Essay Prompts | 90+ Ideas for High School & College Students

Whether you’re a student choosing an essay topic or a teacher planning an assignment, a well-curated collection of essay prompts is an invaluable time saver and source of inspiration. An essay prompt includes a question or statement that defines the essay topic and concise instructions about how to write the essay.

For teachers, the 100+ essay prompts in this collection can help you refine your assignments, provide more options for students, and save time on planning. For students who need to pick a topic for an essay, this list makes it easier to explore ideas.

The essay prompts below are organized into categories for the main essay types and academic disciplines. QuillBot’s free AI Chat can also show you fresh and interesting ideas for essay prompts and topics.

How to write essay prompts

The key to writing great essay prompts for students is including the right amount of detail. The prompt should clarify how to organize the essay while leaving students with the creative freedom to choose their own ideas. Essay prompts should usually include these details:

1. Question or statement that establishes the required topic and/or genre
2. Details about how long the essays should be (e.g., 1000 words or 3–4 pages)
3. Hints about how to organize and develop the essay
4. Citation or formatting requirements (if applicable)

Argumentative essay prompts

Argument essays ask students to take a position on a topic and support it with reasons and evidence. These essay prompts cover a few of the many current debates and social issues that make for interesting argument essays.

• Should high schools switch to a 4-day week?
• In a world where we can see live video footage of almost any animal in the wild, do zoos serve any purpose, and are they still ethical?
• Elite club sports (e.g., club volleyball) have become increasingly common in the US. Do the benefits outweigh the costs for young athletes?
• What should schools do to promote body positivity?
• Are school laptops helping or hurting student success?
• Are essays still useful or necessary in a world with AI?
• Should your community ban single-use plastic shopping bags?
• Should the government subsidize college education for incarcerated individuals?
• Many experts say that an early start to the school day is inconsistent with what we know about the adolescent brain. At what time should the high school day start?
• Should service-industry pay be based on tips, or should restaurants charge higher prices and pay a living wage?

Expository essay prompts

Expository essays ask students to explain, clarify, or explore a topic using facts and logical organization. These assignments can take many forms, from describing the causes or effects of a situation to examining the advantages and disadvantages of something or explaining the steps in a process. The following essay prompts offer a wide range of ideas.

• How do smartphones affect people 70 and older?
• In what ways did the pandemic affect the job market?
• How do microplastics affect the human body?
• How does sleep affect mental health?
• How has online gaming affected adolescents’ social behavior?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of standardized testing?
• What steps can everyday consumers take to protect their data online?
• Which factors have the biggest impact on the success of a small business?
• Which factors have the biggest impact on voter turnout?

Personal essay prompts

A personal essay invites students to write about something autobiographical, whether it’s a narrative essay that focuses on a specific event or a reflective piece about the writer’s values, characteristics, or relationships. Here are some narrative essay prompts that focus on memorable or impactful events:

• What’s the most important decision you’ve ever made? Describe the event that led up to it and how the decision affected you.
• Write about a time when you experienced a misunderstanding. Who was involved, and how did the conflict get resolved? What did you learn from the experience?
• Write about a high school or childhood friendship that has changed over time.
• What is an example of a time when you had to start over or reinvent yourself?
• Write about a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone, and discuss how the experience influenced your confidence or worldview.
• What’s the most meaningful conversation you’ve ever had, and how did it affect you?
• What is your earliest memory of attending a live performance?
• Describe an experience that made you appreciate something you used to overlook.
• Write about a moment when you felt proud of yourself.
• Describe an experience performing for an audience or sharing your creative work with others.

This list of essay prompts is perfect for personal essays that are reflective or descriptive rather than narrative.

• What are your go-to techniques for dealing with stress?
• What are your favorite forms of creative expression?
• Which people in your life have the biggest impact on your motivation?
• How do you like to be comforted when you’re feeling sad?
• What are the most interesting or meaningful gifts you’ve ever received?
• Describe your typical Saturday routine.
• Who are your favorite people to spend time with?
• Describe three items that you can’t live without.
• If you made a playlist about your neighborhood, which songs would you include?
• In what ways has your birth order shaped your personality?

