argumentative essay about halloween

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Should Halloween Be Moved to a Saturday?

September 26, 2019.

Jack-o’-lanterns, trick-or-treating, and all things eerie: It must be time for Halloween. This spooky celebration takes place each year on October 31. But in 2018, a petition was started to change that. Tens of thousands of people signed it. The petition, created by the Halloween & Costume Association, argued that the holiday should be moved to the last Saturday of October.

The petition has changed since then. Now, it seeks to establish a special Saturday trick-or-treat event and keep Halloween where it is. But the original petition got us wondering: Should Halloween be moved to a Saturday? We asked two TFK Kid Reporters to weigh in.

by Priscilla L. Ho, 11

Glendale, California

Moving Halloween to the last Saturday of October would benefit kids and parents. Kids would have more time to celebrate. Parents wouldn’t have to worry about their kids’ bedtimes or homework. Instead, the whole family could sleep in on Sunday morning.

Halloween is fun, but it has its dangers. A study was published in JAMA Pediatrics in 2018. It said that from 1975 to 2016, pedestrians had a 43% greater chance of being in a fatal traffic accident on Halloween than on nights near that date. There’d be less work traffic on a Saturday. More parents could go trick-or-treating to ensure kids’ safety.

Moving Halloween to a weekend would also mean more parades. It’d make the holiday relaxing, safe, and fun.

by Jack Doane, 12

Rex, Georgia

Halloween is magical and exciting. Ask any kid what he or she looks forward to most during the year and I bet Halloween will be on the list. You can eat candy and hang out with friends on any night, but Halloween is special. Why?

Halloween has its roots in different historical traditions, all of which are linked to October 31. That date is what gives Halloween its value and importance. If Halloween were celebrated on a different date, it would lose its magic and mystery.

Even though Halloween has changed over the years, we need to respect its long history. If people were to celebrate Halloween on a date other than October 31, the holiday just wouldn’t be as sweet.

The next debate: Should kids have to wear uniforms to school? Email your opinion to [email protected] . Your response might be featured in an upcoming issue.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly noted Priscilla L. Ho's age. She is 11, not 12.

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How to Write a Spooky Essay on Halloween: Tips, Topics, and Examples

In contemporary society, individuals continue to appreciate traditional festive events, with Halloween being a prime example. Common elements found in every Halloween celebration encompass:

• Donning Halloween costumes.
• Carving pumpkins.
• Sharing spooky stories.
• Exploring haunted houses.
• Participating in trick-or-treating, and more.

Regardless of the academic task at hand, such as a science fair project or a presentation, the ultimate goal is often to achieve the highest grade. If you find yourself tasked with composing a Halloween essay, our coursework help service offers compelling ideas to ensure your essay stands out.

What Is a Halloween Essay

A Halloween essay is a written composition that explores and discusses various aspects related to Halloween, the popular festive celebration observed on October 31st. In such an essay, writers may delve into the history and origins of Halloween, cultural and societal traditions associated with the holiday, personal experiences and memories, or even explore the significance of Halloween in literature, film, or art.

The essay about Halloween may encompass a range of themes, from the spooky and supernatural elements often associated with Halloween to the more lighthearted aspects such as costumes, decorations, and traditional activities like trick-or-treating. Ultimately, a Halloween essay provides an opportunity for writers to express their thoughts, reflections, and insights related to this widely celebrated and unique holiday.

Halloween Essay Step-By-Step Writing Tips

Does the mere thought of tackling your homework send shivers down your spine? Certainly, similar to any academic task, crafting an essay on Halloween demands a sense of responsibility. Adhere to the key points outlined in our checklist, an integral component of our custom dissertation writing service .

Explore Halloween Essay Ideas for Your Topics

The versatility of Halloween essays allows for creativity in choosing topics. Crafting a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged is key to success. Striking a balance between eerie elements and informative content is crucial. Consider sharing the history of trick-or-treat bags, recounting a mystical and spine-chilling personal experience, or even writing a book review on Halloween literature.

Conduct Thorough Research

To impress your audience with intriguing ideas and captivating details, delve into background information. Utilize old books or online resources, ensuring the credibility of your sources. Watching spooky movies or immersing yourself in Halloween stories can further enrich your essay with authentic and compelling content.

Adhere to a Structured Approach

While the theme is Halloween, maintaining a structured academic format is essential. Even in the realm of a Halloween essay, academic rules of how to write coursework still make a difference. Follow the conventions of scholarly writing, including a well-crafted thesis statement, an engaging introduction, a detailed body, and a conclusive conclusion. The thesis statement should succinctly encapsulate the main idea of your Halloween essay, setting the tone for the subsequent paragraphs.

Halloween Essay Example

Here is a nice sample of the Halloween essay for you.

Does the deadline for your Halloween essay creep from around the corner?

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Halloween Essay Types

If you're aiming for top grades and the approval of your teachers, adhere to their specifications for the Halloween essay. Typically, they outline the desired type of work, which may fall into the following categories:

Narrative Halloween Essay

Crafting a narrative Halloween essay involves recounting a series of events, whether real or imaginary. For instance, share the details of your most recent Halloween as an illustration. Alternatively, let your imagination run wild and pen a story about an encounter with a haunted house.

Descriptive Halloween Essay

True to its name, a descriptive Halloween essay provides a detailed portrayal of the chosen topic. Narrate a story aligned with the theme of your Halloween costume, or delve into the intricacies of the jack-o-lantern you intricately carved during a festive gathering.

