You’ve been assigned an essay, but you’re staring at a blank page not sure what to write about.
We’ve all been there.
Coming up with an interesting essay topic can sometimes feel more challenging than actually writing the essay itself.
But don’t worry—with a little creativity and introspection, you’ll land on the perfect topic in no time.
To help get your creative juices flowing, we’ve compiled a list of 20 thought-provoking essay topics spanning various subjects.
Questions to Help You Find the Perfect Essay Topic
As you read through this list, consider which topics resonate with you on a personal level.
Do any spark a strong opinion or bring up vivid memories?
1. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
This classic essay prompt allows you to reflect on the historical figures you most admire and would want to converse with. Think about individuals who made a significant impact on the world or had unique life experiences.
You could discuss how their achievements shaped the course of history or share what personal qualities you find inspiring. For instance, maybe you’d dine with Rosa Parks to hear about her experience as a leader in the fight for civil rights. Or perhaps you’d pick Leonardo da Vinci’s brain about how he came up with so many revolutionary inventions.
The key is to go beyond just listing their accomplishments and explore what it is about this person that captivates you. Share how their story has influenced your own life or perspective in some way.
2. How has social media impacted the way we communicate and form relationships?
Social media has undoubtedly transformed how we interact with each other in the 21st century. This complex issue offers many avenues to explore in your essay.
You could examine the benefits of social media, such as allowing us to stay connected with friends and family all over the globe or providing a platform for marginalized voices. On the flip side, you might delve into some of the drawbacks, like how an obsession with likes and shares can warp our self-esteem.
Another angle is looking at how social media has altered our expectations around relationships and what constitutes “meaningful” interaction. Do you think comments on a photo can replace a heartfelt conversation? Why or why not?
Whatever stance you take, be sure to back it up with concrete examples from your observations or studies you’ve read. Anecdotes from your personal experience can also help illustrate your point and make the topic more relatable.
3. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision. What did you learn from the experience?
We’ve all faced tough choices at some point in our lives. Writing about a time you were at a crossroads gives you an opportunity for self-reflection and sharing lessons learned.
Start by relating the details of your dilemma, being sure to highlight what made the decision so challenging. Perhaps you were torn between two compelling alternatives or risked disappointing people you cared about. Sharing your thought process in that moment will help the reader empathize with your struggles.
Next, explain how you ultimately made up your mind and the immediate aftermath of your choice. But don’t stop there; the real meat of the essay will come from analyzing the long-term impacts. Did this experience change how you approach problems? Help you clarify your values and priorities? Give specific examples of how you’ve applied these insights to your life since then.
Remember, you don’t have to have made the “right” choice to have a meaningful story. Often our failures and missteps can be even more enlightening than our successes. What matters is your ability to thoughtfully reflect on the situation and articulate its significance to your personal growth.
4. How will AI and automation change the job market over the next 20 years?
As artificial intelligence and robotics advance at a breakneck pace, many wonder what the future holds for employment. Evaluating the potential impacts of automation offers fertile ground for an insightful essay.
A good place to start is by researching which industries are poised to be most dramatically transformed by this new wave of technology. How might the day-to-day of a cashier, truck driver, or radiologist change if part or all of their job becomes automated? Then consider the downstream economic effects if swaths of jobs in certain sectors become obsolete.
You could also look at the sociological side of things – for instance, if we can produce more goods with fewer man-hours, how might that alter our lifestyles and cultural attitudes around work? Would we see a societal shift toward placing greater value on leisure time? More emphasis on “careers of passion”?
Another potential angle to explore is how we can proactively adapt to this shifting landscape. What new skills will be most valuable in the age of automation? How can our educational institutions better equip students for the careers of tomorrow?
5. Is there such a thing as “too much” freedom of speech?
Freedom of speech is often heralded as the bedrock of democracy, but reasonable people can disagree on its limits. This essay topic asks you to grapple with the complexities around balancing free expression with other societal concerns.
One approach is examining some of the gray areas where free speech collides with other protected rights. For example, at what point does hateful speech cross the line into unlawful discrimination or harassment? Should spreading demonstrably false information (e.g. “pizzagate”) be protected under the First Amendment? You could use real-world court cases to illustrate these tensions.
It’s also worth considering how new technologies have shifted the public discourse around free speech. Social media has allowed ideas (both good and bad) to proliferate at an unprecedented speed and scale. If you go this route, you might look at how various platforms are grappling with content moderation in an age of viral misinformation.
