The Edvocate
- Lynch Educational Consulting
- Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
- Write For Us
- The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
- The Edvocate Podcast
- Terms and Conditions
- Privacy Policy
- Assistive Technology
- Child Development
- Classroom Management
- Early Childhood
- EdTech & Innovation
- Education Leadership
- First Year Teachers
- Gifted and Talented Education
- Parental Involvement
- Policy & Reform
- Special Education
- Best Colleges and Universities
- Best College and University Programs
- HBCU’s
- Higher Education
- Higher Education EdTech
- International Education
- The Awards Process
- Finalists and Winners of The 2021 Tech Edvocate Awards
- Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
- Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
- Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
- Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
- Award Seals
- GPA Calculator for College
- GPA Calculator for High School
- Cumulative GPA Calculator
- Grade Calculator
- Weighted Grade Calculator
- Final Grade Calculator
- The Tech Edvocate
- AI Powered Personal Tutor
Why We Need to Normalize Sending Kids to Trade School
What to do if your lsat practice score is stuck, good research topics about relativism, most interesting refugee essay topics to write about, essay topic ideas & examples about reform, interesting essay topics to write about red cross, recycling research topics, recruitment and selection research topics, recession essay topic ideas & examples, essay topics about realism, 100+ argumentative essay topics.
Are you a student looking for argumentative essay topics? If so, we have you covered. Below you will find a list of the best argumentative essay topics.
Argumentative Essay Topics (General)
- Do you think that abortion should be made illegal?
- Do you think that animal testing should be banned?
- Is the #metoo movement a great thing?
- Do you think that manufacturers are responsible for the effects of the chemicals used in creating their products?
- Do you think that illegal immigrants be granted residency?
- Is there a fake news problem? What is the source?
- Do you believe that “big pharma” has people’s best interests at heart?
- Is the death penalty a just punishment?
- Are there moral concerns that make genetic cloning illegal?
- What Do you think that people do to stop human trafficking?
Argumentative Essay Topics About Politics
- Which political party has the right ideology?
- What Do you think that be done to reduce income inequality?
- Is paying down the US deficit the most essential issue of our time?
- Do you believe that the Federal Reserve needs to stop printing money because it creates an unsustainable bubble?
- Is capitalism the best economic system?
- Is socialism the best economic system?
- Is America ready for a female president?
- Do you think that an elected leader represents the interests of their own political party, or is it best to try to compromise?
- What modern political decision has created the most change?
- Do you believe that campaign finance reform works?
Argumentative Essay Topics About Society & Culture
- When will LGTBQ individuals experience equality?
- Is healthcare a fundamental human right?
- Do you think that TV censors explicit content because programmers must produce family-friendly programming?
- Social media brings us together and pulls us apart; Do you believe that the great outweighs the bad or vice versa?
- Is a gap year time for exploration and reflection or a year-long vacation?
- Many states have begun to decriminalize the possession of certain drugs like marijuana; is this a great idea?
- Equality is part of lawmaking, but do you believe that it works in practice?
- Do you think that people have the right to own a gun?
- In cases of terminal illness, Do you think that a patient should be able to request medically assisted suicide?
- Do you think that smoking should be illegal?
- What is the best way to foster positive conversation about controversial issues?
Argumentative Essay Topics About History
- Many people think that we learn from the past, but there are many patterns in history. Do you think history repeats itself?
- How did the US Civil War make the nation best or worse?
- Thomas Jefferson made considerable contributions to the founding of America, both as a writer and a politician. However, he didn’t live a perfect life. Was he a hero?
- Do you believe that our modern perspective changes the “truth” of what happened during major historical events?
- Pick a past decade and discuss if lower socio-economic classes had opportunities at that time.
- Did the handling of Native Americans leave a moral stain on the US?
- Slavery was a foundational part of the American colonies and, later, the United States. So how did this injustice change the nation?
- What factors led to the rise of Naziism in Germany and to the Holocaust?
- The plague destroyed the population of Europe and changed the course of history. So what was its biggest lesson?
Argumentative Essay Topics for Kids in Elementary School
- Do you think that there be commercials in kids’ programs?
- Do you believe that homework help kids learn?
- Do you think that school should be all year?
- Do schools treat girls and boys the same way?
- Do you think that parents limit screen time?
- Do you think that school start before eight o’clock in the morning?
- Do you think that kids be able to vote in national elections?
- Is it best to read fiction or nonfiction?
- Is it best for kids to have distance learning or be in school?
- Do parents treat all their kids the same way, or do they treat the oldest and youngest differently?
- Do you think that kids have the same teacher every year or switch teachers each year?
- Do you think that video games be a sport?
- Are schools doing enough to stop bullying?
- Do you think that kids have homework on weekends?
- Is it best if three generations of a family live together?
- Are hot dogs bad for you?
- Do you think that school lunch should include vegetables, even if Many kids don’t like them?
- Is it okay to eat dessert before dinner?
Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School
- Do you think that middle schoolers have jobs like babysitting or mowing lawns?
- Are beauty pageants a great idea?
- Are violent video games bad?
- Do you think that parents be able to say whether kids can dye their hair?
- Do you believe that social media do more harm than good?
- Do middle schoolers have too much homework?
- Do you think that teachers get paid more?
- Is life more challenging for your parent’s generation or yours’?
- Why is your favorite musical artist best than anyone else?
- Do you think that kids read age-appropriate books, or is it okay to read grown-up books?
- Do you think that there be ratings (like G, PG, and R) for movies?
- Is it best to ride the bus or walk to school?
- Is school lunch great for kids?
- Do you believe an hour of reading or an hour of exercising is better?
- Do you think that gym class should be required?
- Do you think that kids get paid for getting excellent grades?
- Is it best to have class over the computer or in person?
- Is cyberbullying as big of a problem as in-person bullying?
- Do you think that all cars be electric?
Argumentative Essay Topics for High School
- Do you think that people be allowed to burn the flag?
- Do you think that parents get in trouble for truancy if kids don’t go to school?
- Is social media bad for relationships?
- Do you think that businesses be required to hire for diversity?
- Are women and men treated equally?
- Do you think that the minimum wage should be raised?
- Do you think that everyone should go to college?
- Is climate change a real threat?
- Are wind farms benefitting the environment and economy?
- Do you think that people be allowed to wear fur of any kind?
- Is it a bad idea to use your DNA for genealogy?
- Do you think that parents should decide they don’t want medical treatment for their kids?
- Is the United States falling behind other nations in terms of education?
- Do the actions of a nation’s leader influence the actions of the people?
- Do you think that the electoral college should be abolished?
- Do you think that schools be required to offer art courses?
- Do you think that all new cars be electric?
- Will AI help the world or hurt it?
- Do you think that high school pupils work during the school year?
- Are there forms of personal expression that you think should be allowed in schools?
Argumentative Essay Topics for College
- Are men and women equally emotional?
- Are printed books best than e-readers?
- Do you think that the drinking age should be lowered?
- Are parents responsible for childhood obesity?
- Do you think that college should free?
- Do you think that beauty standards be more inclusive?
- Are all college majors equally essential?
- Is social media bad for kids?
- Has technology changed our definition of magic?
- Is it worth exploring space?
- Do you think that all internships be paid?
- Do you think that income should be tied to the cost of a degree?
- Is climate change the biggest threat to the world?
- Is feminism still essential?
- Has society made the needed reparations for slavery?
- Do you believe that elections should be decided by the popular vote?
- Should everyone be entitled to free health care?
- Do anti-discrimination laws protect disabled pupils?
- Is a degree from an online college or university as legitimate as a degree from a brick-and-mortar university?
- Is it a conflict of interest for an instructor or professor to require pupils to purchase his book?
100+ Persuasive Essay Topics
2023 best online doctorate in educational technology.
Matthew Lynch
Related articles more from author.
How to Enhance Students’ Self-Control With Research-Supported Strategies
6 Reasons to Respect Teaching as a Profession
Teaching & Learning Strategies, Concepts, and Terms That Every Teacher Must Know: Letters SPE-STO
50 Idioms to Teach Kids and Use in Idiom of the Day Lessons
Expert Advice: How to Teach about Racism
Classroom Procedures, Routines, and Expectations Are Important
- Words with Friends Cheat
- Wordle Solver
- Word Unscrambler
- Scrabble Dictionary
- Anagram Solver
- Wordscapes Answers
Make Our Dictionary Yours
Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get:
- Grammar and writing tips
- Fun language articles
- #WordOfTheDay and quizzes
By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .
We'll see you in your inbox soon.
120+ Strong Argumentative Essay Topics
- DESCRIPTION Strong Argumentative Essay Topic Examples
- SOURCE Background: Tolchik / iStock / Getty Images Plus
- PERMISSION Used under Getty Images license
A great argumentative essay topic is one that sparks your interest and offers plenty of room for persuasive writing. Essentially, the more controversial the topic, the more it'll pop, and the easier it will be to take a strong stand for or against. Hot argument topics will leave people with a new opinion, a new perspective and a new appreciation of your writing skills.
Argumentative Essay Hot Topics
These top 10 hot topics for argumentative essays are sure to stir up a fire. Remember, you don't have to agree with the position you take to craft a winning argument, but you do have to make solid, logical arguments backed up by credible sources .
- Should abortion be banned?
- Should animal testing be stopped?
- Is the #metoo movement a good thing?
- Should manufacturers be responsible for the effects of the chemicals used in the creation of their products?
- Should illegal immigrants be granted residency?
- Is there a fake news problem? What is the source?
- Does "big pharma" have people’s best interests at heart?
- Is the death penalty a just punishment?
- Are there moral concerns that should make genetic cloning illegal?
- What should people do to stop human trafficking?
Argumentative Essay Topics About Politics
Need more topics? Politics has always produced debates amongst even the most loving of friends and family. Look around the world right now, and you'll see political divisions deepening. Here are some interesting topics for exploration. Allow these argumentative essay writing tips to help you pull all your thoughts together into one, cohesive presentation.
- Which political party has the right ideology?
- What should be done to reduce income inequality?
- Is paying down the national deficit the most important issue of our time?
- Does the Federal Reserve need to stop printing money because it's creating an unsustainable bubble?
- Is capitalism the best economic system?
- Is socialism the best economic system?
- Is America ready for a female president?
- Should an elected leader represent the interests of his or her own political party, or is it better to try to compromise?
- What recent political decision has created the most change?
- Does campaign finance reform work?
Argumentative Essay Topics About Society & Culture
You can also choose an argumentative essay topic about society. Many people live according to their own moral code . Whether it's based on religion, philosophy or individual interests, everyone has a code of sorts. Consider what you might want to argue, from this list or your own personal experience with life.
Once an idea starts to take shape in your head, it's time to formulate your argumentative essay outline using the enclosed sample as a template for your inarguable stance.
- When will LGTBQ individuals experience equality?
- Is healthcare a basic human right?
- Should TV censor explicit content because programmers have an obligation to produce family-friendly programming?
- Social media simultaneously draws us together and pulls us apart; does the good outweigh the bad or vice versa?
- Is a gap year precious time for exploration and reflection or a year-long vacation?
- Some states have begun to decriminalize the possession of certain drugs like marijuana; is this a good idea?
- Equality is part of lawmaking, but does it work in practice?
- Should people have the right to own a gun?
- In cases of terminal illness, should a patient be able to request medically-assisted suicide?
- Should smoking be illegal?
- What is the best way to encourage positive conversation about contentious issues?
Argumentative Essay Topics About History
If you’re studying history or simply enjoy it as a subject, you can find plenty of great argumentative essay topics about this subject. Try one of the following.
- Many people think we should learn from the past, but there are sometimes patterns in history. Do you think history repeats itself?
- How did the United States Civil War make the country better or worse?
- Thomas Jefferson made significant contributions to the founding of America, both as a writer and a politician. However, he didn’t live a perfect life. Was he a hero?
- Does our modern perspective change the “truth” of what happened during major historical events?
- Pick a past decade and discuss if immigrants and lower socio-economic classes had opportunities at that time.
- America was reluctant to get involved in World War I, and when they did, many American soldiers lost their lives. Was this a necessary war for America?
- How did the treatment of Native Americans leave a moral stain on the United States?
- Slavery was a fundamental part of the American colonies and later, the United States. How did this injustice change the country?
- What factors contributed to the rise of Naziism in Germany and to the Holocaust? How can these horrors be avoided in the future?
- The plague decimated the population of Europe and changed the course of history. What was its biggest impact?
More Argumentative Essay Topics for Every Age
Writing an argumentative essay is a great exercise, whether students are in elementary school, middle school, high school, or college. The key is finding topics that interest students and inspire passionate debate. These are some strong topics for every age group.
Argumentative Essay Topics for Kids in Elementary School
The following topics are perfect for elementary school students.
- Should there be commercials in children’s programs?
- Does homework help kids learn?
- Should school go year-round?
- How can school be fairer for kids from different backgrounds?
- Do schools treat boys and girls the same way?
- Should parents limit screen time?
- Should school start before eight o’clock in the morning?
- Should kids be able to vote in national elections?
- Is it better to read fiction or nonfiction?
- Is it better for kids to have distance-learning or be in school?
- Do parents treat all their children the same way, or do they treat the oldest and youngest differently?
- Should kids have the same teacher every year or switch teachers each year?
- Should video games be a sport?
- Are schools doing enough to stop bullying?
- Should kids have homework on weekends?
- Is it better if three generations of a family live together?
- Are hot dogs bad for you?
- Should school lunch include vegetables, even if some kids don’t like them?
- Are the rules at school fair?
- Is it okay to eat dessert before dinner?
Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School
Middle schoolers are becoming more aware of society and the culture around them. These argumentative essay topics are perfect for this age group.
- Should middle schoolers have jobs like babysitting or mowing lawns?
- Are beauty pageants a good idea?
- Are violent video games bad?
- Should parents be able to say whether kids can dye their hair?
- Does social media do more harm than good?
- Do middle schoolers have too much homework?
- Should teachers get paid more?
- Is life more challenging for your generation or your parents’?
- Why is your favorite musician better than anyone else?
- Should kids read age-appropriate books, or is it okay to read grown-up books?
- Should there be ratings (like G, PG, and R) for movies?
- Is it better to ride the bus or walk to school?
- Is school lunch good for kids?
- Do you think an hour of reading or an hour of exercising is more beneficial?
- Should gym class be required?
- Should kids get paid for getting good grades?
- Is it better to have class over the computer or in person?
- Is cyberbullying as big a problem as in-person bullying?
- Should all cars be electric?
Argumentative Essay Topics for High School
By high school, students should be able to craft a detailed argumentative essay if they have the right topic. These ideas will get high school students inspired.
- Should people be allowed to burn the flag?
- Should parents get in trouble for truancy if kids don’t go to school?
- Is social media bad for relationships?
- Should companies be required to hire a diverse staff?
- Are women and men treated equally in your society?
- Should the minimum wage be raised?
- Should every student go to college?
- Is climate change a real threat?
