In the minds of ESL exam candidates, e ssay writing is one of the most daunting tasks they are required to complete, regardless of the level of the exam, the administering body or the ease with which they themselves use the language. The same applies to students who are asked to write an essay by their teachers at school. In the previous sample essays posted on the blog, the main point I stress is the need to become acquainted with this form of writing (as opposed to writing a letter, review or report, for instance), to get a feel of what authorial voice is and how to organize and progressively express the arguments you wish to make in a coherent manner. Unfortunately, the best way to prepare for exam writing or learn how to write good essays for school is to read as many essays from as many sources as possible, then write as
Read the first list of essay topics here.
Essay
Topics
1) Capital punishment is in some
societies a fact of everyday life. In your opinion, should it be abolished or
not?
2) Nowadays, women live longer than
men. What do you think are the reasons that influence this?
3) Drug and alcohol abuse have become
widespread in today’s society. Teenagers especially have become vulnerable to
their influence. Give reasons why this is and suggest solutions to this
problem.
4) The status of women over the last
centuries has changed. What are the causes of this?
5) Teachers are one of society’s main
building blocks. What qualities must they have in order to be effective in
their role?
6) Note-taking is an integral part of
any university course. However, foreign students present numerous problems in
this field. Why?
7) TV nowadays bombards the average
viewer every half-hour with dozens of commercials. Do you think these ads are
insulting to the viewer?
8) Owning a car for some is a
necessity, while others get by without one. Which of these two opinions
outweighs the other?
9) Poverty is an unfortunate evil of
every society which creates negative consequences. Discuss.
10)
Living together unwed is becoming
increasingly popular for various reasons. What might some of these be?
11)
Television has influenced children
tremendously. In what ways, and are these influences positive or negative?
12)
Stress-related health problems are
what people all over the world face in today’s society. How can a person learn
to control stress?
13)
Living in the 21th
century has its advantages and disadvantages. Discuss.
14)
Public schools coexist beside
private ones. Which presents the greatest advantages?
15)
In many industrialized countries,
juvenile crime is at record levels. Why
is this so and what can be done about it?
16)
Nowadays people live longer than
they did in the past. Discuss the advantages of living longer and the problems
created by this situation.
17)
Juvenile delinquency is growing. Do
you believe that young adults or even children should be punished for a crime
they commit or are parents responsible for their children’s behavior?
18)
Should the aim of doctors be to aid
their terminally ill patients die in dignity, or should they keep patients
alive no matter what, thus upholding the Hippocratic oath?
19)
Do women nowadays actually have the
same chances of getting a job as men do or is gender discrimination still being
practiced?
20)
Are homes for the elderly good
solutions to the difficulties old people face?
Click on the image to read sample questions and essays as well as general tips on writing:
