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Personal Essay Topics

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A personal essay is an essay about your life, thoughts, or experiences. This type of essay will give readers a glimpse into your most intimate life experiences and life lessons. There are many reasons you may need to write a personal essay , from a simple class assignment to a college application requirement . You can use the list below for inspiration. Consider each statement a starting point, and write about a memorable moment that the prompt brings to mind.

Your bravest moment
How you met your best friend
What makes your mom or dad special
How you overcame a fear
Why you will succeed
Why you made a difficult choice
A special place
A place you try to avoid
When a friend let you down
An event that changed your life
A special encounter with an animal
A time when you felt out of place
An odd experience that didn't make sense at the time
Words of wisdom that hit home and changed your way of thinking
A person that you do not like
A time when you disappointed someone
Your fondest memory
A time when you saw your parent cry
The moment when you knew you were grown up
Your earliest memory of holiday celebrations in your home
Times when you should have made a better choice
A time when you dodged a dangerous situation
A person you will think about at the end of your life
Your favorite time period
A failure you've experienced
A disappointment you've experienced
A surprising turn of events
What you would do with power
What superpower you would choose
If you could switch lives with someone
How money matters in your life
Your biggest loss
A time when you felt you did the wrong thing
A proud moment when you did the right thing
An experience that you've never shared with another person
A special place that you shared with a childhood friend
A first encounter with a stranger
Your first handshake
Where you go to hide
If you had a do-over
A book that changed your life
Words that stung
When you had the desire to run
When you had the urge to crawl into a hole
Words that prompted hope
When a child taught you a lesson
Your proudest moment
If your dog could talk
Your favorite time with family
If you could live in another country
If you could invent something
The world a hundred years from now
If you had lived a hundred years earlier
The animal you'd like to be
One thing you'd change at your school
The greatest movie moment
The type of teacher you would be
If you could be a building
A statue you'd like to see
If you could live anywhere
The greatest discovery
If you could change one thing about yourself
An animal that could be in charge
Something you can do that robots could never do
Your most unfortunate day
Your secret talent
Your secret love
The most beautiful thing you've ever seen
The ugliest thing you've seen
Something you've witnessed
An accident that changed everything
A wrong choice
A right choice
If you were a food
How you'd spend a million dollars
If you could start a charity
The meaning of color
A close call
Your favorite gift
A chore you'd do away with
A secret place
Something you can't resist
A hard lesson
A visitor you'll never forget
An unexplained event
Your longest minute
An awkward social moment
An experience with death
Why you'll never tell a lie
If your mom knew, she'd kill you
A kiss that meant a lot
When you needed a hug
The hardest news you've had to deliver
A special morning
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110 Personal Essay Topics

Though written from a lived experience, personal essay topics can be tricky to come up with because they have to be universal enough for other people to relate to.

Since the skill of writing a good essay is being able to paint an image with words, students must choose a topic that will get others interested in the story and what it has to say about life, society, or themselves.

In essence, personal essays are written from a personal point of view and express a writer’s own insights, opinions, and feelings on a particular topic. Additionally, these types of essays lead to an overall point, lesson, realization, or revelation.

Most commonly, personal essays are written by high school students as part of their college applications. However, there are many other reasons that a personal essay may be assigned or written, including:

Scholarship applications
Job interview
Writing contest
Grad school admission

Students and others struggling with a valuable personal essay topic can choose from any of the 110 personal essay topics on this list to help them get started.

How to Write a Personal Essay

Writing a personal essay will require you to follow a traditional essay’s guidelines, structure, and format. However, you will also need to ensure that your essay is personal or tells a story about yourself rather than being entirely academic.

For example, you might want to explain an experience that changed how you saw the world or share an opinion on something important to you – even if the rest of the world doesn’t agree with it.

It often helps to make a list of experiences that you may want to share before starting with the writing aspect of the personal essay.

Introduction

The introduction to your personal essay will set the scene for the reader. Therefore, your personal essay needs to start with a compelling hook that will draw the reader in and make them want to read more.

This hook statement could be a humorous or poignant anecdote related to your topic or a line of questioning that the reader will be interested in following. For example, some possible opening lines for a personal essay could start with:

“I remember exactly where I was when I first realized …”
“What would you do if you knew the world was going to end tomorrow?
“So, I once had this problem …”

These beginning lines will often create questions in the reader’s mind, which is an excellent way to capture their interest and keep them reading. Following this initial opening sentence, you can introduce other details as you build up the main point of the story.

Your introduction should end with a thesis statement that verbalizes the general direction the story will go.

Body Paragraphs

Generally, a personal essay will have no less than three body paragraphs that detail your experience in chronological order. Each section should discuss one part of the story, including the events leading up to it, what happened during the experience, and what you learned from it.

Body paragraphs may also include examples of feelings, emotions, or arguments that support your experience. The goal of a personal essay is to share a compelling story and teach the reader something about life or themselves by using specific details and language.

Consider this formatting when creating the body paragraphs of your personal essay:

1st Paragraph

Beginning of the story that answers questions related to “Who?” and “Where?”
Initial attitudes, moods, feelings, and assumptions about the event or experience about to take place

2nd Paragraph

Middle of the story
Details that show how the situation evolved over time, including any changes in mood or assumption on your part

3rd Paragraph

Ending of the story/resolution
The final analysis on overall feelings, emotions, and mood

By sticking to this formatting for the body paragraphs, students can ensure that they are telling the story correctly and including every key detail as it happens.

Conclusion Paragraph

The conclusion of a personal essay is optional and depends on what you want to accomplish with the telling of your story. If you want to leave the reader feeling inspired or emotionally moved, then focus on summarizing the main points in a short paragraph that ends on a positive note.

However, if this was a darker story, you may want to use the concluding paragraph to sum up your feelings after the experience has ended or explore any unanswered questions that remain.

In any event, your conclusion does need to include an overall moral or lesson of how the writer:

overcame hardship
rose to the occasion
identified new traits or abilities that they never realized existed
turned defeat into success
followed their instincts and made the right choice
came to appreciate something about life after the experience took place

Any of these statements can stand alone as a powerful lesson learned. However, when combined in one concluding paragraph, you will leave your reader with a profound impression.

Using any of these 110 personal essay topics will ensure that you have a strong and interesting story to tell.

Personal Essay Topics About Relationships

What was a time when you made a friend?
What would your worst enemy say about you?
Talk about the death of a friend.
How did it feel to be bullied in school?
The time when you had to get along with a sibling despite being different ages
What you learned from your first relationship
Why marriage isn’t important to you
How you discovered polyamory, and how it changed your view of relationships
How your best friend made you a better person
The lesson you learned from being catfished
The first time you experienced heartbreak
A funny story about how technology ruined a relationship.
How did you learn to recognize love?
Who would you consider your soulmate? What makes them that person specifically for you?
What was your most embarrassing moment as a boyfriend or girlfriend, and what did you learn from it?

Personal Essay Topics About Hardships

The worst thing that ever happened to me
The roughest time in my family’s life
The hardest challenge I’ve ever had to overcome
How did you deal with the stress of moving?
What was your most embarrassing moment as a kid?
What are some reasons that I am grateful for my disability/illness/condition?
When have you had an “Aha!” moment in life?
What’s something terrible that happened to you that turned into something good?
What’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned from my failures?
The time when it almost felt like the world was against me
How did I handle/recover from a severe illness/injury/accident?
When was the first time I realized that life isn’t fair?
What was the biggest struggle I went through in my teens?
The most challenging situation I faced in high school
When was a time when I made a negative impact on someone else?
The first time I got caught stealing
The most embarrassing mistake I ever made with money
What was the most challenging thing about getting sober/clean/overcoming addiction?
When did I realize that life is short and that nobody is promised tomorrow?
How did you learn to persevere through tough times?

Personal Essay Topics About Success & Achievements

Best moment in my sports career
My greatest success story
The time I overcame my fear and found strength I didn’t know I had.
What’s the happiest day of my life?
How did I learn to overcome failure?
The time I knew that dreams really do come true
My greatest triumph over adversity – and what it taught me about myself.
What made you realize that you have to work hard in order to achieve something meaningful in life?
When did I know that I had made it in life?
When was the first time you were acknowledged for your achievements?
The night when my hard work truly paid off
My most powerful moment after overcoming a setback
How did I become successful?
What are some defining moments in my career?
How did I make it through a difficult time in college/university?
What motivated me to become the person I am today?

Personal Essay Topics About Personal Growth & Self-Reflection

Whose lifelong encouragement helped make me who I am today
The first time I took responsibility for my own actions
What gave me the courage to be myself?
The most valuable life lesson I’ve ever received. Who taught it to me, and what was the context?
How did I get through a difficult childhood/adolescence/teenage years?
What did I learn from becoming a yoga master?
How has meditation helped me overcome anger issues?
How did I recover from using drugs and alcohol?
What’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned from quitting my job?
When did I realize that life is too short to hate someone?
The moment when I knew it was time for a change
I made a mistake – and this is how I bounced back
How did I overcome depression/anxiety/mental illness?

Personal Essay Topics About Passions & Hobbies

How did learning a skill change my life?
Why exercise makes me a better person
My passion for writing
What’s the best advice I’ve ever received? Who gave it to me, and in what situation?
The moment when I realized my true calling in life
The importance of keeping a journal and how it has helped me become a better person
My biggest bucket list dream and why it’s so important to me
What is my vision for the future?
How did I find peace, contentment, and happiness?
The time when I truly lived outside of my comfort zone
When was the moment when I felt like I “got” meditation?
My journey towards becoming vegan. What inspired me to make this change, and what were the challenges I faced?
What lessons have been easy for me to learn, and which ones have been harder?
The time when travel changed my life

Personal Essay Topics About Challenges & Failures

The low point of my life and how I got through it
How did an illness/injury/death in the family affect me?
Why did I decide to stop going on blind dates?
What were the consequences of losing my temper, and how did I make amends?
The time when I was broken. What happened, who got hurt, and how did it affect me? How did I overcome this experience?
When was the moment when I realized that my words carry weight?

Personal Essay Topics About Family & Childhood Memories

The time when my family showed me what unconditional love means
My most vivid childhood memory and how it has affected me as an adult
How did I learn to be patient and kind?
What was the moment that sparked a change in my life? What caused this change, and what happened after the changes took place?
The moment when I realized the true meaning of friendship
What lessons did growing up teach me about life?
My childhood dream and what it taught me about myself
How do I feel about my hometown after living in three different places?
Why is it important to visit your birthplace/hometown during holidays/vacations?
My family’s most influential life lesson and how it has affected me
What was the moment when I realized that my parents had their own struggles?
The time when I learned about my family history. What happened, why did this happen, and how did it affect me? How did things change after this event?
What do I know about family traditions now that I didn’t understand as a child?
Why are your family memories vital to you?

Personal Essay Topics About Cultural Heritage & Identity

What does being bilingual/multilingual mean to me? Why is it unique?
My first interaction with someone from another culture
What’s wrong with cultural appropriation, and how did I learn to stop?
The moment when I became aware of my race/ethnicity
My culture’s most influential life lesson and how it has affected me
How I learned to not be afraid of my cultural differences
Why is diversity important in my community? In what ways do I contribute?
The moment I realized that I am proud of my culture
How has the immigrant/refugee experience shaped who you are today?
How traditions have changed the way I view my family

Personal Essay Topics About Childhood Dreams & Aspirations

What were my childhood dreams, and how have they changed over the years?
How did I make peace with the fear of growing up?

Any of these 110 personal essay topics are perfect for students struggling to find a topic that will impress a college admission officer or any other person with whom you’re trying to connect with on a personal level through storytelling.

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100+ Personal Essay Topics For College And Writing Tips

Table of Contents

70 Great Personal Essay Topics for College

Looking for interesting personal essay writing ideas? We’ve got a bunch…

A personal essay is a typical assignment for high-school and college students. It’s a type of non-fiction that incorporates a variety of writing styles. Personal essay topics usually include real stories, experiences, and opinions of people.

Writers need to give an account of their own experience and express their thoughts on the subject of a paper. The key to success is to make an attempt to combine narration and opinion together. In this article, you will find a short writing guide and 100+ engaging personal essay topic ideas.

How to write personal essays?

Keep in mind that personal writing is always subjective. It is based on the writer’s observation, feelings, opinion, and experience. You are the speaker, so it’s quite natural to use such pronouns as I, my, me, we, and our.

First of all, most essay writing websites will say that you need to find a compelling topic. College personal essay topics include a lot of things.

Students may be asked to

state their opinion about an issue
document what they observed
share a story
give a description of an object, event, place, person
relate a specific subject to their own life

Whatever theme you choose, it’s crucial to start an introduction of your paper with a strong hook to capture the audience’s attention. Introduce the subject in the first paragraph. Think about the main idea you want to communicate.

In the body of your paper, inform readers about the subject. It’s better to create an outline before to start writing. It will help you organize your thoughts, stay focused, and write clearly and concisely. Start each paragraph with a new idea. Show, don’t tell. Use strong verbs and include a lot of sensory details.

End with a thought-provoking conclusion. You need to explain what lesson you have learned, how your experience contributed to your development as a person and shaped your personality.

Why choose personal persuasive essay topics for writing

When writing on personal persuasive essay topics, writers must state their position or opinion on an issue and try to persuade people to accept their point of view, telling stories and appealing to their feelings and emotions.

That differs from elaborating on personal argumentative essay topics, when students have to support their point of view with strong arguments, reasons, relevant examples, appropriate illustrations, etc.

These types of papers are not easy to write as well as papers on personal cause and effect essay topics.

But there are important reasons why you may want to do that.

You’ll improve communication and critical thinking skills .
Challenging themes can help you stand out from the crowd.
You will be able to demonstrate your creativity and ability to apply persuasive techniques.

… Can’t decide what idea to choose?

Here we have gathered a wide variety of moving ideas for your inspiration. Whether you need personal experience essay topics or personal narrative essay topics, we’ve got you covered.

Personal essay topics: what are they about?

You may write on any subject. Popular themes include hobbies, nature, childhood, illness, travel, making a difficult choice, learning something new, friends, family, and relationships.

You may use some personal challenge essay ideas and tell about overcoming an obstacle. Or you can buy argumentative essay if you don’t have time to work on college tasks tonight.

Actually, the subject is not as important as you think. Readers want to see your point of view that reveals your unique personality.

How you met a special person in your life?
A person you admire most.
The best place in the local area.
A place where you would like to live your whole life.
Works of art you admire.
The job of your dream.
Your biggest disappointment.
Books that made a great impression on you.
What annoys you?
Your family traditions.
Are you addicted to technology?
What modern songs inspire you?
Could you live without money?
Do you like commercials?
What is your best method of studying?

Personal narrative essay topics

Tell about your first trip abroad.
The most unfortunate event ever happened to you.
What happened during your first day at school?
What is your first childhood memory?
What is your most memorable family event?
Did you experience failure?
What games did you play when you were a child?
The biggest challenge you have overcome.
Do you remember your first birthday party?
Tell how you learn something new.
Have you ever encountered a wild animal?
Tell about the first time you were home alone.
How you cooked a meal for the first time?
Tell how you helped someone.
How you overcame fear?

Personal experience essay topics

What things make you feel happy?
How you came to healthy eating habits?
How did you celebrate Christmas?
Did you bring a stray animal home?
How did you learn to drive?
How you met a famous person?
How did you learn something from enemies?
Describe the accidents you witnessed.
How you got hurt?
Describe disastrous trips or vacations.
Fantastic concerts you attended.
Describe terrifying nightmares.
Your reaction when provoked.
Experience of being a leader.
A friendship breakup experience.

Personal argumentative essay topics

What could you live without?
Why are you concerned about environmental issues?
How much money do you need for happiness?
What does your ethnic identity mean to you?
Significance of personal growth.
Male and female roles in your family.
Your attitude to feminism.
Explain what does it mean to be a Human.
Most precious moments of your life.
What is more critical: wealth or happiness?
Your attitude to getting a tattoo.
Is it important to be crazy about fashion?
Your opinion on cosmetics surgery.
Significance of healthy lifestyle choices.
Your favourite holiday destinations.

College personal essay topics

Have you been in love with someone?
What is your life’s goal?
What does success mean to you?
How freedom matters in your life?
How you leave the comfort zone?
Things you appreciate in life.
What things do you hate?
How you met college roommates?
Your plans on spending a gap year.
How you got your first job?
Describe intellectual challenges you would like to solve.
What did you learn from failures?
Outdoor activities you like most.
Explain your commitments.
What motivates you?

Personal persuasive essay topics

Your opinion of distant learning and online education.
Can listening to music help complete your homework faster?
Can hobbies help in a future career?
Is it ethical to buy products tested on animals?
Why is volunteering important?
Should drugs be banned?
Your favourite restaurant everyone should visit.
Things to do to help our world survive.
How can we make the world a better place?
Is it possible to avoid stress?
Should zoos be forbidden?
How online shopping makes me spend more money?
Why I don’t smoke.
Things I want to be doing when I become 85.
Why do I recommend students to study abroad?

Personal cause and effect essay topics

Why I don’t watch TV.
Reasons I go in for sports.
Effects of social media on the daily routine.
How my failures make me stronger?
Books that changed my world view.
Reasons why I study computer science.
Influence of my parents on my life choices.
Importance of learning math for my future career.
Effect of being a single child.
How my pets make me a better person?
Influence of regular exercise on my health and wellbeing.
What makes me rebel against my parents?
How did my parents help me to study?
Why going to college made me an independent person?
What caused my burn out?

Feel free to use our good personal essay topics for creating amazing pieces that will make a powerful impression on your readers and get you high grades.

Can’t grab your thoughts together and come up with a perfect personal essay? No worries! Our writers will do all the writing, while you enjoy your free time. Psst, it takes a few clicks only…

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550 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing

Questions that invite students to tell stories, describe memories, make observations, imagine possibilities, and reflect on who they are and what they believe.

By The Learning Network

Update, Sept. 9, 2022: We published a new collection of 445 narrative and personal writing prompts.

We’ve been posting fresh writing prompts every school day for over a decade now, and every so often we create a themed collection like this one to help you find what you need all in one place.

This fall, in honor of our new narrative-writing unit and our first-ever Personal Narrative Essay Contest for teenagers, we’ve rounded up 550 evergreen questions on everything from family, friendships and growing up to gender, spirituality, money, school, sports, social media, travel, dating, food, health and more. (They’re also all available here as a PDF .)

