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How to Write Any High School Essay
Last Updated: March 22, 2023 Fact Checked
This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising . Emily Listmann is a private tutor in San Carlos, California. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 563,804 times.
Writing an essay is an important basic skill that you will need to succeed in high school and college. While essays will vary depending on your teacher and the assignment, most essays will follow the same basic structure. By supporting your thesis with information in your body paragraphs, you can successfully write an essay for any course!
Writing Help
Planning Your Essay
- Expository essays uses arguments to investigate and explain a topic.
- Persuasive essays try to convince the readers to believe or accept your specific point of view
- Narrative essays tell about a real-life personal experience.
- Descriptive essays are used to communicate deeper meaning through the use of descriptive words and sensory details.
- Look through books or use search engines online to look at the broad topic before narrowing your ideas down into something more concise.
- For example, the statement “Elephants are used to perform in circuses” does not offer an arguable point. Instead, you may try something like “Elephants should not be kept in the circus since they are mistreated.” This allows you to find supporting arguments or for others to argue against it.
- Keep in mind that some essay writing will not require an argument, such as a narrative essay. Instead, you might focus on a pivotal point in the story as your main claim.
- Talk to your school’s librarian for direction on specific books or databases you could use to find your information.
- Many schools offer access to online databases like EBSCO or JSTOR where you can find reliable information.
- Wikipedia is a great starting place for your research, but it can be edited by anyone in the world. Instead, look at the article’s references to find the sites where the information really came from.
- Use Google Scholar if you want to find peer-reviewed scholarly articles for your sources.
- Make sure to consider the author’s credibility when reviewing sources. If a source does not include the author’s name, then it might not be a good option.
- Outlines will vary in size or length depending on how long your essay needs to be. Longer essays will have more body paragraphs to support your arguments.
Starting an Essay
- Make sure your quotes or information are accurate and not an exaggeration of the truth, or else readers will question your validity throughout the rest of your essay.
- For example, “Because global warming is causing the polar ice caps to melt, we need to eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels within the next 5 years.” Or, “Since flavored tobacco appeals mainly to children and teens, it should be illegal for tobacco manufacturers to sell these products.”
- The thesis is usually the last or second to last sentence in your introduction.
- Use the main topics of your body paragraphs as an idea of what to include in your mini-outline.
Writing the Body Paragraphs
- Think of your topic sentences as mini-theses so your paragraphs only argue a specific point.
- Many high school essays are written in MLA or APA style. Ask your teacher what format they want you to follow if it’s not specified.
- Unless you’re writing a personal essay, avoid the use of “I” statements since this could make your essay look less professional.
- For example, if your body paragraphs discuss similar points in a different way, you can use phrases like “in the same way,” “similarly,” and “just as” to start other body paragraphs.
- If you are posing different points, try phrases like “in spite of,” “in contrast,” or “however” to transition.
Concluding Your Essay
- For example, if your thesis was, “The cell phone is the most important invention in the past 30 years,” then you may restate the thesis in your conclusion like, “Due to the ability to communicate anywhere in the world and access information easily, the cell phone is a pivotal invention in human history.”
- If you’re only writing a 1-page paper, restating your main ideas isn’t necessary.
- For example, if you write an essay discussing the themes of a book, think about how the themes are affecting people’s lives today.
- Try to pick the same type of closing sentence as you used as your attention getter.
- Including a Works Cited page shows that the information you provided isn’t all your own and allows the reader to visit the sources to see the raw information for themselves.
- Avoid using online citation machines since they may be outdated.
Revising the Paper
- Have a peer or parent read through your essay to see if they understand what point you’re trying to make.
- For example, if your essay discusses the history of an event, make sure your sentences flow in a chronological way in the order the events happened.
- If you cut parts out of your essay, make sure to reread it to see if it affects the flow of how it reads.
