argumentative essay writing for middle school

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60 Excellent Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School

July 8, 2022 //  by  Brittany Ray

One thing I have learned as a teacher is that middle schoolers are excellent at arguing and debating. However, as educators, we must do our best to ensure that students at this age learn to debate with respect and be able to convey their opinions with strength and organization.

1. Should cell phones be allowed at school?

Explain why students should/should not be allowed access to their phones in class or at school.

2. Should exotic animals be kept in captivity?

In real life, many exotic animals live longer in captivity. However, many argue that this is not a way of a good life for the animal.

3. Should there be harsher punishments for a person bullying? 

Bullying has resulted in an uptick in youth suicides over the last decade. Among these hot topics is the issue of punishment: is it enough?

4. Do you feel that specific anti-discrimination laws are a detriment rather than a help to our society?

In 2022, it is no secret that many laws will allow certain benefits to those of different races, sexual orientations, nationalities, religions, etc. Do you feel that these laws have benefited our country as a whole? Or have they made things unfair to those who do not fall into those specialized categories?

5. Explain why or why not: Should students have homework on weekends?

Take a moment to determine whether or not weekend homework helps kids learn more or if it is a detriment.

6. Do you feel the government should dictate what you get for school lunch?

Tired of those whole wheat buns and low-fat chocolate milk? Share your voice about whether or not you feel the government should decide what you get for lunch.

7. Should cigarettes be made illegal entirely?

Because significant amounts of evidence explain the dangers of smoking, do you feel these should be made illegal? Or, do you think doing this would be overstepping personal rights boundaries and lead to making other things illegal?

8. Should gym class (physical education) be a requirement?

Explain why gym class should or should not be a requirement throughout your school career.

9. Should the drinking age be lowered to 18?

This long-standing argument on the age for drinking has waffled between these two concepts: if you're old enough to die for your country, then you're old enough to have a beer, and the human brain isn't developed enough. What do you think?

10. Do you think that the government should do more to fight against human trafficking?

Create an excellent argument explaining whether or not the government is doing a good job or not in fighting against human trafficking.

11. Do you think there should be automatic screen time limits for children?

Answer the above question and create a strong claim stating your opinion. You must back it up with evidence that supports your claim.

12. Explain whether or not animal testing should be outlawed.

Animal testing is used on anything from the medication people use daily to lipstick and body washes. Explain whether or not you think animal testing should be outlawed or made more strict.

13. Do you feel like there should be a death penalty?

Many people argue that the death penalty is inhumane. However, others that have lost a loved one to a violent crime may feel differently. What do you think?

14. Do you feel illegal immigrants should be granted all the same rights (and more) than nationalized citizens?

Always a fight in national elections is this concept of illegal immigrants being granted many benefits that ultimately cost the American people money. Explain your stance on this debate and how these granted rights benefit or harm the U.S.

15. Explain why America is or is not ready for a female president.

Now that we have the first female vice president, do you feel that the United States is ready for a female president?

16. Explain your stance as to whether schools should or should not have school uniforms.

Explain your stance on whether or not uniforms neutralize the environment and prevent bullying, or whether they limit personal expression.

17. Should violent video games be banned in the United States?

Are violent video games bad? Do they promote violence? Or are they just a pastime with which kids play and have fun?

18. Is milk terrible or suitable for you? 

While many would never know this is a controversial issue, it is. The United States has had long-standing business deals with dairy farmers. In turn, promoting the consumption of dairy products in the United States. However, recent science has challenged whether or not the use of dairy products is good for you. What do you think?

19. Are hot dogs that bad for you? 

4th of July and hot dogs are an American tradition, but is it worth the bad stuff?

20. Is going to online college the same as attending college at a university?

Some argue that online college isn't the same. What do you think?

21. Explain whether or not the electoral college should be eliminated.

Many argue that the electoral college is no longer relevant because of the population burst. Others provide an argument that it keeps things fair in largely populated states.

22. Should someone be able to keep wild animals as pets if they have the means to care for them?

Explain how unregulated care of wild animals as pets could be a detriment. Or, explain your stance on how this can be a benefit.

23. Should the school day be extended for a long weekend?

A more extended weekend does mean a longer school day. Explain the benefits and detriments of this particular argument.

24. Should the government have more say in what is or is not "fake news"?

With social media being used by the vast majority of people in the world and is owned primarily by one person, the issue has come up as to whether or not the government should have a hand in making the news on social media fair.

25. Do you feel art courses should be required pre-requisites for any college degree?

A math major, why wonder why they need to take art history. On the flip, others say it provides different world perspectives. What do you think?

26. Do you agree or disagree that parents should be responsible for childhood obesity?

The argument here is that our parents are responsible for their child's obesity in the same way they are required to be responsible for all other aspects of their child's life?

27. Explain whether you agree or disagree with allowing patients to have physician assisted-suicide in the case of terminal illness?

This topic has long been the source of many moral concerns. To argue that this is "playing God" why others believe it is the patient's right to die with dignity.

28. Explain your stance on whether wind farms are a good or bad idea.

Are these useful, or are they a waste of money? You decide.

29. Should college admission criteria be less stringent?

Getting into college is difficult for those who don't have the best grades. Should this be an issue?

30. Do you believe brick-and-mortar schools are still necessary for today's post-pandemic society?

During Covid, we all were at home and learned from home. Explain whether or not actual school buildings are needed.

Who doesn't love a cute puppy? Should every campus have its pet?

32. Is the student per class limit too high?

Do some research to determine if a lower teacher-to-student ratio benefits learning.

33. What are the most influential cons of sports athletes in the college industry being paid to play?

Recently, legislation has passed allowing college athletes to be paid for their service. Do you think this has made things fair or not?

34. Should a felon have their right to vote revoked?

Some states allow felons to vote while others do not. What do you think is fair?

35. Do you believe kids should get an allowance?

Explain your stance on what is fair.

36. Do you believe the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) is doing a good job regulating what gets put in our foods?

37. What do you believe is the appropriate age to begin using social media (i.e., Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.)?

Some say six, some say never. Explain your stance and what ages are appropriate for social media use.

38. Do you think it is necessary for 12th-grade students to have to take a civics exam before graduation?

The argument here is that students attending public school should have to know the same things people becoming citizens of our country need to know. What do you think?

39. Should elite athletes be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs?

If these were allowed, would the "playing field" be leveled? Or should these drugs continue to be illegal?

40. Do you believe that a college education is necessary for everyone?

Explain if you think everyone needs college or if it is ok to go different routes?

41. Have the Native Americans had justice from having their land taken?

Many believe the Native Americans have not had proper retribution for the brutality experienced many years ago. What does? What do you think?

