How to choose essay topics
If an essay is going to have a good chance of getting a good mark, then essay topics are the best place to start. A common problem that students report when writing essays is that they get half-way into it, and then find that they get stuck, with little else that can be explained, nothing else new to describe and so on. In-fact, this is not the fault of the student running out of ideas, but because a poor choice of essay topic was made at the start. The solution here would be to ensure that you settle on a really good topic - one that gives you plenty of room, allows you to go into plenty of depth and of course, ensures that you never run out of things to say.
This is only half of the problem solved however, as you still need to know how to choose a really good essay topic. The following points will make sure you ask the right questions when creating your own topics for essays.
- Know what style of essay you want to make - Essay topics come in all shapes and sizes, but what sets one apart from the next is the essay topic's theme. The theme of the topic (for example, a contentious scientific issue like global warming) goes hand in hand with the style of the paper (for example an argumentative style). So when you are choosing your essay topic, it helps to know what style of essay you want to make, such as a narrative essay or an argumentative essay.
- Don't get confused - In accordance to the previous point, it is important that you do not get confused with the theme of your essay. For example, if you choose to do an essay which describes a complex situation such as a mechanical process or a scientific theory, do not try to bring in arguments or ideas of controversy, which would be found instead in a persuasive or argumentative essay. Not sticking to the theme will make your essay cloudy and confusing, which will bring down your mark.
- Do lots of research - The best topics for essays are always the original and creative topics. It is always best to come up with your own topic, though researching through topics online can help you see what has already been done, and also give you inspiration for you own essay ideas.
- Play to your strengths - If you come across a topic that naturally interests you, or that you have a lot of knowledge about, then this makes the essay process much easier for yourself, and it also increases the chances of you getting a good grade for the essay.
You should always choose an essay topic with the help of your friends and the advice of your teachers. Come up with a number of topics, and then speak to a teacher or tutor; they will know which ones will be best for you to do.