We hope they’ll inspire you, whether you’re entering our related contest or just want to improve your writing skills. Like all our Student Opinion questions , each links to a related Times article, which is free to read if you access it from our site.

So dive in and pick the questions that most inspire you to tell an interesting story, describe a memorable event, observe the details in your world, imagine a possibility, or reflect on who you are and what you believe.

Overcoming Adversity

1. How Resilient Are You? 2. What Do You Do When You Encounter Obstacles to Success? 3. When Have You Failed? What Did You Learn From It? 4. Have You Ever Felt Like an Outsider? 5. What Are Your Secret Survival Strategies? 6. When Have You Reinvented Yourself? 7. How Often Do You Leave Your ‘Comfort Zone’? 8. When Was the Last Time You Did Something That Scared or Challenged You? 9. How Do You Handle Fear? 10. What Do You Gain From Pursuing Something You Do Really, Really Badly? 11. Do You Give Yourself Enough Credit for Your Own Successes? 12. How Often Do You Cry? 13. How Do You Cope With Grief? 14. How Have You Handled Being the ‘New Kid’? 15. How Do You Deal With Haters? 16. How Do You React When Provoked? 17. Does Stress Affect Your Ability to Make Good Decisions? 18. Are You Too Hard on Yourself? 19. How Do You Find Peace in Your Life? 20. Does Your Life Leave You Enough Time to Relax? 21. What Did You Once Hate but Now Like? 22. Do Adults Who Are ‘Only Trying to Help’ Sometimes Make Things Worse? 23. How Well Do You Take Criticism?

Your Personality

24. What Motivates You? 25. What Makes You Happy? 26. What Are You Good At? 27. How Do You Deal With Boredom? 28. Do You Like Being Alone? 29. How Full Is Your Glass? 30. Do You Have a Hard Time Making Decisions? 31. How Much Self-Control Do You Have? 32. Are You a Patient Person? 33. How Well Do Rewards and Incentives Work to Motivate You? 34. How Productive and Organized Are You? 35. Under What Conditions Do You Do Your Best Work? 36. How Do You Express Yourself Creatively? 37. Do You Hold Grudges? 38. How Good Are You at Judging Your Own Talents? 39. How Emotionally Intelligent Are You? 40. Do You Take More Risks When You Are Around Your Friends? 41. Are You a Procrastinator? 42. What Role Does Envy Play in Your Life? 43. How Much of a Daredevil Are You? 44. Are You a Perfectionist? 45. How Impulsive Are You? 46. Are You a Novelty-Seeker? 47. What Annoys You? 48. Do You Apologize Too Much? 49. What Animal Are You Most Like? 50. How Materialistic Are You? 51. How Easy — or Hard — Is It for You to Say No When You Want To? 52. Are You a Hoarder or a Minimalist? 53. Are You an Introvert or an Extrovert? 54. Are You Popular, Quirky or Conformist? 55. How Good Is Your Sense of Direction? 56. How Competitive Are You? 57. What Assumptions Do People Make About You? 58. Are You More of a Leader or a Follower?

59. What Are Your Hobbies? 60. What Are Your Passions? 61. What Would You Choose to Do If You Had Unlimited Free Time and No Restrictions? 62. Are There Activities You Used to Love That Are Now So Competitive They’re Not Fun Anymore? 63. What Activities Make You Feel Most Alive? 64. What Do You Collect? 65. What Work, Sport or Pastime Do You Like to Do at Night?

66. Do You Wish You Had a Different Morning Routine? 67. What Ordinary Moments Would You Include in a Video About Your Life? 68. What Are Your Best ‘Life Hacks’? 69. Do You Spend Enough Time With Other People? 70. How Do You Greet Your Friends and Family? 71. How Do You Remember What You Need to Remember? 72. What’s Your Sunday Routine? 73. How Often Do You Talk to Yourself? 74. When and For What Reasons Do You Seek Silence? 75. What Habits Do You Have, and Have You Ever Tried to Change Them? 76. What Small Things Have You Seen and Taken Note Of Today? 77. What Are the Sounds That Make Up the Background Noise in Your Life? 78. What Sounds Annoy You? 79. What Public Behavior Annoys You Most? 80. What Are Some Recent Moments of Happiness in Your Life? 81. What Are You Grateful For?

Role Models

82. What Heroic Acts Have You Performed or Witnessed? 83. What Are Some ‘Words of Wisdom’ That Guide Your Life? 84. Who Outside Your Family Has Made a Difference in Your Life? 85. What Does the World Need to Know About an Important Person in Your Life? 86. To Whom, or What, Would You Like to Write a Thank-You Note? 87. What Does Dr. King’s Legacy Mean to You? 88. What Six People, Living or Dead, Would You Invite to Dinner? 89. Who’s Your ‘Outsider Role Model’?

90. How Do You Define ‘Family’? 91. What Events Have Brought You Closer to Your Family? 92. What Have You and Your Family Accomplished Together? 93. What Is Your Relationship With Your Siblings Like? 94. Have You Ever Felt Pressured by Family or Others in Making an Important Decision About Your Future? 95. What Possessions Does Your Family Treasure? 96. What Hobbies Have Been Passed Down in Your Family? 97. What’s the Story Behind Your Name? 98. How Have You Paid Tribute to Loved Ones? 99. What Family Traditions Do You Want to Carry On When You Get Older? 100. Did Your Parents Have a Life Before They Had Kids? 101. How Much Do You Know About Your Family’s History? 102. Where Would You Visit To Find Out More About Your Family’s Past?

Parents & Parenting

103. How Close Are You to Your Parents? 104. How Are You and Your Parents Alike and Different? 105. How Much Freedom Have Your Parents Given You? 106. Do You Push Your Parents’ Buttons? 107. How Often Do You Fight With Your Parents? 108. Are Your Parents Addicted to Their Phones? 109. Is Your Family Stressed, Tired and Rushed? 110. How Do You Get What You Want From Your Parents? 111. Do You Ever Feel Embarrassed by Your Parents? 112. Do Your Parents Try Too Hard to Be Cool? 113. Do Your Parents Support Your Learning? 114. Do Your Parents Yell at You? 115. Do You Want Your Parents to Stop Asking You ‘How Was School?’ 116. How Much Do Your Parents Help With Your Homework? 117. How Has Your Family Helped or Hindered Your Transition to a New School? 118. Have Your Parents and Teachers Given You Room to Create? 119. Are You Conforming to or Rebelling Against Your Parents’ Wishes for You? 120. What Advice Do You Have for Teenagers and Their Parents? 121. Do Your Parents Spy on You?

Your Neighborhood

122. What’s Special About Your Hometown? 123. Who Are the ‘Characters’ That Make Your Town Interesting? 124. What Marketing Slogan Would You Use for Your Town or City? 125. After Home and School, Where Do You Find the Strongest Feeling of Community? 126. What Do the Types of Dogs in Your Neighborhood Say About Where You Live? 127. Who Is the ‘Mayor’ of Your School or Neighborhood? 128. How Much Does Your Neighborhood Define Who You Are? 129. What ‘Urban Legends’ Are There About Places in Your Area? 130. Do You Know Your Way Around Your City or Town? 131. How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors? 132. What Is Your Favorite Place? 133. What’s Your Favorite Neighborhood Joint? 134. What Is Your Favorite Street? 135. Do You Hang Out in the Park? 136. What Buildings Do You Love? What Buildings Do You Hate? 137. Have You Ever Interacted With the Police? 138. What Ideas Do You Have for Enhancing Your Community? 139. Where Do You Think You Will Live When You Are an Adult? 140. Would You Most Want to Live in a City, a Suburb or the Country?

141. What is Your Favorite Place in Your House? 142. Do You Wish You Had the Go-to House? 143. Do You Need to De-Clutter Your Life? 144. Do You Plan on Saving Any of Your Belongings for the Future? 145. Is Your Bedroom a Nightmare? 146. What Would You Grab in a Fire? 147. Do You Think You Might Like Communal Living When You’re an Adult? 148. Who Lived Long Ago Where You Live Now? 149. What Would Your Dream Home Be Like? 150. What City or Town Most Captures Your Imagination?

Childhood Memories

151. What Was Your Most Precious Childhood Possession? 152. What Objects Tell the Story of Your Life? 153. Have You Ever Given, or Received, a Perfect Gift? 154. What Were Your Favorite Picture Books When You Were Little? 155. What’s the Best Party You’ve Ever Been To? 156. What Places Do You Remember Fondly From Childhood? 157. What Food or Flavor Do You Remember Tasting for the First Time? 158. What Do You Wish You Could See, Hear, Read or Experience for the First Time All Over Again? 159. Have You Ever Felt Embarrassed by Things You Used to Like? 160. Do You Wish You Could Return to Moments From Your Past? 161. Was There a Toy You Wanted as a Child but Never Got? 162. What Childhood Rules Did You Break? 163. What Is the Most Memorable Thing You Have Ever Lost or Found? 164. What Is Your Earliest Memory? 165. What Nicknames Have You Ever Gotten or Given? 166. What Are Your Best Sleepover Memories? 167. What Old, Worn Out Thing Can You Just Not Part With? 168. What Is Your Most Prized Possession?

169. What Have You Learned in Your Teens? 170. What Rites of Passage Mark the Transition to Adulthood in Your Community? 171. What Letter of Inspiration Would You Write to Your Younger Self? 172. Do You Hate When Adults Ask You What You Want to Be When You Grow Up? 173. Do You Look Forward to Old Age? 174. What Can Older People Learn From Your Generation? 175. What Have You Learned From Older People? 176. What Advice Do You Have for Younger Students? 177. Do You Recognize Yourself in Descriptions of ‘Generation Z’? 178. Do Other People Care Too Much About Your Post-High School Plans? 179. Do You Have ‘Emerging Adult’ Skills? 180. What Do Older Generations Misunderstand About Teenagers Today? 181. What Have You Learned From a Younger Person — and What Have You Taught An Older Person? 182. What Legacy Do You Want to Leave Behind?

Morality & Ethics

183. What Ethical Dilemmas Have You Faced? 184. Have You Ever Taken a Stand That Isolated You From Your Peers? 185. Have You Ever Donated Your Time, Talents, Possessions or Money to Support Anyone in Need? 186. What Acts of Kindness Have You Witnessed or Participated In? 187. Have You Ever ‘Paid It Forward’? 188. How Would You Like to Help Our World? 189. What Would You Invent to Make the World a Better Place? 190. What Would You Risk Your Life For? 191. How Trustworthy Are You? 192. How Comfortable Are You With Lying? 193. When Do You Lie? 194. Have You Ever Lied to Your Parents or Done Something Behind Their Backs? 195. If You Drink or Use Drugs, Do Your Parents Know? 196. Have You Ever Taken Something You Weren’t Supposed To? 197. Do You Ever Eavesdrop? 198. Do You Know How to Say ‘I’m Sorry?’

Religion, Spirituality & Beliefs

199. What Is the Role of Religion or Spirituality in Your Life? 200. How Often Do You Start Conversations about Faith or Spirituality? 201. Do You Believe That Everything Happens for a Reason? 202. How Much Control Do You Think You Have Over Your Fate? 203. Can You Be Good Without God? 204. Can You Pass a Basic Religion Test? 205. What Can You Learn From Other Religions? 206. What Legends and Myths Do You Believe In? 207. Do You Believe in Astrology? 208. Do You Believe in Ghosts?

Gender, Race & Sexuality

209. Do You Feel Constricted by Gender Norms? 210. Do Parents Have Different Hopes and Standards for Their Sons Than for Their Daughters? 211. Have You Ever Been Told You Couldn’t Do Something Because of Your Gender? 212. Is There Too Much Pressure on Girls to Have ‘Perfect’ Bodies? 213. How Much Pressure Do Boys Face to Have the Perfect Body? 214. What Experiences Have You Had With Gender Bias in School? 215. What Does it Mean to Be ‘a Real Man’? 216. What Have You Learned From the Women in Your Life? 217. What Messages About Gender Have You Gotten From Music? 218. How Do You Feel About Being Told to Smile? 219. Have You Ever Tried to Hide Your Racial or Ethnic Identity? 220. Do You Ever Talk About Issues of Race and Class With Your Friends? 221. Have You Experienced Racism or Other Kinds of Discrimination in School? 222. What Has Your Sex Education Been Like?

Money & Social Class

223. What Are Your Attitudes Toward Money? 224. Are You a Saver or a Spender? 225. What Have Your Parents Taught You About Money? 226. Do You Expect Your Parents to Give You Money? 227. How Important a Role Has Money, Work or Social Class Played in Your Life? 228. Do You See Great Disparities of Wealth in Your Community? 229. Can Money Buy You Happiness? 230. What Are the Best Things in Life and Are They Free? 231. What Are Your Expectations About Earning, Saving and Spending Money? 232. How Much Financial Help Do You Expect From Your Parents in the Future? 233. What Choices Do You Make About Money Every Day?

234. Are You Distracted by Technology? 235. Are You Distracted by Your Phone? 236. Are You ‘Addicted’ to Texting? 237. Do Screens Get in the Way of the Rest of Your Life? 238. Do You Experience FOMO When You Unplug? 239. Could You Go a Year Without a Smartphone? 240. Is Your Phone Love Hurting Your Relationships? 241. How Much of Your Day is Voluntarily Spent Screen-Free? 242. To What Piece of Technology Would You Write a ‘Love Letter’?

The Internet

243. How Do You Know if What You Read Online Is True? 244. How Much Do You Trust Online Reviews? 245. What Has YouTube Taught You? 246. What Would You Teach the World in an Online Video? 247. Do You Worry About Your Digital Privacy? 248. Do You Listen to Podcasts? 249. Would You Share an Embarrassing Story Online? 250. Do You Leave Funny Comments Online? 251. What Are Your Experiences With Internet-Based Urban Legends? 252. How Do You Use Wikipedia? 253. Have You Ever Been Scammed? 254. Whom Would You Share Your Passwords With? 255. Do You Ever Seek Advice on the Internet? 256. What Are Your Favorite Viral Videos?

Social Media

257. What Role Does Instagram Play in Your Life? 258. Do You Have ‘Instagram Envy’? 259. Do the Adults in Your Life Follow You on Social Media? 260. Have You Ever Gone to a Place for the Primary Purpose of Taking Selfies? 261. Who Is Your Favorite Social Media Star? 262. How Much Do You Trust the Celebrities and Social Media Stars You Follow? 263. Are You the Same Person on Social Media as You Are in Real Life? 264. What Memorable Experiences Have You Had on Facebook? 265. Why Do You Share Photos? 266. How Do You Archive Your Life? 267. Have You Ever Posted, Emailed or Texted Something You Wish You Could Take Back? 268. Have You Ever Sent an Odd Message Because of Auto-Correct? 269. Would You Want Your Photo or Video to Go Viral? 270. Do You Worry Colleges or Employers Might Read Your Social Media Posts Someday? 271. What Advice Do You Have for Younger Kids About Navigating Social Media?

272. What Are Your Earliest Memories of Music? 273. Who in Your Life Introduces You to New Music? 274. How Much Is Your Taste in Music Based on What Your Friends Like? 275. What Role Does Hip-Hop Play in Your Life? 276. What’s Your Karaoke Song? 277. How Closely Do You Listen to Lyrics? 278. What Is Your Favorite Musical Instrument? 279. What Would You Name Your Band?

Movies, Television & Video Games

280. What Have You Learned About Life From Watching Movies? 281. What Is Your Favorite Sports Movie? 282. Do You Like Horror Movies? 283. What Are Your Favorite TV Shows? 284. What Role Does Television Play in Your Life and the Life of Your Family? 285. What Stereotypical Characters Make You Cringe? 286. Have You Fallen Into ‘Friends’ or Any Other Older Television Shows? 287. How Much Are You Influenced by Advertising? 288. Do You Play Violent Video Games? 289. Who Are Your Opponents in Online Gaming? 290. What Classic Video Games Do You Still Enjoy Playing? 291. Are You a Fortnite Addict? 292. Do You Gamify Your Life?

Books & Reading

293. Read Any Good Books Lately? 294. What Books Do You Think Every Teenager Should Read? 295. What Role Have Books Played in Your Life? 296. Has a Novel Ever Helped You Understand Yourself or Your World Better? 297. Has a Book, Movie, Television Show, Song or Video Game Ever Inspired You to Do Something New? 298. What Book Would You Add to the High School Curriculum? 299. What Have You Learned from Comics? 300. Do You Read or Write Poetry? 301. What Is the Scariest Story You Have Ever Heard?

302. What Purpose Does Writing Serve in Your Life? 303. Do You Keep a Diary or Journal? 304. Do You Want to Write a Book? 305. When Do You Write by Hand? 306. Do You Write in Cursive? 307. Do You Write in Your Books? 308. What ‘Mundane Moments’ From Your Life Might Make Great Essay Material? 309. What Is Your Most Memorable Writing Assignment? 310. Do You Ever Write About Challenges You Face in Life? 311. What’s Your Favorite Joke? 312. If You Had a Column in The New York Times, What Would You Write About? 313. What Would You Write in a Letter to the Editor?

314. What Has Arts Education Done For You? 315. What Work of Art Has Changed Your Life? 316. What Are the Most Memorable Works of Visual Art You Have Seen? 317. Who Is Your Favorite Visual Artist? What Is Your Favorite Work of Art? 318. Which Photograph Stays In Your Memory? 319. What Would You Like to Learn to Make by Hand? 320. Are You Intimidated by Classical Music and Art? 321. Do You Love to Dance? 322. Have You Ever Performed for an Audience or Shared Creative Work With Others? 323. Have You Ever Stumbled Upon a Cool Public Performance? 324. What Show Do You Wish Your School Would Stage?

Language & Speech

325. What’s Your Favorite Word? 326. What Words Do You Hate? 327. Do You Say ‘Kind of, Sort of’ More Than You Realize? 328. What Makes a Great Conversation? 329. How Often Do You Have ‘Deep Discussions’? 330. Do You Wish Your Conversations Were Less Small Talk and More ‘Big Talk’? 331. How Much Information Is ‘Too Much Information’? 332. How Good Are You at Coming Up With Witty Comebacks? 333. Do You Sometimes ‘Hide’ Behind Irony? 334. How Good Is Your Grammar? 335. Do You Speak a Second, or Third, Language? 336. What Does Your Body Language Communicate?