Community Q&A
- Allow ample time to layout your essay before you get started writing. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
- If you have writer's block , take a break for a few minutes. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2
- Check the rubric provided by your teacher and compare your essay to it. This helps you gauge what you need to include or change. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
- Avoid using plagiarism since this could result in academic consequences. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
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- ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/types-of-essays/
- ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/
- ↑ https://guides.libs.uga.edu/reliability
- ↑ https://facultyweb.ivcc.edu/rrambo/eng1001/outline.htm
- ↑ https://examples.yourdictionary.com/20-compelling-hook-examples-for-essays.html
- ↑ https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/how-to-write-a-thesis-statement.html
- ↑ https://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/five_par.htm
- ↑ https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/jason.laviolette/persuasive-essay-outline
- ↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/paragraphs/topicsentences
- ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/
- ↑ https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions
- ↑ https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/how-to-write-an-essay/conclusion
- ↑ https://pitt.libguides.com/citationhelp
- ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/revising-drafts/
About This Article
Writing good essays is an important skill to have in high school, and you can write a good one by planning it out and organizing it well. Before you start, do some research on your topic so you can come up with a strong, specific thesis statement, which is essentially the main argument of your essay. For instance, your thesis might be something like, “Elephants should not be kept in the circus because they are mistreated.” Once you have your thesis, outline the paragraphs for your essay. You should have an introduction that includes your thesis, at least 3 body paragraphs that explain your main points, and a conclusion paragraph. Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph. As you write your main points, make sure to include evidence and quotes from your research to back it up. To learn how to revise your paper, read more from our Writing co-author! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Educational System — High School
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A high school is a secondary school, where teenagers are educated before starting college or getting jobs. Most high schools have four numbered grades, from ninth to twelfth.
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- Critical Thinking
- College Experience
- Academic Challenges
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- Studying Abroad
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50 Engaging Narrative Essay Topics for High Schoolers
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What’s Covered:
Narrative essays vs. analytical essays, how to pick the right narrative essay topic, elements of a strong narrative essay, engaging narrative essay topics for high schoolers, where to get your narrative essay edited for free.
Narrative essays are an extensive form of writing that gives readers the opportunity to follow along as a person goes through a journey or sets of experiences. Rather than providing analytic insight, narrative essays simply share a story and offer a first-person account. These essays may seem easy to write at first, but it takes a certain finesse to write a narrative essay that is interesting, cohesive, and well-researched. Whether you’re looking for a unique topic to write about, or just want some new inspiration, CollegeVine is here to help! These 50 narrative essay topics are engaging, unique and will have you writing in no time.
A narrative essay is a great way to express your personal experiences and opinions, but it is important to remember that this type of essay is different from an analytical paper. In a narrative essay, you do not need to provide background information or explain your thoughts and feelings; instead, you simply tell a story. It’s important to avoid too much telling in your writing; instead, use creative details and vivid imagery to make readers feel as if they are actually right there with you.
Where You Will Encounter Narrative Essays
This type of essay is typically encountered in high school, where students may be required to write personal statements to prepare for their Common App essay . Narrative essays are also commonly seen in AP Language and Composition. Therefore, it’s important you are aware of the style because you are bound to have a narrative essay assignment.
Of course, before you start writing, it is important to pick the right essay topic. There are many factors involved in the process of picking the perfect narrative essay topic for your story.
You should always choose a topic that you are passionate about, since writing on something you care about will make the process much easier. Not only will it be more interesting to create your paper around something that truly interests you, but it will also allow you to fully express yourself in your essay. You also want to be sure that the topic has enough material to work with. If your chosen topic is too short, you will not have enough content to write a complete paper. For example, if you are writing about your experience getting lost at the mall, make sure that you have enough information to work with to craft an engaging narrative.
The best topic for an engaging narrative essay is one that focuses on showing versus telling, has a clear structure, and provides a dialogue. These elements come together to form an engaging narrative essay. Regardless of what subject you pick, any topic may be turned into a fascinating, A+ worthy narrative using the tips below.
Show, Don’t Tell
To write a good narrative essay, it’s important to show, not tell. Instead of simply informing your audience, show them what you mean. For example, instead of saying “I was nervous,” you could say “My heart began to race and my stomach filled with butterflies.” Also make sure to use sensory details, such as sights, sounds and tastes, and include a personal reflection at the end of your narrative.
Begin with a Strong Opening Line
A good narrative essay will begin with an attention-grabbing opening line. But make sure to avoid common clichés, such as “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Instead, come up with something original and specific to you and your situation. For example: “My pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles. I mean, he even used circular note cards.” Or, “It all started the day my mom brought home a guinea pig.”
