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130 New Prompts for Argumentative Writing

Questions on everything from mental health and sports to video games and dating. Which ones inspire you to take a stand?

By The Learning Network

Note: We have an updated version of this list, with 300 new argumentative writing prompts .

What issues do you care most about? What topics do you find yourself discussing passionately, whether online, at the dinner table, in the classroom or with your friends?

In Unit 5 of our free yearlong writing curriculum and related Student Editorial Contest , we invite students to research and write about the issues that matter to them, whether that’s Shakespeare , health care , standardized testing or being messy .

But with so many possibilities, where does one even begin? Try our student writing prompts.

In 2017, we compiled a list of 401 argumentative writing prompts , all drawn from our daily Student Opinion column . Now, we’re rounding up 130 more we’ve published since then ( available here as a PDF ). Each prompt links to a free Times article as well as additional subquestions that can help you think more deeply about it.

You might use this list to inspire your own writing and to find links to reliable resources about the issues that intrigue you. But even if you’re not participating in our contest, you can use these prompts to practice the kind of low-stakes writing that can help you hone your argumentation skills.

So scroll through the list below with questions on everything from sports and mental health to dating and video games and see which ones inspire you to take a stand.

Please note: Many of these prompts are still open to comment by students 13 and up.

Technology & Social Media

1. Do Memes Make the Internet a Better Place? 2. Does Online Public Shaming Prevent Us From Being Able to Grow and Change? 3. How Young Is Too Young to Use Social Media? 4. Should the Adults in Your Life Be Worried by How Much You Use Your Phone? 5. Is Your Phone Love Hurting Your Relationships? 6. Should Kids Be Social Media Influencers? 7. Does Grammar Still Matter in the Age of Twitter? 8. Should Texting While Driving Be Treated Like Drunken Driving? 9. How Do You Think Technology Affects Dating?

10. Are Straight A’s Always a Good Thing? 11. Should Schools Teach You How to Be Happy? 12. How Do You Think American Education Could Be Improved? 13. Should Schools Test Their Students for Nicotine and Drug Use? 14. Can Social Media Be a Tool for Learning and Growth in Schools? 15. Should Facial Recognition Technology Be Used in Schools? 16. Should Your School Day Start Later? 17. How Should Senior Year in High School Be Spent? 18. Should Teachers Be Armed With Guns? 19. Is School a Place for Self-Expression? 20. Should Students Be Punished for Not Having Lunch Money? 21. Is Live-Streaming Classrooms a Good Idea? 22. Should Gifted and Talented Education Be Eliminated? 23. What Are the Most Important Things Students Should Learn in School? 24. Should Schools Be Allowed to Censor Student Newspapers? 25. Do You Feel Your School and Teachers Welcome Both Conservative and Liberal Points of View? 26. Should Teachers and Professors Ban Student Use of Laptops in Class? 27. Should Schools Teach About Climate Change? 28. Should All Schools Offer Music Programs? 29. Does Your School Need More Money? 30. Should All Schools Teach Cursive? 31. What Role Should Textbooks Play in Education? 32. Do Kids Need Recess?

College & Career

33. What Is Your Reaction to the College Admissions Cheating Scandal? 34. Is the College Admissions Process Fair? 35. Should Everyone Go to College? 36. Should College Be Free? 37. Are Lavish Amenities on College Campuses Useful or Frivolous? 38. Should ‘Despised Dissenters’ Be Allowed to Speak on College Campuses? 39. How Should the Problem of Sexual Assault on Campuses Be Addressed? 40. Should Fraternities Be Abolished? 41. Is Student Debt Worth It?

Mental & Physical Health

42. Should Students Get Mental Health Days Off From School? 43. Is Struggle Essential to Happiness? 44. Does Every Country Need a ‘Loneliness Minister’? 45. Should Schools Teach Mindfulness? 46. Should All Children Be Vaccinated? 47. What Do You Think About Vegetarianism? 48. Do We Worry Too Much About Germs? 49. What Advice Should Parents and Counselors Give Teenagers About Sexting? 50. Do You Think Porn Influences the Way Teenagers Think About Sex?

Race & Gender

51. How Should Parents Teach Their Children About Race and Racism? 52. Is America ‘Backsliding’ on Race? 53. Should All Americans Receive Anti-Bias Education? 54. Should All Companies Require Anti-Bias Training for Employees? 55. Should Columbus Day Be Replaced With Indigenous Peoples Day? 56. Is Fear of ‘The Other’ Poisoning Public Life? 57. Should the Boy Scouts Be Coed? 58. What Is Hard About Being a Boy?

59. Can You Separate Art From the Artist? 60. Are There Subjects That Should Be Off-Limits to Artists, or to Certain Artists in Particular? 61. Should Art Come With Trigger Warnings? 62. Should Graffiti Be Protected? 63. Is the Digital Era Improving or Ruining the Experience of Art? 64. Are Museums Still Important in the Digital Age? 65. In the Age of Digital Streaming, Are Movie Theaters Still Relevant? 66. Is Hollywood Becoming More Diverse? 67. What Stereotypical Characters Make You Cringe? 68. Do We Need More Female Superheroes? 69. Do Video Games Deserve the Bad Rap They Often Get? 70. Should Musicians Be Allowed to Copy or Borrow From Other Artists? 71. Is Listening to a Book Just as Good as Reading It? 72. Is There Any Benefit to Reading Books You Hate?

73. Should Girls and Boys Sports Teams Compete in the Same League? 74. Should College Athletes Be Paid? 75. Are Youth Sports Too Competitive? 76. Is It Selfish to Pursue Risky Sports Like Extreme Mountain Climbing? 77. How Should We Punish Sports Cheaters? 78. Should Technology in Sports Be Limited? 79. Should Blowouts Be Allowed in Youth Sports? 80. Is It Offensive for Sports Teams and Their Fans to Use Native American Names, Imagery and Gestures?

81. Is It Wrong to Focus on Animal Welfare When Humans Are Suffering? 82. Should Extinct Animals Be Resurrected? If So, Which Ones? 83. Are Emotional-Support Animals a Scam? 84. Is Animal Testing Ever Justified? 85. Should We Be Concerned With Where We Get Our Pets? 86. Is This Exhibit Animal Cruelty or Art?

Parenting & Childhood

87. Who Should Decide Whether a Teenager Can Get a Tattoo or Piercing? 88. Is It Harder to Grow Up in the 21st Century Than It Was in the Past? 89. Should Parents Track Their Teenager’s Location? 90. Is Childhood Today Over-Supervised? 91. How Should Parents Talk to Their Children About Drugs? 92. What Should We Call Your Generation? 93. Do Other People Care Too Much About Your Post-High School Plans? 94. Do Parents Ever Cross a Line by Helping Too Much With Schoolwork? 95. What’s the Best Way to Discipline Children? 96. What Are Your Thoughts on ‘Snowplow Parents’? 97. Should Stay-at-Home Parents Be Paid? 98. When Do You Become an Adult?

Ethics & Morality

99. Why Do Bystanders Sometimes Fail to Help When They See Someone in Danger? 100. Is It Ethical to Create Genetically Edited Humans? 101. Should Reporters Ever Help the People They Are Covering? 102. Is It O.K. to Use Family Connections to Get a Job? 103. Is $1 Billion Too Much Money for Any One Person to Have? 104. Are We Being Bad Citizens If We Don’t Keep Up With the News? 105. Should Prisons Offer Incarcerated People Education Opportunities? 106. Should Law Enforcement Be Able to Use DNA Data From Genealogy Websites for Criminal Investigations? 107. Should We Treat Robots Like People?

Government & Politics

108. Does the United States Owe Reparations to the Descendants of Enslaved People? 109. Do You Think It Is Important for Teenagers to Participate in Political Activism? 110. Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16? 111. What Should Lawmakers Do About Guns and Gun Violence? 112. Should Confederate Statues Be Removed or Remain in Place? 113. Does the U.S. Constitution Need an Equal Rights Amendment? 114. Should National Monuments Be Protected by the Government? 115. Should Free Speech Protections Include Self Expression That Discriminates? 116. How Important Is Freedom of the Press? 117. Should Ex-Felons Have the Right to Vote? 118. Should Marijuana Be Legal? 119. Should the United States Abolish Daylight Saving Time? 120. Should We Abolish the Death Penalty? 121. Should the U.S. Ban Military-Style Semiautomatic Weapons? 122. Should the U.S. Get Rid of the Electoral College? 123. What Do You Think of President Trump’s Use of Twitter? 124. Should Celebrities Weigh In on Politics? 125. Why Is It Important for People With Different Political Beliefs to Talk to Each Other?

100 Engaging Controversial Essay Topics

When students are asked to write an argumentative paper, they start with looking for controversial argumentative essay topics. It’s a good decision: if you succeed in finding something great to write about, you stand more chances at getting a satisfying grade. But despite knowing this, making a choice is not easy. For one thing, you should have a clear idea of what a controversial essay even is. It is a genre of writing where you present an opinion others could dispute and prove its validity as well as accuracy. In other words, you pick a subject that causes arguments among society members, voice your point of view, and work hard to prove it by relying on scientific evidence.

In the long run, you’ll benefit from completing a fair number of similar essays: you’ll understand what it takes to participate in debates and how to defend your position. The choice of topic is tough since while there are many potentially interesting things to discuss, only some of them will be to your liking, and even fewer will be something you understand well enough to argue about. We’ll be glad to show you how to approach the choosing process and how to settle on the best theme possible.

How to Pick Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics for College

At times, students are given a list from which they should pick their essay topics. This is a frustrating experience since they don’t get a right to really choose the topic they like. But fortunately, it doesn’t happen often, so if you are studying at college, you can expect to be given a free reign. Four tips below will show you how to go about picking an essay topic for a controversial paper.

Go through things you find engaging. Good controversial topics for essays are the ones that evoke some intense feelings in you. They could be positive or negative, but in any way, they should be something that makes you want to speak up. Recall the arguments you had online or with your friends and family recently. Maybe you saw something in the news and got angry? Did you read an article that got you passionate about the discussed topic? It could be anything, so think carefully.
Play a choosing game. If you have some essay ideas in mind but cannot settle on any of them, try a choosing game. This could also work in case you haven’t decided on anything at all yet. Pick a place, sit there, and note down everything you see or hear. Assign numbers to these things, and then ask a friend to choose one. Such an approach is fun, and it’s an easy way to arrive at a decision regarding your topic.
Check sources. When preparing for essay tasks, your first question should be, what are some controversial topics to write about? The second question should concern sources. Whatever subject you selected, it should be supported by credible resources that are peer-reviewed and have a DOI. Having an opposing position could be great, but if you are the only person who shares it, it’ll create some difficulties. Academic essays should be supported with some evidence, so your analysis cannot be performed merely based on your opinions. If you cannot locate trustworthy sources, better choose another topic.
Discuss with the supervisor. Once you made a decision, consult with your professor. They could give you valuable advice or warn you against some topics. If you are moving in the wrong direction, they will let you know in advance so that you wouldn’t waste your time for no reason.

100 Top Controversial Topics to Write About

There are many classical ways of choosing between topics on debatable issues, but with the evolution of the Internet, things have become much easier. You can search for online lists with suggestions, and they’ll give you the inspiration you need. We prepared this kind of list just below. There are ten popular topic categories there, with ten diverse themes in each. Take whichever you like best!

Controversial Essay Ideas on Education

Here are some traditional controversial argument topics related to education. All students will likely find them relatable!

Education Gained in the US Has Lost Its Prestige
The Importance of Doing Homework Diligently Is Overestimated
Education Has become Redundant Today Because You Can Find a Job Anyway
Governments & Universities Should Pay Full Tuition For All Their Students
Physical Punishments for Children and Animals Should Be Made a Crime
Minors Should Have the Right for Purchasing Condoms
Children Should Be Taught About Different Kinds of Sexuality From Early Age
Parents Should Never Supervise Their Children’s Online Actions
No Student Should Ever Be Expelled From Educational Establishments
Competitions Among Students Encourage Hurt and Feeling of Inadequacy

Controversial Essay Prompts on Technology

Technological progress has changed our lives to a profound extent. These controversial persuasive essay topics reflect this.

iPhone Is an Uncomfortable and Highly Overrated Phone
Cloning Must Be Provided for Acceptable Prices to Grieving Families
Drones Could Be Used for Turning Wars into Soldier-less Fights
Wi-Fi Has Many Serious Drawbacks & Should Be Used with Care
Youth Depend on Technology Too Much & Become Helpless in the Process
No One Should Be Punished for Saying Anything Online
GPS Poses Serious Threats to Privacy & Safety
Most Surveillance Cameras Should Have Better Level of Quality
Internet Helped Queer Community Meet New People
Cancer Rates Have Increased Due to Technological Developments

Controversial Topics for Philosophy Essay

Philosophy is a dreamy but also precise science, so you could find some good controversial topics to write about here.

