Essay Topics for Students

A composition on a particular subject consisting of more than one paragraph is an essay.

The essay should deal with the main subject, and all parts of it should be clearly linked with that subject. There should be a logical sequence of thought. This requires a logical relationship between ideas, sentences and paragraphs. Unimportant information should not be included and space should be given to the important ideas.

Types of Essay

Descriptive Essays: Descriptive Essays are those that consist of the description of some place or thing. The description should be both clear and pleasant. The writer of the description should set to work the manner of a painter. His ‘description must be founded upon close observation. Also an attempt should be made to reproduce the atmosphere in which object is seen.

Narrative Essays: The subject matter of the Narrative Essay is the same as that of the narrative proper. It consists of the narration of some event, action or movement. The event may be imaginary or historical or a personal experience of the student or an account of the life of someone else. The candidate may be asked to write about the biographical sketch of a national leader, a journey or a voyage or an incident like a street quarrel or a bus accident.

Reflective Essays: The aim of the reflective essay is to test whether the student has formed his opinion on such subjects as ‘Patriotism ‘Habits’, ‘Essentials of Character’, etc. He is to attempt topics of abstract as well as of social, political and domestic affairs. Current issues such as ‘Rising Prices’ are set to test the volume of information he has gathered. This particular type of essay is an essential test of planning and argument of the matter possessed by the student. The essay is to be a sincere self-expression of the candidate.

Essay Format

Introduction: ‘The purpose of introduction is to stimulate generally an interest in the topic. The general importance of the topic is emphasised at the very outset, so as to sustain the interest of the reader all through the essay. As a rule, the introduction opens with the pointed short statement which shakes off the indifference of the reader. The opening sentence is usually short. It serves the purpose of an electric shock. If it is a serious statement, it should be readily acceptable. But it must be full of compelling force and vigour.

History: After the introduction, the history and development of the topic should be taken up. In a short essay, a very brief critical survey or bird’s eye-view of the history of the topic may be given in the form of a few pithy remarks. In the case of longer essays, it is absolutely necessary to present a very succinct account of the topic. The attempted history of the topic should show that the candidate has up-to-date knowledge of things, and is in a position to draw his own conclusions.

Body: It constitutes the main part or body of the essay. It should present facts, illustrations and thoughts and reflections of the writer in an orderly and coherent manner. The body should be divided into regular paragraphs, each dealing with one distinct aspect of the subject. The paragraphs should be interlinked with one another and should serve as different stages in the narrative description or the argument.

Conclusion: The essay should be rounded off with a conclusion. The conclusion of an essay is as important as its introduction. Whereas the opening introduces the subject, the end leaves the final impression on the mind of the reader. It should, therefore, contain the finest, wittiest or most original thought that has occurred to the writer on the subject. There should be a finality and completeness about the end. The last sentence of the essay should have a rhythmic effect as to produce a strong feeling that the topic has finally come to a very satisfactory and natural end.

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