337. Do You Like School? 338. Are You Stressed About School? 339. Are High School Students Being Worked Too Hard? 340. Would You Want to Go to a School Like This One? 341. How Much Do You Speak Up in School? 342. What ‘Pop-Up’ Classes Do You Wish Your School Offered? 343. Is Your School a Safe Learning Space? 344. Would You Want to Be Home-Schooled? 345. What Can Other Schools Learn — and Copy — From Your School? 346. What Do You Hope to Get Out of High School? 347. What Are Your Thoughts on Riding the School Bus? 348. Do You Feel Your School and Teachers Welcome Both Conservative and Liberal Points of View? 349. Do You Want to Be ‘Promposed’ To? 350. How Big a Problem Is Bullying or Cyberbullying in Your School or Community? 351. Can Students at Your School Talk Openly About Their Mental Health Issues? 352. What Career or Technical Classes Do You Wish Your School Offered?

Learning & Studying

353. Do You Have Too Much Homework? 354. Do You Need a Homework Therapist? 355. What’s the Most Challenging Assignment You’ve Ever Had? 356. Are You Afraid of Math? 357. How Would You Do on a Civics Test? 358. What Was Your Favorite Field Trip? 359. What Are Your Best Tips for Studying? 360. What Kind of Time Management Skills Are You Learning from the Adults in Your Life? 361. What Would You Like to Have Memorized?

362. What Do You Wish Your Teachers Knew About You? 363. When Has a Teacher Inspired You? 364. What Teacher Would You Like to Thank? 365. Have You Ever Been Humiliated by a Teacher? How Did it Affect You? 366. Have Your Teachers or Textbooks Ever Gotten It Wrong? 367. Does Your Teacher’s Identity Affect Your Learning? 368. Has a Teacher Ever Changed Your Mind-Set? 369. Do You Have a Tutor?

370. What Personal Essay Topic Would You Assign to College Applicants? 371. How Prepared Are You For College? How Well Do You Think You’ll Do? 372. What Worries You Most About the College Admissions Process? 373. What Worries Do You Have About College? 374. What Role Has Community College Played in Your Life or the Life of Someone You Know? 375. What Qualities Would You Look For in a College Roommate? 376. Would You Want to Take a Gap Year After High School? 377. Do You Intend to Study Abroad While You Are in College? 378. Are You Worried About the Rising Cost of Attending College? 379. Do You Want Your Parents to Live Nearby When You Go to College? 380. What Specialty College Would You Create?

Work & Careers

381. What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? 382. Do You Have a Life Calling? 383. What’s Your Dream Job? 384. Would You Pursue a Career If You Knew You Likely Would Not Make Much Money? 385. What Jobs Are You Most Curious About? 386. Will You Follow in Your Parents’ Footsteps? 387. Would You Consider Moving Overseas for a Job? 388. Would You Want to Be a Teacher? 389. Would You Rather Work From Home or in an Office? 390. What ‘Back-to-the-Land’ Skills Do You Have, or Wish You Had? 391. What Skill Could You Teach in Two Minutes? 392. What Have You Made Yourself? 393. Do You Have an Idea for a Business or App? 394. How Did You Start Doing Something You Love? 395. Did You Ever Take a Break From Doing Something You Love? 396. Would You Quit if Your Values Did Not Match Your Employer’s? 397. Do Your Summer Plans Include Employment?

398. Do You Have Satisfying Friendships? 399. How Alike Are You and Your Friends? 400. Do You Have Any Unlikely Friendships? 401. Do You Like Your Friends? 402. Do You Have a Best Friend? 403. Have You Ever Been Left Out? 404. Do You Ever Feel Lonely? 405. How Often Do You Spend One-on-One Time With Your Closest Friends? 406. How Do You Feel About Introducing Friends from Different Parts of Your Life? 407. Do You Find It Easier to Make New Friends Online or In Person? 408. How Good a Friend Are You? 409. How Have You Helped a Friend in a Time of Need? 410. Is Competitiveness an Obstacle to Making or Keeping Friendships? 411. How Should You Handle the End of a Friendship?

412. Are You Allowed to Date? 413. Is Dating a Thing of the Past? 414. What Advice Would You Give to Somebody Who Just Started Dating? 415. How Do You Think Technology Affects Dating? 416. Have You Ever Been in Love? 417. How Much of a Romantic Are You? 418. Have You Ever Been Ghosted? 419. What’s the Best Way to Get Over a Breakup? 420. Would You Want to Be Proposed to on a Jumbotron? 421. If You Get Married Someday, Do You Think You Will Change Your Last Name?

Sports & Games

422. Why Do You Play Sports? 423. Have You Ever Learned Something From a Professional Athlete? 424. How Would You Change Your Favorite Sport? 425. Does Being a Fan Help Define Who You Are? 426. What Kinds of Games and Puzzles Do You Like? 427. What Are Your Favorite Board Games? 428. Are You a Good Driver?

429. Where Do You Want to Travel? 430. What Is Your Most Memorable Family Vacation? 431. How Would You Spend Your Ideal Family Vacation? 432. What Do You Think You Would Learn From Traveling to All 50 States? 433. What Would Your Fantasy Road Trip Be Like? 434. What Crazy Adventure Would You Want to Take? 435. What Local ‘Microadventures’ Would You Like to Go On? 436. How Has Travel Affected You? 437. What Kind of Tourist Are You? 438. What Are the Best Souvenirs You’ve Ever Collected While Traveling? 439. What Famous Landmarks Have You Visited? 440. What’s the Coolest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Nature? 441. Would You Like to Live in Another Country? 442. If You Could Time-Travel, Where Would You Go?

Shopping, Looks & Fashion

443. What’s Your Favorite Store? 444. Could You Stop Shopping for an Entire Year? 445. Are You an Ethical Consumer? 446. Do Politics Ever Influence How or Where You Shop? 447. What Is Your All-Time Favorite Piece of Clothing? 448. Are You a Sneaker Head? 449. Do You Wear Clothes for the Logo? 450. Would You Like to Be a Fashion Model? 451. What’s Your Favorite T-Shirt? 452. What Does Your Hairstyle Say About You? 453. How Do You Feel About Your Body? 454. Have You Inherited Your Parents’ Attitudes Toward Their Looks? 455. What’s Your Favorite Room?

Exercise, Health & Sleep

456. What Rules Do You Have for Staying Healthy? 457. Do You Like to Exercise? 458. Do You Get Enough Exercise? 459. How Has Exercise Changed Your Health, Your Body or Your Life? 460. Do You Vape? 461. How Do You Get Your Nature Fix? 462. How Strong Is Your Sense of Smell? 463. What’s Your Favorite Mood Booster? 464. Do You Have Any Bad Health Habits? 465. Do You Learn Better After Moving Around? 466. How Often Do You Engage in ‘Fat Talk’? 467. Do You Pay Attention to Nutrition Labels on Food? 468. What Are Your ‘Food Rules’? 469. What Are Your Healthy Habits? 470. What Health Tips Have Worked for You? 471. What Are Your Sleep Habits? 472. Do You Get Enough Sleep?

Meals & Food

473. What Foods Bring Up Special Memories for You? 474. What Are the Most Memorable Meals You’ve Ever Had? 475. Are You Now, or Have You Ever Been, a Picky Eater? 476. What Foods Best Represent Your Hometown? 477. Have You Ever Experienced Food Insecurity? 478. What’s Your Favorite Holiday Food Memory? 479. What Convenience Foods Make You Happy? 480. How Do You Like Your Pizza? 481. What Are Your Favorite Junk Foods? 482. What’s Your Favorite Candy? 483. What’s Your Favorite Sandwich? 484. What Food Would You Like to Judge in a Taste-Off? 485. Do You Cook? 486. What Would You Most Like to Learn to Cook or Bake? 487. What Messages About Food and Eating Have You Learned From Your Family? 488. How Often Does Your Family Eat Together? 489. What Are Your Favorite Restaurants? 490. What Restaurant Would You Most Like to Review? 491. What Do You Eat During the School Day?

Holidays & Seasons

492. How Do You Celebrate Your Birthday? 493. How Much Scare Can You Handle in Your Halloween Entertainment? 494. Did You Take Part in Any Thanksgiving or Post-Holiday Traditions? 495. What Will You Talk About on Thanksgiving? 496. What Has Been Your Most Memorable Thanksgiving? 497. What Do You Look Forward to Most — and Least — During the Holiday Season? 498. What Are Your Tips for Enjoying the Holiday Season? 499. What Does Santa Claus Mean to You? 500. How Do You Fight the Winter Blues? 501. How Do You Feel About Valentine’s Day? 502. What Would Your Ideal Summer Camp Be Like? 503. What’s Your Favorite Summer Food? 504. Do You Choose Summer Activities to Look Good on Applications? 505. What’s the Most Memorable Thing That Happened to You This Summer?

Animals & Pets

506. What Are the Animals in Your Life? 507. What Have You Learned From Animals? 508. What’s Your Relationship Like With Your Pet? 509. What Are Your Thoughts on Cats? 510. Would You Want to Hang Out at a Cat Cafe? 511. How Do You Feel About the Spiders, Insects and Other Tiny Creatures in Your Home?

Environment

512. How Concerned Are You About Climate Change? 513. How Do You Try to Reduce Your Impact on the Environment? 514. Do You Ever Feel Guilty About What, or How Much, You Throw Away? 515. How Much Food Does Your Family Waste? 516. What Could You Live Without? 517. Would You Change Your Eating Habits to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint? 518. Could You Live ‘Plastic Free’?

History, Politics & Current Events

519. What Event in the Past Do You Wish You Could Have Witnessed? 520. What National or International Events That You Lived Through Do You Remember Best? 521. Is Your Online World Just a ‘Filter Bubble’ of People With the Same Opinions? 522. Do You Ever Get the ‘Bad News Blues’? 523. Have You Ever Changed Your Mind About a Hot-Button Issue? 524. What Do American Values Mean to You? 525. How Much Do You Know About the Rest of the World?

526. Would You Want to Live Forever? 527. Would You Want to Live a Life Without Ever Feeling Pain? 528. If You Had an Extra Billion Dollars, What Cause Would You Support With Your Philanthropy? 529. Are You Hopeful About the Future? 530. If the World Was Ending, What Would You Want to Say? 531. Would You Like to Be Famous? 532. Would You Like to Be Cryogenically Preserved (Frozen!) Upon Your Death? 533. Would You Like to Be a Farmer? 534. What Items Would You Place in a Time Capsule for Future Generations? 535. What Fantasy Invention Would You Want to Exist in Reality? 536. What Do You Want to Be Known for After Your Death? 537. Do You Like Your First Name? Would You Change It if You Could? 538. What Would You Do if You Won the Lottery? 539. What Era Do You Wish You Had Lived In? 540. Would You Want to Be a Child Prodigy? 541. What Kind of Robot Would You Want? 542. What Would You Outsource if You Could? 543. What Would You Like to Learn on Your Own? 544. What Would You Be Willing to Wait in a Really Long Line For? 545. Do You Want to Live to 100? 546. Given Unlimited Resources, What Scientific or Medical Problem Would You Investigate? 547. What Scientific Mysteries Do You Want Solved? 548. What Idea Do You Have That Is Ahead of Its Time? 549. How Would Your Life Be Different if You Had Better Listening Skills? 550. What Do You Want Your Obituary to Say?

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

242 Personal Persuasive Essay Topics and Ideas

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Personal Persuasive Essay Topics Ideas intro image

Personal essays are some of the most diverse assignments you can receive. Whether you’re a student in middle school or university, the best personal essay will highlight an individual’s personal views and unique experience. They’re not confined by the restrictions of literary essays and give plenty of opportunity for introducing the writer’s personality. The key here is selecting the right topics to talk about in a personal essay. Usually, this is the toughest part. After all, it’s the emotional core of your text. A lot of people also struggle to write about themselves and their experience as subjects of the text. Where does one start? Essay topics in general are frustrating to formulate so if you need help with some inspiration, take a look at some more ideas here ! And if you’re wondering what some good personal essay topics are, you’ll find a lot of sample ideas here as well as a guide on how to write a persuasive text.

In this article:

How to Write Personal Essays

Personal narrative essay topics, personal experience essay topics, personal argumentative essay topics, personal cause-and-effect essay topics, personal persuasive essay topics, personal essay topics for middle school, personal essay topics for high school students and college students.

Start by taking a trip down memory lane. The most gripping stories come from personal experience, especially if you’re thinking of writing a personal narrative essay. Think about a memory from your past that includes some inciting incident. If this is the first time you come across this phrase, inciting incidents are typically the metaphorical “ hooks ” of the story that have the audience interested in your text.

You could talk about your experience working as a volunteer, for example, or if you aren’t the volunteering type, you can write about some exciting memories from your childhood and summer vacations. Have you taken a trip abroad that has really left an impression on you? Are you drawn to different cultures because of that exotic trip? Maybe you went to visit a museum of your favourite artist, and this has inspired you to become an artist yourself. Perhaps you were immersed by the sound of a different language and decided to have a go at it. What have you enjoyed the most in the process? What did you hate about it? Perhaps you tried acquiring a new skill, but it went completely the wrong way for you. The list goes on and on.

There’s something there. Just remember the golden rule: always be honest in your personal essays . Trying to change your viewpoint on a subject so that it fits the masses’ opinion won’t make your personal essay enticing. The topic you’ll talk about in your personal essay is extremely important and so is the first sentence. Writing phrases such as “ever since I was a baby, I wanted to become a doctor” isn’t convincing or truthful. Try not to stick to clichés. You want to make an impression with your text, so ask yourself: What would grab your attention if you were reading your persuasive essay? I always think of Charles Dickens’ first sentence from A Christmas Carol : “Marley was dead: to begin with.” It begs for explanation and resolve, and it’s short and simple. The same should go for the personal essay entry sentence.

Why Choose Personal Persuasive Topics for Your Essay

If you’re wondering why you should choose personal persuasive topics for your essay, the answer lies in the question. We are a narrative-oriented society, and much of our relatability comes from convincingly expressing to others our individual, personal experience. What better way to let your personality shine than through conveying your emotions and adventures in a gripping story?

Personal experience essay topics vary depending on your age, and it’s quite likely that a story that worked for a high school assignment won’t have the same effect in your university days. That’s why in the sections below, we have divided the best personal essay topics into different categories. That way, you can easily navigate across all topics (and there’s quite a lot of them – a total of 242 ), but don’t let that restrict you. If you’re confident, you can always choose a topic from any of the categories.

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Of course, there are other important takeaways from writing a great personal essay. Usually, your teacher or admissions officer will look out that you have successfully done the following:

Communicated and implemented your critical thinking skills
Spoken convincingly and from experience about challenging themes that make you stand out from the crowd
Demonstrated your creativity and unique voice all the while applying persuasive techniques in your writing

With all this in mind, you can now start by selecting the right type of personal essay topic from our categories. We have included everything from personal essay topics for middle school to personal essay topics for high school, as well as narrative essay topics and many more. Go on, what are you waiting for?

Personal narrative essays are a great way to tell your unique take on a personal story. You just have to choose a project you feel passionate about. Typically, choosing a story involving your success and personality growth is your best bet, but of course, always make sure to check that your topic is suitable for the task given by your tutors. If you’re wondering what topics are suitable for a great personal narrative essay, check out the following ideas:

Starting your first job
Volunteering for the first time
A memorable teacher that made an impact on you
A dangerous experience
Your first journey abroad/to the countryside
An experience that changed your behavior
An experience that made you gain/lose religious faith
A comedic situation based on some misunderstanding
Events from your summer vacation that changed your life
The first time you got a pet
The experience of meeting your little sibling for the first time
A time when you decided what your future job will be
The change of a relationship with some you didn’t expect you’d like
The first time you experienced a dangerous event of some kind
The first time you won something
Your experience participating in a sport/political/environmental design
A story about a teacher who inspired you
A story about a family member who is dear to you
Your experience of being in charge of something for the first time
Your experience traveling on your own for the first time
How a book you read changed your life
How the most exciting subject in school changed your life
How technology changed the way you access information
The first time you experienced an earthquake or tornado
A story about someone who has become your patron/idol
Your reaction/opinion on an event that influenced your country
A moment you caught someone in a lie
An episode that changed your relationship with your parents
An event which showed you taking responsibility and leadership
An event in which you face discrimination
An experience of successfully fighting procrastination
A time when you helped people in a crisis
The experience of creating secret places in your childhood
An experience playing your favorite game
A time you got lost
Your first time going on a trip by yourself
The influence of technology on your younger siblings vs you
What you would do if you won the lottery for the first time
Your best childhood memory
Your experience of discovering a disability for the first time
A secret talent you have
Your experience learning a musical instrument
Your experience with an inexplicable event that happened to you
A story about the greatest fear you have
How your favorite work of art inspires you
The best advice you have heard in your life
A place you would go to if you could travel in time
A story about the most beautiful place you have visited
Something you witnessed in your lifetime that you will never forget
Your favorite holiday experience
Your most awkward moment in college
Your biggest fear
The most crucial lesson in your life
Your experience of being betrayed by someone and your response to it
An advice your parents gave you that wasn’t useful
Describe your biggest moment of failure
Your biggest argument with a family member
A difficult decision you have made
The day you realized you had made a best friend
The most interesting dream you have had

Personal experience essays aren’t that much different from personal narrative essays. They still have an element of narrative storytelling within them, but this time, they focus more on a level of experience you have gained because of a certain event. Usually, personal experience essay topics are focused around the theme of personal development. Many things can be described and included in a personal narrative essay, and you not only are given the opportunity to demonstrate your personal views on a subject, but you can also have your level of determination and ambition evaluated by a professional teacher or college admissions officer. Usually, personal narrative essay papers are written when submitting a college application, but it’s also possible to receive such an essay in school. In my personal experience, some of the greatest essays presenting an intellectual challenge are in fact the personal experience essays.

