perceived essay topics

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 113 perfect persuasive essay topics for any assignment.

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Do you need to write a persuasive essay but aren’t sure what topic to focus on? Were you thrilled when your teacher said you could write about whatever you wanted but are now overwhelmed by the possibilities? We’re here to help!

Read on for a list of 113 top-notch persuasive essay topics, organized into ten categories. To help get you started, we also discuss what a persuasive essay is, how to choose a great topic, and what tips to keep in mind as you write your persuasive essay.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

In a persuasive essay, you attempt to convince readers to agree with your point of view on an argument. For example, an essay analyzing changes in Italian art during the Renaissance wouldn’t be a persuasive essay, because there’s no argument, but an essay where you argue that Italian art reached its peak during the Renaissance would be a persuasive essay because you’re trying to get your audience to agree with your viewpoint.

Persuasive and argumentative essays both try to convince readers to agree with the author, but the two essay types have key differences. Argumentative essays show a more balanced view of the issue and discuss both sides. Persuasive essays focus more heavily on the side the author agrees with. They also often include more of the author’s opinion than argumentative essays, which tend to use only facts and data to support their argument.

All persuasive essays have the following:

Introduction: Introduces the topic, explains why it’s important, and ends with the thesis.
Thesis: A sentence that sums up what the essay be discussing and what your stance on the issue is.
Reasons you believe your side of the argument: Why do you support the side you do? Typically each main point will have its own body paragraph.
Evidence supporting your argument: Facts or examples to back up your main points. Even though your opinion is allowed in persuasive essays more than most other essays, having concrete examples will make a stronger argument than relying on your opinion alone.
Conclusion: Restatement of thesis, summary of main points, and a recap of why the issue is important.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

Theoretically, you could write a persuasive essay about any subject under the sun, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Certain topics are easier to write a strong persuasive essay on, and below are tips to follow when deciding what you should write about.

It’s a Topic You Care About

Obviously, it’s possible to write an essay about a topic you find completely boring. You’ve probably done it! However, if possible, it’s always better to choose a topic that you care about and are interested in. When this is the case, you’ll find doing the research more enjoyable, writing the essay easier, and your writing will likely be better because you’ll be more passionate about and informed on the topic.

You Have Enough Evidence to Support Your Argument

Just being passionate about a subject isn’t enough to make it a good persuasive essay topic, though. You need to make sure your argument is complex enough to have at least two potential sides to root for, and you need to be able to back up your side with evidence and examples. Even though persuasive essays allow your opinion to feature more than many other essays, you still need concrete evidence to back up your claims, or you’ll end up with a weak essay.

For example, you may passionately believe that mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best ice cream flavor (I agree!), but could you really write an entire essay on this? What would be your reasons for believing mint chocolate chip is the best (besides the fact that it’s delicious)? How would you support your belief? Have enough studies been done on preferred ice cream flavors to support an entire essay? When choosing a persuasive essay idea, you want to find the right balance between something you care about (so you can write well on it) and something the rest of the world cares about (so you can reference evidence to strengthen your position).

It’s a Manageable Topic

Bigger isn’t always better, especially with essay topics. While it may seem like a great idea to choose a huge, complex topic to write about, you’ll likely struggle to sift through all the information and different sides of the issue and winnow them down to one streamlined essay. For example, choosing to write an essay about how WWII impacted American life more than WWI wouldn’t be a great idea because you’d need to analyze all the impacts of both the wars in numerous areas of American life. It’d be a huge undertaking. A better idea would be to choose one impact on American life the wars had (such as changes in female employment) and focus on that. Doing so will make researching and writing your persuasive essay much more feasible.

List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you’ll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, “should fracking be legal?” you’d decide whether you believe fracking should be legal or illegal, then you’d write an essay arguing all the reasons why your audience should agree with you.

Arts/Culture

Should students be required to learn an instrument in school?
Did the end of Game of Thrones fit with the rest of the series?
Can music be an effective way to treat mental illness?
With e-readers so popular, have libraries become obsolete?
Are the Harry Potter books more popular than they deserve to be?
Should music with offensive language come with a warning label?
What’s the best way for museums to get more people to visit?
Should students be able to substitute an art or music class for a PE class in school?
Are the Kardashians good or bad role models for young people?
Should people in higher income brackets pay more taxes?
Should all high school students be required to take a class on financial literacy?
Is it possible to achieve the American dream, or is it only a myth?
Is it better to spend a summer as an unpaid intern at a prestigious company or as a paid worker at a local store/restaurant?
Should the United States impose more or fewer tariffs?
Should college graduates have their student loans forgiven?
Should restaurants eliminate tipping and raise staff wages instead?
Should students learn cursive writing in school?
Which is more important: PE class or music class?
Is it better to have year-round school with shorter breaks throughout the year?
Should class rank be abolished in schools?
Should students be taught sex education in school?
Should students be able to attend public universities for free?
What’s the most effective way to change the behavior of school bullies?
Are the SAT and ACT accurate ways to measure intelligence?
Should students be able to learn sign language instead of a foreign language?
Do the benefits of Greek life at colleges outweigh the negatives?
Does doing homework actually help students learn more?
Why do students in many other countries score higher than American students on math exams?
Should parents/teachers be able to ban certain books from schools?
What’s the best way to reduce cheating in school?
Should colleges take a student’s race into account when making admissions decisions?
Should there be limits to free speech?
Should students be required to perform community service to graduate high school?
Should convicted felons who have completed their sentence be allowed to vote?
Should gun ownership be more tightly regulated?
Should recycling be made mandatory?
Should employers be required to offer paid leave to new parents?
Are there any circumstances where torture should be allowed?
Should children under the age of 18 be able to get plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons?
Should white supremacy groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
Does making abortion illegal make women more or less safe?
Does foreign aid actually help developing countries?
Are there times a person’s freedom of speech should be curtailed?
Should people over a certain age not be allowed to adopt children?

Government/Politics

Should the minimum voting age be raised/lowered/kept the same?
Should Puerto Rico be granted statehood?
Should the United States build a border wall with Mexico?
Who should be the next person printed on American banknotes?
Should the United States’ military budget be reduced?
Did China’s one child policy have overall positive or negative impacts on the country?
Should DREAMers be granted US citizenship?
Is national security more important than individual privacy?
What responsibility does the government have to help homeless people?
Should the electoral college be abolished?
Should the US increase or decrease the number of refugees it allows in each year?
Should privately-run prisons be abolished?
Who was the most/least effective US president?
Will Brexit end up helping or harming the UK?

What’s the best way to reduce the spread of Ebola?
Is the Keto diet a safe and effective way to lose weight?
Should the FDA regulate vitamins and supplements more strictly?
Should public schools require all students who attend to be vaccinated?
Is eating genetically modified food safe?
What’s the best way to make health insurance more affordable?
What’s the best way to lower the teen pregnancy rate?
Should recreational marijuana be legalized nationwide?
Should birth control pills be available without a prescription?
Should pregnant women be forbidden from buying cigarettes and alcohol?
Why has anxiety increased in adolescents?
Are low-carb or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
What caused the destruction of the USS Maine?
Was King Arthur a mythical legend or actual Dark Ages king?
Was the US justified in dropping atomic bombs during WWII?
What was the primary cause of the Rwandan genocide?
What happened to the settlers of the Roanoke colony?
Was disagreement over slavery the primary cause of the US Civil War?
What has caused the numerous disappearances in the Bermuda triangle?
Should nuclear power be banned?
Is scientific testing on animals necessary?
Do zoos help or harm animals?
Should scientists be allowed to clone humans?
Should animals in circuses be banned?
Should fracking be legal?
Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets?
What’s the best way to reduce illegal poaching in Africa?
What is the best way to reduce the impact of global warming?
Should euthanasia be legalized?
Is there legitimate evidence of extraterrestrial life?
Should people be banned from owning aggressive dog breeds?
Should the United States devote more money towards space exploration?
Should the government subsidize renewable forms of energy?
Is solar energy worth the cost?
Should stem cells be used in medicine?
Is it right for the US to leave the Paris Climate Agreement?
Should athletes who fail a drug test receive a lifetime ban from the sport?
Should college athletes receive a salary?
Should the NFL do more to prevent concussions in players?
Do PE classes help students stay in shape?
Should horse racing be banned?
Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
Should children younger than 18 be allowed to play tackle football?
Are the costs of hosting an Olympic Games worth it?
Can online schools be as effective as traditional schools?
Do violent video games encourage players to be violent in real life?
Should facial recognition technology be banned?
Does excessive social media use lead to depression/anxiety?
Has the rise of translation technology made knowing multiple languages obsolete?
Was Steve Jobs a visionary or just a great marketer?
Should social media be banned for children younger than a certain age?
Which 21st-century invention has had the largest impact on society?
Are ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft good or bad for society?
Should Facebook have done more to protect the privacy of its users?
Will technology end up increasing or decreasing inequality worldwide?

Tips for Writing a Strong Persuasive Essay

After you’ve chosen the perfect topic for your persuasive essay, your work isn’t over. Follow the three tips below to create a top-notch essay.

Do Your Research

Your argument will fall apart if you don’t fully understand the issue you’re discussing or you overlook an important piece of it. Readers won’t be convinced by someone who doesn’t know the subject, and you likely won’t persuade any of them to begin supporting your viewpoint. Before you begin writing a single word of your essay, research your topic thoroughly. Study different sources, learn about the different sides of the argument, ask anyone who’s an expert on the topic what their opinion is, etc. You might be tempted to start writing right away, but by doing your research, you’ll make the writing process much easier when the time comes.

Make Your Thesis Perfect

Your thesis is the most important sentence in your persuasive essay. Just by reading that single sentence, your audience should know exactly what topic you’ll be discussing and where you stand on the issue. You want your thesis to be crystal clear and to accurately set up the rest of your essay. Asking classmates or your teacher to look it over before you begin writing the rest of your essay can be a big help if you’re not entirely confident in your thesis.

Consider the Other Side

You’ll spend most of your essay focusing on your side of the argument since that’s what you want readers to come away believing. However, don’t think that means you can ignore other sides of the issue. In your essay, be sure to discuss the other side’s argument, as well as why you believe this view is weak or untrue. Researching all the different viewpoints and including them in your essay will increase the quality of your writing by making your essay more complete and nuanced.

Summary: Persuasive Essay Ideas

Good persuasive essay topics can be difficult to come up with, but in this guide we’ve created a list of 113 excellent essay topics for you to browse. The best persuasive essay ideas will be those that you are interested in, have enough evidence to support your argument, and aren’t too complicated to be summarized in an essay.

After you’ve chosen your essay topic, keep these three tips in mind when you begin writing:

Do your research
Make your thesis perfect
Consider the other side

What's Next?

Need ideas for a research paper topic as well? Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you.

Thinking about taking an AP English class? Read our guide on AP English classes to learn whether you should take AP English Language or AP English Literature (or both!)

Deciding between the SAT or ACT? Find out for sure which you will do the best on . Also read a detailed comparison between the two tests .

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Essay Writing Guide

Essay Topics

A Catalog of 500+ Essay Topics for Students

36 min read

Essay Topics for Kids

The Benefits of Reading Books for Fun
The Most Exciting Adventure I've Ever Had
What Makes a Good Friend?
My Favorite Hobby and Why I Love It
If I Could Visit Any Place in the World, Where Would I Go?
The Importance of Being Kind to Others
My Role Model and Why I Look Up to Them
How I Would Spend a Day Without Technology
My Favorite Season and the Activities I Enjoy During It
The Best Day of My Life and Why It Was Special

Essay Topics for Grade 3

My Favorite Animal
A Day at the Amusement Park
If I Could Fly
My Best Friend
My Favorite Season
A Special Family Tradition
If I Found a Magic Wand
The Importance of Being Kind
My Dream House
A Day in the Life of a Superhero

Essay Topics for Grade 4

My Favorite Book and Why I Love It
The Importance of Saving Money
If I Could Travel Back in Time
A Day Without Electricity
My Favorite Food and How to Prepare It
How I Would Spend a Day on a Deserted Island
The Benefits of Homework and Studying

Essay Topics for Grade 5

My Dream Vacation Destination
The Impact of Technology on My Life
The Importance of Environmental Conservation
My Hobbies and Why They Matter
If I Could Change One Thing About the World
The Role of Friendship in My Life
A Memorable Family Trip
The Power of Imagination
The Benefits of Physical Exercise
A Day in the Life of My Favorite Book Character

Essay Topics for Grade 6

Let’s explore essay topics for middle school students in grade 6 here:

My Personal Hero and Their Influence on Me
The Challenges of Growing Up
The Significance of Volunteering in the Community
The Impact of Social Media on Society
The Value of Setting Goals
If I Could Invent a New Holiday
The Role of Art and Music in My Life
The Benefits of Traveling and Experiencing Different Cultures
A Time I Overcame a Fear
The Importance of Time Management

Essay Topics for Grade 7

The Role of Technology in Education
The Impact of Bullying and How to Prevent It
The Value of a Good Education
The Pros and Cons of Social Networking
The Effects of Peer Pressure
If I Could Change One Thing About My School
The Benefits of Learning a Second Language
The Importance of Financial Literacy
A Time I Faced a Difficult Decision
The Significance of Gender Equality

Essay Topics for Grade 8

The Influence of Role Models in Our Lives
The Impact of Climate Change on the Environment
The Value of Diversity and Inclusion
The Role of Technology in Shaping the Future
The Importance of Critical Thinking Skills
If I Could Travel to Any Period in History
The Ethics of Animal Testing
The Benefits of Team Sports
A Time I Learned a Valuable Life Lesson
The Significance of Freedom of Speech

Essay Topics for Grade 9

The Power of Literature to Change Lives
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Society
The Value of Civic Engagement
The Role of Education in Achieving Success
The Ethics of Genetic Engineering
If I Could Meet Any Historical Figure
The Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle
The Importance of Financial Responsibility
A Time I Overcame a Personal Challenge
The Significance of Global Citizenship

Essay Topics for Grade 10

The Influence of Media on Public Opinion
The Impact of Climate Change Policies
The Value of Ethical Leadership
The Role of Science in Solving Global Challenges
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
If I Could Change One Aspect of Society
The Benefits of Learning a Third Language
The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace
A Time I Faced an Ethical Dilemma
The Significance of Cultural Exchange Programs

Essay Topics for Grade 11

The Role of Technology in Shaping the Job Market
The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
The Value of College Education in Career Development
The Ethics of Bioengineering and Genetic Modification
The Importance of Ethical Business Practices
If I Could Travel to the Future
The Benefits of Entrepreneurship
The Significance of Political Engagement among Youth
A Time I Challenged a Deeply Held Belief
The Role of Art in Social Change

Essay Topics for Grade 12

The Influence of Literature on Social Change
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Employment
The Value of Critical Thinking in Decision-Making
The Ethics of Privacy in the Digital Age
The Importance of Environmental Sustainability
If I Could Leave a Legacy for Future Generations
The Benefits of Internships and Work Experience
The Significance of Advocacy for Human Rights
A Time I Took a Stand for a Cause
The Role of Education in Shaping Values and Beliefs

Essay Topics for High School Students

Have a look at the following topics for high school essays to come up with your own ideas.

Does the fashion industry need to change the way they advertise?
Do beauty pageants carry any benefits for women?
Should women get plastic surgery?
What instigated World War 2?
What do people mean when they say “Fake news?”
Can constant use of drugs cause brain damage?
Can gun control help in regulating crime?
Is summer school designed to help children?
Methods that are used by professionals to get their dream job.
The ways to deal with on-campus violence.

Best College Essay Topics

Role of Modern Media in contributing to eating disorders.
Is technology turning people into zombies?
Is censorship on the internet necessary?
Will there be a 3rd World War?
Should every student have the right to choose the discipline they are interested in?
What does it take to become a politician?
The reasons behind high unemployment rates.
The aftermath of earthquakes.
Which countries have the most corruption?
Should there be a restriction on the sales and production of tobacco?

Essay Topics for University Students

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Job Market.
The Ethical Dilemmas of Human Gene Editing.
The Role of Social Media in Shaping Political Movements.
The Influence of Climate Change on Global Security.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Online Education.
The Intersection of Technology and Mental Health.
The Economic Implications of Renewable Energy Adoption.
The Future of Space Exploration and Colonization.
The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.
The Cultural Significance of Contemporary Art Movements.

Essay Topics for Different Types of Essays

For writing an essay, the first step is to decide on the topic.

Here, you can find interesting topics and ideas for different types of essays to help you get started.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

Is Climate Change Primarily Caused by Human Activities?
Should Affirmative Action Policies be Continued in College Admissions?
Is Universal Healthcare a Viable Option for the United States?
Should Euthanasia be Allowed for Severely Disabled Newborns?
Is Genetic Engineering Ethical in Humans?
Should the Voting Age be Lowered to 16?
Is Internet Censorship Necessary to Protect National Security?
Should Hate Speech be Protected as Free Speech?
Does asking someone to reduce weight equate to body shaming?
Should kids be allowed to adopt e-gaming as a progressive career?

Funny Argumentative Essay Topics

Is pizza a proper breakfast food, and why should it be?
Should cats be considered superior to dogs as household pets?
Is it ethical for a sock to vanish in the laundry, and where do they go?
Are aliens avoiding Earth because they fear our reality TV shows?
Can you survive a zombie apocalypse using only office supplies?
Is procrastination an art form, and how can you perfect it?
Should kids' cartoons be considered educational for adults?
Can you convince your boss that napping at work increases productivity?
Is laughter truly the best medicine, and can it cure anything?
Can you convince your roommate that washing dishes is an ancient martial art?

In need of more debatable essay topics? We have a comprehensive list of more excellent argumentative essay topics to assist you.

Persuasive Essay Topics

Should Recycling Be Mandatory in Every Household?
Is Single-Use Plastic a Menace to the Environment, and Should It Be Banned?
Should Schools Implement Uniform Dress Codes to Promote Equality?
Is Standardized Testing an Effective Measure of Student Knowledge?
Is Online Learning as Effective as Traditional Classroom Education?
Should Vaccinations Be Mandatory for All Children to Ensure Public Health?
Is Animal Testing Justified in the Name of Scientific Progress?
Should Governments Impose Higher Taxes on Junk Food and Sugary Drinks?
Is Social Media Detrimental to Mental Health, and Should It Be Regulated?
Should College Athletes Be Paid for Their Participation in Sports?

Read our comprehensive guide to persuasive essay topics to find a trending topic or a good idea for your paper.

