can i write essays for fun

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• 13 Ways to Make Your Writing More Interesting to Read

There are numerous characteristics of a good essay: original thinking, a tight structure, balanced arguments, and many more .

But one aspect often overlooked is that a good essay should be interesting . It should spark the curiosity of the reader, keep them absorbed, make them want to keep reading and learn more. A boring essay risks losing the reader’s attention; even if the points you make are excellent, a dull writing style or poor handling of a dry subject matter can undermine the positive aspects of the essay. The problem is that many students think that essays should be like this: they think that a dull, dry style is suited to the purposes of academic writing, and don’t consider that the teacher reading their essay wants to find the essay interesting. Academic writing doesn’t have to be – and shouldn’t be – boring. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to make your writing more interesting, even though you can only do so much while remaining within the formal confines of academic writing. Let’s look at what they are.

1. Be interested in what you’re writing about

If there’s one thing guaranteed to inject interest into your writing, it’s actually being interested in what you’re writing about. Passion for a subject comes across naturally in your writing, typically making it more lively and engaging, and infusing an infectious enthusiasm into your words – in the same way that it’s easy to chat knowledgeably to someone about something you find interesting. This makes it relatively easy to write interestingly about a subject you have a real passion for. However, problems arise when you’re forced to write an essay about subjects for which you lack enthusiasm. It’s difficult to conjure up passion for your least favourite subjects, and that will come across in your writing. There are steps you can take, though: here are some tips on writing about a subject you don’t enjoy.

• Adjust your mindset : convince yourself that there are no boring subjects. If the subject or essay comes across as boring, blame yourself; if you find yourself feeling negatively about it, try to find the interest in it. Think about how it relates to the real world and how important the subject is. Find interesting snippets of information about it and look at it from a new angle.
• Think about your reader : consider the fact that not everyone will find the subject as boring as you do. As you write, keep the reader in mind and imagine them to be the world’s biggest fan of this subject.
• Find the fans : if you find it impossible to get into the mindset of your audience, try Googling the subject to find forums, videos or blog posts in which the subject is discussed by people who do find it interesting. This will help you picture whom you’re writing for, and give you a different perspective on a subject you may not have found inspiring up to now.

2. Include fascinating details

Another factor that can make an essay boring is a dry subject matter. Some subjects or topic areas are naturally dry, and it falls to you to make the essay more interesting through your written style (more on this later) and by trying to find fascinating snippets of information to include that will liven it up a bit and make the information easier to relate to. One way of doing this with a dry subject is to try to make what you’re talking about seem relevant to the real world, as this is easier for the reader to relate to. In a discussion of a seemingly boring piece of legislation, for instance, you could make a comment along the lines of “if it were not for this legislation, none of us would enjoy the freedom to do such and such today”, or “Legislation A ultimately paved the way for Legislation B, which transformed criminal law as we know it.” Make it seem exciting!

3. Emulate the style of writers you find interesting

When you read a lot, you subconsciously start emulating the style of the writers you read. It’s therefore beneficial to read widely, as this exposes you to a range of styles and you can start to take on the characteristics of those you find interesting to read. If you feel engaged with a piece of writing, the writer must be doing something right! As you read, think consciously about what the writer is doing to hold your interest, perhaps underlining or copying out certain phrases, techniques, sentence structures and so on. Then apply their techniques to your own writing.

4. Write in the active voice

It’s the oldest trick in the book, but using the active rather than the passive voice will automatically make your writing more interesting to read. It results in more direct, energetic writing that makes the reader feel more ‘in the moment’. Unfortunately, many students employ the passive voice in the belief that it makes their writing sound more academic or intellectual; in fact, it makes their writing sound boring. Remember, the active voice is when the subject of the sentence “acts”, while the passive voice is when the subject is acted upon. Passive : It was concluded by the scientists that the methods used were… Active : The scientists concluded that the methods used were… The subject in this example is “the scientists” and the “act” they are carrying out is “concluding”. As you can see in this example, the active voice almost always results in neater and more elegant phrasing, which is more concise and enjoyable to read.

5. Borrow some creative writing techniques

There’s clearly a limit to the amount of actual ‘story-telling’ you can do when you’re writing an essay; after all, essays should be objective, factual and balanced, which doesn’t, at first glance, feel very much like story-telling. However, you can apply some of the principles of story-telling to make your writing more interesting. For example, just as the opening sentence or paragraph of a novel is incredibly important in capturing the attention of the reader early on, so the first paragraph of your essay is essential in making your reader want to continue reading it. Start with an attention-grabbing ‘hook’ to draw them in, such as a controversial statement, a tantalising snippet of information or a rhetorical question (more on these below). Here are some more techniques you can adopt from creative writing to improve your essays .

6. Think about your own opinion

Your essay is bound to be boring if all you do is paraphrase what everyone else says about something. A good essay – in humanities subjects, at least – incorporates the writer’s intelligent responses to what others say, and this critical consideration not only shows that you’re thinking at a high academic level, but it automatically adds more interest and originality to your writing. So, think independently and don’t be afraid to demonstrate that you’re doing as much.

7. Cut the waffle

Rambling on and on is boring, and almost guaranteed to lose the interest of your reader. You’re at risk of waffling if you’re not completely clear about what you want to say, or if you haven’t thought carefully about how you’re going to structure your argument. Doing your research properly and writing an essay plan before you start will help prevent this problem. Editing is an important part of the essay-writing process, so once you’ve done a first draft, edit out the waffle. Read through your essay objectively and take out the bits that aren’t relevant to the argument or that labour the point. As well as editing out chunks of text, it’s important to be economical with words – not using ten where five will suffice, and avoiding clunky phrases. During the editing process, tighten up your phrasing by eliminating unnecessary words and reordering any sentences that read badly.

8. Using a thesaurus isn’t always a good thing

You may think that using a thesaurus to find more complicated words will make your writing more interesting, or sound more academic, but using overly high-brow language can have the wrong effect. It alienates the reader and makes you sound pompous, with the result that the essay is more laborious to read and the reader may quickly lose interest. Despite this, many undergraduates admit to deliberately over-complicating their language to make it sound more high-brow. If you want to keep your reader interested, keep your language clear and simple.

9. Avoid repetitive phrasing

Avoid using the same sentence structure again and again: it’s a recipe for dullness! Instead, use a range of syntax that demonstrates your writing capabilities as well as making your writing more interesting. Mix simple, compound and complex sentences to avoid your writing becoming predictable.

10. Use some figurative language

As we’ve already seen, it’s easy to end up rambling when you’re explaining difficult concepts, – particularly when you don’t clearly understand it yourself. A way of forcing yourself to think clearly about a concept, as well as explaining it more simply and engagingly, is to make use of figurative language. This means explaining something by comparing it with something else, as in an analogy. For example, you might use the analogy of water escaping from a hole in a bucket to explain the exponential decay of a radioactive substance, as the rate of depletion of both depends on how much remains, making it exponential. This gives the reader something familiar to visualise, making it easier for them to understand a new concept (obviously this will not be a new concept for the teacher who set your essay, but they will want to see that you can explain concepts clearly and that you have a thorough grasp of it yourself).

11. Avoid clichés

Clichés are overused words or phrases that make your writing predictable, and therefore less interesting. An example would be “at the end of the day”, but there are many such favourites of student essay-writers. Don’t forget that your teacher will have a stack of essays to read in one sitting; if you use the same tired expressions everyone else uses, your essay will blend in with all the others. Make it stand out by shunning the clichés you know your classmates will be using.

12. Employ rhetorical questions

One of the ways in which ancient orators held the attention of their audiences and increased the dramatic effect of their speeches was by making use of the rhetorical question. What is a rhetorical question? It’s essentially one you ask without expecting your audience to answer – one that you will answer yourself, like the one we asked in the previous sentence. This can be an effective way of introducing a new line of enquiry, or of raising questions that you’re going to address in more detail. A good place to use a rhetorical question is at the end of a paragraph, to lead into the next one, or at the beginning of a new paragraph to introduce a new area for exploration. The rhetorical question, “But is there any evidence to support X’s claim?” could, for instance, begin a paragraph that discusses evidence for an opinion introduced in the previous paragraph. What’s more, as we’ve already seen, you could use a rhetorical question as your ‘hook’ to lure readers in right at the beginning of your essay.

13. Proofread

Finally, you could write the most interesting essay a teacher has ever read, but you’ll undermine your good work if it’s littered with errors, which distract the reader from the actual content and will probably annoy them. Before you submit your essay, proofread it thoroughly to ensure that the grammar is elegant, the punctuation is perfect and the spelling is flawless. Don’t just use a spelling and grammar checker, as these don’t always pick up on all the errors.

Do you want to take your writing to the next level? Our Creative Writing summer school will teach you how to experiment with a number of different writing techniques, plan, edit and proofread your own work and introduce you to new concepts and ideas. 

Image credits: banner ; carousel ; rose ; scientists ; baby ; thesaurus ; hawk ; questions . 

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Should You Be Funny In Your College Essay + Examples

What’s Covered:

Why are college essays important, should you be funny in your college essay, tips for adding humor to your college essays, essay examples, how to make sure your humor is effective.

College essays are an important part of your application profile. They humanize you and provide you with the opportunity to prove that you’re an interesting individual beyond your grades and test scores. 

Some ways students humanize themselves include reflecting on their values, clueing readers into their backstory, showing off their personalities, or any combination of these. 

One question that may come up with regards to showing off your personality is: can I be funny in my college essay?

Read along to hear our expert opinion on the subject and tips for writing a funny essay, the right way. You can also check out a few examples of essays that have successfully included humor to give you a good idea of what’s appropriate for your writing.

To put it simply, college essays are needed because top colleges have lots of qualified candidates and, to get accepted, you need to stand out. It is estimated that, at top schools, there are at least four academically-qualified applicants for every open spot. This means that students hoping to gain admission to top schools must supplement outstanding grades with other outstanding qualities.

Ways to make yourself stand out include extracurriculars, recommendations and interviews, and essays. At the nation’s top schools, reports tell us that these non-academic factors are weighted respectively as accounting for 30%, 10%, and 25% of your overall admissions chances. The fact that essays account for 25% of your admissions chances means that they could be your key to acceptance at your dream school.

If you are interested in the specific factors that determine how important essays are for individual candidates at individual schools, check out this post .

Essays are heavily weighted in the admissions process because they are the only place where admissions officers get to hear directly from you. An individual’s voice says a lot about them—how mature they are, how comfortable they are with their experiences, and even how likable they are. These are important factors for admissions officers who are trying to see how you would fit in on their campus!

The gist of our answer: if your personality is funny, feel free to be funny! As we’ve said, an important opportunity provided to you by the college essay is the opportunity to show your personality. Humor, if done correctly, can be an important part of that.