42. Do you think the act of cloning DNA presents a moral issue?

Here we have another issue of morality and the argument of scientists "playing God," while others argue that this kind of science can lead to excellent medical benefits.

43. Should the government have more strict gun control policies?

The questions arising in the media are whether or not the issues with gun violence are a state of mental health, access to firearms, or the gun itself.

44. At what point should children begin doing chores?

45. The moral stain of the slavery of African American people in early American History is undoubtedly present. Do you feel the government promotes hate or love with the straight talk of racism?

Many argue that our government is promoting racism through its ongoing talk of inequities, while others argue that racism is not as prevalent as it once was.

46. Should employers have the right to require a Covid-19 vaccine?

Some argue that this violates personal rights, while others argue it is for the greater good.

47. Do you think electronic voting machines make the election procedure fair or unfair?

Some say these voting machines allow for more significant errors, while others say paper does. What do you think?

48. Do you believe politicians should be allowed to be "lifetimers"?

Should certain people be in control of our government for decades? Or should there be more strict limits?

49. Is climate change something we can truly make a difference with? Or is it much bigger and stronger than us?

Please explain how this tremendous task of preventing climate change is something that we can do or is it something that we cannot control no matter what.

50. Should the voting age be lowered?

Many high schoolers believe by 16, they should be allowed to vote. What do you think?

51. If protecting the environment is of utmost importance, should bottled water be banned?

Bottled water produces mass amounts of waste each year. Conversely, these companies generate millions of dollars that boost the economy. Which is more important?

52. Should the FDA allow GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) in our food?

Some argue this helps farms, and others say it threatens our health. What do you think?

53. Is daylight saving something the U.S. should keep, or should it be abolished?

Many argue that this law is outdated and we don't need it anymore. Please do some research and tell me what you think.

54. Should excellent grades guarantee a scholarship?

Many students graduate high school with a 4.0 GPA and no scholarships. Is this fair?

55. With the separation of church and state, should churches continue to be exempt from paying taxes?

56. Should school have better security?

In light of the violence in public schools, should the government pony up the cash to give schools better security?

57. Should the minimum wage be raised to $15 an hour?

The argument here is whether or not the person making your french fries at McDonald's should receive $15 an hour when someone with a college education teaching in their first year could make close to the same salary. What do you think?

58. Has artificial intelligence gone too far?

Is it weird that your phone listens to everything you say? Explain whether or not artificial intelligence is a benefit or a detriment.

59. Should public education at the college level be tuition-free?

If K-12 is free, then why do public universities cost so much?

60. Should the government dictate which books should be allowed in the classroom?

Hitler, at one point, got rid of any books that would provide a different viewpoint than he wanted his people to have. Do governments (local or national) have a right to dictate the books we read?

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Writing an Argumentative Essay | Middle School Guide to Writing

An argument, who hasn’t been in one? We argue on the school playground, argue with a best friend, argue whose best friend is better. We’ve all either been in an argument or tried our hardest to avoid one, but what happens when you have to write about one? Did anyone groan at that question?

Have no fear! This article is here with quick and effective tips that will help you write a great argumentative essay, no matter what you’re arguing.  It can also help in improved writing skills .

Tip #1: Pick a side, any side

It can’t be an argumentative essay if you don’t know what you’re arguing for or against. The simplest way to start an argument is to know what side you’re arguing for and to stick to the side until the very end. Sometimes the simplest statements of “I think. . .” or “I believe. . .” are a great way to start thinking about what side of the argument you’re on.

Here are some questions: Should schools push back their start time? Should healthy lunch meals be served to every student? Do you like the color black or blue?

Tip # 2: But Why?

Because I felt like it! If only that could be a valid reason for everything you have to explain (it’s not). But it’s not that complicated either. You picked a side of the argument, but you have to have reasons explaining why that side. The magic number to remember here is three . Any good argument needs to have at least three reasons that support your claim, and you get them by asking why .

• Why did you pick the color blue—? Give three reasons.
• Why should school days start later? Give three reasons.
• Why this School?   Give three reasons.

Remember, your argument is only as strong as your reasons. The sentence that has the chosen argument and three reasons to support the argument is what we call a thesis statement. That is if you want to sound all fancy and impress everyone around you!

Tip # 3: Find A Partner

A key to any good argument is finding good, strong evidence. In other words, find people who know what they are talking about, have been published properly, and now have come to your rescue. It’s an important element in your argumentative essay to have evidence that supports what you’re arguing for. The support could come in many forms: quotes, expert opinions, graphs, charts, or any form of data.

For instance, if you argue that school should serve healthy lunch for reason a, b, and c, then you need to find people that will support those reasons. The magic number here is two . Two pieces of strong evidence to support each reason. (When did an argumentative essay become a test in knowing how to add?)

Tip #4: Know Your Opponents

It’s just as important to know the other side of the argument as well as knowing yours. Wait. . . Why?!

You must address the other side of the argument in your essay, so that you can counterargue it.  The whole mission of the argumentative essay is to make a strong case for your side, and nothing makes a stronger argument than knowing what the other side is thinking. It’s called being prepared with the counterclaim, and having a strong rebuttal to prove your argument is stronger. This takes more good research.

The key here is to be prepared to defend your side till the very end. And yes, all this work is happening through writing. Let’s not forget that while playing mind chess!

Tip # 5: Take A Bow

Here’s the grand finale, time to put it all together. You’ve done all the hard work of thinking of good reasons to support your argumentative essay and then of finding strong evidence to support those reasons. Now is not the time to confuse your readers! Simply leave them with a thought about your side of the argument. Keep it short, neat, and clean!

These are the five basic rules to keep in your back pocket when writing an argumentative essay. Learning these steps will assist throughout entire acedemic life, including the abitlity to successfully write research papers .  Remember, writing is a process, so always be open to feedback and revisions. Happy writing!

Article provided by VSA Future ; offering virtual classes for your child.

When doing research for an essay, watch this video to learn how to separate trustworthy information from biased information.

Learn how to ensure your essay doesn’t contain plagiarism .

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A Step-by-Step Plan for Teaching Argumentative Writing

February 7, 2016

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For seven years, I was a writing teacher.  Yes, I was certified to teach the full spectrum of English language arts—literature, grammar and usage, speech, drama, and so on—but my absolute favorite, the thing I loved doing the most, was teaching students how to write.

Most of the material on this site is directed at all teachers. I look for and put together resources that would appeal to any teacher who teaches any subject. That practice will continue for as long as I keep this up. But over the next year or so, I plan to also share more of what I know about teaching students to write. Although I know many of the people who visit here are not strictly English language arts teachers, my hope is that these posts will provide tons of value to those who are, and to those who teach all subjects, including writing.

