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Essay Writing Guide

Essay Topics

Last updated on: Jun 28, 2024

Essay Topics: 100+ Best Essay Topics for your Guidance

By: Nova A.

13 min read

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: Jan 29, 2019

Essay Topics

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.

Essay Topics

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.

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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.

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 . 

We also have an AI-powered paper writer  for you to help you generate an essay in seconds to use as a reference!

Nova A.

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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Crafting a college essay can be a pivotal moment in your academic journey. It’s an opportunity to showcase your voice, share your experiences, and stand out from the crowd. 

Picking from a vast array of college essay topics can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled an exhaustive list of 100 college essay topics. These topics are categorized to boost your creativity and help you find the perfect theme that resonates with your story. 

Get an A+ with our expert essay editing services! Learn more

We’ve also given helpful tips on how to choose and write the perfect essay for college. So let’s start by understanding how to pick the perfect college essay topic:

How to pick the perfect college essay topic

Selecting good college essay topics is more than just finding a subject that sounds impressive. It’s about finding a genuine fit for your personality and experiences. Here’s how to identify the best college essay topics for your unique narrative:

Reflect on your passions: What excites you? What are you eager to explore further?

Consider your experiences: Which life events have shaped who you are?

Identify your growth: How have challenges and obstacles contributed to your personal development?

Think about relevance: Will this topic be engaging for the admissions committee?

Be authentic: Choose a topic that allows your genuine self to shine through.

With these considerations in mind, let’s dive into a curated list of essay topics for college students, designed to spark inspiration and provoke thought.

100 Best college essay topics

We’ve created a list of the unique college essay topics that stand out to help you ace your essay!

Argumentative college essay topics

Here is a list of top argumentative essay topics for college:

1. The role of government in regulating internet content.

2. Should higher education be a right or a privilege?

3. The ethical implications of gene editing in humans.

4. Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student intelligence?

5. The impact of social media on youth and society.

6. Should college athletes be paid for playing sports?

7. The viability of a four-day workweek.

8. Is a gap year beneficial before starting college?

9. The influence of advertising on consumer behavior.

10. Privacy vs. security: How much surveillance is too much?

Persuasive essay topics for college

Here is a list of top persuasive essay topics for college:

1. The importance of arts education in schools.

2. Why volunteering should be part of the college curriculum.

3. The benefits of bilingual education.

4. The necessity of making public transport free.

5. Why we must invest in renewable energy sources.

6. The case for banning single-use plastics.

7. Should voting be mandatory?

8. The importance of preserving historical monuments.

9. Why we need stricter regulations on animal testing.

10. The need for more progressive tax systems.

Compare and contrast essay topics for college students

Here is a list of top compare-and-contrast essay topics for college:

1. Living on campus vs. commuting: Which is better for college students?

2. Online classes vs. traditional classes: A comparison of effectiveness.

3. The pros and cons of private vs. public universities.

4. Western vs. Eastern philosophies of education.

5. Fast food vs. home-cooked meals: Implications on health.

6. Traditional vs. alternative medicine: A comparative study.

7. The leadership styles of two prominent figures in history.

8. Book adaptations: When the book or the movie is better?

9. Comparing two different approaches to environmental conservation.

10. The impact of different parenting styles on child development.

Cause and effect essay topics for college students

Here is a list of top cause-and-effect essay topics for college:

1. The effects of social networking sites on communication.

2. How does consumerism affect the global economy?

3. The impact of college debt on future life choices of students.

4. The effects of global warming on polar ice caps.

5. The causes and effects of insomnia during exam periods.

6. How does stress affect health and well-being?

7. The influence of diet on cognitive functions.

8. The effects of music on mood and productivity.

9. The impact of technology on the job market.

10. Causes and effects of cultural appropriation.

Creative college essay topics

Here is a list of top creative essay topics for college:

1. Imagine a day in the life of your favorite book character.

2. If you could invent something, what would it be and why?

3. The adventures of living in a parallel universe.

4. Writing a eulogy for a historical villain.

5. A world without smartphones: Chaos or calm?

6. If you could converse with an artist from the past, who would it be?

7. The experience of time travel to your most and least favorite historical periods.

8. What if you were the president for a week?

9. If animals could form their own society, how would it look?

10. A letter to a future generation about life in the 21st century.

College essay topics about life goals

Here is a list of top life goals essay topics for college:

1. How your career goals have evolved over time.

2. The influence of a family business on your professional aspirations.

3. The importance of role models in shaping your future ambitions.

4. A major life goal and the steps you’re taking to achieve it.

5. How overcoming a significant challenge has refocused your life goals.

6. The impact of travel on your personal and professional objectives.

7. The importance of lifelong learning in your career path.

8. The role of mentorship in achieving success.

9. How do you plan to give back to your community in your future career?

10. The pursuit of happiness: Defining and achieving your life’s goals.

Informative essay topics for college

Here is a list of top informative essay topics for college:

1. The history and impact of the feminist movement.

2. The process of neural network development in artificial intelligence.

3. Exploring the causes of economic recessions.

4. The role of genetics in determining personality.

5. The significance of the Green Revolution in agriculture.

6. The evolution of space exploration technology.

7. The impact of colonialism on modern-day global relations.

8. The fundamentals of quantum computing.

9. Understanding the human impact on ocean life.

10. The rise of virtual reality and its potential applications.

Research essay topics for college

Here is a list of top research essay topics for college:

1. Analyzing the efficacy of the current educational model in fostering innovation.

2. The role of social media influencers in shaping youth culture.

3. The effects of urbanization on biodiversity.

4. The relationship between mental health and modern work culture.

5. The impact of cryptocurrencies on global finance.

6. The evolution of gender roles over the past century.

7. The influence of climate change policies on international relations.

8. The effects of diet trends on public health.

9. The future of genetic engineering in medicine.

10. The role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of employment.

Narrative essay topics for college students

Here is a list of top narrative essay topics for college:

1. The moment you overcame a profound fear.

2. An encounter that changed your perspective on life.

3. The experience of losing something or someone important.

4. A moment of failure that turned into a lesson of success.

5. Your first day at college and how it met your expectations.

6. A journey that was more than just travel.

7. A significant memory that defines your childhood.

8. The challenge of adapting to a new culture.

9. An act of kindness that left a lasting impact on you.

10. A situation where you had to stand up for what you believed in.

Personal essay topics for college students

Here is a list of top personal essay topics for college:

1. How has a book or movie influenced your understanding of the world?

2. The role of a particular extracurricular activity in shaping who you are.

3. A personal philosophy or mantra that guides your life.

4. The journey of self-discovery during your teenage years.

5. Overcoming a personal struggle to achieve a goal.

6. A cultural tradition that holds significant meaning for you.

7. The impact of a mentor or teacher on your life.

8. A pivotal moment of realization about your identity.

9. How do you cope with stress and maintain mental well-being?

10. The importance of a work-life balance in your personal vision.

Now that we have a list of 100 college essay topics that cover many types of essays and writing styles, let’s delve into how to write an essay , perfect for college!

How to write the perfect college essay

Writing an essay for college admission is not just about showcasing your knowledge; it’s about telling a story that reflects your identity, aspirations, and the value you can bring to a college community. Whether you’re starting an essay or aiming to conclude an essay , here are steps to ensure your essay stands out:

Understanding the prompt

Before you begin writing, understand the academic writing prompt thoroughly. Make sure you know what the question is asking and how you can address it in a unique way that showcases your strengths and experiences.

Choosing your topic wisely

Select a topic that resonates with you and allows you to share something personal and significant. Know which common college essay topics to avoid, and instead, choose unique college essay topics that allow your personality and voice to shine through.

Crafting a compelling introduction

Your introduction should hook the reader and set the tone for the rest of the essay. Start with an anecdote, a surprising fact, or a thought-provoking question to draw the reader in.

Developing a clear structure

Organize and format your college essay with a clear essay structure , including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should support the main thesis outline of your essay with evidence and personal reflections.

Showcasing your voice

Your essay should sound like you. Use your own voice and avoid overly formal language. The goal is to make the reader feel as though they are getting to know the real you.

Being honest and reflective

Be honest in your writing and reflect on your experiences. Admissions officers can tell when a student is being genuine versus when they’re saying what they think the college wants to hear.

Proofreading and revising

After you’ve written your essay, take the time to do essay proofreading and edit your essay if necessary. Look for grammatical errors , check for flow, and make sure your essay is clear and concise. It can be helpful to have someone else read your essay to provide feedback. You can also use tools like essay checkers to make your work easier.

Avoiding taboo topics

There are certain college essay topics to avoid, such as those that are overly controversial, inappropriate, or cliché. Choose a topic that is meaningful but also appropriate for a diverse audience.

Some examples of essay topics to avoid include:

1. Grandiose tales of heroism that seem exaggerated or implausible.

2. The story of your achievements without reflection on the journey or challenges.

3. Controversial topics that do not contribute to a positive discourse or understanding.

4. Overly polarizing political or religious topics that may not resonate with the reader.

5. Cliched volunteer experiences that don’t reveal anything unique about you.

Ending with impact

Your conclusion should wrap up your essay without simply summarizing what you’ve already said. End with a reflection on how the topic has shaped you or how you’ve grown from the experience.

Your college essay is more than an assignment; it’s a canvas for your experiences and dreams. Choose a topic that resonates with you, and let your passion shine through your words. And while AI essay writers can provide assistance with the initial stages of drafting, the real magic comes from your personal touch and insights. 

To ensure your essay truly stands out, consider the expert editing and proofreading services offered by PaperTrue. Our team can sharpen your narrative, correct any linguistic errors, and enhance your essay’s clarity, allowing your unique voice to captivate the admissions committee. Happy writing!

Keep on reading for more useful tips:

  • Guide to a Perfect Descriptive Essay [Examples & Outline Included]
  • What Is an Adverb? Definition, Types, Differences & Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

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How To Write An Essay

Essay Topics

Barbara P

Amazing Essay Topics & Ideas for Your Next Project (2024)

19 min read

Published on: Jan 25, 2021

Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024

Essay Topics

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Are you a student struggling to find interesting and engaging essay topics for your next essay?

Choosing the right essay topic can be a daunting task. It often feels overwhelming to find a topic that is both captivating and meets the requirements of your essay. 

Without a compelling topic, you may struggle to engage your readers and convey your ideas effectively.

But fear not! In this blog post, we provide a list of topics to choose from. 

By exploring these diverse topics, students will not only find inspiration but also develop their critical thinking and analytical skills.

Let's dive in and explore the endless possibilities together!

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Good Essay Topics for Students

A good essay topic will make your writing phase easy and help you get good grades from the teacher. When you pick the essay topic, make sure it is interesting and meets your teacher’s requirements.

We compiled some simple essay topics that will help you in creating a great essay. 

Essay Topics for Kids

  • Describe your worst nightmare.
  • Football vs. baseball.
  • Why is math hard?
  • How to help animals?
  • If I Could Fly.
  • Benefits of drinking tea Vs. Coffee.
  • Is your school day too short?
  • Our school library.
  • What do you like best about winter?
  • Christmas Eve with family and friends. 

Essay Topics for Grade 3 

  • My Favorite Season
  • My Best Friend
  • If I Were a Superhero
  • A Place I Like to Visit
  • My Dream Job
  • The Best Day of My Life
  • My Favorite Animal
  • The Importance of Kindness
  • My Favorite Book

Essay Topics for Grade 4 

  • My last summer vacation.
  • What is the funniest thing you've ever seen?
  • How to prevent bullying?
  • Why is it important to be honest and not lie? 
  • What do you like about how you look?
  • What is your favorite television show, and why?
  • Can you live without television?
  • How are we affecting the environment?
  • Importance of recycling.
  • If I Could Have a Superpower

Essay Topics for Grade 5 

  • Write a poem about your favorite season.
  • Skating and running have a lot in common.
  • Who is your hero, and why?
  • What if the president were a kid?
  • Being rich vs. being famous.
  • Cereal is not a healthy breakfast.
  • A random act of kindness.
  • Are boys too dominating?
  • The rainy season.
  • The Value of Honesty

Essay Topics for Middle School Students 

  • What is your favorite children’s literature?
  • From your point of view, what factors contribute to a good movie?
  • Write about a vacation that you will never forget.
  • Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals like chimpanzees or tigers?
  • Should sports marketing professionals earn more money?
  • Difference between effects of books and video games on morals.
  • How many friends do teens need to have?
  • How do online high schools compare to traditional education?
  • What are the best informative essay topics?
  • Should students be able to pick their teachers?

Essay Topics for Grade 6 

  • Tom and Jerry are the best cartoons.
  • Reading is more important than math.
  • A field trip that your class took.
  • Annual day in my school.
  • How to deal with a bully
  • A world where dogs take over. 
  • Should boys and girls be in separate classes?
  • Describe your future life.
  • How should parents be an example to their children?
  • Technology and education.

Essay Topics for Grade 7 

  • The value of volunteerism
  • The impact of social media on relationships
  • A good diet means good health.
  • Zoos are unsafe for young children.
  • My favorite academic writing website.
  • Why is it important to set goals?
  • What is the best decision you ever made?
  • Schools and colleges should minimize the fees.
  • Effects of social media on youth.
  • How fair is our election process?

Essay Topics for Class 8 

  • The importance of financial literacy
  • Exploring gender equality.
  • Technology makes people's lives better.
  • Is the death penalty right?
  • Youth activism
  • The power of literature
  • Do you prefer weekdays or weekends?
  • The matter of age in a relationship.
  • Do your teachers use technology well?
  • Do you make friends slowly or quickly? 

Essay Topics for Class 9 

  • The impact of social media on young people's mental health
  • Should school uniforms be mandatory? Why or why not?
  • How can we reduce bullying in schools?
  • The importance of physical exercise for students
  • Is homeschooling a better option than traditional schooling?
  • The benefits and drawbacks of online learning
  • The impact of technology on communication skills
  • The impact of fast food on public health
  • The effects of climate change on the environment
  • The importance of conserving natural resources for future generations

Essay Topics for Class 10 

  • The impact of chemical fertilizers on the environment
  • The role of mathematics in daily life 
  • The importance of vaccines in preventing diseases
  • The physics of roller coasters
  • The impact of social media on mental health
  • The benefits of learning a second language
  • The impact of computers on modern society
  • The role of art and music in promoting mental health
  • The history and significance of the Indian Constitution
  • The impact of globalization on Indian economy 

Essay Topics for O levels 

  • Why is education important for personal and societal development?
  • How has social media changed the way we communicate and interact with one another?
  • How can sports help individuals develop discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills?
  • What are some of the drawbacks of technological advancements in our daily lives?
  • What can individuals and governments do to promote sustainable development?
  • How has globalization affected cultural diversity and individual identity?
  • Why is it important to prioritize mental health?
  • Should animals be used for scientific research?
  • How have historical events shaped the world we live in today?
  • How can volunteerism and community service benefit both individuals and society?

Essay Topics for High School Students

  • Does social media negatively impact teenagers’ social lives?
  • Do you always have your phone or tablet at your side?
  • Should children be punished for inappropriate behavior?
  • What is the most important thing in the world to you?
  • Is there a connection between real-life violence and video games?
  • Ways to deal with insomnia and other sleeping disorders.
  • Do advancements in modern technologies ruin childhood?   
  • The implementation of capital punishment should be adopted universally.
  • Methods of preventing excessive air pollution from factories.
  • Pros and cons of getting admission to an expensive university.

Essay Topics for Grade 12 

  • The Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning
  • The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
  • The Role of Social Media in Politics
  • The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
  • The Impact of Climate Change on Global Health
  • The Ethics of Genetic Engineering
  • The Pros and Cons of Universal Basic Income
  • The Future of Space Exploration
  • The Value of Intercultural Competence
  • The Role of Art and Culture in Society

Essay Topics for College Students 

  • What are the advantages the US educational system offers to international students?
  • Explain the possible consequences of dropping out of college.
  • Social media has played a big role in increasing business opportunities.
  • What is one thing you want to accomplish in college?
  • How would you feel about a computer grading your essays?
  • What is an extracurricular activity that has been meaningful to you?
  • Professional athletes are overpaid.
  • Do you know the secret to Taylor Swift's popularity?
  • The day you decided to change your life.
  • Can you succeed in life working in the field of art?

Essay Topics for University Level 

  • The Ethics of Human Cloning
  • The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Employment
  • The Role of Mass Media in Shaping Public Opinion
  • The Relationship between Technology and Privacy
  • The Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy
  • The Future of Healthcare
  • The Impact of Globalization on Economic Inequality
  • The Ethics of Animal Rights
  • The Importance of Cultural Diversity in Education
  • The Role of Government in Addressing Climate Change

COVID-19 Topics

As the world continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic, it's worth examining some of the topics that emerged during this unprecedented time.