Let’s get straight into some essay prompts:

How do you handle stress when attending an important exam?
Which school subject motivated you to study hard?
Did a teacher have a significant influence on your confidence in selecting a career?
Is homework a waste of time?
How would you go about doing research for an essay?
What motivates you to study and pursue your dreams?
Everyone has a plan “A” when it comes to choosing a career. What is your plan “B”?
How has your biggest failure shaped your personality today?
What is your biggest accomplishment outside of college/school, and how did you come to achieve it?
What is the difference between female and male roles in your family? In what way would you change them?
How did a book/film change your worldview?
What role have teams and clubs had in your life?
What role has television had in your life?
What is your relationship with social media?
How have moments of racial or religious discrimination affected you?

Personal argumentative essay topics are generally given to college students or sometimes to people applying for a degree in Humanitarian Sciences. Such essays are a great way for admission officers to evaluate your knowledge of current events and relevant social discussions. Personal argumentative essay topics are usually considered more difficult than narrative essays, for example. For more argumentative ideas and speech topics , check the guide! Thus, if you’re planning on taking up this challenge, make sure you have enough time to prepare. If you have a whole term to prepare for this personal argumentative essay topic, you’ll surely be able to tackle it. Also, if that sounds too engaging, don’t worry, there are plenty of other, easier essay ideas on our lists!

Check out our example personal argumentative essay prompts for argumentative essay topics:

Should prisons be abolished? If so, what is the negative and positive impact of this global decision?
How does higher education affect the merit in meritocracy?
Should artificial intelligence be applied actively in warfare?
Does revolution go hand in hand with violence?
Has the COVID-19 pandemic made us more prepared for the prevention of future epidemics occurring worldwide?
In what way has the instant gratification of social media changed our relationship to technology?
How has the digital age changed children’s relationship to empathy?
What would the impact of a potential legalization of productivity drugs look like in current society?
Is there a difference in work performance between Ivy League alumni and lower-ranking university students?
Is obesity preventable?
Is gun control a necessary method for the prevention of shootings?
Should everyone have the right to vote?
Should the right to vote be exclusively available to people with some form of education?
Does the #metoo movement yield meaningful social change?
Is knife control a necessary and sufficient method of knife crime prevention?
How can the value of digital collectible art be accurately determined?
Is fan fiction writing real writing?
Do all students need to learn a foreign language?
Should students take a gap year between high school and university?
Why should universities teach financial literacy?
Should students participate in the maintenance of school property?

Personal cause-and-effect essay topics are pretty self-explanatory. You’re aiming to express your opinion on a subject that has a cause, for example, supposedly, school uniforms are meant to cause discipline among students. Exercising and backing up your opinion on this essay idea will make it personal. Here is a detailed guide on how to write a great cause and effect essay . Think of a topic that excites you. It could be something you’re unhappy with or something you think is unjust.

Here are personal cause-and-effect essay topics we came up with:

How can video games boost people’s IQ?
Can a personal relationship in a family improve with phone use?
Can going to college make for happier marriages?
How can the involvement of a parent change a child’s education?
How have smartphones impacted general communication?
What is the effect of cookies, and does it make people shop more?
What is the effect of tablets on young children?
What is the effect of mobile usage during class?
Why can’t another popular engine be established in place of Google?
What is the effect of the financial success Disney has had in the last 30 years?
Should dating in school be banned?
Can living together before marriage make a relationship between partners stronger?
Can a couple sleeping in separate beds have a healthy relationship?
What is the effect of bullying on mental health?
What is the cause of bullying behavior?
Why shouldn’t women have to work after an abortion or miscarriage?
What is the impact of smoking on a pregnant mother ?
How can the presence of acne affect the life of a teenager? What about an adult?
Why do some people avoid vaccines?
What causes a lack of interest in sports?
How can teenagers better protect themselves against cyberbullies?
What causes certain social media apps to lose popularity?
Can continuous sporting activities cause character development?
Is “cancel culture” sparking meaningful change?
What is the root cause of racism?
Why is it essential to manage forest fires?
What are the harmful effects of antill hunting on the ecosystem?
Why is it important for everyone to conserve water?
What is the environmental impact of a single-use plastic ban?
Can a long-distance relationship work?
What are the causes and effects of cheating during exams?
Is it a necessity to have an obligatory Sex Ed class ?
How has the Internet changed the public’s sexual education?
Should there be student bars on campus?
Should work become mandatory for anyone over the age of 18?
What causes some sports to be more popular among students than others?
What are the effects of using computers and tablets in school? What about university?
Have libraries become more popular over the last few years?
What caused the General Data Protection Regulation, and why is it necessary?
What are the effects of online dating apps such as Tinder or Grindr?
What are the effects of drugs and alcohol on people?
Should people be allowed to drive after drinking a single unit of alcohol?
What are the effects of a family structure on an individual?
Does having a sibling make a person more responsible?
Are siblings better at sharing?
How has the golden child syndrome affected millennials?
How can teachers positively and negatively affect student lives?
What are the root causes of commitment phobia in men and women?
What is the effect of social media on romantic relationships?
How does eating fast food affect the energy levels of an individual?

Unlike personal cause-and-effect essay topics, personal persuasive essay topics aim to convince the reader that your opinion is right. This type of academic writing assignment explains a particular problem and uses research combined with personal experience in order to end up with a powerful persuasive conclusion. Through logic and convincing evidence, as well as always keeping in mind the goal of persuasion, you can write a powerful assignment.

Here are some personal persuasive essay ideas to choose from for your next writing assignment:

Is chess considered a sport or a game?
How is modern music not as well-composed as music from the past, such as the 1970s?
Is it important to put PG labels on music tracks or films?
Elaborate on the importance of the right education when playing professional music.
Is animal hunting an immoral hobby?
Is it a good idea to keep pets indoors?
The cruelty behind testing beauty products on animals
Is it ethical to breed animals for sale?
Schools have to reduce the amount of homework assigned to students.
SATs and ACTs are not effective ways of examining the knowledge of students.
There should be an Emotional Intelligence mandatory class for all years.
Vaccines can lead to autism.
Astrology isn’t an effective way of predicting future events.
All transport vehicles should be automatic or electric.
Can distant online learning replace traditional classes?
Working from home is better for finance but worse for mental health.
The current taxation system is unfair.
Listening to music when writing homework is an effective way of sparking productivity
Hustle culture has taxing effects on mental health.
People volunteer for their personal benefit, instead of kindness
People who have survived a near-death experience have a newfound appreciation for life.
Is “fake it until you make it” a healthy way of progressing?
Why do people lie on their resumes?
Why book reading during summer vacations should become mandatory.
Weekends should change from 2 days to 3 days.
Why we should be making selective school sports mandatory in school.
Cooking and body health classes should be mandatory subjects in school.
Can e-books and Kindles replace physical books?
Should the death penalty exist?
Why should children have chores?
Why should it be made mandatory for children to contribute to the overall maintenance, cleanliness, and gardening of schools?

When choosing a personal essay topic, it’s important to take on subjects and ideas related to your age. Some topics require a lot more research, while others can be a little too sensitive for a younger writer. Selecting the right one for you will leave you with less workload and can guarantee you a better grade. Of course, if you feel confident and knowledgeable enough, you can try your skills with a more difficult essay idea. Paper writing can be a difficult intellectual challenge, but we’re sure that with these essay ideas, you’ll be able to tell your personal story and write a great essay:

How did you make a best friend?
A special top-secret place you have.
A story of a time a friend let you down.
A time when you disappointed someone.
What is your happiest memory?
Your first time receiving a pet.
Your bravest moment.
A time you felt embarrassed.
What would you do if you were omnipotent?
What would you do if you could switch lives with someone? Who would it be?
How did a book change your life?
What would you do if your pet could talk?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If you could shapeshift into an animal, what would you be? What would you do?
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Would you change anything?
What’s your secret talent?
The first time you fell in love.
An accident that changed your life.
Talk about the ugliest thing you have seen.
Talk about the most influential family member.
Talk about your favorite gift.
Talk about something you can’t resist.
Talk about a guest you had in your house that you’ll never forget.
Talk about the hardest news you’ve had to deliver.
Talk about a special gift you have received.
Talk about something that if your mum knew, you’d be in a lot of trouble. A lot.
If you could volunteer anywhere, where would it be?
If you won a million dollars, how would you spend them?
What is an unexplained event that stuck with you?
The one thing you can’t resist.
If you could be a superhero, what power would you have? Why?
If you could teleport anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Personal Essay Topics for High School Students and College Students

This list of personal essay topics for high school students will definitely inspire you to practice your personal essay skills. Covering topics like communication, ethical consumption, personal experience and more, you’ll be able to gain new ideas and express your deepest thoughts within the confines of the page. These personal essay topics for high school students are also a great way of reflecting on your growth and personal opinion, while expressing your thoughts and opinions.

What inspires you?
What inanimate object best embodies you?
What’s one thing your parents don’t understand about you?
What is the one quality a good person must have?
Describe the best decision you ever made
What is one thing you would change that you know will make a great difference in your life?
How do you respond to criticism? Talk about a time you were critiqued.
Do you feel the impact of peer pressure in your life? How is it manifested?
Are you religious, an atheist, or agnostic? Why and why not?
Do you feel comfortable in your body? Do you feel pressure from the media about how you “should” look?
What are your views on ethical consumption? Does it matter to you?
What are your views on veganism?
Do you feel like your friends are honest with each other? Why and why not?
When you look back on your time in high school, what part will you remember with fondness?
If you could tell your 12-year-old self something, what would it be and why?
Do you have a dream profession? What is it?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Do you believe in “soulmates”? Why and why not?
What is your dream goal? Do you feel like you’ll ever achieve it?
Do you believe in the concept of “best friends”? Why and why not?
Do you believe in astrology? Why and why not?
What do you think the world will look like in 100 years?
If you could bring to life any famous historical figure and spend the day with them, who would you pick, and what would you do?
If you could go back in time, would you kill Hitler?
What TV series you saw recently made an impression on you? Why?
What part of high school do you wish you could get rid of?
If you could start your own business, what would you do?
What issues truly motivate you and why?
If you were an admissions officer, what positive qualities would you look for in students?
What period of school do you think is most important?
What is your dream profession? What are it’s positives and negatives?
Do you think the world can function without money? What would that alternative universe look like?
Do you think all students should go to college? Why?

Writing essays is a great way to showcase your writing skills, as well as clearly communicate your views and ideas. Personal essay writing improves your debating, logical, and deductive skills, so it’s important that you select a topic you’re passionate about and inspired by. This will give you enough fuel to power through the most difficult essay topics while at the same time enjoy what you’re writing about. We hope you enjoyed our personal persuasive essay topics! Make sure to bookmark and come back to this personal essay ideas list in the future when you’re given an assignment! Here are some more college essay topics , check them out!

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52 Argumentative Essay Ideas that are Actually Interesting

What’s covered:, how to pick a good argumentative essay topic, elements of a strong argumentative essay, argumentative essay idea example topics.

Are you having writer’s block? Coming up with an essay topic can be the hardest part of the process. You have very likely encountered argumentative essay writing in high school and have been asked to write your own. If you’re having trouble finding a topic, we’ve created a list of 52 essay ideas to help jumpstart your brainstorming process! In addition, this post will cover strategies for picking a topic and how to make your argument a strong one. Ultimately, the goal is to convince your reader.

An argumentative essay tasks the writer with presenting an assertion and bolstering that assertion with proper research. You’ll present the claim’s authenticity. This means that whatever argument you’re making must be empirically true! Writing an argumentative essay without any evidence will leave you stranded without any facts to back up your claim. When choosing your essay topic, begin by thinking about themes that have been researched before. Readers will be more engaged with an argument that is supported by data.

This isn’t to say that your argumentative essay topic has to be as well-known, like “Gravity: Does it Exist?” but it shouldn’t be so obscure that there isn’t ample evidence. Finding a topic with multiple sources confirming its validity will help you support your thesis throughout your essay. If upon review of these articles you begin to doubt their worth due to small sample sizes, biased funding sources, or scientific disintegrity, don’t be afraid to move on to a different topic. Your ultimate goal should be proving to your audience that your argument is true because the data supports it.

The hardest essays to write are the ones that you don’t care about. If you don’t care about your topic, why should someone else? Topics that are more personal to the reader are immediately more thoughtful and meaningful because the author’s passion shines through. If you are free to choose an argumentative essay topic, find a topic where the papers you read and cite are fun to read. It’s much easier to write when the passion is already inside of you!

However, you won’t always have the choice to pick your topic. You may receive an assignment to write an argumentative essay that you feel is boring. There is still value in writing an argumentative essay on a topic that may not be of interest to you. It will push you to study a new topic, and broaden your ability to write on a variety of topics. Getting good at proving a point thoroughly and effectively will help you to both understand different fields more completely and increase your comfort with scientific writing.

Convincing Thesis Statement

It’s important to remember the general essay structure: an introduction paragraph with a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. A strong thesis statement will set your essay up for success. What is it? A succinct, concise, and pithy sentence found in your first paragraph that summarizes your main point. Pour over this statement to ensure that you can set up your reader to understand your essay. You should also restate your thesis throughout your essay to keep your reader focused on your point.

Ample Research

A typical argumentative essay prompt may look like this: “What has been the most important invention of the 21st century? Support your claim with evidence.” This question is open-ended and gives you flexibility. But that also means it requires research to prove your point convincingly. The strongest essays weave scientific quotes and results into your writing. You can use recent articles, primary sources, or news sources. Maybe you even cite your own research. Remember, this process takes time, so be sure you set aside enough time to dive deep into your topic.

Clear Structure

If the reader can’t follow your argument, all your research could be for nothing! Structure is key to persuading your audience. Below are two common argumentative essay structures that you can use to organize your essays.

The Toulmin argument and the Rogerian argument each contain the four sections mentioned above but executes them in different ways. Be sure to familiarize yourself with both essay structures so that your essay is the most effective it can be.

The Toulmin argument has a straightforward presentation. You begin with your assertion, your thesis statement. You then list the evidence that supports your point and why these are valid sources. The bulk of your essay should be explaining how your sources support your claim. You then end your essay by acknowledging and discussing the problems or flaws that readers may find in your presentation. Then, you should list the solutions to these and alternative perspectives and prove your argument is stronger.

The Rogerian argument has a more complex structure. You begin with a discussion of what opposing sides do right and the validity of their arguments. This is effective because it allows you to piece apart your opponent’s argument. The next section contains your position on the questions. In this section, it is important to list problems with your opponent’s argument that your argument fixes. This way, your position feels much stronger. Your essay ends with suggesting a possible compromise between the two sides. A combination of the two sides could be the most effective solution.

Is the death penalty effective?
Is our election process fair?
Is the electoral college outdated?
Should we have lower taxes?
How many Supreme Court Justices should there be?
Should there be different term limits for elected officials?
Should the drinking age be lowered?
Does religion cause war?
Should the country legalize marijuana?
Should the country have tighter gun control laws?
Should men get paternity leave?
Should maternity leave be longer?
Should smoking be banned?
Should the government have a say in our diet?
Should birth control be free?
Should we increase access to condoms for teens?
Should abortion be legal?
Do school uniforms help educational attainment?
Are kids better or worse students than they were ten years ago?
Should students be allowed to cheat?
Is school too long?
Does school start too early?
Are there benefits to attending a single-sex school?
Is summer break still relevant?
Is college too expensive?

Art / Culture

How can you reform copyright law?
What was the best decade for music?
Do video games cause students to be more violent?
Should content online be more harshly regulated?
Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism?
Should schools ban books?
How important is art education?
Should music be taught in school?
Are music-sharing services helpful to artists?
What is the best way to teach science in a religious school?
Should fracking be legal?
Should parents be allowed to modify their unborn children?
Should vaccinations be required for attending school?
Are GMOs helpful or harmful?
Are we too dependent on our phones?
Should everyone have internet access?
Should internet access be free?
Should the police force be required to wear body cams?
Should social media companies be allowed to collect data from their users?
How has the internet impacted human society?
Should self-driving cars be allowed on the streets?
Should athletes be held to high moral standards?
Are professional athletes paid too much?
Should the U.S. have more professional sports teams?
Should sports be separated by gender?
Should college athletes be paid?
What are the best ways to increase safety in sports?

Where to Get More Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original argumentative essay ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Choose Your Test

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

General Education

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?

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How to Write a Personal Essay for Your College Application

What does it take to land in the “accept” (instead of “reject”) pile?

How can you write an essay that helps advance you in the eyes of the admissions officers and makes a real impression? Here are some tips to get you started.

Start early. Do not leave it until the last minute. Give yourself time when you don’t have other homework or extracurriculars hanging over your head to work on the essay.
Keep the focus narrow. Your essay does not have to cover a massive, earth-shattering event. Some people in their teens haven’t experienced a major life event. Some people have. Either way, it’s okay.
Be yourself. Whether writing about a painful experience or a more simple experience, use the narrative to be vulnerable and honest about who you are. Use words you would normally use. Trust your voice and the fact that your story is interesting enough in that no one else has lived it.
Be creative. “Show, don’t tell,” and that applies here — to an extent. The best essays typically do both. You can help your reader see and feel what you are describing by using some figurative language throughout your piece.
Make a point. As you finish your final body paragraphs ask yourself “So what?” This will help you hone in on how to end your essay in a way that elevates it into a story about an insight or discovery you made about yourself, rather than just being about an experience you had.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

We’ve all heard about the dreaded “college essay,” the bane of every high school senior’s existence. This daunting element of the college application is something that can create angst for even the most accomplished students.

AA Amy Allen is a writer, educator, and lifelong learner. Her freelance writing business, All of the Write Words , focuses on providing high school students with one-on-one feedback to guide them through the college application process and with crafting a thoughtful personal essay. A dedicated poet, Amy’s work has also been published in several journals including Pine Row Press , Months to Years, and Atlanta Review .

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670 Personal Essay Topics & Free Ideas

21 April 2024

last updated

Colleges and high schools require students to complete personal essays. Basically, personal memoirs aim to stimulate readers to act in a specific way. In this case, writers can use unique examples of personal essay topics for starting, organizing, and writing their papers. Personal papers include real stories, involvements, and individual opinions. Besides, authors should give an account of their responsibilities and express thoughts on assigned subjects. Further on, there are two types of personal essay topics, which include secret lives and defining moment narratives. In particular, the first type focuses on essential but mysterious experiences where learners give stories that concentrate on infrequent life tracking down. Moreover, the second type of individual essay theme focuses on a critical moment in a person’s life. In turn, one should follow specific schemes to write personal papers by considering two types of topics. As a result, such aspects make essays outstanding for readers.

