Teme za pisanje na engleskom jeziku su sledeće:
1. Family
2. Study/Work
3. Hometown
4. Living place & Accommodation
5. Weather/Favourite Season
6. Friends
7. TV program
8. Museum/gallery
9. Holiday/Public holiday
10. Film
11. Leisure Time
12. Sports
13. Food
14. Math
15. Sky
16. Clothes
17. Weekend
18. Reading
19. Sleep
20. Nature
21. Newspaper and magazines
22. Text message or phone calls
23. Memorizing
24. Football
25. Travelling by train/car/taxi
26. Public Transportation
27. Letters vs email
28. Swimming
29. Snacks
30. Photography
31. Help
32. History
33. Handwriting
34. Music
35. Colour
36. Teachers
37. Being in a hurry
38. Being alone
39. Team work
40. Countryside
41. Social networks
Ovde su pitanja za pisanje eseja, kao i za diskusije:
The best way to teach is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.
Students should always question what they are taught instead of accepting it passively.
We learn our most valuable lessons in life from struggling with our limitations rather than from enjoying our successes.
All parents should be required to volunteer time to their children's schools.
The primary goal of technological advancement should be to increase people's efficiency so that they have more leisure time.
In most professions and academic fields, imagination is more important than knowledge.
The best way to solve environmental problems caused by consumer-generated waste is for towns and cities to impose strict limits on the amount of trash they will accept from each household.
To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one must study its major cities.
Educational institutions have a responsibility to dissuade students from pursuing fields of study in which they are unlikely to succeed.
Some people believe that government funding of the arts is necessary to ensure that the arts can flourish and be available to all people. Others believe that government funding of the arts threatens the integrity of the arts.
In any field of endeavor, it is impossible to make a significant contribution without first being strongly influenced by past achievements within that field.
Nations should pass laws to preserve any remaining wilderness areas in their natural state, even if these areas could be developed for economic gain.
People's behavior is largely determined by forces not of their own making.
Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study.
A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college.
Educational institutions should actively encourage their students to choose fields of study that will prepare them for lucrative careers.
Some people believe that in order to be effective, political leaders must yield to public opinion and abandon principle for the sake of compromise. Others believe that the most essential quality of an effective leader is the ability to remain consistently committed to particular principles and objectives.
Formal education tends to restrain our minds and spirits rather than set them free.
The well-being of a society is enhanced when many of its people question authority.
Governments should focus on solving the immediate problems of today rather than on trying to solve the anticipated problems of the future.
Some people believe that college students should consider only their own talents and interests when choosing a field of study. Others believe that college students should base their choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in that field.
Laws should be flexible enough to take account of various circumstances, times, and places.
Claim: The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the character of the men and women that the society chooses as its heroes or its role models.
Reason: Heroes and role models reveal a society's highest ideals.
Governments should offer college and university education free of charge to all students.
The luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent individuals.
In any field of inquiry, the beginner is more likely than the expert to make important contributions.
The surest indicator of a great nation is represented not by the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists, but by the general welfare of its people.
The best way to teach — whether as an educator, employer, or parent — is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.
Teachers' salaries should be based on their students' academic performance.
Society should make efforts to save endangered species only if the potential extinction of those species is the result of human activities.
College students should base their choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in that field.
As we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible, but more complex and mysterious.
In any situation, progress requires discussion among people who have contrasting points of view.
Educational institutions should dissuade students from pursuing fields of study in which they are unlikely to succeed.
Governments should not fund any scientific research whose consequences are unclear.
Society should identify those children who have special talents and provide training for them at an early age to develop their talents.
It is primarily through our identification with social groups that we define ourselves.
College students should be encouraged to pursue subjects that interest them rather than the courses that seem most likely to lead to jobs.
Claim: When planning courses, educators should take into account the interests and suggestions of their students.
Reason: Students are more motivated to learn when they are interested in what they are studying.
The greatness of individuals can be decided only by those who live after them, not by their contemporaries.
The increasingly rapid pace of life today causes more problems than it solves.
Claim: It is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero.
Reason: The reputation of anyone who is subjected to media scrutiny will eventually be diminished.
Competition for high grades seriously limits the quality of learning at all levels of education.
Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study.
Educators should find out what students want included in the curriculum and then offer it to them.
Educators should teach facts only after their students have studied the ideas, trends, and concepts that help explain those facts.
Claim: We can usually learn much more from people whose views we share than from those whose views contradict our own.
Reason: Disagreement can cause stress and inhibit learning.
Government officials should rely on their own judgment rather than unquestioningly carry out the will of the people they serve.
Young people should be encouraged to pursue long-term, realistic goals rather than seek immediate fame and recognition.
The best way to teach is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.
If a goal is worthy, then any means taken to attain it are justifiable.
In order to become well-rounded individuals, all college students should be required to take courses in which they read poetry, novels, mythology, and other types of imaginative literature.
In order for any work of art — for example, a film, a novel, a poem, or a song — to have merit, it must be understandable to most people.
Many important discoveries or creations are accidental: it is usually while seeking the answer to one question that we come across the answer to another.
The main benefit of the study of history is to dispel the illusion that people living now are significantly different from people who lived in earlier times.
Learning is primarily a matter of personal discipline; students cannot be motivated by school or college alone.
Scientists and other researchers should focus their research on areas that are likely to benefit the greatest number of people.
Politicians should pursue common ground and reasonable consensus rather than elusive ideals.
People should undertake risky action only after they have carefully considered its consequences.
Leaders are created by the demands that are placed on them.
There is little justification for society to make extraordinary efforts — especially at a great cost in money and jobs — to save endangered animal or plant species.
The human mind will always be superior to machines because machines are only tools of human minds.
People who are the most deeply committed to an idea or policy are also the most critical of it.
Some people believe that society should try to save every plant and animal species, despite the expense to humans in effort, time, and financial well-being. Others believe that society need not make extraordinary efforts, especially at a great cost in money and jobs, to save endangered species.
Some people believe that the purpose of education is to free the mind and the spirit. Others believe that formal education tends to restrain our minds and spirits rather than set them free.
Some people believe it is often necessary, even desirable, for political leaders to withhold information from the public. Others believe that the public has a right to be fully informed.
Claim: Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's major field of study.
Reason: Acquiring knowledge of various academic disciplines is the best way to become truly educated.
Young people should be encouraged to pursue long-term, realistic goals rather than seek immediate fame and recognition.
Governments should not fund any scientific research whose consequences are unclear.
Knowing about the past cannot help people to make important decisions today.
In this age of intensive media coverage, it is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero.
We can usually learn much more from people whose views we share than from people whose views contradict our own.
The most effective way to understand contemporary culture is to analyze the trends of its youth.
People's attitudes are determined more by their immediate situation or surroundings than by society as a whole.
Nations should suspend government funding for the arts when significant numbers of their citizens are hungry or unemployed.
All parents should be required to volunteer time to their children's schools.
Colleges and universities should require their students to spend at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
Teachers' salaries should be based on the academic performance of their students.
It is no longer possible for a society to regard any living man or woman as a hero.
Some people believe that in order to thrive, a society must put its own overall success before the well-being of its individual citizens. Others believe that the well-being of a society can only be measured by the general welfare of all its people.
Claim: Any piece of information referred to as a fact should be mistrusted, since it may well be proven false in the future.
Reason: Much of the information that people assume is factual actually turns out to be inaccurate.
Claim: Nations should suspend government funding for the arts when significant numbers of their citizens are hungry or unemployed.
Reason: It is inappropriate — and, perhaps, even cruel — to use public resources to fund the arts when people's basic needs are not being met.
Claim: Many problems of modern society cannot be solved by laws and the legal system.
Reason: Laws cannot change what is in people's hearts or minds.
Educators should take students' interests into account when planning the content of the courses they teach.
Educators should base their assessment of students' learning not on students' grasp of facts but on the ability to explain the ideas, trends, and concepts that those facts illustrate.
Unfortunately, in contemporary society, creating an appealing image has become more important than the reality or truth behind that image.
The effectiveness of a country's leaders is best measured by examining the well-being of that country's citizens.
A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college.
Colleges and universities should require their students to spend at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
Educational institutions should actively encourage their students to choose fields of study in which jobs are plentiful.
People's behavior is largely determined by forces not of their own making.
Colleges and universities should require their students to spend at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
Although innovations such as video, computers, and the Internet seem to offer schools improved methods for instructing students, these technologies all too often distract from real learning.
Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study.
The best ideas arise from a passionate interest in commonplace things.
To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards.
Claim: Imagination is a more valuable asset than experience.
Reason: People who lack experience are free to imagine what is possible without the constraints of established habits and attitudes.
In most professions and academic fields, imagination is more important than knowledge.
To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards.
Critical judgment of work in any given field has little value unless it comes from someone who is an expert in that field.
Some people believe that scientific discoveries have given us a much better understanding of the world around us. Others believe that science has revealed to us that the world is infinitely more complex than we ever realized.
Critical judgment of work in any given field has little value unless it comes from someone who is an expert in that field.
In any profession — business, politics, education, government — those in power should step down after five years.
Requiring university students to take a variety of courses outside their major fields of study is the best way to ensure that students become truly educated.
Claim: The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists.
Reason: The surest indicator of a great nation is actually the welfare of all its people.
Any leader who is quickly and easily influenced by shifts in popular opinion will accomplish little.
Government officials should rely on their own judgment rather than unquestioningly carry out the will of the people whom they serve.
A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college.
It is primarily in cities that a nation's cultural traditions are generated and preserved.
We can learn much more from people whose views we share than from people whose views contradict our own.
When old buildings stand on ground that modern planners feel could be better used for modern purposes, modern development should be given precedence over the preservation of historic buildings.
Some people claim that you can tell whether a nation is great by looking at the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists. Others argue that the surest indicator of a great nation is, in fact, the general welfare of all its people.
The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the character of the men and women that the society chooses as its heroes or its role models.
All college and university students would benefit from spending at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
Some people claim that a nation's government should preserve its wilderness areas in their natural state. Others argue that these areas should be developed for potential economic gain.
The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists, but the general well-being of all its people.
Some people argue that successful leaders in government, industry, or other fields must be highly competitive. Other people claim that in order to be successful, a leader must be willing and able to cooperate with others.
College students should base their choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in that field.
Some people believe that corporations have a responsibility to promote the well-being of the societies and environments in which they operate. Others believe that the only responsibility of corporations, provided they operate within the law, is to make as much money as possible.
Some people believe that our ever-increasing use of technology significantly reduces our opportunities for human interaction. Other people believe that technology provides us with new and better ways to communicate and connect with one another.
Educational institutions should actively encourage their students to choose fields of study that will prepare them for lucrative careers.
Educational institutions should actively encourage their students to choose fields of study in which jobs are plentiful.
Educational institutions have a responsibility to dissuade students from pursuing fields of study in which they are unlikely to succeed.