Here are some potential COVID-19 topics to reflect on:

  • How does the current situation compare with other major outbreaks in history?
  • What steps need to be taken now, or soon inaction might lead?
  • How do you get COVID-19?
  • Where do coronaviruses come from?
  • School life during COVID-19
  • How is coronavirus diagnosed?
  • Mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Pros and cons of self-isolation
  • The effects of Covid-19 on business
  • A person or special friend you lost due to COVID-19

Essay Topics by Category

Here are some essay topics that can be categorized into different types of essays.

Good Argumentative Essay Topics

An  argumentative essay  presents arguments for and against an issue. You have to show both sides of the issue, but you only need to focus on the side that you support the most.

Some good argumentative essay topics are below:

  • What should be done to reduce income inequality?
  • Should self-driving cars be legal?
  • Should companies market to children?
  • Is it still important to teach English in schools?
  • Are emojis beneficial or destructive to communication?
  • Should women be allowed to fight on the front lines alongside men?
  • Is cheese a good enough substitute for milk?
  • Should the United States have one official language?
  • Are the public school policies reasonable?
  • The sales and production of tobacco should be made illegal.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics 

Essay topics are sometimes controversial. For your help, check this list that gives you ideas for a great essay.  

  • Are hot dogs bad for you?
  • Should euthanasia be illegal?
  • Paper books vs. E-books.
  • Are school uniforms advantageous?
  • Should torture be acceptable?
  • Sports make you a good student.
  • Is bottled water safe?
  • Monarchy: pros and cons.
  • Is prostitution a crime?
  • Should gym classes be required?

Funny Argumentative Essay Topics 

Do you want to make your essay more interesting? Why not try a funny topic? Humor is a great way to get your reader's attention and keep them interested in what you have to say.

Look at the below-mentioned interesting essay topics and write a great one.

  • Why is wearing braces fun?
  • Why are dogs, irreplaceable friends?
  • Can a diamond be a girl’s best friend?
  • Does Google make us smart?
  • Things your mother is always saying.
  • How to deal with breakups?
  • Is music class necessary?
  • Why do women like evening outs?
  • Can I join your family?
  • How not to sleep?

If there's a specific topic or type of writing that interests you, be sure to check more argumentative essay topics .

Persuasive Essay Topics

A  persuasive essay  is a type of writing that you are often asked to do in high school, college, and university. It shows how well you can persuade people with facts and logic.

Here are some topics that you can use for your help.

  • Should healthcare be universal?
  • Should students learn cursive writing in school?
  • School should take place in the evenings.
  • What is the funniest movie you’ve ever seen?
  • Do hobbies help people with their careers?
  • How does it benefit nature to reduce human paper consumption?
  • Dreamers must obtain permission to stay in the US.
  • Schools should have playtime in between classes.
  • Churches should pay taxes too.
  • Is solar energy worth the cost?

Continue reading our blog persuasive essay topics and get some more interesting topics. 

Narrative Essay Topics

A  narrative essay  is a type of writing that tells the writer's story and experiences. The writer's point of view and life events entertain the audience in this essay type.

Below are some good narrative essay topics for your help.

  • The story of how you got your first pet.
  • How did you write your first essay?
  • The beginning of a friendship or relationship.
  • What I remember most about my childhood.
  • The best songwriters of modern times.
  • Write about a time when you felt on top of the world.
  • Growing up in New York.
  • How much time do you spend alone?
  • A day in the life of a flight attendant.
  • Did you like any particular subject when in school?

You can also get more interesting narrative essay topics and choose the one that suits your needs. 

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

In a  compare and contrast essay , you show how two things are similar and different. This essay type is easy to write because you don’t need to use facts, but you have to express your thoughts.

The following are the topics for your ease.

  • Mobile healthcare units or stationary clinics.
  • Formulas of two different chemical reactions.
  • Public vs. private transportation.
  • Chocolate and marmalade candies.
  • How do education and employment compare?
  • British colonization and Spanish colonization.
  • Eating fast food against consuming healthy meals.
  • African countries vs. European countries.
  • Differences and similarities: Writing emails and letters.
  • Plagiarizing content vs. cheating on exams.

You can also check more compare and contrast essay topics an d get ideas for your next essay. 

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

It is fascinating to discuss the effects and causes of two subjects in an essay. An essay that discusses the effects and causes of two subjects enhances the students’ creative and analytical skills.

Take a look at the below topics and choose the best one for your essay.

  • How happy relationships affect a person.
  • Coke and Pepsi: Their influence on our health.
  • What causes social media sites to lose popularity?
  • Why would you mix Coke and Pepsi at breakfast?
  • How does college differ from university?
  • Explain the outcomes of low social status.
  • Microplastic in food damages human health.
  • What are the main reasons couples get divorced?
  • What are the consequences of drinking and driving?
  • How does social media help in overcoming shyness?

Choose from the best cause and effect essay topics for your academic assignment. 

Informative Essay Topics

An  informative essay  is a type of essay that provides detailed information to the readers. This type of essay requires good research skills.

Check out the below topics for your informative essay assignment.

  • Kindness is the utmost personal trait.
  • Things that cause eating disorders.
  • What is the importance of oxygen?
  • How can tanning be dangerous for your skin?
  • The events that led up to World War II.
  • Trump presidency outcomes.
  • The important human health vitamins.
  • How to clean your room?
  • Eating Maggi destroys your health.
  • Importance of vitamin C.

You can also get more informative essay topics from our blog for your essay assignment.  

Research Essay Topics

When you write a research essay, you present an issue based on the work of scholars and scientists.

Here are some interesting research essay topics that you can use or alter according to your teacher’s requirements:

  • What is the future of religion?
  • Effects of homeschooling.
  • What are the pros and cons of cloud computing?
  • How does a search engine work?
  • Should prayer be a part of high school?
  • Can bullying be a cause for murder?
  • Effects of vaccination.
  • How do behavioral patterns develop?
  • The importance of mental health.
  • Explain the art of Ancient Egypt.

Expository Essay Topics

An expository essay's main goal is to explain a process or a cause-and-effect relationship. You have to use facts and research to support what you say. The biggest difference between an expository essay  and other types of essays is that the point you are trying to argue is based on analysis, not just your opinion.

Some good expository essay topics below for your essay assignment:

  • Explain why teens do drugs.
  • How would you stop racism?
  • How was your first day at school?
  • Explain how a seed becomes a plant?
  • Describe the state of the cure for cancer
  • What makes a good friend?
  • Explain how tobacco companies target teenagers.
  • How to become a leader?
  • Why do kids lie?
  • Autocorrect could ruin your life.

Explore more expository essay topics and begin your essay with ease!

Definition Essay Topics

In a  definition essay , the essay writer gives a clear and concise definition of a term. In most cases, these essays are about terms that are not concrete and which can have different meanings depending on the culture or personal perspective.

Here are some excellent topics for a definition essay:

  • Does money matter?
  • Is one friend enough?
  • What is honesty?
  • Social media
  • Define smelly cats/
  • What is college for you?
  • What is physics?
  • Are bananas fruit?
  • Explain the word “agility.”

Get more outstanding definition essay topics from our blog and make your topic selection process easy.

Descriptive Essay Topics

A  descriptive essay  focuses on describing details of a particular person, place, event, etc. Descriptive essays are usually about personal experiences or things that are vivid in the writer's memory.

Any topic can be used for a descriptive essay. For your help, we gathered some great topics, so take a look at them and pick the best one.

  • Describe a lucky object.
  • The best singer
  • My first flight
  • My favorite singer
  • Going fishing.
  • The traffic signal
  • An inspiring view
  • Best summer vacation
  • Piece of art

If you're looking for more great descriptive essay topics , check out this blog. 

Personal Essay Topics

A personal essay is a story about your life. It should be written in a friendly, intimate tone. The essay should reflect your character and examine the emotions you have felt because of certain events that have happened to you.

Here is a great list of topics for your help.

  • Your biggest loss
  • What makes you a good coworker or friend?
  • How did you get hurt?
  • What was your most precious childhood possession?
  • Why do people like karaoke?
  • Your bucket list of wishes
  • Why do some people avoid vaccines?
  • Child discipline
  • Your family traditions.
  • Why don’t I smoke?

Problem Solution Essay Topics

A  problem-solution essay  is a persuasive type of writing. It presents a problem and then describes it in detail. The writer must show how to fix the problem, and they must be convincing. The essay must have strong evidence and arguments that prove that the given solution is the best.

Below are some topics that can make your essay great.

  • What obstacles prevent people from getting help?
  • Should college athletes be paid?
  • How can schools promote tolerance?
  • Educating women on self-defense
  • Helping young people create a healthy family.
  • What are the ways of avoiding cheating?
  • The films are just not very good
  • Cyberbullying
  • Business problems
  • Rising costs of bills

Classification Essay Topics

A  classification essay  is a formal piece of writing that shows how you group things together. You might put things with similar characteristics together or with things that are different.

Check out some great essay topics.

  • Types of Music Genres
  • Healthy breakfast foods
  • Types of fashion brands.
  • Reasons why graffiti is an art form.
  • Types of lectures
  • Portable music players
  • Types of Food Cuisines
  • Types of therapies
  • Examples of women
  • Types of internet commerce

Proposal Essay Topics

A proposal essay is a type of essay where you propose an idea and try to convince the reader why it is a good or bad idea.

You can pick any of the topics from the below-mentioned list and write a great essay.

  • Can vaccines cause autism?
  • The impact of gender roles in Roman society.
  • A program for attracting more men nurses.
  • What tests should be eliminated?
  • Offer simple ways to deal with stray animals.
  • Best ways to handle overbearing parents.
  • Do statistical arguments in sports help?
  • Turning points in personal life
  • Should teens have jobs?
  • How to decrease the number of smokers?

Essay Topics on Technology 

  • The impact of blockchain technology on supply chain management
  • The ethics of using drones in military operations
  • The role of technology in promoting sustainable agriculture
  • The use of biometrics in modern security systems
  • The impact of technology on the music industry
  • The benefits and drawbacks of self-driving cars
  • The potential of nanotechnology in medical research
  • The impact of technology on modern art
  • The role of artificial intelligence in improving cybersecurity
  • The impact of technology on the gig economy

Tips for Choosing the Best Topics 

Choosing the perfect essay topic is one of those things you really should do before starting your essay. If it's not something that interests or excites you, then how will anyone else find any passion in reading about it?

A good backbone for an interesting essay starts with a strong idea. For your help, we gathered some tips that will help you in choosing a good essay topic. 

  • Identify your interests: Choose a topic that you are interested in or passionate about. This will make the research and writing process more enjoyable and engaging for you.
  • Consider your audience: Think about who will be reading your essay. Choose a topic that is relevant and interesting to your audience.
  • Research your options: Do some preliminary research on your topic options. Ensure that there is enough information available to write a comprehensive essay.
  • Narrow your focus: If a topic seems too broad or general, try to narrow it down to a specific aspect or angle that you can explore in more detail.
  • Brainstorm multiple ideas: Generate a list of potential essay topics and then narrow down the options based on your interests, research, and audience.
  • Be creative: Don't be afraid to explore unique or unconventional topics that may not have been covered extensively before. This can help your essay stand out and capture the reader's attention.

Now, you get a list of several essay topics for your college essay assignment. You can experiment with generating new topics using an AI essay writer as well. However, if you need help in the essay writing phase, simply consult CollegeEssay.org .

Our professional essay writers will help you in writing top-notch essays. So, place your " write my essay " request now and get an experienced writer’s help for your assignments.

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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Essay Topics & Ideas

essay ideas website

You’ve made it to the perfect article! After reading this you’ll not just know how to come up with an idea for an essay, but have over 300 examples to inspire you. 

Why Essay Ideas and Great Essay Topics are Vital

The difference between having fun while writing an interesting, high scoring essay, and struggling to finish an essay the night before it’s due has less to do with how well you write and more to do with the topic you choose. A topic you feel passionate about will make you more excited to actually do the writing and will make the writing process easier and the end product better. Don’t get carried away though! Think about the audience you’re writing for and choose a topic that they would find at least somewhat interesting. Another useful way to help decide between several topics you’re passionate about is choosing one that you already have a lot of information about. This will cut down on your research time, making your writing flow, weaving facts and references into the narrative. 

300+ Essay Topic Ideas

You’ll find over 300 topic ideas divided into various categories down below. Put your own spin on any of these ideas and take the first step in writing a fun, high scoring essay. Keep in mind - these are topic ideas, not titles!

Essay Topics for Kids

Some really simple questions to inspire young children to come up with a fun topic!

Who is your favorite superhero and why?
What do you like the most about your parents?
What is your favorite season?
What do you like the most about Christmas?
What have you learned from cartoons?
What does your brother or sister do for fun?
Do you like vegetables? Why or why not!
How was your first day of school?
What is your favorite thing to eat?

Essay Topics for Middle School

Some slightly more complicated questions to help middle schoolers find a great topic.  

Who is your best friend and why?
What are you the best at?
What’s your favorite cuisine?
Who’s your role model?
What do you think about social media?
Explain what friendship means to you
Choose a science term you love and write about it
What do you want to be when you’re older?
What was it like losing your first tooth?
What do you like the most about school?

Essay Topics for College

Some complicated question to ignite the imaginations of sophisticated college students. 

What were the driving factors behind your choice of major?
How did you deal with homesickness?
What new clubs and activities did you start enjoying in college?
Does a college degree seem worth it so far?
Is independence everything you thought it would be?
What would you change about your college experience?
What is a course that you found yourself enjoying despite hating it in high school?
How different is socializing in college compared to high school?
Would you have preferred to have gone to a larger or smaller college and why?
Do you think you’ve managed your time well?

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Essay Topics by Essay Type

This section will cover the 4 main types of essays you will be asked to write in your academic career.

  • Expository writing asks the writer to do some research and explain concepts and ideas. These include Informative, Cause & Effect, and Research essays.
  • Persuasive writing is all about trying to convince the reader to come to your side of an issue. These include Persuasive, Argumentative, and Rhetorical Analysis essays.
  • Descriptive writing allows for more creativity, painting an experience with words that explain ideas and convey emotions. These include Descriptive and Definition essays.
  • Narrative writing is about sharing experiences through storytelling. These include Narrative, Personal, Reflective, and Process essays. ‍

Informative Essay Topics

Pretty straightforward, do some research and present the facts. Keep your opinions out of it!

The history of bathing culture in ancient China
Why salt used to be worth its weight in gold
The impact of prohibition on modern attitudes towards alcohol
An in-depth critique of your favorite book or movie 
Why a little bit of stress is a good thing
The story of how a chocolate bar gets made
The top 10 richest people in the world
The best videogames of each decade 
How to get out of a bad relationship
The evolution of the internet 

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Explore how one thing impacts the other, also known as reason and result essays. 

The impact of Young Adult fiction on teenagers
How the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought the world closer together
Dealing with a cross-cultural relationship
Wearing school uniforms reduces bullying
The effects of having a toxic parent
Why there’s a rise in eating disorders amongst young people today
Ways to lead a healthier lifestyle and why it’s important
The impact of going to college on earning potential 
Why everyone needs a vacation once every 6 months
The impact of group sports on an individuals psychology

Research Essay Topics

More in-depth analysis usually requiring scientific research. Sometimes you just collect and synthesize information, sometimes you may be asked to give an opinion. 

The extent of child labor in the fast fashion industry 
Has science fiction driven scientific discovery and if so, what can we expect from the future?
The impact of climate change on migratory wildlife 
How do transfats differ from healthy fats and why they are bad?
Is there a connection between social media usage and reported happiness?
How have film industries around the world shaped and influenced each other?
Which country is going to be the next superpower?
An analysis of modern pop music lyrics 
Themes and motifs in anime that are similar to Shakespeare’s works
What type of underwear is best for different weather conditions

Persuasive Essay Topics

Using emotions to convince someone that your perspective on an issue is correct.

What does the term “Globalist” actually means
The responsibility for sex and drug education lies with parents
Why veganism is the only morally justifiable diet
Should there be limits on freedom of speech?
Students should be allowed to listen to music when they take exams
Why some words should not be used regardless of context
Should alternative and homeopathic medicine come with warning labels?
There needs to be a minimum age for social media use
Online friends are just as valuable as offline friends
Instagram is bad for the body image of young adults

Argumentative Essay Topics

Using logic and facts to convince somebody that your perspective on an issue is correct.

Is cancel culture a good way for groups to police people?
Should celebrities have public opinions about politics?
Why is ok to eat plants but not animals?
Should everyone be forced to take vaccines?
What are the lasting impacts of internment camps in the USA?
Should animals have the same rights as humans?
Is it justifiable to spend billions getting to Mars when children still die of starvation on Earth?
Why video games should be considered sports
Should countries be allowed to censor movies?
Is health care a basic human right?

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

A specific type of essay that focuses less on what the content is and more on how the author goes about writing it. 