So let’s begin with argumentative writing, or persuasive writing, as many of us used to call it. This overview will be most helpful to those who are new to teaching writing, or teachers who have not gotten good results with the approach you have taken up to now. I don’t claim to have the definitive answer on how to do this, but the method I share here worked pretty well for me, and it might do the same for you. If you are an experienced English language arts teacher, you probably already have a system for teaching this skill that you like. Then again, I’m always interested in how other people do the things I can already do; maybe you’re curious like that, too.

Before I start, I should note that what I describe in this post is a fairly formulaic style of essay writing. It’s not exactly the 5-paragraph essay, but it definitely builds on that model. I strongly believe students should be shown how to move past those kinds of structures into a style of writing that’s more natural and fitting to the task and audience, but I also think they should start with something that’s pretty clearly organized.

So here’s how I teach argumentative essay writing.

Step 1: Watch How It’s Done

One of the most effective ways to improve student writing is to show them mentor texts, examples of excellent writing within the genre students are about to attempt themselves. Ideally, this writing would come from real publications and not be fabricated by me in order to embody the form I’m looking for. Although most experts on writing instruction employ some kind of mentor text study, the person I learned it from best was Katie Wood Ray in her book Study Driven (links to the book: Bookshop.org | Amazon ).

Since I want the writing to be high quality and the subject matter to be high interest, I might choose pieces like Jessica Lahey’s Students Who Lose Recess Are the Ones Who Need it Most  and David Bulley’s School Suspensions Don’t Work .

I would have students read these texts, compare them, and find places where the authors used evidence to back up their assertions. I would ask students which author they feel did the best job of influencing the reader, and what suggestions they would make to improve the writing. I would also ask them to notice things like stories, facts and statistics, and other things the authors use to develop their ideas. Later, as students work on their own pieces, I would likely return to these pieces to show students how to execute certain writing moves.

Step 2: Informal Argument, Freestyle

Although many students might need more practice in writing an effective argument, many of them are excellent at arguing in person. To help them make this connection, I would have them do some informal debate on easy, high-interest topics. An activity like This or That (one of the classroom icebreakers I talked about last year) would be perfect here: I read a statement like “Women have the same opportunities in life as men.” Students who agree with the statement move to one side of the room, and those who disagree move to the other side. Then they take turns explaining why they are standing in that position. This ultimately looks a little bit like a debate, as students from either side tend to defend their position to those on the other side.

Every class of students I have ever had, from middle school to college, has loved loved LOVED this activity. It’s so simple, it gets them out of their seats, and for a unit on argument, it’s an easy way to get them thinking about how the art of argument is something they practice all the time.

Step 3: Informal Argument, Not so Freestyle

Once students have argued without the support of any kind of research or text, I would set up a second debate; this time with more structure and more time to research ahead of time. I would pose a different question, supply students with a few articles that would provide ammunition for either side, then give them time to read the articles and find the evidence they need.

Next, we’d have a Philosophical Chairs debate (learn about this in my  discussion strategies post), which is very similar to “This or That,” except students use textual evidence to back up their points, and there are a few more rules. Here they are still doing verbal argument, but the experience should make them more likely to appreciate the value of evidence when trying to persuade.

Before leaving this step, I would have students transfer their thoughts from the discussion they just had into something that looks like the opening paragraph of a written argument: A statement of their point of view, plus three reasons to support that point of view. This lays the groundwork for what’s to come.

Step 4: Introduction of the Performance Assessment

Next I would show students their major assignment, the performance assessment that they will work on for the next few weeks. What does this look like? It’s generally a written prompt that describes the task, plus the rubric I will use to score their final product.

Anytime I give students a major writing assignment, I let them see these documents very early on. In my experience, I’ve found that students appreciate having a clear picture of what’s expected of them when beginning a writing assignment. At this time, I also show them a model of a piece of writing that meets the requirements of the assignment. Unlike the mentor texts we read on day 1, this sample would be something teacher-created (or an excellent student model from a previous year) to fit the parameters of the assignment.

Step 5: Building the Base

Before letting students loose to start working on their essays, I make sure they have a solid plan for writing. I would devote at least one more class period to having students consider their topic for the essay, drafting a thesis statement, and planning the main points of their essay in a graphic organizer.

I would also begin writing my own essay on a different topic. This has been my number one strategy for teaching students how to become better writers. Using a document camera or overhead projector, I start from scratch, thinking out loud and scribbling down my thoughts as they come. When students see how messy the process can be, it becomes less intimidating for them. They begin to understand how to take the thoughts that are stirring around in your head and turn them into something that makes sense in writing.

For some students, this early stage might take a few more days, and that’s fine: I would rather spend more time getting it right at the pre-writing stage than have a student go off willy-nilly, draft a full essay, then realize they need to start over. Meanwhile, students who have their plans in order will be allowed to move on to the next step.

Step 6: Writer’s Workshop

The next seven to ten days would be spent in writer’s workshop, where I would start class with a mini-lesson about a particular aspect of craft. I would show them how to choose credible, relevant evidence, how to skillfully weave evidence into an argument, how to consider the needs of an audience, and how to correctly cite sources. Once each mini-lesson was done, I would then give students the rest of the period to work independently on their writing. During this time, I would move around the room, helping students solve problems and offering feedback on whatever part of the piece they are working on. I would encourage students to share their work with peers and give feedback at all stages of the writing process.

If I wanted to make the unit even more student-centered, I would provide the mini-lessons in written or video format and let students work through them at their own pace, without me teaching them. (To learn more about this approach, read this post on self-paced learning ).

As students begin to complete their essays, the mini-lessons would focus more on matters of style and usage. I almost never bother talking about spelling, punctuation, grammar, or usage until students have a draft that’s pretty close to done. Only then do we start fixing the smaller mistakes.

Step 7: Final Assessment

Finally, the finished essays are handed in for a grade. At this point, I’m pretty familiar with each student’s writing and have given them verbal (and sometimes written) feedback throughout the unit; that’s why I make the writer’s workshop phase last so long. I don’t really want students handing in work until they are pretty sure they’ve met the requirements to the best of their ability. I also don’t necessarily see “final copies” as final; if a student hands in an essay that’s still really lacking in some key areas, I will arrange to have that student revise it and resubmit for a higher grade.

So that’s it. If you haven’t had a lot of success teaching students to write persuasively, and if the approach outlined here is different from what you’ve been doing, give it a try. And let’s keep talking: Use the comments section below to share your techniques or ask questions about the most effective ways to teach argumentative writing.

Want this unit ready-made?

