14 Descriptive Essay Topics on the Enneagram Personality Types

If you are tasked with crafting a descriptive essay on the Enneagram, it is important that you include many different facts to substantiate your thesis and your claims. That being said, below you will find a handful of useful facts that can help you present a comprehensive understanding of what the Enneagram is and how it can be used:

1. The Enneagram functions as a gateway to understanding oneself and better understanding others. The Enneagram also describes the structure of nine distinct personalities so as to better understand those around you and integrate them. The name stems from two Greek words “ennea” which means “nine” and “grammos” which is a written symbol. The Enneagram symbol is a nine-pointed figure which represents the nine strategies for relating to yourself, to those around you, and to the world.
2. With the Enneagram there are three centers of intelligence. The first is the head, the second is the heart, and the third is the body. Each person has all three but individual personality types result in one of the three being stronger than the others, functioning as the leader among them. Understanding your primary center and that of others allows you to develop your personal potential by overcoming blind spots.
3. Those whose body type is the strongest center of intelligence use their instinctual center. They lead with gut-feelings, use their body for movement, are aware of their senses, and focus on social belonging and personal security. The focus for this type is controlling oneself and one’s environment, and taking action in a practical fashion. There are three personality types which fit into this category. The first is number 8: the protector. The second is number 9: the mediator. The third is number 1: the perfectionist.
4. Those whose heart is the strongest center of intelligence use their emotional center primarily. They emphasize negative and positive feelings through the heart, they are devoted, have a lot of empathy and concern for other people, and they have a lot of romance inside of them. People with this personality type focus on relationships and success and in both things they perform up to expectations of others and of their career. There are three personality types which fit into this category. The first is number 2: the giver. The second is number 3: the performer. And the third is number 4: the romantic.
5. Those whose heads are the strongest center of intelligence use their ideas, their perception, and their rational thinking as the leaders in their personality. People with this center of intelligence emphasize the need to have all of the facts before acting and they focus on cultivating certainty and safety. There are three personality types which fit into this category. The first is number 5: the observer. The second is number 6: the loyal skeptic. And the third is number 7: the epicure.
6. The Protector is personality type 8 and this person will assume leadership roles wherever they are and regularly take charge of situations. They are intense people whose energy can intimidate others. They are also keen on doing things their way, making them impatient with regulations or rules. They have a high priority for justice and fairness in their life which is why they fight back if they feel wronged. For people with this personality type, the experience of weakness or vulnerability will only encourage attacks from those around them. This personality type can capitalize well on their strength and mild aggression, but if misapplied these two traits will cause problems. This personality type will boast power, generosity, and enthusiasm but they have problems with anger and excessive domination. They speak assertively but become bossy if things go wrong.
7. Personality type 9 is the mediator and they share common problems with momentum. People with this personality type have issues with setting priorities and often find it challenging to shift their attention to the things which are most important. They are great mediators for other people though and naturally seek out harmony in the environment around them. They are well balanced and accepting but they also avoid conflict and are ambivalent.
8. Personality type 1 is the perfectionist and they emphasize self-control and integrity. They always correct the things that are wrong and are well known for their common sense, their dependability, and their honesty. They are so responsible that they might resent those around them who are not as responsible as they are. They are often critical not just of others but of themselves. They work hard to be right all the time and are often in the role of a social reformer. They are improvement-oriented but have problems being resentful and overly critical.
9. Personality type 2 is the giver and this person can easily make connections to others and empathize with their feelings and needs. They support others well and can bring out the potential in those around them but they also want to be liked and accepted by others so much that they change who they are to gain this approval. Twos absorb things from those around them and in this, must be cautious not to absorb too much and to set personal boundaries.
10. Personality type 3 is the performer. This personality type is highly adaptable and will work hard to ensure their goals are completed. They are active and always on the go which makes it hard to slow down. They are highly concerned with their image and they concentrate heavily on receiving material rewards or external praise, something which can result in them losing contact with their true self.
11. Personality type 4 is the romantic. This person regularly feels that something is missing and they are envious of others. They want depth in their relationships and express their emotions through poetry, dance, or music. They are passionate, but can often become over-emotional. They need lots of time by themselves and often struggle to balance their capacity for happiness with their sadness.
12. Personality type 5 is the observer. This person is generally a scholar or a technical expert with a keen analytical skill or perception. They focus on the accumulation of knowledge and value privacy and personal autonomy. They can detach from those around them easily, but this cultivates loneliness. They are intellectually brilliant but struggle with feelings.
13. Personality type 6 is the loyal skeptic who guards the safety of the family or group. They anticipate problems and have answers on the back burner. They use their intellect to figure out whether people are hostile or friendly. They are cautious and often worry. They also remain loyal and courageous once they have determined people to be good.
14. Personality type 7 is the epicure who is a thinker and mover with an optimistic attitude to all life activities. These people maintain an interest in multiple subjects and they prefer to keep their options open. They do not focus on approval from others but on having fun.

The facts speak for themselves: if you use enough of them in your paper, it will be excellent. But to make it even better, you may select the topic from 20 readymade titles on the Enneagram personality types. Also, don’t miss the chance to check out the writing guide on descriptive essays.

References:
Aspell, Patrick J, and Dee Dee Aspell. The Enneagram Personality Portraits. San Francisco, Calif.: Pfeiffer, 1997. Print.
Bennett, John G, and John G Bennett. Enneagram Studies. York Beach, Me.: S. Weiser, 1983. Print.
Bennett, John G. The Enneagram. Sherborne, Glos.: Coombe Springs Press, 1974. Print.
Bergin, Éilís, and Eddie Fitzgerald. Enneagram. Dublin: SDB Media, 1996. Print.
Blake, A. G. E. The Intelligent Enneagram. Boston: Shambhala, 1996. Print.
Ebert, Andreas, and Marion Küstenmacher. Experiencing The Enneagram. New York: Crossroad, 1992. Print.
Herman, C. Peter. “Personality Types: Using The Enneagram For Self-Discovery.”. PsycCRITIQUES33.7 (1988): n. pag. Web.
Riso, Don Richard, and Russ Hudson. The Wisdom Of The Enneagram. New York: Bantam Books, 1999. Print.