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30 Writing Topics and Writing Prompts For ESL Students

When learning a new language like English, developing writing skills is essential. Many beginner ESL students find it difficult to write essays, especially if they have to come up with the essay topic themselves.

Providing ESL students with writing topics and writing prompts can help students to focus and start writing. As a teacher, it can be quite challenging to come up with many ESL writing topics, so we have put together this list of ESL writing topics and writing prompts to help you out.

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List Of ESL Writing Topics

Here is a list of ESL writing topics and writing prompts your students can write about.

  • Describe your dream house. Where is it? And What’s inside?
  • Talk about the best vacation you ever took.
  • What do you like to do in your spare time?
  • Write about three things you want to achieve this year.
  • What’s your earliest memory as a child?
  • What would you do if you had a million dollars?
  • What are you good at? What would you like to be good at in the future?
  • Write about the members of your family. What are they like? What do they do?
  • Write about how to cook your favorite food, step by step.
  • If you could meet anyone from history, who would you want to meet, and why?
  • Describe everything you did last weekend in as much detail as possible.
  • Write about something funny that happened to you this week.
  • What were the last three things you bought? Where did you buy them from?
  • Describe how you get ready for school every day.
  • Describe a famous person in as much detail as possible.
  • What is your favorite movie, and why?
  • What three things would you take to a desert island, and why?
  • Write about your happiest memory.
  • What makes a good friend?
  • If you could change anything about the world, what would it be?
  • If you could travel back in time, when and where would you go?
  • What’s your favorite game to play?
  • What is something you have done that you regret?
  • Describe what the world will be like in1000 years.
  • Write an essay about what you did this week.
  • Write about one of your memorable birthday celebrations.
  • Write about your exercise routine.
  • If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?
  • Describe a person you look up to.
  • What’s your opinion about social media?

Tips For Teaching ESL Writing

Error correction.

Writing in a foreign language is hard, especially for beginner ESL students. Students will likely make many mistakes in the beginning.

Although it is necessary to highlight and correct students’ errors, it can be quite demotivating for a student to only hear all the things they got wrong.

To ensure students stay motivated, be sure to praise them and tell them all the things they did well, as well as point out any grammatical mistakes.

After correcting errors, give students an opportunity to re-write their essays and correct their mistakes. Once students have completed their final draft, be sure to let them know what you liked about their essay, and you can even share this praise with other students, teachers, and even the student’s parents.

To master writing in English, students will need to write a lot of essays over time, and if students stay motivated, they are much more likely to succeed.

Ask About Students’ Interests

Another great way to keep students motivated while writing ESL essays is to encourage them to write about things that interest them.

A great way to encourage this is to ask about things students are interested in and then tailor the writing topic to them.

Students are much more likely to actively engage in a writing assignment if it is something they are interested in and passionate about.

Provide Enough Writing Prompts

ESL students often find it difficult to write long answers to essay questions. Ask an ESL student to write about their favorite restaurant, and they’ll likely give you a one-sentence answer.

To help students write longer essays, be sure to give them enough writing prompts to cover the different aspects they should cover in their writing.

For example, if students are to write about their favorite restaurant then you could give them several writing prompts such as ‘where is the restaurant’, ‘what kind of food do they serve’, ‘how much is a typical meal’, ‘what do you usually order’, etc.

Giving beginner ESL students plenty of writing prompts will help them to flesh out their essays and write longer answers.

Structure The Essay

To help ESL students become better at writing in English, teach them a particular structure you would like them to follow when writing their essays.

A typical writing structure with beginner ESL students would include an introduction, the main body of the text, and then a conclusion.

Providing students with an easy-to-follow structure will help them to plan out their essays and develop their writing skills over time.

Thanks for reading. I hope you found some useful ESL writing topics and writing prompts you can use in your next writing class. 

Before you go, don’t forget to check out our FREE resources for teaching English, including  Activity Videos ,  Board Games ,  Flashcards ,  PowerPoint Games , and  Lesson Plans .

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40 ESL Essay Writing Topics + Prompts

By VIPKid  |  April 20, 2018

Ready to start teaching English online?

Writing ESL essay writing is hard for most students and many will struggle at first before learning to write well.

However, writing skills are a crucial part of learning a new language . 

In this piece, we’ll share some ESL writing prompts and ESL essay topics for five different kinds of essays. They should help your students develop their grammar and vocabulary skills  while teaching them how to write coherently.

(While they work for all kinds of students, we’ve found these topics are especially handy for  teaching English to kids .) 

Writing practice should never be boring! When you’re done this article, check out the 10 most engaging writing activities here .

Descriptive ESL Writing Topics

  • Describe your favorite place in as much detail as possible.
  • Describe your favorite fictional character in as much detail as possible.
  • Describe a famous person – e.g. a singer or athlete – that you admire. Focus on both their appearance and personality traits.
  • Describe a family member or your best friend  as detailed as possible. Discuss how they look and their personality.  
  • Choose a  hobby or favorite activity  and describe why and how you do it. 
  • Describe your most memorable holiday or vacation spot in as much detail as possible.
  • Describe a photo or work of art in as much detail as possible.
  • Pick your favorite food . Describe what you taste, smell, and sense while eating or drinking it. 

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Explanatory ESL Essay Topics

opinion essay topics esl

  • Give directions for getting from one point to another . For example, how to get from your home to your school. Describe the landmarks someone might see along the way.
  • Explain how to cook your favorite meal . Provide a recipe and the step-by-step instructions.
  • Explain your favorite computer game . What should a player do to win? What are some playing tips?
  • Explain what you would do if your friends show up at your house unexpectedly . Say how you would entertain them. 
  • Explain how to make a bed . This task is seemingly simple but allows you to write about everyday habits you might never think through in detail. 
  • Explain how to make a paper airplane . Again, this task has many precise, technical details that that should be included in the essay. 
  • Explain how to brush your teeth . Try to make your essay about a seemingly mundane task more interesting. 
  • Explain how to pack a suitcase when going on a holiday. List out all the objects and pieces of clothing you would bring. 

ESL Essays Topics to Practice Verb Tenses

essay topics

  • Talk about a time in the past when you had to make a difficult decision . Explain what you did and why.
  • Describe your dream place to live . Why would you want to live there? What would you do?
  • Write about three specific goals  you want to achieve this year. Explain how you are going to achieve them.
  • Write about something you regret having done . Point out what could have happened if you had not made that decision.
  • Describe the world 100 years from now . Describe how people live, and new inventions and also the things that will not change.
  • Talk about your earliest memory . What happened? How well do you remember the events?
  • Write a short essay about how you prepared for class . Now “translate” that essay into future tense. In other words, the essay should say how you plan to prepare for class.  

Argumentative ESL Essay Topics

argumentative ESL essay topics

  • Are smartphones good or bad? Give some arguments to support your position.
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of public schools and private schools ?
  • What is your favorite book or movie ? Convince others, through your essay, to read or watch it. 
  • Is it the case that the more people that have cars, the better? What are some advantages and disadvantages of public transit ? 
  • Should money be spent on space exploration ? Give arguments to support your opinion.
  • You’re the mayor of your town or city. Explain in an essay your recent decision to ban smoking . Then, from another person’s perspective, write a letter to the mayor protesting this new law. 
  • Reading books vs. watching movies . Which do you prefer and why?
  • What are the pros and cons of e-readers compared to paper books?

Hypothetical ESL Essay Topics

  • What would you do if you were late for an important class?
  • What would you do if your car got a flat tire on the highway?
  • If you had the power to change one thing about your past, what would it be?
  • If you had the power to alter  one major historical event , what would it be?
  • If you could take any superhero’s powers , who would be your choice?
  • How would you feel if, one day, you woke up 300 years in the past ?
  • What would you do if you won the lottery ? Would your life change day-to-day?

essay topics

Some General ESL Essay Tips

When checking ESL essays, pay attention to the following key points:

  • Grammar. The ESL essay should be grammatically correct.
  • Vocabulary. The more new vocabulary the essay contains, the more points it will get.
  • Text flow. The text of the essay should flow logically and naturally. Pay attention to the use of connecting words and phrases. These include first of all , secondly , moreover , in addition , besides , finally , on the one hand, on the other hand , and as a result .
  • Sticking to the topic. Some essay writers tend to deviate from ESL essay topics. However, a perfect ESL essay should stay as close to the point as possible.

A good essay typically has the following parts:

  • An introduction . Here, the author gives some general information about the topic or lays out their argument. An effective intro entices readers to read further. 
  • The body . In an argumentative essay, the body could be 2 to 3 paragraphs. Each should introduce their arguments and support them with examples. In other types of essays, the content may vary. For example, the body may include descriptions, explanations, or personal stories.
  • Conclusion . The author should logically conclude or summarize their thoughts and arguments.

How Do You Teach Writing?

It doesn’t matter if you teach English online or if you’re a classroom teacher, we want to know about your  teaching styles.  Do you use writing prompts,  games and activities, or something else entirely?

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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.

opinion essay topics esl

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 .

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50+ Stellar ESL Writing Prompts to Inspire Your Students (Plus Resources to Find More Prompts)

Ever find yourself staring at a blank page with no good ideas of how to fill it?

We all do, even the most experienced writers.