General Guidelines on Personal Essay Topics

A personal essay topic refers to a typical assignment for high school and college students, while they can use many examples of personal essay topics for their writing assignments provided in this article. Basically, personal memoirs exist as two major types. The first type focuses on secret lives, where learners provide stories that focus on unusual life pursuits. For example, this composition takes writers behind specific scenes of their unique experiences in odd jobs. Then, the second type of personal essay focuses on defining moments in a person’s life. Hence, personal essay topics resemble not only some secrets of life but also focus on one crucial moment that explains how authors think about their occupation or a unique situation. However, people should not limit their ideas and themes to these two types since other topics also work with writing interesting papers.

Best Personal Essay Topics

The journey to mastering my favorite hobby.
Overcoming a fear that changed my life.
An unforgettable encounter with a stranger.
Travel experiences that changed my perspective.
Realizing the importance of mental health.
My most significant failure and what I learned.
Living through a natural disaster: My story.
Memories of my first best friend.
Growing up in a multicultural household.
How has volunteering shaped my character?
Conquering the fear of public speaking.
Adapting to life after moving to a new city.
The time I confronted my biggest critic.
Experiences that taught me the value of time.
A passion that’s not popular among my peers.
Lessons learned from an unexpected source.
The moment I stood up for what was right.
How I cope with stress: My personal methods.
Going against societal norms: A personal account.
Balancing dreams with reality: My experience.
The importance of self-care in my life.

Easy Personal Essay Topics

Experiences that shaped my political views.
The journey to accepting my sexuality.
Unraveling my unique talent.
Achieving my most ambitious goal.
My favorite childhood memory and its impact.
The role of spirituality in my life.
Navigating through a major life transition.
Learning to appreciate my heritage.
The influence of art on my personal growth.
Overcoming a personal health challenge.
An event that triggered personal growth.
How I managed a personal conflict?
A time when I had to forgive someone.
Finding happiness in the little things.
My journey toward body positivity.
Experiencing a unique cultural event.
Lessons I learned from my first job.
A hobby that helps me relax.
Reflections on my time in high school.
The impact of technology on my life.
A trip that ignited a newfound passion.
Handling a financial crisis: A personal tale.

Interesting Personal Essay Topics

Perspectives on global citizenship.
My journey with mental health.
Overcoming the fear of failure.
The impact of family traditions.
Being an introvert in an extroverted world.
How minimalism simplified my life.
Reading books versus eBooks: A personal preference.
The role of music in my life.
Unusual habits that keep me sane.
Body positivity and self-love.
Finding courage in vulnerability.
The influence of a favorite teacher.
Digital detox: My experience and insights.
Reflecting on a childhood ambition.
Coping with loss: A personal journey.
Living a sustainable lifestyle.
Pets and their effect on our well-being.
My experience with a unique hobby.
Choosing passion over a paycheck.
Embracing change: My personal experience.
The importance of setting boundaries.
How have my parents shaped my worldview?
Volunteering and the act of giving back.

Personal Essay Topics About You

Discovering my hidden talents: A journey of self-exploration.
How has adopting a pet changed my life?
Overcoming personal fears: My story of growth.
The role of music in my personal development.
A significant moment of failure that shaped me.
My experience with cultural diversity and what I learned.
Navigating through life with a rare medical condition.
Dealing with loss: How has grief transformed my perspective?
Lessons learned from my first job experience.
My lifelong passion for cooking and how it is influenced me.
Confronting my anxieties: The path toward mental well-being.
Balancing academics and sports: My high school experience.
Embracing solitude: The importance of being alone.
How has volunteering shaped my worldview?
Reflections on a family tradition that means a lot to me.
Making a difference: My journey into activism.
How has moving to a new city opened my mind?
My evolution as an artist: From doodles to masterpieces.
Personal growth through the lens of travel experiences.

Personal Essay Topics About Your Experiences

Unraveling the knots: The toughest challenge I faced in my past relationship.
How has my first vacation with my ex shaped my understanding of compatibility?
The subtle art of compromise: Learning to balance my needs with my ex’s.
Discovering personal growth: What breaking up taught me about myself?
The day we adopted a pet: Learning about responsibility and care in a relationship.
When culture clashed: Navigating differences in our backgrounds.
Chasing dreams: Supporting my ex in their professional journey.
Navigating long-distance: The trials and triumphs of our virtual relationship.
Managing conflict: How have we tackled our first major disagreement?
In pursuit of trust: Mending our relationship after a breach of faith.
Lessons learned from cooking together on Sundays.
Cherished holidays: Creating traditions in our shared life.
Rebuilding bridges: Reconciling after a painful breakup.
A shared love of music: How have concerts become our refuge?
Exploring fitness together: How has working out affected our relationship?
Meeting the parents: The fear, excitement, and aftermath.
Understanding sacrifice: The most significant compromise I made.
The joy of shared hobbies: Learning to sail together.
Fostering independence: Finding personal space in a committed relationship.
Adapting to change: When my ex’s career shift uprooted our life.

Personal Essay Topics About Relationships

Discovering love in the unlikeliest places.
When do friendships turn into romantic relationships?
Balancing individuality and unity in a relationship.
Healing after a devastating breakup.
The silent language of long-term relationships.
Navigating the challenges of long-distance love.
The beauty and hardship of platonic love.
Mending broken bridges: Reconciliation in familial relationships.
Lessons learned from failed relationships.
The role of vulnerability in strengthening bonds.
Being single: A journey of self-love and exploration.
Age differences and their impact on relationships.
Integrating cultural backgrounds in relationships.
Living with your partner: A test of compatibility.
The intricacies of dating in adulthood.
Childhood friendships that have stood the test of time.
The emotional roller coaster of unrequited love.
Understanding the role of trust in relationships.
Adapting to change: The evolution of relationships over time.

Personal Essay Topics About Dreams

Exploring the world through my dreams.
How do my dreams influence my creative process?
A specific dream that changed my perspective on life.
The connection between dreams and subconscious thoughts.
Lessons I have learned from my recurring dreams.
Overcoming fears: The role dreams play.
Nightmares and what they teach us about ourselves.
Can dreams predict the future? My experience.
Analyzing the symbolism in my dreams.
The role of dreams in different cultures: A personal perspective.
Discovering personal growth through dream journaling.
How has lucid dreaming expanded my self-awareness?
Dreams and their impact on my mental health.
My journey with dream interpretation: Successes and challenges.
Unforgettable dream experiences that have left lasting impressions.
The relationship between my dreams and my waking life.
Dealing with loss and grief through dreams.
Diving into the science of dreams: A personal inquiry.
My personal endeavors in dream incubation: Seeking solutions in sleep.
Revisiting childhood through dreams: A voyage of self-discovery.

Personal Narrative Essay Topics

My journey through learning a new language.
Overcoming the biggest challenge in my life.
The day I stood up for what was right.
An unforgettable experience with a stranger.
Exploring my heritage during a visit to my ancestral homeland.
A life-changing experience on my first solo trip.
Memories from my favorite childhood place.
My perspective on life after a near-death experience.
How has my favorite book shaped my personality?
Understanding the meaning of friendship from a surprising source.
My transformative experience while volunteering at a shelter.
The incident that made me a more compassionate person.
Becoming a pet parent: Joy and responsibilities.
Experiencing a culture shock on my exchange program.
Navigating through life with a unique hobby.
Lessons learned from a devastating failure.
Discovering my passion in an unlikely way.
How has a single book shaped my worldview?
The role of a mentor in my personal growth.
The unforgettable journey to my ancestral home.
Discovering strength in my weakest moment.

Personal Persuasive Essay Topics

Online education is superior to traditional schooling.
Mandatory voting will improve democratic participation.
Self-driving cars should replace human-operated vehicles.
Adoption of plant-based diets is necessary for global sustainability.
Privacy concerns outweigh the benefits of surveillance technologies.
Animal testing is unacceptable in modern scientific research.
Artificial intelligence poses more threats than benefits to society.
Corporations should have stricter regulations to prevent climate change.
Countries should open their borders to all immigrants.
All schools should implement mental health education in their curriculum.
Society benefits more from arts education than from sports programs.
Public spaces should always offer free Wi-Fi.
Parental consent is necessary for minors to access social media.
Health insurance should be a fundamental right, not a privilege.
Single-use plastic items must be banned globally.
Personal finance courses should be a mandatory part of high school education.
Social media platforms need stricter measures against cyberbullying.
Humanity should prioritize colonizing other planets.
Excessive screen time is detrimental to children’s development.

Personal Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Volunteering at a local shelter and its impact on my worldview.
The effect of social media detox on my mental health.
Experiencing failure and its role in shaping my resilience.
The consequences of procrastination on my academic performance.
Moving to a new city and the unexpected outcomes.
Practicing mindfulness and its effect on my stress levels.
The implications of becoming a vegetarian on my health and lifestyle.
Embracing minimalism and its transformative impact on my life.
How has learning a new language influenced my cultural understanding?
A significant childhood event and its long-lasting effects.
The repercussions of taking a gap year after high school.
Committing to regular exercise and its impact on my self-esteem.
Cultivating a hobby and how it altered my leisure time.
Learning to play a musical instrument and its influence on my cognitive abilities.
A health scare and its effect on my life priorities.
Pursuing a passion and the subsequent changes in my career path.
Joining a book club and its impact on my intellectual growth.
Undertaking a solo travel adventure and the resulting self-discovery.
Coping with a significant loss and its effect on my emotional growth.
Incorporating meditation into my daily routine and its influence on my concentration.
Deciding to live abroad and the resulting changes in my worldview.

Personal Argumentative Essay Topics

Impacts of social media on personal relationships.
Remote work is more efficient than traditional office work.
The necessity of financial literacy in the modern world.
Veganism: A healthier choice or a passing trend?
Online dating: Are the risks worth the rewards?
Is maintaining personal privacy possible in the digital age?
Standardized tests do not accurately reflect a student’s abilities.
Living abroad can broaden your perspective on life.
Fast fashion and its effect on individual purchasing behavior.
Personal growth: Is it essential to experience failure?
Meditation as a powerful tool for stress relief.
Self-driving cars: Safer or riskier than human drivers?
Online influencers: Are they shaping or harming our society?
The role of pets in enhancing mental health.
Renewable energy at home: Is it a practical choice?
How important is physical exercise for mental health?
Continuous learning: A key to success or a source of stress?
The effectiveness of mindfulness practices in daily life.
Decluttering: A path to mental clarity or a trendy illusion?
Gap years: Are they beneficial for personal growth?

Examples of Personal Essay Topics

One can write about different personal essay topics for two types of personal memoirs identified above. Hence, some unique types of personal essay topics are:

Personal Essay Topics on Secrets of Life

The confession of a failed help mission.
The disclosure of searching for a soul mate.
The secret life of a rescue volunteer.
A detailed account of obesity caused me to develop joint problems.
Secrets of a successful learner.
Unveiling the beauty of everyday moments.
The healing power of laughter in life’s journey.
Nature’s wisdom: How do the outdoors teach us to live?
Lessons learned from unexpected friendships.
Adapting to change: Life’s only constant.
The transformative power of love and kindness.
Harnessing the strength within: Self-discovery in times of turmoil.
Serenity in solitude: A journey toward self-love.
Perseverance and hope: A tale of personal growth.
Mysteries of the subconscious mind: Dream interpretations and their impact on life.
Simplicity, minimalism, and the quest for a meaningful existence.
Understanding the role of failure in the pursuit of success.
Life’s hidden messages in seemingly mundane routines.
Endurance and resilience: Learning to dance in the rain.
Reflections on wisdom: What have elders taught me about life?
Connections and coincidences: A contemplation on fate and destiny.
Cherishing the transient: An essay on life’s fleeting moments.

Personal essay topics above may vary from one discipline to another, depending on the writer’s focus and life experiences. In turn, possible topics for different subjects that one may consider when writing a personal essay about a secret life are:

Examples of Personal Topics on Art and Culture

An account of a failed social media relationship.
The confession of my experience with native communities.
The impact of street art on urban development.
My first experience with classical music.
The evolution of pop art and its impact on my artistic vision.
How do different cultures influence contemporary fashion?
My personal connection with abstract expressionism.
The cultural significance of traditional folk music in my life.
Understanding the power of photography: Capturing moments that matter.
The intersection of technology and art: My experience with digital art.
The role of theatre in shaping cultural perspectives.
How has anime influenced my appreciation of Japanese culture?
My journey with literature: The books that have changed my perspective on life.
The confession of how I used to copy a colleague’s work.
An account of how my choice of college promoted learning skills.
My confession with a haunting artwork.
Why graffiti is more than just vandalism: My personal perspective.
My account of how I faced the law due to throw-away culture.
Cultural celebrations: A deeper look at their artistic components.
My secret account with a haunting experience with my cultural identity.

Samples of Personal Topics on Economics

Effects of global financial influence on my life.
Impacts of consumerism on my economic status.
Balancing a personal budget: A journey to financial independence.
The influence of global economic events on local economies.
Lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis.
Microfinance: Transforming lives and communities.
Effects of Hurricane Katrina on my school life.
Influence of tariffs on my consumption behaviors.
How does politics influence my relationship with natives?
Exploring the concept of “money” in the digital age.
How does my understanding of supply and demand influence daily decisions?
Sustainability and economics: Can they coexist harmoniously?
Unraveling the impact of inflation on my purchasing power.
Capitalism vs. socialism: My personal perspective.
How do economic policies influence my poverty levels?
The role of government in my economic life.
Demystifying the complex world of stock markets.
Evaluating the pros and cons of consumerism.
How did my father’s choices influence my behavior?
My experience with cryptocurrency: A gamble or a wise investment?
Effects of monetary policies undermined my business.

Examples of Personal Essay Topics on Education

An account of how standardized testing influenced my high school performance.
The role of technology in modern education.
My journey toward understanding the value of inclusive education.
An account of how my indigo identity ruined my life.
Navigating the educational system as a first-generation student.
Benefits of extracurricular activities for holistic development.
ADHD and dyslexia damaged my education.
An account of how internal and external factors make my learning experience boring.
How has homeschooling changed my perspective on learning?
The importance of language learning in global citizenship.
Parent involvement: A critical aspect of educational success.
Lessons learned from my first teaching experience.
An account of how technologies weakened my learning abilities
My horrific account with e-books and collaborative boards in class
An account of how homeschooling caused social distress
My experience with student-led learning initiatives.
Emotional intelligence: An overlooked aspect in classrooms.
Benefits and challenges of studying abroad.
Experiencing cultural diversity in the school environment.
My horrific experience in charter schools

Sample Topics for Personal Papers on Ethics

My negative perception of genetic engineering.
Exploring the role of personal integrity in decision-making.
My journey toward understanding the essence of truthfulness.
Altruism and its impact on my life choices.
My negative perception towards the legalization of marijuana.
How marijuana legalization increased my juvenile delinquency.
A personal account of cultural imperialism.
The ethical dilemma I faced in the digital age.
Personal reflections on the ethics of non-violence.
The influence of empathy on my ethical framework.
Standing up against groupthink: A story of moral courage.
An account of how cultural imperialism ruined my life.
An account of globalization influenced my lifestyle.
Living green: The ethical considerations of environmental responsibility.
My experience with ethical consumerism and its impact.
The morality of forgiveness: Lessons from my personal life.
How has practicing fairness reshaped my outlook on life?
Understanding the significance of justice in everyday situations.
Balancing personal gain and ethical responsibility.
Uniquely personal experience as a global citizen.
An account of how traditions affected my ethics.

Examples of Personal Topics on Government and Politics

The United States’ invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan affected my family life.
An account of how the Community Reinvestment Act (RCA) influenced my lifestyle.
How has the increasing homeownership in the United States affected my life as a low-income earner?
The balance between freedom and security in modern society.
Why trust in government is essential for social progress?
The role of media in shaping political views.
Influences of political ideologies on personal lives.
Ethical dilemmas in government surveillance.
How has the growing debt in the United States impacted my life?
Our evolving understanding of democracy in the digital age.
Deciphering the complexity of immigration policies.
How is my life affected by international politics?
How the tariffs made by President Trump impacted my life?
Impacts of decreased military activity in my family life.
An account of how historical injustices undermines my family life.
Decoding political propaganda in the 21st century.
Understanding the link between politics and education reform.
My journey into grassroots activism.
A personal account of how the constitution undermines my employability.

Sample Personal Topics on Health

An account of how emotional problems lowers my body’s immunity.
Exploring my journey through recovery from addiction.
How has adopting a vegan diet transformed my health?
Navigating the complex world of mental health stigmatization.
Life lessons learned from my experience with chronic pain.
My personal insights into battling and overcoming obesity.
Unraveling the mystery of my rare genetic disorder.
An account of the excessive consumption of junk food increases my body’s energy levels.
Self-care: My key to managing stress effectively.
An account of how emotional eating causes indigestion.
The struggle and victory: My tale of beating cancer.
Walking the tightrope: Balancing health and career ambitions.
An account of how a lack of moral support causes anorexia and bulimia.
Reflections on my experience with gender dysphoria and mental health.
An account of how positive life changes stressed me.
Embracing the unexpected: How has yoga changed my perspective on health?
An account of how I discovered that ozone in the air leads to respiratory diseases.
My adventure into the realm of holistic healing.
An account of how high blood pressure caused me to develop cardiovascular disease.
Decoding the enigma of sleep disorders: A personal perspective.
An account of how social media increases my psychological challenges.

Examples of Personal Essay Topics on History

How has World War I separated my family?
How did the continued effects of slavery affect my family life?
An account of how my interest in women’s movement affects my thoughts on racism.
How has my family weathered the Great Depression?
Personal reflections on the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Discovering my roots: Tracing my lineage to the American Revolution.
Living in a post-9/11 world: My perspective.
Interpreting the French Revolution through my ancestor’s letters.
An account of how World War II influenced my family.
Visiting historic sites: My journey through the Civil Rights Movement landmarks.
The legacy of the Vietnam War in my family.
How has studying the Holocaust shaped my worldview?
An account of how the Holocaust affected my education and career path.
How religion influences my delinquency levels?
Personal experiences in the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse.
My pilgrimage to the landmarks of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
Historical epidemics and their relevance to modern-day pandemics.
A reflection on the Rwandan Genocide through the lens of a humanitarian worker.
The Arab Spring and its significance in my life.
British imperialism and its negative impacts on my life.

