health. This essay topic would explore the impact of both through the education system.
26. Life Before And After The Internet
Older students and adult learners can remember a time before we spend so much time. Is life any better now that we spend so much time connected to the Internet? This essay explores what it means to be always connected.
27. Right Side Vs Left Side of the Brian Thinkers
The right side of the brain thinkers are typically more creative and artistic. The left side of the brain thinkers are analytical and mathematical. What’s more useful in today’s society? What can each type learn from their counterpart?
28. Tea Vs Coffee
Caffeine is a staple for many students and workers. It gives you a boost of energy in the morning, which allows you to get more done. It also helps if you have a test coming up and need to study hard.
However, larger amounts of caffeine are known to cause heart palpitations, anxiety, and increased stress.
In this essay, students look at the benefits and drawbacks of tea and coffee. It empowers them with knowledge on when to limit their consumption.
29. Fashion Today Vs 20 Years Ago
Fashion is constantly changing. What looked cool 20 years ago might look weird today. Older students will also notice how their fashion choices changed from middle school to high school and from high school to college.
In this essay, students talk about what causes this change and how long it takes for the public to accept a specific style.
Sometimes an everyday life experience can make great essay material, and writing about your own life means less risk of plagiarism. Here are some ideas:
30. First Day of School Memories
The first day of school in a new school can be the fodder for a number of personal stories about school life and the social aspects of it. Writers can capture those emotions in this type of essay. It’s also a good type of essay to write as it can serve as a gateway into other types of writing like a memoir.
31. A Memorable Act of Kindness
If someone did something for you once that really stood out, transform that into an essay topic. You will enjoy remembering the action while creating your essay.
32. Your Best or Worst Holiday
What you did or didn’t do on your summer vacation as a child can be a great starting point for a narrative essay. Older students can use this essay prompt to write about past experiences and reflect on them beyond simply reportage.
33. An Experience with Peer Pressure
Peer pressure can be positive or negative, but everyone has experienced it. This essay would explore a time when peer pressure made you do something, or not do something, and what the effect of that decision was.
34. A surprising Event or Change of Fortune.
Was this change in your life for the best or the worst, and how did you respond? Describe in detail.
35. Your First Teacher
When you first met your mentor, teacher or guide. How did you respond to them, and what did they have to show you? Similarly, a student could also write an essay about a teacher they shunned or turned away from.
36. Your Idea Of The Perfect Day
When waking up in the morning, we all strive to have the perfect day. Ask students how their perfect day will look like, what activities they’d do, and with who.
By being as descriptive as possible, students picture the perfect day in their minds. This improves students’ storytelling skills and helps them structure events in chronological order.
37. Imagine A Week Without The Internet Or Technology
This fun experiment gives students insight into how reliant they are on technology and how their life will look without it.
By imagining this week in their heads, it’ll give them an idea of what other activities they’ll engage in. This could be working out, socializing, or learning a new skill.
38. A Day You Overcame Rejection
Rejection is something everyone must face at some point. Few things are scarier than rejection. But when you overcome it, you get a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.
For example, this could be asking that cute guy or girl out on a date or applying for a job at your dream company.
Sometimes the goal of an essay is not to persuade but to inform. Informative or expository essay topics need to have a lot of information behind them, so students have something to write about.. These topics lend themselves well to that:
39. How is Global Warming Changing the Environment
Global warming has many effects, and this essay topic would explore those thoroughly. The goal is simply to inform, not persuade or create change.
40. The Causes of World War II
Exploring the causes behind a global war, like World War II, can create a long essay. You can spin this essay topic easily enough by picking other historical events.
41. What Is Racism, and How Are People Sometimes Unaware of It?
Racism is a hot topic today, and this essay would explore how it can often hide in someone’s way of thinking.
42. Does Free Will Exist?
A popular essay topic in many philosophy and art classes, this is an open-ended subject. A student can use it to explore their personal philosophy and develop their critical thinking skills.
Check out this list for other philosophy questions .
43. What Reading Means to Me
Becoming a better writer means spending a lot of time reading great books. One of the best ways to encourage reading is asking readers and students to reflect on why they love reading what they learned from previous books. It’s good subject matter for an essay too.