The Picture of Dorian Gray: A peek into the mind of Oscar Wilde
The movie versions of famous books 
A scientific speech given by a Nobel prize winner
Your favorite Superbowl commercial 
A stand up special by a comedian 
A speech given by your principal
A particularly excellent billboard you came across
A speech by an activist like Greta Thunberg
A monologue by your favorite talk show host
A rant by your favorite social media personality

Descriptive Essay Topics

Detail rich writing that conveys intangible things like ambiance and emotion.

How would an alien reporting back to the mothership explain humans?
The feeling of a beautiful sunset on the beach 
What’s special about your favorite homecooked meal
Holding a baby for the first time
The most embarrassing moment of your life
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be 
Why your favorite city in the world is the best
Your favorite childhood outfit 
What is your mental happy place?
What it’s like to be in love

Definition Essay Topics

Defining an interesting term that has an imprecise meaning or a meaning that differs from culture to culture. 

Why anybody can be privileged in one way or another
Is communism really as bad as people think?
The importance of slang (choose any slang word like yeet, lit, snack)
Teleportation and why it’s impossible
The difference between being smart and being clever
Making fun or being in awe of modern art
If you’re born after the year 2000 is the internet a basic right?
Why I love my dog differently than my romantic partner
Does mental health mean different things in different cultures?
The World Wide Web: What WWW really means

Find out more ideas of definition essay topics in or guides.

Narrative Essay Topics

An academic form of storytelling that is full of details and action. Usually drawn from the writer’s own experiences. Feel feel to use personal pronouns!

Why a certain phrase became your motto
A time when you were convinced to change your mind about something 
A random act of kindness you witnessed
What time period you would go to if time travel were possible
A time you panicked because you thought you lost your phone
The first time you felt butterflies in your stomach
Your most disappointing birthday
A conversation that impacted the way you approach life
What it would be like to have a twin
A day in the life of a goat

We collected 150 ideas of nurrative essay topics in another article!

Personal Essay Topics

A style of writing close to journaling. It should feel friendly and comfortable and can be as personal as you want. 

What are some of the challenges you have overcome in your life?
How important is spending time in nature to you?
What your YouTube channel would be about 
Which of your favorite movies would you want a sequel for?
What you wish people would know about you before meeting for the first time
What is the most rebellious thing you’ve done? 
Would you be ok in a nontraditional occupation?
How much does being a sports fan define you?
Why certain items of clothing have special meaning to you
Why you still believe or don’t believe in ghosts

Reflective Essay Topics

Another personal style that allows the writer to express how they felt at certain moments and how certain things impacted them. 

When was the last time you laughed with someone so hard you couldn’t stop?
Are certain people and certain places forever linked in your memory?
The worst punishment you have endured
A time when you helped someone in need and why it was important to you
Your first time failing at something and what it taught you
The joys of playing with a pet
The feeling of walking in warm rain 
What it was like moving back to a city you left
Reconnecting with old friends because of social media
What it felt like getting lost

Process Essay Topics

A step by step guide on how to make something happen. 

How to teach an old person to use a smartphone
How to find better friends 
How to become a better writer
How to build followers of social media
How to say no to people without hurting their feelings
How to make the sweetest handmade gifts
How to impress everyone in a room with just a few words
How to take a comprehensive two-minute shower
How to choose the tastiest fruits
How to get over an ex

Did you like our inspiring Essay Topics & Ideas?

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Essay Topic Idea by Category

In this section, you’ll find 10 topics per popular category. Search for the category that’s most related to your class or find something you like personally. Any of these topics can be used as extended essay topics, just write more than usual!

Psychology Essay Topics

Some ideas to inspire your essay about the mind.

How much control do you have over your own thoughts?
How does society define what “crazy” is?
Knowing someone who has a mental disorder
Your own experiences with mental health
Mental health is just as important as physical health
The difference between confidence and arrogance
Pick an interesting psychology concept and define it
The different attitudes towards therapy in different socio-economic groups 
The effects of Disney movies on the concept of love
Diagnose your favorite superhero with their most likely disorder

Philosophy Essay Topics

Ideas for the deep thinkers.

The changing importance of philosophy in the 2020s
Is philosophy the same as religion? Why or why not?
Compare Plato’s Allegory of Cave to The Matrix Trilogy
Utilitarian philosophy in Star Trek
Do video games promote escapism and if, isn’t that the point of technology?
Should a majority force a minority to follow their wishes?
How do you find the line between free speech and harassment?
Is there such a thing as being too nice?
Would you date somebody who held very different beliefs than you?
Choose a concept by a famous philosopher and define it.

Technology Essay Topics

Fascinating ideas to explore for the tech-savvy.

What the next big leap in technology is going to be
Can humans already be considered cyborgs?
How is artificial intelligence going to affect jobs in the future?
Do big technology companies have too much power?
If robots achieved sentience, should they be given the same rights as humans?
Compare and contrast the changes in computing power in the last 20 years
Explain how the internet actually works
Analyze historical technological advancements like the steam engine or light bulb
Would you be willing to be a Mars colonist?
Make predictions about the technology of the future 

Ethics Essay Topics

Explore right and wrong with these topic ideas.

What is the difference between morals and laws?
Is justice an objective concept or is it determined by the majority?
Is it ok for parents to have a favorite child or for children to have a favorite parent?
Would you save your own pet over a human life?
Should people be allowed to not wear masks if it is against their beliefs?
Is it morally wrong to be in a polygamous relationship?
Loyalty is considered a good thing, but people have done terrible things because of it. 
What is the best way to punish criminals?
Should there be laws that are enforceable everywhere in the world?
Who has the most responsibility to take care of the environment?

Health Essay Topics

Write about being in tune with your body and how to lead a better life.

How to be healthy without dieting
Compare how your body feels now to 5 years ago 
Choose a health buzz word like superfoods and explain what it means
Should governments provide free mental healthcare?
How to stay positive during the lockdown
What are the most unhealthy fast food burgers?
What are the impacts of good nutrition on energy levels?
Are vitamin supplements worth it?
Explain the difference between good bacteria and bad bacteria 
Does being thinner automatically mean you are healthier?

History Essay Topics

Ideas to inspire the history buffs out there.

What was the impact of the 2007 financial crisis on your family?
Which time period was it the best to be a common person?
Trace your family history as far back as you can
What are the biggest lessons learned from history?
Choose your favorite hobby and trace its origins
Who was the richest person in all of human history?
What did people think of fossils before humans understood dinosaurs?
Compare and contrast the first great human civilizations
Why was India such an important destination in the middle ages?
What is the impact of the slave trade in modern Africa?

Education Essay Topics

Educate your readers about education.

Should students have more freedom in choosing what classes they take?
Who has the responsibility to educate children about religion?
What are the other forms of education and are they effective?
Trace the history of the modern educational system
Does language affect how well you score on exams?
Does separating people based on standardized testing make sense?
What is the best way to reward excellent teachers?
Why can some countries provide free university education?
What are the biggest challenges you have faced academically?
Should there be a Nobel Prize for education?

Music Essay Topics

Ideas that will inspire music lovers.

What is the first song that you can remember?
Do different kinds of music affect how well you can study?
Could listening to music be considered a form of meditation?
Do musicians appreciate music more than nonmusicians?
What is the best genre of music in your opinion?
Could you be good friends with someone who has completely opposite music tastes?
What instrument would you like to be amazing at
Compare and contrast classical music with modern pop hits
Have lyrics actually gotten better or worse over the decades?
What is the future of music going to be like?

Environment Essay Topics

Share your love of mother Earth with these topic ideas.

How can global warming lead to colder temperatures in some places?
What you personally do to help save the environment
Explore one of the worst pollution disasters in history
Should rich countries help poorer countries with carbon emission goals?
How have plate tectonics and volcanoes shaped our world
What would be the impact of rising sea levels 
Why are invasive species so dangerous?
What was the Earth’s climate like in the past?
What are the biggest specific threats to the environment?
Research the history behind finding medicines in nature

Sociology Essay Topics

Write about the behavior of humans and groups.

What is groupthink and does social media make it worse?
Do groups of people make better decisions than individuals?
Explore a subculture that you’re unfamiliar with 
What did you learn on your first trip abroad?
What can humans learn from animal social groups?
Why are people so different around the world?
What are the key factors of attraction?
What will future generations look back on in 2020 that they would find repulsive? 
What is your favorite festival from another culture?
Why did different places in the world develop different cuisines?

Economics Essay Topics

Ideas to write about the money side of things.

What is the effect of cryptocurrency on traditional money systems?
What is your first memory of earning any money?
Should wealthier people be taxed more than poorer people?
What percentage of GDP should be spent on education?
Should businesses do more corporate social responsibility?
Choose an economics term and explain it
Trace the origins of money 
How companies create artificial shortages to increase prices
How can a government control how much its money is worth
What is the role of the World Bank?

More Fun & Interesting Essay Topics

Some weird, crazy, topic ideas to set the inner creative free

What is the meaning of life?
How would you make friends with an alien
What would your supervillain plan to take over the world be?
Which fictional character would you like to be?
How many tears does the ocean hold?
A day in the life of a library book
The journey of a meme
How to destroy an influencer
A time you felt like you were in a movie
What music genre are you?
Which Disney movie do you relate to the most?
How would you survive on 5 dollars a day?
A time you were convinced you were living in the matrix
Gaming for 24 hours straight
Having crushes on multiple people
The sneakiest thing you’ve ever done
What kind of rich person would you be?
What would you do in a zombie apocalypse?
How to get rid of an earworm
Your favorite weird food combination

Wrapping It Up

The team of experts at Studyfy offers professional essay writing services , dissertation writing services , research paper writing services , as well as help with writing admission essays. They have vast experience and knowledge in different fields of study, and can provide you with top-quality academic help to ensure that you succeed in your studies. Contact them today and take the first step towards achieving your academic goals!

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How to Write a College Essay | A Complete Guide & Examples

The college essay can make or break your application. It’s your chance to provide personal context, communicate your values and qualities, and set yourself apart from other students.

A standout essay has a few key ingredients:

  • A unique, personal topic
  • A compelling, well-structured narrative
  • A clear, creative writing style
  • Evidence of self-reflection and insight

To achieve this, it’s crucial to give yourself enough time for brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through every step in the process of writing a college admissions essay.

Table of contents

Why do you need a standout essay, start organizing early, choose a unique topic, outline your essay, start with a memorable introduction, write like an artist, craft a strong conclusion, revise and receive feedback, frequently asked questions.

While most of your application lists your academic achievements, your college admissions essay is your opportunity to share who you are and why you’d be a good addition to the university.

Your college admissions essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s total weight一and may account for even more with some colleges making the SAT and ACT tests optional. The college admissions essay may be the deciding factor in your application, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

What do colleges look for in an essay?

Admissions officers want to understand your background, personality, and values to get a fuller picture of you beyond your test scores and grades. Here’s what colleges look for in an essay :

  • Demonstrated values and qualities
  • Vulnerability and authenticity
  • Self-reflection and insight
  • Creative, clear, and concise writing skills

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

It’s a good idea to start organizing your college application timeline in the summer of your junior year to make your application process easier. This will give you ample time for essay brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

While timelines will vary for each student, aim to spend at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing your first draft and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Remember to leave enough time for breaks in between each writing and editing stage.

Create an essay tracker sheet

If you’re applying to multiple schools, you will have to juggle writing several essays for each one. We recommend using an essay tracker spreadsheet to help you visualize and organize the following:

  • Deadlines and number of essays needed
  • Prompt overlap, allowing you to write one essay for similar prompts

You can build your own essay tracker using our free Google Sheets template.

College essay tracker template

Ideally, you should start brainstorming college essay topics the summer before your senior year. Keep in mind that it’s easier to write a standout essay with a unique topic.

If you want to write about a common essay topic, such as a sports injury or volunteer work overseas, think carefully about how you can make it unique and personal. You’ll need to demonstrate deep insight and write your story in an original way to differentiate it from similar essays.

What makes a good topic?

  • Meaningful and personal to you
  • Uncommon or has an unusual angle
  • Reveals something different from the rest of your application

Brainstorming questions

You should do a comprehensive brainstorm before choosing your topic. Here are a few questions to get started:

  • What are your top five values? What lived experiences demonstrate these values?
  • What adjectives would your friends and family use to describe you?
  • What challenges or failures have you faced and overcome? What lessons did you learn from them?
  • What makes you different from your classmates?
  • What are some objects that represent your identity, your community, your relationships, your passions, or your goals?
  • Whom do you admire most? Why?
  • What three people have significantly impacted your life? How did they influence you?

How to identify your topic

Here are two strategies for identifying a topic that demonstrates your values:

  • Start with your qualities : First, identify positive qualities about yourself; then, brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities.
  • Start with a story : Brainstorm a list of memorable life moments; then, identify a value shown in each story.

After choosing your topic, organize your ideas in an essay outline , which will help keep you focused while writing. Unlike a five-paragraph academic essay, there’s no set structure for a college admissions essay. You can take a more creative approach, using storytelling techniques to shape your essay.

Two common approaches are to structure your essay as a series of vignettes or as a single narrative.

Vignettes structure

The vignette, or montage, structure weaves together several stories united by a common theme. Each story should demonstrate one of your values or qualities and conclude with an insight or future outlook.

This structure gives the admissions officer glimpses into your personality, background, and identity, and shows how your qualities appear in different areas of your life.

Topic: Museum with a “five senses” exhibit of my experiences

  • Introduction: Tour guide introduces my museum and my “Making Sense of My Heritage” exhibit
  • Story: Racial discrimination with my eyes
  • Lesson: Using my writing to document truth
  • Story: Broadway musical interests
  • Lesson: Finding my voice
  • Story: Smells from family dinner table
  • Lesson: Appreciating home and family
  • Story: Washing dishes
  • Lesson: Finding moments of peace in busy schedule
  • Story: Biking with Ava
  • Lesson: Finding pleasure in job well done
  • Conclusion: Tour guide concludes tour, invites guest to come back for “fall College Collection,” featuring my search for identity and learning.

Single story structure

The single story, or narrative, structure uses a chronological narrative to show a student’s character development over time. Some narrative essays detail moments in a relatively brief event, while others narrate a longer journey spanning months or years.

Single story essays are effective if you have overcome a significant challenge or want to demonstrate personal development.

Topic: Sports injury helps me learn to be a better student and person

  • Situation: Football injury
  • Challenge: Friends distant, teachers don’t know how to help, football is gone for me
  • Turning point: Starting to like learning in Ms. Brady’s history class; meeting Christina and her friends
  • My reactions: Reading poetry; finding shared interest in poetry with Christina; spending more time studying and with people different from me
  • Insight: They taught me compassion and opened my eyes to a different lifestyle; even though I still can’t play football, I’m starting a new game

Brainstorm creative insights or story arcs

Regardless of your essay’s structure, try to craft a surprising story arc or original insights, especially if you’re writing about a common topic.

Never exaggerate or fabricate facts about yourself to seem interesting. However, try finding connections in your life that deviate from cliché storylines and lessons.

Common insight Unique insight
Making an all-state team → outstanding achievement Making an all-state team → counting the cost of saying “no” to other interests
Making a friend out of an enemy → finding common ground, forgiveness Making a friend out of an enemy → confront toxic thinking and behavior in yourself
Choir tour → a chance to see a new part of the world Choir tour → a chance to serve in leading younger students
Volunteering → learning to help my community and care about others Volunteering → learning to be critical of insincere resume-building
Turning a friend in for using drugs →  choosing the moral high ground Turning a friend in for using drugs →  realizing the hypocrisy of hiding your secrets

Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and they typically spend only a few minutes reading each one. To get your message across, your introduction , or hook, needs to grab the reader’s attention and compel them to read more..

Avoid starting your introduction with a famous quote, cliché, or reference to the essay itself (“While I sat down to write this essay…”).

While you can sometimes use dialogue or a meaningful quotation from a close family member or friend, make sure it encapsulates your essay’s overall theme.

Find an original, creative way of starting your essay using the following two methods.

Option 1: Start with an intriguing hook

Begin your essay with an unexpected statement to pique the reader’s curiosity and compel them to carefully read your essay. A mysterious introduction disarms the reader’s expectations and introduces questions that can only be answered by reading more.

Option 2: Start with vivid imagery

Illustrate a clear, detailed image to immediately transport your reader into your memory. You can start in the middle of an important scene or describe an object that conveys your essay’s theme.

A college application essay allows you to be creative in your style and tone. As you draft your essay, try to use interesting language to enliven your story and stand out .

Show, don’t tell

“Tell” in writing means to simply state a fact: “I am a basketball player.” “ Show ” in writing means to use details, examples, and vivid imagery to help the reader easily visualize your memory: “My heart races as I set up to shoot一two seconds, one second一and score a three-pointer!”

First, reflect on every detail of a specific image or scene to recall the most memorable aspects.

  • What are the most prominent images?
  • Are there any particular sounds, smells, or tastes associated with this memory?
  • What emotion or physical feeling did you have at that time?

