essays for high school seniors

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The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (120+ Ideas!)

Ideas to inspire every young writer!

High school students generally do a lot of writing, learning to use language clearly, concisely, and persuasively. When it’s time to choose an essay topic, though, it’s easy to come up blank. If that’s the case, check out this huge round-up of essay topics for high school. You’ll find choices for every subject and writing style.

• Argumentative Essay Topics
• Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics
• Compare-Contrast Essay Topics
• Descriptive Essay Topics
• Expository and Informative Essay Topics
• Humorous Essay Topics

Literary Essay Topics

• Narrative and Personal Essay Topics
• Personal Essay Topics
• Persuasive Essay Topics

Research Essay Topics

Argumentative essay topics for high school.

When writing an argumentative essay, remember to do the research and lay out the facts clearly. Your goal is not necessarily to persuade someone to agree with you, but to encourage your reader to accept your point of view as valid. Here are some possible argumentative topics to try. ( Here are 100 more compelling argumentative essay topics. )

• The most important challenge our country is currently facing is … (e.g., immigration, gun control, economy)
• The government should provide free internet access for every citizen.
• All drugs should be legalized, regulated, and taxed.
• Vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco.
• The best country in the world is …
• Parents should be punished for their minor children’s crimes.
• Should all students have the ability to attend college for free?
• Should physical education be part of the standard high school curriculum?

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• Schools should require recommended vaccines for all students, with very limited exceptions.
• Is it acceptable to use animals for experiments and research?
• Does social media do more harm than good?
• Capital punishment does/does not deter crime.
• What one class should all high schools students be required to take and pass in order to graduate?
• Do we really learn anything from history, or does it just repeat itself over and over?
• Are men and women treated equally?

Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics for High School

A cause-and-effect essay is a type of argumentative essay. Your goal is to show how one specific thing directly influences another specific thing. You’ll likely need to do some research to make your point. Here are some ideas for cause-and-effect essays. ( Get a big list of 100 cause-and-effect essay topics here. )

• Humans are causing accelerated climate change.
• Fast-food restaurants have made human health worse over the decades.
• What caused World War II? (Choose any conflict for this one.)
• Describe the effects social media has on young adults.

• How does playing sports affect people?
• What are the effects of loving to read?
• Being an only/oldest/youngest/middle child makes you …
• What effect does violence in movies or video games have on kids?
• Traveling to new places opens people’s minds to new ideas.
• Racism is caused by …

Compare-Contrast Essay Topics for High School

As the name indicates, in compare-and-contrast essays, writers show the similarities and differences between two things. They combine descriptive writing with analysis, making connections and showing dissimilarities. The following ideas work well for compare-contrast essays. ( Find 80+ compare-contrast essay topics for all ages here. )

• Public and private schools
• Capitalism vs. communism
• Monarchy or democracy
• Dogs vs. cats as pets

• Paper books or e-books
• Two political candidates in a current race
• Going to college vs. starting work full-time
• Working your way through college as you go or taking out student loans
• iPhone or Android
• Instagram vs. Twitter (or choose any other two social media platforms)

Descriptive Essay Topics for High School

Bring on the adjectives! Descriptive writing is all about creating a rich picture for the reader. Take readers on a journey to far-off places, help them understand an experience, or introduce them to a new person. Remember: Show, don’t tell. These topics make excellent descriptive essays.

• Who is the funniest person you know?
• What is your happiest memory?
• Tell about the most inspirational person in your life.
• Write about your favorite place.
• When you were little, what was your favorite thing to do?
• Choose a piece of art or music and explain how it makes you feel.
• What is your earliest memory?

• What’s the best/worst vacation you’ve ever taken?
• Describe your favorite pet.
• What is the most important item in the world to you?
• Give a tour of your bedroom (or another favorite room in your home).
• Describe yourself to someone who has never met you.
• Lay out your perfect day from start to finish.
• Explain what it’s like to move to a new town or start a new school.
• Tell what it would be like to live on the moon.

Expository and Informative Essay Topics for High School

Expository essays set out clear explanations of a particular topic. You might be defining a word or phrase or explaining how something works. Expository or informative essays are based on facts, and while you might explore different points of view, you won’t necessarily say which one is “better” or “right.” Remember: Expository essays educate the reader. Here are some expository and informative essay topics to explore. ( See 70+ expository and informative essay topics here. )

• What makes a good leader?
• Explain why a given school subject (math, history, science, etc.) is important for students to learn.
• What is the “glass ceiling” and how does it affect society?
• Describe how the internet changed the world.
• What does it mean to be a good teacher?

• Explain how we could colonize the moon or another planet.
• Discuss why mental health is just as important as physical health.
• Describe a healthy lifestyle for a teenager.
• Choose an American president and explain how their time in office affected the country.
• What does “financial responsibility” mean?

Humorous Essay Topics for High School

Humorous essays can take on any form, like narrative, persuasive, or expository. You might employ sarcasm or satire, or simply tell a story about a funny person or event. Even though these essay topics are lighthearted, they still take some skill to tackle well. Give these ideas a try.

• What would happen if cats (or any other animal) ruled the world?
• What do newborn babies wish their parents knew?
• Explain the best ways to be annoying on social media.
• Invent a wacky new sport, explain the rules, and describe a game or match.

• Imagine a discussion between two historic figures from very different times, like Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth I.
• Retell a familiar story in tweets or other social media posts.
• Describe present-day Earth from an alien’s point of view.
• Choose a fictional character and explain why they should be the next president.
• Describe a day when kids are in charge of everything, at school and at home.

Literary essays analyze a piece of writing, like a book or a play. In high school, students usually write literary essays about the works they study in class. These literary essay topic ideas focus on books students often read in high school, but many of them can be tweaked to fit other works as well.

• Discuss the portrayal of women in Shakespeare’s Othello .
• Explore the symbolism used in The Scarlet Letter .
• Explain the importance of dreams in Of Mice and Men .
• Compare and contrast the romantic relationships in Pride and Prejudice .

• Dissect the allegory of Animal Farm and its relation to contemporary events.
• Interpret the author’s take on society and class structure in The Great Gatsby .
• Explore the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia.
• Discuss whether Shakespeare’s portrayal of young love in Romeo and Juliet is accurate.
• Explain the imagery used in Beowulf .

Narrative and Personal Essay Topics for High School

Think of a narrative essay like telling a story. Use some of the same techniques that you would for a descriptive essay, but be sure you have a beginning, middle, and end. A narrative essay doesn’t necessarily need to be personal, but they often are. Take inspiration from these narrative and personal essay topics.

• Describe a performance or sporting event you took part in.
• Explain the process of cooking and eating your favorite meal.
• Write about meeting your best friend for the first time and how your relationship developed.
• Tell about learning to ride a bike or drive a car.
• Describe a time in your life when you’ve been scared.

• Share the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you.
• Tell about a time when you overcame a big challenge.
• Tell the story of how you learned an important life lesson.
• Describe a time when you or someone you know experienced prejudice or oppression.
• Explain a family tradition, how it developed, and its importance today.
• What is your favorite holiday? How does your family celebrate it?
• Retell a familiar story from the point of view of a different character.
• Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
• Tell about your proudest moment.

Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative , but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader. It’s important to know your audience, so you can anticipate any counterarguments they might make and try to overcome them. Try these topics to persuade someone to come around to your point of view. ( Discover 60 more intriguing persuasive essay topics here. )

• Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?
• Everyone should be vegetarian or vegan.
• What animal makes the best pet?
• Visit an animal shelter, choose an animal that needs a home, and write an essay persuading someone to adopt that animal.
• Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
• Should little kids be allowed to play competitive sports?
• Are professional athletes/musicians/actors overpaid?
• The best music genre is …

• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Is capitalism the best form of economy?
• Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
• Should schools have dress codes?
• If I could change one school rule, it would be …
• Is year-round school a good idea?

A research essay is a classic high school assignment. These papers require deep research into primary source documents, with lots of supporting facts and evidence that’s properly cited. Research essays can be in any of the styles shown above. Here are some possible topics, across a variety of subjects.

• Which country’s style of government is best for the people who live there?
• Choose a country and analyze its development from founding to present day.
• Describe the causes and effects of a specific war.
• Formulate an ideal economic plan for our country.
• What scientific discovery has had the biggest impact on life today?

• Analyze the way mental health is viewed and treated in this country.
• Explore the ways systemic racism impacts people in all walks of life.
• Defend the importance of teaching music and the arts in public schools.
• Choose one animal from the endangered species list, and propose a realistic plan to protect it.

What are some of your favorite essay topics for high school? Come share your prompts on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out the ultimate guide to student writing contests .

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A High School Curriculum Essay Topic List for Busy Students

High school is a whirlwind of weekly challenges, extracurricular activities, and personal growth. It’s even a daily struggle for students to balance assignments, social life, and countless responsibilities. In the midst of this chaos, writing an essay often becomes a protracted homework assignment. Therefore, you need to think about a suitable topic and arguments beforehand.

I will happily share a curated list of essay topics I’ve done for high school students. This is an expanded list of a wide variety of topics that meet the requirements of teachers. By choosing the best topic for your needs, you will make the essay writing process manageable and enjoyable. I love to share my rich experiences and this article is no exception. You can express your gratitude and support by following me on social media, I will be pleased.

So, go ahead! EssayPay essay writing service opens up new opportunities. Choosing the right topic is a chance to get a good grade.

• What Essay Topics Are Suitable for HighSchool Students

High school is a time of self-discovery, exploration, and development, and your essay topics should reflect these important years in your life. Good essay topics for high school students cover a full range – from analyzing classic literature to researching contemporary social issues. You should choose a suitable topic according to your age and teacher’s assignment.

Choosing the right topic encourages a deeper understanding of the subject. It is an opportunity to express your unique point of view and voice. In my selection, there is a topic for even the most curious high school students. Are you a science enthusiast or a history buff? There is something interesting for everyone. It’s time to choose the best one out of 110 highschool essay topics.

• English and Literature

In the realm of English Language and Literature, we find a treasure trove of thought-provoking topics waiting to be explored. From timeless classics to contemporary gems, the power of storytelling and language unfolds in rich narratives, complex characters, and profound themes.

• A Source of Timeless Essay Ideas
• The Symbolism of “The Great Gatsby” (Unraveling Fitzgerald’s Masterpiece)
• The Tragic Hero in Shakespearean Plays (A Comparative Analysis of Macbeth and Hamlet)
• The Role of Women in Jane Austen’s Novels (A Study of Pride and Prejudice)
• The Power of Metaphor in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (Analyzing Harper Lee’s Craft)
• The Theme of Revenge in “The Count of Monte Cristo” (A Journey Through Dumas’ Epic)
• Exploring Modern Themes and Issues
• Social Commentary in “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Examining Atwood’s Dystopian Vision)
• Identity and Belonging in “The Hate U Give” (A Look into Angie Thomas’ Bestseller)
• Climate Change and Speculative Fiction (Analyzing “The Ministry for the Future”)
• Race and Inequality in “Americanah” (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Perspective)
• LGBTQ+ Representation in Young Adult Literature (A Study of “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda”)
• Literary Analysis: Unlocking Hidden Meanings in Texts
• Freudian Analysis of “Lord of the Flies” (The Dark Psychology of William Golding’s Novel)
• The Use of Allegory in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” (A Political Reading)
• The Role of Nature in the Works of Henry David Thoreau (A Transcendentalist Exploration)
• Postcolonial Themes in Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children” (An In-Depth Study)
• The Gothic Elements in Edgar Allan Poe’s Poetry (A Haunting Analysis of the Macabre)

Also, check out the guide to writing an analysis paper that will prompt you to dissect the written word. Draft your insights while examining the nuances of language, and ultimately engage with the art of literature.

• History and Social Studies

Here you will travel through time and modern society. Explore critical events, political landscapes, and social change. Within this section, you will find a diverse array of essay topics that will enable you to delve into the past, conquer your apprehensions about the present, and analyze the transformative power of social movements.

• Crafting Essays on the Past
• The Legacy of the American Civil Rights Movement (Reflections on Equality and Justice)
• World War II (Examining the Impact of a Global Conflict on Nations and People)
• The Renaissance and Its Influence on Art, Science, and Culture
• The French Revolution (A Turning Point in History and Its Lasting Effects)
• Ancient Civilizations (Comparative Analysis of Mesopotamia and Egypt)
• Engaging with Current Affairs
• The Role of Social Media in Shaping Political Discourse and Activism
• Climate Change Policy (Analyzing Global Efforts and Challenges)
• The Impact of Immigration Policies on Society and Culture
• Electoral Systems (A Comparative Study of Democracies Around the World)
• The Role of International Organizations in Promoting Peace and Cooperation
• Analyzing the Impact of Change
• The Women’s Suffrage Movement (Examining the Fight for Gender Equality)
• Civil Rights Movements Worldwide (Lessons from Struggles for Justice)
• LGBTQ+ Rights and Activism (Progress and Challenges in the 21st Century)
• Environmental Activism (The Role of Youth in Combating Climate Change)
• Black Lives Matter and Racial Justice (A Critical Analysis of a Modern Movement)

If you’re ready to dive deeper into history and current social issues, see the list of cause and effect essay topics . These will help you confront the historical and contemporary factors that have contributed to profound social change.

• Science and Technology

It is about the limits of human knowledge and innovation. I offer a separate collection of essays on topics that delve into scientific discoveries, new technological trends, and the critical intersection of science and environmental issues.

• Topics in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
• The CRISPR Revolution (Genetic Engineering’s Impact on Medicine and Agriculture)
• The Periodic Table’s Legacy (A Century of Chemistry Advancements)
• Quantum Mechanics and Its Role in Modern Technology
• The Wonder of Photosynthesis (How Plants Power Our World)
• From Penicillin to Antibiotic Resistance (The Evolution of Medicine)
• Essays on Innovation and its Effects
• Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work (Automation and Ethical Considerations)
• The Internet of Things “IoT” (Transforming Daily Life and Security Concerns)
• Renewable Energy Technology (Advancements in Sustainable Power Sources)
• Cybersecurity Challenges in the Digital Age (Protecting Data and Privacy)
• Space Exploration Technology (The Race to Mars and Beyond)
• Connecting Science to the World
• Climate Change and Global Warming (Causes, Consequences, and Mitigation)
• The Impact of Deforestation on Biodiversity and Climate
• Plastic Pollution in Oceans (A Global Crisis in Need of Solutions)
• Sustainable Agriculture (Feeding the World Without Harming the Planet)
• Clean Energy Initiatives (Transitioning to a Greener Future)

I have a selection of biology research topics for the most inquisitive students. These topics will allow you to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of scientific discovery.

• Arts and Humanities

Wander through the realms of creativity, self-expression, and philosophical inquiry. My next section provides a variety of essay topics as recommendations to help you overcome writer’s block. By choosing one of the topics, you will have the opportunity to interpret visual art, explore the deep connection between music and culture, or delve into the complex world of philosophy and ethics.

• Interpreting Paintings, Sculptures, and Photography
• The Power of Impressionism (A Deep Dive into Monet’s Water Lilies)
• Sculpture as Storytelling (Analyzing Michelangelo’s David)
• The Role of Photography in Social Change (Documenting History Through the Lens)
• Surrealism and the Art of Dreamscapes (Examining Salvador Dalí’s Work)
• Street Art and Graffiti (Urban Expression and Social Commentary)
• Essays on Musical Trends and Influence
• The Influence of Hip-Hop on Contemporary Culture (A Multifaceted Examination)
• Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Impact on Youth Culture (Rebellion, Revolution, and Evolution)
• Classical Music’s Timeless Appeal (The Legacy of Beethoven)
• Music and Identity (How Folk Music Reflects Cultural Diversity)
• Pop Music’s Global Reach (The Evolution of Sound and Style)
• Exploring Life’s Fundamental Questions
• The Problem of Evil (Philosophical Explorations of Suffering and Morality)
• The Ethical Dilemmas of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
• Existentialism and the Search for Meaning (Camus, Sartre, and Nietzsche)
• Bioethics and the Moral Implications of Modern Medicine
• Environmental Ethics (Balancing Human Interests with Nature’s Rights)

By the way, here are additional topics for descriptive essays that foster a deep appreciation for human expression and the exploration of life’s fundamental questions.

• Personal Development and Reflection

I invite you to explore the canvas of your own experiences, aspirations, and personal growth. These high school essay topics will allow you to share your unique story, engage in self-discovery, and imagine your future through the art of writing.

• Personal Experiences: Sharing Short Story Through Essays
• A Turning Point in My Life (Reflecting on a Life-Changing Experience)
• Lessons from Adversity (How Challenges Shaped My Perspective)
• My Cultural Heritage (Celebrating Identity and Family Traditions)
• Travel Adventures (Exploring New Horizons and Embracing Diversity)
• Personal Passions (How My Hobbies Define My Identity and Interests)
• Reflective Essays: Self-Discovery and Growth
• The Journey to Self-Acceptance (Embracing Flaws and Celebrating Strengths)
• The Power of Resilience (How I Overcame Obstacles and Found Inner Strength)
• Personal Growth Through Mentorship (Reflecting on Guiding Influences)
• Changing Perspectives (How Travel and New Experiences Shaped My Worldview)
• The Art of Mindfulness (Exploring the Benefits of Self-Reflection)
• Goals and Aspirations: Crafting Essays About Your Future
• My Vision for the Future (Defining Career and Life Goals)
• Overcoming Challenges on the Path to Success (A Personal Journey)
• The Role of Education in Achieving Long-Term Aspirations
• Environmental Advocacy (My Commitment to a Sustainable Future)
• The Power of Giving Back (How I Plan to Contribute to Society)

These essay topics encourage personal exploration and growth. Learn more about the reflection essay to share your unique experiences and aspirations through the art of writing.

• 10 Additional Essay Topics That Require Strong Argumentation

I understand the needs of high school students quite well, so I have 10 examples of good topics for argumentative essays.

• Should School Uniforms Be Mandatory In All High Schools?
• Is Social Media A Positive or Negative Influence On Teenagers?
• Should Standardized Testing Be The Primary Means of Assessing Students’ Academic Abilities?
• Is The Legal Voting Age (18 Years) Appropriate, or Should It Be Lowered or Raised?
• Are Video Games Contributing to Increased Levels of Violence In Society?
• Should High School Students Be Required to Complete Community Service Hours for Graduation?
• Is the Use of Technology In the Classroom Improving or Hindering Students’ Learning?
• Should the School Day Start Later to Accommodate Teenagers’ Sleep Needs?
• Is the Consumption of Sugary Drinks and Junk Food A Significant Health Concern Among High School Students?
• Should Sex Education Be A Mandatory Part of the High School Curriculum?

Are these ideas not interesting enough? Well, take a look at the more extensive list of argumentative essay topics on the Essaypay blog.

• Fun and Unique Essay Topics for High School

This part of the list is for those who were looking for fun essay topics for high school. By choosing one of these topics, you can write about the fascinating world of pop culture, viral trends on the Internet, exciting adventures, favorite hobbies and passions, and your creative imagination. There are plenty of opportunities to demonstrate your curiosity and creativity.

• Exploring the Impact of Music, Movies, and TV Shows
• The Influence of Music on Youth Culture (Analyzing Lyrics and Trends)
• The Power of Superhero Movies (A Study of the Marvel Cinematic Universe)
• TV Series and Social Change (How “The Crown” Shaped Perceptions of Royalty)
• The Role of Anime in Global Pop Culture (A Comparative Analysis)
• The Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Brand Marketing
• Analyzing Memes, Viral Videos, and Social Media
• Memes as a Form of Modern Expression (Humor and Cultural Commentary)
• The Psychology of Viral Videos: Why Do Some Clips Capture Our Attention?
• Social Media and Mental Health (The Effects of Online Validation)
• Influencer Culture (The Rise of Internet Celebrities and Their Impact)
• The Art of Online Activism (Mobilizing Change Through Social Media)
• Sharing Your Exciting Experiences Through Essays
• Exploring Natural Wonders (Essays on Visiting National Parks)
• Cultural Immersion (Learning from Traveling and Meeting New People)
• Traveling Solo (Personal Growth and Adventures Beyond Your Comfort Zone)
• The Joys of Road Trips (Stories from the Open Road)
• The Impact of Travel on Understanding Global Perspectives
• Essays on Your Favorite Activities
• From Pencils to Pixels (The Art of Sketching in the Digital Age)
• The Zen of Gardening (Cultivating Green Spaces and Inner Peace)
• The Culinary Adventure (Exploring the World Through Cooking and Food)
• Beyond the Canvas (The Art of Crafting and DIY Projects)
• The Magic of Board Games (Connecting and Competing with Friends and Family)
• Creative Essay Ideas and Fictional Scenarios
• The Art of World-Building (Crafting Your Fantasy Universe)
• Time Travel Adventures (A Journey to the Past or Future)
• Alternate History Scenarios (What If Historical Events Unfolded Differently?)
• The Existence of Parallel Universes (Exploring Multiverse Theories)
• The Unseen World (Crafting Tales of Mythical Creatures and Legends)

If these playful topics are not enough for you, choose an equally good narrative essay topic for your future paper. I hope I have succeeded in encouraging you to explore your interests in order to prepare a creative narrative.

