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55 Funny Writing Prompts To Inspire Your Inner Comedian

Hands up if you’ve enjoyed a funny series or movie lately and hoped the writers were well-paid for their work? 

Laughter is good medicine.

So, think of the comedy writing prompts in this post as our contribution to making the world a healthier place.

If you love to make people laugh but you’re struggling to think of funny topics to write about , we’ve got you covered. 

The real challenge is deciding which prompt to use first. 

Funny Writing Prompts 

Enjoy this list of 55 funny writing prompts. And keep track of those that stand out for you. 

1. Write about someone trying to explain to a teacher that their dog did, in fact, eat their homework.

2. Write about two characters — with entirely different lives and personalities- switching bodies.

funny writing prompts

3. Write about a little boy accidentally switching bodies with his dad for a day.

4. Write about someone playing the perfect April Fools Day prank.

5. Write about someone who accidentally buys a fish that can talk — and it isn’t exactly polite.

6. Write about someone who is friends with a hero and a villain. They don’t keep this a secret, but it does make for some interesting conversations.

7. Write about a hero and a villain rescheduling their battle due to a scheduling conflict.

8. Write about a superhero whose greatest threat is their younger sibling.

9. Write an analysis paragraph that makes an ordinary object sound infinitely complicated.

10. Write a poem about Tupperware.

11. Write about the origin of an inside joke.

12. Write a story about someone who can’t stop saying what they think — much to the dismay of those around them.

13. Write a character with a personality based on your favorite song.

14. Write a comedy script about a food that you hate.

15. Write a story about a deck of cards coming to life. How do their personalities mix with each other?

16. Write about someone trying to escape the afterlife.

17. Write a story about a great historical figure learning how to use the internet. What do they find online when they Google themselves? Do they like it?

18. Write about a character who wakes up to find out the world is ending. Even stranger than that, everyone around them is celebrating.

19. Write a story that begins with the words, “Tuesday is always the worst day to rob a bank.”

20. Write about a woman who promised her firstborn child to several different witches. Now that a baby is on the way, she has to deal with a custody battle.

funny writing prompts

21. Write about a hero who accidentally falls in love with the daughter of their arch enemy.

22. Write about an alien race that believes ants are the most organized civilization on earth.

23. Write about Greek deities taking a class on Greek mythology. Which parts of the curriculum do they have issues with?

24. Write a story about Ares — the Greek god of war — getting trapped in the body of a preschooler.

25. Write a story about a chicken that accidentally hatches a dragon egg — much to the concern of the local population.

26. Write a story about an immortal who keeps finding increasingly creative ways to avoid the grim reaper.

27. Write about someone who takes up a career as a nanny. The adorable baby they’ve been hired to care for is, unfortunately, the antichrist.

28. Write a slow-burn love story that is narrated by a very impatient narrator.

29. Write a story in which the narrator hates the main character. This leads to lots of passive-aggressive side comments throughout the story.

30. Write a story that begins with the words, “Unfortunately, fire is not the solution to every problem.

31. Write a short story about a burned-out retail employee deciding to spend his last day messing with the worst customers. 

32. Write about a farmer who wakes up able to understand what the animals on the farm are saying — on the day he was planning to butcher some of them for food.

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33. Write a story about a famous Hollywood paparazzo who’s decided to retire and finds himself the object of unwanted attention (for reasons he’s about to learn). 

34. Write a story where you agree to house-sit a new “smart home” for a famous celebrity. Turns out the house is a bit glitchy. And it all begins in the bathroom.

funny writing prompts

35. You’ve just finished a string of speed dates and are preparing to spend the evening alone when your attractive new neighbor asks you to watch their pet rock. 

36. Write about a support group where members meet every month to discuss their mistakes and to “say anything.” 

37. Your cat wakes you up one day to let you know his kind have taken over the world. If you want to continue living, you’re now his “personal assistant.” 

38. The dogs of the neighborhood are meeting to build a resistance to the worst humans in the area. You follow your dog one evening and learn the truth. 

39. Write about something you should NOT have tried at home — but you did, anyway, with more or less predictable consequences. 

40. You buy something online and are so excited about the money you’ve saved — until it shows up. 

41. You’ve started a blog based on interviews with villains, and your first interview guest has just arrived at your agreed-upon meeting spot.  

42. Write a short story about a waitress who just dumped her boyfriend spending Valentine’s Day working at a restaurant, serving over-the-top romantic couples.

43. You’ve been holding it together, but when your grocery bag rips open as you’re crossing the street, something snaps… and you turn into a dragon. 

44. The pharmacy absent-mindedly packages the wrong prescription for you. Fortunately, the mistake isn’t fatal to you — but it does have consequences. 

45. Your new date drags you to a coffee shop that’s hosting local comedy routines, where you find, to your horror, that your oversharing dad is the main attraction. 

46. You’re answering an ad for a local “expert” who promises they can rid you of writer’s block for the rest of your life. The contract is unusual, to put it mildly.

47. After days of frustrating writer’s block, a breakthrough comes at the worst possible moment. And you can’t help yourself. 

48. You’ve just converted an old school bus into a mobile home to travel the country,  and after advertising for a traveling companion, you’re interviewing the top five. 

49. You’ve just finished a high-stakes version of rock-paper-scissors. You’re one of the “lucky ones.” 

50. Write a story that starts with “I hereby resign my position as neighborhood tooth fairy for the following reasons…”  

51. You’re at an open house for a property you’re looking to buy, and you hear a loud bang. You turn to see a plume of smoke rising from the garage next door. 

52. Write about an embarrassing moment that still makes you cringe when you remember it — but add a twist. 

funny writing prompts

53. You’ve decided to be a stand-up comedian, and the next day, you hear a laugh track every time you say something out loud. Was it always there?

54. You agree to a blind date only to come face to face with your arch-nemesis from school. 

55. You’re a superhero interviewing candidates for a sidekick position. One of your interviewees is your favorite barista, who also happens to be a supervillain. 

Now that you’ve looked through the whole list, which funny writing prompts stand out as your favorites? 

And how are you most inclined to begin your next story? 

  • With a bit of dialogue?
  • With a quick dive into an active disaster scenario?
  • With a pithy summation of a lesson learned the hard way?

Think about how some of your favorite stories begin. Then commit to choosing one of these prompts today and making it your own. 

Which will you write about first? 

Wanting to write the next best comedy series but don't know where to start? Enjoy our curated list of funny writing prompts that will surely make your readers laugh.

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Funny Persuasive Essay Topics: 177 Writing & Speech Ideas

essay prompts get absurd

Every one of us needs a little bit of laughter in our lives. In the academic world, working on a persuasive essay on a fun topic is one of the best ways to enjoy paper writing. By discussing something entertaining, you can connect with your reader on a more personal level.

If your readers or audience are enjoying themselves, it will be much easier to get their attention and impress them. This is the primary goal of a persuasive essay or a speech.

Coming up with a fun persuasive speech topic is often challenging for students. After all, most of their assignments tend to be more serious and informative. We understand this concern – and we want to help!

Our team has created an ultimate list of funny persuasive essay topics. You will find plenty of examples and prompts that you can use in your work. We have also included useful advice on how to find ideas for a paper. And check out our guide to making your speech or writing fun.

  • ✨ Top Fun Topics
  • 🧨 How to Find Topics
  • 🌧 Topics on Ecology
  • 🎭 Topics on Culture
  • ⚖ Topics on Laws
  • 💞 Topics on Love
  • 🌭 Topics on Food
  • 🍎 For Elementary Students
  • 🏫 For Middle Schoolers
  • 🗓 For High Schoolers
  • ☕ For College Students
  • 👩‍🏫 Making It Funny

✨ Top 10 Fun Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Fast food – it’s not that bad!
  • Education – students deserve a stipend.
  • Recycling – does it work?
  • Veganism – everyone should go vegan!
  • Homework – we don’t need it!
  • Writing – keeping a journal is great.
  • Mental health – best way to cure phobias.
  • Money- it can buy happiness!
  • Taxes – classes for high school students.
  • Alcohol – worse than drugs!

🧨 How to Find Impressive Persuasive Essay Topics

Try not to look only for persuasive topics that are funny. Search for the ones that aim to impress your audience. How do you choose the right one?

Determine an engaging subject area

Choose something thought-provoking, so you and your audience can have fun discussing. It is an essential thing to start with.

Get some ideas

Use lists on the Internet or have an ideation session. After picking your subject, start brainstorming for ideas. Ask for help from your friends and family or look at our list of suggested amazing topics! Look at some essay samples , too. They can be a great source of inspiration and fresh ideas.

Consider what interests you in particular

Find something that is going to be entertaining for the target audience and, most importantly, yourself. It is a significant advantage if the topic you are talking about is personally interesting to you.

Think whether you have anything to say

Choose an entertaining topic you will be able to talk about. Having an opinion about your subject is crucial, but stay open-minded for a discussion.

Research for possible arguments

Analyze what evidence and facts you can find on the Internet. Speculate on the arguments for and against your topic before writing. To include them in your paper, you need to ensure their high quality.

Exclude useless ideas from your list

Avoid using thoughts that do not correlate with your subject. If they are contradictory or there is simply not enough data on them, throw them away. Choosing the right ones will save you a lot of time.

Pick the one

After applying all of the tips listed above, do not hesitate to pick the one idea you prefer the most. Take a look at the list below to find impressive and interesting writing & speech topics!

Know your audience to find the most impressive persuasive essay topic.

🎇 A List of 103 Funny Persuasive Topics

Under this subheading, we have created an ultimate list of fun persuasive writing topics. There are five main themes with various ideas for your paper/speech.

🌧 Funny Persuasive Topics on Ecology

  • Solar energy harvesting should be obligatory for every citizen.
  • Water is going to be the most valuable resource in the future .
  • We should teach the baby boomer generation about climate change.
  • Can owls be domesticated?
  • The sewage system is the most useful creation of urban ecology.
  • Natural environments occur heterogeneously or exhibit patchiness .
  • Is ecotourism better than the regular one?
  • If humans had not discovered agriculture, our world would be completely different today.
  • Overpopulation has severe effects on the environment .
  • Biowaste is an excellent source of alternative energy.
  • Can donating have a more significant impact than recycling?
  • We should ban the usage of plastic bags altogether.
  • Many of our environmental problems today come from human greediness.
  • The most dangerous creature in the world is…a mosquito.
  • Natural science can be fun if taught the right way.
  • Deep-sea creatures have a completely different lifestyle from regular ones .
  • A big pandemic can reduce the level of global death statistics.
  • Both renewable and non-renewable electricity sources produce pollution .
  • Global warming is a straight ticket to economic and geopolitical problems.
  • Some animal zoos are no better than jail for humans.
  • Unsustainable tourism can deeply hurt our environment .
  • Animals understand nature better than we do.
  • Why should we be more conscious of domestic water usage?

Climate change, and the more extreme weather that comes with it, means that water supply is becoming more unpredictable than in years gone by.

🎭 Funny Persuasive Topics about Culture

  • Talk shows should be banned from television.
  • The toxicity in social media should be punished by law.
  • The Hollywood dream is fake.
  • People in Western culture are obsessed with their looks .
  • Should we stay off Facebook?
  • Materialistic ideas heavily influence the nation of UAE .
  • How would the Buddhist monk react to your shopping habits?
  • Love portrayal in movies is far from reality.
  • Why are dads in sitcoms so childish sometimes?
  • Studying a nation’s pop culture is a great way to learn about its people’s values and beliefs.
  • The expression of love is different in every culture .
  • Beauty pageants are sexist towards women.
  • Our culture changed drastically with the advancement of technology .
  • A controversial public figure will get more media attention than a “quiet” one.
  • White people tend to appropriate black culture .
  • Modern social standards have a direct connection with our pop culture.
  • Smoking is a big part of our culture .
  • How do you make everyone want to befriend you?
  • Celebrity idolization is pad practice.
  • People are easily offended nowadays, but they have every right to feel so.

Cultural differences.

⚖ Funny Persuasive Topics on Laws

  • The absence of gun control laws is the ultimate example of democracy in the United States.
  • Taxes for individual businesses should not exist.
  • The government should increase corporation taxation.
  • Lottery wars are a real thing .
  • Do female criminal gangs exist ?
  • Honking in a traffic jam should be considered criminal.
  • Online gambling is getting out of control .
  • Why pay bills when you can live in the wilderness?
  • Gun ownership should be illegal for people under the age of 21.
  • Marijuana usage should be legal worldwide.
  • America is misled about its rights to freedom of speech .
  • We should contribute more to avoiding wars and international conflicts.
  • International law is not really a law .
  • Racial profiling is not an effective way of police work.
  • The war on drugs has been the longest in US history.

💞 Funny Persuasive Topics on Relationships

  • Creativity and dishonesty have a lot of things in common in a relationship .
  • Your boyfriend should not be your reason to cry.
  • What does not affect a child’s psychology?
  • The couples’ therapy does not work.
  • LGBT community confronts outdated conventions of society .
  • What should be considered a family?
  • The long-distance relationship is the worst kind of relationship.

Distance prevents constricted intimacy from forming in a meaningful way.

  • There should be boundaries in a marriage .
  • Stop viewing relationships as a game.
  • A mother-child relationship starts before that child is born .
  • After a failed relationship, a simple conversation is sometimes better than finger-pointing.
  • Can love between two people last forever?
  • Online dating is worse than the real one.
  • Rich couples have lower divorce rates .
  • If you cannot respect your partner, you deserve to be alone.
  • What is the proper way to ask a girl out on a date?
  • How do you balance work and family ?
  • Sometimes communication just does not work if you like someone. You need to take action.
  • Honesty could ruin a good relationship.
  • How to talk to your crush if you have anxiety?
  • If you are having seconds thoughts about a date – cancel it.
  • Choose your clothes carefully for the first date.
  • The flirting ideal is different for males and females .

🌭 Funny Persuasive Topics about Food

  • Junk food is not actually that bad for you.
  • Why is food in Mexico so spicy ?
  • Ramen is the greatest creation of humanity.

Instant ramen was Japan's top invention of the 20th century.

  • Fish is the most valuable food resource for humans .
  • A vegan diet could kill you.
  • Your fresh meat from a local store is, in fact, not fresh.
  • Hotpot is a new trend for restaurants worldwide .
  • Farms use a lot of illegal methods to increase their production.
  • Food science saves our lives daily.
  • Curry is perfect for your health .
  • Yogurt is the best among fermented foods.
  • Sustainable food allowed our civilization to thrive.
  • The fast-food business model’s primary aim is profit, not food.
  • Opening a Halal restaurant is a profitable business model .
  • Are we supposed to believe nutrition facts on packages?
  • America developed its way of dining out .
  • Globalization plays a significant role in a country’s food culture .
  • Some things to do when you are offered food you don’t like.
  • Ketchup can improve the taste of every dish.
  • Are men better chefs than women?
  • Technology has drastically changed the way we eat.
  • Mediterranean cuisine is the best cuisine in the world.

😂 Persuasive Essay Topics: Funny for Whom?

This chapter is going to list funny persuasive topics for people of different age groups. However, remember that humor is a very subjective thing. Each and one of us (no matter the age) has different mentality and ideals.

We are going to try and speculate what funny things are worthy of discussion for each generation. Let’s go!

🍎 Funny Persuasive Topics for Elementary Students

  • We should ban adult news and leave only cartoons on TV.
  • Schools should include computer games classes in their program.
  • Our schools should do activities more often, such as camping and excursions.
  • Chocolate awards are the best demonstration of the teacher’s appreciation.
  • A school classroom should have more toys.
  • A lunch box is the most valuable thing in our backpacks.
  • Writing an email requires concentrated group work.
  • Teachers should have more rest from their pupils.
  • Your yearly achievements should be read aloud by your parents.
  • Homework is useless for elementary students.
  • A pack of gum is more valuable than money.
  • School cafeterias should be banned for their lack of good food.
  • Family is the primary source of happiness in our lives.
  • Collecting certain things is an excellent way to become popular in school.
  • Domestic robots are going to make us lazy.

🏫 Funny Persuasive Topics for Middle Schoolers

Middle school is the place where students are only beginning to get acquainted with world realities. They form new relationships, discover sports, drama clubs, start new adventures, etc. First gossips and rumors spread. Middle school is also the first place where students first face bullying.