Essay prompts for analyzing texts

Analysis essays can take a few different forms, and the most common are rhetorical analysis, literary analysis, and film analysis. As these essay prompts illustrate, the purpose is usually to analyze how the technique affects the overall quality of a work or supports a central theme or purpose.

• Rhetorical analysis:
  • Evaluate [Author’s] use of ethos, pathos, and logos, and explain how these rhetorical appeals affect the quality of the article.
  • Which of the three rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, or logos) is the most prominent in this article, and how does it enhance the author’s argument?
• Literary analysis:
  • What is the main theme of [Title], and how does the author use literary devices to develop this theme?
  • What are the most significant examples of [literary device] in the text, and how do they support the author’s theme?
  • What is the overall mood of the poem, and how do structural elements and/or sound devices create this mood?
• Film analysis:
  • How does cinematography (lighting, camera angles, shot composition) shape the mood and meaning of a key scene in a film of your choice?
  • What is the role of dialogue in shaping the emotional arc of the film?
  • Compare/contrast the use of choreography, camera movement, and sound design in two recent films in the same genre.

Compare and contrast essay prompts

Compare and contrast topics can range from informal to complex, depending on the assignment and course level. This list of essay prompts includes some of each.

• Compare/contrast two restaurants that serve the same type of cuisine (e.g., your two favorite Thai restaurants).
• Compare and contrast Gen Z’s approach to recycling with the Millennial or Gen X approach.
• Compare and contrast how Gen Z and Baby Boomers use social media.
• Compare/contrast the teaching styles of two of your favorite teachers.
• Compare and contrast two apps that you use for the same purpose (e.g., two credit card apps).
• Compare and contrast how two countries in the same part of the world approach environmental conservation.
• Compare and contrast two television shows or movies about the same topic.
• Compare/contrast the movie version and the book version of the same story.
• Compare and contrast the leadership styles of two prominent world leaders.
• Compare/contrast two social movements in terms of goals, methods, and impact.

Humanities essay prompts

Courses on literature, history, and other humanities disciplines often involve essays that encourage students to analyze historical events, literary works, and artistic movements. These examples illustrate some of the many options for humanities essay prompts.

• How did the Silk Road shape cultural exchange, trade, and innovation?
• What were the most significant long-term effects of the fall of the Roman Empire?
• How did the French Revolution inspire movements for change in other countries?
• What are the most significant effects of WWII on the world today?
• How did WWII affect gender roles in the US?
• How have mainstream US politics changed in the last decade?
• How have historical events shaped the development of a particular musical genre?
• How does [novel or other literary work] reflect the cultural values of its time?
• What are the most significant themes of postcolonial literature?
• Compare/contrast two literary movements in terms of themes, style, and cultural impact.

Social sciences essay prompts

Social sciences examine human behavior, societies, and institutions. These essay prompts for psychology, sociology, or education courses ask students to analyze patterns, theories, and policies, drawing on research and evidence to support their conclusions.

• What are the most significant social factors that shape voting behavior in democratic societies?
• In what ways have smartphones rewired the human brain?
• Research and analyze the effects of gentrification on one urban community.
• Compare and contrast the educational philosophies of two influential theorists.
• Evaluate the impact of educational technology on student engagement.
• How do social media platforms influence political engagement among young adults?
• What factors contribute to income inequality in developed nations?
• How does workplace culture affect employee productivity?

STEM essay prompts

Essay prompts for STEM courses encourage students to investigate scientific concepts, technological innovations, and real-world issues using evidence, analysis, and logical reasoning. Use prompts like these to integrate writing and critical thinking into STEM curricula.