Some people believe that competition for high grades motivates students to excel in the classroom. Others believe that such competition seriously limits the quality of real learning.
Some people believe that universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study. Others believe that universities should not force students to take any courses other than those that will help prepare them for jobs in their chosen fields.
It is more harmful to compromise one's own beliefs than to adhere to them.
No field of study can advance significantly unless it incorporates knowledge and experience from outside that field.
True success can be measured primarily in terms of the goals one sets for oneself.
The general welfare of a nation's people is a better indication of that nation's greatness than are the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists.
The best test of an argument is the argument's ability to convince someone with an opposing viewpoint.
The effectiveness of a country's leaders is best measured by examining the well-being of that country's citizens.
Nations should pass laws to preserve any remaining wilderness areas in their natural state.
In any field — business, politics, education, government — those in power should be required to step down after five years.
Some people claim that the goal of politics should be the pursuit of an ideal. Others argue that the goal should be finding common ground and reaching reasonable consensus.
Some people believe that the most important qualities of an effective teacher are understanding and empathy. Others believe that it is more important for teachers to be rigorous and demanding in their expectations for students.
Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.
Teme za pisanje za IELTS test možete ovde preuzeti:
ielts wt 2 topics.docx
Teme za pisanje za TOEFL test možete ovde preuzeti:
writing-topics.pdf
Dodatne teme:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “It is more important for students to study art and literature than it is to study math and science.” Provide reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Your friend has decided to switch careers but isn’t sure which to choose. What advice would you give them? Provide reasons and examples to support your response.
Describe an annual day in your country when you give people special gifts.
Describe a fear you had to overcome. How did you overcome it?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Video games offer benefits to children.” Provide reason and examples to support your stance.
What are the characteristics of a good coach?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “It is better to read books on an electronic device than it is to read traditional books on paper.”
Some people feel that high school students benefit from participating in organized sports, while others feel that sports are a waste of time. Instead, students should focus on studying. Which point of view do you agree with and explain why.
You must prepare a final project. Which style would you prefer: a) giving a class presentation b) design a poster c) write an essay.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “It is better to be a follower than a leader.”
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Every individual should spend at least a year living in a foreign country.” Provide reasons and examples to support your opinion.
You are going to start a new business. Which of the following do you feel is most important to be successful: a) lots of money b) lots of friends c) lots of products.
Would you before to go to a small university in the countryside or a large university in the city?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Reading the newspaper or online news sources is a waste of time.” Provide reasons and examples to support your opinion.
You have been given a gift of money. Which would you rather spend it on: a) a piece of jewelry b) a pair of concert tickets c) an expensive meal.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Professional athletes are born with talent. You can not train someone to be a professional athlete.” Provide reasons and examples to support your response.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “It is always better to study with a teacher than it is to study alone.” Support your response with reasons and examples.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Children nowadays have too much freedom.”
You are going to have a new roommate next semester. Which of the following qualities is most important to you: a) cleanliness b) humorous c) politeness.
If you had to work on a project for school would you rather: a) work alone, b) work with classmates, or c) work with a tutor.
Agree/Disagree Style TOEFL Essays
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Overall, the widespread use of the internet has a mostly positive effect on life in today’s world.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? When doing research, it is better to use printed materials such as books and articles than it is to use the Internet. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Students who are given grades work harder than those who are not. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? In my country, young people have better lives than their parents had when they were young. Use reasons and examples to support your answer.
Movies and television strongly influence the way people behave. Do you agree or disagree? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People communicate with each other less than in the past because of the popularity of television. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? When people succeed, it is entirely because of hard work. Luck has nothing to do with their success. Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Nowadays, it is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a large city. Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Human activity is making the earth a worse place to live. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
In twenty years there will be fewer cars in use than there are today. Do you agree or disagree?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People today spend too much time on personal enjoyment, and not enough time on more serious duties and obligations. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? My lifestyle is easier and more comfortable than the one my grandparents experienced when they were young. Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Sometimes it is better to be dishonest. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The knowledge we gain from our personal experiences is more valuable than the knowledge we gain from books. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Do not use memorized examples.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Students do not respect their teachers as much as they did in the past. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Most of the biggest problems in the world will be solved in the next few decades. Use details and examples to support your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “People should keep trying to reach their goals, even if they seem impossible to achieve.” Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.
Multiple Choice Style TOEFL Essays
Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what type of neighbor is the best to have?
someone who is quiet
someone who we are similar to
someone who is supportive
Use specific details and examples in your answer.
When you face a difficult problem in life, what do you feel is the best way to solve it?
asking someone with more experience for advice about the problem
finding information about the problem using the Internet
taking a long time to think about the problem
Use specific details and examples in your answer. Do not use memorized examples.
In general, people are living longer now. Which of the following do you think accounts for this phenomenon?
Technological improvements
Changes to education systems
Improvements to our diets
Use specific details and examples in your answer. You may choose more than one cause.
People have a lot of opinions about the value of advanced education. Which do you think is the most important reason to attend college or university? Use reasons and examples to support your answer.
new experiences
career preparation
increased knowledge
Use specific details and examples in your answer.
Imagine you could improve the town where you live by changing one important thing about it. Which of the following would you choose to do?
Build additional parks
Construct more libraries
Improve public transportation
Use specific details and examples in your answer.
These days, people enjoy a lot of time away from their work and school obligations. Many people use this time to visit new places and learn about them. What do you think is the best way to learn about a place you are visiting for the first time?
Going to a museum
Joining a guided tour of popular attractions
Visiting a popular shopping area
Talking to a local resident
Watching a local television station
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
People in society work in many different settings, and for a variety of reasons. What do you think is the main reason why people have jobs?
to feel happier about their lives
to save money for the future
to develop new skills
Use specific examples and details to support your answer.
Everyone wants to be as healthy as possible. Fortunately, in modern society there are many things that people can do to improve their physical condition. What do you think is the best way to stay healthy?
Get exercise on a regular basis
Eat healthy food every day
Visit a doctor for regular examinations
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
The people we work with have many different characteristics and all of them affect the quality of our time at work. Of the following, what do you think is the most important quality for a boss or supervisor to have?
a serious attitude about their work
a lot of related experience
a tendency to always tell the truth
You may choose more than one. Use specific details and examples in your answer.
All around the world, people are living longer than ever before. Which of the following do you think are the main causes of this phenomenon? You may choose more than one option.
The development of new technology
Changes to our eating habits
Improvements to our working conditions
Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.
During our careers, we work with many different kinds of people. All of them have unique characteristics and personality traits. In your opinion, which of the following is the most important characteristic of a coworker?
a serious attitude regarding their work obligations
a willingness to learn new things
the ability to make other people laugh
You may choose more than one of these options. Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer. Do not use memorized examples.
If parents want their children to succeed in the future, which of the following things should they teach them?
How to be honest
How to be helpful
How to be patient
When employees feel that the management of their company is doing something wrong, what do you think is the best way for them to respond?
Talking to the media
Speaking to the management directly
Discussing the problem with each other
What do you think is the best way for the government of your country to improve the environment?
Increase public transportation
Reduce the construction of new factories
Build more parks
Paired Choice Style TOEFL Essays
Some students prefer classes with frequent discussions between the professor and the students with almost no lectures. Other students prefer classes with many lectures and almost no discussions. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
Some people think that the government should use extra money to fund programs to improve the environment. Others think that it is better for the government to spend money to support artistic programs. Which option do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Some people like to spend their money as soon as they earn it, while others think it is better to save their money for some time in the future. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. Do not use memorized examples.
Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
Some students prefer to study and do homework alone. Others prefer to study and work on class assignments with a group of fellow students. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Some people prefer to eat meals at restaurants, while others prefer to prepare and eat food in their own home. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Some people think the best way to learn new things is to study them alone. Others think that it is always better to get help from a skilled teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your choice.
A large company wants to train its employees to use new techniques. Which is the best way to train the workers?
Have all of them attend a training program together
Have some of the employees attend the program and later show their coworkers what they learned
Some people prefer to travel in their own country when they have some time off. Others think that it is better to take a trip to a foreign country. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your choice.
“Good Idea” TOEFL Essays
The administrators of a university are revising their budget and have decided to change their funding priorities. As a result, the university will now spend more money on sports and athletic facilities than they do on the campus libraries. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.
Many people welcome the opening of shopping areas near their homes. On the other hand, some people are strongly opposed to the construction of such facilities. If it is announced that a large shopping center will open in your neighborhood, will you support or oppose it? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
It is very important for students to learn as much as possible before their graduation from university. For this reason, many schools require students to attend all of their classes in person in order to achieve a passing grade. Do you agree or disagree with this kind of policy? Use specific reasons and examples to support your argument.
It is important to improve our skills and knowledge as much as possible. Some people prefer to learn from individuals who have more experience than they do – like teachers and supervisors – instead of learning from peers, like their colleagues and classmates. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?
Nowadays, the world is developing at a very rapid pace and we are constantly forced to make a lot of choices that can affect the rest of our lives. Do you agree or disagree with the idea that we should always ask someone else for help when we need to make an important decision? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
Consider a situation where you are asked by your supervisor to work with one of your coworkers on a project. This coworker has opinions that are very different from yours and they feel very strongly about these opinions. Do you think this is a good idea? Use reasons and examples to support your answer.
Imagine that your city government has given permission for a major company to build a large factory near your neighborhood. Do you think it is a good idea to work with them? Why or why not? Explain your position using specific reasons and examples.
...more topics:
Some people think that parents should plan their children’s leisure time carefully. Other people believe those children should decide for themselves how to spend their free time, Which idea do you agree with? Give reasons for your choice.
People should be realistic rather than romantic in order to live a better life. Do you agree or disagree with the statement. Use specific reasons to support your answer.
People should never be satisfied with what they have, they should always want something new or something different Do you agree or disagree with the statement. Give reasons for your choice.
Some people think that the family is the most important influence on young adults. Other people think those friends are the most important influence on young adults. Which view do you agree with? Use examples to) support your position.
Some students participate in school activities such as clubs and sports. Other students do not take part in such activities because they spend more time on their studies. Tell why you think the two groups of students spend their time differently? Which type of student do you prefer to be? Explain why.
Travelling is more important than reading books in order to understand the people and the world Do you? agree or disagree with the statement Use specific reasons to support your answer.
Some people like different friends. Others like similar friends. Compare the advantages of these two? kinds of friends. Which kind of friend do you prefer? Explain why?
After they complete their university studies, some students live in their hometowns, others live in? different towns or cities. Which do you think is better … living in your hometown or living in different towns or cities. Give specific reasons for your answer.
Some people believe that newspaper is the best source of news. Others think that the news is presented? better on radio or television. Which of these sources of news do you prefer? Use specific examples too? support your choice.
Some people learn best when a classroom lesson is presented in an entertaining, enjoyable way. Other people learn best when a lesson is presented in a serious, formal way. Which of these two ways of learning do you prefer? Give reasons to support your answer.