Here are some topics for this generation:

  • Teachers should allow students to express themselves freely in middle school.
  • We should ban books and only use iPads in classes.
  • Public schools should be administered wiser .
  • The efficiency of children’s literacy development must be increased .
  • Building new relationships is the best thing about middle school.
  • Every school has one craziest school story.
  • Do boys gossip more than girls?

Men gossip as much as women do.

  • The only thing you think about during classes is song lyrics.
  • 7th grade is the time when you start having crushes.
  • It is impossible to order at McDonald’s without staying “Ummm.”
  • Teachers are the biggest motivators for students .
  • Pen clicking is the most annoying thing during a test.
  • Finding old pictures of yourself is the worst thing ever.
  • According to teachers, grades are more important than your emotional and physical health.
  • In middle school, you learn to hate people truly.
  • They tell us sleep is essential, so why do the classes start early?

🗓 Funny Persuasive Topics for High Schoolers

This period is filled with excitement and many adventures. At the same time, students experience too much stress and anxiety. The finals, prom, separation from their parents, college, and adult life are looming.

  • Don’t neglect your teachers; they should become your friends in the last year.
  • Don’t like Shakespeare? Study him even more !
  • Why is math so complicated in high school?
  • “The Epic of Gilgamesh” is the best piece of literature studied in high school .
  • Watching Ted Talks is better than studying.
  • We should live according to the rules of High School Musical .
  • Yearbook quotes are the reason why we go to high school.
  • Senior high school students experience more stress in the last year than all the previous ones combined.
  • Graduation is the happiest moment of your life.
  • The concept of a zombie comes from Haitian culture , but it blooms in every high school.
  • Waiting for a letter from a college is the most stressful thing during high school.
  • There should be a gap year after high school to decide your future.
  • Job interviews for high schoolers should be banned.
  • Why is it so stressful to ask a person on a prom date?
  • Monday classes should not exist.
  • Household rules could tell a lot about someone’s family.

☕ Funny Persuasive Topics for College Students

Almost anyone could say that college is the most fun period in their lives. You can have independence, crazy parties, new relationships, etc. At the same time, college students have to get used to a different lifestyle living away from parents.

  • College students are the best procrastinators.
  • Fast food is bad for your mental health.

Eating lots of fast food significantly increased perceived mental distress.

  • You have to get a job in college.
  • How do I not go broke in college?
  • Doing your laundry is a waste of time.
  • Parents can still control you even in college.
  • Fraternities are not so cool anymore.
  • If you want better grades, try to understand your professor.
  • Is attending college worth it ?
  • College jokes are the best.
  • College students are the best liars.
  • Memes is a fantastic stress reliever.
  • The hypocrisy levels of professors are sometimes unbearable.
  • What is the best hobby one could have in college?
  • Adults can attend college, and we should support it.
  • Colleges should be mandatory .
  • Coffee is your best friend in college.

👩‍🏫 Guide to Making Your Speech or Writing Funny

So, you have already chosen your idea from our funny persuasive topics list. However, you also have to make sure that your speech or essay correlates with it.

Watch how professional speakers deliver their persuasive speeches.

Here’s a guide just for that:

  • Think of your audience . What age group is going to listen to you or read your persuasive essay? What humor would they appreciate? This tip is an essential part of your success.
  • Evaluate whether a humorous approach can contribute to the success of your essay or speech. Your final goal is to persuade. If jokes here and there will only interfere with your objective, don’t incorporate them.
  • Consider your strengths . You’ve probably used humor before in your daily conversations. Which jokes were successful? Are you good at relatable comedy or anecdotes? Looking for an impressive funny topic, you have to take your skills into account. Otherwise, even the hilarious idea will fail. Always keep practicing.
  • Try different techniques . If you’re good at various types of humor or at least willing to attempt, use a few methods. Storytelling, anecdotes, tags, ambiguity, self-deprecation—the list goes on! Try different approaches not to become predictable. Check online sources that speak on the many humor techniques.
  • Use expressive yet simple language . It’s hard to laugh when you’re trying to understand what the author intended to say. If you are struggling with word transparency, check your dictionary for synonyms.
  • Don’t forget to pause . Doesn’t matter whether you write or speak—give your reader or listener time to prepare for the next joke. Effective spaces between comedic moments are essential not to turn your persuasive speech into a standup. Throwing too many jokes around does not work. Aim for quality over quantity.
  • Practice the jokes on your close ones. Try to find the age group similar to your future audience and ask for their opinion. Then you’ll be able to polish and improve your humor. Both essay writing and public speaking require some practice.

Pay attention to wording.

That is everything you need to know about funny persuasive writing topics! We thank you for taking the time to read our article. If you liked it, share it with your friends to help them find information on the subject.

🔗 References

  • 414 Funny and Humorous Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative, Impromptu]: My Speech Class
  • 4 Steps to Finding a Speech Topic that Clicks: Michelle Mazur, Communication Rebel
  • How to Use Humor Effectively in Speeches: Write Out Loud
  • How to Add Power or Humor with the Rule of Three: Andrew Dlugan, Six Minutes
  • 7 Tips on Writing an Effective Essay: The Fastweb Team
  • Introductions and Conclusions: Writing Advice, University of Toronto
  • College Essay Examples How to Write Your Story Best Colleges: Josh Moody, US News
  • Essays That Worked: John Hopkins University
  • How To Write A Persuasive Essay: Writing Guides, Ultius
  • Tips To Write An Effective Persuasive Essay: Dr. Michael W. Kirst, The College Puzzle
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Exploring 60+ Creative Satirical Essay Topics: Beyond Comedy

satirical essay topics

  • Post author By admin
  • November 8, 2023

Explore a world of wit and humor with our satirical essay topics. From societal absurdities to playful parodies, find inspiration for your next laughter-inducing masterpiece.

Imagine being able to express your opinions, critique the world, and entertain your audience, all while having a good laugh.

That’s the magic of satirical essays. These essays provide a unique platform where humor meets social commentary, and where you can make a powerful point with a touch of wit and sarcasm. However, the success of a satirical essay hinges on the topic you choose.

So, whether you’re aiming to tickle funny bones or provoke deep thoughts, this article is your guide to the world of satirical essay topics.

We’ll explore ideas that are not only hilarious but also thought-provoking. Get ready for a journey through the realm of satire as we uncover the perfect subjects to fuel your creativity and captivate your readers.

Table of Contents

The Art of Satire

Satire is like a secret doorway into the world of wit and wisdom, where humor becomes a tool for unveiling the absurdities of life.

It’s an art form that has been around for ages, tickling our funny bones while nudging us to think deeper. So, what’s the deal with satire, and how does it weave its magic?

At its core, satire is like a sly social commentator. It puts society, individuals, or even entire systems under a magnifying glass, exposing their quirks, flaws, and idiosyncrasies. But here’s the twist – it does all this while making us laugh, cringe, and nod in agreement.

Satire is a versatile beast, lurking in literature, theater, TV shows, and the wild world of the internet. You can stumble upon it in essays, short stories, cartoons, or even stand-up comedy.

No matter the form, satire’s mission remains constant: to challenge the norms and jolt us into questioning our reality.

What makes satire special is its talent for confronting the unmentionable. It deals with the tough stuff – the controversial, the uncomfortable, and the thought-provoking – all wrapped up in a hilarious package. It’s like delivering bitter medicine with a sweet coating.

Mastering the art of satire demands a sharp mind and a good grip on society’s quirks. It involves using humor as a Trojan horse, smuggling important messages behind the laughter.

Satirists are the word acrobats, using irony and sarcasm to create a gap between words and meanings, inviting us to read between the lines.

Satire isn’t just about teasing others; it’s also a way for creators to turn the humor microscope on themselves and their own society. It’s a bit like saying, “We’re all in this together, folks. Let’s laugh at our shared absurdities.”

In the end, satire is a waltz between laughter and contemplation. It’s a potent tool that can hold a mirror up to the truth, challenge the powerful, and kickstart change.

So, the next time you giggle at a satirical piece, remember, it’s not just humor; it’s an artful invitation to see the world from a different angle.

Finding the Perfect Satirical Essay Topic

So, you’re gearing up to dive into the world of satirical essays, armed with humor and a desire to make a point. But there’s one small challenge: what on earth should you satirize?

Finding the perfect satirical essay topic can feel like hunting for buried treasure in a vast sea of ideas. But don’t worry; we’re here to make the search more exciting than daunting.

Explore Life’s Quirky Side

Let’s start with the everyday oddities that often go unnoticed. Satire thrives on the absurdities of life. So, consider topics like “The Chronicles of Awkward Elevator Encounters” or “The Epic Saga of Misplacing Car Keys.”

Roast Society’s Foibles

Satire is a powerful tool for poking fun at societal flaws. Delve into topics like “The Unbelievable World of Clickbait Headlines” or “The Drama of Oversharing on Social Media.”

Mock Trends and Hypes

Trends and fads come and go, but their absurdity lingers. Satirical essays can take a hilarious spin on subjects like “The ‘Instant Celebrity’ Recipe” or “The Quest for the Ultimate Superfood.”

Expose Hypocrisy

Nothing’s quite as amusing as uncovering double standards. Consider topics like “The Eco-Warrior with a Private Jet” or “The ‘Healthy Living’ Guru Who Sneaks Midnight Snacks.”

Satirize Celebrity Culture

Celebrities and public figures are a satirist’s playground. Create essays like “A Day in the Life of a Paparazzo” or “The Politician’s Guide to Perfecting the Fake Smile.”

Twist Timeless Tales

Classic stories and fairytales can get a satirical makeover. Imagine “Snow White’s Reality TV Dilemma” or “The True Story Behind ‘Jack and the Beanstalk.'”

Tease Technology

Our tech-infused lives offer endless satirical material. Think about subjects like “The Smartphone Addiction Chronicles” or “The Comedy of Online Dating Fails.”

Skewer Schooling

Educational systems have quirks worth exploring. Consider topics like “The Art of Mastering Procrastination in College” or “The Confessions of a Self-Help Guru’s Ghostwriter.”

Roast Pop Culture

Pop culture is a goldmine for satire. Delve into topics like “The Art of Reality TV Editing” or “Decoding Celebrity Baby Names.”

Reflect on Human Quirks

Sometimes, the best satirical essays explore the oddities of human behavior. Think about subjects like “The Secret Language of Passive-Aggressiveness” or “The Science of Cringe-Worthy Moments.”

Remember, the key to a fantastic satirical essay is to mix humor, irony, and a dash of social critique. Seek out the absurd in the ordinary, and don’t be afraid to push the boundaries of creativity.

With the right topic in your sights, you’re on your way to crafting a satirical masterpiece that’s not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, leaving your readers chuckling and pondering the world around them. Happy satirizing!

Satirical Essay Topics

Check out satirical essay topics:

Social Issues

  • The “Selfie Olympics”: A Humorous Take on Self-Obsession
  • “Smart” Appliances: How Your Toaster Is Plotting Against You
  • The Art of Ghosting in Modern Dating: A Guide for Cowards
  • “Influencer” Starter Kits: A Satirical Look at Vanity in a Box
  • “Political Correctness” Gone Mad: The Absurdity of Language Policing
  • The Faux Philanthropist: Exposing Fake Social Activism
  • Instagram Filters: The Gateway Drug to Plastic Surgery
  • The Chronicles of “Healthy” Fast Food Chains
  • “Inspirational” Quote Overload: When Motivational Messages Lose Their Meaning
  • The Irony of “Cancel Culture”: Who’s Next in Line for Erasure?

Technology and Digital Age

  • The Amazon Echo: Is Your Virtual Stalker Also a Comedian?
  • The Satire of Social Media “Influencers” Selling the Impossible
  • The Comedy of Clickbait: When Everything Is “Mind-Blowing”
  • GPS Devices: Helping You Get Lost Like a Pro
  • The Hilarity of Internet Trolls: A Deep Dive into the Art of Anonymity
  • The True Cost of “Free” Apps: Selling Your Soul for Candy Crush
  • The Mystery of “Smart” Home Devices: Are They Plotting World Domination?
  • The Ridiculous World of Internet Challenges: From Cinnamon to Tide Pods
  • The Irony of Virtual Reality: Escaping the Real World to Do the Same Things
  • The Evolution of “Face Filters”: From Cute Animals to Unrecognizable Humans

Education and Learning

  • The Art of “Wikipedia Scholar” Degrees
  • Group Projects: Where Slackers Become the Best Magicians
  • The Science of Fake Homework Excuses: A Comprehensive Study
  • The Irony of “Learning Styles”: Are You a Visual, Auditory, or Kinesthetic Liar?
  • The Satire of “No Child Left Behind”: How We Left Them All Behind
  • The Comedy of “Participation Trophies”: Everyone’s a Winner (Except Not Really)
  • Teachers’ Lounge Conspiracy Theories: What Really Happens in There
  • The Mystery of Library “Silence” Zones: The Noisiest Places on Campus
  • The Chronicles of “Extra Credit” Hustlers: Masters of the Brown-Nosing Arts
  • “Back to School” Sales: How to Convince Kids That Pencils Are Fashion Statements

Pop Culture

  • Celebrity Fragrances: Smelling Like You Could Be Famous
  • The Comedy of Reality TV: Where Non-Celebrities Act Like Celebrities
  • The Hilarity of Award Show Speeches: From “Genuine” Tears to Thanking Your Dog
  • The Mystery of Viral Internet Challenges: Surviving the Stupidity
  • The Absurdity of Tabloid Headlines: Alien Babies and Celebrity Reincarnations
  • “Trendy” Diets: From the Cabbage Soup Cleanse to the Twinkie Diet
  • The Satirical Take on Superhero Films: When Spandex Saves the Day
  • The Comedy of “Real Housewives” Shows: Unreal Lives in Expensive Houses
  • Celebrity Social Media Feuds: The Battle for the Most Retweets
  • “Cool” Urban Legends: Bigfoot’s Hipster Cousin and the Loch Ness Hipster

Environmental Issues

  • The Comedy of Earth Day Parades: Marching for the Planet with Plastic Signs
  • The Irony of “Eco-Friendly” Disposable Diapers: Breaking Down in a Million Years
  • The Green Guilt Trip: How Your Neighbor’s Solar Panels Shame You
  • The Chronicles of the “Green” Car Owner: Driving a Gas Guzzler with a Green Sticker
  • “Zero-Waste” Instagram Accounts: How to Produce Tons of Trash for Likes
  • “Organic” Fast Food: Because Deep-Fried Organic Is Healthier, Right?
  • The Absurdity of “Recycling” Electronics: Sending Your Old Laptop to a Landfill
  • The Hilarity of “Farm-to-Table” Restaurants: How Far Is That Farm, Really?
  • “Eco-Friendly” Water Bottles: Saving the Earth, One Plastic Bottle at a Time
  • The Satire of “Vegan” Junk Food: Tofu Hot Dogs and Deep-Fried Kale Chips

Political Issues

  • Political Campaign Slogans: Promising Everything, Delivering Nothing
  • The Comedy of Political Debates: Where Civility Goes to Die
  • Political “Spin Doctors”: Turning Scandals into Inspirational Stories
  • The Absurdity of Political Ads: Making Promises You Know Won’t Be Kept
  • The Mystery of Bureaucratic Jargon: Translating “Government Speak” into English
  • Election Promises vs. Reality: A Satirical Look at Broken Pledges
  • The Irony of Campaign Fundraising: How the Poor Donate to the Rich
  • Presidential Twitter Wars: When World Leaders Act Like Teenagers
  • Political Conventions: Where Balloons Are the Highlight of the Evening
  • The Satire of Political Polls: Predicting the Future with a Magic 8-Ball

The Recipe for a Perfect Satirical Essay

Satirical essays are a unique and entertaining form of writing that allows you to explore and critique various aspects of society, culture, and human behavior with a humorous twist.

Crafting the perfect satirical essay requires a blend of wit, humor, and keen observation. Whether you’re an experienced satirist or just dipping your toes into this literary art form, here’s the recipe for creating a deliciously satirical essay:

Choose a Target

Start by identifying your target, which is the subject of your satire. It can be a social issue, a cultural phenomenon, a common behavior, or any aspect of society that you find intriguing or absurd.

Your target should be something you have strong opinions about, as satire involves commentary.

Understand Your Audience

Consider your audience’s sensibilities and preferences. Satire should be funny and thought-provoking, but it should also resonate with your readers. Know what will make them chuckle or nod in agreement.