• How do mathematical models help scientists predict natural disasters?
• Which form of renewable energy is the most economically viable?
• How has biotechnology affected agriculture in the last decade?
• What are the risks and benefits of space exploration in the 21st century?
• How do engineers design sustainable infrastructure for urban environments?
• What is the process of developing a vaccine from research to distribution?
• What steps can scientists take to reduce bias in research studies?
• To what extent will your chosen career require math skills?
• Choose one new technology from the last 5 years, and describe the social impact.
• Evaluate the impact of genetically modified foods on global food security.

Diagnostic essay prompts

A diagnostic writing assignment on the first day of school is one of the best ways to assess your students’ writing strengths and weaknesses. The assignments should be low stakes (graded for participation rather than quality) because the purpose is to collect data on which writing skills you need to prioritize in upcoming lesson plans. Here are a few ideas:

• What is your strongest or favorite subject in school, and why?
• Which celebrity or historical figure fascinates you the most, and why?
• What was your favorite book as a child, and why was it your favorite?
• Describe a time when you played a leadership role.
• In what ways is Gen Z misunderstood?
• Describe the personal achievement that you’re most proud of.
• Write five paragraphs about a person who’s made a positive impact on your life. Which of their actions made the biggest impact?
• Of all the major news stories of the past year, which three do you consider the most significant?

Common app essay prompts (2025–26)

Students who are using the Common Application platform to apply for colleges can choose from the following list of essay prompts in 2025 and 2026.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Frequently asked questions about essay prompts

What is an essay prompt?

An essay prompt is a description of the topic you’re supposed to write about and/or the type of essay you’re supposed to write. Essay prompts often include these details:

• Question or statement that establishes the essay topic and/or type of essay
• Required length
• Required format or structure
• Type of evidence needed
• Citation requirements (if you’re required to use outside sources)

QuillBot’s free AI Chat can help you unpack essay prompts and brainstorm ideas for essay topics.

What are some narrative essay topics?

Narrative essay topics usually focus on a single, autobiographical  event that made a significant impact. Here are some essay prompts for a variety of narrative essay topics. 

• Write about a time you stepped out of your comfort zone. What motivated you to take that step, and how did it change your perspective?
• Reflect on a failure that shaped your character. How did you turn it into a learning experience?
• Who or what has had the greatest influence on your identity? Share a story that illustrates this impact.
• Recount a time when you stood up for something you believed in. What was at stake, and how did it shape your values?
• Write about a meaningful conversation that changed the way you see the world. Who was it with, and what was the impact?
• Describe a moment when you helped someone or made a difference in their life. How did that experience shape you?
• Describe a time when your curiosity led you to an unexpected discovery. What did you learn, and how did it inspire you?

Looking for more ideas for narrative essay topics? Ask QuillBot’s free AI Chat.

How many body paragraphs should be in an essay?

To find out how many body paragraphs should be in an essay, look for clues such as these in your assignment instructions.

• If your assignment says “5-paragraph essay,” you need 3 body paragraphs. The 5-paragraph format is common for beginner-level writing classes and essay test questions.
• Look for a required word count. An essay paragraph is usually about 200 words. Divide the total number of words required by 200 and subtract 2 for the introduction and conclusion.
• Look for a required number of pages, and plan for about 2 paragraphs on each double-spaced page.

While your instructor is always the best source of information about how many body paragraphs you need, QuillBot’s AI Chat can also help you unpack assignment requirements if you include them in your AI prompt.

What is a good narrative essay outline?

A good narrative essay outline usually has an introduction that establishes the situation and setting of your event, body paragraphs that describe the event in chronological order, and a conclusion that reflects on the event’s meaning. This is the most common structure for a narrative essay:

• Introduction
  • Event you’re writing about
  • Setting (time and place the event took place)
  • Why the event is significant
• What happened first
• What happened next
• When things got most challenging (the climax)
• How the conflict was resolved
• Conclusion
  • How the event affected you or what you learned

The best structure for an essay outline always depends on the essay prompt. For narrative essay prompts that say “describe a time when” or “write about an event that,” your body paragraphs should probably tell the story in chronological order. QuillBot’s free AI Chat can also help you with narrative essay outlines.