Informative Halloween Essay

If your goal is to impart knowledge, consider composing an informative essay. This Halloween paper can encompass details about the holiday's history or traditions. Explore topics such as the origins of spooky costumes, the significance of lighting bonfires, or the cultural variations in celebrations among different European ethnic groups.

Halloween Writing Prompt Ideas

Looking for inspirational Halloween essay ideas? Look no further! We present a compilation of compelling Halloween essay topics, and undoubtedly, at least one of these essay examples is sure to resonate with you.

Spooky Topics for a Short Essay About Halloween

People are drawn to narratives that evoke spine-chilling sensations, making a scary Halloween essay particularly appealing to readers. While an essay on "why Halloween is the best holiday" is fitting, there are numerous other ideas to explore:

• The ghostly origins of Halloween: Unraveling the historical roots of Halloween's spookiness.
• Exploring the mysteries within the infamous haunted house on Elm Street.
• What makes midnight on Halloween so bewitching?
• The legend of the headless horseman.
• The dark side of trick-or-treating: Examining the potential dark undertones of the seemingly innocent tradition of trick-or-treating.
• Have you heard the chilling tales of costumes carrying mysterious curses?
• Tracing the eerie history behind the tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns.
• Spirits among us: Ghost stories of Halloween.
• Discovering the mysteries within the deserted grounds of Halloween carnivals left in abandonment.
• The enigmatic black cat: superstitions and folklore.

Best 5 Paragraph Essay About Halloween Ideas

Typically, a standard essay comprises approximately five sections. This structure enables the writer to convey their message concisely. Hence, select Halloween writing topics that can be effectively explored within a few paragraphs.

• How have Halloween traditions evolved over time?
• What makes haunted houses a compelling journey into fear?
• How have Halloween costumes transitioned from tradition to trend?
• What ghostly legends define the essence of Halloween?
• Is trick-or-treating a sweet tradition or a dark deception?
• How has the tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns evolved through history?
• How does Halloween manifest in literature and film as a spooky spectacle?
• What psychological aspects drive fear during Halloween?
• How does Halloween celebrate cultural variations around the world?
• How has Halloween been shaped by popular culture?

Awesome Topics for an Essay About the Halloween Festival

If you have a penchant for various celebrations, you might consider crafting an essay about them. Explore a variety of Halloween essay options:

• The history and origins of the Halloween festival.
• Haunted attractions: A thrill or a frightening experience?
• Costumes through time: Evolution of Halloween dressing.
• Trick-or-treating: Innocent tradition or modern concern?
• Carving tradition: The cultural significance of Jack-o'-Lanterns.
• Halloween in popular culture: Depictions in movies and literature.
• Cultural diversity in Halloween celebrations around the world.
• Halloween and superstitions: Folklore and beliefs.
• DIY Halloween decor: Crafting spooky ambiance at home.
• Halloween and commercialization: Is the spirit lost in consumerism?

Creepy Ideas for Essay on Halloween Parties

• Can you unravel the mystique of Halloween parties?
• Eerie elegance – transforming spaces into hauntingly beautiful venues.
• How can you explore spooky and tasty Halloween party recipes?
• Whispering walls: How does ghostly décor send shivers down your spine?
• Setting the right tone with a spine-chilling playlist.
• Costume chronicles: The psychology behind creepy costumes.
• Haunted games and activities: How to ensure goosebumps and laughter coexist.
• Witch's brew and potions – crafting sinister cocktails for all to sip.
• Ghostly guests – The art of inviting spirits to your Halloween bash?
• The witching hour: The secrets to hosting a truly unforgettable midnight soirée.

Scary Halloween History Essay Ideas

Do you need to set a deadline for composing your essay on the history of Halloween? Undoubtedly, understanding the origins of beloved holidays is crucial for expanding your worldview and knowledge. If you're contemplating what to include in your paper, here are some suggestions for your history of Halloween essay:

• The Witch Trials: How did the fear of witches shape Halloween's dark history?
• Origins of Trick-or-Treating: Can you trace the spooky roots of this beloved tradition?
• Eerie tales and legends that contribute to Halloween's mystique.
• How did disguising oneself become an integral part of Halloween?
• Ancient rituals laid the foundation for modern Halloween.
• What's the history behind carving frightening faces on pumpkins?
• How did Halloween become intertwined with the supernatural?
• What led to the Christian influence on this pagan festival?
• Documented accounts of paranormal activity on Halloween.
• Commercialization of Fear: How did the Halloween industry turn fright into a lucrative business?

Top Essay Topics on Trick-or-Treating and Other Halloween Traditions

If you have an affinity for Halloween traditions, exploring an essay on this subject could be captivating. Choose from the Halloween paper ideas we provide below:

• How has this Halloween tradition transformed over time?
• What role do community interactions play in the trick-or-treating experience?
• How do different cultures incorporate trick-or-treating into their Halloween festivities?
• DIY Halloween Treats: What are some creative and spooky homemade treats for trick-or-treaters?
• How do costumes contribute to the overall trick-or-treating experience?
• Alternative Halloween Celebrations – Non-traditional ways to celebrate Halloween without trick-or-treating.
• Trick-or-Treating Etiquette: Do's and don'ts for both givers and receivers during Halloween.
• How can communities ensure a safe environment for trick-or-treaters?
• Historical Roots of Halloween: How did trick-or-treating become intertwined with this ancient celebration?
• Exploring the irresistible charm of Halloween traditions.