Some Universal Truths Are Actually Falsehoods
We Underestimate Philosophy Because We’re Scared of Its Truth
Existentialism Is Caused By Flawed Social Expectations
Feminism Has Turned Into a Movement of Violence & Bigotry
Some Problems Do Not Have Any Resolution
Not All Mysteries Should Be Solved by Humans
Every Person Should Be Allowed to Rebel Against Government
Being Loved Is More Important Than Loving
Emotions Could Be Hindrance to Having Successful Life
Animals Do Not Differ From Human Beings In Any Relevant Aspects

Controversial Essays Ideas About Environment

Environment is a sphere that always fuels fierce debates. There is a big number of great controversial arguments topics here.

Humans Should Be Forbidden to Eat Animals
Recycling Must Be an Obligatory Part Of Every Person’s Life
No Country Could Be Allowed to Have Nuclear Weapon
People Who Actively Work to Protect Environment Should Receive Money For It
Companies Who Break Environmental Laws Should Be Stopped from Operating
Current Air Quality in Big Cities Is Unacceptably Bad & This Issue Must Be Resolved
Alternative Fuels In Their Current State Are Not Effective
Deserts Should Be Forcefully Turned Green Areas
Global Warming Is More Dangerous Than We Believe
Preventing Pollution Under Current Conditions Is Not Realistic

Science, Biology, and Health Topics

When writing controversial topics essay, these days, scientific and medical spheres are definitely among the most popular ones.

Assisted Suicide Must Be Officially Permitted in All Countries
Deadliness of COVID Is Overstated
Food Created With Science Is More Useful Than Natural Food
Some Illnesses Will Never Be Cured
People Producing & Selling Alcoholic Beverages Must Be Imprisoned
Biology Should Be Taught in All Schools From the First Year
Eugenics Should Not Exist for Perfecting People
GMO Is Not As Dangerous as We’re Led to Believe
Fish Can Feel Emotional Attachment to Their Owners
Science Is Not as Precise as We Think

Religious environment is relevant for many people, so it has plenty of controversial argumentative essay ideas.

The Fact of Life Existing After Death Could Be Proven Scientifically
Idea of Humans Evolving From Animals Is Not Sustainable
Religion Kills More People Than It Saves
Bible Has Been Written by Multiple Individuals
People Should Be Allowed to Pray to Whichever God They Believe In
Religion Is Not Based on Science
Faith Is the Most Important Part of Life
Violence Promoted by Religions Should Partly Discredit Them
Words of Prayers Do Not Matter: Only Feelings Behind Them Do
Stereotypes About Religions Unleash Violence Among People

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Controversial Essays Topics for Law and Politics

Controversial writing topics about justice and politics never end, considering how passionate everyone feels about them. Everyone wants the best for their country, so why not explore ways of achieving this in an essay?

Death Penalty In Its Present Form Is Useless
Death Penalty Is a Useful Method of Fight Against Human Monsters
Multiculturalism Fuels Tolerance in the Society
American Women Have Equal Opportunities with Men
Electronic Voting Is Ineffective: Too Much Cheating
Gun Control Is Not as Relevant as It Is Presented
Free Journalism No Longer Exists
Racist Allegations Are Often Exaggerated
Hate Crimes Should Automatically Receive Death Penalty
Presidents Who Allow Wars to Break Out Must Be Removed from Power

Current Events

The world is constantly undergoing changes, so unique controversial essay topics about it are in perpetual supply.

Amount of Taxes People Pay Does Not Correspond to Benefits They Get
Concept of Fashion Is Invented Solely by People
Trump Should Have Never Been a President in US
Trump Brought Positive Changes to Some Parts of the World
World Has Become Too Demanding & Unfair to Still Live in It
Mental Health Therapy Should Receive Additional Funding Due to COVID Impacts
Quarantine Measures Should Be the Same in All Parts of the World
People Should Be More Caring In These Difficult Times
Food Should Be Made Free During COVID
Rich & Poor People Should Be Treated in Equal Conditions

Prompts on Entertainment

How about some fun and easy controversial topics about things that work as distractions from everyday worries?

Violent Games Do Not Affect People Playing Them Negatively
Modern Ads Could Be a Form of Art
Fiction Is the Best Way to Distract Yourself From Troubles
Media Should Be Regulated More Strictly
Having Fun Is Essential for Mental Health
Modern Entertainments Are Dangerous & Should Be Modified
Nobody Falls In Love at the First Sight
Entertainment Is Not to Blame For People Becoming Addicted
Reality Shows Create Impossible Expectations
Home Alone Is Still an Excellent Movie

Controversial Essay Ideas For College Students

College essays are more complex than those in high school, but they are also easier than those at universities. If you are a college student, take a look at these good controversial essay topics.

Teenagers Should Be Allowed to Work Whenever They Want
Teens Should Not Be the Ones Paying for Their Education
College Students Do Not Need Cars Because They Are Not Prepared to Drive Them
Internet Addiction Is a Myth in Most Cases
Students Should Not Expect That They Will Find Love in College
Gender Expectations Among Students Are Not Equal
Serving the Military Is Romanticized to a Dangerous Degree
Sororities and Fraternities Must Be Forbidden in the US
Polygamy Is Vastly Misunderstood in Modern Society
Love is Portrayed in Harmful Ways in Fiction

Controversial Essay Topic Ideas to Transform Your Writing

As you can see, topics are vital. You should pay extra attention when choosing them because your final success depends on it. Take your time and think carefully. In case nothing comes to your mind right away, try utilizing the tips we offered above. Still, we understand that writing is a tricky process that could be frustratingly difficult. If you have any questions, contact our support team via our website. They’ll be happy to help you with your problems! Whether you’d like us to guide you or write an essay in its entirety, we can do that. Drop a message and tell us what needs to be done. Your unique controversial essay on an original topic will be delivered on time.

Can’t come up with a topic for you paper? We’ve prepared a collection of essay topics for you

Want to write a winning essay but lack experience? Browse our free essay samples

160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2024

April 3, 2024

The skill of writing an excellent argumentative essay is a crucial one for every high school or college student to master. In sum, argumentative essays teach students how to organize their thoughts logically and present them in a convincing way. This skill is helpful not only for those pursuing degrees in law , international relations , or public policy , but for any student who wishes to develop their critical thinking faculties. In this article, we’ll cover what makes a good argument essay and offer several argumentative essay topics for high school and college students. Let’s begin!

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is an essay that uses research to present a reasoned argument on a particular subject . As with the persuasive essay , the purpose of an argumentative essay is to sway the reader to the writer’s position. However, a strong persuasive essay makes its point through diligent research and emotion while a strong argumentative essay should be based solely on facts, not feelings.

Moreover, each fact should be supported by clear evidence from credible sources . Furthermore, a good argumentative essay will have an easy-to-follow structure. When organizing your argumentative essay, use this format as a guide:

Introduction
Supporting body paragraphs
Paragraph(s) addressing common counterarguments

Argumentative Essay Format

In the introduction , the writer presents their position and thesis statement —a sentence that summarizes the paper’s main points. The body paragraphs then draw upon supporting evidence to back up this initial statement, with each paragraph focusing on its own point. The length of your paper will determine the amount of examples you need. In general, you’ll likely need at least two to three. Additionally, your examples should be as detailed as possible, citing specific research, case studies, statistics, or anecdotes.

In the counterargument paragraph , the writer acknowledges and refutes opposing viewpoints. Finally, in the conclusion , the writer restates the main argument made in the thesis statement and summarizes the points of the essay. Additionally, the conclusion may offer a final proposal to persuade the reader of the essay’s position.

How to Write an Effective Argumentative Essay, Step by Step

Choose your topic. Use the list below to help you pick a topic. Ideally, a good argumentative essay topic will be meaningful to you—writing is always stronger when you are interested in the subject matter. In addition, the topic should be complex with plenty of “pro” and “con” arguments. Avoid choosing a topic that is either widely accepted as fact or too narrow. For example, “Is the earth round?” would not be a solid choice.
Research. Use the library, the web, and any other resources to gather information about your argumentative essay topic. Research widely but smartly. As you go, take organized notes, marking the source of every quote and where it may fit in the scheme of your larger essay. Moreover, remember to look for (and research) possible counterarguments.
Outline . Using the argument essay format above, create an outline for your essay. Then, brainstorm a thesis statement covering your argument’s main points, and begin to put your examples in order, focusing on logical flow. It’s often best to place your strongest example last.
Write . Draw on your research and outline to create a first draft. Remember, your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. (As Voltaire says, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”) Accordingly, just focus on getting the words down on paper.
Does my thesis statement need to be adjusted?
Which examples feel strongest? Weakest?
Do the transitions flow smoothly?
Do I have a strong opening paragraph?
Does the conclusion reinforce my argument?

Tips for Revising an Argument Essay

Evaluating your own work can be difficult, so you might consider the following strategies:

Read your work aloud to yourself.
Record yourself reading your paper, and listen to the recording.
Reverse outline your paper. Firstly, next to each paragraph, write a short summary of that paragraph’s main points/idea. Then, read through your reverse outline. Does it have a logical flow? If not, where should you adjust?
Print out your paper and cut it into paragraphs. What happens when you rearrange the paragraphs?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School, High School, and College Students

Family argumentative essay topics.

Should the government provide financial incentives for families to have children to address the declining birth rate?
Should we require parents to provide their children with a certain level of nutrition and physical activity to prevent childhood obesity?
Should parents implement limits on how much time their children spend playing video games?
Should cell phones be banned from family/holiday gatherings?
Should we hold parents legally responsible for their children’s actions?
Should children have the right to sue their parents for neglect?
Should parents have the right to choose their child’s religion?
Are spanking and other forms of physical punishment an effective method of discipline?
Should courts allow children to choose where they live in cases of divorce?
Should parents have the right to monitor teens’ activity on social media?
Should parents control their child’s medical treatment, even if it goes against the child’s wishes?
Should parents be allowed to post pictures of their children on social media without their consent?
Should fathers have a legal say in whether their partners do or do not receive an abortion?
Can television have positive developmental benefits on children?
Should the driving age be raised to prevent teen car accidents?
Should adult children be legally required to care for their aging parents?

Education Argument Essay Topics

Should schools ban the use of technology like ChatGPT?
Are zoos unethical, or necessary for conservation and education?
To what degree should we hold parents responsible in the event of a school shooting?
Should schools offer students a set number of mental health days?
Should school science curriculums offer a course on combating climate change?
Should public libraries be allowed to ban certain books? If so, what types?
What role, if any, should prayer play in public schools?
Should schools push to abolish homework?
Are gifted and talented programs in schools more harmful than beneficial due to their exclusionary nature?
Should universities do away with Greek life?
Should schools remove artwork, such as murals, that some perceive as offensive?
Should the government grant parents the right to choose alternative education options for their children and use taxpayer funds to support these options?
Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling for children’s academic and social development?
Should we require schools to teach sex education to reduce teen pregnancy rates?
Should we require schools to provide sex education that includes information about both homosexual and heterosexual relationships?
Should colleges use affirmative action and other race-conscious policies to address diversity on campus?
Should public schools remove the line “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance?
Should college admissions officers be allowed to look at students’ social media accounts?
Should schools abolish their dress codes, many of which unfairly target girls, LGBTQ students, and students of color?
Should schools be required to stock free period products in bathrooms?
Should legacy students receive preferential treatment during the college admissions process?
Are school “voluntourism” trips ethical?

Government Argumentative Essay Topics

Should the U.S. decriminalize prostitution?
Should the U.S. issue migration visas to all eligible applicants?
Should the federal government cancel all student loan debt?
Should we lower the minimum voting age? If so, to what?
Should the federal government abolish all laws penalizing drug production and use?
Should the U.S. use its military power to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan?
Should the U.S. supply Ukraine with further military intelligence and supplies?
Should the North and South of the U.S. split up into two regions?
Should Americans hold up nationalism as a critical value?
Should we permit Supreme Court justices to hold their positions indefinitely?
Should Supreme Court justices be democratically elected?
Is the Electoral College still a productive approach to electing the U.S. president?
Should the U.S. implement a national firearm registry?
Is it ethical for countries like China and Israel to mandate compulsory military service for all citizens?
Should the U.S. government implement a ranked-choice voting system?
Should institutions that benefited from slavery be required to provide reparations?
Based on the 1619 project, should history classes change how they teach about the founding of the U.S.?
Should term limits be imposed on Senators and Representatives? If so, how long?
Should women be allowed into special forces units?
Should the federal government implement stronger, universal firearm licensing laws?
Do public sex offender registries help prevent future sex crimes?
Should the government be allowed to regulate family size?
Should all adults legally be considered mandated reporters?
Should the government fund public universities to make higher education more accessible to low-income students?
Should the government fund universal preschool to improve children’s readiness for kindergarten?

Health/Bioethics Argumentative Essay Topics

Should the U.S. government offer its own healthcare plan?
In the case of highly infectious pandemics, should we focus on individual freedoms or public safety when implementing policies to control the spread?
Should we legally require parents to vaccinate their children to protect public health?
Is it ethical for parents to use genetic engineering to create “designer babies” with specific physical and intellectual traits?
Should the government fund research on embryonic stem cells for medical treatments?
Should the government legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill patients?
Should organ donation be mandatory?
Is cloning animals ethical?
Should cancer screenings start earlier? If so, what age?
Is surrogacy ethical?
Should birth control require a prescription?
Should minors have access to emergency contraception?
Should hospitals be for-profit or nonprofit institutions?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics — Continued

Social media argumentative essay topics.