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Causes and Effects of Stress in Modern Society
The Consequences of Bullying on Mental Health
Environmental Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Solutions
The Influence of Parental Divorce on Children's Well-being
The Causes and Effects of Obesity in Developed Countries
The Causes and Effects of Economic Inequality
The Causes and Consequences of Academic Procrastination
The Impact of Social Pressure on Teenagers' Decision-Making
The Causes and Effects of Drug Addiction
The Influence of Early Education on a Child's Future Success

Check out this comprehensive guide on 100+ cause and effect essay topics for more ideas.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Comparison of High School vs. College Life
Contrast of Traditional Education vs. Online Learning
Comparison of Two Major Religions: Christianity vs. Islam
Contrasting the Novels of Jane Austen vs. Emily Brontë
Comparing Two Art Movements: Renaissance vs. Baroque
Contrasting Classical Music vs. Jazz
Comparing Two Smartphone Brands: iPhone vs. Android
Contrast of Two Political Systems: Democracy vs. Authoritarianism
Comparison of Traditional Medicine vs. Modern Medicine
Comparing the Characters of Romeo and Juliet vs. West Side Story

If you need more ideas, here are some interesting compare contrast essay topics for your help.

Narrative Essay Topics

My First Day of School: A Memorable Experience
The Day I Overcame My Greatest Fear
The Most Important Lesson I Learned from a Family Member
The Time I Achieved a Personal Goal, I Never Thought Possible
The Day I Discovered My Passion for a Hobby or Interest
The Impact of a Life-Altering Event on My Perspective
The Story Behind My Most Prized Possession
My Experience as a Volunteer or in Community Service
The Day I Realized the Power of Kindness
A Special Bond I Share with a Childhood Friend

Need more topics? Check out this extensive blog on narrative essay topics for your next assignment.

Expository Essay Topics

The Impact of Technology on Society: Past, Present, and Future
The Process of Photosynthesis and Its Importance in Nature
The History and Significance of the Industrial Revolution
Understanding the Basics of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology
The Role of Education in Shaping Future Career Success
The Significance of Cultural Diversity in a Globalized World
Exploring the Psychology of Human Behavior and Decision-Making
The Process of How a Bill Becomes a Law in Government
The Role of Renewable Energy Sources in Combating Climate Change
Understanding the History and Culture of a Specific Country or Region

Here are some more intriguing expository essay topics to assist you.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Evaluating the Persuasive Strategies in a Self-Help Book or Article
Examining the Rhetoric of a Famous Political Campaign Ad
Analyzing the Persuasive Techniques in a TED Talk of Your Choice
Analyzing the Rhetoric of a Controversial News Article
Evaluating the Persuasive Techniques in a Super Bowl Commercial
Examining the Rhetorical Appeals in a Famous Courtroom Speech
Evaluating the Use of Rhetorical Devices in a Political Debate
Analyzing the Persuasive Strategies in a Feminist Manifesto
Evaluating the Rhetorical Appeals in a Social Justice Speech
Examining the Rhetorical Techniques in a Historical Letter or Document

Check out this extensive blog on 100+ rhetorical analysis essay topics for more topics.

Analytical Essay Topics

The impact of Martin Luther King's speech “I have a dream” on modern American politics
The significance of Pablo Picasso's artwork “The Old Guitarist”
Important characteristics of Denzel Washington Speech at the University Of Pennsylvania
Impact of the psychoanalytic theory on modern psychology
The impact of Romeo and Juliet on the modern concept of love
The significance of national security strategy 2018 on great power politics
How does the author's treatment of the subject matter in “The Catcher in the Rye” differ from that in “The Great Gatsby”?
How are the characters in “To Kill a Mockingbird” used to illustrate different aspects of racial prejudice in America during the 1930s?
How is the treatment of love different in Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet” and “Othello”?
How does the author use symbolism to develop the theme of good vs. evil in “The Scarlet Letter”?

Explore the blog to get some more ideas about interesting analytical essay topics .

Descriptive Essay Topics

A Walk Through a Peaceful Forest in Autumn
A Vibrant Farmers' Market on a Saturday Morning
A Day at the Beach: Sun, Sand, and Waves
The Serene Beauty of a Starry Night Sky
A Memorable Childhood Christmas Morning
The Sights and Sounds of a Carnival or Fair
The First Day of Spring: Nature's Reawakening
A Visit to a Historical Landmark or Museum
A Gourmet Dining Experience at Your Favorite Restaurant
The Excitement of a Music Concert or Festival

Check out this extensive list of descriptive essay topics ideas for your help.

Informative Essay Topics

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Job Market
The History and Cultural Significance of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics
The Benefits and Risks of Gene Editing Technology
Exploring Renewable Energy Sources: Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric Power
The Effects of Climate Change on Polar Ice Caps and Wildlife
A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Time Management
Exploring the Role of Nutrition in Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle
The Significance of Space Exploration: Past, Present, and Future
The Origins and Cultural Significance of a Traditional Festival
A Guide to Sustainable Farming and Agriculture Practices

Here’s a comprehensive list of interesting, 100+ informative essay topics .

Definition Essay Topics

The Meaning of "Success" in Modern Society
Defining the Concept of "Love" in All Its Forms
The True Definition of "Friendship"
The Ever-Changing Meaning of "Freedom"
Exploring the Notion of "Happiness"
Defining "Cultural Diversity" and Its Importance
The Multifaceted Definition of "Beauty"
The Various Interpretations of "Justice"
Understanding "Mental Health" and Its Stigma
Defining "Leadership" and Its Qualities
The Meaning of "Sustainability" in Environmental Contexts
Exploring the Concept of "Feminism"
Defining "Social Media" and Its Impact
The True Definition of "Equality"
Exploring the Meaning of "Art" in Contemporary Culture

Problem Solution Essay Topics

How to prevent social media bullying?
How to help a depressed person?
How texting affects face-to-face relationships?
How to prevent injuries in sports?
How can parents teach their children about time management?
How to deal with manipulative and dominating people?
How can schools and colleges be made safer?
How to prevent deaths due to drunk driving?
How to help families with a child with mental illness?
How to stop violence in schools?

Personal Essay Topics

A person you admire the most.
Are you addicted to games?
How did you learn to draw?
What is your life’s goal?
Things you hate the most?
Why do I prefer online shopping?
Your biggest achievement.
What does success mean to you?
What annoys you the most?
Why is volunteering important?

Proposal Essay Topics

Promoting Sustainable Transportation
Enhancing Cybersecurity Education
Implementing Recycling Programs in Schools
Reducing Plastic Waste in the Community
Supporting Small Local Businesses
Improving Mental Health Support in Schools
Implementing Renewable Energy Initiatives
Enhancing Campus Sustainability Efforts
Combating Food Insecurity in Underserved Communities
Promoting Gender Equality in the Workplace

Evaluation Essay Topics

Evaluate the effectiveness of online learning compared to traditional classroom education.
Evaluate the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships and communication.
Assess the quality and impact of a recent movie or television series.
Evaluate the effectiveness of a specific diet or nutrition plan for weight loss.
Assess the environmental impact of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
Evaluate the performance and features of a popular smartphone or electronic gadget.
Assess the impact of a particular social or political policy on society.
Evaluate the effectiveness of a marketing campaign for a well-known brand.
Assess the impact of a recent technological advancement on daily life.
Evaluate the quality and impact of a famous work of literature or art.

Process Analysis Essay Topics

How to Plan and Organize a Successful Study Group.
The Process of Making Homemade Pizza from Scratch.
Steps to Mastering a Musical Instrument.
How to Write a Winning College Application Essay.
The Process of Brewing Your Own Craft Beer.
Steps to Launching a Small Business Online.
How to Effectively Manage Time and Prioritize Tasks.
The Art of DIY Home Renovation.
The Process of Creating a Stunning Piece of Art.
How to Cook a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner.

Check out some other process analysis essay topics for inspiration!

Illustration Essay Topics

Illustrate the Impact of Technology on Everyday Life.
Illustrate the Traits of a Successful Leader.
The Role of Music in Shaping Emotions and Moods.
Illustrate the Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle.
The Influence of Social Media on Personal Relationships.
Illustrate the Impact of Cultural Diversity in a Community.
The Importance of Effective Communication in the Workplace.
Illustrate the Evolution of Fashion Trends Over the Decades.
The Characteristics of a Memorable Family Vacation.
Illustrate the Process of Achieving a Personal Goal.

Here’s a list of some more creative and engaging illustration essay topics .

Exploratory Essay Topics

Exploring the Causes and Effects of Climate Change.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Job Market: An Exploration.
Exploring the Role of Media in Shaping Public Opinion.
The Influence of Nature vs. Nurture on Human Behavior.
An Exploration of the Ethics of Genetic Engineering.
The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health: An In-Depth Examination.
Exploring the Challenges and Benefits of Online Education.
An Exploration of the Implications of Universal Basic Income.
The Dynamics of Family Relationships: An In-Depth Analysis.
Exploring the Impact of Literature and Art on Society.

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Classification Essay Topics

Types of Pet Owners: A Classification.
Classification of Musical Genres: From Classical to Hip-Hop.
Types of Travelers: Exploring the Adventurer, Relaxer, and Culture Enthusiast.
Classifying Different Types of Social Media Users.
Types of Students in a Classroom: From the Overachiever to the Laid-Back.
Classifying Different Styles of Fashion: Bohemian, Classic, and Trendy.
Types of Moviegoers: The Action Lover, Rom-Com Fan, and Film Buff.
Classifying Different Forms of Exercise: Yoga, Weightlifting, and Cardio.
Types of Foodies: From Gourmet Enthusiasts to Fast Food Lovers.
Classifying Various Types of Vehicles: Cars, Motorcycles, and Bicycles

Check out other compelling classification essay topics for more ideas.

Synthesis Essay Topics

The Electoral College as a tool to determine the outcome of Presidential elections.
Predicting animal adaptation by examining various evolutionary theories.
A side-by-side analysis of the theories behind JFK's shooting
Economic and social impacts of proposed legislation by Donald Trump
Comparing plans to attract more visitors and create business opportunities.
Examining crime rates in urban locations and the countryside
Analysis of different theories on the causes of the Great Depression
An account of the American Civil War from historical texts
A synthesis of different theories of motivation to create behavioral change
A unified approach to managing diabetes by examining global research from around the world
The scientific method as a means of acquiring knowledge

Explore the blog for some more synthesis essay topics .

Essay Topics by Subjects

Students are often asked by teachers to write essays on a variety of topics related to a particular subject.

The sheer number of discussion areas can be overwhelming for students, making it difficult to choose a good essay topic.

This list of essay topics by subject can help you narrow down your choices and find a topic that is both interesting and relevant to your studies.

Essay Topics on Languages

The change of language over time.
The use of text messages has ruined the modern language: is it true?
How to explore new languages.
Neuro-linguistic programming and how it works.
Physical communication or verbal communication: which is effective?
Explore the ways in which people can communicate.
Benefits of learning a second language.
Explain how learning languages work.
Is learning a new language in high school important?
Why is English important?

Essay Topics on Social Media

Influence of social media on youth.
What are the cons of social media?
Should texting and driving be illegal?
The impact of social media on the life of teenagers.
How does social media affect the relationship between parents and children?
Does social media like Pinterest should be used in the classrooms?
How to handle the problem of being bullied through social media?
What rules should students follow when posting to social media?

Essay Topics on Technology

Technology and the global economy.
The positives and effects of technology.
The role of 3-D printing in Medicine.
What science has to offer to disabled people?
Face detection software and the problem of identity theft.
Adding connectivity to our home devices: is it helpful or not?
Cloud computing and artificial intelligence
How has technology changed our life?
Life without technology
Technology has its own rules

Essay Topics on Current Affairs

The Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lessons Learned.
Climate Change and Its Effects on Biodiversity and Weather Patterns.
The Role of Social Media in Shaping Modern Political Discourse.
Cybersecurity Threats in the Digital Age and Strategies for Protection.
The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Work.
The Refugee Crisis: Challenges, Solutions, and Global Responsibility.
Racial and Social Justice Movements in the 21st Century.
The Geopolitical Impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
The Rise of Populism and Nationalism in Western Democracies.
The Implications of Space Exploration and Colonization for Humanity.

Essay Topics on Corruption

The Impact of Corruption on Economic Development
The Relationship Between Corruption and Inequality
The Role of the Media in Combating Corruption
The Impact of Corruption on Political Stability
The Relationship Between Corruption and Crime
The Use of Technology in Combating Corruption
International Cooperation in Combating Corruption
The Private Sector and Combating Corruption
Civil Society and Combating Corruption
The Causes of Corruption

Essay Topics on Climate Change

The effects of climate change on human health
The impact of climate change on global food security
The economic impacts of climate change
The role of the media in communicating the risks of climate change
The ethical implications of climate change
The Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture
The Impacts of Climate Change on Wildlife
The Potential Solutions to Climate Change
The Challenges in Implementing Solutions to Climate Change
The Role of the Individual in Solving Climate Change

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The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health and Well-being.
Social Media's Role in Shaping Political Discourse and Activism.
The Effects of Social Media on Interpersonal Relationships.
Cyberbullying and Online Harassment: Challenges and Solutions.
Privacy Concerns in the Age of Social Media: Balancing Sharing and Security.
Social Media Influencers: Their Influence and Responsibilities.
The Use of Social Media in Education: Pros and Cons.
Social Media Marketing: Strategies, Trends, and Ethics.
Fake News and Misinformation on Social Media: The Role of Fact-Checking.
The Future of Social Media: Emerging Trends and Technologies.

Essay Topics on Democracy

The Evolution of Democracy: From Ancient Greece to Modern Times.
The Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century.
The Role of Media in Sustaining a Healthy Democracy.
Democracy and Its Implications for Economic Development.
Electoral Systems: Comparing First-Past-The-Post and Proportional Representation.
The Influence of Money in Politics and Its Impact on Democracy.
Direct vs. Representative Democracy: Which Is More Effective?
The Role of Civil Society in Strengthening Democracy.
The Importance of Civic Education in Sustaining Democracy.
Threats to Democracy: Populism, Authoritarianism, and Erosion of Institutions.

Essay Topics on Covid-19

The current COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on families
Coronavirus and its medication
How does coronavirus damage a person's health?
How did the world change after the coronavirus?
Negative side effects of Covid-19
Everything you need to know about the coronavirus
How did Covid-19 impact businesses?
What medicines are good for coronavirus?
How does covid-19 lead to cabin fever and anxiety symptoms?

Essay Topics on Social Issues

The Impact of Social Media on Social Isolation and Loneliness.
Homelessness in Urban Centers: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions.
Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System: Analyzing the Data.
Gender Inequality in the Workplace: Progress and Challenges.
The Opioid Epidemic: Root Causes and Approaches to Combat It.
Environmental Racism: Communities at Risk.
Access to Healthcare: A Basic Human Right or a Privilege?
Bullying in Schools: Strategies for Prevention and Intervention.
Immigration Policies and Their Effects on Society.
Aging Population: Challenges and Opportunities in an Aging Society

Essay Topics on Current Issues

The Global Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned and Future Preparedness.
Climate Change and the Urgency for Sustainable Solutions.
Cybersecurity Threats in the Modern World: Protecting Digital Assets.
Vaccine Hesitancy and Public Health: Addressing Misinformation.
The Role of Big Tech in Shaping the Digital Landscape.
Refugee Crises Around the World: Seeking Global Solutions.
Income Inequality: The Wealth Gap and Its Social Implications.
Political Polarization and Its Impact on Governance.
Food Security: Feeding the World's Growing Population.
The Ethics of AI and Automation in the Workforce.

Essay Topics About Mental Health

The prevalence of mental health disorders in the United States.
The impact of mental health disorders on individuals and society.
The causes of mental health disorders.
The treatments available for mental health disorders.
The challenges faced by individuals with mental health disorders.
CBT for obsessive compulsive disorders
Role of Antidepressants in treating Depression
Impact of noise pollution on mental health
Social media use leads to negative self-esteem
Attachment issues in adults are related to childhood parenting issues

Essay Topics about Music

The Influence of Music on Mood and Emotions.
The Evolution of Hip-Hop Culture.
The Impact of Music on Social Movements.
The Role of Music in Different Cultures.
The Connection Between Music and Memory.
The Influence of Music on Fashion and Style.
Music and Its Effects on Brain Development in Children.
The Significance of Music Festivals in Modern Culture.
Music Therapy: Healing through Sound.
The Impact of Technology on the Music Industry.

Essay Topics About Love

The Different Types of Love: Exploring Romantic, Familial, and Platonic Love.
The Impact of Love on Mental and Physical Health.
Love in Literature: Analyzing Famous Love Stories in Classic Novels.
The Role of Love in Shaping Our Personal Identities.
Unconditional Love: Examining the Bonds Between Parents and Children.
The Evolution of Love in the Digital Age: Online Dating and Relationships.
Love and Self-Esteem: How Our Self-Perception Affects Our Ability to Love.
The Connection Between Love and Empathy in Human Relationships.
Love and Attachment Styles: Understanding How We Form Connections.
The Cultural Variations in Expressing and Experiencing Love.

Essay Topics About Yourself

Introduce yourself in a unique way that captures your reader's attention.
Discuss an accomplishment that you are proud of, and how it has shaped who you are today.
Describe a time when you faced a challenge, and how you overcame it.
Share an experience that has helped to shape your values and beliefs.
What are your hobbies and interests?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are your career aspirations?
Describe a time when you faced a challenge and how you coped with it.
Tell us about a time when you were proud of yourself and why.
What are your plans for the future?

Essay Topics About the Environment

The Impact of Climate Change on Global Weather Patterns.
Deforestation and Its Effects on Biodiversity.
The Role of Renewable Energy Sources in Combating Climate Change.
Plastic Pollution: Analyzing the Impact on Marine Ecosystems.
The Importance of Environmental Education in Schools.
Urbanization and Its Environmental Consequences.
Sustainable Agriculture: Balancing Food Production and Environmental Conservation.
The Significance of Wildlife Conservation and Preservation.
The Ethics of Animal Testing in Scientific Research.
Environmental Justice: Addressing Disparities in Environmental Quality.

General Essay Topics

The Impact of Video Games on College Students.
The Importance of Physical Education in Schools.
Social Media Platforms and their Influence.
Negative Impact of Social Media on Students.
Public Schools vs. Private Schools: A Comparative Analysis.
Analyzing College Students' Point of View on Video Game Addiction.
Persuading for Environmental Conservation.
The Role of Social Media in Modern Marketing.
The Impact of Technology on the Job Market.
Analyzing Point of View in a Legal Context.

Tips for Choosing the Best Topic

Choosing the right topic for your essay is a critical step in the essay writing process. It sets the tone for your work and can greatly impact your ability to engage your readers. Here are some tips to help you select the best topic:

Consider Your Interests

Start by thinking about your own interests and passions. Writing about a topic you're enthusiastic about will make the entire process more enjoyable and may result in a more engaging piece.

Narrow or Broad

Decide whether you want a broad or narrow topic. Broad topics allow for a wide range of discussion, while narrow ones allow for deeper exploration of specific aspects. Your choice depends on your assignment and word limit.

Consider the relevance of the topic to your audience and context. Is it something your readers will find interesting or valuable? Is it aligned with the purpose of your essay, whether it's informative, persuasive, or analytical?

Research Availability

Ensure there's enough research material available on the topic. If you're writing a research-based essay, it's crucial to have access to credible sources to support your arguments.

Audience Considerations

Tailor your topic to your target audience. Consider their interests, knowledge level, and preferences when choosing a subject that will resonate with them.