• Tips and Resources for Busy High School Students

Before you start writing, I want to provide some practical tips and valuable resources that will definitely come in handy. This information will be very useful in a busy schedule. You might even want to share it with your classmates.

• Balancing Essays with a Hectic Schedule
• Create a schedule or use a time management app to allocate specific time blocks for essay writing.
• Set realistic goals and break your essay tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

Time management apps: Trello , Todoist, or Google Calendar.

Online time tracking tools: Toggl or RescueTime.

• Navigating the World of Academic Sources
• Use reputable academic databases and libraries for research, such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, or your school’s library resources.
• Learn the basics of citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA) and use citation management tools like Zotero or EndNote.

Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) for comprehensive citation style guides.

Citation generators: Citation Machine or InTextCitation.com.

• Strategies to Improve Your Essay Skills
• Practice writing regularly, focusing on different essay types (argumentative, descriptive, narrative, etc.).
• Seek feedback from teachers, peers, or online writing communities to improve your writing.

Grammarly or ProWritingAid for grammar and style checks.

Writing forums and groups like Reddit’s r/Writing or Wattpad for feedback and inspiration.

These tips and resources will help you give your best. I hope you found your killer essay topic. I’m sure you’ll be able to handle all the challenges even in the midst of a busy school schedule. I sincerely wish everyone effective writing a high school essay!

Arlene McCoy has extensive writing, teaching, and mentoring experience. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a master’s degree in applied psychology. Thanks to her experience, teaching expertise, and genuine passion for writing, she consistently develops high-quality course materials that inspire and engage students.

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117 Great Persuasive Essay Topics for High School Level Students

When working on any essay, the first thing you’ll have to figure out is your topic. In high school, you are supposed to pick the kind of topic you will be able to dig into — that is, you have to make sure you can find enough info on the subject. Sure, today it seems that getting your hands on any kind of information is simple and question how long is a thesis isn't on the table yet. Still, you have to remember that apart from being available, the info you discuss should be engaging. So, that’s something to think about.

Argumentative and persuasive essays are most commonly assigned to high school students. So, there are plenty of papers in public domains that are written in one of these styles — and you can take a look at those if you need some inspiration. When working on an argumentative paper, for example, a student is supposed to present two polar different opinions on the subject and present enough evidence to support each point of view. But simply discussing two sides of the argument is not enough — a writer should also come up with a comprehensible conclusion. The same goes for persuasive essays — after all, the student’s primary goal here is to persuade the reader in his/her point of view.

In fact, a lot of argumentative essays are actually persuasive papers. So, if you’ve written at least one of those, you'll know how to write the other one. If you haven’t, here is a tip for you: choose a topic you feel strongly about. This is the certain way to make sure you will have enough ideas for a truly engaging paper; and, since you feel strongly about the subject, it will be way easier to prove your point of view to the reader.

Another word of advice while choosing a persuasive essay topic is to pick something that would be neither too broad, nor too narrow. Remember that most high school papers are no longer than five pages (often, even shorter than that), so it’s best to choose just one question and focus on it in your work. Also, remember that you will have to provide some factual evidence for your opinion (after all, any academic paper should be supported by academically recognized sources), so do not go for subjects that are purely opinionated and do not have any chance of justification.

Now that we’ve highlighted how important choosing a persuasive topic is for a student, let’s give you some great topic ideas to get you started.

50 Simple Essay Topics for High School

• How can a person overcome fear?
• Describe a piece of art (book, painting, poem) that changed your life.
• Should students evaluate their teachers?
• Do standardized tests really reveal student knowledge?
• Should there be extra incentives for good grades at school?
• Should Gym classes be obligatory?
• Should we make our school calendar longer?
• Can a class size influence student performance?
• Should schools punish inappropriate student behavior?
• Is there a connection between real-life violence and video games?
• Should illegal immigrants’ children get an education?
• Is there a way to deal with bullies in schools?
• How reality TV is enforcing dangerous stereotypes
• Is pop culture encouraging students not to pursue education?
• White lies: what are they and should we really believe them to be innocent?
• Should violent video games be sold to minors?
• Using cell phones for education: the pros and cons
• Should we conceal our real identities on the web?
• Technology: distraction or a bonus?
• Educational apps: how helpful are they?
• Should everyone go for a college education?
• The role of affirmative action in the modern world
• College admission criteria: is there anything else apart from SAT?
• The skinny model stereotype and its pressure on average girls
• Do we really have equal rights for men and women?
• Why so few girls pursue careers in exact sciences?
• Stopping sexual abuse against young women
• Should sports bets be legalized?
• Can cheerleading be considered a sport?
• Homosexual rights for sportsmen
• The role of sports in our world
• Are sports in the US too commercialized?
• The benefits of local sports franchises
• Should colleges pay their baseball players?
• The debate of the naming rights
• How should we treat juvenile offenders?
• Pros and cons of death penalty
• Leadership and the moral obligations that come with it
• A cure against mass shootings
• Should we change our gun control policy?
• Is there too much digital censorship these days?
• Should rich people pay higher taxes?
• Government and the confidence we place in it
• Privacy Vs. Security: which one comes first?
• Should the US monitor its allies and citizens?
• Should students be able to pick their teachers?
• Is it reasonable to lower the voting age?
• How important is fashion?
• The appropriate dating age
• Can older generation learn from the new one?

50 Persuasive topic ideas for high school

• The pros and cons of allowing cell phones in schools
• Free state college attendance for the state residents
• The pros and cons of marijuana treatment
• Is death penalty justifiable for violent offenders?
• Should illegal immigrants be granted same rights as citizens?
• Airport security: do we really need that many screenings?
• Should we allow birth control for minors?
• Free condoms at schools: atrocity or necessity?
• Should schools separate gym grades from the grade list?
• Free wi-fi in the cities: pros and cons
• How often should teachers pass qualification tests?
• Universal wealthy: how reasonable it is in the US realia?
• Animal product testing: ethical vs. practical
• Civil unions: should the government recognize them?
• Is it reasonable to keep suspected terrorists under custody?
• Should students be allowed to bring their music players to school?
• Can we charge plus size citizens double ticket fair?
• Corporate lobbyists and political campaigns: is their support legal?
• Should school dedicate more attention to world religions?
• Introducing obligatory community service in schools
• Is it safe to keep exotic pets?
• Cellphones in the classroom: should the teachers have them?
• Violent crimes and minors: should the government treat them as adults?
• Should we legalize euthanasia?
• Should federal government control and restrict certain content on the Internet?
• Sexual education as an obligatory subject in high schools
• Should ESL students pass state tests in their native languages?
• Can digital devices replace traditional textbooks?
• Is it reasonable to test professional sportsmen for drugs?
• Should corporate advertising be allowed in schools?
• Can students and over be friends on social media?
• How ethical it is to use stem cells from aborted children for the research?
• Should the USA spend more time on internal affairs and less on overseas issues?
• Drunk driving: should we enforce stricter punishment?
• Is it ethical for a rape victim to go for an abortion?
• Driving without a seat-belt: should it be considered a crime?
• Is it necessary for high school sportsmen to take drug tests?
• Should schools increase their budgets by selling food and drinks to students?
• Is it ethical to advertise alcohol on TV?
• Should foreign goods be taxed higher than internal products?
• Free bus rides for seniors: do we need them?
• Should the government ban sports betting?
• Should the government lower the budget for schools that show weak results on SAT?
• Would it be reasonable to euthanize dogs that have shown aggressive behavior towards people?
• Should we introduce government censorship on certain online content?
• Should we lower the minimal working age to 14 years old?
• The pros and cons of wearing uniforms in schools
• Should we allow getting a driving permit starting the age of 21?
• Should schools introduce fast food in their menus?
• Should booster seats for children be made obligatory?

12 Controversial Topics for School

• Are there any moral grounds that can justify torture?
• Should we consider police cameras an invasion of our privacy?
• Should we ban tobacco once and for all?
• Is the access to condoms affecting teenage irresponsible behavior?
• Is the mankind really responsible for global warming?
• Is it reasonable to teach creationism in schools?
• How fair is our election process?
• Should fathers get a paternity leave just as mothers do?
• Are parents disrupting their children’s privacy by posting photos online?
• Is advertising to children ethical?
• Is average CEO salary justifiable?
• Should the army promote their programs to high school students?

Best Topics for high school that are interesting and fun to read

• The positive aspects of rivalry
• The matter of age in a relationship
• Is boredom is the surest way to trouble?
• Should we increase or lower the drinking age?
• Are the college tuition fees too high?

Those are some of the most interesting, opinionated essay topics for high school level. The biggest perk of the above examples is that most of them are based on a student’s opinion. At the same time, most of these topics presuppose some research — so any idea you’re proving will not be without confirmation. If you want to get more inspiration check out exploratory essay topics as well.

The final word of advice would be to pay your attention not only to the topic you choose but also to the way you present and organize your ideas. Do not forget that any essay should have an intro, main body and conclusion. The main body should be divided into a series of logically connected paragraphs, each presenting a certain point.

Finally, if you are to write and essay but have little knowledge or interest in the subject, do not forget that there are plenty of custom essay writers that will gladly do the job for you. Perhaps, the toughest thing to do when looking for an essay writing service or lab report example is determining which of them are reliable and which are not. But, with a little bit of time and patience (and attention to detail, of course), you will have no problem figuring out which service is worth a shot. A tip: these companies usually have a great number of positive customer reviews, are available through multiple support channels and have no problem sharing useful information for free.

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100 Interesting Research Paper Topics for High Schoolers

What’s covered:, how to pick the right research topic, elements of a strong research paper.

• Interesting Research Paper Topics

Composing a research paper can be a daunting task for first-time writers. In addition to making sure you’re using concise language and your thoughts are organized clearly, you need to find a topic that draws the reader in.

CollegeVine is here to help you brainstorm creative topics! Below are 100 interesting research paper topics that will help you engage with your project and keep you motivated until you’ve typed the final period. 

A research paper is similar to an academic essay but more lengthy and requires more research. This added length and depth is bittersweet: although a research paper is more work, you can create a more nuanced argument, and learn more about your topic. Research papers are a demonstration of your research ability and your ability to formulate a convincing argument. How well you’re able to engage with the sources and make original contributions will determine the strength of your paper. 

You can’t have a good research paper without a good research paper topic. “Good” is subjective, and different students will find different topics interesting. What’s important is that you find a topic that makes you want to find out more and make a convincing argument. Maybe you’ll be so interested that you’ll want to take it further and investigate some detail in even greater depth!

For example, last year over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a rigorous research program founded by Harvard researchers. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project . The program actually does not require you to have a research topic in mind when you apply, but pro tip: the more specific you can be the more likely you are to get in!

Introduction

The introduction to a research paper serves two critical functions: it conveys the topic of the paper and illustrates how you will address it. A strong introduction will also pique the interest of the reader and make them excited to read more. Selecting a research paper topic that is meaningful, interesting, and fascinates you is an excellent first step toward creating an engaging paper that people will want to read.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is technically part of the introduction—generally the last sentence of it—but is so important that it merits a section of its own. The thesis statement is a declarative sentence that tells the reader what the paper is about. A strong thesis statement serves three purposes: present the topic of the paper, deliver a clear opinion on the topic, and summarize the points the paper will cover.

An example of a good thesis statement of diversity in the workforce is:

Diversity in the workplace is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage for businesses, as it fosters innovation, enhances creativity, improves decision-making, and enables companies to better understand and connect with a diverse customer base.

The body is the largest section of a research paper. It’s here where you support your thesis, present your facts and research, and persuade the reader.

Each paragraph in the body of a research paper should have its own idea. The idea is presented, generally in the first sentence of the paragraph, by a topic sentence. The topic sentence acts similarly to the thesis statement, only on a smaller scale, and every sentence in the paragraph with it supports the idea it conveys.

An example of a topic sentence on how diversity in the workplace fosters innovation is:

Diversity in the workplace fosters innovation by bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, which stimulates creativity, encourages new ideas, and leads to the development of innovative solutions to complex problems.

The body of an engaging research paper flows smoothly from one idea to the next. Create an outline before writing and order your ideas so that each idea logically leads to another.

The conclusion of a research paper should summarize your thesis and reinforce your argument. It’s common to restate the thesis in the conclusion of a research paper.

For example, a conclusion for a paper about diversity in the workforce is:

In conclusion, diversity in the workplace is vital to success in the modern business world. By embracing diversity, companies can tap into the full potential of their workforce, promote creativity and innovation, and better connect with a diverse customer base, ultimately leading to greater success and a more prosperous future for all.

Reference Page

The reference page is normally found at the end of a research paper. It provides proof that you did research using credible sources, properly credits the originators of information, and prevents plagiarism.

There are a number of different formats of reference pages, including APA, MLA, and Chicago. Make sure to format your reference page in your teacher’s preferred style.

• Analyze the benefits of diversity in education.
• Are charter schools useful for the national education system?
• How has modern technology changed teaching?
• Discuss the pros and cons of standardized testing.
• What are the benefits of a gap year between high school and college?
• What funding allocations give the most benefit to students?
• Does homeschooling set students up for success?
• Should universities/high schools require students to be vaccinated?
• What effect does rising college tuition have on high schoolers?
• Do students perform better in same-sex schools?
• Discuss and analyze the impacts of a famous musician on pop music.
• How has pop music evolved over the past decade?
• How has the portrayal of women in music changed in the media over the past decade?
• How does a synthesizer work?
• How has music evolved to feature different instruments/voices?
• How has sound effect technology changed the music industry?
• Analyze the benefits of music education in high schools.
• Are rehabilitation centers more effective than prisons?
• Are congestion taxes useful?
• Does affirmative action help minorities?
• Can a capitalist system effectively reduce inequality?
• Is a three-branch government system effective?
• What causes polarization in today’s politics?
• Is the U.S. government racially unbiased?
• Choose a historical invention and discuss its impact on society today.
• Choose a famous historical leader who lost power—what led to their eventual downfall?
• How has your country evolved over the past century?
• What historical event has had the largest effect on the U.S.?
• Has the government’s response to national disasters improved or declined throughout history?
• Discuss the history of the American occupation of Iraq.
• Explain the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
• Is literature relevant in modern society?
• Discuss how fiction can be used for propaganda.
• How does literature teach and inform about society?
• Explain the influence of children’s literature on adulthood.
• How has literature addressed homosexuality?
• Does the media portray minorities realistically?
• Does the media reinforce stereotypes?
• Why have podcasts become so popular?
• Will streaming end traditional television?
• What is a patriot?
• What are the pros and cons of global citizenship?
• What are the causes and effects of bullying?
• Why has the divorce rate in the U.S. been declining in recent years?
• Is it more important to follow social norms or religion?
• What are the responsible limits on abortion, if any?
• How does an MRI machine work?
• Would the U.S. benefit from socialized healthcare?
• Elderly populations
• The education system
• State tax bases
• How do anti-vaxxers affect the health of the country?
• Analyze the costs and benefits of diet culture.
• Should companies allow employees to exercise on company time?
• What is an adequate amount of exercise for an adult per week/per month/per day?
• Discuss the effects of the obesity epidemic on American society.
• Are students smarter since the advent of the internet?
• What departures has the internet made from its original design?
• Has digital downloading helped the music industry?
• Discuss the benefits and costs of stricter internet censorship.
• Analyze the effects of the internet on the paper news industry.
• What would happen if the internet went out?
• How will artificial intelligence (AI) change our lives?
• What are the pros and cons of cryptocurrency?
• How has social media affected the way people relate with each other?
• Should social media have an age restriction?
• Discuss the importance of source software.
• What is more relevant in today’s world: mobile apps or websites?
• How will fully autonomous vehicles change our lives?
• How is text messaging affecting teen literacy?

Mental Health

• What are the benefits of daily exercise?
• How has social media affected people’s mental health?
• What things contribute to poor mental and physical health?
• Analyze how mental health is talked about in pop culture.
• Discuss the pros and cons of more counselors in high schools.
• How does stress affect the body?
• How do emotional support animals help people?
• What are black holes?
• Discuss the biggest successes and failures of the EPA.
• How has the Flint water crisis affected life in Michigan?
• Can science help save endangered species?
• Is the development of an anti-cancer vaccine possible?

Environment

• What are the effects of deforestation on climate change?
• Is climate change reversible?
• How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect global warming and climate change?
• Are carbon credits effective for offsetting emissions or just marketing?
• Is nuclear power a safe alternative to fossil fuels?
• Are hybrid vehicles helping to control pollution in the atmosphere?
• How is plastic waste harming the environment?
• Is entrepreneurism a trait people are born with or something they learn?
• How much more should CEOs make than their average employee?
• Can you start a business without money?
• Should the U.S. raise the minimum wage?
• Discuss how happy employees benefit businesses.
• How important is branding for a business?
• Discuss the ease, or difficulty, of landing a job today.
• What is the economic impact of sporting events?
• Are professional athletes overpaid?
• Should male and female athletes receive equal pay?
• What is a fair and equitable way for transgender athletes to compete in high school sports?
• What are the benefits of playing team sports?
• What is the most corrupt professional sport?

Where to Get More Research Paper Topic Ideas

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original research topic ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.

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• 5 Common Types of High School Essays (With Examples)
• Last modified 2024-04-01
• Published on 2021-08-28

When it comes to high school essays, descriptive and narrative essays are very similar in the sense that they encourage writers to be creative in expressing their ideas. Expository and argumentative essays focus on providing clear information and making compelling points. Analytical essays require writers to present their arguments and are intended to enhance readers’ understanding of a topic, while persuasive writers try to persuade readers to accept a point of view.

In this article, we will go into detail about each one to help you better define the type and the writing method when you start writing.

1. Descriptive high school essays

A descriptive essay asks writers to describe something vividly —object, person, place, experience, emotion, situation, etc., but more commonly, you will be asked to describe something abstract —emotions, experiences, or something outside of your typical experience.

A descriptive essay allows writers to be creative and have the freedom to express, especially when the topic is personal about them and what they care about, such as their favorite food or culture. Even though this sounds easy, this type of essay tests the writer’s ability to make appropriate word choices and have strong creativity to help readers visualize the overall picture of what they are writing about. A descriptive essay normally starts with introducing the subject or object of description, continuing with giving an overall picture, and then going into details. Additionally, understanding different points of view, as detailed in the Guide to Point of View in Writing , can greatly enhance the descriptive elements of the essay, providing varied perspectives and enriching the reader’s experience

Below is an example of a descriptive essay from Yourdictionary :

I watched a thunderstorm, far out over the sea. It began quietly, and with nothing visible except tall dark clouds and a rolling tide. There was just a soft murmur of thunder as I watched the horizon from my balcony. Over the next few minutes, the clouds closed and reflected lightning set the rippling ocean aglow. The thunderheads had covered up the sun, shadowing the vista. It was peaceful for a long time.

I was looking up when the first clear thunderbolt struck. It blazed against the sky and sea; I could see its shape in perfect reverse colors when I blinked. More followed. The thunder rumbled and stuttered as if it could hardly keep up. There were openings in the cloud now, as if the sky were torn, and spots of brilliant blue shone above the shadowed sea.

I looked down then, watching the waves. Every bolt was answered by a moment of spreading light on the surface. The waves were getting rough, rising high and crashing hard enough that I could hear them.

Then came the rain. It came all at once and in sheets, soaking the sand, filling the sea. It was so dense I could only see the lightning as flashes of light. It came down so hard the thunder was drowned. Everything was rhythmic light and shadow, noise and silence, blending into a single experience of all five senses.

In an instant it stopped. The storm broke. The clouds came apart like curtains. The rain still fell, but softly now. It was as if there had never been a storm at all, except for a single signature. A rainbow, almost violently bright, spread above and across the water. I could see the horizon again.

2. Narrative Essay

A narrative high school essay is similar to a descriptive essay but focuses more on the story description rather than the object description. The story can be about a personal experience that the writer has had, an event, a story, or an incident. Writers can even narrate a fictional experience that they haven’t had. Narrative essays are typically written in the first person. For example, the personal statement high school students must write for college applications.

The purpose of a narrative essay is not only to tell a story, but also to highlight the importance of the experience. Therefore, to write a perfect narrative essay, writers must include the elements of settings, context, plot, ending, and climax.

We have an example from a student’s work, which was published on the blog: People’s Republic of Creativity

Glup, glup.

I sat watching the plunger slowly make its way down the tube and into Miriam’s body. Inside the tube was a clear unknown liquid that would soon be injected into my own body. This was the third time this week, the twelfth time this month, and who knows how many times since we have been trapped in this hell on earth. Each day, we have only been given the bare minimum of food, water, and sleep. I don’t know how much longer we can survive before deemed useless by him.

Miriam fell out of her chair and onto the cold concrete floor, screaming in pain. She scrambles for something she can grasp onto to prop her malnourished body up. Then the piercing sound just suddenly stopped. Her thin arms that look only of bones and skin drop to the ground and she lay still on the floor, as if she were…dead. Please don’t tell me she’s dead! No, she couldn’t be; we promised each other to live until the day of liberation.

She needs to live.