Should the federal government increase its efforts to minimize the negative impact of social media?
Do social media and smartphones strengthen one’s relationships?
Should antitrust regulators take action to limit the size of big tech companies?
Should social media platforms ban political advertisements?
Should the federal government hold social media companies accountable for instances of hate speech discovered on their platforms?
Do apps such as TikTok and Instagram ultimately worsen the mental well-being of teenagers?
Should governments oversee how social media platforms manage their users’ data?
Should social media platforms like Facebook enforce a minimum age requirement for users?
Should social media companies be held responsible for cases of cyberbullying?
Should the United States ban TikTok?
Is social media harmful to children?
Should employers screen applicants’ social media accounts during the hiring process?

Religion Argument Essay Topics

Should religious institutions be tax-exempt?
Should religious symbols such as the hijab or crucifix be allowed in public spaces?
Should religious freedoms be protected, even when they conflict with secular laws?
Should the government regulate religious practices?
Should we allow churches to engage in political activities?
Religion: a force for good or evil in the world?
Should the government provide funding for religious schools?
Is it ethical for healthcare providers to deny abortions based on religious beliefs?
Should religious organizations be allowed to discriminate in their hiring practices?
Should we allow people to opt out of medical treatments based on their religious beliefs?
Should the U.S. government hold religious organizations accountable for cases of sexual abuse within their community?
Should religious beliefs be exempt from anti-discrimination laws?
Should religious individuals be allowed to refuse services to others based on their beliefs or lifestyles? (As in this famous case .)
Should the US ban religion-based federal holidays?
Should public schools be allowed to teach children about religious holidays?

Science Argument Essay Topics

Would the world be safer if we eliminated nuclear weapons?
Should scientists bring back extinct animals? If so, which ones?
Should we hold companies fiscally responsible for their carbon footprint?
Should we ban pesticides in favor of organic farming methods?
Should the federal government ban all fossil fuels, despite the potential economic impact on specific industries and communities?
What renewable energy source should the U.S. invest more money in?
Should the FDA outlaw GMOs?
Should we worry about artificial intelligence surpassing human intelligence?
Should the alternative medicine industry be more stringently regulated?
Is colonizing Mars a viable option?
Is the animal testing worth the potential to save human lives?

Sports Argument Essay Topics

Should colleges compensate student-athletes?
How should sports teams and leagues address the gender pay gap?
Should youth sports teams do away with scorekeeping?
Should we ban aggressive contact sports like boxing and MMA?
Should professional sports associations mandate that athletes stand during the national anthem?
Should high schools require their student-athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
Should transgender athletes compete in sports according to their gender identity?
Should schools ban football due to the inherent danger it poses to players?
Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
Do participation trophies foster entitlement and unrealistic expectations?
Should sports teams be divided by gender?
Should professional athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympics?
Should women be allowed on NFL teams?

Technology Argumentative Essay Topics

Should sites like DALL-E compensate the artists whose work it was trained on?
Should the federal government make human exploration of space a more significant priority?
Is it ethical for the government to use surveillance technology to monitor citizens?
Should websites require proof of age from their users? If so, what age?
Should we consider A.I.-generated images and text pieces of art?
Does the use of facial recognition technology violate individuals’ privacy?
Is online learning as effective as in-person learning?
Does computing harm the environment?
Should buying, sharing, and selling collected personal data be illegal?
Are electric cars really better for the environment?
Should car companies be held responsible for self-driving car accidents?
Should private jets be banned?
Do violent video games contribute to real-life violence?

Business Argument Essay Topics

Should the U.S. government phase out the use of paper money in favor of a fully digital currency system?
Should the federal government abolish its patent and copyright laws?
Should we replace the Federal Reserve with free-market institutions?
Is free-market ideology responsible for the U.S. economy’s poor performance over the past decade?
Will cryptocurrencies overtake natural resources like gold and silver?
Is capitalism the best economic system? What system would be better?
Should the U.S. government enact a universal basic income?
Should we require companies to provide paid parental leave to their employees?
Should the government raise the minimum wage? If so, to what?
Should antitrust regulators break up large companies to promote competition?
Is it ethical for companies to prioritize profits over social responsibility?
Should gig-economy workers like Uber and Lyft drivers be considered employees or independent contractors?
Should the federal government regulate the gig economy to ensure fair treatment of workers?
Should the government require companies to disclose the environmental impact of their products?
Should companies be allowed to fire employees based on political views or activities?
Should tipping practices be phased out?
Should employees who choose not to have children be given the same amount of paid leave as parents?
Should MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) be illegal?
Should employers be allowed to factor tattoos and personal appearance into hiring decisions?

In Conclusion – Argument Essay Topics

Using the tips above, you can effectively structure and pen a compelling argumentative essay that will wow your instructor and classmates. Remember to craft a thesis statement that offers readers a roadmap through your essay, draw on your sources wisely to back up any claims, and read through your paper several times before it’s due to catch any last-minute proofreading errors. With time, diligence, and patience, your essay will be the most outstanding assignment you’ve ever turned in…until the next one rolls around.

Looking for more fresh and engaging topics for use in the classroom? You might consider checking out the following:

125 Good Debate Topics for High School Students
150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
7 Best Places to Study
Guide to the IB Extended Essay
How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay
AP Lit Reading List
How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay
49 Most Interesting Biology Research Topics
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Lauren Green

With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook A Great Dark House (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming novel (Viking/Penguin).

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130 Argumentative Essay Topics: Tips on How Choose the Best One

Defining What Is an Argumentative Essay

Imagine the following scenario: You just got into an argument with your friend over climate change. You said that this is an actual issue that poses significant threats to our environment and world population. Your friend, on the other hand, argued that climate change is not real, saying that it's a natural occurrence that has happened several times during world history. You got home, had time to reflect on the debate, and came up with several good reasons for your position. Oh! The things you could have said to clearly express and defend your stance... Now you're annoyed with the constant monologue running through your mind, reflecting upon the previous debate.

What if you documented the arguments that came to you afterward? Much like jotting them down on a piece of paper and giving some direction to your ideas. We say it would have made a brilliant work with fresh ideas and fiery passion.

That's exactly why you should practice argumentative essay writing. It will enhance your reasoning skills while allowing you to become more quick-witted. By doing this, you won't have to listen to your friends defending their stance while you lack your own arguments to contribute to the debate.

To persuade the reader of their position in an argumentative essay, the author must choose a position on a certain subject or problem and provide evidence to support it. This kind of essay is frequently required in high school or college classes to sharpen students' analytical abilities and motivate them to engage in challenging discussions.

So, let's take on a mission of fully understanding how to write an argumentative essay with a clear structure and endless topic ideas. We promise that after reading this article, you'll become an unshakable debater!

Three Common Argumentative Essay Models

First, let's start with the three most prevalent models of argumentative writing. Knowing this will guide you toward structuring your essay in your preferred style. The options are:

Toulmin model - Most commonly used model out of the three, the Toulmin model starts with an introduction, moves on to a thesis or claim, and then provides information and proof to back up that argument. This type of essay usually includes rebuttals of opposing points. This approach performs effectively when there is no undeniable truth or perfect answer to an issue.
Rogerian model - Created by Carl R. Rogers, the Rogerian model of argument assesses a debate and offers a compromise between opposing sides. This paradigm emphasizes cooperation and teamwork. It recognizes that an argument can be seen from a variety of angles. The Rogerian model starts with an introduction, moves to acknowledge opposing views, then states the author's main claims. Before the conclusion, it tries to provide a middle ground by carefully considering all sides of the argument.
Classical (Aristotelian) model- In the traditional paradigm, all sides of an argument are examined, and the side with the most convincing evidence is shown to be correct. This approach effectively convinces a listener to take a side in an argument by combining Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.

Proper Argumentative Essay Outline

This is not something new that you should be scared of - an essay outline that consists of classic five paragraphs and employs a sacred triangle of introduction, body, and conclusion. But still, in an argumentative essay outline, you should find something unique to this kind of paper. Let's examine these specifics more closely below with the help of our argumentative essay writing service :

Introduction

Your first task while writing argumentative essays is to grab the reader's attention with an eye-catching fact, story, or quotation that will work as a hook. Then continue by giving background information and outlining the problem at hand while clearly articulating your case and your point of argument.

Background information
Thesis statement

I. Introduction

The argumentative essay introduction should grab the reader's attention and provide background information. The introductory paragraph should also include a thesis statement, the main argument the essay will present, and support. For example:

Hook : Did you know that over 50% of Americans believe in aliens?
Background: UFO sightings and conspiracy theories have been around for decades.
Thesis: Despite the lack of concrete evidence, extraterrestrial life is a real possibility that should be explored further.

Body Paragraphs

The body section is where you confidently roll up your sleeves and give direction to your discussion. In the first paragraph, give your best argument in favor of your thesis, using examples, data, or expert opinions. Then, evaluate the data and describe how it backs up your claim. Remember to confront and disprove any potential opposing viewpoints. You might use the same strategy in the second body paragraph for a different argument supporting your thesis.

Consider the opposing position and offer arguments in the third and fourth paragraphs. Lastly, dispute the counterargument and explain why your argument is more powerful.

First supporting point
Explanation
Counterargument
Second supporting point

To wrap up, restate your major idea and summarize your supporting points. Explain why your point is important and what it means for the reader. To end on a strong note, encourage the reader to act or think more deeply about the subject.

Restate thesis
Significance
Call to action

Tips for Choosing Argumentative Essay Topics

Making a captivating and thought-provoking argumentative essay requires picking a strong topic. Here are six genuine suggestions to assist you through the process:

How to Choose Good Argumentative Essay Topics_ Tips

Keep your audience in mind - Consider the audience for your essay, and attempt to guess what they would think about the topic you wish to cover. Think about if your audience would find it fascinating.
Take a risk - Pick a highly debatable subject you think others would want to steer clear of. It will distinguish your topic from other ordinary argumentative essay topics. Make sure you can, however, present the reasoning for all sides of the controversy.
Consider your surroundings - Consider things that are either negative aspects or taboos in your environment. Dare to discuss and debate such problems.
Select an arguable topic - To avoid writing a dissertation; your topic should be in the middle of being both wide and narrow. Establish your paper's objectives. What point of view or hypothesis are you trying to support? Before you start writing, make an effort to clearly state your aim. If you cannot explain your goal effectively, try to free-write on your subject.
Provide logical and persuasive evidence - Ensure that your proof is appropriately documented. Be certain to introduce and explain the relevance of the evidence you use in an easy-to-understand way. Avoid assuming that your evidence will speak for itself and that your readers will draw the conclusions you want from it. Describe the significance of each piece of evidence, how it clarifies or supports your claim, and why it is relevant. Include evidence in your work and use it wisely to support your arguments.
Draft your essay - Make sure you include a lot of supporting material presented clearly and fairly, address the opposing viewpoint, and pay close attention to how your essay is organized. Ensure your argumentative essay structure is appropriate for your issue and audience, address and rectify any logical errors, and use appropriate transitions to make it easier for the reader to understand your argument.

Meanwhile, if you'd rather have a PRO craft your paper, you can always buy argumentative essay on our platform.

Examples of Argumentative Essay Topics

Choosing the proper topic for your argumentative essay might be a major difficulty. You should always ensure that your chosen topic is interesting and worthwhile. Your school may occasionally provide you with a selection of subjects, but sometimes you may struggle to choose the topic.

Consider your struggle to be over in the following sections; our persuasive essay writing service will help you find the best argument topics for your upcoming argumentative essay.

Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle Schoolers

Let's start with some easy argumentative essay topics for middle school students.

Explain whether or not students should have schoolwork on weekends.
Do you believe that the government should determine your school lunch?
Should students have to take gym classes?
Do you believe that children should have automatic screen time limits or should parents limit screen time manually?
Describe your position on whether or not school uniforms should be required.
Should violent video games be banned in the United States?
How unhealthy are hot dogs?
Why or why not should the electoral college be abolished?
Should the school day be prolonged to accommodate a long weekend?
Do you believe that prerequisite art classes should be mandatory for all college degrees?

Argumentative Essay Topics for High School Students

As you advance your education, you may also pick up more complex topics and open up a meaningful debate. So, here is a list of argumentative essay topics for students in high school.

Do you think the FDA is effectively policing what is put into our food?
What age do you consider the right age to start using social media?
Do you believe a civics test is required for 12th-grade students to pass to graduate?
Should professional athletes be permitted to use medications that improve performance?
Should high school students receive free breakfast?
At what point should children begin doing chores?
Do you believe using electronic voting machines makes the electoral process fair?
Do we have the power to affect climate change? Or is it far bigger and more powerful than we are?
Should the legal age to vote be reduced?
Should bottled water be prohibited if environmental protection is so important?