- Are wind farms a benefit to the environment and economy?
- Should people be allowed to wear fur coats?
- Is it a bad idea to sample your DNA for genealogy?
- Should parents be able to say they don’t want medical treatment for their kids?
- Is the United States falling behind other countries in terms of education?
- Do the actions of a country’s leader influence the actions of the people?
- Should the electoral college be abolished?
- Should schools be required to offer art courses?
- Should all new cars be electric?
- Will artificial intelligence help the world or hurt it?
- Should high school students work during the school year?
- Are there forms of personal expression that shouldn’t be allowed in schools?
Argumentative Essay Topics for College
College students need argumentative essay topics that offer room to really build a strong argument and support it with research. These are some ideas.
- Are men and women equally emotional?
- Are printed books better than e-readers?
- Should the drinking age be lowered?
- Are parents responsible for childhood obesity?
- Should college be free of charge?
- Should beauty standards be more inclusive?
- Are all college majors equally important?
- Is social media bad for children?
- Has technology changed our definition of magic?
- Is it worth exploring space?
- Should all internships be paid?
- Should income be tied to the cost of a degree?
- Is climate change the most serious threat to the world?
- Is feminism still important?
- Has society made the necessary reparations for slavery?
- Should elections be decided by popular vote?
- Are all people entitled to free health care?
- Do anti-discrimination laws do enough to protect disabled students?
- Is a degree from an online college as legitimate as a degree from a brick-and-mortar school?
- Is it a conflict of interest for a professor to require students to purchase his book?
Artful Argumentation
These argumentative essay topic ideas should offer plenty of inspiration. Argumentative essays are so much fun because you not only have to take a firm stance but also rebut the opposing viewpoint. Addressing a potential rebuttal from the opposition will make your argument stronger. It demonstrates you're not blind to the issue and are prepared to stand strong.
The closest kin to the argumentative essay is the persuasive essay. If you're assigned such a task, take a look at persuasive essay writing made easy . It'll walk you through each and every step to success.
- Give this article
Advertisement
Supported by
300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing
Recent Student Opinion and Picture Prompts, categorized by topic, to help students discover the issues that matter to them.
Send any friend a story
As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.
By The Learning Network
Update: This list is available as a PDF .
If you’ve taught argument writing with our resources in the past, you already know we ask a fresh question every day as part of our long-running Student Opinion series . Teenagers around the world are invited to visit and post their thoughts on topics including politics, medical ethics, fashion, sports and entertainment.
We’ve rounded up lists of these prompts in the past, but this year we’re doing something new: Below you can find a categorized collection of all our recent, relevant Student Opinion questions, but alongside them we’re also including related Picture Prompts. These short, image-based forums are accessible to learners of all ages, but still provide engaging jumping-off points to help students make and support claims.
For instance, let’s say your class is interested in meme culture. A Student Opinion question asks, “ Do Memes Make the Internet a Better Place? ” and invites students to read and weigh in on a New York Times article that examines the role of memes in how teenagers process world events. Over 700 students have already submitted their thoughts .
But if you scan the “Technology and Social Media” category below, you’ll see we also have a Picture Prompt that asks a more direct, concrete question: “ What are your favorite memes? ” For many, that may be a fun, comfortable place to start.
So give your students both “voice and choice” by inviting them to find the questions and format that speak to them. All the prompts below are still open for comment. We look forward to seeing which ones inspire the most passionate arguments, and we invite your class to submit the results to our Eighth Annual Editorial Contest .
Argumentative Prompt Topics
Technology & social media, coronavirus, college & career, mental & physical health, race & gender, parenting & childhood, ethics & morality, government & politics, other questions.
Article-Based Prompts
1. How Worried Should We Be About Screen Time During the Pandemic? 2. How Do You Feel About Cancel Culture? 3. Do Memes Make the Internet a Better Place? 4. Does Online Public Shaming Prevent Us From Being Able to Grow and Change? 5. How Young Is Too Young to Use Social Media? 6. Where Should We Draw the Line Between Community Health and Safety and Individual Liberty and Privacy? 7. Do You Think Online Conspiracy Theories Can Be Dangerous? 8. What Do You Think of the Decision by Tech Companies to Block President Trump? 9. Should the Adults in Your Life Be Worried by How Much You Use Your Phone? 10. Is Your Phone Love Hurting Your Relationships? 11. Do You Trust Facebook? 12. Do You Think Recreational Drones Are Safe? 13. Should Kids Be Social Media Influencers? 14. Does Grammar Still Matter in the Age of Twitter? 15. Should Texting While Driving Be Treated Like Drunken Driving? 16. How Do You Think Technology Affects Dating?
Image-Based Prompts
17. Online Video Games : Does more need to be done to make online gaming communities safer? 18. A Computer in Everything : Do “smart” devices worry you? 19. Snail Mail : Do you think handwritten cards and letters still have value in the digital age? 20. Cyberbullying : Should social media companies do more to prevent online harassment? 21. Phone Manners : Are there times when you think using your phone while you’re with other people is rude? 22. Alarm Clocks : Are there any “dumb” devices that you think are better than “smart” devices? 23. Phone Warnings : Should tech devices come with addiction advisories? 24. Phones in Church : Are there some places where phones just don’t belong? 25. Driverless Cars : What do you think about driverless cars? 26. Texting While Walking : Should looking at your phone while crossing the street be illegal? 27. Device Addiction? : As a society, are we too addicted to our devices? 28. ‘A Man Needs His Nuggs’ : What do you think of Carter Wilkerson’s quest, and its results? 29. Soothing Video Games : Can video games intended to calm the mind be fun? Worthwhile? 30. Our Lives on Social Media : How much do you think we can judge our collective happiness by what is posted on social media? 31. ‘Bracelet of Silence’ : Would you wear privacy armor? 32. Baby Yoda : What are your favorite memes? 33. Tesla’s ‘Cybertruck’ : What do you think of this “pickup of the future”? 34. The ‘Bird Box’ Challenge : What do you think of social media challenges like this one?
35. Should Media Literacy Be a Required Course in School? 36. Should Schools Be Able to Discipline Students for What They Say on Social Media? 37. How Should Schools Hold Students Accountable for Hurting Others? 38. Should Schools Provide Free Pads and Tampons? 39. Can Empathy Be Taught? Should Schools Try to Help Us Feel One Another’s Pain? 40. When the Pandemic Ends, Will School Change Forever? 41. Should Schools Change How They Grade Students During the Pandemic? 42. Should Students Be Monitored When Taking Online Tests? 43. Should There Still Be Snow Days? 44. How Should Racial Slurs in Literature Be Handled in the Classroom? 45. Should Teachers Be Allowed to Wear Political Symbols? 46. Should Schools or Employers Be Allowed to Tell People How They Should Wear Their Hair? 47. Are Straight A’s Always a Good Thing? 48. Should Schools Teach You How to Be Happy? 49. How Do You Think American Education Could Be Improved? 50. Should Schools Test Their Students for Nicotine and Drug Use? 51. Can Social Media Be a Tool for Learning and Growth in Schools? 52. Should Facial Recognition Technology Be Used in Schools? 53. Should Your School Day Start Later? 54. Should Yearbooks Include Political News? 55. How Should Senior Year in High School Be Spent? 56. Should Teachers Be Armed With Guns? 57. Is School a Place for Self-Expression? 58. Should Students Be Punished for Not Having Lunch Money? 59. Is Live-Streaming Classrooms a Good Idea? 60. Should Gifted and Talented Education Be Eliminated? 61. What Are the Most Important Things Students Should Learn in School? 62. Should Schools Be Allowed to Censor Student Newspapers? 63. Do You Feel Your School and Teachers Welcome Both Conservative and Liberal Points of View? 64. Should Teachers and Professors Ban Student Use of Laptops in Class? 65. Should Schools Teach About Climate Change? 66. Should All Schools Offer Music Programs? 67. Does Your School Need More Money? 68. Should All Schools Teach Cursive? 69. What Role Should Textbooks Play in Education? 70. Do Kids Need Recess? 71. Should Public Preschool Be a Right for All Children?
72. Graduation in a Pandemic : Is your school doing enough to honor seniors? 73. Most Challenged Books : Are there books that don’t belong in schools or public libraries? 74. Mascot : If you could choose one mascot to represent your school, what would it be? 75. Math : How do you feel about math? 76. Sleep Deprivation : Do you think school should start later for teenagers? 77. Standardized Tests : Is there too much testing at your school? Why or why not? 78. Teacher Walkouts : Do you think teachers should be paid more? Why or why not? 79. Mermaid School : If there could be a special school that would teach you something you really want to learn, what would that school be?
Article-Based Prompts 80. What Weaknesses and Strengths About Our World Are Being Exposed by This Pandemic? 81. As Coronavirus Cases Surge, How Should Leaders Decide What Stays Open and What Closes? 82. How Should We Balance Safety and Urgency in Developing a Covid-19 Vaccine? 83. Do You Want Your Parents and Grandparents to Get the New Coronavirus Vaccine? 84. Do You Think People Have Gotten Too Relaxed About Covid? 85. How Do You Feel About Mask-Slipping?
86. Surge : How should the United States keep the coronavirus pandemic at bay? 87. Masks : What “civic rules” do you think we should all follow now? 88. Paid to Laugh : Would you attend a live TV show taping — if you got money for it? 89. Dolly’s Donation : How do you feel about celebrity philanthropy? 90. Crowds and Covid : How do you feel about crowds during the pandemic? 91. Going Nowhere Fast : Would you take a flight to nowhere?
92. Should Students Be Required to Take the SAT and ACT to Apply to College? 93. Should National Service Be Required for All Young Americans? 94. What Is Your Reaction to the College Admissions Cheating Scandal? 95. Is the College Admissions Process Fair? 96. Should Everyone Go to College? 97. Should College Be Free? 98. Are Lavish Amenities on College Campuses Useful or Frivolous? 99. Should ‘Despised Dissenters’ Be Allowed to Speak on College Campuses? 100. How Should the Problem of Sexual Assault on Campuses Be Addressed? 101. Should Fraternities Be Abolished? 102. Is Student Debt Worth It? 103. Do Other People Care Too Much About Your Post-High School Plans? 104. Should All Young People Learn How to Invest in the Stock Market?
105. Jack-of-All-Trades : Is it better to focus on one thing early in life and get really good at it?
106. Should Students Get Mental Health Days Off From School? 107. Is Struggle Essential to Happiness? 108. Does Every Country Need a ‘Loneliness Minister’? 109. Should Schools Teach Mindfulness? 110. Should All Children Be Vaccinated? 111. What Do You Think About Vegetarianism? 112. Do We Worry Too Much About Germs? 113. What Advice Should Parents and Counselors Give Teenagers About Sexting? 114. Are Emotional-Support Animals a Scam? 115. Do You Believe in Manifesting?
116. Optimism : Is your glass half-empty or half-full? 117. Cursing : Is it ever OK, useful or even healthy to curse? Or is it always inappropriate? 118. Anger Rooms : Do you think places like this are a good idea?
119. What Is Your Reaction to the Days of Protest That Followed the Death of George Floyd? 120. How Should Parents Teach Their Children About Race and Racism? 121. Is America ‘Backsliding’ on Race? 122. Should All Americans Receive Anti-Bias Education? 123. Should All Companies Require Anti-Bias Training for Employees? 124. Should Columbus Day Be Replaced With Indigenous Peoples Day? 125. Is Fear of ‘The Other’ Poisoning Public Life? 126. Justice Ginsburg Fought for Gender Equality. How Close Are We to Achieving That Goal? 127. What Should #MeToo Mean for Teenage Boys? 128. Should There Be More Boy Dolls? 129. Should the Boy Scouts Be Coed? 130. What Is Hard About Being a Boy?
131. Fashion-Show Diversity : What other industries or aspects of life need more diversity? 132. A Town’s New Seal : Why do you think Whitesboro, N.Y., decided to change its seal? 133. Gender Expectations : Do you ever find gender expectations or norms confining? 134. Women’s History Month : What does this holiday mean to you? 135. Boys and Men : What does it mean to “be a man”? 136. Women in Movies : Should some movies dominated by male actors be remade with largely female casts? 137. Unisex Clothing : Should clothing labeling be unisex? 138. Feminism : Do you consider yourself a feminist? 139. Gender and ‘Genderless’ : Do you think that gender is binary?
140. What Are the Greatest Songs of All Time? 141. Should Museums Return Looted Artifacts to Their Countries of Origin? 142. How Do You Feel About Censored Music? 143. What Role Should Celebrities Have During the Coronavirus Crisis? 144. Can You Separate Art From the Artist? 145. Are There Subjects That Should Be Off-Limits to Artists, or to Certain Artists in Particular? 146. Should Art Come With Trigger Warnings? 147. Should Graffiti Be Protected? 148. Is the Digital Era Improving or Ruining the Experience of Art? 149. Are Museums Still Important in the Digital Age? 150. In the Age of Digital Streaming, Are Movie Theaters Still Relevant? 151. Is Hollywood Becoming More Diverse? 152. What Stereotypical Characters Make You Cringe? 153. Do We Need More Female Superheroes? 154. Do Video Games Deserve the Bad Rap They Often Get? 155. Should Musicians Be Allowed to Copy or Borrow From Other Artists? 156. Is Listening to a Book Just as Good as Reading It? 157. Is There Any Benefit to Reading Books You Hate?
158. Hologram Musicians : Which departed artists would you like to see perform live? 159. Movie Theaters : In the age of digital streaming, are movie theaters still relevant? 160. ‘The Image of the Revolution’ : What is it about this photograph that makes it so powerful? 161. Book Covers : What are your favorite book covers? Why? 162. Fashion Trends : What are your favorite fashion trends? What trends do you hate? 163. Fashion Comebacks : What trends from the past would you like to see revived? 164. Murals : Can art be an act of resistance? 165. An 18-Karat Throne : Is this art? 166. A Hug Seen Around the World : Why do you think this image became so popular so quickly? 167. The Role of Public Broadcasting : Do you think programs like “Sesame Street” make the U.S. smarter, stronger and safer? 168. Best Books? : What have you read and loved this year?
169. Should Girls and Boys Sports Teams Compete in the Same League? 170. Should College Athletes Be Paid? 171. Are Youth Sports Too Competitive? 172. Is It Selfish to Pursue Risky Sports Like Extreme Mountain Climbing? 173. How Should We Punish Sports Cheaters? 174. Should Technology in Sports Be Limited? 175. Should Blowouts Be Allowed in Youth Sports? 176. Are Some Youth Sports Too Intense? 177. Does Better Sports Equipment Unfairly Improve Athletic Ability? 178. Is It Offensive for Sports Teams and Their Fans to Use Native American Names, Imagery and Gestures?