Sample Topics for Personal Essays on Science

Effects of global warming on my health and social well-being.
Results of excessive temperature on metabolism.
Discovering the beauty of fractals in nature.
Life under a microscope: The unseen world.
How does the study of genetics shape our self-perception?
Results of sunlight on my skin.
From science fiction to reality: The progress of artificial intelligence.
The lure of space exploration: A personal perspective.
Journey toward sustainable living through science.
Evolutionary biology and its impact on my worldview.
Effects of ambient temperature on my pet’s feeding habits.
How does temperature influence my daily routine?
Human interaction with technology: A blessing or a curse?
Grappling with the ethical dilemmas of genetic engineering.
Neuroscience and the mystery of human consciousness.
How do scientific findings affect my food consumption?
How do research methods influence my health outcomes?
Impacts of my scientific knowledge on my social behavior.

Examples of Personal Essay Topics on Sports

Workouts enhance my immunity.
Regular workouts strengthened my bones.
An account of how physical exercise relieves my stress.
Participating in sports lowered my juvenile delinquency.
How has paying college athletes promoted my talent development?
A narrative of how workouts boost my memory, yield, and intelligence.
Overcoming obstacles in sports: A journey of perseverance.
The role of sports in shaping my character.
Lessons learned from teamwork in sports.
The psychology of sports: Understanding the mindset of athletes.
The importance of sportsmanship in competitive athletics.
A narrative of how children who take part in sports developed my peer relationships.
How have sports taught me the value of discipline?
The joys of playing sports: Finding happiness on the field.
A sports injury and its impact on my life.
The relationship between sports and academic success.
Sports as a medium for cultural exchange.
Exploring the connection between sports and leadership.
The evolution of sports: From ancient times to modern day.
The intersection of sports and technology.
An account of how regular exercise enhanced my communication skills.

Personal Essay Topic Samples on Technology

An account of how increased internet accessibility increased my cyber-bullying.
My cyber-bullying increased my rate of juvenile delinquency.
A narrative of how the state control of the internet pushed me into cyber-bullying.
Ethical dilemmas of genetic engineering.
Roles of technology in enhancing communication.
How has technology revolutionized the music industry?
Future of robotics and its implications.
Influence of social media on personal relationships.
An account of how social networking influences my ways of life.
Social networks influence my collective behaviors.
An account of how social media affects my overall well-being.
My personal beliefs that facial recognition technologies undermine human rights.
Benefits and drawbacks of cryptocurrency.
Power of big data analytics in business.
Roles of technology in improving healthcare.
Exploring the ethics of biometric technology.
Evolution of e-commerce and its effect on traditional retail.
Impacts of augmented reality in education.
Roles of technology in addressing climate change.
Advantages and disadvantages of 3D printing.
My views on how artificial intelligence enhances active learning.

Personal Essay Ideas on Defining Moments

I was a police officer for thirty years, which is an experience that continues to haunt me.
Every individual has a moment that changes his or her life.
How has a trip to New York changed my family life forever?
Obesity has led to joint problems.
Influence of adults on my life choice.
Discovering my true passion in a hidden hobby.
The unexpected encounter that altered my perspective on life.
A turning point: Embracing vulnerability in a moment of strength.
Embracing failure experiences as a stepping stone to success.
A single moment of kindness that changed everything.
Finding beauty in the midst of chaos.
The bittersweet taste of saying goodbye for the last time.
Lessons from a near-death experience.
How have I found hope in the darkest hour?
Transformation through a moment of silence.
The day I chose to break free from societal norms.
Healing through unexpected friendships.
Lessons learned from my first heartbreak.
Navigating through life after a life-changing diagnosis.
Understanding the importance of mental health after a personal crisis.

Personal essay topics above may vary from one discipline to another, depending on the writer’s focus and life experiences. Hence, examples of possible topics for different subjects that one may consider when writing a personal essay about a secret life are:

Examples of Personal Essay Ideas on Art and Culture

How have social media relationships influenced my social behavior?
My experience with native communities influenced social behaviors.
From viewer to creator: My personal journey into filmmaking.
The power of poetry: How did it allow me to express myself?
Art as a tool for activism and peace: How do artists reflect social issues in their works?
The influence of hip-hop culture on contemporary society.
The artistic beauty of architectural landmarks: How do they reflect a city’s culture?
How has reading graphic novels expanded my perspective on storytelling and culture?
My experience of learning a foreign language was momentous.
Copy a colleague’s work changed my attitude towards education.
My choice of college transformed my career goals.
Exploring body art: A personal narrative on tattoos and piercings.
The art of cooking: How has cultural cuisine shaped my culinary skill?
The emotional power of music and sound: How does it shape our mood and behavior?
The influence of indigenous art on modern design trends.
An interaction with a haunting artwork changed my attitude toward employment.
The increased levels of throw-away culture motivated me to become an environmental activist.
A haunting experience with my cultural identity encouraged me to become an activist.

Sample Ideas for Writing Personal Papers on Economics

The global financial crisis influenced me to embrace a saving culture.
Consumerism encouraged me to embrace financial savings.
Effects of Hurricane Katrina influenced my thoughts about humanity.
The current tariffs in the United States forced me to change my business strategies.
Transition from a traditional economy: A personal story.
From scarcity to abundance: Understanding the economic principle in personal life.
Implementing cost-benefit analysis in everyday life decisions.
How does a deeper understanding of economics affect voting choices?
Reflections on wealth distribution and income inequality.
The domino effect of oil price fluctuations on my living expenses.
Facing the student loan crisis: My personal story.
The current politics influence me to develop a positive relationship with natives.
Economic policies imposed in 2023 contributed to my poverty.
My father’s choices motivated my delinquent levels.
Navigating through the gig economy: Opportunities and challenges.
A personal account of living through a recession.
Encountering and overcoming wage stagnation in the 21st century.
The power of compound interest: A pathway to financial freedom.
Various monetary policies forced me to make the wrong choices.

Examples of Personal Essay Ideas on Education

Standardized testing changed my high school performance.
My indigo identity changed my attitude toward other aboriginals.
ADHD and dyslexia changed my education perception.
Experiencing internal and external factors encouraged me to adopt a negative attitude toward education.
Interacting with technologies weakened my learning abilities.
The use of e-books and collaborative boards affected my attitude toward education.
The transformation of education through online learning.
Vocational education: A path less traveled.
Attaining equality in education: My personal experience.
Lifelong learning: The key to personal and professional growth.
My unforgettable experience with collaborative learning.
Bullying in schools: A personal encounter.
My encounter with the arts in education.
Grappling with the reality of educational disparities.
Integrating environmental education into the curriculum: A personal perspective.
The influence of positive reinforcement on academic performance.
How do study habits shape academic success?
The adoption of homeschooling caused me social distress.
Joining charter schools caused a negative attitude toward education.

Sample Ideas for Personal Essays on Ethics

Experience with genetic engineering changed my attitude toward ethics.
Legalization of marijuana forced me into drugs.
Marijuana legalization was the cause of my juvenile delinquency.
Corporate social responsibility: A personal perspective.
The intersection of culture and ethics in my life.
Reflecting on the ethical aspects of animal rights.
Dealing with biases: My journey towards ethical awareness.
Grappling with the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
Transparency and honesty in the era of fake news.
Learning to respect diversity: An ethical obligation.
Cultural imperialism led to negative attitudes toward other people.
Globalization motivated me to live abroad.
Being a global citizen influenced my charity levels.
Cultural traditions affected my attitude toward ethics.
My ethical stance on wealth inequality and poverty.
How has ethics shaped my perspective on privacy in the digital age?
The struggle with ethical choices in a globally interconnected world.
Balancing the scales: A personal tale of justice and mercy.

Examples of Personal Ideas on Government and Politics

The impact of political polarization on friendships and family.
Navigating through the maze of bureaucracy.
Climate change policy: A personal perspective.
Reflections on the current state of political discourse.
Gun control and the politics of fear.
From apathy to advocacy: My political awakening.
Money, power, and politics: A critical look.
The psychology of voting behavior.
The United States’ invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan encouraged me to join the armed forces.
The Community Reinvestment Act (RCA) changed my attitude toward communal unity.
Increasing homeownership in the United States forced me to move from my motherland.
The increasing debt in the United States ruined my economic progress.
The tariffs made by President Trump ruined my business.
Health care reform: A personal journey through the political maze.
Observations on political activism in the social media era.
Living under the shadow of nuclear diplomacy.
The impact of gender politics on my worldview.
Human rights in foreign policy: A personal narrative.
Navigating partisan politics in a divided nation.
The decreased military activity led to a stabilized life in my family.
Historical injustices separated me from my family.
The constitutional amendments undermined my employability as an illegal immigrant.

Samples of Personal Essay Ideas on Health

The beginning of emotional problems lowered my body’s immunity.
The excessive consumption of junk food affected my sugar level balance.
Emotional eating led to indigestion.
My lack of moral support led to Anorexia and bulimia.
Trapped in my own body: The trials and triumphs of living with paralysis.
Experiencing life through the lens of color blindness.
The silent fight: My personal struggle with an invisible illness.
Aging gracefully: Accepting and embracing the golden years.
The long road to acceptance: My personal struggle with body image.
A new lease on life: Surviving a near-death experience.
Learning to fly: How has disability shaped my worldview?
Making positive life changes was the source of my distress.
My discovery of the importance of the ozone layer increased my interest in respiratory problems.
The promise of tomorrow: Living with a terminal illness.
When food became my enemy: My battle with an eating disorder.
Living in the shadows: My journey with depression.
From victim to victor: Overcoming the trauma of domestic abuse.
Dance as therapy: How has movement healed my soul?
My high blood pressure led to cardiovascular disease.
Using social media increased my psychological challenges.

Examples of Personal Ideas on History

The emergence of World War I led to my family’s separation.
A journey back in time: My visit to the historic Underground Railroad sites.
My experience researching the Arab Spring for a school project.
Indian partition: Stories passed down through generations.
Unearthing my family’s connection to the Spanish Civil War.
A reflection on my ancestral ties to the transatlantic slave trade.
The development of slavery affects my family life.
My interest in the women’s movement led to my activism against racism.
The emergence of World War II led to my family’s breakup.
Tracing my heritage back to the Irish Potato Famine.
Learning about my family’s involvement in the Korean War.
Interpreting the impact of the Industrial Revolution on my hometown.
South African apartheid: Understanding its impact through my parents’ eyes.
Artifacts of history: My personal collection of World War I memorabilia.
The lasting effect of the Cuban Missile Crisis on my community.
The emergence of the Holocaust ruined my education and career path.
Joining religion reduced my delinquency levels.
The Arab Spring improved my quality of life.
British imperialism reduced my employment opportunities.

Samples of Personal Essay Ideas on Science

Global warming undermined my social well-being.
Excessive temperature reduced my digestion strategies.
The art and science of brewing coffee: A personal journey.
Why am I fascinated by the science of sleep?
My journey toward understanding the interconnectedness in ecology.
The personal impacts of living in the Anthropocene era.
Experiencing awe: The cosmos through an amateur astronomer’s lens.
The inspiration behind my interest in forensic science.
Exposure to excessive sunlight was the cause of my skin cancer.
Ambient temperature threatened my pet’s feeding habits.
High temperature threatens my daily routine.
Scientific findings undermined my food consumption.
Reflections on my first science experiment failure.
The deep sea: A realm of science still largely unknown.
Balancing faith and science: A personal exploration.
The fascinating world of microbiomes and their impact on health.
Appreciating the subtle science in everyday life.
Various research methods undermined my health outcomes.
My scientific knowledge promoted my social behavior.

Examples of Personal Essay Ideas on Sports

Embracing workouts enhanced my immunity.
Exploring the mental and emotional challenges of sports.
Sports and identity: How do they shape who we are?
The cultural significance of sports in different societies.
Ethics of sports: Fair play and integrity.
Embracing regular workouts strengthened my bones.
The role of sports in reducing stress and promoting well-being.
Sports and the pursuit of excellence: Striving for greatness.
The legacy of sports heroes: Their impact on society.
The intersection of art and sports: Capturing the beauty of movement.
Embracing physical exercise relieved my stress.
Sports and empowerment: How do athletics inspire confidence?
Sports and social change: Breaking barriers and challenging norms.
The impact of sports on mental health and well-being.
Sports and time management: Balancing athletics and responsibilities.
Embracing sports lowered my juvenile delinquency.
Participating in college athletes led to talent development.
Engaging in workouts boost my memory.
Taking an active part in sports improved my peer relationships.
Embracing regular exercise enhanced my communication skills.

Samples of Personal Ideas on Technology

Internet accessibility increased my cyberbullying.
Increased cyberbullying increases juvenile delinquency.
Effects of technology on mental health.
Impacts of technology on sustainable energy solutions.
Evolution of wearable technology.
Benefits and drawbacks of internet censorship.
Roles of technology in enhancing personal productivity.
Influence of technology on travel and tourism.
Challenges and opportunities of 5G technology.
Pros and cons of biometric identification systems.
Future of work: Automation and job displacement.
Influence of technology on the entertainment industry.
Roles of virtual assistants in modern living.
Implications of quantum computing on society.
The emergence of state control of the internet pushed me into cyberbullying.
Embracing social networking influences my ways of life.
Embracing social media influenced my overall well-being.
The emergence of facial recognition technologies undermined my human rights.
Adoption of artificial intelligence that enhanced my active learning.
Roles of technology in promoting accessibility and inclusion.

Creating a Topic for a Personal Essay

Writers identify essential and exciting life experiences. In this case, they create exciting topics about their thought-provoking essay topics. Also, one must create a topic that interests readers. However, authors must ensure that they use real-life experiences. Hence, a scheme template to develop a unique item for a personal essay is:

For essays on secrets of life, one should use a scheme: “secret events and its consequences.”
For papers on defining moments, one should use a format: “momentous events and their influence on one’s life.”

Summing Up on Personal Essay Topics

Personal essay topics refer to a typical assignment that high school and college students must develop. Basically, the primary goal of writing personal papers is to stimulate readers to act in a specific way. In this case, authors can use different writing styles to complete this type of arrangement. Then, personal writing includes real stories, involvements, and individual opinions. Besides, authors should give an account of their involvement and express thoughts on subjects. In turn, there are two types of personal essay topics. The first type focuses on some secrets of life, whereas learners represent stories that focus on unusual life pursuits. The second type of personal paper focuses on defining moments in a person’s life. Hence, one should follow examples of template schemes for two types of personal essay topics:

Secret events and their consequences.
Momentous events and their influence on one’s life.

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Personal Statement

50 Personal Statement Topics Recommended by Experts

If you’re looking for good personal statement topics, don’t worry, you are not alone: millions of students all over the world are in the same boat. Writing such an essay is an extremely responsible task because in many ways, it determines the degree of success your application is going to have. To overcome your competition, the first thing you should do is understand what a personal essay is and why colleges and universities ask their potential students to write one. Personal statements for undergraduate admissions are a piece of writing describing personality, achievements, hobbies, and plans of students who want to join a specific educational establishment.

What makes them important? They help the committee see who a person is, what they think, what motivations they have, and how well they are capable of essay writing. Reading through academic numbers is great, but the only thing they indicate is how well a student could study. What professors want to see instead is how motivated and inspired people applying to them are, and this could be done only via an application essay. The tricky question is, where to find a great topic for it?

Tips For Choosing the Best Personal Statement Ideas

Finding a topic is always difficult. It has to resonate both with you and with people who are going to review your work, so it is vital not to make a mistake. Here are some tips you could use for solving this problem.

Think about your life. Even the most boring and monotonous lives have their small tragedies and victories. Start remembering them. Go through key moments and think about details surrounding them. The clearest memories are the best foundation for essay topic.
Focus on an interesting event. Whatever personal topics you consider, they must revolve around a prompt that evokes some genuine feelings in you. It must be something you are passionate about, something that has really affected your growth as an individual. Feel invested as you describe this situation.
Add a challenge to it. Don’t forget that such essays should somehow show your strong sides or your willingness to learn. Describing a situation that didn’t have a meaningful impact related to your growth won’t fit here, so focus on challenging memories. Topics must be unique.
Speak by yourself. Application essay is your chance to speak and present things from your perspective. If you ever felt misunderstood, betrayed, or under-evaluated, this is an opportunity to shed light on it and explain everything in a way you see it. By combining these four tips, it’ll be easier to narrow down a potential range of topics and choose a truly great one.

50 Inspiring Topics for Personal Essay

Apart from options we mentioned above, there is another alternative. When you are fruitlessly looking for possible topics and cannot find anything, it is time for using the Internet. There are many lists with suggestions people could choose from — they offer free themes and encourage students to pick them in case they find them inspiring. We present 50 top ideas that could give you a sense of direction.

Personal Statement Topics on Your Past

These topics for personal statement never get old. Look into your life; consider every relevant moment that has ever happened. Here are some ideas.

First Day at School: My Fears, Hopes, and Strength I Gained
Living with Workaholic Parents & How This Background Made Me Who I Am
Accepting a Concept of Death: Frightening Story of Loss, Recovery, and Acceptance
Overcoming Envy and Learning Self-Control
Why I Hated Risks and How I Learned to Start Taking Them
How Reading This Book Changed My Life & Goals
When I Realized Why I Want to Go to College
The Event That Brought Me to a Start & Changed Direction of My Life
The Thing You Did That You Are Still Proud Of
Which Event Made You Regain Faith in Humanity

Personal Statement Ideas About Challenges

We all have challenges, and some of them leave a deep mark on our hearts. Check these good personal statement topics examples — maybe they’ll remind you of a problem that you managed to overcome.

First Taste of Betrayal & Its Impact on Me
My Biggest Accomplishment and Challenges on Its Way
How I Stepped Out of My Safety Zone & Changed My Core Belief
How Being Academically Unsuccessful Made Me Want to Be the Best
The Biggest Embarrassment of My Life: Learning From Mistakes
Having Two Best Friends at Once Is Tough
Coping with Stereotypes Inflicted By Other People
Days When Panic Attacks Did Not Let Me Get Up From Bed
Understanding Depression and Learning to Live with It
Event That Broke My Heart & How I Healed It

Personal Statement Prompts on Academic Subjects

How about some subject-related ideas for personal statements? They are always welcome by application committees.