But for many ESL students, the dreaded blank page isn’t just intimidating—it’s immobilizing.

After all, they’re working in a second language that might not even share the same writing system as their own.

Today, we’re going to look at more than 50 different writing prompts and how you can use them to give students a boost in the right direction.

Then we’ll cover the web’s top resources to find more great writing prompts.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Process Writing

A person writing in a notebook

Process writing is a good place to start with your beginner students.

Simple process writing can be nothing more than a numbered list of steps written in the simple present with imperative grammar.

You can also use these prompts for intermediate and advanced students by asking them to write full paragraphs using smooth transitions.

Process Writing Prompts

  • What’s your favorite food from your home country? How do you make it?
  • How did you travel from your home country to the U.S.?
  • What’s the best way to study for an exam?
  • How does a person learn to read? What are the necessary steps?
  • What’s something you’re good at? How did you learn to do it?
  • How do you get ready every morning? Discuss each step of your morning routine.
  • How does a person get a job? What steps must they take?
  • How do you get a driver’s license? What steps must you follow?
  • How does an acorn grow into a tree? What are the stages of its life?
  • What are the stages of the water cycle?

How to set your students up for success

When brainstorming ideas, ask your students to list the steps of how they came up with the content to write about. If you want to challenge intermediate and advanced students, have them write paragraphs describing the brainstorming process rather than writing a numbered list.

For certain topics, students may need time for additional research, like when writing about science.

Also, be aware of any vocabulary that may be specific to the process students are describing. For example, if they’re describing a food from their home country, students may need to define a particular ingredient (e.g. kimchi, herbs de provence ) that may not have a good English equivalent.

Opinion Writing

A person writing on a laptop

Opinions are everywhere. From social media posts to commentary on news programs, we’re constantly exposed to other opinions and ideas. For this reason, it’s important for students to be able to both express their own opinions and evaluate the opinions of others.

And what better way to express one’s opinions than with a written argument? Here are some prompts to help your students vocalize their opinions.

Opinion Writing Prompts

  • Should people under the age of 21 be allowed to drink alcohol? Please explain.
  • Should college students be allowed to choose their own courses or study from a set list of required courses? Please explain.
  • Is it better for young adults to live at home with their parents or to live on their own? Please explain.
  • Should your country require young adults to serve in the military? Why or why not?
  • Should professional athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympics? Why or why not?
  • Should people be allowed to smoke in restaurants? Please explain your opinion.
  • Should parents be allowed to arrange marriages for their children? Why or why not?
  • Should students be required to take physical education? Why or why not?
  • Should teenagers be allowed to make decisions about their sexual health without the consent of their parents? Please explain your opinion.
  • Should students be required to clean their schools? Please explain.

Before starting the assignment, review modal verbs with your class . Explain to your students that the verb, “should,” is a signal word for opinion writing and is commonly used when expressing one’s thoughts, opinions and ideas.

Graphic organizers are a great way to help students think through what they believe about a given topic and get those thoughts in the right order for writing. Curriculum developer, Scholastic, has some great organizers you can print and give to your students to help them gather their thoughts before they write.

Good opinion writing takes both sides of an argument into consideration. While students should devote the majority of their essay to supporting the facts they agree with, they also need to dedicate a section to addressing the opposition’s argument and explaining why it’s wrong. This is called the rebuttal and should come just before the conclusion in an opinion piece.

Narrative Writing

A person writing with a pen and paper

Narrative writing tells a story.

It has a beginning, a middle and an end, and aims to engross the reader and make them feel as if they’re experiencing the story firsthand. Moreover, narrative writing covers a sequence of events, telling the reader how these events relate to one another.

Narrative Writing Prompts

  • Think about a time in your life when you were disappointed. What caused this, and how did you get over it?
  • Did you have a pet as a child? If so, tell the story of how you got it.
  • Who’s your hero? What did they do to gain your respect and admiration?
  • What was an important event in your childhood? Write about what happened and how it has affected you.
  • Tell about a time you were embarrassed.
  • How did you meet your significant other? Tell the story of that first meeting. (For younger students, you can ask the question, “How did your parents meet each other?”)
  • When did you first think about traveling overseas to study English?
  • What would the perfect day look like? Discuss how you would spend it from when you woke until you went to sleep. (Note: Your students need to use the conditional form for this narrative. Take time to review it with them before assigning this prompt.)
  • Describe the life of a dollar bill, from when it comes off the printing press until it retires.
  • Describe the life of someone famous in your culture. Where did they come from? How did they become famous?

Absolutely essential for narrative writing, transitions ensure the sequence of events flows smoothly. Before beginning the writing exercise, take a few minutes to review transition words and phrases with your students. You can even  give them a copy of this list  to help them get started.

Another important part of narrative writing is action words. Great for boosting the imagination, action words help the reader visualize the story while reading. Encourage your students to add extra color to their stories by having them brainstorm a list of action words at the beginning of the lesson.

Lastly, make sure that your students use proper verb tenses throughout their writing. Regardless of whether the story is being told in past or present tense, students must learn to keep the verb tense is consistent throughout the story without switching from past to present, or vice versa, unless talking about two different points in time.

Descriptive Writing

A person writing with a fountain pen on paper

Descriptive writing is all about writing the details, and mixing them in with sensory words and literary devices . While there’s definitely a stylistic component to descriptive writing, anyone with a good-sized vocabulary and a little bit of practice can write a vivid story.

Descriptive Writing Prompts

  • Go to a coffee shop or restaurant and watch the people. Describe what you see.
  • Write a travel brochure for your favorite vacation spot. Describe in detail why others should visit this location.
  • Describe a classroom in your home country. How’s it different from our classroom?
  • Think about a time you were scared. Describe where you were and what frightened you.
  • Think of a scene in your favorite movie. Describe what happened without referencing characters in the movie.
  • What’s something that is very valuable to you? Describe that object.
  • Close your eyes. Tune in to what you can hear, smell and feel. Now open your eyes and write about what you observed.
  • (First, have your students close their eyes, then play them a clip from a movie scene)  What did you picture as you listened to the scene?
  • Describe your favorite Halloween candy, making note of how it tastes and smells.
  • Describe your dream car.

The best way to help your students master descriptive writing is to get them accustomed to using sensory words —the words that describe how something looks, sounds, smells, feels and tastes.

If your students are describing a person, have them start at their head and move down to their feet, or vice versa. If they’re describing a room, have them start at the door and work their way around the room clockwise. That way, their descriptions are organized and structured, making it easier for the reader to form a clear picture of the imagery in their mind as they read.

Creative Writing

A neon sign in a window that says "what is your story?"

Everyone loves a good story, but not all people feel confident writing one of their own.

With a solid setting, character and conflict, anyone can come up with a gripping and exciting story—even your students.

Here are some writing prompts to get your students expressing themselves with stories.

Creative Writing Prompts

  • A young boy sees what appears to be a UFO land outside his home late one Tuesday night. What happens next?
  • Use the following scene for inspiration: The boat rocks as each towering wave tosses it into the air and then lets it plunge. You hang over the edge of the boat waiting for the current wave of nausea to pass. Suddenly you hear at least a dozen sets of boots running along the deck…
  • The year is 1880, and a young girl whose bonnet hangs down her back from its strings sighs in relief. She’s in a ghost town. How did she get there? Tell the story of her past.
  • This morning is just like any other school morning, except one thing: No one else is at school. The doors are opened and unlocked, but you’re completely alone. Write the story of what happened.
  • Start a story with the following phrase: It was the worst mistake he’d ever made.
  • Use the following scene for inspiration: She’d never seen an animal like this before, but it seems to be friendly. Just then a news alert comes over the radio…
  • Start a story with the following phrase: He could see eyes in the shadows.
  • Use the following scene as inspiration: They said I was free to leave, but sitting in a helicopter with the city beneath me, where could I really go?
  • Choose a favorite character from a book or movie. Then put this character in a setting from a different movie or book—for example, Harry Potter finds himself on the Millennium Falcon with Chewbacca. Then, tell the story of what happens next.
  • Have each person in class write down a setting, one character and one object on three separate slips of paper. Collect each category separately, shuffle them and redistribute the papers to your students. Each person must write a story incorporating the setting, character and object they received.

For a story to be successful, it needs three important elements: setting, character and conflict .

Take a few moments to talk about each of these elements with your students before they begin the activity. Have them think about these elements and how they’ll be presented in their own stories by asking the following questions:

  • Where will the story take place?
  • Who’s the main character of the story?
  • What conflict will that person face?
  • How will they overcome what is stopping them?

Once they can answer these essential questions, they’re ready to begin writing.

If you’re teaching beginner or intermediate students, separate the language from the story elements by having them write a story they already know. They can write a story of their favorite movie, rather than come up with a plot of their own.

Also, if your students are struggling to come up with their own stories, use comic books for inspiration . Writing comics is also a great way to give students writing practice without requiring imagination to go along with it.

Resources for Finding More Inspiring ESL Writing Prompts

A woman writes in a notebook

Writer’s Digest

The  Writer’s Digest  website and magazine is full of tips and tricks for writing, interviews with authors, and insight into what it’s like to be in the writing business. The prompts section contains mostly fiction and creative writing prompts, and is updated every week with a new prompt.