Develop a Strong Thesis

Your satirical essay should have a clear thesis statement that conveys your central message or criticism. This statement will guide your entire essay and help your readers understand the purpose of your satire.

Embrace Exaggeration

Exaggeration is a key ingredient in satirical writing. Amplify the flaws, quirks, or absurdities of your target to an extreme degree. Push it to the limit to create humor and emphasize the point you’re making.

Employ Irony and Sarcasm

Irony and sarcasm are your trusty companions in satire. Use them to highlight the gap between appearances and reality, between what’s said and what’s meant. Witty one-liners and clever wordplay can add an extra layer of humor.

Employ Parody

Parody involves mimicking or imitating a particular style, genre, or individual to create humor. You can parody well-known personalities, famous works of literature, or iconic brands. This approach adds a layer of recognition for your readers.

Use Hyperbole

Hyperbole is an extravagant exaggeration used for emphasis. It’s an effective tool for satirists. Make the ordinary extraordinary, and the absurd even more ridiculous with the use of hyperbole.

Employ Ridicule

Ridicule is the act of mocking or making fun of your target. It’s a fundamental component of satire. Create amusing caricatures, funny situations, or absurd scenarios to ridicule your subject.

Craft a Catchy Title

Your essay’s title is your first chance to grab your readers’ attention. Make it catchy, clever, and relevant to your subject matter. A well-crafted title sets the tone for your satire.

Provide Real-World Examples

Support your satire with real-world examples, anecdotes, or observations. These give your essay authenticity and make your critique more relatable.

Maintain Consistency

Stay consistent in your satirical approach throughout the essay. Your humor, tone, and style should remain constant from start to finish.

Offer a Resolution or Alternative

A good satirical essay doesn’t just point out flaws; it suggests improvements or alternative solutions. Offer a thought-provoking resolution or present an absurd alternative to highlight the flaws in the existing system or behavior.

Revise and Edit

Like any other type of writing, satirical essays benefit from revision and editing. Review your work for clarity, coherence, and grammatical correctness. Ensure that your humor is sharp and your message is clear.

Seek Feedback:

Share your essay with friends or colleagues and ask for their feedback. A fresh perspective can help you refine your satire.

Don’t Cross Boundaries

While satire encourages humor and exaggeration, be mindful not to cross into offensive or hurtful territory. Your satire should be amusing and thought-provoking, not mean-spirited.

Incorporate these ingredients into your satirical essay recipe, and you’ll be on your way to creating a delicious, thought-provoking, and entertaining piece of satirical writing.

Remember, the goal is not just to make your readers laugh but also to make them think. Happy satirizing!

What is a good topic for satire?

When it comes to crafting a satirical essay, choosing the right topic is essential. A good satirical topic should be timely, relevant, and capable of shedding light on the hypocrisy, absurdity, or foolishness prevalent in a particular person, group, or institution.

Here, we present a handful of excellent topics ripe for satirical exploration:

The Social Media Obsession

Satire can delve into our incessant phone-checking habits and the constant updates on our lives. Explore the addictive nature of likes and followers in the digital age.

The Political Circus

Politics is a treasure trove of satirical material. Unveil the world of empty promises made by politicians or their peculiar fascination with fundraising over serving constituents.

The Cult of Celebrity

Delve into the worship of celebrities and society’s fixation on every move they make. Expose the extremes of idolizing famous figures.

Commercialized Holidays

Highlight the shift of holidays from meaningful family and friend gatherings to consumerist extravaganzas. Satirize the overwhelming emphasis on shopping.

The Wellness Mania

Poke fun at the relentless pursuit of healthy eating and exercise, sometimes taken to the point of neuroticism. Examine society’s obsession with wellness.

These topics serve as a starting point, and there are numerous other excellent options for satirical essays. The key lies in selecting a topic that seamlessly combines humor with thought-provoking insights, fostering essential conversations about pertinent issues.

In the realm of satire, humor is the vehicle, but reflection is the destination.

What is a satirical essay?

Satirical essays are a unique genre that employs humor, irony, exaggeration, and various literary devices to critique individuals, groups, or institutions.

Their purpose is to reveal hypocrisy, absurdity, or foolishness, all while prompting readers to view essential issues from a fresh perspective.

Let’s explore the defining features of a satirical essay:

Humor with a Purpose

Satirical essays are inherently humorous, but this humor serves a greater objective. It isn’t merely for laughter’s sake; it’s a powerful tool used to underscore the essay’s subject.

Masters of Irony and Sarcasm

Satire relies heavily on irony and sarcasm, two potent instruments. Irony involves using words in a way that contradicts their actual meaning, while sarcasm is a form of irony that expresses contempt or criticism.

Exaggeration for Effect

Satirical essays often amplify the flaws and shortcomings of their subjects. This amplification serves to sharpen the essay’s point and portray the subject in an even more ludicrous light.

Laser-Focused on Specifics

These essays are not vague musings. They pinpoint particular individuals, groups, or institutions, enhancing their effectiveness in conveying a message.

Clever and Witty Execution

A successful satirical essay should be clever and witty. Without these qualities, it risks losing its humor and impact.

In the world of satirical essays, humor is the vehicle, but enlightenment is the destination. These essays serve as a remarkable means to provoke reflection on crucial issues, all while bringing a smile to the reader’s face.

What is a good satire example?

In the world of literary satire, some timeless classics have managed to tickle our funny bones while offering profound insights.

These masterpieces don’t just amuse us; they make us ponder the follies of human nature and society. Here are a few of these gems:

1. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (1726)

Swift takes us on a whimsical journey with Lemuel Gulliver through lands like Lilliput, Brobdingnag, and more. But beneath the fantastical adventures lies a clever satire on the quirks of humanity, politics, and society.

2. Candide by Voltaire (1759)

Voltaire’s story follows the eternal optimist Candide, who explores the world and encounters a string of misfortunes. Through Candide’s misadventures, Voltaire uses satire to skewer the notion of unbridled optimism and reflect on the harsh realities of our world.

3. Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945)

Orwell’s allegorical tale is a biting critique of the Russian Revolution and the emergence of Stalinism. As a group of farm animals rebel against their human overlords to create their society, Orwell uncovers the corrupting influence of power.

4. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961)

Heller’s novel hilariously underscores the absurdity of war and the bureaucratic maze of the military. Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Air Force bombardier feigning insanity to avoid more bombing missions, embodies the dark comedy that ensues in wartime.

5. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (1980)

Toole paints a satirical portrait of Southern culture and the elusive American Dream through the comical misadventures of Ignatius J. Reilly. A lovable yet exasperating character, Ignatius dreams of becoming a writer while wrestling with his own eccentricities.

These works are just a sampling of the rich tapestry of satire in literature. They remind us that humor can be a powerful tool for reflecting on society and uncovering truths in the quirkiest and most unexpected ways.

In the enchanting world of satire, the boundaries are as limitless as your creativity. Satirical essay topics offer a stage where humor, irony, and cleverness intertwine, allowing us to dive headfirst into the quirks of human behavior, the baffling peculiarities of society, and the intricacies of our ever-evolving world.

These topics spark laughter, but they do much more – they beckon us to think. Satirical essays act as a mirror, reflecting back the contradictions, paradoxes, and absurdities we often overlook.

They prod us to question the norms, to challenge established norms, and to perceive the world from a fresh angle.

So, whether you’re composing a satirical essay to entertain, to shed light on social issues, or just for the sheer joy of wit, remember that satire transcends humor – it’s an art form that inspires contemplation.

It’s a delightful nudge that reminds us humor can be a powerful instrument for change, and that even the weightiest of subjects can benefit from a sprinkle of humor.

So, let your imagination soar and your pen dance merrily, because who knows, amid the chuckles, you might uncover profound truths that were hiding in plain sight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of a satirical essay.

A satirical essay aims to criticize and ridicule societal issues, individuals, or institutions using humor, irony, and exaggeration. Its purpose is to entertain, make readers think, and shed light on the absurdities of our world.

Can I use satire to discuss serious topics?

Absolutely! Satire is a powerful tool to address serious issues indirectly. It allows you to critique and challenge the status quo while keeping your readers engaged through humor.

How do I maintain a balance between humor and critique in a satirical essay?

Balancing humor and critique in a satirical essay is key. Ensure that your humor supports your critique and doesn’t undermine the seriousness of the issue you’re addressing. Clever wit and well-crafted irony can help maintain this balance.

Is it essential to use real examples in a satirical essay?

While using real examples can enhance the impact of your satire, it’s not always necessary. You can create fictional scenarios and characters to highlight the absurdities

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Can You Answer These Bizarre (But Real) College Essay Prompts?

Can You Answer These Bizarre (But Real) College Essay Prompts?

With the release of universities 2022-23 supplemental essay prompts, we take you through some of the most unusual and bizarre US college supplemental essay prompts of all time, featuring universities such as UChicago, Tufts University and UPenn.

To get into a top US college , you’re going to need more than stellar grades, test scores, common application and extracurricular achievements. You’ll have to demonstrate, in your supplemental essays, that you are the kind of mature, driven, interesting person that would thrive at the particular university. This is much easier said than done — standing out from the crowd with a unique college essay can be very difficult.

Luckily, over the years some colleges have given their applicants a helping hand on this point by providing some really bizarre essay prompts. These warrant truly inventive responses, and let applicants really show off their writing prowess, creativity, and individuality.

Here’s out our list of some of the most creative, unusual and bizarre supplemental essay prompts from all time. How would you have responded to these questions? Check it out below!

Bizzare Supplemental Essay Prompts in 2022

We thought that it would be a good idea to include some of the more creative supplemental essay prompts from this year’s admission cycle (2022-23). We hope that this gets the creative juices flowing and helps you get a good early start to the essays!

University of Chicago

What advice would a wisdom tooth have?

Chapman University

Name one dish you would cook for the school’s admission team.

Pomono College

Marvel or DC? Pepsi or Coke? Instagram or TikTok? What’s your favorite ‘this or that’ and which side do you choose?

University of Vermont

Which Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor (real or imagined) best describes you?

In approaching these essays, it's essential to keep in mind why they are important and how they add context to your application. Admissions officers at top universities look for candidates that display creativity, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and a unique perspective.

Interested in learning more? Attend one of our free events

Build your application strategy with the latest 2023-24 admissions trends & analysis.

Friday, May 31, 2024 12:00 AM CUT

Join this exclusive webinar to learn about the latest trends in college admissions and discover the key to getting accepted to top universities in upcoming application cycles!

REGISTER NOW

Unusual Supplemental Essay Prompts From Previous Years

When it comes to asking creative and wacky essay prompts, the University of Chicago is the leader. To come up with the best and most creative prompts, the college takes suggestions and inspiration from their own students, who are allowed to email their ideas annually. If you look on the UChicago website you can even see who submitted each essay prompt.

UChicago also allows you to answer a past prompt making these options for you to choose.

Due to a series of clerical errors, there is exactly one typo (an extra letter, a removed letter, or an altered letter) in the name of every department at the University of Chicago. Oops! Describe your new intended major. Why are you interested in it and what courses or areas of focus within it might you want to explore? Potential options include Commuter Science, Bromance Languages and Literatures, Pundamentals: Issues and Texts, Ant History…

This prompt was an excellent opportunity for students to show their creativity and humour, as well as their academic interests. The best ideas that we could find online were probably Visual Arms (Visual Arts) and Pig Problems (Big Problems).

Have you ever walked through the aisles of a warehouse store like Costco or Sam’s Club and wondered who would buy a jar of mustard a foot and a half tall? We’ve bought it, but it didn’t stop us from wondering about other things, like absurd eating contests, impulse buys, excess, unimagined uses for mustard, storage, preservatives, notions of bigness…and dozens of other ideas both silly and serious. Write an essay somehow inspired by super-huge mustard.

Have you ever written an essay about a giant jar of mustard? In 2004 UChicago applicants had their chance, and while there are absurd elements to the prompt, there are many creative and serious directions essays took.

The elusive goal of mathematics, but with no context. What is “x”, and how did prospective UChicago students find it? We’re sure the students brought in a novel discussion of a diverse array of mathematical theory, as well as philosophical and personal matters.

Elvis is alive! OK, maybe not, but here in the Office of College Admissions we are persuaded that current Elvis sightings in highway rest areas, grocery stores and Laundromats are part of a wider conspiracy involving five of the following: the metric system, the Mall of America, the crash of the Hindenburg, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, lint, J.D. Salinger and wax fruit. Help us get to the bottom of this evil plot by constructing your own theory of how and why five of these items and events are related. Your narrative may take any form you like, but try to keep your theory to under two pages.

If there were any conspiracy theorists applying to UChicago in 1999-2000, they would certainly have been in luck with this prompt. Who would have been the mastermind behind your evil plot?

Tufts University

If UChicago is the champ of creative college essay prompts, Tufts might be considered a close second. Check out their unique prompts below.

Kermit the Frog famously lamented, 'It's not easy being green.' Do you agree?

This prompt is inspired by a Muppets song, whereby Kermit laments how green seems to blend in with so many other ordinary things and how he thus fails to stand out from the crowd. Of course, many students in their essays took this quote in a totally different direction, demonstrating their critical thinking and creativity.

The ancient Romans started it when they coined the phrase “Carpe diem.” Jonathan Larson proclaimed “No day but today!” and most recently, Drake explained You Only Live Once (YOLO). Have you ever seized the day? Lived like there was no tomorrow? Or perhaps you plan to shout YOLO while jumping into something in the future. What does #YOLO mean to you?

Back when this prompt was released, Tufts’ #YOLO question caused quite a stir. Lee Coffin, the dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Tufts admitted that the question was inspired by his affinity for pop music and his desire for applicants to have some fun when they introduce themselves to Tufts.

It’s been said that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly’s wing can cause a typhoon halfway around the world. History is filled with such linchpins – small events or decisions that have huge effects on the future. Make your own change somewhere in history and show us the effects on the world.

This is one for fans of alternative history, perhaps invoking visions of a distorted universe where life as we know it has taken a turn for the better or worse. Again, a challenge for applicants would have been how to say something about themselves and their interests in a creative way.

University of Southern California

(Short Answer) Hashtag to describe yourself

It is common for college essay prompts to have a few short answer questions to get to know the student. For a few years starting in 2017 USC adopted a unique question, making students describe themselves with a #hashtag as they would on twitter or instagram. But what a difficult task that is - how would you describe yourself with a single hashtag?

Wake Forest University

Give us your top ten list.

Many Buzzfeed enthusiasts applying to Wake Forest in 2017-18 would have enjoyed the opportunity to make a top-ten list about anything of their choosing. What topic would you have written about, and what does this say about you?

UC Berkeley

If any of these three inanimate objects could talk, how would your room, computer or car describe you?

Imagine all of the time you’ve spent in your room, at your computer or behind the wheel; these objects might be the only things in the world that know your real identity. This question would have certainly prompted some deep reflection from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business applicants.

University of Notre Dame

You have 150 words. Take a risk.

Students could have taken this anywhere - so long as what they wrote was risky. There are even reports that some students took the ultimate risk and wrote nothing at all.

University of Pennsylvania

You have just finished your 300-page autobiography. Please submit page 217.

This is an iconic prompt that UPenn asked for about 20 years. It encourages students to consider their story, and to use this to introduce themselves to UPenn. For added realism, many students liked to start their responses in the middle of a sentence.

So, How Do I Write the Essay?

Since more than three quarters of US universities no longer require students to take standardized tests, college essays are becoming increasingly important in your application.

The key piece of advice we give to our students is to start on these essays early. If you are applying to several universities, you will have many different supplemental essays to complete, as well as the common application essay . Many of our students attest that writing all of their essays is by far the most stressful part of the application, and a part of the application that is easy to neglect.

Our other key piece of advice is to make the content of each supplemental essay very specific to the university you are applying to. You need to do your research about what each university looks for in a candidate and show a clear desire to attend that particular university.

As the world’s leading university admissions support company, we at Crimson know how to approach each supplemental essay and maximise your chances of gaining admission to a top university.

If you want to feel confident when submitting your college application essay, get your essay reviewed by us at Crimson. Our experts have assisted students who have gained admission to Harvard , Yale , Princeton , Stanford , Oxford , Cambridge and many other top universities!

