Illustration essays describe an idea or the stance one takes in an argumentative topic, and articulate it with the help of numerous examples. This Penlighten article has listed out some interesting illustration essay topic ideas, ranging from college life to everyday issues.
Useful Tips
- You should have thorough knowledge of the topic that you are writing about, based on extensive research.
- Do not just make up illustrations for the sake of it. Start with instances that exemplify the topic.
“Subverting the patriarchal paradigm” was a prank which Alaska Young penned down with illustrations in John Green’s “Looking for Alaska”. Later, her friends successfully played out the prank in the book. An illustrative essay can thus be of great use to anyone. College students are often required to write illustrative essays. They are one of the best ways to put forth an idea or explain a theory.
For instance, a scientific phenomenon can be aptly explained using day-to-day examples related to it. An argumentative topic can be justified better with illustrations pertaining to it. Giving an example always leads to better understanding of the point to be made. Following is a list of some interesting topic ideas for writing an illustrative essay.
Related to College Life
- Illustrate the steps to choose a college to attend.
- Choosing the right quotes for the department’s jersey.
- How to make a study schedule for weekends?
- How to choose a major in your sophomore year?
- What can you wear to class this winter?
- The menace of bullying in school and college
- The impact of Facebook on relationships.
- The government should offer free college and university education for all students.
- Students should always question what they are taught.
- Students should spend at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
- Should you pick courses of interest or ones that fetch good jobs?
Illustration Essay Questions
- Should stem cell research be stopped?
- Should animals be used in laboratory testing?
- Should marijuana be legalized?
- How to take care of your pet?
- How to plan your diet?
- Has electronic media led to the downfall of print media?
- How is the public transport system in your city?
- Should cigarette smoking be banned?
- Is it infatuation or love?
- Should gay couples be allowed to marry?
Some Interesting Topics
- Hobbies that can help you make money.
- Clothes for different body types
- Places to visit in the U.S.
- A is A (Law of identity)
- Famous dictators in history
- Ill-effects of social networking
- Types of Italian wines
- Jobs you can take up during spring break
- Where there is a will, there is a way
- Best way to teach
Some Easy Topics
- How to avoid being ‘friendzoned’
- How to plan a 75th birthday party
- Steps to format your iPod
- The protagonist of your favorite book
- Rudeness is on the rise
- Friends cannot always be trusted
- Musicians and their songs dealing with social and political issues
- Good art can be ugly
- Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong
- Your best job experience
Essay prompts
- “Money is the barometer of a society’s virtue” ― Atlas Shrugged.
- Do you agree with this statement? Would you adhere to the philosophical system of Objectivism?
- “Adding a capacitor bank improves the power factor of an installation”. Elaborate.
- State reasons for the current drop in oil prices.
- “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors”. Give your views on this statement.
- A scene from the movie “I’m Not There”)
- Q: I would like to know what is at the center of your world.A: Hmm, well, I’m 22. I guess I would say me.Does the answer strike a chord with you? Do you believe you should be your first priority at this age?Write your response to the following statements
- Heroes and idols reveal a society’s highest ideals.
- In any field―business,politics,education―those in power should step down after 5 years.
- Lateral thinking is more important than mere knowledge in any field.
- We define ourselves by the social groups we identify with.
- The human mind will always be superior to machines.
Points to Remember
- Your examples should be relevant.
- Follow an inverted pyramid structure while writing; which means, explain the thesis sentence early on.
- Do not beat around the bush. Come to the point with every example.
- Do not give too many examples, or stress on just one particular example.
- Pick a unique topic which would grab the reader’s attention.
- Include images wherever possible.
- Your writing should be succinct yet pithy and should keep the reader hooked till the end
Thus, by choosing the right topic, you can make your illustration essay informative and fun to read. Hope this write-up helps in making it so.