That said, if you are only attempting humor because you think it is what admissions officers want to hear or because you think it will help you stand out, abandon ship and find a way to shape your essay that is true to your personality. Try writing down how you view your personality or ask friends and family for adjectives that describe your personality, then show that personality through your voice. It will be more natural this way!

Some elements of personality that could define your voice, if humor isn’t for you:

• Thoughtful/reflective
• Extroverted/social
• Charismatic
• Clever/witty
• Honest/authentic
• Considerate
• Practical/rational

Additionally, if you cannot follow some basic guidelines (listed below) for how to incorporate humor into your essay, you might want to change your course.

1. Be Appropriate

First things first: be appropriate. Humor is, of course, subjective, but make sure your subject matter would be considered appropriate by absolutely anyone reading it. Think about the most traditional person you know and make sure they would be okay with it. No jokes about sex, drugs, lying, crimes, or anything inappropriate—even if the joke is “obviously” against the inappropriate thing you are mentioning.

2. Don’t Be Overly Informal

You want your essay to position you as mature and intelligent, and the way you control language is a sign of maturity and intellect. That said, lots of humor—particularly the humor of young people and internet humor—are based on informality, intentional grammatical errors, and slang. These types of humor, while arguably funny, should be excluded from college essays!

As you write, remember that you know nothing about your admissions officer. Of course, you do not know their age, race, or gender, but you also don’t know their sense of humor. The last thing you want to do is make a joke with an intentional grammatical error and be perceived as unintelligent or make a joke with slang that confuses your reader and makes them think you don’t have a firm grasp of the English language.

3. Avoid Appearing Disrespectful or Inconsiderate

Humor often involves making fun of someone or something. It is very important that you do not make fun of the wrong things! In the last example, the student made fun of themself and their failed cooking experience. That is totally acceptable.

Things that you should not make fun of:

• Other people (particularly those in positions of authority)
• Political ideas
• Religious ideas
• Anything involving ethics, morals, or values

When you make fun of others, you risk sounding cold or unsympathetic. Admissions officers want to admit candidates who are mature and understand that they can never understand the struggles of others. That means you shouldn’t make a cutting joke about your old boss or an unintelligent politician who was running for your city mayor, even if they are the villain in your anecdote.

Similarly, avoid jokes about types of people. Avoid stereotypes in your jokes. 

In general, it is hard to write a humorous essay about a controversial subject. Controversial issues are typically issues that require deep thought and conversation, so if you intend to engage with them, you should consider a more reflective approach, or consider integrating reflection with your humor.

Here is an example of a student successfully poking fun at themself with their humor, while alluding to controversy:

My teenage rebellion started at age twelve. Though not yet technically a teenager, I dedicated myself to the cause: I wore tee shirts with bands on them that made my parents cringe, shopped exclusively at stores with eyebrow-pierced employees, and met every comforting idea the world offered me with hostility. Darkness was in my soul! Happiness was a construct meant for sheep! Optimism was for fools! My cynicism was a product of a world that gave birth to the War in Afghanistan around the same time it gave birth to me, that shot and killed my peers in school, that irreversibly melted ice caps and polluted oceans and destroyed forests. 

I was angry. I fought with my parents, my peers, and strangers. It was me versus the world. 

However, there’s a fundamental flaw in perpetual antagonism: it’s exhausting. My personal relationships suffered as my cynicism turned friends and family into bad guys in my eyes. As I kept up the fight, I found myself always tired, emotionally and physically. The tipping point came one morning standing at the bathroom sink before school.

This student engages with controversial subject matter, but the humorous parts are the parts where she makes fun of herself and her beliefs— “ Darkness was in my soul! Happiness was a construct meant for sheep! Optimism was for fools!” Additionally, the student follows up their humor with reflection: “ However, there’s a fundamental flaw in perpetual antagonism: it’s exhausting. My personal relationships suffered as my cynicism turned friends and family into bad guys in my eyes.”

This student is both funny and mature, witty and reflective, and, above all, a good writer with firm control of language.

4. Don’t Force It

We have already mentioned not to force humor, but we are mentioning it again because it is very important! 

Here is an example of a student whose forced humor detracts from the point of their essay:

To say I have always remained in my comfort zone is an understatement. Did I always order chicken fingers and fries at a restaurant? Yup! Sounds like me. Did I always create a color-coded itinerary just for a day trip? Guilty as charged. Did I always carry a first-aid kit at all times? Of course! I would make even an ambulance look unprepared. And yet here I was, choosing 1,000 miles of misery from Las Vegas to Seattle despite every bone in my body telling me not to.

The sunlight blinded my eyes and a wave of nausea swept over me. Was it too late to say I forgot my calculator? It was only ten minutes in, and I was certain that the trip was going to be a disaster. I simply hoped that our pre-drive prayer was not stuck in God’s voicemail box. 

As this student attempts to characterize themself as stuck in their ways (to eventually describe how they overcame this desire for comfort), their humor feels gimmicky. They describe their preparedness in a way that comes off as inauthentic. It’s funny to imagine them carrying around a first aid kit everywhere they go, but does the reader believe it? Then, when they write “ Was it too late to say I forgot my calculator? ” they create an image of themself as that goofy, overprepared kit in a sitcom. Sitcom characters don’t feel real and the point of a college essay is to make yourself seem like a real person to admissions officers. Don’t sacrifice your essay to humor.

5. Make Sure Your Humor Is Clear

Humor is subjective, so run your essay by people—lots and lots of people—to see if they are confused, offended, or distracted. Ask people to read your essay for content and see if they mention the humor (positively or negatively), but also specifically ask people what they think about the humor. Peer feedback is always important but becomes particularly useful when attempting a humorous essay.

Essay Example #1

Prompt: Tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years. (350 words)

Cooking is one of those activities at which people are either extremely talented or completely inept. Personally, I’ve found that I fall right in the middle, with neither prodigal nor abhorrent talents. After all, it’s just following instructions, right? Unfortunately, one disastrous night in my kitchen has me questioning that logic.

The task was simple enough: cook a turkey stir fry. In theory, it’s an extremely simple dish. However, almost immediately, things went awry. While I was cutting onions, I absentmindedly rubbed at my eyes and smeared my mascara. (Keep this in mind; it’ll come into play later.) I then proceeded to add the raw turkey to the vegetable pot. Now, as any good chef knows, this means that either the vegetables will burn or the turkey will be raw. I am admittedly not a good chef.

After a taste test, I decided to take a page out of the Spice Girls’ book and “spice up my life”, adding some red chili paste. This was my fatal mistake. The bottle spilled everywhere. Pot, counter, floor, I mean everywhere . While trying to clean up the mess, my hands ended up covered in sauce.

Foolishly, I decided to taste my ruined meal anyway. My tongue felt like it was on fire and I sprinted to the bathroom to rinse my mouth. I looked in the mirror and, noticing the raccoon eyes formed by my mascara, grabbed a tissue. What I had neglected to realize was that chili paste had transferred to the tissue—the tissue which I was using to wipe my eyes. I don’t know if you’ve ever put chili paste anywhere near your eyes, but here’s a word of advice: don’t. Seriously, don’t .

I fumbled blindly for the sink handle, mouth still on fire, eyes burning, presumably looking like a character out of a Tim Burton film. After I rinsed my face, I sat down and stared at my bowl of still-too-spicy and probably-somewhat-raw stir fry, wondering what ancient god had decided to take their anger out on me that night, and hoping I would never incur their wrath ever again.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay is an excellent example of how to successfully execute humor. The student’s informal tone helps to bridge the gap between them and the reader, making us feel like we are sitting across the table from them and laughing along. Speaking directly to the reader in sentences like, “ Keep this in mind; it’ll come into play later, ” and “ I don’t know if you’ve ever put chili paste anywhere near your eyes, but here’s a word of advice: don’t. Seriously, don’t,”  is a great tactic to downplay the formality of the essay.

The student’s humor comes through phrases like “ Now, as any good chef knows, this means that either the vegetables will burn or the turkey will be raw. I am admittedly not a good chef.” As this student plays on the common structure of “As any good (insert profession here) knows,” then subverts expectations, they make an easy-to-understand, casual but not flippant joke.

Similarly, the sentence “ I decided to take a page out of the Spice Girls’ book ,” reads in a light-hearted, funny tone. And, importantly, even if a reader had no idea who the Spice Girls were, they would recognize this as a pop-culture joke and would not be confused or lost in any way. The phrase “ raccoon eyes”  is another humorous inclusion—even if the reader doesn’t know what it’s like to rub their eyes while wearing mascara they can picture the rings around a raccoon and imagine the spectacle.

As you can see from this essay, humor works well when you engage universal and inoffensive concepts in ways that are casual enough to be funny, but still comprehensible.

Essay Example #2

Prompt: Due to a series of clerical errors, there is exactly one typo (an extra letter, a removed letter, or an altered letter) in the name of every department at the University of Chicago. Oops! Describe your new intended major. Why are you interested in it and what courses or areas of focus within it might you want to explore? Potential options include Commuter Science, Bromance Languages and Literatures, Pundamentals: Issues and Texts, Ant History… a full list of unmodified majors ready for your editor’s eye is available here. —Inspired by Josh Kaufman, AB’18

When I shared the video of me eating fried insects in Thailand, my friends were seriously offended. Some stopped talking to me, while the rest thought I had lost my mind and recommended me the names of a few psychologists. 

A major in Gastrophysics at UChicago is not for the faint hearted. You have to have a stomach for it! I do hope I am accepted to it as it is the only University in the U.S. with this unique major. My passion for trying unique food such as fish eye has made me want to understand the complexities of how it affects our digestive system. I understand that Gastrophysics started with a big pang of food, which quickly expanded to famish. Bite years are used to measure the amount of food ingested. I look forward to asking, “How many bite years can the stomach hold?” and “How do different enzymes react with the farticles?” 

Gastrophysics truly unravels the physics of food. At UChicago I will understand the intricacies of what time to eat, how to eat and how food will be digested. Do we need to take antiparticle acid if we feel acidity is becoming a matter of concern? At what angle should the mouth be, for the best possible tasting experience? When I tried crocodile meat, I found that at a 0 degree tilt, it tasted like fish and chicken at the same time. But the same tasted more like fish at a negative angle and like chicken at a positive angle. I want to unravel these mysteries in a class by Professor Daniel Holz in gravitational gastrophysics, understanding the unseen strong and weak forces at play which attract food to our stomachs. 

