160 Fresh Informative Essay Topics for Your Next Masterpiece

Contrary to what you might be expecting, writing an informative essay can be a lot of fun. After all, it requires you to dig deep into a specific topic so that you can explain it in your essay.

All you need is a good topic to put you into the zone. It should pique your curiosity, making you want to explore the subject despite the fact that you’re doing it for an assignment. (But you should remain objective in your writing, still.)

So, what are some good informative essay topics? Let us introduce you to our selection of 160 fresh ideas for any purpose, from college-level essays to no-sweat assignments.

What Qualifies as a Good Informative Essay Topic?

Before we dive into our many topics for an informative essay, let’s emphasize one thing: a good topic should appeal to your academic and personal interests. Otherwise, spending all that time doing the research, putting together a list of sources, and writing and revising the draft will be drudgery at best and torture at worst.

That said, your personal interest in the topic isn’t the only selection criterion that should guide you in your choice of what to write about. Good topics have something else in common:

• They’re manageable. You’ll have to cover this topic within the allowed word count, which can be as little as 500-750 words packed into five paragraphs. So, don’t choose topics that are too complex to thoroughly break down within the word limit. At the same time, make sure you have enough to say on the topic without padding the text with fillers.
• They’re specific (enough). Some of the topic ideas we listed below are somewhat general, but it’s on purpose. It’s up to you to narrow them down to a manageable, specific topic for your informative essay. It doesn’t have to be totally unique and one-of-a-kind, of course, but it shouldn’t be too generic, either.
• They play to your strengths. If you’re already well-versed in the functioning of a combustion engine, it’ll be a lot easier to write an informative essay about it than about something you’re clueless about. Besides saving you time, it’ll also probably get you a better grade.

20 Informative Essay Topics for High School

If you need to write an informative essay for a high school class, here are our 20 ideas on everything from history to biology to get you started:

1. How plants grow through photosynthesis
2. Major milestones in the civil rights movement
3. Why recycling helps the environment
4. The causes of World War I
5. How vaccines protect public health
6. The effects of global warming
7. What causes earthquakes and tsunamis
8. The importance of learning a second language
9. How digital communication has evolved through the internet
10. What science tells us about climate change
11. Women’s roles during World War II
12. How credit scores are calculated
13. The physical and mental benefits of regular exercise
14. How solar panels generate energy
15. The basics of the U.S. Constitution
16. How food affects brain function
17. The dangers of distracted driving
18. What leads to inflation and deflation
19. What happens during digestion in the human body
20. Social media’s influence on adolescent behavior

20 Informative Essay Topics for College

College students can’t make do with topics that are too simple for their level. So, here are 20 more ideas that you might find more suitable if you’re working toward a college degree:

1. How AI is changing the modern workplace
2. Why we make the choices we do
3. How blockchain technology secures digital transactions
4. The role of media in shaping public opinion
5. How nutrition influences academic performance
6. The evolution of feminism through the decades
7. How urbanization impacts local ecosystems
8. The economic effects of student loan debt
9. The science behind memory and learning
10. How algorithms influence social media feeds
11. A look at the origins and effects of the gig economy
12. How globalization affects cultural identity
13. The ethics of genetic engineering
14. How microplastics damage ocean life
15. The effect of music on mental well-being
16. Ways language influences human perception
17. Why mindfulness matters in the classroom
18. How pandemics have shaped world history
19. Innovations in renewable energy and their global impact
20. How sleep affects memory and brain performance

20 Informative Essay Topics for Students

Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree? Here’s our selection of 20 informative essay topics on everything from quantum computing to eSports:

1. How cultural norms affect gender roles
2. The mechanics of cryptocurrency and Bitcoin
3. Why storytelling is key in brand messaging
4. How poverty limits access to quality education
5. How climate change influences farming
6. What science says about building strong habits
7. How copyright laws affect digital creativity
8. The impact of automation on employment
9. The evolution of political ideologies
10. How data privacy affects personal freedom
11. How coral reefs support marine biodiversity
12. The rise of eSports in modern culture
13. How public transportation reduces urban traffic
14. The effects of caffeine on the human body
15. How 3D printing is revolutionizing manufacturing
16. The history of the United Nations
17. How bilingualism benefits cognitive development
18. The basics of quantum computing
19. How advertising influences consumer behavior
20. The dangers of fast fashion

20 Good Informative Essay Topics

Don’t want to settle for a so-so topic and risk boring your intended audience? Here are 20 good ideas bound to impress your instructor with your topic choice:

