Essay Topics

This is a list of the writing topics I've found work well for my adult ESL students.

Narratives:

• Think about your best holiday celebration ever. Write an essay to tell about this celebration and why it was your favorite. Why is this celebration important to you?
  
• Write about a trick you played on a friend or family member. What was the trick, how did the person react, and what was the experience like? (I learned that it's important to laugh ... I learned that it's important to not play mean tricks...)
  
•  Sometimes a friend or loved one has a problem, a bad habit, or even bad luck, and we try to help him or her. Was there ever a time when you tried to help someone close to you to solve a problem? Explain what happened and how you tried to help. What was the result? What did you learn from the experience – about the person you helped and about yourself?
  
• Have you ever planned a day at the beach and found it raining when you awoke? You probably have plans for your life too—school, a career, travel and adventure, a family. But what happens if any of those plans get rained on? Write about a time when your plans changed.
  
• This is a narrative prompt based on the short story by Ray Bradbury, "All Summer in A Day."

In “All Summer in a Day,” Margot was not treated fairly by the other children. Write about a time someone you know or heard about was treated unfairly. Describe what happened and how the person responded to the situation. Reflect on this incident and explain what you have learned from this experience.

Thesis: what you have learned from this experience

Story: Describe what happened and how the person responded to the situation.

Conclusion: Reflect on this incident and explain how it relates to your thesis/lesson

Expository:

• Most people like one particular animal more than others. What is your favorite animal? Why is it your favorite?
  
• Pretend you live in a city that is having a problem with graffiti. What would you do to combat the problem?
  
• Friends are important, but everyone has a different opinion of what makes a good friend. Explain what, in your opinion makes a good friend.
  
• If you could have any job/career you wanted, what would it be? Why? Think of some specific reasons and why that job is important to you.
  
• Describe some major stresses in students' lives.
  
• Explain why you like (or do not like) to work in a team.
  
• You are invited to speak to the mayor and give him suggestions to improve New York City. You must give him at least two suggestions. How would you improve the city if you could?
  
• Technology continues to advance and more devices and better software becomes available all the time. Do you think these advances in technology are more helpful or more harmful to us? Give specific examples of various types of technology and their effects (good or bad) to support your position.
  *Note: Only discuss why technology is good or why it is bad. Not both
  
• Some people believe that when our parents get old, we should care for them in our own homes. Others disagree and feel that adults should be independent, so when parents get old, they think they belong in a retirement home instead. Which do you believe? Why?
  
• Even though we live in a modern society, some people still believe in superstition. What kind of role does superstition play in our lives? Do you think we should continue to believe in superstition? Why or why not?
  
• Explain 3 concepts from home you would like to bring to America and why.

Compare/Contrast:

• What are some differences between the school system in America and the school system where you're from? How are they similar? Which do you prefer and why?

Opinion/Argumentative/Persuasive:

• A recent New York Times article suggested that cell-phone use, particularly texting, has become an addiction among high school students, which may result in harm to their physical and psychological health and have long-term consequences for our society. Some high schools collect all phones in the morning and return them after classes in the afternoon. Do you think this is a good policy? What is your view on this issue and what do you feel should be done?
  
• Some people question the existence of zoos. They think capturing wild animals from their natural habitat and confining them in a zoo is a selfish act on the part of human beings. Do you agree? Why or why not?
  
• Technology continues to advance and more devices and better software becomes available all the time. Do you think these advances in technology are more helpful or more harmful to us? Give specific examples of various types of technology and their effects (good or bad) to support your position.
  
• Some believe that wearing school uniforms is good for students' education, while others disagree. Explain the likely consequences of requiring students to wear uniforms
  
• Do you think professional athletes are paid too much? Why or why not?

And here is a link to my other favorite collections of writing prompts:

http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/marketing/sfesl/generaltopics.html