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Spooking Up

In conclusion, the possibilities for a Halloween essay are limitless. Embracing all the suggestions can turn the writing process into a surprisingly enjoyable endeavor. Consider the subjects you wish to explore, choose the most captivating topic, and embark on creating an exemplary assignment!

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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Argument Research Projects: Halloween Costumes and Social Justice in 7th Grade

Part of teaching for social justice is noticing the “social” in the lives of our students and giving them opportunities to explore the “justice” in those experiences and encounters. In anticipation of Halloween and potential concerns with costume choices, I facilitated lessons on argument writing related to Halloween costumes before students selected their costumes and before they chose their own research topics.

As I have written recently, we spend a quarter of our writing class time with quick writes ; students write about whatever they wish and share these pieces on Fridays. One day in early September, one student presented a piece about Halloween, which prompted a class discussion about how junior high celebrates Halloween. Will we have a class party? Will there be a costume procession? What fun activities will I plan for them? When I explained that, in our junior high, we do not celebrate Halloween in class but our PTSA does organize an after school dance, the students had mixed reactions. On one hand, a dance is great, but on the other hand, well, they seemed to recognize that what Halloween meant for them was changing just like their bodies, their friendships, their relationships with their parents. Ah, junior high.

When we published our biographical sketches ,  it was early October. Argumentative writing was next, so I thought I could model the process of an argument research paper with something related to Halloween before setting them off on their own argument projects: Should teens dress-up for Halloween?

Research involves so many inquiry skills: search terms, sourcing, note-taking (direct quote/paraphrasing), synthesizing sources, works cited formatting, transition words, reasoning. So we worked through the process a little each day after our quick write time. Here is a table we used to work through the research process and, below, an example of our notes.

Here is one student’s notes:

To synthesize the ideas, I modeled four thinking-through-writing moves including how to use transitional phrases to integrate source information. Gerald Graff’s  They Say, I Say offers a helpful framework for supporting students through the process:

• synthesize the information for sources that support one side (on one hand);
• synthesize the information for sources that support another side (on the other hand);
• compare the reasoning of both sides for logic, values, credibility (while one says X, the other says Y); and
• now enter the conversation and say what you are thinking, how this relates to your world and understanding (in my view).

During class time, I modeled each move, writing on the whiteboard, talking through my thinking, inviting new sources.   I introduced appositives as a way of identifying a source’s credibility, too. We learned and directly applied how to cite a source from a website, e.g. (para. 6).  Students partnered to read aloud each paragraph and check for logic in the reasoning.  When wrote the conclusion paragraph, students were in the conversation, navigating the “justice” of the argument; the day before our school Halloween dance, they chose their costumes. Here is an example from a seventh grade writer’s argument:

On one hand , experts that dressing up for Halloween is beneficial to children’s development. For example, in the article titled “10 benefits of dress-up play” the author, Sarah Baldwin – Waldorf teacher – writes “Children benefit cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally through dress-up play”   (para 2) . Baldwin also suggests that dress-up helps children take on different perspectives, which promotes empathy. Another way costumes support development is by engaging children in a long, long-standing tradition. According to “Dreamworks TV“, in their episode “Why do we wear costumes on Halloween,” Halloween dates back to the Celtic tradition of Samhain, in 900 CE, when people dressed up as animals to scare spirits and honor the dead. Therefore , children are exposed to this tradition and are a part of an ancient culture and can feel more connected to the different religions and traditions simply by wearing a costume. Another reason is that children also learn to be more authoritative. According to Naeyc in their article “Is Dressing up for Halloween Different Than Pretend Play?”. Here they state that children often use everyday items and incorporate them into play, as well as Halloween Costumes. They decide which object fits the role and they decide how it will be integrated to enhance their play experience. According to both sources , Halloween Costumes enhance children’s skills and is a big part of developmental growth for children.   Some experts suggest that Halloween costumes are problematic. For instance , according to one video source from Teen Vogue titled “My Culture is NOT a Costume”, claims that cultural Halloween costumes that represent a culture are completely out of context and are offensive to people of that nationality or race. They also believe that their cultures are mocked and they are expected to fit within a certain stereotype about their culture that might not necessarily be true. Thus,   Teen Vogue  believes that these costumes should not be worn on Halloween due to their offensive and stereotypical nature. In addition , according to the article Deseret Family News titled “How Halloween Costumes can promote gender bias” by Erin Stewart: ”Gender Equality is all about choice” ( para 2) . This argues that Halloween costumes can have an effect on different genders along with different cultures. Stewart argues that many costumes are “defined” in one gender or the other. For example , police officers, doctors, and firefighters are often found in the “boys” section, and princesses, fairies, and mermaids are often found in the “girls” section. Stewart says, that children should have the opportunity to choose their costume, not trying to conform to the common stereotype of Halloween costumes and have a place where both genders could have “common” costumes. In conclusion, both sources believe that Halloween costumes should not represent different cultures and specific genders In consideration to both sides of the topic what seems most important to the people who support costumes and dress-up play is the fact that costumes stimulate growth and provide as a window to new roles for children. They give children the authority to make decisions and provide a way to connect to ancient traditions. As well as these points , the concern of people cautioning against certain costumes is the fact that they can oppress or create negative stigmas about certain religious groups that are often out of context. These costumes can also create untrue stereotypes that can promote oppression of certain religious groups. When it comes to costumes is “imitation the highest form of flattery?” What is important to consider when answering this question is that several costumes can promote gender or cultural inequality. Some can also cause oppression and maybe even disregard ancient traditions and cultures. However, costumes are vital for the growth and development of children’s imagination and role-playing skills. They gain experiences of being someone whom they might not be familiar with. They are exposed to being connected to cultures and traditions that are as old as time itself. How I will use this information when picking out costumes in the future is that I will try to stay away from stereotypical costumes that could promote gender or even cultural bias. I enjoy wearing costumes for Halloween and I believe that the tradition is fun for kids of all ages, however, costumes that disregard one’s own culture and/or traditions can cause this holiday’s true meaning to be forgotten. Costumes are meant to be a fun way to celebrate this holiday, and I hope that this tradition continues without the isolation and stigmatization of another’s cultures and traditions.