Argumentative Essay Topics for College Students

College students have more freedom when it comes to choosing a topic of choice and freely expressing their opinions. Here are some interesting topics for an essay to delve right into:

Should the United States continue with daylight saving time, or should it be eliminated?
Should superior grades guarantee scholarship eligibility?
Has artificial intelligence overstepped its bounds?
Should there be no tuition fees for a public college education?
Do we need additional professional sports teams in the United States?
Should social media companies be allowed to collect data from their users?
Should there be a certain number of Supreme Court justices?
Are actors and sportsmen in the entertainment industry paid more than they deserve?
Should someone deny medical care due to their religious convictions?
Why is the Second Amendment part of the US Constitution that causes the greatest controversy?

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

Touching upon controversy makes the best argumentative essay topics for writing. To add a little spice to your paper, consider the following options:

Diversity Promotes Tolerance in Society
Electronic Voting Is Ineffective Because There Is Too Much Fraud
There is No More Free Journalism
People Getting Addicted Isn't Caused by Entertainment
Reality television fosters unrealistic expectations.
Serving in the military is dangerously romanticized
People's tax payments do not match the benefits they receive.
Given the effects of COVID, further funding for mental health services is necessary.
American Women Have the Same Chances as Men
Pollution Prevention Is Not Realistic Under the Present Circumstances

Funny Argumentative Essay Topics

You may prefer to debate over funny topics. Here are some choices that will make humorous argumentative essay titles.

Which is preferable, the night owl or the morning person?
Do we have alien visitors, and if so, what do they want from us?
Should the employer impose strict nap requirements?
Is it OK to wear socks and flops together?
Should scooters take the place of all public transportation?
Can you eat pizza with a fork and knife?
Should we mandate dancing breaks during the working day?
Should we launch an initiative to promote cuddling as the new handshake?
Is it moral to routinely tease your loved ones?
Should we ban jeans and allow only pajamas to be worn in public?

If you want similar ideas for your next assignment, ask us - ' do my essay topics,' and we'll provide many more funny titles.

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Topics for Argumentative Speech

Here are some topics for argumentative speech from our speech writing service . With these options, you may as well confidently sign up for an inspirational TED talk!

What Opinions Do You Have About Cancel Culture?
Does being publicly shamed online prevent us from evolving and changing?
Phone etiquette: Do you ever feel awkward using your phone among other people?
How much, in your opinion, can we infer about our overall satisfaction from what is shared on social media?
Should Schools Need a Course in Media Literacy?
Does Teaching Happiness in Schools Make Sense?
Are there any books that shouldn't be found in public or school libraries?
What would you study if there was a unique school that taught you the things you truly wanted to learn?
Should Every Young Person Learn How to Trade Stocks?
Is Adversity a Prerequisite for Happiness?

Argument Topics on Social Media

The most efficient argumentative essay title examples relate to social media and online trends. Try the following alternatives:

Describe and analyze some of the issues that social media brings to society.
Social media has gained increasing acceptance in classrooms over time. Discuss while pointing up positives and drawbacks.
Describe the role that social media has had in the radicalization of society.
Talk about some ethical issues that become moot when creating a social media account.
Discuss how employing social media may assist in increasing your brand's overall value.
The importance of social media in contemporary marketing and for kids and teens.
What does social media weaponization entail?
What are the psychological harms that social media causes?
What impact does comedy have on mental health in online forums?
What effects do social media have on how people communicate?

Argument Topics on Music

Maybe you'd enjoy an argumentative essay topic on music? Say no more! We have a special place for it in our hearts, and we couldn't wait to share them with you!

Why Should a Musician Hire Another Person to Compose Music for Them?
How the Making of Music Affects People's Thoughts
Should performers utilize their platforms to speak out on social and political issues?
Is live music more significant and true to its origins than recorded music?
Can one use music as a means of expression and free speech?
Is it morally required of musicians to utilize their platform to promote social and political change?
Why music education should be a mandatory topic in schools.
Why pursuing a profession in music is meaningful and beneficial.
Why it's important to acknowledge and encourage the achievements made by women in music.
Why it's important to promote and preserve vanishing musical traditions.

Health Argumentative Essay Topics

What about a health-related topic for argumentative essay? Choose one of the below and contribute to the meaningful conversation in medicine!

Who carries out the main work, doctors or nurses?
Oversleeping has no negative effects on the body.
There should be restrictions on human medical testing.
Physical and mental health demand different levels of care.
Should the use of antibiotics be systematically and carefully regulated?
Are health campaigns useful strategies for preventing and controlling disease?
Should only those with healthy lives be eligible for organ transplants?
Should the US proclaim obesity the biggest threat to the country's health?
Should there be any regulation of US healthcare costs to increase access?
Should genetic engineering be permitted as a kind of therapy for terminal illnesses?

Argument Topics on Science and Technology

For more up-to-date examples of argumentative essay topics, here are some ideas on science and technology:

Do children's IQs differ depending on their socioeconomic status?
Are humans becoming more or less lazy as a result of technology?
Can we ever settle on Mars?
Do technological advances imply a weakening of the force of nature?
Can physicians ever be replaced by computers or robots?
Should people work on AI development?
Is the digitization of healthcare beneficial?
Should people be allowed to own their own DNA?
Will the use of robots improve our quality of life?
What potential advancements in cloud storage are there?

Argument Topics on Sports

We couldn't possibly miss the argumentative essay example topics on sports. Sports are a huge part of our everyday life no matter nation or gender. Examine the topic ideas below; we're sure you'll find something inspiring:

Why cheerleading belongs in the Olympic Games.
Colleges should prioritize wellness initiatives above athletics.
Are amateurs the only ones who practice non-contact versions of American football?
What character traits are important in professional football?
Could there be a place for women in the NFL?
Is it appropriate for national teams to hire players from other nations?
Why is women's soccer less well-liked than that played by men?
Are the wages of soccer players too high?
Is coordination more important in soccer than stamina?
Is the current FIFA ranking system accurate?

Argument Topics on Government

As the government is a crucial part of our society, we believe exploring, criticizing, or favoring some political policies, figures, or systems can make the best topic for an essay:

How should the government oversee online safety and privacy?
Are protests and strikes effective ways to affect how the government works?
Should more be done by the government to control and combat the rising issue of wealth inequality?
Is choosing the president of the United States through the electoral college a successful process?
Should the government be able to control and restrict access to weapons?
Should more be done by the government to advance and defend the rights of underrepresented groups?
Which political party do you favor in your nation and why?
Offer advice on the finest and most efficient strategy to deal with corruption.
Which political development or circumstance in the past year most affected you?
Should the amount of money given to political campaigns be capped to prevent rich people from exerting too much influence?

Argument Topics on TV, Movies, Video Games

Last but not least, mainstream mediums of entertainment, TV, movies, or video games can also make some effective arguable topics:

Do aggressive behavior and violence in society rise due to violent video games?
Is it damaging when mental illness is portrayed in TV and film?
Is the movie business doing enough to combat whitewashing?
Is binge-watching television programs a safe pastime?
Indie films: A subgenre or a way of thinking?
The Ethics of Making Documentary Films
Documentary Films: The Potential to Influence Humanity
The Psychosocial Effects of Walt Disney's Heroes
Are augmented reality and video games getting too immersive?
Should parents be held accountable for watching their kids' graphic or violent media exposure?

Final Words

After researching a variety of excellent essay themes, you might wish to write a well-researched paper on your favorite. Don't forget that we are always ready to help you with all types of writing projects, from selecting an argumentative essay topic to perfecting the cause and effect essay structure . Contact us with your ' write a research paper for me ' request and let us take some of the pressure off your shoulders!

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200 Controversial argumentative essay topics

Controversial argumentative essay topics ignite debates, challenge norms, and inspire critical thinking. These contentious subjects compel individuals to confront differing perspectives, question societal conventions, and defend their beliefs.

Exploring controversial topics in an essay offers a platform for discourse, enabling readers to delve into complex issues and examine them from various angles. From politics to ethics, religion to technology, controversial argumentative essay topics push boundaries, fostering intellectual growth and stimulating dialogue.

What is Controversial argumentative essay?

Controversial argumentative essay topics

A controversial argumentative essay is an academic piece of writing that focuses on a contentious issue or topic. Unlike other types of essays, where the aim might be to inform or persuade without stirring controversy, the purpose of a controversial argumentative essay is to explore a topic that elicits strong opinions and heated debate.

In such essays, writers present their arguments and evidence to support their viewpoint on the controversial topic. However, they must also acknowledge and address opposing viewpoints, providing counterarguments and rebuttals where necessary. The goal is not only to express one’s own perspective but also to engage critically with alternative viewpoints and contribute to a deeper understanding of the issue.

Controversial argumentative essays require careful research, thoughtful analysis, and persuasive writing to effectively present and defend a stance on a contentious topic. They often tackle subjects related to politics, ethics, social issues, religion, science, technology, and more, where there is significant disagreement or ambiguity.

Importance of choosing the right Controversial argumentative essay topics

Choosing the right controversial argumentative essay topics is crucial for several reasons:

Engagement: Selecting a compelling topic ensures that both the writer and the audience are deeply engaged in the essay. Controversial topics tend to evoke strong emotions and opinions, sparking interest and fostering debate.
Relevance: Opting for a relevant topic ensures that the essay addresses issues that are significant and impactful in contemporary society. By tackling pressing issues, the essay can contribute to ongoing discussions and potentially influence opinions and policies.
Depth of Analysis: The right topic provides ample opportunities for in-depth analysis and exploration. It allows the writer to delve into complex issues, examine multiple perspectives, and consider various aspects of the topic, resulting in a more thorough and nuanced argument.
Critical Thinking: Controversial topics often require critical thinking and analytical skills to navigate conflicting viewpoints and evidence. Choosing the right topic encourages the writer to critically evaluate arguments, assess evidence, and develop well-reasoned conclusions.
Impact: A well-chosen controversial topic has the potential to make a meaningful impact by raising awareness, challenging assumptions, and prompting reflection and action. It can contribute to social change, policy reform, or increased understanding of complex issues.
Audience Engagement: Selecting a topic that resonates with the target audience increases the likelihood of capturing their attention and sparking meaningful dialogue. By addressing issues that matter to the audience, the essay can foster greater engagement and participation in the discussion.

Here are 10 categories with 20 controversial argumentative essay topics each that you can consider to use for your next contest.

1. Politics and Government:

Gun control laws: Should they be stricter or more lenient?
Electoral college: Should it be abolished in favor of a popular vote?
Immigration policy: Should there be stricter border controls or more lenient pathways to citizenship?
Universal healthcare: Should healthcare be a right guaranteed by the government?
Capital punishment: Should it be abolished or retained as a form of punishment?
Affirmative action: Is it necessary to promote diversity, or does it promote reverse discrimination?
Military intervention: Should countries intervene in foreign conflicts for humanitarian reasons?
Taxation: Should the wealthy be taxed more heavily to address income inequality?
Surveillance: Is mass surveillance justified for national security purposes?
Freedom of speech: Should hate speech be protected under the First Amendment?

2. Social Issues:

Abortion: Should it be legal, and under what circumstances?
LGBTQ+ rights: Should there be more protections and rights for LGBTQ+ individuals?
Racial profiling: Is it an effective law enforcement tactic or a form of discrimination?
Gender equality: Are gender disparities still prevalent in society, and how should they be addressed?
Animal testing: Is it ethical to use animals for scientific experimentation?
Legalization of drugs: Should drugs like marijuana be legalized for recreational use?
Poverty and welfare: How should society address poverty and provide assistance to those in need?
Cyberbullying: What measures should be taken to combat cyberbullying?
Climate change: Is it primarily caused by human activity, and how should it be addressed?
Prostitution: Should it be legalized and regulated, or remain illegal?

3. Ethics and Morality:

Euthanasia: Should individuals have the right to end their own lives, and under what circumstances?
Genetic engineering: Should there be limitations on genetic modification of humans?
Animal rights: Do animals have rights, and if so, how should they be protected?
Cloning: Is human cloning ethically acceptable?
Environmental conservation: How much should society sacrifice for the sake of environmental preservation?
Cultural appropriation: Where is the line between appreciation and appropriation of other cultures?
Stem cell research: Should government funding be allocated to stem cell research?
Endangered species protection: How far should society go to protect endangered species?
Pornography: Is it a form of expression or exploitation?
Organ donation: Should there be an opt-out system for organ donation?

4. Technology and Privacy:

Online privacy: Should individuals have the right to complete online privacy, or should there be limits for security reasons?
Artificial intelligence: Should there be regulations on the development and use of AI?
Surveillance technology: How much surveillance is too much in the name of public safety?
Social media: Should there be stricter regulations on social media platforms to prevent misinformation and hate speech?
Encryption: Should governments have backdoor access to encrypted communication for national security reasons?
Autonomous vehicles: Should they be allowed on the roads, and who is responsible in case of accidents?
Data mining: Should companies be allowed to collect and sell personal data without consent?
Internet censorship: Should governments have the authority to censor the internet for national security or moral reasons?
3D printing: What are the ethical implications of 3D printing, especially in terms of copyright infringement and weapon manufacturing?
Virtual reality: How will virtual reality impact society, and what ethical considerations should be taken into account?