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Home — Blog — Topic Ideas — Funny Persuasive Essay Topics: 110 Writing & Speech Ideas

Funny Persuasive Essay Topics: 110 Writing & Speech Ideas

Funny Persuasive Essay Topics

Laughter really is the best medicine, and when it comes to the art of persuasion, funny persuasive speech topics can help you a lot. Imagine standing in front of an audience or sitting at your desk with an essay tip in hand, and instead of your usual serious and direct approach, you decide to inject a healthy dose of humor into your presentation. Welcome to a world of fun persuasive essay topics where wit meets persuasion to create a delightful and engaging conversation.

Humor has a unique way of capturing people's attention and breaking down barriers, making it an invaluable tool for any writer or speaker looking to convey a compelling message. Whether you're writing academic writing, preparing a public speaking speech, or engaging in a friendly debate, fun, persuasive essay topics can add extra punch to your presentation.

In this article, we share how persuasive speech topics funny can help you by exploring a wide range of funny persuasive essay topics that will tickle your audience to the bone and inspire thought-provoking discussions. These themes not only entertain, but also challenge traditional thinking, prompting critical reflection on various social issues and everyday mysteries.

Use the power of humor and persuasion and create a relaxed environment to inform and inspire your listeners. Whether you're an aspiring writer, an aspiring debater, or just a fun-loving person, this article will help you master the art of smoothly blending humor and persuasion.

So, get ready to embark on a journey of wit and wisdom where laughter meets logic, and learn how to make your readers or audience not only smile, but also nod in agreement. funny persuasive speech topics can be of great help to you and we will try to explore in detail the delightful world of funny persuasive essay topics and become masters of entertaining persuasion!

⭐ 10 Great Topics for a Persuasive Speech

  • The Power of Laughter: Why We Should Have a Daily Dose of Comedy
  • Embracing the "Messy" Life: Finding Joy in Imperfection
  • The Art of Procrastination: How to Turn It into a Productivity Hack
  • The Hidden Benefits of Daydreaming: Fueling Creativity and Inspiration
  • The Science of Silliness: How Being Goofy Can Boost Mental Health
  • The Therapeutic Value of Pet-Induced Happiness: Adopting a Furry Friend
  • Unconventional Superheroes: Celebrating Everyday Heroes Among Us
  • The Magic of Random Acts of Kindness: Spreading Joy and Positivity
  • Emojis as a Universal Language: Decoding Modern Communication
  • The Quirky World of Useless Facts: Fun Learning and Brain Gymnastics

Ideas for Finding Impressive Persuasive Essay Topics

Finding impressive persuasive essay topics can be both exciting and challenging. The key is to identify topics that not only pique your interest but also resonate with your audience. Here are some effective strategies to help you discover compelling and attention-grabbing persuasive essay topics:

Explore Your Passions

Start by brainstorming topics that really interest you. Think about issues that you care deeply about or topics that evoke emotion. And perhaps the idea of how to start an essay funny will easily come to you. When you are passionate about a subject, it becomes easier to persuade others effectively.

Stay Informed

Keep yourself updated with current events, social issues, and trending topics. Reading newspapers, magazines, and reputable online sources will expose you to a diverse range of persuasive essay ideas.

Address Controversial Topics

Controversial issues often spark intense debates, making them excellent candidates for persuasive essays. Be sure to research both sides of the argument and present a well-balanced view.

Consider Your Audience

Think about the perspective and interests of your target audience. Understanding their viewpoints will help you choose topics that resonate with them and tailor your arguments effectively.

Look into Local Issues

Exploring problems within your community or region can add a personal touch to your essay. Local topics often strike a chord with readers, making your arguments more impactful.

Brainstorm with Others

Discussing ideas with friends, family, or classmates can generate fresh perspectives and potential topics. Collaborating with others can lead to unique and thought-provoking essay ideas.

Utilize Online Resources

There are numerous websites dedicated to providing persuasive essay topic ideas. Browse through these resources to gain inspiration and find unique angles for your essay.

Examine Ethical Dilemmas

Ethical issues often raise thought-provoking questions. Consider topics that challenge the moral compass and explore potential solutions.

Analyze Past Persuasive Essays: Reviewing successful persuasive essays can give you an idea of popular and impactful topics. However, ensure your essay presents a fresh angle to avoid repetition.

Consider Global Concerns

Addressing global challenges like climate change, poverty, or human rights can showcase your awareness of critical issues and demonstrate your commitment to creating positive change.

Remember to choose a topic that aligns with your expertise and research interests. Impressive persuasive essay topics rely on strong arguments, reliable sources, and compelling evidence. Take the time to delve into your chosen subject, gather relevant information, and craft a persuasive essay that leaves a lasting impact on your readers. With these strategies and a dash of creativity, you'll undoubtedly discover persuasive essay topics that inspire engaging discussions and win hearts.

List of 100 funny persuasive topics for you

Below we offer you a list of 100 funny and persuasive paperwork themes. We propose to divide this list into 5 main sections in which we structure the ideas for your presentation.

Fun and at the same time compelling topics on ecology

  • The Comedic Side of Eco-Friendly Living: How to Laugh While Saving the Planet
  • Eco-Fun: Hilarious Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
  • The Case for Eco-Comedy: Using Humor to Advocate for Environmental Conservation
  • Laughter for a Greener World: How Funny Persuasion Can Promote Sustainability
  • Eco-Jokes and Conservation: Uniting Humor and Environmental Awareness
  • The Funny Side of Recycling: Turning Trash into Laughs and Treasures
  • Laughing Our Way to a Cleaner Future: Humorous Strategies for Eco-Consciousness
  • The Green Giggle: How Environmentalists Can Embrace Humor in Their Advocacy
  • Eco-Friendly Pranks and Jokes: Promoting Environmental Consciousness with Laughter
  • LOL for Nature: Spreading Environmental Awareness through Hilarious Persuasion
  • Comedy for Conservation: Using Humor to Inspire Eco-Friendly Choices
  • Earth-Friendly Funnies: Incorporating Humor in Environmental Education
  • Giggles for Green Living: Making Sustainability Fun and Engaging
  • The Humorous Side of Wildlife Conservation: Laughing Our Way to Preservation
  • Eco-Laughs: Humorously Debunking Environmental Myths and Misconceptions
  • Jokes for the Environment: How Humor Can Catalyze Positive Change
  • Laughing at Our Eco-Mistakes: Finding Humor in Imperfect Green Living
  • Eco-Friendly Comedy Nights: Entertaining and Educating for a Greener World
  • LOL for Earth: Humorous Approaches to Raise Environmental Awareness
  • Smiles for Sustainability: How Laughter Can Drive Green Initiatives

Options for funny persuasive cultural topics

  • Cultural Comedy: Using Humor to Bridge Cultural Differences
  • Laughing Across Cultures: How Humor Unites Humanity
  • The Power of Cultural Satire: Addressing Stereotypes through Comedy
  • Embracing Cultural Quirks: Celebrating Diversity with Laughter
  • Funny Traditions Around the World: Exploring the Humorous Side of Culture
  • Cultural Comedy Nights: Promoting Cultural Exchange through Humor
  • The Hilarity of Language Barrier: Overcoming Misunderstandings with Laughter
  • Cultural Comedy in Media: Analyzing Humorous Portrayals of Different Cultures
  • Humor as a Cultural Connector: Using Laughter to Foster Understanding
  • Cross-Cultural Stand-Up: Uniting Audiences with Diverse Comedy
  • The Art of Cultural Parodies: Celebrating and Appreciating Diversity through Satire
  • Breaking Cultural Norms with Humor: Redefining Traditions Playfully
  • Humorous Cultural Misconceptions: Dispelling Myths and Prejudices
  • Comedy and Cross-Cultural Communication: Embracing Humor in Global Interactions
  • Funny Travel Tales: Laughing at Cultural Blunders and Experiences
  • Humorous Cultural Stereotypes: Addressing Taboos with Comedy
  • Laughing with Respect: Using Humor to Honor and Appreciate Cultures
  • Cultural Humor in Everyday Life: Finding Joy in Diversity
  • Stand-Up for Cultural Awareness: Using Comedy for Positive Change
  • Cultural Comedy in the Workplace: Building Inclusive and Happy Teams

💼 Funny persuasive topics about jurisprudence

  • The Courtroom Chuckle: Using Humor in Legal Persuasion
  • Gavel Giggles: Humorous Approaches to Legal Argumentation
  • The Art of Legal Wit: How to Win Over the Jury with Laughter
  • Humor in Law School: Surviving the Rigors with a Smile
  • Funny Legal Language: Unraveling the Quirky Side of Legalese
  • Laughing at the Law: A Comedic Exploration of Legal Cases
  • Humorous Legal Precedents: Unusual Rulings and Courtroom Tales
  • The Power of Legal Satire: Addressing Legal Issues with Comedy
  • Courtroom Comedy: Entertaining While Making a Case
  • The Jokes of Justice: Humor in Legal Practice and Advocacy
  • Wit and Wisdom in Legal Writing: Injecting Humor into Briefs
  • Hilarious Deposition Moments: Finding Laughter in Serious Situations
  • Stand-Up for Justice: Using Comedy to Raise Legal Awareness
  • The Comedy of Contracts: Unusual and Amusing Legal Agreements
  • Lawyers with Laughs: Celebrating Funny Legal Professionals
  • Humorous Courtroom Quips: Funny Quotes and Anecdotes from Trials
  • Legal Roast and Toast: Honoring Legal Professionals with Humor
  • Law and Order Chuckles: How Comedy Can Influence Legal Reforms
  • Legal Parodies and Pranks: Exploring the Lighter Side of Jurisprudence
  • Hilarity in the Halls of Justice: Using Humor for Effective Legal Communication

Funny and compelling relationship topics for your talk

  • The Hilarious Side of Dating: Navigating Awkward Encounters with Humor
  • The Comedy of Relationship Quirks: Finding Laughter in Love
  • Couple's Comedy Night: Using Humor to Strengthen Relationship Bonds
  • Laughing Through Relationship Challenges: How Comedy Can Ease Tensions
  • Relationship Roast and Toast: Celebrating Love with Lightheartedness
  • Love and Laughter: Embracing Humor in Intimate Relationships
  • Funny Relationship Advice: Unconventional Tips for a Happy Partnership
  • Stand-Up for Love: Using Comedy to Communicate and Connect in Relationships
  • The Art of Relationship Satire: Playfully Addressing Common Couple Issues
  • Couples' Comedy Retreat: Building Stronger Bonds with Humorous Activities
  • Humorous Love Letters: Adding Fun to Romantic Communication
  • Relationship Pranks and Jokes: Fostering Playfulness in Love
  • The Joy of Inside Jokes: Creating a World of Laughter in Relationships
  • Funny Apologies in Relationships: Making Amends with Humor
  • Humor in Long-Distance Relationships: Keeping Love Alive with Laughter
  • The Comedy of Marriage: Exploring the Lighter Side of Matrimony
  • Relationship Comedy Nights: Entertaining and Educating for a Stronger Connection
  • Laughing with Your Partner: The Benefits of Shared Humor in Relationships
  • Relationship Spoofs and Parodies: Celebrating Love with Playful Imitations
  • Funny Relationship Confessions: Embracing Imperfections in Love

Funny Persuasive Food Themes

  • Food Funnies: Using Humor to Spice Up Your Culinary Persuasion
  • Laughing at Food Trends: Exploring the Quirky Side of Gastronomy
  • The Comedy of Cooking: Finding Humor in Kitchen Mishaps
  • Stand-Up for Foodies: Using Comedy to Celebrate Culinary Adventures
  • The Hilarity of Food Etiquette: Embracing Table Manners with a Smile
  • Food Pranks and Jokes: Playful Culinary Shenanigans
  • Humorous Food Critiques: Reviewing Meals with a Dash of Wit
  • The Comedy of Food History: Unearthing Funny Culinary Anecdotes
  • Funny Food Pairings: Unexpected and Amusing Flavors
  • Cooking with Laughter: Incorporating Humor in Culinary Education
  • LOL for Foodies: Celebrating the Joy of Eating with Humor
  • Food Satire and Spoofs: Exploring the Lighter Side of Culinary Culture
  • The Art of Food Puns: Wordplay in the World of Gastronomy
  • Food Roast and Toast: Honoring Delicious Dishes with Humor
  • The Joy of Food Cartoons: Bringing Culinary Comedy to Life
  • Cooking Comedy Night: Entertaining and Educating through Culinary Humor
  • Humorous Food Challenges: Laughter in Culinary Competitions
  • Foodie Fails and Bloopers: Embracing Kitchen Mishaps with a Smile
  • The Funny Side of Food Advertising: Creative and Hilarious Marketing
  • Kitchen Stand-Up: Using Comedy to Spice Up Cooking Shows

📒 Tips for Making Your Speech or Writing Funny

Humor is a powerful tool that can captivate an audience and leave a lasting impression. Whether you're delivering a speech or writing an article, injecting humor can add charm and engage your readers or listeners. Here are some valuable tips to help you infuse humor into your speech or writing effectively:

  • Know Your Audience: Understand the preferences and feelings of your audience. Adjust your humor to resonate with them and avoid potentially offensive jokes. It is logical that the structure of your report will be different in different situations. If you need to come up with funny persuasive speech topics for college students, then you should choose topics that students are interested in and that will be popular among young people. If you are preparing topics for discussion with research associates, there should be much less humor before.
  • Use Personal Anecdotes: Share funny and intimate personal stories that are related to your topic. Authenticity can make your humor more appealing. And then the ideas of how to start an essay funny will come to you quite easily.
  • Wordplay and Puns: Incorporate clever wordplay and puns to add a witty touch to your content. Play with language to elicit laughter.
  • Timing is Key: Master the art of comedic timing. Pause before delivering the punchline to build anticipation and maximize the impact.
  • Embrace Observational Humor: Find humor in everyday situations and observations. This type of humor is relatable and can easily connect with your audience.
  • Exaggeration and Hyperbole: Playfully exaggerate situations or characters to create humor. However, ensure it remains within a reasonable and believable context.
  • Relieve Tension: Use humor to lighten serious topics or tense moments. It can ease the atmosphere and make your audience more receptive.
  • Incorporate Visuals: If possible, use visuals, such as funny images or gifs, to complement your humor and enhance the comedic effect.
  • Practice Delivery: Rehearse your speech or read your article out loud to gauge the flow of humor and make necessary adjustments.
  • Be Yourself: Embrace your unique sense of humor. Authenticity can make your humor more genuine and endearing.
  • Use Callbacks: Reference earlier jokes or anecdotes to create callbacks that bring added humor to your content.
  • Avoid Offending: Steer clear of offensive humor or jokes that may alienate your audience. Aim for inclusive and lighthearted humor.
  • Research Comedy: Study the work of comedians and writers known for their humor. Analyze their techniques and incorporate them into your style.
  • Test the Waters: If you're unsure about a joke's reception, try it out with a small, trusted audience to gauge their reaction.
  • Edit and Refine: Polish your speech or article to ensure the humor flows naturally and aligns with your overall message.

By following these tips, you can bring humor to your speech or writing, captivating your audience and leaving them with a smile. Who knows, maybe after that your colleagues will turn to you for advice, asking you how to start writing funny essay examples. Remember that humor is a powerful tool that can make your content more memorable and impactful. So, enjoy the laughter and watch your audience take your message in a whole new way!

social justice topics for students

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Absurd College Essay Prompts

Are you working on your college applications and wondering where these crazy essay prompts came from? In this blog, we’ll share some delightful essay topics from colleges that are asking ridiculous questions to college students and do two things overall. One, we’ll make fun of colleges for asking stupid questions that the fate of your entire existence hinges on, and two, we’ll give you straight advice on how to deal with some of these prompts.

St. Mary’s College

St. Mary’s College of Maryland has a prompt that says: “You have a day to spend on the beach at the waterfront of St. Mary’s College. How would you spend it, with whom, and why?” Here’s our quick tip for this one: don’t answer the prompt straight. Instead of saying that you’ll get out your towel, write about what your brain will be thinking through or what relationship you are going to have. Basically, talk about something that has nothing to do with sand, towels, and swimming. We’re also kind of scratching our heads at this question, because what are they really trying to get from this? Honestly, we’re not sure either.

Pomona College

This year, Pomona College is asking, “What item are you excited to bring with you to college?” What do you do to approach this question? It sounds kind of corny, so how do you make your essay not sound corny? We guarantee that lots of people will say something like “curiosity” as their answer. But one, curiosity is not an item. And two, everybody is going to say that or something similar. So, the better way to answer this is to find some object in your life that reveals what you’re actually going to bring.