Current Events

If it's appropriate for your essay type, explore current events and trending topics. They can add relevance and timeliness to your writing.

Brainstorming

Spend some time brainstorming ideas. Create lists, mind maps, or free-write to generate a variety of potential topics. Don't censor yourself during this process; just let the ideas flow.

In conclusion, selecting the best topic for your essay is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact the quality and engagement level of your writing.

By considering your interests, you can set yourself up for success in crafting an exceptional essay.

At MyPerfectWords.com, we understand that the journey of essay writing begins with choosing the right topic.

Moreover, our team of experienced writers is here to assist you at every stage of the writing process, from topic selection to the final polished draft. Visit our essay writing service now and take the first step toward academic excellence.

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Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

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Persuasive Essay Writing

Persuasive Essay Topics

Easy and Unique Persuasive Essay Topics with Tips

15 min read

Published on: Jan 4, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024

Unique Persuasive Essay Topics for Students

Writing a persuasive essay can be quite an interesting task for students. It allows them to showcase their research and analytic skills and present their thoughts orderly.

Choosing the right topic is key to making the writing process more enjoyable.

Here are some great ideas that you can use for your essay:

Persuasive Essay Topics for Middle School

Should students be required to wear uniforms in school?
What are the benefits of a longer school day?
How can technology help improve student engagement and learning?
Is it important for all schools to have equal access to resources?
Should physical education be mandatory in all schools?
How can schools better prepare students for entering the job market?
Should a studentâs grade be based solely on test performance?
Is it important to limit screen time, or should there not be restrictions?
Should recess time be increased or decreased in school?
Is it beneficial for students to take part in after-school activities?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 6

Should school lunch prices be lowered to make it more accessible for all students?
Is there an argument for allowing cell phone usage in the classroom?
Should schools offer a wider variety of electives?
Is there a persuasive case for requiring physical education classes in elementary and middle schools?
Should students be allowed to opt-out of standardized testing?
Is the current homework load for elementary and middle school students too much?
Should school provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of financial status?
Should sixth-grade classes have more field trips and outdoor activities?
Should students have access to more technology in the classroom?
Is there an argument for making recess mandatory for all grade levels?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 7

Should schools have a dress code?
Should students be required to do community service projects to graduate?
Is it necessary for all student-athletes to take mandatory drug tests?
Are the current laws on gun control sufficient enough?
Should same-sex marriage be legal?
Should teenage drivers be allowed to have passengers in their cars?
Is standardized testing an effective measure of student success?
Should homework be abolished in schools?
Should young children be allowed to use mobile phones or tablets at school?
Are video games too violent for young children?

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Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

Should physical education classes be mandatory in high school?
Is a strict dress code necessary for student success?
Are standardized tests an effective measure of student achievement?
Does social media have a positive or negative impact on teenagers?
Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
Should cell phones be prohibited in the classroom?
Should schools offer fast food options like McDonald's or Taco Bell?
Is competitive sports necessary for a well-rounded education?
Are after-school activities essential to a studentâs development?
Should students be allowed to choose their classes?

Persuasive Essay Topics for College

Should universities require all students to take at least one course in diversity studies?
Should universities implement free speech zones on campuses?
Should college athletes be paid for their performance?
Is it ethical for employers to ask about an applicantâs criminal history during the hiring process?
Should college students be required to take a foreign language course?
Should the US government provide free tuition for all qualifying students?
Is it ethical to use animals in scientific research?
Are standardized tests an adequate measure of academic aptitude and ability?
Should paper textbooks be replaced with e-books?
Should all students be required to learn coding and computer science in school?

Persuasive Essay Topics for University

Should universities offer free tuition to all students?
Are special scholarships beneficial for university students?
Should college athletes be paid for their services?
Is it important for universities to provide mental health resources to their students?
How can universities help prevent cheating and plagiarism among students?
Should universities be required to provide online courses?
Are university degree requirements outdated and irrelevant?
Is it necessary for university students to take physical education classes?
Does the presence of social media in academia positively or negatively impact learning?
Should universities prioritize research over teaching?

Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics from Different Fields

When choosing essay topics, there is no shortage of interesting persuasive essay topics from different fields available.

Here are some examples of interesting persuasive essay topics from different fields:

Arts & Culture

Should museums be more inclusive of diverse cultures?
Should the government fund public art programs?
Are comic books an important form of literature?
Does graffiti have any value as an art form?
Is the traditional concept of beauty outdated in todayâs society?
Is it important for the public to have access to art galleries and museums?
Do modern movies have any real artistic value?
Are video games a form of art?
Should government funding be given to the performing arts?
Does the music industry put too much emphasis on image rather than talent?
Should governments guarantee a minimum wage?
Should the government subsidize green energy projects?
Is it necessary to introduce higher taxes on wealthy people?
Are free trade agreements beneficial or detrimental to developing countries?
Can economic growth be sustained without harming the environment?
Is immigration beneficial or detrimental to a countryâs economic growth?
Should governments limit the size of banks and financial institutions?
Is it necessary for countries to regulate their currency markets?
Should governments invest in renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels?
Should high officials pay more taxes?
Should students be required to complete a certain number of community service hours to graduate?
Should school uniforms be mandatory for all public schools?
Are textbooks becoming obsolete due to technological advances?
Should the education system focus more on practical subjects such as coding and programming?
Is the current grading system in public schools fair and effective?
Is homeschooling a viable alternative to traditional schooling?
Should standardized testing be abolished from the education system?
Should teachers receive bonuses for good performance in the classroom?
Are students more likely to succeed if they attend a private school or university?
Should all students have access to free college tuition?
Is using animals in medical research ethical?
Should parents be allowed to choose their childâs gender?
Should companies be held responsible for the pollution they create?
Are businesses obligated to act ethically when conducting business abroad?
Is it ethical to censor content on the internet?
Should the government enforce stricter regulations on genetically modified food?
Is it ethical to use artificial intelligence in decision-making processes?
Should corporations be allowed to have their own private security forces?
Are restrictions on freedom of speech necessary for public safety?
Do companies have an ethical responsibility to pay fair wages?

Government and Politics

Should the government regulate social media?
Should term limits be placed on members of Congress?
Are taxes too high in the United States?
Should voting be mandatory for all citizens?
Is the Electoral College still relevant today?
Does the death penalty serve as a deterrent to crime?
Should the US switch to a single-payer health care system?
Should there be limits on campaign spending?
Should the United States adopt a flat tax system?
Is it time to repeal the Second Amendment?
Is legalizing marijuana an ethical practice?
Should parents be allowed to choose the gender of their child?
Is it ethical to test medicines on animals?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of genetic engineering?
Are there any health risks associated with using digital screens too often?
Should physical education be mandatory in every school?
Is the healthcare system in your country adequate for your needs?
Are there any benefits to eating organic food?
How does mental health affect physical health?
Should vaccinations be mandatory for all children?
Was the Spanish Inquisition justified?
Were the American Colonists justified in rebelling against Great Britain?
Did Christopher Columbusâ discoveries benefit or harm indigenous populations?
What effect did Genghis Khan have on world history?
Did World War I significantly change the course of history?
Was the Treaty of Versailles fair to Germany?
Did Napoleon Bonaparteâs rule bring about positive or negative changes for France and Europe?
Should the United States annexed the Philippines in 1898?
How did the Great Depression shape world history?
Is there any validity to the theory of a âclash of civilizationsâ?
Should artificial intelligence be regulated?
Should autonomous vehicles be allowed on public roads?
Is the internet making us less social?
Should research into cloning be banned?
Are there moral issues related to genetic engineering?
Should governments fund space exploration programs?
Are smart home devices making us more vulnerable to cyberattacks?
Should the government regulate social media use?
Are robots taking away jobs from humans?
Should nuclear energy be used as an alternative to fossil fuels?
Should professional athletes be drug tested?
Is there a gender gap in sports?
Should college athletes be paid for their performances?
Does skill or luck decide the outcome of sports competitions?
Are sporting events becoming too commercialized?
Is it necessary to increase public funding for sporting events?
Is the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports cheating or fair?
Should college students be able to choose their own sports teams?
Do professional sports hurt young people?
Should parents allow children to play violent video games?
Should schools replace textbooks with tablets?
Are algorithms replacing human decision-making in the workplace?
Is it time to regulate the use of facial recognition technology?
Can artificial intelligence and robots be used to improve healthcare outcomes?
Should autonomous vehicles be allowed on public roads?
Should Internet access be a basic human right?
Should social media platforms do more to protect user privacy?
Is blockchain technology the future of banking and finance?
Are virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa invading privacy?
Can we trust that autonomous weapons system will make ethical decisions in war?

Social Media

Here are a few social media persuasive essay topics. Take a look at them.

Is social media a positive or negative influence on society?
Should employers be able to access an employee's social media accounts?
Should people be allowed to post anonymously online?
How can parents protect their children from the risks of using social media?
Does the spread of fake news on social media hurt society?
Should governments regulate online speech on social media?
Should employers be allowed to conduct background checks using social media?
Is the personal data of individuals safe from exploitation by corporate interests on social media platforms?
Are people spending too much time on their digital devices?
Is the use of social media by young people making them more isolated?

Controversial Persuasive Essay Topics

Should the death penalty be reinstated in all states?
Should gun control laws be stricter?
Is global warming a real threat?
Are vaccinations safe for children?
Should prostitution be legalized?
Should marijuana be made legal?
Does school uniform violate personal freedom?
Should genetically modified foods be allowed in the market?
Should sex education in school be mandatory?
Should animal testing be banned?

Fun Persuasive Essay Topics

Should cats be allowed to go to school?
Should people have a minimum number of friends before they can graduate?
Is it okay to laugh at your own jokes?
Should parents be required to take parenting classes?
Are video games the best way to spend free time?
Should kids be allowed to wear pajamas in public places?
Should students have to pass a test before they can drive a car?
Are cell phones essential for teenagers or should they be limited?
Should everyone learn how to cook their meals?
Would it be better if all schools had the same uniform?

Argumentative Persuasive Essay Topics

Should the electoral college be abolished?
Is it ethical to eat meat?
Should the internet have censorship?
Are genetically modified foods safe for human consumption?
Is social media good or bad for society?
Should the drinking age be lowered or raised?
Should school attendance be mandatory for students?
Are video games too violent and negatively influencing children?
Should religious education be banned from public schools?

How to Choose a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

Choosing a writing topic for your persuasive essay writing is essential.

The right topic will let you draft an exceptional and well-written essay. Selecting a persuasive essay topic might sound easy, but it can be challenging.

You cannot randomly start writing a persuasive essay about any topic and expect your essay to be brilliant.

To select the best topic for your essay, take these essential steps:

1. Know your Interests - You can only draft an effective essay if you are writing about something that interests you. When you write something you are passionate about, the enthusiasm helps to persuade the readers.

2. Narrow Down Ideas - Make a rough list of the topic of your interest. Then, analyze all the issues and identify topics you think you can present well.

3. Pick your Stance - Now that you know the information is sufficient on a topic, decide your stance. Pick a side to support with evidence and logic.

4. Controversy is the Best Policy - People love to read about controversial stuff. It is more likely that the readers will go through the entire essay to ease their curiosity.

After passing your ideas through these filters, you will have a strong and arguable topic to draft an essay on.

Tips for Writing a Compelling Persuasive Essay

Whether you are in school, college, or university, crafting an effective persuasive essay can be difficult.

Fortunately, with a few tips and tricks, you can create a compelling, persuasive essay that will make your readers take notice.

Here are six tips to help you write a compelling, persuasive essay:

1. Choose Your Topic Carefully

You need to select a relevant and interesting topic for your audience. Make sure you feel passionate about it and can present it logically and convincingly.

2. Do Extensive Research

Before beginning your essay, research your topic as much as possible. So you can present both sides of the argument in an informed, balanced way.

3. Identify Your Audience

Before writing your persuasive essay, consider who will be reading it and their interests.

This will help you write in a language that resonates with them and ensure that your arguments suit their understanding.

4. Use Logical Arguments

It is important to provide logical and compelling arguments to be persuasive. Make sure you use facts, statistics, and other evidence to make your points more convincing.

5. Structure Your Essay Well

An effective persuasive essay should be well-organized. Divide it into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Pay attention to the structure of your essay, as it can help you make your points more effectively.

Learn how to make a perfect persuasive essay outline with the help of our blog.

6. Make It Engaging

An engaging, persuasive essay will capture your audienceâs attention from beginning to end.

Use various techniques to make your essay interesting and engaging, such as using examples, analogies, and persuasive language.

We hope you are inspired by our comprehensive list of topics. Pick up a topic that entices you and start working on it. By following these amazing tips and tricks, you can surely compose an essay that will wow your professor.

Still not sure how to draft a perfect essay? Well, leave it to us. Our essay writing service helps you craft your argument in the most effective way possible to get the desired results.

Don't let yourself get overwhelmed with the process! Trust our professional persuasive essay writer.

Let CollegeEssay.org's best essay writing service guide you on your journey and take your writing to the next level.

Take the stress out of writing persuasive essays and get the results you need with our expert essay writer AI .

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i choose a good persuasive essay topic.

When selecting a persuasive essay topic, consider an issue that is interesting to you and has two or more opposing viewpoints. Research various resources about the topic to gain a better perspective

What strategies can I use for writing a persuasive essay?

When writing a persuasive essay, establish facts from reliable sources to support your argument. Be concise but thorough, and use persuasive language to strengthen your argument.

How can I make my persuasive essay stand out?

To make your persuasive essay stand out, use vivid language and strong, specific evidence to support each point. Make sure all sources are current and relevant to the argument being made. With these elements, your persuasive essay will stand out from the rest!

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Writing Tips

50 Persuasive Essay Topics to Help You Ace Your Next Assignment

5-minute read

19th January 2023

Welcome to your ultimate guide to persuasive essay topics!

In this post, we’ll provide a list of 50 persuasive essay topics to help you get started on your next assignment.

We’ll also include some tips for writing a persuasive essay to help you craft a strong and effective argument. Whether you’re a student or a professional writer, these persuasive essay topics are sure to inspire and challenge you.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

Persuasive essays are a type of argumentative essay that encourage the reader to accept a particular point of view or take a specific action.

They typically open with a question, followed by a series of arguments intended to persuade the reader to take the same side as the author.

In a persuasive essay, the author will usually appeal to the readers’ emotions in order to prove that their opinion is the correct one. But this doesn’t mean that persuasive essays ignore evidence , facts, and figures; an effective persuasive essay makes use of a combination of logical argument and emotive language to sway the audience.

A persuasive essay can cover just about anything from pop culture to politics. With that in mind, we’ve put together this list of 50 persuasive essay topics to inspire your next assignment!

Science and the Environment

Should the use of plastic bags be banned?
Should genetically modified organisms be labeled?
Should we clone human beings?
Should animal testing be allowed?
Should the government fund space exploration?
Should the government regulate the use of pesticides in farming?
Should the government regulate the use of antibiotics in livestock?
Should the government fine people who drive gas-powered vehicles?
Should climate change be declared a national emergency?

Crime and Politics

Should the death penalty be abolished?
Should all American citizens have to serve a year of community service?
Should the US voting age be lowered to 16?
Should the government adopt a tougher immigration policy?
Should the government cut its military spending?
Should the government introduce a national living wage?
Should politicians be banned from social media?
Should the electoral college be abolished?

Health and Fitness

Should the government provide universal healthcare?
Should the government ban the use of certain chemicals in cosmetics?
Should parents be allowed to choose the gender of their unborn child?
Should physical exercise be mandatory at work?
Should employees have to disclose health conditions to their employers?
Should fast food commercials be banned?
Should herbal medicines be better regulated?
Should regular mental health checkups be mandatory?
Should schools offer fast food options like McDonald’s or Taco Bell?
Should students be required to wear uniforms?
Should the government provide free college education?
Should schools offer comprehensive sex education?
Are high school students given too much homework?
Should humanities and arts subjects receive more funding?
Should military recruiters be allowed on school grounds?
Is the school day too long?
Should every US citizen be required to learn another language?

Lifestyle and Culture

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Should the drinking age be lowered or raised?
Should the use of tobacco be banned?
Should marijuana be legalized?
Should all museums and art galleries be free?
Should kids be encouraged to read more?
Should public spaces provide unisex bathrooms?
Is pet ownership a human right?
Should extreme sports be banned?

Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay

Once you’ve chosen your topic, it’s time to start writing your persuasive essay. Here are our tips:

Choose a Side

When you’ve picked the question you’re going to address in your essay, you also need to choose one side – or answer – that you’re going to write in favor of.

It helps if you’re passionate about the topic, as this will enable you to write from an emotional perspective.

Do Your Research

In order to write persuasively , you need to understand the topic you’re writing about.

Make sure you know the details of your subject matter, and can provide facts and figures to back up your appeal to your readers’ emotions.

You should also read up about different points of view on the topic, so that you can bring them up in the form of counterarguments and rebuttals .

Keep Your Audience in Mind

When you’re writing your essay, think about who it is you’re trying to persuade. The way you speak to a student, for example, will be different to how you address a parent.

Consider what your potential audience will value, and how you can reach them on an emotional level.

Outline Your Essay

Now you’ve got all the information you need, it’s time to plan and write your essay.

You should break it down into the follow sections:

An introduction, which sets up the question you’re going to answer and what side of the argument you are aiming to persuade the reader of.
The body of the essay, with a paragraph for each of the points you want to make.
A conclusion, where you summarize your points and main arguments.

Get It Proofread

As with any essay, your finished persuasive essay will need proofreading to make sure it’s the best it can be.

Our academic proofreading team here at Proofed can help with that. You can even get your first 500 words proofread for free !

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100 Persuasive Essay Topics

M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Persuasive essays are a bit like argument essays and persuasive speeches , but they tend to be a little kinder and gentler. Argument essays require you to discuss and to attack an alternate view, while persuasive essays are attempts to convince the reader that you have a believable argument. In other words, you are an advocate, not an adversary.

A Persuasive Essay Has 3 Components

Introduction : This is the opening paragraph of your essay. It contains the hook, which is used to grab the reader's attention, and the thesis, or argument, which you'll explain in the next section.
Body : This is the heart of your essay, usually three to five paragraphs in length. Each paragraph examines one theme or issue used to support your thesis.
Conclusion : This is the final paragraph of your essay. In it, you'll sum up the main points of the body and connect them to your thesis. Persuasive essays often use the conclusion as a last appeal to the audience.

Learning how to write a persuasive essay is an essential skill that people use every day in fields from business to law to media and entertainment. English students can begin writing a persuasive essay at any skill level. You're sure to find a sample topic or two from the list of 100 persuasive essays below, sorted by degree of difficulty.

Watch Now: 12 Ideas for Great Persuasive Essay Topics

Kids should get paid for good grades.
Students should have less homework.
Snow days are great for family time.
Penmanship is important.
Short hair is better than long hair.
We should all grow our own vegetables.
We need more holidays.
Aliens probably exist.
Gym class is more important than music class.
Kids should be able to vote.
Kids should get paid for extra activities like sports.
School should take place in the evenings.
Country life is better than city life.
City life is better than country life.
We can change the world.
Skateboard helmets should be mandatory.
We should provide food for the poor.
Children should be paid for doing chores.
We should populate the moon .
Dogs make better pets than cats.