179. Brady’s Big Move : How do you feel about Tom Brady leaving the Patriots? 180. Tiger Woods Wins : What are the greatest comebacks in history? 181. Referees : Do sports officials deserve more respect? 182. $430 Million Deal : Is any athlete worth that amount of money? 183. Super Bowl Commercials : Was it smart for advertisers to steer clear of controversy in 2019? 184. Champions : What team in any sport would you like to see win a championship? 185. The Outspoken N.B.A. : Should all sports leagues treat political speech as a right for their players? 186. Gymnastics on Horseback : What is the world’s most difficult sport? 187. Tackle Football : Should children under the age of 12 play tackle football, in your opinion? 188. Breakdancing : Should dance be an Olympic event? 189. Coed Sports : Do you think women and men should compete against each other in sports? 190. Super Bowl Halftime Performer : Whom would you choose to perform at the Super Bowl, and why? 191. Colin Kaepernick’s Protest : What do you think of this protest?
192. Should Parents Track Their Children? 193. Who Should Decide Whether a Teenager Can Get a Tattoo or Piercing? 194. Is It Harder to Grow Up in the 21st Century Than It Was in the Past? 195. Is Childhood Today Over-Supervised? 196. How Should Parents Talk to Their Children About Drugs? 197. What Should We Call Your Generation? 198. Do Parents Ever Cross a Line by Helping Too Much With Schoolwork? 199. What’s the Best Way to Discipline Children? 200. What Are Your Thoughts on ‘Snowplow Parents’? 201. Should Stay-at-Home Parents Be Paid? 202. When Do You Become an Adult?
203. Household Chores : Do you think children should help out around the house? 204. Spy Cams : Should parents use smart devices to keep tabs on their children when they’re home alone? 205. Adults With Rainbow Hair : Are there some trends adults just should not try? 206. Parenting Skills : Should parents say “no” more often when their children ask for new things?
207. Should Students Be Monitored When Taking Online Tests? 208. What Makes a Great Leader? 209. Is It OK to Laugh During Dark Times? 210. Is It Immoral to Increase the Price of Goods During a Crisis? 211. Would You Allow an Ex-Prisoner to Live With You? 212. Would You Return a Lost Wallet? (What if It Had Lots of Money in It?) 213. Is It Wrong to Focus on Animal Welfare When Humans Are Suffering? 214. Is Animal Testing Ever Justified? 215. Should We Be Concerned With Where We Get Our Pets? 216. Is This Exhibit Animal Cruelty or Art? 217. Should Extinct Animals Be Resurrected? If So, Which Ones? 218. Why Do Bystanders Sometimes Fail to Help When They See Someone in Danger? 219. Is It Ethical to Create Genetically Edited Humans? 220. Should Reporters Ever Help the People They Are Covering? 221. Is It OK to Use Family Connections to Get a Job? 222. Is $1 Billion Too Much Money for Any One Person to Have? 223. Are We Being Bad Citizens If We Don’t Keep Up With the News? 224. Should Prisons Offer Incarcerated People Education Opportunities? 225. Should Law Enforcement Be Able to Use DNA Data From Genealogy Websites for Criminal Investigations? 226. Should We Treat Robots Like People?
227. World’s Big Sleep Out : What lengths would you go to in support of a worthy cause? 228. Tipping : Do you leave a tip whenever you’re asked to? 229. Cash Reward : Should you accept a cash reward for doing the right thing? 230. Cheating : Would you tell if you caught your classmates cheating? 231. Do Not Resuscitate : Should doctors have tried to revive this man? 232. Hitler and History : Should the bunker where Hitler killed himself be a tourist attraction? 233. Solving Global Problems : As the head of a global foundation, what problem would you solve?
234. Should the Death Penalty Be Abolished? 235. If You Were a Member of Congress, Would You Vote to Impeach President Trump? 236. Who Do You Think Should Be Person of the Year for 2020? 237. Should the United States Decriminalize the Possession of Drugs? 238. What Would You Do First if You Were the New President? 239. Does Everyone Have a Responsibility to Vote? 240. How Should We Remember the Problematic Actions of the Nation’s Founders? 241. Do You Care Who Sits on the Supreme Court? Should We Care? 242. Is the Electoral College a Problem? Does It Need to Be Fixed? 243. Are Presidential Debates Helpful to Voters? Or Should They Be Scrapped? 244. Is Your Generation Doing Its Part to Strengthen Our Democracy? 245. Should We All Be Able to Vote by Mail? 246. What Issues in the 2020 Presidential Race Are Most Important to You? 247. Do You Think the American Dream Is Real? 248. Should Plastic Bags Be Banned Everywhere? 249. Does the United States Owe Reparations to the Descendants of Enslaved People? 250. Do You Think It Is Important for Teenagers to Participate in Political Activism? 251. Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16? 252. What Should Lawmakers Do About Guns and Gun Violence? 253. Should Confederate Statues Be Removed or Remain in Place? 254. Does the U.S. Constitution Need an Equal Rights Amendment? 255. Should National Monuments Be Protected by the Government? 256. Should Free Speech Protections Include Self Expression That Discriminates? 257. How Important Is Freedom of the Press? 258. Should Ex-Felons Have the Right to Vote? 259. Should Marijuana Be Legal? 260. Should the United States Abolish Daylight Saving Time? 261. Should the U.S. Ban Military-Style Semiautomatic Weapons? 262. Should the U.S. Get Rid of the Electoral College? 263. What Do You Think of President Trump’s Use of Twitter? 264. Should Celebrities Weigh In on Politics? 265. Why Is It Important for People With Different Political Beliefs to Talk to Each Other? 266. Should Athletes Speak Out On Social and Political Issues?
267. Government Buildings : Should they all look like the Lincoln Memorial? 268. Oprah for President : Would you vote for her if you could? 269. Peaceful Protesting : In what ways can you demonstrate peacefully to express your views? 270. Student Climate Strikes : What issues do you think deserve more attention? 271. Pennies : Should the United States get rid of the penny? 272. Mandatory Voting? : Should citizens who are 18 or older be required to vote? 273. Dabbing in Congress : Should this teenager have dabbed in his father’s official swearing-in photo? 274. Baby Bonds : Should the government give money to babies?
275. We Document Life’s Milestones. How Should We Document Death? 276. Does Reality TV Deserve Its Bad Rap? 277. Do Marriage Proposals Still Have a Place in Today’s Society? 278. Should We Rethink Thanksgiving? 279. How Do You Decide What News to Believe, What to Question and What to Dismiss? 280. Should the Week Be Four Days Instead of Five? 281. Should Public Transit Be Free? 282. How Important Is Knowing a Foreign Language? 283. Is There a ‘Right Way’ to Be a Tourist? 284. Should Your Significant Other Be Your Best Friend? 285. What Do You Think of the #WalkUpNotOut Movement?
286. Teenage Drivers : What do you think of Georgia’s decision to issue driver’s licenses without road tests? 287. Snow Days : How do you feel about winter weather? 288. Fortune Tellers : Do you believe in psychics? 289. Big City, Small Town : Which would you rather live in? Why? 290. Game Show Winner : Would you ever want to be a contestant on a game show? 291. Fast-Food Buffet : Is this the feast of your dreams or your nightmares? 292. Public Libraries : Are libraries still relevant and important today? 293. Trans Fats : Should trans fats be banned around the world? 294. Dolls : If you could have your favorite toy company make a doll of someone, who would it be and why? 295. Creepy Clowns : How do you feel about clowns? 296. Tattoos : How do you feel about tattooing in general? 297. Brushing Beagle : What are the best dog breeds, in your opinion? 298. U.F.O.s : Do you believe that U.F.O.s are signs of alien life? 299. Small Talk : Do you have the gift of gab? 300. Lottery Winnings : Would you want to win the lottery? Why or why not?
Choose Your Test
Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 50 great argumentative essay topics for any assignment.
General Education
At some point, you’re going to be asked to write an argumentative essay. An argumentative essay is exactly what it sounds like—an essay in which you’ll be making an argument, using examples and research to back up your point.
But not all argumentative essay topics are created equal. Not only do you have to structure your essay right to have a good impact on the reader, but even your choice of subject can impact how readers feel about your work.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of writing argumentative essays, including what argumentative essays are, how to write a good one, and how to pick a topic that works for you. Then check out a list of argumentative essay ideas to help you get started.
What Is an Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay is one that makes an argument through research. These essays take a position and support it through evidence, but, unlike many other kinds of essays, they are interested in expressing a specific argument supported by research and evidence.
A good argumentative essay will be based on established or new research rather than only on your thoughts and feelings. Imagine that you’re trying to get your parents to raise your allowance, and you can offer one of two arguments in your favor:
You should raise my allowance because I want you to.
You should raise my allowance because I’ve been taking on more chores without complaining.
The first argument is based entirely in feelings without any factual backup, whereas the second is based on evidence that can be proven. Your parents are more likely to respond positively to the second argument because it demonstrates that you have done something to earn the increased allowance. Similarly, a well-researched and reasoned argument will show readers that your point has a basis in fact, not just feelings.
The standard five-paragraph essay is common in writing argumentative essays, but it’s not the only way to write one. An argumentative essay is typically written in one of two formats, the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model.
The Toulmin model is the most common, comprised of an introduction with a claim (otherwise known as a thesis), with data to support it. This style of essay will also include rebuttals, helping to strengthen your argument by anticipating counterarguments.
The Rogerian model analyzes two sides of an argument and reaches a conclusion after weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Both essay styles rely on well-reasoned logic and supporting evidence to prove a point, just in two different ways.
The important thing to note about argumentative essays as opposed to other kinds of essays is that they aim to argue a specific point rather than to explain something or to tell a story. While they may have some things in common with analytical essays, the primary difference is in their objective—an argumentative essay aims to convince someone of something, whereas an analytical essay contextualizes a topic with research.
What Makes a Good Argumentative Essay?
To write an effective argumentative essay, you need to know what a good one looks like. In addition to a solid structure, you’ll need an argument, a strong thesis, and solid research.
An Argument
Unlike other forms of essays, you are trying to convince your reader of something. You’re not just teaching them a concept or demonstrating an idea—you’re constructing an argument to change the readers’ thinking.
You’ll need to develop a good argument, which encompasses not just your main point, but also all the pieces that make it up.
Think beyond what you are saying and include how you’re saying it. How will you take an idea and turn it into a complex and well thought out argument that is capable of changing somebody’s mind?
A Strong Thesis
The thesis is the core of your argument. What specific message are you trying to get across? State that message in one sentence, and that will be your thesis.
This is the foundation on which your essay is built, so it needs to be strong and well-reasoned. You need to be able to expand on it with facts and sources, not just feelings.
A good argumentative essay isn’t just based on your individual thoughts, but research. That can be citing sources and other arguments or it can mean direct research in the field, depending on what your argument is and the context in which you are arguing it.
Be prepared to back your thesis up with reporting from scientific journals, newspapers, or other forms of research. Having well-researched sources will help support your argument better than hearsay or assumptions. If you can’t find enough research to back up your point, it’s worth reconsidering your thesis or conducting original research, if possible.
How to Come Up With an Argumentative Essay Topic
Sometimes you may find yourself arguing things you don’t necessarily believe. That’s totally fine—you don’t actually have to wholeheartedly believe in what you’re arguing in order to construct a compelling argument.
However, if you have free choice of topic, it’s a good idea to pick something you feel strongly about. There are two key components to a good argumentative essay: a strong stance, and an assortment of evidence. If you’re interested and feel passionate about the topic you choose, you'll have an easier time finding evidence to support it, but it's the evidence that's most important.
So, to choose a topic, think about things you feel strongly about, whether positively or negatively. You can make a list of ideas and narrow those down to a handful of things, then expand on those ideas with a few potential points you want to hit on.
For example, say you’re trying to decide whether you should write about how your neighborhood should ban weed killer, that your school’s lunch should be free for all students, or that the school day should be cut by one hour. To decide between these ideas, you can make a list of three to five points for each that cover the different evidence you could use to support each point.
For the weed killer ban, you could say that weed killer has been proven to have adverse impacts on bees, that there are simple, natural alternatives, and that weeds aren’t actually bad to have around. For the free lunch idea, you could suggest that some students have to go hungry because they can’t afford lunch, that funds could be diverted from other places to support free lunch, and that other items, like chips or pizza, could be sold to help make up lost revenue. And for the school day length example, you could argue that teenagers generally don’t get enough sleep, that you have too much homework and not enough time to do it, and that teenagers don’t spend enough time with their families.
You might find as you make these lists that some of them are stronger than others. The more evidence you have and the stronger you feel that that evidence is, the better the topic. Of course, if you feel that one topic may have more evidence but you’d rather not write about it, it’s okay to pick another topic instead. When you’re making arguments, it can be much easier to find strong points and evidence if you feel passionate about our topic than if you don't.
50 Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas
If you’re struggling to come up with topics on your own, read through this list of argumentative essay topics to help get you started!
- Should fracking be legal?
- Should parents be able to modify their unborn children?
- Do GMOs help or harm people?
- Should vaccinations be required for students to attend public school?
- Should world governments get involved in addressing climate change?
- Should Facebook be allowed to collect data from its users?
- Should self-driving cars be legal?
- Is it ethical to replace human workers with automation?
- Should there be laws against using cell phones while driving?
- Has the internet positively or negatively impacted human society?
- Should college athletes be paid for being on sports teams?
- Should coaches and players make the same amount of money?
- Should sports be segregated by gender?
- Should the concept of designated hitters in baseball be abolished?
- Should US sports take soccer more seriously?
- Should religious organizations have to pay taxes?
- Should religious clubs be allowed in schools?
- Should “one nation under God” be in the pledge of allegiance?
- Should religion be taught in schools?
- Should clergy be allowed to marry?
- Should minors be able to purchase birth control without parental consent?
- Should the US switch to single-payer healthcare?
- Should assisted suicide be legal?
- Should dietary supplements and weight loss items like teas be allowed to advertise through influencers?
- Should doctors be allowed to promote medicines?
Government/Politics
- Is the electoral college an effective system for modern America?
- Should Puerto Rico become a state?
- Should voter registration be automatic?
- Should people in prison be allowed to vote?
- Should Supreme Court justices be elected?
- Should sex work be legalized?
- Should Columbus Day be replaced with Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
- Should the death penalty be legal?
- Should animal testing be allowed?
- Should drug possession be decriminalized?
- Should unpaid internships be legal?
- Should minimum wage be increased?
- Should monopolies be allowed?
- Is universal basic income a good idea?
- Should corporations have a higher or lower tax rate?
- Are school uniforms a good idea?
- Should PE affect a student’s grades?
- Should college be free?
- Should Greek life in colleges be abolished?
- Should students be taught comprehensive sex ed?
Arts/Culture
- Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism?
- Should books with objectionable words be banned?
- Should content on YouTube be better regulated?
- Is art education important?
- Should art and music sharing online be allowed?
How to Argue Effectively
A strong argument isn’t just about having a good point. If you can’t support that point well, your argument falls apart.
One of the most important things you can do in writing a strong argumentative essay is organizing well. Your essay should have a distinct beginning, middle, and end, better known as the introduction, body and opposition, and conclusion.