Follows a Three-Act Structure
A strong narrative essay follows the same three-act structure as other essays. But in order to make it interesting, you’ll need to come up with a creative way to break things down into sections. For example, using the guinea pig example from above, you could write the following:
- Act 1 – Introduction: The day my mom brought home a guinea pig.
- Act 2 – Conflict: The day I had to say goodbye to my beloved pet.
- Act 3 – Conclusion: Looking back at how much I miss him now that he’s gone.
Conclude with Personal Reflection
To conclude your narrative essay, you’ll want to explain what this specific experience taught you or how you’ve changed. For example, upon realizing that her pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles, the writer of the previous example begins to notice circular shapes everywhere. Another way to conclude your narrative essay is by touching on how this experience impacted you emotionally. For example, after losing his guinea pig, the writer explains how much he missed it.
Use Dialogue
Include a conversation in your essay to make it come alive. For example, instead of simply saying that you met a new friend, talk about how you introduced yourselves or what they were wearing when you met them.
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The following list of 50 narrative essay topics is divided into categories. This will make it easier to find a topic that fits your writing style.
1. What is a childhood song that still sticks with you today?
2. Your first day of Kindergarten
3. Talk about a time when you’re siblings looked up to you
4. Describe the best birthday party you’ve ever had
5. Talk about the best day you ever spent with a childhood friend
6. Explain your first childhood hobby
7. Describe your first halloween costume
8. A family vacation gone wrong
9. Your first family reunion
10. Describe a tradition that is unique to your family
11. Describe your family to a person who’s never met them before
12. What frustrates you most about your family
13. If you could only keep one memory of your family, what would it be and why?
14. Describe a time your family embarrassed you in public
15. The most beautiful place in the world
16. Your favorite season and why
17. If you were a part of nature, what element would you be? Why?
18. When you go outside, which of your senses are you most thankful to have?
19. Describe the first time you witnessed a tornado
20. Write a poem about your favorite season
21. Describe yourself as one of the four seasons
22. Describe a time in which you felt connected with nature
23. Describe the first time you played an instrument and how you felt
24. What major event would be much worse if music was removed, and why?
25. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
26. What would a life without music look like?
27. If you could master one instrument, what would it be and why?
Relationships
28. What if you had never met your best friend?
29. Describe a time when you fixed a broken relationship
30. Talk about a movie that defined a relationship for you
31. Describe your first date
32. Describe the first time you made a friend
33. Describe your relationship with your parents
Self Reflection
34. Have you ever fooled someone? If so, describe what happened and how you felt about it
35. What is the worst thing you’ve done to someone else?
36. Write about the difference between how things seem and how they really are.
37. Have you ever been embarrassed in some way? If so, describe the situation and how it affected you as well as those around you
38. Have you ever witnessed something really beautiful? Describe it
39. Is your glass half empty or half full?
Overcoming Adversity
40. Have you ever been very afraid of something but tried your hardest to appear fearless? If so, describe that experience
41. When have you ever succeeded when you thought you might fail
42. What are your secret survival strategies?
43. Describe the last time you were stressed and why?
44. Describe a time when you were discriminated against
45. The most memorable class you’ve had and why
46. Your favorite study abroad memory
47. Describe your kindergarten classroom
48. Describe your first teacher
49. The first time you experienced detention
50. Your first field trip
Hopefully these topics will get you thinking about a personal experience that could make for a thoughtful and engaging narrative essay. Remember, a strong narrative essay must contain relatable details and a clear flow that keeps the reader entertained and engaged to read all the way to the end.
If you need some additional guidance on your narrative essay, use CollegeVine’s free peer review essay tool to get feedback for free!
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Home / Essay Samples / Education / School / High School
High School Essay Examples
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About High School
High school is a kind of school, a place where people go to learn skills for use in life. In a three-part system such as in the United States, children go to high school after middle school ("junior high"). In a two-party system such as in the United Kingdom, the change is from primary school to secondary school at 11 years of age. There are public high schools and private high schools in the United States and many other countries.
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