Reddit is a huge community of people who love to share things they find around the Internet, and have conversations. The Writing Prompts section has some really creative ideas, and you can even see what other people have written in the comments.

Tumblr is a great place to find ideas. It’s a place where people can blog about whatever they want, but it’s more visual than most other blogs. (That means it focuses more on pictures.) The “Writing Prompts” Tumblr uses pictures to share prompts, both creative and nonfiction. There’s even one prompt for a song!

Lindsay Ann Learning

The prompts on this website are meant for school children, but they are excellent writing starters for any age. The page focuses on journal writing, so these prompts are mostly for nonfiction writing.

Language Is a Virus

The Writing Prompts Generator on this site has a huge number of ideas for fiction and nonfiction writing, which you can see one at a time. This website also has some fun  word games  to get you thinking and being creative.

This website has over 300 prompts for you to try. Just reading through the prompts will give you some new words to learn! Most of these prompts are for creative writing, but there are a small number of nonfiction thoughts in there too.

Writing Forward

This list of creative writing prompts has 25 story starters. Just pick a first sentence and see where the story takes you! There are also some questions and ideas to explore. When you’re done here, head over to the  Grammar section  for some tips from the pros.

Writing Prompts by 21×20 Media

Want to get your prompts in a phone-friendly format? Try the Writing Prompts app from 21×20 Media. It’s not free, but at just $1.99 you get hundreds of prompts organized by type. Look through pictures, place and character ideas, and much, much more.

Wrighting Words

You’ll find almost 500 creative writing prompts on Wrighting Words. The long list has everything from interesting story starters to fun with vocabulary words. There are even some titles and dialogue ideas. You’re sure to find something to inspire you here.

Pinterest has many great collections of writing ideas and exercises. You can really browse the entire website for ideas and inspiration. For some more focused writing, check out the Writing Picture Prompts board linked to above, which has nearly 400 picture prompts meant to inspire you.

Think Written

How about a prompt for each day of the year? Think Written has that. The list here focuses on words and themes, so you can write fiction or nonfiction—it’s up to you. For a real challenge, try following the list, doing one prompt every day. How far down the list can you make it?

Visual Prompts

If you prefer to see your prompts and not just read them, you will love the Visual Prompts website. Each prompt is written over a picture that can help you imagine what you’re writing about. There’s also a nice mix of creative and nonfiction prompts here.

The Write Prompts

The Write Prompts has almost 2,000 prompts, but you might find the word prompts the most useful. Each prompt comes with a list of vocabulary words that you have to use in your story. Can you string the words along and make an interesting story or essay?

Seventh Sanctum

The Seventh Sanctum is a collection of writing generators—websites that create prompts for you. There is a nearly  infinite  (never-ending) number of possible prompts! You can also try any of the other generators, like the  setting  (place) one , or the one that asks creative  “What if…?” questions . There is so much to play with here!

Buzzfeed is mostly known for its funny picture articles , but this article has an excellent list of prompts for all kinds of writing. These prompts can be used in a school, but they can also be used by adults. Some of these will get you feeling creative, and some will make you think. Have fun with both!

The Journal

The Journal is another website for nonfiction and blog writing ideas. There is even more here too—get ideas for writing your opinions about topics, your memoirs (writings about yourself), and free-writing, which is when you don’t stop writing for 10 or 15 minutes.

Education World

Education World is a website for teachers, so these prompts are meant for the classroom. This means that they will make you think, and each prompt has a helpful tip box with some ideas for what you can write on the topic.

These are just some of the ways to get your students thinking about how to fill the page with their thoughts and ideas. A list of writing prompts and a helpful teacher can go a long way in preventing writers’ block and helping students look at every empty page as an opportunity to express themselves.

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opinion essay topics esl

An opinion essay

An opinion essay

Learn how to write an opinion essay.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

Matching_MjMxMDM=

Some people think that some types of criminals should not go to prison. Instead they should do unpaid work in the community. To what extent do you agree?

Owing to the great variety of crimes that can be punishable by prison, some people argue that not all criminals are the same and it would therefore be more appropriate to give certain criminals community service instead. I agree that in some cases, prison may not be the best solution and community service would probably have more benefits.

One justification given for prisons is to keep society safe by removing criminals from the outside world. So the first thing to consider is if someone who has broken the law is a danger to other people. In the case of violent crime, there is an argument to keep the perpetrator away from society. However, burglary or possession of drugs, for example, does not involve violence against other people so the criminal does not present a direct danger to anyone in the community. Keeping these types of criminals in prison is expensive for the taxpayer and does not appear to be an effective punishment as they often commit the same crime again when they come out of prison.

Personally, I also believe punishments should reform people so they do not reoffend. A further reason not to put these people in prison is that they may mix with more dangerous and violent criminals, potentially committing a worse crime when they are released. By keeping them in the community, helping others, they not only learn new skills, but they could also develop more empathy and care towards others. If this occurs, society can only benefit.

Critics of this more rehabilitative approach to crime believe that justice should be harsh in order to deter people from committing similar crimes and that community service could be less likely to have that effect. However, there is very little evidence to suggest that long prison sentences deter criminals.

In conclusion, putting criminals who are not a danger to society in prison is expensive and, in my opinion, ineffective, both as a deterrent and as a form of rehabilitation. Community service for non-violent crimes benefits both society and the offender. That said, it would be useful to have more data to work out whether community service or prison is more likely to stop someone reoffending. I strongly believe that decisions on how best to deal with criminals should be based on evidence of what actually works.

  • Introduce your essay by restating the question in your own words.
  • If the essay asks you to what extent do you agree?,  make your opinion clear throughout. You can either agree, partially agree or disagree with the statement, explaining and justifying your opinion.
  • Introduction
  • The first reason why you agree/disagree
  • The second reason why you agree/disagree
  • The third reason why you agree/disagree (if you have one)
  • Use phrases to organise and link your ideas, e.g. Owing to … , One justification for … , The first thing to consider is … , A further reason … , In conclusion ... .
  • If you do not have solid evidence for your ideas, use modal verbs such as might , may or could  (e.g. they could  develop more empathy and care ) or other tentative phrases (e.g. it does not appear to be an effective punishment ).
  • Conclude by restating your opinion and summarising your two or three main arguments.

Do you agree that community service is better than prison for some crimes?

Language level

Good day Sir/Madam,

I would like to ask about the expression ‘So the first thing is to…’. In academic and formal writing, should I avoid using ‘thing’ or ‘so’ or is it still fine? Thanks a lot for taking your time to read this. Hope to hear from you.

Your sincerely, Kimmie

  • Log in or register to post comments

Thanks for your question. In academic and formal writing, there is a general preference for precision over vagueness, so generally speaking it's better to avoid this usage of  so  and  thing  and use more precise and academic terms when they are available (e.g. Therefore, the first factor/issue to consider is ... ).

However, if you search academic writing, you will find writers do use  thing  sometimes, especially in fixed phrases (e.g.  the first thing /   the same thing ) or technical terms ( e.g. the Internet of Things ). Some writers might also use more general terms first before moving onto more precise terms.

(Note: The essay on the page above is in a somewhat formal style but not very formal.)

I hope that helps.

LearnEnglish team

Hi Jonathan

This is immensely valuable for me. Thank you so much for your swift response. Hope you have a nice day.

In my country it is often debated whether community services are better than prison for certain crimes. I think it's pretty obvious that it should be an option for less important faults. However, sometimes it happens that a judge decides to grant this benefit to some type of powerful criminals who cause more significant damage to society than others who do not have the same possibility, such as financial criminals or corrupt government agents. In my opinion, these types of sentences can have a bad impact on people, since they see that these behaviors are not severely punished and are somehow protected by the law. In conclusion, I agree that certain types of crimes should avoid prison, but I believe that before implementing it, the society must agree on which crimes will be able to enjoy this possibility to ensure that justice is fair for all.

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Hello aaron,

We check all comments before publishing them, which is why it's taken some time for your comment to be published.

Normally we delete a comment like this -- and we deleted the other one you made -- but have let this one through so you can see that it works. 

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The subject of how criminals should be punished is complicated, there are a lot of different opinions defending their points of view. There are two main ideas the first is arresting all the offenders, and the second idea is separating those not dangerous to society, and sending them to work in the community. In my opinion, I agree with the second idea, because there are many expenses with the prisons and the prisoners, so if lessen the population in this environment the conditions and the quality could be better than if there were overpopulation, avoiding justice being done right. Furthermore, these people aren't violent and dangerous to others, so with bad company in the prison, they might become bad people too. In this case, it's an awful idea to mix a different kind of person. Therefore, it's an excellent suggestion to oblige these people to do work in society, but with supervision in the right way and strictly.

On account of the differences between several types of crimes, not all criminals should be sent to prison. It is suggested that giving certain offenders community service would be more appropriate than just jailing them.

Honestly, I completely agree that the right way to protect people from harm is to imprison criminals who conduct violent crimes that endanger human physical health. Nevertheless, this penalty may be ineffective with offenders who have administrative guilts or non-violent offenses. Since they often commit the same crime after getting out of prison, this is just a temporary punishment to ensure the security of citizens for a certain period. The nature of the problem is these crimes originate from greed and bad habits which lead to their deviant behaviors but have not yet resulted in such severe consequences that affect human life.