Some people say that the best preparation for life is learning to be cooperative. Do others take the opposite view and say that learning to be competitive is the best preparation. Tell which one you agree with and explain why.
Some people pay money for the things they want or need. Other people trade products or goods for what they need. Compare the advantages of these two ways of obtaining things. Which way do you prefer? Explain why.
Some people believe that growing up in a large family, with several sisters and brothers, offers more advantages than disadvantages. Other people think that being the only child is more advantageous. Write a short essay in which you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each position. Explain which position you support.
Some people think studying in a university is worthwhile only because you can get a degree. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Give specific reasons to support your answer.
Inventions such as eyeglasses and the sewing machine have had an important effect on our lives? Choose another invention that you think is important. Give specific reasons for your choice.
Someone think that playing a game is fun only when you win. Do you agree or disagree with them? statement. Use specific reasons to support your answer.
A research center is going to be established in a university. There is an argument whether to establish an agricultural center or a business one. Which do you think is better. Use specific reasons to support your answer.
“Fiction (such as short stories or novels) can teach us more about life than textbooks can”. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Use specific examples to support your answer.
Living in big cities has more advantages then living in small towns or countryside. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Use specific reasons to support your answer.
Some university students want to live in a room alone. Others prefer having roommates. Which do you like better living alone or living with roommates? Give specific examples to support your answer.
Some people like to travel alone, others like to travel together with several friends. Which do you prefer, Why?
Which is more important for you in your life? Knowledge from books you read, or personal experiences in reality. Please use details to explain your answer.
Newspapers contain many information topics such as sports, current event, business, and entertainment. Which topic do you like to read most often? Give reasons to explain your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: People should always show their strong emotions (such as excitement, anger, or joy). Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Dissatisfaction leads to progress. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A student’s main purpose in getting an education is to earn a lot of money. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Some students like to attend a large university that has many students. Others prefer to attend a small university that has fewer students. Which type of university do you prefer? Use specific reasons and example to support your answer.
Some students like to have outdoor activities. Others like indoor activities. Which do you prefer? Give specific reasons and examples to illustrate your answer.
How do movies or TV influence people’s behavior? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.
Some people like to buy books to read, others like to borr4Dw books from libraries or from other people. Compare the advantages of these two ways of reading. Which do you prefer? Why?
Some universities arrange a long period of vacation for students in the school year, others arrange several short vacations. Which kind of vacation do you prefer—a long vacation or a short one? Give specific reasons and examples for your answer.
Some people like to communicate by telephone, Other people like to communicate by letter. Which do you prefer to communicate by phone or by letter? Use specific and details to explain your answer.
Some people like to listen to classical music, others like to listen to popular music (including popular songs). Which kind of music do you prefer? Give specific reasons for your answer.
Games teach people about life. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Give specifics for your answer.
Many important natural resources such as water, forests, oil, etc, are running out in the world today. What should we do to protect them? Give specific examples to support your idea about one kind of these resources.
When people succeed, it is because of hard work luck has nothing to do with success, Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.
Sometimes it is fun to think of living in another time and place. If you could experience a different time and place, what time and what place would you choose? Use reasons and specific details to support your answer.
Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor? Use specific details and examples in your answer?
Some people like to eat at home and prepare food for themselves, others like to eat outside in restaurants or food stands. Which way of eating do you prefer.? give specific reasons and examples to illustrate your answer.
Some say that the world would be a better place now if the automobile had never been invented. Decide if you agree or disagree with this statement and give specific reasons for your decision.
Some people say that the best way to raise children is to encourage them to be independent thinkers. Others disagree and say that children need to be taught discipline in order to become successful. Using specific examples, discuss these two opinions. State which one you agree with and why?
Some people like to work or study at night, others like to work or study during the day. Which do you prefer-work or study at night or during the day? Give, specific reasons and examples to illustrate your answer.
Some people like to study alone, others like to study with several people together. Which do you prefer-study alone or study with other people? Give specific reasons and examples to illustrate your answer.
Some people like to use computers to type letter, others like to write letters with a pen. Which do you prefer and why?
Some companies like to employ younger and enthusiastic people, other companies like to employ older and experienced people. If you were a boss, which kind of people do you like to employ. Give reasons and specific examples to illustrate your answer.
“It’s better to make wrong decision than make no decision at all.” Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Give reasons or specific examples to illustrate your answer.
Some people tend to work only for money, while others believe that people should enjoy what opinion do. Which opinion do you prefer? Explain why?
Some people tend to study a subject in a very intensive way over a short period of time, while others
tend to study a subject constantly over a long period of time. What do you think is a better way of learning? Explain why.
Should the money invest into a university be used to improve the library or to improve the physical training facilities? What do you think? Why?
Should the money invest into a university library be used to buy books or to buy a computer? What do you think? Why?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television, newspapers, magazines, and other media pay too much attention to the personal lives of famous people such as public figures and celebrities.
Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion?
Some people spend their entire lives in one place. Others move a number of times throughout their lives, looking for a better job, house, community, or even climate. Which do you prefer: staying in one place or moving in search of another place?
Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a piece of jewelry you like or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which would you buy?
Businesses should hire employees for their entire lives. Do you agree or disagree?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Attending a live performance (for example, a play, concert, or sporting event) is more enjoyable than watching the same event on television.
Choose one of the following transportation vehicles and explain why you think it has changed people’s lives. (1) automobiles (2) bicycles (3) airplanes
Do you agree or disagree that progress is always good?
Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present. Do you agree or disagree?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the help of technology, students nowadays can learn more information and learn it more quickly.
The expression “never, never give up” means to keep trying and never stop working for your goals. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry are more important than saving land for endangered
What is a very important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today? Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other dangerous activities?
Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer?
Some people prefer to get up early in the morning and start the day’s work. Others prefer to get up later in the day and work until late at night. Which do you prefer?
What are the important qualities of a good son or daughter? Have these qualities changed or remained the same over time in your culture?
Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
People work because they need money to live. What are some other reasons that people work? Discuss one or more of these reasons.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, email, or telephone calls.
Some people like to do only what they already do well. Other people prefer to try new things and take risks. Which do you prefer?
Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning. In your opinion, what does success come from?
What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The most important aspect of a job is the money a person earns.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? One should never judge a person by external appearances.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A person should never make an important decision alone.
A company is going to give some money either to support the arts or to protect the environment. Which do you think the company should choose?
Some movies are serious, designed to make the audience think. Other movies are designed primarily to amuse and entertain. Which type of movie do you prefer?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Businesses should do anything they can to make a profit.
Some people are always in a hurry to go places and get things done. Other people prefer to take their time and live life at a slower pace. Which do you prefer?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Games are as important for adults as they are for children.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents or other adult relatives should make important decisions for their older (15 to 18 year-old) teenage children.
What do you want most in a friend ?someone who is intelligent, or someone who has a sense of humor, or someone who is reliable?
Which one of these characteristics is most important to you?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Most experiences in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for the future.
Some people prefer to work for themselves or own a business. Others prefer to work for an employer. Would you rather be self-employed, work for someone else, or own a business?
Should a city try to preserve its old, historic buildings or destroy them and replace them with modern buildings?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child’s success in school.
If you were an employer, which kind of worker would you prefer to hire: an inexperienced worker at a lower salary or an experienced worker at a higher salary?
Many teachers assign homework to students every day. Do you think that daily homework is necessary for students?
If you could study a subject that you have never had the opportunity to study, what would you choose?
Some people think that the automobile has improved modern life. Others think that the automobile has caused serious problems. What is your opinion?
Which would you choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Grades (marks) encourage students to learn.
Some people say that computers have made life easier and more convenient. Other people say that computers have made life more complex and stressful. What is your opinion?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The best way to travel is in a group led by a tour guide.
Some universities require students to take classes in many subjects. Other universities require students to specialize in one subject. Which is better?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Boys and girls should attend separate schools.
Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work independently?
Your city has decided to build a statue or monument to honor a famous person in your country. Who would you choose?
Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from other countries to adopt. Explain your choice, using specific reasons and examples.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Technology has made the world a better place to live.
Writing prompts
1. Many people believe that television violence has a negative effect
on society because it promotes violence. Do you agree or disagree?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your response.
2. According to some people, elderly drivers should be required to
reapply for their driving licenses because with age comes
diminished vision, hearing, and reaction time. How do you feel
about this issue? Explain what you think should be done and why.
3. Medical researchers, cosmetic companies, and others often perform
experiments on animals. Many people feel that experimentation on
animals is wrong and should be stopped immediately because
animals do feel pain, and there are other alternatives. How do you
feel? State your position and explain your reasons.
4. In order to save money, your principal is thinking about canceling
all field trips for the remainder of the year. Write an essay
persuading him or her to allow students to continue attending field
trips. Use specific reasons and examples to support your response.
5. Some people are actively involved in promoting and supporting a
cause, such as the release of international political prisoners or
protecting the environment. Is there a cause you actively support?
Write an essay convincing readers to support that cause.
6. Since the cloning of the sheep Dolly, there has been much debate
over whether or not human beings should be cloned. Many people
feel this is a violation of the natural order of things and that all
research in the area of human cloning should be banned. Others
feel that this is a natural progression of science and human
evolution and that research in the area of human cloning should be
a priority. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons
and examples to support your position.
7. Many parents give children a weekly or monthly allowance
regardless of their behavior because they believe an allowance
teaches children to be financially responsible. Other parents
only give children an allowance as a reward for completing
chores or when they have behaved properly. Explain what you
think parents should do and why.
8. Many people volunteer their time to help others, either through
non-profit organizations, churches, or other charitable venues.
Write an essay convincing readers to find a charity and volunteer
their time.
9. All-girl schools have been gaining popularity in recent years
because of the belief that girls learn better when they aren’t
competing with or intimidated by boys, who statistically get more
attention in the classroom. Do you think single-sex schools are a
good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your position.
10. We all have favorite activities that we enjoy. Write an essay
convincing readers to try the activity that you enjoy most.
11. Research shows that the average American watches as much as six
hours of television each day. Do you think this is too much? Write
an essay convincing readers to spend less time in front of the TV.
12. Many junior high and high schools around the country now
require students to spend a certain number of hours each term
doing volunteer work or community service. Some people believe
this is an excellent idea that promotes good citizenship and
cultivates compassion. Others feel that forced volunteerism is not
volunteerism at all. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your position.
13. Most states allow people to get a driver’s license at the age of 16.
Some people feel that 16 is much too young for the responsibility
that comes with driving a car and that teenagers should not be
allowed to drive until the age of 18. In your opinion, at what age
should people be allowed to drive, and why?
14. As part of the “war on drugs” and in reaction to an increase in
school violence, many schools across the nation now conduct
targeted searches of student lockers and backpacks. Although the
Supreme Court has ruled that public school officials have the right
to search students’ persons and property when they have
reasonable cause to suspect weapons or drugs, many people feel
this is a gross violation of students’ right to privacy. Others feel
that since school officials are responsible for the well-being of
students while they are in the building, they have the right to
search for drugs or weapons at any time. How do you feel about
this issue? State your position and explain your reasons with
specific examples.