It was my turn. He walked over with a syringe full of what had just been injected into Miriam. I try to focus on the red, black, and white badge on his left arm instead of letting the fear crawl in and take over my brain. But the unsettling tension stirs my thoughts around and around.

“Twin A1387, let’s hope what happened to your sister doesn’t happen to you.” He smirked. The needle pierced through my skin and my body was suddenly aflame. The raging blaze spread through every one of my veins, until I was shrouded in darkness.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in an empty confinement. The space next to me, the space for Miriam, was empty too. Where was everyone? Most importantly, where was Miriam?

I got up and set my bare foot onto the dirty, wooden floor. Suddenly, my head started spinning and along with it, the world spun too. I fell to the ground, and when I could finally lift my head, what I saw above me terrified me. It was him, death in human form, and beside him were four of his helpers. They grabbed my arms and forced me to stand up.

“Good morning A1387. I am afraid your dear twin sister couldn’t handle the injections from yesterday. Let’s hope your fragile little limbs can endure those chemicals. I wonder how many more injections it will take for you to meet your pathetic sister,” he said, patting my head. His tone was playful, but deadly.

I froze. What? Miriam…dead? That one word, “twins”, has taken away everything of what feels like my past life, and now my last hope? I felt a surge of anger, hatred, sadness, fear, devastation swirling inside me like boiling lava in a volcano, ready to erupt. I wanted to scream, to shout, to kill him, but I couldn’t. My soft limbs felt as if they would collapse merely by trying to stand up. They would be harmless and defenceless against the Angel of Death. When he saw the hatred on my face, he started laughing hysterically and simply said, “What a shame; she was only 13. I cannot wait to see how long it will take for you to fall apart!”

3. Expository Essay

According to Purdue University , the expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. To accomplish this, writers use the method of comparison and contrast, definition, example, cause and effect, etc.

Writers are not required to argue or make a personal opinion but to present balanced and well-organized facts and figures.

In an expository essay–as the name suggests–you need to expose the particular subject in question by providing enough information. It is an informative piece of writing that provides a balanced analysis of the topic. It does not contain any personal opinion; instead, it is based on real facts and figures. Therefore, this kind of high school essay is commonly assigned in high school or college in order to test students’ familiarity with a topic and ability to convey information.

This is an example from College Board’s SAT Writing Prompt.  

In response to our world’s growing reliance on artificial light, writer Paul Bogard argues that natural darkness should be preserved in his article “Let There be dark”. He effectively builds his argument by using a personal anecdote, allusions to art and history, and rhetorical questions.

Bogard starts his article off by recounting a personal story – a summer spent on a Minnesota lake where there was “woods so dark that [his] hands disappeared before [his] eyes.” In telling this brief anecdote, Bogard challenges the audience to remember a time where they could fully amass themselves in natural darkness void of artificial light. By drawing in his readers with a personal encounter about night darkness, the author means to establish the potential for beauty, glamour, and awe-inspiring mystery that genuine darkness can possess. He builds his argument for the preservation of natural darkness by reminiscing for his readers a first-hand encounter that proves the “irreplaceable value of darkness.” This anecdote provides a baseline of sorts for readers to find credence with the author’s claims.

Bogard’s argument is also furthered by his use of allusion to art – Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” – and modern history – Paris’ reputation as “The City of Light”. By first referencing “Starry Night”, a painting generally considered to be undoubtedly beautiful, Bogard establishes that the natural magnificence of stars in a dark sky is definite. A world absent of excess artificial light could potentially hold the key to a grand, glorious night sky like Van Gogh’s according to the writer. This urges the readers to weigh the disadvantages of our world consumed by unnatural, vapid lighting. Furthermore, Bogard’s alludes to Paris as “the famed ‘city of light’”. He then goes on to state how Paris has taken steps to exercise more sustainable lighting practices. By doing this, Bogard creates a dichotomy between Paris’ traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming – no longer “the city of light”, but moreso “the city of light…before 2 AM”. This furthers his line of argumentation because it shows how steps can be and are being taken to preserve natural darkness. It shows that even a city that is literally famous for being constantly lit can practically address light pollution in a manner that preserves the beauty of both the city itself and the universe as a whole.

Finally, Bogard makes subtle yet efficient use of rhetorical questioning to persuade his audience that natural darkness preservation is essential. He asks the readers to consider “what the vision of the night sky might inspire in each of us, in our children or grandchildren?” in a way that brutally plays to each of our emotions. By asking this question, Bogard draws out heartfelt ponderance from his readers about the affecting power of an untainted night sky. This rhetorical question tugs at the readers’ heartstrings; while the reader may have seen an unobscured night skyline before, the possibility that their child or grandchild will never get the chance sways them to see as Bogard sees. This strategy is definitively an appeal to pathos, forcing the audience to directly face an emotionally-charged inquiry that will surely spur some kind of response. By doing this, Bogard develops his argument, adding gutthral power to the idea that the issue of maintaining natural darkness is relevant and multifaceted.

Writing as a reaction to his disappointment that artificial light has largely permeated the presence of natural darkness, Paul Bogard argues that we must preserve true, unaffected darkness. He builds this claim by making use of a personal anecdote, allusions, and rhetorical questioning.

4. Argumentative Essay

The argumentative high school essay is similar to the expository essay, because it requires writers to present their evidence-based arguments. Writers have to present a thesis statement, gather and evaluate evidence, and establish a position on the topic. Many people think argumentative and expository essays are the same. They belong to a similar genre, but an argumentative essay requires more research than an expository essay. An expository essay is normally used in the SAT test, because test takers are required to investigate and present points from the prompts given. An argumentative essay is generally used in a final project or a capstone, which requires length and detailed research. The essay is divided into 3 parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction has a topic and thesis statement, the body has evidence and arguments, and the conclusion summarizes the arguments and potential directions for future research.

Below is an example from a GRE writing answer from ETS : 

Prompt : The best ideas arise from a passionate interest in commonplace things

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement above and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how those considerations shape your position.

Passion is clearly necessary for a truly great idea to take hold among a people—passion either

on the part of the original thinker, the audience, or ideally both. The claim that the most lucrative

subject matter for inspiring great ideas is “commonplace things” may seem initially to be counterintuitive. After all, aren’t great ideas usually marked by their extraordinary character? While this is true, their extraordinary character is as often as not directly derived from their insight into things that had theretofore gone unquestioned. While great ideas certainly can arise through seemingly pure innovation… say, for example, Big Bang cosmology, which developed nearly all of its own scientific and philosophical precepts through its own process of formation, it is nevertheless equally true that such groundbreaking thought was, and is, still largely

a reevaluation of previous assumptions to a radical degree… after all, the question of the ultimate nature of the universe, and man’s place in it, has been central to human thought since the dawn of time. Commonplace things are, additionally, necessary as material for the generation of “the best ideas” since certainly the success among an audience must be considered in evaluating the significance and quality of an idea.

The advent of Big Bang cosmology, which occurred in rudimentary form almost immediately upon Edwin Hubble’s first observations at the Hooker telescope in California during the early 20th century, was the most significant advance in mankind’s understanding of the universe in over 400 years. The seemingly simple fact that everything in the universe, on a very large scale, is moving away from everything else in fact betrays nearly all of our scientific knowledge of the origins and mechanics of the universe. This slight, one might even say commonplace, distortion of tint on a handful of photographic plates carried with it the greatest challenge to Man’s general, often religiously reinforced, conception of the nature of the world to an extent not seen since the days of Galileo. Not even Charles Darwin’s theory, though it created more of a stir than Big Bang cosmology, had such shattering implications for our conceptions of the nature of our reality. Yet it is not significant because it introduced the question of the nature of what lies beyond Man’s grasp. A tremendous number of megalithic ruins, including the Pyramids both of Mexico and Egypt, Stonehenge, and others, indicate that this question has been foremost on humankind’s collective mind since time immemorial. Big Bang cosmology is so incredibly significant in this line of reasoning exactly because of the degree to which it changed the direction of this generally held, constantly pondered, and very ancient train of thought.

Additionally, there is a diachronic significance to the advent of Big Bang cosmology, which is that, disregarding limitations such as the quality of optical devices available and the state of theoretical math, it could have happened at any point in time. That is to say, all evidence points to roughly the same raw intellectual capacity for homo sapiens throughout our history, our progress has merely depended upon the degree of it that a person happens to inherit, a pace that has been increasing rapidly since the industrial revolution. Yet this discovery had to happen at a certain point in time or another—it cannot have been happening constantly or have never happened yet still be present—and this point in time does have its own significance. That significance is precisely the fact that the aforementioned advent must have occurred at precisely the point in time at which it truly could have occurred—that is to say, it marks the point in our history when we had progressed sufficiently to begin examining, with remarkable substantiated acuity, the workings of the universe across distances that would take millions of human lifetimes to reach or to traverse. The point for the success of this advent must necessarily have been, additionally, the point at which the audience concerned was capable and prepared to accept such a radical line of reasoning.

Both factors, a radical, passionate interpretation of the commonplace and the preparedness to accept such an interpretation, are necessary for the formulation of a truly great idea. If the passion is absent from an inquiry by the thinker or by the bulk of an audience, the idea will die out if it comes to fruition at all. If the material is not sufficiently commonplace to be considered by an informed audience of sufficient size, the same two hazards exist. Given these two factors, the idea must still be found palatable and interesting by the audience if it is to hope to gain a foothold and eventually establish itself in a significant fashion.

5. Analytical Essay

An analytical essay is a writing genre that provides an in-depth analysis of a topic, ranging from art, music, and literary text to politics, science, and philosophy, etc. Analytical essays can boost a writer’s writing skills and overall comprehension of a topic while helping readers become more educated about the subjects of importance. This type of essay does not aim to persuade readers to a certain point of view but rather to provide a well-rounded and comprehensive analysis for the readers. The analytical essay is normally used in the GRE writing section.

A good analytical essay includes a thesis statement stating your main argument, followed by an analysis of your thesis and supporting evidence. Here are the 7 Steps to Write a Literary Analysis Essay .

We will take an example from a student’s work about CRISPR, a genetic engineering method. The full essay can be accessed here , but below is the preview of the essay:

No matter how much money people are willing to pay for health care, they may still suffer terribly from incurable diseases such as AIDS and cancer because of the underdevelopment of medical technology. However, today, the advancement in human knowledge has led to the introduction of human gene-editing, turning impossibility to possibility. In particular, the recent technology for genome editing called CRISPR has been having a groundbreaking impact on research in genetic science. This is due to its remarkable potential to simply cure genetic diseases in an embryo before they have a serious effect on further developmental progression. Although currently, there have been numerous debates regarding its extension in research for widespread uses, CRISPR is a completely promising technology because of the benefits it brings to people.

CRISPR, or Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, is the newest innovation in genetic engineering. The way CRISPR works is similar to “the scissor-like action of Cas 9 to target… any specific DNA sequence” (Baylis and Rossant). By making cuts in specific locations in DNA, CRISPR can cure diseases and make alterations in an embryo’s DNA, which prevent diseases from being passed down to following generations (Baylis and Rossant). Throughout the history, governments and researchers came up with different approaches politically and scientifically in attempt to control population. They hoped to encourage the “richest, wisest and healthiest to breed like rabbits” and the “sick, stupid, and poor to take one for the empire and remain childless” (Comfort 28). The second attempt happened during the 20th century, when the U.S government passed the law preventing marriage and immigration that would threaten a perceived core American “stock.” Another more extreme example was when Nazi sterilization law further advanced this population control approach. Later in the century, a biotechnological approach was established as a safer and more humane way to manage population health (qtd in Comfort 28). “Gene surgery,” which is similar to CRISPR technology, was established and followed by contentious debates regarding ethical issues between disease treatment and human trait enhancements. Currently, there has been a halt in the use of CRISPR because of the increase in concern from the public about the pros and cons of this technology.

Further reading: 

• Where to Submit Your Writing Works: 5 Main Platforms
• 6 Differences between High School and College Writing
• 20 Tips to Improve Your Writing
• Guide to Point of View in Writing
• 10 Mistakes High School Students Make in Creative Writing
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This course helps students develop and improve their writing skills to prepare students for higher education courses. The methodology emphasizes the ability to read critically, think critically, and write critically. Students will learn informative, narrative, descriptive, creative, and persuasive essay writing skills. Students will learn how to brainstorm, structure and outline, form an argument, defend it, incorporate academic sources, and develop a clear, articulate writing style. The focus will be on the writing process, intended audience, consistent tenses, point of view, correct grammar uses, building vocabulary, appropriate style, and proper research and citation protocols.

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How to Write Any High School Essay

Last Updated: March 22, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising . Emily Listmann is a private tutor in San Carlos, California. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 562,854 times.

Writing an essay is an important basic skill that you will need to succeed in high school and college. While essays will vary depending on your teacher and the assignment, most essays will follow the same basic structure. By supporting your thesis with information in your body paragraphs, you can successfully write an essay for any course!

Writing Help

Planning Your Essay

• Expository essays uses arguments to investigate and explain a topic.
• Persuasive essays try to convince the readers to believe or accept your specific point of view
• Narrative essays tell about a real-life personal experience.
• Descriptive essays are used to communicate deeper meaning through the use of descriptive words and sensory details.

• Look through books or use search engines online to look at the broad topic before narrowing your ideas down into something more concise.

• For example, the statement “Elephants are used to perform in circuses” does not offer an arguable point. Instead, you may try something like “Elephants should not be kept in the circus since they are mistreated.” This allows you to find supporting arguments or for others to argue against it.
• Keep in mind that some essay writing will not require an argument, such as a narrative essay. Instead, you might focus on a pivotal point in the story as your main claim.

• Talk to your school’s librarian for direction on specific books or databases you could use to find your information.
• Many schools offer access to online databases like EBSCO or JSTOR where you can find reliable information.
• Wikipedia is a great starting place for your research, but it can be edited by anyone in the world. Instead, look at the article’s references to find the sites where the information really came from.
• Use Google Scholar if you want to find peer-reviewed scholarly articles for your sources.
• Make sure to consider the author’s credibility when reviewing sources. If a source does not include the author’s name, then it might not be a good option.

• Outlines will vary in size or length depending on how long your essay needs to be. Longer essays will have more body paragraphs to support your arguments.

Starting an Essay

• Make sure your quotes or information are accurate and not an exaggeration of the truth, or else readers will question your validity throughout the rest of your essay.

• For example, “Because global warming is causing the polar ice caps to melt, we need to eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels within the next 5 years.” Or, “Since flavored tobacco appeals mainly to children and teens, it should be illegal for tobacco manufacturers to sell these products.”
• The thesis is usually the last or second to last sentence in your introduction.

• Use the main topics of your body paragraphs as an idea of what to include in your mini-outline.

Writing the Body Paragraphs

• Think of your topic sentences as mini-theses so your paragraphs only argue a specific point.

• Many high school essays are written in MLA or APA style. Ask your teacher what format they want you to follow if it’s not specified.

• Unless you’re writing a personal essay, avoid the use of “I” statements since this could make your essay look less professional.

• For example, if your body paragraphs discuss similar points in a different way, you can use phrases like “in the same way,” “similarly,” and “just as” to start other body paragraphs.
• If you are posing different points, try phrases like “in spite of,” “in contrast,” or “however” to transition.

Concluding Your Essay

• For example, if your thesis was, “The cell phone is the most important invention in the past 30 years,” then you may restate the thesis in your conclusion like, “Due to the ability to communicate anywhere in the world and access information easily, the cell phone is a pivotal invention in human history.”
• If you’re only writing a 1-page paper, restating your main ideas isn’t necessary.

• For example, if you write an essay discussing the themes of a book, think about how the themes are affecting people’s lives today.

• Try to pick the same type of closing sentence as you used as your attention getter.

• Including a Works Cited page shows that the information you provided isn’t all your own and allows the reader to visit the sources to see the raw information for themselves.
• Avoid using online citation machines since they may be outdated.

Revising the Paper

• Have a peer or parent read through your essay to see if they understand what point you’re trying to make.

• For example, if your essay discusses the history of an event, make sure your sentences flow in a chronological way in the order the events happened.

• If you cut parts out of your essay, make sure to reread it to see if it affects the flow of how it reads.

Community Q&A

• Allow ample time to layout your essay before you get started writing. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• If you have writer's block , take a break for a few minutes. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2
• Check the rubric provided by your teacher and compare your essay to it. This helps you gauge what you need to include or change. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

• Avoid using plagiarism since this could result in academic consequences. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/types-of-essays/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/
• ↑ https://guides.libs.uga.edu/reliability
• ↑ https://facultyweb.ivcc.edu/rrambo/eng1001/outline.htm
• ↑ https://examples.yourdictionary.com/20-compelling-hook-examples-for-essays.html
• ↑ https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/how-to-write-a-thesis-statement.html
• ↑ https://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/five_par.htm
• ↑ https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/jason.laviolette/persuasive-essay-outline
• ↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/paragraphs/topicsentences
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions
• ↑ https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/how-to-write-an-essay/conclusion
• ↑ https://pitt.libguides.com/citationhelp
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/revising-drafts/

About This Article

Writing good essays is an important skill to have in high school, and you can write a good one by planning it out and organizing it well. Before you start, do some research on your topic so you can come up with a strong, specific thesis statement, which is essentially the main argument of your essay. For instance, your thesis might be something like, “Elephants should not be kept in the circus because they are mistreated.” Once you have your thesis, outline the paragraphs for your essay. You should have an introduction that includes your thesis, at least 3 body paragraphs that explain your main points, and a conclusion paragraph. Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph. As you write your main points, make sure to include evidence and quotes from your research to back it up. To learn how to revise your paper, read more from our Writing co-author! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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55 Journal Writing Prompts High School Students Love

September 28, 2020 //  by  Lindsay Ann //   10 Comments

Sharing is caring!

Do you use a writer’s notebook in your English classroom? Do you find yourself wishing that you had a list of journal writing prompts high school students will like? 

In this post, I will be sharing 55 different journal prompts. That’s enough for the whole year of fun writing prompts, used 1x per week, for the whole semester if used 2-3x per week, and enough for the whole quarter if used every day.

Digital vs. Paper Writer’s Notebooks

Two years ago, I was determined to have my students write. Every day. Inspired by 180 Days, I wanted to be the writer’s notebook queen of the world and change students’ lives through journal writing prompts. 

I went to the nearest Staples store and bought .20 cent composition notebooks. I gave them to students on the first day of school. We wrote in them, pasting in mentor texts for the first three weeks of school. Then, for various reasons, the writer’s notebooks stayed closed more often than not. It was not sustainable for me. 

Now, I’ve written in a previous post about choosing ONE thing to be your precious at the beginning of each school year. If paper writer’s notebooks are your jam, then rock on, friend! 

As for me, I now use and love digital writer’s notebooks. These fun writing journal prompts notebooks are created in Google Slides and shared with students via Classroom. These writing prompts for journals never get lost, are less time-consuming than regular writer’s notebooks, and can use all sorts of colors and design elements to capture students’ attention.

Journal Writing Prompts for High School Students

Below you’ll find 55 journal writing prompts. High school students will find plenty to say about these topics, but I suggest setting ground rules for writing and setting a time limit (with timer projected). 

First: Write for the whole time. 

Second: Don’t worry about making sense or making sure what you write is perfectly-edited. 

Third: Be honest and be specific. 

1st Set: Imaginative Journal Writing Prompts High School Students 💜

• If you could invent anything, what would it be? Describe why you want to invent it, what it would look like, what it would do, etc. 
• Choose the animals that best represent your family members and closest friends. Explain why you have chosen each animal. 
• What if the world was made of Jello?
• If your life was suddenly a hit reality television show, what would it be called and what would viewers say about it? 
• Describe your survival plan in the event of a zombie apocalypse. 
• Create the perfect alien. 
• You have three doors in front of you: red, blue, and green. The red door says “wing.” The blue door says “want.” The green door says “woke.” Which door would you choose and why? Describe what you imagine to be behind each door.
• Explain what a forest looks like to someone who cannot see. 
• Write a recipe for happiness. What would the ingredients be? In what order and amounts would you add them? What instructions would you include for baking and serving? 
• Create your own original, symbolic names for five locations you visit every day. 
• Write a guidebook for the older generation to help them understand your generation.

2nd Set: Past, Present, Future Journal Prompts

• If you woke up tomorrow with amnesia, what memories would you want to return? To forget forever? 
• What would your five year old self have to say to your current self if you met for coffee? What would your current self say to your 10-years-from-now self? 
• What are you most thankful for? 
• Do you think the past is the best predictor of your future? Why or why not? 
• How have you changed from when you were a child? Why?
• What does the future hold for you? 
• Do you think your generation will “change the world”? Why or why not? 
• In what ways do you look to the adults in your life for guidance? In what ways can they learn from you? 
• What present-day issues are you the most concerned about? Why?
• What do you hope you will always remember about high school? 
• What is trending right now on social media and what are your thoughts on it?

