how to change topic in a essay

97 Transition Words for Essays You Need to Know

A transition is a “passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another.” At least that’s what Merriam-Webster’s dictionary says. But that thing’s only been around for like 184 years or so, so I’d like to amend it a bit.

Instead, let’s say a transition is “a passage from one state, stage, subject, place, or IDEA to another.” That’s what we do when we transition in our essays. We transition between ideas that are usually related to one subject.

Click To Tweet

We do this from section to section, from paragraph to paragraph, from sentence to sentence, and often, within individual sentences.

On the macro level (sections and paragraphs), we often use whole paragraphs or sentences to transition from one idea to the next. However, on the micro level (between and within sentences), we use transition words .

Politicians use transitions all the time when they’re presented with an undesirable question and prefer to spin to another subject.

Well, some are better at it than others.

For better or worse, we’re focusing on these little gems today: transition words for essays. Why? Because they’re oh-so-important when it comes to moving from one idea to another and melding those ideas into one cohesive whole within your essay.

Without transition words, you can lose your direction. But their overuse, or misuse, can lead to a clunky, redundant mess of transitional madness.

So today, let’s tackle what you need to know about using transition words for essays.

What Exactly Are Transition Words, and Why Are They Important?

If you’re reading this, then you’re probably all too used to writing essays. I don’t need to explain to you the essay’s prevalence in just about every level of the education system.

You already understand the different types of essays that require you to analyze , interpret , compare and contrast , and break down any number of subjects.

When writing any essay, it’s important that all of your ideas progress in a clear and concise direction. It’s also important that you present them in a logical order. After all, we can only focus on one idea at a time .

What makes transition words so important? They allow us, as writers, to seamlessly move from one idea to the next. They also let us do so  in a way that’s almost imperceptible to the reader .

Let’s take this quote as an example:

“Times of transition are strenuous, but I love them. They are an opportunity to purge, rethink priorities, and be intentional about new habits.” —Kristin Armstrong

In this quote, we see the speaker uses the transition word “but” to shift from the difficulty related to life transitions to the positives that can come from them. It flows so well that you don’t even notice the word.

In contrast, imagine if she said, “Times of transition are strenuous. I love them.” This would give the reader pause as the connection isn’t clear. Instead, by using “but,” Armstrong effectively transitions you to the positive aspects of her thinking, which she then elaborates on.

As you can see, neglecting to use transition words entirely will result in writing that’s disconnected and difficult to read and understand. Transition words are vital to establishing flow and fluency in your paper. That flow and fluency allows your reader to seamlessly identify and connect to your ideas.

However, when transitions are overused or misused, they can be counter-productive.

What Are Some Common Transition Mistakes?

Learning to use transitions is easy, but learning to use them fluidly is more difficult . It’s kind of like dancing. Anyone can hold on to another person and move his feet. Doing it gracefully is another story.

So let’s take a look at some of the most common mistakes I see with the use of transition words for essays.

Transition by numbers

“Firstly, smoking is bad for your lungs. Second, smoking can discolor your teeth. Third, smoking is bad for the people around you. In the fourth place, smoking is very expensive.”

Often when writing an essay, we’re asked to present several arguments or pieces of evidence. So numbering each of the points as we present them seems logical. However, this isn’t a list. It’s an essay. Try to avoid using “first,” “second,” and “third” exclusively when transitioning to a new point.

The broken record

“Exercise can improve your cardiovascular function. In addition, it can increase your self-esteem. Additionally, exercise can be a great way to meet new people. Plus, exercise can extend your life and make you feel younger.”

Some transition words will be used more than others, and that’s fine. However, a big part of writing is finding the right balance. You may have a favorite transition word, but try to show some restraint in using it. Switch it up from time to time. Avoid overusing transitions that essentially all mean the same thing.

Starting with ands and buts

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been taught that it’s a sin to start a sentence with “and” or “but.” And being the rebel writer I am, I love to break this rule (<– see?). But I have to admit, doing it continuously is less than ideal (<– see?).

Spelling it out

Transitions are meant to guide your reader through your essay from idea to idea and section to section. Consequently, there’s this tendency to spell everything out. I’ve read so many conclusion paragraphs that begin with “in conclusion.”

If you’re writing a strong conclusion, then there’s no reason to spell this out. Your reader will know. Trust me.

Now that you know why transition words are important and how to use them correctly, let’s take a look at 97 transition words for essays.

Transition words can be used to achieve various effects . Therefore, I’ve broken the following transition words into categories. This makes them a bit easier to digest—and refer back to later.

These transition words are used to provide additional information on a point.

• additionally
• furthermore
• in addition
• not to mention
• correspondingly

Example: “Developing strong reading habits will improve your grade in English class, as well as any other class that involves reading, which happens to be all of them.”

Contradiction

These transition words are used to show the flip side of a point. They can be incredibly useful when transitioning from one side of an issue to the other.

• nonetheless
• in contrast
• nevertheless
• even though

Example: “The loss of my mother was the most difficult moment of my life. T hen again , it was also the point when I began truly living my own life.”

These transition words are often used at the beginning of a sentence to show the cause of an action.

• in order to
• provided that
• with this in mind

Example: “I always think about having a drink when I’m feeling stressed about work.”

These are used in a similar way as the cause transitions, but later in the sentence to show the result of an action.

• as a result
• consequently
• accordingly
• because of this

Example: “I was feeling stressed about work;  thus , I thought about having a drink.”

These transition words are used to drive a point home by providing further information for the reader to think about in relation to it.

• in other words
• for instance
• for example
• particularly
• principally

Example: “Bullying in school can be detrimental to students, particularly when it occurs during the formative years of their education.”

These transitions are used to bring together various points that you’ve mentioned in your paper.

• in any event
• as mentioned
• as you can see

Example: “ As mentioned , smoking is harmful to your health and the health of those you love.”

Arrangement

These are extremely important when it comes to developing strong flow from idea to idea, especially when they relate to time.

• at the same time
• in the future
• in the past
• subsequently

Example: “ Before we discuss the candidates’ platforms, let’s review their political histories.”

Putting Transition Words for Essays into Practice

This is by no means an exhaustive list . However, each of these transition words is common and valuable. They’re definitely transition words for essays you need to know. I encourage you to refer back to this list anytime you write an essay.

Need some inspiration? Check out these example essays where the writers did a good job of using transition words to connect ideas:

• Comparing the Diction and Syntax in the Works of Langston Hughes and Sandra Cisneros
• A Summary and Investigation of Green Buildings
• American High Schools Compared to the Swedish School System

If you find that your essay lacks smooth transitions, the list of 97 transition words for essays will help you to add some.

If your essay feels redundant upon second reading because you’ve used similar transition words repeatedly, use these categories to find some good replacements.

If it still doesn’t feel right, I suggest you send your essay to the editing team at Kibin . Not only will the professional editors review your use of transitions, but they’ll work with you to improve your use of transition words for essays going forward.

Psst... 98% of Kibin users report better grades! Get inspiration from over 500,000 example essays .

About the Author

Jared is a Kibin editor , a wanderer, and an ESL teacher. He grew up in a really small town in Missouri with his nose in a book and a pen in his hand.

• academic writing
• transition words
• word choice

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Happiness Hub Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• Happiness Hub
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• College University and Postgraduate
• Academic Writing

How to Introduce New Topics and Transition Effectively in Essays

Last Updated: July 2, 2024 Fact Checked

New Paragraphs

New sections, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 8 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 90,312 times.

Most essays have multiple topics, and switching between them can get tricky. Without strong transitions and introductions to new points, your writing could seem choppy or unfocused. Luckily, making good topic introductions is easy! It just takes some planning, practice, and patience. Once you know the formula, you’ll be introducing new topics like a pro.

Effective Ways to Introduce New Essay Topics

• Introduce the topic with a transition word, like “Similarly” or “Likewise.”
• Use a contrasting transition word for clashing topics, like “However” or “Yet.”
• Give an overview of the topic you’re discussing after the introductory sentence.

• A strong outline includes your overall topic idea, planned thesis statement, essay structure, and the topics and themes you'll be covering in each section.
• Note on your outline when you're going to be introducing new topics. This helps you plan ahead and anticipate where you'll need transitions.

• If you've already started your paper, it never hurts to go back and write an outline anyway. This way, you can keep all your thoughts organized and give your essay more direction.

• For example, you may be writing a large paper about the Civil War, and the current section is about arguments over slavery. You can have one part on Southern arguments defending slavery, then transition to Northern arguments against slavery, since both topics are in the same section.
• Usually for a shorter paper, up to about 5-7 pages, you won’t need individual section headings. It’s fine to just transition from paragraph to paragraph in these cases.

• For example, if your paper is about the Civil War and you’re transitioning from arguments over slavery to the outbreak of the war, then it’s worthwhile to make a whole new section. These topics are related, but distinct and important enough to get their own sections.
• In another example, you might be writing a compare and contrast essay. It’s helpful to start a new section labeled “Differences” when you move from comparing to contrasting.
• Individual section headings are common in longer papers, around 15-20 pages or more. For long papers like this, it helps your reader stay focused.

• Similarly, in the same way, likewise, also, as well, and so too.
• For example, start a paragraph about slavery and the Civil War with, “In the same way that northern abolitionists were singularly focused on eliminating slavery, the Republican Party was concerned with stopping it from spreading into America's territories.”

• In contrast, however, nevertheless, yet, and still.
• For the Civil War example, arguments defending and criticizing slavery are completely different. To reflect that, you’d use a transition indicating disagreement. You could say “In sharp contrast to southern slave owners, northern abolitionists argued that enslaving a human being was evil in all circumstances.”

• If you’re showing contrast, you could say, “Yet King Arthur was destined to fail in his quest to find the Holy Grail.” This shows that the previous topic may have been about Arthur starting his quest, but now you’ll explain how he failed to accomplish it.
• You could also show similarity by saying “Similarly, Abraham Lincoln agreed that slavery was a moral evil.” This indicates that the new topic you’re introducing is related to and supports the previous one.

• You could also follow up on the King Arthur example with “In Arthurian stories, Arthur made numerous journeys to find the Grail, but never actually succeeded.” This tells the reader that the rest of the paragraph will include information on these failures.
• Using the Abraham Lincoln example, you could follow up your topic sentence with “Throughout his entire life, Lincoln saw the evils of slavery and spoke about stopping the practice.” This indicates that the paragraph will elaborate on this point and provide more details.

• For the King Arthur example, you can spend 2-4 sentences explaining Arthur's unsuccessful quests for the Grail. This supports your transition statement saying that Arthur failed to find the Grail.
• Make sure the details you fill in line up with your topic sentence. If your topic sentence said that Abraham Lincoln was anti-slavery, it wouldn’t be consistent to introduce examples of him supporting or praising slavery.

• A conclusion for your King Arthur paragraph could be “Hard as Arthur tried, he never found the Holy Grail.”
• Don’t introduce any new topics in the conclusion sentence. Save that for the topic sentence of the next paragraph if you want to add another topic.
• If you have a similar paragraph after this one, you can link them by giving a hint of where it's going. For example, you could conclude by saying "Abraham Lincoln's lifelong opposition to slavery naturally set him up for a career fighting the institution." Then make the next paragraph about Lincoln's political career. [12] X Research source

• You can use transitional language without a ton of detail. For example, “While Odysseus was glad to be home, there was trouble brewing in his kingdom.” This provides a strong transition, hints at the next topic, and gets the reader interested in continuing.

• For the Odysseus example, your previous section may have been about the events of The Odyssey . You could sum up the previous topic by saying “He had spent 20 years away from home—10 fighting the Trojan War and 10 on his journey back to Ithaca—and conquered every challenge that came his way.”
• Don’t spend too much time on this summary. Wrap it up within 2 sentences at most.

• You could give a quick introduction of how the suitors in the Odyssey had moved in to Odysseus’ home and would attack him when he arrived. This sets up the challenge and tension for this new topic, and sets the theme for this section of your essay.

• For the Odysseus example, a strong conclusion would be “Perhaps this was to be Odysseus’ greatest challenge yet.”
• In a more research-based paper, you can be less literary. For example, “In the end, the Constitutional Convention was a success, but only after the Framers overcame numerous challenges in the process.”

• It’s easier to plan your transitions if you outline your essay first. This way, you’ll know where you need to introduce new topics. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If your professor or teacher mentions that your writing seems choppy, then you probably need to work on introducing new topics a bit more smoothly. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you still have trouble making strong transitions, take advantage of your school’s writing center if you have one. The tutors there can be a huge help. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/
• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
• ↑ https://www.strose.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Transition-Sentences-Handout-2012B.pdf
• ↑ https://monroecollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=589208&p=4072926
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/mechanics/transitions_and_transitional_devices/index.html
• ↑ https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/301/study-skills/writing/academic-writing/paragraph-flow-connectivity
• ↑ https://www.delmar.edu/offices/swc/_resources/Composition/topic-sentence-transition-formula.pdf
• ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Home > Blog > Best Transition Words for Essays (With Examples)

Best Transition Words for Essays (With Examples)

• Smodin Editorial Team
• Updated: August 13, 2024
• General Guide About Content and Writing

Most essays require you to discuss more than one idea. However, transitioning into a new idea abruptly can be sudden and jarring for the reader. This is where transition words come in. Even if writing essays isn’t your strong suit , it’s pretty easy to learn how to use transition words and phrases.

So, what are transition words? They are words and phrases that show a link between two elements. They might show that you’re pivoting to a new topic, introducing new evidence, or summing up your points. They can even link paragraphs together with ease and improve your writing flow . Sprinkling these throughout your essay helps the reader understand your argument more clearly.

Essentially, transition words for essays are crucial to improve the flow of your writing. But you still need to know how to wield them effectively if you want top marks.

How to Use Transition Words in Essays

A transition word signals a change in your writing. You use them as part of transition sentences, which contain either two opposing topics or connect similar ideas.

You don’t need transition words in every sentence. Just re-read our introduction–not every sentence has one. Not even every paragraph has them! But including them throughout your work can really help the reader understand where they’re at in the text.

Consider this example:

• The experiment was successful. We decided to conduct further research.
• The experiment was successful. Therefore, we decided to conduct further research.

The second sentence highlights the connection between these two ideas. The connection could be contrasting ideas, similar ones, or a sequence. As a result, the reader understands a more logical flow within the text. Although the first sentence is still grammatically correct, it’s a little jarring.

And this is a crucial thing to note about transition words. Sometimes, the connection is obvious. Words and phrases like “however” and “for example” appear completely logically in the text. In the same way, sequential transition words like “first”, “next,” “last”, and so on are obvious choices. However, other transition words are less obvious–their primary goal is just to improve flow. They keep your writing organized.

