<p>I have a question of the essay topics that ask for an issue of personal/local/state/national/political/etc concern and its importance to you. Is it OK to write about some petty, everyday, annoying issue that everyone faces (like slow drivers in the left lane, or even "I hate burning my tongue on my Starbucks coffee") and turn it into a long, funny rant or satirical essay that does relate back to yourself?</p>
<p>It could be interesting. But it would most likely make you sound like a whiner.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t do it. Pick some safe topic like the pervasiveness of academic dishonesty or grade inflation. There’s loads of arguments already available that you can rehash.</p>
<p>If I read a topic called “I hate burning my tongue…” I’d think the writer was immature.</p>
<p>Well, I obviously wouldn’t be writing about burning my tongue on coffee. I was more interested in whether I could write about something inane/frivolous/absurd and make it funny and satirical instead of a serious issue that everyone seems to do (like education).</p>