3rd Set: Personal Beliefs Writing Prompts

• Do you believe in karma? Why or why not? 
• Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not? 
• Do you believe in the law of attraction? Why or why not? 
• Do you believe animals fully understand human conversation? Why or why not? 
• What are your “rules to live by”? Which one is the most important and why?
• Do you believe in “carpe diem”? Why or why not? 
• Do you believe in an “eye for an eye”? Why or why not? 
• How have your family and friends influenced your beliefs? 
• Do you believe that people are the product of their environment? Why or why not? 
• Do you believe in second chances? Why or why not?
• Do certain characteristics make people more likely to succeed? Explain.

4th Set: Top Ten Lists as Journal Prompts

• 10 things I should have learned by now.
• 10 words others would use to describe me. 
• 10 of the weirdest things in my room. 
• 10 things I want to do before I die. 
• 10 of the best words in the English language.
• 10 things that are highly underrated / overrated.
• 10 reasons to wake up in the morning. 
• 10 songs on my playlist right now. 
• 10 of the weirdest dreams I’ve ever had. 
• 10 things I know to be true.
• 10 things I want to give a “makeover” to.

5th Set: Hard Questions for Journal Writing

• What is the meaning of life? 
• Which is better: too much of something or too little of something? 
• Which is better: truth or beauty? 
• Is social media a blessing or a curse? 
• What two questions would you ask to find out someone’s true self? Now, answer these questions yourself. 
• What does it mean to be human?
• Define intelligence.
• To what extent do gender, ethnicity, social background influence your life? 
• Is society today better off than it was 100 years ago?
• What labels could others give you? Are labels helpful or harmful? Explain.
• Do you believe human nature is evil or good?

Wrapping Up Writing Prompts for Journals

Feel free to save the images for each set of fun writing prompts questions and use them in an agenda slideshow or to post on Google Classroom.

If you are interested in ready-made digital journals, please take a moment to check out these popular journal prompts resources! I appreciate your support!

Hey, if you loved this post, I want to be sure you’ve had the chance to grab a FREE copy of my guide to streamlined grading . I know how hard it is to do all the things as an English teacher, so I’m over the moon to be able to share with you some of my best strategies for reducing the grading overwhelm.  Click on the link above or the image below to get started!

About Lindsay Ann

Lindsay has been teaching high school English in the burbs of Chicago for 19 years. She is passionate about helping English teachers find balance in their lives and teaching practice through practical feedback strategies and student-led learning strategies. She also geeks out about literary analysis, inquiry-based learning, and classroom technology integration. When Lindsay is not teaching, she enjoys playing with her two kids, running, and getting lost in a good book.

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Reader Interactions

March 3, 2022 at 3:46 am

Hi Lindsay, I think that these writing prompts you have come up with are just brilliant. I mean granted these are merely thoughts and questions we either ask ourselves, others or just think about and never bring out. I personally think it is important for people to actualize and put thoughts out verbally and visually. In this case, fellow writers and English students and anyone for that matter are able to see it and realize that these are actually not silly ideas that you might have thought of and overlooked at some point in your lives. But good reflective pannels for us to channel our inner writers and inquisitive thinking into and curiosity upon. I am still a beginner English teacher but have always been fascinated with power of what a few words put together becoming, a sentence, a sentence becomes a paragraph, a paragraph becomes an essay, an essay becomes a thesis, a thesis becomes a spark of curiosity and that curiosity becomes a revolution that bit by bit becomes the answer to a question being asked somewhere. Thank you for the ideas!

March 20, 2022 at 1:10 pm

My pleasure, William! You’ve put into words the beauty of inquiry and writing, even if it is only for one’s own eyes. Thank you for reading!

March 23, 2022 at 11:02 pm

i really hope these work i really think they will thanks so much

April 7, 2022 at 7:22 pm

You’re welcome! I hope that they work well for you. 🙂

April 26, 2022 at 8:13 pm

I really just LOVE these writing prompts! They are very concise and spark my imagination. Been teaching since fall Y2K and visited many of these types of posts. Yours are a cut above the rest.

April 30, 2022 at 8:23 pm

Thank you, James! I hope that you and your students have fun with these. 🙂

June 3, 2022 at 1:08 pm

Do you have a TpT store where we can buy your digital writer’s notebook?

June 4, 2022 at 5:56 pm

Yes, absolutely! Here are a couple of options:

1. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Writing-Mentor-Sentences-Digital-Notebook-2885186 2. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Digital-Creative-Writing-Journal-2729748 3. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/300-Google-Drive-Journal-Writing-Prompts-2715746

Hope this helps! Lindsay

July 23, 2023 at 9:00 am

These are so, so good! It’s hard to find writing prompts that don’t make my high school students roll their eyes, lol, but these are fantastic and sure to spark creativity. Thank you!

[…] growth, and a clearer sense of identity. Sources such as Journal Buddies, Story Writing Academy, Lindsay Ann Learning, and Money Prodigy provide many creative writing prompts for journaling, article writing, and story […]

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by Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.  

Essays Every High School Student Should Read

December 4, 2016 in  Pedagogy

One of the most important goals of any English class should be to help students learn how to express themselves to an audience — how to tell their own stories, how to provide much-needed information, and how to convince others to see things from a different perspective.

Below are some essays students can read, not only to help them see how such writing is done in the real world, but also to learn more about the world around them.

[bctt tweet=”Need a #mentortext for student essays? Check out these exemplars for personal narrative, argumentative, and expository essay writing.”]

Note : This is a living list. I will continue adding to it as I find important essays and articles, and as my readers make suggestions.

If You Think Racism Doesn’t Exist by Jordan Womack | Lesson Plan

A 17-year-old Oklahoma author details incidents of discrimination he has faced within his own community. Brief, yet impactful, the author’s authenticity strikes readers at their core and naturally leads the audience to consider other perspectives.

Facebook hack ‘worse than when my house burned down’ says teacher by Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.

When a hacker destroyed my Facebook account and I couldn’t find a way to reach out to Facebook, I decided to use my story, voice, and platform to shed light on a situation faced by people around the world. This can serve as a mentor text for students writing personal narratives on shared experiences in the context of current events.

Letter from a Vietnamese to an Iraqi Refugee by Andrew Lam

Vietnamese lecturer, journalist, and author Andrew Lam offers advice in this letter to a young Iraqi refugee he sees in a photograph on the Internet.

Allowing Teenage Boys to Love Their Friends by Jan Hoffman

Learn why early and lifelong friendships are as vital for boys as they are for girls and what happens when those friendships are fractured.

Chris Cecil: Plagiarism Gets You Fired by Leonard Pitts Jr

The Miami Herald columnist and 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary winner castigates a Georgia newspaper editor for plagiarizing his work. This column would go great with this followup article from The Boston Globe: Ga. Editor is Fired for Lifting Columns .

Class Dismissed by Walter Kirn

The author of Lost in the Meritocracy postulates that getting rid of the high school senior year might be good for students.

Complaint Box | Packaging by Dylan Quinn

A high school junior complains about the impossible-to-open packaging faced by consumers of everything “from action figures to zip drives.”

Drowning in Dishes, but Finding a Home  by Danial Adkison

In this 2014 essay, a teenager learns important lessons from his boss at Pizza Hut.

How to Tame a Wild Tongue by Gloria Anzaldua

An American scholar of Chicana cultural theory discusses how she maintained her identity by refusing to submit to linguistic terrorism.

Humble Beast: Samaje Perine by John Rohde

The five-time Oklahoma Sportswriter of the Year features the University of Oklahoma’s running back.

In Praise of the F Word by Mary Sherry

An adult literacy program teacher argues that allowing students to fail will actually help them.

The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me by Sherman Alexie

A Native American novelist recounts his experience loving reading and finally writing in spite of a culture that expected him to fail in the “non-Indian world” in order to be accepted.

Lane’s Legacy: One Final Ride by Keith Ryan Cartwright

A heartbreaking look back at the hours before and the circumstances surrounding Lane Frost’s untimely death, followed by reflections on his rise to fame — before and after death.

Learning to Read by Malcolm X

The 1960s Civil Rights leader writes about how educating himself in prison opened his mind and lead him to become one of the leading spokesmen for black separatism.

Learning to Read and Write by Frederick Douglass

A former slave born in 1818 discusses how he learned to read in spite of laws against teaching slaves and how reading opened his eyes to his “wretched condition, without remedy.”

Learning From Animal Friendships by Erica Goode

Scientists consider studying the phenomenon of cross-species animal friendships like the ones you see on YouTube.

Losing Everything, Except What Really Matters by Dan Barry

After a 2011 tornado destroys a house, but spares the family, a reporter writes about what’s important.

The Marked Woman by David Grann

How an Osage Indian family in Oklahoma became the prime target of one of the most sinister crimes in American history.

Meet Mikey, 8: U.S. Has Him on Watch List by Lizette Alvarez

Read about what happens if you happen to share a name of a “suspicious person” on the U.S. No-Fly List.

Newly Homeless in Japan Re-Establish Order Amid Chaos by Michael Wines

After the tsunami that resulted in nuclear disaster in 2011, a reporter writes about the “quiet bravery in the face of tragedy” of the Japanese people.

No Ordinary Joe by Rick Reilly

Why in creation did American Football Conference’s 1981 best young running back Joe Delaney jump into that pit full of water that day, even though he couldn’t swim?

Politics and the English Language By George Orwell

Animal Farm and 1984 author, Orwell correlates the degradation of the English language into multi-syllabic drivel and the corruption of the American political process.

Serving in Florida by Barbara Ehrenreich

The Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America author tells about her experiences attempting to survive on income of low-paying jobs.

Starvation Under the Orange Trees by John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck, who later authored the fictionalized account of Okies in California, The Grapes of Wrath, first wrote this essay documenting the starvation of migrant workers in California during the Great Depression.

To Fall in Love With Anyone, Do This by Mandy Len Catron

Is falling in love really a random event, or can two people “love smarter?”

We’ll Go Forward from this Moment by Leonard Pitts

The 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary winner pens a column chronicling the toughness of the American family’s spirit in the face of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks. He wrote the column one day after the attacks.

What’s Wrong with Black English? by Rachel L. Jones

Jones, a student at Southern Illinois University in the 1980s, wrote this piece for Newsweek. In her essay, Jones adds her story and perspective to the debate over Black English.

Related topics: Mentor Texts , Teaching Writing

About the author 

Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.

I am a secondary English Language Arts teacher, a University of Oklahoma student working on my doctorate in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum with an concentration in English Education and co-Editor of the Oklahoma English Journal. I am constantly seeking ways to amplify students' voices and choices.

A wonderful list of essays! I have neglected to teach essays as literature (only as student writing samples before we began work on an essay, after a novel). I’m looking forward to using these!

Thank you very much! I’d love to hear (or read) your feedback on the selections. Your input can help other teachers decide which essays to teach their students.

This list looks really great. Unfortunately, the first two links I chose were not working. One took me to a professors homepage and the other never opened.

Thank you for letting us know. I checked the “If you think racism doesn’t exist” went to the WordPress.com site where the author wrote his article and “Letter from a Vietnamese to an Iraqi Refugee” went to the Huffington Post article. Is it possible that your school web filter is blocking WordPress and Huffington Post?

Thank you for this. I am teaching a summer class that prepares 8th graders for high school essay writing. Trying to find a way to make it more creative and interesting, even interactive. I like the essays. If you have ideas about specific ways to use them, beyond reading and discussion, I would love to hear them.

You’re welcome! I think additional activities would depend on who your students are, their interests, and which essay(s) you plan to use. Perhaps if you join our RTE Facebook group and tell us about your kids and the essay you want to use, we can devise some activities to help them engage. Check us out here .

Comments are closed.

High School Essay

Navigating the complexities of High School Essay writing can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Our guide, infused with diverse essay examples , is designed to simplify this journey for students. High school essays are a crucial part of academic development, allowing students to express their thoughts, arguments, and creativity. With our examples, students learn to structure their essays effectively, develop strong thesis statements, and convey their ideas with clarity and confidence, paving the way for academic success.

What Is a High School Essay? A high school essay is anything that falls between a literary piece that teachers would ask their students  to write. It could be anything like an expository essay , informative essay , or a descriptive essay . High school essay is just a broad term that is used to describe anything that high school student writes, probably in subjects like English Grammar or Literature.

It is a good way to practice every student’s writing skills in writing which they might find useful when they reach college. Others might even be inspired to continue writing and take courses that are related to it.

Download High School Essay Bundle

When you are in high school, it is definite that you are expected to do some write-ups and projects which require pen and paper. Yes. You heard that right. Your teachers are going to let you write a lot of things starting from short stories to other things like expository essays. However, do not be intimidated nor fear the things that I have just said. It is but a normal part of being a student to write things. Well, take it from me. As far as I can recall, I may have written about a hundred essays during my entire high school years or maybe more. You may also see what are the parts of an essay?

High School Essay Format

1. introduction.

Hook: Start with an engaging sentence to capture the reader’s interest. This could be a question, a quote, a surprising fact, or a bold statement related to your topic. Background Information: Provide some background information on your topic to help readers understand the context of your essay. Thesis Statement: End the introduction with a clear thesis statement that outlines your main argument or point of view. This statement guides the direction of your entire essay.

2. Body Paragraphs

Topic Sentence: Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph, supporting your thesis statement. Supporting Details: Include evidence, examples, facts, and quotes to support the main idea of each paragraph. Make sure to explain how these details relate to your topic sentence and thesis statement. Analysis: Provide your analysis or interpretation of the evidence and how it supports your argument. Be clear and concise in explaining your reasoning. Transition: Use transition words or phrases to smoothly move from one idea to the next, maintaining the flow of your essay.

3. Conclusion

Summary: Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis in a new way, summarizing the main points of your body paragraphs without introducing new information. Final Thoughts: End your essay with a strong closing statement. This could be a reflection on the significance of your argument, a call to action, or a rhetorical question to leave the reader thinking.

Example of High School Essay

Community service plays a pivotal role in fostering empathy, building character, and enhancing societal well-being. It offers a platform for young individuals to contribute positively to society while gaining valuable life experiences. This essay explores the significance of community service and its impact on both individuals and communities. Introduction Community service, an altruistic activity performed for the betterment of society, is a cornerstone for personal growth and societal improvement. It not only addresses societal needs but also cultivates essential virtues in volunteers. Through community service, high school students can develop a sense of responsibility, a commitment to altruism, and an understanding of their role in the community. Personal Development Firstly, community service significantly contributes to personal development. Volunteering helps students acquire new skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. For instance, organizing a local food drive can teach students project management skills and the importance of collaboration. Moreover, community service provides insights into one’s passions and career interests, guiding them towards fulfilling future endeavors. Social Impact Secondly, the social impact of community service cannot be overstated. Activities like tutoring underprivileged children or participating in environmental clean-ups address critical societal issues directly. These actions not only bring about immediate positive changes but also inspire a ripple effect, encouraging a culture of volunteerism within the community. The collective effort of volunteers can transform neighborhoods, making them more supportive and resilient against challenges. Building Empathy and Understanding Furthermore, community service is instrumental in building empathy and understanding. Engaging with diverse groups and working towards a common goal fosters a sense of solidarity and compassion among volunteers. For example, spending time at a senior center can bridge the generational gap, enriching the lives of both the elderly and the volunteers. These experiences teach students the value of empathy, enriching their emotional intelligence and social awareness.   In conclusion, community service is a vital component of societal development and personal growth. It offers a unique opportunity for students to engage with their communities, learn valuable life skills, and develop empathy. Schools and parents should encourage students to participate in community service, highlighting its benefits not only to the community but also in shaping responsible, caring, and informed citizens. As we look towards building a better future, the role of community service in education cannot be overlooked; it is an investment in our collective well-being and the development of the next generation.

Essay Topics for High School with Samples to Edit & Download

• Should schools have dress codes?
• Sex education in middle school
• Should homework be abolished?
• College education costs
• How does technology affect productivity?
• Is climate change reversible?
• Is social media helpful or harmful?
• Climate change is caused by humans
• Effects of social media on youth
• Are men and women treated equally?
• Are professional athletes overpaid?
• Changes over the past decade
• Guns should be more strictly regulated
• My favorite childhood memory
• Religion in school
• Should we stop giving final exams?
• Video game addiction
• Violence in media content

High School Essay Examples & Templates

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Argumentative Essays for High School

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Narrative Essays

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High School Leadership Essay

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How to Write a High School Essay

Some teachers are really not that strict when it comes to writing essay because they too understand the struggles of writing stuff like these. However, you need to know the basics when it comes to writing a high school essay.

1. Understand the Essay Prompt

• Carefully read the essay prompt or question to understand what’s required. Identify the type of essay (narrative, persuasive, expository, etc.) and the main topic you need to address.

2. Choose a Topic

• If the topic isn’t provided, pick one that interests you and fits the essay’s requirements. Make sure it’s neither too broad nor too narrow.

3. Conduct Research (if necessary)

• For expository, argumentative, or research essays, gather information from credible sources to support your arguments. Take notes and organize your findings.

4. Create an Outline

• Outline your essay to organize your thoughts and structure your arguments effectively. Include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

5. Write the Introduction

• Start with a hook to grab the reader’s attention (a quote, a question, a shocking fact, etc.). Introduce your topic and end the introduction with a thesis statement that presents your main argument or purpose.

6. Develop Body Paragraphs

• Each body paragraph should focus on a single idea or argument that supports your thesis. Start with a topic sentence, provide evidence or examples, and explain how it relates to your thesis.

7. Write the Conclusion

• Summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis in a new way. Conclude with a strong statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Types of High School Essay

1. narrative essay.

Narrative essays tell a story from the writer’s perspective, often highlighting a personal experience or event. The focus is on storytelling, including characters, a setting, and a plot, to engage readers emotionally. This type allows students to explore creativity and expressiveness in their writing.

2. Descriptive Essay

Descriptive essays focus on detailing and describing a person, place, object, or event. The aim is to paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind using sensory details. These essays test the writer’s ability to use language creatively to evoke emotions and bring a scene to life.

3. Expository Essay

Expository essays aim to explain or inform the reader about a topic in a clear, concise manner. This type of essay requires thorough research and focuses on factual information. It’s divided into several types, such as compare and contrast, cause and effect, and process essays, each serving a specific purpose.

4. Persuasive Essay

Persuasive essays aim to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint or argument. The writer must use logic, reasoning, and evidence to support their position while addressing counterarguments. This type tests the writer’s ability to persuade and argue effectively.

5. Analytical Essay

Analytical essays require the writer to break down and analyze an element, such as a piece of literature, a movie, or a historical event. The goal is to interpret and make sense of the subject, discussing its significance and how it achieves its purpose.

6. Reflective Essay

Reflective essays are personal pieces that ask the writer to reflect on their experiences, thoughts, or feelings regarding a specific topic or experience. It encourages introspection and personal growth by examining one’s responses and learning from them.

7. Argumentative Essay

Similar to persuasive essays, argumentative essays require the writer to take a stance on an issue and argue for their position with evidence. However, argumentative essays place a stronger emphasis on evidence and logic rather than emotional persuasion.

8. Research Paper

Though often longer than a typical essay, research papers in high school require students to conduct in-depth study on a specific topic, using various sources to gather information. The focus is on presenting findings and analysis in a structured format.

Tips for High School Essays

Writing a high school essay if you have the tips on how to do essay effectively . This will give you an edge from your classmates.

• Stay Organized: Keep your notes and sources well-organized to make the writing process smoother.
• Be Clear and Concise: Avoid overly complex sentences or vocabulary that might confuse the reader.
• Use Transitions: Ensure that your paragraphs and ideas flow logically by using transition words and phrases.
• Cite Sources: If you use direct quotes or specific ideas from your research, make sure to cite your sources properly to avoid plagiarism.
• Practice: Like any skill, essay writing improves with practice. Don’t hesitate to write drafts and experiment with different writing styles.

Importance of High School Essay

Aside from the fact that you will get reprimanded for not doing  your task, there are more substantial reasons why a high school essay is important. First, you get trained at a very young age. Writing is not just for those who are studying nor for your teachers. As you graduate from high school and then enter college (can see college essays ), you will have more things to write like dissertations and theses.

At least, when you get to that stage, you already know how to write. Aside from that, writing high essays give a life lesson. That is, patience and resourcefulness. You need to find the right resources for your essay as well as patience when finding the right inspiration to write.

How long is a high school essay?

A high school essay typically ranges from 500 to 2000 words, depending on the assignment’s requirements and the subject matter.

How do you start a personal essay for high school?

Begin with an engaging hook (an anecdote, quote, or question) that introduces your theme or story, leading naturally to your thesis or main point.

What makes a good high school essay?

A good high school essay features a clear thesis, coherent structure, compelling evidence, and personal insights, all presented in a polished, grammatically correct format.

High School Essay Generator

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Out of the Classroom and Into the World: 70-Plus Places to Publish Teenage Writing and Art

By Katherine Schulten

• Nov. 15, 2018

June, 2021: Updated with new opportunities.

When we ask teachers why they bring their classes to our site, we always hear one answer first: Posting in our public forums gives young people an “authentic audience” for their voices and ideas.

We’re honored to serve that role, and this week we’ll be talking about it on a panel at the National Council of Teachers of English conference . As a companion to our talk, on the theme of “Why You Should Publish Student Work — and Where and How to Do It,” we’ve compiled this list of opportunities specifically for teenage writers and visual artists. We hope, with your help, to crowdsource even more.