5. Education:

Standardized testing: Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student achievement?
School vouchers: Should public funds be used to support private education through vouchers?
Affirmative action in education: Does affirmative action in college admissions promote diversity or perpetuate discrimination?
Sex education: What should be included in comprehensive sex education programs in schools?
Homeschooling: Should parents have the right to homeschool their children, and what regulations should be in place?
Free college tuition: Should college education be free for all students?
Teaching evolution in schools: Should creationism be taught alongside evolution in science classes?
Bullying prevention: What measures should schools take to prevent bullying?
Technology in the classroom: How should technology be integrated into education to enhance learning?
Critical race theory: Should critical race theory be taught in schools, and how should it be approached?

6. Health and Medicine:

Vaccination: Should vaccines be mandatory, and should there be consequences for those who refuse?
Mental health care: Is there enough support and resources for mental health care in society?
Physician-assisted suicide: Should terminally ill patients have the right to end their own lives with medical assistance?
Obesity: How should society address the obesity epidemic?
Alternative medicine: Should alternative medicine practices be regulated, and should they be covered by insurance?
Prescription drug prices: How should society address the rising costs of prescription drugs?
Healthcare for undocumented immigrants: Should undocumented immigrants have access to healthcare services?
Organ transplantation: Should organs be sold for transplantation, and if so, under what circumstances?
Plastic surgery: Should cosmetic surgery be regulated more strictly?
Mental health stigma: How can society reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness?

7. Economics and Business:

Minimum wage: Should the minimum wage be raised, and if so, to what level?
Income inequality: How should society address the growing gap between the rich and the poor?
Corporate responsibility: Should corporations prioritize profits or social responsibility?
Globalization: Is globalization beneficial for everyone, or does it primarily benefit the wealthy?
Sweatshops: Should consumers boycott companies that use sweatshop labor?
Universal basic income: Should every citizen receive a basic income from the government?
Trade tariffs: Are tariffs an effective way to protect domestic industries, or do they harm consumers?
Monopolies: Should government regulate or break up monopolies to promote competition?
Environmental regulations: Should businesses be subject to stricter environmental regulations?
Corporate taxation: Should corporations be taxed more heavily to fund social programs?

8. Media and Entertainment:

Media bias: How should society address bias in the media?
Violence in media: Does exposure to violent media contribute to real-life violence?
Censorship in the arts: Should governments censor art and literature for moral or political reasons?
Celebrity culture: Does celebrity culture have a negative impact on society?
Representation in media: How can media better represent marginalized groups?
Video game violence: Does exposure to violent video games contribute to aggression in players?
Reality television: Does reality TV have a negative impact on society?
Freedom of the press: Should there be limitations on freedom of the press to prevent misinformation?
Internet piracy: How should society address internet piracy and copyright infringement?
Advertising to children: Should there be restrictions on advertising targeted at children?

9. Religion and Spirituality:

Separation of church and state: How should the relationship between religion and government be defined?
Religious freedom: To what extent should religious beliefs be protected in society?
Evolution vs. creationism: Should intelligent design be taught alongside evolution in schools?
Abortion rights: How do religious beliefs influence views on abortion?
LGBTQ+ rights and religion: How do religious beliefs impact attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals?
Religious extremism: How should society address religious extremism and terrorism?
Interfaith marriage: Should there be restrictions on interfaith marriages?
Religious education: Should religious education be mandatory in schools?
Women’s rights and religion: How do religious beliefs influence attitudes towards women’s rights?
Blasphemy laws: Should blasphemy laws be enforced to protect religious sentiments?

10. Miscellaneous:

Space exploration: Should space exploration be prioritized over other societal needs?
Legalization of prostitution: Should prostitution be legalized and regulated?
Gambling: Should gambling be legalized and regulated, or remain illegal?
Right to die: Should terminally ill patients have the right to end their own lives with medical assistance?
Artificial sweeteners: Are artificial sweeteners safe for consumption, or do they pose health risks?
Mandatory voting: Should voting be mandatory for all citizens?
Plastic bag ban: Should single-use plastic bags be banned to reduce environmental pollution?
Body modification: Should body modification practices such as piercings and tattoos be regulated?
Legalization of euthanasia: Should individuals have the right to end their own lives, and under what circumstances?

These topics cover a wide range of controversial issues across various fields, providing ample opportunities for in-depth analysis and discussion.

Controversial argumentative essay topics serve as catalysts for critical thinking, engaging discourse, and societal progress. By delving into contentious issues across various domains, these topics challenge perspectives, prompt reflection, and inspire meaningful dialogue.

Through rigorous analysis and the exploration of opposing viewpoints, writers and readers alike are empowered to broaden their understanding, challenge societal norms, and contribute to a more informed and inclusive discourse. Controversial argumentative essay topics are not just subjects for debate; they are vehicles for intellectual growth, empathy, and positive change.

601 Controversial Questions & Topics for Research, Essays, & Debate

People constantly participate in passionate debates about sensitive and divisive societal issues. Some may utilize memes or social media to discuss hot topics, while others join online forums and blogs. Even though controversial topics are believed to address trivial issues, many may have a tangible impact on the world and global problems.

Below, you’ll find a list of controversial questions and topics for research that can come in handy on days when you lack inspiration!

🔝 Top 10 Controversial Questions in 2024

🤔 most controversial questions — and why.

🏫 Topics for High School Students
🎓 Topics for College Students

🔎 Controversial Research Topics

📝 Controversial Argumentative Topics

💼 Controversial Business Topics

🏥 controversial medical topics, 🔬 controversial science topics, 💡 controversial philosophical questions, 😛 funny controversial topics, 🗣️ controversial debate topics, 🔗 references.

Why should brain control techniques in psychology be banned?
How to stop sexual abuse in the motion picture industry?
How is homosexuality discriminated against in the 21st century?
Does drug control help to reduce drug consumption among teenagers?
What is the role of plastic pollution in global warming?
How to make domestic violence victims speak out?
Why are alternatives to prison sentences more effective?
What is the impact of human overpopulation on food security?
What is the positive impact of free trade on the international market?
Why do abusive power and control often take part in modern relationships?

A controversial topic differs from others in that it causes considerable disagreement, debate, and varied emotional reactions in society. It usually involves opposing points of view, beliefs, or interests.

Below, we’ve listed several most controversial questions and explained what makes them such.

❔ Should abortion be legalized around the world?

Abortion is controversial due to its ethical, moral, and legal consequences. It raises the question of the fetus’ rights to life and a person’s right to govern their own body.

❔ What are the most effective measures to prevent gun violence?

Gun control is among the most controversial and emotional topics in many nations. Its discussion is mainly centered around two questions:

Can the limit on people’s right to bear weapons be considered an unfair restriction on liberty?
Is there a link between gun ownership and crime?

❔ Should capital punishment be canceled?

Opponents of the death sentence point out its inhumanity, irreversibility, and unfairness due to the persistence of racial and economic inequalities. Proponents believe that it is reasonable retribution for specific acts and is effective in deterring crime and protecting society.

❔ To what degree should freedom of speech be protected?

Freedom of speech is controversial because society struggles to define its limits. There is still a need to find a balance between safeguarding the freedom of expression and protecting individuals against the harm caused by speech.

❔ What measures should be taken to stop global warming?

The global warming controversy refers to the public dispute over whether the planet is getting warmer. Also, people argue about the leading causes of climate change, its consequences, and methods to stop it.

This image shows the most controversial topics.

🏫 Controversial Topics for High School Students

Investigating controversial topics may help high school students develop critical thinking skills, engage in meaningful dialogues, and expand their awareness of challenging social issues. Below you can find some controversial questions for students!

Should sports classes in school be mandatory?
Abortion as a controversy .
Why can technologies destroy the world?
The benefits of year-round school.
Circumcision as a controversial topic in the United States .
Social networks make people less social.
Alcohol should be banned under 25.
Child labor and exploitation controversies .
Bad parenting is a leading reason for childhood obesity .
Is it time to decriminalize prostitution ?
Same-sex marriage as a moral controversy .
Happiness is more crucial than a career.
Zoos around the world should be closed.
The controversy over marijuana legalization .
Why will cryptocurrencies replace cash?
The institution of marriage is a relic of the past.
Genetic engineering and cloning controversy .
Climate change has already become irreversible.
Why is playing online games a sport?
Controversy about global warming: skepticism and reality .
Alternative medicines are more dangerous than helpful.
Why is remote studying the future of education?
Victorian period corset controversy .
Leisure time is critical for working productivity.
Is nationalism beneficial or harmful?
The Barbie doll controversy in a Latinx community .
The government should permit gay couples to adopt children .
The positive side of smoking and vaping .
Why is immigration a controversial topic in the US ?
Should we outlaw the use of fatal force by police ?

🎓 Controversial Topics for College Students

Controversial topics often reflect current social challenges , allowing college students to contribute to discussions and decisions that influence the world around them. Look at the most interesting controversial debate questions for college that we have prepared for you!

The crime behind animal testing in the beauty industry.
Biracial adoption and its controversies .
Why are many people ignoring cybersecurity ?
The benefits of expanding stem cell research .
The gun control controversy in the constitutional context .
Why should churches and religious institutions pay taxes?
The issue of media bias and discrimination in the modern world.
Women in army infantry: controversial issues .
Non-chemical cleaning products: worth the cost or not?
Capitalism is an economic system that perpetuates inequality.
The United States Patriot Act controversies .
Should the death penalty be abolished in the US?
The effectiveness of using hacking skills in business.
Ethical controversies in COVID-19 pandemic regulations .
Why is being transgender not a gender disorder ?
The risk of religious discrimination in a multi-cultured society.
Controversial art and censorship .
Does a smoking ban reduce lung cancer rates?
The influence of mixed-race backgrounds on personal development.
Minimum wage policy and its impact: controversy .
The importance of policies and religious accommodations at the workplace.
How to raise awareness of women’s rights in society?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis controversy .
Legalization of marijuana for medical usage: for and against.
What are the potentially harmful effects of consuming genetically modified food ?
Dementia and its controversial treatment .
The effects of globalization on national economies and job losses.
How to reduce the incidence of alcoholism and drug addiction in society?
The Jamestown massacre controversy .
The efficiency of drug testing programs in schools .

Controversial research topics inspire discussions and push limits on established beliefs. In the following paragraphs, you can find risky but interesting controversial questions for your future study!

Controversial Topics in Education

How do cell phones decrease learning productivity?
The role of textbooks in education .
The impact of fast food on students’ learning skills.
Do armed guards reduce crime rates in schools?
Why does education require political intervention ?
The negative side of individualized approach in education .
Advantages and disadvantages of tracking and grouping in classes.
School sex education and teenage pregnancy in the United States .
Does a college education lower the unemployment rate ?
Early childhood education and its influence on success in the future.
Education: internet courses versus traditional courses .
Does a low level of IQ affect academic performance?
The importance of detention in disciplining students.
Labeling in special education .
Does homeschooling provide a better education than traditional schooling?

Controversial Psychology Topics

What factors contribute to the persistence of stereotypes in diverse societies?
Psychology: happiness as a way of living .
The impact of advertising on the human brain and mental health.
How does yoga affect a person’s mental state?
Gaming influence on psychology and personality .
The effect of biological factors on sexual orientation .
Do violent video games influence real-life aggression?
Psychology: does a criminal mind exist ?
Placebo effect and its role in demonstrating the power of the mind.
Can psychological profiling accurately forecast criminal behavior?
Psychological testing: beneficial or harmful ?
The impact of subconscious biases on decision-making.
Does testimony from witnesses properly represent historical events?
Experimental psychology: science vs. ideology .
Do near-death experiences provide evidence of an afterlife?

Controversial Criminal Justice Topics

Do mandatory minimum sentences lower crime rates?
Racial bas in criminal justice systems and workplaces .
The ethical side of capital punishment in the US .
The role of racial bias in the criminal justice system.
Recidivism in criminal justice: the prison system of America .
Do private prisons put profit above inmate welfare?
The effectiveness of body cameras in maintaining accountability and transparency.
Ethical dilemmas in the criminal justice system .
Is the drug war successful in lowering drug abuse?
The impact of solitary confinement on the occurrence of mental disorders in prisoners.
Non-inclusiveness of the criminal justice system .
How to prevent sexual assault in the military ?
The role of restitution in dealing with prison overcrowding .
Cyberbullying as a criminal offense in Singapore .
How does the prison system impact the mental health of prisoners ?

Controversial Political Questions

Is wealth redistribution a successful way of addressing income inequality?
Political culture: failure of democracy in Iraq .
Do restrictive abortion policies decrease the abortion rates among teens?
What impact do campaign funding regulations have on political corruption ?
Mexican immigration as a political controversy .
How do religious factors shape public opinion on LGBTQ+ rights?
How to regulate the misinformation or propaganda inside the country?
Abortion in Texas as a political issue .
How does the accessibility of weapons affect the frequency of mass shootings ?
What effect does immigration have on crime and public safety in host countries?
Tolerance and political diversity in the US .
Why does power concentration negatively affect press freedom?
How do politicians reconcile private power interests and democratic values?
Political ecologies of electronic waste: does it really make a difference ?
What is the role of government in providing affordable healthcare ?