This example follows the Toulmin model—if your essay follows the Rogerian model, the same basic premise is true, but your thesis will instead propose two conflicting viewpoints that will be resolved through evidence in the body, with your conclusion choosing the stronger of the two arguments.
Introduction
Your hook should draw the reader’s interest immediately. Questions are a common way of getting interest, as well as evocative language or a strong statistic
Don’t assume that your audience is already familiar with your topic. Give them some background information, such as a brief history of the issue or some additional context.
Your thesis is the crux of your argument. In an argumentative essay, your thesis should be clearly outlined so that readers know exactly what point you’ll be making. Don’t explain all your evidence in the opening, but do take a strong stance and make it clear what you’ll be discussing.
Your claims are the ideas you’ll use to support your thesis. For example, if you’re writing about how your neighborhood shouldn’t use weed killer, your claim might be that it’s bad for the environment. But you can’t just say that on its own—you need evidence to support it.
Evidence is the backbone of your argument. This can be things you glean from scientific studies, newspaper articles, or your own research. You might cite a study that says that weed killer has an adverse effect on bees, or a newspaper article that discusses how one town eliminated weed killer and saw an increase in water quality. These kinds of hard evidence support your point with demonstrable facts, strengthening your argument.
In your essay, you want to think about how the opposition would respond to your claims and respond to them. Don’t pick the weakest arguments, either— figure out what other people are saying and respond to those arguments with clearly reasoned arguments.
Demonstrating that you not only understand the opposition’s point, but that your argument is strong enough to withstand it, is one of the key pieces to a successful argumentative essay.
Conclusions are a place to clearly restate your original point, because doing so will remind readers exactly what you’re arguing and show them how well you’ve argued that point.
Summarize your main claims by restating them, though you don’t need to bring up the evidence again. This helps remind readers of everything you’ve said throughout the essay.
End by suggesting a picture of a world in which your argument and action are ignored. This increases the impact of your argument and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
A strong argumentative essay is one with good structure and a strong argument , but there are a few other things you can keep in mind to further strengthen your point.
When you’re crafting an argument, it can be easy to get distracted by all the information and complications in your argument. It’s important to stay focused—be clear in your thesis and home in on claims that directly support that thesis.
Be Rational
It’s important that your claims and evidence be based in facts, not just opinion. That’s why it’s important to use reliable sources based in science and reporting—otherwise, it’s easy for people to debunk your arguments.
Don’t rely solely on your feelings about the topic. If you can’t back a claim up with real evidence, it leaves room for counterarguments you may not anticipate. Make sure that you can support everything you say with clear and concrete evidence, and your claims will be a lot stronger!
What’s Next?
No matter what kind of essay you're writing, a strong plan will help you have a bigger impact. This guide to writing a college essay is a great way to get started on your essay organizing journey!
Brushing up on your essay format knowledge to prep for the SAT? Check out this list of SAT essay prompts to help you kickstart your studying!
A bunch of great essay examples can help you aspire to greatness, but bad essays can also be a warning for what not to do. This guide to bad college essays will help you better understand common mistakes to avoid in essay writing!
Need more help with this topic? Check out Tutorbase!
Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for Calculus. You can use dozens of filters and search criteria to find the perfect person for your needs.
Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.
Student and Parent Forum
Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.
Ask a Question Below
Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!
Improve With Our Famous Guides
- For All Students
The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points
How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer
Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:
Score 800 on SAT Math
Score 800 on SAT Reading
Score 800 on SAT Writing
Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:
Score 600 on SAT Math
Score 600 on SAT Reading
Score 600 on SAT Writing
Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests
What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?
15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay
The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points
How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer
Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:
36 on ACT English
36 on ACT Math
36 on ACT Reading
36 on ACT Science
Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:
24 on ACT English
24 on ACT Math
24 on ACT Reading
24 on ACT Science
What ACT target score should you be aiming for?
ACT Vocabulary You Must Know
ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score
How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League
How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA
How to Write an Amazing College Essay
What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?
Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide
Should you retake your SAT or ACT?
When should you take the SAT or ACT?
Stay Informed
Get the latest articles and test prep tips!
Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?
Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:
GRE Online Prep Blog
GMAT Online Prep Blog
TOEFL Online Prep Blog
Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”
- Link to facebook
- Link to linkedin
- Link to twitter
- Link to youtube
- Writing Tips
50 Argumentative Essay Topics for Students
4-minute read
- 11th June 2022
The goal of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to understand and support your position on an issue by presenting your reasoning along with supporting evidence. It’s important to find the right balance between giving your opinions and presenting established research.
These essays discuss issues around a range of topics, including science, technology, politics, and healthcare. Whether you’re a teacher looking for essay topics for your students or a student tasked with developing an idea of your own, we’ve compiled a list of 50 argumentative essay topics to help you get started!
● Does texting hinder interpersonal communication skills?
● Should there be laws against using devices while driving?
● Do violent video games teach or encourage people to behave violently?
● Should social media sites be allowed to collect users’ data?
● Should parents limit how long their children spend in front of screens?
● Is AI helping or hurting society?
● Should cyber-bullying carry legal consequences?
● Should Supreme Court justices be elected?
● Is war always a political decision?
● Should people join a political party?
● Is capitalism ethical?
● Is the electoral college an effective system?
● Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
● Should the death penalty be legal?
● Are governments around the world doing enough to combat global warming?
● Is healthcare a fundamental human right?
● Should vaccinations be mandated for children?
● Are there any circumstances under which physician-assisted suicides should be legal?
● Should parents be able to choose specific genetic modifications of their future children?
● Should abortion be legal?
● Is it ethical to perform medical experiments on animals?
● Should patients who lead unhealthy lifestyles be denied organ transplants?
● Should doctors be able to provide medical care to children against their parents’ wishes?
Mental Healthcare
● What causes the stigma around mental health?
● Discuss the link between insufficient access to mental health services and the high suicide rates among veterans.
Find this useful?
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
● Should cannabis be used as a treatment for patients with mental disorders?
● Is there a link between social media use and mental disorders?
● Discuss the effect of physical activity on mental health.
● Should sports be segregated by gender?
● Should male and female athletes be given the same pay and opportunities?
● Are professional athletes overpaid?
● Should college athletes be paid?
● Should sports betting be legal?
● Should online access to art such as music be free?
● Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism?
● Are there any circumstances under which books should be banned?
● Should schools be required to offer art courses?
● Is art necessary to society?
● Should schools require uniforms?
● Should reciting the Pledge of Allegiance be required in schools?
● Do standardized tests effectively measure intelligence?
● Should high school students take a gap year before pursuing higher education?
● Should higher education be free?
● Is there too much pressure on high school students to attend college?
● Are children better off in two-parent households?
● Should LGBTQ+ partners be allowed to adopt?
● Should single people be able to adopt children as easily as couples?
● Is it okay for parents to physically discipline their children?
● Does helicopter parenting help or hurt children?
● Should parents monitor their children’s Internet use?
Proofreading & Editing
An argument could also be made for the importance of proofreading your essay ! The reader can focus more on your message when your writing is clear, concise, and error-free, and they won’t question whether you’re knowledgeable on the issues you’re presenting. Once you have a draft ready, you can submit a free trial document to start working with our expert editors!
Share this article:
Post A New Comment
Instant Quote
Need more help perfecting your writing proofed has the perfect editor.
You can also upload a document to get an instant quote
Drag & drop your file
or browse your computer
Browse from your device
Drop your file here!
Your file is being uploaded!
How to Write Blank Verse Poetry
Ever heard of blank verse? It’s poetry that doesn’t rhyme but follows a regular meter....
2-minute read
Grammar Tips: Prepositions
In the English language, prepositions can be tricky to master because they’re usually idiomatic. However,...
3-minute read
Grammar Tips: Proper Nouns
Is it a person, place, or thing? Oh my! In this article, we’re talking about...
7-minute read
Grammar Tips: Plural Nouns
If someone asked you what a noun is, you’d probably say it’s a person, place,...
A Simple Guide to Definite Articles
If you’re unsure what a definite article is, you’ve come to the right place! Knowing...
5-minute read
Study Tips: The Pomodoro Technique
Introduction Do you struggle to stay focused while studying? The Pomodoro (meaning tomato in Italian)...
Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.
250 Best Argumentative Essay Topics and Ideas For 2023
Table of Contents
If you are a school or a college student, then at least once you will be asked to submit an argumentative essay. Basically, an argumentative essay is a type of essay in which you have to present your arguments about a particular issue with valid supporting evidence. Like other essay types, the argumentative essay also requires an ideal topic, to begin with. Currently, have your instructor asked you to submit an argumentative essay?
Are you hunting for the top argumentative essay topics and ideas for your assignment? Well, don’t worry! Especially, to offer you argumentative essay writing help, here in this blog post, we have explained how to choose a perfect topic and write a great argumentative essay. In addition to that, for your convenience, we have listed 200+ amazing argumentative essay topic ideas on various subjects and themes as well. Go through this blog post and get engaging ideas for argumentative essay writing.
What is an Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay is an academic writing that takes a stance on any specific issue. It is one of the popular essay types in which as a writer you can share your viewpoints or arguments about a topic with valid proof. The argumentative essay is somewhat similar to a persuasive essay. But particularly, in this essay type, you should try to convince your readers to support your viewpoints about the essay topic. Note that, it is challenging to persuade the readers. Therefore, while writing your argumentative essay, you should state your reasoning and provide strong evidence to back up your claims.
The ultimate aim of an argumentative essay is to inform the readers about your perspectives on the essay topic. In order to submit an outstanding argumentative essay, firstly you should have an ideal topic. Education, health, politics, science, technology, sports, society, etc. are some common fields of study in which you can find a lot of unique argumentative essay topic ideas.
Argumentative Essay Writing Steps
Basically, it is not so easy to write an argumentative essay. However, if you are familiar with the steps for writing an argumentative essay, then without any trouble, you can compose an engaging essay. Are you aware of how to write an argumentative essay? If you don’t know, then execute the below-mentioned steps in order.
- Firstly, choose a specific area of study or study you want to focus on. It could be anything related to education, science, health, technology, or any other field.
- Secondly, pick a good argumentative essay topic from your area of interest.
- Thirdly, do in-depth research on the topic of your essay and write a compelling thesis statement. Additionally, to support your thesis statement, gather major points, arguments, and counterarguments for discussion.
- Fourthly, using the information you’ve gathered, create a concise and easy-to-understand outline for your argumentative essay to help you plan how to write it. The introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay should all be included in your outline.
- Fifthly, expand the prepared outline and compose an argumentative essay in accordance with your instructor’s essay writing instructions. The essay should provide solid evidence to back up your arguments in support of the thesis statement.
- Lastly, proofread the essay content multiple times. The essay draft that is ready to be submitted ought to be free of errors, logical, and free of plagiarism.
Argumentative Essay Topic Selection
The first step in the essay writing process is topic selection. In general, when assigning homework, your professors will suggest some argumentative essay prompts or essay questions for you to work on. However, they may occasionally allow you to choose your own topic. As the topic is so important to the success of an essay, you should be more careful when choosing one. If you don’t know how to choose a good argumentative essay topic, then during the topic selection process, follow this.
- Firstly, choose a subject that interests you.
- Secondly, find some intriguing topic suggestions for your argumentative essay in your preferred area.
- Thirdly, consider each and every one of the ideas on your list and select two or three to focus on.
- Finally, conduct preliminary research on the shortlisted topics and choose one that matches your interest and meets your essay writing requirements.
The argumentative essay topic you choose is said to be good only if it meets the following. Remember, the idea you have finalized should
- Fall within your area of interest.
- Be informative and engaging to the readers.
- Not be boring and difficult to argue.
- Allow you to generate different opinions.
- Contain extensive information and trusted sources of references.
- Be debatable and provides space to raise strong arguments.
- Contain valid evidence, examples, facts, or statistics to prove the arguments.
- Be based on a unique, trending, or unaddressed issue.
- Not be too vast or too narrow. It should allow you to present all your arguments within the given time frame.
Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas List For 2023
For preparing an argumentative essay, you can very well select a good essay topics from any area. In case, you are running short of ideas, without any hesitation, access the list below. Especially, for your convenience, in the list, we have included 200+ amazing argumentative essay topic ideas on areas such as health, education, politics, history, science, technology, and so on.
Explore the entire list and pick a topic that is comfortable for you to argue.
Argumentative Essay Topics on Health
If you are more interested in arguing on health topics, then for your argumentative essay writing, you can pick any of the topics suggested below.
- Is fast food good for health?
- How to assist teenagers in maintaining a healthy weight.
- Is therapy the only way to treat depression and anxiety?
- What is your take on doctors promoting medicines?
- Why do people visit other countries for health care?
- How do 21 st -century social conditions affect people’s health?
- Is non-vegetarian bad for health?
- Share your views on conducting medical experiments on animals.
- Do energy drinks really boost energy?
- Which is better: the public or the private healthcare system?
Argumentative Essay Topics on Health for Study
- What are the adverse effects of smartphones on health?
- Is drug and alcohol addiction a disease?
- Discuss the consequences of bad health care.
- Are all people entitled to free health care?
- Which is more nutritious: a vegan diet or a traditional diet?
- Is Children’s vaccination mandatory?
- The government should ban products that are manufactured at the cost of people’s health
- Birth control pills can permanently damage the reproductive system
- People who live an unhealthy lifestyle don’t deserve organ transplantation when their organs stop functioning well
- HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine should be mandatory for children ages 11-12 years
- Houseful food insecurity must be eliminated to curb the likelihood of binge-eating disorders and obesity
- Plastic is the most harmful material to the health of human beings and animals
- Regular practice of Yoga and Meditation can improve both mental and physical health and well-being
- Consumption of foods containing a balanced amount of vitamins, minerals, and protein is the key factor in achieving good health
- Air pollution is the key reason behind the poor respiratory health of people
Read more: Best Health Essay Topics and Ideas To Consider
Argumentative Essay Topics Related To Education For 2023
The following are some engaging essay topics on education that you can take into consideration for crafting your argumentative essay.
- Should schools give cash credits for good test scores?
- How should schools address bullying?
- Is sex education necessary for students?
- Are children of illegal immigrants entitled to public education?
- Is college education mandatory for everyone?
- Should schools be allowed to use corporal punishment?
- Does class size matter?
- Is education necessary for a better future?
- Education should be free for everyone- Present your arguments.
- Which is better: the public school education system or the homeschooling system?
- Are standardized tests a proper way to evaluate a student’s knowledge?
- Should special children be taught separately from normal children?
- Are traditional education methods helpful in educating the children of today?
- Discuss the learning methodologies in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Do college rankings matter?
Educational Argumentative Essay Topics
- Is community service cultivating good values in the minds of the students?
- Does the current education system prepare students for the real world?
- Is a grading system necessary?
- Education is too commercialized nowadays-Share your views.
- Which secondary languages are worth studying today?