Ultimately, this prompt is about persuasively arguing where we should draw the line on acceptable speech, given our societal values. The strongest essays won’t just argue for an absolutist position (i.e. “there should be no limits on speech ever!”), but will thoughtfully weigh the trade-offs between free expression and other public goods.
6. Describe a person you admire and explain how they have influenced you.
This common essay prompt allows you to reflect on your role models and unpack what makes them so inspiring to you. Start with a vivid anecdote that demonstrates this person’s character in action. Maybe it’s a teacher who went the extra mile to support your intellectual curiosity or a family member whose tireless volunteerism inspires you to want to give back.
From there, analyze which specific qualities you find most admirable and why. Is it their compassion in the face of hardship? Grace under pressure? Unshakable integrity in their convictions? Use concrete examples to illustrate these characteristics in practice.
But a standout essay won’t just be a flattering portrait; it will critically examine how your relationship with this individual has changed you. Have you worked to develop similar traits in yourself? Pursued certain goals or causes because of their influence? Relate their impact to your growth and values.
Remember, you don’t have to know this person intimately for them to have made a difference in your life; even public figures you’ve never met can leave a meaningful mark through their words and actions. The most important thing is that you speak from the heart about how your admiration has shaped you as a person.
7. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your generation? How should society address it?
Every generation faces unique hurdles in their cultural moment. Writing about issues impacting your peers demonstrates critical engagement with the world around you—a key skill for college and beyond.
To focus your analysis, you might first reflect on what defines your generation. What major world events have shaped your cohort’s collective consciousness? Technology, the economy, social movements? This can provide clues into the challenges that flow from this context.
For instance, maybe growing up amid a major recession has left many in your generation saddled with debt and worried about financial stability. Or perhaps the dominance of social media has fueled unprecedented rates of anxiety and disconnection among your peers.
From here, dive into the larger societal implications of this problem. Why does it matter on a macro level? For the financial example, you could discuss how burdened young people mean lower economic productivity down the line. For a social media-fueled mental health crisis, breakdown of community and connection.
Finally, offer your perspective on potential solutions. Should we have better financial literacy programs in high school? Laws around predatory student loans? More funding for accessible counseling resources? Consider systemic reforms, cultural shifts and individual actions that could help mitigate the issue.
8. Has technology made us more or less connected as a society?
Technology has transformed how we interact, but there’s much debate on whether these changes have ultimately brought us closer together or further apart. This timely prompt challenges you to weigh the social impacts of our increasingly wired world.
You might open with an anecdote illustrating digital connection in action, whether heartwarming or heartbreaking. A Zoom birthday party that brought far-flung friends together, or a coffee shop full of people silently staring at their phones. From here, unpack the larger questions this vignette raises around tech’s impact on relationships.
One avenue to explore is the way tech has enabled us to find community around shared interests and identities in ways that transcend geography. For those who feel marginalized in their local environment, the internet can be a lifeline for finding solidarity and support. LGBTQ+ youth connecting on Tumblr, and disabled activists organizing via Twitter – these are powerful examples of technology fostering belonging.
At the same time, there’s the question of whether the connections we forge online can be as deep and sustaining as offline interactions. Though we may have broader networks thanks to social media, some worry those ties are inherently shallow if not reinforced by shared physical experiences. You could point to research on the link between heavy social media use and feelings of isolation and loneliness to support this view.
As with many big sociological questions, there are no easy answers here. A strong essay will thoughtfully weigh the evidence on both sides, using specific examples to support its analysis. Whichever stance you take, consider addressing potential counterarguments. Acknowledging the complex reality of the issue will lend your essay greater credibility and nuance.
9. What book, movie, album, or other work of art has had the biggest impact on you and why?
Art has a singular power to move us, shape our identities,and even transform our worldviews. This introspective prompt invites you to examine your relationship to a piece of art that has left an indelible mark on you.
Rather than just summarizing the plot or describing the composition, dig into the emotional core of why this work matters to you. What about it resonated on a deep level? Maybe a novel’s protagonist navigating similar struggles helped you feel less alone during a tough time. Or perhaps an album’s soaring melodies never fail to lift you from a funk.