15. Write an essay convincing readers to break a specific habit that is
harmful to their physical, emotional, or financial health.
16. In many countries, citizens are required to serve in the military for
a year or more. Do you believe the United States should institute a
similar practice? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your answer.
17. Have you ever traveled to a place that you found very meaningful
and rewarding? Write an essay that persuades others to visit this
important place.
18. Many of us spend hours in front of our computers and
communicate more by e-mail or instant-messaging than in person.
Some people believe that this is good because it helps shy people
communicate more openly with others. Others believe that
computer communication prevents us from developing
interpersonal skills and limits our ability to have meaningful
relationships with others. How do you feel about this issue? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your position.
19. Some companies offer a paternity leave that allows fathers to stay
home with their newborns for several weeks while still earning
partial pay and benefits. Do you think this is a good policy? Why
or why not? Explain your answer.
20. According to some health organizations, many foods on our
grocery store shelves are made with genetically modified
ingredients. Most of these foods, however, do not have a GMO
(genetically modified organism) label. Do you think there should
be a law requiring manufacturers to label foods containing GMOs?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
21. More and more farmers and food manufacturers are
genetically modifying their crops to reduce susceptibility to
disease, improve flavor, and reduce costs. Do you think
genetically modifying foods is a good idea? Why or why not?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
22. A few decades ago, many families had half a dozen or more
children. Nowadays, more and more families are choosing to have
only one or two children. Are smaller families better than larger
ones? Why or why not? State your position and support it with
specific reasons and examples.
23. Representatives of credit card companies can often be found on
college campuses offering special incentives to get students to fill
out credit card applications. Many people feel that this takes
advantage of students, who are often low on cash during their
college years. Others feel that it is an excellent way to help
students begin to build credit and learn financial responsibility.
How do you feel about this issue? Take a position and use specific
reasons and examples to support your argument.
24. Good habits improve our physical, emotional, and/or financial
health. Select one of your good habits and write an essay
persuading readers to make that habit a part of their lives.
25. What is your all-time favorite movie and why? Write an essay
persuading readers to watch this film.
26. Today, there are more and more reality shows on television. Do
these shows make good television? Why or why not? Explain your
answer using specific reasons and examples.
27. Is “an eye for an eye” a good basis for determining an appropriate
punishment? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples
to explain your position.
28. Many cities suffer from serious air and noise pollution—as well as
endless traffic jams—because of too many cars. Some people feel
that cities with extensive public transportation systems should ban
passenger cars and force people to walk, bike, or use public
transportation. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?
29. On today’s talk shows, guests and audience members often argue
heatedly with each other, and on more than one occasion, guests
and audience members have been hurt. Do today’s talk shows go
too far? Explain your answer.
30. Have you ever made a change that improved your life or the lives
of others? Write an essay that convinces readers to make a change
for the better.
31. The singer and songwriter Bob Dylan once wrote, “A man is a
success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night and in
between does what he wants to do.” Do you agree with this
definition of success? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your position.
32. Carpooling, recycling, and planting trees are all activities that are
good for the environment. Write an essay convincing readers to
actively participate in one of these activities.
33. The Internet includes many websites with images and content that
are inappropriate. Should websites like these be censored by
parents? Why or why not? State your position and support it with
specific reasons and examples.
34. Some people prefer to live in the quiet of the country; others
prefer the hustle and bustle of the city. Which do you think is the
better choice? State your position and support it with specific
reasons and examples.
35. Is there a book that you feel should be required reading for
everyone? Write an essay persuading your audience to read
this book.
36. Some people go right on to college after high school; others take a
year or more off to work or travel. Which do you think is the
better choice? State your position and support it with specific
reasons and examples.
37. Some people think of the United States as a nation of “couch
potatoes.” Write an essay persuading readers to be more
physically active.
38. You have been asked to write a brochure to attract visitors to your
hometown. Write an essay that convinces people to visit the place
where you live.
39. Many states have increased the speed limit from 55 miles per hour
to 65 miles per hour or more on major turnpikes and thruways. Do
you think it is wise to allow motorists to drive over 65 miles per
hour? Why or why not? Explain your position using specific
reasons and examples.
40. Nowadays, the private life of a politician is hardly private. In
your opinion, should we be so concerned with the private
affairs of a politician or political candidate? State your
position and support it with specific reasons and examples.
41. Today’s top professional athletes often have salaries and
bonuses in the tens of millions of dollars. Do you think these
athletes deserve such high compensation? Why or why not?
Explain your position and use specific reasons and examples.
42. Many parents do not allow their children to play with toy guns. In
your opinion, is this a wise decision? Explain what you think
parents should do about toy guns and why.
43. For centuries, people have wondered about the possibility of life
on other planets in the universe. Do you believe extraterrestrial life
exists? Write an essay persuading others to share your point of
view.
44. Many science fiction stories deal with the possibility of being able
to “design” our children by choosing the specific physical and
personality traits we would like them to have. Do you think this is
a good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples
to support your position.
45. If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live
forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific reasons
and examples to support your answer.
46. Some educators argue that every child in every school should have
access to computers. Others believe that the value of computers in
the classroom is overrated and that computers may actually
interfere with the learning process. In your opinion, how
important are computers in the classroom? Use specific reasons
and examples to explain your answer.
47. Should the United States invest more time, money, and effort in
space exploration? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and
examples to explain your position.
48. Some people believe that students aren’t learning enough in high
school. Should school standards be higher? Explain your answer
using specific reasons and examples.
49. It has often been said, “Ignorance is bliss,” and “What you don’t
know won’t hurt you.” Do you agree with these statements? Why
or why not?
50. Although foreign aid spending is typically only a very small portion
of our annual budget (currently about .1% of the Gross National
Product), the United States still spends billions of dollars a year on
foreign aid. Some people feel this is too much and that we should
spend nearly all of our money addressing problems here at home.
Others feel it is not nearly enough and that we should spend a
great deal more helping other nations. How do you feel about this
issue? Explain what you think we should do and why.
51. Some people fish to eat what they catch; others fish simply for the
“sport,” returning the fish to the water after they’ve caught it.
Many animal rights activists argue that sport fishing is cruel and
should be abolished. How do you feel about this issue? State your
position and support it with specific reasons and examples.
52. Many schools employ security guards and have installed security
equipment such as video cameras and metal detectors in the
building. In your opinion, how should security in public schools be
handled? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.
53. Across the country, public places such as libraries and museums are
now smoke-free environments, and restaurants are required to
have separate smoking and non-smoking sections. Some smoke-
free advocates are now campaigning to ban smoking in all
restaurants and bars. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or
why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
position.
54. In a small minority of schools across the nation, students do not
earn grades; rather, they receive regular written and oral
evaluations of their work. Some people believe that this is more
effective for learning than the grading system, which they believe
rewards students unevenly and encourages a competitiveness that
is counterproductive to learning. How do you feel about this issue?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
55. Is reading fiction a waste of time? Why or why not? Explain
your answer using specific reasons and examples to support
your position.
56. Many schools offer students who are native speakers of another
language the opportunity to take classes in their native tongue so
that they can more easily assimilate and better understand the
material. Some educators believe that this is a disservice and that
these students should be immersed in the English language. How
do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your position.
57. Many people immigrate to the United States because they believe
that it is better than their native country. In fact, many people
believe that the United States is the best country in the world. Do
you agree? Why or why not?
58. Some people think that school cafeterias should be required
to provide low-fat and/or vegetarian lunch options to
accommodate the eating habits of all students. Do you agree
or disagree? Explain your position and use specific reasons
and examples as support.
59. Elementary and secondary schools around the country are
beginning to actively address the problem of bullies. In your
opinion, is bullying an issue that should be addressed by schools or
left to parents? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
position.
60. Most private schools require students to wear uniforms. Should
public school students wear uniforms too? Argue for or against
school uniforms for public school students. Use specific reasons
and examples to support your position.
61. Do you think that the movie and/or TV ratings systems are
effective or useful? Use specific reasons and examples to support
your position.
62. Many people believe that honesty is the best policy. In your
opinion, is it ever okay to lie? Explain your answer using specific
reasons and examples.
63. In order to solve your school’s recent litter problem, your principal
asked students to take better care of the campus, but the litter
problem continued. Your principal’s reaction is to cancel all
extracurricular activities until the problem is resolved. Do you
agree or disagree with his reaction? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your position.
64. If an alumnus donated a large sum of money to your school, how
do you think that money should be spent? Write an essay
convincing school officials to allocate the money in the way you
think is best for the school.
65. Many people feel that American society is too competitive. Do you
agree? If so, is this a good thing or a bad thing? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.
66. If it were up to you to choose one item from the twenty-first
century to place in a time capsule for future generations, what
would you choose? Use specific reasons and examples to support
your choice, explaining both the item’s significance and the reasons
why it embodies the culture of the early twenty-first century.
67. Who makes a better leader: someone who is loved, or someone
who is feared? Take a position and explain your answer.
68. Some people are concerned that many teachers are not sufficiently
qualified for the classroom and argue that they should be required
to pass competency tests before they are allowed to teach. Do you
agree? Why or why not? Explain your answer with specific reasons
and examples.
69. If it were up to you to choose one professional (a doctor, a
reporter, a scientist, a politician, an actor) to travel aboard the next
space station, who would you choose and why? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your choice.
70. In our increasingly global society, many people feel that all
students should be required to learn a foreign language before
graduating from high school. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Explain your position using specific reasons and examples.
71. Today, more and more colleges and universities are offering not
only individual courses but entire degree programs online. Some
educators worry that online programs do not provide the same
quality as an on-campus education and that in an online program,
students can get others to do their work. Others believe online
courses offer convenience and flexibility enabling students, who
might otherwise not be able, to earn a degree and complete their
educations. In your opinion, should colleges and universities offer
degrees entirely online? Why or why not?
72. Is a good education a right or a privilege? Why do you think so?
Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.
73. The network that runs your favorite television show has suddenly
decided to cancel it. Write a letter convincing the station to
continue running the show.
74. What would improve your hometown? Write an essay convincing
town officials to make a change that would improve your
neighborhood.
75. Many people complain that American news shows focus too much
on sensational items, such as local crimes and celebrity gossip, and
spend too little time on important national and international news.
In your opinion, should television news devote more time and
coverage to international news and global issues? Why or why not?
76. Most students enjoy the long stretch of summer vacation, but some
parents and educators feel that two and a half months is too long a
break from school. Some argue that students and families would be
better served if the school year were extended through July, with a
three or four-week break in August, a longer winter break, and a
week off each in the spring and fall. Does this sound like a good
idea to you? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
77. Many people feel that the use of surveillance cameras in
public places, such as parking lots, is a good idea that can help
ensure our safety. Others worry that too many cameras
violate our right to privacy and give law enforcement officials
too much power. In your opinion, should we install more
surveillance cameras in public places? Why or why not?