If you’re a writing teacher in grades 7-12 and you’d like a classroom-ready unit like the one described above, including mini-lessons, sample essays, and a library of high-interest online articles to use for gathering evidence, take a look at my Argumentative Writing unit. Just click on the image below and you’ll be taken to a page where you can read more and see a detailed preview of what’s included.

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Categories: Instruction , Podcast

Tags: English language arts , Grades 6-8 , Grades 9-12 , teaching strategies

57 Comments

This is useful information. In teaching persuasive speaking/writing I have found Monroe’s Motivated sequence very useful and productive. It is a classic model that immediately gives a solid structure for students.

Thanks for the recommendation, Bill. I will have to look into that! Here’s a link to more information on Monroe’s Motivated sequence, for anyone who wants to learn more: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/MonroeMotivatedSequence.htm

What other sites do you recommend for teacher use on providing effective organizational structure in argumentative writing? As a K-12 Curriculum Director, I find that when teachers connect with and understand the organizational structure, they are more effective in their teaching/delivery.

Hey Jessica, in addition to the steps outlined here, you might want to check out Jenn’s post on graphic organizers . Graphic organizers are a great tool that you can use in any phase of a lesson. Using them as a prewrite can help students visualize the argument and organize their thoughts. There’s a link in that post to the Graphic Organizer Multi-Pack that Jenn has for sale on her Teachers Pay Teachers site, which includes two versions of a graphic organizer you can use specifically for argument organization. Otherwise, if there’s something else you had in mind, let us know and we can help you out. Thanks!

Dear Jennifer Gonzalez,

You are generous with your gift of lighting the path… I hardly ever write (never before) , but I must today… THANK YOU… THANK YOU….THANK YOU… mostly for reading your great teachings… So your valuable teachings will even be easy to benefit all the smart people facing challenge of having to deal with adhd…

I am not a teacher… but forever a student…someone who studied English as 2nd language, with a science degree & adhd…

You truly are making a difference in our World…

Thanks so much, Rita! I know Jenn will appreciate this — I’ll be sure to share with her!

Love it! Its simple and very fruitful . I can feel how dedicated you are! Thanks alot Jen

Great examples of resources that students would find interesting. I enjoyed reading your article. I’ve bookmarked it for future reference. Thanks!

You’re welcome, Sheryl!

Students need to be writing all the time about a broad range of topics, but I love the focus here on argumentative writing because if you choose the model writing texts correctly, you can really get the kids engaged in the process and in how they can use this writing in real-world situations!

I agree, Laura. I think an occasional tight focus on one genre can help them grow leaps and bounds in the skills specific to that type of writing. Later, in less structured situations, they can then call on those skills when that kind of thinking is required.

This is really helpful! I used it today and put the recess article in a Google Doc and had the kids identify anecdotal, statistic, and ‘other’ types of evidence by highlighting them in three different colors. It worked well! Tomorrow we’ll discuss which of the different types of evidence are most convincing and why.

Love that, Shanna! Thanks for sharing that extra layer.

Greetings Ms. Gonzales. I was wondering if you had any ideas to help students develop the cons/against side of their argument within their writing? Please advise. Thanks.

Hi Michael,

Considering audience and counterarguments are an important part of the argumentative writing process. In the Argumentative Writing unit Jenn includes specific mini-lessons that teach kids how, when and where to include opposing views in their writing. In the meantime, here’s a video that might also be helpful.

Hi, Thank you very much for sharing your ideas. I want to share also the ideas in the article ‘Already Experts: Showing Students How Much They Know about Writing and Reading Arguments’ by Angela Petit and Edna Soto…they explain a really nice activity to introduce argumentative writing. I have applied it many times and my students not only love it but also display a very clear pattern as the results in the activity are quite similar every time. I hope you like it.

Lorena Perez

I’d like to thank you you for this excellence resource. It’s a wonderful addition to the informative content that Jennifer has shared.

What do you use for a prize?

I looked at the unit, and it looks and sounds great. The description says there are 4 topics. Can you tell me the topics before I purchase? We start argument in 5th grade, and I want to make sure the topics are different from those they’ve done the last 5 years before purchasing. Thanks!

Hi Carrie! If you go to the product page on TPT and open up the preview, you’ll see the four topics on the 4th page in more detail, but here they are: Social Networking in School (should social media sites be blocked in school?), Cell Phones in Class, Junk Food in School, and Single-Sex Education (i.e., genders separated). Does that help?

I teach 6th grade English in a single gendered (all-girls) class. We just finished an argument piece but I will definitely cycle back your ideas when we revisit argumentation. Thanks for the fabulous resources!

Glad to hear it, Madelyn!

I’m not a writing teacher and honestly haven’t been taught on how to teach writing. I’m a history teacher. I read this and found it helpful but have questions. First I noticed that amount of time dedicated to the task in terms of days. My questions are how long is a class period? I have my students for about 45 minutes. I also saw you mentioned in the part about self-paced learning that mini-lessons could be written or video format. I love these ideas. Any thoughts on how to do this with almost no technology in the room and low readers to non-readers? I’m trying to figure out how to balance teaching a content class while also teaching the common core skills. Thank you for any consideration to my questions.

Hey Jones, To me, a class period is anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour; definitely varies from school to school. As for the question about doing self-paced with very little tech? I think binders with written mini-lessons could work well, as well as a single computer station or tablet hooked up to a class set of videos. Obviously you’d need to be more diligent about rotating students in and out of these stations, but it’s an option at least. You might also give students access to the videos through computers in other locations at school (like the library) and give them passes to watch. The thing about self-paced learning, as you may have seen in the self-paced post , is that if students need extra teacher support (as you might find with low readers or non-readers), they would spend more one-on-one time with the teacher, while the higher-level students would be permitted to move more quickly on their own. Does that help?

My primary goal for next semester is to increase academic discussion and make connections from discussion to writing, so I love how you launch this unit with lessons like Philosophical Chairs. I am curious, however, what is the benefit of the informal argument before the not-so-informal argument? My students often struggle to listen to one another, so I’m wondering if I should start with the more formal, structured version. Or, am I overthinking the management? Thanks so much for input.

Yikes! So sorry your question slipped through, and we’re just now getting to this, Sarah. The main advantage of having kids first engage in informal debate is that it helps them get into an argumentative mindset and begin to appreciate the value of using research to support their claims. If you’ve purchased the unit, you can read more about this in the Overview.

My 6th graders are progressing through their argumentative essay. I’m providing mini lessons along the way that target where most students are in their essay. Your suggestions will be used. I’ve chosen to keep most writing in class and was happy to read that you scheduled a lot of class time for the writing. Students need to feel comfortable knowing that writing is a craft and needs to evolve over time. I think more will get done in class and it is especially important for the struggling writers to have peers and the teacher around while they write. Something that I had students do that they liked was to have them sit in like-topic groups to create a shared document where they curated information that MIGHT be helpful along the way. By the end of the essay, all will use a fantastic add-on called GradeProof which helps to eliminate most of the basic and silly errors that 6th graders make.

