Enem: 7 possible essay themes for students to prepare for

To produce a strong essay in the National Secondary Education Examination (Enem), candidates need more than a command of standard Portuguese. They must also understand the social issues set out in the prompt and connect them with different events and areas of knowledge in order to develop a coherent argument.

According to Ademar Celedônio, director of education and innovation at Arco Educação, keeping up with the country’s leading news stories can help both with multiple-choice questions and with the essay, which traditionally focuses on highly relevant social problems. “Enem aims to assess the student’s critical thinking – in other words, how they position themselves in relation to current and structural issues in the country. Having knowledge of recent events is enormously helpful when building sound and coherent arguments,” he says.

He notes that the essay subject is generally decided between June and July. “The aim is not to try to guess the essay topic, but to identify current issues that connect with recurring characteristics of the examination, such as Brazilian social problems, the guarantee of rights, the invisibility of certain groups and the need to develop intervention proposals.”

Based on debates that have gained momentum across the country in recent months, Ademar Celedônio has selected 7 themes that relate to recurring Enem essay issues and deserve students’ attention while preparing. Take a look.

1. Challenges in protecting children and adolescents in Brazilian digital environments

The growing use of technology exposes children and adolescents to unsuitable content, targeted advertising, improper data collection, cyberbullying and other forms of violence. This issue concerns the shared responsibility of families, schools, the state and technology companies.

Why is it relevant? New laws and debates surrounding platform accountability and digital education have made this an urgent and particularly timely subject.

Possible approaches:

• Digital education and media literacy in schools;
• Platforms’ responsibility for content and recommendation mechanisms;
• Personal data protection and age verification;
• Cyberbullying, harassment and online sexual exploitation, alongside accessible reporting and support channels;
• The mental-health effects of excessive screen use;
• Supporting families in mediating children’s use of technology.

2. Challenges in securing Brazilian young people’s right to life and a future

Lethal violence, school dropout, organised crime and limited opportunities affect young Black people and residents of deprived urban outskirts in particular. Discussing young people’s future requires linking public safety, education, work, culture and the reduction of inequality.

Why is it relevant? This theme brings together debates on human rights, public safety, education, employment, culture and social inequality.

Possible approaches:

• Racial and territorial inequality in how violence is distributed;
• Violence prevention and coordinated youth-focused public policies;
• Access to technical education and first jobs;
• The recruitment of young people by organised crime;
• A lack of cultural, sporting and leisure spaces;
• Mental health and prospects for the future;
• Recognising young people’s participation in public decision-making.

3. Challenges in advancing full literacy as a condition for exercising citizenship in Brazil

A fall in illiteracy does not mean that all Brazilians can interpret texts, public information, scientific data or digital content. Full literacy includes reading, writing, comprehension and the independence to take part in social life.

Why is it relevant? Literacy ensures independence, access to work and information, and full participation in society.

Possible approaches:

• Expanding and valuing youth and adult education;
• Regional, racial and socioeconomic inequalities;
• Tackling school dropout and abandonment;
• Training and valuing literacy teachers;
• Functional literacy and understanding texts;
• Digital literacy and access to technology;
• Scientific literacy to interpret evidence;
• Media literacy to confront disinformation;
• Actively seeking out young people, adults and older people who are outside education.

4. Ways to strengthen Brazilian people’s trust in science and health institutions

Disinformation, fake news and mistaken interpretations undermine individual decisions and vital public policies.

Why is it relevant? The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of science. This topic makes it possible to discuss scientific communication, education, transparency and efforts to counter disinformation.

Possible approaches:

• Science education from the earliest stages of schooling;
• Combating disinformation about vaccines and treatments;
• Transparency when disclosing risks and adverse events;
• Public communication in clear, accessible language;
• Platforms’ responsibility for the spread of false content;
• Valuing universities and research institutions;
• Training health professionals to communicate with the public;
• Bringing science, the press and society closer together;
• Rebuilding trust through open data and accountability.

5. Challenges in identifying and including pupils with high abilities or giftedness in Brazilian education

Many pupils with high abilities remain unseen because schools lack suitable identification tools, trained professionals and teaching approaches capable of meeting their needs. Inclusion must also respond to those who learn at different speeds or in greater depth.

Why is it relevant? Law No. 15.436, of 17 June 2026, established a national policy for pupils with high abilities or giftedness, covering identification measures, specialised educational provision and monitoring, including in cases of dual exceptionality.

Possible approaches:

• Early identification of different forms of high ability;
• Teacher training to identify potential;
• Specialised educational provision;
• Curriculum enrichment and flexibility;
• Accelerating studies when educationally recommended;
• Establishing reference centres and programmes;
• Unequal access to diagnosis and monitoring;
• Social and emotional support for pupils;
• Challenging the stereotype that every gifted pupil excels in every subject;
• Recognising dual exceptionality, such as high abilities alongside autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or dyslexia.

6. Prospects for including neurodivergent people in Brazilian society

People with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other conditions continue to encounter educational, professional, communication, sensory and cultural barriers. Inclusion relies not only on diagnosis, but also on adapting environments and overcoming ableism.

Why is it relevant? Recent legislative progress points to new possibilities, but meaningful inclusion depends on cultural change, professional training and the removal of prejudice.

Possible approaches:

• Training teachers in inclusive teaching practices;
• Adapting assessments, methods and school spaces;
• Access to diagnosis and multidisciplinary support;
• Inclusion in higher education and selection processes;
• Employability and adapting workplaces;
• Creating spaces with less sensory overload;
• Tackling prejudice, infantilisation and ableism;
• Valuing the autonomy of neurodivergent people themselves;
• Support for families and carers;
• Ensuring accessibility in public services, events and cultural spaces.

7. Prospects for tackling climate disasters and environmental degradation in Brazil

Flooding such as that seen in Rio Grande do Sul, along with deforestation in the Amazon, shows how extreme events and environmental degradation affect the most vulnerable populations above all.

Why is it relevant? The subject allows discussion of prevention, planning, climate justice and the shared responsibility of governments, companies and society.

Possible approaches:

• Disaster prevention and warning systems;
• Urban planning and monitoring of risk areas;
• Adapting cities to extreme climate events;
• Combating deforestation and wildfires;
• Protecting the Amazon and other biomes;
• Restoring riparian forests and degraded areas;
• Climate justice and protection for vulnerable populations;
• Holding governments and economic actors accountable;
• Environmental education and sustainable consumption;
• Decent resettlement for affected families;
• Coordination between science, Civil Defence and public administration;
• Continuity of environmental policies regardless of changes in government.

How to prepare for any Enem essay topic

For Ademar Celedônio, the key is not attempting to predict the examination’s topic, but developing knowledge, interpretative ability and argumentation. “To achieve a score of 1000, it is important to know how to interpret the problem, argue and propose viable solutions. I recommend that candidates practise essays on current topics in order to develop coherent arguments and intervention proposals,” he concludes.

By Bianca Lodi