Support your position with specific reasons and examples.
78. It has often been said, “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”
Do you agree? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and
examples to explain your answer.
79. Recent studies have shown that students often perform better on
exams if classical music is played softly in the background.
However, some students may find the music distracting. Should
schools play classical music during exams and/or allow students to
listen to it on headphones? Take a position and explain your
answer.
80. All across the country, state laws require drivers to wear seatbelts.
Not everyone believes the use of seatbelts should be mandatory.
What do you think? Make a case for or against mandatory seatbelt
use. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
81. Most schools require students to read “old” texts such as ancient
Greek tragedies or Shakespearian plays. Many students wonder
why they should read these texts instead of more contemporary
material. Make a case for or against the reading of classical
literature in English classes.
82. Should a parent be a child’s disciplinarian, or a child’s best friend?
Take a position and explain your answer using specific reasons and
examples.
83. More and more Americans are deciding to eliminate meat from
their diets and become vegetarians. Do you think this is a good
idea? Argue for or against becoming a vegetarian. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your position.
84. With the current popularity of sport utility vehicles many people
believe that it’s more important than ever for Congress to pass
legislation requiring automobile manufacturers to use more fuel-
efficient engines. Do you agree that such a law should be passed?
Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support
your argument.
85. Every year, millions of people visit zoos around the world. But
some people believe that zoos are inhumane and that animals
should not be kept in captivity. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
86. Politicians come from all sorts of professional backgrounds, from
lawyers and chief executive officers to actors and even professional
wrestlers. On a few notable occasions, politicians with criminal
backgrounds have even been elected. In your opinion, should
candidates with a criminal record be allowed to run for office?
Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support
your answer.
87. Students who don’t want to do their homework can find dozens of
sites on the Internet that offer essays for sale. Do you think this is a
legitimate business, or should these enterprises be shut down? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
88. Do you think the SAT or ACT exam is an accurate measure of a
student’s aptitude for college? Support your position with specific
examples.
89. It has often been said that we can lie with silence as well as with
words. Do you agree? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
90. Many students complain about having to learn history. Why do we
need knowledge of the past? Write an essay convincing skeptics
that learning about the past is important.
91. Woodrow Wilson once said, “Friendship is the only cement that
will hold the world together.” Do you agree? Use specific reasons
and examples to explain your answer.
92. Charles Simmons said, “Live only for today, and you ruin
tomorrow.” Do you agree? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
93. Thomas Edison, the renowned inventor, is famous for having said,
“Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent
perspiration.” Do you agree with this definition of genius? Why or
why not?
94. Many of us are fond of music that speaks to our particular
generation. Write an essay that convinces others not in your
generation that your music is worth listening to.
95. Alexander Smith said, “The great man is the man who does a
thing for the first time.” Do you agree with this definition of
greatness? Why or why not?
96. The eighteenth century writer Samuel Johnson wrote, “Ignorance,
when voluntary, is criminal.” Do you agree? Use specific reasons
and examples to explain your answer.
97. For decades, elementary school children across the country had
been required to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag every school-day morning. That practice has
recently been called into question, and standing and reciting the
pledge is now voluntary. In your opinion, should students be
required to say the pledge, should it remain voluntary, or should
the practice be completely abandoned? State your position and use
specific reasons and examples to support it.
98. Currently, Americans pay taxes based upon how much they earn:
the higher their income, the higher the percentage of that income
they must pay in taxes. Many people have been arguing that a flat
tax, in which everyone pays the same rate regardless of income,
would be a more equitable and desirable tax system. Which of
these two tax systems do you think is best, and why? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.
99. The great inventor Charles F. Kettering said, “The price of
progress is trouble.” Do you agree with Kettering’s assessment of
progress? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.
100. The writer Thomas Mann said, “War is only a cowardly escape
from the problems of peace.” Do you agree with this claim? Why
or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.
101. Activist Jeannette Rankin once said, “You can no more win a war
than you can win an earthquake.” Do you agree with this
statement? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.
102. Write an essay explaining why you should be admitted to a
particular college.
103. The Roman leader Seneca said, “A great fortune is a great slavery.”
Do you agree with this claim? Why or why not? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.
104. If your readers were to learn a foreign language, which language
do you think they should learn, and why? Write an essay
convincing readers to learn that particular language.
105. Many albums and CDs now contain stickers warning parents that
the lyrics of some of the songs may not be suitable for children.
Some people argue that simply putting a sticker on a label is not
enough. What do you think the record industry should do to warn
parents about inappropriate lyrics? Explain what you think should
be done and why.
106. Should we devote time and money to building a space station on
the moon or Mars? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
107. Should people lease or buy new cars? Make a case for the
option that you think is best. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your position.
108. The inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin said, “Money
never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in
its nature to produce happiness.” Do you agree with this
statement? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your position.
109. Some states have now made it illegal to drive while talking on
a hand-held cellular phone. Do you think this is a good law
that should be passed in other states as well? Why or why
not? Explain your answer.
110. The poet W. H. Auden wrote, “Machines are beneficial to the
degree that they eliminate the need for labor, harmful to the
degree that they eliminate the need for skill.” Do you agree? Why
or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your
answer.
111. Are students learning enough science in high school? Argue for or
against an expanded science requirement in secondary schools.
112. According to an old Greek proverb, “All things good to know are
difficult to learn.” Do you agree? Why or why not? Use specific
reasons and examples to explain your answer.
113. William Hazlitt wrote, “Man is a make-believe animal—he is never
so truly himself as when he is acting a part.” Do you agree?
Explain your answer using specific reasons and examples.
114. Imagine that you have a relative who is unfamiliar with computers
and has never been on the Internet. Write an essay convincing this
relative to get a computer and get online.
115. Imagine that you have found a great apartment to share, but your
new roommate doesn’t want any pets. Write an essay persuading
your roommate to let you bring your pet with you.
116. According to a Czechoslovakian proverb, “Better a lie that soothes
than a truth that hurts.” Do you agree? Why or why not? Use
specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.
117. Imagine that your high school (or alma mater) has decided to do
away with a club to which you belong (or used to belong). Write
an essay persuading school officials not to disband that
organization.
118. “Original” fairy tales, like those recorded by the Brothers Grimm,
often contain violence. Some literary critics and child
psychologists believe these tales are good for children because they
address children’s real fears, feelings, and desires. Others argue
that contemporary “sanitized” fairy tales still convey the main
themes of the tales and are far more appropriate for children. How
do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to
explain your answer.
119. Imagine that you have made it to the final round of interviews for a
new job. Convince your prospective employers that you are the
one who most deserves the position.
120. Most high school schedules include a study hall period several
times a week. Is study hall a waste of time, or a necessary break
from class? State your position and use specific reasons and
examples to support your position.
121. Imagine that you have a friend who doesn’t have any money in his
or her savings account. Convince this friend that it’s important to
create and follow through with a savings plan.
122. During the Christmas holiday season, images of Santa Claus are
everywhere, and young children often line up to take pictures with
adults dressed as Santa. Some people feel that children should not
be led to believe that Santa Claus is real. Do you agree? Why or
why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
position.
123. Is there something that you believe is truly worth fighting for?
Write an essay persuading others that this cause is worth a fight.
124. Write an essay convincing your best friend to try your favorite
brand of junk food.
125. Imagine that you have been asked to help raise money for a local
charity. Choose a charity and write an essay convincing readers to
contribute to the fundraising campaign.
126. Explain outdoor living to a person with an apartment in the city.
127. Explain how two people of different interests and backgrounds
could become unlikely allies.
128. Describe a family celebration that has special meaning for you.
129. Tell about a world-class athlete. Explain why you include this
person in that category.
130. Explain the problems, both personal and societal, that result
from obesity.
131. Describe your vision of an ideal vacation.
132. Explain, in detail, a situation where a change of plans becomes
necessary.
133. Describe the purposes of the Internet. Include various
viewpoints, including that of users and providers.
134. Describe how and why people choose the particular foods they eat.
135. Describe various styles of shoes as well as reasons for their
popularity.
136. Math is a required subject. Explain why it is so important.
137. Discuss the causes of and problems resulting from teenage
smoking.
138. Discuss a public health concern that you believe is serious enough
to warrant immediate attention.
139. Describe a major environmental problem and what you
believe should be done about it.
140. Discuss how a person achieves fame and fortune and how it
changes the individual’s life.
141. Discuss how conveniences change people’s lives.
142. Describe techniques or methods that could help teachers do their
job more effectively.
143. Describe how communication has changed in the last 20 years.
144. Describe, in detail, a team sport that interests you.
145. Explain why a particular adjective describes you perfectly.
146. Explain what cooperation means to you and why it is important.
147. Explain the meaning of diversity.
148. Discuss the importance of pride in one’s work.
149. What is special about you? Explain what makes you a unique
individual.
150. Discuss the events in the life of your favorite author, sports
figure, or performer. Explain how these events relate to the
person’s achievements.
151. Describe techniques and behavior that make a person a good
driver.
152. Explain why some people may be afraid of sharks.
153. Explain how different modern life would be without computers.
154. Explain pollution to a visitor from another planet.
155. Explain to a doctor what would be helpful during an office visit.
156. Explain the causes and effects of a poor diet.
157. Explain the causes and effects of impulse buying.
158. Explain the causes and effects of not voting in elections.
159. Explain the causes and effects of prejudice.
160. Describe how to be a good citizen.
161. Describe your favorite game. Explain why it is your favorite.
162. Tell how to pack for a camping trip.
163. Describe how weather affects your commute to school.
164. Tell how you can make a new friend.
165. Explain what you should do if you want to end a relationship.
166. Explain some of the best ways to prepare for a job interview.
167. Explain how to have a winning baseball team.
168. You must pass a college admissions test. Explain what you have to
do to achieve this goal.
169. You want to buy a new state of the art computer. Detail the steps
you would have to take to ensure that you will make an appropriate
decision regarding this major investment.
170. Brothers and sisters do not always get along. Describe the kinds of
problems this discord creates in families and the best way to handle
a situation like this.
171. Explain how to pick the best candidate for an elected office.
172. Describe your favorite season and explain why it is your favorite.
173. Describe a vegetable that you truly dislike.
174. Describe a typical day of your life.
175. Explain what you might do to help a sick friend or relative.
176. Describe how to brush your teeth.
177. Describe how a person should choose a new outfit.
178. Explain how to choose a pet that matches your lifestyle.
179. You decide to write a mystery. Describe the steps you would take
to write a bestseller.
180. Explain how you should read a book to a child.
181. Explain how to set a table for company.
182. Explain how to become a smart consumer.
183. Explain how to write a good resume.
184. Describe a master plan that would make your community a better
place to live.
185. Describe your school.
186. Describe how to build a birdhouse.
187. Describe how to paint a room.
188. Explain how you would find a good restaurant in a place you are
visiting for the first time.
