<p>I'm doing an essay on a "significant event, experience, achievement," etc. but my topic doesn't seem as important as a loved one who died or perseverance over poverty. Does it matter if the topic is something as small as say, going down a huge half pipe at a skatepark? Can effective prose bolster a petty topic?</p>
<p>As people will tell you over and over again, it’s not what you do but how you do it; it’s not what you write but how you write it. </p>
<p>If you ask me, the “trite” topics, as you say, are those of the death of a loved one or “perseverance over poverty.” Of course, a truly exceptional writer could make these essays stand out, but it would undoubtedly be a tough endeavor. </p>
<p>So, to answer your question: yes, effective prose can bolster even the pettiest of topics. (Though I don’t think the topic you speak of is petty.)</p>
<p>The point of the essay is to be personal, detailed, honest and revealing about you. Whatever topic allows you to do that is a best topic for you. </p>
<p>If the skatepark idea allows you to be personal, detailed, honest and revealing, then that is a magnificent topic.</p>
<p>The best essays I’ve written have been about little things. They’re “snapshots in time” - very few of us had any “life-changing” experiences by the age of 17.</p>
<p>And faransaa is absolutely right - it takes an extremely accomplished writer to write meaningfully about “the big stuff.”</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. I’ve decided to pull it off. I’ve seen essays that made a slight experience seem like a momentous event, so that makes sense.</p>
<p>as long as you can make it exciting and creative, it can make a great essay. My sister wrote about how she’s like ice cream- but she used a great deal of metaphors, diction, and imagery. She got into a few ivys.</p>