The list begins with our own offerings and those of our N.C.T.E. panel partner, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards , and goes on to name dozens more that are open to young people in the United States — though many, including ours, also accept work from students around the world.

Please note what we did NOT include: In-person events or competitions; sites that do not seem to be taking submissions now or in the near future; opportunities open only to those from a specific state or region; opportunities open only to members of specific organizations; or competitions that require the use of paid products.

But, of course, we know this list is incomplete. What should we add? Let us know in the comments, or by writing to [email protected], and thank you.

Note: The descriptions below have been taken directly from the sites themselves. Please check the rules and requirements for each to decide if they are right for your students.

Places to Submit Teenage Writing and Visual Art

★ The New York Times Learning Network

Daily writing prompts:

Our Student Opinion question and Picture Prompt offer anyone 13 to 19 years old a place to publicly post writing that is read by our editors and other students around the world. We are not looking for formal work here; instead, we encourage students to use these forums to hone their voices, ideas and opinions; show us their thinking; and participate in civil discussion about issues from politics to pop culture. Each week, we publish a roundup of favorite responses .

Annual contests:

Our annual contests are places to submit more formal work across genres. Here is what we are offering in the 2020-21 school year, but please visit our Contest Calendar to find details, related lesson plans, and links to the work of the winners for each as they are announced: Special Contest: Coming of Age in 2020 Election 2020: Civil Conversation Challenge Personal Narrative Writing Contest Vocabulary Video Contest Review Contest STEM Writing Contest Editorial Contest Podcast Challenge Summer Reading Contest

★ Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

The nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teenagers in grades 7 to 12. In 2018, students submitted nearly 350,000 works of visual art and writing to the Scholastic Awards; more than 90,000 works were recognized at the regional level and celebrated in local exhibitions and ceremonies. The top art and writing at the regional level were moved onto the national stage, where more than 2,800 students earned National Medals. National Medalists and their educators were celebrated at the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Categories include: Critical Essay ; Dramatic Script ; Flash Fiction ; Humor ; Journalism ; Novel Writing ; Personal Essay & Memoir ; Poetry ; Science Fiction & Fantasy ; Short Story ; Writing Portfolio (graduating seniors only) ; Architecture & Industrial Design ; Ceramics & Glass ; Comic Art ; Design ; Digital Art ; Drawing & Illustration ; Editorial Cartoon ; Fashion ; Film & Animation ; Jewelry ; Mixed Media ; Painting ; Photography ; Printmaking ; Sculpture ; Video Game Design ; Art Portfolio (graduating seniors only) and Future New .

★ The Adroit Journal

The journal has its eyes focused ahead, seeking to showcase what its global staff of emerging writers sees as the future of poetry, prose and art. We’re looking for work that’s bizarre, authentic, subtle, outrageous, indefinable, raw, paradoxical. We’ve got our eyes on the horizon.

★ Amazing Kids Magazine

The online publication is known for featuring quality, creative, thoughtful and often thought-provoking written and artistic work written and edited by children and teenagers. Accepts writing, art, photography or videography from young people who are 5 to 18 years old.

★ The Apprentice Writer

The best writing and illustrations from entries we receive each year from secondary schools throughout the United States and abroad. Every September we send copies printed by The Patriot News in Mechanicsburg, Pa., to approximately 3,000 schools. Susquehanna University and the Writers Institute invite high school students to submit fiction, memoir, personal essay, photography and/or poetry.

★ The Daphne Review

Publishes the work of high-school-age writers and artists from around the globe. All forms of original writing and art are accepted as submissions for our biannual journal.

★ elementia

elementia is a literary arts magazine published to represent and uplift young adults. We accept original poetry, fiction, nonfiction, graphic stories, photography and illustrations.

Kalopsia is a literary and arts journal run by students from all over the world who aim to promote art and writing among (seemingly) ordinary people.

An international teen anthology of poetry and art. In print for 20 years, we accept submissions from teenagers from around the world. Each year we publish the best of all entries received.

★ The NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO)

A yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students. ACT-SO includes 32 competitions in STEM, humanities, business, and performing, visual and culinary arts. Almost 300,000 young people have participated from the program since its inception.

★ National Young Arts Competition

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) was established in 1981 to identify and nurture the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts, and assist them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development. YoungArts’ signature program is an annual application-based award for emerging artists ages 15 to 18 or in grades 10 to 12 from across the United States in categories that include cinematic arts; classical music; dance; design arts; jazz; photography; theater; visual arts; voice; and writing.

★ Parallax Literary Magazine

Parallax Literary Magazine has been published by the Creative Writing department of Idyllwild Arts Academy since 1997. Idyllwild Arts Academy is a college preparatory boarding high school dedicated to the passion of young artists. Created, designed, and run by students, Parallax has always championed the high school writer by publishing the best of Idyllwild students’ creative writing and visual art. In 2011 Parallax expanded by adding an online component, which accepts submissions from high school students worldwide. The website also showcases student book reviews and writer interviews for the first time.

★ Periphery

A multilingual student-founded magazine for high schoolers living in the outer neighborhoods of cities across America.

★ River of Words: Youth Art and Poetry Inspired by the Natural World

Our free, annual, international youth poetry and art contest — the largest in the world — inspires children ages 5 to 19 to translate their observations into creative expression.

★ Sandpiper

Sandpiper is a journal of literature and art devoted to uplifting the voices of those emerging and underrepresented in the literary scene, including but not limited to those of class, race, ability, gender, sexual orientation, and intersectional identity. However, all submissions are welcome. Sandpiper accepts poetry, prose, art, and photography.

★ Skipping Stones

We are a nonprofit magazine for youth that encourages communication, cooperation, creativity and celebration of cultural and environmental richness. It provides a playful forum for sharing ideas and experiences among youth from different countries and cultures. We are an ad-free, ecologically-aware, literary magazine printed on recycled paper with soy ink. Accepts many kinds of writing, including essays, stories, letters to the editor, riddles and proverbs, as well as drawings, paintings and photos.

A national teen magazine, book series, and website devoted entirely to teenage writing, art, photos, and forums. For over 25 years, Teen Ink has offered teenagers the opportunity to publish their creative work and opinions on issues that affect their lives — everything from love and family to school, current events, and self-esteem. We have no staff writers or artists; we depend completely on submissions from teenagers around the world for our content. Teen Ink has the largest distribution of any publication of its kind.

★ #USvsHate

Students are invited to create public anti-hate messages in any media for their school communities. Our national challenge then amplifies student voices for a nationwide audience. You can submit 5 entries max per class, to each challenge! In 2020-21, our #USvsHate challenge deadlines are December 11 and March 12.

Places to Submit Teenage Writing

Across Genres

★ The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose

The Adroit Prizes are awarded annually to two students of secondary or undergraduate status. We’re fortunate to receive exceptional work from emerging writers in high school and college, and the best of the best will be recognized by the Adroit Prizes.

★ Bennington College Young Writer Awards

Bennington launched the Young Writers Awards to promote excellence in writing at the high school level. Our goal with this competition is to recognize outstanding writing achievement by high school students. Each year, students in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades are invited to enter poetry, fiction or nonfiction.

★ Cathartic Youth Literary Magazine

An open space for youth writing & mental health discussion

★ The Creative Writing Awards

A scholarship program from Penguin Random House, in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, dedicated to furthering the education of students with unique and diverse voices. Open to seniors attending a public high school in the United States, five first-place $10,000 prizes are awarded in the categories of fiction/drama; poetry; personal essay/memoir; and spoken-word poetry, through the Maya Angelou Award. In recognition of the Creative Writing Awards previously being centered in New York City, the competition awards an additional first-place prize to the top entrant from the NYC area. Runners up are also honored.

Ember is a semiannual journal of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction for all age groups. Submissions for and by readers aged 10 to 18 are strongly encouraged.

★ Ephimiliar

Created and edited by teenagers, Ephimiliar focuses on work by unpublished voices and students of all ages. We publish on a rolling basis at the convenience of everyone’s urgent yet sporadic writing processes. We are open to working with writers to edit a submission that we feel is a near-fit because we know that neither party would benefit from that rejection.

★ Hanging Loose Press

Fiction and poetry for a general audience, but has a regular section devoted to writing by talented high school writers.

★ Hypernova Lit

Hypernova Lit is an online journal dedicated to publishing the writing and visual art of teenagers. We seek to cast light on the brilliant work produced by teenagers. We are deeply committed to honesty and fearlessness in the work we publish, with a particular emphasis on teenagers telling their own difficult truths. Out of respect for our writers and artists, we do not censor for language or content.

★ The Foredge Review

A literary magazine for young writers with a focus on those in Asian countries, The Foredge Review aims to support teen interest in writing and reading by providing a platform for receiving recognition. We welcome submissions of poetry, flash fiction, and creative nonfiction from anyone 13-18.

★ NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing

To encourage high school juniors to write and to publicly recognize the best student writers.

★ The Norman Mailer High School Writing Award

Since 2009, the Norman Mailer Center has collaborated with the National Council of Teachers of English to present the Mailer Student and Teacher Writing Awards. Awards are given for fiction, nonfiction writing, and poetry. National winners in each category receive a cash prize presented at an award ceremony. Recognition is also extended to writers whose work earns top scores in early evaluation rounds.

★ Polyphony Lit

A student-run, international literary magazine for high school writers and editors, which invites submissions of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction from high school students worldwide. Our student editors provide feedback to all submissions, including the ones we do not accept for publication. In addition, we offer two other opportunities: The Polyphony Lit Cover Art Contest: High school students from around the world are encouraged to submit visual art for the cover of their annual literary magazine. The Claudia Ann Seaman Awards for Young Writers: Annual awards to high school students in poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction. Each year, a distinguished panel of professional published authors choose one winner and two honorable mentions in each genre. The winners are awarded a $200 cash prize. Students from around the world are encouraged to submit.

★ Rider University Annual High School Writing Contest

Accepts essays, fiction and poetry. All finalists will receive a Certificate of Honorable Mention. All winners will be considered for publication in Venture, Rider’s literary magazine.

★ Write the World Competitions

We’re a community of young writers (ages 13 to 18), hailing from over 120 countries. Join our global platform, and explore our ever-changing library of prompts as you establish a regular writing practice and expand your repertoire of styles, all while building your portfolio of polished work. Enter competitions for the chance to receive feedback from authors, writing teachers, and other experts in the field.

Academic Research

★ The Concord Review

The Concord Review, Inc., was founded in March 1987 to recognize and to publish exemplary history essays by high school students in the English-speaking world. With the Fall Issue (#118), 1,196 research papers (average 7,500 words, with endnotes and bibliography) have been published from authors in 45 states and 40 other countries. The Concord Review remains the only quarterly journal in the world to publish the academic history papers of secondary students.

★ The Curieux Academic Journal

The Curieux Academic Journal is an academic journal written entirely by high school students.

★ National History Day

Each year more than half a million students participate in the National History Day Contest. Students choose a historical topic related to the annual theme, and then conduct primary and secondary research. You will look through libraries, archives and museums, conduct oral history interviews, and visit historic sites. After you have analyzed and interpreted your sources, and have drawn a conclusion about the significance of your topic, you will then be able to present your work in one of five ways: as a paper, an exhibit, a performance, a documentary, or a website.

★ The Scribe Review

A quarterly online journal dedicated to publishing the academic English essays of high school students.

★ The Milking Cat

The Milking Cat is dedicated to providing weekly comedic pieces from a variety of aspiring high school comics. With pieces ranging from comics and movies to stories and satires, The Milking Cat is the place to be for young comedians.

Current Events and Culture

INKspire is a place for youth to share their stories and offer perspectives on relevant, contemporary issues. Young people can learn from one another, share their stories, thoughts and ideas while connecting with other youth around the world.

Please see the description at the top of this list.

★ Teen Opinions

Teenopinions.org is a platform for teens and tweens worldwide to share their opinions, ideas, reflections and perspectives with the world. Our mission is to give every teen and tween an opportunity to freely publish their perspectives in a non-competitive environment.

★ Young Post

Young Post is a teen print news and English-teaching product that is part of the South China Morning Post. While we are a Hong Kong product, we do welcome students from around the world in our pages and on our site. We have a Junior Reporters club , in which students learn reporting skills, and pitch and contribute stories. We have local members who have moved overseas for senior school or university who still contribute, but it would be wonderful to hear from more students interested in sharing stories that matter to them with their Asian peers.

★ Youth Voices Live

We are a site for conversations. We invite youth of all ages to voice their thoughts about their passions, to explain things they understand well, to wonder about things they have just begun to understand, and to share discussion posts with other young people using as many different genres and media as they can imagine!

★ American Foreign Service Association National High School Essay Contest

Why Diplomacy and Peacebuilding Matter: In a 1,000- to 1,250-word essay, identify two cases — one you deem successful and one you deem unsuccessful — where the U.S. pursued an integrated approach to build peace in a conflict-affected country.

★ The American Prospect 2020 Essay Contest

High school juniors and seniors may write 1,000 to 1,600 words on one of these two books: “ Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few ” by Robert B. Reich or “ The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration ” by Isabel Wilkerson High school freshmen and sophomores may write up to 1,200 words on one of these two books: “ Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City ” by Matthew Desmond or “ Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America ” by Barbara Ehrenreich

★ Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest for Young People

Guidelines for the 2019 International Essay Contest for Young People will be announced at the end of January 2019.

★ Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a US elected official who served during or after 1917.

★ Represent Magazine

A publication by and for youth in foster care, the stories in Represent give inspiration and information, while offering staff insight into those teenagers’ struggles.

★ We the Students Essay Contest

What are the essential qualities of a citizen in your community in 21st-century America? We encourage you to bring emotion, creativity, specific examples (including current events), and well-researched facts into what you write. A good essay will demonstrate how citizenship is not an abstract idea, but is, in fact, action inspired by constitutional principles. We can’t wait to see what citizenship looks like in your community!

★ NaNoWriMo Young Writer’s Program

National Novel Writing Month is a fun, empowering approach to creative writing. The challenge: draft an entire novel in just one month. For 30 wild, exciting, surprising days, you get to lock away your inner editor, let your imagination take over, and just create! Our Young Writers Program supports under-18 writers and K-12 educators as they participate in our flagship event each November, and take part in smaller writing challenges year-round. Summer Writing: Stay cool and creative all summer long by participating in Camp NaNoWriMo’s July session—either online here or over at Camp NaNoWriMo , or offline by using our writer-friendly, print-out-able Summer Writing Program resources. Choose a project you care about, set an ambitious goal, get feedback on your progress, and receive support from an international community of fellow writers.

★ One Teen Story

An award-winning quarterly literary magazine that features the work of today’s best teen writers (ages 13-19).

★ Ringling College Storytellers of Tomorrow Creative Writing Contest

We’re inviting all high-school age students to submit unpublished, original English-language stories of up to 2,000 words in length for the 4th Annual “Storytellers of Tomorrow” Contest. The criteria for earning prizes in this contest is simply overall quality, meaning that well-edited, engaging, and evocative stories have the best chance of winning over the judges.

★ Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Awards

These awards are offered to recognize superior work by student journalists usually as individuals but sometimes as an entire staff working with either print or online media.

★ National Scholastic Press Association Individual Awards

Each year, the National Scholastic Press Association presents the Individual Awards, honoring the best individuals in scholastic journalism. There are six categories. Entries are judged by teams of professionals with experience and expertise in the area of each particular contest. The contests are open to any student on staff of an N.S.P.A. member publication.

★ Quill & Scroll Awards

We encourage, support and recognize individual student initiative and achievement in scholastic journalism, regardless the medium.

★ Dear Poet Project

A multimedia education project that invited young people in grades 5 through 12 to write letters in response to poems written and read by some of the award-winning poets who serve on the Academy of American Poets Board of Chancellors.

★ New York Times Opinion Section Letter to the Editor Contest

A letter-writing competition for high school students that runs from March 31, 2019 to April 8, 2019. We invite you to submit a letter to the editor in response to a Times news article, editorial, column or Op-Ed in the last few days. We will publish a selection of our favorites.

★ YCteen Writing Contest

YCteen is written by a staff of teen writers who work in our New York City newsroom. But writing is a form of conversation, and we want you to join in. We invite you to submit letter to the writer, responding to their story. This is an opportunity to express your opinion or present your own point of view on a story you’ve read.

Playwriting

★ Princeton University Ten-Minute Play Contest

Eligibility for this annual playwriting contest is limited to students in the 11th grade in the U.S. (or international equivalent of the 11th grade).

★ VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competition

Young writers with disabilities and collaborative groups that include students with disabilities, in the U.S. grades 6-12 (or equivalents) or ages 11-18 for non-U.S. students, are invited to explore the disability experience through the art of writing for performance — in the form of plays, screenplays, or music theater. Writers are encouraged to craft short (10 minute) works from their own experiences and observations in the style of realism, through the creation of fictional characters and settings, or writing metaphorically or abstractly about the disability experience.

★ Writopia Lab’s 10th AnnualWorldwide Plays Festival

An annual Off-Broadway festival of one-act plays written by playwrights ages 6 to 18 and produced, designed, directed, and acted by New York theater professionals.

★ Young Playwrights Festival

The Young Playwrights Festival takes place each spring at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. If your play is selected for the festival, you will work with a creative team composed of National Theater Institute alumni — a director, dramaturg, designer, and actors to develop and stage your script.

★ Youth Plays New Voices One-Act Competition

We welcome submissions of challenging, entertaining plays and musicals that are appropriate for teen and younger actors and/or audiences.

★ Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

Sponsored by Hollins University, the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest provides scholarships, prizes, and recognition for the best poems submitted by high-school-aged women.

★ The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers

Recognizes outstanding young poets and is open to high school sophomores and juniors throughout the world. The contest winner receives a full scholarship to the Kenyon Review Young Writers workshop.

★ Poetry Matters Project Lit Prize

Whether you are a published poet, have never written a poem, or have the writing of a poem on your bucket list, the Poetry Matters Project invites you to take the “ Poetry Month Challenge” where participants challenge their friends, and family to write a poem of no more than 30 lines in 30 days. Entries can be posted at You can send your entry as an audio recording, document file, mp3, or video file.

★ Princeton University High School Poetry Prize

The Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize recognizes outstanding work by student writers in the 11th grade in the U.S. or abroad.

Science Writing

★ curiousSCIENCEwriters

An innovative, extracurricular program that trains creative high school communicators to bring complex science to the general public through the power of story. Science and technology are advancing exponentially, yet fewer than 7 percent of American adults are scientifically literate. With growing medical, environmental and social issues facing us all, it is essential that the next generation of communicators be prepared to help people make sense of emerging science that affects their personal health and well-being, as well as that of the world around them.

★ EarthPlex

EarthPlex is the climate platform for teens founded by a fourteen-year-old. Any teenager can submit a post about climate change or read quality content about the environment, ways we can protect it, the impact of corporations, and more. Our mission is to give those under eighteen a voice in the battle against climate change.

★ EngineerGirl Writing Contest

Every year, the EngineerGirl website sponsors a contest dealing with engineering and its impact on our world. The topic and detailed instructions for the contest are posted in the fall with a deadline for submissions early the following year. Winners are announced in the spring.

THINK is an annual science research and innovation competition for high school students. Rather than requiring students to have completed a research project before applying, THINK instead caters to students who have done extensive research on the background of a potential research project and are looking for additional guidance in the early stages of their project. The program is organized by a group of undergraduates at MIT.

Places to Submit Teenage Visual Arts

★ Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

★ Doodle 4 Google

Calling all K-12 students — bring your creativity to life in a Doodle of the Google logo, using any medium you choose for the chance to be a Doodle 4 Google winner. The National Winner’s artwork will be featured on the Google home page.

★ The Gutenberg Award

The Gutenberg Award recognizes exceptional achievement in the field of graphic arts. Awards are available for printed items, websites, and photographs. Entries may be submitted by graphic arts students at any educational level including those in university, college, community-college, postsecondary technical school, high school vocational, high school technology education, and junior high/middle school technology education programs. There are three different Gutenberg competitions: print, website, and photography.

★ N.S.H.S.S. Visual Arts Competition

High school students may submit visual art and photography, painting, drawing, ceramics, glass, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, weaving, digital and 35mm photography.

Film, Video and GIFs

★ All American High School Film Festival

The All American High School Film Festival is the largest student film festival in the world. Our festival offers an unparalleled experience designed specifically to promote and empower the future of film. Each October, thousands of student filmmakers join us in New York City for an action-packed weekend of resources and entertainment, including our Teen Indie Awards Show, where we hand out over $400,000 in prizes and scholarships.

★ American Youth Film Festival

The American Youth Film Festival is an opportunity for the youth to showcase their movie making skills. Categories include animation; comedy; commercials; documentary; feature; music video; public service announcements; science fiction; and short.

★ Boulder International Film Festival

The Boulder International Film Festival is currently accepting entries of short films made by teenagers (ages 12-18) for the Boulder International Film Festival Youth Pavilion. Winners must be present at Teen Opening Night the evening of March 1.