For this student, the research questions changed as she wrote and uncovered the social and the justice, and that is the point, in my view — to start with a question and be open to modifying your thinking because of the research.

As a part-time junior high teacher, I teach college courses in the afternoons, so I was not able to attend the Halloween dance at school. I asked students how the dance was and if (gulp) they noticed any problematic costumes. They told me about a few, and we talked about how to or if they could or should tell other teens about how some costumes promote negative gender or cultural bias.  I said very little. The students had a clear sense that navigating this terrain was not easy but was necessary.

The next day, students were ready to develop their own argument research questions.

I began this part with ten pieces of construction paper. I taped these around the classroom — gallery walk style — and added a topic to a few, e.g., health, science, technology, media, history, the arts. The rest did not have topics, inviting students to create their own categories of inquiry. In partners, students moved from paper to paper writing questions they’d like to research for their own argument projects. I offered students a few parameters (and am working on a flow-chart of this): 1) the answer to the question should be more complex than “yes” or “no,” and 2) it should be something you care about and are willing to spend a few weeks exploring.

The next day, I started a Google doc and gave the ten pieces of paper full of questions to several students who joined me on the doc to create a big list of research ideas. Here is what we came up with:

I posted this document on our Google classroom. Students spent the class period testing out possible questions by doing preliminary searches, which led to revised and new questions.  By the end of class, I asked students to share three possible questions for their project.

Our students know they are part of the social. They are concerned with justice. They want to be a part of the conversation. I’ll keep you posted on the development of these argument research projects as we argue into the social and uncover justice.

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78 Halloween Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best halloween topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 simple & easy halloween essay titles, 🥇 good research topics about halloween, ❓ halloween research questions.

• “Halloween” (1978): A Film Analysis Since the plot of the movies of the killer genre revolves around the murderer, it is only fair that the way his presence and actions are depicted is what makes the story horrifying.
• The Global Festival of Halloween or Hallow Eve The festival’s roots came from the traditions of religious attention to the edge between the world of the living and the dead.
• Halloween: Ancient Religious Roots and Traditions Preview: After conducting in-depth research, in the next few minutes, I will inform you about the history of Halloween, how the modern trick-or-treat tradition came to be, and the practice of wearing costumes.
• Halloween Celebration in the United States During the event, I learnt a number of factors that were very practical in increasing the level of pleasure and joy that one can derive from the festival.
• Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos Celebrations Halloween was celebrated by the Celtic inhabitants to mark the beginning of the New Year celebrations. The Druids were the priests, and the educated class of the Celtic group.
• Why Halloween Celebration Is Bad It signifies the time when the wall between the world of the dead or supernatural and the living was broken down.
• Comparing and Contrasting: Halloween to Day of the Dead
• Americans Should Abolish Halloween as a Traditional Holiday
• Comparison Between Halloween and Easter
• Is Your Kid’s Halloween Costume Safe?
• Role of Religion in Contributing to the Development of Halloween
• Why Catholics Should Not Celebrate Halloween
• Celebrating Halloween and Being an Exemplary Believer as a Paradox
• Comparing and Contrasting Between Prom Night and Halloween Night
• Discrimination Issues Appearing During Halloween
• Halloween History and Traditions: Old and New
• Racist and Culturally Oppressive Customs During Halloween in the United States
• The Reasons Why Halloween Is the Best Celebration of the Year
• The History and Origins of Halloween
• Halloween: The Gate Between the Living and the Spirit World Opens
• Role of the Conquest of the Roman Empire on the Celtic Territory
• The History and the Negative Effects of Halloween
• The Origin and Development of the Halloween Tradition
• The Past and Present of Halloween
• The Symbolism and Traditions in Halloween
• Why Keeping Halloween Traditions Is Important
• The Issue of Gender Roles During Halloween
• Finding the Definition of Halloween in Different Works of Literature
• Halloween and Day of the Dead: The Unique Difference
• The Dark History Behind Halloween
• The Role of the Media in Popularizing Halloween
• The Difference Between Samhain and Halloween
• The Effect of Media on the Popularization of Halloween
• How Has the Halloween Celebration Evolved?
• The Myths Behind the Origins of Halloween
• The Development of the Halloween Festival From the 8th Century
• The Evolution of Halloween Into a Day of Activities
• Traditional Festive Gatherings That Define Halloween
• How People in the UK and France Celebrated Halloween in the 18th Century
• Connection Between the Worlds of the Living and the Dead and Halloween
• The Role of Celtic Priests in Furthering the Halloween Festival
• The Customs of Different European Ethnic Groups Concerning Halloween
• The Impact of Coronavirus on Halloween Celebrations in the United States
• The Typical Annual Autumn Festivities Related to Halloween
• The Role of Immigration in Furthering Halloween
• Overview of the “Trick-Or-Treat” Tradition of Halloween
• What Are the Changing Halloween Costume Trends?
• Should Americans Abolish Halloween as a Traditional Holiday?
• What Are the Most Popular Halloween Movies?
• What Is the History of Halloween?
• Do Stores Have Sales Before Halloween?
• What Is the Scariest Outdoor Decoration for Halloween?
• What Are the Most Popular Halloween Sweets?
• How Is Halloween Traditionally Celebrated?
• What Are the Similarities and Differences Between Halloween and the Day of the Dead?
• Is Dracula a Popular Halloween Icon?
• What Is the Most Popular Halloween Symbol?
• What Is Better to Use on Halloween, a Mask or Makeup?
• Do You Celebrate Halloween With the Whole Family?
• Why Is Halloween Celebrated in October?
• Should Catholics Participate in Halloween?
• Are Gothic Buildings Associated With Halloween?
• Why Do Children Love Halloween?
• What Are the Myths and Legends About Halloween?
• How to Create a Budget Costume for Halloween?
• What Are the Most Questionable Celebrity Halloween Costumes of All Time?
• Why Are Pumpkins Popular on Halloween?
• Are There Racist and Culturally Repressive Halloween Customs in the United States?
• Are Sexy Halloween Costumes Appropriate?
• What Are the Best Pet Costumes for Halloween?
• The Halloween Effect and Japanese Stock Prices: Myth or Anomaly?
• What Are the Negative Effects of Halloween?
• What Do Halloween Colors Symbolize?
• What Skills Are Used When Carving Halloween Pumpkins?
• What Are Some Halloween Games for Kids?
• What Does Halloween Teach Children?
• Social Media Marketing Topics
• Contemporary Art Questions
• Culture Topics
• Witchcraft Research Ideas
• Fear Questions
• Dracula Ideas
• Entertainment Ideas
• Dress Code Ideas
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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How To Write A Halloween Essay? Best Advice