1. How nonprofits support local communities
2. How DNA is used in criminal investigations
3. How inflation affects everyday life
4. The science behind facial recognition technology
5. How oceans regulate global climate
6. The process of forensic fingerprint analysis
7. How satire influences political discourse
8. The importance of early childhood education
9. How electric grids distribute power
10. The evolution of human rights laws
11. How the brain processes emotions
12. The benefits of plant-based diets
13. How social movements create political change
14. The structure of the European Union
15. How peer pressure affects decision-making
16. The science of lucid dreaming
17. Why budgeting keeps your finances stable
18. How body language affects conversations
19. How virtual reality enhances education
20. The effects of noise pollution on health

20 Best Informative Essay Topics

If you want your essay to stand out among all other assignments, here are our 20 cream-of-the-crop topics to turn your informative essay into an A-worthy submission:

1. How protest art shapes public opinion
2. The science behind seasonal affective disorder
3. How cybersecurity protects personal data
4. What tourism means for local communities
5. How standardized testing affects student learning
6. The development of electric aircraft
7. How mindfulness reduces workplace stress
8. The history of international trade agreements
9. How copyright protects intellectual property
10. The psychological effects of color in marketing
11. How inflation impacts global food prices
12. The science of human circadian rhythms
13. How electric bikes are changing urban transport
14. The basics of digital copyright laws
15. Global health challenges caused by water scarcity
16. How architecture affects human behavior
17. How wind turbines generate electricity
18. Ethical concerns in the development of AI
19. How sound travels through various substances
20. The history of resistance movements among Indigenous communities

20 Easy Topics for an Informative Essay

Don’t want to sweat it or need your essay to be ready as soon as possible because the deadline is tight? Here are 20 easy topics that won’t take you long to cover in an informative essay:

1. Steps for building an effective study routine
2. Why staying hydrated is essential
3. How to stay organized in school
4. The benefits of taking short breaks
5. How pets help reduce stress
6. Essential rules of proper table etiquette
7. Preparing effectively for a job interview
8. The right way to brush your teeth
9. How to make a simple budget
10. The importance of getting enough sleep
11. How to set realistic personal goals
12. How to write a sincere thank-you note
13. Practical ways to become a better listener
14. Why managing time well improves academic performance
15. How to take clear and useful class notes
16. The steps of making a sandwich
17. How to stay safe online
18. Why daily reading supports lifelong learning
19. How to stay on task and beat procrastination
20. The importance of daily exercise

20 Fun Informative Essay Topics

Yes, writing an informative essay can be fun! Here are our 20 topic suggestions that make for an entertaining dive into various aspects of our everyday lives, from special effects to toy design:

1. How cartoons are made
2. The history of video game consoles
3. How amusement parks operate
4. Why chocolate makes people happy
5. How superheroes became popular
6. The science of popping popcorn
7. How emojis changed communication
8. The origins of comic books
9. How movies use special effects
10. Why dinosaurs still fascinate us
11. How theme songs are created
12. The evolution of toy design
13. How bubble gum was invented
14. The history of board games
15. How snow globes are made
16. The story behind holiday traditions
17. How animals inspired famous cartoons
18. How fireworks get their colors
19. How LEGO bricks are manufactured
20. The origins of April Fool’s Day

20 Interesting Informative Essay Topics

None of the topics above piqued your interest? We’ve come up with 20 more compelling, engaging ideas for your next informative essay that might do the trick:

1. How composting reduces household waste
2. How teenagers are impacted by influencer culture
3. How a universal basic income could affect economies
4. The biology of human immune response
5. How ancient trade routes shaped civilizations
6. How rising sea levels threaten cities
7. What 5G means for faster data
8. How art can support mental health
9. How saltwater becomes drinkable through desalination
10. Why traditional storytelling matters across cultures
11. How greenhouse gases warm the planet
12. How artificial organs are being developed
13. How screen time interferes with sleep
14. The role of citizen journalism today
15. How historical monuments preserve national identity
16. A look at satellite launches and space tech
17. How bees support food production around the world
18. The science behind biodegradable plastics
19. How memes influence online communication
20. The effects of artificial lighting on ecosystems

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Final Thoughts

If you want to write an engaging, interesting informative essay that also shows off your solid grasp of the subject, it all starts with selecting the right topic. So, take your time to brainstorm all the possible topics and make sure they’re specific and manageable enough for your assignment. And, of course, factor in which concepts make you especially curious and play to your strengths.

While you’re brainstorming, remember that there’s no such thing as a bad idea. So, list all the potential topics or create a mind map without filtering your ideas. Then, sort them from the most to the least compelling until the ultimate winner emerges.

Need more ideas for your next assignment? We have another list of 100+ expository essay topics; check it out for more inspiration!