Debbi! I LOVE the idea of a shared, curated collection of resources! That is absolutely fantastic! Are you using a Google Doc for this? Other curation tools you might consider are Padlet and Elink .

thanks v much for all this information

Love this! What do you take as grades in the meantime? Throughout this 2 week stretch?

Ideally, you wouldn’t need to take grades at all, waiting until the final paper is done to give one grade. If your school requires more frequent grades, you could assign small point values for getting the incremental steps done: So in Step 3 (when students have to write a paragraph stating their point of view) you could take points for that. During the writer’s workshop phase, you might give points for completion of a rough draft and participation points for peer review (ideally, they’d get some kind of feedback on the quality of feedback they give to one another). Another option would be to just give a small, holistic grade for each week based on the overall integrity of their work–are they staying on task? Making small improvements to their writing each day? Taking advantage of the resources? If students are working diligently through the process, that should be enough. But again, the assessment (grades) should really come from that final written product, and if everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing during the workshop phase, most students should have pretty good scores on that final product. Does that help?

Awesome Step 2! Teaching mostly teenagers in Northern Australia I find students’ verbal arguments are much more finely honed than their written work.

To assist with “building the base” I’ve always found sentence starters an essential entry point for struggling students. We have started using the ‘PEARL’ method for analytical and persuasive writing.

If it helps here a free scaffold for the method:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Paragraph-Scaffold-PEEL-to-PEARL-3370676

Thanks again,

Thank you for sharing this additional resource! It’s excellent!

I’ve been scouring the interwebs looking for some real advice on how I can help my struggling 9th grader write better. I can write. Since it comes naturally for me, I have a hard time breaking it down into such tiny steps that he can begin to feel less overwhelmed. I LOVE the pre-writing ideas here. My son is a fabulous arguer. I need to help him use those powers for the good of his writing skills. Do you have a suggestion on what I else I can be using for my homeschooled son? Or what you may have that could work well for home use?

Hi Melinda,

You might be interested in taking a look at Jenn’s Argumentative Writing unit which she mentions at the end of the post . Hope this helps!

Mam it would be good if you could post some steps of different writing and some samples as well so it can be useful for the students.

Hi Aalia! My name is Holly, and I work as a Customer Experience Manager for Cult of Pedagogy. It just so happens that in the near future, Jenn is going to release a narrative writing unit, so keep an eye out for that! As far as samples, the argumentative writing unit has example essays included, and I’m sure the narrative unit will as well. But, to find the examples, you have to purchase the unit from Teachers Pay Teachers.

I just want to say that this helped me tremendously in teaching argument to 8th Graders this past school year, which is a huge concept on their state testing in April. I felt like they were very prepared, and they really enjoyed the verbal part of it, too! I have already implemented these methods into my unit plan for argument for my 11th grade class this year. Thank you so much for posting all of these things! : )

-Josee` Vaughn

I’m so glad to hear it, Josee!!

Love your blog! It is one of the best ones.

I am petrified of writing. I am teaching grade 8 in September and would love some suggestions as I start planning for the year. Thanks!

This is genius! I can’t wait to get started tomorrow teaching argument. It’s always something that I have struggled with, and I’ve been teaching for 18 years. I have a class of 31 students, mostly boys, several with IEPs. The self-paced mini-lessons will help tremendously.

So glad you liked it, Britney!

My students will begin the journey into persuasion and argument next week and your post cemented much of my thinking around how to facilitate the journey towards effective, enthusiastic argumentative writing.

I use your rubrics often to outline task expectations for my students and the feedback from them is how useful breaking every task into steps can be as they are learning new concepts.

Additionally, we made the leap into blogging as a grade at https://mrsdsroadrunners.edublogs.org/2019/01/04/your-future/ It feels much like trying to learn to change a tire while the car is speeding down the highway. Reading your posts over the past years was a factor in embracing the authentic audience. Thank You! Trish

I love reading and listening to your always helpful tips, tricks, and advice! I was wondering if you had any thoughts on creative and engaging ways to have students share their persuasive writing? My 6th students are just finishing up our persuasive writing where we read the book “Oh, Rats” by Albert Marrin and used the information gathered to craft a persuasive piece to either eliminate or protect rats and other than just reading their pieces to one another, I have been trying to think of more creative ways to share. I thought about having a debate but (un)fortunately all my kids are so sweet and are on the same side of the argument – Protect the Rats! Any ideas?

Hi Kiley! Thanks for the positive feedback! So glad to hear that you are finding value in Cult of Pedagogy! Here are a few suggestions that you may be interested in trying with your students:

-A gallery walk: Students could do this virtually if their writing is stored online or hard copies of their writing. Here are some different ways that you could use gallery walks: Enliven Class Discussions With Gallery Walks

-Students could give each other feedback using a tech tool like Flipgrid . You could assign students to small groups or give them accountability partners. In Flipgrid, you could have students sharing back and forth about their writing and their opinions.

I hope this helps!

I love the idea of mentor texts for all of these reading and writing concepts. I saw a great one on Twitter with one text and it demonstrated 5-6 reasons to start a paragraph, all in two pages of a book! Is there a location that would have suggestions/lists of mentor texts for these areas? Paragraphs, sentences, voice, persuasive writing, expository writing, etc. It seems like we could share this info, save each other some work, and curate a great collection of mentor text for English Language Arts teachers. Maybe it already exists?

Hi Maureen,

Here are some great resources that you may find helpful:

Craft Lessons Second Edition: Teaching Writing K-8 Write Like This: Teaching Real-World Writing Through Modeling and Mentor Texts and Mentor Texts, 2nd edition: Teaching Writing Through Children’s Literature, K-6

Thanks so much! I’ll definitely look into these.

I love the steps for planning an argumentative essay writing. When we return from Christmas break, we will begin starting a unit on argumentative writing. I will definitely use the steps. I especially love Step #2. As a 6th grade teacher, my students love to argue. This would set the stage of what argumentative essay involves. Thanks for sharing.

So glad to hear this, Gwen. Thanks for letting us know!

Great orientation, dear Jennifer. The step-by-step carefully planned pedagogical perspectives have surely added in the information repository of many.

Hi Jennifer,

I hope you are well. I apologise for the incorrect spelling in the previous post.