Intermediate

The government should impose household trash limits.
Nuclear weapons are an effective deterrent against foreign attack.
Teens should be required to take parenting classes.
We should teach etiquette in schools.
School uniform laws are unconstitutional.
All students should wear uniforms.
Too much money is a bad thing.
High schools should offer specialized degrees in arts or sciences.
Magazine advertisements send unhealthy signals to young women.
Robocalling should be outlawed.
Age 12 is too young to babysit.
Children should be required to read more.
All students should be given the opportunity to study abroad.
Yearly driving tests should be mandatory past age 65.
Cell phones should never be used while driving.
All schools should implement bullying awareness programs.
Bullies should be kicked out of school.
Parents of bullies should have to pay a fine.
The school year should be longer.
School days should start later.
Teens should be able to choose their bedtime.
There should be a mandatory entrance exam for high school.
Public transit should be privatized.
We should allow pets in school.
The voting age should be lowered to 16.
Beauty contests are bad for body image.
Every American should learn to speak Spanish.
Every immigrant should learn to speak English.
Video games can be educational.
College athletes should be paid for their services.
We need a military draft .
Professional sports should eliminate cheerleaders.
Teens should be able to start driving at 14 instead of 16.
Year-round school is a bad idea.
High school campuses should be guarded by police officers.
The legal drinking age should be lowered to 19.
Kids under 15 shouldn't have Facebook pages.
Standardized testing should be eliminated.
Teachers should be paid more.
There should be one world currency.
Domestic surveillance without a warrant should be legal.
Letter grades should be replaced with a pass or fail.
Every family should have a natural disaster survival plan.
Parents should talk to kids about drugs at a young age.
Racial slurs should be illegal.
Gun ownership should be tightly regulated.
Puerto Rico should be granted statehood.
People should go to jail when they abandon their pets.
Free speech should have limitations.
Members of Congress should be subject to term limits.
Recycling should be mandatory for everyone.
High-speed internet access should be regulated like a public utility.
Yearly driving tests should be mandatory for the first five years after getting a license.
Recreational marijuana should be made legal nationwide.
Legal marijuana should be taxed and regulated like tobacco or alcohol.
Child support dodgers should go to jail.
Students should be allowed to pray in school.
All Americans have a constitutional right to health care.
Internet access should be free for everyone.
Social Security should be privatized.
Pregnant couples should receive parenting lessons.
We shouldn't use products made from animals.
Celebrities should have more privacy rights.
Professional football is too violent and should be banned.
We need better sex education in schools.
School testing is not effective.
The United States should build a border wall with Mexico and with Canada.
Life is better than it was 50 years ago.
Eating meat is unethical.
A vegan diet is the only diet people should follow.
Medical testing on animals should be illegal.
The Electoral College is outdated.
Medical testing on animals is necessary.
Public safety is more important than an individual's right to privacy.
Single-sex colleges provide a better education.
Books should never be banned.
Violent video games can cause people to act violently in real life.
Freedom of religion has limitations.
Nuclear power should be illegal.
Climate change should be the president's primary political concern.
Arizona State University Writing Center staff. " Persuasive Essay Structure ." ASU.edu, June 2012.
Collins, Jen, and Polak, Adam. " Persuasive Essays ." Hamilton.edu.
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30 Perception and Perspective – The Subjective Writer

Perception and perspective.

Def: Perception ( noun )

The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses. The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.

Def: Perspective ( noun )

A particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; point of view.

It is impossible to move through the world without engaging in the development of our own perceptions and perspectives, whether they be purely physical or emotional, or in the case of academic writing, theoretical.

It is when those perceptions and perspectives too heavily influence our writing that we may inadvertently become subjective writers , incorporating a hidden, or not so hidden, bias in our logical reasoning and thoughtful writing. Writers use their own perceptions to describe, explain and analyse content, both in the analysis of other writers and in their own communication.

To be a critical thinker it is important to reflect on your own perceptions and the way they influence your perspectives of people, the world, essay topics, sources of information, events, and histories.

Perception and perspective, while separate, are entwined because they constantly influence each other in a circular way. Perceptions, the way you sense the world and interpret it, impact on your perspective, your point of view of said world, which again influences your perceptions.

Due to differing perceptions among people, perspectives (points of view) often conflict with one another, therefore you must try to determine which one makes the most sense through logical reasoning. It is also important to rely on more than one source of information. Consider the following scenario as an example.

Example: Perception and Perspective

A woman is driving a car down a suburban street when she swerves to miss a dog on the road and accidently hits a parked car. It is a low impact accident and the driver gets out of the vehicle to inspect the damage. The owner of the dog appears on the scene to apologise profusely for the trouble his dog has caused and offers to pay for the damages to both vehicles. The owner of the parked vehicle is at their car by this time and hears the conversation between the dog owner and the driver who hit their parked vehicle. The driver throws her hands in the air. She is elated by the dog owner’s quick offer of compensation and thankful that the potentially dreadful situation is quickly remedied.

Three people witnessed the incident and had different perceptions of what happened which altered their perspectives.

“I was travelling behind the car when it swerved erratically and hit the parked car. The driver must be on something because it’s a straight road and there’s no reason to be driving erratically like a crazy person on a quiet street.” (The witness did not see the dog and therefore assumed the driver was at fault.)

Witness 2: Walked around the corner as the dog owner and driver began to exchange words, but was too far away to hear the conversation.

“The owner of the parked car (incorrect) looked really annoyed and was abusing the guy that crashed into her car!” (This person only has part of the story and has jumped to conclusions about who did what.)

Witness 3: Watched the accident happen from a second floor window.

“A dog ran out in front of the car and the lady swerved just in time to miss it, but she hit a parked car as a result. Both the dog owner and owner of the parked car didn’t look happy and judging from the way she threw her arms in the air I’m guessing they were both blaming her.” (This person was not close enough to hear the conversation and assumed the outcome based purely on their perception of events.)

Only the three people directly involved in the conversation would know the actual outcome.

The three witnesses were heavily influenced by what they think they saw and how they chose to interpret their perceptions.

Perspectives are not something we are born with, they are socially constructed through language and formed or influenced throughout our life by such things as our beliefs, our level of education, our family histories, gender experience, health experiences, nationality, ethnicity, our age, and where our needs and interests lie. No two people will have the exact same perspective of the world and therefore perceptions need to be agreed upon to become accepted norms or universal.

Perception is like being given a set of prescription glasses that only you can see through. The factors mentioned above help to determine the prescription. The majority of people are not aware that their prescription is different to those people around them. This self-awareness is crucial if you are to become a critical thinking and thoughtful academic writer. The lenses of your “glasses” (perception) act as a filter system that is selective and helps to shape how you “see” the world – your point of view (perspective).

What We Focus On

Humans tend to focus their attention on, or perceive, what they are interested in, need, or desire. For example, have you ever had the experience where you buy something new, such as a car, accessory, new shoes, and then suddenly notice the same item everywhere you go. Suddenly you’re surrounded, whereas previously you may not have noticed these things. This is because your attention or interest is diverted. Another example is someone who is fixated on a physical attribute, such as a short person always noticing tall people because they wish they were taller, or a women noticing other women’s long hair because they wish their hair was longer. This type of perception is based on desire . Trying to find someone in a crowd of people may be based on need , as you scan the crowd for the person you don’t notice the many other things occurring in the crowd. Your perception is filtering out unnecessary or useless information.

Academic Focus

Focusing on elements that are most meaningful to us also occurs in our academic reading and writing . This can be beneficial if we are skimming and scanning a source for information, however, it can also be detrimental if it means we are skipping over (filtering) useful information because it sits outside our preformed perspective (point of view).

It is important to read broadly on a topic when preparing for an assignment because no two writers will have the same perspective. Yes, they will share key theories or theorists, yet they will always bring their own interpretation into their writing – their voice ( see Chapter 20); their “glasses” lead them to make different choices when writing. So too, your “glasses” will filter information and shape your academic writing. The key to unbiased writing is reflective practice and to be alert to your own preformed perceptions. Be open to new ways of thinking and viewing the world through use of your critical thinking skills, plus analysing a text to identify biases.

Also be aware that feelings and emotions can influence the way we interpret events and experiences. That is why it is so important to leave emotive language out of academic writing and maintain an objective, academic tone and language.

Knowledge of your topic should have the biggest influence on your academic writing. This will enable you to present an informed perspective of your own, plus multiple perspectives that you may have identified from other writers through researching the topic.

Avoid Bias Writing

There are a range of things students can do to help eliminate bias from their academic writing.

Assumptions are often gender-based, race-based, or age-based. Do not assume that academic writers are white, male, middle to upper class persons. For example, search for information about the author of a journal article so that you do not inadvertently refer to them by the wrong gender pronoun. Lecturers may get agitated when you refer to a key female theorist as “he” in your assignment. Avoid stereotyping Asians as good at math or African Americans as good at sports and so on. Do not assume that all children are innocent and that all elderly people need help.
Add details only when they are contextually called for, otherwise leave stereotypes out of your academic writing . For example, instead of writing “The disabled boy did well in his exam”, simply state “The boy did well in his exam.” Instead of writing “Not surprisingly, the Sudanese man came first in his sprint race”, eliminate the race-based assumption or stereotype, “The man came first in his sprint race.”
Bias can be both negative and positive and your own experiences or perceptions will shape your perspectives .
Also avoid first person plural pronouns that assume the reader holds the same perspective you do; words such as we, us, and our are indicators of personal bias that the writer believes their reader shares.
Do not make assertions that include the words “all” or “never” . For example, “ All educators incorporate student feedback into their lesson planning”, when a more accurate statement might be “ Some teachers regularly review student feedback when considering their lesson planning.” This second sentence acknowledges that not all teachers work the same way.
Given that your claims will be non-personal, they should be academically supported by balanced and nonbiased sources.
Be a critical thinker when reading and check for biases within the research. Who or what is being ignored or excluded? Is the source overtly negative (against) or positive (for) towards the topic you are researching?
The aim is to demonstrate that your perspective (point of view) is reasonable based on objective evidence and well-reasoned argument, not subjective perceptions.
Choose gender neutral pronouns such as they and their .
Avoid inadvertently using sexist terms that are deeply entrenched in our culture, such as chairman instead of chairperson, mothering instead of parenting, and mankind instead of humankind.
This point is also related to assumptions (point 1) in that society traditionally appoints certain roles to certain genders. For example, the majority of nurses and teachers are female; the majority of police are male. Again, do not let your assumptions take over. Therefore, the use of gender-neutral terms indicates that different genders can and are in the same job description or role.

In conclusion, in order to be a good academic writer, you must be self-aware and self-reflective. Examine your own perceptions and perspectives to highlight and eliminate biases in your writing. Also, be critical thinkers when you are reading for academic research and mindful of the biases created by authors due to their own interest, need, or desire.

Inclination or prejudice for or against one particular area or subject. A systematic distortion.

characterized by or pertaining to emotions; used to produce an emotional response

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Free Essay Samples

Essays on Perception

We all perceive every second of our day, but it doesn't mean that writing a good perception essay will be easy. Word "perception" is derived from Latin “perception” and means “gathering or receiving of meaning”, which is a great definition in itself. Authors of perception essays usually define perception as a process of receiving sensory stimuli, interpreting, and reacting to them. It is a singular way we learn about the surrounding environment. Many essays on perception note that one must not confuse perception with sensation – the latter is a physical process, while the former – psychological. We do, however, perceive through physical sensations: vision, sound, taste, smell, touch. Take a look at the perception essay samples we picked out for you! Our samples will provide tips and inspire you for your essay-writing.

Mental Models Human behavior is strongly influenced by the theories and beliefs that one holds as being true. These beliefs and presumptions have an impact on one s mindset, giving each person a unique quality. The theories and viewpoints that people have formed over time and that shape how they experience...

We frequently discuss crime in novels, television programs, magazines, newspapers, and casual conversations The criminal justice system and the edifice of crime both rely heavily on the mass media. The way deviants, criminals, victims, and law enforcement personnel are depicted in the media greatly influences how the public views them. (Mutz...

Words: 1104

Most political rallies and news reports frequently discuss immigration problems and immigrants. The language used by lawmakers, news reporters, and immigration advocates has a significant impact on how the general public views immigrants and helps to label them. Politicians and immigration advocates remarks about immigration can be featured...

Words: 1043

Awards and Their Significance Awards are significant in everyone's life because they might convey a statement to the recipient. However, simple advice matters just as much to the recipient as expensive presents. People typically view simple gifts as genuine because, despite how small they may appear, they demonstrate the giver's great...

Perceptions of Threat: Cultural, Environmental/Physical, and Social Variables While dread is recognized as a feeling brought on by perceived threats and dangers, how each individual views events as threatening or dangerous varies. What then affects and decides whether events are perceived as dangerous? These perceptions are influenced by a number of...

Words: 2278

By using objective truth when describing the location, the author stays true to verifiable reality. By avoiding entering into what is observed, the writer involves less of an emotional response to the physical objects described. The words used depict the lake and its surroundings in a straightforward and emotionless manner,...

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A self-fulfilling prophecy is characterized as a belief that a circumstance will occur, particularly when the person involved will act in a way that supports the prediction. The prophecy is guided to come true either directly or tangentially by behavior and belief. Most of these prophecies can be found in...

Writing is more than just stringing words together and communicating with characters. In her essay Blacks Matters, Rather Morrison examines the process by which authors turn their circumstances into a feature of language that aids in communicating their message and influencing reader behavior. (Morrison 204). She continues by pointing out...

Words: 3021

A mental correspondence is what allows humans to think, distinguish, and imagine about the actual elements or situations in their deficit (Burge 386). The dispute regarding perception and experience raises many questions in the diversity of life, but the answers vary. Keeping in mind that all living organisms exhibit some...

Words: 1420

There is little doubt that the media, particularly Hollywood, is a unique medium through which the public can learn about the scope and duties played by nurses. For many years, the media has wielded great power and influence over people s lives. The way nurses are depicted on television, the...

People in Postmodern Culture People in postmodern culture are defined by the situations in their lives, and those situations are determined by their myopic perception of their situation. People are always thinking inside the boundaries of their beliefs and rarely travel beyond their borders to establish the underlying truth that may...

Words: 1270

The reports that are frequently shown concerning breaking news and events may result in the presentation of information that is not based on fact. Such statements must be rectified in order to change people's perceptions. In most circumstances, the damage is considerable, and withdrawing the remark will have little effect....

Words: 2333

101 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens

Use your words to sway the reader.

Persuasive Essay Topics: Should we allow little kids to play competitive sports?

Persuasive writing is one of those skills that can help students succeed in real life. Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative , but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader. It’s important to know your audience so you can anticipate any counterarguments they might make and try to overcome them. Try reading some mentor texts to show kids great examples of opinion writing. Then use these persuasive essay topics for practice.

School and Education Persuasive Essay Topics

Life and ethics persuasive essay topics, science and technology persuasive essay topics, sports and entertainment persuasive essay topics, just for fun persuasive essay topics.

Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?

Persuasive Essay Topics: Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?

Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
Should schools have dress codes?
If I could change one school rule, it would be …
Is year-round school a good idea?
Should we stop giving final exams?
Is it better to be good at academics or good at sports?

Is it better to be good at academics or good at sports?

Which is better, private schools or public schools?
Should every student have to participate in athletics?
Do you think schools should ban junk food from their cafeterias?
Should students be required to volunteer in their communities?
What is the most important school subject?
Are letter grades helpful, or should we replace them with something else?

Persuasive Essay Topics: Are letter grades helpful, or should we replace them with something else?

Is it ever OK to cheat on homework or a test?
Should students get to grade their teachers?
Do you think college should be free for anyone who wants to attend?
Should schools be allowed to ban some books from their libraries?
Which is better, book smarts or street smarts?

Which is better, book smarts or street smarts?

Should all students have to learn a foreign language?
Are single-gender schools better or worse for students?
Is it OK to eat animals?
What animal makes the best pet?
Visit an animal shelter, choose an animal that needs a home, and write an essay persuading someone to adopt that animal.
If you find money on the ground, should you try to find the person who lost it, or is it yours to keep?

If you find money on the ground, should you try to find the person who lost it, or is it yours to keep?

Who faces more peer pressure, girls or boys?
Should all Americans be required to vote?
Is it better to be kind or truthful?
Which is better, giving or receiving?
Is it OK to keep animals in zoos?
Should we change the minimum driving age in the United States?

Should we change the minimum driving age in the United States?

Which is more important, happiness or success?
Is democracy the best form of government?
Is social media helpful or harmful?
Should parents be punished for their children’s mistakes or crimes?
Should kids have set bedtimes or just go to bed when they’re sleepy?
Do you think the government should find a way to provide free health care for everyone?

Do you think the government should find a way to provide free health care for everyone?

Is it better to save your allowance or spend it?
Should we ban plastic bags and bottles?
Which is better, living in the city or in the country?
If I could make a new law, it would be …
Is Pluto a planet?
Should human cloning be legal?
Should vaccines be mandatory?
Is it right for countries to still maintain nuclear weapon arsenals?

Is it right for countries to still maintain nuclear weapon arsenals?

Should testing on animals be made illegal?
Will expanded use of artificial intelligence be good for humanity?
Should all people have free Internet access in their homes?
Is there intelligent life on other planets?
Does technology create more jobs than it eliminates?
Should parents use their children’s cell phones to track where they are?
Should scientists try to develop a way for people to live forever?

Should scientists try to develop a way for people to live forever?

What’s the best type of smartphone: Android or iPhone?
Which is better, Macs or PCs?
Do people rely too much on technology in the modern world?
Should cryptocurrencies replace cash?
Should there be a minimum age requirement to own a smartphone?
Is it important to keep spending money on space exploration, or should we use the money for other things?

Is it important to keep spending money on space exploration, or should we use the money for other things?

Should kids under 13 be allowed to use social media sites?
Should we ban cigarette smoking and vaping entirely?
Is it better to be an animal that lives in the water or on land?
Should kids be allowed to watch TV on school nights?
Which is better, paper books or e-books?
Is the current movie rating system (G, PG, PG-13, etc.) effective?
Are video games better than board games?
Should we allow little kids to play competitive sports?

Should we allow little kids to play competitive sports?

Which is better, reading books or watching TV?
Does playing violent video games make people more violent in real life?
Are graphic novels just as valuable as traditional fictional books?
Should everyone play on the same sports teams, regardless of gender?
Choose a book that’s been made into a movie. Which was better, the movie or the book?

Choose a book that's been made into a movie. Which was better, the movie or the book?

Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
Are professional athletes/musicians/actors overpaid?
Which is better, fiction or nonfiction?
The best music genre is …
What is one book that everyone should read?
What new sport should be added to the Olympics?

What new sport should be added to the Olympics?