Halloween is an excellent time to celebrate but writing a persuasive essay on Halloween is another topic for discussion. Many college and university students find it tedious crafting such a paper and scoring low grades. To others, such an assignment is scary, and they end up not attempting it all. But should that be the case for all students? Well, our experts have prepared a tip-top guide on how to write Halloween essays that will make you a superstar. Keep reading.

What is a Halloween Essay?

It is an academic paper on Halloween that takes place on 31 st October every year. Now, Halloween is usually a night of customs filled with fun and merry-making. The Halloween tradition has rich ancient religious stories, beliefs, and history. With its origin over 2000 years ago in Celtic Ireland, the festival has developed roots in most parts of Europe.

Outline For Halloween Essays

Many students think that knowing how to write a Halloween essay introduction is all to it. Nonetheless, it would help if you had more than an understanding of one section to craft a brilliant Halloween essay sample. You will have to know the following background information first:

Origin of the Halloween festival Its significance to the communities that celebrate it The cultural and religious implications of the festival

With such knowledge, you are good to proceed to the structure of a Halloween essay which is a swift process. Like any other essay, a Halloween paper has three parts; introduction, body and conclusion. Below is a brief description of this structure:

• The introduction should contain catchy facts and ideas on Halloween that would immerse the reader into your essay. The beginning can also have proverbs, citations, some wise words, or quotes on Halloween. The thesis statement which comes in the intro should be brief and informative. Remember that the introduction paints a picture of what to expect, and as such, it should be captivating.
• The body: This is the part that explains the thesis statement in detail. It contains arguments and facts that support the main idea presented in the thesis statement. It is essential to connect every paragraph of the body logically to make your essay flow. To make this section more interesting, use vivid details and descriptions when narrating your story.
• Conclusion: It is the shortest part of your Halloween essay that wraps up your discussion. The decision should summarize the main points and restate the thesis statement. For an excellent article, ensure that your conclusion leaves a mark on your audience. Do not leave them scared and frustrated as people celebrating Halloween for the first time.

To ace your paper, you can look at the various Halloween essay example tasks online. These will give you ideas as well as tips on how to write a thrilling Halloween paper.

Halloween Essay Example

Halloween is widely celebrated in the U.S. and has a number of strange characteristics that make it similar to other rituals of reversal. Some social roles are reversed during Halloween. One example is that children hold power over adults through “trick or treat” as they can make adults give them candy and other things that they would not usually get. There are also many different costumes.

One type of costume that gets a lot of attention are the “sexy” costumes made for women and girls that are different to what they would normally wear. On a normal day no-one would wear that type of clothing but on Halloween it is OK. This is a way of everyone (particularly girls) stepping away from cultural norms and having the freedom to dress the way they want and express themselves. There are also symbolic messages behind the costumes in that they are supposed to imitate “scary” things. Anyone wearing a clown or vampire costume in everyday life would be seen as strange but on Halloween this is considered normal behavior.

Halloween can serve many functions in contemporary U.S. society. It is one of the most creative holidays in that it allows people to express themselves in costume and clothing, as well as make things and decorate their homes in an interesting way. It is also a kind of equalizing holiday because many costumes can be made at home from everyday objects, and pumpkins to carve are not expensive. In this way, everyone can join in with Halloween festivities, whereas Christmas (for example) can be very expensive with the presents and light shows. It is also an important holiday because it is fun for both children and adults – children can go to “trick or treat” whilst adults get to dress up and go to parties.

Let’s have a look at some exciting Halloween topics for your inspiration:

History of Halloween Essay Topics

• Analyze the myths behind the origins of Halloween
• Discuss the role of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain in Halloween
• Why do people light bonfires and wear costumes during Halloween?
• Evaluate the development of the Halloween festival from the 8 th century
• What aspects of All Saints Day featured in Halloween?
• Discuss the evolution of Halloween into a day of activities
• Traditional festive gatherings that define Halloween
• Discuss how people in the United Kingdom and northern France celebrated Halloween in the 18 th century
• Why was Halloween associated with human death?
• Discuss the connection between the worlds of the living and the dead and Halloween
• The role of Celtic priests in furthering the Halloween festival
• Why did people offer crop and animal sacrifices during Halloween?
• Discuss the role of the conquest of the Roman Empire on the Celtic territory
• The role of religion in contributing to the development of Halloween
• How did Pope Gregory III contribute to the furthering of the Halloween festival?

Custom Halloween Topics For Top Performers

• Beliefs and customs of the rigid Protestant belief systems
• How did the southern colonies celebrate the Halloween festival?
• Discuss the customs of different European ethnic groups concerning Halloween
• How do the American Indians celebrate Halloween?
• The impact of coronavirus on Halloween celebrations in the United States
• How did the American version of Halloween emerge?
• Should people buy costumes for their pets during Halloween?
• Discuss the typical annual autumn festivities related to Halloween
• The role of immigration in furthering Halloween
• How did the Irish Potato Famine impact Halloween?
• The role of the media in popularizing Halloween

Fast Topics For An Informative Speech On Halloween

• Discuss the “trick-or-treat” tradition of Halloween
• What is the significance of apple parings or mirrors during Halloween?
• How neighbourly get-togethers spice up Halloween celebrations
• What is the role of pranks and witchcraft in Halloween
• Familiar games that people play during Halloween
• How newspapers and community leaders contribute to furthering Halloween
• Discuss Halloween parties in the 1920s and 1930s
• Evaluate the relationship between vandalism and Halloween
• Discuss the role of the Spooky Story Hour during Halloween
• Effects of reading many Halloween stories and poems
• The part of divination games
• Halloween and watching horror films
• Impact of visiting haunted attractions during Halloween
• Why telling scary stories to lighten up Halloween

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Saturday Halloween – Top 3 Pros and Cons

Halloween takes place on Oct. 31 regardless of the day of the week. In 2024, Halloween is on a Thursday.

According to tradition, children in the United States dress up in costumes and go door-to-door in their neighborhoods saying “trick or treat” to receive candy.

Some would like to see Halloween held on a Saturday every year for safety reasons, and petitioned the U.S. President via change.org. However, others point out that the federal government doesn’t have the ability to make that change because Halloween isn’t a federal holiday . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]

The National Retail Federation, which tracks consumer habits, says 73% of Americans celebrated Halloween in 2023, up from 69% in 2022. Spending also increased in 2023, with Halloween shopping exceeding $12.2 billion, or about $108.24 per person. [ 38 ]

Approximately 2.6 million children chose a Spiderman costume, 2 million were princesses, about 1.6 million were ghosts , 1.5 million wore a superhero costume, and 1.4 million trick-or-treated as witches. Americans were also keen to dress up their pets for Halloween, with 11% choosing pumpkin costumes, 7% hot dogs , 4% bats , 3% bumblebees , and 3% spiders . 5.8 million adults celebrated Halloween dressed as a witch, almost 2.4 million as vampires , 1.8 million as Barbie , over 1.4 million as Batman , and 1.3 million as a cat . [ 38 ]

For more on the history of Halloween, visit Encyclopaedia Britannica .

Should Halloween Be Moved Permanently to Saturday?

Pro 1 Celebrating Halloween on a Saturday would make the holiday safer for children. Fatal crashes involving children increased 83% and those involving pedestrians increased 55% when Halloween falls on a weeknight. Further, there’s been an increase of at least 21 fatal crashes every time the holiday fell on a Friday since 1994. Safe Kids Worldwide states, “Twice as many kids are killed while walking on Halloween than any other day of the year.” [ 6 ] [ 7 ] Making trick-or-treating even more dangerous, 82% of parents don’t add high visibility aids such as reflective tape or glow sticks to their kids’ costumes, and 63% of trick-or-treaters don’t carry flashlights, according to the Halloween & Costume Association, an organization that created a petition to move Halloween to Saturdays. [ 8 ] Moving Halloween to a Saturday would allow trick-or-treating to begin in the daylight hours, reducing risk of fatal crashes and eliminating the need for costume safety alterations and flashlights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says fatal crashes can occur on Halloween when trick-or-treaters dart out into the street unexpectedly. Communities could create safer walking conditions on a Saturday Halloween by blocking off selected roads, which wouldn’t be practical on weeknights when people are returning home from work. [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] Read More

Pro 2 Celebrating Halloween on a Saturday would be more fun and less stressful for everyone. Instead of rushing home from school and work to fit in dinner and homework before setting out for trick-or-treating, kids and parents could enjoy the whole day and do more fun Halloween activities together on a Saturday. Entrepreneur Matt Douglas notes, “Extended family could gather like they do for other major holidays and special memories can be made.” [ 11 ] [ 12 ] With a Saturday Halloween, people who work the traditional Monday-Friday schedule won’t miss out on the fun of handing out candy to kids in the neighborhood. The holiday would be less stressful because parents won’t have to worry about kids staying up past their bedtimes on a sugar high. Plus, businesses won’t lose the productivity of tired workers who attended Halloween parties. [ 11 ] [ 13 ] Read More

Pro 3 A Saturday Halloween would minimize the holiday's negative impact on schools and learning. When Halloween falls on a weekday, students are too distracted to learn the day of the celebration. Plus, Halloween parties and parades at school exclude kids whose cultures don’t celebrate or whose parents can’t afford nice costumes. [ 11 ] [ 14 ] School day Halloween celebrations, which may have sweet treats and loud music, raise potential issues for students with serious food allergies, kids on the autism spectrum, and those with anxiety. Students and even teachers sometimes cause disruptions by wearing costumes that are inappropriate or just plain too scary. [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] Teachers also struggle to keep students focused the day after Halloween, when they have to wrangle tired and cranky kids. Retired teacher Cookie Knisbaum states that kids are “going to be hyped-up from the day before, and they’re going to try to bring their candy with them.” Moving Halloween to a Saturday would get the holiday out of the classroom, give kids a day to recover before school on Monday, and allow families to decide if and how they want to celebrate. [ 11 ] [ 20 ] Read More

Con 1 Moving Halloween to Saturday would put kids on the streets on the most dangerous night of the week. Halloween is already a dangerous holiday, with about 43% more pedestrians dying on the holiday than other autumn nights. Moving the holiday to Saturdays, the most dangerous day of the week, could further increase injuries and deaths because people would start drinking alcohol earlier in the day, and consume more overall than they would on a weeknight. [ 21 ] Drunk drivers are already involved in more than 25% of pedestrian deaths on Halloween. Ensuring that Halloween always occurs on a weekend night would lead to more binge drinking and drunk driving, making pedestrians less safe. [ 22 ] Drivers ages 15 to 25 are responsible for nearly a third of all child pedestrian fatal accidents on Halloween. Moving the holiday to the weekend every year would likely increase the fatalities because of later curfews and a lack of school and other responsibilities the following day. [ 23 ] Saturdays have the most fatal car crashes of any day, with a total of 5,873 during 2017 (over 500 more than the second-highest crash day). In 2017, there were an additional 799,000 nonfatal traffic accidents on Saturdays. 53% more road deaths occur on Saturdays than on Tuesdays, the safest day of the week. [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] Read More

Con 2 Moving Halloween would ignore the holiday's ancient and religious traditions. The origins of Halloween have religious and cultural importance, tracing back 2,000 years to the pagan festival Samhain  (pronounced “sow-in”), in which the ancient Celts celebrated the end of summer from sunset on Oct. 31 to sunset on Nov. 1. They believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth, blurring the boundary between the living and dead. Around 43 CE, the Romans, who were then ruling the Celtic territory, combined their Feralia festival honoring the dead with the Samhain activities. [ 27 ] [ 28 ] Since the mid-eighth century, the Catholic church has observed “a three-day triduum dedicated to remembering the dead, beginning with Halloween (October 31) and followed by All Saints’ Day  (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2).” [ 27 ] [ 29 ] [ 39 ] Read More

Con 3 Moving Halloween to Saturday would allow kids more time to be mischievous. Halloween has historically always been a night of pranks. Celebrations in Colonial America included “mischief-making of all kinds.” These days, kids might toss toilet paper in trees, jump out to scare people, or drink while underage. [ 27 ] [ 30 ] Amarjeet Sidhu, a seventh grader at the time of this quote, stated, “I think that Halloween should always be celebrated on the 31st. If it is celebrated on Saturdays, kids would go out late at night and put graffiti on signs, smash pumpkins and egg houses. I know this from experience. It won’t feel right if Halloween is not on Oct. 31.” [ 31 ] Many kids don’t realize that pranks they think of as harmless could actually get them arrested for vandalism or assault. Some less serious pranks are still subject to community service or monetary penalties. When Halloween is on a Saturday, kids are able to stay out later causing trouble. If Halloween were always on a Saturday, they could get into the annual habit of coming up with dangerous pranks. [ 30 ] [ 32 ] Read More

Discussion Questions

1. Should Halloween be moved to Saturday? Why or why not?

2. Would moving Halloween to Saturday make the holiday safer or more unsafe? Explain your answer.

3. Would moving Halloween to Saturday be disrespectful? Why or why not?

Take Action

1. Consider the arguments that Halloween should be on Saturday from TinyBeans .

2. Explore the history of Halloween at Encyclopaedia Britannica.

3. Investigate the history of Samhain , the precursor to Halloween and a reason cited to keep Halloween on the 31st, at The Peak .

4. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If so, how? List two to three ways. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the “other side of the issue” now helps you better argue your position.

5. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives .

ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA

Natalie Leppard Managing Editor [email protected]

© 2023 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved

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Essays on Halloween

Spooky season is the best season, and you can use your Halloween essay as an opportunity to delve deeper into the origins and traditions of this boo-tiful holiday. Halloween also referred to as All Hallows' Eve, is a holiday that originated in Ireland, where it was called Samhain. Some Halloween essays concentrate primarily on the Celtic origins of this holiday, while other essays on Halloween explore modern-day practices and traditions. Halloween is celebrated annually on October 31. It was believed that on this day evil spirits roamed free, so people were putting on costumes to trick the spirits into leaving people alone. Nowadays Halloween is celebrated by dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, and eating candy. Use Halloween essay samples below to gather more information about Halloween for your essays. We compiled only the best essay samples for you to check out!

Harry Potter: A Story of Marginalization and Hope Because of their universality and magic, the Harry Potter series and stories are exceptional. It revolves around an outcast young boy. Harry Potter is a young kid. Outcasts have been viewed as a relegated and undesirably typecast community throughout history. The story depicts...