Most transition words and phrases appear at the beginning of sentences, paragraphs, or clauses. Although, they can sometimes appear in other places, too.

It’s also worth noting that you need to choose the right transition word. Let’s explore some examples below.

Examples of Transition Words for Essays

Depending on the essay you’re writing, you might find that it calls for different transition words. Some transition words and phrases introduce new content ideas , while others highlight that two ideas are equally important.

In fact, you might need several of these types in any academic writing you do. Let’s explore eight types of transition words that you might need.

Transition Words for Contradictions

In many essays, you’ll need to weigh up an argument with a counter-argument. There are individual words and phrases that can highlight this contrast, moving from one idea to its opposing one.

Contradiction words include:

• On the other hand
• Nevertheless
• On the contrary

You can say something like:

• Conversely, an alternative method proved effective.
• However, this approach has its limitations.

This is great for analytical essays where you’re including a comparison.

Transition Words for Additions

Most essays require you to demonstrate your reasoning. As a result, you need to illustrate the evidence you have for a particular point. You might even need more than one point.

There are several transition words for this purpose:

• Additionally
• Furthermore
• In addition

You could say:

• Additionally, he brings a positive attitude alongside his skills.
• Furthermore, the research supports this conclusion

Both of these sentences can help you add onto your previous statement, hammering your idea home. Often, you can use these words to show that two ideas are equally important, too. It provides a simple addition, rather than making one seem more important than the other.

Transition Words for Introducing Examples

In the same way, there are other transition words that you can use specifically for examples. These are great (and easy) ways to introduce your evidence. They include:

• For example
• For instance

Your sentence might look like this:

• For example, the evidence illustrates that…
• Namely, adding elements like humor can engage readers.

It’s a good idea to write down a list of these that you can use throughout your essay. That way, you’re not using the same transition words throughout.

Transition Words for Conditions and Cause and Effect

Sometimes, a transition word can denote causality between two things. This is like the example we saw before, using “therefore.” These transition words are not always as obvious, but they can vastly improve the flow of your writing.

They include:

• Consequently
• As a result

If you’re writing a history essay or trying to show a consequence, these transition words are your best friends. Think of these example sentences:

• Therefore, it’s crucial to follow guidelines.
• Hence, the project was delayed.

Again, try writing these down to include throughout your essay.

Transition Words for Extra Clarification

The right transition word can also help you clarify your points or add emphasis. Often, it just takes a single word to change the meaning of your sentence and add some emphasis. For example:

• Undoubtedly

Often, these words and phrases are great for stressing the importance of a point you just made. For instance, you could say:

• Indeed, the findings are significant.
• Clearly, this approach is more effective.

Be careful how you use these transition words, though. Depending on how convincing your argument is, your reader might draw a different conclusion. So, don’t use words like “undoubtedly” unless you’re really sure!

Transition Words for Summarizing

At the end of your essay, you need to provide a summary of all your points. Launching straight into the conclusion can be sudden, which is why you need a transition word to announce the summary. Try these:

• In conclusion
• To summarize
• All things considered
• To conclude

All of these words are great for introducing the final paragraph. They show the reader that you’re about to recap your key points. You’ll often see sentences like this:

• In conclusion, the study supports the hypothesis.
• To summarize, the benefits outweigh the costs.

Adding these words or phrases is a great way to introduce your final analysis.

Transition Words for Time Relations

Whenever you read a recipe, you’ll find transitions that show time relationships. This is because recipes come in steps, where each point follows immediately after the previous. However, there are also other ways to use these transition words. First, let’s look at some of the options:

• Subsequently

Here are two examples of these words in use, one from a step-by-step and another from an essay:

• First, gather all the necessary materials.
• Subsequently, the researchers analyzed the data.

As you can see in the second example, you can use these transitions in analysis, too.

Transition Words for Series and Sequences

Sequential transition words are very similar to what we discussed previously. In fact, there’s some overlap. However, these words appear in an exact sequence:

• In the first place
• In the second place

And so on. You can use each one to illustrate where you are in a specific process. For example:

• First, we need to address the main issue.
• In the first place, the policy needs revision.

Again, you can use these for sequential events like recipes, but also to lead the reader through your argument. Remember, every essay should have a beginning, middle, and end. So, you can use transition words like this to signpost where you are in your argument.

How Smodin’s AI Writer Can Help with Transition Words

Still struggling with transition words and phrases? There’s a tool for that! Smodin’s AI writer can help you generate content in line with your ideas. It’s an advanced essay writing tool that writes academic papers to a high standard. And it seamlessly integrates transition words! By using a variety of single words and phrases, Smodin creates engaging text with a great flow.

Here’s an example:

• Without Smodin’s AI Writer: “Climate change is a pressing issue. Many countries are implementing green policies.”
• With Smodin’s AI Writer: “Climate change is a pressing issue; therefore, many countries are implementing green policies.”

And, Smodin’s AI writer meets rigorous academic standards. Compared to other generative AI tools, Smodin is far better for academic work. It has a much more specific database of high-quality academic work, allowing it to write texts of a similar grade.

This ensures that the transition words and phrases used are appropriate for formal writing. The tool understands the nuances of academic language, suggesting transitions that elevate the quality of your essay.

Key Features of Smodin’s AI Writer

Smodin has several key features that can help you create essays of high standard, such as:

• Enhanced Flow and Coherence: The AI suggests transition words that enhance the readability and logical flow of your essay.
• Contextual Suggestions: Based on the context of your writing, the AI provides suitable transition words and phrases.
• Tailored to Academic Standards: Smodin’s AI ensures that the transitions used are appropriate for academic writing, adhering to formal standards.

So what are you waiting for? See how Smodin’s AI writer can effortlessly enhance your essays through both structure and flow. With Smodin, you can get higher grades and a better understanding of your work.

Use the Best Transition Words for Essays

Using transition words in essays is crucial for creating a smooth and coherent flow of ideas. These words and phrases are the bridges that guide your readers through your arguments. Without them, it’s harder to understand the connections between different points. So, effective use of transition words not only improves the readability of your essay but also strengthens your overall argument.

Smodin’s AI Writer is an invaluable tool for incorporating transition words seamlessly into your essay. This advanced tool suggests contextually appropriate transitions, ensuring your essay flows logically and meets high academic standards.

Don’t let the challenge of finding the right transition words hinder your writing. Explore Smodin’s AI Writer to elevate your essay writing skills and produce top-quality academic papers. Perhaps you’re a student aiming for higher grades or a writer seeking to improve the flow of your work. Smodin’s AI Writer is here to help. Try Smodin today and experience the difference in your writing!

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Change will not be effected, say some others, unless individual actions raise the necessary awareness.

While a reader can see the connection between the sentences above, it’s not immediately clear that the second sentence is providing a counterargument to the first. In the example below, key “old information” is repeated in the second sentence to help readers quickly see the connection. This makes the sequence of ideas easier to follow.  

Sentence pair #2: Effective Transition

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change.

You can use this same technique to create clear transitions between paragraphs. Here’s an example:

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change. According to Annie Lowery, individual actions are important to making social change because when individuals take action, they can change values, which can lead to more people becoming invested in fighting climate change. She writes, “Researchers believe that these kinds of household-led trends can help avert climate catastrophe, even if government and corporate actions are far more important” (Lowery).

So, what’s an individual household supposed to do?

The repetition of the word “household” in the new paragraph helps readers see the connection between what has come before (a discussion of whether household actions matter) and what is about to come (a proposal for what types of actions households can take to combat climate change).

Sometimes, transitional words can help readers see how ideas are connected. But it’s not enough to just include a “therefore,” “moreover,” “also,” or “in addition.” You should choose these words carefully to show your readers what kind of connection you are making between your ideas.

To decide which transitional word to use, start by identifying the relationship between your ideas. For example, you might be

• making a comparison or showing a contrast Transitional words that compare and contrast include also, in the same way, similarly, in contrast, yet, on the one hand, on the other hand. But before you signal comparison, ask these questions: Do your readers need another example of the same thing? Is there a new nuance in this next point that distinguishes it from the previous example? For those relationships between ideas, you might try this type of transition: While x may appear the same, it actually raises a new question in a slightly different way. 
• expressing agreement or disagreement When you are making an argument, you need to signal to readers where you stand in relation to other scholars and critics. You may agree with another person’s claim, you may want to concede some part of the argument even if you don’t agree with everything, or you may disagree. Transitional words that signal agreement, concession, and disagreement include however, nevertheless, actually, still, despite, admittedly, still, on the contrary, nonetheless .
• showing cause and effect Transitional phrases that show cause and effect include therefore, hence, consequently, thus, so. Before you choose one of these words, make sure that what you are about to illustrate is really a causal link. Novice writers tend to add therefore and hence when they aren’t sure how to transition; you should reserve these words for when they accurately signal the progression of your ideas.
• explaining or elaborating Transitions can signal to readers that you are going to expand on a point that you have just made or explain something further. Transitional words that signal explanation or elaboration include in other words, for example, for instance, in particular, that is, to illustrate, moreover .
• drawing conclusions You can use transitions to signal to readers that you are moving from the body of your argument to your conclusions. Before you use transitional words to signal conclusions, consider whether you can write a stronger conclusion by creating a transition that shows the relationship between your ideas rather than by flagging the paragraph simply as a conclusion. Transitional words that signal a conclusion include in conclusion , as a result, ultimately, overall— but strong conclusions do not necessarily have to include those phrases.

If you’re not sure which transitional words to use—or whether to use one at all—see if you can explain the connection between your paragraphs or sentence either out loud or in the margins of your draft.

For example, if you write a paragraph in which you summarize physician Atul Gawande’s argument about the value of incremental care, and then you move on to a paragraph that challenges those ideas, you might write down something like this next to the first paragraph: “In this paragraph I summarize Gawande’s main claim.” Then, next to the second paragraph, you might write, “In this paragraph I present a challenge to Gawande’s main claim.” Now that you have identified the relationship between those two paragraphs, you can choose the most effective transition between them. Since the second paragraph in this example challenges the ideas in the first, you might begin with something like “but,” or “however,” to signal that shift for your readers.  

• picture_as_pdf Transitions

Transitional Words and Phrases

One of your primary goals as a writer is to present ideas in a clear and understandable way. To help readers move through your complex ideas, you want to be intentional about how you structure your paper as a whole as well as how you form the individual paragraphs that comprise it. In order to think through the challenges of presenting your ideas articulately, logically, and in ways that seem natural to your readers, check out some of these resources: Developing a Thesis Statement , Paragraphing , and Developing Strategic Transitions: Writing that Establishes Relationships and Connections Between Ideas.

While clear writing is mostly achieved through the deliberate sequencing of your ideas across your entire paper, you can guide readers through the connections you’re making by using transitional words in individual sentences. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between your ideas and can help your reader understand your paper’s logic.

In what follows, we’ve included a list of frequently used transitional words and phrases that can help you establish how your various ideas relate to each other. We’ve divided these words and phrases into categories based on the common kinds of relationships writers establish between ideas.

Two recommendations: Use these transitions strategically by making sure that the word or phrase you’re choosing matches the logic of the relationship you’re emphasizing or the connection you’re making. All of these words and phrases have different meanings, nuances, and connotations, so before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely, and be sure that it’s the right match for your paper’s logic. Use these transitional words and phrases sparingly because if you use too many of them, your readers might feel like you are overexplaining connections that are already clear.

Categories of Transition Words and Phrases

Causation Chronology Combinations Contrast Example

Importance Location Similarity Clarification Concession

Conclusion Intensification Purpose Summary

Transitions to help establish some of the most common kinds of relationships

Causation– Connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s).

accordingly as a result and so because

consequently for that reason hence on account of

since therefore thus

Chronology– Connecting what issues in regard to when they occur.

after afterwards always at length during earlier following immediately in the meantime

later never next now once simultaneously so far sometimes

soon subsequently then this time until now when whenever while

Combinations Lists– Connecting numerous events. Part/Whole– Connecting numerous elements that make up something bigger.

additionally again also and, or, not as a result besides even more

finally first, firstly further furthermore in addition in the first place in the second place

last, lastly moreover next second, secondly, etc. too

Contrast– Connecting two things by focusing on their differences.

after all although and yet at the same time but

despite however in contrast nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding

on the contrary on the other hand otherwise though yet

Example– Connecting a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.

as an illustration e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”)

for example for instance specifically that is

to demonstrate to illustrate

Importance– Connecting what is critical to what is more inconsequential.

chiefly critically

foundationally most importantly

of less importance primarily

Location– Connecting elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.

above adjacent to below beyond

centrally here nearby neighboring on

opposite to peripherally there wherever

Similarity– Connecting to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.

by the same token in like manner

in similar fashion here in the same way

likewise wherever

Other kinds of transitional words and phrases Clarification

i.e., (from a Latin abbreviation for “that is”) in other words

that is that is to say to clarify to explain

to put it another way to rephrase it

granted it is true

naturally of course

finally lastly

in conclusion in the end

to conclude

Intensification

in fact indeed no

of course surely to repeat

undoubtedly without doubt yes

for this purpose in order that

so that to that end

to this end

in brief in sum

in summary in short

to sum up to summarize

Improving Your Writing Style

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Clear, Concise Sentences

Use the active voice

Put the action in the verb

Tidy up wordy phrases

Reduce wordy verbs

Reduce prepositional phrases

Reduce expletive constructions

Avoid using vague nouns

Avoid unneccessarily inflated words

Avoid noun strings

Connecting Ideas Through Transitions

Using Transitional Words and Phrases

Writing Studio

Common transition words and phrases.

In an effort to make our handouts more accessible, we have begun converting our PDF handouts to web pages. Download this page as a PDF: Transitions Return to Writing Studio Handouts

Transitions clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs. These tools should alert readers to shifts in your argument while and also maintain the smoothness and clarity of your prose. Below, you’ll find some of the most commonly used transition categories and examples of each. Depending on the example, these suggestions may be within sentences or at the beginning of sentences.

Transitions by Category

1. addition.