- Are education apps really helpful?
- Is it good to limit internet access to students?
- Art education is important or not.
- Which is more advantageous: co-education or single-sex education?
- Should education counseling be a part of school education?
- Should Students Be Able to Grade Their Teachers?
- Should Middle School Students Be Drug Tested?
- How Seriously Should We Take Standardized Tests?
- Discuss the effectiveness of the Education For All campaign of UNESCO
- Why remote education is harmful to a child’s physiological and psychological growth?
Argumentative Essay Topics on History
Listed below are some outstanding essay topics on history that will be helpful to you in preparing a great argumentative essay.
- Education is the key founding factor to developing a strong and progressive society
- Which country has the best academic grading system and why?
- Is Barack Obama the first American president to make history in America?
- What are the causes and effects of the Cold War?
- Trace the history of racism and discrimination in America.
- Was the reconstruction of the American South following the American Civil War a success or a failure?
- Describe the role of women in the French revolution.
- Was colonialism beneficial to the Third World War?
- What effect did the invention of the cotton gin have on American agriculture?
- Write about America’s growth after WWII.
- Should President Abraham Lincoln have allowed the Southern states to leave the Union peacefully?
- Does our modern perspective change the truth of what happened during major historical events?
- What are the causes and effects of the US-Mexican War?
- Is Gothic art preferred and most magnificent in the history of humanity?
- Who is the greatest president of all time?
Argumentative Essay Topics on History For Assignments
- Why was Prussia successful in unifying Germany into a single nation?
- Explain the primary causes of the Indo-Pak War.
- American history before 1877: The New World before Christopher Columbus
- How did slavery appear in British America?
- How did the Founding Fathers treat Indian history and tribes?
- Should fracking be legal?
- Does screen time have an effect on a child’s social behavior?
- Should fertilized eggs be given legal ‘Personhood’?
- Do video games cause children to be violent?
- Is it fine to replace human limbs with technology?
- Do we need to rely on technology for treating human problems related to feelings?
- Is it ethical to replace human workers with automation?
- Does technology make people alone?
- Why cellphones are harmful to the human race?
- Is cloning ethical?
Read more: Interesting History Research Topics You Might Consider
Argumentative Essay Topics on Science and Technology For 2023
Are you looking for the best argumentative essay topics on science and technology? If yes, then the list presented below will be helpful to you.
- Do nuclear weapons make the world safe?
- Explain the effect of technology on education.
- Is it necessary to teach coding in middle school
- Should self-driving cars be legal?
- Is the future in the hands of artificial intelligence?
- Is cognitive computing unethical?
- Are spy applications invading the privacy of users?
- Is typescript the future of front-end development?
- Are people becoming technological zombies?
- Does technology limit creativity?
- Has baseball lost its cool?
- Argue about unhealthy brands sponsoring sports programs.
- Is it good to allow home-schooling students to play public school sports?
- Share your views about the segregation of sports by gender.
- Should professional sports have cheerleaders?
Sports Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas For 2023
If you are a sports fanatic, then for writing your argumentative essay, you can consider any of the following essay ideas.
- Does playing sports build character in young children?
- Is sport the answer to maintaining a healthy weight?
- Should there be stricter rules about how coaches treat their players?
- How can sports assist in learning better?
- Should animal sports be banned?
- Do athletes have a responsibility to be role models?
- Is cheerleading a sport?
- Should college athletes be paid?
- Why some youth sports are too intense?
- Is American football too dangerous for players?
- Is it right to allow people who are in prison to vote?
- Which has the best economic system – capitalism or socialism?
- How to prevent future mass shootings.
- Is the Electoral College an effective system for modern America?
- Does campaign finance reform work?
Read more: Interesting Sports Essay Topics to Explore and Write About
Argumentative Essay Topics Related To Politics For 2023
Basically, politics is a broad field that will allow you to share different opinions. So, for writing your argumentative essay, you can very well take into consideration any of the following political essay topics.
- Which recent political decision has created the most change?
- According to you which political party has the right ideology?
- Should North and South Korea unite?
- Are all politicians, leaders, and decision-makers equitable?
- Should a politician be merciful or cruel?
- Is the taxation system effective or not?
- Should voter registration be automatic?
- How has terrorism affected the foreign policies of the United States and Russia?
- Is war a political decision?
- What do you think of the police tactic of stop-and-frisk?
- Are funny memes ethical?
- Is it really worth reporting offensive social media content?
- What are the positive effects of social media?
- Is social media the best platform to do business?
- Can social media platforms change someone’s point of view?
Social Media Argumentative Essay Ideas For 2023
Suggested below are a few impressive argumentative social media essay topics and ideas that you can choose for your essay writing assignments.
- How social media affects human moods.
- What is the role of Instagram in setting unreal beauty standards?
- How to save a person from privacy breaches through social media platforms.
- Are social media pranks really dangerous?
- Discuss the role of LinkedIn in a professional career.
- How social media has changed the social fabric of society?
- Why is social media bad for relationships?
- Can a person live life without social media?
- Should under-aged children be allowed to own social media accounts?
- Is social media building complexes in people?
- Are teenagers more comfortable talking on social media rather than face-to-face?
- Has social media destroyed real-life communication?
- Do social media increase employment rates?
- Should social media sites be banned?
- Is social media an effective platform for communication?
Argumentative Essay Topics on Society and Culture For 2023
The following are some argumentative essay topics on society and culture that will help you to craft a brilliant essay.
- Should beauty contests be terminated?
- Is modern culture spoiling childhood?
- Do we have a throwaway society?
- Does pop culture deserve serious study?
- Can racism be eradicated from society?
- Is celebrity culture good or bad?
- What positive and negative effects does globalization have on societies?
- Is racism a natural condition of human society ?
- Discuss the reasons why youths are addicted to pop culture.
- Should music be censored?
- How should countries handle illegal immigration?
- Is teenage marriage permissible in society?
- Has society made the necessary preparation for slavery?
- How do cross-cultural marriages add up to racial tolerance?
- Are men and women treated equally in society?
Argumentative Essay Topics on Society for Exam 2023
- Is society turning over-regulated?
- Should society fight anorexia?
- What are the mutual stereotypes in our society?
- How does the LGBTQ community influence society?
- Explain the effects of homosexuality on society.
- Discuss the drawbacks of online dating apps such as Tinder.
- What is the effect of technology on people’s ability to create?
- Is electronic money a good replacement for paper money?
- Should children be taught housekeeping at school?
- Why do teens idolize celebrities?
- How should parents teach their children about gender stereotypes?
- Do you think that beauty standards be more inclusive?
- Should citizenship by birth be canceled?
- Why there should be no or less homework?
- Discuss the real objectives of Feminism.
Captivating Argumentative Essay Topics For 2023
Here are some captivating argumentative essay topics that will help you in scoring an A+ grade.
- Is blogging an irrelevant profession?
- Do anti-discrimination laws protect disabled pupils?
- Should schools use electronic textbooks to save paper?
- What are the pros and cons of making friends virtually?
- Explain the effects of the #Metoo movement on relationships.
- Is chess a sport or game?
- What are the primary causes of Down syndrome?
- Should Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter be banned permanently?
- Are celebrity endorsements unethical?
- Explain the impact of homosexuality on society.
- Is recycling essential?
- Should abortion be banned?
- Which is better – Children’s behavior today or children’s behavior in the past?
- Is the death penalty efficient?
- Which is better – cartoons or movies?
Good Argumentative Essay Topics For 2023
Listed below are some top-rated argumentative essay topics that will be helpful for your essay-writing tasks.
- What is the most important socio-political movement of the modern era?
- Are school uniforms advantageous?
- How do emotions affect our actions and behavior?
- Does religion cause wars?
- Are sports betting illegal?
- Do dreams carry a symbolic meaning?
- Should the Electoral College be abolished?
- Is it worth exploring space?
- Does boredom lead to trouble?
- Should there be commercials in children’s programs?
- Are gym classes important?
- Should unpaid internships be legal?
- Is smoking in public places ethical?
- What are the effects of immigration on the school system?
- Are gun control laws too strict?
Best Argumentative Essay Ideas For 2023
Here are a few more best argumentative essay ideas you can consider for your assignments.
- Does organic food even exist?
- The use of fur and leather products is ethical or not.
- How do terrorism and illegal migrants relate?
- Is tourist tax a necessity to protect cultural heritage?
- Are the election procedures in your country fair and transparent?
- Is music a real art form?
- Are CEOs paid too much?
- Fashion is important or not- Present your arguments.
- Is the video game a real sport?
- Should social security be privatized?
- When does a person become an adult?
- Is universal basic income a good idea?
- Do fraternities promote misogyny?
- Does tourist tax influence cultural heritage?
- Is the cost of college too high?
Excellent Topics For Argumentative Essay
The following are some excellent argumentative essay topics that will be helpful to you in scoring high grades.
- Can sleep patterns cause depression?
- Are antismoking ads effective?
- Is a healthy body image contradicting the values of fashion?
- Do TV Shows promote dangerous stereotypes?
- Can money buy happiness?
- Should military participation be mandatory for all citizens?
- Does revolution result in real change?
- Should the internet be censored?
- Can people ever change who they are?
- Are diets helpful?
- Should prayer be allowed in school?
- How does being a vegan help the environment?
- Are tattoos a kind of social deviation?
- Do the ends justify the means of any action?
- Should churches be tax-free institutions?
Trending Argumentative Essay Topics
- Share your views on corruption and its effects on increasing wages.
- Are literate people better parents?
- Should euthanasia be illegal?
- Explain the significance of microchipping pets.
- Why is college admission too competitive?
- Do you think that the “reality” of what transpired during important historical events has changed given our current perspective?
- Discuss if lower socioeconomic strata had chances during a certain decade in the past.
- Was the treatment of Native Americans morally repugnant to the US?
- The American colonies and, subsequently, the United States, were both founded on slavery. How, therefore, did this injustice alter the country?
- Is a gap year a year-long vacation or a time for exploration and reflection?
- Is it a good idea for many states to decriminalize the possession of some substances, such as marijuana?
- Although equality is a legal requirement, do you think it is being implemented?
- Do you believe that individuals have the right to possess firearms?
- Do you believe that the impacts of the chemicals used to make a manufacturer’s products are their responsibility?
- Do you believe that illegal aliens should be given residency?
Take Essay Writing Help Online
Hopefully, the argumentative essay topics and ideas recommended in this blog post will help you to create a top-notch essay. If you are not satisfied with the list of topics shared here, then quickly reach out to us. Especially, to offer assistance with argumentative essay topic selection, writing, and proofreading, in our team, we have skilled essay writers in various academic disciplines. Not just for argumentative essays, through our online essay writing services, we offer essay help for other types of academic essays as well.
Are you wondering how to take our professional assignment help online for your essay writing? Just share your requirements with us by submitting the order form. Based on what you have shared with us, we will complete the necessary documents and deliver them to you for a reasonable price without missing the deadlines. Note that the academic papers we send you will be top-quality and original. Also, as a part of our services, we will give you round-the-clock customer chat support and unlimited paper revisions.
Instead of giving too much work to your brain, simply relax and hire an essay helper from our team for assistance. Taking our essay writing help online will offer you more academic benefits and boost your grades.
Related Post
R vs. Stata: Which One is the Best For Data Science?
150 Outstanding Big Data Research Topics for Every Student to Explore
198 Captivating Social Issues Topics for Essay or Research Paper
About author.
https://www.greatassignmenthelp.com/
Comments are closed.
- Featured Posts
Top 140 Bioethics Topics To Consider For Writing a Research Paper
160 excellent business essay topics and ideas to focus on, how to write a reflective essay, different types of essay formats- mla, apa, and chicago, apa vs. mla: learn the major differences between the citation styles, top 152 cybercrime research topics for students to consider, an understanding of the language features and structural features, 150+ fabulous criminology dissertation ideas for you to consider, 153 fantastic narrative essay topics for you to explore and consider, 100 motivational quotes for students to succeed in academic life, get help instantly.
Raise Your Grades with Great Assignment Help
- SAT BootCamp
- SAT MasterClass
- SAT Private Tutoring
- SAT Proctored Practice Test
- ACT Private Tutoring
- Academic Subjects
- College Essay Workshop
- Academic Writing Workshop
- AP English FRQ BootCamp
- 1:1 College Essay Help
- Online Instruction
- Free Resources
99 Great Handpicked Ideas for Argumentative Essays
99 argumentative essay ideas.
Bonus Material: 5-step thesis machine and essay checklist
If you want to write a great argumentative essay, then these are the foolproof steps to do it.
Grab this guide to help you craft a strong thesis statement and check that you haven’t forgotten a crucial part of your essay.
Or skip to the bottom for a list of fantastic argumentative essay ideas that have been vetted by a Princeton grad and professional editor who has taught writing at Notre Dame.
Keep reading to learn more about what an argumentative essay is, and how is it different from other types of academic writing? What are the most important features of an effective argumentative essay? How do you write this kind of essay—where should you start, how do you make sure that you have an argument, and what are the most common pitfalls?
In this post we’ll cover:
- What is an academic argumentative essay?
- What are the elements of a good argumentative essay? What are the most common mistakes?
- How do you create an effective thesis for an argumentative essay?
- How do you present your evidence for an academic argumentative essay?
- What are good topics for an argumentative essay?
- Bonus: essential essay checklist + 5-step thesis machine
Bonus: download our 5-step guide to creating a great thesis statement and essential essay checklist .
What is an argumentative essay?
An argumentative essay is a common assignment in many high school and college classes. But many students don’t know how to write a great argumentative essay!
In order to avoid some of the most common pitfalls, it’s important to know what this kind of essay is not .
We can divide academic writing into three broad categories:
- Analytical: analyze the tools an author uses to make their point
- Research: delve deeply into a research topic and share your findings
- Persuasive: argue a specific and nuanced position backed by evidence
An argumentative essay falls into the third category. It’s crucial that your essay presents an argument , not just a series of facts or observations!
In elementary or middle school, you may have been assigned a version of this assignment—something like “write a persuasive essay arguing for a bigger allowance from your parents.”
Maybe you wrote a five-paragraph essay explaining why you deserved an allowance for completing your weekly chores, the ways in which your current allowance limited your ability to join your friends in social activities, and examples of some of the educational things you’d spend your increased allowance on.
This is the more mature version of that assignment. The goal is to present a nuanced argument with deep thinking . Often the essay explores an ethical question.
Keep reading to learn our foolproof way of confirming that you have something that’s arguable . Our hand-picked list of 99 essay topics below gives a great starting place!
For example, you might start with the question “is animal testing ethical?”
The idea is not to give a simple yes or no answer, but dig into the complexities of the question. Are there circumstances where it would be okay, but not other circumstances?
Maybe you draw a distinction between animal testing that is part of efforts to find cures for serious human illnesses versus animal testing to develop cosmetics. So instead of just answering yes or no, you give a more nuanced answer.