★ Breakthrough Junior Challenge

Make a three-minute video explaining a big idea in physics, life sciences, mathematics or the science of the Covid-19 pandemic.

★ CineYouth Festival

Cinema/Chicago’s CineYouth Film Festival is designed to encourage youth filmmakers in their creative endeavors. CineYouth provides opportunities for young filmmakers to articulate themselves artistically, and have their voice heard. Held annually in Chicago, CineYouth is a three-day festival celebrating and fostering the creativity of filmmakers 22 years old and younger by screening officially selected work and encouraging their creative endeavors by presenting a filmmaking workshop, discussions and panels.

★ GIF IT UP

GIF IT UP is an annual international gif-making campaign that encourages people to create new, fun, and unique gif artworks from digitized cultural heritage materials. Entrants are invited to search, discover, adapt, and reuse public domain and openly licensed video clips, images, art, documents, or other materials found in D.P.L.A . or international partner libraries Europeana, Trove, and DigitalNZ.

★ Heartland High School Film Competition

The High School Film Competition encourages tomorrow’s filmmakers to create films that inspire filmmakers and audiences through the transformative power of the art form. Students may submit short films under 15 minutes in length that are documentary or narrative; live-action or animated.

★ Live Más Scholarship

The Live Más Scholarship is not based on your grades or how well you play sports. No essays, no test scores, no right or wrong answers. We’re looking for the next generation of innovators, creators and dreamers who want to make a difference in the world.Submit a video (2 minutes or less in length) that tells us the story of your life’s passion. It could be a short film, animation or just a simple testimonial. This is not about how well you can make a film – we just want you to show us your passion and explain why you should be considered for a Live Más Scholarship.

★ Nashville Film Festival

An international competition for narrative, nonfiction and animated films under 40 minutes in length created by filmmakers aged 18 and under.

★ Newport Beach Film Festival

Celebrates the cinematic works, visions, and perspectives of young people from around the world. Through the exhibition of youth-created media, the festival seeks to create a forum for young filmmakers and encourage freedom of expression through cinema. The free event features a screening of short films created by filmmakers 18 years and younger.

★ Seattle International Film Festival

Filmmakers who are age 18 and under can send work to FutureWave Shorts.

★ World of 7 Billion Student Video Contest

Create a short video – up to 60 seconds – about human population growth that highlights one of the following global challenges: Preserving Biodiversity, Sustainable Resource Use, Protecting Human Rights.

Photography

★ High School Physics Photo Contest

The A.A.P.T. High School Physics Photo Contest is an international competition for high school students. For many years this contest has provided teachers and students an opportunity to learn about the physics behind natural and contrived situations by creating visual and written illustrations of various physical concepts. Students compete in an international arena with more than 1,000 of their peers for recognition and prizes.

★ Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year uses photography to challenge perceptions about the natural world, helping to promote sustainability and the conservation of wildlife. We celebrate biodiversity, evolution and the origins of life, and aim to inspire a greater understanding of nature. We champion ethical wildlife photography. This means we advocate faithful representations of the natural world that are free from excessive digital manipulation, accompanied by honest captions and that display total respect for animals and their environments.

★ Rocky Mountain School of Photography High School Photo Contest

Rocky Mountain School of Photography trains students of all ages to become passionate image-makers through practical, hands-on learning environments for all skill levels. The R.M.S.P. High School Photo Contest is an annual opportunity for students aged 14-18 to submit their best images for the chance to win a new camera and other prizes. The contest opens Dec. 1 and closes Feb. 28.

★ SONY World Photography Awards Youth Competition

We are looking for the next generation of talented photographers! The Youth competition, for everyone aged 12-19, recognizes that a love for photography often starts at a young age. The competition helps young photographers grow and flourish into the next stages of their careers. Judges are looking for good composition, creativity and clear photography. The 2019 theme is “Diversity”: In one single image show the judges an example of diversity. To be understood in its widest sense, the image of diversity could concern people, culture or environment and could be of a local or global concern. All techniques and styles are welcomed, and judges will particularly reward creativity.

Do you have an opportunity to add? Let us know by posting a comment or writing to us at [email protected].

Home — Essay Samples — Education — Plans After High School — Reflective Essay For Senior Year

Reflective Essay for Senior Year

• Categories: Plans After High School

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Interesting High School Argumentative Essay Topics

September 21, 2022

Argumentative essays are meant to convince the readers concerning the facts, value conclusions, and arguments shared by the writer. The main elements that should be considered when writing good argumentative essays include establishing facts that support the main arguments.

The Second element is to clarify the values relevant to the intended audience.

There is also a need to ensure that the values and facts are placed coherently and cohesively; this requires students to prioritize their ideas and edit them in the right sequence. Many high school students find argumentative essay writing a major challenge.

They do not know how to ensure that their points are persuasive enough.

Argumentative Essay Writing

It is important to know that writing essays should not be a matter of informing the readers of what they know, ensuring that they believe and be convinced of the issues being presented. For one to write argumentative essays, a student needs to present the objectives of their analysis by presenting the topic’s key ideas, concepts, and issues.

This is the introduction part that will help the reader know the controversial issues of the subject. The opening section will also give the readers a clue about the position the writer is supporting; this is possible by writing a thesis statement.

Waste a Lot of Time

Essay writing is challenging, but the other most important thing is the topics you select for your essays. Many students can usually write their essays and term papers effectively. Still, they waste a lot of time on the title, thinking that it makes their deadlines closer which can cost their academic lives difficult in the long term.

It would help if you found some interesting high school argumentative essay topics before writing your essays and term papers.

Here is a high school argumentative essay topic list:

Essay Topics for High School Students:

• Is there life after demise?
• How much is too much homework?
• Are school uniforms good or bad idea?
• Does television influence your intellect?
• Is our society male-dominated, or do we practice equal sharing?
• Should fathers get paid paternity leave from work as well?
• Is there any dissimilarity between illegal drugs and cigarettes?
• Is keeping newspaper reporters’ sources a secret ethical?
• Is global warming real? And Global warming, fact or fiction.
• Since some religious groups are not resistant to atheists, should nonbelievers be large-minded of such religious communities?
• Is cloning good or bad?
• Should abortion be legal?
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Do we follow a fair taxation system?
• Arguments for and against euthanasia.
• Should cell phones be allowed in schools?
• Are prisons the only way to eliminate crime?
• Can curfews help keep teenagers out of trouble?

Thus, to write some top-drawer essays and term papers, you must select or note down some of the topics mentioned above for the essays and term papers. This way, you would be able to make the best out of your skills. Also, a complete revision is necessary at the end of the task.

It helps to rectify the mistakes committed.

Elevate your essay writing experience with our advanced essay generator . It’s designed to provide insightful and well-crafted arguments on a wide range of high school topics.

It should also include a separate page with proper references and citations at the end.

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The Most Important Essay for High School Seniors: The Personal Philosophy Statement

Teaching high school seniors makes for an interesting group of students because they've mostly already passed their standardized tests and know their next steps in life-- college, work, military, etc.  Because of this, teaching seniors can also make for a difficult second semester in trying to keep students motivated.  This group of students has been tested multiple times, trained to write analytical essays for these tests plus SAT and ACT, been forced to blend quotes and synthesize arguments-- for 12 years!  No wonder they are burnt out and unmotivated as second semester seniors.  However, focusing on reflective writing can be a nice way to allow students the freedom to express themselves and reflect back upon their childhoods and adolescence in a meaningful way.  The Personal Philosophy Statement can provide students with the means to synthesize their life experiences as they take a step towards adulthood-- and be free to do it their way.

What is a Personal Philosophy Statement?

A Personal Philosophy Statement is a topic that is well-known to college and graduate school applications.  In brief, it is an essay in which a person makes a statement about who he/she is, what he/she believes in, and what is most important to him/her.  

A great model for this type of essay assignment is the "This I Believe" Series by NPR .  In this series, people write brief essays about what it is they believe based upon their life experiences.  Anyone is welcome to submit an essay (even students if they are able to get their funding back), but they also have famous contributors such as Tony Hawk, Muhammed Ali, Helen Keller, Elie Wiesel, among others.  NPR even has an entire curriculum for teachers, which you can find here .

Questions for High School Seniors

Here is a list of questions specifically for high school seniors to contemplate while writing their Personal Philosophy Statements.  Students can use these questions in small or large group discussions, as journal prompts, essay drafts, and/or free-writing prompts to contemplate and process their own beliefs.

Society says, "Education is the key to success." What do you believe and why?

Some say, "Money equals freedom and happiness." What do you think and why?

"Carpe diem" means "Seize the day." Do you embrace this philosophy or reject it? Why or why not?

Global politics shows us that war is justified and sometimes unavoidable. What do you believe? Why?

Do you believe that some things are worth dying for? Why or why not?

Many people believe there is an afterlife. What do you believe? Why?

Some have said that life is wasted on the young. Do you believe this is true? Why or why not?

Elie Wiesel said, "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing." Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Do you believe in predestination, or the idea that your life's journey, path, and destination were decided before you were born? Or do you believe in free will? Explain.

Social contract theory dictates your responsibilities to the government as a citizen. What do you believe about your level of responsibility to the government?

Some people believe that athletes and celebrities should be held to a higher standard of conduct than ordinary people. What do you believe? Why?

Do you believe that blood is thicker than water? Explain.

What is your greatest triumph in life thus far? What did you learn from it?

What is the greatest tragedy of your life thus far? What did you learn from it?

What do you know for sure?

The American education system is failing on a global scale. Why do you think this is? What do you think of the education you've received in your lifetime? Do you have any ideas for how to improve the American education system?

Legally, a person is an adult at the age of 18. At that point, many teenagers believe that no one has the right to tell them what they and cannot do. What do you believe and why?

What is your greatest memory from school?

What did you learn about life from going to school?

Many children and adolescents are bullied by peers. Were you bullied? How did this shape your view of the world, of school, and of life?

Video and computer games: Do you think they're a problem? Why or why not?

The "plugged in" life: Do you think it's a problem to have so much technology at your fingertips? Why or why not?

The Assignment

There are many different ways to differentiate the requirements of a Personal Philosophy Statement.  I have assigned this essay in a few different ways, and I have required that students integrate literature someway/somehow at different points in time.  Eventually, I ended up dropping the literature component because it ended up stifling the students' organic and authentic philosophy statements.  In some cases, it felt as though students "stuck in" a literary quote because it was required and not because it somehow informed their personal philosophies. You can experiment with this and see what works best for your students.

I have also experimented with various lengths of the essay, finally settling in on 500-800 words, which forces students to really focus their ideas down in scope to one or two specific beliefs.  For a couple of years, I had no length requirement for the essay because I wanted to give students absolute freedom of expression.  However, that changed quickly when I had one student turn in a haiku and another turn in 50 pages.  I knew that I needed to level the length requirement so that I could assess my students fairly.  I also have my students submit their essays single-spaced in order to be bound in a classroom anthology as a part of my classroom library.  Students enjoy being able to share their work and read the personal philosophies of students from prior years.  

I have attached the assignment rubric that I use as a FREE DOWNLOAD .  Click on the image to get your free copy!

Some of the most poignant memories I have of teaching high school seniors is of students sharing their Personal Philosophy Statements.  Some have cried; some have laughed; some have been nervous; some have been excited.  To this day, I still have former students send me notes about how this one assignment has stuck with them, or how reflecting back on this essay as an adult made them realize things about how they had matured.  

So, I encourage you try this assignment, to give your seniors a chance to explore their beliefs before they step out into the world as "adults."  I guarantee that this is one assignment they will remember more than any literary analysis essay they have ever written.

You might also like:

3 Cornerstones for Teaching and Assessing Writing: My Philosophy  

Writing Instruction that Fosters Future Authors- a Philosophy for Teaching Writing at the Secondary Level   

A Philosophy for Assessing Writing: Aim for Improvement, not Perfection

About the Author

Meredith is the founder and creator of TeachWriting.org and Bespoke ELA .  She has taught high school English for 10+ years in Dallas, Chicago, and New York City and holds a M.A. in Literature from Northwestern University.  She has always had a connection to the written word-- through songwriting, screenplay writing, and essay writing-- and she enjoys the process of teaching students how to express their ideas.  Meredith enjoys life with her husband, daughter, and sweet pups.

• Our Mission

4 Engaging Writing Tasks for High School Students

Short, authentic writing tasks can encourage high school students to compose richer long pieces.

It’s quite likely that many of your students dislike writing. After all, they’re often expected to compose lengthy pieces that typically require lots of brainstorming, researching, planning, outlining, drafting, revising, and editing—and that can be exhausting. My class of high school boys had the same attitude, and their short, underdeveloped, and passionless pieces were most telling. I had to overhaul my approach.

During my quest for an alternative practice, I quickly learned that by building students’ knowledge about the topic on which they are expected to compose, and by initially assigning them shorter and more authentic writing tasks, we can successfully motivate them to write longer, richer, and more compelling multiparagraph pieces. Yes, baby steps—from a creep to a stable walk—can work wonders.

Incorporate Knowledge-Building Activities

Judith Hochman and Natalie Wexler said it best in  The Writing Revolution: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades : “Writing and content knowledge are intimately related. You can’t write well about something you don’t know well. The more students know about a topic before they begin to write, the better they will be able to write about it.”

Documentaries, podcasts, TED Talks, and other authentic and engaging audiovisuals can facilitate this knowledge building. Field trips, as well as interviews with relevant community-based experts, can also offer students significant fodder for their writing.

Moreover, when students have interesting discoveries to share, they’ll be excited about the writing tasks, and their compositions are likely to be longer, more detailed, more affecting, and more compelling. Because they have a rich knowledge bank, they’re less likely to get stuck and frustrated as they write. Knowledge stimulates ideas.

But information gathering is not all. It’s also important to show students how to use the newly learned content. We don’t want them to plagiarize information or inadvertently silence their own voices by over-quoting others. Their research should enhance what they write, not substitute for their initial thoughts or suppress their creativity.

What can you do then?

Go beyond lessons in citation format. Model, through write-aloud, how to make decisions about the content included in written work, how to paraphrase and summarize from the original source, and how to ensure that the added content actually strengthens what you already have.

Offer Authentically Rooted Writing Assignments

Finally, make sure that the writing assignments are authentic—with realistic, real-world communicative goals and true-to-life audiences (not just the classroom teacher). Here are some suggestions that you can implement in your teaching practice:

Travel blogs:  Take students on virtual field trips. Nearpod , Google Earth, and YouTube are excellent for this. Following this activity, have students write a blog post to describe the place they visited. If your students have visited resorts or attraction sites locally, they could write about that experience, recommend activities for prospective visitors, and simultaneously persuade them to visit when it is safe to do so.

Their insights might even persuade others to travel to this site. Students could use pictures to supplement their writing. They could also convert their written piece into a mini-video production for a real or imagined YouTube channel that promotes exotic getaways. Their composition would become the audio narration, and, with some background reggae, R & B, or any other culturally popular music, their piece would be beautifully transformed into a riveting marketing pitch.

Movie reviews:  Due to the pandemic, we know that many of our students may be watching far more movies than ever before. Therefore, let’s repurpose this social activity and use what they love or do for pleasure to help them refine a key academic skill. Have students write a review of their most recently watched or favorite film.

Prompt them to provide a summary of the movie, share their impressions of major characters and the plot’s unfolding, and examine the techniques used to create suspense and mounting tension. Later, when they’re writing their own narratives or putting on drama productions, they can adopt and adapt some of these techniques.

Song or music video reviews: Some students enjoy listening to music, so a song or music video review could also motivate them and facilitate interest-based differentiation. State where the review may be published—a local tabloid, a social media page, etc. Have students keep that in mind as they write so that their finished pieces are authentic and fitting for the context and audience intended.

Social media:  Based on your content area, you could have students make discipline-specific posts and write related captions. For instance, if you are looking at rocks in geography or soil types in science, have students photograph different types and post related descriptive or explanatory captions. They’ll be learning and teaching concurrently.

Provide Mentor Texts

These activities are exciting, but before you scuttle off to assign them, find or create models of the kinds of writing that you want your students to produce. Discuss the sample by prompting students to keenly attend to the content and the writer’s craft (style and techniques) throughout the piece.

Finally, make arrangements to have your students publish their pieces—through a safe online space or through an in-school magazine or newsletter—for authenticity at its finest.

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 18 top scholarships for high school seniors.

Financial Aid

Aside from grants and loans , private scholarships are some of the best ways to help fund your college education. There are thousands of scholarships out there for high school seniors, all with different eligibility requirements, deadlines, and award amounts, so it's definitely worth your time to do some research.

To help you find scholarships—and free money!—for college, we've compiled a list of some of the best college scholarships for high school seniors based on availability and award amounts . These scholarships are generally flexible (so you'll be able to use them at any accredited college you attend), and they also don't have any geographical restrictions (so you're eligible to apply no matter where you live in the US).

The list is broken down into four sub-lists . You can click these links to jump between sections, or just keep scrolling:

• Scholarship competitions
• Merit-based scholarships
• Need-based scholarships
• Specialty awards 

Don't forget to check out the end of the article for strategies on getting the most scholarship money possible!

Scholarship Competitions

The following scholarships are awarded based on performance in some sort of contest . These types of scholarships can be pretty intensive, so give yourself extra time to effectively prepare if you plan on pursuing one of them.

All scholarships are competitions—to win the following scholarships, though, you'll have to go head-to-head with other students.

Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition

Students compete for this award by writing and recording an audio essay on a patriotic theme. The theme for the 2023-2024 contest is "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?" The first-place winner gets a grand prize $35,000 scholarship to the American college, university, or technical school of their choice. The program gives out a total of $2 million in awards and incentives each year.

• Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
• Deadline: October 31, 2023

The Fountainhead Essay Contest

Students compete for this award by writing an essay on one of three topics related to Ayn Rand's book The Fountainhead. The first-place winner will receive a grand prize of $5,000 . Runners-up also receive awards. Each year, a total of $22,500 is given out in prize money.

• Eligibility: High school students ages 13+
• Deadline:   Likely April 2024

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

Students compete for this award by writing an essay on one of three topics related to Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged. The first-place winner will receive a $10,000 prize. Runners-up also win prizes, and $40,000 in scholarship money is awarded annually.

• Eligibility: High school seniors, college students, and graduate students
• Deadline: November 6, 2023

American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest

Are you a good public speaker, or do you just want an excuse to hone your public-speaking skills? Then this competition would be a good fit for you. Students compete for this award by preparing and performing an eight- to 10-minute oration on some aspect of the US Constitution, as well as giving a three- to five-minute speech on an assigned topic. You can view this year's topics here .

The first-place winner receives $25,000 , second place receives $22,500, and third place receives $20,000. There are also smaller awards for state winners. More than $203,500 in prize money is given out annually.

• Eligibility: US high school students under 20 years of age
• Deadline: Varies by state , as contests are arranged by local American Legion departments

Create-a-Greeting Card Scholarship Contest (Gallery Collection Scholarship)

This scholarship is pretty unique—and it's great for students with some untapped artistic talents! Students compete for this award by submitting a photo, piece of artwork, or computer graphic to be used on the front of a greeting card. The winner will receive $10,000 , and the winner's school will also get $1,000.

• Eligibility: High school and college students ages 14 or older
• Deadline: May 15, 2024

To win these scholarships, you have to show that you're tough—or at least that your brain is tough.

Scholarships Based on Academic Strength

The following scholarships are generally awarded based on students' academic performance in conjunction with a few other factors , such as leadership skills and commitment to community service. As a result, the most competitive applicants will be dedicated, high-achieving students who are also invested in their communities.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program

Coca-Cola Scholars are judged primarily on their academic performance, extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and community service. This scholarship program is fairly big: 150 awards of $20,000 each are given out every year, and the program gives out $3.55 million dollars annually. You can learn more about the Coca-Cola Scholarship by reading our guide to winning the award .

• Eligibility: US high school seniors; can't be children or grandchildren of Coca-Cola employees (current and former)
• Deadline: October 2, 2023

Burger King Scholars Program

Applicants for this scholarship are judged on their GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities, and community service. Award amounts range from those as small as $1,000 to those as large as $50,000 . To apply for this award, applicants must be Burger King employees or  the spouse or child of a Burger King employee. 

• Eligibility: Employees and their spouses/partners/children, US high school seniors
• Deadline: Likely December 2023 (or until they receive 50,000 applications—so apply early!)

Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships

For these, award eligibility requirements will vary based on your local Ronald McDonald House Charity chapter. For example, some have ethnic eligibility requirements. Deadlines and award amounts will also vary by location, but some of the bigger national awards can be as large as $100,000 ! Check out our how-to guide to learn more about getting an RMHC scholarship.

• Eligibility: High school seniors, but other requirements may apply depending on scholarship
• Deadline: Varies depending on scholarship, but usually January

If your family income isn't enough to cover college expenses, need-based scholarships would be a great option for you.

Scholarships Based on Financial Need

The following scholarships take financial need into account when choosing award recipients. For many of these programs, though, financial need is just one of many criteria considered .

In other words, strong applicants will also be successful students, leaders, or community activists. For most of these applications, you'll likely have to submit documentation about your family income.

