Today, we have a comprehensive list of various sample essay prompts to consider.  You are going to see a lot of these during your academic career.  Beginning in middle school, going on through high school, and even when you get to college, your teachers and professors are going to hand out essay writing prompts like candy.  You might prefer a lollipop or a pack of smarties, but trust, they are not doing this to torture you.  The writing habits you begin learning in middle school really are going to help you later.  The fundamental elements of personal essays, argumentative essays, and descriptive essays – the styles most commonly seen during your early school days – are going to show up again and again, in term papers, research papers, and even dissertations.

Of course, sample essay prompts do not have to be assigned.  Why not practice on your own?  That may sound crazy, but essay prompts can actually come in handy in a number of ways, with a number of assignments.  Just as a for instance, think about your college applications.  You are usually asked to write up a personal statement – basically, a personal essay, which is also known as a narrative.  Sometimes it may be related to your major, what you want to do with your life, or why you want to go to that specific institutions.  Other times, it might be completely random.  Such prompts can show up on the PSATs and SATs as well.  So, why not take a look at some sample personal essay topics?  At the very least, they can even help you with writer’s block.

Personal Sample 1: Just about every student has been caught unprepared for a big, important exam at one time or another.  Maybe you were sick, maybe you were away, maybe you were busy with other school work – whatever the case, describe a time when this happened to you.  Did you wing it or explain your situation to the teacher?  How did you do?

Personal Sample 2: Pick out a very vivid moment of your childhood and describe it with as much detail as possible.  Make your readers understand why it is so special and/or important to you.

Personal Sample 3: Think about a goal you have had in the past and explain to your reader exactly how you reached it.  Make sure you describe why doing so was so important to you.

Next up are some sample essay prompts in the form of argumentative topics.  You will likely be given a lot of persuasive papers as you go through school, so you definitely need to learn how to form arguments on paper.

Argumentative Sample 1: Do you think that the problem of domestic violence in the United States is being exaggerated, or do you think it needs to be taken more seriously?  Why?

Argumentative Sample 2: What do you think about animal testing?  Is it human to use them for scientific research, or inhumane?

Argumentative Sample 3: What are your feelings on people using cell phones in public?  Do you think they should be banned in malls, restaurants, et cetera?  Why or why not?

Now, let’s have a look at some samples for descriptive papers.  Descriptive essay prompts give you a chance to be really imaginative and, as such, are great exercises for both academic writers and literary or non fiction writers.

Descriptive Sample 1: Think about your favorite place in the world and describe why it is so special.  What do you do there?  What does it look, smell, and feel like?

Descriptive Sample 2: What is your favorite season?  Why?  What is your town like during that season?

Descriptive Sample 3: What teacher has affected you the most?  Why was he or she so memorable?  How and why did he or she inspire and/or affect you?

As you can see, sample essay prompts are beneficial with any number of subjects.  More importantly, they pop up where you least expect them.  They also show up on some of the most important exams we will take in our lives, and on some of the most crucial documents.  You never know which kind you are going to get, and any way, they truly do help later in life, when you have moved from essays to research and term papers.

There are a virtual wealth of argumentative topics out there, each of which is perfect for essays or term papers.  You can also use them as prompts to hone your writing skills.  This is actually an excellent idea, as it will give you a good basis for later argumentative papers.

Naturally, good argumentative topics have to present a good basis for an argument – otherwise, what is the point?  Your own opinion on the subject naturally plays a large part, but you have to back up your opinion with sound evidence and references.  Otherwise, rather than being argumentative, your paper will be more akin to an opinion piece.  Supporting your argument and your opinion are key factors when writing a good term paper based on an argument.

In quite a few ways, writing argumentative term papers is rather like debating – of course, rather than the spoken word, you are writing down your points.  As well, you do not have to necessarily argue both sides of the issue – however, be prepared to defend your views and your opinions.  Actually, by anticipating opposition, you can work your defenses into your paper.  During the term paper writing process you should consider differing opinions and deal with them accordingly.  Discuss why you do not agree with them and why; why you do not hold those opinions, why your stance is what it is, etc.

Crafting a solid argument is a primary part of term paper writing in general – at least, of course, if you are trying to build a really good term paper.  It is even more important in argumentative essays.  However, the crux of your argument is likewise important, i.e. you have to be extremely careful when considering argumentative topics.  You cannot always choose something simply because you are itching to argue that point. You have to go into the process with an open mind, because, as mentioned, you have to be able to anticipate any possible opposition.  You have to consider the opposite opinion as well, or else you will not be able to prove your own argument.  Being informed about your side is not enough.  In order to be truly informed and truly fair-minded you need to approach the argument from both sides in your research.

To get an example of what this means, first consider these possible argumentative term paper ideas:

•    Is domestic violence a problem which should be dealt with more strictly, or is it a personal issue among the people involved?

•    Is it humane for animals to be used in various forms of testing?

•    Should sexual education at school be mandatory?  Should it be regulated to a class or just random assemblies?

•    Should gay marriage be legal?  Should it be mandated by state government or federal government?

•    Should abortion remain legal?  Should it be restricted?  What about women who use it as a form of birth control?

These are just examples of argumentative topics, but as you can see, you have the opportunity to write very controversial term papers, if that is your fancy.  You may also find it beneficial to find a good term paper example on an argumentative topic.  That way you will see best how to approach a controversial, highly debated issue, as in the case of the latter two essay samples.