From my perspective, the government would rather reform these types of offenders than deter them as a kind of punishment. It is better to have an alternative that perceptively impacts these people’s awareness which is to make them do community service. Jailing these criminals just increases their hatred and develops antisocial personality. By keeping and controlling them in a community, besides learning new skills, they amend their bad manner as well as develop more empathy and care towards others.

Given these points, the application of punishment should be based on the nature of each specific crime. Prisons should only be used for perpetrators committing directly dangerous crimes to people's lives. Making non-violent criminals do community service is more of a practical way to optimize tax wasted for prisons as well as give them a chance to fix their wrong behaviors.

There are several types of crimes and for each of them, a different sentence is dictated. A paramount question to be considered is whether community servers are more accurate than prisons for some crimes.

To begin with, community servers would help and support criminals through specialized psychologists. Not only would community servers help and support them, but also it would give them jobs to help them give the society back a contribution in return.

In addition, prisons only contribute to worsening the situation owing to the fact that criminals will commit crimes again. The key to excellent behavior is learning. If they learn suitable habits, they will adapt to society and help it.

Furthermore, it is necessary to have empathy with criminals and not judge them because their hate increases when they are condemned in prison. A further reason for this is that hate feeds hate. Nevertheless, some criminals must be in jail due to their danger on the streets. It is difficult to know that a person who kills someone else, is going to change even if he/she receives help from psychologists.

In contrast, most of society believes that all criminals should be in prison. However, prisons must be all comfortable like a hotel in order to bring for the prisoners a place to recover themselves. The reason why they must live in appropriate conditions is due to his mental health. For instance, in Norway, prisons are like hotels because the government considers that criminals need a second chance to live in a community

To conclude, it would be suitable for all criminals to live in accurate prisons in order to recover themselves. Despite the cost that kind of prisons are supposed to take, they are worth paying for them. In my opinion, safety is priceless and is more important than the cost.

There are many things to consider in punishing criminals or law offender, Technically Speaking, Prison sentence varies entirely depending on a Country's legal system.

I partially agree in reinforcing community service to those non violent criminals, whereas harsh punishment for violent criminals who committed felonious crime. This perspective is reflected on my understandings in a community where social injustice is prevalent. In my country misdemeanor crime and felony crime offender are detained in the same prison cell, they only differ in the duration of prison sentence. This is where the serious societal issues of crime rate initially rooted, non violent offenders are mixed up with serious offenders, doing and smuggling drugs all a while in prison.

Further reasons to justify harsh punishment for felonious crime is it can act as deterent for potential criminals, while community service may reinforce less serious offender to reflect on their own actions and give back to the community. Moreover it may help them develop empathy towards others.

In my conclusions punishment should vary on the severity of the crime of the perpetrator, Criminals should be legally convicted and fairness in prosecution of Criminals must be reinforce.

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An opinion essay.

Look at the essay and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first. Then do the other exercises.

Preparation

An essay

Check your understanding: multiple selection

Check your writing: matching - useful words and phrases, worksheets and downloads.

Are video games really a good way to keep fit? What do you think?

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opinion essay topics esl

20 English Essay Topics/Questions | B2 First (FCE)

opinion essay topics esl

The language of an English essay should be formal . Also, make sure that you justify all your ideas and that you use appropriate connectors to link your sentences and paragraphs .

How to write B2 First (FCE) essay?

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B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example Topics / Questions

Below is a sample list of academic essay writing topics/tasks for B2-level (intermediate) students. You can use them to practice writing English essays or to prepare for the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) exam

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 1 | First (FCE)

You have watched a documentary about young children in poor areas who leave school to work. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.

Teenagers are dropping out of school to find a job. How can we help them to continue their education?

Write about:

  • family problems
  • financial difficulties
  • …………… (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 2 | First (FCE)

In your social studies course, you have watched a documentary on the potential effects of too much pollution on the air quality of city centres. Your professor has assigned you an essay to write.

Keeping the air quality in city centres at healthy levels for their residents is a concern for many places. How can we solve the problem of pollution in city centres?

  • automobiles
  • ………………  (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 3 | First (FCE)

In your education class, you have listened to a lecture on the importance of teaching foreign languages in school. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Learning a foreign language helps students develop a set of important skills. Why should foreign languages be taught in schools?

  • new cultures
  •  employment
  • …………. (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 4 | First (FCE)

You have listened to a radio programme about the problem of widespread starvation in many parts of Africa. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

In many parts of Africa, people are dying of starvation and lack of freshwater. Can these problems be solved?

  • lack of organised farming
  • …….. …….. (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 5 | First (FCE)

You have watched a video on a non-profit organisation working to stop the use of animals for testing medicines used by human beings. Now, your professor has asked you to write an essay.

Testing on animals is a standard in scientific research. What is the best way to deal with this problem?

  • animals suffer
  • outdated form of research
  • …… ……..  (your own idea)

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B2 - essay topic / question 6 | first (fce).

You have listened to a radio programme about deforestation, the cutting down of trees in many wild areas around the world. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Many forests around the world are being destroyed for agricultural, commercial, or housing use without allowing time for the forests to regenerate themselves. What can be done to improve the situation?

  • what contributes to the greenhouse effect
  • ………. (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 7 | First (FCE)

In your English class, you have been talking about endangered species, animals or plants that will likely become extinct. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Around the world, many wildlife species are in danger of extinction. How can we protect endangered animals?

  • hunting wild animals
  • ………..  (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 8 | First (FCE)

You have watched a Youtube video about the problem of computer game addiction in children. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

More and more young people spend most of their time playing computer games. How can we help children to overcome this addiction?

  • bad grades at school
  • no social life
  • ………… (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 9 | First (FCE)

You have listened to a radio programme about the impact of smoking on people’s health. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Smoking is responsible for many health problems throughout the world. Do you think it should be made illegal?

  • lung cancer
  •  passive smoking
  • ……………… (your own idea)

FCE, CAE, CPE

More than practice tests, b2 - essay topic / question 10 | first (fce).

In your English class, you have been talking about the problem of obesity in young people. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

In Europe and the USA a lot of young people have an obesity problem. What can be done to solve this problem?

  • (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 11 | First (FCE)

Has technology made a positive contribution to sport today?

  • The use of technology to improve performance
  • The use of technology in refereeing decisions

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 12 | First (FCE)

It is better to work at home than in an office. Do you agree?

  • Contact with people
  • Working hours

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 13 | First (FCE)

Life is harder for young people now than in the past. Do you agree?

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 14 | First (FCE)

Is it better to go shopping in small local businesses or large out-of-town shopping centres?

  • Where things are cheaper
  • Where service is better

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 15 | First (FCE)

Is it better to spend a summer holiday in the countryside or on the coast?

  • Leisure options

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 16 | First (FCE)

Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:

Do you agree that community service works better than fines?

  • effort and time
  • lesson learned
  • ………………(your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 17 | First (FCE)

Is it true that we help the environment when we plant a tree?

  • clear the air
  •  ………….( your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 18 | First (FCE)

Nowadays children are suffering from obesity, that was once considered to be meant for adults only. What are its causes and what solutions can be offered?

  • busy lifestyle

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 19 | First (FCE)

Is it better to be the oldest or the youngest in a family?

  • role of older sibling

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 20 | First (FCE)

Modern lifestyles can seriously endanger our health.

Do you agree?

  • physical activity
  • …….. (your own choice)

B2 First (FCE) Essay: Download (PDF)

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B2 first (fce) essay: assessement criteria.

Your essay will be assessed according to these four criteria:

What is your level of English?

opinion essay topics esl

Opinion Writing: a Guide to Writing a Successful Essay Easily

opinion essay topics esl

An opinion essay requires students to write their thoughts regarding a subject matter. Relevant examples and explanations back their point of view. Before starting an opinion paper, it is important to study the definition, topics, requirements, and structure. Referring to examples is also highly useful. Perhaps you need help with our admission essay writing service ? Take a look at this guide from our dissertation writing service to learn how to write an opinion essay like an expert.

What Is an Opinion Essay

A common question among students is: ‘What is an Opinion Essay?' It is an assignment that contains questions that allow students to share their point-of-view on a subject matter. Students should express their thoughts precisely while providing opinions on the issue related to the field within reasonable logic. Some opinion essays type require references to back the writer's claims.

Opinion writing involves using a student's personal point-of-view, which is segregated into a point. It is backed by examples and explanations. The paper addresses the audience directly by stating ‘Dear Readers' or the equivalent. The introduction involves a reference to a speech, book, or play. This is normally followed by a rhetorical question like ‘is the pope Catholic?' or something along those lines.

What Kind of Student Faces an Opinion Essay

Non-native English-speaking students enrolled in the International English Language Testing System by the British Council & Cambridge Assessment English are tasked with learning how to write the opinion essays. This can be high-school or college students. It is designed to enhance the level of English among students. It enables them to express their thoughts and opinions while writing good opinion essay in English.

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What Are the Requirements of an Opinion Essay?

What Are the Requirements of an Opinion Essay

Avoid Going Off-Topic: Always write an opinion essay within relevance to answer the assigned question. This is also known as ‘beating around the bush' and should not be included in any opinion paragraph as it may lower your grade.