189. Explain to a person who has a great many debts about life on a
budget.
190. Describe the chores and responsibilities that you have at home.
191. Describe what you can do to save money and still cover your basic
needs.
192. Explain how to choose the right college.
193. Explain what you would do if you won the lottery.
194. Describe the steps you would take if you wanted to research your
family tree.
195. With the hope of preserving family history, describe the kinds of
questions to ask an older relative.
196. You are asked to write an article about a person newly arrived from
another country. Discuss the kinds of information you would
include.
197. Describe how manners have changed over time.
198. Discuss reasons for appreciating your parents.
199. Describe how to show appreciation to your parents.
200. If you could live in any decade, which one would you choose and
why?
201. Describe how to perform your favorite magic trick.
202. Your best friend’s birthday is coming up. Describe the plan you
created to make this birthday celebration the kind your friend will
always remember.
203. Describe the steps you will take to launch a new career.
204. Describe how you would decorate a dorm room, living room, or
office.
205. Describe the tasks you need to complete before you attend college
in another state.
206. Your new job requires that you move to a different city.
Describe the steps you will take to prepare for this move.
207. Choose a foreign country you would like to visit and explain why
you find that country so appealing.
208. Describe how climate dictates lifestyle.
209. Tell how customers like to be treated in a store.
210. Explain how different modern life would be without phones.
211. Describe the menu for a satisfying dinner in a restaurant.
212. Describe the menu and setting of a romantic dinner for two.
213. Describe the perfect menu for a picnic at the beach.
214. Describe the most luscious, decadent dessert you can imagine.
215. Tell how you would entertain a group of five-year-olds on a rainy
afternoon.
216. Give someone directions from your school to your house.
217. Many people spend a great deal of time with animals. Write
about the relationships that people have with animals.
218. Tell how you can protect your house from intruders.
219. Describe the best way to honor a hero.
220. You are asked to landscape the front yard of a new house. Describe
the steps you would take from the beginning of the process to its
completion.
221. Describe a teenage fad and the reasons you believe caused its
popularity.
222. Describe a favorite music video to a friend who has not had a
chance to see or hear it.
223. You are about to spend a year abroad and must learn a new
language. Describe the steps you would take to accomplish this
goal as quickly as possible.
224. Describe a favorite movie to a person who wants to know all about
it but will not have the opportunity to see it.
225. Explain how not getting enough sleep affects your day.
226. Describe the most effective teacher you have ever had.
227. Describe a person who is especially interesting.
228. Describe an especially memorable photo or picture.
229. Compare and contrast 1900 with Y2K.
230. Compare and contrast two strategic sport plays.
231. Compare and contrast checkers and chess.
232. Compare and contrast understanding and knowledge.
233. Compare and contrast a screen actor with a stage actor.
234. Compare and contrast any two U.S. presidents.
235. Compare and contrast a budget and an allowance.
236. Compare and contrast public schooling and homeschooling.
237. Compare and contrast learning and teaching.
238. Describe how weather affects your mood.
239. Compare and contrast a vacation in a cold climate and a vacation
in a warm climate.
240. Compare and contrast spicy foods and sweet foods.
241. Compare and contrast foods you eat raw and foods that are
cooked.
242. Compare and contrast dressing for a formal occasion and dressing
informally.
243. Compare and contrast cats and dogs.
244. Compare and contrast microscopes and telescopes.
245. Compare and contrast whales and sharks.
246. Write a letter to a teacher requesting information about a
poor grade.
247. You want to organize a family reunion. Describe the steps you
will take to contact people and to organize the event.
248. Write an e-mail message to your colleagues, inviting them to a
Memorial Day celebration.
249. Write an e-mail message to a company complaining about a
defective product.
250. Describe a four-hour bicycle trip through mountainous terrain.
251. Movies and books often talk about the importance of loyalty and
friendship. Tell about a time in your life when friendship proved to
be of great importance to you.
252. It is often said that animals are humans’ best friends. Describe a
time in your life when this saying proved to be true.
253. Martin Luther King, Jr., said that he wished for the day when his
children “would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the
content of their character.” Write about a time in your life when
the content of your character was tested.
254. People often say “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Describe a
time when you misjudged someone based on his or her
appearance or when someone misjudged you.
255. The way a person handles disappointment reveals a great deal
about what is important to him or her. Tell about a time in your
life when you confronted disappointment and how you handled it.
256. As adolescents, many of us promise ourselves that we’ll never be
like our parents. But as we mature, we often find that we think and
act a lot like our parents do. Describe a time when you realized
you were behaving like your mother or father (or other guardian)
and how that experience helped you better understand your
parent.
257. When we reflect upon our childhood, we often come back to a few
key events that had a major impact on us. Tell about one of those
defining events from your childhood.
258. Sometimes lies can have serious consequences. Describe a time
when a lie had major consequences for you.
259. There is a saying that you should be careful what you wish for,
because you just might get it. Describe a time when you wished for
something and got it—and then wished you hadn’t.
260. Major life events like a new job, a new home, the birth of a sibling,
or the death of someone we love can have a profound impact on
us. Describe a major event in your life and what it taught you
about yourself or others.
261. People often say, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you,” but the
opposite often turns out to be true. Tell about a time when you
were hurt by something you didn’t know.
262. Parents are our first and most important teachers. Describe a time
when you learned a valuable lesson from one of your parents.
263. Recall a time when you found yourself in a perilous situation.
Tell the story of how you got into that situation and how you
survived it.
264. We often discover something we didn’t know about ourselves (or
others) when we are forced to handle an unexpected situation.
Describe a time when you were faced with something unexpected
and what you learned in the process.
265. Many experiences in our lives are memorable because they forced
us to examine our basic beliefs and values. Tell about such an
experience in your life.
266. Many writers have dealt with the theme of a character losing
control and going beyond reason. Describe a time in your life
when you lost control, and tell why.
267. Preconceived notions often turn out to be false. Describe a time
when you discovered that a preconceived notion of yours (about a
person, place, or thing) was wrong.
268. It isn’t always easy to do what is right, and sometimes it can even
be dangerous. Describe a time when you put yourself at risk
(physically, socially, emotionally, or professionally) to do what you
thought was right.
269. Some of our richest experiences take place when we travel. Tell
about a memorable experience you had when you were traveling.
270. Sometimes we take nature for granted. Describe an experience that
made you appreciate the natural world.
271. The first time we try something new can be exciting, frightening,
and enlightening. Tell about an important “first” in your life and
what you learned from the experience.
272. Animals can sometimes seem remarkably human. Describe an
experience with an animal that acted in a very human way.
273. Most of us have to make many difficult choices throughout our
lives. Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision.
274. It has often been said that “Life is a journey, not a destination.”
Tell about an important journey (physical, emotional, or spiritual)
that you’ve taken.
275. How people handle a problem often reveals a lot about their
character. Describe a time you encountered a difficult problem and
how you solved it.
276. It has been said that the truth is often stranger than fiction.
Describe an experience you had that was so strange others
might think you made it up.
277. It is often said that you should never judge another person until
you walk in his or her shoes. Tell about an experience that enabled
you to better understand another person.
278. We all have things that we are afraid of, and sometimes we
find ourselves in situations that force us to face our deepest
fears. Tell about a time when you had to face one of your
greatest fears.
279. Sometimes we surprise ourselves with what we are able to do.
Describe a time when you accomplished something you didn’t
think you could do.
280. When we are faced with challenges and difficult situations, we
sometimes discover strengths we did not know we had. Tell about a
time when you recognized a new strength in yourself.
281. Sometimes change can be intimidating—especially technological
change. Describe a time when you had difficulty with a new
technology.
282. No matter how well we prepare, sometimes, unexpected things
may happen. Other times, we may simply be unable to prepare.
Tell about a time when you were unprepared for a situation.
283. Some of our most memorable moments are when we achieve an
important goal. Tell about a time when you accomplished a goal
you had been working toward.
284. Sometimes something negative turns out to be positive—a
“blessing in disguise.” Describe a time in your life when something
bad turned out to be good.
285. Moving can be a very exciting but also difficult time in one’s
life. Tell about a time you moved and how it affected you.
286. When we are unhappy with a situation, we can either accept it or do
something to change it. Tell about a time when you initiated change.
287. We often learn a great deal from our failures. Describe a time
when you failed and what you learned from the experience.
288. As the saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try
again.” Describe a time when you persisted until you achieved
your goal.
289. Many people believe that it is better to have loved and lost than to
never have loved at all. Tell about an experience that shows this
statement to be true.
290. Most people believe that there are certain things worth fighting for.
Tell about a time when you fought for something you believed in.
291. From the time we are toddlers, we begin to challenge authority to
test our limits. Describe a time when you challenged authority.
292. Movies and literature often deal with the theme of “counting
your blessings.” Tell about an experience that led you to
appreciate someone or something you’d taken for granted.
293. Even if we know money can’t buy us happiness, we are often
disappointed when we are unable to afford something we desire.
Describe a time when you could not afford something you deeply
desired.
294. Our first foray into the world of work is bound to generate some
interesting experiences. Tell about a memorable incident from
your first job.
295. We often put people we admire so high on a pedestal that we
forget they’re human. Describe a time when you realized that
someone you admired was imperfect.
296. Though some say, “rules are meant to be broken,” breaking the
rules often has serious consequences. Tell about a time when you
broke the rules and what happened as a result.
297. In many situations, as the saying goes, “two heads are better than
one.” Describe a time when you accomplished something through
teamwork that you could not have achieved on your own.
298. People often say, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” Tell about an
experience that proves this saying to be true.
299. Sometimes the course of our lives can change in an instant.
Describe an experience that changed the direction of your life.
300. Tell about a time when you found something important that you
thought you had lost.
301. Once words are uttered, it’s impossible to take them back.
Describe a time when you said something you wish you had not.
302. First impressions are often very important. Describe a time you
got (or gave) the wrong first impression.
303. In one of his most famous lines, Shakespeare’s Hamlet says, “I
must be cruel, only to be kind.” Describe a time when you, too,
had to be cruel to be kind.
304. We are often surprised, even awed, by the experiences of our
ancestors. Describe a time when you learned something
important about your family history.
305. Unfortunately, conflicts over money have the power to destroy
even the strongest of relationships. Describe a time when you had
a conflict over money.
306. There are many sides to every story. Tell about a time when many
people were involved in a conflict.
307. Have you ever forgotten something very important? Tell about
your experience.
308. When we meet someone we haven’t seen in a long time, we are
often surprised by how much they have changed. Describe a time
when this happened to you.
309. Describe a time when you received a valuable gift.
310. Most of us remember exactly where we were and what we
were doing when we received shocking or important news.
Tell the story of what you were doing when you heard about
an important event and how that news affected you.
311. Some people believe that you should seize the day—take every
opportunity to live life to its fullest. Describe a time when you
decided to seize the day.
312. The quality of our character is often reflected in how much we are
willing to sacrifice for others. Describe a time when you sacrificed
for someone else.