Horatio Alger Scholarship Award

This generous need-based scholarship is geared toward students who have faced and overcome great obstacles. To be considered eligible, your gross adjusted family income must be at o r below $55,000 . At the national level , there are 105 awards of $25,000 each; at the state level , there are scholarships of $10,000 each for all 50 states (plus the District of Columbia).

This one scholarship application will get you considered for many other national, state, and specialized scholarships , which means less work for you and more opportunities for scholarship funding!

• Eligibility: US high school juniors with a GPA of 2.0 or above who plan on getting a bachelor's degree
• Deadline: Likely March 15, 2024

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship Program

Applicants to this need-based scholarship are judged on their leadership skills and commitment to community service. To be considered eligible, you must identify as a minority student and be a US citizen. As many as 60 new scholarships are awarded annually. The scholarships are four-year awards, and recipients can receive as much as $30,000 over four years .

• Eligibility: US minority high school seniors with a minimum SAT of 1000/ACT of 21* who plan on getting a bachelor's degree in the US
• Deadline: Likely January 2024

*JRF recognizes the difficulties posed by COVID-19; students applying without standardized test scores will not be disadvantaged in the selection process. 

Engebretson Foundation Scholarship

This need-based scholarship is pretty straightforward: it's awarded to one student each year who demonstrates not only financial need, but also shows impressive academic aptitude and leadership ability. The annual award winner receives $5,000 per semester of college . Winners may reapply for the prize every year.

• Eligibility: High school seniors with high GPAs and SAT/ACT scores as well as financial need who plan to attend a four-year college
• Deadline: Likely March 2023 (note that applications must be submitted via email or regular mail )

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program

In addition to providing funding for college, this scholarship program offers personal advising on selecting a college, navigating the financial aid process, and transitioning from high school to college. Applicants are judged on academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, desire to help others, and leadership skills. Awards are given to students each year and can be as high as $55,000 per academic year. 

• Eligibility: High school seniors who have an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need (family gross income of $95,000 or below) and plan to attend a four-year college
• Deadline:  November 2023

Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition

Applicants to this need-based scholarship are judged on their scholarship and leadership abilities. Each year, 500 scholarships are given out across the country, with award amounts ranging from $1,000 to $12,500 per year . Applications must be submitted to the Elks Lodge closest to your home address, so make sure to research the Elks Lodges in your area before you apply.

• Eligibility: US high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year US college
• Deadline: November 2023

Gates Scholarship

The Gates Scholarship aims to help scholastically outstanding minority high school seniors reach their full potential. Every year, 300 students receive a scholarship covering the full cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation) that is not already covered by other financial aid and expected family contribution . Read more about the Gates Scholarship and how to win it in our complete guide .

• Eligibility: US minority high school seniors who are Pell-eligible (Pelligible?), have a minimum 3.3/4.0 GPA, and plan to attend a four-year US college
• Deadline: Likely September 15, 2023

These next scholarships are unique—just like every student applicant!

Specialty Scholarships

The following scholarship programs are national awards that target students who have specific or unique interests or achievements . Whether you're the next president of the SPCA or even the USA, you should be able to find a specialty scholarship that's perfect for you!

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

Are you a proud vegetarian? This might seem like a niche award, but the scholarship is very real! Applicants are judged on their "compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle." If you've promoted vegetarianism at school or in your community, you'll likely be a great candidate for this scholarship. The first-place winner usually receives $10,000 and two runners-up each receive $5,000, but the award total increased to $30,000 for 2024, so the awards for this year will be even larger.

• Eligibility: High school seniors
• Deadline: February 20, 2024

Adobe Design Circle Scholarship

Is graphic design your passion? Are you always brainstorming invention ideas? Do you see a website layout and think, “I could make this better?” The Adobe Design Circle Scholarship is open to students who plan to pursue any design-related major through an accredited program. This award offers 10 annual scholarships up to $25,000 per academic year for tuition and fees.  

The exact amount of each scholarship varies, determined by factors including projected cost of attendance (e.g., for a state university vs. a private college) and the applicant’s expected financial need. Scholarships can be renewed for up to four years, or until graduation, pending satisfactory degree progress. The Design Circle also provides a variety of mentorship opportunities to the scholarship winners, such as shadowing, internships, workshops, and networking.

• Eligibility: Students pursuing any year of their undergraduate studies
• Deadline: Likely March 2024

Equitable Excellence Scholarship Scholarship

The Equitable Excellence scholarship (formerly the AXA Achievement scholarship) targets students who have empowered society through achievements that mitigate risk . This idea can be interpreted pretty broadly, so spend some time figuring out what risk means to you and whether you've participated in making the world a safer place through any of your activities.

Every year, hundreds of students representing all 50 states; Washington, DC; and Puerto Rico receive one-time scholarships of $2,500, $10,000, or $25,000 .

• Eligibility: US high school seniors
• Deadline: Likely December 2023 (or until they receive 10,000 applications—so apply early!) 

William Randolph Hearst Foundations US Senate Youth Program

If you're passionate about public service, this is the scholarship for you. The Senate Youth Program targets students who participate in their high school student government and plan to study history or political science in college . Applicants are judged on their leadership skills, academic performance, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. Each winner will receive a $10,000 award in addition to an all-expenses-paid educational week in Washington, DC.*

• Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
• Deadline: Varies depending on the state you're in , but typically September-November

*Currently, the 2024 program is scheduled to happen in person. However, the event could be moved online due to COVID-19 or other public health concerns. 

Tips here, get your tips here!

Making the Most of Your Scholarship Applications: 3 Key Tips

If you're going to go through all the work of submitting a scholarship application, then you want to make sure you have an excellent shot at winning awards . The following three tips will help you submit the greatest number of successful scholarship applications possible.

#1: Do Your Own Research

As you've probably noticed, many of the above scholarships are fairly generous national awards, so they’re going to be quite competitive. Unfortunately, even if you’re a strong contender, the sheer size of the applicant pool will likely lower your chances. So what's a student to do?

The good news is that there are countless scholarship programs out there. It just takes a bit of digging to find one that matches your interests, location, background, identity, etc. The more niche a scholarship program is, the better chances you'll have of winning an award (assuming you're qualified for it). So do some research on scholarships programs that operate in your area or are offered to students with your particular interests, experiences, skills, or passions.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities scholarships are a good place to start. You can also pay a visit to your guidance counselor, who should have more information on local scholarships.

In addition, you could branch out on your own by searching online for scholarships in your area . If you have a particular talent, skill, or interest, look for scholarships that are offered to students based on those criteria.

#2: Apply Broadly

Applying for scholarships—like applying to colleges—is, in part, a numbers game. You wouldn't apply to just one school if you wanted to optimize your chances of getting into a great college, would you?

Many scholarship applications ask similar questions and require similar information, so if you apply to one program, you might as well apply to a bunch . It's free to apply for most scholarships anyway—all it takes is a few hours of your time.

Finally, take advantage of applications that submit you for consideration for many scholarship awards , such as the Horatio Alger Scholarship mentioned above.

#3: Make Note of Deadlines

Scholarship applications are all over the place—there's no defined "scholarship season" for submission deadlines, but many are due before college application deadlines . As such, it's better to start your scholarship search sooner rather than later so you don't miss out on any great opportunities .

The summer before your senior year is a good time to start making note of programs you're interested in. Keep track of application deadlines by maintaining a spreadsheet that you update regularly. This is especially helpful if applications require you to ask for letters of recommendation ; you can make sure to give teachers and mentors plenty of advance notice to write you a letter.

What's Next?

Want to get a head start on scoping out scholarships? Then check out our comprehensive guides to winning some of the most competitive national scholarships available, including the Gates Scholarship , the Coca-Cola Scholarship , the Walmart Scholarships , and the McDonald's Scholarships .

Looking for scholarships with low-hassle applications? Our article on the easiest scholarships to apply for will give you a great starting list.

Wondering if you can get a scholarship for something like being left-handed ? Learn more about the weirdest scholarships you can win in our guide.

Need more help with your scholarship search? Read our expert guide on how to find college scholarships and the best scholarship search websites .

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Francesca graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and scored in the 99th percentile on the SATs. She's worked with many students on SAT prep and college counseling, and loves helping students capitalize on their strengths.

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Top 64 Writing & Essay Scholarships in April 2024

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

Learn about our editorial policies

Writing is an extremely important part of success in high school, college, and life in general. For some students, writing is also an intricate part of who they are and how they express themselves. If you are someone who loves English class and is genuinely excited about a new creative writing assignment, then you should keep reading! Writing scholarships, creative writing scholarships, and essay scholarships are great ways to put your talent to use.

Whether you are planning on attending community college, a four-year program, or graduate school, we’ve got opportunities for you. Keep on reading to learn about the top scholarships for writers and creative writers including eligibility, award amounts, and deadlines!

Why choose Scholarships360

We helped over 4 million students find scholarships in 2023

We've spent over 4,000 hours reviewing 3,000 scholarship programs

13+ years of experience helping students make smart education decisions

The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

• The scholarship requires a fee to apply
• The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
• The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
• Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
• The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
• The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
• The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
• There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
• The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
• There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!

* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education. Show Less

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“Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Maria Geiger

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The “Mom to Scholar'' Scholarship for Mothers is open to mothers who want to begin or resume their journey towards earning a technical or college degree. This scholarship is funded by Scholarships360’s own Maria Geiger, who started her journey toward a B.A. at the same time that her oldest son Will started college. Maria knows firsthand how challenging it is to raise a family, have a job outside the home, and attend college, but would not change the way she did things for the world. Mothers who have a desire to earn their college degree bring unique perspectives that greatly enhance their learning experiences; for some, motherhood is a vocation that enlightens like no other. If you are a mother over the age of 35 who feels that the time is right to begin your academic or career journey, please apply! Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Show Less

$40,000 Build a College List Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The College Board

Create a college list with six schools you're considering - no minimum GPA or essay required!

“Gutsy Graduate Student” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Ok, so first question–why is this scholarship named the “Gutsy” Graduate Student Essay Scholarship? If you are enrolled in graduate school (during the 2024-25 academic… Show More

Ok, so first question–why is this scholarship named the “Gutsy” Graduate Student Essay Scholarship? If you are enrolled in graduate school (during the 2024-25 academic year) or have heard stories from those enrolled, you already know! “Gutsy” means courageous and determined, which nearly all successful graduate students are. Why else would one continue on with rigorous academics while often living on a shoestring? The rewards of graduate school are numerous, especially the more focused and advanced level of specialized study in your chosen field. Learning with like-minded people who share your passion is fulfilling, and the networking is awesome. The flipside of graduate school is the costly student loans to fund it. With this in mind, the "Gutsy" Graduate Student Essay Scholarship aims to help out a passionate graduate student who is actively looking for ways to fund their higher education journey. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. Good luck on your educational journey, and we hope to read your application!  Show Less

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Niche

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

“College Here I Come” Essay Scholarship for High School Seniors This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

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The "College Here I Come" Scholarship for Class of 2024 is open to just who you think: high school seniors graduating in the class of 2024! Here at Scholarships360, scholarships are our passion–we know that you can never have enough of them! After all, scholarships are essentially “free money” to help fund your education. We want to help out a lucky high school senior who is just starting out on their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We hope that you apply and look forward to reading your application! Show Less

“Making Waves” Scholarship for Women This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Are you a woman in high school, college, or graduate school enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year? If so, let us help you! Our $500… Show More

Are you a woman in high school, college, or graduate school enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year? If so, let us help you! Our $500 “Making Waves” Scholarship for Women aims to help women cover the costs of pursuing their dreams. Whether that dream is starting a business, learning a foreign language, or attending college on the path to fulfilling your dream, the scholarship will cover those costs and make your journey a little easier. No matter your goals, we want to help out a woman who is passionate about their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. In order to apply, simply write an essay about how the $500 “Making Waves” Scholarship for Women will help you fulfill your dreams. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We encourage you to apply and look forward to reading your essay. Good luck! Show Less

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

“Tuition Solution” Scholarship for STEM Students This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

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Do you like figuring out solutions to difficult problems? Well, if you’re a current or aspiring STEM major, we have one for you! Our $500 “Tuition Solution” Scholarship is meant for high school juniors and seniors (graduating class of 2024 or 2025), as well as undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the 2023-24 academic year who are looking for ways to fund their postsecondary education in STEM. In order to apply, you must write an essay about how your passion for STEM started and how the scholarship will help you fulfill your dreams. No matter which STEM field ignites your interest, we look forward to reading your essays. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. Apply today - it’s time to cell-e-brate you! Show Less

“A Helping Hand” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

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At Scholarships360, we know how hard it can be to pay off the hefty costs of a college tuition. Oftentimes, this is even more difficult for students coming from low-income backgrounds or for those who demonstrate financial need. This is where our “A Helping Hand” Scholarship comes in! We're offering a $500 scholarship to help out a low-income student who is passionate about their higher education journey and is actively looking for ways to fund it. This award is open to high school juniors and seniors (graduating class of 2024 and 2025), as well as undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year. In order to apply, students should submit an essay detailing how winning the scholarship would help you fulfill your dreams. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Show Less

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

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“Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

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At Scholarships360, our mission is to help students find and fund their postsecondary education. We know that students have a variety of educational and career interests and aspirations. That is why we are offering the “Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship. This scholarship aims to support all current postsecondary students, regardless of the type of education they are pursuing. Thus, no matter your own unique educational path, we hope you apply for this $500 scholarship. In order to apply for the “Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship, students must submit an essay about their career ambitions. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Show Less

“Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Community college, also known as two-year college, is a golden opportunity for the right student. These schools offer an affordable education to a diverse range… Show More

Community college, also known as two-year college, is a golden opportunity for the right student. These schools offer an affordable education to a diverse range of students in a wide range of majors. If starting your postsecondary education at a community college is right for you, we have a scholarship just for you! The “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship aims to financially support community college students who are passionate about their higher education journeys and actively looking for ways to fund it. In order to apply for the “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship, students must submit an essay explaining how earning their degree at community college will help them achieve their educational and career goals. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application!  Show Less

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

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This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month. Show Less

“Outstanding Undergraduate” Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

The U.S. is home to over 2,000 four-year universities offering bachelor’s degrees. However, attending such universities can sometimes come with hefty costs that can deter… Show More

The U.S. is home to over 2,000 four-year universities offering bachelor’s degrees. However, attending such universities can sometimes come with hefty costs that can deter students from attending. If you’re in a situation similar to this, we may just have the perfect scholarship opportunity for you: the “Outstanding Undergraduate” Essay Scholarship! With this scholarship, we aim to help out a lucky undergraduate student (enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year) who is passionate about their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. The scholarship is open to any U.S. citizen who is enrolled as an undergraduate at a four-year university in the U.S. during the 2023-24 academic year. In order to apply, submit an essay explaining how earning your bachelor’s degree will help you achieve your educational and career goals. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Show Less

Ocean Awareness Art Contest This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs

Are you an 11–18 year old passionate about the creative arts and/or the environment? Consider applying for Bow Seat's Ocean Awareness Contest! The 2024 Ocean… Show More

Are you an 11–18 year old passionate about the creative arts and/or the environment? Consider applying for Bow Seat's Ocean Awareness Contest! The 2024 Ocean Awareness Contest – Tell Your Climate Story – encourages students to become climate witnesses and creatively share their personal experiences about our changing climate reality. Submit works of visual art, creative writing, poetry, spoken word, music, dance, film, and more for a chance to win cash awards of up to $1,000 and to join the world’s largest environmental youth community for the creative arts! Show Less

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

Ayn Rand Institute Novel Essay Contest (Atlas Shrugged) This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Ayn Rand Institute

Are you a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student with a passion for reading, writing, and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? If so, we may… Show More

Are you a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student with a passion for reading, writing, and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the Ayn Rand Institute Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest! Each year, the contest asks its applicants to write an 800 - 1,600 word essay in which they analyze and make an argument about an aspect or plot point of the novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Nine prizes of varying amounts are awarded each year, with a grand prize of $25,000! If you’re familiar with Atlas Shrugged, can make a convincing argument, and want to make some cash, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

Minecraft Scholarship

Offered by Apex Hosting

Are you a high school or college student with a love for Minecraft? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the… Show More

Are you a high school or college student with a love for Minecraft? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the Minecraft Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship offers $2,000 to one applicant who best writes about how Minecraft can positively influence one’s education and career development. The scholarship is offered by Apex Hosting, a Minecraft server provider dedicated to supporting both new and experienced server administrators. If you’re a high schooler or college student with a love for Minecraft, it’s time to put your passion to good use and apply to the Minecraft Scholarship! Show Less

Top 10 essay scholarships in 2024

Our editors hand-picked the following 10 essay scholarships with an eye for large awards, prestigious organizations, and scholarships that are open to a wide variety of students. Apply with confidence to the following essay scholarships:

• Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship – For high school seniors with financial need, worth up to $55,000 per year
• Questbridge College Match – For high school seniors with financial need, offers a full ride to college
• The Gates Scholarship – For low-income minority high school seniors, offers a full ride to college
• Tylenol Future Care Scholarship – For students enrolling in medical, nursing, or pharmacy school, worth $5,000-$10,000
• Regeneron Science Talent Search – For high school seniors interested in pursuing an individual STEM research project. Worth anywhere between $2,000 and $250,000
• Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship – For high school seniors pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or a business field. Worth up to $20,000
• Horatio Alger Undergraduate Scholarships – For high school students with high financial need, worth up to $49,000
• Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship – For high school seniors with high financial need who plan to study computer science in college. Worth $10,000 per year
• Ron Brown Scholarship – For Black high school seniors who plan to study global entrepreneurship and/or community engagement. Worth $10,000 per year
• Dream.US Opportunity Scholarship – For undocumented high school seniors and college freshmen with high financial need living in a state where public colleges do not offer in-state tuition to undocumented students. Worth $20,000 per year

Creative writing scholarships

Are you a writer who loves fiction, poetry, and screenplays? If so, you can put those talents to use by applying for creative writing scholarships.

Creative writing scholarships are a subset of writing scholarships that support students who enjoy writing poetry, fictional stories, plays, and generally using their imagination to guide their writing.

Here are the top creative writing college scholarships that you can apply for:

HelpTeaching.com Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school and college students who submit a educational short story or informational article (400-800 words) for young students
• Amount : $1,000
• Deadline: June 1st of every year

Cancer Unwrapped Teen Writing Contest

• Eligibility: Teens aged 9-12 who write about their own cancer journey or a family member in a maximum of 1,500 words.
• Deadline: Late March

YouthPLAYS New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights

• Eligibility: Students 19 years old or younger who submit an original one-act play between 10-40 minutes in length (10-page minimum). Multiple winners may receive up to $250 and publication by YouthPLAYS.
• Amount: $250 and publication by YouthPLAYS
• Deadline: Early May

National High School Poetry Contest

•   Eligibility:  U.S. high school students who submit a poem 20 lines or less that is unpublished, the sole work of the entrant, and not entered in any other concurrent contest.
• Amount: Up to $500.
• Deadline:  Rolling

The Narrative Prize

• Eligibility: Students who submit a short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction.
• Amount: $4,000
• Deadline:  Mid-June

Also see:  Top writing summer programs for high school students

College-specific creative writing scholarships

Some colleges and universities may also offer specific scholarships and financial aid to students with a talent in creative writing! Check with the colleges on your list for these college-specific creative writing opportunities!

Note that some of these scholarships may have requirements for winning students that stipulate that they take a certain number of creative writing classes when enrolled in the college.

Kenyon Writing Award

High school seniors can apply for this scholarship program at Kenyon College which offers up to $15,000 per year of merit based aid. It is based off of your portfolio and does not take into account financial need, high school GPA , or other factors. Submissions typically have to be in by January of your senior year.

Related:  How to answer scholarship essay questions about your career goals

Barbara Caras Memorial Scholarship for Film Students

The scholarship is open to students in Sarasota or Manatee County, Florida who have completed at least one full year at an accredited Florida College and are majoring in Film, Computer Animation, Creative Writing, Motion Design, or Illustration. Five recipients will earn a $2,000 award. The application deadline is July 31st of the current year.

Lycoming College Creative Writing Scholarship

The scholarship is open to students majoring in Creative Writing at Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA and must submit five poems and/or a short story not to exceed ten pages. Six recipients will be selected and can earn up to $3,000. The scholarship deadline for the Fall 2023 Class is March 1, 2023.  

Arkansas Tech University Gwaltney Scholarship

The scholarship is open to ATU students who submit individual works of fiction to the Department of English. Recipients earn a one-time cash award every year. The deadline to submit your entry is 2 weeks before the end of the spring semester.

Lake Forest College Carnegie English Essay Contest

The contest is open to first-year students of Lake Forest College who plan to study English either through the literature or creative writing track and submit an essay, between 500 and 1,000 words answering a designated prompt. Four winners will be awarded $2,500 annually. Submission deadline is March 1, 2023.

Austin Peay State University Creative Writing Scholarships

The scholarships are open to undergraduate and incoming APSU students who email a 10-20 page manuscript of fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction, to Lakota Withrow at [email protected] . Awards are for $600 or $1,200. The deadline to apply is March 18th.