My Love for Seeking Truth Was Born the Day I Discovered the Role of Law in Our Lives
Visiting the Hospital for the First Time and Why It Fuelled My Interest in Medical Education
My Work Was Stolen & It Woke My Interest in Intellectual Property
Why Seemingly Impossible Career Seems Closer Now
My Thirst for Knowledge and Why It Could Make Me a Good Journalist
The Most Beautiful Building I’ve Ever Seen or the Day When My Love for Design Was Born
Spending Every Sunday in My Life Cooking: Where Does That Lead Me?
Outrageous Historical Lies and Why That Inspired Me to Study History
From Toys to Engineering Devices: I Was an Inventor Before I Could Work
Animals Are as Important as People: My Hopes For Becoming a Vet

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Personal Qualities Topics

People might have the same interests, but their personal characteristics make them different. These personal statement prompt examples could help demonstrate it.

Being the Definition of Stubbornness & Its Ups and Downs
Why My Resilience Makes Me a Good Fit For This College
How Love and Education Come Together: My Background and My Goals
Three Key Events That Boosted My Creativity
Suspiciousness Is My Second Nature: It’ll Help Excel in My Field
Passion for Politics I Carried Through Life: Then vs. Now
Loving to Argue: Childhood Screaming Matches vs. Mature Evidence-Based Discussions
Crying When Others Cry: How My Empathy Lets Me Live Complete Life
What Having Creative Mind Means For Me
I Wanted to Be a Superhero: How It Affected Who I Want to Be Now

Diversity Ideas

College personal statement topics related to diversity never lose their relevance.

Witnessing Cruelty for the First Time and What It Taught Me
The First Time I Faced Prejudice and Cried
Complex Story of Figuring Out My Sexuality: Why Things Should Have Been Easier
How My Race Affected My Social Acceptance
Understanding Racism After Making a New Friend
How I Believe Diversity Should Be Publicly Celebrated
How Being Strange Became a Norm For Me
Small Ways in Which I Intend to Change This World
Why Diversity Is Key to Achieving Peace
Racial Make-Up of My School Class and How It Shaped My Views

Write an Essay That’ll Move Everyone

As long as you’re truly invested in your chosen topics for personal statements, you have every chance of crafting a stunning essay. Basically, you’ll be retelling a meaningful experience from your life, showing how you found purpose and how it led you to select this specific college. This kind of writing is always emotional, so you could affect your readers and share your joy, pain, and determination. The more effective you are in this, the more likely it is that you’ll reach success. After you settle on personal statement essay topics, write about them with sincerity and passion, and this will definitely get you some precious points!

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

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Narrative Essay Topics: TOP 200 Choices for Students

Imagine yourself facing a blank page, ready to fill it with your memories and imagination. What story will you tell today?

As students, you often have to write narratives that capture people's attention. But with so many stories to choose from, where do you start? How do you find the perfect topic that will grab our readers' interest and make them think?

Join our essay service experts as we explore 200 topics for college where stories are waiting to be told, and experiences are ready to be shared. From everyday events to unforgettable moments, each topic is a chance to connect with your readers and make them feel something.

Best Narrative Essay Topics: How to Choose the One That Resonates

A narrative essay is a type of writing that tells a personal story, including characters, plot, setting, and the order of events. Its main goal is to connect with readers emotionally and share a specific message or insight through the retelling of a meaningful experience.

Students write narrative essays as part of their studies for several reasons. Firstly, it allows them to express themselves creatively by sharing their unique experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Secondly, it helps them develop important writing skills like organizing ideas and thoughts effectively.

Choosing good narrative essay ideas involves looking at personal experiences, interests, and the potential for engaging storytelling. Here's a simple guide to help you pick the right topic:

Think about significant moments in your life that had a lasting impact, such as personal growth or overcoming challenges.
Choose topics related to your hobbies, interests, or areas of expertise to make your story more engaging.
Consider what your audience would be interested in and choose topics that resonate with them.
Focus on a specific event or detail to make your narrative more focused and impactful.
Look for universal themes like love or personal transformation that connect with readers on a deeper level.
Brainstorm ideas and write freely to uncover compelling topics.
Decide on storytelling techniques like flashbacks or foreshadowing and choose a topic that fits.
Get feedback from friends, peers, or instructors to see if your topics are interesting and impactful.
Choose topics that evoke strong emotions for a more compelling narrative.
Select a topic that you personally connect with to make your story authentic.

Once you've chosen a topic, brainstorm ideas and create an outline for your essay. Follow your professor's instructions carefully and consider seeking help from our narrative essay writing service if needed.

Bring your stories to life with EssayPro. Select from a vast array of narrative essay topics and let our professionals help you weave your tales into captivating essays. Whether it's adventure, reflection, or imagination, we're here to assist.

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Ideas for Narrative Essay Topics

After exploring how students write narrative paragraphs, we've put together a list of narrative essay topics designed specifically for college and school students. This list covers a wide range of subjects, so pick one that speaks to you! If you want to see how to develop a topic into a written essay, check out our narrative essay example .

Literacy Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

How about delving into captivating literacy narrative essay topics designed specifically for college-level writing? Exciting, isn't it?

How did learning to read change my perspective on the world?
What was my favorite childhood book and why?
How did writing my first story impact my love for storytelling?
What challenges did I face when learning a new language?
How did keeping a journal help me improve my writing skills?
How did my family influence my attitude toward reading?
What role did literature play in shaping my identity?
How did participating in a book club enhance my reading experience?
How did technology affect my reading habits?
What was the most memorable book I read in school?
How did my favorite teacher inspire my passion for literature?
What impact did reading diverse perspectives have on my worldview?
How did overcoming a reading difficulty shape my relationship with books?
What lessons did I learn from writing my first poem?
How did storytelling traditions in my culture influence my literacy journey?

Personal Narrative Essay Topics on Relationships

Take a moment to reflect on your past experiences and craft compelling personal narratives with these essay ideas.

How did my relationship with my best friend change over time?
What lessons did I learn from my first romantic relationship?
How did my relationship with my sibling influence who I am today?
What challenges did I face in maintaining a long-distance friendship?
How did a conflict with a family member teach me about communication?
What role do my pets play in my life and relationships?
How did volunteering together strengthen my bond with a friend?
What impact did a mentor have on my personal growth?
How did a betrayal affect my trust in relationships?
What did I learn from a failed friendship?
How did traveling with a friend deepen our connection?
What role does forgiveness play in maintaining healthy relationships?
How did my relationship with my parents evolve as I grew older?
What lessons did I learn about teamwork from a group project?
How did a disagreement with a colleague teach me about compromise?

Best Narrative Essay Topics on Education and Learning

Consider the beauty of sharing your personal experiences and emotions in a captivating manner through these ideas for personal narrative essays.

How did a particular teacher inspire me to excel in school?
What challenges did I face while adapting to online learning?
How did participating in extracurricular activities shape my educational experience?
What lessons did I learn from a memorable field trip?
How did studying abroad broaden my perspective on education?
What role does technology play in modern education?
How did overcoming a learning obstacle impact my academic journey?
What did I gain from tutoring a classmate in a challenging subject?
How did a hands-on learning experience change my understanding of a topic?
What impact did a mentor have on my educational and career aspirations?
How did peer collaboration enhance my learning in a group project?
What lessons did I learn from a failure or setback in school?
How did my cultural background influence my approach to education?
What role does self-directed learning play in my academic success?
How did participating in a debate or public speaking event shape my communication skills?

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Personal Narrative Essay Ideas on Reflection on Life

Why not ignite your creativity with a range of narrative essay topics, from extraordinary moments to everyday experiences?

How did confronting a fear change my view on courage and growth?
How do family traditions shape my personal values and beliefs?
What does success mean to me, and how has it evolved?
Reflecting on friendships as a source of support in tough times.
How have travel experiences expanded my global perspective?
How do my hobbies and passions bring fulfillment to my life?
Exploring the link between self-love and mental well-being.
How can challenges lead to unexpected personal growth?
Reflecting on the importance of setting and reaching personal goals.
What pivotal moments mark my journey to self-acceptance?
Investigating how forgiveness resolves personal conflicts.
How do cultural expectations shape my idea of success?
Reflecting on the significance of self-care for overall well-being.
Exploring how technology influences my connections and worldview.
What did I learn from facing a life-changing decision?

Ideas for a Narrative Essay on Culture and Society

Engaging your readers with narrative essays on culture and society is a great way to spark interest, offering captivating ideas for exploration.

How has my cultural heritage shaped my identity?
Reflecting on a tradition or ceremony that holds significance in my culture.
Exploring the impact of globalization on local traditions and customs.
How does language influence the way I perceive the world around me?
Investigating the role of food in cultural identity and expression.
Reflecting on a cultural celebration or festival that left a lasting impression.
How does media portrayal affect societal perceptions of different cultures?
Exploring the intersection of culture and religion in shaping values and beliefs.
Reflecting on experiences of cultural assimilation or integration.
How do stereotypes impact individuals within a cultural group?
Investigating the role of art and literature in preserving cultural heritage.
Reflecting on the challenges and benefits of multiculturalism in society.
Exploring the significance of storytelling in passing down cultural traditions.
How do cultural norms influence gender roles and expectations?
Reflecting on the cultural exchange experiences that have broadened my perspective.

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Narrative Writing Topics on Hobbies and Interests

Wow your readers by turning your passions and hobbies into compelling narrative essay topics that will get them thinking.

Describe a memorable adventure or experience related to your favorite hobby.
Reflect on how your hobby has evolved over time and its significance in your life.
Write about a moment when your hobby provided a sense of escape or relaxation.
Explore the role of hobbies in promoting mental health and well-being.
Share a story of how you discovered your passion for a particular hobby.
Describe a challenge you faced while pursuing your hobby and how you overcame it.
Reflect on the impact of your hobby on your relationships with others.
Write about a hobby-related achievement or milestone that you are proud of.
Explore how your hobby connects you to a community or group of like-minded individuals.
Describe the process of learning a new hobby and the lessons you gained from it.
Reflect on the role of hobbies in balancing work, leisure, and personal growth.
Write about a hobby-related project or creation that you are passionate about.
Explore the connection between your hobbies and your broader interests and values.
Describe a favorite memory or experience involving your hobby.
Reflect on how your hobbies have influenced your perspective on life and the world around you.

Narrative Essay Titles on Life-Changing Moments

Life is full of unexpected twists that can lead to life-changing moments. Take a look at these narrative essay titles for stories that have had a lasting impact on your life.

How did meeting a lifelong friend change my life?
What lessons did I learn from overcoming a major obstacle?
How did traveling to a new country broaden my perspective?
Reflecting on the day I discovered my passion.
How did a health scare transform my lifestyle?
What impact did volunteering in my community have on me?
How did I find strength in a moment of loss?
Reflecting on the decision that altered my path.
How did a random act of kindness change my outlook?
What lessons did I learn from a failed endeavor?
How did confronting a fear empower me?
Reflecting on the day I realized my potential.
How did experiencing a natural disaster shape my priorities?
What insights did I gain from a cultural exchange?
How did a mentor's guidance impact my life trajectory?

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Good Narrative Topics on Travel and Adventure

Consider creating intriguing titles for your narrative essay ideas by exploring thrilling travel adventures.

What was my most unforgettable travel experience?
How did a solo journey change my perspective on life?
Reflecting on an unexpected adventure in a foreign land.
How did traveling on a budget lead to unexpected discoveries?
What lessons did I learn from getting lost in a new city?
How did a cultural immersion experience broaden my understanding of the world?
Reflecting on the friendships formed during a travel adventure.
What was the scariest moment I encountered while traveling?
How did volunteering abroad impact my outlook on life?
What cultural differences surprised me the most while traveling?
Reflecting on the beauty of nature experienced during a hiking trip.
How did traveling to a remote destination challenge my comfort zone?
What was the most delicious food I tried while traveling?
Reflecting on the kindness of strangers encountered during a journey.
How did a travel mishap turn into a memorable experience?

Narrative Essay Topic Ideas on Career and Work Experience

College students can uncover captivating narrative essay ideas by exploring potential career paths or reminiscing about past job experiences.

What was my first job, and what did I learn from it?
Reflecting on a challenging project that taught me resilience.
How did a career setback lead to unexpected opportunities?
What lessons did I learn from transitioning to a new career?
Reflecting on a mentor who influenced my career path.
How did a workplace conflict teach me about communication?
What was the most rewarding moment in my career so far?
Reflecting on the importance of work-life balance in my career journey.
How did networking help me advance in my career?
What challenges did I face as a new graduate entering the workforce?
Reflecting on the decision to pursue a passion versus stability in my career.
How did a career change impact my sense of fulfillment?
What skills did I develop through volunteer work that helped in my career?
Reflecting on the role of mentors in my professional growth.
How did a career milestone shape my future aspirations?

Interesting Narrative Essay Topics about Challenges and Obstacles

If you're not sure what to write about for your narrative essay, think back to the tough times you've had and how you managed to get through them.

How did I overcome my fear of failure?
Reflecting on a time when I felt like giving up but persevered.
How did a personal setback lead to unexpected growth?
What lessons did I learn from navigating a difficult relationship?
Reflecting on a time when I had to step out of my comfort zone.
How did I overcome a major health challenge?
What strategies did I use to overcome procrastination?
Reflecting on the resilience I developed after facing adversity.
How did I navigate financial challenges and come out stronger?
What did I learn from failing at something I was passionate about?
Reflecting on the obstacles I faced while pursuing my dreams.
How did I overcome imposter syndrome in my academic or professional life?
What role did self-care play in helping me overcome challenges?
Reflecting on a time when I had to stand up for myself in the face of adversity.
How did I find motivation and inspiration during tough times?

Final Remarks

As we wrap up, our list of 200 narrative essay topics is here to fuel your creativity for your next writing project! Whether you're sharing a memorable event, reliving a childhood memory, or expressing a profound insight, crafting a narrative essay can be an uplifting experience that resonates deeply with readers.

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Personal Essay Topics

Academic writing

Essay paper writing

Personal essay is considered to be one of the most interesting academic assignments. Writing such an essay, you are not just creating a regular text about some person but also have a great opportunity to demonstrate your views, feelings, or opinion on a given topic. In a good paper, you can influence the readers and present some new ideas to them.

Students often think that a personal essay is difficult to write. Moreover, they often get scared when they realize that they may need to prepare for this assignment longer than usual. Well, in fact, there is nothing complicated in this task. All you need to do is express the main idea clearly, discuss it, and be honest with your readers.

However, sometimes the situation gets worse when a teacher gives quite specific college personal essay topics, and you have no opportunity to touch upon some important issues that you might want to discuss. Relax and do not think of the topic as a limitation! Instead, try to provide a deeper comprehension of the issues and concepts related to the theme of your paper.

The next challenge of creating such a text is that you will need to combine a lot of writing styles. But do not panic! Look at this struggle from a different perspective, and it will become an advantage which allows you to express your thoughts more vividly. After all, it’s a fact that your writing style reflects your personality.

Of course, the success of your essay mostly depends on the topic, so you are welcome to choose one of the interesting personal essay topics presented by our essay writing service in this article. Then, working on the task, make sure that it is not a monotonous piece that will be difficult to read. Well-structured papers on relevant common personal essay topics provide an excellent opportunity to show your point of view and express your feelings regarding the subject.

How to write personal essays?

This question is pertinent among the new writers who struggle to create a whole text about a person. But there is nothing to worry about! First of all, try to collect as much information as possible. For example, look for some interviews with the individual you want to write about. If you have one of the top personal essay topics, it will be quite easy to find this kind of info.

The next aspect of a good essay is the formatting of the text. This is not the easiest part of writing, but it is definitely not the thing you should be concerned about. Make sure that you have a writing guide to refer to or just ask your professor about formatting rules at your college. By the way, mind that we are talking mostly about personal essay topics for college, so if you have to write such text for school or university, you will need to adapt it to the requirements of that educational institution.

Finally, let’s consider the structure of a good personal essay. In the first paragraph, you have to provide a brief biography of the person you are writing about. It should contain some information about their life, achievements, and some interesting facts. After that, try to find some info about the childhood years of this individual. Using this technique, you can create an interesting intro which will prompt your audience to read the text to the very end. If you have troubles with that, you can just pick one of the personal essay topics for high school students, as they should be easier to find info on. After you are done with the first section, it is time to move on to the most challenging part of writing. Here, you have to describe the outstanding years of a person’s life and analyze the most important experiences or events during that time . Do not get scared if you are assigned to write a text about yourself or someone you do not know. You may have excellent writing skills, but it is always difficult to tell personal stories or share memories. So don’t lose heart if you won’t succeed with your first personal essay.

Why choose to write on the personal persuasive essay topics

While reading the information above, you may get the following question, “Why would a novice writer pick such a complex topic to write on?” First of all, people need to do something new and challenging all the time in order to become well-versed in particular spheres. Secondly, students learn how to work on several types of texts, which not only helps them to become better writers but also reach a totally new level of proficiency. Another great thing is that if you pick one of the personal essay topics for college applications, you will be able to stand out from the crowd of those who are going to choose the easier topics.

So, now it’s time to start writing the actual essay. Do not worry if you still have no ideas what to write about. In this article, we will provide the list of personal essay topic options which will definitely help you to write a perfect paper and get an excellent mark.