Indent the First Paragraph: With most academic papers, opinion writing is not different. Therefore, it contains the rule of indenting the first line of the introduction.

A Well-Thought Thesis: The full thesis statement is a brief description of the opinion essay. It determines the rest of the paper. Include all the information that you wish to include in the body paragraphs

The Use of Formal Languages: Although it is okay to write informally, keep a wide range of professional and formal words. This includes: ‘Furthermore,' ‘As Stated By,' ‘However', & ‘Thus'.

Avoid Internet Slang: In the opinion paper, avoid writing using slang words. Don'tDon't include words like ‘LOL', ‘OMG', ‘LMAO', etc.

The Use of First Person Language (Optional): For the reason of providing personal thought, it is acceptable to write your personal opinion essay in the first person.

Avoid Informal Punctuation: Although the requirements allow custom essay for the first-person language, they do not permit informal punctuation. This includes dashes, exclamation marks, and emojis.

Avoid Including Contradictions: Always make sure all spelling and grammar is correct.

We also recommend reading about types of sentences with examples .

Opinion Essay Topics

Before learning about the structure, choosing from a wide range of opinion essay topics is important. Picking an essay theme is something that can be done very simply. Choosing an excellent opinion essay topic that you are interested in or have a passion for is advisable. Otherwise, you may find the writing process boring. This also ensures that your paper will be both effective and well-written.

  • Do sports differ from ordinary board games?
  • Is using animals in circus performances immoral?
  • Why should we be honest with our peers?
  • Should all humans be entitled to a 4-day workweek?
  • Should all humans become vegetarians?
  • Does a CEO earn too much?
  • Should teens be barred from having sleepovers?
  • Should everyone vote for their leader?
  • The Pros & Cons of Day-Light Saving Hours.
  • What are the most energy-efficient and safest cars of X year?

Opinion Essay Structure

When it comes to opinion paragraphs, students may struggle with the opinion essay format. The standard five-paragraph-essay structure usually works well for opinion essays. Figuring out what one is supposed to include in each section may be difficult for beginners. This is why following the opinion essay structure is something all beginners should do, for their own revision before writing the entire essay.

You might also be interested in getting more information about: 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY

Opinion Essay Structure

Opinion essay introduction

  • Address the audience directly, and state the subject matter.
  • Reference a speech, poem, book, or play.
  • Include the author's name and date of publication in brackets.
  • 1 or 2 sentences to make up a short description.
  • 1 or 2 summarizing sentences of the entire paper.
  • 1 sentence that links to the first body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 1

  • Supporting arguments
  • Explanation
  • A linking sentence to the second body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 2

  • Supporting argument
  • A linking sentence to the third body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 3

  • A linking sentence to the conclusion.

Conclusion paragraph

  • Summary of the entire paper
  • A conclusive sentence (the bigger picture in conclusion)

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Opinion Essay Examples

Do you need something for reference? Reading opinion essay examples can expand your knowledge of this style of writing, as you get to see exactly how this form of an essay is written. Take a look at our samples to get an insight into this form of academic writing.

Over the past, American popular culture has been strong in creating racial stereotypes. Images displayed through television, music, and the internet have an impact on how individuals behave and what individuals believe. People find their identities and belief systems from popular culture. Evidently, I believe that American pop culture has created racial stereotypes that predominantly affect other ethnic minorities. Analyzing the history of America reveals that African Americans have always had a problem defining themselves as Americans ever since the era of slavery. AfricanAmericans have always had a hard time being integrated into American culture. The result is that African Americans have been subjected to ridicule and shame. American pop culture has compounded the problem by enhancing the negative stereotypes ofAfrican American. In theatre, film, and music, African Americans have been associated with vices such as murder, theft, and violence.
The family systems theory has a significant revelation on family relations. I firmly agree that to understand a particular family or a member, they should be around other family members. The emotional connection among different family members may create functional or dysfunctional coexistence, which is not easy to identify when an individual is further from the other members. Taking an example of the extended family, the relationship between the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law may be tense, but once they are outside the family, they can pretend to have a good relationship. Therefore, I agree with the theory that the existing emotional attachment and developed culture in the family is distinctively understood when the family is together.

Opinion writing is a form of academic paper that asks students to include their thoughts on a particular topic. This is then backed by a logical explanation and examples. Becoming more knowledgeable is a practical way to successfully learn how to write an opinion paper. Before writing anything, it is essential to refer to important information. That includes the definition, topics, opinion writing examples, and requirements. This is what turns amateur writers into master writers.

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Discussion Topics for Agreeing & Disagreeing (ESL)

These are conversation topics I have used to create discussion in my ESL class. They could also be used as speaking topics for speeches . These speaking topics go well with activities to practice giving opinions (agreeing, disagreeing, interrupting, and changing the topic). For a few activities for agreeing and disagreeing, visit here .

If you are looking for discussion questions, I have created a   longer list   (containing similar ideas) on the conversation questions page .

General Topics for Discussion or Speeches

  • English is easy to learn.
  • Money is more important than love.
  • Students should be required to study English in elementary school.
  • Violence is sometimes necessary.
  • Personality is more important than beauty.
  • People who live in apartments shouldn't own pets.
  • No job is perfect.
  • Everyone is good at something.
  • We are not alone in the universe.
  • Life was better 20 years ago.
  • The most important thing about a job is the salary.
  • You can know a lot about a person from the clothes he or she wears.
  • Teachers should be able to use physical punishment.
  • Global warming isn't real.
  • There are actions we can take to stop global warming.
  • There are no such things as ghosts.
  • Everyone has the right to have an opinion even if the opinion is false according to well-known facts.
  • People get offended too easily nowadays.
  • What goes around comes around. (If you do good, good will come to you / If you do bad, bad things will happen to you.)
  • Parents should never hit their children.
  • Table manners and etiquette have become less important in the 21st century.

Crime Discussion/Speech Topics

  • Smoking marijuana should be legal.
  • Police officers should not carry guns.
  • Criminals who take a life (kill someone) should spend their entire life behind bars.
  • Graffiti is art, not crime.
  • Prisoners are sent to jail to be reeducated.

Gender Issues Discussion/Speech Topics

  • Men should open doors for women.
  • Men and women can never really be equal.
  • Women are better at teaching children than men are.
  • Men are smarter than women.
  • Companies should have quotas on their executive boards to make them 50% female.
  • At a bar, men should initiate conversation with women (and not the other way around).

Health Discussion/Speech Topics

  • People who get plastic surgery usually look worse later in life.
  • Nowadays, people are too dependent on medicine.
  • This country's healthcare system needs a lot of improvement.
  • If you feel unwell, you should go to the doctor.
  • Western medicine is more effective than Eastern medicine.
  • People who use acupuncture are crazy.
  • People should be more concerned about their health.
  • Beauty products, vitamins, and mineral supplements generally provide the benefits they promise.
  • Home remedies can be just as useful as medicine from a pharmacy.
  • Obesity is a disease.
  • Humans shouldn't drink the milk of other animals such as cows.
  • There should be an extra tax on unhealthy food.
  • Worrying about cancer can give you cancer.

Politics Discussion/Speech Topics

  • Life would be better without government or rules.
  • People should be able to criticize the government.
  • The government has the right to monitor phone calls and e-mails.
  • The government should increase environmental regulations on businesses.
  • Women should be allowed to wear a niqab (or face veil) to civic ceremonies.
  • We should tax the rich to help the poor.
  • New Canadians who become terrorists should lose their citizenship and be sent back to where they came from.
  • The government should be stricter on immigration.
  • Canada should not participate in the war against ISIS.
  • Voting for a political party that is unlikely to win the election is wasting your vote.

Enjoy your discussion.

- Conversation topics created by Matthew Barton of Englishcurrent.com (Copyright)

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12 comments on “ Discussion Topics for Agreeing & Disagreeing (ESL) ”

Little water was left in the pot,….?(question tag)

…, wasn’t it? (but it seems very strange to use a question tag here)

You’re missing “there”; (there was) little water left in the pot, wasn’t there?

This sentence has a negative meaning so it should be:

(There was) Little (not much) water was left in the pot, was there?

As the word”Home” has to function as “Adverb of place and Noun”, and you explained that when it works as adverb of place, the preposition ” To” is not used and when it is used as “noun” , preposition is possible,so school is also adverb of place now if we say that school has only form “Noun” and it does not have adverb form, Is it correct

Hello. ‘school’ does not have an adverb form. It is only a noun. Therefore, verbs that require a preposition use a preposition when school is the object (“I went to school / I arrived at school.”). You cannot omit the prepositions. If that’s what you meant, then you are correct.

Unless you are using the word school for the services it offers. Then you say I go to school. No prep

And what is “to”?

Put thing abt covid

Actually, there is an adverb form of school, “schoolishly.” It is, however, quite rare and pretty nearly archaic. It seems mainly to have been used to characterize the manners and thoughts of the so-called “schoolmen” (a.k.a., scholastic philosophers.) Wordhippo features the term as do older dictionaries.