Scholarship essay resources

When it comes to writing and essay scholarships, your writing skills will be put to the test. You’ll have to adapt your writing to specific styles in order to effectively and succinctly communicate your ambitions and potential. We have a host of resources to help you perform well in this arena and stand out from the crowd.

• How to start your scholarship essay (with examples)
• How to write a “why do you deserve this scholarship?” essay
• What’s the best scholarship essay format?
• How to write a 250 word essay
• How to write a 500 word essay
• How to write an essay about yourself

Frequently asked questions about writing scholarships

Do i have to major in english to earn a writing or essay scholarship, where can i get help proofreading my scholarship essays, how much should i write if there is no word limit on the application, explore these other scholarship categories:.

• Scholarships for English majors
• Easy scholarships
• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top creative writing scholarships
• Top scholarships for journalism students
• Top short story scholarships

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10 Essay Scholarships For High School Seniors To Apply

Are you a high school senior who loves to put pen to paper? Do you dream of being the next J.K. Rowling or Ernest Hemingway? Well, get ready to grab your writing utensils, because we’ve got some fantastic news for you! 

There are numerous essay scholarships available exclusively for high school seniors. That’s right, you could earn money for college just by showcasing your writing skills. From creative writing to persuasive essays, the possibilities are endless. So, if you’ve got a way with words and a desire to earn some cash for college, it’s time to get cracking on those scholarship applications. Who knows, your writing could be the ticket to your college education and your future success!

Essay scholarships for high school seniors

1. afsa high school essay contest.

Are you a high school student with a passion for international affairs? Do you love to express your thoughts through writing? Then the AFSA Essay Contest is perfect for you! This scholarship challenges high schoolers to write an essay on a selected topic related to American foreign policy and global issues. Whether you’re interested in politics, economics, or human rights, this contest is an excellent opportunity to showcase your knowledge and writing skills.

The winners will receive a cash prize and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. to meet with government officials and tour international landmarks. Plus, it’s a chance to meet other talented young writers and make lasting connections. So, don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to share your voice and earn some scholarship money!

2. Interface “Tech for Good” Scholarship 

If you’re a tech enthusiast and have a passion for making a positive impact in the world, then the Tech for Good Scholarship is perfect for you! Interface Systems is offering a one-time grant of $5,000 to a high school senior or college student who can write an outstanding essay on the topic of how technology can be used for the greater good of humanity.

You can explore topics like sustainability, accessibility, social justice, healthcare, and education. The essay should be no more than 750 words and demonstrate your passion for both technology and making a positive impact in society. So, if you have some big ideas for how technology can be used to make the world a better place, then this scholarship is an excellent opportunity to showcase your creativity and passion!

3. WCF National Scholarship 

Do you have a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to make a difference in the world? The WCF National Scholarship Competition is just for you! This essay scholarship is open to high school seniors and college undergraduates who have innovative business ideas and want to create a positive impact. The winner of the competition will receive a $20,000 scholarship to help them pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

The application requires you to submit a business proposal outlining your idea, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. So, put on your thinking cap and let your creativity run wild! Who knows, you might just be the next big thing in the world of entrepreneurship.

4. AEL Collegiate Essay Competition Scholarship

Are you passionate about education and leadership? Do you want to make a positive impact in your community? If yes, then Pepperdine University’s Aspiring Education Leaders (AEL) scholarship program might be just for you! This scholarship is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in education leadership and who are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

The AEL scholarship provides selected candidates with financial assistance to attend Pepperdine’s prestigious Graduate School of Education and Psychology, where they will receive exceptional training and mentorship from experienced educators and leaders.  Just submit an essay with a word count between 1,500 and 2,000. The winners get three $1,000, $1,500, and $2,500 essay prizes. If you have a strong passion for education, leadership, and community service, this scholarship could be an excellent opportunity to help you achieve your goals and make a meaningful impact in the world. 

5. America’s 911 Foundation College Scholarship  

Are you passionate about serving your community and helping others? America’s 911 Foundation is offering a scholarship that aims to support students who demonstrate a commitment to community service and patriotism. To apply, students are asked to write a 500-word essay on a given topic related to the 9/11 attacks and how they have affected their lives and worldview. The foundation awards scholarships to multiple students each year, with amounts ranging from $2,000 to $3,000.

This scholarship is a great opportunity for students to not only receive financial support for their education but also to reflect on the impact of one of the most significant events in American history. If you’re a student who is passionate about making a positive difference in the world and honoring the memory of those who lost their lives on 9/11, this scholarship is for you!

6. Life Lessons Scholarship Program  

Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes it throws unexpected events our way. To raise awareness about the importance of life insurance, Life Happens has created the Life Lessons Scholarship Program. This scholarship aims to support students who have faced a loss due to the death of a parent or guardian who did not have life insurance.

By sharing their experiences and lessons learned, applicants can win a scholarship of up to $15,000 to help them achieve their academic goals. It’s an opportunity to transform a difficult experience into a source of motivation and inspiration. So, if life has dealt you a tough hand, use your story to win this scholarship and show the world that you can turn a tragedy into a powerful life lesson.

7. Arts for Life Scholarship  

Are you a high school senior in Florida with a passion for the arts? Look no further! The Arts for Life Scholarship is here to help fund your future artistic endeavors. All you need to do is submit an original piece of art, along with a written essay on how the arts have impacted your life, for a chance to win up to $3,000 in scholarship money.

The scholarship is open to all graduating high school seniors in Florida who plan to pursue further education in the arts. So, whether you’re a painter, dancer, musician, or something in between, let your creativity soar and apply for this unique scholarship opportunity!

8. DAR Good Citizen Scholarship 

The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest was created in 1934 with an aim to reward students who have the qualities of a good citizen, specifically for students who have demonstrated qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities.

In the first stage, the eligible students are selected by teachers and peers. The student does not have to be a US citizen but accredited with their state board of education to be eligible for this award. The DAR awards one student per year.

9. Maxwell Foundation Scholarship  

The Maxwell Scholarship was created to help Washington high school seniors who want to pursue higher education in colleges of their choice. The Foundation provides students entering a four-year private college program throughout the academic year with the financial aid of up to $5,000 each year.

To be eligible for this scholarship, students have to be a resident of Western Washington, have an SAT or ACT score of 1200 or above, pursue a four-year degree at a recognized private university in the United States, and demonstrate financial need.

10. Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Scholarship  

Looking for a scholarship that will test your writing skills and reward you for your creativity and knowledge? The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has you covered with their youth scholarship program. Open to high school students, the VFW scholarship program challenges you to write an essay on a patriotic theme.

From exploring the meaning of the U.S. Constitution to discussing the importance of American democracy, this scholarship gives you the opportunity to express your ideas and learn about American history and values. Plus, there’s the added bonus of a chance to win some cash for college! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to show off your writing skills and love for the country.

What kind of essays do scholarships want?

Experts caution that writing an essay for a scholarship is different from writing an essay for a high school class. There are thousands of candidates each year, making it an extremely difficult process to submit an essay for a scholarship. Students will have to make sure to write an essay that convinces the scholarship program board that they deserve the money up for grabs, as many scholarship applications call for one. 

From mechanical engineering scholarships to environmental scholarships to even scholarships for nursing , different scholarships have different formats and word limits, the first thing to keep in mind while submitting an essay is to adhere to the format as specified by the scholarship. It is essential to keep your essay within the allotted word count and make sure you are responding to the question that has been posed. Even though the essay prompt appears to be somewhat open-ended, your essay should nonetheless have a distinct beginning, middle, and end.

In essays and scholarship applications, students frequently feel pressure to present a particular persona or aspect of themselves. However, this is not always required. The essay should feel real and true to the student’s life. Above all, what the scholarship essay seeks is for the essay to stand out in a sea of academic writings by providing genuine insights into who the candidate is on a deeper level.

In conclusion, scholarships are a fantastic opportunity for students to fund their education and pursue their dreams. It’s essential to keep in mind that scholarship committees are looking for applicants who stand out, who have a unique perspective, and who are willing to put in the effort to craft a well-written and thoughtful essay.

So take the time to research the scholarships you’re interested in, brainstorm ideas, and write a compelling essay that showcases your strengths, passions, and achievements. Remember, your essay is your chance to make a lasting impression and persuade the scholarship committee that you are the best candidate for the award.

So go ahead, put pen to paper, and show the world what makes you extraordinary! However, if you wish to go for a scholarship without an essay too, a non-essay scholarship should work fine for you!

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

Explore a plethora of invaluable resources and insights tailored for high schoolers at TheHighSchooler, under the guidance of Sananda Bhattacharya’s expertise. You can follow her on Linkedin

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Essay on Being A Senior In High School

Students are often asked to write an essay on Being A Senior In High School in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Being A Senior In High School

Introduction.

Being a senior in high school is a unique phase in life. It’s a time filled with a mix of excitement, anticipation, and a bit of fear. This is when you stand on the edge of childhood and adulthood, ready to take your first big step into the world.

Academic Pressure

As a senior, the pressure of studies can be intense. You are expected to perform well in your final exams. It’s a time when you have to balance your studies with other activities. The key is to plan and manage your time well.

Social Life

Senior year is also a time for social growth. You get to enjoy proms, sports, and other activities. It’s a chance to make lasting memories with your friends before everyone goes their separate ways after graduation.

Future Planning

Being a senior means thinking about your future. It’s a time to choose a college or decide on a career path. It can be a bit scary but also exciting. It’s all about making decisions that will shape your future.

In conclusion, being a senior in high school is a time of growth and change. It’s a mix of academic challenges, social events, and future planning. It’s the last step before stepping into adulthood and it’s a phase to be cherished.

250 Words Essay on Being A Senior In High School

Being a senior in high school is a special time in a person’s life. It is full of excitement, challenges, and growth. It is the last step before stepping into the world of adulthood.

The Final Year

This is the final year in school. It is a mix of feelings. There’s joy in knowing you’ve come far, yet a bit of sadness as you’ll soon leave friends and teachers. It’s a year of making memories that will last a lifetime.

Getting Ready for College

Being a senior also means getting ready for college. It’s time to choose a career path. You have to study hard for entrance exams. It’s a bit stressful, but also thrilling to think about the future.

Leadership Roles

As a senior, you get to take on leadership roles. You become a role model for the younger students. It’s a chance to show responsibility and make a positive impact on your school.

Enjoying Senior Privileges

There are also fun parts of being a senior. You get to enjoy senior privileges like going on trips, attending prom, and celebrating graduation. These are moments to cherish.

In short, being a senior in high school is a unique and exciting time. It’s a mix of hard work, fun, and preparing for the future. It’s a year of growth and change, a stepping stone to the next stage of life.

500 Words Essay on Being A Senior In High School

Being a senior in high school is a unique and important time in a student’s life. It is a year filled with many changes, challenges, and opportunities. This is the final year before stepping into the real world or heading off to college. It is a time of growth, learning, and preparation.

Academic Expectations

As a senior, academic pressure often increases. This is the year where grades matter the most as they can determine college admissions. Seniors must balance their coursework, maintain good grades, and prepare for important tests. It’s not just about studying, it’s also about applying the knowledge learned over the years.

College Preparation

Most seniors start preparing for college during this year. They research different schools, fill out applications, and write essays. This process can be stressful but also exciting as they imagine their future. For some, it may also be a time to explore other paths such as trade schools, jobs, or military service.

Seniors often take on leadership roles within the school. They may become captains of sports teams, lead clubs or become student body representatives. These roles help them develop important skills like responsibility, teamwork, and communication. They also set an example for younger students.

Emotional Changes

Being a senior can bring about many emotional changes. There is the joy of nearing the end of high school but also the sadness of leaving friends and familiar surroundings. There may also be stress and anxiety about the future. It’s important to remember that these feelings are normal and part of the journey.

Social Events

Senior year is filled with many social events. Prom, graduation, and senior trips are just a few of the fun activities that mark the end of high school. These events create lasting memories and provide a chance to celebrate achievements with friends and family.

In conclusion, being a senior in high school is a time of change and growth. It is a year filled with academic challenges, college preparations, leadership opportunities, emotional changes, and fun social events. It is the final step before entering the real world or college. It’s a time to work hard, make memories, and prepare for the future.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Being A Nurse
• Essay on Being A Highschool Student
• Essay on Being A Hero

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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Ashland High School senior is local Daughters of the American Revolution essay winner

SHERBORN — An Ashland High School senior has been selected as this year's Framingham chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution local essay winner.

Emily Umholtz was selected from among seven area Good Citizen winners and selected by judges not affiliated with the DAR. She is a Student Council representative, a 2024 class officer and has been a captain for two years for ultimate frisbee.

Her future plans include attending college to major in chemistry, with a sub-focus in law and justice.

Umholtz was honored in February during the DAR's Good Citizen Award Ceremony at The Sherborn 1858 Town House.

Each year, the Framingham chapter of the DAR invites seven schools to participate in its Good Citizen Program.

Other students selected as Good Citizen winners by their schools included Alivia Toure, of Bellingham High School; Lunah Semprum, of Framingham High School; Reese Holmes, of Holliston High School; William Adamski, of Hopedale Junior-Senior High School; Caroline Kane, of Hopkinton High School); and Robert Lyons Jr., of Milford High School.

Each school’s faculty and student body committee choose one student from their senior class to become their school’s Good Citizen; students are recognized and awarded by the Framingham chapter of the DAR. Each Good Citizen must have and maintain the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

During the ceremony, Master Sgt. Andrew Baumgartner, of West Point Military Academy, served as guest speaker. He spoke of his love of education and his experiences during his years of service.

Also speaking was Vice President General of DAR Paula Renkas.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Ashland High senior is Daughters of American Revolution essay winner

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'I never saw it coming': Natalie Kiefer is writing her own chapter in Harrison's record book

Natalie Kiefer has a habit of getting sick after finishing her races. You can't blame her. She just runs that hard.

Her family, coaches and teammates will never get sick of seeing her cross the finish line in first place.

She also likes to sit down and re-run her race in her head, taking mental notes on possible improvements. It's hard to think about much when you're running as fast as Kiefer does.

The Harrison senior, committed to Eastern Kentucky University, is amid a historic final season. She owns every school record from 400 meters to 3,200 meters and has either set a new record or broken her own in every one of her individual races this season.

"I never saw it coming but I'm very happy with how it's sorted out," Kiefer said.

A steady rise in the rankings for Harrison's Natalie Kiefer

Kiefer began her high school career as a soccer player, competing for Harrison and the club level. When the Wildcats' coaching staff noticed her mile time during conditioning, they recommended she run track in the spring.

She qualified for the district meet in the mile as a freshman, but when she showed promise in the 800 meters as a sophomore, head coach Scott Menze and distance coach John Motsinger decided to hone in on the two-lap race. The change resulted in a regional appearance in 2022, an 11th-place finish at state as a junior, and her first school record at the distance (2:14.81 on May 26, 2023).

Kiefer continued to dabble in the 400, 1,600 and 3,200, running at least one race at each distance as a junior. While she continues to take part in relays, she has taken a smarter approach to her individual events this season. She has only run five individual races to date, a much lower frequency of competition than in years past.

"It's not necessarily always going to be a pattern. Part of it is we see who's going to be competing in a meet and we make educated guesses about which competitors we'll see where," Motsinger said.

If there is a pattern, it's one that establishes an endurance base before refining speed. Kiefer set the 3,200-meter school record in her first outing of the season. She already owned two individual records but went for the two-mile record simply because she wanted it. Kiefer followed that up with a 400-meter school record on March 27 before breaking it again on April 26. She also broke her own 1,600-meter school record on April 6.

When it comes to the 800, her signature event, her list of recent accomplishments includes a 2024 indoor state championship in a state-meet-record time of 2:10.83. Her solo effort on April 6 at Anderson resulted in an outdoor personal best of 2:10.95. That is the best time in the state this year and the fifth-best time in city history. Indian Hill's Elizabeth Whaley holds the top spot at 2:08.82.

In Keifer's eyes, breaking school records means she is lowering her personal bests. The times on the clock keep her focused since she knows she has at least four years of competitive running left.

"I'm really proud of the way she's approached the season. Her attitude has been exactly what you would want from an athlete," Menze said.

What's different about Natalie Kiefer's senior year?

Besides spreading out her races, Kiefer also enlisted the help of a nutritionist. The broken records this year are the result of an increase in carbohydrates, protein and natural sugars. Her favorite race day snack is pretzels.

She is committed to her individual races but still takes part in relays for several reasons. In a recent meet at Ross, she ran in the 4x800 meter relay with two sophomores and a freshman. Kiefer sees how her younger teammates can get nervous before a race and tries to be a calming presence.

She also gets to chase down other runners, something she doesn't often do in her open events.

"I like anchoring because I like having that person in front of me to run after. It makes me very angry and then I like to take my anger out on the race," Kiefer said.

Brittany Wilson won the shot put state title in 2009, but a Harrison girl has never won a gold medal on the track. Kiefer owns an indoor title. Now she wants the outdoor hardware.

Kiefer has a limited number of races left before her high school career is over. Don't blink or you might miss her. Most importantly, don't let her results surprise you.

"She's the first athlete we've ever coached where I don't want to say what her goals are out loud because people will think I'm crazy," Motsinger said.

Hoping to keep Spanish vibrant, Hartford organization announces high school essay contest

The Connecticut Institute for Community Development (CICD) — Puerto Rican Hartford Parade is hosting a Spanish-writing contest for all greater Hartford area high school students.

Ivonne Olmo, a board member of the CICD Puerto Rican Hartford Parade, emphasized the emotional significance of the contest. She said language is a vital aspect of Latino and Puerto Rican identity.

“When you know who you are, nobody can tell you who you are,” Olmo said. “So it's very important that children get connected with the roots, with their history. I know that we live in the United States we should know English, but always is important to know Spanish.”

The Spanish language is a key aspect in maintaining the cultural heritage of many communities, particularly those with Hispanic and Latino roots, organizers said.

Connecticut’s second largest community is Hispanic, comprising 18% of residents in the state. Spanish is a global language spoken by millions and research has shown that bilinguals can have improved memory, multitasking skills and problem-solving abilities.

“Being a bilingual person gives you a key to a lot of success so for us, it's important to promote the learning and the practice of Spanish,” Olmo said.

The essay contest is for ninth to 12th grade students in the greater Hartford area. The essay requires participants to explore the relationship between identity and language in a three-page essay written in Spanish. Submissions are due by April 30. The top two entries will be awarded scholarship prizes.

Samuel Vega, president of the CICD Puerto Rican Parade in Hartford, emphasized the importance of preserving Puerto Rican culture in Connecticut and promoting educational opportunities for young Latinos.

“You don't have to be Puerto Rican to qualify for the scholarship, it's for everyone, as long as you write the essay in Spanish you will qualify for this scholarship,” Vega said. “But you should always recognize where you came from, or your grandparents came from.”

Learning and using Spanish allows people to communicate with a diverse range of people, fostering connections and understanding across cultures, Olmo said.

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AFA Chapter Awards $8,000 in Scholarships to Texas High Schoolers

April 30, 2024

AFA’s Northeast Texas Chapter 416 presented $8,000 in scholarships to 10 students from four different schools in their area. 

The Chapter generates a military-themed statement each year and asks students to produce a two-page essay and defend their position. Educators, professionals, and members from the Chapter read select 10 winning students. The top three students receive scholarships worth $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000, and an additional seven receive scholarships worth $500.

The scholarships are funded by long-standing donors and community partners, including the Lt. Col. John Murray family; Dr. Jerry Ransom; the McCasland family who donates in honor of their parents, Chief Master Sgt. Bobby & Louise McCasland; and more than 60 community partners.

This year’s prompt was “Hypersonic Weapons: Why the need for speed?” There was a total of 37 essays on the topic submitted from 10 different schools.

This year’s first-place recipient was Asia Chen, a senior at Sulphur Springs High School in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Chen is a member of multiple U.I.L. academics teams (Calculator Applications, Editorial Writing, Science, and Mathematics), band, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Leadership, Student Council, HOSA, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and Key Club. Chen plans to major in biology or neuro/cognitive science in college. She was recently accepted to MIT.

“The $2,000 scholarship will hopefully help, and if I can work additional support, I hope to attend MIT,” said Chen.

Chen said she learned about AFA’s contest through Gail Herman, her English teacher at Sulphur Springs High School. Herman has her class do the annual contest to challenge them to write and learn about something they may never come across.

“Hypersonic weapons are not something most of us in Sulphur Springs think about,” said Herman at the Chapter’s “Inspire & Impact” event on March 22. The event was held with community partners, donors, business leaders, and college professors, to inform people about chapter programs.

AFA’s Northeast Texas Chapter 416 is working hard to inspire students and expose them to STEM and the importance of military areas critical to our nation. As part of the new AFA’s new recruiting efforts, the 2025 essay prompt will be “Manning military services: Volunteers, Draft, or Other, and Why?”   The goal is to inspire students to explore how our military and Air & Space Forces positions are filled. With the Air Force not meeting their enlisted accession’s goal in 2023, it is important to ensure our youth realize the military is a viable venture or career and that defense of our nation is important.