Argumentative Essay Topics

30 Super Interesting Argumentative Essay Topics To Write About

Choosing the best topic for an argumentative essay can be challenging for middle school students, high school students, and even college students. Deciding what topic to write about is one of the hardest parts of argumentative writing.

When choosing a topic for an argumentative essay, it helps to believe in the topic being written about. If students are passionate about a particular topic their argumentative essay is much more likely to be persuasive.

The writer, however, does not have to agree with the stance taken; he / she just has to be able to write their argument in a persuasive way that proves why their point of view is more valid than the opposing view.

There are so many interesting and controversial subjects and topics that a student can write about for their essay.

In this post we have put together a list of 30 great argumentative essay topics to help you or your students decide what to write about. These topics are all suitable for middle school, high school, and college students to write about.

Below you’ll also find some advice and tips on how to choose an argumentative essay topic and how to go about writing a great argumentative essay.

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List Of Great Argumentative Essay Topics

Here is a list of 30 great and interesting topics for an argumentative essay.

  1. Is Recycling an Effective Way to Preserve the Earth?
  2. Healthcare: a Right or a Privilege?
  3. Are Straws an Environmental Hazard?
  4. Should Cigarette Smoking Be Legal?
  5. Is Spanking Your Child a Form of Abuse?
  6. Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?
  7. Prisoners’ Rights: Should They Be Allowed to Vote?
  8. How a Vegan Diet Leads to a Longer Life
  9. Abortion: Should it Be a Choice?
  10. Video Games and Teen Violence: Is There a Correlation?
  11. Are Parents Doing More Harm Than Good by Vaccinating Their Children?
  12. Students who Study Abroad are Better Prepared for Successful Careers
  13. Are People Born into Poverty Doomed to Remain Poor?
  14. Should Men Be Given Paternity Leave?
  15. Can the Government Be Trusted with our Tax Dollars?
  16. Athletes Should Be Allowed to Kneel During the National Anthem
  17. Should Bartenders Face Consequences For Serving Too Much Alcohol To Guests.
  18. Is it Ethical for Credit Card Companies to Solicit Eighteen-Year-Olds?
  19. Should the Legal Driving Age Be Increased?
  20. Is Social Media Good For Society?
  21. Should Boys and Girls Be Taught Separately?
  22. Should We Have to Pay for an Education?
  23. Should Entering the Military Be a Choice?
  24. Can People Change Their Personalities?
  25. Without Religion, There Would Not Be War
  26. Should Men Pay for Dinner on the First Date?
  27. What Can Be Done About Human Trafficking?
  28. Should Parents Pay Their Children for Good Grades?
  29. Why Girls Can Compete Alongside Boys in Sports
  30. Should People Be Allowed to Own Exotic Pets?

How To Choose An Argumentative Essay Topic?

Choosing a topic to write about can be difficult at first. A student’s first step to choosing a topic to write about should be to think of something that is interesting to them and that they are passionate about. If a student is interested in and passionate about a particular subject then this passion is likely to show in their argument, which will make their essay much more persuasive.

The next step should be to check whether that topic is suitable for an argumentative essay. Students should try to answer the following questions about the topic:

  • Do people disagree often about this subject?
  • Why do people disagree?
  • What causes the disagreement?
  • Is it significant, and why?
  • What can be done to solve the disagreement?
  • Which side of the disagreement can I defend in a logical and factual way?

Answering these questions should help your students to think through the particular topic and will help them to begin to form their argument.

Tips For Writing An Argumentative Essay

Research The Topic Thoroughly

Researching the topic and finding sufficient evidence to support the argument is vital for constructing an effective argumentative essay. So, before writing anything it is essential to first research the topic thoroughly.

Keep in mind that “argumentative,” in this case, is not the same as fighting. The essay contents must be well-thought-out and avoid becoming emotional.

The goal of the essay is to provide its readers with a resolution to the conflict being presented. The writer must educate the audience as to why the chosen topic is an issue and elaborate on the differing perspectives of the issue. Then, the writer must choose a side and prove to the audience how and why his view of the issue is more beneficial than the other.

For example, the topic titled, “Athletes Should Be Allowed to Kneel During the National Anthem,” allows the writer to state whether or not athletes should be allowed to kneel during the national anthem.

Some Americans would say that their constitutional right to freedom of expression allows it, while others would say that it is disrespectful to the country.

Writing this essay would require the author to extensively research the topic and determine the two sides: should it be allowed or should it not be allowed?

After researching the topic, the writer would then take a side – let’s say it should be allowed – and then educate the readers as to why this is the most beneficial answer. How can choosing this side provide a solution to the divide? Additionally, the writer must provide examples as to why athletes kneeling during the national anthem should be allowed.

Supporting evidence is essential in an argumentative essay and so researching a topic thoroughly is essential.

Outline The Essay Structure

To begin writing an argumentative essay, the writer should use an outline to plan the essay, then structure it with an introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

The introduction should explain the conflict and include a thesis that clearly states the writer’s stance.

The body paragraphs should then be used to explain why the reader has chosen that particular stance and provide evidence in a way that convinces the reader of its validity.

Once the writer has stated all points of evidence within the body, a conclusion that wraps up his main points and final take on the matter should close the essay.

An argumentative essay has been completed successfully when it persuades its readers to agree with its argument or, at the very least, consider it.

Benefits Of Writing Argumentative Essays

In addition to honing their writing and researching skills, writing argumentative essays is a great exercise for students in an English class to learn how to examine both sides of an issue, consider the relevancy of both sides, and then choose a side and effectively defend it.

The skills learned in writing argumentative essays are easily transferable. In real life situations, students who have learned how to write persuasively can use this skill to notice false or faulty logic in other people’s arguments.

Students can also use these skills when they enter the workforce. For example, when presenting an important sales pitch students can use their skills of persuasion to make the sale. Or, when communicating with colleagues through email, writing persuasively can help settle small work place disputes.

When done correctly, this type of essay provides opportunities for students to explore different solutions to real-world issues and learn how to handle conflict in a civil way. There have even been cases where students have changed the world with the results of their argumentative essays!

Thanks for reading. I hope you found an interesting topic for your next argumentative essay.

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