Thank you very much for introducing this effective instruction for teaching argumentative writing. I am the first year PhD student at Newcastle University, UK. My PhD research project aims to investigate teaching argumentative writing to Chinese university students. I am interested in the Argumentative Writing unit you have designed and would like to buy it. I would like to see the preview of this book before deciding to purchase it. I clicked on the image BUT the font of the preview is so small and cannot see the content clearly. I am wondering whether it could be possible for you to email me a detailed preview of what’s included. I would highly appreciate if you could help me with this.

Thank you very much in advance. Looking forward to your reply.

Take care and all the very best, Chang

Hi Chang! Jenn’s Argumentative Writing Unit is actually a teaching unit geared toward grades 7-12 with lessons, activities, etc. If you click here click here to view the actual product, you can click on the green ‘View Preview’ button to see a pretty detailed preview of what’s offered. Once you open the preview, there is the option to zoom in so you can see what the actual pages of the unit are like. I hope this helps!

Great Content!

Another teacher showed me one of your posts, and now I’ve read a dozen of them. With teaching students to argue, have you ever used the “What’s going on in this picture?” https://www.nytimes.com/column/learning-whats-going-on-in-this-picture?module=inline I used it last year and thought it was a non-threatening way to introduce learners to using evidence to be persuasive since there was no text.

I used to do something like this to help kids learn how to make inferences. Hadn’t thought of it from a persuasive standpoint. Interesting.

this is a very interesting topic, thanks!

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100 Thought-Provoking Argumentative Writing Prompts for Kids and Teens

Practice making well-reasoned arguments using research and facts.

Writing a strong argumentative essay teaches students to make a case for their own point of view without relying on emotion or passion. These argumentative essay topics provide options for kids of all ages, including controversial subjects and some that are just for fun.

School and Education Argumentative Essay Topics

Science and history argumentative essay topics, life and ethics argumentative essay topics, social justice and civics argumentative essay topics, more argumentative essay topics, what’s the difference between argumentative and persuasive essays.

These two types of essays are similar, but there are some subtle and important differences .

• Author’s purpose: In an argumentative essay, your job is to simply convince the reader that the point of view you’re presenting is valid, even if it doesn’t change their mind. Persuasive essays seek to sway the reader to adopt your point of view over any others.
• Method: Argumentative essays rely heavily on well-researched facts and logical assertions. In a persuasive essay, the writer may use a blend of emotion and facts to win over the reader.
• Audience: Persuasive essays require a specific audience, since the writer must acknowledge and attempt to overcome their potential objections. The writer of an argumentative essay is simply making a statement, so knowing their audience is less important.
• Viewpoint: A persuasive essay writer should believe their point of view is the only correct one, and try to persuade the reader to agree. Argumentative essays acknowledge other points of view, but use reason and logic to argue that the writer’s point of view is best.

Persuasive and argumentative essay topics often overlap. The difference is in how the writer approaches the topic. When you assign one of the topics below as an argumentative essay, remind students to use research, reason, and logic to make a strong but dispassionate argument.

• Should physical education be part of the standard high school curriculum?
• Schools should require recommended vaccines for all students, with very limited exceptions.
• Should all students have the ability to attend college for free?
• What one class should all high schools students be required to take and pass in order to graduate?

• Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?
• Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
• Should schools have dress codes?
• If I could change one school rule, it would be …
• Is year-round school a good idea?
• Which is better, private schools or public schools?
• Should every student have to participate in athletics?
• Do you think schools should ban junk food from their cafeterias?
• Should students be required to volunteer in their communities?
• What is the most important school subject?
• Are letter grades helpful, or should we replace them with something else?

• Should schools be allowed to ban some books from their libraries?
• Which is better, book smarts or street smarts?
• Are single-gender schools better or worse for students?
• Are computers making teachers obsolete?
• Students who fail a test should be given a chance to take it again.
• Is it acceptable to use animals for experiments and research?
• Vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco.
• Do we really learn anything from history, or does it just repeat itself over and over?
• Is it OK to keep animals in zoos?
• Should we ban plastic bags and bottles?
• Should we still consider Pluto a planet?

• It’s important to spend tax dollars exploring space, instead of on other things.
• Is there life on other planets?
• Who was the best/worst American president?
• Should vaccines be mandatory?
• Are GMOs more helpful than harmful?
• Is animal cloning ethical?
• Should human cloning be legal?
• Should we use stem cells from human embryos for scientific research?
• Is it better to provide drug addicts with treatment instead of punishment?

• Should we ban the use of fossil fuels?
• Can we truly do anything about human-caused global warming?
• Are electric vehicles better than gas-powered ones?
• Was life really better “back in the day”?
• Choose a foreign conflict (e.g., Vietnam or Afghanistan) and argue whether or not the United States was justified in getting involved.
• The most important challenge our country is currently facing is … (e.g., immigration, gun control, economy)
• Does social media do more harm than good?
• The best country in the world is …
• Are men and women treated equally?
• Is it better to be vegetarian/vegan than to eat meat?
• Should little kids be allowed to play competitive sports?
• Who faces more peer pressure, girls or boys?
• Should kids have set bedtimes or just go to bed whenever they’re sleepy?

• Which is better, artificial Christmas trees or real ones?
• Playing violent video games is bad for kids and teens.
• Parents should track their kids using their cell phones.
• Are paper books better than e-books?
• All kids should play on the same sports teams, regardless of gender.
• All paper documents should be replaced with electronic versions.
• Is conflict necessary for change?
• Is war ever justified?
• A strong middle class is vital to the economy.

• Is the local minimum wage truly a living wage?
• Should we do away with gender-specific public bathrooms?
• Is a progressive income tax better than a flat tax?
• Capital punishment does/does not deter crime.
• Would it be better to legalize, tax, and regulate all drugs (including alcohol and cigarettes) instead of banning them?
• Parents should be punished for their minor children’s crimes.

• The government should provide free internet access for every citizen.
• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Is capitalism the best form of economy?
• Should all Americans be required to vote?
• Should we change the minimum driving age in the United States?
• Do you think the government should find a way to provide free health care for everyone?
• School-age children should be allowed to vote.
• We should/should not abolish the electoral college.
• Are “Stand Your Ground” laws effective?
• Supreme Court judges should be appointed for fixed terms.

• Does segregation still exist in the United States?
• We should/should not continue building a wall between the United States and Mexico.
• Will stricter gun control laws help control mass shootings?
• Should we make the path to American citizenship easier?
• Is the American justice system inherently racist?
• Should we redirect some or all police force funding to social services?
• Should the United States implement a universal basic income?
• Choose a fictional character and explain why they should be the next president.
• What animal makes the best pet?
• Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
• Which is better, reading books or watching TV?
• Is a taco a sandwich?
• Should kids be allowed to stay up as late as they want?

