Somewhere right now, a student is staring at a blank page. Their mind is empty. Their hands are frozen. The clock is ticking. The essay prompt in front of them looks like a riddle crafted by an evil genius.
This is the reality of many students preparing for exams, especially when faced with selective exam writing topics—those mysterious prompts that seem to demand both creativity and structure at the same time.
How do you write something meaningful when you don’t even know where to begin?
The answer? You learn the art of writing about absolutely anything.
Step 1: The Art of Pretending You Know What You’re Talking About
First, let’s acknowledge a universal truth: Many great essays are built on confidence, not knowledge.
You don’t actually need to be an expert in every topic. You just need to sound like one.
Take this sentence:
“The societal implications of technological advancements in the 21st century have revolutionized human interaction in ways that remain both unprecedented and deeply consequential.”
What does it mean? No one really knows. But it sounds impressive.
That’s the magic of writing. It’s about making readers (and examiners) believe you’ve got something important to say—even when you’re still figuring it out yourself.
And when it comes to tackling selective exam writing topics, this skill is pure gold.
Step 2: Turning Any Topic into Something You Care About
Let’s say you get an exam question like:
“Discuss the impact of urbanization on the environment.”
Your first thought? I don’t care about urbanization. I barely care about my houseplants.
But here’s the trick: Find a way to connect the topic to something you do care about.
- If you love video games, talk about how urbanization has influenced game design in futuristic cities.
- If you’re into fashion, explore how fast fashion has changed due to urban consumerism.
- If you’re obsessed with conspiracy theories, casually mention that urbanization is just another way for pigeons (a.k.a. government spies) to monitor us.
Once you find a personal connection, even the most boring topic becomes interesting.
Step 3: The “Make It Bigger” Technique
Some exam topics feel too specific. You might get a prompt like:
“Should schools have longer recess periods?”
At first glance, this seems… small. A bit dull. But here’s the trick: Make it bigger.
- Instead of just talking about recess, talk about how humans, in general, need more breaks in life.
- Link it to mental health, workplace burnout, and the future of productivity.
- Mention how some of history’s greatest thinkers (Einstein, da Vinci, that one guy in your class who never studies but still gets A’s) relied on mental rest to spark their genius.
Suddenly, a basic school-related topic transforms into a philosophical discussion about human nature. And just like that, you’ve got an essay that stands out.
Step 4: The Power of a Wild Introduction
Let’s be honest—most examiners read hundreds of essays that start with:
“In today’s society, many people believe…”
Boring. Predictable. A one-way ticket to a mediocre score.
But what if your essay started with:
“If aliens landed on Earth tomorrow, they’d probably wonder why humans willingly spend hours writing essays about urbanization instead of inventing teleportation devices.”
Now that grabs attention.
Even for serious exam topics, a bold or humorous opening makes your essay memorable. It shows confidence, creativity, and most importantly—it makes the examiner want to keep reading.
Step 5: The Secret Weapon—A Contrarian Viewpoint
When writing about selective exam writing topics, most students follow the obvious path. If the question asks, “Should social media be regulated?” most will write about privacy concerns and misinformation.
But what if you argued against regulation?
- What if social media is the last true space for free speech?
- What if history shows that too much regulation leads to suppression?
- What if the real problem isn’t social media itself, but how people use it?
Taking an unexpected stance (as long as you can support it) makes your essay refreshing. And a refreshing essay = higher marks.
Step 6: The Power of a Mic-Drop Conclusion
You’ve made it to the final paragraph. The end is near. But instead of summarizing your points like a high school PowerPoint slide, leave the reader with something to think about.
Bad conclusion: “In conclusion, urbanization has both positive and negative effects on the environment.”
Strong conclusion: “As cities continue to expand, perhaps the real question isn’t how urbanization affects the environment—but whether we’re ready to adapt before it’s too late.”
A great conclusion should feel like the last line of a movie script—something that lingers in the examiner’s mind long after they’ve moved on to the next essay.
Final Thoughts: Writing Isn’t About Perfection—It’s About Persuasion
If there’s one thing to remember about tackling selective exam writing topics, it’s this:
Writing isn’t about having all the right answers. It’s about making the reader believe you do.
You don’t need to be an expert in every subject. You just need to:
✅ Sound confident.
✅ Find a personal connection.
✅ Expand the topic beyond the obvious.
✅ Start with a bold hook.
✅ Take an unexpected stance.
✅ End with a mic-drop moment.
So next time you’re staring at a blank page, take a deep breath and remember: You can write about anything—if you know how to spin it.
And who knows? Maybe the aliens will land one day and wonder why we spent so much time on essay writing instead of teleportation.
But until then… happy writing! 🚀