Be vulnerable to create an emotional response

You don’t have to share a huge secret or traumatic story, but you should dig deep to express your honest feelings, thoughts, and experiences to evoke an emotional response. Showing vulnerability demonstrates humility and maturity. However, don’t exaggerate to gain sympathy.

Use appropriate style and tone

Make sure your essay has the right style and tone by following these guidelines:

  • Use a conversational yet respectful tone: less formal than academic writing, but more formal than texting your friends.
  • Prioritize using “I” statements to highlight your perspective.
  • Write within your vocabulary range to maintain an authentic voice.
  • Write concisely, and use the active voice to keep a fast pace.
  • Follow grammar rules (unless you have valid stylistic reasons for breaking them).

You should end your college essay with a deep insight or creative ending to leave the reader with a strong final impression. Your college admissions essay should avoid the following:

  • Summarizing what you already wrote
  • Stating your hope of being accepted to the school
  • Mentioning character traits that should have been illustrated in the essay, such as “I’m a hard worker”

Here are two strategies to craft a strong conclusion.

Option 1: Full circle, sandwich structure

The full circle, or sandwich, structure concludes the essay with an image, idea, or story mentioned in the introduction. This strategy gives the reader a strong sense of closure.

In the example below, the essay concludes by returning to the “museum” metaphor that the writer opened with.

Option 2: Revealing your insight

You can use the conclusion to show the insight you gained as a result of the experiences you’ve described. Revealing your main message at the end creates suspense and keeps the takeaway at the forefront of your reader’s mind.

Revise your essay before submitting it to check its content, style, and grammar. Get feedback from no more than two or three people.

It’s normal to go through several rounds of revision, but take breaks between each editing stage.

Also check out our college essay examples to see what does and doesn’t work in an essay and the kinds of changes you can make to improve yours.

Respect the word count

Most schools specify a word count for each essay , and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit.

Remain under the specified word count limit to show you can write concisely and follow directions. However, don’t write too little, which may imply that you are unwilling or unable to write a thoughtful and developed essay.

Check your content, style, and grammar

  • First, check big-picture issues of message, flow, and clarity.
  • Then, check for style and tone issues.
  • Finally, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Get feedback

Get feedback from 2–3 people who know you well, have good writing skills, and are familiar with college essays.

  • Teachers and guidance counselors can help you check your content, language, and tone.
  • Friends and family can check for authenticity.
  • An essay coach or editor has specialized knowledge of college admissions essays and can give objective expert feedback.

The checklist below helps you make sure your essay ticks all the boxes.

College admissions essay checklist

I’ve organized my essay prompts and created an essay writing schedule.

I’ve done a comprehensive brainstorm for essay topics.

I’ve selected a topic that’s meaningful to me and reveals something different from the rest of my application.

I’ve created an outline to guide my structure.

I’ve crafted an introduction containing vivid imagery or an intriguing hook that grabs the reader’s attention.

I’ve written my essay in a way that shows instead of telling.

I’ve shown positive traits and values in my essay.

I’ve demonstrated self-reflection and insight in my essay.

I’ve used appropriate style and tone .

I’ve concluded with an insight or a creative ending.

I’ve revised my essay , checking my overall message, flow, clarity, and grammar.

I’ve respected the word count , remaining within 10% of the upper word limit.

Congratulations!

It looks like your essay ticks all the boxes. A second pair of eyes can help you take it to the next level – Scribbr's essay coaches can help.

Colleges want to be able to differentiate students who seem similar on paper. In the college application essay , they’re looking for a way to understand each applicant’s unique personality and experiences.

Your college essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s weight. It may be the deciding factor in whether you’re accepted, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurricular track records.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

  • A unique, personally meaningful topic
  • A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
  • Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
  • Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
  • Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
  • A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay , and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Don’t forget to save enough time for breaks between each writing and editing stage.

You should already begin thinking about your essay the summer before your senior year so that you have plenty of time to try out different topics and get feedback on what works.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

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Essay Topics: 450+ Awesome Picks

essay ideas website

Picking the perfect essay topic can feel like a real head-scratcher, can't it? But trust me, it's worth the effort. A great topic doesn't just make the writing process more enjoyable - it's like a magnet for your readers, pulling them in from the very first sentence.

I remember when I was a student, staring at a blank page, feeling completely stumped. Whether you're in those shoes right now, tackling a school assignment, or you're a writer looking for that spark of inspiration, having a treasure trove of topic ideas can be a real lifesaver.

That's why I've put together this article with over 450 essay topics. It's like a buffet for your brain! We've got everything from persuasive and argumentative topics that'll get your debating juices flowing, to narrative and descriptive ideas that'll let your creativity soar.

I've organized these topics into neat categories, so you can easily browse and find something that clicks with you. Maybe you'll stumble upon a topic you're passionate about but never considered writing about before. Or perhaps you'll find a fresh angle on a familiar subject.

Remember, the goal here is to find a topic that not only meets your assignment requirements but also gets you excited to write. When you're genuinely interested in your subject, it shows in your writing, and that enthusiasm is contagious for your readers.

So, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, if that's more your style), get comfy, and let's dive into this smorgasbord of essay topics. I'm confident you'll find something that makes you think, "Yes, that's it! That's what I want to write about!" Happy browsing, and here's to finding your perfect essay topic!

Struggling to find the perfect essay topic? EssayPro offers a plethora of choices to spark your creativity. From academic to personal, we have topics that will ignite your writing passion and help you produce exceptional essays.

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Topics for Technology Essay

As the advancements in technology shape human civilization, choosing great essay topics in this field gives you plenty to write about. Let's check out some recommendations by our custom essay writing experts.

  • The impact of 5G networks on global connectivity
  • Ethical considerations in artificial intelligence development
  • The role of quantum computing in scientific research
  • Cybersecurity challenges in the age of IoT
  • The future of wearable technology in healthcare
  • Virtual reality applications in education and training
  • The environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining
  • Robotics in manufacturing: benefits and challenges
  • The evolution of cloud computing and its business implications
  • Augmented reality in retail and e-commerce
  • The potential of brain-computer interfaces
  • Nanotechnology in medicine: current applications and future prospects
  • The impact of social media algorithms on information consumption
  • 3D printing revolution: implications for various industries
  • The role of big data in personalized marketing
  • Autonomous vehicles and the future of transportation
  • Ethical considerations in facial recognition technology
  • The impact of streaming services on traditional media
  • Space technology and its applications in everyday life
  • The role of artificial intelligence in climate change mitigation
  • Blockchain technology beyond cryptocurrencies
  • The future of human-robot interaction
  • Biometric technology and privacy concerns
  • The impact of automation on the job market
  • Edge computing and its role in the Internet of Things

Cause and Effect Essay Ideas

To write a cause and effect essay, first, find a situation where an action has consequences. Then, describe what happened. If you're stuck for ideas, check out this list for inspiration.

  • How social media usage affects mental health
  • The impact of fast fashion on the environment
  • Effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function
  • How childhood nutrition influences long-term health
  • The consequences of overfishing on marine ecosystems
  • Impact of remote work on urban development
  • Effects of screen time on child development
  • How air pollution affects respiratory health
  • The influence of advertising on consumer behavior
  • Effects of stress on the immune system
  • How deforestation contributes to climate change
  • The impact of video games on cognitive skills
  • Effects of single-use plastics on marine life
  • How parenting styles influence child behavior
  • The consequences of antibiotic resistance on public health
  • Impact of digital technology on interpersonal communication
  • How urbanization affects wildlife habitats
  • The effects of multitasking on productivity
  • How music education influences academic performance
  • The impact of social isolation on mental well-being
  • Effects of caffeine consumption on sleep patterns
  • How college debt influences career choices
  • The consequences of microplastics in the food chain
  • Impact of gentrification on local communities
  • How mindfulness practices affect stress levels

Problem Solution Essay Topics

In a problem-solution essay you simply state the problem, talk about why it matters, suggest a solution, and explain why it's the best choice. Our essay writer can assist you by providing a list of topics to explore in your writing.

  • Addressing the global plastic waste crisis
  • Combating the spread of misinformation online
  • Reducing traffic congestion in major cities
  • Improving access to quality education in rural areas
  • Tackling the rising cost of healthcare
  • Solving food waste in the restaurant industry
  • Addressing the shortage of affordable housing
  • Combating cyberbullying among teenagers
  • Reducing carbon emissions in urban areas
  • Improving water conservation in agriculture
  • Addressing the opioid epidemic
  • Enhancing workplace diversity and inclusion
  • Reducing e-waste through sustainable electronics
  • Improving public transportation in suburban areas
  • Addressing the decline of bee populations
  • Combating obesity through community initiatives
  • Reducing school dropout rates in low-income areas
  • Improving mental health support for college students
  • Addressing the gender pay gap in various industries
  • Reducing noise pollution in urban environments
  • Improving financial literacy among young adults
  • Addressing food deserts in low-income neighborhoods
  • Reducing plastic packaging in consumer goods
  • Improving emergency preparedness for natural disasters
  • Addressing digital privacy concerns in smart cities

Informative Essay Topics

Let's look at some essay topic ideas that allow you to demonstrate your knowledge without attempting to convince or express an opinion.

  • The history and cultural significance of tea ceremonies
  • How the human immune system works
  • The process of making artisanal cheese
  • The evolution of written language
  • Understanding the basics of quantum physics
  • The life cycle of stars
  • The history and techniques of glassblowing
  • How weather forecasting works
  • The process of film production
  • The science behind dreams
  • The history and development of cryptography
  • How solar panels convert sunlight into electricity
  • The process of writing and publishing a book
  • The mechanics of 3D printing
  • The history and cultural impact of tattoos
  • How vaccines are developed and tested
  • The process of archaeological excavation
  • The science of composting
  • How political polling works
  • The process of wine making
  • The history and techniques of origami
  • How nuclear power plants function
  • The process of creating animated films
  • The science behind memory formation
  • How tsunamis form and propagate
  • The process of coffee production from bean to cup
  • The mechanics of earthquakes and plate tectonics
  • How perfumes are created and formulated
  • The history and techniques of bonsai cultivation
  • The process of diamond mining and processing

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Research Essay Topics

When it comes to delivering research papers on time, it could leave you feeling overloaded and drained. Thankfully, our dissertation writing help provided you with excellent research essay topics for students.

  • The long-term effects of social media on adolescent development
  • The impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems
  • The effectiveness of various renewable energy sources
  • The role of gut bacteria in mental health
  • The economic impact of automation on different industries
  • The influence of diet on cognitive function in older adults
  • The effects of urbanization on biodiversity
  • The psychological impact of long-term space travel
  • The role of sleep in memory consolidation
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapies for anxiety disorders
  • The impact of climate change on global food security
  • The role of genetics in addiction susceptibility
  • The effects of music education on cognitive development in children
  • The impact of air pollution on cardiovascular health
  • The role of exercise in preventing cognitive decline
  • The effectiveness of various conservation strategies for endangered species
  • The impact of artificial intelligence on job markets
  • The role of epigenetics in human health and disease
  • The effects of screen time on child development
  • The impact of microfinance on poverty reduction in developing countries
  • The role of gut health in autoimmune diseases
  • The effects of virtual reality on pain management
  • The impact of social isolation on mental health in older adults
  • The role of probiotics in digestive health
  • The effects of meditation on brain structure and function
  • The impact of deforestation on global climate patterns
  • The role of stem cells in regenerative medicine
  • The effects of pesticides on pollinator populations
  • The impact of ocean acidification on marine life
  • The role of artificial light at night on wildlife behavior

Education Essay Topics

Certain themes always seem to come up while writing an essay on education. To assist you in your quest for knowledge, we have compiled a list of ideas below, among which we have good college topics, essay on school and student life essay topics:

  • The impact of technology integration in classrooms
  • The effectiveness of standardized testing in measuring student achievement
  • The role of arts education in overall academic performance
  • The benefits and challenges of homeschooling
  • The impact of class size on student learning outcomes
  • The effectiveness of single-sex education versus co-education
  • The role of physical education in academic performance
  • The impact of school start times on student performance
  • The effectiveness of project-based learning in STEM education
  • The role of extracurricular activities in student development
  • The impact of teacher quality on student achievement
  • The effectiveness of peer tutoring programs
  • The role of parental involvement in student success
  • The impact of school nutrition programs on academic performance
  • The effectiveness of bilingual education programs
  • The role of outdoor education in student development
  • The impact of homework on student learning and well-being
  • The effectiveness of flipped classroom models
  • The role of mindfulness practices in education
  • The impact of school discipline policies on student behavior
  • The effectiveness of gamification in education
  • The role of vocational education in career readiness
  • The impact of socioeconomic status on educational outcomes
  • The effectiveness of inclusive education for students with disabilities
  • The role of critical thinking skills in education
  • The impact of student-teacher relationships on academic success
  • The effectiveness of online learning platforms
  • The role of emotional intelligence in education
  • The impact of school architecture on learning environments
  • The effectiveness of mentorship programs in higher education

Personal Essay Topics

In your personal essay, readers will gain insight into your most private life events and thoughts from this kind of paper. The secret is to try to merge viewpoints and storytelling. The ideas listed below might serve as inspiration:

  • A life-changing moment that shaped your worldview
  • The most challenging decision you've ever made
  • A person who has had a significant influence on your life
  • An experience that taught you the value of perseverance
  • A time when you had to overcome a fear
  • The role of cultural heritage in shaping your identity
  • A moment when you realized the importance of family
  • An experience that changed your perspective on success
  • A time when you had to stand up for what you believe in
  • The impact of a particular book or movie on your life
  • A childhood memory that still affects you today
  • An experience that taught you the importance of honesty
  • A time when you had to adapt to a new environment
  • The most valuable lesson you learned from a mistake
  • An experience that taught you the power of kindness
  • A moment when you discovered a hidden talent or passion
  • The role of friendship in your personal growth
  • An experience that taught you the importance of self-care
  • A time when you had to overcome a personal prejudice
  • The impact of technology on your personal relationships
  • An experience that changed your career aspirations
  • A moment when you felt truly proud of yourself
  • The role of nature in your personal well-being
  • An experience that taught you the value of empathy
  • A time when you had to forgive someone
  • The impact of a travel experience on your worldview
  • An experience that taught you the importance of time management
  • A moment when you realized the power of words
  • The role of creativity in your personal development
  • An experience that taught you the value of diversity

Ideas for an Opinion Essay

A good opinion essay poses an issue, formulates a question, and then makes a statement. Below are some inspirational opinion topic examples. 

  • Should voting be mandatory in democratic countries?
  • Is human genetic editing ethically justifiable?
  • Should governments impose a sugar tax to combat obesity?
  • Is universal basic income a viable solution to poverty?
  • Should animal testing be completely banned?
  • Is space colonization a necessary step for human survival?
  • Should schools replace textbooks with digital devices?
  • Is social media doing more harm than good to society?
  • Should countries adopt a four-day workweek?
  • Is nuclear energy the solution to climate change?
  • Should governments regulate cryptocurrency?
  • Is AI-generated art real art?
  • Should college education be free for all?
  • Is cancel culture beneficial or harmful to society?
  • Should euthanasia be legalized globally?
  • Is veganism the most ethical diet choice?
  • Should violent video games be banned?
  • Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling?
  • Should voting age be lowered to 16?
  • Is social media addiction a mental health disorder?

While you’re still on the lookout for a perfect topic, check out our guide on different types of sentences . They’ll surely come in handy during your essay writing process. 

Ideas for Nature Essay

Nature essays may examine how human activity affects the environment or how nature affects people. There are several directions that nature essays might go in. 

Ones that describe how beautiful nature is might motivate readers. On the other hand, an essay on pollution can be thought-provoking and encourage one to act. 

You may also use an informative essay on environmental pollution to explain how people harm the environment. Below you’ll find ample nature essay topics for students that allow for interesting exploration. 