• What’s the best video game system?
• Kids shouldn’t have to go to school on their birthdays.
• Is video gaming a sport?
• Are beauty pageants sexist?
• Should kids get participation trophies for sports?
• Are stereotypes ever right?
• Is there any benefit to teaching proper grammar and spelling, or should we allow language to be descriptive instead of prescriptive?
• All teenagers should have part-time jobs.
• Should kids have limits on screen time?
• Is it better to read fiction or nonfiction?
• Should kids have to eat everything on their plate, even if they really don’t like something?

• Is it better to spend an hour a day reading or exercising?
• Is graffiti an act of vandalism or an art form?
• Should society hold celebrities to a high moral standard?

What are your favorite argumentative writing prompts? Come share your thoughts in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Also check out 100 intriguing cause and effect essay topics for students ..

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How Do You Write an Argumentative Essay For Middle School?

To get an insight into argumentative writing, you need to understand what a case study is . Just like a case study, it is a research paper supported by legal arguments by valid sources. The three primary considerations to begin an argumentative essay are topic selection, thesis, and research. An argument always needs to prove to hold attention. Similarly, you have to prove your stance through valid data, accumulated via research.

You need to dig up relevant information and factual details from trustworthy sources to back up your standpoint. Nobody will approve your effort if it lacks background, usable data, and resourceful endeavor based on research. It is somehow similar to a persuasive writing style because both need convincing thread throughout the essay. But, unlike persuasive essay writing, good argumentative essays include more research-based material and examples to support the position.

On the other hand, persuasive essays include personal statements to add to the value of the argument. But, both essay types need a thesis statement as a must to include in the intro. Giving a strong thesis makes your essay more comprehensive, approvable, and academically authentic. Above all, topic selection is the first and most crucial step for this type of writing. Let us check the good, debatable topics that you can consider for your next argumentative essay.

What Are Good Topics For An Argumentative Essay?

Good argumentative essay topics are not hidden pearls in the oysters. You can easily find them with a little online help. The collection does not guide you on how to make the final decision for your academic grade improvement. One thing that can direct you in the leading direction is looking at the controversies attached to a particular topic as argumentative essays include your voice, which must have plenty of supportive voices in the background. The more opinions attached to a topic, the more data you can explore. So, when a topic is too controversial, you can quickly discover divergent arguments associated with it.

When you are writing, you can upkeep your stance by referring to those multiple schools of thought. Besides, you can pick up from that huge assortment of opinions up to your choice and side of the topic. Remember, if you choose a topic that is not too controversial, it can also benefit you in several ways. You can save time reading those few arguments when you do not go with too controversial topics.

Only two opinions are enough to back up your opinion in a research paper, like an argumentative essay. Besides, some argumentative essay models like Rogerian ask you to develop your opinion on two contrasting opinions on the subject. If you are working under a pressing time-slot and the deadlines are too close, less controversial topics work. In a nutshell, both topics are good depending on your research skill, time, and essay model.

Exciting Topics For Argumentative Essays

Here is a collection of controversial and engaging simple argumentative essay topics to enrich you with multiple selection options. Any of the topics from any of the categories, be it as broad as a social issue or scientific reports , have plenty of arguments available to discuss in the essay. Just select your topic and compose a remarkable argumentative essay.

Here is the list of exciting topics relating to society:

• Why the death penalty is a burning question only in developing countries?
• What is the most significant social risk in not controlling the prevailing air and water pollution?
• Why is the current generation more obsessed with fashion than the people before the Civil Rights Movement?
• Why do people need recreations and restorations to live a physically and mentally healthy life?
• What are the major causes of depression and melancholy among adults?
• Why is cultural diversity leading to a social and cultural crisis in the US?
• The impact of the opioid epidemic on individuals and society.
• Is gender equality attainable in today's society?
• The effectiveness of gun control laws in reducing crime.
• Should the government provide free healthcare to all citizens?
• The correlation between income inequality and the prevalence of crime in society.
• Should the minimum wage be increased to reduce poverty?
• The role of education in shaping society's values and beliefs.
• The effects of globalization on local cultures and societies.
• The ethical implications of genetic engineering and its impact on society.

Here is the list of interesting topics relating to technology:

• The role of social media in producing an excellent morality threat for the children of the coming generation.
• Is e-money going to replace traditional paper money in the next few years?
• Why has cyberbullying become the biggest threat for the online world, and how to take measures against it?
• Is it safe to allow children to get accustomed to computer games?
• The dark side of growth in AI and the Internet of Things.
• Is technology generating a social gulf leaving people isolated and self-oriented?
• Should social media platforms be held legally accountable for hate speech and cyberbullying on their platforms?
• Do smartphones and technology lead to a decrease in face-to-face communication skills?
• Is self-driving car technology advanced and safe enough to be implemented on a wide scale?
• Has the rise of technology led to the extinction of handwritten letters or did the tradition survive in the form of email?
• Should schools be required to teach coding and computer literacy to all students?
• Is technology responsible for the rise in mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression, or does it provide a solution?
• Should governments regulate the use of facial recognition technology, particularly in public spaces?
• Is the use of artificial intelligence in hiring practices ethical or does it perpetuate bias and discrimination?
• Should the use of technology, particularly smartphones, be regulated in public places to prevent distractions and potential accidents?

Here is the list of interesting topics relating to education:

• Can free college admissions positively influence the overall educational system?
• Is scholarship for secular schools a good decision by the US education department?
• Why assignment-based in the USA is an effective educational tactic to test students’ capabilities.
• A good teacher is highly responsible for producing good results in college.
• Do extracurricular activities have a positive impact on education and students’ learning ability?
• Do players learn through math games to improve college grades?
• The college authorities should regularly check students for alcohol at college.
• The effects of standardized tests on students and education.
• Online vs traditional learning: which is more effective?
• The importance of early childhood education: Should it be a priority?
• The pros and cons of homeschooling: Is it a suitable alternative to traditional education?
• The role of teachers in today's education system: Are they underpaid and overworked?
• Should cell phones be banned in schools?
• The importance of sex education in schools: Should it be taught by parents or educators?
• The benefits and challenges of implementing a four-say school week: Is it worth the change?

