What are some unique persuasive essay topics for college applications?

Using a persuasive approach in a supplemental essay can definitely help your writing stand out, especially if you tackle fresh and personal topics. Since you’re interested in psychology and literature, consider blending those interests into your subject choices. Admissions readers appreciate essays that reveal how you think, what you care about deeply, or how you see the world in ways others might not.

Here are some unique persuasive essay topics and themes to consider:

1. "Convince the reader that fictional characters experience real suffering or growth"—You might use literary examples or psychological theories to argue that the emotional journeys characters take can have tangible impacts on readers, challenging the idea that fiction is ‘just made up.’

2. "Why schools should teach emotional intelligence as rigorously as math or science"—Blend your psychology interest to argue that emotional literacy is as vital as academic skills, using real-life or hypothetical scenarios.

3. "Why boredom is an essential part of creativity"—Persuade readers that allowing yourself to be bored can actually lead to better ideas and innovation, referencing psychological research or literary examples where imagination was born from idle moments.

4. "Convince the reader that failure should be publicly celebrated, not hidden"—Focus on psychological growth after failure, perhaps using a micro-example from your own life that’s not cliché, like a time you lost a spelling bee and it led you to deep-dive into etymology for fun, sparking your love for words.

5. "Why assigned reading should come with choices"—You could argue that giving students control (within structure) means more investment in literature, using both psychology (self-determination theory) and your personal experience.

One helpful exercise is to think of everyday things you experience or observe, then ask yourself what unconventional stance you might take on it. For example, maybe you argue that 'eavesdropping ethically'—listening to snippets of conversations while reading at a coffee shop—inspires empathy and fuels literary creativity.

What makes these topics work is that they are personal, specific, and open room for you to connect your passions with persuasive technique. The more closely you can tie the argument to your own experiences (something you’ve noticed about yourself or society), the more authentic and memorable your essay will be.

Remember, admissions officers are looking for your unique voice and thought process, so feel free to use humor, anecdotes, or unexpected reasoning. For example, citing how doodling in the margins of your notes led to insights about the connection between unfocused thinking and breakthrough ideas could be a great persuasive narrative.

Best of luck with your writing! If any of these ideas spark something, try brainstorming examples from your life or reading, and see where your argument could go.