What’s the best video game system?
Does playing video games make you smarter?
Does reality TV actually depict real life?
Should all neighborhoods have free parks and playgrounds?
What’s the best holiday?
The very best food of all time is …
Which is better, artificial Christmas trees or real ones?

Which is better, artificial Christmas trees or real ones?

What’s the best season of the year?
Should you put ketchup on a hot dog?
Is a taco a sandwich?
Does fruit count as dessert?
Should people have to go to school or work on their birthday?
Are clowns scary or funny?
Which is more dangerous, werewolves or vampires?

Which is more dangerous, werewolves or vampires?

The best pizza topping is …
What would be the best superpower to have?
Should everyone make their bed every day?
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Should you put pineapple on a pizza?
Should you eat macaroni and cheese with a spoon or a fork?

Should you eat macaroni and cheese with a spoon or a fork?

Describe the world’s best ice cream sundae.
Is Monday the worst day of the week?
Would you rather travel back in time or forward in time?
Is it better to be too hot or too cold?
Are there aliens living among us here on Earth?

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Essays on Perception

Brief description of perception.

Perception refers to the way individuals interpret and understand the world around them. It encompasses sensory experiences, cognitive processes, and cultural influences, shaping how people make sense of their environment. Understanding perception is crucial for comprehending human behavior, decision-making, and communication.

Importance of Writing Essays on This Topic

Essays on perception provide a platform for critical thinking and analysis of how individuals perceive and interpret the world. They offer opportunities for personal reflection and exploration of diverse viewpoints, contributing to a deeper understanding of human cognition and behavior. Academic essays on perception also contribute to the advancement of knowledge in psychology, philosophy, and other related fields.

Tips on Choosing a Good Topic

Consider current debates or controversies in the field of perception, such as the nature vs. nurture debate or the role of technology in shaping perception.
Explore personal experiences or observations related to perception, such as the impact of cultural differences on interpretation or the influence of media on perception.
Look for interdisciplinary connections, such as the intersection of perception and art, literature, or neuroscience, to develop a unique and engaging essay topic.

Essay Topics

The role of perception in decision-making processes
The impact of social media on body image perception
The influence of cultural background on perception of time
The relationship between language and perception
How technology shapes our perception of reality
The role of perception in the formation of stereotypes
The connection between perception and memory
The impact of sensory impairment on perception
The role of perception in understanding works of art
The influence of emotions on perception

Concluding Thought

Exploring perception through essay writing provides a unique opportunity for critical engagement with the complexities of human cognition and behavior. By delving into this topic, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, fostering personal growth and intellectual curiosity.

Raymond Carver's "Cathedral": Summary

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Sound and Fury Analysis

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Understanding of Perception, Stereotyping and Projection

Contrast, color, and size and their effects on visual perception and signal strength, stereotyping, halo effects, selective perception, and projection, understanding differences in perception for multicultural cooperation, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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The Four Types of Perceptual Distortion

The role of curation in art appreciation: necessity or luxury, four types of perceptual distortions, how people perceive their sight, sensation and perception: autism, our senses detect physical stimuli, and our brains process perception, the way temple grandin saw the world, the construction of a perfect plot, the role of the sense of touch, perceptions of self leading to early sexual debut among adolescents, variation in colour perception in normal individual, attribution theory and perceptual errors, difference between types of explanation, the art of active listening, analysis of henri bergson’s theory of time, my perceptions based on indirect observation and readings, audience perception and influence: marxism approach, similarities and differences in perceptions between englishmen and americans, "space invaders" analysis, the theories of preferred reading & oppositional reading, relevant topics.

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Home Essay Samples Psychology

Essay Samples on Perception

The perception of what is beauty in our society.

Beauty is a subjective as well as standardized word that is applied to living beings and things. It is related to the sensory senses as people perceive it differently, yet it is still a word which holds requirements stated by society. Since long time ago,...

Major Role Of Concepts As A Guiding Light For Human Beings

As human beings, we all want to make sense of the world, whether it be ideas about ourselves and others, objects, and our surroundings. One of the major ways our cognition allows us to do that is by forming concepts. According to Kunda (1999), a...

Cognitive Psychology

The Perception of the World in Chaim Potok The Chosen

My last way which we can feel the most successful in life, is by not fearing the fall. Anytime we step out of what’s normal in society, criticism is sure to follow. Ignoring that fear of going outside of our element and using that energy...

Research on the Extra-Sensory Perception Between Twins

Twins are defined as “two offspring produced by the same pregnancy” (Wikipedia 2019). There are two types of twins in the world: identical twins and fraternal twins (the most common type of twins). Identical twins (also known as monozygotic) come from one zygote which then...

The Enormous Importance of Self-Support

The simplest things are often underestimated by the mind, as it doesn’t believe they’re worthwhile or they could work at all. One of the issues I usually notice while working with people is that in the moments when things are going badly, when something’s not...

Self Esteem
Thankfulness

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The No True Scotsman Fallacy Examples

We have all been through fallacious arguments, either as subjective makers of those arguments or as passive receivers. Many of us do not even realize such fallacies that we make in our daily lives but bound to think what we have said is valid. Results?...

Critical Thinking

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah: How Love Can Be Used to Manipulate Someone

How important is your family to you? To me my family is very important because they are the people I care the most about and I would do anything for them. In A long way gone a memoir written by Ishmael Beah is about a...

Confidence, not Consistency Characterizes Flashbulb Memories

As defined in the article, flashbulb memories are memories that are enduring and vividly recalled and are associated with a significant or monumental event. The article seeks to answer the questions: “Compared with everyday memories from the same time, are flashbulb memories more consistent? Do...

Flashbulb Memory

The Stroop Effect: Uncovering the Cognitive and Neural Anatomy of Attention

Have you ever tried to rub your belly and pat your head at the same time? Has the task proved to be frustrating and hard to do? Well, this is in fact kind of like the Stroop effect. This effect was discovered by John Ridley...

Stroop Effect

The Experiment Aims to Test the Stroop Effect

Klein (1964) found that there was an interference gradient, with the interference decreasing as the colour-relatedness of the word decreased when testing colour-naming using semantic variations. This experiment aims to test the Stroop effect in colour-naming, using the same six semantic variations as Klein (1964)...

Descriptions and Features of Stroop Effect

Cognitive control is the process that is used to overpower dominant responses in favor of less appealing ones. One way to measure this is through Stroop tasks. Stroop tasks measures the ability to respond to certain environmental stimuli while ignoring others. The Stroop effect is...

Neuroplasticity

The Stroop Effect In the Field of Experimental Psychology

The Stroop effect is a phenomenon that studies how distractions affect the reaction time while doing a particular task. The Stroop effect is an occurrence in the field of experimental psychology which was first noted by John Ridley Stroop in 1935.It was further researched on...

Cultural Factors and the Perception of Time

Introduction The research developed by Tusev (2017), is focused on explaining the reason why Ecuadorians are people characterized by unpunctuality. The topic begins with the initial explanation of what time is and why it is important. The people of Mesopotamia first developed the investigation reports...

Punctuality

The Subjectivity of Beauty and Its Perception in Cinderella; or The Glass Slipper

The definition of beauty is subjective because people have different perspectives as to what makes another person beautiful. Some define beauty based on an individual’s personality while others base it on physical characteristics. This is considerably displayed in the fairy tale “Cinderella,” as a poor...

The Presence of Hidden Bias in Our Life and Ways to Avoid It

When looking into hidden bias and how it effects the criminal justice system, one must first know what hidden bias is. There are two forms of bias, hidden and explicit. Hidden bias or implicit bias as it is also known as, is when individuals have...

Development of Human Color Perception According to Color Theories

The Evolution of Color William Gladstone was a four-time prime minister of England and a Homer fanatic. In his extensive reading, Gladstone noticed the strange trends in Homer’s descriptions of color. Homer described seemingly simple things with “defective” words. Sheeps’ wool and iron were described...

The Illusion of Self-Perception in the Novel "Life of Pi"

The novel Life of Pi demonstrates throughout the book the conflict of reconciling between illusion and reality. Self-perception is one’s ability to hear, see or become aware of things from their senses. This is demonstrated through the main character of the story Pi who goes...

East-West Dialogue: Cross-Cultural Perceptions and Representations

Although studies on sports and nationalism are plentiful, studying nationalism through sports is a suitable answer to this critique because it shows exactly how common people assign meaning to their respective countries in light of an everyday phenomenon. Introduction Sports offer an opportunity to see...

Nationalism

Ongoing Debate Around Abortion: Pro-Life Perception

Our great country, the sought after, ever-growing, United States of America. A country bound by laws founded upon morality, justice, and the Holy Bible. Our morality is established in law, famously scribed in the United States Constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution states, “No...

Perception Of Ofw Children On The Inflation In Saudi Arabia

Introduction The economy is a man-made organization with the purpose of satisfying human wants by using limited or scarce resources available and known to a society (Aggarwal & Devi, 2002). It encompasses all of the activities involved in the production and distribution of goods and...

Saudi Arabia

An Investigation into Staff and Student Perceptions of Student Athletes

Student and Staff Perceptions towards Student-Athletes in College Environment Introduction This research paper relates to the larger research project I shall be completed in the course of my study period. The emphasis of this study is on university-resident staff approaches towards athlete students. Many at...

Student Athletes

User Perception Of Mobile Banking Adoption: An Integrated TTF-UTAUT Model

Article 1 Overview In this article Debarsgi and Nidhi identify key components in the public platform of corporate communication using social media and how it is user friendly and cost effective to these corporations. Social media has become the new way of collaborating with not...

Mobile Phone

Analyzing Consumer Behavior: The Role of Perceptions in Marketing

Perceptions play a crucial role in the field of marketing as they shape consumers' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards products, brands, and organizations. Marketers understand that how consumers perceive their offerings can have a significant impact on their success in the marketplace. This essay delves...

Consumer Behavior

Perceptions And Its Relation To Marketing

Perception is the opinion of someone who is think that opinion is true for them, but not necessarily true for others. Different people have different opinion about something on the same condition. Perception is very important for anyone that need to keep away from making...

Food Safety
Marketing Strategy

The Use Of Image Processing To Improve Perception

Open CV provides the inbuilt functionality which improves the perception of an input image. However, if the redundancy in the background is greater than the ROI (Region of Interest), the perception algorithm may give incorrect image as the output on supplying an original image as...

Computer Graphics
Graphic Design

Best topics on Perception

1. The Perception Of What Is Beauty In Our Society

2. Major Role Of Concepts As A Guiding Light For Human Beings

3. The Perception of the World in Chaim Potok The Chosen

4. Research on the Extra-Sensory Perception Between Twins

5. The Enormous Importance of Self-Support

6. The No True Scotsman Fallacy Examples

7. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah: How Love Can Be Used to Manipulate Someone

8. Confidence, not Consistency Characterizes Flashbulb Memories

9. The Stroop Effect: Uncovering the Cognitive and Neural Anatomy of Attention

10. The Experiment Aims to Test the Stroop Effect

11. Descriptions and Features of Stroop Effect

12. The Stroop Effect In the Field of Experimental Psychology

13. Cultural Factors and the Perception of Time

14. The Subjectivity of Beauty and Its Perception in Cinderella; or The Glass Slipper

15. The Presence of Hidden Bias in Our Life and Ways to Avoid It

Confirmation Bias
Child Observation
Critical Reflection
Human Behavior

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What Is Perception?

Recognizing Environmental Stimuli Through the Five Senses

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

How It Works
Improvement Tips

Perception refers to our sensory experience of the world. It is the process of using our senses to become aware of objects, relationships. It is through this experience that we gain information about the environment around us.

Perception relies on the cognitive functions we use to process information, such as utilizing memory to recognize the face of a friend or detect a familiar scent. Through the perception process, we are able to both identify and respond to environmental stimuli.

Perception includes the five senses; touch, sight, sound, smell , and taste . It also includes what is known as proprioception, which is a set of senses that enable us to detect changes in body position and movement.

Many stimuli surround us at any given moment. Perception acts as a filter that allows us to exist within and interpret the world without becoming overwhelmed by this abundance of stimuli.

Types of Perception

The types of perception are often separated by the different senses. This includes visual perception, scent perception, touch perception, sound perception, and taste perception. We perceive our environment using each of these, often simultaneously.

There are also different types of perception in psychology, including:

Person perception refers to the ability to identify and use social cues about people and relationships.
Social perception is how we perceive certain societies and can be affected by things such as stereotypes and generalizations.

Another type of perception is selective perception. This involves paying attention to some parts of our environment while ignoring others.

The different types of perception allow us to experience our environment and interact with it in ways that are both appropriate and meaningful.

How Perception Works

Through perception, we become more aware of (and can respond to) our environment. We use perception in communication to identify how our loved ones may feel. We use perception in behavior to decide what we think about individuals and groups.

We are perceiving things continuously, even though we don't typically spend a great deal of time thinking about them. For example, the light that falls on our eye's retinas transforms into a visual image unconsciously and automatically. Subtle changes in pressure against our skin, allowing us to feel objects, also occur without a single thought.

Perception Process

To better understand how we become aware of and respond to stimuli in the world around us, it can be helpful to look at the perception process. This varies somewhat for every sense.

In regard to our sense of sight, the perception process looks like this:

Environmental stimulus: The world is full of stimuli that can attract attention. Environmental stimulus is everything in the environment that has the potential to be perceived.
Attended stimulus: The attended stimulus is the specific object in the environment on which our attention is focused.
Image on the retina: This part of the perception process involves light passing through the cornea and pupil, onto the lens of the eye. The cornea helps focus the light as it enters and the iris controls the size of the pupils to determine how much light to let in. The cornea and lens act together to project an inverted image onto the retina.
Transduction: The image on the retina is then transformed into electrical signals through a process known as transduction. This allows the visual messages to be transmitted to the brain to be interpreted.
Neural processing: After transduction, the electrical signals undergo neural processing. The path followed by a particular signal depends on what type of signal it is (i.e. an auditory signal or a visual signal).
Perception: In this step of the perception process, you perceive the stimulus object in the environment. It is at this point that you become consciously aware of the stimulus.
Recognition: Perception doesn't just involve becoming consciously aware of the stimuli. It is also necessary for the brain to categorize and interpret what you are sensing. The ability to interpret and give meaning to the object is the next step, known as recognition.
Action: The action phase of the perception process involves some type of motor activity that occurs in response to the perceived stimulus. This might involve a major action, like running toward a person in distress. It can also involve doing something as subtle as blinking your eyes in response to a puff of dust blowing through the air.

Think of all the things you perceive on a daily basis. At any given moment, you might see familiar objects, feel a person's touch against your skin, smell the aroma of a home-cooked meal, or hear the sound of music playing in your neighbor's apartment. All of these help make up your conscious experience and allow you to interact with the people and objects around you.

Recap of the Perception Process

Environmental stimulus
Attended stimulus
Image on the retina
Transduction
Neural processing
Recognition

Factors Influencing Perception

What makes perception somewhat complex is that we don't all perceive things the same way. One person may perceive a dog jumping on them as a threat, while another person may perceive this action as the pup just being excited to see them.

Our perceptions of people and things are shaped by our prior experiences, our interests, and how carefully we process information. This can cause one person to perceive the exact same person or situation differently than someone else.

Perception can also be affected by our personality. For instance, research has found that four of the Big 5 personality traits —openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism—can impact our perception of organizational justice.

Conversely, our perceptions can also affect our personality. If you perceive that your boss is treating you unfairly, for example, you may show traits related to anger or frustration. If you perceive your spouse to be loving and caring, you may show similar traits in return.

Are Perception and Attitude the Same?

While they are similar, perception and attitude are two different things. Perception is how we interpret the world around us, while our attitude (our emotions, beliefs, and behaviors) can impact these perceptions.

Tips to Improve Perception

If you want to improve your perception skills, there are some things that you can do. Actions you can take that may help you perceive more in the world around you—or at least focus on the things that are important—include:

Pay attention. Actively notice the world around you, using all your senses. What do you see, hear, taste, smell, or touch? Using your sense of proprioception, notice the movements of your arms and legs, or your changes in body position.
Make meaning of what you perceive. The recognition stage of the perception process is essential since it allows you to make sense of the world around you. Place objects in meaningful categories, so you can understand and react appropriately.
Take action. The final step of the perception process involves taking some sort of action in response to your environmental stimulus. This could involve a variety of actions, such as stopping to smell the flower you see on the side of the road, incorporating more of your senses.

Potential Pitfalls of Perception

The perception process does not always go smoothly, and there are a number of things that may interfere with our ability to interpret and respond to our environment. One is having a disorder that impacts perception.

Perceptual disorders are cognitive conditions marked by an impaired ability to perceive objects or concepts. Some disorders that may affect perception include:

Spatial neglect syndromes, which involve not attending to stimuli on one side of the body
Prosopagnosia, also called face blindness, is a disorder that makes it difficult to recognize faces
Aphantasia , a condition characterized by an inability to visualize things in your mind
Schizophrenia , which is marked by abnormal perceptions of reality

Some of these conditions may be influenced by genetics, while others result from stroke or brain injury.

Perception can also be negatively affected by certain factors. For instance, one study found that when people viewed images of others, they perceived individuals with nasal deformities as having less satisfactory personality traits. So, factors such as this can potentially affect personality perception.

History of Perception

Interest in perception dates back to the time of ancient Greek philosophers who were interested in how people know the world and gain understanding. As psychology emerged as a science separate from philosophy, researchers became interested in understanding how different aspects of perception worked—particularly, the perception of color.

In addition to understanding basic physiological processes, psychologists were also interested in understanding how the mind interprets and organizes these perceptions.

Gestalt psychologists proposed a holistic approach, suggesting that the sum equals more than the sum of its parts. Cognitive psychologists have also worked to understand how motivations and expectations can play a role in the process of perception.

As time progresses, researchers continue to investigate perception on the neural level. They also look at how injury, conditions, and substances might affect perception.

American Psychological Association. Perception .

University of Minnesota. 3.4 Perception . Organizational Behavior .

Jhangiani R, Tarry H. 5.4 Individual differences in person perception . Principles of Social Psychology - 1st International H5P Edition .

Aggarwal A, Nobi K, Mittal A, Rastogi S. Does personality affect the individual's perceptions of organizational justice? The mediating role of organizational politics . Benchmark Int J . 2022;29(3):997-1026. doi:10.1108/BIJ-08-2020-0414

Saylor Academy. Human relations: Perception's effect . Human Relations .

ICFAI Business School. Perception and attitude (ethics) . Personal Effectiveness Management .

King DJ, Hodgekins J, Chouinard PA, Chouinard VA, Sperandio I. A review of abnormalities in the perception of visual illusions in schizophrenia . Psychon Bull Rev . 2017;24(3):734‐751. doi:10.3758/s13423-016-1168-5

van Schijndel O, Tasman AJ, Listschel R. The nose influences visual and personality perception . Facial Plast Surg . 2015;31(05):439-445. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1565009

Goldstein E. Sensation and Perception .

Yantis S. Sensation and Perception .

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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 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
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Psychology Discussion

Essay on perception | psychology.