Here is the list of interesting topics relating to health:

• What reforms the national healthcare system needs to develop to maintain public health?
• Why must human beings sleep eight-eight hours daily to maintain physical and mental capabilities?
• The potential negative medical impact of human cloning.
• Should the US government hold euthanasia legal in all parts of the country?
• The threat to public health is the increasing cost of mental therapy.
• Can junk food create severe health disorders in pregnant women and their infants?
• The effects of social media on mental health: Are they mostly negative?
• Should smaller portions be served in restaurants to tackle the obesity epidemic?
• Should marijuana be legalized for medical use, recreational use, or both?
• The link between poverty and health: Should the government do more to address this issue?
• The effectiveness of vaccines: Should they be mandatory or voluntary?
• The benefits and risks of fasting: Is it a safe and healthy practice?
• Should the government regulate fast food advertising targeted at children?
• The dangers of vaping: Should it be banned or more regulated?
• The impact of technology on sleep: Is it a significant threat to our health?

Literature And Art

Here is the list of interesting topics relating to literature and art:

• Do movie reviews appropriately test students’ creative and analytical skills?
• The positive and negative impact of music classes on learners’ contribution to the study.
• The impact of ancient philosophies on present attitudes toward literature and learning.
• How can students conceive original literary works with zero plagiarism?
• The positive and negative impacts of watching television in spare time for literature students.
• Should college authorities organize visits to art exhibitions to improve arts knowledge for the students?
• Should literary classics be mandatory reading in schools?
• Is fan fiction a legitimate form of creative writing?
• Is censorship in art ever acceptable?
• Is Shakespeare still relevant in the 21st century?
• Should graffiti be considered a legitimate form of art?
• Are graphic novels a valid form of literature?
• Should authors be held accountable for the opinions expressed in their works?
• Is it ethical to profit from the sale of artwork created by prisoners?
• Is it appropriate to remove controversial statues and monuments from public spaces?

Argumentative Writing Topics For Middle School Students

Selecting persuasive speech topics for middle school is a different practice. They might not have sharp mental capability to absorb knowledge like senior students. Therefore, they must not dig up their relevant subject from the mix-bag given above. So, below is given a separate list for selecting an argumentative essay topic for their homework.

List Of topics

Below are some interesting topics dealing with this educational level:

• What are the biggest challenges today’s educational system has to deal with?
• Are violent computing games producing violent attitudes among students to tackle down their issues?
• Climate change is going to be a significant environmental threat.
• The importance of pop culture for current youth.
• The need for a second official language in the USA.
• The scope of the internet is essential to meet current educational standards.
• The value of technology in classrooms.
• The importance of 6-8 hours’ sleep for students.
• Immigration is the biggest reason behind the multicultural phenomenon in the USA.
• Confidence as a key to success.
• Gender bias in the workplace and its destructive effect on production.
• How to develop an educational system for character building?
• Is it the responsibility of the government to provide free college education to all citizens?
• Is it justifiable to lower the voting age to 16 years old?
• Does the death penalty serve as an effective form of justice and should it be abolished in all states?

How To Outline An Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay is structurally broken down into four fundamental components like most of the college essays. You can provide an outline at the beginning of the paper as well. This outline involves complete information from your paper in short lines in sequence. Looking at this segment, your reader can estimate the value of your time and effort. Besides, it is a good idea to briefly put forth what you have attempted in the entire research paper. After the outline, you can make four basic parts of your writing, as given below:

Introduction

Like all other essays, an argumentative essay also begins with an intro that needs to be engaging. To engage your reader, your introduction can be consisting of two complements, given below:

The purpose of an argumentative essay is to convince an audience, for which you need to win their attention at first. So, a short, powerful hook can magnetize people to get interested in your standpoint. One thing you need to keep in vision before you devise a hook is your intended audience. Everybody has a different attitude toward a specific problem. After you have determined this factor, you can glance at a compelling example of the hook given below.

For example, a writer is aiming at creating an argumentative essay. He took a stance on why people of different gender should get equal salaries in the workplace. The difference in salaries for different genders for the same task should stop. The hook for this essay will be like this -

"men and women working in a workplace in America should get equal salaries for the same task for the social, economic and cultural growth of the country".

This section does not need in-depth details and long descriptions. Just introduce the topic and understand what you are going to say in the body section. Also, put a little light on the value of the selected topic and the people whom it may affect.

For example, "the studies prove that gender prejudice in workplaces is gradually and irrevocably breaking the American dream of equality for all. It is resulting in social injustice, alongside producing economic and cultural setbacks. Hence, it is crucial to debate the suggestion of equality in the workplace, eliminating gender discrimination."

• Thesis Statement

A thesis statement needs no detailed description for school students. They have to develop a thesis again and again in their academic career. So, they are well-aware of how important it is to convey the focus and direction of their writing. Usually, it is also included in the intro, ending it as the last line.

Some students tend to ask a question in their thesis statement. And, by answering it, they provide the focus of their assignment. But, in argumentative essay writing, you better avoid questions/answering in this section. Just go briefly and concisely by stating your exact argument here. Just tell the reader what you are taking a position about or against. Just look at the example below as your homework helper to cultivate a strong thesis:

"The USA workplaces need to develop a refined salary policy with equal pay for all for the same task disapproving gender bias to uphold the American dream".

Body Paragraph

Body paragraphs are not limited to specific criteria. You can fragment your argumentative essay body into three paragraphs, as most of the students do. Typically, they discuss two different opinions in two different paragraphs. In the third one, they compare and contrast the opinion and hold it to support their own opinion. Besides, your teacher might have also instructed you on the number of paragraphs for the assignment. So, go through the instructions before deciding how many body paragraphs you need for the task.

Each body paragraph must begin with a topic sentence for the professional creation of an argumentative essay. In this way, each section leads to a different outlook with different backups.

As the major objective of body paragraphs is to convince your reader, it must include evidence. It would help if you paraphrased other controversies surrounding the argument. Besides, provide in-text citations to prove reliable support to the claim. All body paragraphs must encompass the thesis statement.

You need to select viewpoints supporting your claim as well as opposing arguments. With your facts, details, and examples, reject the opposing argument. Open up the topic from all possible dimensions to approach the reader’s believability and win confidence. For this, you can include in your argumentative paper;

Argumentative essay conclusion means summing up the ideas set up in the intro and discussed in the body section. A conclusion is always similar to the introduction. It does not mean you do not need to invest time and effort in planning a conclusion. Remember, the summing up elevates the entire experience your reader develops by reading the essay. So, in persuasive writings, a conclusion must uplift the readers’ outlook about the topic. For this, restate what you described in the thesis statement. It is a must as it needs to be connected to all parts of the essay.

Then, compel your reader to think again about the value and influence of the topic. Furnish their thoughts with risks, threats, and possibilities if they disagree with your argument. For example, if you are writing the conclusion of gender bias in American workplaces, reassert the claim. Tell the reader if nobody takes notice of the argument and the system continues sexism, what can come. Throw light on possible cultural and social disasters in response to this injustice. Tell them how violent activities like revolutions and even war can result in gender discrimination in workplaces.

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