In this example, you might even further qualify your position. Maybe you think that animal testing for medical research should be subject to careful regulations.
Or maybe you think that only certain animals should be involved in testing. Are tests using fruitflies okay? How about horseshoe crabs? Mice? Dogs? Primates?
How about genetically modifying the animals as part of the testing?
Is animal testing for certain kinds of medical research more ethical than others?
See how there are a lot of different directions you can take this in beyond just “yes” or “no”? This is what will make your writing more mature and interesting!
For an academic argumentative essay, you will then need to support all of your points with evidence from reputable sources (we’ll explore this more below ). Remember, your opinion is a component of the essay, but it’s also supported by evidence.
The skills that you build when you’re writing an academic argumentative essay will be incredibly useful throughout your life. They’re applicable in nearly any job that you can imagine!
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers , 73.4% of employers want a candidate with strong written communication skills. Writing skills are in high demand for employers in every industry and can be crucial to your future success, even if you’re in a STEM-based career.
Download our 5-step guide to creating a great thesis statement and essential essay checklist .
Download now
Elements of a good argumentative essay
What makes a good academic argumentative essay?
A good argumentative essay should open with an engaging introduction.
A well-crafted introduction makes a smooth funnel that starts more broadly and smoothly zeroes in on the specific argument:
- It begins with some kind of “hook”: this can be an anecdote, quote, statistic, provocative statement, question, etc.
- It gives some background information that is relevant to understand the ethical dilemma or debate
- It has a lead-up to the thesis
- At the end of the introduction, the thesis is clearly stated
Check out examples of great introductions here.
Crucially, a good argumentative essay has a strong, clear thesis.
The thesis should be:
- Arguable: it’s not just the facts—someone could disagree with this position
- Narrow & specific: don’t pick a position that’s so broad you could never back it up
- Complex: show that you are thinking deeply—one way to do this is to consider objections/qualifiers in your thesis
We’ll talk more about how to craft a good thesis below , and you can download our 5-step worksheet to make a great thesis statement.
The body of the essay should have at least three paragraphs.
These be clearly organized, and each paragraph should have a distinct idea. Together, the paragraphs cover all the points raised in the thesis. They should be in a logical order that best supports the argument.
Each paragraph contains:
- Transition from the previous sentence: this can be just a word or phrase, or it can be 1–2 whole sentences
- Topic sentence: the main idea of the paragraph, taken from one “chunk” of your thesis
- Context: introduce your piece of evidence and any relevant background info
- Explanation: explain what the quote/paraphrase means in your own words
- Analysis: analyze how this piece of evidence proves your thesis
- Relate it back to the thesis: don’t forget to relate this point back to your overarching thesis!
- Summarizing sentence: restate topic sentence
Keep reading for more tips on how to use evidence effectively in your essay.
Your essay should also have a conclusion.
The conclusion should summarize your entire argument without being redundant. It should also point to the larger significance of the issue.
So to recap, your essay needs:
- An engaging introduction
- A great thesis statement
- Organized paragraphs with evidence from reputable sources
- A conclusion
Make sure your essay has all of these parts! Download our detailed checklist to make sure your essay avoids the most common mistakes.
To see how all these parts work together, check out our examples of great argumentative essays.
5 steps to develop a great thesis for an argumentative essay
Having a great thesis statement is a make-or-break component of an argumentative essay.
In order to write a great thesis statement for an argumentative essay, use these five steps :
- State the topic ( check out our list of great topics below !)
- Turn it into a debatable issue
- Provide a rationale for your position
- Add qualifier(s) to refine your position
- Reverse your statement to confirm it’s arguable and to anticipate possible counterarguments
(Adapted from Sheridan Baker, The Practical Stylist .)
Using this method with our example of animal testing, we might write:
- The idea: Animal testing
- Your position: Animal testing should only be used in certain circumstances.
- Give a reason for your position: Animal testing causes suffering or injury to animals, which we should avoid as much as possible—but this is outweighed by the enormous potential for scientific discoveries.
- Add nuance and detail to your position: The ethical problems with animal testing are outweighed by the potential to advance cures for both animal and human diseases, but animal testing should be carefully limited to only applications that reduce suffering and disease, not for cosmetic or recreational applications.
- Check that it’s arguable and someone could argue the opposite side: Animal testing causes suffering to animals, which is unethical, and can often be misused for profit.
Download our 5-step worksheet to help guide you through these steps to write a great thesis statement!
How to use evidence in an argumentative essay
Using evidence to support your points is key to making an academic argument.
When you were in elementary or middle school, perhaps you did a version of this assignment with just your own observations and opinions.
When you’re writing a more advanced essay, however, you want to support your ideas with evidence from reputable sources.
One of the big differences between a research paper and an argumentative essay is that you don’t need to do your own original research with primary sources. Original research would be things like running experiments, administering surveys, deciphering ancient inscriptions, interviewing people, or reading archival material.
Instead, you can rely on secondary sources . These are publications of other people’s research or analysis .
For an academic essay, you want to make sure that your secondary sources are reputable .
How do you know a source is reputable? One good indication is that it’s published in a book by a major publisher (like Penguin), especially an academic publisher (like Princeton University Press, Harvard University Press, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press. . . basically anything with “university press” in the name!).
Another good kind of source is articles published in major academic journals . Some famous journals are Nature (all science), The Lancet (medicine), and The American Historical Review (history).
More accessible sources might be in other national magazines or newspapers , like The Atlantic, The Economist, or The New York Times.
How do you gather evidence for your essay? When you’re reading sources and taking notes, think:
- What is the author’s main argument? Supporting arguments?
- What specific evidence does the author use to support that argument?
- How does this argument relate to the argument in other sources? Does it agree/disagree or complicate the argument in other sources?
When you’re selecting your evidence, make sure that it directly supports the argument of that paragraph and the essay in general.
Once you have your evidence gathered, you need to analyze it! You can’t just dump evidence on your readers without explaining its significance to your sub-point and your overall argument.
If you’re representing an author’s perspective, or if the quote is especially strong, quote it directly with quote marks: “ ”. As much as you can, try and quote only part of a sentence, and interweave it with your own writing.
The rest of the time, paraphrase the evidence in your own words.
Make sure to cite your sources ! There are lots of different citation styles. Which style is most appropriate will depend on which field you’re working in. Usually your teacher/professor will tell you which one to use. If it’s not clear, it’s always a good question to ask your instructor.
(You still cite when you paraphrase, unless it’s common knowledge that you find in virtually all the sources you read.)
How to write analysis
A balanced essay will have at least two sentences of analysis for every one sentence of direct quotation. For our essay about animal testing, this might look like:
“Whenever possible, animal testing should be avoided. Fortunately, advances in technology have made many alternatives to animal testing possible. For example, the polio vaccine, which has saved millions of human lives, used to be made in the kidney cells of monkeys, which meant that tens of thousands of monkeys died each year to produce the vaccine. However, by the 1970s the live monkeys had been replaced by cells in culture, which meant that many monkey lives were saved (Bookchin and Schumacher, 2005). An added benefit of this newer technique is that it also eliminated the risk of contamination with animal viruses (Taylor, 2019). Similarly, the vaccine against yellow fever used to be checked on live animals, but in the 1970s this was replaced with a cell culture test (World Health Organization, 2007). Scientists have also been able to avoid using animals for testing because our understanding of the diseases themselves has improved. For example, scientists used to perform a “particularly unpleasant” test using mice to check batches of insulin which involved sending mice into convulsions (Taylor, 2019). Since every batch of insulin needed to be tested on 600 mice, tens of thousands of mice were involved in the testing every year in the UK alone. Now, however, scientists know how to measure the components of insulin directly, and the mice are no longer needed (Taylor, 2019). Through these advances in scientific understanding and techniques, researchers have been able to reduce the amount of animal testing without compromising important work for human health.”
You should introduce your evidence by providing some context. Next, present your evidence. Then explain what it means and how it supports your argument.
For a really great paper, you can also show how different sources relate to one another! Use transition words or phrases throughout your paragraphs to guide the reader along your thought process.
Your analysis should be:
- Nuanced and specific
- Takes into account multiple perspectives and ideas; draws distinctions and connections among them
- Backed by evidence all relating back to the argument
For more mature writing, avoid clunky phrases like “On page 12, McKitterick states that. . . ” or “This evidence reveals that. . . ” Instead, try to weave the evidence into your writing seamlessly.
Wondering what this looks like when you put it all together? Check out our examples of great student essays.
Download our 5-step thesis guide
99 great topic ideas for argumentative essays
All of these essay ideas have been vetted by a Princeton grad to confirm that they’re actually arguable . That means that they all would make great starting points for argumentative essays!
Use our foolproof 5-step guide to turn one of these ideas into a great thesis statement!
Student issues
- Should sodas or other unhealthy food be banned at schools?
- Should students hold jobs?
- Should gym class be required?
- Are parents responsible for childhood obesity?
- Should schools require uniforms?
- Should schools have tracking (honors classes, AP classes) or should classes be the same for all students in the same grade?
- Should college athletes be paid?
- Should children be allowed to play sports that have been proven to have a high risk of permanent brain damage from concussions? Is it ethical for adult athletes to be paid to play these sports?
- How much should parents get involved in their child’s physical education? Is it ethical for young athletes to compete at the highest levels? (e.g. Olympic athletes who are under 18 years of age.)
- If social media has been demonstrated to have harmful effects on mental health, should minors have unregulated access to it?
- Should media for children and teens be regulated?
- Should college be free of cost? Should future income be tied to the cost of a college degree?
- Should public preschool be a right for all children?
- Should all students receive free breakfast and lunch at school?
- Should the school day start after 9am?
- Should school libraries ban certain books?
- Is marketing designed for children ethical?
- Should the legal drinking age in the US be lowered to 18?
Animal rights
- Should animal testing be banned?
- Should animals be kept in zoos?
- Is having pets ethical?
- Should wild animals be allowed to be kept as pets?
- Should you adopt a pet from a shelter or buy a specific breed from a breeder?
- Can eating meat be justified?
- Is animal hunting ethical?
Politics and human relations
- Should smoking be illegal? Smoking in public? Smoking around children?
- Should drug possession be decriminalized?
- Should some items be taxed more than others? Is there anything that should be exempt from sales tax?
- Are knock-off fashion “dupes” unethical?
- Should museum items be returned (repatriated) to the country where they were created?
- Should charities and humanitarian aid organizations use images of graphic suffering in their advertising campaigns?
- Is it acceptable to risk harming others in order to benefit one who is clearly in need? For example, is it okay to drive over the speed limit because you need to help someone get to the hospital who is in urgent crisis? What if you cause a crash on the way to the hospital because of dangerous driving?
- Should there be any limits to lawyer-client confidentiality?
- Is the death penalty ever warranted? Should the death penalty exist?
- Is torture ever justified?
- Is it ever right to steal, even if you have a great need?
- Is it unethical to be extremely rich?
- Should unpaid internships be legal?
- Should companies be required to meet diversity quotes for their hiring practices?
- Should parental leave be equal for all parents, regardless of who gives birth?
- Should the minimum wage be raised?
- Can war be ethical?
- Should nuclear weapons be banned globally?
- Should all new cars be electric?
- Should we impose population controls? Should people have children, if that greatly increases one’s carbon footprint?
- Should countries that produce disproportionate carbon emissions and other environmental damage have to help other countries with the effects of climate change?
- Should individuals be able to sue the government when the government has failed to provide a basic standard of living?
- Should we invest in military weapons development?
- Should we land machines, or humans, on planets, comets or other extraterrestrial bodies in order to study them?
- Should we explore space colonization?
- If people engage in risky behaviors, should they be charged a fine if they need to be rescued? (For example, swimming in the ocean at night while drunk.)
- Should we distribute universal income?
- How much control should the state have on the press?
- Should law enforcement be able to work undercover? Is working undercover deception?
- Should law enforcement be able to use tracking data from phones?
- Should people serving prison sentences be allowed to vote?
- Should gender quotas be used in government elections?
- Can modern societies still be held accountable for what their nation did in the past?
- Should public transit be free?
- Should social media companies be regulated?
- Should everyone have access to the internet for free?
- Should elections be decided by popular vote? Should citizens over age 18 be legally required to vote?
- Should certain kinds of speech on social media be banned?
Tech, AI, and data
- Should tech devices come with an addiction warning label?
- Will AI help the world or hurt it?
- Should there be financial penalties for buying soda or other unhealthy foods?
- Do people have a right to privacy online?
- Should our data be used to determine insurance policies or legal consequences? For example, should we create a diabetic insulin implant that could notify your doctor or insurance company when you make poor diet choices, and should that decision make you ineligible for certain types of medical treatment? Should cars be equipped to monitor speed and other measures of good driving, and should this data be subpoenaed by authorities following a crash?
- Should law enforcement be able to access someone’s online data or phone with a warrant?
- Can hacking ever be morally justified?
Medical ethics
- Is healthcare a fundamental human right? Should universal healthcare be free?
- In cases of terminal illness, do you think that a patient should be able to request medically assisted suicide?
- Should terminally ill patients who have exhausted all approved drug therapies be able to access drugs that have not been approved for sale by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (commonly called “ Right to Try ”)?
- Under what conditions should people be kept artificially alive?
- How should we decide who receives organ transplants? Is it ethical to de-prioritize a transplant candidate who smokes cigarettes, for example?
- Should there be any limits to doctor-patient confidentiality?
- Is it ethical for medical study participants to be financially compensated?
- Is it ethical for blood, plasma, or bone marrow donors to be financially compensated?
- Should uninsured patients be offered free clinical trials ?
- Is it ethical for individuals who donate genetic material for fertility purposes (e.g. egg or sperm donors) to be financially compensated?
- Should vaccines and medications be patented? Should individuals or corporations be able to profit from vaccines and medications?
- Should individuals or corporations be able to profit from healthcare?
- Is plastic surgery ethical?
- Should vaccinations be mandatory for everyone?
- Should medical personnel collect healthy tissues of a deceased person without their consent?
- What are the ethics of extremely expensive medical treatments? What if the treatment is not curative, but only extends life for a few more months?
- As medical data becomes increasingly less “non-identifiable”—i.e. with AI, bigger data, and increasing knowledge of genetics it is less possible to guarantee that research study participants will remain anonymous—what are the ethical implications?
- Now that whole genome sequencing allows prospective parents to check the risks of conceiving children, what are the ethical obligations for the best interests of future possible children on the part of the prospective parents? If you know that your children will inherit a serious disease, should you have biological children? Should social policies govern such decisions? Should those policies protect parental procreative liberty or enhance social responsibility for the best interests of those future possible children?
- Is it ethical to collect extra samples from a patient (for example, an extra vial of blood) before obtaining consent to be enrolled in a study? (Assume that in this scenario the sample would be discarded if the patient declines to enroll in the study.)