We would actually reframe this question and instead say, “What is a characteristic about me that I want to show to colleges?” and then figure out an item that you own that can be a telling detail to reveal that aspect of your personality. For example, if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, then maybe you could talk about the click pen that you made in the Junior Achievement Club. The pen is meaningless, but the idea is that you’ll bring the same entrepreneurial spirit that you put together to create pens that you sold as your first Junior Achievement project.

The other way that you could do this is that you could be a total comedian, throw this back in their face, and make fun of them for how ridiculous and important it is that you’re bringing clothes with you.

University of Southern California

USC has a slew of short-answer questions that make us scratch our heads and wonder if these really are the questions that will get students into college. Some of them are “get to know you” prompts, but others are really hard to answer. For example, one prompt they have is “What is your favorite snack?” We’re sure people will lie on this question, because telling people what your actual favorite snack is might be boring. So, they’re kind of setting you up for fiction.

Another one of their prompts is “What TV show will you binge watch next?” This one is easy; just pick a show from Netflix, Apple TV, etc. All we have to say about this one is to please not pick a show that’s weird or creepy. This question is one that we would call more of a taste-gauging question as well as a disqualifier. The only thing that this question can do for you is knock you out because you wrote something that sounds really juvenile and silly. Or creepy horror movies that make them think that you’re a little bit of a strange bird, and not in a good way. Just pick a good one; don’t pick something too lowbrow or something with lots of drug use.

Moving onto another USC prompt: “Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?” This one is kind of fun, and we would go with something magical. But if there’s someone whose personality you really like and you think that if you knew them in real life, you’d be best friends, then colleges might be able to learn something about you from that. Again, don’t pick people who do lots of drugs or who are crime bosses. You just have to be careful about the message that you’re sending here.

University of Virginia

UVA has a prompt that says “What’s your favorite word and why?” We guess that they want you to sound clever and to make you dig through Merriam-Webster until you find something quirky and funny. We’re not quite sure what people can learn about you from your favorite word that’s so eye-opening and college-ready-proving. Pick something fun, get goofy, but show them something about yourself if you can. Or get into a little idea that’s somewhat of an “aha,” a “wow,” or a “zing.”

Occidental College

Occidental College has one that asks, “What is the first song you would play for your roommates on move-in day?” Princeton and Columbia, as well as a lot of other schools, also ask about music, so yes, you need to have a good Spotify playlist to get into college.

Stanford University

Stanford’s ridiculous essay prompt is “Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—get to know you better.” If we’re being realistic, the notes that you write to your roommate in college are probably things like “Can you turn your alarm off and not hit snooze so many times?” or “I’m going out of town for the weekend.” We don’t think that’s going to make for a good college essay, though. And the best advice that we have is that you need to angle the question differently. So, instead of pretending that you’re writing a note (which can be really awkward and can make you seem passive-aggressive), imagine that you walked into the room and are going to tell your roommate something. What were you going to tell them?

University of Vermont

The University of Vermont asks “Established in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, VT, Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with the ice cream business. The company’s success and unique brand identity are due in part to their one-of-a-kind flavors. Which Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor (real or imagined) best describes you?” This may be a ridiculous prompt, but it’s still asking you to reveal something about yourself.

University of Chicago

Before we get into the University of Chicago, which is the university that is infamous for having the most ridiculous essay prompts, we just want to take a second to be thankful, because essays are not as crazy as some of them used to be. For example, Tufts University used to ask “Kermit the frog famously lamented, ‘It’s not easy being green.’ Do you agree?” Thank goodness they’re not asking that anymore.

But the University of Chicago is asking all the crazy questions, but we will give them props for owning it, because they know it. They let you pick, so you just have to figure out how you can put together something that’s going to be funny, clever, or witty. It’s almost like a test of cleverness or improv. Some of their prompts include “Write an essay somehow inspired by super huge mustard” and “What advice would a wisdom tooth have?” and “Genghis Khan with an F1 race car, George Washington with a super-soaker, Emperor Nero with a toaster, Leonardo da Vinci with a furby. If you could give any historical figure any piece of technology, who and what would it be, and why do you think they’d work so well together?”

These are ridiculous, but we love the openness and creativity of them. Our best advice with UChicago is to pull it off, say something actually worth saying, and be interesting. And make sure to keep working until you find a prompt where you can reveal something about yourself at the same time.

We hope you found this blog helpful, and the message that we want to send home to you guys that are trying to approach these insane essays is that if there’s an obvious answer, do not go the obvious route. They’re being off-the-wall and crazy with their essay prompts, so you get to be creative too.

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371 Fun Argumentative Essay Topics for 2024

Writing an argumentative essay is not the funniest thing to do. Even so, there are ways to ease this process and make it less strained – choose a catchy topic! Dive into the article and find some funny argumentative essay topics for your assignment.

Our team worked very hard to develop more than 200 funny essay topics for you. We hope you’ll enjoy these humor essay topics, but keep in mind that writing an essay is not all fun and games. It requires concentration and some analysis.

⚠️ BONUS: tips on the most efficient argumentative essay outlines ⚠️

🔝 Top 12 Fun Argumentative Essay Topics

  • 🔖 Argumentative Topics 2024
  • 🗂️ Essay Outline
  • ⚔️ Topics to Debate on
  • 🍂 Easy Topics
  • 🪂 Chill Topics
  • 🔥 Hot Topics
  • 🤔 Thought-Provoking Topics
  • 🗣 Argumentative Speech Topics
  • 🔃 Topics on Argumentation
  • 🙈 Persuasive Topics
  • 📏 Discipline-Specific Topics

🌟 Unique Argumentative Essay Topics

🤪 silly argumentative essay topics, 🌞 light-hearted argumentative essay topics.

  • Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling?
  • Are video games a good way to relieve stress and anxiety?
  • Is it better to study alone or in a group?
  • Is it important for everyone to learn a second language?
  • Should celebrities be role models?
  • Is fashion important in expressing individuality?
  • Should people embrace the trend of minimalist living?
  • Do virtual influencers benefit the marketing industry?
  • Is it better to have a small family than a large one?
  • Should parents be friends with their children on social media?
  • Is it better to pursue multiple careers throughout one’s life?
  • Is it better to be an early bird or a night owl?

🔖 Argumentative Essay Topics 2024

  • Does vegetarianism help climate change?
  • Are our lives better with the Internet?
  • Should the death penalty be abolished?
  • Should we pay taxes to governments?
  • Is providing free medical insurance a government’s responsibility?
  • Euthanasia should be illegal because of its harm.
  • Should political activism be compulsory?
  • Are we on the edge of WW3?
  • Why should public surveillance cameras be banned?
  • Do we need more gender inclusivity?
  • How far should we go with exploring space?
  • Should people have a right to own a gun?
  • Should marijuana be allowed in all countries?
  • Is using a smartphone for hours dangerous for health?
  • Should police officers have a college degree?

🗂️ Argumentative Essay Outline. Effective Organization

we will show you three main methods to organize an argumentative essay. Classical type, Rogerian type, and Toulmin type. You can pick one or just get ideas on how to build up your argumentation.

These were the three most prominent methods to organize your argumentative essay effectively. Here you can familiarize yourself with them in detail and find examples. However, it is still possible to use other strategies for building argumentation.

⚔️ Funny Argumentative Essay Topics to Debate on

The best questions for argumentative essays have no obvious answers and always produce conflicting options.

Here are a few examples:

  • Does smoking help people make acquaintances?
  • Dating apps made romance disappear.
  • Freedom of expression should be guaranteed to everyone.
  • Does DNA or upbringing define us?
  • Can democracy work in the Middle East ?
  • Fast food companies should not advertise to children.
  • Is global warming overrated?
  • Would the world be better without religion?
  • Distracted driving: should talking & texting be banned?
  • Is organic food anyhow better, or is it just a marketing trick?
  • Are conflicts necessary for healthy relationships ?
  • Should lecture attendance be optional?
  • Should same-sex couples receive constitutional protection?
  • Should sex education be a compulsory subject at school?
  • Should the rich be taxed more?
  • Why should we pay for music?
  • Is the first impression of a person always right?
  • Should students add their teachers as friends on Facebook?
  • Should companies try to copy their competitors?
  • Should governments censor material on the internet?
  • Can businesses learn from their customers’ complaints?
  • Should all energy drinks be banned?
  • Should we limit our use of social media?
  • Is China a new superpower ?
  • Is policing in the US racially biased?
  • Should the right to die be considered a right?
  • Should terrorists be treated like criminals or like enemy combatants?
  • Is the body or the mind primary?
  • Juveniles should not be tried as adults .
  • Will the redistribution of wealth eradicate poverty?

🍂 Easy and Fun Essay Topics

Forget that an argumentative essay topic requires discussing classic issues like abortion or euthanasia. A good debate subject can also be a funny topic to write about.

  • Should employees be allowed to use social media at work?
  • Should companies send “happy birthday” messages to clients?
  • Do stay-at-home mothers exhibit more indicators of happiness than full-time working mothers?
  • Would Shakespeare’s plays be more interesting if shortened?
  • Should internet slang like “LOL” and “IMHO” be included in dictionaries?
  • Full-day vs. half-day kindergarten: which is better?
  • Does the English language need to be more straightforward?
  • Should kids be allowed to draw on walls?
  • Art, music, and dance in treatment.
  • Do modern schools depend too much on technology?
  • Are online classes valued less?
  • Medical practices in Ancient Greece, Igbo Culture and Kikuyu Pre Colonial .
  • Is the character of an individual prescribed or acquired?
  • Should hospitals use placebo treatments ?
  • Do innovations make us lazier?

🪂 Chill and Funny Argumentative Essay Topics

The easiest way to write an A+ persuasive essay is to choose a topic that genuinely interests you:

  • Can college athletes be intelligent?
  • Arguments for and against the fast food industry in the USA.
  • Should students have profiles on all major social networks?
  • Should people abandon cash and use plastic cards only ?
  • Drug legalization: for and against .
  • Should countries have “one-car-per-family” policies?
  • Why is obesity not considered a disease?
  • Should we preserve old buildings as historical monuments ?
  • Are some TV ads objects of art ?
  • How does the environment affect health, and why is this an essential global health policy concern?
  • Is music in shopping malls harmful to employees’ well-being?
  • Can listening to your favorite music heal?
  • Argue for or against mandatory vaccination for all students of public schools.
  • Should journalists who distort the truth to make the news more sensational be punished?
  • Are hybrid cars friendly to the environment?
  • Should all TV channels have censorship ?

🔥 Hot Argumentative Essay Topics

If you’re still here, then you’re probably looking for something special, like these argumentative essay topics:

  • Is using animals for experiments justified?
  • Do SOPA and PIPA make pirates more skilled?
  • Is negative PR the secret behind Justin Bieber’s success?
  • Smoking in public places: arguments for banning.
  • Should Wikipedia give diplomas to its most faithful readers?
  • Can diamonds be girls’ best friends?
  • Dangers of spreading human immunodeficiency virus.
  • Should couples live together before marriage?
  • Should parents tell their kids about the birds and the bees ?
  • Physician-assisted suicide is a basic right.
  • Can virtual reality be dangerous for kids?
  • Should condoms be distributed in high schools?
  • Is too much political correctness making communication more confusing?
  • Is it possible to get 100% clear and unbiased results from psychological research ?

🤔 Thought-Provoking Argumentative Essay Topics

Consider choosing one of these interesting argumentative essay topics for college:

  • Can any behavior be predicted?
  • Does a tattoo on a face spoil the first impression about a person?
  • Should the modern voting system abolish the electoral college?
  • How many Facebook friends is it healthy to have?
  • Should we get rid of all euphemisms and say things as they are?
  • Should we consider Trump a populist?
  • What is the best use for duct tape other than taping things?
  • Should the US government provide more public goods?
  • What’s the real meaning of children’s fairy tales and nursery rhymes?
  • Privacy and security of online networks.
  • Should people be able to patent their ideas?
  • Is there a lack of African American women in federal government positions?
  • Is panda hugger a serious job?
  • Is Esperanto a failed language?
  • The problem of authorities’ corruption.
  • Are millennials unhealthily addicted to social media?
  • Problems of overcrowding in prisons.
  • Is it possible to live your entire life without leaving a trace online ?

🗣️ Funny Argumentative Speech Topics

Are you looking for good persuasive speech topics? Here are some creative speech ideas:

  • Should soccer players be allowed to fight on the field?
  • Family values and needs conflict in nursing ethics.
  • Should society have child-free restaurants?
  • Is Coke better than Pepsi?
  • Should the lottery be illegal?
  • Should everyone climb Mount Everest at least once in their lives?
  • Should the law prohibit taking selfies while driving?
  • Are moist cookies better than dry cookies?
  • Should the drinking age be lowered?
  • Should students be allowed to wear dreadlocks at school?
  • Should you refuse to sign a prenuptial agreement?
  • Health effects of high fructose-containing sugars.
  • Should you create your own subculture ?
  • Should students be graded on their computer literacy?
  • Should marijuana be legalized around the world?
  • Should meat lovers be more mindful of vegetarians?
  • World Trade Organization membership impact.
  • Should everyone abandon cars and ride bikes instead?
  • Should airlines have a two-seat policy for heavier people?
  • What role does China play in shaping the contemporary politics of the world?
  • Should you add your parents as friends on Facebook?
  • Is the sharing economy essentially the same thing as communism ?

🔃 Essay Topics on Argumentation

What about some quibble? You may try to speak about argumentation itself since there is a lot of dispute about its nature, structure, and models. For instance:

  • Should students choose research and essay themes themselves?
  • Can argumentative writing help in different life situations?
  • Do good arguments resolve conflicts , or do they push you to contradict?
  • Would famous persuasive speeches produce the same impact on the audience of today?
  • Is an argumentative essay for college students an easier task than for school students?
  • Persuasion techniques of politicians .
  • Do some argumentative issues lack real problems to be discussed?
  • Can a good discursive essay be composed without proper argumentation?
  • Does an argumentative paper format impact its message and value ?
  • Can argumentative essay exercises in school contribute to writing skills demonstrated in college and university?
  • Mass media and propagation of political rhetoric .
  • Can essay subjects be too simple to develop good argumentation?
  • Are some controversial topics missing controversy ?
  • Do argumentative essays with sources have higher persuasive power?
  • Do short argumentative essays lack depth?
  • Argumentative essay on global warming .
  • Is an accepted college essay format assistance or limitation?
  • Should students prepare debate arguments in advance or develop them during debates?
  • Individual’s strengths and problem-solving skills.
  • Does a formal argumentative essay lack personalization?
  • Is writing a persuasive essay a skill or a talent?
  • I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King .
  • Should an argumentative style of writing be formalized?
  • Do all persuasive speeches require personal charisma?
  • Personal skills application in project management .
  • Can an argumentative paper fail because of its neutral tone?
  • Is there a difference between an argumentative and a persuasive essay?
  • Mikhail Gorbachev’s 1988 UN speech .
  • Is there a universal argumentative essay model?

🙈 Funny Persuasive Essay Topics

  • Are early marriages more likely to end in divorce ?
  • Do older people receive better care in retirement homes than with family members?
  • Should hyperactive kids receive treatment?
  • Social media: positive aspects for teenagers.
  • Should mind reading during poker games be banned?
  • Should parents pass tests before homeschooling their kids?
  • Are humans addicted to technology?
  • Should parents lie to their kids about Santa Claus?
  • Standing on the feminist side in same-sex marriage.
  • Is it fair to use the results of standardized tests to define schools’ budgets?
  • Are optimism and success infectious?
  • Impact of video games on students.
  • Is the Bermuda triangle a creation of our imagination?

📏 Discipline-Specific Argumentative Essay Topics

If your task was to write an argumentative essay on a particular subject, try to find something in the lists below.