Environment Essay

  • The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems
  • Sustainable urban planning: Creating green cities for the future
  • The role of renewable energy in combating climate change
  • Deforestation: Causes, effects, and potential solutions
  • The importance of biodiversity conservation in maintaining ecological balance
  • Climate change and its effects on global water resources
  • The environmental impact of fast fashion and sustainable alternatives
  • Overfishing and its consequences on ocean ecosystems
  • The pros and cons of nuclear energy as a clean energy source
  • Air pollution in megacities: Causes, health impacts, and mitigation strategies
  • The role of individual action in environmental conservation
  • E-waste management: Challenges and innovative solutions
  • The impact of agriculture on soil degradation and potential sustainable practices
  • Coral reef destruction: Causes, consequences, and conservation efforts
  • The effectiveness of international environmental agreements and policies
  • Sustainable transportation: Reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector
  • The environmental impact of meat consumption and the rise of plant-based diets
  • Microplastics in the environment: Sources, effects, and potential solutions
  • The role of indigenous knowledge in environmental conservation
  • Green technology innovations: Their potential in addressing environmental challenges

Essay on Deforestation

  • The primary causes of deforestation: Agriculture, logging, and urban expansion
  • The impact of deforestation on global climate change and carbon emissions
  • Deforestation and biodiversity loss: Threats to endangered species and ecosystems
  • The role of palm oil production in tropical deforestation
  • Indigenous communities and deforestation: Rights, conflicts, and conservation efforts
  • The economic consequences of deforestation on local and global scales
  • Reforestation and afforestation: Strategies for combating deforestation
  • The link between deforestation and increased risk of zoonotic diseases
  • Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest: Causes, consequences, and international responses
  • Technological solutions for monitoring and preventing illegal deforestation

Pollution Essay

  • The impact of industrial waste on water pollution and aquatic ecosystems
  • Air pollution in urban areas: Sources, health effects, and mitigation strategies
  • Plastic pollution in oceans: Long-term consequences and global initiatives
  • Noise pollution: Its effects on human health and wildlife
  • Agricultural runoff and its role in water pollution and eutrophication
  • The growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste) and its environmental impact
  • Light pollution: Consequences for wildlife and human health
  • Soil contamination: Causes, effects on food security, and remediation techniques
  • Thermal pollution in water bodies: Sources and impacts on aquatic life
  • Atmospheric pollution and its role in climate change and global warming

Water Pollution Essay

  • The impact of industrial effluents on freshwater ecosystems
  • Agricultural runoff: A major source of water pollution and its effects on aquatic life
  • Microplastics in water bodies: Sources, consequences, and potential solutions
  • Eutrophication: Causes, effects, and strategies for prevention
  • Oil spills and their long-term impact on marine ecosystems
  • The role of urbanization in water pollution: Stormwater runoff and sewage contamination
  • Groundwater pollution: Sources, health risks, and remediation techniques
  • Thermal pollution in rivers and lakes: Causes and ecological consequences
  • The effects of water pollution on human health and access to clean drinking water
  • International cooperation and policies to address transboundary water pollution

My Favorite Season

  • Why autumn is my favorite season: The beauty of changing colors
  • Summer: My favorite season for outdoor adventures and family vacations
  • The magic of winter: Why I love the snow and holiday spirit
  • Spring awakening: My favorite season of renewal and growth
  • The comfort of fall: Cozy activities that make autumn my favorite season
  • Summer nights: Why warm evenings make it my preferred time of year
  • Winter wonderland: The joys of winter sports and snowy landscapes
  • The energy of spring: Why I love the season of new beginnings
  • Fall flavors and festivities: Culinary delights that make autumn special
  • The long days of summer: Why extended daylight makes it my favorite season

A Raining Day Essay

  • The Simple Joys of a Rainy Day: Finding Comfort in Gray Skies
  • Why should we appreciate beauty in rain-soaked moments
  • How do I find cozy comfort on rainy days
  • My favorite indoor activities for rainy day adventures
  • Discovering the benefits of a refreshing rainy day

Psychology Topics for Essay

Psychology has multiple subfields, so if you need ideas, have a look at the following topics:

  • The impact of social media on self-esteem and body image
  • The psychology of conspiracy theory belief
  • The role of attachment styles in adult relationships
  • The effects of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction
  • The psychology of procrastination and strategies to overcome it
  • The impact of color on mood and behavior
  • The role of birth order in personality development
  • The psychological effects of long-term space travel
  • The impact of music on cognitive performance
  • The psychology of addiction and recovery
  • The role of dreams in psychological processing
  • The effects of sleep deprivation on decision-making
  • The psychology of consumer behavior and marketing
  • The impact of nature exposure on mental health
  • The role of cognitive biases in decision-making
  • The psychological effects of social isolation
  • The impact of parenting styles on child development
  • The psychology of political polarization
  • The role of emotional intelligence in leadership
  • The effects of violent video games on aggression
  • The psychology of habit formation and breaking
  • The impact of childhood trauma on adult mental health
  • The role of placebo effect in psychological treatment
  • The psychology of creativity and innovation
  • The impact of social comparison on well-being
  • The psychology of resilience in the face of adversity
  • The role of unconscious bias in decision-making
  • The effects of gratitude practices on mental health
  • The psychology of moral decision-making and ethical behavior

Gender Equality Essay

There are many different concerns in the field of gender studies, such as the salary gap, the bias against women in the classroom, women empowerment, etc. Here are a few pointers that may help you choose an excellent topic.

  • The impact of gender quotas in corporate leadership
  • Addressing the gender pay gap in sports
  • The role of education in promoting gender equality
  • Gender bias in healthcare: Recognizing and addressing disparities
  • The importance of intersectionality in feminism
  • Challenging gender stereotypes in career choices
  • The impact of gender-neutral parenting on child development
  • Addressing gender inequality in STEM fields
  • The role of men in promoting gender equality
  • Gender representation in media and its societal impact
  • The effectiveness of gender mainstreaming in policy-making
  • Addressing gender-based violence in conflict zones
  • The impact of menstrual leave policies on workplace equality
  • Gender equality in inheritance laws across cultures
  • The role of language in perpetuating gender stereotypes
  • Addressing gender bias in artificial intelligence and algorithms
  • The impact of gender-inclusive restrooms on social equality
  • Gender equality in access to financial services and credit
  • The role of gender equality in achieving sustainable development goals
  • Addressing gender disparities in unpaid care work

Process Analysis Essay Topics

Process essay topics allow you to format your piece effectively and offer your ideas to the target audience in a way they can grasp. Let's go through the list for inspiration:

  • How to plan and execute a successful crowdfunding campaign
  • The process of writing and publishing a novel
  • How to start a successful podcast from scratch
  • The step-by-step process of brewing craft beer
  • How to create a sustainable urban garden
  • The process of developing a mobile application
  • How to plan and execute a zero-waste event
  • The step-by-step process of restoring a classic car
  • How to create a successful social media marketing strategy
  • The process of training for a marathon
  • How to start a successful e-commerce business
  • The step-by-step process of making artisanal cheese
  • How to create and maintain a successful blog
  • The process of becoming a certified scuba diver
  • How to plan and execute a destination wedding
  • The step-by-step process of building a tiny house
  • How to create a successful YouTube channel
  • The process of adopting a child internationally
  • How to start and manage a successful beehive
  • The step-by-step process of creating a documentary film

Essay Ideas on Stereotypes

Because stereotypes are such a pervasive societal problem, educators often encourage students to reflect on them. Here are some great topic examples for your essay:

  • The impact of racial stereotypes in the criminal justice system
  • Gender stereotypes in children's toys and media
  • Age stereotypes in the workplace and their effect on hiring practices
  • Cultural stereotypes in travel and tourism
  • The role of media in perpetuating and challenging stereotypes
  • Stereotypes surrounding mental health and their impact on treatment
  • The effect of religious stereotypes on interfaith dialogue
  • Body type stereotypes in the fashion industry
  • Stereotypes about introverts and extroverts in social settings
  • The impact of socioeconomic stereotypes on educational opportunities
  • Stereotypes about disabilities and their effect on accessibility
  • The role of stereotypes in political campaigns and voting behavior
  • Stereotypes about different generations (Boomers, Millennials, Gen Z) in the workplace
  • The impact of LGBTQ+ stereotypes on coming out experiences
  • Stereotypes about athletes and their effect on career opportunities
  • The role of stereotypes in international relations and diplomacy
  • Stereotypes about single parents and their impact on social support
  • The effect of accent and language stereotypes on job opportunities
  • Stereotypes about artistic careers and their impact on career choices
  • The role of stereotypes in healthcare diagnosis and treatment

Ideas on Essay about COVID-19

The Coronavirus has overrun the planet, which has kept us indoors. Life, as we know it, has transformed. As a result, leaving us with far more questions than solutions. As the epidemic has affected practically every aspect of our lives, it is crucial to comprehend it by composing interesting essay topics on this matter:

  • The impact of COVID-19 on global mental health
  • How the pandemic has reshaped the future of work
  • The role of technology in pandemic response and management
  • COVID-19's effect on the global economy and wealth inequality
  • The impact of the pandemic on education systems worldwide
  • How COVID-19 has changed social norms and behavior
  • The role of misinformation in the pandemic response
  • COVID-19's impact on the healthcare system and medical professionals
  • The pandemic's effect on international relations and global cooperation
  • How COVID-19 has accelerated digital transformation across industries
  • The impact of the pandemic on the travel and tourism industry
  • COVID-19's role in highlighting racial and socioeconomic disparities
  • The pandemic's influence on urban planning and architecture
  • How COVID-19 has affected the arts and entertainment industry
  • The impact of the pandemic on global supply chains
  • COVID-19's role in advancing telemedicine and remote healthcare
  • The pandemic's effect on environmental conservation efforts
  • How COVID-19 has changed consumer behavior and marketing strategies
  • The impact of the pandemic on sports and athletic competitions
  • COVID-19's influence on vaccine development and global health initiatives

Topics for Essay Based on Proverbs

Proverbs are a powerful tool for writing that may increase the impact of your points and assist your readers in believing you when you employ them. Let's examine some sayings that will make powerful topics for essays:

  • "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step": Overcoming procrastination and achieving long-term goals
  • "Don't judge a book by its cover": The dangers of stereotyping and prejudice in modern society
  • "The early bird catches the worm": The benefits and drawbacks of being proactive in various aspects of life
  • "Too many cooks spoil the broth": Examining the effectiveness of group decision-making vs. individual leadership
  • "When in Rome, do as the Romans do": The importance of cultural adaptability in a globalized world

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

If you've been assigned to write a compare and contrast essay, you should seek engaging topics. So, take a look at some related essay questions examples created by our essay help platform:

  • Online education vs. traditional classroom learning
  • Renewable energy vs. fossil fuels: environmental and economic impacts
  • Introverts vs. extroverts: social and professional experiences
  • Traditional medicine vs. alternative therapies
  • Rural living vs. urban living: quality of life comparison
  • Print books vs. e-books: reading experience and environmental impact
  • Social media marketing vs. traditional advertising methods
  • Monarchy vs. democracy: governance structures and societal impacts
  • Veganism vs. omnivorous diets: health and environmental considerations
  • Public transportation vs. private vehicles in urban settings
  • Artificial intelligence vs. human intelligence in problem-solving
  • Freelance work vs. traditional employment: benefits and challenges
  • Virtual reality vs. augmented reality: applications and potential
  • Nuclear family vs. extended family structures across cultures
  • Disposable products vs. reusable alternatives: convenience and environmental impact
  • Traditional banking vs. cryptocurrency: security and accessibility
  • Team sports vs. individual sports: personal development and social skills
  • Fast fashion vs. sustainable fashion: industry practices and consumer impact
  • Vertical farming vs. traditional agriculture: efficiency and sustainability
  • In-person therapy vs. online counseling: effectiveness and accessibility

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How to Choose a Topic for an Essay

If you're still searching for the right topic and prefer brainstorming on your own, our college paper writing service is here to assist you in making your writing stand out. 

choose topics for an essay

  • Stay Updated : Keep abreast of current affairs and choose a topic that relates to contemporary issues or ongoing debates. This not only makes your essay timely but also demonstrates your awareness of the world around you.
  • Think Outside the Box : Approach common topics from unconventional angles to find fresh perspectives or unique aspects that haven't been explored extensively. Unexpected twists can transform a standard essay into something extraordinary.
  • Draw from Personal Experiences : Reflect on your own experiences and observations to find a personal story or moment that connects with your essay's theme. Sharing your perspective adds authenticity and depth to your writing, making it more relatable to your audience.
  • Understand Your Audience : Consider your target audience and what matters to them. Choosing a topic that resonates with your readers creates an immediate connection, enhancing the impact of your essay.
  • Test Your Ideas : Before committing to a topic, test it out by writing a brief outline or paragraph. This preliminary step helps you gauge your interest and ensures you have enough material to develop a great essay.

Once you've settled on a topic, consider the following to ensure it fits both your interests and the requirements of your assignment:

  • Am I genuinely interested in this topic?
  • Is the topic suitable for my audience?
  • What is my purpose in writing about this topic?
  • Can I adequately research and develop this topic within the assignment's time frame and word limit?
  • Is the topic's scope narrow or broad enough to meet the assignment's requirements?
  • Will I have access to sufficient sources to research this topic thoroughly?

Ideas for Essay by Category

Academic writing encompasses various essay types, but let's focus on four common categories that you're likely to encounter during your undergraduate studies:

topics ideas

  • In persuasive essays , your mission is clear: persuade your reader. Unlike expository essays that rely on facts, persuasive essays thrive on opinion-based writing. Here, you craft arguments to convince others, relying on compelling rhetoric rather than specific facts.
  • Expository essays prioritize facts. They require you to research, analyze a topic, and present a position based solely on factual data, without injecting personal opinions. Expository essay topics provide a platform for showcasing your logical thinking and engagement with scientific articles.
  • Descriptive writing is about painting a vivid picture with words. When working on descriptive essays, you immerse yourself in the subject, employing abundant descriptive language. Whether describing a person, place, event, or feeling, the goal is to convey it vividly without using first-person language.
  • Narrative essays are for those who love storytelling. They aim to captivate readers by weaving personal experiences into a narrative structure. Following the standard essay format of introduction, body, and conclusion, narrative essay topics introduce characters, describe actions, and explore central themes.

What Are Good Essay Topics?

What are some good argumentative essay topics, what college essay topics to avoid.

Daniel Parker

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

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is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

  • Updated each category with new topics, worded more clearly 
  • Added more discussion and tips for choosing an essay topic
  • Choosing and Narrowing an Essay Topic Choosing the topic . (n.d.). https://www.stcloudstate.edu/writeplace/_files/documents/writing%20process/choosing-and-narrowing-an-essay-topic.pdf  
  • ‌ How to Choose an Essay Topic - Pre-writing, Writing and Revising . (n.d.). Gallaudet University. Retrieved June 4, 2024, from https://gallaudet.edu/student-success/tutorial-center/english-center/writing/pre-writing-writing-and-revising/how-to-choose-an-essay-topic/  

Social Studies Topics: Philosophy, Economics, Culture & More!

Essay Topics – List of 500+ Essay Writing Topics and Ideas

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. Following list of essay topics are for all – from kids to college students. We have the largest collection of essays. An essay is nothing but a piece of content which is written from the perception of writer or author. Essays are similar to a story, pamphlet, thesis, etc. The best thing about Essay is you can use any type of language – formal or informal. It can biography, the autobiography of anyone. Following is a great list of 100 essay topics. We will be adding 400 more soon!

But Before that you may wanna read some awesome Essay Writing Tips here .