I find that Gastrophysics is also important for fastronomy. I want to learn the physics of fasting. How should we fast? Hubble bubble is a good chewing gum; an appetite suppressant in case you feel pangs of hunger. I have read how the UChicago Fastronauts are stepping up to test uncharted territories. Intermittent fasting is a new method being researched, and UChicago offers the opportunity for furthering this research. Which is better: fasting for 16 hours and eating for 8, or fasting for 24 hours twice a week? It is just one of the problems that UChicago offers a chance to solve. 

I can also study the new branch it offers that uses farticle physics. It is the science of tracking farticles and how they interact with each other and chemicals in the stomach space. It could give rise to supernovae explosions, turning people into gas giants. It would also teach about the best ways to expel gas and clean the system and prevent stomach space expansion. 

I want to take Fluid dynamics 101, another important course in Gastrophysics; teaching about the importance of water and other fluids in the body, and the most important question: what happens if you try to drink superfluids? 

I hope to do interdisciplinary courses with observational gastrophysicists and work with environmental science majors to track how much methane is given by the human and animal gastrointestinal tract in the atmosphere and how much it contributes to the global climate change. I believe, with the help of courses in date science, they have been able to keep a track of how much methane is entering each day, and they found that during Dec 24-Jan 3 period, a spike in the methane and ethane levels could be seen. Accordingly, algorithms are being programmed to predict the changes all year round. I would love to use my strong mathematical background to explore these algorithms. 

These courses are specially designed by the distinguished faculty of UChicago. Doing interdisciplinary research in collaboration with biological science students to determine what aliens may eat, with fart historians to know more about the intestinal structure of medieval Italians, Japanese, Chinese, Swedish and French people to better their lives is what I look forward to. The Paris study abroad program is an immersion course into fastronomy, where I will have the opportunity to test my self-control with all the amazing French food and desserts around! 

My stomach rumbles now, so I am going out to try out new food – hopefully it will be in Chicago a few months later. 

This is a fun essay! This student’s voice is present and their goofy personality is especially evident. Not only did they change the name of their major, but this student incorporated word play throughout the essay to showcase their imagination. Phrases like “ the big pang of food ”, “ bite years ”, “ fastronauts ”, and “ farticle physics ” keep the tone lighthearted and amusing.

Incorporating this style of humor takes a lot of creativity to be able to still convey your main idea while also earning a chuckle from your readers. While some jokes are a bit more low-brow—” farticles ” or “ fart historians ” for example—they are balanced out by some that are more clever and require a bit of thinking to get the A-ha moment (referencing the Hubble telescope as “ Hubble bubble chewing gum “). You might not feel comfortable including less sophisticated jokes in your essay at all, but if you do want to go down that path, having more intellectual sources of humor is important to provide balance.

Another positive of the essay is the continued thread of humor throughout. Sometimes humor is used as a tool in the introduction and abandoned in favor of practical information about the student. This essay manages to tell us about the student and their interests without sacrificing the laugh factor. Weaving humor throughout the essay like this makes the humor feel more genuine and helps us better understand this student’s personality.  

Essay Example #3

Prompt:   Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? (650 words)

Scalding hot water cascades over me, crashing to the ground in a familiar, soothing rhythm. Steam rises to the ceiling as dried sweat and soap suds swirl down the drain. The water hisses as it hits my skin, far above the safe temperature for a shower. The pressure is perfect on my tired muscles, easing the aches and bruises from a rough bout of sparring and the tension from a long, stressful day. The noise from my overactive mind dies away, fading into music, lyrics floating through my head. Black streaks stripe the inside of my left arm, remnants of the penned reminders of homework, money owed and forms due. 

It lacks the same dynamism and controlled intensity of sparring on the mat at taekwondo or the warm tenderness of a tight hug from my father, but it’s still a cocoon of safety as the water washes away the day’s burdens. As long as the hot water is running, the rest of the world ceases to exist, shrinking to me, myself and I. The shower curtain closes me off from the hectic world spinning around me. 

Much like the baths of Blanche DuBois, my hot showers are a means of cleansing and purifying (though I’m mostly just ridding myself of the germs from children at work sneezing on me). In the midst of a hot shower, there is no impending exam to study for, no newspaper deadline to meet, no paycheck to deposit. It is simply complete and utter peace, a safe haven. The steam clears my mind even as it clouds my mirror. 

Creativity thrives in the tub, breathing life into tales of dragons and warrior princesses that evolve only in my head, never making their way to paper but appeasing the childlike dreamer and wannabe author in me all the same. That one calculus problem that has seemed unsolvable since second period clicks into place as I realize the obvious solution. The perfect concluding sentence to my literary analysis essay writes itself (causing me to abruptly end my shower in a mad dash to the computer before I forget it entirely).  

Ever since I was old enough to start taking showers unaided, I began hogging all the hot water in the house, a source of great frustration to my parents. Many of my early showers were rudely cut short by an unholy banging on the bathroom door and an order to “stop wasting water and come eat dinner before it gets cold.” After a decade of trudging up the stairs every evening to put an end to my water-wasting, my parents finally gave in, leaving me to my (expensive) showers. I imagine someday, when paying the water bill is in my hands, my showers will be shorter, but today is not that day (nor, hopefully, will the next four years be that day). 

Showers are better than any ibuprofen, the perfect panacea for life’s daily ailments. Headaches magically disappear as long as the water runs, though they typically return in full force afterward. The runny nose and itchy eyes courtesy of summertime allergies recede. Showers alleviate even the stomachache from a guacamole-induced lack of self-control. 

Honestly though, the best part about a hot shower is neither its medicinal abilities nor its blissful temporary isolation or even the heavenly warmth seeped deep into my bones. The best part is that these little moments of pure, uninhibited contentedness are a daily occurrence. No matter how stressful the day, showers ensure I always have something to look forward to. They are small moments, true, but important nonetheless, because it is the little things in life that matter; the big moments are too rare, too fleeting to make anyone truly happy. Wherever I am in the world, whatever fate chooses to throw at me, I know I can always find my peace at the end of the day behind the shower curtain.

While the humor in this essay isn’t as direct as the others, the subtle inclusion of little phrases in parentheses throughout the essay bring some comedy without feeling overbearing. 

The contrast of elegant and posh Blanche DuBois and “ germs from children at work sneezing on me ” paints an ironic picture that you can’t help but laugh at. The ability to describe universal experiences also brings a level of humor to the essay. For example, the reader might laugh at the line, “ abruptly end my shower in a mad dash to the computer before I forget it entirely,”  because it brings to mind moments when they have done the same.

This student also achieves a humorous tone by poking fun at themselves. Admitting that they were “ hogging all the hot water, ” leading to “ (expensive) showers, ” as well as describing their stomachache as a “ guacamole-induced lack of self-control, ” keeps the tone casual and easy-going. Everybody has their flaws, and in this case long showers and guacamole are the downfall of this student.

While the tips and tricks we’ve given you will be extremely helpful when writing, it’s often not that simple. Feedback is ultimately any writer’s best source of improvement—especially when it comes to an element like humor which, naturally, can be hit-or-miss! 

To get your college essay edited for free, use our Peer Review Essay Tool . With this tool, other students can tell you if your humor is effective/appropriate and help you improve your essay so that you can have the best chances of admission to your dream schools.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How to Make Writing Fun: Engaging Tips for Enjoyable Composition

Written by Dan

Transforming the writing process into an engaging experience is essential for writers of all ages and stages. Finding joy in writing can dramatically improve a writer’s motivation and the quality of their work.

By incorporating playful strategies and creative exercises, the act of writing transcends routine, becoming an adventure in expression and imagination.

Emphasising the fun aspects of writing helps combat writer’s block and stirs enthusiasm, leading to a nurturing environment where ideas flourish.

Creating an enjoyable writing practice involves tapping into one’s creativity, which may include using fun activities like story maps or writing prompts that prompt laughter and thought-provoking scenarios.

It’s about constructing a space where the writer feels comfortable and inspired.

Regular writing fosters skill development, and by making it an enjoyable habit, young and seasoned writers alike can enhance their abilities while looking forward to each writing opportunity.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Embracing creativity leads to a more enjoyable writing experience.
• A supportive environment is key to maintaining writing motivation.
• Consistent practice is vital for skill enhancement in writing.

Igniting the Spark of Creativity

To make writing entertainment, one must stoke their creativity. This section details how to use writing prompts, engage with existing works, and try creative writing activities to ignite the imagination.

Exploring Writing Prompts and Ideas

Writing prompts are a splendid way to kick-start a creative session. They can challenge a writer to think differently and start on an unexpected journey.

For instance, someone could explore unique creative writing prompts that range from everyday scenarios to the utterly fantastical, planting the seeds for a range of stories or themes to explore.

Engaging with Literature and Poetry

Immersing oneself in literature and poetry is known to enrich one’s own creative faculties .

Reading diverse genres and styles exposes a writer to new phrases, plots, and character depths that they can then weave into their writing.

One can draw inspiration from a collection of sentence prompts that derive from poetic lines or literary excerpts, integrating the rhythms and nuances of seasoned writers into their work.

Creative Writing Activities for Inspiration

Engaging in creative writing activities often sparks inspiration and breaks through the feared writer’s block.

Writers can embrace strategies such as changing environments or engaging in collaborative storytelling, much like the guidance found in the article on overcoming the writer’s block .

Through these activities, they can solicit feedback, challenge their own norms, and unlock a treasure trove of creative ideas.

Cultivating a Fun Writing Environment

Creating a fun writing environment involves more than just a physical space; it involves incorporating elements that stimulate creativity and enjoyment.

One can transform the writing process into a delightful activity by using music and art, ensuring a comfortable setting, and integrating technology.

Using Music and Art to Enhance Writing

Music can significantly influence the atmosphere of a writing space, providing a rhythmic backdrop that can both soothe and energise the writer. For example, classical music might create a focused environment, while jazz could stimulate creative thinking.

Similarly, the presence of art , such as a colourful comic strip on the wall, can serve as a source of inspiration and a visual break from the text.

The Importance of a Comfortable Setting

A comfortable physical environment is crucial for a pleasant writing experience. This includes ergonomic furniture, such as a supportive chair and a desk at the correct height to prevent strain.

It also involves natural light and fresh air, which have been shown to improve mood and cognitive function, thereby making the process more enjoyable.

Integrating Technology in the Writing Process

The integration of technology into the writing environment can make the process more fun and efficient. Tools such as digital notebooks and writing software provide freedom to organise thoughts and ideas easily.

Moreover, writing apps with gamification elements can turn the act of writing into an engaging and rewarding experience, making it appealing even for those who may not traditionally enjoy writing.

By thoughtfully considering these aspects, one can cultivate an environment that brings joy to the writing process.

Overcoming Writing Challenges

In the journey of making writing enjoyable, addressing the challenges that hinder progress is crucial. Whether these barriers stem from fear or a lack of skill, tailored strategies can facilitate a more enjoyable writing experience.