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After reading this essay you will learn about:- 1. Introduction to Perception 2. Phenomenological and Gestalt View on Perception 3. Perceptual Organisation 4. Transactional Approach 5. Depth Perception 6. Constancy 7. Perception of Movement 8. Development 9. Errors 10. Studies.

Essay on the Studies on Perception

Essay # 1. Introduction to Perception:

Perception involves arriving at meanings often leading to action. In addition to the nature of the stimuli, and past knowledge, perception is influenced by many other factors. In this article, an attempt is made to present to the student a discussion of the various factors involved in attention and perception.

How exactly are we able to relate to discrete sensory experiences in order to see them as meaningful? In other words, how exactly does perception occur? At any time we are attending to a number of stimuli. For example even when we are listening to the teacher we are conscious of his voice, his movement, his appearance etc., but at the same time we respond to him as a single person. This shows that our response is integrated and organised to become meaningful. This process of organising and integrating discrete stimuli and responding to them meaningfully is known as perception.

In the early part of this century the structuralist view of perception was dominant. It held that just as consciousness could be neatly dissected into its component parts, so also could perceptual experiences. Thus, the phenomenon of perception was, for the structuralists, the sum of mere sensations and the meaning associated with it through experience.

Without the benefits of experience there can be no meaning attached to stimuli or to sensations, and thus, there can be no ‘perception’. The infant, therefore, is able only to receive sensory input; it is not able to ‘perceive’ anything meaningful. William James described the infant’s perceptual world as a “booming, buzzing confusion.”

However, what does this actually mean in terms of the process of perception? It means that the infant has to learn to differentiate between different sensory experiences. It has to learn to construct perceptual categories through which it can perceive the differences between various sights, sounds, smells and feelings.

The infant’s visual world is formless, shapeless and chaotic. The real physical categories that exist in the world like forms, sounds and colours have to be repeated a sufficient number of times to be perceived as distinct and separate impressions by the infant. In this way the infant learns to perceive forms and objects and associates them with various meanings in their context.

Essay # 2. Phenomenological and Gestalt View on Perception :

A view totally different from the one given above emerged from the writings of phenomenologists. Even in the earlier days, German writers and philosophers had differed on the concept of perception as resulting from a combination of discrete sensory stimulations compounded by experience. They had tended to take the view that perception is a total act not necessarily bearing total resemblance to external stimulus characteristics.

The process of perception is not totally logical but it is, to a large extent, phenomenological. The German philosophers made a distinction between physical reality and experienced reality or phenomenal reality. One’ fact of experience is that perceived objects are always perceived as one and not as assemblages or discrete pieces of sensory information.

The phenomenological writers tended to lay emphasis on the inner processes rather than just experience and stimulus characteristics. The phenomenological view gained popularity through the writings of Husserel Brentano and Carl Stumpf. The real landmark in phenomenology was the work of Ehrenfels on tonal qualities.

He emphasised the totality of experience in melodies. The total experience is something more than some of the individual elements and he gave the name Gestalt Qualitat to this. An example of the phenomenological process in perception can be clearly seen in our experience of illusions. This line of explanation and experimentation was further developed by gestalt psychologists.

The ‘gestalt psychologists’ experiments on animals and birds showed that even at birth there are certain perceptual categories and abilities already present. Riesen showed that chicks brought up in total darkness could immediately distinguish the shape of a grain on the floor when brought into the light.

More recently, experiments by Lipsitt and Siquel have shown that even- a few hours old human infants can distinguish between the sound of a buzzer and that of a bell. Thus the infant’s world is neither a confusion nor a chaos as it was earlier made out to be.

Of course, the infant cannot perceive all objects with the same depth of meaning and understanding as adults can. But certain fundamental perceptual and discriminatory abilities – called perceptual organisations-are built into animals and human beings from birth.

Furthermore, the gestaltists challenged the view that perceptions can be divided into component elements. According to the structuralists, perceiving a chair means dissecting it into the elements of shape, size and angles of the parts of the chair, bound together by meanings from previous experience.

To the gestaltists, this molecular view of the subject destroyed one’s understanding of the phenomenon of perception as a whole. They demonstrated how perceptual phenomena often could not be reduced to elements. The experience of watching a movie on a screen cannot be explained by analysing the series of still pictures that go to make it up.

Listening to a tune- or a particular tune- in one key still gives the experience of the same tune when listening to it in another key, although the elements in both cases are entirely different. This lead to their famous dictum that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts – Gestalt Qualitat. – a unique quality of wholeness.

Essay # 3. Perceptual Organisation :

Animals and human beings are endowed with the capacity to organise and group stimuli which are ambiguous, confusing and novel, thus making them meaningful or sensible. Gestalt psychologists have demonstrated the principles which affect and direct the organisation in order to make the stimulus a meaningful whole within the perceptual field.

Some of the well recognised principles which contribute to perceptual organisation are as follows:

Figure and Ground Relationship :

The basic principle behind perceptual organisation is known as figure and ground organisation. This phenomenon was originally demonstrated by Rubin. One of the most fundamental principles of organisation in the field of perception is distinguishing between the figure and the ground, i.e. the figure which appears against a background.

Gestalt psychologists claim that even in the simplest form of perception, the figure and ground factor operates. For instance, when one is reading these sentences the black letters are perceived against the white background. A flying aero plane, for example, stands out as a figure against the sky or the clouds around it which form its background.

Stimuli which are outstanding and striking in terms of colour, shape etc. come to the foreground to form the figure and the less important or less significant ones recede to the background. However, when there are several objects in the general field of awareness which have equally balancing qualities there may be a conflict and two or more figures may be formed. In such a case there will be a shifting of ground and figure. One part may become the figure at one moment and at the next moment the same may become the ground (see Fig.7.1).

Essay # 4. Transactional Approach to Perception:

The traditional watertight distinctions among different kinds of behaviour like learning perception, motivation are also being given up resulting in a tendency to look at human actions as involving an entire organism totally integrated and directed towards adjusting or adopting to certain environmental requirements.

This emerging view has led to a perspective called the transactional perspective or transactional approach. One of the pioneers in promoting this approach was Ames whose experiments on perception and perceptual illusions are well known.

The transactional approach to perception basically holds that any act of perception at any time is influenced by the past learning experience of the individual and looks at any perception as a transaction or an act of dealing with the environment and other stimulus situations and tries to structure one’s perception in a manner that is maximally approximate to the world of reality.

Some of the basic postulates of the transactional approach to perception are:

(A) Basically those who support this view hold that perception involves an active interaction between the perceiver and the environment, and in this, the past experience and learning of the individual plays a crucial role. Further they also hold that every new perception results in new learning.

(B) The final perception results from a process of active interaction, in which the individual operates on the environment. Thus interaction serves our adaptive function and in view of this they often use the term transactional functionalism.

(C) Such interactions are often unconscious and unknown to the individual resulting in sudden and spontaneous inferences – the role of the conscious process being insignificant.

(D) Transactions not only reflect the past and help us in drawing inferences about the past of the persons, but are also future orientations and the overall life orientations of people. Thus, it may be seen that the past .influence and the present, both are integrated and oriented towards the future.

Ames says that people perceive things, objects, persons and the environment not always as the latter are, but in such a way as to make them compatible with one’s own assumptions and beliefs already acquired, thus very often necessitating distortion of objective reality.

Ames designed a number of experiments using a variety of perceptual situations designed by him like the well-known rotating trapezoid and also what are well known as Ames room experiments. Some of the other postulates of this approach are, that perception follows a certain trend of development during childhood.

It is further claimed that perceptual illusions can be overcome through learning. Though far from being advocates of the typical learning theory approach, those who support the transactional view express the view that even space perception and depth perception are very much products of learning. Thus, they do not support a mechanical view.

What happens in perception is a projection of the perceiver’s own constructs about the stimulus situation with the intention of achieving one’s purpose in action. Thus there is a give and take relationship between perceiver and the perceived situation involving a compromise with the actual reality and one’s own propensity or desire to keep certain assumptions and beliefs constant. The transactional approach is still a loosely formulated approach on the basis of a variety of experiments carried out by different investigators.

One can clearly see the impact of other earlier views on human behaviour like psychodynamics, influences of past experiences, tendency to maintain equilibrium and constancy (dynamic-homeostasis) and phenomenology. The transactional approach in a way makes use of all these assumptions and integrates them. One may not call it a theory, but it certainly is an approach.

Essay # 5. Depth Perception:

One important aspect in perception is the perception of depth, the third dimension or distance we are able to perceive objects as being near or far off. The basic psychological mechanism cannot explain this. The question has been a perplexing one. One view holds that this ability is innate while the other holds that this is an acquired ability. We perceive one rupee coin as one with a depth. This is called the third dimension.

Empiricistic and Nativistic Views :

To have a better understanding of the phenomenon of depth one ought to consider the philosophies of empiricism and nativism. Their views emerged as a consequence of the certainties and uncertainties about human nature. Their key concepts regarding the mind contradict each other and yet remain as the supporting pillars of these views to this day. Empiricism claims that the mind at birth is like a ‘blank slate’ while nativism claims that it is like a ‘veined marble’.

John Locke was the first philosopher who suggested that the mind was initially a ‘tabula rasa’,i.e. it is like a smooth wax table upon which impressions of external events print themselves. This is the crux of empiricism.

Processes like perception and thought reflect the particular structure and dynamics of the world in which we happen to live. However, the basic mechanism through which printing or imprinting operates is by the principles of association, similarity, contiguity, etc. According to the empiricists impressions arrange and rearrange themselves to form the core of our perceptions.

We can see that this idea has shaped many modem systems of psychology. Wundt’s theory of introspectionism is bolstered by empiricism. Pavlov’s work on conditioning, Guthrie’s theory of contiguity, and Broadbent’s account of mental functioning in terms of information processing are all built on the philosophy of empiricism.

Other theorists like Leibnitz proclaimed that the mind is like a slab of marble with veins or streaks. His theory of knowledge was aimed against sensualism and empiricism. To Locke’s postulate “there is nothing in the mind which has not been in the senses” Leibnitz added except the intellect itself.

According to him intellect is present at birth and only gets shaped by experiences. It becomes obvious that nativism as a doctrine boldly proclaims the importance of innate factors in the development of an organism rather than the environmental or experiential ones. A lot of research findings of recent years are heading towards nativism.

Andrey’s books “The African Genesis” “The Territorial Imperative” have popularized a nativistic interpretation of man’s aggression and of his alleged tendency to defend his territory. Audrey believes that many of the modem man’s aggressive tendencies can be traced back to his meat-eating, weapon using ancestors.

Jung’s concept of archetypes leans heavily on nativism. Ethnologists like Lorenz and Tinbergen have shown a strong evidence for innate determination of species-specific behaviour. Another piece of nativistic evidence comes from the field of perception. T.G.R. Bower has found a striking evidence that form constancy, through the visual cliff experiment, is innate in human infants.

A circle seen at an angle is responded to as a circle and not as an ellipse. Gibson and others have provided evidence indicating that depth perception is innate in many species. Immense support to this doctrine is lent from oriental philosophy which has recently been invading the western scientific world. The oriental philosophers support nativism to the core. In the following discussion we see a clear swing towards nativism.

In Gibson’s experiment, the visual cliff consists of a wide sheet of transparent glass placed over a drop on the floor. Gibson and Walk showed that by the time infants could crawl, they would not crawl over the deep side of a visual cliff under any circumstances (see Fig.7.7). This is also true of most new-born animals, which refuse to cross over the cliff.

By the time they start crawling, however, human infants have had ample time to learn depth cues. White tested infant perception of depth prior to the crawling stage by noting eye-blink responses to a falling object in a transparent cylinder positioned over the infant’s face.

If the infants blinked it was assumed that they were responding to the change in distance rather than just the change in retinal size of the falling object which did not otherwise elicit a blink. White also observed that the eye-blink response and, therefore, distance perception-occurred only after eight weeks in the human infant.

Bower put even younger infants in an upright position in a chair and found that infants even as young as two-week old adopted defensive behaviour when seeing an object approach their faces. Eye-blinking, which in this case would not have served to protect them, did not occur, but there was clear eye widening, head retraction and the interposition of the hands between the face and the object.

Bower, thus, demonstrated a clear functional response to visual cues of distance alone, which, in a one-week old infant can be assumed to be unlearned.

Feature Analysis :

Our analysis of the perceptual process has indicated that in any instance the act of perception is influenced by two types of processes. On the one hand we have high level central and also psychological factors like expectations and motivations which do not originate from lower order sense impressions, even though they may be triggered off by them.This type of involvement of high level process is known as top-down processing.

On the other hand processes which originate from lower level physiological and stimulation information are known as bottom-up processing. In this context, psychologists refer to a term called ‘feature analysis’, explaining how these two types of processes operate.

Some psychologists hold the view that perceptual recognition is made possible because a particular set of neurons in the brain are activated, as and when they find an appropriate matter in the field of perception. This is like the phenomenon where only one tuning fork from among a row goes into vibration, when its corroborating match is set in motion.

This is the hierarchical feature detection model. But the difficulty with this model is that this would require a specific set of neurons or feature detection in our brain .Every corresponding sound or light stimulus should have such detectors.

Though it is now known that there are specific set of neurons for certain specific stimulus characteristics, the possibility of having an endless number of specific detectors is yet to be proved. Thus the correctness of this view depends on further achievements in neurology regarding the neuronal functions.

A different and perhaps more widely accepted view is that there occurs what may be called feature analysis. According to this view, the specific detection neurons are of such a type that they can operate in different combinations. For example, they may be recognised as a pair of vertical lines which are parallel with a horizontal line connecting the two in the middle.

Feature analysis involves the brain analysing experiences or perceptual contents into such sets and whenever such set or combination, is available for retrieval from neurons, then recognition occurs. This concept of feature analysis explains how people recognise stimuli and in addition, also provides a clue as to how different stimuli can be given a common interpretation.

For example, when we see different flowers, though we see them as different, we see them all as flowers. But what happens when a. combination of such detections stored in memory do not match with what is actually present? For example, it is very difficult for us or at least some of us to recognise cauliflower as a flower, though many stimulus characteristics resemble that of many other flowers.

It is here that the concept of feature analysis cannot explain, what happens, when the stimuli are ambiguous and are both similar and dissimilar to stored up combinations. It is here that one sees the limitations of bottom up processing theory. It is in this context that the top down processing comes into operation.

Top down processing is influenced by the context of stimuli which creates certain expectations or “expectancies.” We expect certain things to occur, under certain situations or contexts. These expectations based on past experiences and contextual factors, set in motion certain perceptual sets.

The role of expectancy in perceptual recognition was clearly demonstrated in an experiment by Palmer. Palmer showed his subject a scene of a kitchen. Then they were given a very brief exposure to two objects, one resembling a loaf of bread (context relevant) and another a mail box (context irrelevant). The two objects were of the same size and shape. But the subject recognised the loaf of bread more than the mail box, thus showing the influence of centrally aroused expectancy.

Motivation is another factor. The importance of needs in influencing process of perceptions has already been examined. The classical experiments of Brownes and others have already demonstrated the role of motivational factors and needs in the process of perception.

Normally in most acts of perception both top down and bottom up processes work together, each supplementing and complementing the other. Top down processing plays a more crucial role where the stimulus situations are ambiguous, or relatively unfamiliar.

The importance of top down processing will become clearer to the reader later when we discuss the role of “personality factors in perception”. A number of experiments have shown that our perception is very much influenced by the totality of our personality, and personalities have been classified even on the basis of perceptual styles or modes.

Essay # 6. Constancy in Perception:

When we think about perceptual experiences they seem to be incredibly paradoxical. We realise that we see mobility in stationary objects, immobility in moving objects, and see things which are incomplete as complete. The cues which are said to facilitate perception of distance can, at times, corrupt and distort the same.

Similarly, we are able to respond to a stimulus appropriately even with a distorted, wrong or absent retinal image. This contradicts the view that the retinal image is a true reproduction of the object being sensed and considered as a basic mechanism which provokes an appropriate action or reaction. All these make us wonder if we are in a world of illusions or whether perception, by itself, is a big illusion.

One such paradoxical phenomenon discussed here is perceptual constancy. The phenomenon of constancy refers to our perceptual experiences wherein perception remains constant, in spite of the fact that stimulating conditions stipulate a change. Thus, the human being is perceived to be of the same height whether he is seen from a distance of two feet, five feet or fifteen feet.

The phenomenon of constancy is seen in relation to several attributes of the objects like shape and size. To a certain extent the phenomenon of constancy also results in errors of perception, though its advantages far outweigh its disadvantages.

If we accept that the infant does not have to learn entirely to distinguish between forms, shapes and sounds in his environment, but possesses a congenital capacity to do so, there is yet another problem which has aroused a lot of controversy. When we talk of visual perception in particular, how do infants – or even adults – actually make sense of visual objects? The obvious answer seems to be that objects in the external world appear as images on the retina and the individual then responds to these images as objects.

However, the answer is not quite so simple. The retina receives images which vary drastically depending on the particular lighting conditions, the viewing angle and the distance of the object at any given time. If one were to perceive objects merely on the basis of retinal images, one would see a different object at each angle and at each distance from which the same object was viewed. This obviously, does not happen.

When we see a plate at an angle its retinal image is an ellipse. If we see it head on then the retinal image is a complete circle. Yet, we know that both the greatly differing images are of the same object. When we see a chair from a foot away, the retinal image we receive is much larger than that received when the chair is two yards away from us. Yet we know that it is the same object. How do we come to know this?

The controversy that has surrounded the answer to this question has been again one of the opposition between the view that the child is born with the complete ability to see the world as the adult sees it, and the view that the child has to learn to see stable objects. For a long time the latter view held sway-namely, that the individual has to learn to compensate for the differences in angle, colour and distance presented by the same objects.

Recently, however, this view has been challenged and it has been shown that infants of six to eight weeks possess the ability to compensate for changes in the size and shape of retinal images. T.G.S. Bower’s experiments suggest that this ability is innate. Very young infants were conditioned to a cube of a certain size shown at a distance of one metre. Different-size cubes were then shown at a distance of three metres from the infant.

The conditioned response was always given, not to the larger cube which would have presented the same size of retinal image as did the correct cube at one metre, but to the correct cube despite its smaller retinal image size. Size constancy, however, does not occur in the absence of information or cues regarding the distance of the object. Holway and Boring showed that the judged size of cardboard disks became more and more inaccurate as more distance cues were eliminated.

Similar constancies occur regarding colour. A familiar object is always perceived as having the same colour even under different lighting conditions. For example, a piece of white paper is perceived as white whether seen under the yellowish glow of candle light, the stark whiteness of a tube light or under any other coloured lights.

Perceptual constancy, then, seems to be partly due to some innate mechanism and partly due to the influence of past experience and knowledge. The role of past experience in perception and the human being’s tendency to perceive on the basis of assumptions constructed from this past experience was clearly brought out by Ames.

In his famous ‘distorted room’ experiment Ames presented to his subjects an apparent perceptual contradiction between a specially constructed room (which looked normal from the subjects viewing angle when the room alone was seen) and known normal-sized objects seen in windows of the room.