500+ essay topics for students and children

Get the Huge list of 100+ Speech Topics here

Argumentative Essay Topics

  • Should plastic be banned?
  • Pollution due to Urbanization
  • Education should be free
  • Should Students get limited access to the Internet?
  • Selling Tobacco should be banned
  • Smoking in public places should be banned
  • Facebook should be banned
  • Students should not be allowed to play PUBG

Essay Topics on Technology

  • Wonder Of Science
  • Mobile Phone

Essay Topics on Festivals on Events

  • Independence Day (15 August)
  • Teachers Day
  • Summer Vacation
  • Children’s Day
  • Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
  • Janmashtami
  • Republic Day

Essay Topics on Education

  • Education Essay
  • Importance of Education
  • Contribution of Technology in Education

essay ideas website

Essay Topics on Famous Leaders

  • Mahatma Gandhi
  • APJ Abdul Kalam
  • Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Swami Vivekananda
  • Mother Teresa
  • Rabindranath Tagore
  • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
  • Subhash Chandra Bose
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Martin Luther King
  • Lal Bahadur Shashtri

Essay Topics on Animals and Birds

  • My Favorite Animal

Essays Topics About Yourself

  • My Best Friend
  • My Favourite Teacher
  • My Aim In Life
  • My Favourite Game – Badminton
  • My Favourite Game – Essay
  • My Favourite Book
  • My Ambition
  • How I Spent My Summer Vacation
  • India of My Dreams
  • My School Life
  • I Love My Family
  • My Favourite Subject
  • My Favourite Game Badminton
  • My Father My Hero
  • My School Library
  • My Favourite Author
  • My plans for summer vacation

Essay Topics Based on Environment and Nature

  • Global Warming
  • Environment
  • Air Pollution
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Water Pollution
  • Rainy Season
  • Climate Change
  • Importance Of Trees
  • Winter Season
  • Deforestation
  • Natural Disasters
  • Save Environment
  • Summer Season
  • Trees Our Best Friend Essay In English

Essay Topics Based on Proverbs

  • Health Is Wealth
  • A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
  • An Apple a Day Keeps Doctor Away
  • Where there is a will, there is way
  • Time and Tide wait for none

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Essay Topics for Students from 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

  • Noise Pollution
  • Environment Pollution
  • Women Empowerment
  • Time and Tide Wait for none
  • Science and Technology
  • Importance of Sports
  • Sports and Games
  • Time Management
  • Cleanliness is next to Godliness
  • Cleanliness
  • Rome was not Built in a Day
  • Unemployment
  • Clean India
  • Cow Essay In English
  • Describe Yourself
  • Festivals Of India
  • Ganesh Chaturthi
  • Healthy Food
  • Importance Of Water
  • Plastic Pollution
  • Value of Time
  • Honesty is the Best Policy
  • Gandhi Jayanti
  • Human Rights
  • Knowledge Is Power
  • Same Sex Marriage
  • Childhood Memories
  • Cyber Crime
  • Kalpana Chawla
  • Punctuality
  • Rani Lakshmi Bai
  • Spring Season
  • Unity In Diversity
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Online Shopping
  • Indian Culture
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Indian Education System
  • Disaster Management
  • Environmental Issues
  • Freedom Fighters
  • Grandparents
  • Save Fuel For Better Environment
  • Importance Of Newspaper
  • Lal Bahadur Shastri
  • Raksha Bandhan
  • World Environment Day
  • Narendra Modi
  • What Is Religion
  • Charity Begins at Home
  • A Journey by Train
  • Ideal student
  • Save Water Save Earth
  • Indian Farmer
  • Safety of Women in India
  • Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
  • Capital Punishment
  • College Life
  • Natural Resources
  • Peer Pressure
  • Nature Vs Nurture
  • Romeo And Juliet
  • Generation Gap
  • Makar Sankranti
  • Constitution of India
  • Girl Education
  • Importance of Family
  • Importance of Independence Day
  • Brain Drain
  • A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed
  • Action Speaks Louder Than Words
  • All That Glitters Is Not Gold
  • Bhagat Singh
  • Demonetization
  • Agriculture
  • Importance of Discipline
  • Population Explosion
  • Poverty in India
  • Uses Of Mobile Phones
  • Water Scarcity
  • Train Journey
  • Land Pollution
  • Environment Protection
  • Indian Army
  • Uses of Internet
  • All that Glitters is not Gold
  • Balanced Diet
  • Blood Donation
  • Digital India
  • Dussehra Essay
  • Energy Conservation
  • National Integration
  • Railway Station
  • Sachin Tendulkar
  • Health And Hygiene
  • Importance Of Forest
  • Indira Gandhi
  • Laughter Is The Best Medicine
  • Career Goals
  • Mental Health
  • Save Water Save Life
  • International Yoga Day
  • Winter Vacation
  • Soil Pollution
  • Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining
  • Indian Culture And Tradition
  • Unity Is Strength
  • Unity is Diversity
  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Cruelty To Animals
  • Nelson Mandela
  • Of Mice And Men
  • Organ Donation
  • Life in a Big City
  • Democracy in India
  • Waste Management
  • Biodiversity
  • Afforestation
  • Female Foeticide
  • Harmful Effects Of Junk Food
  • Rain Water Harvesting
  • Save Electricity
  • Social Media
  • Social Networking Sites
  • Sound Pollution
  • Procrastination
  • Life in an Indian Village
  • Life in Big City
  • Population Growth
  • World Population Day
  • Greenhouse Effect
  • Statue of Unity
  • Traffic Jam
  • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
  • Importance of Good Manners
  • Good Manners
  • Cyber Security
  • Green Revolution
  • Health And Fitness
  • Incredible India
  • Make In India
  • Surgical Strike
  • Triple Talaq
  • A Good Friend
  • Importance of Friends in our Life
  • Should Plastic be Banned
  • Nationalism
  • Traffic Rules
  • Effects of Global Warming
  • Fundamental Rights
  • Solar System
  • National Constitution Day
  • Good Mother
  • Importance of Trees in our Life
  • City Life Vs Village Life
  • Importance of Communication
  • Conservation of Nature
  • Man vs. Machine
  • Indian Economy
  • Mothers Love
  • Importance of National Integration
  • Black Money
  • Greenhouse effect
  • Untouchability
  • Self Discipline
  • Global Terrorism
  • Conservation of Biodiversity
  • Newspaper and Its Uses
  • World Health Day
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • A Picnic with Family
  • Indian Heritage
  • Status of Women in India
  • Child is Father of the Man
  • Reading is Good Habit
  • Plastic Bag
  • Terrorism in India
  • Library and Its Uses
  • Life on Mars
  • Urbanization
  • Pollution Due to Diwali
  • National Flag of India
  • Vocational Education
  • Importance of Tree Plantation
  • Summer Camp
  • Vehicle Pollution
  • Women Education in India
  • Seasons in India
  • Freedom of the Press
  • Caste System
  • Environment and Human Health
  • Mountain Climbing
  • Depletion of Natural Resources
  • Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
  • Health Education
  • Effects of Deforestation
  • Life after School
  • Starvation in India
  • Jan Dhan Yojana
  • Impact of Privatization
  • Election Commission of India
  • Election and Democracy
  • Prevention of Global Warming
  • Impact of Cinema in Life
  • Subhas Chandra Bose
  • Dowry System
  • Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
  • Role of Science in Making India
  • Impact of Global Warming on Oceans
  • Pollution due to Festivals
  • Ambedkar Jayanti
  • Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
  • Family Planning in India
  • Democracy vs Dictatorship
  • National Festivals of India
  • Sri Aurobindo
  • Casteism in India
  • Organ trafficking
  • Consequences of Global Warming
  • Role of Human Activities in Global Warming
  • Issues and Problems faced by Women in India
  • Role of Judiciary in the Country Today
  • Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
  • PUBG Mobile Game Addiction
  • Role of Youths in Nation Building
  • Value of Oxygen and Water in Life/Earth
  • Farmer Suicides in India
  • Start-up India
  • Pollution Due to Firecrackers
  • Life of Soldiers
  • Child Labour
  • Save Girl Child
  • Morning Walk
  • My School Fete
  • Essay on Financial Literacy
  • Essay On Sustainable Development
  • Essay On Punjab
  • Essay On Travel
  • My Home Essay
  • Child Marriage Essay
  • Importance Of English Language Essay
  • Essay On Mass Media
  • Essay On Horse
  • Essay On Police
  • Essay On Eid
  • Essay On Solar Energy
  • Animal Essay
  • Essay On Mango
  • Gender Discrimination Essay
  • Essay On Advertisement
  • My First Day At School Essay
  • My Neighborhood Essay
  • True Friendship Essay
  • Work Is Worship Essay
  • Essay On Self Confidence
  • Essay On Superstition
  • Essay On Bangalore
  • Sex Vs Gender Essay
  • Essay On Social Issues
  • Time Is Money Essay
  • Essay About Grandmothers
  • Essay On Hard Work
  • First Day Of School Essay
  • Flowers Essay
  • My Favorite Food Essay
  • Essay on Birds
  • Essay on Humanity
  • Essay on Sun
  • Essay on Kargil War
  • Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining Essay
  • Francis Bacon Essays
  • Importance of Cleanliness Essay
  • My Sister Essay
  • Self Introduction Essay
  • Solar Energy Essay
  • Sports Day Essa
  • Value Of Education Essay
  • Essay On Isro
  • Essay On Balance Is Beneficial
  • Essay On Reservation In India
  • Essay On Water Management
  • Essay On Smoking
  • Essay On Stress Management
  • Essay On William Shakespeare
  • Essay on Apple
  • Essay On Albert Einstein
  • Essay On Feminism
  • Essay On Kindness
  • Essay On Domestic Violence
  • Essay on English as a Global Language
  • Essay On Co-Education
  • Importance Of Exercise Essay
  • Overpopulation Essay
  • Smartphone Essay
  • Essay on River
  • Essay on Cyclone
  • Essay On Facebook
  • Essay On Science In Everyday Life
  • Essay On Women Rights
  • Essay On Right To Education
  • Essay on Quotes
  • Essay On Peace
  • Essay On Drawing
  • Essay On Bicycle
  • Essay On Sexual Harassment
  • Essay On Hospital
  • Essay On Srinivasa Ramanujan
  • Essay On Golden Temple
  • Essay On Art
  • Essay On Ruskin Bond
  • Essay On Moon
  • Birthday Essay
  • Dont Judge A Book By Its Cover Essay
  • Draught Essay
  • Gratitude Essay
  • Indian Politics Essay
  • Who am I Essay
  • Essay on Positive Thinking
  • Essay on Dance
  • Essay on Navratri
  • Essay on Onam
  • Essay on New Education Policy 2020
  • Esasy on Thank you Coronavirus Helpers
  • Essay on Coronavirus and Coronavirus Symptoms
  • Essay on Baseball
  • Essay on coronavirus vaccine
  • Fitness beats pandemic essay
  • Essay on coronavirus tips
  • Essay on coronavirus prevention
  • Essay on coronavirus treatment
  • Essay on essay on trees
  • Essay on television
  • Gender inequality essay
  • Water conservation essay
  • Essay on Gurpurab
  • Essay on Types of sports
  • Essay on road safety
  • Essay on my favourite season
  • My pet essay
  • Student life essay
  • Essay on Railway station
  • Essay on earth
  • Essay on knowledge is power
  • Essay on favourite personality
  • Essay on memorable day of my life
  • My parents essay
  • Our country essay
  • Picnic essay
  • Travelling essay

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How to Come Up With Great College Essay Ideas

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College Essays

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Writing the college application essay is a tough gig. You've got to be charming, personal, memorable, and insightful--all in under two pages! But I'm going to tell you a secret: half of a great personal essay is a great topic idea. If you're passionate about what you're writing, and if you're truly documenting something meaningful and serious about yourself and your life, then that passion and meaning will come alive on the page and in the mind of your reader.

So how do you come up with an essay idea? The best way is to brainstorm your way to an event from your life that reveals a core truth about you. In this article, I will help you do just that. Keep reading to find 35 jumping off points that touch on every possible memory you could harness, as well as advice on how to use your brainstorming session to fully realize your idea for an essay topic.

What Makes an Essay Topic Great?

What does your application tell admissions officers about you? Mostly it's just numbers and facts: your name, your high school, your grades and SAT scores. These stats would be enough if colleges were looking to build a robot army, but they aren't.

So how do they get to see a slice of the real you? How can they get a feel for the personality, character, and feelings that make you the person that you are? It's through your college essay. The essay is a way to introduce yourself to colleges in a way that displays your maturity. This is important because admissions officers want to make sure that you will thrive in the independence of college life and work.

This is why finding a great college essay topic is so hugely important: because it will allow you to demonstrate the maturity level admissions teams are looking for. This is best expressed through the ability to have insight about what has made you into you, through the ability to share some vulnerabilities or defining experiences, and through the ability to be a creative thinker and problem solver.

In other words, a great topic is an event from your past that you can narrate, draw conclusions from, explain the effect of. Most importantly, you should be able to describe how it has changed you from the kind of person you were to the better person that you are now. If you can do all that, you are well ahead of the essay game.

How Do You Know If Your College Essay Topic Is Great?

Eric Maloof, the Director of International Admission at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas has a great checklist for figuring out whether you're on the right track with your essay topic . He says, if you can answer "yes" to these two questions, then you've got the makings of a great essay:

  • Is the topic of my essay important to me?
  • Am I the only person who could have written this essay?

So how do you translate this checklist into essay topic action items?

Make it personal. Write about something personal, deeply felt, and authentic to the real you (but which is not an overshare). Take a narrow slice of your life: one event, one influential person, one meaningful experience—and then you expand out from that slice into a broader explanation of yourself.

Always think about your reader. In this case, your reader is an admission officer who is slogging through hundreds of college essays. You don't want to bore that person, and you don't want to offend that person. Instead, you want to come across as likable and memorable.

Put the reader in the experience with you by making your narrow slice of life feel alive. This means that your writing needs to be chock-full of specific details, sensory descriptions, words that describe emotions, and maybe even dialog. This is why it's very important to make the essay topic personal and deeply felt. Readers can tell when a writer isn't really connected to whatever he is writing about. And the reverse is true as well: deep emotion shows through your writing.

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Coming Up With Great College Essay Ideas

Some people know right off the bat that they have to write about that one specific defining moment of their lives. But if you're reading this, chances are you aren't one of these people. Don't worry—I wasn't one of them either! What this means is that you—like me—will have to put in a little work to come up with the perfect idea by first doing some brainstorming.

I've come up with about 35 different brainstorming jumping off points that ask questions about your life and your experiences. The idea here is to jog your memory about the key life events that have shaped you and affected you deeply.

I recommend you spend at least two minutes on each question, coming up with and writing down at least one answer—or as many answers as you can think of. Seriously—time yourself. Two minutes is longer than you think! I would also recommend doing this over several sittings to get your maximum memory retrieval going—even if it takes a couple of days, it'll be worth it.

Then, we will use this list of experiences and thoughts to narrow your choices down to the one topic idea that you will use for your college essay.

Brainstorming Technique 1: Think About Defining Moments in Your Life

  • What is your happiest memory? Why? What was good about it? Who and what was around you then? What did it mean to you?
  • What is your saddest memory? Would you change the thing that happened or did you learn something crucial from the experience?
  • What is the most important decision you've had to make? What was hard about the choice? What was easy? Were the consequences of your decision what you had imagined before making it? Did you plan and game out your choices, or did you follow gut instinct?
  • What decision did you not have any say in, but would have wanted to? Why were you powerless to participate in this decision? How did the choice made affect you? What do you think would have happened if a different choice had been made?
  • What the most dangerous or scary thing that you've lived through? What was threatened? What were the stakes? How did you survive/overcome it? How did you cope emotionally with the fallout?
  • When did you first feel like you were no longer a child? Who and what was around you then? What had you just done or seen? What was the difference between your childhood self and your more adult self?
  • What are you most proud of about yourself? Is it a talent or skill? A personality trait or quality? An accomplishment? Why is this the thing that makes you proud?

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Brainstorming Technique 2: Remember Influential People

  • Which of your parents (or parental figures) are you most like in personality and character? Which of their traits do you see in yourself? Which do you not? Do you wish you were more like this parent or less?
  • Which of your grandparents, great-grandparents, or other older relatives has had the most influence on your life? Is it a positive influence, where you want to follow in their footsteps in some way? A negative influence, where you want to avoid becoming like them in some way? How is the world they come from like your world? How is it different?
  • Which teacher has challenged you the most? What has that challenge been? How did you respond?
  • What is something that someone once said to you that has stuck with you? When and where did they say it? Why do you think it's lodged in your memory?
  • Which of your friends would you trade places with for a day? Why?
  • If you could intern for a week or a month with anyone—living or dead, historical or fictional—who would it be? What would you want that person to teach you? How did you first encounter this person or character? How do you think this person would react to you?
  • Of the people you know personally, whose life is harder than yours? What makes it that way—their external circumstances? Their inner state? Have you ever tried to help this person? If yes, did it work? If no, how would you help them if you could?
  • Of the people you know personally, whose life is easier than yours? Are you jealous? Why or why not?

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Brainstorming Technique 3: Recreate Important Times or Places

  • When is the last time you felt so immersed in what you were doing that you lost all track of time or anything else from the outside world? What were you doing? Why do you think this activity got you into this near-zen state?
  • Where do you most often tend to daydream? Why do you think this place has this effect on you? Do you seek it out? Avoid it? Why?
  • What is the best time of day? The worst? Why?
  • What is your favorite corner of, or space in, the place where you live? What do you like about it? When do you go there, and what do you use it for?
  • What is your least favorite corner of, or space in, the place where you live? Why do you dislike it? What do you associate it with?
  • If you had to repeat a day over and over, like the movie Groundhog Day , what day would it be? If you'd pick a day from your life that has already happened, why would you want to be stuck it in? To relive something great? To fix mistakes? If you'd pick a day that hasn't yet occurred, what would the day you were stuck in be like?
  • If you could go back in time to give yourself advice, when would you go back to? What advice would you give? Why? What effect would you want your advice to have?

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Brainstorming Technique 4: Answer Thought-Provoking Questions

  • If you could take a Mulligan and do over one thing in your life, what would it be? Would you change what you did the first time around? Why?
  • Or, if you could take another crack at doing something again, what would you pick? Something positive—having another shot at repeating a good experience? Something negative—getting the chance to try another tactic to avoid a bad experience?
  • Which piece of yourself could you never change while remaining the same person? Your race? Ethnicity? Intellect? Height? Freckles? Loyalty? Sense of humor? Why is that the thing that you'd cling to as the thing that makes you who you are?
  • Which of your beliefs, ideas, or tastes puts you in the minority? Why do you think/believe/like this thing when no one else seems to?
  • What are you most frightened of? What are you not frightened enough of? Why?
  • What is your most treasured possession? What would you grab before running out of the house during a fire? What is this object's story and why is it so valuable to you?
  • What skill or talent that you don't have now would you most like to have? Is it an extension of something you already do? Something you've never had the guts to try doing? Something you plan on learning in the future?
  • Which traditions that you grew up with will you pass on? Which will you ignore? Why?