The English subject is a bit complicated since it requires time and a lot of practice. Money is more important than health but it is necessary for life since many people depend on it. For teachers to teach English in elementary school, this great help for students is necessary to continue learning. Violence is not good but many times anger takes advantage of ourselves by taking revenge for which the act turns into violence. Personality is important Since we must have values ​​in our life And try to be a better person, beauty is natural. Not every job can be perfect as it can also be dangerous and very expensive. We are not alone in the world because there are many people around us but our personality is unique. We can all be good at something, it’s just that for some things we won’t have the ability to do everything perfectly. Money is one of the most necessary elements since if we work it is because we need the salary and trying to do things with love and commitment is the best. The happiness of another person does not have to offend me since we can all be happy as we want. Regarding the phrase that says what you sow, what you reap is very true, the world is turning around and what we do today, right or wrong, will have our reward sooner or later.

English is easy to learn: The english subject its such a beautifu world, you can learn a lot of things about it and you learn to aprecciate it with the pass of the day, It is easy at the way you want to learn it and study. No job is perfect: Because sometimes your body get tired of to many things and at this point you just want to through away those works issues, but also we have other days when we realize that we are blessing of have this job, its a constant feelings of high and lows. Women are better at teaching childrens than men are: No, because God gave to each one of us, the intelligence and the habbility for do all the things and ideal that we have in life, we just need the strengh and good vibes to do it. What goes around comes around: I have always used to think that those things that you sow, you harvest too, thats why we always have to do the good things to our behaviors.

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250 Good Topics for an Opinion Essay

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Opinion essay , like other academic papers, requires writers to express their take on a given subject. Many may confuse this essay type with a persuasive paper, which is wrong. As a writer, you are required to take a side and provide an argument that will support your point of view. Since opinion essays are commonly written across different educational levels, it is important to learn about potential research topics. Students often struggle to identify and work on good opinion essay topics. Are you looking for excellent opinion subjects or means to develop one? Continue reading this blog from our professional writing service to learn the definition of an opinion paper and explore different opinion writing topics that you can use in essays.

What Are Opinion Essay Topics?

Opinion papers rank among the commonly issued assignments in learning institutions. So, what is an opinion essay topic? It is a subject that attracts divergent outlooks and ideas from readers and thus enables writers to develop arguments that support a certain take. It is even much easier to write about an opinion topic if it has many differing sentiments. If the title is controversial, a writer can select and build on broad scopes of argumentation available. Unlike when writing a persuasive essay, students do not need to convince readers about a given stand. Although one can draw discussions from different fields – education, healthcare, social media, technology, government, and music, among others – opinion topics share some common characteristics.

Characteristics of Good Opinion Topics

Although people pick subject matters from a wide array of disciplines, good opinion essay topics share some traits. Some of these attributes are discussed below:

  • A writer can find supportive evidence from reliable research and sources. A quality opinion topic should have examples, facts, and clear evidence that can be used to support a given standpoint.
  • It should have opposite viewpoints. A topic that has different angles is preferred when developing an opinion paper.
  • The topic should accommodate development of a strong thesis statement.

How to Choose an Opinion Topic Idea?

There are many subject areas to pick issues from. To select an exceptional opinion essay topic, you need to follow these steps:

  • Determine a field that you are passionate about. Your topic should be related to your individual experience, personal skills, or a subject you have researched exhaustively.
  • Conduct a brainstorming session to help select and adjust opinions to write about within your preferred discipline.
  • Once you create your potential opinion ideas list, conduct research to ascertain viability of all options. A good topic should have evidence, facts, and examples from reliable sources.
  • You should have a strong opinion on topics you wish to discuss.

If you follow these steps, you will choose a topic that appeals to your personal interests and can be developed comprehensively with good evidence. Feel free to contact StudyCrumb for expert advice and college essay writing help .

List of the Best Opinion Writing Topics

A student should be able to select good topics for opinion writing. Today, you can find numerous opinion subjects online. You just need a smartphone with access to the internet! Although you can find various opinion essay topics online, you should strive to choose the best titles. Below are sample best opinion topics:

  • Is gun control used as a political control tool among Americans?
  • Is global warming a true phenomenon?
  • Does access to social media content and video negatively affect children’s behaviors?
  • Should smartphone usage be accepted in colleges and other higher education institutions?
  • Does watching action films promote violence among children?
  • Role of music in different age groups.
  • Role of government in promoting freedom of speech.
  • Should parents learn to use the internet and communicate online?
  • Are human beings putting adequate effort toward environmental management?
  • What is your take on right to privacy?

Interesting Opinion Essay Topics

You should consider opinion essay topics that would easily capture your target audience’s attention. Lucky for you, there are many different opinion editorials topics to choose from. Examples of such captivating issues include:

  • Is an electric car better than a petrol vehicle?
  • Impact of World War II on the issue of racism in America.
  • Is religion important in school curricula?
  • Gender roles in modern society.
  • Should the COVID-19 jab be mandatory for all?
  • Disparities in services and racial bias in USA's healthcare industry.
  • Impact of gender neutrality and fluidity on modern language.
  • Are virtual classes better than physical sessions?
  • Pop stars influence fashion and present-day societal norms.
  • Role of physical exercise in alleviating the obesity pandemic in the United States.
  • Impact of vegetarianism on human health.
  • Is medical research on human subjects ethical?
  • Impact of World War II on gender roles in Europe and America.
  • Police brutality and its impact on the fight against racism.
  • Ownership of firearms by people improves safety and security of private citizens.

Easy Opinion Paper Topics

Unlike other complex subjects, easy opinion essay topics take writers a shorter period to develop. You also do not need to put too much effort into writing such a paper. Teachers in lower education levels rely on these types of opinion papers topics to train better writing skills. Below is a list of simplest opinion topics that you can use:

  • Effect of the Cold War on the relationship between Russia and the USA.
  • Role of Presidents from your own perspective.
  • Social media platforms do more harm than good.
  • The USA is the best country in the world.
  • Are men and women treated equally in the USA?
  • Are print books better than e-books in this modern era?
  • What is your ethical opinion on caged wild animals?
  • Impact of exercise and physical education on stress.
  • Should children have full access to the internet?
  • Virtual learning and its benefits.
  • Are social media platforms making people less social?
  • Reason why politicians should rely on technology.
  • How can you stay healthy during a lockdown?
  • Can solar power alleviate climate change?
  • Impact of the cancellation culture on public discussions.

Good Topics for Opinion Essays

If people select good opinion writing topics, they can express their point of view on such subjects in a better way. One can find deep and extensive topical knowledge on the issue online. A writer can comfortably defend their belief and inclinations with solid, reliable evidence. Common good op ed ideas include:

  • Should parents take part in their children’s educational journey?
  • What is the overall impact of making marijuana legal?
  • How can gender-based violence issues be resolved in America?
  • Weaknesses of current US immigration policies.
  • Is depression a public health issue in the United States?
  • Gender equity policies and affirmative action in US military departments.
  • Does social media promote depression among teenagers and young adults?
  • Role of government social welfare programs in promoting poverty.
  • Anger management and its relationship with gender-based violence.
  • Office versus virtual working environment.
  • Is there a connection between drug abuse and gender-based violence?
  • Will the world ever attain total peace?
  • Can genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be a solution to world hunger?
  • Are people doing enough to negate climate change effects?
  • Is euthanasia ethical and justified?

Opinion Editorial Topics

Senior authors and editors usually have a section in newspapers, magazines, or any other publication, where they express their viewpoints on a given matter. Good op ed topics attract wide audiences and thus can be used to influence readers. Examples of topics for opinion articles are outlined below:

  • Is the existing gun control legislation adequate in addressing increased mass shootings in America?
  • The future of GMOs and food security.
  • Are we winning the war against global warming?
  • In your opinion, what should be the minimum marrying age in America?
  • Impact of oil spillage on the marine ecosystem.
  • Benefits of physical exercise on physiological and mental health.
  • Can the human race inhabit Mars successfully?
  • Is it viable to replace fossil fuels with alternative clean energy sources in the aviation industry?
  • Should doping be accepted in sports?
  • Sex education should be taught to children by their parents.

Topics and Ideas for Opinion Writing by Subject

People can choose essay topics from various disciplines. With adequate research, you can list and develop arguments on numerous issues within every subject. There is a wide variety of options, which can ensure that you always discuss issues that interest you. As a writer, you can select a topic from various subjects, including political science, history, public opinion, environmental issues, technology, parenting, education, social media, and psychology, among others. Irrespective of the discipline, opinion writing ideas must be written in a specific format and structure. This section discusses common topics for opinion essays from different disciplines.

Opinion Topics in Political Science

Politics ranks among the most discussed subjects worldwide. Besides, people have diverging and contradicting takes on topics related to political science. Furthermore, since these decisions affect almost everyone, Political Science opinion essay topics attract great interest from the public. Below is a list of opinion topics in this discipline:

  • Rule of law and its unbiased application to everyone.
  • Strengths and weaknesses of the US electoral system.
  • Terrorism as a political tool.
  • Immigration policy and its effect on minority families.
  • US foreign policies in the Middle Eastern countries.
  • Relationship between politics and climate change initiatives.
  • How politics affect mainstream media.
  • Political conflicts between Israel and Palestine.
  • The collision between federal and state legislation.
  • Should governments regulate religious practices?
  • Should the minimum age for voting be reduced?
  • How can governments address corruption problems?
  • Capitalism is superior to socialism.
  • Strengths and weaknesses of the American system of governance.