From here, analyze how your encounter with this piece has tangibly changed you. Did it push you out of your comfort zone or introduce you to a new perspective? Spark a passion or solidify your values? For example, maybe reading “The Diary of Anne Frank” fueled a lifelong commitment to fighting intolerance. Or watching “Paris Is Burning” made you rethink your assumptions about gender and sexuality.
Remember, your goal is not to convince the reader that this is the greatest album or painting of all time, but rather to articulate its significance in your own life. Don’t be afraid to get vulnerable in relating why the work moved you; those intimate details are what will make your story compelling and relatable. At the same time, ground your personal reactions in a thoughtful analysis of the piece’s themes and artistic merits to give the essay depth.
10. How should schools adapt to best prepare students for a rapidly changing world?
With technology reshaping society at an astonishing clip, educational institutions face the daunting task of readying students for an uncertain future. This prompt asks you to envision how schools should evolve to meet that charge.
A good first step is identifying the key challenges 21st-century learners will need to navigate. Will the increasing automation of knowledge tasks put a higher premium on creativity and emotional intelligence? How can students prepare for jobs that may not yet exist? Defining your view of tomorrow’s world provides a foundation for prescribing necessary educational shifts.
From here, consider what skills and experiences schools should prioritize to equip students for those realities. For example, you might argue that project-based learning is crucial for developing competencies like collaboration and adaptability. Or perhaps robust arts programming to spur innovation. Maybe mandatory computer science education so all students can understand the language of our digital future.
Beyond arguing for curricular changes, also examine the broader structures and culture of schooling. Does a traditional industrialized model still make sense, or do we need a more personalized approach? What would it look like to shift the emphasis from memorizing facts to “learning how to learn”? How can schools better support student wellbeing amid spiking rates of anxiety and depression?
As you tackle these big questions, consider potential trade-offs or challenges around your ideas. For instance, a more individualized educational model may be less economically efficient. Acknowledging limitations demonstrates that you’ve thought through your proposals with nuance and an understanding that progress is complex. No one has all the answers, but wrestling with how to better serve students is a vital start.
11. What do you think are the keys to a fulfilling life?
This philosophical question has been debated by thinkers across cultures and eras – now it’s your turn to weigh in. Reflecting on what makes life meaningful is not only excellent fodder for an essay but also an important exercise in figuring out your values and priorities.
One way to approach this is to think about times in your life when you’ve felt a sense of deep contentment or purpose. What elements were present? Connection, creativity, service to others? Use these anecdotes to identify potential common threads or guiding principles.
You can also draw from others’ wisdom on the subject. Maybe your faith tradition offers some insight, or you find inspiration in thought leaders like the Dalai Lama or Brené Brown. Engaging with existing frameworks around happiness and well-being can enrich your perspective, whether you wholeheartedly agree with them or not.
Another strategy is imagining someone at the end of their life looking back. What accomplishments, relationships, and experiences do you think would leave them feeling satisfied? Is it a life of adventure and risk-taking? Quiet acts of kindness day in and day out? Unpack why certain legacies strike you as particularly meaningful.
Ultimately, there’s no singular right answer to this question. What constitutes a life well-lived looks different for everyone based on their unique personality, circumstances, and values. The key is making a thoughtful case for your perspective, using a blend of anecdotal evidence and analytical reasoning. And don’t be afraid to acknowledge the complexities; often it’s wrestling with the big questions, rather than having them all figured out, that brings the most fulfillment.
12. What role do national borders play in an increasingly globalized world?
In an era where people, goods, and information flows across boundaries at an unprecedented rate, the very notion of the nation-state can seem increasingly anachronistic. This meaty topic asks you to grapple with the purpose of borders in our interconnected age.
You might frame your discussion around some of the benefits and drawbacks of maintaining firm national boundaries. On one hand, borders help preserve cultural identity, protect domestic workers and industries, and ensure local accountability over laws and customs. A world without them could yield a homogenous “monoculture.”
On the flip side, you could argue that in a global era, overly restrictive immigration policies and trade protectionism do more harm than good. Closed borders keep out not only threats, but also opportunities in the form of new talent, ideas, and economic vitality. And in an age of global challenges like climate change and pandemics, going it alone puts everyone at risk.
Another approach would be examining how borders intersect with human rights and equity. Do all people have the right to seek a better life across borders? How should considerations of safety and sovereignty be balanced with humanitarian concerns? You could invoke real-world examples like the Syrian refugee crisis or the U.S. southern border debate to illustrate these tensions.