Ames showed that whether the room or the object was suddenly seen as distorted, depended on the subject’s assumptions, i.e. whether the subject ‘assumed’ the room to be truly rectangular. He believed that our perceptions of the objects and people in our environment are subjective. In other words, they are based upon the assumptions we have built up about various objects and people. The organism, therefore, creates its phenomenal world.

Essay # 7. Perception of Movement :

Perception of movement is essential not only to human beings but also to animals. Movement is closely linked to the instinct of self-preservation because moving objects sometimes mean danger. However, the perception of movement involves both the visual messages from the eye as an image moves across the retina and the kinesthetic messages from the muscles around the eye as they shift the eye to follow a moving object.

But at times our perceptual processes play tricks on us and we think we perceive movement when the objects we are looking at are actually not moving at all. Thus, perceived movements can be divided into two types: real movement and illusory movement.

Real movement means the actual physical displacement of an object from one position to another. When we see a car being driven we perceive only the car in motion and the other things around it like trees, buildings etc. are stationary.

Illusory movement is that when an individual perceives objects as moving although they are stationary as is shown in Fig.7.12. One perceives this figure as moving black waves. Another example to illustrate this phenomena is an experience that you must have often felt while sitting in a stationary train; if another train moves by you feel that your own train is moving.

Another form of illusory movement is stroboscopic motion-the apparent motion created by a rapid movement of a series of images of stationary objects. A motion picture, for example, is not actually in motion at all. The film consists of a series of still pictures each one showing persons or objects in slightly different positions.

When these separate images are projected in a sequence on to the screen at a specified speed, the persons or objects seem to be moving because of the rapid change from one still picture to the next. The same illusion occurs when two lights are set apart at a suitable distance from each other and when they are switched on and off at an interval of one sixteenth of a second.

As a consequence the perceptual effect created is that of one light moving back and forth. This phenomenon of apparent motion is called the phi-phenomenon. Wertheiner’s experiments on phi- phenomenon formed the foundation for gestalt psychology.

Essay # 8. Development of Perception :

The infant’s perceptual world is different from the adult’s. Perception develops gradually as the individual grows and develops. It has also been shown that it is influenced to a great extent by the biological needs, maturation, learning, culture etc. Thus, qualitative and quantitative changes in perception take place in the course of an individual’s development.

The experiments of Gibson and Bowers show that depth and object perceptions are inborn, i.e. they are not dependent on learning, although they develop and shape at different rates. Goldstein emphasised the gradual development of perception from concrete to abstract.

However, Goldstein does not make a direct reference to perception but refers to it as the development of thinking or attitude. Witkin emphasises that perception which in the early years is field dependent gradually transforms itself into field independent.

Thus, stability and abstraction become possible as the individual develops. Von Senden presented a very interesting data regarding the patients who were born blind but have gained their vision as the result of operations. Their perceptual processes were studied carefully because their situation was considered analogous to a new-born infant’s who sees the world for the first time. Von Senden found that these patients did not experience normal perception immediately after they gained vision.

When an object was shown to them they could see something against a background but could not identify it, its shape and its distance from them. Colour discriminations were learned immediately. However learning to identify forms and objects in different contexts was a long and difficult process.

One patient learned to identify an egg, a potato and sugar in normal light on a table after many repetitions although he failed to recognise the same objects in colour light or when they were suspended by a thread with a change of background.

He could point correctly to the source of a sound but could not say from which direction it was coming. One can know from the above studies that perception does not develop overnight; perceptual capacity may be inborn but the ability develops gradually along with the development of other processes.

Essay # 9. Errors of Perception:

The perceptual processes enable an individual to perceive things around him accurately and facilitate his smooth functioning. However, some errors creep into this process, under certain circumstances, leading to wrong or impaired perceptions.

Two well-documented errors of perceptions are illusions and hallucinations:

1. Illusions :

A mistaken perception or distortion in perception is called an illusion. Generally perception involves the integration of sensory experiences and present psychological and organismic conditions. When the interpretation of a particular stimulus goes wrong, it gives rise to a wrong perception. For example, a rope in the dark is perceived as a snake; a dry leaf moving along the ground in the dark is perceived as a moving insect. Similarly, in the phi-phenomenon, although there is no physical movement of the lights, they are still perceived as moving.

Some illusions which occur commonly in the perception of geometrical figures are discussed in this article. These illusions are popularly known as ‘geometrical optical illusions’ a term coined by Oppel, a German scientist. He used this term to explain the over-estimation of an interrupted spatial extent compared to an uninterrupted one. Later, the term was used for any illusion seen in line drawings.

a. Mueller – Lyer Illusion:

In Figure 7.13 one line is bounded by ‘arrowheads’ and the other by ‘shaft heads’. Though these two lines are equal in length, invariably the line with closed heads is perceived as shorter than the line with open heads. Similarly, lines bounded by closed curves or brackets and circles are underestimated with respect to their length and vice versa.

b. Horizontal-Vertical Illusion:

In Fig.7.14 one line is horizontal and the other is vertical. Though both are equal in length, the vertical line is perceived as longer than the horizontal line. To test this you can make someone stand straight stretching both arms out to their full length.

Ask your friend whether the height of this person is the same as the length of his arms, i.e. the length from the right fingertips to the left fingertips. If your friend is not aware that these two lengths are equal, then he will invariably report that the height is greater than the length of the arms.

c. Poggendorff’s Illusion:

In Fig.7.15 a straight line appears to become slightly displaced as it passes through two parallel rectangles. Poggendorffs’ illusion is demonstrated in this figure.

d. Zollner’s Illusion:

In Fig.7.16 when two parallel lines are intersected by numerous short diagonal lines slanting in the opposite direction then the parallel lines are perceived as diverging, i, e. slanting backwards slightly instead of being straight.

The Mueller-Lyer Illusion, the Poggendorff’s Illusion and the Zollner’s Illusion are named after the scientists who discovered these phenomena. Illusions are not totally caused by subjective conditions. Sometimes the environment or the context within which a particular stimulus is perceived is responsible for illusions. For instance, the perception of a rope as a snake or a leaf as an insect, may have occurred due to darkness which is an environmental condition.

It has been suggested by scientists that geometrical illusions like the ones mentioned above are the natural outcome of a certain kind of nerve structure, functioning under a given set of physical conditions. The reader may raise the question as to why only visual illusions are elaborated in this article.

This is because so far scientists have been attracted by the problem of vision and consequently the maximum amount of research has been done in this particular area. However, researchers today are busy exploring and experimenting with illusions arising out of other sensory experiences like audition, gustation and so on.

2. Hallucinations :

Hallucinations are identified as one of the major errors of perception. While an illusion is considered as an inaccuracy, a distorted perception of existing stimuli, hallucinations are considered as false perceptions. Hallucinations are sensory perceptions in the absence of any corresponding external sensory stimuli.

For example, if a person claims that he has seen a ghost or a goddess when there is practically no stimulus either in the form of a human skeleton or a live human figure or at least anything resembling it, this will be conceived by scientific minds as a hallucination.

Strictly speaking, dreams are hallucinations since the persons and things perceived while one is asleep have no factual basis. But for all practical purposes the use of the term hallucination is restricted to imaginary perceptions experienced in the waking state. Thus, when a person hallucinates he hears, sees and feels non-existent objects or stimuli.

Like illusions, hallucinations sometimes depend on needs, mental states like fear, anxiety, culture, etc. Hallucinations are not necessarily indicative of abnormality. For example, normal individuals reared in certain cultures are encouraged to hallucinate as part of their religious experiences. They may claim to have seen or heard from their deity and this is considered a normal phenomenon.

Similarly, in our present society, it is not an uncommon sight, if a lover waiting anxiously says he heard the telephone ringing or a knock on the door and other such experiences in the absence of stimuli. These experiences which occur specially in moments of anxiety or fear or keen expectation are taken as natural and normal phenomena.

However, hallucinations verge on abnormality when they become chronic, intense and problematic to the perceiver and others around him and begin to hamper the normal and smooth functioning of his day-to-day activities.

Auditory Hallucination :

Mr. S, an agricultural worker, around 30 years of age, complained to his psychiatrist that voices bother him day and night. He can hear them cursing his mother and father Sometimes they command him to hit himself; sometimes they say obscene things. These voices are feminine and sometimes masculine; at times he hears his own voice commanding him.

Hallucinations are caused by psychological factors like conflict, guilt, fear, anxiety etc. They can also occur due to cerebral injuries, intake of alcohol, drugs like L.S.D. or heroin and the presence of certain toxic substances in the body.

Figural After – Effects :

The term figural after-effect is used to denote certain phenomena observed by Gibson in a series of interesting experiments. In one of his experiments subjects saw a distorted line passing through a prism. After 10 minutes, the apparent ‘curvature’ of the line was perceived as very much decreased.

The line tended to straighten out and when the prism was removed, the line was perceived as being curved in the opposite direction. In another experiment, by Kohler & Wallach, one figure (known as l or inspection figure) is observed for several minutes with total fixation.

Then this figure is replaced by a Test stimuls card T1 and the subjects are required to report its characteristics. It may be seen that objectively the two figures, the one inside T1 and T2 are identical in size, brightness and the distance from P. But both are smaller than the 1 square.

The square T1 falls in line with the contours of the inspection square and a little nearer its right hand contours. The phenomenal reports indicated that T1 was perceived as smaller and more distant from point P and further, its margins appeared paler. It is not necessary that all these characteristics should appear in the case of a given person at any time.

Kohler & Wallach offer an explanation for this, based on certain electrical field processes in the brain. According to them, there are some unspecified regions, of the central visual area through which current keeps on flowing. The currents flow according to the principle of least resistance.

When the 1 figure is presented, this flow is interrupted and the current flow is set up along the contours of this figure. The flow of the current however, increases the resistance in the tissues, thus forcing the current to flow into the neighbouring regions which in turn results in a gradient of resistance satiation about the contour of fig. Satiation present after the – removal of the 1 figure, lead to distortions in the T figures. There has been a lot of criticism against this view, particularly from the neurophysiological angle. It is also argued that the phenomenon of figural after-effect can be explained without having to take recourse to ‘electrical fields.’

Essay # 10. Studies on Perception:

Findings arrived at by studies of perception are not as dramatic as the findings of experiments in learning. Nevertheless their value has been recognised increasingly to serve mankind in many significant ways. An understanding of the subtleties and complexities of perception as a process gives an impression that human behaviour can be reduced to an interplay of the perceptions of self, the world, people, objects and events. As a matter of fact, various activities like science, art, religion etc., are nothing more than the outcome of human perceptions.

Turning to more concrete contributions, one of the major areas of investigation is in the field of colour perception. This brought out interesting findings as to why and how certain psychological factors determine colour perception. The impact of these findings can be seen on the walls of living rooms, bedrooms, showrooms, in the market for selling automobiles, textiles and even fruits and flowers.

Colour technologists involved in manufacturing dyes, textiles, and those who are involved in agencies of mass media like the cinema, television, magazines, photography and interior decorators invest large amounts of money to find out, create, and impress human perception, captivate their interests, moods and money through colours. They try to demonstrate how different and pleasant it is living and working with certain colours around you, rather than being in colourless, or lifeless surroundings.

Another area in which the findings of perception studies are being used is communication. Communication devices ranging from satellites to telephones are devised to facilitate the audio-visual perceptions of human beings. The utmost care has to be taken in designing transmission devices and equipping them to counterbalance phenomena like illusions, constancies etc. which arise in perception especially regarding sounds and figures.

They take care to make the communication of the speaker and the listener clear and intelligible, eliminate non-essential stimuli and aim at presenting synchronized and simultaneous transmission. Transport system such as airways, seaways and roadways have realised the importance of perception because the individuals who steer these vehicles make use of processes like sensation, attention and perception to the maximum extent.

If these processes fail or do not function adequately for one reason or the other, the consequence is human error or accident. Scientists working in the area of prevention of accidents, especially on highways, realised that accidents occur due to certain visual and auditory illusions.

Over-estimation or under-estimation of curves, distortion of cues due to excess of light, fog, or snow, and illusions of sound created by moving stimuli, all these sometimes can produce disasters. Thus, measures are being taken to provide information, instructions and clues which are specially devised and placed at convenient heights, angles and directions so that the driver can perceive from his fast-moving vehicle and avert disasters. The importance of such findings can be well understood by this illustration.

On December 4, 1965, a TWA Boeing 707 and an Eastern Airline Lockheed 1049 were enroute to John F. Kennedy International Airport and to Newark Airport, respectively. Both were converging on the New York area, the Boeing 707 at its assigned altitude of 11,000 feet and the Lockheed at its assigned altitude of 10,000 feet.

At the time, the area was overcast and the cloud tops protruded above a height of 10,000 feet. The clouds were generally higher in the north than in the south and seemed to form an upward, sloping bar of white against the blue background of the sky. Within a few moments of each other, the crew of both the aircraft perceived what appeared to be an imminent collision between the two planes.

They rapidly began evasive manoeuvres. The Lockheed aircraft pulled up and the Boeing rolled first to the right then to the left. The two aircrafts collided at approximately 11,000 feet. The structural damage to the Lockheed was sufficient to force it to land in an open field, where it was destroyed by impact and friction.

There were four fatalities and forty-nine non-fatal injuries. The U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board attributed the collision to misjudgment of altitude separation by the crew of the Lockheed aircraft because of an ‘optical illusion’ created by the upward sloping contours of the cloud tops.

Four persons died and 49 were injured through the operation of the simple effect that we mimic on paper with simple lines and call the ‘Poggendorff illusion’. Perhaps, the idea that visual illusions are interesting but relatively unimportant oddities of perceptions itself is merely another illusion, which can prove costly.

Similar precautions are being taken in certain accident-prone heavy industries, like mining and manufacturing of volatile substances like explosives, chemicals and “so on where individuals have to attend to and comprehend several stimuli accurately within a short time.

Contributions to clinical psychology of the findings on hallucinations are immense. It has become one of the most important tools in diagnosing psychotic disorders. The seriousness of a psychosis is determined to a great extent by the degree, intensity and number of hallucinations experienced by the individual.

Researchers working on the problem of subliminal perception are trying to contribute their share of findings through work done on advertisements, unconscious processes etc. The advertising agencies are realising that they can capture their audience and customers by making their messages less obvious and more subtle. This is one way to induce curiosity and attract them to their products and thus, increase their sales.

The role of the unconscious in the area of subliminal perception is quite significant. Unconscious processes and their allied phenomena, for all practical purposes, can be considered synonymous with subliminal perceptions, because they operate from a level of consciousness which is less than normal.

One may wonder whether findings on ESP have any value to the present computer world which is capable of anything right from brushing one’s teeth to singing a lullaby. But ESP seems to offer so much that the world is beginning to develop an impression that parapsychology is no more a mere intellectual adventure. If individuals could be taught and made to develop this capacity we could go to the moon and other planets, eat and live comfortably and chat with friends across the seas and continents for hours together.

Imagine, all this could be done without spending a paisa and then money would lose its importance. However, to achieve this stage, sciences have to travel a long and difficult way like Christian in ‘A Pilgrim’s Progress’. Today, such fantastic activities may appear to be distant probabilities but we may soon see them as distinct possibilities.

The one area where research findings on perception and the perceptual processes have been found extremely useful is in advertising. Very innovative advertisements are designed today based on their knowledge of the perceptual processes.

Perception: Meaning, Definition, Principles and Factors Affecting in Perception
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7 facts about americans and taxes.

A tax preparer, left, discusses finances with a customer who is completing her return at a Miami tax service on April 17, 2023. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Spring reliably brings a whirlwind of number-crunching and form-filing as Americans finish their tax returns. Altogether, the IRS expects to process more than 160 million individual and business tax returns this season.

Ahead of Tax Day on April 15, here are seven facts about Americans and federal taxes, drawn from Pew Research Center surveys and analyses of federal data.

Ahead of Tax Day 2024, Pew Research Center sought to understand Americans’ views of the federal tax system and outline some of its features.

The public opinion data in this analysis comes from Pew Research Center surveys. Links to these surveys, including details about their methodologies, are available in the text.

The external data comes from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and the IRS Data Book . Data is reported by fiscal year, which for the federal government begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30. For example, fiscal 2024 began Oct. 1, 2023, and ends Sept. 30, 2024.

A majority of Americans feel that corporations and wealthy people don’t pay their fair share in taxes, according to a Center survey from spring 2023 . About six-in-ten U.S. adults say they’re bothered a lot by the feeling that some corporations (61%) and some wealthy people (60%) don’t pay their fair share.

A bar chart showing Americans' frustrations with the federal tax system.

Democrats are far more likely than Republicans to feel this way. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, about three-quarters say they’re bothered a lot by the feeling that some corporations (77%) and some wealthy people (77%) don’t pay their fair share. Much smaller shares of Republicans and GOP leaners share these views (46% say this about corporations and 43% about the wealthy).

Meanwhile, about two-thirds of Americans (65%) support raising tax rates on large businesses and corporations, and a similar share (61%) support raising tax rates on households with annual incomes over $400,000. Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to say these tax rates should increase.

Just over half of U.S. adults feel they personally pay more than what is fair, considering what they get in return from the federal government, according to the same survey.

A stacked bar chart showing that, compared with past years, more Americans now say they pay 'more than their fair share' in taxes.

This sentiment has grown more widespread in recent years: 56% of Americans now say they pay more than their fair share in taxes, up from 49% in 2021. Roughly a third (34%) say they pay about the right amount, and 8% say they pay less than their fair share.

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say they pay more than their fair share (63% vs. 50%), though the share of Democrats who feel this way has risen since 2021. (The share among Republicans is statistically unchanged from 2021.)

Many Americans are frustrated by the complexity of the federal tax system, according to the same survey. About half (53%) say its complexity bothers them a lot. Of the aspects of the federal tax system that we asked about, this was the top frustration among Republicans – 59% say it bothers them a lot, compared with 49% of Democrats.

Undeniably, the federal tax code is a massive document, and it has only gotten longer over time. The printed 2022 edition of the Internal Revenue Code clocks in at 4,192 pages, excluding front matter. Income tax law alone accounts for over half of those pages (2,544).

A stacked bar chart showing that the tax code keeps getting longer and longer.

The public is divided in its views of the IRS. In a separate spring 2023 Center survey , 51% of Americans said they have an unfavorable opinion of the government tax agency, while 42% had a favorable view of the IRS. Still, of the 16 federal agencies and departments we asked about, the IRS was among the least popular on the list.

A diverging bar chart showing that Americans are divided in their views of the IRS.

Views of the IRS differ greatly by party:

Among Republicans, 29% have a favorable view and 64% have an unfavorable view.
Among Democrats, it’s 53% favorable and 40% unfavorable.

On balance, Democrats offer much more positive opinions than Republicans when it comes to most of the federal agencies we asked about. Even so, the IRS ranks near the bottom of their list.