College level personal essay topics

College-level personal experience essay topics are more challenging to cope with than school ones because you have to search and analyze a lot. Moreover, writing college-level essays presupposes the development of analytical and critical thinking skills. Just like writing a personal essay for college application, it requires a more in-depth evaluation of the issue under consideration. If you struggle to find a proper topic for your essay, here is a list of interesting themes for college students:

The biggest fear in your life
A difficult decision you have made
When did you have the biggest argument with your sibling?
The most interesting dream you have ever had
Music that inspires you and makes you feel good
Perfect family vacation
The day you met your best college friend
The most awkward moment in college
Your phobias
Things your parents have taught you
The time you spoke out about something important to you
How would you spend your gap year?
What is the bravest moment of your life?
What did you do when a close person betrayed you?
The most important lesson in your life
Describe the biggest failure in your life and what you have learned from it

Personal essay topics for education

These topics are slightly different from the previous ones. Educational themes are usually a bit more school-based, which means that you need to have some basic knowledge to complete them. A lot of things can be described in this essay, but it is important to include only relevant information and clearly state your opinion. By the way, these themes are considered the best personal essay topics among all. The reason is that writing this kind of essay, you have an opportunity to demonstrate your views, goals, and aspirations so that your teacher can determine your ambitions and potential in the study area. Therefore, let us move on to the actual examples:

How can a professor motivate you to become a better person?
What are the best methods to deliver a speech?
Do you like doing homework, or is it a waste of time for you?
The best lesson you have learned studying in college or high school
Is it hard for you to prepare for school exams? How do you handle stress during that period?
What second language did you learn and how?
What motivates you to study hard and pursue your dreams?
The right and wrong choices you made regarding study and education

Easy topics for personal essay

Students choose easy topics quite often because they are not willing to spend a lot of time on writing. Selecting such a theme is not a bad idea at all because these topics are usually quite broad. Make sure you know how to write the best pieces using these great personal essay topics:

How to relax after a hard day?
The greatest fear you have
The best place in your house
The best period of the history of your country
Your favorite movie
What would you buy right now if you had a lot of money?
The work of art that you adore the most
The best period of your life
Who is your favorite singer?
Secret talent you have
The unexplained event that happened to you
Your favorite season
Your best birthday party
Your favorite type of food
The best childhood memory
What would you do if you won the lottery
Your favorite holiday

Some other good personal essay topics

If you are still out of ideas for personal essay topics, you can consider the themes listed below:

The last act of kindness that you have made
The job of your dream
The most beautiful place in the world you have ever seen
The best music band that helps you to fall asleep
The most annoying things in your life
A thing that reminds you of your childhood
The role of money in your life
The best words you have heard in your life
Have you ever witnessed something that you will remember for the rest of your life?
The best morning in your life
Something that makes you feel guilty
Your shopping habits
A place you would go if you could travel back in time

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10 Personal Narrative Examples to Inspire Your Writing

Personal narratives are short pieces of creative nonfiction that recount a story from someone’s own experiences. They can be a memoir, a thinkpiece, or even a polemic — so long as the piece is grounded in the writer's beliefs and experiences, it can be considered a personal narrative.

Despite the nonfiction element, there’s no single way to approach this topic, and you can be as creative as you would be writing fiction. To inspire your writing and reveal the sheer diversity of this type of essay, here are ten great examples personal narratives from recent years:

1. “Only Disconnect” by Gary Shteyngart

Personal narratives don’t have to be long to be effective, as this thousand-word gem from the NYT book review proves. Published in 2010, just as smartphones were becoming a ubiquitous part of modern life, this piece echoes many of our fears surrounding technology and how it often distances us from reality.

In this narrative, Shteyngart navigates Manhattan using his new iPhone—or more accurately, is led by his iPhone, completely oblivious to the world around him. He’s completely lost to the magical happenstance of the city as he “follow[s] the arrow taco-ward”. But once he leaves for the country, and abandons the convenience of a cell phone connection, the real world comes rushing back in and he remembers what he’s been missing out on.

The downfalls of technology is hardly a new topic, but Shteyngart’s story remains evergreen because of how our culture has only spiraled further down the rabbit hole of technology addiction in the intervening years.

What can you learn from this piece?

Just because a piece of writing is technically nonfiction, that doesn’t mean that the narrative needs to be literal. Shteyngart imagines a Manhattan that physically changes around him when he’s using his iPhone, becoming an almost unrecognizable world. From this, we can see how a certain amount of dramatization can increase the impact of your message—even if that wasn’t exactly the way something happened.

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2. “Why I Hate Mother's Day” by Anne Lamott

The author of the classic writing text Bird by Bird digs into her views on motherhood in this piece from Salon. At once a personal narrative and a cultural commentary, Lamott explores the harmful effects that Mother’s Day may have on society —how its blind reverence to the concept of motherhood erases women’s agency and freedom to be flawed human beings.

Lamott points out that not all mothers are good, not everyone has a living mother to celebrate, and some mothers have lost their children, so have no one to celebrate with them. More importantly, she notes how this Hallmark holiday erases all the people who helped raise a woman, a long chain of mothers and fathers, friends and found family, who enable her to become a mother. While it isn’t anchored to a single story or event (like many classic personal narratives), Lamott’s exploration of her opinions creates a story about a culture that puts mothers on an impossible pedestal.

In a personal narrative essay, lived experience can be almost as valid as peer-reviewed research—so long as you avoid making unfounded assumptions. While some might point out that this is merely an opinion piece, Lamott cannily starts the essay by grounding it in the personal, revealing how she did not raise her son to celebrate Mother’s Day. This detail, however small, invites the reader into her private life and frames this essay as a story about her —and not just an exercise in being contrary.

3. “The Crane Wife” by CJ Hauser

Days after breaking off her engagement with her fiance, CJ Hauser joins a scientific expedition on the Texas coast r esearching whooping cranes . In this new environment, she reflects on the toxic relationship she left and how she found herself in this situation. She pulls together many seemingly disparate threads, using the expedition and the Japanese myth of the crane wife as a metaphor for her struggles.

Hauser’s interactions with the other volunteer researchers expand the scope of the narrative from her own mind, reminding her of the compassion she lacked in her relationship. In her attempts to make herself smaller, less needy, to please her fiance, she lost sight of herself and almost signed up to live someone else’s life, but among the whooping cranes of Texas, she takes the first step in reconnecting with herself.

With short personal narratives, there isn’t as much room to develop characters as you might have in a memoir so the details you do provide need to be clear and specific. Each of the volunteer researchers on Hauser’s expedition are distinct and recognizable though Hauser is economical in her descriptions.

For example, Hauser describes one researcher as “an eighty-four-year-old bachelor from Minnesota. He could not do most of the physical activities required by the trip, but had been on ninety-five Earthwatch expeditions, including this one once before. Warren liked birds okay. What Warren really loved was cocktail hour.”

In a few sentences, we get a clear picture of Warren's fun-loving, gregarious personality and how he fits in with the rest of the group.

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4. “The Trash Heap Has Spoken” by Carmen Maria Machado

The films and TV shows of the 80s and 90s—cultural touchstones that practically raised a generation—hardly ever featured larger women on screen. And if they did, it was either as a villain or a literal trash heap. Carmen Maria Machado grew up watching these cartoons, and the absence of fat women didn’t faze her. Not until puberty hit and she went from a skinny kid to a fuller-figured teen. Suddenly uncomfortable in her skin, she struggled to find any positive representation in her favorite media.

As she gets older and more comfortable in her own body, Machado finds inspiration in Marjory the Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock and Ursula, everyone’s favorite sea witch from The Little Mermaid —characters with endless power in the unapologetic ways they inhabit their bodies. As Machado considers her own body through the years, it’s these characters she returns to as she faces society’s unkind, dismissive attitudes towards fat women.

Stories shape the world, even if they’re fictional. Some writers strive for realism, reflecting the world back on itself in all its ugliness, but Carmen Maria Machado makes a different point. There is power in being imaginative and writing the world as it could be, imagining something bigger, better, and more beautiful. So, write the story you want to see, change the narrative, look at it sideways, and show your readers how the world could look.

5. “Am I Disabled?” by Joanne Limburg

The titular question frames the narrative of Joanne Limburg’s essay as she considers the implications of disclosing her autism. What to some might seem a mundane occurrence—ticking ‘yes’, ‘no’, or ‘prefer not to say’ on a bureaucratic form—elicits both philosophical and practical questions for Limburg about what it means to be disabled and how disability is viewed by the majority of society.

Is the labor of disclosing her autism worth the insensitive questions she has to answer? What definition are people seeking, exactly? Will anyone believe her if she says yes? As she dissects the question of what disability is, she explores the very real personal effects this has on her life and those of other disabled people.

Limburg’s essay is written in a style known as the hermit crab essay , when an author uses an existing document form to contain their story. You can format your writing as a recipe, a job application, a resume, an email, or a to-do list – the possibilities are as endless as your creativity. The format you choose is important, though. It should connect in some way to the story you’re telling and add something to the reader’s experience as well as your overall theme.

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6. “Living Like Weasels” by Annie Dillard

While out on a walk in the woods behind her house, Annie Dillard encounters a wild weasel. In the short moment when they make eye contact, Dillard takes an imaginary journey through the weasel’s mind and wonders if the weasel’s approach to life is better than her own.

The weasel, as Dillard sees it, is a wild creature with jaws so powerful that when it clamps on to something, it won’t let go, even into death. Necessity drives it to be like this, and humanity, obsessed with choice, might think this kind of life is limiting, but the writer believes otherwise. The weasel’s necessity is the ultimate freedom, as long as you can find the right sort, the kind that will have you holding on for dear life and refusing to let go.

Make yourself the National Geographic explorer of your backyard or neighborhood and see what you can learn about yourself from what you discover. Annie Dillard, queen of the natural personal essay, discovers a lot about herself and her beliefs when meeting a weasel.

What insight can you glean from a blade of grass, for example? Does it remind you that despite how similar people might be, we are all unique? Do the flights of migrating birds give you perspective on the changes in your own life? Nature is a potent and never-ending spring of inspiration if you only think to look.

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7. “Love In Our Seventies” by Ellery Akers

“ And sometimes, when I lift the gray hair at the back of your neck and kiss your shoulder, I think, This is it.”

In under 400 words, poet Ellery Akers captures the joy she has found in discovering romance as a 75-year-old . The language is romantic, but her imagery is far from saccharine as she describes their daily life and the various states in which they’ve seen each other: in their pajamas, after cataract surgeries, while meditating. In each singular moment, Akers sees something she loves, underscoring an oft-forgotten truth. Love is most potent in its smallest gestures.

Personal narrative isn’t a defined genre with rigid rules, so your essay doesn’t have to be an essay. It can be a poem, as Akers’ is. The limitations of this form can lead to greater creativity as you’re trying to find a short yet evocative way to tell a story. It allows you to focus deeply on the emotions behind an idea and create an intimate connection with your reader.

8. “What a Black Woman Wishes Her Adoptive White Parents Knew” by Mariama Lockington

Mariama Lockington was adopted by her white parents in the early 80s, long before it was “trendy” for white people to adopt black children. Starting with a family photograph, the writer explores her complex feelings about her upbringing , the many ways her parents ignored her race for their own comfort, and how she came to feel like an outsider in her own home. In describing her childhood snapshots, she takes the reader from infancy to adulthood as she navigates trying to live as a black woman in a white family.

Lockington takes us on a journey through her life through a series of vignettes. These small, important moments serve as a framing device, intertwining to create a larger narrative about race, family, and belonging.

With this framing device, it’s easy to imagine Lockington poring over a photo album, each picture conjuring a different memory and infusing her story with equal parts sadness, regret, and nostalgia. You can create a similar effect by separating your narrative into different songs to create an album or episodes in a TV show. A unique structure can add an extra layer to your narrative and enhance the overall story.

9. “Drinking Chai to Savannah” by Anjali Enjeti

On a trip to Savannah with her friends, Anjali Enjeti is reminded of a racist incident she experienced as a teenager . The memory is prompted by her discomfort of traveling in Georgia as a South Asian woman and her friends’ seeming obliviousness to how others view them. As she recalls the tense and traumatic encounter she had in line at a Wendy’s and the worry she experiences in Savannah, Enjeti reflects on her understanding of otherness and race in America.

Enjeti paints the scene in Wendy’s with a deft hand. Using descriptive language, she invokes the five senses to capture the stress and fear she felt when the men in line behind her were hurling racist sentiments.

She writes, “He moves closer. His shadow eclipses mine. His hot, tobacco-tinged breath seeps over the collar of my dress.” The strong, evocative language she uses brings the reader into the scene and has them experience the same anxiety she does, understanding why this incident deeply impacted her.

10. “Siri Tells A Joke” by Debra Gwartney

One day, Debra Gwartney asks Siri—her iPhone’s digital assistant—to tell her a joke. In reply, Siri recites a joke with a familiar setup about three men stuck on a desert island. When the punchline comes, Gwartney reacts not with laughter, but with a memory of her husband , who had died less than six months prior.

In a short period, Gwartney goes through a series of losses—first, her house and her husband’s writing archives to a wildfire, and only a month after, her husband. As she reflects on death and the grief of those left behind in the wake of it, she recounts the months leading up to her husband’s passing and the interminable stretch after as she tries to find a way to live without him even as she longs for him.

A joke about three men on a deserted island seems like an odd setup for an essay about grief. However, Gwartney uses it to great effect, coming back to it later in the story and giving it greater meaning. By the end of her piece, she recontextualizes the joke, the original punchline suddenly becoming deeply sad. In taking something seemingly unrelated and calling back to it later, the essay’s message about grief and love becomes even more powerful.

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Sophia Bush Recalls the Unexpected Moment She Fell in Love With Ashlyn Harris

The ‘One Tree Hill’ actress also addresses her sexuality and divorce from Grant Hughes in a candid new essay for ‘Glamour.’

Sophia Bush is ready to share new details about her relationship with soccer player Ashlyn Harris . In her self-written Glamour cover story published on Thursday, April 25, Sophia, 41, recalled the moment her friendship with Ashlyn, 38, turned into something more.

It began in the summer of 2023 when the actress was separated and planning to file for divorce from Grant Hughes .

“Groups of women in my life started opening up about issues they were going through in their own homes,” Sophia wrote. “It seemed like every week there were more of us, including Ashlyn, whom I’d first met in 2019 and who was in the process of figuring out her own split from her wife.”

In August 2023, Sophia officially filed to end her marriage to Grant. One month later, Ashlyn filed for divorce from Ali Krieger after nearly four years of marriage.

In her essay, Sophia assured readers that there was no cheating. Instead, she simply looked at Ashlyn as a friend with a “big, happy life.” But as the pair continued to open up about their splits, things began to change.

“It took me confronting a lot of things, what felt like countless sessions of therapy, and some prodding from loved ones, but eventually I asked Ashlyn to have a non-friend-group hang to talk,” Sophia said. “And that meal was four and a half hours long and truly one of the most surreal experiences of my life thus far.”

Sophia and Ashlyn made their first public appearance as a couple at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s annual Oscars viewing party in March 2024. While the “Work in Progress” podcast host received support from friends and family, some members of the public were not so kind.

“People looking in from the outside weren’t privy to just how much time it took, how many painful conversations were had,” she wrote. “What felt like seconds after I started to see what was in front of me, the online rumor mill began to spit in the ugliest ways. There were blatant lies. Violent threats. There were accusations of being a home-wrecker. The ones who said I’d left my ex because I suddenly realized I wanted to be with women—my partners have known what I’m into for as long as I have (so that’s not it, y’all, sorry!).”

While Sophia said that she hates the notion of having to come out in 2024, the actress explained that she’s always known that “my sexuality exists on a spectrum.”

“Right now I think the word that best defines it is queer,” she continued. “I can’t say it without smiling, actually. And that feels pretty great.”

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Personal Essay Examples, Topics & Format
Personal Essay for College format Inspirational 29 Examples Of College Essays
006 Personal Essay Ideas Narrative Examples Best College Creative O Side Example Response
How To: Write Your Personal Essay
️ How do you start a personal essay. How to Write a Personal Essay with a Focus on Readers. 2019

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670 Personal Essay Topics & Free Ideas
Easy Personal Essay Topics. Experiences that shaped my political views. The journey to accepting my sexuality. Unraveling my unique talent. Achieving my most ambitious goal. My favorite childhood memory and its impact. The role of spirituality in my life. Navigating through a major life transition.
200 Narrative & Personal Essay Topics Ideas
A choice of good personal narrative topics is essential, as it should be interesting for readers. We hope that these ideas for personal narrative papers will help you write awesome essays. More than 100 personal essay topics are available here. Students can use ready personal essay topics or modify them.
50 Outstanding Personal Statement Topics for Inspiration
50 Inspiring Topics for Personal Essay. Apart from options we mentioned above, there is another alternative. When you are fruitlessly looking for possible topics and cannot find anything, it is time for using the Internet. There are many lists with suggestions people could choose from — they offer free themes and encourage students to pick ...
200 Best Topic Ideas for Narrative Essay
Focus on a specific event or detail to make your narrative more focused and impactful. Look for universal themes like love or personal transformation that connect with readers on a deeper level. Brainstorm ideas and write freely to uncover compelling topics. Decide on storytelling techniques like flashbacks or foreshadowing and choose a topic ...
Top 75 Personal Essay Topics For Every Student 2022
Some other good personal essay topics. If you are still out of ideas for personal essay topics, you can consider the themes listed below: The last act of kindness that you have made. The job of your dream. The most beautiful place in the world you have ever seen. The best music band that helps you to fall asleep.
10 Personal Narrative Examples to Inspire Your Writing
2. "Why I Hate Mother's Day" by Anne Lamott. The author of the classic writing text Bird by Bird digs into her views on motherhood in this piece from Salon. At once a personal narrative and a cultural commentary, Lamott explores the harmful effects that Mother's Day may have on society—how its blind reverence to the concept of motherhood erases women's agency and freedom to be flawed ...
Sophia Bush Recalls the Moment She Fell in Love With Ashlyn Harris
Sophia Bush is ready to share new details about her relationship with soccer player Ashlyn Harris. In her self-written Glamour cover story published on Thursday, April 25, Sophia, 41, recalled the ...

Personal Essay Topics

110 Personal Essay Topics

How to Write a Personal Essay

Introduction

Body Paragraphs

1st Paragraph

2nd Paragraph

3rd Paragraph

Conclusion Paragraph

Personal Essay Topics About Relationships

Personal Essay Topics About Hardships

Personal Essay Topics About Success & Achievements

Personal Essay Topics About Personal Growth & Self-Reflection

Personal Essay Topics About Passions & Hobbies

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Personal Essay Topics About Family & Childhood Memories

Personal Essay Topics About Cultural Heritage & Identity

Personal Essay Topics About Childhood Dreams & Aspirations

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550 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing

Overcoming Adversity

Your Personality

Role Models

Parents & Parenting

Your Neighborhood

Childhood Memories

Morality & Ethics

Religion, Spirituality & Beliefs

Gender, Race & Sexuality

Money & Social Class

The Internet

Social Media

Movies, Television & Video Games

Books & Reading

Language & Speech

Learning & Studying

Work & Careers

Sports & Games

Shopping, Looks & Fashion

Exercise, Health & Sleep

Meals & Food

Holidays & Seasons

Animals & Pets

Environment

History, Politics & Current Events

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