Cosplay is seen differently by many people; for others, it is a way of life, and for others, it is a sport. If you have engaged in cosplay or not, it has become common in today's culture. Labor and a significant amount of time are expended in creating these costumes...

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In a small remote town in Chicago Illinois There is an old legend that has been passed from one technology to another. The story is narrated to kids by their parents at night time to scare them during Halloween so that they do not wander far away from their homes. The Actual...

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Why Students Ghost the Day After Halloween (And What Schools Can Do About It)

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Attention, all you minders of little witches and ghouls out there this Halloween.

In addition to the dangers of “Squid Game” costumes , too much candy corn (yuck!), and scary clowns, there’s another thing to watch out for: High number of students tend to do a little ghosting the day after trick-or-treating.

In Los Angeles, Nov. 1 is often the day with the district’s second-highest count of absent students—bested only by the day before winter break, said Michael Romero, the regional superintendent of Local District South, which serves more than 85,000 students.

“Kids are out later, they’re eating a heck of a lot of candy, and there is a likelihood that if a kid is struggling or griping about going to school, that maybe the family says, ‘Hey, stay home today,’” Romero said. “And if it is a kid who struggles with attendance, with chronic absenteeism, it’s just more likely that they don’t come back.”

One day out is not typically a major cause for concern, but skyrocketing rates of absenteeism during the pandemic meant large numbers of students didn’t make as much academic progress last year as expected.

And heading off a day out is especially important for those students who’ve already had spotty attendance this fall.

Here’s what we know about holiday absenteeism and some ways to counter it.

Absenteeism fluctuates in seasonal ways

Absenteeism is still a relatively new focus for educators and researchers, but gradually they’re learning more about what kinds of seasonal patterns and schedules seem to influence it.

Using school year 2018-19 data from the Detroit district, Wayne State University researchers found that absenteeism in that district was highest the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, and in the final week of the school year. (The day after Halloween wasn’t particularly high—but that year, it fell midweek, when absences in general tend to be lower.)

Generally, research also shows that absenteeism rates vary by grade level and other characteristics . In Romero’s region, it is highest for kindergartners and 9th graders, and that U-shaped pattern tends to show up in national data too.

Not all absenteeism is the same. There’s some indication that unexcused absences rather than excused ones are what’s behind poor academic results for students who miss a lot of school.

But for those who are already in danger of being chronically absent—generally defined as missing 10 percent or more out of the school year—it’s critical to avoid any interruption in learning, said Sarah Lenhoff, an associate professor of educational leadership and policy at Wayne State University, who co-wrote the Detroit study.

“A regular kid who’s not missing a lot of days and is absent Halloween or Thanksgiving, that’s probably not going to make much of a difference. But for a kid who is on the borderline of being chronically absent, or has a lot of scattered absences throughout the school year, having a culture of missing around a holiday can really add up,” she said.

While there doesn’t appear to be research specifically focused on the day after Halloween, observers say they’ve seen the same pattern as in Los Angeles.

Years ago when I was with LearnSprout, we looked at 3 years of anonymized attendance data from 2500 schools and found that nationally, the day after Halloween was in fact, *the* biggest day of the year for absenteeism. Sadly, Apple deleted all that data w the acquisition. — Paul Smith (@prsmith2009) October 25, 2021

And a teacher in the Oakland district said she used to routinely schedule parent-teacher conferences on Nov. 1, since so many students were likely to be absent.

We scheduled parent/teacher conferences (a no school day for students) for the day after Halloween. — Right to Read Project (@right2readproj) October 25, 2021

How to prevent students from ‘ghosting’

The good news is that districts don’t have to invent a lot of new strategies to head off absences on Nov. 1. And they don’t have to get in the way of some fun holiday cheer. They’ll just want to lean into their strategies a little bit more this week.

Romero’s region uses a three-pronged strategy to address absenteeism: Calling attention to the importance of coming to school in most communiqués, phone calls, and outreach to parents whenever a child is absent, and a tailored subset of approaches to students who have racked up numerous absences. Administrators amplify those, especially the first one, around Halloween.

“What we’ve done for the last couple of years—and it’s helped a bit, but it doesn’t solve the problem—is consistent messaging to parents, like a drumbeat,” he said. “We send flyers, we send reminders, we send messages through Blackboard Connect,” a course-management software.

Here are some other strategies to try.

• Start communicating with families now. It’s generally best to get ahead of a holiday and remind families through multiple communications—flyers, emails, text “nudges”—that attendance is expected on Nov. 1. The most effective approaches tend to be personalized by principals, rather than from the central office. (Romero cites one of his principals, who actually visits each classroom in her building to remind students to bring their flyers home.)
• Don’t send mixed signals about attendance. If you plan assemblies, parties or other non-academic events in the school day—as often happens around a holiday—it can send a signal that it’s OK to skip. “If kids or families get the message you’re not going to be doing academic work, or it’s going to be kind of an informal day, they will do something else with their time,” said Lenhoff.
• Create incentives for attending Nov. 1. Generally, Romero said, carrots work better than sticks. Try making Nov. 1 a spirit day in which kids get to wear their favorite jerseys, or launch a contest awarding a small prize to the classroom that has perfect attendance.
• Use it as a professional development or other day. Districts can choose to use the day for PD or parent-teacher conferences if they feel high student absences are unavoidable.

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• How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

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When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

• Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
• Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
• Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
• Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
• Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
• Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

• Make a claim
• Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
• Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
• Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

• Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
• Cite data to support your claim
• Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
• Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

• Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
• Highlight the problems with this position
• Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
• Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

• Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
• Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
• Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
• Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

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

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

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

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

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