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Brainstorming Technique 5: Find a Trait or Characteristic and Trace It Back

  • What are three adjectives you'd use to describe yourself? Why these three? Which of these is the one you're most proud of? Least proud of? When did you last exhibit this trait? What were you doing?
  • How would your best friend describe you? What about your parents? How are the adjectives they'd come up with different from the ones you'd use? When have they seen this quality or trait in you?
  • What everyday thing are you the world's greatest at? Who taught you how to do it? What memories do you have associated with this activity? Which aspects of it have you perfected?
  • Imagine that it's the future and that you've become well known. What will you become famous for? Is it for something creative or a performance? For the way you will have helped others? For your business accomplishments? For your athletic prowess? When you make a speech about this fame, whom will you thank for putting you where you are?
  • What do you most like about yourself? This is different from the thing you're most proud of—this is the thing that you know about yourself that makes you smile. Can you describe a time when this thing was useful or effective in some way?

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How to Turn Your Brainstorming List Into an Essay Topic

Now that you have a cornucopia of daydreams, memories, thoughts, and ambitions, it's time to thin the herd, prune the dead branches, and whatever other mixed metaphors about separating the wheat from the chaff you can think of.

So how do you narrow down your many ideas into one?

Use the magic power of time. One of the best things you can do with your stack of college essay topics is to forget about them. Put them away for a couple of days so that you create a little mental space. When you come back to everything you wrote after a day or two, you will get the chance to read it with fresh eyes.

Let the cream rise to the top. When you reread your topics after having let them sit, do two things:

  • Cross out any ideas that don't speak to you in some way. If something doesn't ring true, if it doesn't spark your interest, or if it doesn't connect with an emotion, then consider reject it.
  • Circle or highlight any topics that pop out at you. If it feels engaging, if you get excited at the prospect of talking about it, if it resonates with a feeling, then put it at the top of the idea pile.

Rinse and repeat. Go through the process of letting a few days pass and then rereading your ideas at least one more time. This time, don't bother looking at the topics you've already rejected. Instead, concentrate on those you highlighted earlier and maybe some of the ones that were neither circled nor thrown away.

Trust your gut instinct (but verify). Now that you've gone through and culled your ideas several times based on whether or not they really truly appeal to you, you should have a list of your top choices—all the ones you've circled or highlighted along the way. Now is the moment of truth. Imagine yourself telling the story of each of these experiences to someone who wants to get to know you. Rank your possible topics in order of how excited you are to share this story. Really listen to your intuition here. If you're squeamish, shy, unexcited, or otherwise not happy at the thought of having to tell someone about the experience, it will make a terrible essay topic.

Develop your top two to four choices to see which is best. Unless you feel very strongly about one of your top choices, the only way to really know which of your best ideas is the perfect one is to try actually making them into essays. For each one, go through the steps listed in the next section of the article under "Find Your Idea's Narrative." Then, use your best judgment (and maybe that of your parents, teachers, or school counselor) to figure out which one to draft into your personal statement.

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How to Make Your Idea Into a College Essay

Now, let's talk about what to do in order to flesh out your topic concept into a great college essay. First, I'll give you some pointers on expanding your idea into an essay-worthy story, and then talk a bit about how to draft and polish your personal statement.

Find Your Topic's Narrative

All great college essays have the same foundation as good short stories or enjoyable movies—an involving story. Let's go through what features make for a story that you don't want to put down:

A compelling character with an arc. Think about the experience that you want to write about. What were you like before it happened? What did you learn, feel, or think about during it? What happened afterwards? What do you now know about yourself that you didn't before?

Sensory details that create a "you are there!" experience for the reader. When you're writing about your experience, focus on trying to really make the situation come alive. Where were you? Who else was there? What did it look like? What did it sound like? Were there memorable textures, smells, tastes? Does it compare to anything else? When you're writing about the people you interacted with, give them a small snippet of dialog to say so the reader can "hear" that person's voice. When you are writing about yourself, make sure to include words that explain the emotions you are feeling at different parts of the story.

An insightful ending. Your essay should end with an uplifting, personal, and interesting revelation about the kind of person you are today, and how the story you have just described has made and shaped you.

Draft and Revise

The key to great writing is rewriting. So work out a draft, and then put it aside and give yourself a few days to forget what you've written. When you come back to look at it again look for places where you slow down your reading, where something seems out of place or awkward. Can you fix this by changing around the order of your essay? By explaining further? By adding details? Experiment.

Get advice. Colleges expect your essay to be your work, but most recommend having someone else cast a fresh eye over it. A good way to get a teacher or a parent involved is to ask them whether your story is clear and specific, and whether your insight about yourself flows logically from the story you tell.

Execute flawlessly. Dot every i, cross every t, delicately place every comma where it needs to go. Grammar mistakes, misspellings, and awkward sentence structure don't just make your writing look bad—they take the reader out of the story you're telling. And that makes you memorable, but in a bad way.

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The Bottom Line

  • Your college essay topic needs to come from the fact that essays are a way for colleges to get to know the real you , a you that is separate from your grades and scores.
  • A great way to come up with topics is to wholeheartedly dive into a brainstorming exercise. The more ideas about your life that tumble out of your memory and onto the page, the better chance you have of finding the perfect college essay topic.
  • Answer my brainstorming questions without editing yourself at first. Instead, simply write down as many things that pop into your head as you can—even if you end up going off topic.
  • After you've generated a list of possible topics, leave it alone for a few days and then come back to pick out the ones that seem the most promising.
  • Flesh out your top few ideas into full-blown narratives , to understand which reveals the most interesting thing about you as a person.
  • Don't shy away from asking for help. At each stage of the writing process get a parent or teacher to look over what you're working on, not to do your work for you but to hopefully gently steer you in a better direction if you're running into trouble.

What's Next?

Ready to start working on your essay? Check out our explanation of the point of the personal essay and the role it plays on your applications .

For more detailed advice on writing a great college essay, read our guide to the Common Application essay prompts and get advice on how to pick the Common App prompt that's right for you .

Thinking of taking the SAT again before submitting your applications? We have put together the ultimate guide to studying for the SAT to give you the ins and outs of the best ways to study.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

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Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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75 Interesting Descriptive Essay Topics

Working on academic papers is a must, no matter how intensely students hate this task. Descriptive writing could be interesting, but for reaching success here, it is essential to find good descriptive essay topics. A lot of things depend on creativity and imagination, but your personal interest is even more important. We’re going to help you find a topic that will suit your tastes, but first, let’s figure out  what is a descriptive essay ? These assignments are a piece of writing focused on re-creating a specific experience, place, person, or event: a writer’s goal is to present it in a detailed and clear way. So, each student must pick a subject and describe it, building a vivid picture of it in the minds of their audience.

Descriptive writing prompts are important because they help you sharpen your memory, analyze your thoughts and reactions, and train your writing as well as expand your vocabulary.  They are also exciting, but of course, this factor relies on which topic you select. There are some tips and suggestions that could guide you in this process, so if you need assistance, we are here to help you.

Strategies for Choosing Great Descriptive Essay Ideas

Many students underestimate the importance of topics. They are happy to grab the first one they see, and then they face hours or even days of boring research and inefficient drafts, ending up with a mediocre paper a professor cannot evaluate highly. This is a big mistake, so if you’d like to avoid such unfortunate results, keep tips below in mind.

  • Go for personal focus. Never choose descriptive essay prompts that you don’t care about. They should be personally interesting for you — this is the only way to make sure that your paper is pleasing to everyone related to it. Writers can do a good job only if they enjoy what they’re doing (unless they are already experienced enough, but it’s a rarity among students). So, look into your memory. Think about something you’d like to describe: it could be a trip somewhere, a favorite place, or even a beloved person.
  • Consider the volume. It is vital to base a topic on the word count you’ll have to cover and the amount of details available to you. Let’s look at these examples: you decided to write about an instance where you met your favorite actor. The problem is, you saw him briefly and nothing truly of note happened, so you could come up with several descriptive paragraph topics, but it won’t be enough for a 5-page essay. You’d have to choose another theme in this case. Equally, if you have a large idea that could make for 10 pages while the task requires you to write only 1, this isn’t the best decision. So never forget about word count and adjust volume of your ideas accordingly.
  • Adjust topic based on vocabulary. If you study at college, you likely have an average vocabulary fitting the academic sphere. In case you study at university, your word supply is more complex, so you could afford to look at more creative descriptive topics. High school students have less diverse vocabulary, so evaluate your skills objectively. This factor affects the choice you will make, so if you plan to describe a fight you witnessed, you should assess whether you know enough words and expressions for it.
  • Look for supporting sources. They are not always necessary, but they’ll definitely be a plus. If you choose a more scientific kind of work, you should support your opinions and impressions with other people’s words. Look for such sources, but be sure they are credible. Focus on articles and books, not on blogs and general sites.

75 Topics for Descriptive Essay on Different Levels

Another option for choosing an inspiring topic entails looking through relevant lists. We composed one specifically for the sake of students who are looking for inspiration yet can’t settle on any exciting ideas. You won’t experience any troubles with using it: either pick an option directly from it or use some of them as a foundation for developing your own.  We concentrated on five major categories, each having 15 descriptive topics in it.

Descriptive Essay Topics About Famous People

There are lots of ideas for descriptive essay in this category. With how many famous people have changed our world, you could pick any of them to craft your essay.

  • Donald Trump: Describe His Rise to Power and His Eventual Downfall
  • Explain What Diaries Belonging to Marilyn Monroe Revealed About Her Past
  • Why Is Mother Theresa Known All Over the World? Describe Her Life and Personality
  • Describe the Real Circumstances Surrounding Discoveries That Christopher Columbus Made
  • Describe the Productive Life of Walt Disney & His Legacy
  • Explain Why Leonardo Da Vinci Is Considered Unique:  Focus on His Discoveries and Inventions
  • Explore Rise of Any Popular Soviet Leader to Absolute Power
  • Who Is Greta Thunberg? Talk About Her Personality as Expressed By Her Ideas

There are also fictional famous people: they could make for good descriptive essay titles.

  • Harry Potter: Describe His Heroic Attributes and How They Relate to His Personality
  • Explain the Mystery Posed by the Figure of Merlin: What Do We Know About Him?
  • Describe All Heroics Attributed to King Arthur
  • Describe Changes in Attitude toward Vampires That Jacob Black Experienced
  • Talk About the Love Story between Jack and Rose from Titanic
  • Voldemort: What Events in the Life of Tom Riddle Created a Monster
  • Describe What Makes Katniss from Hunger Games an Inspiring Power Leader

Descriptive Topics About Celebrities

We are surrounded by celebrities. If you’d like to explore one of them, check this descriptive essay topics list.

  • Mads Mikkelsen as the Most Atypical Star in the Global Movie Industry
  • Describe Problems that Johnny Depp Has Been Experiencing Recently
  • Tragedy and Comedy of Jim Carrey’s Life: Describe This Mix
  • Describe the Changing Array of Roles Performed by Emma Watson
  • Daniel Radcliffe and His Attempts to Move On From Harry Potter
  • Explore and Explain Leonardo DiCaprio’s Struggles to Receive Oscar
  • Dive Into Descriptions of Reasons for Charles Chaplin’s Popularity
  • How Morgan Freeman Changed Entertainment Industry
  • Acting in Violent Movies: Describe What Roles Sylvester Stallone Played
  • Elaborate on How George Clooney Started Being Considered an Icon of Attractiveness
  • Describe Career of Steven Spielberg Along with His Success and Failures
  • Sad Stories: Describe What Choices Kate Winslet Makes in Her Movies
  • Being a Pirate: Talk About Adventures Orlando Bloom Had When Playing Will Turner
  • Creativity and Elegance of Keira Knightley:  Describe Life Journey of This Actress
  • Describe Singing Career of Hugh Jackman and How It Mixed with His Actor Choices

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Descriptive Essay Topic Ideas About Places

People love travelling all over the world, so there is a thousand of descriptive writing topics to select from.

  • Talk About the Most Beautiful City You Have Ever Visited
  • Quiet Night in a Forest: Describe Beauty Around It
  • Seeing Red Sea for the First Time: Focus on Details Surrounding This Experience
  • Describe Your Home and Elements That Make It Dear to You
  • The Coziest Café with the Most Delicious Food: Share Your Experience
  • Garden That Stays in Your Memory: Describe What Plants It Had
  • Visiting Museum: Discuss Atmosphere, Interior, and Displayed Objects
  • First Visit to 3D Movie: How Did It Go?
  • Moving to a New House: Describe First Impressions of How It Looked Liked
  • Choose a Church That Impressed You & Share Details About Its Design

How about descriptive writing ideas for fictional places? They could be just as exciting.

  • Describe Hogwarts As It Is Portrayed in Harry Potter Books
  • Narnia, Its Delights and Horrors: Focus On Attributes That Make It Memorable
  • Describe Gritty Setting of Games of Thrones (TV Show or Book)
  • How Does Universe of Hunger Games Function? Describe Its Major Features
  • House of Cullens From Twilight: Talk About Its Inward and Outward Appearance

Descriptive Essay Prompts About Objects

Wherever you look, you’ll see objects of different kinds. Pick a good descriptive essay topic from the ones that trigger your interest.

  • How Cell Phone of Your Dreams Would Look Like
  • The Most Comfortable Bed in This World: Give a Detailed Description
  • Describe Each Component of Your Make-Up: What Are They, What Color They Have, & What Are They For?
  • Describe the Scent of Your Favorite Perfume: Focus on Each Undertone to Create a Clear Image
  • Your Favorite Food: Describe a Meal Complete with Three Different Dishes
  • Talk About Diary You Had: Its Cover, Pages, Purpose, & Importance
  • Describe How the Most Exquisite Box of Chocolates You Have Seen Looks
  • Book Cover That Made You Immediately Want to Buy Book Itself
  • Backpack You Carry Every Day: What Makes It Comfortable & Special?
  • Describe How You Choose Your Handbag From Start to Finish
  • Kitchen in Your House: Describe Its Design, Key Objects, & Their Purposes
  • The Most Exquisite  Bouquet of Flowers That Stands Out in Memory
  • Blanket You Use During Winter: What Is Its Appearance, Thickness, and Warmth Level?
  • Movie You Watched for More Than Ten Times
  • A Pair of Shoes That Begs to Be Bought: How Would You Describe It?

Memories Topics

We all have memories that make us into who we are. These examples of descriptive essay topics could help you recall meaningful events that deserve to be written about.

  • Describe the Best Birthday Celebration You Have Ever Had
  • The  Day When Someone You Love Broke Your Heart
  • Seeing My Future Pet for the First Time & Falling in Love With It
  • Day of Heartbreaking Loss and My Reaction to It
  • Finale of a Movie I Watched That Made Me Feel Over the Moon From Joy
  • Terrible Disappointment After the Show I Loved Ended Badly: Details & Reaction
  • How My Best Friend and I Shared Our First Serious Secret We Never Disclosed to Others
  • Your First Joined Trip with Family: Fun and Excitement of It
  • Guilt I Felt After Betraying Someone I Loved
  • How Going on the First Date Felt Like: Describe This Time and Your Emotions
  • Getting a Gift I Always Dreamed About: Celebration That I Could Never Forget
  • Describe an Event That Helped You Understand What Career You Would Like to Have
  • City I Used to Live In: Describe Its Physical Appearance and Places It Had
  • Visiting Escape Room: Challenges, Excitement, Fear, & Complexity
  • The Happiest Day I Could Remember in My Life

Make Writing Exciting and Look for Help When In Need

As you had a chance to see, there are plenty of diverse ideas for descriptive essays. So, if you cannot come up with something on your own, don’t let it worry or embarrass you. Look for assistance: check related lists online, talk to other people, visit forums for discussions and brainstorm with your classmates. If you aren’t sure whether you feel up to writing, you could always let us know, and our team will gladly help. Inspiration is a big part of writing success, so it’s vital not to make a mistake when choosing what your paper is going to be about. Try to find it, and your chances at succeeding will grow!

Can’t come up with a topic for you paper? We’ve prepared a collection of essay topics for you

Want to write a winning essay but lack experience? Browse our free essay samples

Related Topics

Related essays to descriptive essays.

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Debate Topics

Need to write an argumentative essay? Preparing for an upcoming debate? ProCon.org has over 100 topics complete with pro and con arguments, quotes and statistics from experts, historical information, and other pertinent research.

Abortion – Should abortion be legal?

Alternative Energy – Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels?

American Socialism – Should the U.S. become socialist?

Animal Dissection – Should K-12 students dissect animals in science classrooms?

Animal Testing – Should animals be used for scientific or commercial testing?

Artificial Intelligence – Is artificial intelligence good for society?

Banned Books – Should parents or other adults be able to ban books from schools and libraries?

Binge-Watching – Is binge-watching good for you?