Controversial Environmental Topics

Does the ban on plastic help to stop climate change?
Environment: oil drilling in the Arctic National Refuge .
Nuclear power as the solution for sustainable energy production.
Can banning fast fashion be beneficial to the environment?
The controversies of climate change .
How does noise pollution affect marine life?
Does recycling cause more trash in the environment?
Global warming and the free rider problem .
The benefits of efficient toilets in conserving water.
The establishment of the carbon tax as a way to reduce carbon footprint.
Global warming: myth or reality ?
What threat to the Earth does overpopulation pose?
The negative consequences of leftover foods in restaurants.
It’s not my fault: global warming and moral responsibility .
Would the ban on mining aid in preserving the environment?

📝 Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

Controversial argumentative essay topics require the student to investigate a problem, examine the evidence, and present a concise viewpoint on an issue. Some of the hottest topics are already waiting for you below!

Should athletes be checked for steroid usage regularly?
The controversy between free will and determinism .
Procrastination has a negative influence on critical thinking.
Pharmacies should provide teenagers with free contraception.
Operation Geronimo: controversy and the legal authority .
Torture can be efficient in solving some crimes.
Why should computer addiction be treated seriously?
Should illegal immigrants be made legal citizens ?
Prenuptial agreements can strengthen families’ relationships.
Why should media violence be censored?
Should smoking be illegal ?
Are social networks helpful, or are they just a waste of time?
Cyberbullying should have legal consequences.
Have “three-strikes” laws been effective and should they be continued ?
Religious courses should be mandatory for everyone.
Why is modern technology too isolating?
Should Georgia legalize gambling to raise revenue ?
Tourist tax is essential to protect cultural heritage .
All individuals should have the right to possess firearms.
The Right-to-Die bill: why all states should pass it .
Do TV shows reinforce harmful stereotypes?
Values of fashion should not contradict the healthy body image .

Controversial Questions About Art

Why is the depiction of nudity in art considered vulgar?
Pornography vs. artistic nude photographs .
Should obscene artistic expression without “serious artistic value” be censored?
Why is art not an objective branch of human culture?
Graffiti as a monumental form of art .
Can governments stop the trafficking of antiquities?
What role does criticism play in modern art?
Art and entertainment: is there any difference ?
Are museums ready to cope with competition and demands for change?
Why is visiting a theater good for cultural growth?
Freedom of expression in artworks .
Why are new directions in architecture widely criticized?
Is an artwork’s worth determined by its price?
Defining art in the past and present .
Can graffiti be considered a legitimate form of art?

Controversial History Questions

Is the existence of Atlantis not entirely mythical?
How has the invention of gunpowder affected the world ?
Why is it not true that pyramids were built by slaves in Egypt?
What would be with Germany if Hitler had not happened?
How did WWI change women’s role in America ?
What was the leading cause of the American Civil War ?
Who funded the assassins of Archduke Ferdinand?
What led up to the assassination of Julius Caesar ?
Why was slavery unprofitable for enslavers?
From whom did Charles Darwin get his idea of evolution?
Jacksonian democracy: who benefitted ?
Why was Galileo tortured for his beliefs?
Who actually wrote Shakespeare’s plays?
Was the Industrial Revolution positive for society ?
How did European pathogens cause the decline of the Cahokia and Mississippian mounds?

Controversial Opinion Questions

Why should religion be separated from politics?
Euthanasia in public opinion and policy-making .
Do a person’s thoughts and behavior contribute to mental illnesses?
How can curfews keep teens out of trouble?
Internet in our life: personal opinion .
Why are immigrants more of a benefit rather than a problem?
Are social media platforms accountable for the material they publish?
Money and expenditures: personal opinion .
What is the harmful impact of homework ?
Should LGBT+ problems be discussed during school sex education classes?
Our opinions on vaccines and what factors influence them .
Why allowing a child to be overweight is a form of child abuse ?
How can smartphones damage our IQs?
Opinions about euthanasia: for and against .
Why is war never an option for solving international disputes?

Like any other sphere, business has many exciting topics that provoke deep discussion and boost people’s curiosity. Here are some ideas that you can use for your papers!

The issue of discrimination and harassment at the workplace.
Business ethics and CSR: when corporate values must be upgraded .
How does abuse of leadership authority impact employees’ productivity?
The risks of nepotism and favoritism in big corporations.
Samsung and child labor: business ethics case .
How to find the balance between work and personal life?
The ethical side of corporate espionage.
Business ethics: Indian tea plantation workers .
Social media networks should be blocked at work.
Why are remote workers more productive?
Business ethics of concealing facts in a report .
The efficiency of open-space offices in creating fresh business ideas.
Companies should provide health care to part-time employees.
Management issues: diversity in the workplace .
How to avoid ethical issues in the business industry?
A casual dress code should be mandatory in the office.
Socialization of people with disabilities in the workplace .
Will AI replace human jobs soon?
Minimum wages should be increased around the world.
Workplace sexual harassment and legal boundaries .
Stakeholder capitalism as a fundamental violation of fiduciary duty.
How to deal with a toxic working environment?

Controversial Topics in Business Management

How to obtain an advantage over competitors ethically?
Artificial intelligence in strategic business management .
The importance of workforce diversity in global organizations.
Participative management approach as a method to empower the workforce.
Women minorities in business management .
Why is it vital to implement quality management systems ?
Employers should make accommodations for employees with mental health issues.
The marginal productivity of labor in business management .
All workplace relationships should be banned.
Time management as a way to boost productivity.
Moral wayfinding for a business manager .
Outsourcing as a way of redirecting the company’s resources.
The effectiveness of banning political discussion in resolving labor conflicts.
Technological changes in business management .
Why is focusing on customer service not vital in the business industry?

Controversial Marketing Topics

Overpromising as a harmful way to gain customers’ trust.
Marketing: social responsibility and the law .
Misusing customer data should be punished by the government.
How does misleading pricing affect the number of sales?
Is it necessary to develop a marketing plan ?
The risks and benefits of controversial marketing.
The impact of colors on the brand and marketing campaigns .
Advertising to children and social responsibility .
Why should advertising potentially dangerous products be banned?
Virtual influencers in marketing and their impact on teenagers.
Sex in advertising and its harmful effects .
Recycling content as a way to draw more customers.
What is the role of social justice issues in ads of popular brands?
Pharmaceutical advertising is propaganda .
The role of racial diversity in marketing campaigns.

This image shows examples of controversial marketing campaigns.

Controversial medical topics can inspire passionate discussions within healthcare. In the following paragraphs, you can check out the hottest ideas to discuss in the medical field!

Controversial Nursing Topics

The importance of nurses in end-of-life care .
Staffing issues in nursing .
How long should nurses rest between patients?
The benefits and drawbacks of nurse-physician collaboration .
Circumcision ethical dilemma and a nurse’s role in it .
The efficiency of nursing unions in defending nurses’ rights.
Medical errors and disclosure in pediatric nursing .
Nurse Robaczynski’s case: crime or mercy killing ?
Nursing approaches to ophthalmic care for older adults.
What is the value of informed consent in nursing practice?
Drug addiction among nurses .
The worth of nursing leadership in fostering a culture of transparency.
The role of nurses in addressing medical futility.
Nurses’ work-life balance and patient safety .
How to balance patient autonomy and healthcare professional expertise?

Controversial Public Health Topics

Should medical experiments on humans be legalized?
Vaccination as a public health policy issue .
The pros and cons of exercising for pregnant women.
Social media disinformation as a key cause of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy .
Abortion from legal and public health perspectives .
How should the issue of obesity be treated?
The impact of the coronavirus on a specific vulnerable population.
Sugary drink tax as a public health policy .
Did COVID-19 give a boost to telemedicine ?
The opioid crisis is a public health catastrophe.
Is bottled water safe for public health ?
The impact of aging water and sewer infrastructure on health.
Why are electronic cigarettes more harmful than regular ones?
Firearm violence as a public health issue .
Federal privacy laws should protect the privacy of patients.

Controversial Medical Ethics Topics

Medical students’ involvement in patient care: for or against.
Patient’s violence and the use of the doctor’s force .
Is it ethical for healthcare workers to accept gifts from patients?
The peculiarities of working with surrogate decision-makers.
Medical ethics: a do-not-resuscitate order .
How to address disparities in health care professionally?
The importance of patient privacy and confidentiality.
Medical ethics: performing an unnecessary test .
The possible pitfalls of legalization of organ transplantation .
Euthanasia should be a free choice of a patient.
Is lying to patients against medical ethics ?
What is the ethical side of DNR orders ?
Moral dilemmas concerning physician-assisted suicide .
Medical ethics: pet euthanasia .
How should malpractice and negligence in healthcare be punished?

Controversial Questions about Mental Health

Why is self-help in coping with mental disorders a waste of time?
What are the dangers of fad diets for mental health ?
Are mental health issues a result of personality weakness or character flaws?
Do children experience mental health issues?
What causes medication administration errors in a mental health hospital ?
How to prevent a mental health condition?
What is the role of psychosurgery in treating depression?
How does ageism affect mental health and addiction ?
Why do people use self-harm to overcome traumatic experiences?
Is hearing voices the first symptom of schizophrenia ?
What are the mental health issues in incarcerated adults ?
Why is having bipolar disorder considered fancy among teenagers?
What is the role of practical pharmacotherapy in child psychiatry ?
How can violence potential be assessed in forensic psychiatric institutions ?
How can suicidal behavior be unnoticed in society?

Do you need a controversial scientific topic for your term paper or essay? Read on to find the perfect topics on science that you can use in your favor!

Science should try to revive extinct species.
Vaccines and autism: does the controversy persist ?
Will expanding stem cell research be beneficial?
The role of genes in determining a person’s behavior.
Controversies related to technology: newborn screening .
What is the evidence of life on other planets?
The scientific side of reincarnation .
Controversies between religion and science .
Why should alternative medicine be forbidden?
Genetic variations as the leading cause of alcoholism.
How is science demarcated from pseudoscience ?
The efficiency of symptomatic care in the separation of conjoined twins .
Is it possible to create a virus in the lab?
Faith and science: did Darwin kill God ?
The impact of scientific creationism on education.
Why should the development of neural lace technology be banned?
Cyber-science: fiction or modern reality ?
Why should people have the right to refuse vaccinations?
Should governments invest significant resources in space exploration ?
The promises and perils of artificial intelligence .
The ethical aspects of human cloning for medical purposes.
Why is animal testing necessary?

Controversial Biology Topics

Drinking a lot of water wipes away the vital nutrients the body needs.
Is gender a culturally or biologically perscribed role ?
Why are overweight people more likely to develop chronic diseases ?
Current generations are responsible for preventing climate change.
Mind-body problem in psychobiology .
Charles Darwin’s evolution hypothesis may not be flawless.
The potential for gene editing to heal genetic diseases .
Substance abuse: environmental influences and biology .
Cancer treatment does additional harm to the health.
The debate in evolutionary biology regarding the validity of the molecular clock.
Biotechnology: impact on biological warfare and biodefense .
What are healthy bacteria that should remain in the body?
The impact of synthetic biology on the environment.
Advantages and disadvantages of stem cell research .
What are the evolutionary origins of homosexuality ?

Controversial Engineering Topics

The design and construction of weaponry should be banned.
Engineering professionalism and ethics .
What is the ethical side of bioengineering?
The possible consequences of the “conflict mineral” exploitation.
Loudness war in sound engineering .
How can AI replace humans in engineering processes?
The debate between imperial and metric measurements.
Green engineering: principles, benefits, and constraints .
Why do environmental engineers play a huge role in mitigating climate change?
The safety of products and structures is a crucial concern for engineers.
Human factor engineering problem: carpal tunnel syndrome .
Manipulation of organisms with the help of genetic engineering .
Why do males dominate the engineering industry?
Ethical dilemmas in software engineering: Volkswagen ethical dilemma .
The efficiency of chemical engineering technologies in diagnosing diseases.

Controversial Chemistry Topics

How do chemical agendas impact cultural values or religious ideas?
Government preparedness to chemical and bio terrorism .
The role of chemistry in the prediction of environmental or health problems.
Chemical weapons as a primary threat to the world.
Chemical pollution and loans in business ethics .
The role of chemical laboratories in increasing drug abuse rates.
How does desalinated water impact human health?
Dumping chemical wastes in the lake .
The negative side of using nuclear energy .
Why is avoiding pesticides in agriculture vital?
An unethical decision of the Rongping Chemical Company .
The use of radiant energy in making food safer.
What is the potential side effect of fluoridation?
Chemical impact on the US vulnerable communities .
The safety of using BPA in food packaging .

This image shows controversial topics in science.

Deep, controversial questions can challenge our beliefs and prompt introspection. Check out the most contentious philosophical questions that you can use for your essay or paper below!

How can we identify good without knowing what evil is?
What is the problem of evil in relation to philosophy and religion ?
Do you have control over your destiny, or does everything happen by fate?
Is happiness the most essential goal in life?
Philosophy prospectus: why should we be moral ?
Does life exist somewhere else in the universe?
Is it immoral to distribute riches inequitably?
Issues in philosophy: does God exist ?
Is love simply a physical desire or something more?
Can a life without friends still be fulfilling?
Are there limits to what should be questioned ?
What will happen when the world ends?
Does religion have an impact on scientific thinking?
Is euthanasia morally acceptable ?
How can you know that your perceptions are accurate?
What is the distinction between being alive and living?
Is watching football morally acceptable ?
Is beauty a subjective or objective concept?
Are we ethically obliged to help others?
Are rich countries morally obligated to assist poor countries ?
Is suffering an unavoidable aspect of human life?
What does an afterlife look like?
When is the use of military force justified ?

