General Essay Topics
Find 200+ essay topics and prompts. This guide helps you find the perfect idea for any class.
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“Write an essay on a topic of your choice.” This is one of the most stressful prompts. When every topic is an option, where do you start? My first “general” essay was a mess. I tried too much. This guide helps you turn that freedom into a focused, powerful paper.
What is a General Essay Topic?
A “general essay topic” is an open-ended prompt that gives you freedom to choose your subject. The key is that you must also choose your purpose. A general topic is just an idea (e.g., “social media”); it’s not an essay. Your first step is to decide *what you want to do* with that idea.
First, Choose Your Essay Type
Before you pick a topic, pick a purpose. Here are the main types:
- Argumentative: Your goal is to prove a point is true. (e.g., “Social media is harmful.”). See our Argumentative Essay Guide.
- Persuasive: Your goal is to convince the reader to agree. (e.g., “You should delete your social media accounts.”). See our Persuasive Topic Guide.
- Narrative: Your goal is to tell a story. (e.g., “The time I quit social media for a month.”). See our Narrative Essay Guide.
- Informative: Your goal is to explain a concept. (e.g., “This is how social media algorithms work.”). See our Informative Topic Guide.
- Problem-Solution: Your goal is to propose a fix. (e.g., “Here is a plan to reduce social media addiction.”). See our Problem-Solution Topic Guide.
How to Choose Your Topic in 4 Steps
Once you know your *purpose*, you can find your *topic*. Our academic essay experts use this process.
Understand the Prompt (Even if Vague)
Read the prompt again. Are there any hidden clues? “Write about a current event” means your topic must be recent. “Discuss a topic you are passionate about” invites a persuasive or narrative essay. “Explain a complex topic” asks for an informative essay.
Brainstorm Your Interests
List your hobbies, your major, subjects you enjoy, or recent news stories. What do you find interesting? (e.g., “True Crime,” “Basketball,” “AI,” “Student Loans”).
Choose Your Essay Type (Your Goal)
Pick an interest and apply a purpose. Let’s use the topic “Basketball.”
- Argumentative: “Michael Jordan is a better player than LeBron James.”
- Narrative: “The story of my first championship game.”
- Informative: “This is how the NBA salary cap works.”
- Problem-Solution: “How to solve the problem of player injuries in the NBA.”
Narrow to a Specific Thesis
You must have a one-sentence thesis. “Basketball” is not a thesis. “This paper argues Michael Jordan’s defensive record makes him the G.O.A.T.” is a thesis.
General Essay Topics by Type
Here are topic ideas, categorized by essay type, to get you started.
Argumentative Topics (Prove a Point)
Persuasive Topics (Convince the Reader)
Narrative Topics (Tell a Story)
Informative Topics (Explain a Concept)
Problem-Solution Topics (Propose a Fix)
Our Expert Essay Writers
No matter what essay type you choose, our writers have the expertise to help. They can turn any topic into a high-quality, well-structured paper. See our full list of authors and their credentials.
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Common Topic Pitfalls
Avoid these common mistakes when you have a general prompt:
The Topic is Too Broad
“World Peace” is a concept, not a topic. “A three-point plan for peace in [Specific Region]” is a topic. Be specific.
The Topic is a Fact
“The capital of Kenya is Nairobi” is a fact. It’s not an essay. An essay must have a point (thesis) that requires multiple paragraphs to explain or defend.
No Clear Purpose
The paper wanders between telling a story, arguing a point, and explaining facts. You must pick one primary goal and stick to it.
No Research (for non-narratives)
If your essay is argumentative, informative, or problem-solution, you MUST use credible research. Our annotated bibliography service can help.
Our Citation Strategy
To build trust, we base our writing advice on credible, expert sources:
- Academic Writing Centers: We follow structural advice from top universities, like the UNC-Chapel Hill Writing Center’s guide on brainstorming.
- Assignment Analysis: Our methods are based on expert guides for interpreting prompts, such as Harvard’s guide to reading assignment prompts.
- Thesis Development: We reference foundational guides on creating a strong thesis, like the Purdue OWL’s guide on establishing arguments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Turn Your Vague Idea into an ‘A’ Paper
A general prompt is an opportunity, not a problem. It allows you to write about something you care about. Use this guide to find your purpose, choose your topic, and craft a focused essay.
If you’re stuck, let our experts help. The thesis and research experts at Smart Academic Writing can handle any essay on any topic, ensuring it’s well-researched, perfectly structured, and 100% original.
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1 page = ~275 words