- If, in the course of an unrelated medical or scientific study, a genetic predisposition to a certain illness or condition is discovered, should the study participant be notified? Does it matter if the findings are medically actionable or not? For example, “In a specific study, researchers were performing NGS on tissue banked samples of healthy controls and colon cancer patients to validate an assay. The use of healthy controls in a study like this is not uncommon; however, what happens if one of the healthy controls tests positive for a mutation that predisposes to colon cancer using an unvalidated research assay? The samples were obtained from a tissue bank and the researchers were unclear about what the informed consent stated about returning incidental findings, raising the question whether to contact the subject and if contact is attempted, how to do it.”
- Should parents decide medical treatment for their children? Should parents be allowed to opt out of medically-advised treatment because of personal beliefs?
- Should parents who are researchers be able to enroll their own children in their research study ?
- Should DNA be used for genealogical research?
- Should we create synthetic forms of life ? Should we let them loose in the world?
- Should we use geo-engineering to attempt to combat global warming?
- Should we create genetically-modified organisms (like food crops)?
- Should we resurrect extinct species?
- If we had the ability to eliminate aberrant thought patterns and enforce social conformity through technological or pharmacological means, would it be the right thing to do? Or do people have an inalienable right to be themselves, provided they pose no immediate risk to themselves or others?
- Are human enhancements ethical? Pharmaceutical, surgical, mechanical and neurological enhancements are already available for therapeutic purposes. But these same enhancements can be used to magnify human biological function beyond the societal norm. Where do we draw the line between therapy and enhancement? How do we justify enhancing human bodies when so many individuals still lack access to basic therapeutic medicine? Should neuro-enhancing drugs be legal? Is it ethical to improve memory functions with brain stimulation?
Bonus: download the essential essay checklist + 5-step thesis machine
Working on writing your own essay?
Grab our handy checklist to make sure that your essay has everything it needs! It also comes with our foolproof 5-step worksheet for creating great thesis statements every time.
Emily graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University and holds an MA from the University of Notre Dame. She was a National Merit Scholar and has won numerous academic prizes and fellowships. A veteran of the publishing industry, she has helped professors at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton revise their books and articles. Over the last decade, Emily has successfully mentored hundreds of students in all aspects of the college admissions process, including the SAT, ACT, and college application essay.
CHECK OUT THESE RELATED POSTS
7 Qualities of a Successful College Essay
May 1, 2021
What makes a college application essay successful? We've analyzed many essays of applicants admitted to Ivy League institutions and here are the results!
5 Ways to Structure Your College Essay
May 18, 2020
A successful college essay begins with a compelling structure. Here are 5 sample college essay structures with actual examples from essays that worked.
6 Tips for Choosing That Winning College Essay Topic
You've done the brainstorming. Now how do you choose the college essay topic that will result in a successful piece? Our 6 tips will help.
Privacy Preference Center
Privacy preferences.
Argumentative Essay Guide
Argumentative Essay Topics
Last updated on: Feb 14, 2023
Argumentative Essay Topics - Compelling Ideas to Get Started
By: Jared P.
18 min read
Reviewed By: Melisa C.
Published on: Oct 22, 2019
Are you about to write an argumentative essay but still confused about the topic?
Argumentative essays help students learn more about the subject matter of a particular course. This kind of writing is a genuine key to learning argumentative skills. You must pay attention to your subject while choosing a strong topic for your essay.
But what if you don’t even know what to write about?
Don’t worry! Here is a list of topics and tips to help you decide on the perfect topic for your argumentative paper.
So read on and make choosing a topic easier!
On this Page
Argumentative Essay Topics for students
Argumentative essay writing is one common academic assignment that almost every student will get to draft. In order to help the students, we have prepared a list of argumentative topic ideas. Pick a topic that works the best for you.
Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School
- What age is suitable for kids to start schooling?
- Should students be allowed to evaluate their teachers?
- Metal music should be banned due to its violent lyrics.
- What are the pros and cons of making friends virtually?
- Can we conserve energy as a society?
- Does playing violent video games contribute to making a person violent in real life too?
- How close is reality TV to real life?
- Do girls face more societal pressure than guys?
- What is the biggest challenge faced by students today?
- Should there be cash rewards for getting a good score on standardized tests?
- The rich should pay more taxes than the poor.
- Cartoons are better than movies.
- Teachers Vs. Parents: who plays a bigger role in shaping a child?
Argumentative Essay Topics for Grade 6
Here are some argumentative essay topics for 6th-grade students:
- Should schools start later in the morning?
- Is confining wild animals within zoos a cruel practice?
- Should there be stricter laws for texting and driving?
- Are social media sites like Facebook and Twitter bad for our society?
- Should the voting age be lowered to allow young people a voice in democracy?
- Should the school year be longer or shorter?
- Is it okay for children to play violent video games?
- Should cell phones be banned from schools?
- Should recycling become a mandatory practice in all households?
Argumentative Essay Topics for 7th Graders
- Should schools provide free meals to all students?
- Are uniforms necessary for student success?
- Does standardized testing accurately measure student progress?
- Are after-school activities important for student development?
- Is there too much emphasis on social media in education today?
- Should schools place a stronger emphasis on physical education?
- Are required classes in high school helpful or harmful to students?
- Should all students have access to laptops and tablets in the classroom?
- Is technology taking away from traditional learning methods in the classroom?
- Should gym classes be mandatory for students?
Argumentative Essay Topics for Grade 8
Looking for argumentative essay topics for teenagers? Check out the ideas below:
- Should the drinking age be lowered? Should the death penalty be abolished?
- Is it necessary for governments to fund childcare?
- Is there too much emphasis on standardized testing in schools?
- Are schools doing enough to prevent bullying from happening?
- Do adolescents need more sleep than adults?
- Should students be allowed to have cell phones in school?
- Is social media affecting the way we interact with each other?
- What should be done about the student loan crisis?
Argumentative Essay Topics for High School
- Is homeschooling better than the public school educational system?
- Smartphones help the learning process.
- Is co-education more advantageous than single-sex education?
- Are GMOs safe for human consumption?
- Is fast food healthy or a serious threat to physical health?
- Teenagers feel more comfortable talking on social media rather than face to face.
- Should it be legal to get a tattoo for kids younger than 18?
- Are standardized tests beneficial for school students?
- A negative high school experience you believe is important when it comes to personality.
- Does the education system prepare a student for the real world?
- Is there life after death?
- Our society works on gender equality.
- Subjects that should be removed from the high school program.
- Is hate crime growing in high school?
Argumentative Essay Topics for College Students
- Is the current taxation system effective or not?
- Are men paid more than women in our corporate sector?
- Should Shakespeare still be studied as part of the college curriculum?
- Is college tuition becoming way too expensive?
- Are test scores the only way to judge the competency of a student?
- Getting a College degree is worth the cost.
- Is the system of the electoral college still viable in the US?
- Youngsters on social networks don’t realize the significance of privacy on these online sites.
- Life is incomplete without faith.
- Students nowadays face greater social pressures compared to the past.
- Your past does not define you.
- What can be done about gun control in the United States?
- Is it ethical to genetically modify children to protect against diseases?
- Do we need more gender diversity in STEM programs?
Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!
Argumentative Essay Topics for University Students
- Should mental health services be made available for free?
- Is income inequality a necessary part of capitalism?
- Should the minimum wage be raised in all countries?
- Does technology have a positive or negative impact on mental health?
- Should universities be allowed to charge students for taking classes?
- Is it necessary for governments to fund space exploration?
- Should religion be taught in public schools?
- Are animal experiments necessary for medical progress?
- Should young students join a political party to enhance the democratic process?
- Does free speech help promote extremism in society?
Argumentative Essay Topics for O Levels
- Should the government regulate the use of social media?
- Is the death penalty an effective way to prevent crime?
- Are online classes replacing traditional courses in schools?
- Do standardized tests accurately measure academic achievement?
- Should abortion be legalized in all countries?
- Do celebrity role models have a positive or negative influence on young people?
- Should school uniforms be mandatory in all schools?
- Should the Internet be censored by governments around the world?
- Should GMO foods be allowed in supermarkets?
- Does free trade help or harm developing economies?
Best Argumentative Essay Topics
Just as important as it is to create compelling content, choosing a great topic is equally important. If you want to score well in academics, you will have to impress your instructor with the best argumentative essay topics.
Below are some great topic ideas for you related to different fields. Choose the right topic for your essay and start the process.
Sports Argumentative Essay Topics
- Can video gamers be counted as true athletes?
- By participating in sports, can children be kept out of trouble?
- Should girls be allowed to participate in the same sports as boys?
- Should alternatives to steroids be legalized for professional athletes?
- Do you consider cheerleading a sport?
- Does your College spend a lot of money in the name of sports programs?
- Student-athletes should get money for playing.
- Betting on sports should be illegal.
- Sports events shouldn’t broadcast alcohol and tobacco ads.
- Are female athletes looked upon as sexual objects by the media?
- All athletes should be tested for drugs before their performance.
- Females should not be allowed to take part in extreme sports.
- Impact of bodybuilding on a woman’s body in old age.
Argumentative Essay Topics Education
- Parents should have an active role in their child's education.
- The grading system shouldn’t exist to judge a student’s abilities.
- Standardized tests should be abolished in schools.
- All students must wear a uniform in high school.
- Does technology benefit the educational system?
- Studying in a single-sex class is better than studying in a mixed one?
- All students must be made to learn a foreign language?
- Programming should be made compulsory for all students.
- Should students have sex education classes at school?
- Should schools have the right to test students for drugs?
- Girls should be equally encouraged to take part in sports in school.
- The world should have a uniform language.
- Hard work isn’t enough for being successful in a student’s life.
- Should teachers be allowed to physically discipline their students?
- How to bring change in the education system of the United States?
Social Media Argumentative Essay Topics
- Are social networks an effective platform for communication?
- Do people really get a job through LinkedIn?
- Is Facebook legally allowed to leak the private information of its users?
- Is it possible to earn a good amount of money from YouTube?
- Should Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter be banned permanently?
- Social media has successfully increased employment rates.
- Celebrity endorsements are unethical.
- Social media has destroyed real-life communication.
- Social media has made doing business easier.
- Blogging is an irrelevant profession.
- How is social media depicting beauty standards?
- How has social media become a major source of inferiority complex among teenagers?
- Is it possible to have a life without social media at this time?
- Should underaged children be allowed to own social media accounts?
- Pros and cons of social media.
Argumentative Essay Topics Technology
- Are cell phones harmful to the human race?
- Are spy applications invading the privacy of users?
- Are Millennials more dependent on computers than Baby Boomers?
- Is Typescript the future of front-end development?
- The impact of microwave tech on our biology.Technology has made us lazier.
- Should coding be taught from middle school?
- Cognitive Computers like Watson are unethical.
- Should a candidate’s social media profiles be considered in the hiring process?
- Children shouldn’t be given personal mobile phones.
- Self-driving cars and the future of transportation.
- Has technology made people less efficient?
- Technological advancements in the field of psychology.
- Is the future in the hands of Artificial Intelligence?
- Pros and cons of depending a lot on technology.
American History Argumentative Essay Topics
- What was the impact of European colonization on Native Americans?
- What was the role of women in the movement toward revolution?
- What were the key causes of the American Revolution?
- The key issues that caused conflict between North and South and led to the civil war?
- The effects of the Great Depression on the banking industry in America.
- Did the Civil Rights Movement reduce or lead to racial violence?
- Post World War II, how did America grow?
- 21st-century American foreign policy.
- Is Barack Obama the first American president who made history?
- Was slavery an inevitable part of the development of American society?
- Should the Indian Removal Act be considered an act of genocide?
Mental Health Argumentative Essay Topics
- Are antidepressants overprescribed in modern society?
- Should mental health services be made free for all?
- Is social media affecting mental health negatively?
- Is there a stigma attached to seeking out mental health help?
- What role do genetics and environment play in determining mental illness?
- Can art and music therapy be effective treatments for mental illness?
- How can we tackle the stigma associated with mental illness?
- What can be done to reduce the prevalence of anxiety in young people?
- Should there be mandatory mental health education in schools?
Social Issues Argumentative Topics
- Should male workers receive paternity leave too?
- Is age a major factor in relationship success or failure?
- Is torture acceptable under any circumstance?
- What are the primary causes of down syndrome?
- What should the punishments be for failed parenting?
- A candidate’s appearance shouldn’t be considered in a job hiring process.
- Some common stereotypes in your society.
- Cheating is increasing every day.
- We are way too dependent on computers and technology.
- Is boredom the cause of getting into trouble?
- Beauty magazines should stop photoshopping models.
- Capitalism vs. socialism. What would benefit society more?
- Is the women’s rights movement justified?
- The real objectives of Feminism.
- Impact of homosexuality on society.
Argumentative Essay Topics Animals
- Hunting for fun and sports is unethical and must get banned.
- Aggressive dog breeds such as pit bulls should not be allowed as pets.
- Testing beauty products on animals is justifiable.
- Using monkeys for research in labs is a necessary evil.
- Wearing fur and leather shouldn’t be unethical.
- Is genetic modification of livestock beneficial?
- Animal dissection in medical school is a good way to learn.
- Owning pets reduces the risk of getting diseases. Do you agree?
- Emotional support animals can truly help lonely people.
- Keeping exotic animals as pets is inhumane.
- Stronger laws must be enforced against animal cruelty.
- Pros and cons of animal testing.
- How can the emotional support of animals help in treating mental problems?
- Significance of microchipping the pets.
- Rights enjoyed by the ESA owners.
Argumentative Research Paper Topics
- Ways to decrease childcare costs in the United States.
- Are literate people better parents?
- Challenges faced by female politicians.
- Is rehab effective for sex offenders?
- Is music a form of real art?
- Spanish is a simple language to learn.
- Schools should ban vending machines on-campus.
- Are teachers to blame when a student performs poorly?
- Are gender stereotypes encouraged by parents?
- Illegal immigrants and terrorism: is it related?
- Can imposing a tax on sugar help fight obesity.
- Should age be a factor in relationships?
- Do dreams have a symbolic meaning?
- Should South and North Korea become one?
- Can depression be cured using natural ways?
Unique Argumentative Essay Topics
Looking for some general argumentative essay topic ideas? Here is an ultimate list of great topics that can make your essay writing fun for you and your readers.
Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics
- Should same-sex marriage be legal in all 50 states within the United States of America?
- Is the feminist movement ruining the minds of young girls?
- Corruption and its effects on increasing wages.
- Hunting should be banned globally. Do you agree?
- Which is more beneficial for society, Communism or Capitalism?
- Should human cloning be allowed or not?
- Abortion – A pro-life or a pro-choice?
- Do anti-discrimination laws reinforce discrimination?
- Should patients be entitled to request medically-assisted suicide in cases of terminal illness?
- Can beauty standards be more inclusive?
- Workplace dating should not be allowed, and here’s why.
- Displaced immigrants and refugees should be given shelter by every country.
- Is vegan or vegetarian life good for health?
- Online dating has ruined the essence of old-school romance.
- Chocolate can help improve our bad mood.