Use when presenting multiple ideas that flow in the same direction, under the same heading/ idea also, another, finally, first, first of all, for one thing, furthermore, in addition, last of all, likewise, moreover, next, and, second, the third reason

2. Sequence/ Order

Use to suggest a temporal relationship between ideas; places evidence in sequence first, second (etc.), next, last, finally, first of all, concurrently, immediately, prior to, then, at that time, at this point, previously, subsequently, and then, at this time, thereafter, previously, soon, before, after, followed by, after that, next, before, after, meanwhile, formerly, finally, during

3. Contrast

Use to demonstrate differences between ideas or change in argument direction but, however, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, yet, differ, difference, balanced against, differing from, variation, still, on the contrary, unlike, conversely, otherwise, on the other hand, however

4. Exception

Use to introduce an opposing idea however, whereas, on the other hand, while, instead, in spite of, yet, despite, still, nevertheless, even though, in contrast, but, but one could also say…

5. Comparison

Use to demonstrate similarities between ideas that may not be under the same subject heading or within the same paragraph like, likewise, just, in a different way / sense, whereas, like, equally, in like manner, by comparison, similar to, in the same way, alike, similarity, similarly, just as, as in a similar fashion, conversely

6. Illustration

Use to develop or clarify an idea, to introduce examples, or to show that the second idea is subordinate to the first for example, to illustrate, on this occasion, this can be seen, in this case, specifically, once, to illustrate, when/where, for instance, such as, to demonstrate, take the case of, in this case

7. Location

Use to show spatial relations next to, above, below, beneath, left, right, behind, in front, on top, within

8. Cause and Effect

Use to show that one idea causes, or results from, the idea that follows or precedes it because, therefore, so that, cause, reason, effect, thus, consequently, since, as a result, if…then, result in

9. Emphasis

Use to suggest that an idea is particularly important to your argument important to note, most of all, a significant factor, a primary concern, a key feature, remember that, pay particular attention to, a central issue, the most substantial issue, the main value, a major event, the chief factor, a distinctive quality, especially valuable, the chief outcome, a vital force, especially relevant, most noteworthy, the principal item, above all, should be noted

10. Summary or Conclusion

Use to signal that what follows is summarizing or concluding the previous ideas; in humanities papers, use these phrases sparingly. to summarize, in short, in brief, in sum, in summary, to sum up, in conclusion, to conclude, finally

Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program and “ Power Tools for Technical Communication .” 

Writing Effective Sentence Transitions (Advanced)

Transitions are the rhetorical tools that clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs. The ability to integrate sentence transitions into your prose, rather than simply throwing in overt transition signals like “in addition,” indicates your mastery of the material. (Note: The visibility of transitions may vary by discipline; consult with your professor to get a better sense of discipline or assignment specific expectations.)

Transition Signals

Transition signals are words or phrases that indicate the logic connecting sets of information or ideas. Signals like therefore, on the other hand, for example, because, then, and afterwards can be good transition tools at the sentence and paragraph level. When using these signals, be conscious of the real meaning of these terms; they should reflect the actual relationship between ideas.

Review Words

Review words are transition tools that link groups of sentences or whole paragraphs. They condense preceding discussion into a brief word or phrase. For example: You’ve just completed a detailed discussion about the greenhouse effect. To transition to the next topic, you could use review words like “this heat-trapping process” to refer back to the green house effect discussion. The relative ability to determine a cogent set of review words might signal your own understanding of your work; think of review words as super-short summaries of key ideas.

Preview words

Preview words condense an upcoming discussion into a brief word or phrase. For example: You’ve just explained how heat is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. Transitioning to the theory that humans are adding to that effect, you could use preview words like “sources of additional CO2 in the atmosphere include” to point forward to that discussion.

Transition Sentences

The strongest and most sophisticated tools, transition sentences indicate the connection between the preceding and upcoming pieces of your argument. They often contain one or more of the above transition tools. For example: You’ve just discussed how much CO2 humans have added to the atmosphere. You need to transition to a discussion of the effects. A strong set of transition sentences between the two sections might sound like this:

“These large amounts of CO2 added to the atmosphere may lead to a number of disastrous consequences for residents of planet earth. The rise in global temperature that accompanies the extra CO2 can yield effects as varied as glacial melting and species extinction.”

In the first sentence, the review words are “These large amounts of CO2 added to the atmosphere”; the preview words are “number of disastrous consequences”; the transition signals are “may lead to.” The topic sentence of the next paragraph indicates the specific “disastrous consequences” you will discuss.

If you don’t see a way to write a logical, effective transition between sentences, ideas or paragraphs, this might indicate organizational problems in your essay; you might consider revising your work.

Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program  and “ Power Tools for Technical Communication .”

Last revised: 07/2008 | Adapted for web delivery: 05/2021

In order to access certain content on this page, you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader or an equivalent PDF viewer software.

How to Make a Good Transition Sentence

Sampson quain, 20 jun 2018.

One of the most important skills required in writing an essay or research paper is the ability to use transition sentences that logically link paragraphs or sections and provide a road map for the essay. Transition sentences provide a smooth change to a new topic, contrast a preceding sentence or add meaning to what was just written. Some common transitional words include "despite," "however" and "similarly," which are used to create effective transition sentences.

Explore this article

• Review Your Work
• Choose Your Words
• Make the Point
• Consider Your Purpose

1 Review Your Work

Review your essay up to the point where you want to use a transition sentence. Determine the relationship between the two paragraphs. Is the transition introducing a new point, contradicting material you just wrote, or making further points about the same topic? Ensure that your transition sentence makes sense in the context of what was written before it. For example, if the preceding sentence is, "John Smith gazes up at the moon in the dark sky," the transition sentence, "As a result, he is sitting as he watches the sky," does not make sense, because the preceding sentence did not cause the transition sentence.

Vocabulary Builder

2 choose your words.

Use words such as "another" when you are introducing a new point in your essay. For example, if you are writing an essay explaining how the Dust Bowl developed in the Midwest and you have already listed two reasons, a transition sentence could be: "Another factor that weakened the soil was the poor farming techniques employed at the time..." and continue the sentence from there.

3 Make the Point

Use words such as "in addition," "furthermore" and "equally important" when you are making more points about a subject after already listing several in the preceding paragraph or sentence. In an essay about contributions that Louis Pasteur made to society, in which you have listed various accomplishments, you could write, "Pasteur's discoveries saved many lives during his lifetime, but in addition, they led to a new understanding of disease that saved many more even after he was gone."

4 Consider Your Purpose

Use transitional words such as "however," "in spite of," and "on the other hand" when you are contradicting a paragraph or sentence you just wrote. For example, if you explaining Marie Curie's contributions to society but wanted to show the downside of those achievements, you could write, "Marie Curie's contributions to society were noteworthy. However, Marie Curie paid a high price for her studies since the prolonged exposure to radiation eventually led to her death."

• Use transition sentences sparingly to avoid confusing the reader.

About the Author

Sampson Quain is a screenwriter and filmmaker who began writing in 1996. He has sold feature and television scripts to a variety of studios and networks including Columbia, HBO, NBC, Paramount and Lionsgate. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from the University of Southern California.

Related Articles

Transitions For Essays

How to Write Extended Sentences

List of Transitional Words for Essay Writing

What Are the Writing Elements for a Personal Narrative?

How to Write Your Argumentative Essay

Lesson Plan Ideas for Teaching Point of View for Middle...

How to Write a Composition on the Figurative Language...

How to Write an Effective Conclusion Paragraph for...

How to Write a Strong Thesis Without Laundry Listing

How to Write a Fourth Grade Essay

How to Write a Biography of a Deceased Person

How to Enhance a Narrative Essay

How to Set Up an Explication Essay

How to Use Contractions in a College Essay

How to Develop a Cohesive Paragraph

What Is a Descriptive Essay?

Tips for High School Students on Creating Introductions...

Difference Between Topic Sentence Vs. Thesis Statement

How to Write an Essay on a School Field Trip

How to Write a Reaction & Reflection Essay

Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers.

• Accessibility
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Copyright Policy
• Manage Preferences

© 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. See disclaimer .

How to Generate Strong Essay Topics, With 30 Topic Examples

Whether you’re writing an analytical essay, a reflective essay, or a compare-and-contrast essay, you are generally focused on one central theme. An essay topic is the subject—it’s what an essay is about. Essay topics can be broad or narrow, simple or complex—every essay has a topic. Determining your topic is generally the first step in writing an essay.

Give your writing extra polish Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly

What is an essay topic?

Essay topics are the broad subjects essays discuss. The purpose of an essay topic is to shape your essay. By defining your essay topic, you determine what you’ll explore in your writing, how you will investigate the topic, the elements you’ll cover (and which you’ll leave out), and the sources you will use to support your thesis statement.

For example, you might write an argumentative essay in support of requiring all students at your university to take a media literacy course during their first year . This potential new requirement would be your essay topic.

Sometimes, your instructor will assign an essay topic. When this is the case, you can jump right to thinking up ways of exploring that topic and developing your thesis statement. Other times, you will need to determine your own essay topic—and your instructor might or might not provide guidance in choosing the topic. When you’re on your own with determining ideas for an essay topic, there are a few different strategies you can use:

• Freewriting. Start with the type of essay you’ve been assigned (analytical, compare-and-contrast, personal, etc.) and let your mind wander. Write down any questions that come to mind, insights you have, observations about these questions or insights, and points that interest you.
• Researching others’ thoughts about the subject. This strategy works when you have a general idea of the subject you’d like to write about. You can familiarize yourself with the discourse surrounding that subject and read what others have said about it. Getting familiar with others’ writing can inspire you to add your take to the existing body of knowledge surrounding the subject.
• Answering the question you want to know the answer to. Think about the type of essay you plan to write and questions you would find satisfying to have answered in essay form.
• Finding gaps in the existing knowledge about your subject. This piggybacks on the strategy of exploring what others have said about it—what hasn’t been said? This could be your opportunity to write a thought-provoking original essay about your topic.

You can use these strategies for other kinds of writing, too, like creative writing and blog posts.

How to come up with an essay topic

Before you start exploring potential essay topic ideas, think about the kind of essay you are planning to write. Strong essay topics vary between types, so make your essay’s goal a significant part of choosing a topic. Keep the following in mind for each of the following types of essays :

Argumentative

An argumentative essay needs to support an argument. It also needs to demonstrate the flaws in a counter-argument. When you’re tasked with writing an argumentative essay, generate essay topics that have clear “sides” that can be supported and defended by discussing specific pieces of evidence. Choose an issue you can support through strong evidence, such as likely repercussions for changing the legal voting age.

Compare-and-contrast

In a compare-and-contrast essay , you need to show the similarities and differences between two subjects. Kick-start your topic development (or brainstorm if it’s a collaborative project) by thinking about subjects you can compare and contrast, such as the themes in two poems. Think about the specific angles you can take on the subjects you’ll focus on, and consider the comparisons you’ll make in your writing.

A political essay is an essay that examines present social and political challenges and proposes solutions to them. For example, a political essay might propose improvements to the housing market in the United States. To generate essay topics for a political essay, think about the issues that affect you or people you know, or historical trends and current events. You might have a unique perspective on proposed legislation or present political challenges, or you might simply provide a fresh voice in this discourse. Another strategy is to read the news and find a topic that’s trending, relevant, and something you have the knowledge and/or resources to write a strong essay about.

An analytical essay drills down to the components present in a work or an issue and addresses these components to reach conclusions. For example, your analytical essay topic might be how online classes have changed our relationship to education forever. As you explore essay topics for an analytical essay, think about something that interests or confuses you. In your analytical essay, you engage with the topic by questioning it and breaking it down, so choose a topic that’s got room to dive deep.

A personal essay is a reflective piece of writing that explores and discusses a topic from your own life. Unlike other kinds of essays, which support their positions through objective references to facts, statistics, scholarly insights, and other written works, a personal essay discusses its author’s own thoughts and feelings. There is no pressure to be objective in a personal essay; think of it as a chapter from your autobiography or a diary entry. To come up with essay topic ideas for a personal essay, think about events and experiences that have left a lasting impression on you.

Similar to an argumentative essay, a persuasive essay aims to persuade the reader to support a specific action or stance. The difference is that in a persuasive essay, the author’s goal is to persuade the reader to agree with their position, while an argumentative essay aims to show the reader why its thesis statement is objectively true. Strong persuasive essay topics are topics that are trending and divisive, such as the merits of dropping SAT scores from university admissions decisions.

Essay topic vs. thesis statement

An essay topic isn’t the same as its thesis statement. However, the two are closely related. An essay’s thesis statement concisely states the author’s position on the essay’s topic. In other words, the thesis statement narrows the topic down to a specific statement that the author then explores, analyzes, and—depending on the type of essay—defends in the body paragraphs.

Here are a few examples of essay topics and accompanying thesis statements:

Topic: Changing the legal voting age

Thesis statement: When nations lower the legal voting age to 16, youth civic participation increases. To combat low voter turnout among young adults, the United States should reduce the voting age to 16.

Topic: Does exercise matter if you eat a healthy diet?

Thesis statement: Research shows that while diet plays a significant role in an individual’s overall health and fitness, regular exercise plays a crucial role in strengthening bones and muscles, maintaining weight, and reducing an individual’s risk of disease.

Similarly, an essay topic is not the same as an essay title—but there is a relationship between an essay’s topic and title. An essay title should make its essay’s topic clear to the reader.

30 essay topic examples

Persuasive essay topics.

• The harms of single-use plastic
• Planned obsolescence
• Pineapple on pizza
• How can we be better neighbors?
• Ways to make writing easier for high school students

Personal essay topics

• My grandmother’s cooking
• My favorite dinosaur
• A pivotal trip I took
• My reaction to reading my own published writing
• Why I’ll never have another pet pig

Argumentative essay topics

• Should cars be banned from downtown?
• Why do we get addicted to social media?
• Should the library be open 24/7?
• Should high schools eliminate summer vacation?
• Are we too apathetic about the amount of data we share?

Analytical essay topics

• Themes of love in Frankenstein and House of Leaves
• Grammar’s role in communication
• Information retention when writing notes by hand
• Dogs as symbolism in Wuthering Heights
• Music education in elementary schools

Political essay topics

• The Electoral College’s validity in modern elections
• Student debt forgiveness
• Strategies for increasing voter turnout
• Potential outcomes of redrawing voting districts
• What if we let AI govern us?

Compare and contrast essay topics

• For commuters, are trains or buses a more environmentally friendly option?
• Vegan versus vegetarian diets
• A comparison of the writing styles of Toni Morrison’s early and later works
• Qualitative versus quantitative data in sociology
• The Handmaid’s Tale television show versus the original novel

Essay topics FAQs

An essay topic is a subject area about which an essay is written. An essay topic can be fairly broad or quite narrow.

What’s the purpose of an essay topic?

The purpose of an essay topic is to give the author something to discuss in their writing. An essay topic is what an essay is “about,” giving the author a subject to explore, analyze, discuss, defend, or describe.

What’s the difference between an essay topic and a thesis statement?

An essay topic is much broader than a thesis statement. A thesis statement summarizes the essay author’s position on the essay’s topic or a specific aspect of the essay’s topic.

What are examples of strong essay topics?

How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)   

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading. 

Table of Contents

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

• Argumentative Essay Introduction Example: 
• Expository Essay Introduction Example 

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail. 

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction: 

• Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote. 
• Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic. 
• Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay. 

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2  

• Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.  
• Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.  
• Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction: 

• Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading. 
• Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic. 
• State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay. 
• Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis. 
• Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic. 
• Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument. 

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education: 

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation. 

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education). 

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.  

• Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?” 
• Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher. 
• Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.” 

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps: 

• Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.” 
• Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument. 
• Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.” 
• Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns. 
• Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.” 

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement: 

• Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.” 
• State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.” 
• Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention. 
• Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.” 

Examples of essay introduction 

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays: 

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:  

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16? 

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.” 

Expository Essay Introduction Example  

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise 

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.” 

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee 

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.” 

• Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic. 
• Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement. 
• Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined. 
• Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay. 
• Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay. 

Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3  

• Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. 
• Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion. 
• Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific. 
• Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay. 
• Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis. 
• Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors. 
• Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further. 

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.  

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.  

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how.   For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.” 

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.  

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness. 

References  

• Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills . 
• West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617. 
• Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242. 

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.  

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

Experience the future of academic writing – Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!  

Related Reads:

• What is an Argumentative Essay? How to Write It (With Examples)
• How to Paraphrase Research Papers Effectively
• How to Cite Social Media Sources in Academic Writing? 
• How Long Should a Chapter Be?

Similarity Checks: The Author’s Guide to Plagiarism and Responsible Writing

Types of plagiarism and 6 tips to avoid it in your writing , you may also like, how to write a research proposal: (with examples..., how to write your research paper in apa..., how to choose a dissertation topic, how to write a phd research proposal, how to write an academic paragraph (step-by-step guide), maintaining academic integrity with paperpal’s generative ai writing..., research funding basics: what should a grant proposal..., how to write an abstract in research papers..., how to write dissertation acknowledgements, how to structure an essay.

70 “How To” Essay Topics

Referred to by names such as process essay or process analysis essay, the How-To essay details the steps to complete an assigned task in the most efficient way possible.

What Are the Key Steps to Writing a “How To” Essay?

How-to essays are pretty straightforward in their writing process, but there are a few key things to remember to ensure that the reader understands the steps involved.

The most important part of writing a How-To essay is ensuring that every necessary step is included in the writing – especially in the order they must be carried out.

This means that the writer shouldn’t avoid any steps, skip around, or leave out key details.

Secondly, it is essential to be concise when writing a How-To essay. Avoid detailing unnecessary steps or processes not related to the essay’s main topic.

Finally, must use sequential phrasing to denote the order of the steps. Phrases such as “first,” “second,” and “third” are helpful when writing a How-To essay.

By following these key steps, the writer can ensure that their How-To essay is clear, concise, and easy to follow!

Steps for Writing a “How To” Essay

When it comes to writing a How-To essay, the following formatting structure will ensure that the essay is easy to follow for the reader.

Introductory Paragraph

The introductory paragraph should briefly introduce the topic of the essay and provide a general overview of the steps involved. It should also introduce the main point of each individual step.

To engage the reader better, be sure to open with an attractive hook statement that will capture the reader’s attention. For example, if you are writing a How-To essay about cooking pasta, you might open with the line “Nothing beats a hot plate of mac and cheese” to grab the reader’s attention.

The introduction paragraph should also end with a thesis statement that details the essay’s main point. For example, in the case of the pasta cooking example, the thesis statement would be, “This essay will outline the steps necessary to cook a perfect plate of pasta from start to finish.”

Pro tip: Your thesis statement shouldn’t simply detail the benefits of following the steps in the essay. For example, the pasta cooking thesis statement could be rewritten as “This essay will outline the steps necessary to cook a perfect plate of pasta, which will not only save you time and money but will also taste better than if you had ordered it from a restaurant.”

Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should detail one step in the overall process. The individual steps should be written sequentially, not skipping any steps and providing all necessary details.

The body paragraphs should each follow the same structure:

• 1st Sentence: A topic sentence that briefly discusses the step in the process.
• 2nd Sentence: A transitional sentence that details when this step should be completed in relation to the other steps in the process
• 3rd Sentence: A detailed explanation of how to complete this step, based on a combination of research and common sense.
• 4th Sentence: A concluding sentence that briefly restates the step.

This formula should be repeated for each and every step in the process being detailed. This may only require a few paragraphs for how-to essays describing simple processes. However, for more complicated topics, this may require many sections to ensure that every step has been covered and every necessary detail included.

Concluding Paragraph

The concluding paragraph should summarize the steps outlined in the essay and restate any key points. It can also include a brief discussion of why following these steps is beneficial or potential pitfalls when skipping certain steps.

In order to avoid any confusion, the concluding paragraph should also summarize the thesis statement for the essay. For the pasta cooking example, this would be “In conclusion, this essay has outlined the steps necessary to cook a perfect plate of pasta from start to finish. By following these steps, you will ensure that your pasta is cooked perfectly every time.”

Pro tip: If you’re feeling stuck, try outlining the steps for your essay on a piece of paper. This will help you see the process as a whole and better understand where each step should fit in.

How-To essays can be a great way to teach or inform the reader about a specific topic. By following the key steps detailed above, you can ensure that your How-To essay is written with maximum clarity and follows the proper format.

70 “How To” Essay Topics

When writing a How-To essay, the biggest challenge can be choosing a topic. Essay topics too broad or general can be too difficult to cover in a single essay. On the other hand, essay topics that are too specific can be too difficult for the writer, who might accidentally leave out critical steps or details.

In order to make it easier for you to choose a topic, we have compiled a list of 70 How-To Essay topics that can be broken down into a variety of categories. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it should give you a good starting point for your essay.

How-To Essay Topics About Life Skills

• How to make a bed properly
• How to pack for a trip
• How to study for a test
• How to write a resume
• How to network
• How to interview for a job
• How to give a presentation
• How to deal with stress
• How to make a budget
• How to save money
• How to cook a basic meal
• How to do laundry
• How to change a tire
• How to use public transportation
• How to ask for a raise
• How to deal with difficult people
• How to deal with passive-aggressive behavior
• How to make a good impression
• How to write a thank you letter
• How to speak in public
• How to make friends as an adult
• How to ace a job interview
• How to manage your time
• How to be an effective leader

How-To Essay Topics About Technology

• How to set up a wireless network at home
• How to download music legally online
• How to reset your browser’s homepage
• How to navigate social media sites like Facebook and Twitter
• How to use your phone’s camera
• How to set up a Bluetooth device
• How to use Zoom effectively
• How to use a VPN
• How to set up an email account
• How to use Siri on your iPhone

How-To Essay Topics About Fitness and Health

• How to get rid of belly fat
• How to lose weight fast
• How to do crunches properly
• How to do squats
• How to run faster
• How to jump higher
• How to stretch
• How to prevent sports injuries
• How to deal with pain
• How to improve your diet
• How to get in shape for summer
• How to lower blood pressure

How-To Essay Topics About Home Improvement

• How to paint a room
• How to hang curtains
• How to unclog a drain
• How to patch a hole in the wall
• How to fix a broken doorknob
• How to install crown molding
• How to install laminate flooring
• How to clean hardwood floors properly
• How to have an eco-friendly home
• How to decorate your home on a budget
• How to choose paint colors for your home
• How to make your home more energy-efficient

How To Essay Topics About Science

• How to make a volcano
• How to make a model of the solar system
• How to grow crystals
• How to make a simple electrical circuit
• How to make slime
• How to extract DNA from a strawberry
• How to make a terrarium
• How to make a potato battery
• How to measure pH level
• How to write a lab report
• How to identify different species of flora & fauna

Using these how-to writing prompts, students can have a great start to writing their own How-To essays. Remember to keep each step of the process for a smooth transition from one to another.

Related Posts

• 130 Narrative Essay Topics
• 125 Descriptive Essay Topics
• 30 Macbeth Essay Topics
• 145 Classification Essay Topics
• 55 Beowulf Essay Topics

Categories:

• Essay Samples
• Essay Topics
• Essay Writing Guides

Recent posts:

• 170 Ethics Essay Topics
• 160 Satire Essay Topics
• 160 Rhetorical Essay Topics
• 155 Criminal Justice Essay Topics
• 150 Political Essay Topics
• 140 Sociology Essay Topics
• 140 Opinion Essay Topics
• 140 Environmental Essay Topics
• 135 Controversial Essay Topics
• 125 Classification and Division Essay Topics
• 120 Literary Essay Topics
• 100 Profile Essay Topics
• 90 Heart of Darkness Essay Topics
• 80 Holocaust Essay Topics

Testimonials

• Certification
• International Partners
• Our Clients
• GSA Contracts
• Pike's Peak Award
• Train-the-Trainer Boot Camp
• Beyond Basics—the Art of Training
• Interactive Virtual Trainer
• Instructional Design
• Making MS Teams Interactive
• Microlearning
• Presentation Skills
• Performance Consulting
• Creating Effective Assessments
• Rapid Design for Virtual Training
• Virtual Presentation Skills
• Making Zoom Interactive
• Introduction to Performance Consulting
• Producing for Webinars
• Interactive Virtual Meetings
• Creative Training Techniques Conference
• Team Training
• Virtual Training & E-Learning
• Trainer Blog
• Free Webinars
• Case Studies
• Free Guides
• Music & Media
• Trainer Kits

Tips for Transitions: How to Move From One Topic to the Next

You don’t want to lose your audience. But every time you move from one topic to the next, you notice participants’ attention begins to wander: they start checking their email, glancing at the clock, or putting their microphones on mute.

That’s why strong transitions are essential. Moving from one topic to the next without missing a beat is a skill even seasoned professionals often envy. But with the following tips in hand, you’ll be better able to transition from one topic to the next—and bring your participants with you.

How to Move From One Topic to the Next

Transitions are a way of keeping your participants tuned in to your training goals, reassuring learners that this new topic is just as valuable and relevant as the last.

1. Use Verbal Transition Phrases When You’re Switching Topics

It may seem a little rote or cliche, but using transition phrases can help you signal to learners that you’re moving on to a new and substantially related topic. These phrases provide valuable thematic and contextual connective tissue, so learners are less tempted to check email or glance at the clock.

Consider phrases such as:

• “Now that we’ve found a solution for ______, we can apply that to the following situations.”
• “So, we’ve identified the problems that drive _____. But what can we find out about solutions?”
• “We’ve identified the first aspect of _____. Let’s turn now to the second, _______.”
• “What can I clarify?” (Wait at least 12 seconds before using this one.)

These are, of course, broad examples. But they can give you the basic framework for your own unique verbal transition phrases.

2. Introduce New Topics During Breakout Sessions

Transitions may work better when they’re learner-led and participant-focused. That’s why many trainers will use breakout sessions to introduce new topics. Small groups of learners can discuss what’s been learned or talk about their expectations regarding a newly introduced topic.

Depending on the group and the topic, you may want to provide groups with guided discussion questions. When the small groups come back, they’ll be ready to smoothly transition to the new material.

3. Engage the Senses with Fun Visual Transitions or Musical Cues

When participants are engaged , their attention won’t wander; visual and musical cues are an incredibly effective way to generate that engagement. From Powerpoint transitions to Spotify playlists, modern technology makes it easier than ever to orchestrate a sensory transition experience. Consider:

• Using a mysterious image that starts conversation or gets participants asking questions. Build a sense of curiosity!
• A musical cue that’s thematically relevant to the next topic.
• Playing a short video that sums up one topic or starts broaching the next.

4. Take Advantage of the Break

Managing transitions isn’t always about moving seamlessly from one topic into another without pausing for a breath. Sometimes the best way to manage a transition is to take advantage of the break. Here are a few ideas:

• Schedule breaks: Every training session needs regular breaks. Consider scheduling yours around those moments when you’re going to switch topics.
• Play some games! Asking trivia questions or organizing virtual whiteboard competitions can help participants bond, regroup, and refocus.
• Review information: A break can provide a perfect moment to pause and review everything your training session has covered. You can use this moment to ask questions and summarize important concepts.

A Natural Transition

Planning transitions that feel natural takes a fair amount of thought and planning—you may even want to write your transitions down! You can later evaluate which transitions worked and which ones you might want to revise.

When you take a participant-centered approach to planning for those participants, you can create strong opportunities to improve your training—and your outcomes.

You can learn more about creating transitions and improving your training craft in our Presentation Skills workshop or Virtual Presentation Skills Crash Course .

Never miss a post! Get blogs and more delivered directly to your inbox.

• Creative Training Techniques® Conference
• Crash Courses
• Professional Certification

Monthly E-Newsletter

Stay connected to what’s going on in the training industry.

• Privacy Policy
• Return Policy
• Cancellation Policy

10800 Lyndale Avenue South - Suite 151 - Bloomington, MN 55420

Essays About Change: Top 5 Examples and 10 Prompts

If you are writing essays about change, see below our best essay examples and writing prompts to help expand your horizon on this topic.

The only thing constant is change. It could be good or bad. It could be short-term or have a lasting impact. The best we can do is to ride on this inevitable and never-ending cycle of change and try coming out of it still standing, thriving, and smiling. This ability to cope with change is called resilience. 

However, some changes – such as the loss of a loved one or a livelihood — are too overwhelming to deal with that some fall into trauma and depression, in which case psychological support is highly encouraged. Read on to see our round-up of rich, well-written essays about change, and a list of helpful prompts follows to help you start your essay. 

1. “The Psychology Of Dealing With Change: How To Become Resilient” by Kathleen Smith

2. how prison changes people by christian jarrett, 3. six ways the workplace will change in the next 10 years by jordan turner, 4. “social movements for good: what they are and how to lead them” by derrick feldman, 5. “the right way to make a big career transition” by utkarsh amitabh, 1. changing your lifestyle for the better, 2. be the change the world needs, 3. adapting to life-changing events, 4. addressing climate change, 5. how did technology change our daily lives, 6. people who changed the world, 7. if you could change the world, 8. dealing with resistance to change, 9. coming-of-age novels, 10. changing your eating habits.

“If you can learn to cope with change, you’ll lower your risk for anxiety and depression. Your relationships will flourish, and your body will feel healthier. But if you can’t cope with change, only a minor amount of stress can make you feel overwhelmed by life. You might also struggle to set and meet the goals you have for yourself.”

Instead of fixating on events and people over which we do not have the power to control, we should focus on ourselves and how we can embrace change without fear. Some tips in this essay include practicing self-care, being in the present, and focusing on your priorities, such as health and well-being. 

Check out these essays about being grateful and essays about heroes .

“Ultimately, society may be confronted with a choice. We can punish offenders more severely and risk changing them for the worse, or we can design sentencing rules and prisons in a way that helps offenders rehabilitate and change for the better.”

In an environment where you are forced to follow the rules to the letter and worry about your safety and privacy daily, prisoners could develop a kind of “perpetual paranoia” or “emotional numbing” and deteriorate cognitive abilities. The essay suggests a rethink in how we deal with law-breakers to encourage reform rather than punish and risk repeat offenses.

Check out these essays about police brutality and essays about assessment .

“As technology closes the divide between geographically separate people, it introduces cracks in relationships and cultures. The remote distribution of work means that many employees will not build the same social relationships in the workplace, leading to issues of disengagement and loneliness.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has already disrupted our way of work in our new normal, but more changes are yet to unfold. This essay looks into the future of work where responsibilities and demands will see a sea change; machines will be co-workers; and the best employee is defined by digital skills, not years of experience.

You might also like these essays about cinema and essays about jealousy .

“Social movements for good establish a mass platform of action for a population, which helps inform and cultivate the awareness necessary to help prevent an issue from affecting more people. True social movements for good have the power to generate awareness that produces tangible results, helping the general population live longer, more productive, happier lives.”

A social movement for good aims to bring social justice to an aggrieved community by calling for tangible support and resources. To accelerate a movement’s momentum, an effective leader must possess certain qualities in this essay.

“There were so many questions running through my head during this time. Why should I quit to make this my full-time job? Is this what I really want? When should I quit? Poet Mary Oliver’s words kept ringing in my head: ‘What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’”

Deciding on a career change is more complex than deciding whether you want to do something different. A career shift entails lifestyle, mindset, and motivation changes, each of which has to be carefully reassessed and prepared for. This essay guides you in deciding when or why it is right to leave your job.

10 Interesting Writing Prompts on Essays About Change

Below are thought-stimulating prompts to help with your essay: 

Committing to regular exercise or getting to bed earlier may be easier said than done. Moreover, the determination that was burning at the start of your lifestyle change journey may wane in the latter part when things get tough. So, for your essay, provide practical tips from wellness experts and your own experience on how to sustain a routine toward a better lifestyle. You can split your essay into sections for each health and wellness tip you recommend.

This is the gist of the famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi: “be the change you wish to see in the world.” Unfortunately, many of us get frustrated over people refusing to change but fail to see how this change should start with our perception and action. In this essay, write about what an individual can do to focus more on self-improvement and development. 

Have you ever faced a situation where you had to adapt to a drastic change? It could be moving to a different city or school or dealing with losing a loved one. Share your experience and list the traits and practices that helped you through this challenging phase. You may also research what psychologists recommend people to do to keep from falling into depression or developing anxiety. 

To offer a unique highlight in your essay, tackle what your school or community is doing to fight global warming. Interview city councilors and mayors and learn about ongoing initiatives to keep the city clean and green. So this essay could help entice others in your community to work together and volunteer in initiatives to slow climate change.

List down the advantages and disadvantages technology has presented in your life. For example, seeking clarification from teachers about an assignment has been made easier with the many communication channels available. However, technology has also enabled a work-at-home or distance learning arrangement that is causing burnout in many households. 

Feature a person who has revolutionized the world. It could be a scientist, artist, activist, writer, economist, athlete, etc. Preferably, it is someone you idolize, so you do not have to start from scratch in your research. So first, provide a short profile of this person to show his life and career background. Then, write about their ultimate contribution to society and how this continues to benefit or inspire many. 

If there’s one thing you could change in this world, what would it be? This sounds like a question you’d hear in pageants, but it could be a creative way to lay down your life advocacy. So, explain why this is where you want to see change and how this change can improve others’ lives.

Resistance to change is most common when companies modernize, and the dinosaurs in the office refuse to learn new digital platforms or systems. Write about what you think leaders and human resource units should do to help employees cope with changes in the new normal.

A coming-of-age novel tells stories of protagonists who grow up and undergo character transformation. From being eaten up by their fears, the main heroes become braver and better at confronting a world that once intimidated them. For this prompt, share your favorite coming-of-age novel and narrate the changes in the hero’s qualities and beliefs. 

Delivering fast food has become so easy that, for many, it has become a way of life, making it an enormous challenge to replace this practice with healthy eating habits. So, research and write about nutritionists’ tips on creating a lifestyle and environment conducive to healthy eating habits.

If you’re still stuck picking an essay topic, check out our guide on how to write essays about depression . For more ideas, you can check out our general resource of essay writing topics .

List of Topics for How-to Essays

Choosing the Right Topic Is Critical to Success

Blend Images / Getty Images

• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Your first challenge in writing a how-to essay is deciding on a topic. If you're like many students, you might feel as though you don't know anything well enough to teach others. But that's not true. All people have something that they can do so well that they don't even think about how to do it anymore—they just do it.

Choosing the Right Topic

When you read over the list below you will realize that you do know many things in depth, some well enough to teach. Typically, your inspiration will be based on lateral thinking. For example, from the list below, you may decide to write an essay on how to cook a Scottish egg after you see "Crack an egg" in the list. Or you may decide to write about how to make an Excel spreadsheet with all of your homework listed, after seeing "Organize your homework" on the list. 

Narrow your choices to a few topics , and then brainstorm for a few minutes about each topic. Determine which one has the most potential — one that can be divided into five to 10 clear paragraphs that you can explain well.

Writing Tips

Some topics are easier than others to explain. Straightforward processes versus ones with lots of contingencies will be much less complicated to write out, for instance. If you find that you've chosen a topic that's just too broad, pick one portion of it to explain. Remember, you want your reader to be able to follow your instructions to successfully complete the process.

In your drafting, err on the side of too much detail and description rather than too little. (It's easier to cut material that you don't need than to add in it later.) If you're not allowed to use images with your instructions, choosing a topic that is aided by visuals makes writing the instructional process much more challenging, so take your assignment parameters into consideration as you choose what to write about.

If you know your topic so well that it comes naturally to you, it may be tough to write instructions for a beginner who has no knowledge of the topic, because you forget how much you didn't know when you first started. Have a partner try out your instructions during the drafting or revision phase (or both) to see what you've left out or what isn't explained clearly enough.

How-to Topics for a Process Essay 

• Raccoon-proof your campsite
• Make an obstacle course for squirrels
• Set a table
• Make a pet costume
• Start a band
• Make a piñata
• Make an omelet
• Start beekeeping
• Make a quilt
• Decorate a bedroom
• Create a podcast
• Start a recycling program
• Collect stamps
• Clean a bedroom
• Make a pizza
• Make a volcano
• Organize your homework
• Play the guitar
• Make a sock puppet
• Make a doll dress
• Write a letter to the editor
• Write a complaint
• Plan a party
• Plant a tree
• Create a cartoon character
• Improve your spelling
• Bake a layer cake
• Change a tire
• Drive a stick shift
• Make a Christmas stocking
• Learn to dance
• Do a magic trick
• Go bird watching
• Make a music video
• Make a candle
• Paint a picture
• Create art with crayons
• Create a web page
• Stay safe on the Internet
• Write a song
• Write a poem
• Make a handbag
• Tie a scarf
• Mow the lawn
• Make a hamburger
• Make pancakes
• Make a pillow
• Play football
• Make a sculpture
• Make a lamp
• Make shadow puppets
• Care for pets
• Build a tree house
• Play hide and seek
• Paint fingernails
• Make homemade slippers
• Tie macramé knots
• Make a sandwich
• Make chocolate milk
• Make hot chocolate
• Climb a tree
• Make a milkshake
• Sell old toys
• Ride a skateboard
• Eat crab legs
• Become a vegetarian
• Make a salad
• Design a jack-o-lantern
• Ride a horse
• Race turtles
• Catch lightning bugs
• Make a wildflower bouquet
• Cut paper dolls
• Eat an ice cream cone
• Change a diaper
• Make fruit punch
• Make a campaign poster
• Make a fake tattoo
• Interview a celebrity
• Catch a fish
• Make a snowman
• Make an igloo
• Make a paper fan
• Write a newsletter
• Crack an egg
• Make a necklace
• Tie a necktie
• Ride the subway
• Walk like a model
• Ride a motorcycle
• Pitch a tent
• Find something you've lost
• Curl your hair
• Saddle a horse
• Make a sandcastle
• Bob for apples
• Apply for a job
• Draw stick figures
• Open a bank account
• Learn a new language
• Ask for a later curfew
• Behave at a fancy dinner
• Ask somebody out
• Pose for a picture
• Wake up in a good mood
• Send Morse code messages
• Make a kite
• Hem your jeans
• Pitch a fastball
• Be a ghost hunter
• Make string art
• Mop a floor
• Peel an apple
• String popcorn
• Remix a song
• Walk a tightrope
• Stand on your head
• Find the Big Dipper
• Wrap a gift
• Roast a marshmallow
• Clean a window
• Make a campfire
• Have a yard sale
• Create a carnival in your yard
• Make balloon animals
• Plan a surprise party
• Wear eye makeup
• Invent a secret code
• Recognize animal tracks
• Train a dog to shake hands
• Make a paper airplane
• Pull a tooth
• Create playlists
• Play rock, paper, scissors
• Floss your teeth
• 67 Causal Essay Topics to Consider
• 501 Topic Suggestions for Writing Essays and Speeches
• How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech (With Topic Ideas)
• 100 Persuasive Essay Topics
• How to Write a Great Process Essay
• Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• 50 Argumentative Essay Topics
• Structure of a Descriptive Essay
• What Is Expository Writing?
• Topical Organization Essay
• Personal Essay Topics
• Tips for Writing a "What I Did on Vacation" Essay
• Ecology Essay Ideas
• How to Outline and Organize an Essay
• Understanding What an Expository Essay Is
• Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay

110 Social Change Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best social change topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on social change, ⭐ simple & easy social change essay titles, ❓ questions about social change.

• Kentucky Fried Chicken and Social Change Impact Although the company has outlets in many parts of the world, this paper focuses on America as a key market to analyze the company’s adaptation strategies in the face of changing customer tastes and preferences.
• Social Changes in Human Relationships and Interactions To achieve this goal, the paper will include the following sections: population social change, how the change is taking place, the engines driving the change, data demonstrating that this change is taking place and will […]
• Social Change With Technology: Ogburn’s Model Thirdly, the invention of the steam engine improved transport and communication while the invention of the computer has led to the massive change in all societies.
• History of Pop Music in the World: Cultural and Social Changes Later, following the evolvement of industries and development of urban centers, also the lifestyle of poor people improved considerably and this lead to the improvement of music among the poor and the rich.
• Social Entrepreneurship and Social Change The positive externality theory assumes that the allocation of social entrepreneurship is largely for the benefit of the society and not targeted towards the profit analysis.
• Social Change and the Role of Environmental Factors Social change refers to the alteration or change in the social order of a given society or group of people especially with regard to nature, relationships, behavioral patterns in the society and the social institutions […]
• Exploring Social Change in Song “Crazy World” The song is about social change since it describes situations where people are confronted with the reality that has been built by enabler’s egos and the need to dominate. Lucky Dube has used the song […]
• Pinel and Brace as Social Workers and Change Agents The nature of the targeted challenge is what informs an agent of change to come up with the most desirable initiatives.
• How Sociologists Understood Social and Cultural Change The approach involved the comparison of the various components of a society to appendages of an organism. The fundamental characteristic of the organizations in the society is the scheme of principles required for the pursuit […]
• Popular Culture and Social Change Across Cultures Popular culture surrounds us everywhere: in our computers and phones, in our homes and outside. It has several functions and a vast potential to unite and divide people.
• Nursing Education and Social Changes Evidence-based nursing is deeply rooted in the development of life-long learners, which is also one of the pillars of contemporary nursing education.
• Personal and Social Changes The paper will focus on personal and social changes in the lives of two characters, Hem and Haw, and how the changes that take place depend on morality and ethics.
• Modernity Theory and Social Change Modernity, science and technology tries to educate the society in letting go of cultural as well as traditional values and embrace modern technology which enhances the progress of a society.
• Role of Social Change in Personal Development 4% of the population and the married constituting 1. 4% of the population and the married constituting 1.
• Conflict and Social Change The primary differences of views between Weber, Durkheim, and Marx are based on the sources and approaches regarding social change and conflict.
• Sociological Perspective: Social Change and Environment The validity of the provided definition can be well illustrated, in regards to the fact that, unlike what it used to be the case with them, even as recently as a hundred years ago, today’s […]
• Adult Education for Social Change: The Role of a Grassroots Organization in Canada The ‘SUCCESS’ education programs and services addressed the needs of the adult immigrant community, and as such, facilitated social change. In Vancouver, prior to the inception of the SUCCESS program, the lack educational programs and […]
• Popular Music: Meaningful Contributions to Social and Political Change Music has different classifications depending on various factors including the period in which the music was developed, the type of instruments that the musicians use, the cultural identity of the society that subscribes to the […]
• Social Media and Socio-Political Change Social media and politics Social media has had a lot of impacts on the political happenings that have been witnessed in recent months.
• Education, Knowledge, and Social Change Scholars in the field of sociology and education have argued that the practice by most parents to get the best for their children is egocentric and antisocial.
• A Healthcare Proposal for a Social Change Moreover, a healthy diet is critical for the overall health of a community and its population and thus will have to be included in the proposal.
• Promoting Social Change in Healthcare through Student-University Alignment Therefore, it is very important for student goals and university mission to match. Otherwise, some of the effort is wasted, and has to be made up for.
• Power and Social Change in the Election System The United States’ election system is more complicated than most countries worldwide because it is a two-party system, and the voters do not directly participate in the governmental decision.
• Theories of Social Change: The Role of Technology Civilizations’ rise and fall are the subjects of cyclical theories of social change, which aim to identify and explain the patterns of growth and disintegration.
• Exploring Social Change in America and the World Economic and social distress were the leading causes of the revolution, as well as unemployment and political factors. The valued ideologies of the times of the French Revolution were mainly liberty and equality.
• The Process of Social Change and Resistance Moreover, the black riders were required to pay a fare at the front of the bus and then go to the back of it where the area for people with the “untouchable” status was1.
• Review of “Making Social Change: Engaging a Desire for Social Change” Chapter 9 One should note that Chapter 9 explains some concepts and ideas about the future and progress of society and the state as a whole.
• Analysis of Social Change Ways Fourth, huge companies control the physical environment with their images, goods and services, and the sensitivities that push people to engage to the fullest of their capability in the realm of product consumption and beyond.
• Social Movements and Meaningful Social Change The Black Lives Matter movement is not about individual flaws but the perceived general injustice of the American system, capitalism, and white people’s supremacy.
• Social Entrepreneurship Causing Change in Society Therefore, considering the stages of the social problem, it is argued that the appearance of social entrepreneurship belongs to the alternative stage when people attempt to bring change outside of the system.
• Social Media and Change of Society Members of the first group used various social media over 2 hours a day on average. Participants of the second group used social media quite rarely.
• Social Change Project: Religious Discrimination in the Workplace With the growing number of migrants coming to the United States and ethnic diversity becoming such a pressing issue, religious freedom is an area of advocacy, which is only going to grow in scope and […]
• Families, Gender Relations and Social Change in Brazil The first theory applicable to the problem of domestic violence in Brazil as per the article is feminism, and its importance is defined by the controversy regarding the evolving roles of men and women.
• Community Psychologists as Agents of a Social Change Having concluded my research, I will be able to employ its results for creating a strategy to enhance people’s quality of life and eliminate any discomfort they feel in the community.
• Social Change: Modern, and Postmodern Societies Additionally, the change in consumption patterns and lifestyles has increased the prevalence of cancer and other chronic diseases, prompting intensive scientific research and sophistication in medical technologies.
• Agents of Social Changes: Girls Not Brides Organization In addition, the instrument and consequence of this change is the improvement of the education of girls and women and their rights, which often limit countries with a tradition of child marriage.
• Immigration: Political Impacts and Social Changes Particularly, the author posits that the increase in the amount of labor force that immigration entails leads to the improved performance of local companies, hence the rise in GDP rates and the overall increase in […]
• Communication Final Project: Youth Activism, Social Media, and Political Change Through Children’s Books Picture the Dream was an unconventional exhibition of children’s picture books related to the topic of the Civil Rights Movement and was held in the High Museum of Art.
• Global Health Cooperation: A Plan for Social Change The analysis and comparison of the US ACA and the UK Act proves the incorporation of a global perspective into any local practice.
• Beatrice Potter Webb’s Suggestions for Social Change The ideas of social and class equality, the cooperation of people for the common good, the equal distribution of material wealth among all the members of society inspired many intellectuals of that time.
• Globalization Phenomenon: Development and Social Change The success of the project was to be facilitated through abandonment and dismantling of a development project in favor of a more globalized socio-economic order.
• Gender Diversity in the Workplace and Social Changes This is a research paper, seeking to understand and discuss the benefits of gender diversity at the workplace and how far the firefighting industry has come in appreciating the trend.
• Designing Social Change During the 1990s-2000 Design ideologies have in the past listening carefully to the foundation of the technical and methodical rules of the delivery process.
• How Communication for Social Change Can Be Used or Not Used The paper discusses the topic of communication for social change using the article written by Lynn Mizner.
• Communication Strategies for Social Change All these strategies were aimed at trying to solve the tensions between the criminal gangs in Los Angeles [LA] and the police division in endeavour to put down the levels of violence, the conflict in […]
• Thinking About Social Change in America by Putnam The private and public aspects of social capital are also mentioned with the author explaining that the benefits of social capital are varied and can come in different forms for instance there are certain external […]
• Keynesian Economics, Globalization & More: Exploring Key Economic Theories The theory suggests that the level of employment is determined by the aggregate demand or how much money is spent and not by the cost of labor. Fiscal policy is the use of government expenditure […]
• Fashion as a Mirror for Social Change The restrictive clothing of the previous years, counting up to the ‘Flapper’ era, had been a mark of the suppression of women and was shrouded in societal myth and sexual restraint but became a lesser […]
• Social Change in the Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution was also characterized by the movement of people from rural to urban areas in search of a better life.
• Type 2 Diabetes in Bronx Project for Social Change The present paper will discuss the contribution of the project to social justice and social change, as well as the health scholar-practitioners’ role in promoting positive change in healthcare.
• Social Change and Servant Leadership Models They should also focus on the values of their groups. According to the model, groups should embrace the best societal values to achieve their goals.
• Social Work Profession-Related Change on the State Level It happens due to the combination of such factors as the increased demand for services provided by these specialists and the general improvement of the quality of life of people in the majority of states.
• Communities and Social Change Almost every country in the world has contributed to the invention of new technologies and ideas that put them on the same level as the rest of the world.
• British Industrial Revolution and Social Changes In this paper, a variety of aspects and contributing factors of the evolution will be discussed including putting-out system, the three unique sets of Britain’s advantages that stimulated the process of industrialization, the support of […]
• Social Change, Leadership, and Advocacy Comparison Social changes can be compared to advocacy considering that some changes in the society are political, socially, or economically motivated. Social change, leadership, and advocacy all play a role in the implementation of changes in […]
• Biological, Social and Behavioral Changes in Children The proponents of this theory argue that as the hardware of the children matures, they understand how to perform complex tasks with more speed and accuracy.
• Business & Nonprofit Organisations’ Social Change At the same time, for-profit firms focus on gaining profit as well as try to assess needs of communities and address them.
• Social Change Application to Ex-Felon Disenfranchisement From the recommendations given in the literature, it is possible to see that social advocacy can be used to deal with the problem of ex-felons disenfranchisement.
• Welfare Reform – Social Welfare Change Although the social welfare reform discussed above was a watershed in the social wellbeing of poor Americans, other alternatives were equally introduced in order to boost the viability of the on-going initiatives.
• Media for Social Change The responsibility to transform the society socially therefore lies on the producers and the users of these shows and not the owners or the investors of these media avenues.
• Social Exchange and Expectancy Theory Effects in Human Resource Development The reality is that the more the employees are sure of getting out of their relationship with organization the more their productivity and the more the effort they put into their work.
• Critical Review: The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Social Change In Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist, social change comes through the terrorist acts of anarchic organizations, which cause a change in personal worldviews, self-understanding, and personal experiences, leading to a shift in power and the […]
• How Will Social Media Change the Future of International Politics? Besides this, social media has also contributed greatly to the development of international politics by increasing the knowledge of politics in different parts of the world and encouraging more young people to participate in politics.
• Empowering and Assessing Social Change of Local Communities Through Participatory Action Research The intention of the research is to facilitate the participation of the local community in identifying the problem and seeking a lasting solution to it.
• Media Change Triggering Social and Cultural Change – Foundations, Thinkers, Ideas A change in media, which practically means establishing a new and more progressive way of delivering certain information from one member of the society to another one, triggers a social change.
• Social Pressure and Change The external pressure facing XYZ might make the company to embrace change because the firm has to adhere to societal expectations in regard to environmental responsibility and general community involvement.
• The Industrial Revolution and Beyond: Culture, Work, and Social Change The Industrial Revolution is the era of massive enormous technological advancements and social changes, which affected people to the extent which is often contrasted to the change from hunter and gathering to agriculture.
• Social and Political Changes The thing is that the Bible was read and understood only by people that knew the Latin language whereas the interpretation of it was in accordance with the principles, goals, and intentions of the church […]
• Gendered Globalization and Social Change This is because the trees that attracted and trapped the moist clouds are no longer existent, thus the farmers have to manually water their crops.
• Effects of the Social, Economic and Technological Change on Marriage In the past decades, the marriage institution has transformed due to the social, economic and technological changes that have resulted to major changes; in population of the married people and their ages, the number of […]
• Social Concepts and Climate Change All these are illustrations that climate change is real and skeptics of the process have no sound grounds to support their argument.
• Social Changes and Civil Rights A nonviolence boycott of this injustice led to changing of the infamous rules, and black people were able to integrate with the rest of the people in social places.
• Social, Economic and Political Conditions of a Slovak Immigrant Group Change from the 1880’s to the 1930’s It was not until the 1930’s and the third generation of Dobrejcaks, that they acquired enough grit and determination to fight for justice, and their civil rights.
• How Do Social Changes Predict Personal Quality of Life?
• Is There a Relationship Between Social Location and the Power to Effect Social Change?
• What Are Social Change Strategies and Their Outcomes?
• How Are Truth, Love, and Social Change Reflected in Literature and the Media?
• Can Religion Encourage Rather Than Inhibit Social Change?
• Why Was the Women’s Rights Movement an Extraordinary Social Change During the 18th and 19th Centuries?
• How Do Organizations and Communities Effect Social Change?
• What Attributes and Practices of Alumni Associations Contribute to Social Change?
• Are Media Technologies Causes or Effects of Social Change?
• How Have Social Movements Affected the Power of Social Change?
• What Are the Various Factors Influencing Social Change in Indian Cultures?
• Does a Psychologist Influence Social Change in Prison and Beyond?
• How Did Slavery and the Power of Rhetoric Effect Social Change?
• Are Paid Work, Women’s Empowerment, and Gender Justice Critical Pathways for Social Change?
• What Are the Negative Side Effects of Education and Its Impact on Social Change?
• How Do the Five Basic Components of Human Societies Affect Social Change?
• Is There a Connection Between Religion and Social Change?
• What Protest Music Is Associated with a Movement for Social Change?
• How Are Social Changes and Changes in Knowledge Related?
• What Is the Relationship Between the Environment and Society, and How Has the Environment Caused Social Change?
• Should There Be a Social Change Concerning Water Use?
• How Do Poverty and Education Affect Social Change?
• Which Women Authors Are Working for Social Change?
• Is Religion a Force for Social Change?
• How Can Organizations and Communities Effect Social Change and Influence People’s Behavior?
• What Was the Role of Women in Uprisings for Social Change?
• How Do Social Changes Affect People and Society?
• Are Social Change and the Overthrow of Patriarchy Connected?
• What Is Person-Oriented Social Change?
• How Did Industrialization Lead to Social Change in the 19th Century?
• Birth control Questions
• Cuban Revolution Ideas
• Declaration of Independence Paper Topics
• Culture Topics
• French Revolution Paper Topics
• Gentrification Paper Topics
• Industrial Revolution Research Ideas
• American Revolution Topics
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, November 9). 110 Social Change Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/social-change-essay-topics/

"110 Social Change Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 9 Nov. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/social-change-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '110 Social Change Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 9 November.

IvyPanda . 2023. "110 Social Change Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." November 9, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/social-change-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "110 Social Change Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." November 9, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/social-change-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "110 Social Change Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." November 9, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/social-change-essay-topics/.

Skip to Content

Other ways to search:

• Events Calendar

Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give you a head start

1. Keep it real. It’s normal to want to make a good impression on the school of your choice, but it’s also important to show who you really are. So just be yourself! Compelling stories might not be perfectly linear or have a happy ending, and that’s OK. It’s best to be authentic instead of telling schools what you think they want to hear.

2. Be reflective . Think about how you’ve changed during high school. How have you grown and improved? What makes you feel ready for college, and how do you hope to contribute to the campus community and society at large?

3. Look to the future. Consider your reasons for attending college. What do you hope to gain from your education? What about college excites you the most, and what would you like to do after you graduate? Answering these questions will not only give colleges insight into the kind of student you’ll be, but it will also give you the personal insight you’ll need to choose the school that’s right for you.

Have questions about college prep? We're here to help.

Written by CU Boulder Office of Admissions

• College-Prep

The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. You may  view the list of ADA and Title IX coordinators  and  review the Regent policy .

As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information visit  colorado.edu/your-right-know .

Apply for Admission

Visit Campus

Support CU Boulder

• Safety & Health Services
• COVID-19 Information
• Campus Communications
• Emergency Alert System
• New Student & Family Programs

Getting Around

• Campus Events
• Parking & Transportation
• Visit Information

Information for

• Faculty & Staff
• Journalists

Initiatives

• Business & Industry Collaborations
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Free Speech
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Public & Outreach Programs
• Sustainability
• Understanding Your Cost of Attendance

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Change

Essays About Change

What makes a good change essay topic.

When it comes to writing a change essay, choosing the right topic is crucial. A good change essay topic should be thought-provoking, relevant, and engaging. It should also be something that you are passionate about, as this will make the writing process much easier. To brainstorm and choose an essay topic, consider your personal experiences, current events, and issues that are important to you. Think about what you want to communicate to your readers and what impact you want your essay to have. A good essay topic should also be specific and focused, allowing for in-depth exploration and analysis.

Best Change Essay Topics

When it comes to change essay topics, it's important to think outside the box and choose something that will stand out. Here are 20 creative change essay topics to consider:

• The impact of technology on modern relationships
• The changing role of women in the workplace
• The effects of climate change on global food production
• How social media has transformed communication and relationships
• The evolution of fashion and its influence on society
• The changing dynamics of family structures in the 21st century
• The effects of globalization on local cultures and traditions
• The impact of artificial intelligence on the job market
• The changing portrayal of mental health in the media
• The transformation of education in the digital age
• The effects of urbanization on the environment
• The changing landscape of healthcare and wellness
• The impact of immigration on cultural diversity
• The evolution of activism and social movements
• The changing dynamics of power and influence in politics
• The effects of automation on the future of work
• The transformation of traditional media in the digital era
• The changing attitudes towards body image and beauty standards
• The impact of gentrification on local communities
• The evolution of travel and tourism in the age of technology

Change essay topics prompts

Looking for some inspiration for your change essay? Here are 5 creative prompts to get you started:

• Reflect on a personal experience that sparked a significant change in your life and explore the impact it had on your perspective and beliefs.
• Imagine a world where a major historical event had a different outcome and explore how it would have changed the course of history.
• Consider a current social issue that you are passionate about and analyze the potential for positive change in the future.
• Explore the concept of change through the lens of a fictional story or character and examine the lessons it offers for real-life situations.
• Take a deep dive into a specific industry or field and examine the ways in which it has evolved and adapted to change over time.

Choosing the right change essay topic is essential for creating a compelling and impactful piece of writing. By considering your personal passions, current events, and thought-provoking issues, you can find a topic that will engage and inspire your readers. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and explore creative and unique ideas that will set your essay apart. With the right topic, you can craft a powerful essay that resonates with your audience and makes a meaningful impact.

The Positive Effects of Change in Social Work

The changes of technology and communication of denmark's concerns, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Negative Effects of Philip Ii Reign in Spain

The difficulties in mitigating the effects of climate change in the current world, the importance of adapting to changes in "things fall apart" by chinua achebe, heraclitus argument: change is consistent, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

The Evolution of Prosthetics History

The power of change: how you can change the world, the grande coupure era: how it changed everything, ian crouch’s opinion regarding the washington redskins name choice, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

Choosing Blue Skies Over Grey Ones on Creative Writing

Redefine your path and change your life, the issue and importance of organizational change, traveling changes your thought process, video "story of change", an assessment of land use land cover change in central highland, materialization for positive habit formation, stay fit this monsoon with simple changes in diet, environmental change impact on drought and water crisis in iran, environmental change and organizational adaptation, 500-word on behavior change: things i would like to change about myself, invasive effects of prosopis juliflora, the review of "east of the river", don’t let plastics completely overhaul the humanity, structure of the pentium microprocessor, texts that transformed sociopolitical changes in the world, how identification of genes and genetic expression can contribute to nutritional assessment, the switch up in my life, changes in the french luxury market, computers – machines that changed the society and continue to do it, relevant topics.

