In this article you can find out:
- How to find the right essay topic for you
- Why some essay topics are difficult to write about
- How to search for interesting topics
This resource is suitable for broadly discursive essay writing for S1, S2 and S3 (Third and Fourth Level Curriculum for Excellence).
What type of essay are you writing?
In lots of subjects across the school (not just English), you will be asked to write a variety of different types of essay.
Broadly discursive essays are where you look at a subject and present well-researched information or an argument about a topic.
Common types of broadly discursive essay are:
- persuasive (one-sided argument)
- argumentative (one-sided argument, often Causing a strong reaction.)
- discursive (two-sided examination, balanced)
- informative (Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions. study)
Finding the right topic for you
Once you are clear about the type of writing that you have been asked to produce, you should consider the topic that you will write about. Sometimes your teacher might decide to give you a specific topic to research. Sometimes you will be asked to come up with a topic yourself.
Often, the hardest part of An essay that requires you to look at a subject and present well-researched information or an argument about a topic. writing is deciding what you want to research and write about. The amount of information online for you to sift through can feel overwhelming at first. However, it is important that you do not try to cut corners at this stage.
Where to start
Typing âwhat topic should I write my discursive essay onâŠâ into a search engine will produce thousands of âTop 100 topics to write aboutâ lists. But are the results any good? Ask yourself: are these listed topics:
- Current and contemporary?
- Specific?
- Open to debate or further consideration?
- Locally or nationally relevant?
- Researched academically?
- Interesting to you?
Many of the subjects featured on generic lists wonât meet these criteria. You will have to do a little bit of reading and researching before you can come up with a suitable topic that meets most of the criteria listed.
Look at the following essay topics and consider the criteria above.
Why will these topics be difficult to write about?
Topic One: Should drugs be legalised?
Which drugs? When? Where? Why?
This topic is vague and broad. It would be difficult for you to construct a clear argument around it.
If you want to tackle a topic about drugs, you could look at a national story, for example: âShould more funding be given to Scotlandâs drug support services?â
Topic Two: Should the death penalty be abolished?
As the last executions in the UK occurred in 1964, this essay subject is largely redundant. The points that you would make in the essay would not require to be made.
You could be more specific and make a point about the death penalty in another country.
Alternatively, if you are interested in social justice in the UK then you might think of a contemporary issue affecting the justice system, for example âHow has COVID-19 impacted on Scotlandâs prisons?â.
Topic Three: Is smoking bad for your health?
Who would the intended audience be for this essay? Who are you trying to convince of this point and why?
The majority of people today would agree that smoking is bad for your health.
Think of an original spin on a health essay, for example: âAre e-cigarettes bad for your health?â. This topic is more current and contemporary.
Where to find an interesting topic
The best place to begin your search is the front page of quality newspapers or the home page on an online news source. Ask yourself: what are quality news outlets running with as the lead stories that day?
Some examples of reputable news outlets include:
- quality UK newspapers eg The Guardian or The Times
- quality Scottish newspapers eg The Herald or The Scotsman
Other sources
- Alternatively, watch an episode of ±«Óătv Newsround and consider the topics being presented.
- If you are looking for a topic of real significance to your local community, you could read your local newspaper for ideas.
- Often, just listening to the hot topics of conversation among your friends can generate ideas for topics that matter to your age group.
When you have a story that you find interesting you have to dig deeper: what are the real issues being discussed and do these issues matter to you?
Questions
Try it yourself. Watch a news bulletin or read todayâs news headlines.
- What is the subject of the main story on the bulletin/website?
- Why do you think they have run with this particular story and these details?
- What audience might be interested in this topic?
- Find three stories that capture your attention. Consider why these stories interest you.
More on Discursive, persuasive and informative writing
Find out more by working through a topic
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