Addressing Common Fears and Anxieties

Writers often grapple with fears such as doubt in their abilities or anxiety about the reception of their work. It’s essential to recognise that these fears are common and that overcoming them is a significant step towards enjoying the writing process.

Identifying specific fears , like writer’s block or fear of criticism, allows individuals to tackle these issues proactively with various writing activities .

Strategies for Reluctant Writers

Reluctance to write can stem from numerous factors, including a perceived lack of skill or interest in the activity. To engage reluctant writers , incorporating fun and creative writing prompts can spark interest.

Additionally, setting achievable goals and providing consistent positive feedback can motivate reluctant writers to persevere and discover the joy in writing.

Improving Handwriting and Letter Formation

Handwriting difficulties can diminish the enjoyment of writing, particularly for younger learners. Focusing on handwriting and letter formation through repetitive practice can drastically improve this skill.

Utilising tracing activities and emphasising the correct formation of letters are practical steps in this improvement. This educational resource offers worksheets and activities to help refine handwriting abilities.

By concentrating on the individual challenges a writer faces and offering supportive, growth-oriented tactics, one can transform the writing process into an engaging and pleasurable experience.

Enhancing Writing Through Practice

To make strides in one’s writing abilities, consistent practice paired with reflective refinement are crucial. Adopting a structured approach to daily exercises and attending diligently to the technical aspects of writing can elevate both enjoyment and proficiency.

Daily Writing Exercises

Engaging in daily writing exercises fosters discipline and sparks creativity. An individual might start with a simple goal of 150 words per day and gradually increase the target.

They could explore different genres or focus on a single topic to deepen their expertise. Whether it’s crafting short stories or experimenting with poetry , the key is to make this a regular routine that writers look forward to each day.

• Weekday : Descriptive passages
• Weekend : Creative storytelling

Incorporating Feedback and Reflection

An essential part of improving one’s writing is the ability to incorporate feedback and invest time in reflection . Writers should seek constructive criticism from peers or mentors and reflect on the insights provided.

By keeping a journal to note down reflections on their writing journey, they systematically enhance their skills.

• Collect feedback from various sources.
• Schedule time weekly to reflect on comments and identify areas for improvement.

The Role of Grammar and Spelling in Writing

Strong writing is underpinned by a solid grasp of grammar and spelling . Even the most imaginative stories can lose their lustre if they are riddled with errors.

Hence, one should always utilise tools and resources to check their writing, and consider revisiting the basics through reliable online platforms or comprehensive guides when necessary.

Grammar Resources:

• Online grammar checkers
• English grammar guides

Spelling Improvement :

• Spelling apps
• Daily spelling quizzes

Developing Skills in Young Writers

Cultivating a young writer’s ability requires a deliberate mix of theory and practice. Teachers can transform the process into an engaging and multifaceted educational journey with targeted writing lessons, dynamic writing activities, and a strong emphasis on reading.

Writing Lessons in the Classroom

The groundwork for effective writing begins with structured writing lessons in the classroom. Teachers should focus on age-appropriate literacy frameworks involving students in various writing styles, such as narratives and persuasive texts.

This equips them with a diverse skill set, vital for their development. For example, balancing group activities and solo tasks helps students appreciate different aspects of the writing process.

Fun Writing Activities for Students

Engaging in fun writing activities can significantly enhance a student’s writing experience. Activities like ‘Think-Write-Pass’, where students write spontaneously before passing their work on for peer input, inject a playful element into the learning environment.

Moreover, including tasks that reflect children’s interests and everyday life contexts can create a sense of relevance and increase their willingness to participate.

Encouraging Reading to Improve Writing

A robust relationship exists between reading and writing development. Encouraging students to read a wide range of genres enriches their vocabulary and exposes them to different writing styles.

This exposure is essential for them to be able to analyse and imitate quality writing, thereby enhancing their own writing competencies. Teachers might consider setting up a classroom library to provide easy access to a variety of books.

Related Posts

About The Author

I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

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How To Write Better Essays: 5 Outside-the-Box Techniques + Writing Tips

Table of contents

Brinda Gulati

Stuck on a B, chasing that A+? We've all been there. 

I have two degrees in Creative Writing from the University of Warwick with First Class Honors. From 2013 to 2014, I also studied English Literature at the National University of Singapore. 

Translation: I’ve written a lot of academic essays.

Some good. Some inspired. And others, plain lousy.

After a few Bs and the occasional C, I cracked the code on writing good essays. An average academic essay answers a question; but an essay that gets an A+ solves a problem — whether through discussion, analysis, definition, comparison, or evaluation. 

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through how to write better essays. You’ll learn how to construct bullet-proof arguments with five unique thinking techniques, cut the fluff, and discover F.O.C.U.S. to improve your essay writing skills. 

Because essays don’t have to be boring. And writing them doesn’t have to either. 

What Makes A Good Essay?

What is “good” writing? The answer is subjective. For example, I loved reading My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, but to some, it might be drivel. 

Nonetheless, many examples of good writing share some core qualities. 

There are five overarching qualities of good essay writing : flow, organization, clarity, unity, and specificity. 

I’ve made a fun little acronym to help you remember them better: F.O.C.U.S.™️

F low: Does the writing flow smoothly from one point to the next? 

O rganization: Have you structured your essay with a clear beginning, middle, and end?  

C larity: Is the writing clear, error-free, and unambiguous? 

U nity: Are all the elements of your writing supporting the central thesis?

S pecificity: Have you provided specific details, examples, and evidence to justify your main points? 

A Fellow at The European Graduate School, and my most cherished mentor, Dr. Jeremy Fernando , has perhaps read, written, and graded thousands of academic essays over the years. 

His advice?  

“You’re asking the reader to go on an explorative journey with you; the least you should do is ensure the trip you’re taking them on is the same as the advertised one.”

5 Creative Thinking Techniques For Writing Better Essays

The thing is, good essay writing doesn’t start at — or even as — writing . 

There’s reading, re-reading, pre-writing, revising, then actually writing, editing, and then writing some more.

As with most persuasive arguments , you need frameworks: points of reference, mental models, and structured approaches to guide your decision making.  

That's exactly what we have here. 

1. Try Reverse Outlining

A reverse outline is just what it sounds like: a process that distills a paper down to its bare essentials, leaving only the key points and topic sentences. The result? A clear, bullet-point blueprint of the paper's structure, whether it's your own work or someone else's.

Key Benefits: 

✅Creates an X-ray of a paper's structure to identify its central arguments and assess its logical flow.

✅Helps you actively engage with someone else’s work to deepen your understanding of the material.

✅Reveals structural issues in your own essay, such as missing or misplaced points, redundancies, or weak arguments.

How To Create A Reverse Outline:

This is a two-step, and perhaps infinitely repeatable process.

Take a blank page and draw a line straight down the middle.

• In the left-hand margin, write down the keywords for each paragraph in your essay. Stick to the main points. Be brief. 
• In the right-hand margin, write down how the keyword or topic supports the main argument. Again, don't sit down to write Bonfire of the Vanities . Make it concise . The goal is to persuasively explain your arguments in a few words.

2. Practice The Lotus Blossom Technique

In this structured brainstorming exercise, you plant your main problem in the center box of a 3x3 grid. Then, you’ll fill the surrounding boxes with related themes to expand your thinking. The method was developed by Yasuo Matsumura at Clover Management Research in Japan.

Key Benefits:

✅ A fun, novel alternative to traditional mind-mapping and spider-diagramming.  

✅Helps you visualize your essay slowly unfolding from its core. (Like a lotus, basically.)

✅I like how it's creative and thorough at the same time. An equal combination of freedom and structure.

How To Practice The Lotus Blossom Technique:

• Put your problem/essay question in the center square.
• Fill in the surrounding eight boxes with ideas related to the problem. At this point, you don’t need to elaborate. 
• Now, flesh out each of your eight ideas. Or, as with the lotus flower image — add another row of petals. 

When all your boxes are filled in, you'll have 64 ideas for one essay argument. As far as starting-off points go, this one’s hard to beat. 

Pro Tip : Did you know that dim light is a creative stimulant? Go dark. Light some candles.

3. Build A Toulmin Argument Model

According to philosopher Stephen E. Toulmin, arguments are broken down into six key components: claim, grounds, warrant, qualifier, rebuttal, and backing. 

There are three essential parts to every argument: the claim, the grounds, and the warrant.

• The claim is the main argument you want to prove to your audience. 
• The grounds of an argument are the evidence and facts that support it.
• The warrant is the assumption which links a claim to its grounds, whether implied or explicitly stated.

✅Craft persuasive arguments through an in-depth analysis that closely examines each part of your essay.

✅Analyzing an argument from its components can help clarify its logic.

✅The rebuttal component encourages you to anticipate and address counterarguments. The more perspectives you consider, the more well-rounded your argument will be.

How To Build A Toulmin Argument Model:

Let’s take a published paper — “ Coffee and Health: A Review of Recent Human Research ” by Jane V. Higdon and Balz Frei — and break it down using the Toulmin model. 

Get Wordtune for free > Get Wordtune for free >

• Claim: Consuming moderate amounts of coffee (3-4 cups a day with 300-400 mg of caffeine) has few health risks and some health benefits. Nevertheless, caffeine may be more harmful to pregnant women, children, adolescents, and the elderly.
• Grounds: According to epidemiological studies, coffee may prevent diabetes type 2, Parkinson's disease, and liver disease. 
• Warrant: Studies suggest that coffee consumption in moderation may have some health benefits and poses minimal health risks.
• Backing : A number of well-designed prospective cohort studies with large sample sizes are cited as supporting evidence. 
• Qualifier: This study applies specifically to healthy adults who consume moderate amounts of filtered coffee. Optimal intake hasn’t been defined. 
• Rebuttal: Some may be more sensitive to negative effects. Further research is needed.

I don’t know about you, but I often get convinced of my own arguments when writing essays, and then it’s hard for me to consider other perspectives.

So, if you want a sparring buddy, here’s how Wordtune can help you with counterarguments:

First, I’ve copy-pasted our claim from above 👇🏼

Next, click on the little purple sparkle icon and choose “Counterargument” from the drop-down menu. 

Lo and behold! Not only does Wordtune provide accurate contextual suggestions for a convincing opposing opinion, it goes one step further and cites a clickable source for the research .

Nothing short of time-saving magic , if you ask me.

4. Ask The Five Whys

You need to ask “why” five times to get to the root of any problem. That’s what the inventor of the method, and founder of Toyota Industries, Sakichi Toyoda, believed. 

✅The approach identifies the real problem, not just its surface symptoms. 

✅It’s an easy-to-do and straightforward process that gets to the heart of your essay question.

✅Use this approach in combination with the Toulmin Model to build a killer essay argument.