• Reconstruction
• Future Plan
• Winter Break

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

3 strategies to help college students pick the right major the first time around and avoid some big hassles

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Educational Psychology at the United States Coast Guard Academy, University of Connecticut

Disclosure statement

Rachael Cody does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of Connecticut provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

View all partners

Not long after new college students have finished choosing the college that is right for them , they are asked to declare an academic major. For some students, this decision is easy, as their majors may have actually influenced their choice of college. Unfortunately, this decision is not always an easy one to make, and college students frequently change their minds.

For instance, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, 30% of undergraduates changed their major at least once.

While it may be common for undergraduates to change their major, it can cause them to lose time, money and opportunities . Students who experience the loss of these resources may be at risk for dropping out of college altogether .

While earning a Ph.D. in educational psychology , I conducted a study that highlighted students’ experiences upon changing their majors. I wanted to know why students made the switch and what that experience was like.

The results of my study showed that students became disoriented about their majors during their undergraduate education. Oftentimes, they were influenced by professors and advisers who were dismissive of their aspirations and abilities . These students experienced failure , which sometimes ruined their motivation. Failure may be commonplace in certain majors, but these students believed themselves to be outliers, viewing failure as a hit to their self-esteem .

So, what is a college student to do when faced with such an important decision? It is tempting to give into fear, indecisiveness or worry. But rest assured, using the following strategies to select the right major will also help sustain your motivation when the going gets tough.

1. Make a career plan

Creating a career plan is one of the ways that students can bolster their chances of success in their chosen majors. When creating a career plan, think about the career that you want to have in the future and consider the academic and professional paths that could lead to that career. Researchers have found that students who made career plans were more likely to persist in their academic majors.

When making a career plan, you should reflect on your beliefs about work, your interest in various academic subjects and your abilities. Exploring these factors may be one of the reasons why students who complete career plans are more likely to stick with their majors . Use your reflections to guide you as you search for careers that you would enjoy. Then, identify a specific career and outline the steps that you will have to take during your time at college that will help prepare you for that career.

2. Do your research

College students sometimes drop out of their selected majors because they have become disenchanted with the academic area they have chosen . Or they may find themselves more attracted to a different academic major altogether. For others, the desire to switch majors may occur after they get a taste of what it is like to work in that field, particularly during work-placement opportunities. One study found this to be true for some nursing majors , who shared that their first clinical placements showed them that they were not well suited to perform the duties of a nurse.

To avoid these sorts of outcomes, it is important to do your research about the job that you are interested in pursuing, as well as any related jobs. Is there one that would be better suited to your abilities and your preferences? Is there someone you can talk to who can tell you more about what an average day looks like at a particular job? Ask yourself which aspects of the job you could see yourself enjoying, as well as the parts of the job that you think you might dislike. While it is possible to switch out of your major once your interests become more apparent, you will save a good deal of time and energy by initially choosing a major that is aligned with your interests and abilities.

3. Brace yourself for challenge

It may come as a surprise when you are presented with incredibly challenging material during your first semester at college. Students who were at the top of their class may be particularly shocked when they receive their first low grade on an exam. You should not assume, however, that you have made the wrong choice of academic major simply because you performed poorly on one test. Negative feedback from college advisers and instructors can influence a student’s choice to switch out of their major.

The possibility of failure can be so discouraging to students that they can lose their ambition on the first day of class , before they have experienced any academic failure at all. Hold on to the confidence that guided you to select your major in the first place, and prepare yourself for the academic challenges that await you in whichever major you choose.

• US higher education
• Back to school
• College students
• College major
• Career path
• Occupations
• Higher ed attainment
• Colleges and universities

Want to write?

Write an article and join a growing community of more than 188,200 academics and researchers from 5,015 institutions.

Register now

The Histories of Enslaved People Were Written by Slavers. A BU Researcher Is Working to Change That

Andreana cunningham combines bioarchaeology, african diaspora studies, and archival research to better understand the lives of enslaved people.

BU researcher Andreana Cunningham is an expert on bioarchaeology, the study of human burial context: “The experiences that you go through can be marked on your body, literally,” she says.

Molly Callahan

Cydney scott.

In the mid to late 1800s, the remote British overseas territory of Saint Helena was home to a community of “liberated Africans”—enslaved people from ships intercepted during the British Royal Navy’s suppression of the Atlantic slave trade and rerouted to the small island about 1,000 miles off the coast of Southern Africa. 

Nearly a third of the African people who landed on Saint Helena died soon thereafter, the result of mistreatment on board the slavers’ ships. They were buried in an area at the northern edge of the island, where their remains lay undisturbed until 2006, when workers began to build an airport access road. A team of archaeologists was called in to assess the extent of the gravesite and, after two and a half months, more than 300 complete skeletons were exhumed—a mere fraction of those buried in the area—and the road moved elsewhere. 

The excavated remains were held in storage and made available for a limited number of research projects—including one by Andreana Cunningham , a Boston University College of Arts & Sciences assistant professor of archaeology, anthropology, and African American and Black diaspora studies.

Cunningham was curious about diaspora communities that formed during and after the transatlantic slave trade. Who was moved, and to where? How did those origins help shape (or not) the identities of African descendents in the Caribbean, or South Atlantic regions, or communities along the Indian Ocean? 

An expert in bioarchaeology—the archaeological study of human burial context—Cunningham pulls from a range of disciplines to piece together evidence of how enslaved people lived their lives and how they carved out autonomy in an otherwise inhumane system. She describes her work as filling in the gaps left behind by the myriad ways enslaved people were stripped of their own stories. 

“I try to address some of these gaps by combining different ways of understanding both the bodies and agency of enslaved people,” she says, “in order to better understand the ways they move through their respective landscapes, and the diversity that exists within those spaces.” 

In April 2022, Cunningham arrived on Saint Helena to take 3D scans of the exhumed skulls. Cranial shape patterns, she says, can be used in some ways as proxies for genetic data, and so the scans offer a noninvasive way to identify where, broadly, a person came from. Cunningham also analyzed archival newspapers for clues about the people buried at each of these sites. 

She compared that data to similar data she collected at the Newton Enslaved Burial Ground in Barbados, and the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town, to identify how people were moved across different sites along common slave trade routes. 

What she found was a much greater influence of southeastern African populations—Mozambique, in particular—among existing African diaspora populations along the Atlantic than researchers previously thought, based on (incomplete or otherwise obscured) migration logs by enslavers. This showed that a larger swath of African communities were captured in the slave trade than enslavers ever cared to record.

Cunningham gained something else during this research, though. She reckoned with long-standing archaeological practices, and pushed herself to better engage the communities who have real, ancestral claims over these burial sites. For the research project at Saint Helena, that meant scrapping her original research plan to rebuild a more ethical version, a process that spurred new research interests going forward. 

History That’s Bone-Deep

When Cunningham was an undergraduate student at the University of Miami, she landed an internship at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where she learned that our bones hold the stories of our lives—even centuries after our deaths. 

“The skeletons of the past can actually tell us a lot about the history of the individual they belong to,” Cunningham says. “The experiences that you go through can be marked on your body, literally. Things like stress, daily habits, nutrition, the places you come from—these are all things that can be recorded, to some extent, on your skeletal remains. So, even if you are just left with bones, there are still ways that you can understand what that person was like.”

Cunningham wasn’t specifically searching for these traces of information when she conducted her research on Saint Helena, but found some nonetheless. She was particularly struck by how young the population was—more than half of the people buried at the site were under 18, based on their patterns of bone fusion and dental eruption. It was a reminder, she says, “of how fleeting life could be in this environment.”

The broad insight was a kind of lightning-rod moment for Cunningham, who was already interested in exploring ways to fill the gaps in the history of the slave trade—a history nearly universally recorded by enslavers that left little to no room for the stories and experiences of the enslaved people themselves. 

“​​That felt like a really interesting way to approach understanding the past, and learning more about slave trade history and about Afro-descendants more broadly. And I think that especially appealed to me, as an Afro-descendant, as well. It felt like a way of being able to give voice to people who could no longer share their stories,” she says. 

Cunningham went on to earn her master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Florida, where she started the work on Saint Helena. Although her view on working with human remains has grown more nuanced and complex since those early days at the Smithsonian, the bedrock of her research remains the same: What can the people enslaved by this horrific trade tell us about the experience, even now? How do those stories, omitted from the history books, change how we might think about existing diaspora communities? And how do we explore and lift up those stories while respecting the people whose remains we’re studying?

A Reckoning within Archaeology

Typically, to do a study of human remains, a researcher will submit a proposal to gain access to certain collections held by other research institutes. That proposal will outline the justification for the researcher’s work, the methods they’ll employ, any funders that have signed on—fairly cut-and-dried stuff between a researcher and an institution or organization. 

But since 2020, “the year of racial reckoning,” as Cunningham describes it, there’s been a major shift within the field of anthropology at large. “There have always been dissenters in our discipline advocating for us to do better, but 2020 was what pushed the rest of the field to follow suit,” Cunningham says. For African diaspora studies in particular, Black anthropologists have been prominent advocates for more ethical, community-grounded practice. 

“There were people pushing for accountability from institutions—reasonably so—and putting pressure to grapple with the fact that they have a lot of skeletons in their collections that have dubious origins,” Cunningham says. “People that did not consent to be there, [remains that were] sometimes victims of grave robbing, and so on. And disproportionately, in those collections, you have the skeletons of indigenous and Black people.”

People that did not consent to be there, [remains that were] sometimes victims of grave robbing, and so on. And disproportionately, in those collections, you have the skeletons of indigenous and Black people. Andreana Cunningham

That reckoning changed how Cunningham thought about the care she and others in her field were taking with the remains they studied. 

“Up until that point, I think the way that care was framed in doing work with human remains was that you are respecting them by attempting to speak to their experiences that they can’t anymore. And you’re respectful by treating them carefully, and making sure that they stay intact, and that you’re not sharing the pictures online—things of that nature.”

But as those discussions in 2020 unfolded, Cunningham says she developed a distinct discomfort with her ongoing dissertation work—work that was, by all accounts, by the book. She began questioning whether she was doing right by the people whose remains she studied.

A mentor posed a simple two-question test that Cunningham could use: “Whether my work was shedding valuable insight on the Black experience, and whether it was something I can essentially live with and sit with,” she recalls. The way her research was set up originally, Cunningham’s answer to the second question was, “no.” 

“Even though I was carrying out the project in a way that I thought was careful, I felt like it needed an overhaul,” she says. So, she started over. She struck some of the data she’d already collected, and decided that certain research collections weren’t appropriate to use at all. 

Cunningham created a whole new framework for her research that she’s grateful for today. 

“Any sort of burial work, especially in an African diaspora context, should be done with community,” she says. “I now see it as ancestor work to do any sort of work related to burial grounds. And to do that—that’s something that has to be grounded beyond a discipline.”

Historians, community advocates, communities with real or symbolic ancestors buried at these sites—these are all groups that need to be brought into any research context involving those remains, Cunningham says. She reorganized her project to incorporate all these people, and was in constant contact with many representatives of these various groups before she even left for Saint Helena, for example. 

She made all her findings as accessible as possible to anyone who might be interested in them, and would like to help to create a formal memorial and information center for the burial site. In 2022, just after Cunningham’s visit to Saint Helena, the exhumed remains were reburied . 

Turning the Spotlight on BU

Now, she’s taking these experiences and applying them to the often dubious origins of human remains at other research collections, as well—including those at BU. 

Cunningham is working with Samantha Kelley , the laboratory coordinator in the BU anthropology department, to trace back the acquisition of human remains that are part of the University’s teaching collection. 

The project is still in its very earliest stages, but broadly, Kelley says, “We’re hoping to bring BU into the 21st century, and really modernize our curation practices to make them more ethical and moral in the long run.”

Working with students, Cunningham and Kelley’s goal is a complete overhaul of the curation and documentation practices as they relate to the skeletal remains within BU’s care. It may turn out that some pieces need to be repatriated and reburied, or otherwise transitioned out of use from the teaching collection. Those decisions aren’t always clear-cut, Cunningham says; the process can be messy. But it’s an essential one for anyone in the fields of anthropology and archaeology. 

For Cunningham, it’s also an opportunity to align her work with her values. 

“It’s very much within the vein of placing ethics, ethical curation, and community at the heart of considering what research and teaching should look like,” she says. 

Cunningham’s research at Saint Helena and South Africa was primarily funded by the National Science Foundation.

Explore Related Topics:

• Alumni Weekend
• Hearing Sciences
• Relationships
• Share this story
• 0 Comments Add

Senior Writer

Molly Callahan began her career at a small, family-owned newspaper where the newsroom housed computers that used floppy disks. Since then, her work has been picked up by the Associated Press and recognized by the Connecticut chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2016, she moved into a communications role at Northeastern University as part of its News@Northeastern reporting team. When she's not writing, Molly can be found rock climbing, biking around the city, or hanging out with her fiancée, Morgan, and their cat, Junie B. Jones. Profile

Photojournalist

Cydney Scott has been a professional photographer since graduating from the Ohio University VisCom program in 1998. She spent 10 years shooting for newspapers, first in upstate New York, then Palm Beach County, Fla., before moving back to her home city of Boston and joining BU Photography. Profile

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

Post a comment. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest from The Brink

Making mri more globally accessible: how metamaterials offer affordable, high-impact solutions, “i love this work, but it’s killing me”: the unique toll of being a spiritual leader today, feeling the heat researchers say heat waves will put more older adults in danger, what the history of boston’s harbor can teach us about its uncertain future, eng’s mark grinstaff one of six researchers to receive nsf trailblazer engineering impact awards, how do we solve america’s affordable housing crisis bu research helps inspire a federal bill that suggests answers, missile defense won’t save us from growing nuclear arsenals, this ai software can make diagnosing dementia easier and faster for doctors, suicide now the primary cause of death among active duty us soldiers, state laws banning abortion linked to increases in mental health issues, scuba diving safely for marine biology research, heat waves are scorching boston, but are some neighborhoods hotter than others, six bu researchers win prestigious early-career award to advance their work, new ai program from bu researchers could predict likelihood of alzheimer’s disease, being open about lgbtq+ identities in the classroom creates positive learning environments, should schools struggling with classroom management clamp down with more suspensions or turn to restorative justice, getting police officers to trust implicit bias training, the solar system may have passed through dense interstellar cloud 2 million years ago, altering earth’s climate, air quality sensors could be coming to a bicycle near you.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base

The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay | Steps & Examples

An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or argument using evidence, analysis, and interpretation.

There are many types of essays you might write as a student. The content and length of an essay depends on your level, subject of study, and course requirements. However, most essays at university level are argumentative — they aim to persuade the reader of a particular position or perspective on a topic.

The essay writing process consists of three main stages:

• Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an essay outline.
• Writing : Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion.
• Revision:  Check your essay on the content, organization, grammar, spelling, and formatting of your essay.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Essay writing process, preparation for writing an essay, writing the introduction, writing the main body, writing the conclusion, essay checklist, lecture slides, frequently asked questions about writing an essay.