Moral Controversial Topics

Would you kill one person to save the lives of hundreds?
What is the moral doctrine of active and passive euthanasia ?
Why is there no absolute morality in the world?
Is refusing life-saving medical care morally wrong?
What is the moral status of an abnormal fetus ?
Would you lie in the name of love?
Does putting others before yourself give your life purpose?
Should athletes be held to a higher moral standard ?
Would you want to know when you are going to die?
Would you go against the law to save someone you care about?
What is the moral status of the human embryo ?
Would you use a dating service to find a lover?
Can money buy happiness?
Is it morally permissible to drive after having one drink ?
What would you change in the world if you could?

Controversial Religious Topics

How does religion impact a woman’s right to have an abortion?
Religion in schools: is there a place for it ?
What are the negative consequences of blasphemy laws?
Why should animal sacrifice be banned in every religion?
What are the consequences of religious freedom in America ?
Why do autopsy laws conflict with religious objections?
Is there scientific evidence for God’s existence ?
Is religion the root of terrorism ?
Why is gay marriage not supported in many religions?
Can prayer affect the fate of events?
What are the religious and moral aspects of slavery ?
How should the church respond to racial injustice and discrimination ?
Why can’t Satanism be a valid religion?
Is Islam a religion that practices just war ?
Do religions cause more conflict than they solve?

Do you know that funny, controversial questions can provide you with a dose of laughter and debate at the same time? Look at the entertaining topics we have prepared for you!

Why are women often used as inspiration for writing poems?
Should apartments ban dogs based on breed ?
How quickly can children become addicted to video games?
Why is procrastination necessary for achieving goals?
Should stimulants be prescribed to boost grades ?
What impact does noise pollution have on human well-being?
Why should guys avoid wearing skinny jeans?
Should plant-based dairy be labeled as milk ?
How to choose a role model for your children?
Why do people enjoy making things complicated?
Should schools distribute condoms ?
Why may clowns frighten both children and adults?
How to win an argument with the husband?
Why pitbulls should not be banned .
What are the most effective ways to survive a zombie apocalypse?
What is the most useless talent in the world?
Should spamming be illegal ?
Why is listening to podcasts instead of music more beneficial?
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
Should people be paid to stay healthy ?
Only hardworking people can achieve their goals.
What makes someone a “good person”?

Random Controversial Questions

What are the leading causes of awkward dates?
Gender stereotypes: should real men wear pink ?
What is the importance of mandatory napping hours for adults?
What is the proper technique for applying toothpaste on a brush?
Should wolves come back to Colorado ?
How does laughter influence academic success in elementary school?
When is it useful to be a good liar?
Why shouldn’t you have grades in school ?
Why should pajamas be a part of the work dress code ?
Why is retail therapy an effective method for boosting happiness?
Repatriate or keep: should museums return artifacts ?
What are the possible consequences of falling coconuts for human health?
Why should wearing socks with sandals be banned?
Should societies impose monogamy ?
Why are emojis the superior way of communication?

Controversial Sports Topics

Why should the use of animals in the sports industry be banned?
The issue of violence in sports .
The benefits and drawbacks of social media’s influence on the sports world.
Why does money play an essential role in professional sports?
Steroid use and sports .
Advertising during football matches should be banned.
Why should sports betting be legalized?
Transgender women athletes in professional sports .
The impact of funny nicknames on sports career.
Gender discrimination is the biggest problem in the sports industry.
Accessibility of sports facilities for people with disabilities .
What are the risks and rewards of steroids in sports?
The role of sport in preventing mental problems.
Public funding for professional sports facilities .
Why are all Brazilian athletes good at soccer?

Controversial Music Topics

Why is rap music considered to promote rape?
The need for censorship in the music industry .
Michael Jackson : a musical genius or a mentally ill man?
The role of classical music in improving learning skills.
Hip-hop and violence: does this music genre promote crime ?
The effectiveness of piracy laws in curbing illegal copying of songs.
What is the secret behind the success of Justin Bieber?
Tupac’s fake death conspiracy theory .
The impact of music types on sleep quality .
Why isn’t auto-tuned music real music?
Controversies about how to interpret music .
The importance of lyrics in modern pop songs.
The relationship between music and lifestyle of a music fan.
Legalizing free downloads of music and movies .
Why is talent not important in the music industry in the 21st century?

Controversial Animal Topics

Why is animal testing never justified?
Is animal creativity possible ?
The efficiency of government laws in protecting animals’ rights.
The ethical drawbacks of horse racing.
Using animals in medical experiments .
What should there be the penalty for animal poachers?
What are the effective ways to prevent animal extinctions?
Animal welfare: why animals should be treated with kindness and respect .
Sacrificing an animal for religious reasons: an ethical side.
What are humans’ responsibilities to animals?
Captivity in zoos adversely affects animals .
Using animals for food should be banned.
The impact of farming on the environment.
Animal transplantation and commerce in organs .
Why should keeping exotic animals as pets be illegal?

Social Media Controversial Topics

The influence of social networks on self-esteem.
Social media’s influence on the children and teens .
Social networks as a method to manipulate people.
The importance of digital connectedness in modern society.
Transparency of services: social media and the Internet usage .
How to stop the dissemination of fake news on Twitter?
Digital friendship: benefits and possible drawbacks.
Social media for children: threat or opportunity ?
How does the platform BeReal differ from other social networks?
The impact of Instagram masks on the perception of one’s appearance.
Law enforcement: online crimes and social media .
Why should politicians be banned from social media?
Social networks as a platform for the emergence of new professions.
Nursing professionalism in social media .
Social media destroys creativity in teenagers.

Controversial Relationship Questions

How does divorce impact a child’s mental health?
Money issues in romantic and marital relationships .
Is there a place for monogamy in today’s world?
Why are mothers expected to prioritize their children’s needs over their own?
Family relationships and dominant culture .
Why is it important for a couple to move in together before marriage?
How does violence in a family affect a child?
Family relationships and response to health issues .
Why is a man considered the head of the family?
Is it good for spouses to have different religious beliefs?
Domestic violence in same-sex relationships .
Should couples put their careers above their relationships?
Why should adoptive parents not hide information about a child’s biological origins?
Interpersonal qualities for good relationships .
How does betrayal impact relationships?

Controversial Food Questions

What are the health risks of genetically modified foods?
Labeling food with genetically modified organisms .
Why should pineapple on pizza be banned?
How does food misinformation in the media impact consumers’ choices?
Food additives: dangers and health impacts .
Why is McDonald’s the best fast-food restaurant in the world?
What is bad about taking photos of food at restaurants?
Is fast food really harmful and can it be healthy ?
Why should people not eat meat daily?
What is the role of a healthy diet in dealing with childhood obesity?
Food consumption: enjoyment and ethics .
Can your diet be modified to match your genetic profile?
Why do people in different countries have opposite views on nutrition?
Advantages and disadvantages of biotechnology in improving the nutritive value of foods .
What are the main risks of eating too much sweets?

Looking for controversial questions to debate in the classroom or during the conversation? Check out the list we’ve created especially for you!

Addicts should receive help rather than punishment.
Breastfeeding and bottle feeding controversies .
Why does the beauty industry create unrealistic beauty standards ?
Is it possible for alternative energy to replace fossil fuels effectively?
Rationalism and empiricism controversy .
The possible drawbacks of binge-watching .
The importance of a parenting class before having a child.
Antisemitism controversy and Holocaust denial .
Why is war never justified?
Smoking e-cigarettes should be made illegal.
Contemporary global controversies: labor standards .
The single-gender schools are better for teenagers.
Why should we ban “diet culture”?
Debate on circumcision: is it unethical and unlawful ?
Effective ways of solving the problem of ageism in society.
The drawbacks of patriotism exceed the advantages.
Mass starvation: is it a real danger for humans ?
Why is it impossible to achieve world peace ?
The negative impact of beauty pageants on self-esteem.
Graffiti: is it art or vandalism ?
Are pharmaceutical medication prices reasonable?
Women are better at managing large corporations than men.
Sport hunting: is it cruel to kill animals for sport ?
Organ donation should be made compulsory.
Why is feminism out of date in the 21st century?
Criminal profiling: is it science ?
Cryptocurrencies will replace traditional currencies soon.
Corporate jobs are a new form of slavery.
Obesity: is it a disease ?
Why is blockchain technology the future?

❓ Controversial Questions FAQ

What is a controversial topic.

Controversial topics are topics that elicit strong emotions and divide opinions. Dealing with controversial issues may be highly emotional, especially if they involve values, beliefs, and ethical standards. At the same time, such topics help distinguish between fact and opinion and teach respect for other people’s viewpoints.

What Are Some Controversial Questions?

Is freedom of speech essential in a functional society?
Should burning the flag be punished?
Is solar power the energy of the future?
Should more people become vegetarian?
Is tourism harmful to the environment?
Will technology kill the world?

How to Present a Controversial Topic?

Ensure you have all the necessary information and are well-versed in the subject.
Avoid unnecessary jargon or technical terminology.
Consider your target listeners’ age, gender, and ethnicity.
Establish credibility by sharing accurate facts or relevant stories.
Present both sides of the argument to be objective.
Hot Topics and Controversial Issues | Texas State University
Guidelines for Discussing Difficult or High-Stakes Topics | University of Michigan
What Do Americans Think About Controversial Topics in Schools? | USC Dornsife
Topics | Brookings
Issues and Controversies: Find a Topic | Marquette University
Political Issues | Pew Research Center
Issues & Controversies: topics on Crime and Juvenile Justice | A&M University
Engaging in Discussions about Controversial Issues | Alys Avalos-Rivera
Business Management Topics | The University of Maine
Topics: Issues Related to Religion | The First Amendment Encyclopedia
5 Major Controversies and Challenges in Engineering | Interesting Engineering
What Are the Top 10 Public Health Challenges in 2023? | News Medical
Select a Research Topic: Current Events and Controversial Issues | Southern Adventist University
110+ Controversial Debate Topics to Challenge Your Students | We Are Teachers
Addressing Controversial Issues | Council of Europe
100+ Interesting Debate Topics | Owlcation
Room for Debate | The New York Times
The 22 Debates That Made Us Rage, Roll Our Eyes, and Change Our Minds In 2022 | The New York Times
Current Debates | SAGE edge
Current Debates in Health Care Policy: A Brief Overview | Brookings
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How to write a 250-word essay: length, outline, & example, how to write a 200-word essay: length, prompts, & example, 740 funny research topics — a list of superb writing ideas.

200+ Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics for 2023

If you are looking for a good topic to write your next argumentative essay on, look no further. These controversial topics will get the conversation started.

When assigned to write an argumentative paper, most students research controversial issues on which to base their thesis. It is a smart choice: if you can come up with a prominent topic, you will have a much better shot at earning a passing mark. However, settling on a path forward can be challenging despite this knowledge.

Topics for a controversial essay could be personal essay ideas or controversial issues your audience can relate to. These issues could be,

Ethical conflicts,
Going against traditional values (for example, LGBTQ rights and gender roles),
Tackling societal taboos,
Concentrating on sensitive or distressing issues/collective memories,
The occurrence of divided social groupings with opposing viewpoints.

These are often the root causes of controversial argumentative essay topics.

Writing a good number of essays similar to these will benefit you in the long run since it will teach you what it takes to take part in conversations and defend your stance.

It is challenging to settle on a topic for conversation since there are so many potential directions. Still, only some of those directions will appeal to you, and even fewer will be within your area of competence, so you can have an informed discussion about them. This article will walk you through narrowing down your alternatives and deciding on a single topic if you need help with either of those tasks.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Definition

An argumentative essay is an academic piece that aims to persuade the reader to accept the author's point of view. The complexity of an argumentative essay can range from a basic comparison, such as "home-cooked food is better than fast food," to a more involved argument, such as "the argument for morality over religion."

Writing an argumentative essay, no matter the subject, requires extensive research with supporting evidence. You take a controversial topic, express your opinion, and then back it up with facts and evidence.

An excellent topic for a controversial argumentative essay is one you and your audience can get excited about. The more controversial and emotionally charged the issue, the more attention it will receive, and the more strongly people will feel compelled to take a position. People will read your work with a fresh appreciation for your ability to argue persuasively on controversial themes.

Types of Controversial Argumentative Essay

Argumentative essays give both sides of a concept or subject and argue for one. Different argumentative essays communicate information differently, but all should discuss all sides.

Many controversial argumentative essay ideas exist; however, they all fall into four categories. An argumentative essay can be persuasive, research-based, analysis-based, or personal.

Persuasive Essays

Persuasive essays argue and strive to convince the reader of one viewpoint. Argumentative essays should begin with the author's position and use evidence to support it. The writer should refute opposing viewpoints to convince the reader of his position.

Research Papers

Argumentative research papers use a lot of outside sources. Although many resources are available on controversial argumentative essay topics, finding reliable and up-to-date information requires time and effort. Authors should mention as many sources for opposing views as for the main argument.