44. The Role Of Journalists and the Media
Many people are skeptical and or don’t trust news produced by journalists. But are they right? Surely there is a bar between trustworthy and untrustworthy sources? In this essay, explore how to tell good journalism apart from bad journalism.
45. Animal Testing Should Be Banned
When testing products to see if it’s safe for humans, scientists will run tests on animals. However, this testing isn’t only cruel but ineffective. Animals don’t get certain diseases that humans do. This includes HIV, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and certain types of cancers.
In this essay, students must conduct research and present a case for why animal testing is unethical.
46. Why Do Teenagers Commit Suicide?
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10 to 24. This is a complex topic since there could be several different factors at play. Some of these include bullying, abuse, and traumatic stress.
When writing this essay, students will be encouraged to dig deeper into the main reasons why teenagers commit suicide and how we can help them as a community. This spreads awareness and gets people to take positive action.
Whether you are a high school student writing an essay for homework or you are sitting down to write a college essay as you apply for school, procrastination often occurs because you do not know what to write about. Having a list of topics handy will help.
To choose a topic, first, decide what type of essay you need to write. Then, browse this list of writing topics to find one that is interesting to you, or use the list to think of a different, similar topic. Soon you will have an essay that is engaging and informative that can showcase your writing abilities well.
If you need more inspiration, check out our guide to the 101+ best writing prompts .
What are some topics for a persuasive essay?
Persuasive essays require a controversial topic in order to give the writer the freedom to write in a persuasive manner. Some good topics for these essays include: Soda in fast food meals Breastfeeding in public Using jail to deter illegal immigrants Banning cell phones for young children
What are some good topics for an essay?
Some good topics for an essay include: Gun control Social media Personal experiences Health Social issues A life event
What is a Personal Essay?
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Nicole Harms has been writing professionally since 2006. She specializes in education content and real estate writing but enjoys a wide gamut of topics. Her goal is to connect with the reader in an engaging, but informative way. Her work has been featured on USA Today, and she ghostwrites for many high-profile companies. As a former teacher, she is passionate about both research and grammar, giving her clients the quality they demand in today's online marketing world.
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This list has over 150 questions divided into 15 topic areas to get you started on your English essay. Each topic is listed as a question, which you can use as your essay title. Next, you need to answer that question (which will be your thesis) and then give reasons (which will be your topic sentences). Nee more help?
Narrative Essay Topics Memories from your first day of school. The day when you got your dog. Your favorite movie and why? Memories from the day the power was out. A day at the amusement park. A sad experience with someone you care about. The day you experienced a historic event. An act of kindness. A time when you got lost in a mall.
Write an essay about a time that you had to be brave or stand up for what you believed in. This can be a great opportunity to talk about what’s important to you and what beliefs you hold most central to who you are. Center the essay around one experience or time in your life. Don’t play this one down the middle — take a stance and defend it.
Essay Topic: My First Flight Failed, But My Love Was Born While my attempt at flight when I was five years old ended in disaster, my passion only grew as I became older. My love of engineering has taught me collaboration, social justice, curiosity, and diligence. To read the full essay, click here. Essay Topic: Poop, Animals, and the Environment
Personal Essay Topics for College Your perfect date. Settling an argument. What’s usually in your bag. Your most memorable purchase. What your upbringing was like. One quote that inspired you the most. What you do to make the world better. Where you want to spend your life. When the effort was worth the result.
Below are some of the best topics for your research essay. Effects of violent cartoons on children. Should universities provide accommodations to disabled students? Events and experiences I agree are causing the increase in terrorism. How do technology and gadgets affect the studies of children? Do children who attend preschool do better in school?
Best Essay Writing Topics for Middle School Students. 1. Is Climate Change Real? Climate change is a hot topic with middle schoolers, and this essay topic idea lets them explore it. This essay topic can ... 2. The Benefits (Or Drawbacks) of Homework. 3. A Funny Childhood Memory. 4. Video Game ...
List of 500+ Essay Writing Topics and Ideas. Essay topics in English can be difficult to come up with. While writing essays, many college and high school students face writer’s block and have a hard time to think about topics and ideas for an essay. In this article, we will list out many good essay topics from different categories like argumentative essays, essays on technology, environment essays for students from 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades.