Personal Interest Essay Questions:

1. What issue interests you? Why does this topic interest you? Do you have any personal experience with this issue? In other words, does this issue have an effect on your life in some way? Basically, explain why you care about this issue or why you want to write about it.

1. Why is this issue controversial, arguable, or important? What have other people already said about this issue? Provide a summary of what you’ve already learned about this issue and the kinds of arguments being made.

1. Who seems to care most about this issue? Why do they care? Who does this issue affect?

1. If you write about this topic for the Documented Argument, what unique perspective can you bring to this issue? Will you look at the issue from a cultural perspective? A feminist perspective? An economic perspective? Or, think about your college major and what perspective that knowledge will allow you to apply to the issue. For example, what would nurses say about your issue? Engineers? Teachers? Scientists?

1. Finally, what questions do you have about this issue? What do you hope to learn about this issue with further research?