Essay Topics for The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Directions:

• Read all of the topics below and circle five that most interest you.
• Then, narrow your list down to three by putting stars next to them. For each of those, write three or more sentences explaining why this topic most interests you.
• Lastly, put a check-mark by the one you ultimately want to write about because you know you’ll be able to develop a powerful and persuasive thesis statement that can be proved by directly citing examples from the book and research on the Internet.

1. Write an essay explaining how friends can be addictive as Sam and Patrick were to Charlie.
2. Write an essay explaining all the types of love in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
3. Write an essay explaining how Mary Elizabeth and Charlie’s sister got their hearts broken and how this can prepare them for future relationships.
4. Write an essay explaining how Charlie’s loneliness results from low self-esteem and poor social skills.
5. Write an essay explaining how Charlie is closer to his sister than he is to his parents.
6. Write an essay explaining how the books Charlie read affected him by providing experiences in fiction rather than experiencing those same things in his life.
7. Write an essay explaining how Charlie has a difficult time making friends because of all the different personalities and interests they have.
8. Write an essay explaining the negative affects parties had on Charlie.
9. Write an essay explaining how getting involved sexually at a young age complicated Charlie’s or his sister’s life.
10. Write an essay explaining how being molested by his Aunt Helen was foreshadowed throughout the novel.
11. Write an essay explaining whether the loneliness Charlie experienced is typical of a teenager’s life.
12. Write an essay explaining whether Charlie’s relationship with girls benefited or complicated his life.
13. Write an essay explaining how Charlie put others feelings first and how this ultimately had a negative or positive affect on his life.
14. Write an essay explaining how peer pressure influenced Charlie to make unhealthy choices.
15. Write an essay explaining how Charlie’s relationship with his parents is beneficial.
16. Write an essay explaining how Charlie’s friends had a positive influence on his self-esteem.
17. Write an essay comparing and contrasting the role music played in Charlie’s life to your life.
18. Write an essay explaining any pros and cons in having an addictive personality and what made Charlie have an addictive personality.
19. Write an essay explaining whether Charlie was in love or infatuated with Sam.
20. Write an essay explaining the effect drugs had on Charlie’s life.
21. Write an essay explaining how sexual abuse damaged Charlie’s life.
22. Write an essay explaining how being a wallflower has its advantages and disadvantages for Charlie.
23. Write an essay explaining the positive aspects of Patrick’s behavior.
24. Write an essay explaining how Charlie’s personality changed during his freshman year.
25. Write an essay explaining how Charlie was emotionally alone and how that affected his behavior.
26. Write an essay explaining how high school is a learning experience for Charlie.
27. Write an essay explaining how Charlie’s body language communicated his true feelings regarding Mary Elizabeth and Sam.
28.  Write an essay explaining why Charlie gave Patrick a tape with songs he loved and what those songs meant for Charlie or Patrick.
29. Write an essay comparing Charlie to one of your close friends and what you would do to help him cope.
30. Write an essay explaining the affect Michael’s death had on Charlie’s life.
31. Write an essay explaining Charlie’s relationship with his family and how they communicated with each other and the affect it had upon Charlie’s choices in life.
32. Write an essay comparing Charlie’s relationship with Sam to his relationship with Patrick.