As you make your case, consider the various forms “borders” can take – physical, cultural, economic, and digital. How has globalization made these boundaries more porous, and is that a good thing? Weigh the different equities at stake and take a nuanced stance. Demonstrating that you’ve considered the issue from multiple angles will give your argument more compelling depth.
13. What role should technology companies play in combating the spread of misinformation online?
Fake news, conspiracy theories, deepfakes—in the digital age, truth itself seems up for grabs. But who bears responsibility for stemming the tide of online misinformation? This urgent question offers fertile ground for an insightful analysis.
Start by establishing the stakes around viral untruths. You could point to examples like the Capitol insurrection or COVID vaccine hesitancy to illustrate the offline harms of online lies. Emphasize why this isn’t just a matter of free speech, but a threat to public health and democracy.
From here, examine what role tech companies should play in addressing the issue. On one hand, as the primary facilitators of information exchange, platforms like Facebook and Twitter are uniquely positioned to be arbiters of truth. You might argue they have an ethical duty to aggressively remove false content or at least stop its algorithmic spread.
However, the prospect of private entities becoming the “Ministry of Truth” also raises concerning questions about censorship and overreach. Who decides what’s indisputably false? Where’s the line between
misinformation and mere unpopular opinion? You could discuss infamous examples of “legitimate” speech being erroneously flagged to argue for the dangers of over-moderation.
An alternate tack would be putting the onus on individual media literacy. Perhaps the solution lies not in top-down content removal, but in better equipping users to critically engage with information. You could envision ways tech companies could build fact-checking tools or digital literacy education into their platforms to empower users.
Whichever stance you take, a compelling essay won’t just argue for a singular approach, but thoughtfully weigh the merits and drawbacks of different interventions. Consider the potential unintended consequences of your ideas. Acknowledging the complexities of the issue will lend your piece greater credibility and insight.
14. How is the rise of streaming services changing the entertainment industry?
The way we consume TV and movies has been transformed by the ascent of Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming giants. But what does this seismic shift mean for the future of Hollywood? This multifaceted question offers rich territory to explore in your essay.
One obvious impact is how streaming has changed the way stories are told. With entire series dropped at once and algorithms serving up “Because you watched…” recommendations, streaming has ushered in an age of highly serialized, binge-able content. How might this focus on long-form, interconnected narratives shape not only viewing habits but the kinds of stories that get greenlit?
There’s also the question of what streaming means for the people who create entertainment. On one hand, the proliferation of platforms has led to an explosion of new opportunities—more shows and films are being made than ever before. At the same time, the pressure to cut through an oversaturated content landscape has some worried about a “race to the bottom” in terms of quality and originality.
You could also examine streaming’s impact on diversity and representation in Hollywood. While traditional networks and studios have long been criticized for marginalizing certain voices, streaming services have been quicker to center stories by and about women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Consider why this might be and what it augurs for an industry seeking to keep up with rapidly changing audience demographics.
No matter which dimensions you choose to focus on, use plenty of concrete, up-to-date examples to illustrate your points. Streaming is a fast-moving domain, so be sure your analysis reflects the most current trends and players. Bonus points if you can offer some forward-looking insights on where the industry is headed in the years to come.
15. Do we have a moral obligation to help those in need beyond our immediate community?
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, this question of our ethical duties on a global scale feels ever more urgent. An essay grappling with this prompt would need to weigh competing philosophical imperatives and grapple with some knotty real-world dilemmas.
A good starting point would be defining what we mean by “moral obligation.” Are we talking about an ironclad individual duty or a looser collective responsibility? And does “beyond our immediate community” mean outside our neighborhood, nation or even species?
One perspective is that as human beings, we have a fundamental responsibility to help alleviate the suffering of other humans wherever they may be. You could invoke philosophical frameworks like utilitarianism or Kantian ethics to argue that allowing preventable suffering is never morally justified if we have the means to stop it.
On the other hand, one could contend we have stronger duties to those closest to us—our family, friends, neighbors—and that focusing our altruistic energies close to home is both natural and necessary. There’s also the question of practicality; maybe the sheer scale of global suffering means no one person can make a meaningful impact.
Another dimension to consider is the potential for unintended negative consequences from ostensibly well-meaning interventions. You could point to critiques of certain international aid models as an example of how attempts to do good from afar can sometimes cause more problems than they solve if not handled thoughtfully.