Asking The Five Whys:

Let’s look at a sample essay question and drill down to its core.

When you have the core of the problem in your palm, you can then start thinking of solutions. Perhaps finding more cost-effective ways to train and support teachers. Or exploring alternative funding options, such as grants and partnerships with local businesses.

5. Experiment With The Ben Franklin Exercise

Franklin wasn’t always a prodigious scholar. While working at a print shop, he reverse engineered the prose from the British magazine, The Spectator , to learn how to write better without a tutor. 

He took detailed notes at a sentence level, contemplated them for some time, and then re-created the sentences without looking at the originals.

In fact, research from MIT shows that it's “not just the study of tiny details that accelerates learning; the act of assembling those details yourself is what makes the difference.” This is called constructionist learning. 

✅Improve your essay writing by studying works of skilled authors through practiced imitation.

✅Organizing your notes from memory will help you construct a solid structure for your essay, and evaluate any gaps in logic and flow.

✅Actively deconstructing and constructing the material allows you to engage deeply with it, and therefore, write better essays.

How I Use The Ben Franklin Exercise:

One of my favorite passages in Literature — as clichéd as may it be — is from Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club . 

• Note how “strongest” and “smartest” are alliterative words, creating a sense of rhythm right in the first sentence.
• The imagery of banality — pumping gas, waiting tables, etc. is at once, vivid and relatable, moving and unmoving.
• The phrase “midddle children of the history man” places the narrative in a broader, more relevant context.
• Notice how the “g” is capitalized for the first mention of war and depression, but then it switches to a small “g” for the same words in the next sentence.
• The repetition of “very very pissed off” is much more effective than simply saving “livid.”

Similarly, start by taking a paragraph from an essay you like. Make sentence-level notes and rewrite its essence without looking at it. 

My Top Tips To Write A Good Essay

1. write lousy first drafts.

You heard me. Write as if your keyboard doesn’t have keys for punctuation. Write as if no one is ever going to read your essay. The goal is to eliminate self-censorship . When you first start writing down your main points, don’t assume the role of a self-editor. 

TRY THIS : Open a blank page, set a timer for two and a half minutes, and type until the bell goes off. Take a break. Repeat. Don’t re-read what you’ve typed. 

Forget proper spelling. Forget good grammar. Those polishes are all for later, when you have something to polish. 

This is freewriting. 

And it’s wildly effective in getting you to stop thinking about deadlines, blinking cursors, and that A+. My highest-scoring essays have all begun with messy, unstructured, poorly-worded first drafts. 

2. Read Other Essays Like A Writer

Think of your favorite book. What makes you call it your favorite? Or a series you’ve watched recently. ( Behind Her Eyes is especially good.) What compels you to see it all the way through? The same principle applies to good essay writing. Have you read an essay in your research that hooked you? Or a friend’s work you wish you could put your name to? 

Read like a writer — become a proactive participant in examining why the writing works. Instead of passively drawing stars next to important observations, ask yourself, “ Why do I like these passages? What are they doing? And how are they doing it?” (Use the Ben Franklin Exercise here.)

Take apart the essay you’re reading like a forensic pathologist doing an autopsy. 

3. Start With An Outline

Speaking of autopsies, a good essay has good bones. Once you’ve disgorged your ideas on the page, start arranging them under headers. 

This blog too, was born in the Notes app on my phone. But if you’re taking the reader with you somewhere, you should know where you’re headed too. 

Pro Tip : Keep two working documents for your essay. One where you dump all the links, sources, and keywords. The other is where you work on your final draft for submission.

4. Cut The Fluff

The deadline’s in a few hours and you’re scrambling to hit minimum word count . Long, winding sentences with gratuitous adjectives you’ve just looked up in the thesaurus to sound more cerebral, erudite, scholarly.

I get it. I’ve done it. And those essays have bellyflopped. Professors know when you’re trying to game them.

Here’s an actual sentence from one of my essays I wrote in 2017:

“Ibsen’s realist drama, and in particular, A Doll’s House , is replete with the problems that chapter and verse modern life – the patriarchal model of the family, money and debt, and the performance of gender.”

And much to my embarrassment, this is the scathing comment from my then-professor: 

“This makes no sense.”

Let’s rework this sentence to make sense using Wordtune (a clever AI helper I wish I had during my university days):

“The patriarchal family model, money and debt, and gendered performance are all apparent in Ibsen's realist drama, especially A Doll's House .”

Much more sensible. 

5. Get Feedback, Edit, And Revise

I can’t emphasize this enough — don’t submit your first draft! Have someone else read it, perhaps a friend in the same class or even from a different major. Look at their eyebrows to see which sections make them frown in confusion. 

Ask them to red-pen sentences and logical gaps. And then —- edit, edit edit! 

Sleep on it. Let the essay stew in the back of your mind for a full night, and come back to it with fresh eyes.

Start (Pre-)Writing Better Essays

The ability to write persuasively will serve you well no matter what stage of your life you are in: high school, university scholar, or a professional trying to get ahead. After all, the human mind is hardwired for storytelling.

Remember, the key is to F.O.C.U.S.

Whether you’re crawling or speeding towards a deadline, bag that A+ with a smart AI assistant like Wordtune !

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Writing for Fun: A Guide to Playfulness for Serious Writers

by Sue Weems | 0 comments

Writing is a lot of work, and there are definitely parts of the process that aren’t fun. But if writing has become a drudgery, if it’s become something you dread every day, then maybe it’s time for a little play to reinvigorate your love for writing. What if you were writing for fun?

I’ve spent most of my teaching career with high school and college students, but I had the opportunity to work as an elementary librarian for a few years, running book and writing clubs and basically playing in the literary sandbox with kids. It was a blast.

The kids who came to my book and writing clubs embraced the experimental in their work, willing to play with words in a way I’d not seen in the majority of my teen and adult students. I remember a student who would read the same line or page in a book with multiple voices, each one adding a new line or slightly altering the message and tone until we couldn’t hear his voice anymore over our laughter. 

It was pure joy. 

Joy: lost and found

As I went back to my high school and college classrooms, I found that most of my students loathed writing. If I announced a writing project or exploration, it was met with groans. The questions that these writers asked included, “How long does it have to be?” and “Am I done?” Writing had become pure torture.

Somewhere along the way, someone made them feel like they weren’t writers. They stopped trusting their own creativity and voice.

As I began to unpack why, most reported that all the fun had been drained out of writing with uninteresting prompts and five-paragraph essays. They didn’t have time or the option to write about things that interested them. Too often we prioritize academic niche writing at the expense of every other form that we consume and enjoy daily. 

My first goal is always the same: help them rediscover their voice and ability to play with language. Put another way, help them rediscover writing for fun . I gently nudge writers toward topics and forms they like, in hopes they would rekindle some of that childhood curiosity and creativity. We begin to see pages in notebooks filled where blank lines had once sat hopeless. 

Invariably, I begin to hear conversations that include, “Listen to this!” and “OMG, I’ve never written this much before.” 

A few students still eye me warily, sure I'm about to force them to turn their fun into something they’ll dread. Instead, we find the lines that sing, we find one thing to improve, and we keep going. 

Volume and deliberate practice yield results. And the way to more volume? The way to keep going? Is to make the writing practice fun.

But what about (cough, cough) serious writing

That’s fine and well, you might say, but what about the *serious writing*? I teach that too, but students need freedom in topics and form as much as possible. And I would argue that *serious writing,* like all good writing, is created from a place of fervency (some call it exigence)—the topic matters, and the form rises to meet the needs of the writer and the audience. 

But don’t underestimate the power of play. We don’t outgrow it.

My college classes are finishing an argumentative writing course right now, and their culminating project asks them to engage a form creatively that uses the same skills we applied to formal academic writing: research, curation, analysis, and synthesis.

Some students are analyzing true crime podcasts. Others are building public service announcements. Some are writing fiction and others are honing creative skills like learning a complex piano piece and tracking development. 

I’ve heard comments such as, “I hadn’t thought of this as writing!” and “I can’t believe I get to do this for school. I’m learning so much. Thank you!” 

Turns out the best way to take your writing seriously is to play. 

For adults: Meet your mentor, a kid

How do we do it, then? Is it really as simple as, “OK, today I’m going to play”?

For kids, it is—they don’t think so much about the rules and what sells and what’s expected. If you’ve ever played a game with a child who was improvising the day as she went along, you’ve experienced this. 

 For adults, I’ll wager we’re all sitting at our laptops trying to force ourselves into some childlike state, fingers poised over the keyboard. “Play, darn it! Write for fun!” Really, we need to start by letting our minds wander.

What games did you love as a kid? Make a list or describe a game the way you remember it. Then write a variation.

Add something absurd. Add an alliterative line. Smile as you write or type.

Take a snack break. Smell something near you and describe it to your dog. 

Read something that makes you laugh. Read something that takes your breath away. Describe what happened or mimic the form.

Don’t think about what you’re going to do with the writing that emerges. Just play. The experience is its own reward. 

For kids: The Write Summer Camp 2020

Do you have a child age 7 to 14 whom you would love to see keep their writing joy and develop it this summer? 

We’ve gathered a group of bestselling authors, professional writers, and award-winning teachers to create a fun, interactive, week-long writing experience.

Camp sessions are all held online, and we combine the right blend of writing instruction, encouraging feedback, and lots of writing fun for kids. 

During your child’s Write Summer Camp experience, they’ll get to:

• Learn from professional writers
• Find and develop ideas for writing
• Write their own story, ready to share by the end of camp
• Practice revising their own work using feedback
• Build their creative muscles and writing confidence

We're inviting kids ages 7 to 14 to play with writing this summer. Sound like fun?

Learn more and apply »

No matter your age, you can always rekindle the joy of play in your writing. Relax and give yourself permission to be silly. Let your curiosity and whimsy guide you.

Remember, the more you write for fun and enjoy the process, the more others will enjoy reading it!

When have you found joy in writing? What are your favorite ways to play in your writing? Share in the comments . 

Take fifteen minutes . Make a list of your favorite childhood games or describe a game the way you remember it.

Then write a variation. Add something absurd. Add an alliterative line. Smile as you write or type. Take a snack break. Smell something near you and describe it to your dog.

Alternately? Just sit on the floor and tinker with something for ten minutes , and then come back and describe the experience. 

Share your play in the comments below , and be sure to leave feedback for your fellow writers!

Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler with an advanced degree in (mostly fictional) revenge. When she’s not rationalizing her love for parentheses (and dramatic asides), she follows a sailor around the globe with their four children, two dogs, and an impossibly tall stack of books to read. You can read more of her writing tips on her website .

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8 Tips to Make Writing Fun Again

How to make writing more enjoyable.