🌐 Argumentative Essay Topics on Social Media and the Internet

  • Modern technologies make people lonelier and more depressive .
  • Impact of globalization and technology on cross-cultural negotiations.
  • The use of filthy language on the internet negatively affects the quality of vocabulary in daily life.
  • The use of the Internet in police technology.
  • Modern teenagers lack survival skills due to their reliance on technology .
  • Live communication will soon minimize due to smartphones.
  • The educational system gains more than it loses with the development of technologies.
  • Technology and healthcare: a shortage of healthcare providers and the aging demographics.
  • Facebook and other social networks pose a threat to your privacy.
  • The internet violates intellectual property rights.
  • The role of technology in the work of nurses and its analysis.
  • Did school shootings increase due to the popularity of video games ?
  • Politics and social movements: race, ethnicity, and the use of social media.
  • Do gadgets limit children’s imagination?
  • Will rapid technological development lead to a global crisis?
  • Social media for law enforcement.
  • The dependence of the world on the internet is excessive.
  • Internet users need online censorship .
  • Sites that promote aggressive or inadequate behaviors, violence, etc., must be banned.
  • Computers and technology in law enforcement and investigations.
  • Kids should be denied access to the internet .
  • Virtual relationships cannot exist for a long time.

👩‍🎨 Argumentative Essay Topics on Culture

  • Does conceptualism make art lose its value?
  • Do the lyrics in today’s songs make any sense?
  • How do logos change the perception of a brand?
  • Does modern art require talent, or can one rely on ambition only?
  • Is poetry relevant anymore?
  • How do gangsta rap and rock music address violence, racism, and social issues?
  • Is there a superior kind of art, or do they all have equal value?
  • Does mainstream culture make people dull and limited?
  • Impact of computer technology on architecture.
  • Does free access to unlimited information on the Internet make us more knowledgeable?
  • Violent music and its impacts on children.
  • Should one be wealthy to be able to build a career in art?
  • Is the art of professional criticism lost for good?
  • Is American cinematography worse than European, or is it prejudice?
  • Gender role in the music videos.

‍🤝 ‍Argumentative Essay Topics on Social Issues

  • Freedom of speech is more important than the prevention of extremism.
  • Combating drug abuse: public policy issue .
  • Small talks are a very effective way to maintain lots of social connections.
  • Immigrants should be treated and perceived the same way as other members of society.
  • Public policies in the healthcare sector.
  • Universities consider the individual characteristics of their students for a more efficient studying process.
  • Compliance with COVID-19 measures is a personal choice of each individual.
  • Major healthcare reforms in the US.
  • Is it socially acceptable to remark to a stranger who is being very ill-mannered?
  • Global health promotion and wellness.
  • Is gender-specific etiquette a relic of society, or should it still be followed?
  • Is social inequality a result of the market economy?
  • Government response on growing inflation and unemployment rates.
  • If each millionaire in the world donated $1 per day to needy people, there would not be poverty.
  • US gun control policies should be stricter .

🦹 Argumentative Essay Topics on Gender In/Equality

  • Does gender discrimination still exist?
  • Gender differences in military negotiations.
  • Male discrimination is not less relevant and important than female.
  • Gender studies should be taught at school.
  • Ethnic and gender diversity issues in policing.
  • Gender oppression resulted in almost no female explorers, politicians , and other outstanding figures in different fields.
  • Gender bias in child care and child health: global patterns.
  • The level of gender equality positively correlates with the GDP of a state.
  • Straight white men are to blame for female oppression.
  • Gender issues faced by psychiatric-mental health nurses.
  • Would a women-dominated society be much more sufficient?
  • Objectification of women through female genital mutilation.
  • Female persons are in greater danger of sexual exploitation.
  • Highly religious communities could never achieve gender equality.
  • Positive gender discrimination is as wrong as negative one.

💸 Argumentative Essay Topics on Business

  • Testing products on animals is unacceptable in the modern world.
  • Environmental economics issues and policies .
  • How much do economic and political conditions determine the well-being of a business?
  • Businesses’ obligations with respect to the environment .
  • Focus on the market doesn’t result in much prosperity.
  • International business and supply chain management.
  • Studying business will not make you a successful businessman.
  • Monetary benefits for employers are more effective than moral encouragement.
  • Joe Biden’s Pressure to lift US-China supply chain tariffs.
  • Corporate training is crucial for employees.
  • Can a company succeed without a proper marketing strategy?
  • Unemployment in the Gulf States.
  • With the continually growing competitiveness, it is harder to enter the market than it used to be in earlier days.
  • Motivating factors for women entrepreneurs.
  • Do local businesses need more support than big companies?

📖 Argumentative Essay Topics on History

  • History has no subjunctive mood.
  • Elizabeth I’s leadership. English history.
  • Should denying the Holocaust be criminalized?
  • Should there be an opportunity to sue governments for historical crimes?
  • Equal opportunities throughout American history.
  • Is there any possibility of fair solutions for land conflicts?
  • Russia and the US getting involved in the Middle East conflict worsened the situation.
  • US military involvement in Mexico’s drug wars.
  • Particular persons started the worst wars in history.
  • Witch-hunt in Europe during the Middle Ages.
  • Karl Marx might have had the biggest ever impact on society.

🕹️ Argumentative Essay Topics on Technologies

  • Can artificial intelligence be dangerous for human civilization?
  • Impact of information technology business outsourcing and off-shoring.
  • Should developed countries invest more in space exploration than in social problems?
  • Homeland security intelligence gaps in the US.
  • Will driverless cars cause more problems, or is it a better choice?
  • Automation of manufacturing not only jeopardizes related jobs but also organically creates new working places.
  • How can information technology be used to gain a competitive advantage?
  • Has Silicon Valley failed to solve the world’s technological revolution problems?
  • Information technology in Saudi Arabia’ education.
  • Will the rise of machines undermine democracy?
  • Can cryptocurrency actually replace banks?
  • Videogaming can make people smarter.
  • Li-Fi technology: goals and significance.
  • Individuals should have a right to erase all their personal information online .
  • Cyberwars are overrated.
  • Vehicle tracking technology project management.
  • Smart gadgets make people lose their decision-making and practical thinking skills.

🤝 Argumentative Essay Topics on Politics

  • Political presence in non-political events (Olympic Games, Eurovision Song Contest, the Oscars, etc.) should be eliminated.
  • National security VS people’s privacy. What should be dominant?
  • The American government’s ban on Tik-Tok .
  • Should all the countries that have nuclear weapons destroy them?
  • North Korea’s nuclear problem: impact and solutions.
  • Do illegal migrants have to be deported provided help?
  • African conflicts and critical problems.
  • Should there be a universal basic income on a state level for everyone?
  • The places in the parliament (or any other highest governing institution) should have equal gender division .
  • Should patriotism be part of decision-making when it is about international relations?
  • Felony disenfranchisement: serious problems.
  • Would it be more efficient to make one government for all countries globally?
  • Issue priorities in Biden’s budget.
  • Voting has to be compulsory for everyone.
  • Politics and economy in healthcare system.
  • Robots should substitute presidents.

🤓 Argumentative Essay Topics on Education

  • Should both the author and the person who copied be accused?
  • How does government legislation impacts educational institutions?
  • Should students hand over their gadgets before the class?
  • Educational policies on internal and local populations.
  • Does it improve the studying process if a teacher spends time with students outside of the classroom?
  • Should a student be allowed to express their creativity if it deviates from the studying process?
  • Professional goals for public health education .
  • Bullying at school depends on how good the education is given in a school.
  • Public education budget shortage analysis.
  • A student’s success is influenced by their classmates more than by their parents .
  • Nursing education systems in Kenya and Ireland .
  • Boys and girls should attend different schools.
  • Women’s rights movement impact on education.
  • Students should be allowed to choose the courses they want to study.
  • Should the legal drinking age be lowered to 18?
  • What is the role of art in society, and how should it be supported?
  • Should animals have the same rights as humans?
  • Should parents have the right to make all decisions for their children, or should children have more autonomy?
  • Should the use of plastic straws be banned globally?
  • Is it ethical to use virtual influencers (AI-generated personas) for marketing purposes?
  • Is it acceptable to use psychedelic drugs for spiritual or religious purposes?
  • Should all countries switch to a four-day workweek?
  • Is it ethical to use virtual reality technology for empathy training?
  • Should the study of philosophy be a mandatory part of school curriculums?
  • Should parents have the right to choose the gender of their child?
  • Is technology making us more connected or more isolated?
  • Should schools focus more on teaching practical life skills rather than academic subjects?
  • Are mental health issues being taken seriously enough in society?
  • Are professional athletes overpaid, or do they deserve their high salaries?
  • Is it ethical to use mind-reading technology to prevent crime?
  • Would it be justified to use time travel to change historical events?
  • Is it reasonable to have a national holiday dedicated to celebrating socks?
  • Should people be allowed to have pet dinosaurs?
  • Is it practical to have a mandatory “silly walk” zone in every city?
  • Is it reasonable to have a mandatory silly hat day every week?
  • Is it acceptable to eat breakfast foods for every meal?
  • Should the official language of the world be emoji-based?
  • Is it practical to have a mandatory daily nap time for adults?
  • Should all transportation be replaced with giant hamster balls?
  • Should we have a mandatory “dance like nobody’s watching” hour every day?
  • Should people be required to wear sunglasses at all times, even indoors?
  • Should people be allowed to communicate exclusively through interpretive mime?
  • Should all work meetings be conducted in the form of a talent show?
  • Is it reasonable to have a mandatory “bring your pet to work” day every week?
  • Is it better to have a dog or a cat as a pet?
  • Everyone should read the book before watching the movie adaptation.
  • Is it better to play board games or video games for family bonding?
  • Listening to music on vinyl records vs. digital streaming platforms.
  • Should hobbies be included as part of a school curriculum?
  • Is it better to watch movies in the theater or at home?
  • Should siblings share a bedroom or have their own rooms?
  • Is it better to have a single favorite hobby or multiple hobbies?
  • Is it better to listen to music while working or study in silence?
  • Should pets be allowed in restaurants and cafes?
  • Should pets have their own birthday parties?
  • Should families eat dinner together at the table every night?
  • Is it better to play classic board games or modern board games?
  • Is it better to watch movies in 2D or 3D format?
  • Should schools have a “Pajama Day” or “Crazy Hair Day”?

What’s next?

Having selected a good topic to argue about, you now need to create an argumentative essay outline . Read and analyze some persuasive essay examples to learn more about the structure and vocabulary used in this type of essay.

If you liked our good and easy argumentative essay topics, then take a look at our other helpful essay topic articles.

For more amazing essay ideas, check out:

  • Best Psychology Persuasive Speech Topics & Essay Ideas
  • Top 100 Research Topics for ABM Strand Students

Happy writing, dear friends! See you again!

🔎 References

  • How to Write a Good Argumentative Essay: Easy Step-by-Step Guide
  • Argumentative Essays, Purdue University
  • 50 Compelling Argumentative Essay Topics
  • 401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing
  • All Debates | IQ2US Debates

414 Proposal Essay Topics for Projects, Research, & Proposal Arguments

725 research proposal topics & title ideas in education, psychology, business, & more.

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Over 170 Prompts to Inspire Writing and Discussion

Here are all of our Student Opinion questions from the 2020-21 school year. Each question is based on a different New York Times article, interactive feature or video.

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By The Learning Network

Each school day we publish a new Student Opinion question, and students use these writing prompts to reflect on their experiences and identities and respond to current events unfolding around them. To introduce each question, we provide an excerpt from a related New York Times article or Opinion piece as well as a free link to the original article.

During the 2020-21 school year, we asked 176 questions, and you can find them all below or here as a PDF . The questions are divided into two categories — those that provide opportunities for debate and persuasive writing, and those that lend themselves to creative, personal or reflective writing.

Teachers can use these prompts to help students practice narrative and persuasive writing, start classroom debates and even spark conversation between students around the world via our comments section. For more ideas on how to use our Student Opinion questions, we offer a short tutorial along with a nine-minute video on how one high school English teacher and her students use this feature .

Questions for Debate and Persuasive Writing

1. Should Athletes Speak Out On Social and Political Issues? 2. Should All Young People Learn How to Invest in the Stock Market? 3. What Are the Greatest Songs of All Time? 4. Should There Be More Gender Options on Identification Documents? 5. Should We End the Practice of Tipping? 6. Should There Be Separate Social Media Apps for Children? 7. Do Marriage Proposals Still Have a Place in Today’s Society? 8. How Do You Feel About Cancel Culture? 9. Should the United States Decriminalize the Possession of Drugs? 10. Does Reality TV Deserve Its Bad Rap? 11. Should the Death Penalty Be Abolished? 12. How Should Parents Support a Student Who Has Fallen Behind in School? 13. When Is It OK to Be a Snitch? 14. Should People Be Required to Show Proof of Vaccination? 15. How Much Have You and Your Community Changed Since George Floyd’s Death? 16. Can Empathy Be Taught? Should Schools Try to Help Us Feel One Another’s Pain? 17. Should Schools or Employers Be Allowed to Tell People How They Should Wear Their Hair? 18. Is Your Generation Doing Its Part to Strengthen Our Democracy? 19. Should Corporations Take Political Stands? 20. Should We Rename Schools Named for Historical Figures With Ties to Racism, Sexism or Slavery? 21. How Should Schools Hold Students Accountable for Hurting Others? 22. What Ideas Do You Have to Improve Your Favorite Sport? 23. Are Presidential Debates Helpful to Voters? Or Should They Be Scrapped? 24. Is the Electoral College a Problem? Does It Need to Be Fixed? 25. Do You Care Who Sits on the Supreme Court? Should We Care? 26. Should Museums Return Looted Artifacts to Their Countries of Origin? 27. Should Schools Provide Free Pads and Tampons? 28. Should Teachers Be Allowed to Wear Political Symbols? 29. Do You Think People Have Gotten Too Relaxed About Covid? 30. Who Do You Think Should Be Person of the Year for 2020? 31. How Should Racial Slurs in Literature Be Handled in the Classroom? 32. Should There Still Be Snow Days? 33. What Are Your Reactions to the Storming of the Capitol by a Pro-Trump Mob? 34. What Do You Think of the Decision by Tech Companies to Block President Trump? 35. If You Were a Member of Congress, Would You Vote to Impeach President Trump? 36. What Would You Do First if You Were the New President? 37. Who Do You Hope Will Win the 2020 Presidential Election? 38. Should Media Literacy Be a Required Course in School? 39. What Are Your Reactions to the Results of Election 2020? Where Do We Go From Here? 40. How Should We Remember the Problematic Actions of the Nation’s Founders? 41. As Coronavirus Cases Surge, How Should Leaders Decide What Stays Open and What Closes? 42. What Is Your Reaction to the Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris? 43. How Worried Should We Be About Screen Time During the Pandemic? 44. Should Schools Be Able to Discipline Students for What They Say on Social Media? 45. What Works of Art, Culture and Technology Flopped in 2020? 46. How Do You Feel About Censored Music? 47. Why Do You Think ‘Drivers License’ Became Such a Smash Hit? 48. Justice Ginsburg Fought for Gender Equality. How Close Are We to Achieving That Goal? 49. How Well Do You Think Our Leaders Have Responded to the Coronavirus Crisis? 50. To What Extent Is the Legacy of Slavery and Racism Still Present in America in 2020? 51. How Should We Reimagine Our Schools So That All Students Receive a Quality Education? 52. How Concerned Do You Think We Should Be About the Integrity of the 2020 Election? 53. What Issues in This Election Season Matter Most to You? 54. Is Summer School a Smart Way to Make Up for Learning Lost This School Year? 55. What Is Your Reaction to the Senate’s Acquittal of Former President Trump? 56. What Is the Worst Toy Ever? 57. How Should We Balance Safety and Urgency in Developing a Covid-19 Vaccine? 58. What Are Your Reactions to Oprah’s Interview With Harry and Meghan? 59. Should the Government Provide a Guaranteed Income for Families With Children? 60. Should There Be More Public Restrooms? 61. Should High School-Age Basketball Players Be Able to Get Paid? 62. Should Team Sports Happen This Year? 63. Who Are the Best Musical Artists of the Past Year? What Are the Best Songs? 64. Should We Cancel Student Debt? 65. How Closely Should Actors’ Identities Reflect the Roles They Play? 66. Should White Writers Translate a Black Author’s Work? 67. Would You Buy an NFT? 68. Should Kids Still Learn to Tell Time? 69. Should All Schools Teach Financial Literacy? 70. What Is Your Reaction to the Verdict in the Derek Chauvin Trial? 71. What Is the Best Way to Stop Abusive Language Online? 72. What Are the Underlying Systems That Hold a Society Together? 73. What Grade Would You Give President Biden on His First 100 Days? 74. Should High Schools Post Their Annual College Lists? 75. Are C.E.O.s Paid Too Much? 76. Should We Rethink Thanksgiving? 77. What Is the Best Way to Get Teenagers Vaccinated? 78. Do You Want Your Parents and Grandparents to Get the New Coronavirus Vaccine? 79. What Is Your Reaction to New Guidelines That Loosen Mask Requirements? 80. Who Should We Honor on Our Money? 81. Is Your School’s Dress Code Outdated? 82. Does Everyone Have a Responsibility to Vote? 83. How Is Your Generation Changing Politics?