313. Tell about an experience you had while volunteering your help.
314. Sometimes the extraordinary can happen during the most ordinary
of tasks. Describe your experience.
315. It is often both frightening and exciting to do something on our
own for the first time. Tell about a time when you first did
something on your own.
316. Holidays are meant to be special occasions, and they are often very
emotional. Describe an event from a particularly memorable
holiday.
317. For many of us, sports are a big part of our lives, whether we are
spectators or participants. Describe a memorable sporting event.
318. It is often said that “The greatest risk is not taking one.” Tell about
a time when you took a chance.
319. For many of us, our roles—as parents or children, supervisors or
subordinates, teachers or students—are very clearly defined. But
sometimes the tables turn, and we end up switching roles with
another. Tell about a time when you experienced a role reversal.
320. Many things can interfere with our plans. Sometimes an
illness prevents us from doing something we really want to
do. Describe a time when you became ill and missed out on
doing something you’d really been looking forward to.
321. One of Robert Frost’s most famous poems tells about a man who
takes the road less traveled. Tell about a time when you also chose
the less-traveled path.
322. We often learn valuable lessons in the workplace. Describe an
experience at work that taught you something important.
323. It has been said that we can lie with silence as well as with words.
Tell about a time when you “told” a lie by keeping silent about
something important.
324. Sometimes a simple misunderstanding can lead to a major conflict.
Describe a time when this happened to you.
325. Many of our fondest memories are associated with food.
Describe a memorable experience that took place while
preparing or eating food.
326. Some of our most memorable experiences take place outdoors,
away from the comforts of home. Write about a memorable
experience you had while in the great outdoors.
327. Many people believe that hatred is our most destructive emotion.
Describe an experience that proves this statement to be true.
328. Louis D. Brandeis said, “Behind every argument is someone’s
ignorance.” Describe a time when someone’s lack of knowledge led
to an argument.
329. Most of us have done things we didn’t want to do because of
pressure from our peers. Tell about a time that you gave in to peer
pressure.
330. There is a bumper sticker that reads, “Perform random acts of
kindness.” Describe a time when you performed or witnessed a
random act of kindness.
331. Tell about a time when you left the safety of a place or situation to
explore or try something new.
332. Sometimes an experience can trigger a powerful memory of
someone or something from your past. Describe a time when this
happened to you.
333. Tell about an experience that prepared you to help someone in a
challenging situation.
334. Baltasar Gracian, a Spanish philosopher, once said that, “The
things we remember best are those best forgotten.” Describe an
experience you wish you’d never had.
335. The French playwright, Molière, wrote, “The greater the obstacle
the more glory in overcoming it.” Tell about a time you overcame
a great difficulty.
336. Describe an experience that led you to change a long-held opinion.
337. As children, our strongest bonds are usually with our parents and
then with our siblings. Tell about a memorable experience with
one of your siblings or a close relative.
338. Superheroes, like Spiderman, don’t use weapons to subdue their
foes. Rather, they rely upon a few special tools and their own
ingenuity. Describe a time when your quick thinking saved the day.
339. We often have memorable experiences when we are learning a new
skill or task. Describe an experience you had while learning
something new.
340. There is a saying that states, “You can never go home again.”
Describe a time when you returned to a place from your past and
how you and the place had changed.
341. Try as we might to avoid them, accidents happen. Tell about a
time when you were involved in an accident.
342. Describe an experience you had that would be considered a
near miss or a brush with disaster.
343. We learn many lessons from many different sources throughout
our lives. Tell about a time you learned something that you can’t
learn from any book.
344. Some of our most difficult experiences are when we find ourselves
stuck in a moral dilemma. Describe a time when this happened to
you.
345. We are tested in many ways throughout our lives. Tell about a time
when you were tested.
346. Describe a time when you enjoyed something you thought you
would not like.
347. Television shows often depict family conflicts. Describe a time
when you had a conflict with a family member.
348. Describe a time when you witnessed something unbelievable.
349. Many stories and essays describe the writer’s school days. Tell
about a memorable experience from your formal education.
350. Ours is a highly competitive society. Describe a time when you
were involved in a heated contest.
351. Throughout our lives we may be asked to do things we do not
want to do. Tell about a time when this happened to you.
352. As we grow older, we take on more and more responsibility.
Describe a time when you were given a responsibility that you
were not ready for.
353. In Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall,” a man tells his neighbor,
“Good fences make good neighbors,” suggesting that we need
clear boundaries to get along. Describe an experience that proves
this statement to be true.
354. It has often been said that there is nothing to fear but fear itself.
Describe a time when you overcame one of your fears.
355. Sometimes when we meet someone, we have no idea how
important that person will become to us later in our lives. Describe
the time you first met someone who later became very important
to you.
356. People sometimes say, “Either you’re with us, or you’re against
us.” Tell about a time when you had to choose between two sides.
357. It isn’t always easy to be ourselves, especially when we are worried
about what others may think of us. Tell about a time you pretended
to be someone or something you were not.
358. Oscar Levant, a pianist and movie actor, said, “Happiness is not
something you experience, it’s something you remember.”
Describe an event that you are happy to remember.
359. We all need help from others from time to time. Tell about a
time you helped someone in need.
360. Describe an experience that shows the accuracy of the following
quotation: “Your luck is how you treat people.”
361. Write about a time when you found something of significant
emotional or monetary value.
362. Every culture has its own rites of passage. Describe your
experience with a rite of passage in your culture.
363. As much as we may love our friends, we sometimes find ourselves
very angry with them. Tell about a time when you had a conflict
with a close friend.
364. Some people prefer to play it safe; others are always ready to take
chances. Describe a time when you decided to take a chance.
365. If you have ever been treated unfairly, you may have been told,
“Who ever said life has to be fair?” Describe a time you were
treated unfairly and how you handled the situation.
366. Have you ever befriended someone simply because he or she
looked like he needed a friend? Describe your experience.
367. When parents set limits and discipline their children, they often
say, “Someday, you’ll understand why I’m doing this.” Tell about a
time when you realized that your parents were doing what they
thought was best, even though it made you very angry at the time.
368. If you could be invisible for one day, what would you do? Write a
story detailing the events of this imaginary day.
369. P.W. Litchfield, founder of Goodyear Tire & Rubber, wrote, “One
realizes the full importance of time only when there is little of it
left.” Describe an experience in your life that proved this statement
to be true.
370. Many stories, like Stephen Crane’s “The Open Boat,” talk about
the indifference of nature to human needs and desires. Talk about a
time in your life when you experienced nature’s indifference to
your needs.
371. Alexander Maclaren, a Baptist minister, said, “The man who has
not learned to say no will be a weak, if not a wretched man, as long
as he lives.” Describe an experience when you should have said no,
but did not.
372. Our dreams often reflect our subconscious fears and desires. Tell
about a time you had a very troubling or enlightening dream.
373. Certain key experiences help us mature from children into young
adults. Describe one of those key experiences in your life.
374. Few things give us as much pleasure as creating something
beautiful. Tell about a time when you created something.
375. Many conversations begin with the introduction, “You’ll never
guess who I bumped into today . . .” Chance meetings can make
for very interesting experiences. Describe a time when you
bumped into someone, and it led to a memorable conversation or
event.
376. Music can often trigger powerful memories. Describe a
memorable experience associated with a particular song or piece of
music.
377. Tone is the mood or feeling the author intends the reader to
experience. Using a specific piece of literature, explain how
tone enhances the work.
378. Poetry has been defined as, “putting the best possible words in the
best possible order.” Explain what this means and apply this theory
to a specific poem.
379. American Beat generation poet Jack Kerouac has embraced other
religions and non-western philosophies that can be evidenced in
his work. Explain/discuss how this is apparent to his readers. Use
specific evidence in your answer.
380. Often in literature, there is a heroic figure, or archetype. Discuss
the characteristics of an archetype, using specific examples from a
piece of literature.
381. In the novel, The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, a
group of boys are stranded on a remote island to fend for
themselves. Compare/contrast this novel to the popular
television show Survivor. Use specific details in your answer.
382. The poet Emily Dickinson once said that her sensitivity was
comparable to missing a layer of skin. Explain how this analogy is
reflected in her poetry.
383. Using a specific literary work, explain how a novel might
influence change in society.
384. The theme of a literary piece is the central idea or message
that it delivers. Cite a specific literary work and discuss the
theme.
385. Anne Frank became famous for keeping a diary during her
experiences in the Holocaust. Explain how simply keeping a diary
gave Anne such worldwide recognition.
386. Write a lengthy, detailed journal entry from the point of view of
someone you have studied in history. Include accurate, historical
details in the diary entry.
387. Compare/contrast the fear of terrorism and the concern with
safety issues in present day society with George Orwell’s
novel, 1984.
388. A haiku is a three-line, non-rhyming poem usually centered on
nature. It has also been defined as a snapshot of something
ordinary. From your own experience, describe the natural images
you feel are worthy of a haiku.
389. A struggle between two or more opposing forces in a work is called
conflict. Cite a piece of literature and explain the conflict
embodied in the work.
390. Personification is the technique wherein a non-human
character is given human thoughts, feelings, and dialogue.
Illustrate how this technique is used in your favorite novel or
short story.
391. Walt Whitman uses second-person narration—a technique not
often used by writers—in his poem Crossing Brooklyn Ferry. In
second person narration, the narrator speaks directly to you.
Discuss another work that uses second person narration. Give
examples from the work.
392. The setting of a novel is where the action takes place. Explain how
the setting complements the story in a novel you have read.
393. The climax of a work is when all of the events come to a breaking
point. Using a piece of literature that you know, explain the events
that lead to the climax, what happens at the climactic scene, and
how the story changes after the climax.
394. Third person point of view is when the narrator has no part in the
action. He or she is simply telling the story using the words he, she,
or they. A story would be very different if it were told from the first
person (using the pronoun I) point of view. Using a novel written
in the third person, discuss how it would be a very different story if
it were told in the first person.
395. Many times in Shakespeare’s plays, the setting changes from
rural or pastoral to urban. Compare and contrast these
settings. Explain the reason for the shift of scenery, using
support from specific plays.
396. Describe the plot of a novel that would portray the attitudes and
feelings of the people and the society in the year 2002.
397. List ten sensory images for each of the four seasons—winter,
spring, summer, and fall. Then, write a brief explanation of why
you chose those specific images.
398. Narrative poetry tells a story and doesn’t necessarily rhyme. Often,
narrative poems are written about historical events. Name three
historical events that could be considered worthy of a narrative
poem. Describe the key elements from each historical event.
399. Describe a character from literature that you would trade places
with, and explain why.
400. Imagine that you could become an omniscient character in a
literary piece and change the plot somehow. Describe the piece of
literature in which the character belongs, and tell how that
character would alter the plot. Use details from the literary piece
that you have chosen.
401. Explain the popularity of science fiction writing. Use a work from
this genre to explain its appeal.