The Writing Cooperative

Those of us who are just starting out as writers may find that the excitement can die out a little bit. Even experienced writers may face this issue. There are actually quite a few ways to make writing more fun, but some take more time than others.

Write with the help of a writing prompt

Sometimes you just need a little prompt to get the ideas flowing in your brain. Those of us who let writer’s block take control of us need to do two things.

First, do a quick Google search. Find some good ideas that interest you.

Second, don’t let writer’s block affect you in the first place. Keep a journal of ideas and prompts at hand. Whenever an idea strikes, write it down. You may think you’ll remember it, but you probably won’t.

Solving the Mystery of Writer’s Block

Does it even exist, illustrate your writing.

Your readers are people, and people are very visual creatures. We like to have some sort of aid to show us what a piece of writing is…

Written by Ben Soyka

Nice to meet you! I'm a technology-loving student writing whatever comes to mind.

Text to speech

165 Fun Essay Topics

Essay writing is a common way for instructors to assess students’ critical thinking, writing skills, and knowledge of a particular topic.

While writing an essay may not always be the most entertaining way to learn, it does help students become active learners who can construct well-supported arguments.

Many students often face various challenges when it comes to essay writing, but the truth is that essay writing can be a lot easier when choosing a fun essay topic to write about.

By choosing a fun essay topic that interests the students, writing assignments become more productive and less daunting.

Check out the four types of essays students can be assigned, along with a list of 165 fun essay topics to write about. By combining these helpful writing tips with the list of fun essay topics, students can easily create well-crafted essays.

The Four Types of Essay

Regardless of the assignment, essay formats can be categorized into four major types. Each type has its own unique purpose and structure. By understanding the structure, guidelines, and formatting of each essay type, students can be sure to ace each writing assignment.

Narrative Essay

The narrative essay is the most common type of essay students will encounter in their academic careers. A narrative essay tells a story and is often used to reflect on personal experiences.

The structure of a narrative essay typically includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction introduces the reader to the story while the body develops the story with necessary details. Finally, the ending wraps up the story and provides a final thought.

To write a solid narrative essay, students should start by introducing the characters and setting of the story. They should also include essential plot points that help develop the story. By providing readers with a clear understanding of the story, students can create an engaging experience for their readers.

Argumentative Essay

The argumentative essay is a typical assignment in many college courses, especially in fields such as history. An argumentative essay presents a claim and defends this claim from a variety of angles. Often, an argumentative essay will be supported by evidence or research that has been collected in advance.

The introductory paragraph of an argumentative essay should introduce the claim and provide a brief background to establish why this claim is necessary. The body of the argumentative essay includes evidence for both sides of the argument while allowing students to present their final argument that should be defended in the concluding paragraph.

The three types of arguments that can be included in an argumentative essay are affirmative, negative, and alternative. An affirmative argument supports the claim, while an opposing argument denies the claim. Finally, an alternative argument suggests a different solution to the problem.

To create a strong argumentative essay, students should use evidence from credible sources, develop their arguments logically, and use clear writing.

Expository Essay

An expository essay is often assigned for courses such as science and mathematics. Expository essays allow students to explore a particular topic in-depth through the use of facts, data, research, and examples.

To write an effective expository essay, students can organize their thoughts by first creating an outline with specific topics from which they will be able to gather information for each paragraph.

Students should include a thesis statement in the first paragraph that introduces the topic of the essay. The following paragraphs should explore the information researched, while the conclusion should summarize the main points.

To ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism, students should use credible sources when gathering information for their expository essays.

Descriptive Essay

One of the most popular types of essays, the descriptive essay, allows students to describe a person, place, or thing in great detail. A descriptive essay paints a picture for the reader by using sensory details.

The structure of a descriptive essay typically includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should consist of a brief description of the subject, while the body should provide detailed information about the topic. The conclusion should summarize the essay and solidify the main points.

To write an engaging descriptive essay, students should use sensory details, active verbs, and explicit language to create vivid images for their readers. By using these techniques, students will be able to turn their essays into striking and enjoyable writing pieces.

Overcoming the Challenges of Essay Writing

The challenges students face with any form of essay writing often cause trouble starting or finishing the essay. One way to overcome these challenges is to break the essay writing process down into smaller steps.

First, students should brainstorm ideas for their essay. Once they have a list of ideas, they can then decide on a topic.

Next, students should gather evidence and research to support their arguments. After that, students can outline their essay and write body paragraphs.

Finally, they can write the introduction and conclusion.

By breaking the essay writing process down into smaller steps, students can better focus on one task at a time and make the process less daunting. Additionally, this approach will help them to produce a high-quality essay that is well-organized and properly researched.

Any of these topics will provide students with a fun writing prompt that will keep them engaged with the assignment and allow the reader to understand the topic fully.

Fun Essay Topics for Narrative Essays

• The best time I ever had
• A party that went too far
• The best day of my life
• My favorite holiday
• Memories of my childhood
• My scariest experience
• When I got in trouble at school
• Why home is the best place to be
• My favorite tradition
• Ways to overcome a fear
• The importance of respect towards others
• My most embarrassing moment
• The most embarrassing thing my parents ever did in public
• A silly thing I did for attention
• How I learned Santa Claus wasn’t real
• My most embarrassing fashion moment
• Something I have secretly always wanted
• How I dance when nobody’s looking
• How I broke a bone
• When my parents embarrassed me as a teenager
• My best first kiss
• The worst thing that happened on Halloween
• A day that changed my life
• What I wished for on New Year’s Eve and what actually happened
• The most fun I’ve ever had with my friends
• Ways to escape from boredom

Fun Essay Topics for Argumentative Essays

• Why movie remakes are a bad idea
• The pros and cons of being bilingual
• How to make learning more fun
• The best way to break up with someone
• What is the best animal on the planet
• Why strawberry is the best ice cream flavor
• Why the customer is always right
• Is it ever okay to steal
• Can insults be a good thing for a personas self-esteem
• How to make the world a better place with active visualization
• How to feel good about yourself no matter what
• How teaching students with disabilities is more rewarding than teaching regular students
• The benefits of drug use for everyone
• How to make friends as an adult
• Why having a pet is better than having kids
• Why travel is the best way to learn
• Why life is better without school
• The benefits of a digital detox
• How to deal with difficult people
• The benefits of procrastination
• Why being lazy isn’t such a bad thing

Fun Essay Topics for Expository Essays

• How to make a perfect pizza
• How to make the perfect scrambled eggs
• How to make the perfect cup of coffee
• Why being yourself is the best thing you can do
• How to be happy every day
• The benefits of a positive attitude
• The importance of being organized
• What happiness really means
• Why giving back is important
• The benefits of getting enough sleep
• Why breaking the rules isn’t always a bad thing
• The importance of being punctual
• What I would change about the world
• How to be creative every day
• How to make life easier with planning ahead
• Ways to deal with everyday stress
• The problems with social media
• How to be a good listener
• How to make learning easier for everyone
• The importance of playing games
• Why every day should be game day
• Ways to relax your brain and body on a regular basis

Fun Essay Topics for Descriptive Essays

• My favorite place to go on a date
• A perfect day at the beach
• What it’s like to be a celebrity for a day
• The best party I ever went to
• What it’s like to sleep in my childhood bed again
• The most amazing concert I ever attended
• How it feels to stand in front of a cheering crowd
• The best family vacation I ever went to
• What it’s like to wake up in Paris
• My favorite season after summer
• What it’s like to see the Northern Lights
• My first kiss
• How it feels to hug someone you love for the first time
• How it felt when my pet died
• Why every pet should have a forever home
• The best day of my life so far
• What it’s like to have a dog for the first time
• How much I love being from [insert city here]
• Why every alcoholic drink should be on a pub crawl
• What it’s like to die in your dreams
• Where I go when I’m feeling sad
• The best prank I ever played on someone
• What it’s like to see your favorite band live in concert

Fun Essay Topics About Being a Teenager

• Why every teenager should get their own car
• Why popular girls aren’t always the best friends
• How to deal with bullies at school
• The pros and cons of being a freshman in high school
• How it feels to date someone older than you
• What I wish my life was like in high school
• How it feels to be home-schooled
• What I would do if I knew no one at school
• The best movies to watch on a Friday night with your friends
• Why you should never get in the car with someone who’s been drinking
• My worst teenage dating experience ever
• My worst breakup story
• Why every teenager should have a summer job
• What I love most about being a teenager
• The best and worst things about being a teenager
• How to survive your teenage years

Fun Essay Topics About Life

• What living your dream means to you
• If I could go back to any age, it would be…
• How to stay happy and positive every day
• What being successful really means to me
• The most important lesson I’ve learned in life
• Why I’m grateful for my struggles
• The best way to spend a weekend afternoon
• My favorite thing about life so far
• What I would do with an extra hour each day
• My favorite quote about life
• The best way to relax after a long day
• What I love most about my family
• What I love most about my friends
• My happiest memory from childhood
• How I’ve changed over the years
• What I hope to accomplish in the next ten years
• The meaning of life from my dog’s perspective

Fun Essay Topics About Science

• The best and worst things about science
• How to make a volcano in your kitchen
• The dangers of space travel
• What would happen if the Earth stopped spinning
• The future of genetic editing
• What it’s like to be a scientist
• The most exciting thing I learned in science class this year
• Why every kid should go to space camp
• What it’s like to live on Mars
• How life would be without gravity
• The best way to celebrate Earth Day every day of the year
• What it feels like in a tornado
• How to make your own solar system
• The best and worst things about space travel
• Ten amazing facts about the universe
• The most interesting thing I learned about biology this year
• Why science is important for everyone
• The future of the world, according to science

Fun Essay Topics About History

• Why every American should visit Europe
• Why traveling to another country is the best way to learn history
• My favorite historical figure ever
• How I would spend my time in Colonial America
• What I love most about Aztec history
• The most important lesson I’ve learned from World War II
• The pros and cons of living during the Renaissance
• How Alexander Graham Bell changed the world
• Why we should always question authority
• The meaning of life, according to history teachers
• What it’s like to live in Ancient Greece every day
• The best and worst parts about living in Ancient China
• The best story from Greek mythology I know by heart
• Why we should always respect our teachers
• The best way to celebrate Thanksgiving every day of the year
• The timeline of history from the perspective of my pet pigeon
• What it’s like to be a time traveler for 30 days

Fun Essay Topics About Pop Culture

• Why I won’t be watching the Oscars this year
• What’s the best movie on Netflix right now?
• The top 5 movies of all time
• My favorite scary movies ever made
• Why every millennial should watch old black and white movies

Enjoy writing your next essay with any of these 165 fun essay topics that are sure to get your creative juices flowing!