Whichever stance you take, consider how you’d respond to objections and counterarguments. A strong essay won’t just pick a side but will acknowledge the validity of other perspectives while still making a clear case for your view. And don’t be afraid to admit the issue’s complexities; often the deepest ethical questions are the ones without easy answers.
16. What is the most pressing issue facing the world today and why?
Asking what challenge most demands our attention is an invitation for analytical and moral clarity. An effective essay answering this prompt won’t just describe a major problem but use rigorous evidence and reasoning to argue for its primacy.
You might choose an issue that feels most locally resonant—perhaps rising housing costs in your city or wildfires in your state. Or you could go in a more macro direction, focusing on existential risks like climate change or nuclear war. Whichever scale you select, be sure to clearly explain what it is about this problem that earns it the dubious distinction of “most pressing.”
In building your case, consider both the human and systemic costs of the issue. Maybe you’re writing about the criminalization of homelessness, arguing that it inflicts immense suffering on unhoused individuals while also damaging the social fabric as a whole. Exploring the reverberating impacts across different levels of society can help crystallize the stakes.
It’s also important to analyze the causal drivers of the problem—that is, why it exists and persists. What social, political, and economic forces allow it to endure in the face of potential solutions? Demonstrating a nuanced understanding of root causes lends your call to action greater credibility and urgency.
Finally, zoom out to contextualize this issue within the interconnected tangle of problems facing the world. Why prioritize this particular thread when so many are fraying? While you may not have space to exhaustively compare your chosen focus to all other issues, acknowledging some of those tensions can demonstrate the thoughtfulness of your position.
17. What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
This introspective prompt is an opportunity to reflect on the hard-won wisdom we gain as we move through life. Penning a letter to your past self allows you to flex both your analytical insight and your creative storytelling.
One approach would be to hinge your advice on a pivotal event or turning point. Maybe you’d tell your younger self not to sweat that mortifying middle school wardrobe malfunction, assuring them that incident didn’t define your trajectory as much as it felt like it did at the time.
You could also identify a piece of wisdom you wish you’d known earlier, tracing how that knowledge might have changed things. For instance, perhaps you’d exhort your teenage self to be more vulnerable in friendships, and imagine how those relationships might have deepened as a result.
Another tack is to affirm something you did right. Maybe you’d thank your younger self for having the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship or pursue an unconventional dream. Exploring how that choice shaped who you are today can yield insights into your values and sources of resilience.
Whatever advice you choose, ground your essay in vivid anecdotes that show, rather than just tell. Use dialogue, sensory details, and a strong narrative voice to place the reader in your shoes at that earlier life stage. Revealing details can also help paint a multi-dimensional portrait of your younger self, lending the piece emotional texture and relatability.
Finally, reflect on what that younger version of you can teach the person you are today. Often in the process of composing advice for our past selves, we arrive at insights that are equally relevant to our present. An essay that uses this prompt as a launch pad for exploring timeless questions is ultimately the most compelling.
18. Who is your role model and why?
This evergreen prompt offers a chance to explore what qualities you most admire in others and aspire to embody yourself. Reflecting on your role models can yield powerful insights into your own values and ambitions.
One way to approach this is to focus on someone who has had a direct impact on your life – a teacher, coach, family member, etc. Painting a vivid picture of your interactions and relationships can help the reader understand this figure’s influence on you in a concrete way.
You might recount specific moments where this person’s actions left an impression, and analyze what those experiences reflect about their character. Maybe your track coach’s pep talks taught you the power of positive self-talk, or your aunt’s laughter in the face of adversity showed you the importance of resilience. Illustrative anecdotes bolster your case for why you look up to them.
Another option is to write about a public figure or historical person you’ve never met but still consider a role model. Here, you’d need to rely more on research than personal stories to discuss their qualities and impact. But you can still connect their example to your own life by exploring how their actions have shaped your outlook or behavior.
For instance, maybe you deeply admire Malala Yousafzai’s courageous advocacy for girls’ education. You could detail her work while also reflecting on how her story has spurred you to be more vocal about your convictions. Showing how your role model’s influence ripples into your day-to-day demonstrates the depth of their effect.
Whichever figure you choose, a strong essay won’t just heap praise but will thoughtfully examine what makes them worthy of admiration. Discuss not just their most impressive achievements but the character traits that undergird those feats. Exploring what virtues they embody, and why those matter to you, can elevate your essay from a simple fan letter to a substantive meditation on integrity and influence.