Individual income taxes are by far the government’s largest single source of revenue, according to estimates from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The federal government expects to collect about $2.5 trillion in individual income taxes in fiscal year 2024. That accounts for nearly half (49%) of its total estimated receipts for the year. The next largest chunk comes from Social Security taxes (including those for disability and retirement programs), which are projected to pull in $1.2 trillion this fiscal year (24%).

By comparison, corporate income taxes are estimated to bring in $612.8 billion, or 12% of this fiscal year’s federal receipts. And excise taxes – which include things like transportation trust fund revenue and taxes on alcohol, tobacco and crude oil – are expected to come to $99.7 billion, or 2% of receipts.

A chart showing that income taxes are the federal government's largest source of revenue.

American tax dollars mostly go to social services. Human services – including education, health, Social Security, Medicare, income security and veterans benefits – together will account for 66% ($4.6 trillion) of federal government spending in fiscal 2024, according to OMB estimates.

An estimated 13% ($907.7 billion) will go toward defense spending. Another 13% ($888.6 billion) will repay net interest on government debt, and 10% ($726.9 billion) will fund all other functions, including energy, transportation, agriculture and more.

A bar chart showing that your tax dollars mostly go to social services.

Related: 6 facts about Americans’ views of government spending and the deficit

The vast majority of Americans e-file their taxes, according to IRS data . In fiscal 2022, 150.6 million individual federal income tax returns were filed electronically, accounting for 94% of all individual filings that year.

A line chart showing that the vast majority of Americans e-file their taxes.

Unsurprisingly, e-filing has become more popular since the turn of the century. Fiscal 2000, the earliest year for which comparable data is available, saw 35.4 million individual income tax returns filed electronically (including those filed over the phone). These accounted for just 28% of individual filings that year.

By fiscal 2005, more than half of individual income tax returns (52%) were filed electronically.

Note: This is an update combining information from two posts originally published in 2014 and 2015.

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Top tax frustrations for Americans: The feeling that some corporations, wealthy people don’t pay fair share

Growing partisan divide over fairness of the nation’s tax system, public has mixed expectations for new tax law, most popular.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

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When Your Colleagues Have an Outdated Perception of You

Darcy Eikenberg

If you want others to see how you’ve grown, you need to show them.

As we grow or change, our identity transitions are often invisible — unless we do the work to help others see our changes. This can be particularly true for people who have worked at a company for a long time. If you’re feeling like your colleagues aren’t recognizing your growth, the authors recommend three strategies: 1) Get clear on the differences between how you are perceived and how you want to be perceived; 2) Let go of work you may still be doing that was associated with your previous role; and 3) Don’t be shy about persuading stakeholders that you’ve changed.

Ten years ago, Tasha* was the seventh employee at her medical software startup, hired as an administrative assistant to the chief sales officer. Today, she’s grown to manage a team of eight sales people collectively responsible for $22 million in revenue. When the chief sales officer announced his retirement recently, Tasha expected to be considered for the role.

Darcy Eikenberg , PCC, is an executive coach and leadership speaker focused on helping leaders solve their people problems inside complex organizations. A former partner at global HR consulting firm Hewitt Associates (now part of Aon), her clients include Mondelẽz International, PwC, Workday, Discover and more. She’s the author of Red Cape Rescue: Save Your Career Without Leaving Your Job. Connect with her on Linkedin here .
Sarah Mann , PCC, is an executive coach and speaker who empowers driven female leaders to break the glass ceiling and navigate their professional journey with more clarity, confidence, and ease. Previously, Sarah held leadership roles in HR, marketing, and operations at companies such as AMP Agency and ADP. Connect with her on LinkedIn and download her free Leadership Fluency framework .

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Perception of Others and Ourselves Essay

Introduction, ‘no cats in america’, works cited.

Human beings are social creatures who perceive others and themselves through their social environment. Social environment is an immediate environment that acts as a mirror for the people to perceive themselves relative to others. The dominant factor in the social environment that significantly affects our perception is the social class that has set virtual boundaries for the people to socialize within certain limits.

Dominant social classes provide benchmarks for others to tirelessly struggle to achieve perceived social status. In the essay ‘No Cats in America’, a student perceives that America is the land of bliss and without any problem. Moreover, ‘Masks’ is an essay that depicts beautiful girl with a wonderful family that leaves other students admiring her social stature at school. The essays depict how social classes of these students influence their perception of others and themselves at the school and in the society.

Hughes and Zanden argue that, “the essence of the sociological imagination is the ability to see our private experiences and personal difficulties as entwined with the structural arrangements of our society and the times in which we live,” (2). Social class is a social construct that classify and fit people into their respective social levels depending on the dominant perceptions of varied social environments. Therefore, how does social class influence our perception of others and ourselves in the society?

In this essay, after a student watched a movie ‘there are not cats in America’ and having learned about the American dream, the student realized that America is the land of happiness and free from any life’s problems. Seeing that many Russians have gone to America in search of better life, the student who is a Philippine began longing to be in the land of happiness and equality according to the American dream.

Fortunately, his father gets a job in California and he realizes his wish of being in America. Shifting to America, he is utterly surprised to note that his cultural and racial identity puts him at disadvantaged social position because at school, students mock and ridicule him.

On the first day at school, other students laughed at him when he introduces himself. The students laughed at him because his English accent differs with American accent yet he is proficient in English for he had learned in Philippines. Moreover, during lunchtime, girls desert his table because of his strange menu and eating habits.

He narrates that, “in Philippine, the only way to eat fish and rice is with hands … my manners were primitive here in America, I was embarrassed at the smell, was embarrassed at the way I ate, was embarrassed to be me” (Ramage, Bean, and Johnson 168). He eventually realizes that ‘there are cats in America’ for negative social perception and interaction severely affect his studies.

The second easy portrays a beautiful girl who attracts a lot of envy and admiration at school due to her beauty and elegance. Narrator describes her beauty comparatively and concludes that it is matchless in the entire school. “Today, she wore a pink dress with frills and lace and impeccably white tights.

Her feet, which swayed back and forth underneath her chair, were pampered with shiny, black shoes without a single scuff … wise, sophisticated beyond her kindergarten years” (Ramage, Bean, and Johnson 169).

The narrator admits that her beauty and elegance attracts great deal of envy from other students and particularly her to the extent that she emulates her form of dressing, hairstyle and painting. The beautiful girl paints an elegant drawing of a superb house and classy fence, which reflects her social status and beauty as well.

Her mother loves her very much and always congratulates her for the little and great things she does. In contrast, other students had to paint something that closely resembles her painting as an effort of achieving her status of beauty and elegance. Unfortunately, the narrator realizes that her beauty and elegance is just but a mask because she is very dependent socially. Moreover, she depends upon other students when doing her algebra assignment.

Social class is significant social factor that determines how people perceive social environment relative to themselves in the society with economic inequality and cultural diversity. In the essay ‘No Cats in America’, the student perceives that America is a land of happiness and equality unlike Philippines or Russian where people suffer due to constant problems in life that make life unbearable.

He longs to live in America because he perceives that America is the best place to live on earth. Comparatively, he thought that social class of America is better than that of Philippines and Russian, hence he perceives that Americans are great people.

Emerson argues that, “our perceptions are always partial and subjective …they are partial because we cannot perceive everything; and they are subjective because they are influenced by factors such as culture, physiology, roles, standpoint, and cognitive abilities” (22). Thus, perception of America and Americans having higher social class gives him a false perception that he later discover that ‘there are also cats in America’ like others in Russia and Philippines.

After going to America, his perception about America and Americans changes due to social class and cultural differences that portray him as a primitive student with poor education and bad eating habits. Although he perceives himself as a potential student who can equally compete anyone in class, his grades gradually goes down due to social class influence.

The Americans students perceive him as a primitive student, which in turn leads him to believe that he is indeed primitive and began performing poorly in class. Humiliating experiences leads him to confess that, “I hate being Filipino! Silence filled the room, teardrops rolled down my cheeks, my parents were shocked, and so I was” (Ramage, Bean, and Johnson 168). He cries because the American dream influences her life negatively for he performs poorly in class because other students mocks and ridicules his abilities.

In the ‘Masks’ essay, the students perceive that the beautiful and elegant girl is very intelligent and sophisticated in class. Since she comes from an affluent family that gives her all that she wants, she is at higher social class relative to other students, thus she sets the benchmark for admiration and envy.

Her social stature gives wrong impression to the classmates that she is not only a beauty model but also an educational model that everyone should admire and envy. Her friends try all means to emulate her dressing code, follow her hairstyle and copy her paintings for they perceive that she is the smartest of them all in the class and school just because of her social status.

Knowing that no one matches her beauty and elegance status, she had great opinion of herself for she ridicules her friends whenever she feels they are trying to give her competition at school. Smith asserts that, “people who have anxious or ambivalent attachment styles often are preoccupied with relationships and perceive others in unpredictable ways” (12). The girl perceives others as inferior and tries all means to secure her social position even though she performs poorly in algebra.

With time, the students realize that they have a false perception of her since she cannot do algebra assignment on her own and that she is very dependent on others for complements of her beauty, unlike them who work independently. The narrator ultimately admits that, “I then, realized her cheerleader outfit, her golden locks, her smile were all a mask.

Take them away and nothing but air would remain. Her friends and their adoration were her identity. Without them she was alone and vulnerable” (Ramage, Bean, and Johnson 171). Her social class and identity masked and falsely magnified her abilities as student. Thus, social class influences our perception of others and ourselves in the society of economic inequality and cultural diversity.

Ultimately, basing on the two essays, ‘No Cats in America’ and ‘Masks’, they portray how social class influence our perception of others and ourselves. In the first essay, the student perceives the American students to be of high social class and very intelligent while perceiving himself as inferior.

Such perception negatively affects his studies making him to perform very poorly. In the second essay, a beautiful girl from an affluent family perceives others are inferior and thus she always ridicules others. Other students regard her as an intelligent and smart student to the extent that they emulate her dressing code, hairstyle and painting, yet she was very weak in algebra. Thus, social class can give us false perception of others and ourselves in the society.

Emerson, Ralph. Perception and Communication . New York: Wadsworth Publisher, 2008.

Hughes, Michael, Zanden, James. “Developing a Sociological Consciousness.” The Journal of sociology 16.3, (2009): 1-23.

Ramage, John, Bean, John, and Johnson, June. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing .

Reading Notes Smith, Bernard. “Social Perception.” The Journal of Communication . (2007): 1-34.

Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2019, November 3). Perception of Others and Ourselves. https://ivypanda.com/essays/perception-of-others-and-ourselves/

"Perception of Others and Ourselves." IvyPanda , 3 Nov. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/perception-of-others-and-ourselves/.

IvyPanda . (2019) 'Perception of Others and Ourselves'. 3 November.

IvyPanda . 2019. "Perception of Others and Ourselves." November 3, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/perception-of-others-and-ourselves/.

1. IvyPanda . "Perception of Others and Ourselves." November 3, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/perception-of-others-and-ourselves/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Perception of Others and Ourselves." November 3, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/perception-of-others-and-ourselves/.

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NPR editor Uri Berliner resigns after essay accusing outlet of liberal bias

A senior business editor at National Public Radio has resigned after writing an essay for an online news site published last week accusing the outlet of a liberal bias in its coverage.

In a Wednesday post on X , Uri Berliner included a statement in what he said was his resignation letter to NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher.

"I am resigning from NPR, a great American institution where I have worked for 25 years," Berliner wrote in the post. "I don't support calls to defund NPR. I respect the integrity of my colleagues and wish for NPR to thrive and do important journalism. But I cannot work in a newsroom where I am disparaged by a new CEO whose divisive views confirm the very problems at NPR I cite in my Free Press essay."

On Friday, Berliner was suspended for five days without pay, NPR confirmed Tuesday , a week after his essay in the Free Press, an online news publication, where he argued the network had "lost America's trust" and allowed a "liberal bent" to influence its coverage, causing the outlet to steadily lose credibility with audiences.

Berliner's essay also angered many of his colleagues and exposed Maher, who started as NPR's CEO in March, to a string of attacks from conservatives over her past social media posts.

Dig deeper: NPR suspends senior editor Uri Berliner after essay accusing outlet of liberal bias

NPR reported that the essay reignited the criticism that many prominent conservatives have long leveled against NPR and prompted newsroom leadership to implement monthly internal reviews of the network's coverage.

Neither NPR nor Maher have not yet publicly responded to Berliner's resignation, but Maher refuted his claims in a statement Monday to NPR.

"In America everyone is entitled to free speech as a private citizen," Maher said. "What matters is NPR's work and my commitment as its CEO: public service, editorial independence, and the mission to serve all of the American public. NPR is independent, beholden to no party, and without commercial interests."

Contributing: Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY.

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227 Amazing College Persuasive Essay Topics [Free Ideas]
College Persuasive Essay Topics: Medicine. Strong pain killers should be sold by prescription only. Drug prices should be set ethically. Herbal medications are the safest. Self-medication is extremely dangerous, even in the case of a simple cold or an allergy. Differentiating various forms of medicines is essential.
120+ Good Persuasive Essay Topics From Easy to Unique
If you need to prove your point in a persuasive essay, you'll need to start with a great prompt. Check out these ideas for easy, challenging, and unique persuasive prompts in different categories.
Think Outside the Box: 200 Inspiring Persuasive Essay Topics
The right topic will let you draft an exceptional and well-written essay. Selecting a persuasive essay topic might sound easy, but it can be challenging. You cannot randomly start writing a persuasive essay about any topic and expect your essay to be brilliant. To select the best topic for your essay, take these essential steps: 1.
50 Persuasive Essay Topics to Help You Ace Your Next Assignment
In this post, we'll provide a list of 50 persuasive essay topics to help you get started on your next assignment. We'll also include some tips for writing a persuasive essay to help you craft a strong and effective argument. Whether you're a student or a professional writer, these persuasive essay topics are sure to inspire and challenge you.
100 Persuasive Essay Topics
100 Persuasive Essay Topics. ThoughtCo. Persuasive essays are a bit like argument essays and persuasive speeches, but they tend to be a little kinder and gentler. Argument essays require you to discuss and to attack an alternate view, while persuasive essays are attempts to convince the reader that you have a believable argument.
Perception and Perspective
To be a critical thinker it is important to reflect on your own perceptions and the way they influence your perspectives of people, the world, essay topics, sources of information, events, and histories. Perception and perspective, while separate, are entwined because they constantly influence each other in a circular way.
140 Persuasive Essay Topics College Style Ideas
Here are some literature college persuasive essay topics to brainstorm: Shakespeare is one of the most prominent explorers of the time subject. Emily Dickinson's perception of death is far from being purely negative. English literature is more romantic when compared to American classics.
120 Persuasive Essay Topics
10 Best Persuasive Essay Topics. Including the most interesting, thought-provoking and unique topics, this section contains the ten best persuasive essay topics out there. All problems facing humanity could be fixed with better technology. Embalming is a dangerous practice. Euthanasia should be illegal.
106 Self Esteem Topic Ideas to Write about & Essay Samples
Self Concept and Self Esteem in Interpersonal Communication. Low self-esteem is associated with a person's emotional response to self-perception and social expectation. Low-self esteem is associated with the feeling of failure to meet social expectation. Self-Esteem and Confidence in the Workplace.
Perception
Paper Type: 900 Word Essay Examples. This is when the nerve sheath is repaired and new nerve axons grow into the skin and muscles, after a nerve repair surgery in the hand. (Rosen, 2006) The growth of the nerve fibres is slow and may grow about one 2.5cm every month in ideal conditions.
Free Essays on Perception, Examples, Topics, Outlines
Word "perception" is derived from Latin "perception" and means "gathering or receiving of meaning", which is a great definition in itself. Authors of perception essays usually define perception as a process of receiving sensory stimuli, interpreting, and reacting to them. It is a singular way we learn about the surrounding environment.
101 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens
101 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens. Use your words to sway the reader. Persuasive writing is one of those skills that can help students succeed in real life. Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative, but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader.
≡Essays on Perception. Free Examples of Research Paper Topics, Titles
Look for interdisciplinary connections, such as the intersection of perception and art, literature, or neuroscience, to develop a unique and engaging essay topic. Essay Topics. The role of perception in decision-making processes; The impact of social media on body image perception; The influence of cultural background on perception of time
Perception Essays: Samples & Topics
The Perception Of What Is Beauty In Our Society. 2. Major Role Of Concepts As A Guiding Light For Human Beings. 3. The Perception of the World in Chaim Potok The Chosen. 4. Research on the Extra-Sensory Perception Between Twins. 5. The Enormous Importance of Self-Support. 6. The No True Scotsman Fallacy Examples. 7.
Perception Essays: Examples, Topics, & Outlines
Perception is the basis of a human's ability to see, hear, and make sense out of these senses. The different types of perception include bottom-up processing, which researchers sometimes refer to data-driven processing, top-down processing, which is sometimes called conceptually driven processing. There are also different ways of viewing ...
Perception: The Sensory Experience of the World
Perception relies on the cognitive functions we use to process information, such as utilizing memory to recognize the face of a friend or detect a familiar scent. Through the perception process, we are able to both identify and respond to environmental stimuli. Perception includes the five senses; touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste.
Essay Topics
Find 500+ Essay writing topics for students, college students, kids and students from grade 6, 7, 8. ... 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.
Essay on Perception
Essay # 5. Depth Perception: One important aspect in perception is the perception of depth, the third dimension or distance we are able to perceive objects as being near or far off. The basic psychological mechanism cannot explain this. The question has been a perplexing one. One view holds that this ability is innate while the other holds that ...
7 facts about Americans and taxes
A majority of Americans feel that corporations and wealthy people don't pay their fair share in taxes, according to a Center survey from spring 2023.About six-in-ten U.S. adults say they're bothered a lot by the feeling that some corporations (61%) and some wealthy people (60%) don't pay their fair share.
When Your Colleagues Have an Outdated Perception of You
Summary. As we grow or change, our identity transitions are often invisible — unless we do the work to help others see our changes. This can be particularly true for people who have worked at a ...
Perception of Others and Ourselves
Conclusion. Ultimately, basing on the two essays, 'No Cats in America' and 'Masks', they portray how social class influence our perception of others and ourselves. In the first essay, the student perceives the American students to be of high social class and very intelligent while perceiving himself as inferior. We will write.
What's cheating? AI bans, schools may fail students who use Grammarly
In a story that's gone viral, University of North Georgia student Marley Stevens ended up on academic probation for using Grammarly on her criminal justice essay. Stevens said her professor ...
NPR suspends editor Uri Berliner over essay accusing outlet of bias
Berliner rails against NPR's coverage of COVID-19, diversity efforts. Berliner, a senior business editor who has worked at NPR for 25 years, argued in the Free Press essay that "people at every ...
NPR editor Uri Berliner resigns after essay accusing outlet of bias
A senior business editor at National Public Radio has resigned after writing an essay for an online news site published last week accusing the outlet of a liberal bias in its coverage.. In a ...
ChatGPT essay cheats are a menace to us all
The other day I met a British academic who said something about artificial intelligence that made my jaw drop. The number of students using AI tools like ChatGPT to write their papers was a much ...