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Testimonials

100 Best Things to Write About When You’re All Out of Ideas

Want to be a writer but can’t think of anything to write? Use these 100 writing topic ideas and writing prompts to get inspired and stay motivated.

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Writing can be one of life’s most fulfilling and satisfying experiences. But what can you do when you hit a creative block or are unsure what your writing voice is? Every writer will tell you just get writing. We have fifty-five writing ideas plus writing prompts, so you can discover your amazing writing potential just waiting to be expressed. 

100 Writing Ideas When You Don’t Know What to Write

These ideas are organized by theme and topic for easy reference whenever you’re unsure what to write. Don’t forget to print or bookmark this article so you can refer to it when needed. 

Personal Experiences And Anecdotes

In Anne Lammott’s classic book on writing, Bird by Bird, she encourages writers to start by writing their personal experiences. 

“You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories.” —Anne Lamott, Author

These are eight ideas to help you write about your personal experiences. 

• Your Life and Memories

Even if you don’t think your life is interesting, it’s still a treasure trove of source material and inspiration! Start with your earliest memory or something that seems mundane but holds a special place in your heart. Get as detailed as possible.

• What were you feeling?
• Add sight, smell, taste, and texture.
• Describe the people and environment. 
• Connect your memory from the past to something in the present. 
• Try to communicate a mood or your feelings without directly telling us the mood or feeling. 
• Interests & Hobbies

People love to learn new things, and if you have personal experience or knowledge about a topic, you’re the perfect person to write about it. You don’t have to have a Ph.D. in British literature to write about Jane Austen, and you certainly don’t need to be an expert on everything about relationships to write about dating.

Your personal experiences give you a unique view of the subject. Instead of trying to write as an expert (unless you are!), write from your unique angle. 

Maybe you crochet because you live with a chronic illness and need something you can do from bed. Or maybe you’re obsessed with trains because a train engine is easier to understand than interpersonal relationships. 

When writing about interests and hobbies, start with why you love this thing. The rest will follow. 

• Experiences From the Every Day

You may think writing about experiences means going on dramatic global adventures or doing daring and shocking things in daily life. Skip the drama and intrigue––some of the most interesting writing is about mundane things.  

What do you do every day? Write about it. For example, 5% of the American workforce 1 https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2021/acs/acs-48.pdf takes public transport daily. What does that feel like? Do you have to wake up an hour earlier to get to work on time? Do you worry about your safety? Does public transportation give you freedom, or does it limit what you can do?

5% of Americans will identify with your experiences. For the rest of the population, your writing could offer insight and understanding of an experience far from their own. 

Maybe you’ve lived in Hong Kong and New York. The public transportation between these two places is incredibly different. Or maybe you live in India, where public transport 2 https://www.uitp.org/news/energy-transition-and-climate-action-public-transport-india-2022-budget/ has been an ongoing concern for years. Write about that. 

Pro Tip: Write about how experiences vary by time, location, and even for different people. 

• Feelings and Emotions

How are you feeling today? Get into the practice of reflecting on your feelings and emotions , either at the start or the end of the day. You’ll build emotional intelligence through self-awareness as you write down your feelings. 

Being connected to your emotions is vital to the writing process. It facilitates writing from multiple perspectives and understanding what motivates people. Whether you’re writing a blog for a specific audience or the next great novel, you’ll need that. 

Short List of Feelings and Emotions:

• Disappointed
• Thoughts and Ponderings

Do you ever wonder why mockingbirds sing or feel like the blossoming of cherry trees is a symbol of beauty and regeneration? Whatever you think about, even the most random passing thought can be the foundation for beautiful writing.

Pro Tip: Carry paper and pencil with you, or use your notes app on your phone to quickly record your thoughts as they come. Those short notes you made on the commute to work or at night when you can’t sleep may be the seed for something longer. When you aren’t sure what to write about, look over those notes and think about whether you could write an article, a poem, or if it’s even a plot premise for a new book. 

• Dreams Without Pressure

Keep a notebook by your bed and write down your dreams as soon as you wake up. Don’t rely on doing it later because, as we all know, dreams often dissolve from memory if they aren’t recorded immediately.

As well as being a good practice for processing your unconscious thoughts, it gets you into the practice of writing without the pressure of anyone seeing what you’ve written. 

• Goals Through the Year

We’re a big advocate of setting goals at the start of the year! But you can also write down your goals and aspirations throughout the year. 

Write down your goals and the steps you’ll need to get there, and don’t forget to add specific goals to your writing. This could include a weekly word count, submitting your writing at least once a month, joining a writer’s group, completing your novel by the end of the year, etc.

How To Set Better Goals Using Science

Do you set the same goals over and over again? If you’re not achieving your goals – it’s not your fault! Let me show you the science-based goal-setting framework to help you achieve your biggest goals.

• Quirky and Strange Family

Whether it’s your family history or the quirky and strange personalities that make up your family unit, writing about your family can offer insight into who you are. Try taking a step back as you write to observe your family members with less emotion and judgment.

Be curious, and explore what makes your family special, surprising, or intriguing. Even if you don’t have a good relationship with family members, look for things you can appreciate our respect as you write about them.

Pro Tip: Ask questions! We often think we know everything about our family, but there are probably experiences and events you’ve never heard about. 

Current Events And News Stories

When writing about current events, it’s important to be informed before you write and respectful of the people you’re reporting on. Don’t be afraid to be controversial, but don’t seek controversy just for the sake of it. 

As you approach any news story, differentiate between opinion and report. Even if you have a personal perspective, your feelings shouldn’t be included in a news report. That’s what opinion pieces are for.

Let’s dive into five different ways to cover the news. 

• Local Perspective on Local Events

If you want to report on local events, get involved in your community. Make connections with key people, and always be on the lookout for stories. Even if you’re not writing for a publication, you can write about local events to get experience writing and sharpen your observation skills. 

Action Steps: Attend a festival or other event and see if you can identify the person in charge. Tell them you’re writing an article about the event and ask if you can have five minutes of their time. If they say no, thank them for their time, leaving them with a good impression of you. They may prove to be a contact for you later! 

Interview at least three people attending the event and practice taking good pictures. If you submit your story to a local paper, they will want photos. 

Pro Tip: Research the event, performer, or location and prepare some interesting interview questions in advance. When you ask questions, get permission to record them using a voice memo app on your phone. Have paper and pencil so you can jot down some quick notes as well. 

• Global events from a Local Perspective

Global events offer a constant source for writing topics. Even if you can’t write knowledgeably about foreign relations, you may be able to offer a local perspective on a global concern. Subscribe to a good news round-up , preferably nonpartisan, to get a daily overview of what’s happening. Plus, check several different partisan news sources to get an idea of the difference in reports. 

• Opinion Pieces On Social Or Political Issues

If you’ve been tracking local and global news for a while, you’ll start forming educated opinions. Not to be confused with what people write on social media every day. If you’re going to write opinion pieces, start developing a robust research process that integrates both the present and an understanding of the past. 

Action Step: Pick a social or political issue to start researching. Think critically about the present and ask questions. For example, instead of looking at the labor strikes in England based only on the present, consider the context of British history. Research the first labor strike (The General Strike of 1926) and explore the various responses to and interactions with labor workers by the Conservative and Labor parties. 

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a good grasp on global history, sign up for a class at your local college or start reading books that cover topics relevant to current social or political issues. Again, read and study varying perspectives. 

• Political Events

You’ll have plenty to choose from to write about political events! We recommend taking a similar approach to this as you would for an opinion piece––context is everything. If you view politics only through what you see happening in front of you, you may get a skewed and imbalanced view of things. 

Action Step: Pick a political event you’d like to write about, then look for articles that offer a roundup of the most significant world events in X year. Gather roundups from at least the past five years and see if you can trace how politics have progressed or regressed. 

Pro Tip: Want to get really serious? Do an intensive deep dive into political commentaries on the topic and read up on the history of that country or location. 

• Social Events

Social events are lighter and a quicker news topic to cover, but can be just as interesting and relevant to local communities! Subscribe to local newsletters and magazines, and start attending networking events so you can be aware of events before they happen. If you’re covering social events, be prepared to interact with people attending the event, and make sure to take photos. 

Travel And Adventure Stories

Magazines and online publications are always looking for travel and adventure stories, so if you like to travel, you should be writing about it! There are several approaches you can take when writing about travel, so use these ideas if you’re overwhelmed by the thought of writing about your last adventure. 

To start writing travel and adventure, look for Facebook groups or other forums for the location that you’re visiting. People constantly post about their favorite restaurants and events that are happening, and you might even pick up interesting information from the latest local drama. Sometimes this is more reliable than online reviews or roundup posts written by people who have never set foot in the location they are writing about. 

Let’s get into seven different ideas for writing about travel and adventure. 

• Research Other Cultures

You’ll have to do significant research to write about other cultures, but it’s definitely worth it. Learning about other cultures can be enriching and helps both you and your reader see the world in a new way. Try to research before traveling to learn about acceptable communication and avoid doing things that could be seen as offensive. 

While experiencing the culture, ask questions, go to places off the beaten path, and, most importantly, be respectful. 

Pro Tip: Avoid criticizing when writing about another culture, and please don’t objectify people. Or better yet, write about your own culture!

• Where to Stay

Researching a good place to stay is often the most intimidating thing about traveling to a new place. So if you can write well about this, you’ll be meeting a real pain point for many people. 

When traveling, ask for local tips about neighborhoods that are less safe for foreigners or out-of-towners. You might ask someone where their family stays when they come to town or what hotels have a good reputation. 

Check out these top tips from Lonely Plant to make your travel writing even better. 

As a writer, think about what you can add to the conversation that makes it fresh. Skip all the regular tourist destinations, and do a deep dive into what makes a place special or exciting. Here are some fun ways to get a unique view of the place you’re visiting and gather unique suggestions for things to do.

• Get on a bus without a destination in mind.
• Stay at a bed and breakfast and interact with the owner.
• Hire a tour guide and ask them to take you to their favorite childhood hangout.

Pro Tip: Read a novel written by a local about the location you’re visiting. You’ll get an insider perspective on where you’re going and may learn about a location or fact that isn’t in the guidebooks. 

• What to Pack

Packing the right things can make a trip more enjoyable or even downright frustrating. Use your knowledge of the location to suggest what people should pack. Here are some questions to help you put together a location-specific packing list.

• How do locals dress? 
• Are there religious or social customs around clothing that should be respected? 
• What is suitable footwear? 
• Do most people walk everywhere, take public transport, or drive?
• What adaptors are needed for electronics?
• Are there any safety concerns?
• What food is available for those with dietary restrictions? 
• What’s the weather like at specific times of the year?
• What over-the-counter medicine is available? 
• Is this a shopping destination, or is it remote and hard to get to shops of any kind? 
• Stresses and Challenges

While travel and adventure can appear glamorous, countless stresses and challenges are involved. That’s the type of content that is interesting, so don’t feel like you need to censor or sanitize your travel experiences. Obviously, you need to think about your audience and what publication you’re writing for, but sharing challenges can make your experiences more relatable. 