>> View more: Topics of Political Science

History Opinion Essay Ideas

Historical events influence our current decisions. It is, therefore, no surprise that many people take a keen interest in History opinion essay topics. Issues related to past wars, civil riots, and political decisions have drawn great debates over the years. Check a list of top 15 essay topics on the subject below:

  • Thanksgiving from Native Americans’ historical view.
  • United States’ role in World War I.
  • Industrial Revolution and its effect on population distribution.
  • Contribution of Slavery to current economic and social inequalities in USA.
  • The Holocaust and its role in shaping current world politics.
  • Abolition of slavery in the United States.
  • Did the Election of President Barack Obama influence the issue of racism in America?
  • Impact of the 9/11 tragedy on United States foreign policy.
  • Importance of the American Civil Rights movement in promoting gender and racism equity in America.
  • Was the Vietnam war justified from the American point of view?
  • Martin Luther King’s contribution to the fight against racial discrimination.
  • How did the 19th Amendment empower women in the 1920s?
  • Are history lessons important in present-day school curricula?
  • What was the role of the trade union movement in promoting workers’ rights?
  • Impact of colonialism on current economic inequalities between countries worldwide.

Public Opinion Essay Topics

Public opinion, as a discipline, encompasses common beliefs, ideas, perspectives, and attitudes shared among many members of the community. Information on public opinion essay topics is often collected through polls. In many cases, the public is concerned with topic opinion related to politics. Take a look at examples outlined below:

  • Public transportation systems should be free.
  • The public transportation system in New York is inconvenient.
  • Should abortion be fully legal?
  • The Obamacare program was a disaster.
  • Mainstream media is nowadays a tool for propagating political agendas and narratives.
  • Should COVID-19 vaccine injection be compulsory?
  • Medical and recreational use of marijuana should be legal.
  • Should teachers carry firearms in classrooms?
  • Social media has increased cyberbullying among youths.
  • The US healthcare system is incompetent in dealing with increased mental health and suicide cases.
  • Should military qualification test standards be lowered to accommodate women?
  • Police departments in America have failed in their community outreach programs.
  • Police racism has negatively affected the relationship between law enforcement departments and the public.
  • How can the government deal with the increased homelessness problem in American cities?
  • The COVID-19 vaccine should be offered free of charge.

Environmental Topics for Opinion Essays

With the fight against climate change growing in momentum, people are increasingly reading op-ed topics related to environmental change and management. This subject attracts controversial viewpoints, which makes it very interesting. You can find an issue that resonates with you from the environmental opinion essay topics below:

  • Dangers of large-scale commercial farming to the environment.
  • Overfishing should be regulated globally.
  • Is global warming a real phenomenon?
  • Effect of human activity on flora and fauna.
  • Can solar power alleviate the problem of air pollution?
  • Effect of mass concrete construction on environment.
  • Does excessive consumption of beef have a negative effect on the environment?
  • Alternative clean energy solutions can slow down climate change.
  • Electric cars are better for the environment compared to petrol engine vehicles.
  • Impact of oil spillage on marine and dry-land ecosystems.
  • Tree planting is a viable solution for rapid climate change.
  • Effect of farm inputs on the environment.
  • How can wildfires be prevented?
  • Effect of global warming on human health.
  • The government should introduce legislation to regulate emissions.

Education Opinion Topics to Write About

The existence and continuous growth of the human race rely on education hugely. It is, therefore, only fair for people to express their opinions on topics on the subject. Some of the common education opinion essay topics are outlined in this section:

  • Is distance learning a viable replacement for face-to-face learning in classrooms?
  • How does the expensive cost of education affect learners in the United States?
  • Student loans in tertiary education negatively affect the economic well-being of students after school.
  • How can the government address the issue of mass shootings in schools?
  • How soon should sex education be taught in school?
  • What is the effect of social media on student learning?
  • How can technology improve learning outcomes in schools?
  • Should instructors punish learners in schools?
  • Educational institutions should introduce healthier meals in their cafeteria.
  • Gender equality in education has positively affected economic development.
  • Should religious education be incorporated into school curricula?
  • What are the effects of social and economic classes on student performance?
  • Impact of career choice decisions in school on pay gap between men and women.
  • Are private schools better than public schools?
  • Disparities in the quality of educational facilities across various ethnic communities in the US.

You can browse special education research topics  and get some new ideas for your opinion essay.

Psychology Opinion Based Questions

The increased cases of mental health issues and suicide have made Psychology opinion essay topics very popular. Today, these opinion essay questions are raised among medical professionals, legislators, and even the general public. Below are the top 15 talking points on this subject:

  • What is the impact of physical exercise on mental health?
  • Psychological effects of yoga and meditation.
  • What are the effects of social media on an individual’s mental health?
  • How does an unhealthy work/life balance affect the psychological health of people?
  • Effects of violent films on the mental development of children.
  • How can the healthcare sector better address increased cases of depression?
  • Role of pop stars in shaping the psychological growth and well-being of children.
  • How emotional support pets help in improving mental health.
  • Should parents regulate children’s access to the internet?
  • How can schools better utilize guidance and counseling departments to prevent mass shootings by students?
  • How does bullying affect mental health of students?
  • How does negative stigma toward autistic students affect their performance in school?
  • What teaching methods can be used for students who are mentally disabled?
  • Effect of childhood experience on adults.
  • Effect of divorce and domestic violence on children’s mental development.

Philosophy Opinion Essay Topics

Human beings have, for the longest time, expressed their opinion on different philosophies. Since society and laws are built on various schools of thought, opinion piece topics on this subject are very common. Below are some of the Philosophy opinion paper ideas:

  • Strengths of the utilitarian school of thought.
  • Should capital punishment be abolished?
  • What are the ethical issues linked to abortion?
  • What are the effects of environment and nurture on child development?
  • The difference between determinism and freedom.
  • Benefits of democracy over absolutism.
  • The spread of Confucianism around the world.
  • How does a personal fable lead people to commit life-changing mistakes?
  • What is the true meaning of happiness?
  • Critical evaluation of Puritan culture and beliefs.
  • Effect of the “world revolves around me” fallacy on quality of life.
  • The theory of deontology and consequentialism in America’s correction system.
  • Impact of Confucianism on western culture.
  • Does God Exist?
  • The discordance between free will and determinism.

Social Media Opinion Article Ideas

In the current age of smartphones and the internet, social media is huge. Almost every person has some level of presence on social media platforms. The effect of social media on people’s daily lives has caused a significant interest in op ed topics on the subject. Some of the common opinion article topics on Social Media are listed below:

  • Effect of social media on students’ performance in school.
  • How does social media impact the psychological and behavioral growth of children?
  • Should parents limit children’s access to social media content?
  • How should children be protected from cyberbullying on social media?
  • Evolving roles of social media in online marketing.
  • Social media is a source of depression among some young adults.
  • Has social media normalized hate speech and behaviors?
  • How can social media be used in the current education system?
  • The role of social media in promoting a sedentary lifestyle.
  • How can social media be used to promote environmental management and climate change awareness?
  • Effect of social media on face-to-face relationships.
  • Impact of social media on group mind and social pressure.
  • How can online messaging platforms be used to promote activism and revolution globally?
  • Role of social media on cultural exchange across communities.
  • Effect of social media on individuals’ self-esteem and confidence.

Culture Opinion Essay Topics

This discipline focuses on language, religion, art, and mentality. Since these aspects vary from one community to another, many opinion essays topics attract a great deal of debate. Common opinion piece ideas include:

  • Is present-day culture based on recent decades?
  • The internet has revolutionized the music industry and destroyed record companies.
  • Changes in cultural stereotypes and social prejudice across various age groups.
  • Effect of internet and globalization on traditional fashion styles.
  • The replacement of traditional acoustic instruments by computer programs has changed the music culture globally.
  • The widespread access to the internet has resulted in the rise of social media stars.
  • Stars and popular figures have the potential to influence public opinion.
  • Are high divorce rates an indicator of the changing marriage culture in the US?
  • Is recreational use of drugs part of modern US culture?
  • Will classical music ever grow out of fashion?
  • Development of hybrid culture due to intercultural exchange.
  • Effect of religion and culture on legislation.
  • Should culture be taught in a school setup?
  • Role of movies in propagating cultural information.
  • Effect of diversity on America’s food culture.

Literature Opinion Essay Topics

People have enjoyed literature throughout human history. It is common to find persons discussing and exploring different interpretations of a given literature opinion paragraph topic. Below are some of the good topics for opinion writing in Literature:

  • Do you prefer reading an entire classic book in an e-books format and in hardcopy?
  • Why has the reading culture been reduced recently?
  • Gender bigotry and prejudice in 17th-century English literature.
  • Are books on the verge of elimination due to technological advancement?
  • Themes of love and death in Shakespearean literature .
  • Does reading result in better spelling skills?
  • Difference between Western and Eastern literature.
  • Can reading a book help relieve stress?
  • What can be done to reclaim the lost Native American literature?
  • Challenges of teaching foreign literature.
  • Is there a need to limit English literature in institutions of higher education?
  • Importance of the internet in facilitating the sharing of literature around the world.
  • Classic literature should be made available at no cost.
  • How can English language grammar be preserved?