The writing process of preparation, writing, and revisions applies to every essay or paper, but the time and effort spent on each stage depends on the type of essay .

For example, if you’ve been assigned a five-paragraph expository essay for a high school class, you’ll probably spend the most time on the writing stage; for a college-level argumentative essay , on the other hand, you’ll need to spend more time researching your topic and developing an original argument before you start writing.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

Before you start writing, you should make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to say and how you’re going to say it. There are a few key steps you can follow to make sure you’re prepared:

• Understand your assignment: What is the goal of this essay? What is the length and deadline of the assignment? Is there anything you need to clarify with your teacher or professor?
• Define a topic: If you’re allowed to choose your own topic , try to pick something that you already know a bit about and that will hold your interest.
• Do your research: Read  primary and secondary sources and take notes to help you work out your position and angle on the topic. You’ll use these as evidence for your points.
• Come up with a thesis:  The thesis is the central point or argument that you want to make. A clear thesis is essential for a focused essay—you should keep referring back to it as you write.
• Create an outline: Map out the rough structure of your essay in an outline . This makes it easier to start writing and keeps you on track as you go.

Once you’ve got a clear idea of what you want to discuss, in what order, and what evidence you’ll use, you’re ready to start writing.

The introduction sets the tone for your essay. It should grab the reader’s interest and inform them of what to expect. The introduction generally comprises 10–20% of the text.

1. Hook your reader

The first sentence of the introduction should pique your reader’s interest and curiosity. This sentence is sometimes called the hook. It might be an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement emphasizing the relevance of the topic.

Let’s say we’re writing an essay about the development of Braille (the raised-dot reading and writing system used by visually impaired people). Our hook can make a strong statement about the topic:

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

2. Provide background on your topic

Next, it’s important to give context that will help your reader understand your argument. This might involve providing background information, giving an overview of important academic work or debates on the topic, and explaining difficult terms. Don’t provide too much detail in the introduction—you can elaborate in the body of your essay.

3. Present the thesis statement

Next, you should formulate your thesis statement— the central argument you’re going to make. The thesis statement provides focus and signals your position on the topic. It is usually one or two sentences long. The thesis statement for our essay on Braille could look like this:

As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness.

4. Map the structure

In longer essays, you can end the introduction by briefly describing what will be covered in each part of the essay. This guides the reader through your structure and gives a preview of how your argument will develop.

The invention of Braille marked a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by blind and visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Write your essay introduction

The body of your essay is where you make arguments supporting your thesis, provide evidence, and develop your ideas. Its purpose is to present, interpret, and analyze the information and sources you have gathered to support your argument.

Length of the body text

The length of the body depends on the type of essay. On average, the body comprises 60–80% of your essay. For a high school essay, this could be just three paragraphs, but for a graduate school essay of 6,000 words, the body could take up 8–10 pages.

Paragraph structure

To give your essay a clear structure , it is important to organize it into paragraphs . Each paragraph should be centered around one main point or idea.

That idea is introduced in a  topic sentence . The topic sentence should generally lead on from the previous paragraph and introduce the point to be made in this paragraph. Transition words can be used to create clear connections between sentences.

After the topic sentence, present evidence such as data, examples, or quotes from relevant sources. Be sure to interpret and explain the evidence, and show how it helps develop your overall argument.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

See the full essay example

The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It should generally take up no more than 10–15% of the text . A strong essay conclusion :

• Returns to your thesis
• Ties together your main points
• Shows why your argument matters

A great conclusion should finish with a memorable or impactful sentence that leaves the reader with a strong final impression.

What not to include in a conclusion

To make your essay’s conclusion as strong as possible, there are a few things you should avoid. The most common mistakes are:

• Including new arguments or evidence
• Undermining your arguments (e.g. “This is just one approach of many”)
• Using concluding phrases like “To sum up…” or “In conclusion…”

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

Write your essay conclusion

Checklist: Essay

My essay follows the requirements of the assignment (topic and length ).

My introduction sparks the reader’s interest and provides any necessary background information on the topic.

My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the essay.

I use paragraphs to structure the essay.

I use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.

Each paragraph has a single focus and a clear connection to the thesis statement.

I make clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.

My conclusion doesn’t just repeat my points, but draws connections between arguments.

I don’t introduce new arguments or evidence in the conclusion.

I have given an in-text citation for every quote or piece of information I got from another source.

I have included a reference page at the end of my essay, listing full details of all my sources.

My citations and references are correctly formatted according to the required citation style .

My essay has an interesting and informative title.

I have followed all formatting guidelines (e.g. font, page numbers, line spacing).

Your essay meets all the most important requirements. Our editors can give it a final check to help you submit with confidence.

Open Google Slides Download PowerPoint

An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

Is this article helpful?

Other students also liked.

• How long is an essay? Guidelines for different types of essay
• How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples
• How to conclude an essay | Interactive example

More interesting articles

• Checklist for academic essays | Is your essay ready to submit?
• Comparing and contrasting in an essay | Tips & examples
• Example of a great essay | Explanations, tips & tricks
• Generate topic ideas for an essay or paper | Tips & techniques
• How to revise an essay in 3 simple steps
• How to structure an essay: Templates and tips
• How to write a descriptive essay | Example & tips
• How to write a literary analysis essay | A step-by-step guide
• How to write a narrative essay | Example & tips
• How to write a rhetorical analysis | Key concepts & examples
• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples
• How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips
• How to write an essay outline | Guidelines & examples
• How to write an expository essay
• How to write the body of an essay | Drafting & redrafting
• Kinds of argumentative academic essays and their purposes
• Organizational tips for academic essays
• The four main types of essay | Quick guide with examples
• Transition sentences | Tips & examples for clear writing

What is your plagiarism score?

How to cite ChatGPT

Use discount code STYLEBLOG15 for 15% off APA Style print products with free shipping in the United States.

We, the APA Style team, are not robots. We can all pass a CAPTCHA test , and we know our roles in a Turing test . And, like so many nonrobot human beings this year, we’ve spent a fair amount of time reading, learning, and thinking about issues related to large language models, artificial intelligence (AI), AI-generated text, and specifically ChatGPT . We’ve also been gathering opinions and feedback about the use and citation of ChatGPT. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and shared ideas, opinions, research, and feedback.

In this post, I discuss situations where students and researchers use ChatGPT to create text and to facilitate their research, not to write the full text of their paper or manuscript. We know instructors have differing opinions about how or even whether students should use ChatGPT, and we’ll be continuing to collect feedback about instructor and student questions. As always, defer to instructor guidelines when writing student papers. For more about guidelines and policies about student and author use of ChatGPT, see the last section of this post.

Quoting or reproducing the text created by ChatGPT in your paper

If you’ve used ChatGPT or other AI tools in your research, describe how you used the tool in your Method section or in a comparable section of your paper. For literature reviews or other types of essays or response or reaction papers, you might describe how you used the tool in your introduction. In your text, provide the prompt you used and then any portion of the relevant text that was generated in response.

Unfortunately, the results of a ChatGPT “chat” are not retrievable by other readers, and although nonretrievable data or quotations in APA Style papers are usually cited as personal communications , with ChatGPT-generated text there is no person communicating. Quoting ChatGPT’s text from a chat session is therefore more like sharing an algorithm’s output; thus, credit the author of the algorithm with a reference list entry and the corresponding in-text citation.

When prompted with “Is the left brain right brain divide real or a metaphor?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that although the two brain hemispheres are somewhat specialized, “the notation that people can be characterized as ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is considered to be an oversimplification and a popular myth” (OpenAI, 2023).

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

You may also put the full text of long responses from ChatGPT in an appendix of your paper or in online supplemental materials, so readers have access to the exact text that was generated. It is particularly important to document the exact text created because ChatGPT will generate a unique response in each chat session, even if given the same prompt. If you create appendices or supplemental materials, remember that each should be called out at least once in the body of your APA Style paper.

When given a follow-up prompt of “What is a more accurate representation?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that “different brain regions work together to support various cognitive processes” and “the functional specialization of different regions can change in response to experience and environmental factors” (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

Creating a reference to ChatGPT or other AI models and software

The in-text citations and references above are adapted from the reference template for software in Section 10.10 of the Publication Manual (American Psychological Association, 2020, Chapter 10). Although here we focus on ChatGPT, because these guidelines are based on the software template, they can be adapted to note the use of other large language models (e.g., Bard), algorithms, and similar software.

The reference and in-text citations for ChatGPT are formatted as follows:

• Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
• Narrative citation: OpenAI (2023)

Let’s break that reference down and look at the four elements (author, date, title, and source):

Author: The author of the model is OpenAI.

Date: The date is the year of the version you used. Following the template in Section 10.10, you need to include only the year, not the exact date. The version number provides the specific date information a reader might need.

Title: The name of the model is “ChatGPT,” so that serves as the title and is italicized in your reference, as shown in the template. Although OpenAI labels unique iterations (i.e., ChatGPT-3, ChatGPT-4), they are using “ChatGPT” as the general name of the model, with updates identified with version numbers.

The version number is included after the title in parentheses. The format for the version number in ChatGPT references includes the date because that is how OpenAI is labeling the versions. Different large language models or software might use different version numbering; use the version number in the format the author or publisher provides, which may be a numbering system (e.g., Version 2.0) or other methods.

Bracketed text is used in references for additional descriptions when they are needed to help a reader understand what’s being cited. References for a number of common sources, such as journal articles and books, do not include bracketed descriptions, but things outside of the typical peer-reviewed system often do. In the case of a reference for ChatGPT, provide the descriptor “Large language model” in square brackets. OpenAI describes ChatGPT-4 as a “large multimodal model,” so that description may be provided instead if you are using ChatGPT-4. Later versions and software or models from other companies may need different descriptions, based on how the publishers describe the model. The goal of the bracketed text is to briefly describe the kind of model to your reader.

Source: When the publisher name and the author name are the same, do not repeat the publisher name in the source element of the reference, and move directly to the URL. This is the case for ChatGPT. The URL for ChatGPT is https://chat.openai.com/chat . For other models or products for which you may create a reference, use the URL that links as directly as possible to the source (i.e., the page where you can access the model, not the publisher’s homepage).

Other questions about citing ChatGPT

You may have noticed the confidence with which ChatGPT described the ideas of brain lateralization and how the brain operates, without citing any sources. I asked for a list of sources to support those claims and ChatGPT provided five references—four of which I was able to find online. The fifth does not seem to be a real article; the digital object identifier given for that reference belongs to a different article, and I was not able to find any article with the authors, date, title, and source details that ChatGPT provided. Authors using ChatGPT or similar AI tools for research should consider making this scrutiny of the primary sources a standard process. If the sources are real, accurate, and relevant, it may be better to read those original sources to learn from that research and paraphrase or quote from those articles, as applicable, than to use the model’s interpretation of them.

We’ve also received a number of other questions about ChatGPT. Should students be allowed to use it? What guidelines should instructors create for students using AI? Does using AI-generated text constitute plagiarism? Should authors who use ChatGPT credit ChatGPT or OpenAI in their byline? What are the copyright implications ?

On these questions, researchers, editors, instructors, and others are actively debating and creating parameters and guidelines. Many of you have sent us feedback, and we encourage you to continue to do so in the comments below. We will also study the policies and procedures being established by instructors, publishers, and academic institutions, with a goal of creating guidelines that reflect the many real-world applications of AI-generated text.

For questions about manuscript byline credit, plagiarism, and related ChatGPT and AI topics, the APA Style team is seeking the recommendations of APA Journals editors. APA Style guidelines based on those recommendations will be posted on this blog and on the APA Style site later this year.

Update: APA Journals has published policies on the use of generative AI in scholarly materials .

We, the APA Style team humans, appreciate your patience as we navigate these unique challenges and new ways of thinking about how authors, researchers, and students learn, write, and work with new technologies.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Related and recent

Comments are disabled due to your privacy settings. To re-enable, please adjust your cookie preferences.

APA Style Monthly

Subscribe to the APA Style Monthly newsletter to get tips, updates, and resources delivered directly to your inbox.

Welcome! Thank you for subscribing.

APA Style Guidelines

Browse APA Style writing guidelines by category

• Abbreviations
• Bias-Free Language
• Capitalization
• In-Text Citations
• Italics and Quotation Marks
• Paper Format
• Punctuation
• Research and Publication
• Spelling and Hyphenation
• Tables and Figures

Full index of topics

​Independence Day 2024: 8 thought-provoking essay ideas for students

Aug 12, 2024

8 Insightful Essay Ideas for Students

Independence Day commemorates our country’s journey to freedom and the enduring values that define it. For students, writing essays on this topic offers a unique opportunity to delve into the historical, cultural, and personal significance of this monumental day.

Image Source: Canva

​Modern-day relevance of Independence Day: Why it still matters in today's world

Independence Day comes as a powerful reminder of past victories and is also a living testament to the values etched in the history of our nation. This essay could explore how the ideals of freedom remain relevant in addressing the challenges of the modern world.

How diverse traditions enhance national unity

Picturing the multicultural fabric of the nation, this essay topic can highlight how diverse cultural traditions weave and strengthen the national bond. You can delve deeper by capturing the subtleties of each culture and its contribution to India’s cultural richness.

How Independence Day principles have influenced national policies and social change?

The principles of Independence Day such as freedom, equality, and justice have had a lasting impact on the development of national policies and social reforms. The essay can demonstrate how these ideals have translated into action over the years.

Post-Independence: The journey of India's educational system

Analyze how India’s education system has evolved since independence. This could include changes in curriculum, the introduction of new institutions, and the challenges and achievements in making education accessible to all.

Voices of the youth: What independence means today

Conduct interviews with students across India to understand what independence means to the younger generation. Explore their thoughts on freedom, national identity, and the challenges India faces in maintaining its independence in a globalized world.

You may also like

Traditions through time: evolution of independence day celebrations from past to present.

Chronicling the history of traditions, this essay can trace the changes in them over the years. You can also underscore how the traditional ceremonies have transformed into new forms, and what it reflects about the shifting priorities and values of our country.

Role of education in preserving Independence Day

Education is key to ensuring that the significance of Independence Day is passed down to future generations. The topic can explore the importance of integrating Independence Day into the curriculum and the role of schools, and teachers in fostering patriotic values in students.

Impact of media on Independence Day

The essay can talk about the role of media in instilling national pride and fostering a national bond in the nation. You can depict the efforts of media in reinforcing the narratives of Independence and its significant role in shaping the perceptions of the viewers.

Thanks For Reading!

Next: GK for Students: Do You Know the Scientific Names of These Common Plants?