• The Stories of People You Met

Let’s start with the caveat––anytime you’re writing about other people, respect their privacy and their stories. 

With that in mind, when you travel, try to make human connections. It can be incredibly lonely when you’re traveling, especially in another country. And while it may be tempting to simply eat the food and see the sights, slow down a little and interact with locals in the location you’re visiting. After all, this is their home. Taking time to talk to others, ask questions, and even listen to their stories is a way to respect the environment you’re visiting as an outsider. 

When you write about places, write about people. 

Pro Tip: Don’t just go for the spectacular beaches of Costa Rica. Go to hear the dancing melody of the Spanish language, talk to the artisans selling their handmade products, and meet the families growing coffee for generations.

Don’t just go to Singapore because you watched Crazy Rich Asians and love boba tea. Go to learn about a country that was greatly altered by rapid urbanization and is considered one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. Wherever you travel, go to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the local people.  

• Photo Essays

If you love to write and take photos, the photo essay has been waiting for you to discover it! Photo essays offer an immersive experience for your reader. 

The photos should create a narrative or theme that your writing will support and expand on. 

Types of photo essays:

• Events such as protests or demonstrations, parades, or rallies
• A walking tour of a location
• Documenting the changes at a single place over a period of time 
• Street Fashion
• Day in the life
• Food from a specific culture, a single ingredient, or a roundup of food locations in a city.
• A religious tradition
• A common place in different locations. Such as public transportation, hotel rooms, restaurants, and beaches. For example, you would take photos of public transportation in each country or state you visit, and create a theme around the commonalities and differences. 

Reviews Of Books, Movies, Or TV Shows

Practice your writing skills and share your opinions with these pop culture writing topics.

• New books from your favorite author
• Books from your favorite genre
• A roundup of the best books of the year
• Hot new authors to pay attention to
• Movies everyone should watch
• Themed lists of movies 
• TV shows they should bring back
• TV shows everyone has been waiting for

How-To Guides Or Tutorials On Specific Skills Or Hobbies

How-to guides and tutorials are always popular! If you’ve got a skill, we can almost guarantee there is someone out there who wants to learn.

• About your hobbies
• Trending hobbies
• Detailed steps on how to do something
• A skill you have 
• A skill you want to learn
• A skill someone important taught you
• A product you love
• Products people are raving about
• An underappreciated product
• List of supplies needed for a skill or hobby
• How to overcome a barrier to learning a skill

Reflections On Life, Love, Or Happiness

Human emotions are complex, and people love reading about other people’s relational fails or successes. Share some of your interpersonal stories and tips with these topic ideas. 

• Things that make you happy, sad, or angry
• Things that make you relaxed
• Things that inspire you
• Relationship tips
• Relationship challenges
• Summer love
• School love
• Surprising love stories

Funny Things to Write About

Humor can make a serious topic more approachable or relatable. Plus, good humor in writing is surprisingly hard to find. If you’re skilled at writing humorous stories or articles, that’s not a skill to sleep on. 

• Things that happened to you
• Things you’ve seen or heard
• Things you’ve read about
• Humorous or satirical takes on everyday situations

Why Use Writing Prompts?

Writing prompts are something even the best writers use at times to spark creativity, find new ways of expression, and help with focusing on a topic or theme. 

Plus, writing prompts are a nice diversion when you’re blocked on another piece of writing. 

We’ve written some fun and interesting prompts to keep you going. 

Things to Write Poems About

Fact: Poetry didn’t die out with the modern world. We need poetry now just as much as people in times past. If you’re struggling to get started, try these poetry prompts. 

• The shape and color of light on the object in front of you.
• The texture of the carpet under your foot.
• How you felt when someone told you they loved you.
• How you felt when someone wasn’t there for you.
• The rhythm of moving water.
• The smell of sunshine and freshly cut grass.
• Your father’s hands.
• Your mother’s smile.
• Being sick as a kid.
• Letting go of a dream.
• The visceral feeling of heartbreak.
• The sound of public transportation.
• The smell of city life.
• The rhythms of rural life.
• The sight of children playing.
• The feel of the trousers you’re wearing today. 

Poetry Resources:

• Poetry Foundation
• Poetry Magazine Foundation Submissions 
• 100 Best Places to Submit Poetry

Things to Write About When Bored

Next time your bored, don’t reach for your phone! As a writer, you’ll need empty space so unexpected ideas have room to grow. Instead of distracting yourself when bored, settle into it as an opportunity to become a better writer. 

• Imagine you’re a dog, and you’ve just discovered your favorite toy is missing. Write a scene or short story written from the first perspective. 
• If you don’t have any siblings, write an event that happened in your life but add a sibling to that moment. If you have siblings, think about an event in your life where a sibling played an important role. Now, rewrite that moment and what would have happened if your sibling didn’t exist.
• What do you see in front of you? Write about an object that you can see as if it were a product that you had to sell. Give it an imaginary function, and write about it by considering who you would sell it to. 
• A thank you note to someone special in your life.

Things to Write Songs About

• The classic breakup song, but add an unexpected twist.
• Your toothbrush.
• How it feels waking up at home.
• Write a melody that mirrors the rhythm of the wind in the trees.
• The summer you lived overseas.
• A dream that was taken away.
• The way your child looks when they are happy.
• The sound of plants growing (if you could hear that).

Resources for Songwriters

• The Songwriter’s Club Facebook Group
• The American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers 
• Broadcast Music International (BMI)

Things to Write About Yourself

Think about your family history within the context of time and place. Did you grow up with Florida sunsets, church barbeques, Bugs Bunny, and listening to 90s grunge? Or were you raised with miners’ strikes, Margaret Thatcher, and Jacob’s Trio biscuits? Your life may seem boring at best, but your experiences can provide delightful vignettes or source material for a novel. 

• What food did everyone bring to lunch when you were a kid? Write about what it felt like to always have that food or never have it. 
• What was your favorite school hot lunch? Write a detailed scene about the smells, taste, and whether you ate alone or had lots of friends. 
• What was the political climate when you were in grade school? Do you remember being aware of any of it? If not, research a political event when you were 11, and write a scene where it impacts you without knowing it. 
• Write about something a parent did that drove you crazy growing up. Then, connect it to a good memory where you felt loved and safe. 
• Write about your favorite summer memory.
• Write a slow and poetic narrative about the city or town you grew up in.
• Write about a change that shifted how you experience the world (e.g., a move, parents getting divorced, a new sibling, a friend leaving, etc.).
• How do people see you? How do you wish people saw you?

Resources for Nonfiction Writers:

• The Whiting Foundation Nonfiction Grants
• What is Narrative Nonfiction?
• Nonfiction Groups (North America)

Things to Write Stories About

If you’re ready to write a novel or a short story, but don’t have any inspiration, try using a plot generator . We tested Reedsy, and it’s pretty fun! Here are some examples.  

A veteran who is weary. A reporter who is deaf. It’s a family saga story about overcoming insecurities. It kicks off in a manor with a job offer. (Note that: someone in the story had a troubled childhood.) And there’s a twist! You should tell the story in epistolary form.

A detective who is cynical. A pilot who is poor. It’s a hardboiled PI story about blackmail. It kicks off at a farmhouse with news that a research institute’s confidential database has been hacked. (Note that: the case in this story will span four decades.) And there’s a twist! Everyone in the story dies.

A jockey who can be stubborn. A barista, who is cautious. It’s a romantic suspense story about standing up for oneself. It kicks off near a yard sale with a runaway cat. (Note that: both protagonists are always in the right place at the wrong time.) And there’s a twist! The two protagonists never manage to meet in person.

Resources for Novelists and Short Story:

• How to Write a Novel
• How to Write Compelling Content For Yourself and Your Audience
• How to Write a Book: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Start Writing
• One Story Literary Magazine

Things to Write About in a Letter

While most people don’t write letters anymore, there’s something special about this mode of communication. Don’t worry about saying something profound or having lots of news to share when writing a letter. A letter is similar to writing in your diary, but of course, not quite so vulnerable or uncensored. Write what you think, and share your feelings without worrying about the content or structure. Use these writing prompts to start your letter.

• Last week, I was surprised by…
• I am sitting… and I can see …
• Remember when…
• I always think of you when…
• Did you know…? 
• I was thinking about… 
• Lately, I’ve been feeling…
• You’ll never believe who I saw last week… 

Resources & Tools for Writers

• Writer’s Digest
• Writer’s Digest Competitions
• Nuance Dictation Tool $
• Descript Audio and Video Transcription Free and $
• Scrivener Writing Tool $$
• Reedsy Book Formatting 
• Poets and Writers Contests and Training
• Narrative Magazine Contests & Prizes
• Critique Circle for Beta Readers
• Wattpad Self Publishing Platform
• She Writes––Self Publishing Business Advice for Women
• Submittable

Tips & Tricks to Find Inspiration and Overcome Writer’s Block

These are eight of our best tips and tricks to help you when writing feels like a drag. 

• Change your environment. Go to a local cafe, restaurant, botanical garden, or park. The new setting can help clear your head and even give you a chance to people-watch for character development. 
• Know when to push through and when to stop. Somedays, you just have to sit down and write. On other days, if writing is like pulling teeth, try taking a short walk or doing something different for the day. 
• Write about things that interest you. There’s nothing worse than writing about a topic that makes you yawn. Even if it’s not a topic you’d like to write about, try to find a unique angle or something you can learn through the process. 
• Research more. If you’re struggling to get through writer’s block, ditch writing and start researching. Make notes and even create stick figure drawings to capture concepts to reference later.
• Keep a journal. Journaling can provide a rich source of inspiration for your writing practice. There’s no pressure because no one sees what you write in a journal, but it can help you get down thoughts and feelings or things you want to remember for a project down the road. 
• Get in a writer’s group. Even if you’re an introvert, being in a supportive community can change everything for you as a writer. Writing can be lonely, and you need support to stay motivated, get fresh ideas, and have your ideas tested and pushed even further.
• Keep a source file. Any time you come across an interesting study, article, or image, save that in a file or bookmark it on your computer. When you’re feeling bogged down or uninspired, cull through your sources to get inspiration. 
• Set goals. Accomplishing even small goals like a weekly word count or writing time can give you a dopamine rush and motivate you to keep writing. 

Now that you have everything imaginable to write about, get going! We’re excited to imagine what you’ll produce. Curious about what a writing process looks like? Check out Vanessa Van Edwards’s Writing Process for the book Captivate and watch our video below:

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