Sports Opinion Paper Topics

Whether you are an athlete or a sports fan, you must have had a heated sports debate at least once. The emotional aspect of sports makes opinionated essay topics on Sports very common. Examples of opinion topic ideas are presented here:

  • Nutrition is necessary for athletic success.
  • Is bodybuilding a sport?
  • Are professional athletes over or underpaid?
  • Should psychological and mental health be considered in sports training programs?
  • Is doping ethical?
  • Should controlled doping be allowed in some sports?
  • Is animal sport ethical?
  • How vital are sports in school curricula?
  • Why do some athletes struggle after retirement?
  • Importance of statistics in sports analysis and match preparation.
  • How can the gap between male and female sports be reduced?
  • Are injuries indicators of an athlete’s level of physical fitness?
  • How can you reduce the dangers associated with extreme sports and motorsport?
  • Can supplements improve the performance of an athlete?
  • How can you incorporate the LGBTQ+ community into sports?

Ideas for Opinion Essay for Students

Teachers often require students to compose opinion essays. These articles train learners to better express their opinion and build their argument skills. Opinion essay topic ideas vary depending on the student’s education level. Since each education level has different learning objectives and outcomes, the complexity and the research levels required to complete such assignments differ. The format for this academic paper does not, however, vary, irrespective of the level. This section explores op-ed ideas for different education levels, particularly high school and college levels. You may also browse our persuasive essay topics  and find some interesting ideas for your writing.

Opinion Essay Topics for High School

Even high school students have personal views! They are perfectly able to prepare essays on opinionated topics. Opinion essay topics for high school can be derived from a variety of disciplines. Below are titles that learners can discuss:

  • Is social media negatively affecting social interaction?
  • What are the benefits and disadvantages of homework?
  • Should parents limit social media usage among high school students?
  • Does cheating count as academic misconduct?
  • Should gym classes be made mandatory in high school?
  • Should students wear uniform attire to school?
  • Should the use of mobile phones be allowed in classrooms?
  • What are the advantages of group tasks?
  • How can bullying be prevented in school?
  • Do reading novels and fictional literature improve academic performance?

Opinion Essay Topics for College

The opinion paragraph topics for college students are a little bit more complex compared to articles written by high schoolers. Other than that, opinion essay topics for college level, just like high school, can be drawn from any subject. Below are some examples:

  • Are traditional family values under threat in the United States?
  • Should the death penalty be considered in capital crime cases?
  • How can the government address the existing economic inequality in the United States?
  • Should unintentional plagiarism be penalized?
  • How can schools reduce depression among college students?
  • How does the virtual education model compare with physical classrooms?
  • How does social media promote cultural bias?
  • Application of technology in college education.
  • Is it ethical for students to develop intimate relationships with students?
  • The weaknesses of the United States immigration policy.

Bottom Line on Opinion Essay Topics

In sum, you can choose opinion story ideas from various disciplines depending on your interest. With adequate research, anybody can write a good opinion article. This type of essay should follow a specific format. Irrespective of the issue, your paper should have a strong thesis statement. The quality of your essay will also depend on the amount of clear supporting evidence you’ve provided. Also, always remember to mention and talk about opposing points of view.

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FAQ About Opinion Essay Topics

1. what are some opinion topics.

Depending on your passion, you can choose opinion topics from your preferred subject. Below are some of the opinion topics:

  • Impact of divorce on child development.
  • What are the potential solutions for human trafficking?
  • How does poor education in low-income communities promote crime?
  • Why has the United States not had a female president so far?

3. How to come up with topics for an opinion essay?

To select good topics for opinion essays, you need to know your passion. You are more likely to write a better paper if you have a great interest in topics. Once you have identified your preferred discipline, select a topic you can develop with adequate evidence. You can also have a brainstorming session to come up with topics.

2. What are intriguing opinion essay topics?

You might find opinion essay topics listed below to be interesting:

  • What measures can be taken to reverse the climate change process?
  • New roles of social media in business operations.
  • The role of technology in improving learning outcomes.
  • Taming wild animals within a restricted zoo area is unethical.

4. What are some examples of opinion writing topics?

Below are some examples of topics for opinion writing:

  • Learning institutions should help parents and guardians in controlling children’s screen time.
  • Does racial profiling negatively affect the relationship between police departments and the American public?
  • Is America’s middle class getting overwhelmed by the high class?
  • Are physical and cyberbullying indications that perpetrators are insecure?

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  1. 30 Writing Topics and Writing Prompts For ESL Students

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    Giving good ESL writing prompts is important because inspiring prompts inspire students to write more and writing more is how they improve. Read this post to learn 50 excellent ESL writing prompts for all essay types: process, creative, opinion writing. Then look into our list of resources to find more great prompts.

  6. An opinion essay

    Writing B2 writing An opinion essay An opinion essay Learn how to write an opinion essay. Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises. Preparation Reading text Information will soon be so easy to find on the internet that people will not need to remember anything. Do you agree?

  7. ESL Opinion Essay Topics

    ESL Opinion Essay Topics This lesson describes instructional strategies to use as you teach your students about the essay writing process. Then we will look at a variety of...

  8. An opinion essay

    Tips Introduce your essay by restating the question in your own words. If the essay asks you to what extent do you agree?, make your opinion clear throughout. You can either agree, partially agree or disagree with the statement, explaining and justifying your opinion. The structure should be: Introduction The first reason why you agree/disagree

  9. An opinion essay

    Preparation Reading Check your understanding: multiple selection Check your writing: matching - useful words and phrases Worksheets and downloads An opinion essay - exercises 806.72 KB An opinion essay - answers 284.99 KB An opinion essay - essay 657.49 KB An opinion essay - writing practice 187.62 KB Discussion

  10. Writing an opinion essay

    An opinion essay has three parts: Introduction; Arguments or reasons that support your view. Conclusion; Introduction. Paragraph 1. Introduce the topic and give your opinion. Say whether you agree or disagree with the statement or question. It can be a good idea to use a question to grab the reader's attention. Check the two examples below:

  11. 200+ Best Opinion Essay Topics for Any Subject

    Updated 05 Feb 2024 Choosing an opinion essay can be challenging if student does not consider relevant opinion essay topics that would meet an event or subject, making it suitable to provide good argumentation. When college professor asks to present such essay type, it means that formal writing piece on particular topic or event is requested.

  12. 20 English Essay Topics/Questions

    Article navigation: B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example Topics / Questions B2 First (FCE) Essay: Download (PDF) An essay is a piece of writing in which you are asked to discuss a topic that might be controversial or relevant somehow. It usually follows a class discussion. The language of an English essay should be formal.Also, make sure that you justify all your ideas and that you use appropriate ...

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  15. How to Write an Opinion Essay: Structure, Examples

    Opinion Essay Topics. Before learning about the structure, choosing from a wide range of opinion essay topics is important. Picking an essay theme is something that can be done very simply. Choosing an excellent opinion essay topic that you are interested in or have a passion for is advisable. Otherwise, you may find the writing process boring.

  16. Discussion Topics for Agreeing & Disagreeing (ESL)

    Discussion Topics for Agreeing & Disagreeing (ESL) These are conversation topics I have used to create discussion in my ESL class. They could also be used as speaking topics for speeches . These speaking topics go well with activities to practice giving opinions (agreeing, disagreeing, interrupting, and changing the topic).

  17. How to Write an Opinion

    How to Write an Opinion — Ellii (formerly ESL Library) How to Write an Opinion Writing in English Int - High Int Teens & Adults Grades 9-12 In this lesson, students learn tips for expressing their opinions. Students view a sample opinion paragraph and practice writing their own paragraphs. Teacher Discretion Launch Tasks Open PDF Focus academic

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    31 Writing an opinion essay English ESL worksheets pdf & doc SORT BY TIME PERIOD Kameza Writing an opinion essay On this worksheet, students will learn how to write an opinion essay. This worksheet includes step by step the procedure when writing this type of texts. It also entails tw... 14253 uses Arianey How to write an opinion essay

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    136.7K Table of Contents ️How To Select? 📢General 🔥Best in 2024 👍Good Easy 👩‍🎓High School Questions 💡Ideas It is extremely difficult to have creative juices flowing all the time. Writer's block also makes it harder for students to bring their creativity to fruition.

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  21. Writing an opinion essay

    An opinion essay has three parts: Introduction; Arguments or reasons that support your view. Conclusion; Introduction. Paragraph 1. Introduce the topic and give your opinion. Say whether you agree or disagree with the statement or question. It can be a good idea to use a question to grab the reader's attention. Check the two examples below:

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    Issues related to past wars, civil riots, and political decisions have drawn great debates over the years. Check a list of top 15 essay topics on the subject below: Thanksgiving from Native Americans' historical view. United States' role in World War I. Industrial Revolution and its effect on population distribution.

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    pitcha. opinion. Grammar is useful when you want to speak English or other languages. This sheet told you how to explain your opinion and things you lik... 133 uses. Melanie. Giving opinions. This is a worksheet with some useful expressions to give one's opinion. Based on an exercise from New Headway Intermediate.