402. Using a work of literature you have read, describe the hero or
heroine and his or her characteristics.
403. The protagonist in a story is usually the do-gooder, or the
character that most readers emphathize with. Identify a piece of
literature where the author wants us to empathize with the
antagonist, or evildoer. Explain by using details from that work.
404. In drama, when a character speaks his or her innermost thoughts,
it is called a monologue. Explain your favorite monologue from a
dramatic piece and tell how this monologue affected the plot.
405. Explain the appeal of war literature. Use a piece of literature from
this genre to describe its allure.
406. Foreshadowing is when the author gives hints to the reader about
what is going to take place later in the work. Using a piece of
literature that you are familiar with, explain how the author uses
foreshadowing and how the use of foreshadowing added to the
plot.
407. Novels such as John Steinbeck’s The Winter of Our Discontent and
Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls take their titles from
lines in Shakespearean plays. Write an essay explaining and
interpreting the significance of one of these titles and how it
captures the theme of the book.
408. Discuss a character in literature that you loathed. Explain the
techniques the author used that caused you to feel this way.
409. In William Faulkner’s Barn Burning, a young boy must decide
whether to turn his father in for breaking the law, or to stay loyal
to his family. Write about a situation in real life that is similar to
this one.
410. Conflict, in a work of literature, is the struggle between opposing
characters or opposing forces. One type of conflict is character vs.
character. Explain this type of conflict using a piece of literature
that you have read.
411. Another type of conflict is called character vs. nature. Using a
piece of literature that you are familiar with, explain how the
author uses this type of conflict.
412. A third type of conflict is called character vs. him/herself.
This is also referred to as internal conflict, because the
character must face self-inflicted fears and problems. Write
about this type of conflict, using a piece of literature that you
have read.
413. Discuss the key events that you would offer to a person writing a
biography of your life.
414. Novels often become mirror images of life. Discuss a time when
you saw a similarity between your life and that of the main
character in a novel. Explain the situation and compare the way
you handled the situation with the way the character did.
415. Explain the most important lesson you learned from a piece of
literature. Use specific details from a literary work you have read.
416. Discuss a piece of literature in which the author is also the
narrator. Describe the way he or she uses actual events from
his or her life in his or her writing.
417. Oral tradition is a form of storytelling that is passed on from
generation to generation. It has often been said that an original
story could be altered from when it is first told to when it was first
written. Give examples of how this could happen using evidence
from a story you know in the oral tradition.
418. Explain the items you would want to place in a time capsule.
419. Flashback is a technique whereby past events are recalled while
telling a story in the present. Discuss this technique as it was used
in a piece of literature that you have read and tell why this was the
best way to tell the story.
420. Discuss your favorite character from Greek mythology. Be sure to
include details and elements from the myth as you describe this
character.
421. Repetition is a technique used by a poet to create sound or to
emphasize a subject in a poem. Discuss how and why this
technique is used in a poem that you know.
422. Discuss whether or not a piece of literature has ever predicted
actual events. Using a work that you are familiar with, discuss this
topic using specific details.
423. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote in one of his essays that he
thought it amusing when a man could wear an expensive wristwatch,
but could not tell time by looking at the position of the sun in the
sky. Explain what he is saying about modern people and society.
424. Often, in literature, a character is viewed as an outsider or a loner.
Using a piece of literature that you are familiar with, discuss such a
character. Be sure to describe this character’s attitudes towards
himself or herself, and how he or she deals with the isolation that
comes with these two labels.
425. Discuss a character from literature that seems to be present only
for comic relief. Explain how this character adds to or detracts
from the work.
426. Death has been symbolized many different ways in prose and
poetry. Using either of these genres, discuss the symbols that
authors use when they write about death. Describe the impact of
these symbols.
427. Often, an author will give the reader more information than the
characters have. Using a piece of literature that you are familiar
with, speculate on the reasons an author would use this method.
428. Sometimes an author will write dialogue that illustrates a person’s
intelligence, speech pattern, or locality. Discuss a piece of
literature in which this happens. Also discuss whether this
technique helps or hinders your reading.
429. Discuss a piece of literature that uses the theme of personal
survival.
430. Frequently, popular novels are adapted into motion pictures.
Discuss a novel that you have read and that has been made into a
motion picture. Compare/contrast the plot, setting, and
characterization in both mediums.
431. The coming of age theme is very popular in literature. This
term refers to a pre-adolescent boy or girl going through
many difficult, life altering experiences in order to reach
young adulthood. Using a novel you are familiar with, discuss
this theme. Be sure to use supporting details and evidence in
your essay.
432. Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet is a powerful drama about
young love and familial conflict. Compare this play to another
piece of literature that you have read and that embodies the same
themes.
433. Discuss the themes of two fairy tales that you know. Tell how these
themes benefit young children.
434. Imagery is the use of descriptive details that appeal to the reader’s
senses. Using a literary piece that you are familiar with, discuss
how the author’s use of imagery enhanced your reading experience.
435. Compare how a social studies textbook and historical fiction are
similar yet different. Explain which medium you would want to
choose in order to learn more about a historical period.
436. Each culture has its own unique literature. Discuss the literary
contributions made by one particular culture. Cite a least three
major works to illustrate your point.
437. Music and poetry have many similarities. Discuss the connection
using specific examples from both musical and poetic works.
438. In the beginning of a novel, an author may present a character one
way, but by the end of the novel, this same character may behave
differently. Through characterization, we can learn to understand
people. Using a piece of literature that you have read, discuss the
ways in which the author used characterization to present personality.
439. Explore the theme of social breakdown or anarchy, using a piece of
literature that you have read.
440. Explore the theme of personal degeneration and abandoning
morals, using a piece of literature that you have read.
441. Discuss the theme of social injustice, using a piece of literature that
you have read.
442. Discuss a piece of literature in which the setting switches between
the past and the present.
443. Discuss a literary trilogy wherein the reader must read the
succession of novels to understand the plot.
444. Discuss a specific literary work that focuses on adolescent main
characters.
445. Discuss how faith is symbolized in a piece of literature that you
have read.
446. A burlesque, such as Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest,
is a literary piece that explores a serious subject in a trivial manner
or a trivial subject in a serious manner. Choose a literary work that
fits this description and explain why it should be classified as a
burlesque.
447. Discuss how the reader might sympathize with the main
character in Christopher Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus, even though
he sells his soul to the Devil.
448. Discuss the theme of prejudice, using a piece of literature that you
have read.
449. Discuss a piece of literature that you had to read more than once in
order to fully understand it. Explain how and why the meaning of
the piece became more clear to you.
450. Using a literary piece that you are familiar with, discuss a character
who begins as a minor character, but who evolves into a major
character with an important role as the novel progresses.
451. Discuss a piece of literature that uses an object of worth, such as a
sword, as its focus. Discuss the symbolic purpose of this object.
452. Discuss the imagery from a Civil War period novel that you have
read.
453. Discuss a hero in a literary piece that you have read.
454. Using a piece of literature that you are familiar with, discuss the
theme of unrequited love.
455. Discuss why Shakespeare used only men and boys in his dramatic
works at the Globe Theater.
456. Using a piece of literature that you are familiar with, discuss how
one character influences other characters to change.
457. Discuss a piece of literature that utilizes spirits or ghosts.
458. Discuss a character from literature that embodies a dark mood.
459. Discuss your favorite historical poem, its theme, and the historical
events on which the poem is based.
460. Discuss the use of metaphor, imagery, and word play in Lewis
Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
461. Discuss an immigrant’s point of view in America, using a piece of
literature that you have read.
462. Discuss the theme of greed in a piece of literature that you have
read.
463. Discuss a prominent leader in our society and his or her literary
influences. Discuss what this reveals about that leader.
464. Discuss a piece of literature from the Industrial Revolution and its
treatment of issues like child labor, working conditions, and social
classes.
465. Write a literary analysis of a Robert Frost poem. Include
theme and symbolism in your discussion.
466. Discuss the effect and significance of Maya Angelou’s poetry
reading at Bill Clinton’s inauguration.
467. Analyze a poem that uses a pessimistic tone.
468. Analyze a poem that uses a hopeful, optimistic tone.
469. Discuss a figure from history, other than Anne Frank, whose
journal entries have spawned a classic literary piece.
470. Often in literature, a character has ironic experiences that can be
humorous or fateful. Discuss how this technique was used in a
piece of literature that you have read.
471. Discuss a piece of literature set in another country, and how this
venue enhanced your enjoyment of the piece.
472. Compare the character Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger’s
Catcher in the Rye to someone you know.
473. Analyze a literary work from the Harlem Renaissance.
474. Using a piece of literature that you are familiar with, discuss the
theme of personal suffering and loss.
475. Using a piece of literature that you are familiar with, discuss the
theme of personal triumph.
476. Using a piece of literature that you have read, discuss the way your
views about another culture were changed.
477. Using a piece of literature that you have read, discuss how fate
intervened and came to the aid of a character.
478. Discuss your favorite story from Roman mythology.
479. Using a piece of literature that you are familiar with, discuss a
character who served as a guide, and explain that character’s
purpose.
480. Discuss how irony helped a character in a dramatic work that you
have read.
481. Compare a contemporary piece of literature with an older piece
that contains the same theme.
482. Discuss a piece of literature with which you are familiar that
centers on a physical journey.
483. Compare the society of The Scarlet Letter to our society today.
Compare and contrast how Hester Prynne would have been
treated today with how she was treated in the novel.
484. Discuss the theme of nature in a piece of literature that you have
read.
485. Discuss a character who goes through a complete mental
breakdown, using a piece of literature that you are familiar with.
486. Discuss why the Harry Potter series is so popular with readers.
487. Using a piece of literature that you are familiar with, discuss a
determined main character.
488. Using a piece of literature that you are familiar with, discuss how
the weather or climate affects the mood or tone.
489. Discuss how technology plays a major role in a literary work that
you have read.
490. Using a piece of literature that you are familiar with, discuss how
struggle is symbolized.
491. Using a piece of literature that you are familiar with, discuss how
evil is personified.
492. Discuss a well-known piece of literature that contains a mythical
beast.
493. Using your knowledge of contemporary writers, speculate as to
who might become the next literary giant.
494. Discuss a novel that you think might be the best novel of the
twentieth century.
495. Discuss someone from literature whose name is indicative of their
character. An example might be Willy Loman (or Lo-man) from
Arthur Miller’s Death of A Salesman.
496. Discuss how doom is foreshadowed in a piece of literature that you
are familiar with.
497. Discuss the difference between poetry and prose, using literary
pieces that you have read.
498. Discuss a novel that has been controversial and perhaps banned,
and explain why.
499. Discuss the complicated relationship between Lenny and George
in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.
500. An allegory is a literary piece in which the surface plot, characters,
and theme convey a symbolic meaning. Discuss the use of allegory
in George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
501. Discuss a poem that you think might be used as the keynote speech
for a meeting at the United Nations.