- Is it ethical to eat meat?
- Mothers make better parents naturally.
- Politics can never be clean and fair.
- Should the drinking age be lowered?
Easy Argumentative Essay Topics
- Are girls more intelligent than boys?
- Parents of middle schoolers should control their internet.
- Was Johnny Depp the best choice for Burton’s Ed Wood?
- Do religious movements cause the outbreak of war?
- Are human beings the major source of global climate change?
- Is it ethical to have kids perform chores?
- Is using LEDs making a difference?
- How does being a vegan help the environment?
- Should teenage marriages be allowed?
- Social media has brought families closer. Is there any truth to this statement?
- If the House of Lords had veto power over the House of Commons, Britain would’ve been better off.
- It’s okay to date multiple people at the same time.
- HIV is falsely associated with homosexuals. Why?
- Why are the laws neglecting tobacco and alcohol?
- Most of the modern-time artists are one-hit wonders.
Fun Argumentative Essay Topics
- Is panda hugging a viable career option?
- Does Justin Bieber owe his success to negative PR?
- Is it true that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?
- Is the Bermuda Triangle a real thing?
- Is it okay for parents to lie to their children about Santa Claus?
- Did the feminist movement ever help you?
- How did the feminist movement ever help you?
- There is no such thing as organic food.
- How to make your roommate believe that moving out is the best option.
- Why should I join a different family?
- Fans should not judge players after losses or failures.
- Is social promotion a helpful practice?
- Is racism a natural condition of human society?
- Dieting must not be practiced by schoolers.
- Should tattoos be perceived as a social deviation?
Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!
Argumentative Essay Topics 2022
- Are US elections always fair?
- Is the death penalty an effective punishment for criminals?
- Is it wise to replace soldiers with machines and artificial intelligence on battlefields?
- Should animals be used for performing experiments?
- Effects of terrorism on the foreign policy of the United States of America's cosmetic surgery worth the risks?
- What is your point of view on a terminally ill person having the right to assisted suicide?
- Life 100 years ago was much easier than it is today.
- Is religion a factor that contributes to war?
- A woman who doesn’t have enough resources to raise a child to be allowed to abort?
- Physical activities are the most convenient way to relax.
- The best way to enhance education is to decrease the number of classes.
- Sports classes should become mandatory for everybody.
- The pros and cons of using gadgets for studying purposes.
- What is the most important socio-political movement of the modern era?
Argumentative Essay Topics 2023
The following are some amazing topics for argumentative essays. Have a look at them to get a better idea.
- Fast food is responsible for childhood obesity in the US.
- Is the United States ready for a female president?
- Parents need to be very friendly with their kids.
- Are smartphones harmful to our health?
- Education needs to be free for all.
- Is single-sex education still a good idea in 2020?
- Should all people pursue a university degree worldwide?
- Internet access must be unlimited and free.
- Modern education has to eliminate grading systems.
- Capitalism should acquire more socially significant policies.
- Tourist tax is mandatory to save cultural heritage.
- Kindergartens must introduce foreign language instruction.
- Is hunting good for environmental well-being?
- Using animals for research must be banned.
- Women perform better than men in official positions and occupations.
Choosing a Good Argumentative Essay Topic
So you know the importance of choosing the right topic when writing an argumentative essay.
But what are you going to write about?
You sure don’t want to pick an argumentative essay topic that everyone else is working on. And you don’t want to research an argumentative topic where information and data are impossible to find.
You hopefully want to write on a debatable topic that will interest both you and your reader. Here are the criteria we use to choose a topic for argumentative essays:
- It has to be interesting to the writer. You’ll be outlining, researching, and writing in-depth, so pick an engaging topic for your argument.
- Have some information to begin with. The more familiar you are with the subject area, the easier it will be for both you and the reader.
- The best argumentative essay topics are mostly controversial. If there’s no conflict and everyone agrees on everything, it won’t qualify as an argumentative essay.
- An arguable thesis statement can be created according to the topic.
What Makes a Good Argumentative Essay?
A good argumentative essay is one that presents a well-reasoned and logical argument. It should be supported by facts and evidence, not just speculation or opinion. To create an effective argumentative essay, the writer must provide a strong case for their position on any given topic.
Strong Introduction and Thesis
The first element of a good argumentative essay is an interesting and clear introduction. This should introduce the topic in a way that engages readers and makes them want to learn more.
It should also provide an overview of the writer's position on the issue, as well as any evidence they will be using to support their argument.
Good Research and Evidence
Good argumentation requires good evidence. So a good argumentative essay should be backed up by research and evidence.
If a writer is making an assertion, they must provide evidence to back it up. This could include physical evidence such as statistics or quotes from experts in the field, as well as logical arguments that support their position.
Organized Structure
The structure of an argumentative essay is also important. It should be structured in a way that makes it easy to follow and understand.
This could include using headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up the text into more manageable pieces. In addition, it should have a clear flow of ideas, with each paragraph logically leading to the next.
Effective Conclusion
Finally, a good argumentative essay should have an effective conclusion. This should provide a summary of the writer's main points and reiterate their position on the issue. The conclusion should also leave readers with something to think about, leaving them informed and with new insight.
After reading our list, don’t be surprised if your mind starts coming up with additional topics for an argumentative essay. We recommend that you keep a notebook or journal handy to record these topic ideas for later.
These were some of the most interesting essay topics . Did you find a topic to write on?
Now, before you overwhelm yourself by jumping straight to the writing process, we have a helpful tip for you. Go through this detailed article to learn how to craft an argumentative essay effectively.
Seeking help from professionals is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when your grades are at stake. It is quite common for some students not to have a knack for writing. Also, some might not have the time to complete assignments.
If you can relate to such students, you should consider taking help from a reliable essay writing service such as 5StarEssays.com . You can simply request ‘ write my essay '. And we will have an expert essay writer to provide you with high-quality assignments regardless of type and field.
So place your order today at the most reasonable price.
Masters Essay, Literature
Jared P. is a renowned author and writing service provider with over fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry. He has a Ph.D. degree in English Literature and has spent his entire career helping students achieve their academic goals by providing expert writing assistance.
Was This Blog Helpful?
Keep reading.
- Learn How to Write an Argumentative Essay
- How to Create a Strong Argumentative Essay Outline?
- Informative Argumentative Essay Examples by Experts
- Know About Types of Argument with the Help of Examples
People Also Read
- extemporaneous essay
- how to write a persuasive essay
- expository essay writing
- writing annotated bibliography
- dissertation vs thesis
Burdened With Assignments?
Advertisement
© 2023 - All rights reserved
2000+ SATISFIED STUDENTS
95% Satisfaction RATE
30 Days Money-back GUARANTEE
95% Success RATE
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact Us
© 2022 5StarEssays.com. All rights reserved.
LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
SIGN UP TO YOUR ACCOUNT
- Your phone no.
- Password Password must be minimum 8 characters.
- Confirm Password
- I have read Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms and Conditions .
FORGOT PASSWORD
- SEND PASSWORD
The Tech Edvocate
- Advertisement
- Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
- Home Page Four
- Home Page Three
- Home Page Two
- Icons [No Sidebar]
- Left Sidbear Page
- Lynch Educational Consulting
- My Speaking Page
- Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
- Newsletter Unsubscription
- Page Example
- Privacy Policy
- Protected Content
- Request a Product Review
- Shortcodes Examples
- Terms and Conditions
- The Edvocate
- The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
- Write For Us
- Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
- The Edvocate Podcast
- Assistive Technology
- Child Development Tech
- Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
- EdTech Futures
- EdTech News
- EdTech Policy & Reform
- EdTech Startups & Businesses
- Higher Education EdTech
- Online Learning & eLearning
- Parent & Family Tech
- Personalized Learning
- Product Reviews
- Tech Edvocate Awards
- School Ratings
When To Take The MCAT: Everything You Need to Consider
Law degrees and specializations: everything you need to know, ensuring student equity in online learning, pc running slow here’s how to speed things up, pegasus spyware and citizen surveillance: here’s what you should know, seven ways to open the windows task manager, effective ways to prevent zero-day attacks, beginner geek: everything you need to know about browser extensions, best vpn for amazon fire tv stick, camera not working or available on mac here’s how to fix it, 120+ argumentative essay topics.
Are you a student searching for argumentative essay topics? If so, we have your back. Below you will find a huge list of the best argumentative essay topics.
- Should the U.S. allow fracking?
- Should doctors be allowed to genetically modify unborn children at the parents’ request?
- Should social media platforms be banned from collecting their users’ data?
- Should companies have to hire human workers overusing autonomous machines?
- Should cell phones be banned from vehicles?
- Has the internet made society better?
- Should parents limit screen time for kids?
- Should everyone get the internet for free?
- Is technology too isolating?
- Should cyber-bullying carry legal consequences?
- Are GMOs good for us or bad for us?
- Should schools require vaccinations for students?
- Would universal healthcare improve healthcare access?
- Should medical professionals be allowed to market pharmaceuticals to their patients?
- Should parents limit the number of activities their kids participate in?
- Are kids more depressed than they used to be?
- Is there too much focus on diets in society?
- Is fasting healthy?
- Does our society undervalue sleep?
- Are car seats effective at keeping children safe in car crashes?
- Is physical health more important than mental health?
- Should vaccinations be compulsory for all United States citizens?
- Should climate change be a governmental issue?
- Would America function better without the electoral college?
- Should America automate voter registration?
- Should all states provide automatic mail-in ballots for elections?
- Should people serving prison sentences be allowed to vote?
- Should Americans vote on and elect Supreme Court justices?
- Should unpaid internships be illegal?
- Should the government increase the federal minimum wage?
- Should the government provide everyone with a universal basic income?
- Should corporations pay more taxes?
- Should the government regulate what we eat?
- Should the government impose term limits on Congresspeople?
- Should the United States have an official language?
- Should the drinking age in the United States be lowered to 18?
- Should personal ownership of guns be illegal?
- Should the government be blamed for the current national obesity rate?
- Should military service be compulsory in the United States?
- Should smoking in public be illegal?
- Should alcohol sales be illegal between midnight and noon?
- Should the voting age in the United States be raised to 21?
- Should the government be able to censor people on the internet?
- Are the current political fundraising rules effective?
- Is the United States’ immigration policy effective?
- Should there be more than two major political parties in the United States?
- Is the United States Constitution outdated?
- Should colleges and universities have to pay their student athletes?
- Should public schools allow student-led religious clubs and organizations?
- Should schools require students to say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- Should schools require their students to wear school uniforms?
- Should physical education classes be graded?
- Should college and university be free like elementary, middle and high school?
- Should college students be prohibited from participating in Greek life?
- Should art classes be compulsory in school?
- Should music and other types of art be free online?
- Should students who cheat on tests be punished?
- Should schools limit the use of computers and other technology for students?
- Is single-sex education better than co-education?
- Should schools run year-round?
- Should schools abolish homework?
- Should all students receive free breakfast and lunch at school?
- Is private education too competitive?
- Should teachers be held accountable for poor test scores?
- Should high school students get to choose which classes they take?
- Should students be required to learn a foreign language?
- Should teachers assign grades to students?
- Are standardized tests effective?
- Do sports hurt academic performance in teenagers?
- Should students be allowed to use computers for research when taking tests?
- Should high school graduates take a gap year before beginning their careers or going to college?
- Should the school day start after 9 am?
- Is online learning effective?
- Should middle and high school students be required to work part-time?
- Should teachers earn more money?
- Should parents be punished if their kids skip school?
- Should college be compulsory for all kids?
- Should students have the option of grading their teachers?
- Should schools allow corporal punishment?
- Are schools safer with armed guards?
- Should school libraries ban certain books from students?
Environmental
- Do electric vehicles decrease overall emissions?
- Is the seemingly increased frequency of natural disasters a result of climate change?
- Should companies have to provide paid parental leave?
- Should all companies offer paternity leave?
- Is the current American tax system fair?
- Should there be a salary cap for celebrities like athletes and actors?
- Do CEOs make too much money?
- Should most companies move to a four-day workweek?
- Is there an income inequality problem in the United States?
- Are workers more productive at home?
- Should women be allowed to play professional sports on men’s teams?
- Are designated hitters good or bad for the sport of baseball?
- Should dance be an Olympic sport?
- Should steroid users be banned from their sport forever?
- Should tackle football be illegal for kids under 18 years old?
- Does the use of helmets in sports like football and hockey make playing more dangerous?
- Should professional athletes and professional coaches make the same amount of money?
- Should social media sites regulate and censor user posts?
- Are humans and our actions responsible for climate change?
- Should the death penalty be illegal?
- Should torture ever be allowed?
- Should influencers be allowed to market products?
- Are curfews for teenagers effective?
- Is animal testing moral?
- Should smoking cigarettes be illegal?
- Should public video surveillance be illegal?
- Should people be fined for not recycling?
- Are children too coddled?
- Should marketing designed for kids be illegal?
- Should society hold celebrities to a high moral standard?
- Should violent video games be illegal?
- Do violent video games cause people to act more violently?
- Are beauty pageants dangerous for the participants?
- Should drugs be legal?
- Is affirmative action effective?
- Is cloning unethical?
- Are social protests effective?
- Should there be a limit to the number of children a person can have?
- Should fur coats be illegal?
- Should drunk drivers have their driver’s licenses permanently revoked?
- Is graffiti an act of vandalism or the creation of art?
- Should religious groups and organizations have to pay taxes like businesses do?
- Should religion be a required course in school?
- Should all clergy people be allowed to marry and have children?
Science Intervention Strategies to Help Students Succeed
Getting a job as a teacher in ....
Matthew Lynch
Related articles more from author.
Handwriting Vs Typing In The Learning Environment
The Author’s Chair: Everything You Need to Know
The neuroscience of learning to write.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
100+ Argumentative Essay Topics · Do you think that people be allowed to burn the flag? · Do you think that parents get in trouble for truancy if kids don't go to
Government · Should climate change be a governmental issue? · Would America function better without the electoral college? · Should America
120+ Strong Argumentative Essay Topics ; Should abortion be banned? Should animal testing be stopped? Is the #metoo movement a good thing? ; Which political party
9. Should the Adults in Your Life Be Worried by How Much You Use Your Phone? 10. Is Your Phone Love Hurting Your Relationships? 11. Do You Trust
50 Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas ; Should fracking be legal? Should parents be able to modify their unborn children? Do GMOs help or harm
Should Supreme Court justices be elected? ... Is war always a political decision? ... Should people join a political party? ... Is capitalism ethical?
Excellent Topics For Argumentative Essay · Can sleep patterns cause depression? · Are antismoking ads effective? · Is a healthy body image
99 great topic ideas for argumentative essays · Should animal testing be banned? · Should animals be kept in zoos? · Is having pets ethical?
Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School · What age is suitable for kids to start schooling? · Should students be allowed to evaluate their
120+ Argumentative Essay Topics · Should climate change be a governmental issue? · Would America function better without the electoral college?