Questions for Creative and Personal Writing

84. What Does Your Unique Style Say About You? 85. How Do You Spend Your Downtime? 86. Would You Want to Live to 200? 87. How Do You Connect to Your Heritage? 88. What Do You Think Are the Secrets to Happiness? 89. Are You a Sneakerhead? 90. What Role Have Mentors Played in Your Life? 91. If You Could Make Your Own Podcast, What Would It Be About? 92. Have You Ever Felt Pressure to ‘Sell Your Pain’? 93. Do You Think You Make Good Climate Choices? 94. What Does TikTok Mean to You? 95. Do Your Parents Overpraise You? 96. Do You Want to Travel in Space? 97. Do You Feel You’re Friends With Celebrities or Influencers You Follow Online? 98. Would You Eat Food Grown in a Lab? 99. What Makes You Cringe? 100. What Volunteer Work Would You Most Like to Do? 101. How Do You Respond When People Ask, ‘Where Are You From?’ 102. Has a School Assignment or Activity Ever Made You Uncomfortable? 103. How Does Your Identity Inform Your Political Beliefs and Values? 104. Are You an Orchid, a Tulip or a Dandelion? 105. Are You Having a Tough Time Maintaining Friendships These Days? 106. How Is Your Mental Health These Days? 107. Do You Love Writing or Receiving Letters? 108. What Has Television Taught You About Social Class? 109. Are You Easily Distracted? 110. What Objects Bring You Comfort? 111. What Is Your Favorite Memory of PBS? 112. Have You Ever Felt Embarrassed by Your Parents? 113. What Are You Doing to Combat Pandemic Fatigue? 114. Have You Ever Worried About Making a Good First Impression? 115. What Do You Want Your Parents to Know About What It’s Like to Be a Teenager During the Pandemic? 116. How Have You Collaborated From a Distance During the Pandemic? 117. How Important Is It to You to Have Similar Political Beliefs to Your Family and Friends? 118. How Are You Feeling About Winter This Year? 119. Which Celebrity Performer Would You Like to Challenge to a Friendly Battle? 120. How Mentally Tough Are You? 121. What Smells Trigger Powerful Memories for You? 122. What Are You Thankful for This Year? 123. Do You Miss Hugs? 124. Are You a Good Conversationalist? 125. What Habits Have You Started or Left Behind in 2020? 126. What Was the Best Art and Culture You Experienced in 2020? 127. What’s Your Relationship With Masks? 128. What Role Does Religion Play in Your Life? 129. How Will You Be Celebrating the Holidays This Year? 130. What Is Something Good That Happened in 2020? 131. What New Flavor Ideas Do You Have for Your Favorite Foods? 132. What Are Your Hopes and Concerns for the New School Year? 133. How Has 2020 Challenged or Changed You? 134. What Do You Hope for Most in 2021? 135. How Do You View Death? 136. What Is Your Favorite Fact You Learned in 2020? 137. What Are the Places in the World That You Love Most? 138. Have You Ever Experienced ‘Impostor Syndrome’? 139. How Well Do You Get Along With Your Siblings? 140. Do You Talk to Your Family About the Cost of College? 141. Do You Have a Healthy Diet? 142. How Do You Feel About Mask-Slipping? 143. Do You Believe in Manifesting? 144. How Do You Express Yourself Creatively? 145. What Are Your Family’s House Rules During the Covid Crisis? 146. What Online Communities Do You Participate In? 147. Have You Experienced Any Embarrassing Zoom Mishaps? 148. What Does Your Country’s National Anthem Mean to You? 149. Are Sports Just Not the Same Without Spectators in the Stands? 150. Would You Volunteer for a Covid-19 Vaccine Trial? 151. What ‘Old’ Technology Do You Think Is Cool? 152. Have You Ever Tried to Grow Something? 153. How Has the Pandemic Changed Your Relationship to Your Body? 154. How Do You Find New Books, Music, Movies or Television Shows? 155. Are You Nervous About Returning to Normal Life? 156. How Do You Celebrate Spring? 157. How Do You Talk With People Who Don’t Share Your Views? 158. Would You Want to Be a Teacher Someday? 159. What Would You Recommend That Is ‘Overlooked and Underappreciated’? 160. What Children’s Books Have Had the Biggest Impact on You? 161. What Is Your Gender Identity? 162. Have You Hit a Wall? 163. What Is the Code You Live By? 164. Do You Think You Have Experienced ‘Learning Loss’ During the Pandemic? 165. What Are the Most Memorable Things You’ve Seen or Experienced in Nature? 166. Do You Want to Have Children Someday? 167. What Have You Learned About Friendship This Year? 168. What Seemingly Mundane Feats Have You Accomplished? 169. Has a Celebrity Ever Convinced You to Do Something? 170. How Have You Commemorated Milestones During the Pandemic? 171. How Often Do You Read, Watch or Listen to Things Outside of Your Comfort Zone? 172. Do You Think You Live in a Political Bubble? 173. What Is Your Relationship With the Weight-Loss Industry? 174. What Have You Made This Year? 175. How Are You Right Now? 176. What Are You Grateful For?

Want more writing prompts?

You can find even more Student Opinion questions in our 300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing , 550 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing and 130 New Prompts for Argumentative Writing . We also publish daily Picture Prompts , which are image-centered posts that provide space for many different kinds of writing. You can find all of our writing prompts, added as they publish, here .

Covering a story? Visit our page for journalists or call (773) 702-8360.

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An uncommon approach yields creative college essays.

Earlier this summer, prospective students around the globe with an interest in the University of Chicago received an email with six unusual essay topics . The writing prompts included references to Oscar Wilde, the Transformer action movies, Susan Sontag, AB’51, and physicist Werner Heisenberg. And this little gem: “So where is Waldo, really?”

The annual release of UChicago’s essay prompts has become an eagerly awaited event — an imaginative exercise that often inspires even more imaginative responses. For many students and alumni, the essay questions help define the College’s wit and sense of intellectual adventure. It’s also a communal undertaking, with the majority of topics coming from current or past College students.

“We want the students to write about things that don’t show up in a workshop on writing college essays,” said Grace Chapin, senior admissions counselor.

In famous past essay questions, students have been invited to write how they feel about Wednesday, to find the meaning in the super-sized mustard at Costco, or to invent the history of an object. One essay question was simply, “Find x.” Another asked, “How did you get caught?”

Funny, poignant, thought-provoking and deadly serious essays pour in every fall and winter. Laura Castelnuovo, a second-year from New York City, chose the essay question: “Everyone knows there are two types of people in the world. What are they?” Her answer began like this:

For centuries, one thing has divided the human population like no other: the tomato. No, I don't mean the never-used alternate pronunciation or even the settled debate of fruit vs. vegetable, I mean that in my experiences I have encountered only two types of people: those who love tomatoes and those who hate them. These Newtonian-ly equal and opposing groups can be found at salad bars and dinner tables worldwide, taking their stance. Because when that fruit is sliced, battle lines are drawn.

The essay prompts are chosen from suggestions from current students and recent alumni. More than a thousand people sent in essay questions this year. Andy Jordan, a fourth-year in economics from Doylestown, Penn., has submitted a few questions for consideration since he applied to the College. “I enjoyed writing the essay when I applied in 2008,” Jordan said. “I answered the question with an entire essay of questions.”

His prompt, “Don’t write about reverse psychology,” appeared on the list for the Class of 2016. While this didn’t earn him a free T-shirt or cash prize, he said his friends were impressed.

“A good set of essay questions will give every student a chance to let their voice shine through,” Chapin said. They supplement the Common Application essay, which usually has a broad prompt like “evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.”

Prospective students are also asked to write an essay explaining why they want to come to UChicago, and to explain some of their favorite books or media. Add those to the “uncommon” essay question and the essay for the Common Application, and each applicant writes a total of four essays.

“We learn a lot by reading these essays,” Chapin said. “You can’t write it the day before it’s due, so we see extremely high-quality writing from the applicants.” The admissions officers read tens of thousands of essays between November and March, seeing the unique personality of each student between the generalities on the Common Application and the thoughtful and often funny essays from the supplement.  

Having found a fitting way to tackle the essays soon becomes a source of pride for the students. Hundreds of admitted students have posted their essays to the UChicago Class of 2016 group on Facebook, where they are met with encouragement and delight from fellow students. “It’s always a conversation topic during Orientation Week,” Chapin said. The shared experience lets people who have just met discuss something besides their hometown and course of study.

The tradition behind the unique essay questions is at least 30 years old. A question from 1984 invited the students to imagine themselves as astronauts on Mars, and asked them whether they would prefer to be teleported, molecule by molecule, back to earth, or to be the person running the teleporting machine.

The College Admissions office usually sees a flood of questions about the essays from applying students as their deadlines approach. This year, the officers created an instant meme for their Tumblr page with some simple advice: “Keep Calm and Study On.”

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UChicago Supplemental Essay Questions

The University of Chicago has long been renowned for our provocative essay questions. We think of them as an opportunity for students to tell us about themselves, their tastes, and their ambitions. They can be approached with utter seriousness, complete fancy, or something in between.

Each year we email newly admitted and current College students and ask them for essay topics. We receive several hundred responses, many of which are eloquent, intriguing, or downright wacky.

As you can see from the attributions, the questions below were inspired by submissions from UChicago students and alumni.

2023-24 UChicago Supplement

Question 1 (required).

How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.

Question 2: Extended Essay (Required; Choose one)

Essay option 1.

Exponents and square roots, pencils and erasers, beta decay and electron capture. Name two things that undo each other and explain why both are necessary. – Inspired by Emmett Cho, Class of 2027

Essay Option 2

“Where have all the flowers gone?” – Pete Seeger. Pick a question from a song title or lyric and give it your best answer. – Inspired by Ryan Murphy, AB’21

Essay Option 3

“Vlog,” “Labradoodle,” and “Fauxmage.” Language is filled with portmanteaus. Create a new portmanteau and explain why those two things are a “patch” (perfect match). – Inspired by Garrett Chalfin, Class of 2027

Essay Option 4

A jellyfish is not a fish. Cat burglars don’t burgle cats. Rhode Island is not an island. Write an essay about some other misnomer, and either come up with and defend a new name for it or explain why its inaccurate name should be kept. – Inspired by Sonia Chang, Class of 2025, and Mirabella Blair, Class of 2027

Essay Option 5

Despite their origins in the Gupta Empire of India or Ancient Egypt, games like chess or bowling remain widely enjoyed today. What modern game do you believe will withstand the test of time, and why? – Inspired by Adam Heiba, Class of 2027

Essay Option 6

There are unwritten rules that everyone follows or has heard at least once in their life. But of course, some rules should be broken or updated. What is an unwritten rule that you wish didn’t exist? (Our custom is to have five new prompts each year, but this year we decided to break with tradition. Enjoy!) – Inspired by Maryam Abdella, Class of 2026

Essay Option 7

And, as always… the classic choose your own adventure option! In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, choose one of our past prompts (or create a question of your own). Be original, creative, thought provoking. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun!

Some classic questions from previous years…

Due to a series of clerical errors, there is exactly one typo (an extra letter, a removed letter, or an altered letter) in the name of every department at the University of Chicago. Oops! Describe your new intended major. Why are you interested in it and what courses or areas of focus within it might you want to explore? Potential options include Commuter Science, Bromance Languages and Literatures, Pundamentals: Issues and Texts, Ant History... a full list of unmodified majors ready for your editor’s eye is available here . —Inspired by Josh Kaufman, AB'18

You are on an expedition to found a colony on Mars, when from a nearby crater, a group of Martians suddenly emerges. They seem eager to communicate, but they're the impatient kind and demand you represent the human race in one song, image, memory, proof, or other idea. What do you share with them to show that humanity is worth their time? —Inspired by Alexander Hastings, Class of 2023, and Olivia Okun-Dubitsky, Class of 2026

Who does Sally sell her seashells to? How much wood can a woodchuck really chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Pick a favorite tongue twister (either originally in English or translated from another language) and consider a resolution to its conundrum using the method of your choice. Math, philosophy, linguistics... it's all up to you (or your woodchuck). —Inspired by Blessing Nnate, Class of 2024

What can actually be divided by zero? —Inspired by Mai Vu, Class of 2024

The seven liberal arts in antiquity consisted of the Quadrivium — astronomy, mathematics, geometry, and music — and the Trivium — rhetoric, grammar, and logic. Describe your own take on the Quadrivium or the Trivium. What do you think is essential for everyone to know? —Inspired by Peter Wang, Class of 2022

Subway maps, evolutionary trees, Lewis diagrams. Each of these schematics tells the relationships and stories of their component parts. Reimagine a map, diagram, or chart. If your work is largely or exclusively visual, please include a cartographer's key of at least 300 words to help us best understand your creation. —Inspired by Maximilian Site, Class of 2020

"Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?" - Eleanor Roosevelt. Misattribute a famous quote and explore the implications of doing so. —Inspired by Chris Davey, AB’13

Engineer George de Mestral got frustrated with burrs stuck to his dog’s fur and applied the same mechanic to create Velcro. Scientist Percy Lebaron Spencer found a melted chocolate bar in his magnetron lab and discovered microwave cooking. Dye-works owner Jean Baptiste Jolly found his tablecloth clean after a kerosene lamp was knocked over on it, consequently shaping the future of dry cleaning. Describe a creative or interesting solution, and then find the problem that it solves. —Inspired by Steve Berkowitz, AB’19, and Neeharika Venuturupalli, Class of 2024

Joan of Arkansas. Queen Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Babe Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Mash up a historical figure with a new time period, environment, location, or occupation, and tell us their story. —Inspired by Drew Donaldson, AB’16

Alice falls down the rabbit hole. Milo drives through the tollbooth. Dorothy is swept up in the tornado. Neo takes the red pill. Don’t tell us about another world you’ve imagined, heard about, or created. Rather, tell us about its portal. Sure, some people think of the University of Chicago as a portal to their future, but please choose another portal to write about. —Inspired by Raphael Hallerman, Class of 2020

What’s so odd about odd numbers? —Inspired by Mario Rosasco, AB’09

Vestigiality refers to genetically determined structures or attributes that have apparently lost most or all of their ancestral function, but have been retained during the process of evolution. In humans, for instance, the appendix is thought to be a vestigial structure. Describe something vestigial (real or imagined) and provide an explanation for its existence. —Inspired by Tiffany Kim, Class of 2020

In French, there is no difference between “conscience” and “consciousness.” In Japanese, there is a word that specifically refers to the splittable wooden chopsticks you get at restaurants. The German word “fremdschämen” encapsulates the feeling you get when you’re embarrassed on behalf of someone else. All of these require explanation in order to properly communicate their meaning, and are, to varying degrees, untranslatable. Choose a word, tell us what it means, and then explain why it cannot (or should not) be translated from its original language. —Inspired by Emily Driscoll, Class of 2018

Little pigs, French hens, a family of bears. Blind mice, musketeers, the Fates. Parts of an atom, laws of thought, a guideline for composition. Omne trium perfectum? Create your own group of threes, and describe why and how they fit together. —Inspired by Zilin Cui, Class of 2018

The mantis shrimp can perceive both polarized light and multispectral images; they have the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom. Human eyes have color receptors for three colors (red, green, and blue); the mantis shrimp has receptors for sixteen types of color, enabling them to see a spectrum far beyond the capacity of the human brain. Seriously, how cool is the mantis shrimp: mantisshrimp.uchicago.edu What might they be able to see that we cannot? What are we missing? —Inspired by Tess Moran, AB’16

How are apples and oranges supposed to be compared? Possible answers involve, but are not limited to, statistics, chemistry, physics, linguistics, and philosophy. —Inspired by Florence Chan, AB’15

The ball is in your court—a penny for your thoughts, but say it, don’t spray it. So long as you don’t bite off more than you can chew, beat around the bush, or cut corners, writing this essay should be a piece of cake. Create your own idiom, and tell us its origin—you know, the whole nine yards. PS: A picture is worth a thousand words. —Inspired by April Bell, AB'17, and Maya Shaked, Class of 2018 (It takes two to tango.)