Cancel Culture – Is cancel culture (or callout culture) good for society?

CBD for Pets – Is CBD good for pets?

Cell Phone Radiation – Is cell phone radiation safe?

Cheerleading – Is cheerleading a sport?

Churches & Taxes – Should churches (including mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt?

College Education – Is a college education worth it?

Congressional Term Limits  – Should term limits be imposed on U.S. Senators and Representatives?

Constitutional Carry of Handguns – Should permitless, “constitutional carry” of guns be legal?

Corporal Punishment – Should corporal punishment be used in K-12 schools?

Corporate Tax Rate – Should the federal corporate income tax rate be raised?

Cuba Embargo – Should the United States maintain its embargo against Cuba?

DACA & Dreamers – Are DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and the DREAM Act good for America?

Daylight Saving Time – Should the United States keep daylight saving time?

DC AND Puerto Rico Statehood – Should Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico be granted U.S. statehood?

Death Penalty – Should the death penalty be legal?

Defund the Police – Should police departments be defunded, if not abolished?

Dress Codes – Should dress codes be implemented and enforced?

Drinking Age – Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to a younger age?

Drone Strikes – Should the United States continue its use of drone strikes abroad?

Drug Use in Sports – Should performance-enhancing drugs be accepted in sports?

Election Day National Holiday – Should the election day be made a national holiday?

Electoral College – Should the United States use the electoral college in presidential elections?

Employer Vaccine Mandates – Should employers be able to mandate vaccinations?

Felon Voting – Should people who have completed felony sentences be allowed to vote?

Fighting in Hockey – Should fighting be allowed in hockey?

Filibuster – Should the U.S. Senate keep the filibuster?

Fracking – Should the United States continue fracking

Free College – Should public college be tuition-free?

Fur Clothing Bans – Should fur clothing be banned?

GMOS – Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be grown?

Gold Standard – Should the United States return to a gold standard?

Golf – Is golf a sport and are golfers athletes?

Gun Control – Should more gun control laws be enacted?

Historic Statue Removal – Should historic statues be taken down?

Homework – Is homework beneficial?

Illegal Immigration – Should the U.S. government provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants?

Internet – Is the internet “making us stupid?”

Kneeling during the National Anthem – Is kneeling during the national anthem an appropriate form of protest?

Mandatory National Service – Should the United States have mandatory national service?

Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) – Should medical aid in dying be legal?

Medical Marijuana – Should medical marijuana be legal?

Milk – Should humans consume dairy milk?

Minimum Wage – Should the federal minimum wage be increased?

Net Neutrality – Should the U.S. have net neutrality laws?

Obesity – Is obesity a disease?

Olympics – Are the Olympic games an overall benefit for their host countries and cities?

OTC Birth Control Pills – Should birth control pills be available over-the-counter (OTC)?

Penny – Should the penny stay in circulation?

Pit Bull Bans – Should breed-specific legislation (“pit bull bans”) be enacted?

Pokémon – Is Pokémon Go good for our society?

Police Body Cameras – Should police officers wear body cameras?

Prescription Drug Costs – Should the U.S. federal government regulate prescription drug prices?

Presidential Election, 2024 – 2024 Presidential Election Site

Private Prisons – Should prisons be privatized?

Recreational Marijuana – Should recreational marijuana be legal?

Reparations for Slavery – Should the federal government pay reparations to the descendants of slaves?

Right to Healthcare – Should all Americans have the right (be entitled) to health care?

Sanctuary Cities – Should sanctuary cities receive federal funding?

Santa Claus – Is there really a Santa Claus?

Saturday Halloween – Should Halloween be moved permanently to Saturday?

School Uniforms – Should students have to wear school uniforms?

Single-use Plastics Ban – Should single-use plastics be banned?

Social Media & Digital Addiction – Does social media spur digital addiction and other social ills?

Social Security Privatization – Should social security be privatized?

Space Colonization – Should humans colonize space?

Standardized Tests – Do standardized tests improve education in America?

Student Loan Debt – Should student loan debt be eliminated via forgiveness or bankruptcy?

TikTok Bans – Should TikTok be banned?

Uber & Lyft – Are ride-sharing companies a benefit to society?

Universal Basic Income (UBI) – Should the United States implement a universal basic income?

U.S. Supreme Court Packing – Should packing the U.S. Supreme Court ever be considered?

Vaccines for Kids – Should states be allowed to mandate vaccines for school attendance??

Vaping E-Cigarettes – Is vaping e-cigarettes safe?

Vegetarianism – Should people become vegetarian?

Video Games & Violence – Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?

Voting Age – Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Voting Machines – Are electronic voting machines the best method for voting?

Zoos – Should zoos exist?

Archived Topics

Please note that ProCon no longer updates these debates.

ACLU – Is the ACLU good for America?

Big Three Bailout – Should the big three car manufacturers be bailed out by the U.S. government?

Born Gay – Is sexual orientation determined at birth?

Climate Change – Is human activity primarily responsible for global climate change?

College Football Playoffs – Should college football replace the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) with a playoff system?

Dakota Access Pipeline – Should the Dakota Access Pipeline be completed?

D.A.R.E. – Is the D.A.R.E. program good for America’s kids (K-12)?

Gay Marriage – Should gay marriage be legal?

Congressional Insider Trading – Should insider trading by Congress be allowed?

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – What are the solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

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The Common App Opens Today—Here’s How To Answer Every Prompt

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Writing the Personal Statement for the Common Application

Today, the Common Application opens for the 2024–25 application cycle. As the platform opens, officially signaling the start of the college admissions season, many students are starting the daunting process of crafting their personal statements. The personal statement is a crucial opportunity to showcase individuality, character, and intellectual depth. In only 650 words, students should seek to encapsulate their authentic voice and perspective through a compelling and creative narrative. The process requires thorough brainstorming, strategy, and editing in order to produce an essay that is distinct from those of thousands of other applicants vying for seats at top colleges.

As students choose a prompt and begin brainstorming essays, here are the key points to consider in order to create a stellar essay for each prompt:

1. The Meaningful Background Prompt

Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

This prompt invites you to share an aspect of your identity or experience that is central to who you are. Start by thoughtfully considering aspects of your identity that are unique to you; then, try to think of a specific anecdote or experience that provides a portrait of those qualities. While detail and specificity are critical for all engaging essays, they are particularly important in this one, as you should show (rather than tell ) admissions committees the things that are quintessential to who you are.

Your essay should also have a takeaway—aside from just telling admissions officers what the background, identity, interest, or talent is, you should also focus on what you’ve learned from this piece of your identity, how it has developed over time, and how you will apply it in college and beyond.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, 2. the overcoming obstacles prompt.

Prompt: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

This prompt is an opportunity to demonstrate resilience and the capacity to learn from adversity—qualities that elite universities value highly. Begin by choosing a specific incident where you faced a significant challenge or failure—this could be an academic setback, a personal loss, or a time when you were out of your comfort zone. Students often fall into one of two common mistakes when tackling this question. First, many students rely on cliches and overused tropes. Keep in mind that admissions officers will likely read hundreds of essays recounting stories of students missing the game-winning goal or flunking a test in sophomore English. Try to select a story that only you can tell, and if you choose a topic you worry might be popular among other students, consider how you might recount it in a unique and unexpected way. On the other hand, some students fall into the opposite problem, sharing about a particularly personal, traumatic, or triggering experience that impacted them. Though it should convey personal insights, the personal statement is still a professional document, and you should not make your reader uncomfortable or unsettled by the information you share.

Finally, note that admissions officers are not primarily interested in the challenge itself, but in how you responded to the challenge. Focus on the steps you took to overcome the obstacle, what you learned about yourself in the process, and how this experience has shaped your future actions and mindset. Highlight any new skills, perspectives, or motivations that emerged from this experience, demonstrating your ability to grow and adapt in the face of adversity.

3. The Changed Perspective Prompt

Prompt: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Top colleges seek to admit students who are willing to engage in critical thinking and who possess the intellectual courage to question norms or ideas. For this essay, consider beginning with an anecdote—starting the essay in media res can be an engaging way to catch the reader’s attention and quickly establish the stakes of your narrative. As you share your story, remember that the essay’s focus is to demonstrate your open-mindedness, your commitment to seeking the truth, and your willingness to engage deeply with complex issues. It also shows your ability to respect differing viewpoints while developing your own reasoned stance. As such, you should take the admissions committee through your process of growth and change step-by-step, clearly articulating how the experience impacted you and how your changed perspective will enhance their campus community should you enroll.

4. The Gratitude Prompt

Prompt: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Like the two prior prompts, this prompt requires students to share a particular anecdote, and students should consider beginning with their narrative before zooming out to explore the broader theme of gratitude. Start by recounting a specific instance where someone did something for you that made you feel unexpectedly grateful. This could be a small act of kindness, a significant gesture, or a moment of support that made a lasting impression on you. Then, explore how this experience of gratitude has affected your actions or attitude. As you do so, be sure to avoid platitudes or vapid buzzwords—rather than expressing that the experience made you feel “good” or “appreciated” or the equivalent, share how it has affected your perspective or actions going forward. The best responses are those that illustrate actionable change rather than fuzzy feelings.

5. The Personal Growth Prompt

Prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

A student’s college years are all about growth and transformation, and this prompt invites students to demonstrate their capacity for self-reflection and teachability. Thus, while this prompt might invite you to describe a major event or accomplishment, what you really want to show is a transformative period and the resulting reflection. Don’t feel as though the accomplishment, event, or realization needs to be especially earth-shattering or ground-breaking—sometimes the small things can make an impression in a big way. Finally, if you do choose to write about an accomplishment, be sure that you are not bragging. The prompt is an opportunity to show self-awareness, rather than to tout your achievements.

6. The Captivating Concept Prompt

Prompt: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Intellectual curiosity and authentic passion are distinguishing characteristics in the landscape of top college admissions. For this prompt, zoom in on a particular topic that genuinely fascinates you, whether it’s a specific academic subject, a philosophical idea, or a creative pursuit. Many students manufacture a response to this prompt based on what they assume will impress admissions officers—but if you aren’t truly interested in Kantian ethics, an admissions officer will be able to tell. However silly, mundane, quirky, or bizarre your “captivating concept” may be, if it’s true to you—write about it!

While your response should describe how a specific aspect of this topic captivates your interest and why it resonates with you on a deeper level, it should also demonstrate how you have taken the initiative to explore this topic in unique ways. Have you sought out books on the topic? Taken an online course to elevate your knowledge? Started a club to connect with others who share your interest? Developed a passion project that mobilized your interest in service of your community?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

If none of the above prompts allow you to effectively express yourself, remember that the Common App includes an open prompt, wherein you can write on a topic of your choice! This is an excellent opportunity to share a story that doesn’t fit neatly into the other prompts but is crucial to understanding who you are. If you choose to pursue this prompt, make sure your essay is well-structured and cohesive, with a clear theme or message that ties everything together.

The Common App essay is more than just a component of your application; it’s a chance to speak directly to admissions officers and present your authentic self. Taking the time to brainstorm and edit will allow you to submit an essay that showcases your unique voice and original perspective to admissions officers at top colleges.

Christopher Rim

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How Trump Supercharged Project 2025—Whether He Wanted To or Not

Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Holds A Campaign Rally In Charlotte, North Carolina

F rom running a business into the ground to doing the same with our country, Donald Trump does a lot of things wrong . But, if we’re being honest, his instincts in marketing are usually pretty darn good. In recent weeks, though, he’s made a colossal marketing mistake.

On July 5, Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to declare that he “knows nothing” about Project 2025, a 920-page guidebook for a second Trump presidency, put together by right-wing think tank Heritage Foundation. And he tried it again this week. He thought he could distance himself from the backlash to his blueprint. But, Donald Trump claiming to not know Project 2025 would be like Jeffrey Dahmer claiming to be an introvert who has never met people before.

More than simply not being believed, though, Trump did something that he never expected: He supercharged interest in Project 2025. On Jun 24, the pollsters at Navigator Research found Project 2025's favorability underwater by 9-points (10-19%) with most people unaware of the plan altogether. Less than one month later, the favorability had plummeted to negative 32-points (11-43%) after Trump made it a bigger subject of conversation. When people learn about it, they react like they would watching a horror movie: They hate each minute of it but they can’t stop themselves from watching what comes next.

In fact, by July 11, more people were searching for information about Project 2025 than were searching for Taylor Swift or the NFL. People ranging from John Oliver to Taraji P. Henson have brought attention to it. Vice President Harris even referenced it in the announcement that she was running for President last weekend.

Project 2025 outlines how a second Trump administration would take over the government and give the MAGA movement more power than any president has had in the history of the United States The detailed plan meticulously lays out all the freedoms the Trump administration plans to take away from the American people and the threat they pose to working families and seniors, including letting government monitor women’s pregnancies while they pass a national ban on abortion; overturning health care protections for people with pre-existing conditions while removing the $35 cap on the price of insulin; and eliminating the Department of Education, Head Start, clean energy and the National Weather Service.

Read More: Project 2025’s Plan to Eliminate Public Schools Has Already Started

There is real power in having a national conversation about Project 2025. As people hear more about the plan, they shift from opposing it by 13-points to opposing it by 48-points. The biggest growth comes from non-MAGA affiliated Republicans and independents, especially non-college educated women under 55. All of these are key to building an electoral coalition in 2024 and beyond.

There are three main things people need to know when it comes to communicating about Project 2025.

It’s not your typical political BS

Most voters think a “plan” or an “agenda” from a politician is meaningless and largely disconnected from what will really happen. While that is sometimes true, Project 2025 isn’t like that. Twelve years ago, Republicans were caught on defense because they actually passed a budget (the Ryan budget) that would privatize Medicare. For the last two years, they’ve had to defend the actual overturning of Roe v. Wade. It wasn’t theoretical. It was real. People will know that this 920-page meticulous blueprint to takeover government is just as real and as present a danger. 

It confirms people's worst fears about Republicans, especially Trump

People are fearful of what another Trump presidency would mean—the chaos, the criminality, and shredding the Constitution. Americans start with a pre-existing belief that Trump and the MAGA allies are power-hungry, but Project 2025 proves they intended to do it and shows how. For example, they will take away the Department of Justice and replace it with hand-picked loyalists who report to them. It’s clear this is exactly what people featured—them pursuing absolute power. 

It’s mysterious and sinister

If you look at the massive uptick in the online conversation about Project 2025, one theme emerges consistently: curiosity. People see a 920-document written in secret by a bunch of Trump’s agents as mysterious and probably sinister. So they want to read it. They want to understand it. They want to reveal it. It plays into the conspiratorial notion of how people think and the conspiracy-theory attributes that drive many of the algorithms that dominate social media. In fact, as Trump found out starting with his July 5th tweet, the more that his team denies ownership of the plan, the more convinced people are that they own it.

But Democrats can’t just name drop the plan and expect that to evoke its intended impact. We have to frame the plan as the extreme blueprint it is and explain its consequences. We need to tell a common story, not just use a common set of magic words.

Project 2025 is more than a white paper, a policy proposal, or an agenda. It’s an instruction manual for a takeover—eliminating the protections for people and strengthening their ways to control people. We have to treat it as such.

The Trump team made the mistake of writing down their manual, giving everyone a chance to see what the future would look like under their administration. Then, they told everyone not to look at it. Predictably, now everyone wants a peek.

More Must-Reads from TIME

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U.S. National Debt Tops $35 Trillion for First Time

The presidential candidates have offered few ideas for reducing the debt burden as red ink continues to mount.

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By Alan Rappeport

Reporting from Washington

America’s gross national debt topped $35 trillion for the first time on Monday, a reminder of the nation’s grim fiscal predicament as legislative fights over taxes and spending initiatives loom in Washington.

The Treasury Department noted the milestone in its daily report detailing the nation’s balance sheet. The red ink is mounting in the United States more quickly than many economists had predicted as the costs of federal programs enacted in recent years have exceeded initial projections.

The leading presidential candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump, have said little about the nation’s deficits on the campaign trail, suggesting that the economic problem will only worsen in the coming years. Deep differences between Republicans and Democrats on policy priorities and resistance within both parties to enacting cuts to the biggest drivers of the national debt — Social Security and Medicare — have made it difficult to reduce America’s borrowing.

The Congressional Budget Office said last month that the U.S. national debt is poised to top $56 trillion by 2034 , as rising spending and interest expenses outpace tax revenue.

High interest rates have made it harder for the United States to manage its debt burden. Some federal programs created during the pandemic, such as the Employee Retention Tax Credit, have been more costly than budget experts predicted because of fraud and abuse . There has also been stronger than expected demand for tax credits that have been offered through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, inflaming annual deficits.

The Treasury Department said on Monday that it borrowed $234 billion from April to June, which was less than it anticipated, and that it expects to borrow $740 billion from July through September.Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen said in June that the U.S. debt load remained reasonable given the size of the economy and that she was focused on keeping interest costs stable.

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