19. How can we balance collective efforts to combat COVID-19 with protecting individual rights and liberties?
The COVID-19 crisis has forced societies to grapple with profound questions around the bounds of personal freedom in times of public health emergency. Writing on this complex issue requires nuanced analysis and a willingness to engage with valid concerns on various sides.
You might start by acknowledging the compelling arguments for collective action to control the virus’s spread. Measures like mask mandates, lockdowns, and vaccine requirements have demonstrably saved lives during previous outbreaks. You could cite specific examples or data showing how unfettered individual behavior endangers the wider community.
At the same time, a well-rounded essay will consider the real costs of restricting civil liberties, even temporarily. Lockdowns have taken an immense economic and psychological toll; business closures and isolation have driven spikes in unemployment, poverty, domestic abuse, and mental illness. Critique arguments that any measure is justified if it reduces viral transmission.
You’ll also need to wrestle with the question of when certain extraordinary powers may be warranted and who gets to decide the criteria for their use. Should unelected public health officials hold sway over elected representatives? How do we determine which behaviors pose enough of a threat to justify curbing freedoms? Grappling with these tensions is crucial for a substantive treatment.
Another key dimension is exploring how the burdens of pandemic restrictions fall disproportionately on already marginalized communities. You could discuss how policies like vaccine passports may exacerbate existing inequities, or how enforcement of public health measures often targets low-income people and racial minorities. An analysis that doesn’t consider these disparate impacts would be incomplete.
Ultimately, a strong essay will offer a clear perspective while still treating competing concerns with empathy and precision. Staking out a cohesive position while avoiding straw man arguments or glossing over inconvenient realities is a sign of mature, critical thinking. As with all public policy discussions, bonus points for creativity in imagining solutions that better balance the core values at stake.
20. To what extent are the challenges facing the world today fundamentally different from those of past eras?
A timeless theme of both historical and futuristic thought is whether “this time is different”—whether the present represents a true departure from prior patterns or merely the latest variation on age-old themes. You could approach this prompt from either angle, but the key is marshaling clear and convincing evidence for your case.
One tack would be building an argument that although the specific issues may vary, there’s nothing new under the sun when it comes to human nature. You could point to parallels between today’s challenges and those of previous eras—epidemic disease, stark inequality, political unrest, etc.—to suggest that cycles of crisis and adaptation are constant throughout history.
For example, you might compare our current grappling with misinformation in the digital age to moral panics over new media like comic books or radio in decades past. Or draw an analogy between pandemic-era debates about the boundaries between individual liberty and collective good and those around policies like conscription during wartime.
The other side would contend that today’s problems are categorically and dangerously unprecedented, largely due to technological acceleration. You could highlight issues like climate change, mass surveillance or algorithmic bias to argue that the scope and stakes of our challenges have been radically transformed in the space of just a few generations.
For instance, you might explore how nuclear weapons have fundamentally altered the calculus of great power conflict, or how the rise of artificial intelligence could disrupt labor markets and social fabrics in ways the Industrial Revolution didn’t. The key here would be illustrating how these phenomena represent not just a difference in degree but in kind.
Whichever stance you take, use plenty of concrete examples and analytical precision to make your case. Sweeping generalizations about the nature of change won’t be as compelling as specific, well-evidenced arguments. And don’t be afraid to acknowledge some truth in both perspectives; often the most thought-provoking essays are those that resist easy binaries.
Conclusion: Essay Topics to Inspire and Challenge You
Choosing an essay topic can feel daunting, but ultimately, the best subject will be one that ignites your curiosity and allows you to showcase your unique voice and perspective.
Whether you’re grappling with a pressing social issue, reflecting on a personal experience, or imagining a better future, the process of putting thoughts to paper can be deeply illuminating.
It’s a chance to interrogate your own beliefs, consider alternative viewpoints, and articulate your core values.
So don’t shy away from the big questions or the personal ones.
Lean into the topics that make you think, that challenge your assumptions, that linger in your mind long after you’ve left the page.
Those are the ideas most worthy of exploring, and most likely to result in an essay that moves and motivates others.
Writing may sometimes feel like a chore, but at its best, it’s an opportunity—to grapple with issues that matter, to be a voice for change, to leave a lasting mark.
So as you sift through potential topics, challenge yourself to choose one that you’ll be proud to add to the conversation.