“A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies.” –Oscar Wilde. Othello and Iago. Dorothy and the Wicked Witch. Autobots and Decepticons. History and art are full of heroes and their enemies. Tell us about the relationship between you and your arch-nemesis (either real or imagined). —Inspired by Martin Krzywy, AB’16

Heisenberg claims that you cannot know both the position and momentum of an electron with total certainty. Choose two other concepts that cannot be known simultaneously and discuss the implications. (Do not consider yourself limited to the field of physics). —Inspired by Doran Bennett, AB’07

Susan Sontag, AB’51, wrote that “[s]ilence remains, inescapably, a form of speech.” Write about an issue or a situation when you remained silent, and explain how silence may speak in ways that you did or did not intend. The Aesthetics of Silence, 1967. —Anonymous Suggestion

“…I [was] eager to escape backward again, to be off to invent a past for the present.” —The Rose Rabbi by Daniel Stern Present: pres·ent 1. Something that is offered, presented, or given as a gift. Let’s stick with this definition. Unusual presents, accidental presents, metaphorical presents, re-gifted presents, etc.—pick any present you have ever received and invent a past for it. —Inspired by Jennifer Qin, AB’16

So where is Waldo, really? —Inspired by Robin Ye, AB’16

Find x. —Inspired by Benjamin Nuzzo, an admitted student from Eton College, UK

Dog and Cat. Coffee and Tea. Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye. Everyone knows there are two types of people in the world. What are they? —Inspired by an anonymous alumna, AB'06

How did you get caught? (Or not caught, as the case may be.) —Inspired by Kelly Kennedy, AB’10

Chicago author Nelson Algren said, “A writer does well if in his whole life he can tell the story of one street.” Chicagoans, but not just Chicagoans, have always found something instructive, and pleasing, and profound in the stories of their block, of Main Street, of Highway 61, of a farm lane, of the Celestial Highway. Tell us the story of a street, path, road—real or imagined or metaphorical. —Anonymous Suggestion

UChicago professor W. J. T. Mitchell entitled his 2005 book What Do Pictures Want? Describe a picture, and explore what it wants. —Inspired by Anna Andel

“Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.“—Miles Davis (1926–91) —Inspired by Jack Reeves

University of Chicago alumna and renowned author/critic Susan Sontag said, “The only interesting answers are those that destroy the questions.” We all have heard serious questions, absurd questions, and seriously absurd questions, some of which cannot be answered without obliterating the very question. Destroy a question with your answer. —Inspired by Aleksandra Ciric

“Mind that does not stick.” —Zen Master Shoitsu (1202–80)

Superstring theory has revolutionized speculation about the physical world by suggesting that strings play a pivotal role in the universe. Strings, however, always have explained or enriched our lives, from Theseus’s escape route from the Labyrinth, to kittens playing with balls of yarn, to the single hair that held the sword above Damocles, to the Old Norse tradition that one’s life is a thread woven into a tapestry of fate, to the beautiful sounds of the finely tuned string of a violin, to the children’s game of cat’s cradle, to the concept of stringing someone along. Use the power of string to explain the biggest or the smallest phenomenon. —Inspired by Adam Sobolweski

Have you ever walked through the aisles of a warehouse store like Costco or Sam’s Club and wondered who would buy a jar of mustard a foot and a half tall? We’ve bought it, but it didn’t stop us from wondering about other things, like absurd eating contests, impulse buys, excess, unimagined uses for mustard, storage, preservatives, notions of bigness…and dozens of other ideas both silly and serious. Write an essay somehow inspired by super-huge mustard. —Inspired by Katherine Gold

People often think of language as a connector, something that brings people together by helping them share experiences, feelings, ideas, etc. We, however, are interested in how language sets people apart. Start with the peculiarities of your own personal language—the voice you use when speaking most intimately to yourself, the vocabulary that spills out when you’re startled, or special phrases and gestures that no one else seems to use or even understand—and tell us how your language makes you unique. You may want to think about subtle riffs or idiosyncrasies based on cadence, rhythm, rhyme, or (mis)pronunciation. —Inspired by Kimberly Traube

In 2015, the city of Melbourne, Australia created a "tree-mail" service, in which all of the trees in the city received an email address so that residents could report any tree-related issues. As an unexpected result, people began to email their favorite trees sweet and occasionally humorous letters. Imagine this has been expanded to any object (tree or otherwise) in the world, and share with us the letter you’d send to your favorite. -Inspired by Hannah Lu, Class of 2020 

You’re on a voyage in the thirteenth century, sailing across the tempestuous seas. What if, suddenly, you fell off the edge of the Earth? -Inspired by Chandani Latey, AB'93 

The word floccinaucinihilipilification is the act or habit of describing or regarding something as unimportant or of having no value. It originated in the mid-18th century from the Latin words "floccus," "naucum," "nihilum," and "pilus"—all words meaning “of little use.” Coin your own word using parts from any language you choose, tell us its meaning, and describe the plausible (if only to you) scenarios in which it would be most appropriately used.  -Inspired by Ben Zhang, Class of 2022 

Lost your keys? Alohomora. Noisy roommate? Quietus. Feel the need to shatter windows for some reason? Finestra. Create your own spell, charm, jinx, or other means for magical mayhem. How is it enacted? Is there an incantation? Does it involve a potion or other magical object? If so, what's in it or what is it? What does it do?  -Inspired by Emma Sorkin, Class of 2021 

Imagine you’ve struck a deal with the Dean of Admissions himself, Dean Nondorf. It goes as follows: you’re guaranteed admission to the University of Chicago regardless of any circumstances that arise. This bond is grounded on the condition that you’ll obtain a blank, 8.5 x 11 piece of paper, and draw, write, sketch, shade, stencil, paint etc., anything and everything you want on it; your only limitations will be the boundaries of both sides on the single page. Now the catch… your submission, for the rest of your life, will always be the first thing anyone you meet for the first time will see. Whether it’s at a job interview, a blind date, arrival at your first Humanities class, before you even say, “hey,” they’ll already have seen your page, and formulated that first impression. Show us your page. What’s on it, and why? If your piece is largely or exclusively visual, please make sure to share a creator's accompanying statement of at least 300 words, which we will happily allow to be on its own, separate page. PS: This is a creative thought experiment, and selecting this essay prompt does not guarantee your admission to UChicago. -Inspired by Amandeep Singh Ahluwalia, Class of 2022

Cats have nine lives, Pac-Man has three lives, and radioactive isotopes have half-lives. How many lives does something else—conceptual or actual—have, and why? -Inspired by Kendrick Shin, Class of 2019

If there’s a limited amount of matter in the universe, how can Olive Garden (along with other restaurants and their concepts of food infinity) offer truly unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks? Explain this using any method of analysis you wish—physics, biology, economics, history, theology… the options, as you can tell, are endless.  -Inspired by Yoonseo Lee, Class of 2023 

A hot dog might be a sandwich, and cereal might be a soup, but is a ______ a ______? -Inspired by Arya Muralidharan, Class of 2021 (and dozens of others who, this year and in past years, have submitted the question “Is a hot dog a sandwich,” to which we reply, “maybe”)

“Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.” – Jessamyn West -Inspired by Elizabeth Mansfield, Class of 2020

College Essay Prompts Get Absurd. ‘So Where Is Waldo, Really?

Isabelle Sarraf :

The University of Maryland, College Park, has asked students to detail their favorite thing about…last Tuesday. That’s a tough one if your Google Calendar shows a lot of white space. One college-admissions consulting blog advises, “If you laid in bed all day Tuesday, but went for a beautiful hike on Wednesday, write about the hike.” The school says it continues to ask that question, but changes the day each year. Chapman University asks applicants to name one dish they would cook for the school’s admission team. Princeton University, meanwhile, has asked “What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?” To get into Pomona College, last year’s seniors had to answer, in 50 words or less, “Marvel or DC? Pepsi or Coke? Instagram or TikTok? What’s your favorite ‘this or that’ and which side do you choose?”

IMAGES

  1. The Theatre of the Absurd Essay Example

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  2. 💋 Essay prompts. 35 College Essay Prompts and Topics. 2022-11-02

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  3. Picture description

    essay prompts get absurd

  4. Absurd Writing Prompts by Grandmother Goose Curriculum

    essay prompts get absurd

  5. 10 Daring Persuasive Argumentative Essay Topics

    essay prompts get absurd

  6. How to Combine Your College Essay Prompts

    essay prompts get absurd

VIDEO

  1. ПРОХОДИМЦЫ

  2. Writers morning start and writing prompts! Get writing!

  3. How to get Absurd FTGD (Out Dated)

  4. Guide to The Absurd

  5. Академический Театр из СССР! Сборник Самых Свежих Анекдотов! Юмор!

  6. Яша, я тебя очень прошу, ну давай уже...Настоящий одесский анекдот! Анекдоты по поводу!

COMMENTS

  1. College Essay Prompts Get Absurd. 'So Where Is Waldo, Really?'

    The University of Chicago has a long tradition of asking applicants a wide range of essay questions, including one about Waldo. Shafkat Anowar/Associated Press. Rachel Quaye-Asamoah is heading ...

  2. 55 Funny Writing Prompts To Get Them Laughing

    9. Write an analysis paragraph that makes an ordinary object sound infinitely complicated. 10. Write a poem about Tupperware. 11. Write about the origin of an inside joke. 12. Write a story about someone who can't stop saying what they think — much to the dismay of those around them. 13.

  3. 49 Funny Writing Prompts to Spark Your Imagination

    Funny Writing Prompts. 1. Write a story about a group of superheroes forced to work in a call center after their city is destroyed. 2. Write a scene where a cat and a dog switch bodies and must navigate each other's worlds. 3. Write a story about a vampire who opens a blood bank to help feed his fellow vampires. 4.

  4. Funny Persuasive Essay Topics: 177 Writing & Speech Ideas

    In the academic world, working on a persuasive essay on a fun topic is one of the best ways to enjoy paper writing. By discussing something entertaining, you can connect with your reader on a more personal level. We will write a custom essay specifically. for you for only 11.00 9.35/page. 808 certified writers online.

  5. 100+ Funny Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

    Answer: The easiest way to make your essay longer is to add more items and call it a list. Here are some ideas: 1. Ten ways to annoy your parents. 2. Twelve ways to get out of cleaning your room. 3. Fifteen ways to get your parents to give up on trying to get you to do any chores around the house.

  6. Exploring 60+ Creative Satirical Essay Topics: Beyond Comedy

    4. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961) Heller's novel hilariously underscores the absurdity of war and the bureaucratic maze of the military. Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Air Force bombardier feigning insanity to avoid more bombing missions, embodies the dark comedy that ensues in wartime.

  7. Can You Answer These Bizarre (But Real) College Essay Prompts?

    College Essays, College Applications. With the release of universities 2022-23 supplemental essay prompts, we take you through some of the most unusual and bizarre US college supplemental essay prompts of all time, featuring universities such as UChicago, Tufts University and UPenn. To get into a top US college, you're going to need more than ...

  8. 38 Funny Writing Prompts for All Ages » JournalBuddies.com

    38 Funny Writing Prompts. These ideas could double as journal prompts. Whether you use them in your next journal entry or not is, of course, up to you. Above all, use these ideas, enjoy and start crafting your comedic story. Recall your most embarrassing memory, and write a funny story about it.

  9. Funny Persuasive Essay Topics: 110 Writing & Speech Ideas

    Authenticity can make your humor more appealing. And then the ideas of how to start an essay funny will come to you quite easily. Wordplay and Puns: Incorporate clever wordplay and puns to add a witty touch to your content. Play with language to elicit laughter. Timing is Key: Master the art of comedic timing.

  10. Absurd College Essay Prompts

    Before we get into the University of Chicago, which is the university that is infamous for having the most ridiculous essay prompts, we just want to take a second to be thankful, because essays are not as crazy as some of them used to be. For example, Tufts University used to ask "Kermit the frog famously lamented, 'It's not easy being ...

  11. share all your funny/silly essay topics! : r/ApplyingToCollege

    My common app essay is me telling people who want a younger sibling to get a dog. one of the essays i wrote was about how learning palm reading helped me be more open minded. i wish my brain had the creativity to write stuff like this. none of my essays are funny/silly : (.

  12. Top 10 Most Ridiculous College Essay Topics : r/ApplyingToCollege

    Consider this by-no-means exhaustive list of the top ten most absurd essay questions. Number 10: Penn State Schreyer Honors. Clocking in at almost 5,000 words worth of essays, applicants must answer nine prompts in total, including "what is effective followership?" and reflect on the statement: "get comfortable with being uncomfortable."

  13. 35 College Essay Prompts and Topics

    Write about the role that a certain activity (sports, theater, band, etc.) has had on your life. This prompt gives you the opportunity to talk about your passions and show off your extracurricular activities. Make sure to connect the importance of the activity to a certain experience or story to give the essay direction.

  14. 371 Fun Argumentative Essay Topics for 2024

    Now, we will show you three main methods to organize an argumentative essay. Classical type, Rogerian type, and Toulmin type. You can pick one or just get ideas on how to build up your argumentation. Type. About. Structure. 🟡 Classical. Also known as Aristotelian, this method is the most popular and easy to use.

  15. Over 1,000 Writing Prompts for Students

    Of all the resources we publish on The Learning Network, perhaps it's our vast collection of writing prompts that is our most widely used resource for teaching and learning with The Times. We ...

  16. Over 170 Prompts to Inspire Writing and Discussion

    During the 2020-21 school year, we asked 176 questions, and you can find them all below or here as a PDF. The questions are divided into two categories — those that provide opportunities for ...

  17. Creative Writing Prompt: Considering Absurdism

    In his essay The Myth of Sysiphus, Camus compares the absurd human condition to the Greek myth in which Sisyphus defies the gods and puts Death in chains in order to prevent all humans from dying.When Death is freed, the gods punish Sisyphus by making him push a rock up a mountain for eternity; whenever he reaches the top, the rock rolls back down.

  18. Absurd College Essay Prompts!

    Are you working on your college applications and wondering where these crazy essay prompts came from? In this video, we'll share some delightful essay topics...

  19. 30 Wonderfully Weird Writing Prompts » JournalBuddies.com

    These 30 Wonderfully Weird Writing Prompts help kids stretch their imaginations and push their creative boundaries. Plus…. Different and "weird" things can do wonders to help students learn, grow, and discover cool things about themselves and others. There is beauty in celebrating the different and the so-called "weird".

  20. An uncommon approach yields creative College essays

    The essay prompts are chosen from suggestions from current students and recent alumni. More than a thousand people sent in essay questions this year. Andy Jordan, a fourth-year in economics from Doylestown, Penn., has submitted a few questions for consideration since he applied to the College. "I enjoyed writing the essay when I applied in ...

  21. 'Coke or Pepsi'? College Essay Curveball Queries Get Absurd

    College Essay Curveball Queries Get Absurd . Isabelle Sarraf WSJ August 2, 2022 Essays might now play a greater role in admissions. ... Good luck writing them. Read Full Article » Related Topics: Comment. Show comments Hide Comments. You must be logged in to comment. RealClear Account: Login Register. Related Articles. Recommended. Investigations.

  22. UChicago Supplemental Essay Questions

    Essay Option 3. "Vlog," "Labradoodle," and "Fauxmage.". Language is filled with portmanteaus. Create a new portmanteau and explain why those two things are a "patch" (perfect match). - Inspired by Garrett Chalfin, Class of 2027. Essay Option 4. A jellyfish is not a fish.

  23. College Essay Prompts Get Absurd. 'So Where Is Waldo, Really?

    College Essay Prompts Get Absurd. 'So Where Is Waldo, Really? Isabelle Sarraf: The University of Maryland, College Park, has asked students to detail their favorite thing about…last Tuesday. That's a tough one if your Google Calendar shows a lot of white space. One college-admissions consulting blog advises, "If you laid in bed all day ...

  24. Kristi Noem snaps at Fox Business host over dog questions: 'This

    Kristi Noem seems to be growing tired of defending herself for shooting and killing her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, 20 years ago. The South Dakota governor fired back at Fox Business host Stuart ...