Analysis Essays

Argumentative analysis essays examine other arguments and analyze another author's reasoning. The analysis includes persuasiveness, evidence, writing clarity, presentation, and style. In this argumentative analysis essay, the author must argue the article's quality and persuasiveness.

Personal essays

Personal argumentative essays can argue without research. In this essay style, the author must persuade with personal opinion and taste. This form of argumentative essay requires persuasion and subjectivity. All sides should be considered in proving the author's thesis to the reader.

How to Choose Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

What is the best way to create an excellent topic for my controversial argumentative writings? The most controversial debates often center on deeply personal issues. They must get under your skin, strike a chord with the listener, prompt you to move forward, stir your feelings, and inspire your thoughts. It must capture your interest and hold it. The core problem must be significant and pressing.

A solid argument, a well-developed thesis, and extensive research are the three pillars of a successful argumentative essay.

A concise statement, or a thesis, is closely related to making a compelling argument. Your thesis statement should briefly explain your entire argument. Your argument needs to be well-supported by evidence and sound reasoning. Every piece of evidence and piece of speculation in your essay must point back to this one central claim.

An argumentative essay's credibility increases when it is supported by substantial evidence. Use your argument to find supporting evidence in credible sources such as scholarly articles, studies, and newspapers before settling on a thesis statement.

If, after extensive study, you still lack sufficient evidence to support your topic or argument, you may look elsewhere for inspiration.

Solid Argument

Writing an essay that successfully convinces the reader requires the development of a persuasive argument. Find a subject you find intriguing and build your case around that. Your argument must be adequately thought out and researched to persuade your reader. There needs to be a central argument and multiple supporting details.

There are dozens of sources online these days that you can get ideas from, and this article is one of those sources. Finding good topics for controversial argumentative essays takes work, but it is easier than you think.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

Unless it is assigned beforehand, choosing good controversial argumentative essay topics is one of the most challenging parts of writing an essay. Students often feel compelled to write on subjects they are enthusiastic about or have a genuine interest in.

It is important to note that there is no single, definitive method for selecting the most fruitful topic for a paper. However, there are methods for narrowing down the possible topics.

Since different essays require different points of discussion and sentence structures, you must know what essay you will write before deciding on the point of discussion.

It is important to remember that writing about controversial issues differs from the norm. Speaking, rather than writing, is the focal point. Therefore, you will need to approach preparation and execution slightly differently. Making a rough outline would be impressive. Digging into the issue is necessary to prevail in the conversation. You must work on a list of reasons people should agree with you. You should know the possible rebuttals to your case.

Mapping out a straightforward plan for any controversial subject is crucial. It makes no difference whether your task is written or oral. A solid outline gives you a bird's-eye view of the case and allows you to construct a well-organized story. To get the most out of your essay with minimal work, follow the outline, and you will find developing controversial argumentative essay topics easier.

50 Best Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

To write an excellent essay, you must have a list of good topics for controversial argumentative essays

The following is a list of potential topics for controversial argumentative writing:

Do racial undertones contribute to police brutality?
Should we enforce recycling?
Is there any benefit to having rivals?
With employment, is blogging a viable option?
Do you think people will ever be able to survive without the Internet?
Should everyone give back to their communities?
Does the media intrude into the personal lives of celebrities?
Should it be acceptable to use animals in experiments?
Should contraception and other forms of family planning be made available to all women?
Is there fairness in our tax system?
Vaping is just as dangerous as smoking cigarettes.
Is consumerism a major threat to international stability?
Do social media sites invade our personal space?
Should everyone get vaccinated?
Do big corporations regulate our food intake?
Is the way we teach appropriate for the modern world?
When, if ever, is it okay to execute someone?
Does human activity play a role in causing global warming?
Should fathers be entitled to paternity leave?
Do you think our tax system is fair?
In practice, animal protection laws are useless.
Our minds are harmed by watching TV shows.
Electronics are not appropriate for children.
Democracy vs. totalitarianism: a contrast and comparison.
Young people are not adequately prepared for their futures by the educational system.
Bullying is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by educators.
Is there a gender gap in productivity at work?
As the world moves toward complete digitization, humanity suffers.
Can your vote make a difference?
Those who are fixated on extreme sports likely have some mental illness.
Studying abroad: what you need to know.
Spending money on lottery tickets is a complete waste of time and effort.
Self-care is preferable to medical professional attention.
Evidence shows that consuming large amounts of water can lead to weight gain.
In a healthy relationship, age disparity makes no difference.
Should birthplace be used to determine citizenship?
Must there be movies about the end of the world?
Competitions based on physical attractiveness are degrading and should be outlawed.
Will we eventually do away with paper currency?
Young adults need access to individual online counselors.
Gender equality will never be achieved.
Animal Consumption Ought to be banned as a Human Right
Those who take precautions to preserve the planet's natural resources should be financially rewarded for their efforts.
Those businesses that violate environmental regulations ought to be shut down.
Until this problem is fixed, the air quality in major cities will remain unacceptable.
The Current Form of Alternative Fuels Does Not Work
Everyone should be required to make recycling a regular habit.
Deserts need to be converted into green areas by all means necessary.
Under the current circumstances, it is unrealistic to expect pollution prevention efforts to be successful.
Do you think kids should read books that are right for their age, or is it OK for them to read books for adults?

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School

Middle school students are encouraged to participate in the discussion to gain experience writing at the high school level. Controversial argumentative essay topics for middle school students typically center on issues like the justness of school rules and the acceptance of alternative curricula.

Lists of good controversial argumentative essay topics for middle school students:

Must Students Adhere to Dress Policies at School?
Do You Think Teachers Should Give Less Homework?
What Is the Point of Taking Music Lessons?
The appeal of romantic films and why female audiences favor them.
Problems with making virtual buddies.
Compare and contrast traditional schooling with homeschooling.
How Significant Is It to Have Access to the Arts?
When and how should children be disciplined?
Is there a "right" age to date? Are violent video games bad?
Should parents be able to tell kids whether they can dye their hair?
Do you think social media hurts more than it helps?
Is there too much homework for middle school students?
Do kids learn from their homework?
Is life harder for your parents or your generation?
Is cyberbullying just as bad as bullying in person?
Should all cars run on electric power?
Why do you think your favorite musician is the best?
Should kids have to go to gym class?
Do you think kids get money for doing well in school?
Is it better to have classes in person or online?
Should music be censored because of its explicit lyrics?
Is cyberbullying the same as traditional bullying?
Can you recommend a sport that has the lowest risk of injury?
Should schoolchildren be allowed to provide feedback on their teachers?
Why do you think it is a good idea for pupils to wear uniforms to school?

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics for High School

Do you need help finding topics for controversial argumentative writings?

Listed below are some good topics for controversial argumentative essays for high school students:

Is the current system of public education antiquated and in need of modernization?
Should kids be exposed to technology at a young age?
The iPhone is overpriced and Overrated.
Does gender pay disparity exist?
Should people of different sexual orientations use the same public restrooms?
How does climate change matter?
All reasonable efforts must be made to make cloning available to bereaved families at affordable costs.
Modern youth is helpless without their electronics.
Everyone has the right to freedom of speech on the internet.
Surveillance cameras should be high quality.
Does education quality differ between public and private schools?
Does homeschooling provide good results?
What do you think about banning junk food from classrooms?
Which country do students have the best chance of receiving a quality education in?
For what reasons would you recommend a one-sex institution for education?
Could graffiti be considered art, or is it just vandalism?
Exactly what steps may be taken to stop bullying from happening?
Should children be allowed to use social media while in school?
Rapid technological advancement is linked to rising cancer rates.
Is there any public behavior that ought to be criminalized?

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics for College

Are you trying to find controversial argumentative essay topics for your essay? If so, we've got you covered. A list of good controversial argumentative essay topics is provided below.

Should student-athletes get paid by colleges and universities?
Is it appropriate for schools to mandate that kids recite the Pledge of Allegiance?
Why should students be required to wear school uniforms?
Is grading necessary in PE courses?
Should tuition be required for colleges, or should it be free?
Wars may soon be fought without soldiers if drones are used.
Many significant risks are associated with Wi-Fi use, and users should proceed cautiously.
Should students form religious groups in public schools?
Should all internships be paid?
Would degree cost affect income?
Is climate change the world's biggest threat?
Is requiring students to buy a professor's book a conflict of interest?
Slavery reparations: have they been made?
Should popular votes decide elections?
Should everyone get free healthcare?
Do anti-discrimination laws protect disabled students?
Is an online degree as valid as a college degree?
Can any conclusions be drawn about the outcomes of sexual education programs?
How does migration benefit the United States?
A Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Must be established in the world

40+ Most Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

Argumentative essay writing.

In a nutshell, argumentative essay writing is about convincing the readers by formulating strong arguments and then providing empirical evidence to back those claims. Like other essay types, argumentative essays follow a rigid structure so that readers find it easy to follow and understand the theme or central idea.

The hallmarks of argumentative essays include an unbiased tone and voice, an objective approach toward the subject matter, and structured information. The same around found in expository essays, but they can have multiple arguments and postulates regarding the thesis statement. Whereas an argumentative essay has only one.

Writers need to carry it throughout the essay by providing both logical explanations as well as references and citations from other publications.

It has three common types, including research papers, analysis papers, and persuasive essays.

What is A Controversial Argumentative Essay?

Controversy can stem from anywhere. It is defined as prolonged debate or public displeasure over any idea or its manifestation. Throughout history, there were many controversial publications, including essays and dissertations, that charged the public against the writers.

When a writer supports an argument that is against general public perception, the essay becomes controversial because many disagree with its contents. Argumentative essays have the potential to become controversial because they are neither subjective nor speculative. When a writer provides proof and evidence for his “controversial”, it enhances its potency as well as controversy.

Students in schools and colleges enjoy some artistic freedom as they can explore controversial topics. But they have to be careful and highly detail-oriented to ensure quality and acceptance.

Why Controversy And Disagreement Is Important

Many people believe that controversy and disagreement are bad for academia and society as a whole. Since people have opposing views of the same thing, they become hostile to one another. The reality is quite contradictory to these views.

For the advancement of society, controversy and disagreement are important. The established ideas and norms should be challenged, intellectually, to gauge their worth in both academic and practical matters. People come to believe certain things without peeking much under the hood. Argumentative essays with their far reach and strong command of the facts can help readers and writers uncover new truths about the things that have been established for millennia. To do that, controversy and disagreement should be welcomed.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

We have encouraged students to take up controversial ideas and treat them academically to uncover truths. But they could be at odds as to what ideas or things to explore in these areas. We understand this and that’s why we have dedicated this whole section to providing 40+ controversial argumentative essay topics for students.

These topics range from social issues, politics, culture, academics, and more. If students cannot come up with one, they are welcome to pick one as it is or modifies it to meet their criteria.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Ideas On Social Issues

Society was formed before the political and economic institutions. Both social structure and the underlying issues were born when two human beings decided to depend on each other for survival. Argumentative essays cover different social issues and provide clear insight into their causes and effects. For a controversial topic, this list will help students to base their argumentative essay on social issues that are not easy to take and treat because of public outcry.

Is global warming a myth pedaled by naysayers to scare us off?
What can be the suitable course of action to decelerate global warming?
Can governments enforce measures on people to improve the environment?
Is the death penalty effective in eradicating crimes in society?
Should it be banned permanently?
What kind of offenses warrant as severe punishment as the death penalty?
Do common causes of war stem from our nature as killing machines?
Can non-combatants justify war?
Is there a way to outcast war as a solution to social issues?
Should tobacco products be banned for good?
Why society will be a better place without tobacco products?
What will happen to the people who are addicted to tobacco if it is eradicated?
Is it controversial to employ animals for scientific research?
Will it be practical to ban animals from scientific research?
Is it morally acceptable to have coitus before getting married?

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics On Politics

Politics is still one of the most unifying and polarizing phenomena in the world. People often flock to one side and contest and detest others, mostly visible during public debates and elections. Controversial political topics can be perfect for students who want to unearth underlying issues and factors behind the force and potency of politics. In that spirit, here are some topic suggestions for argumentative essays that can be controversial.

What are the deepening effects of the current state of gun laws?
Should there be a mechanism to provide guns to only eligible people?
Is globalization a good idea for nation-states?
What are the effects of globalization on major and regional powers?
Can we foresee the effects of globalization ten years from now?
Should abortion get a green light around the world?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of legalizing abortion?
Is there a way to de-stigmatize abortion in conservative societies?
Is torture an acceptable form of interrogation?
Is torture more effective than other humane methods?
What are the moral grounds that are against torture?
The interconnection of religion and politics
Should the church be more active in politics?
How can we separate the church and the state in public affairs?
Is universal peace a dream?

Controversial Argumentative Essay Ideas On Culture

Culture is hard to define but you can tell when you see one. Apart from social issues and politics, culture is another thing that is a hot topic that people explore or refrain from it due to personal reasons. As an academic, you can explore different things about culture including the controversial aspects. The best thing to do is to look at the topics for argumentative essays that we have covered in this section for a quick start.

Should prostitution be legalized in every country?
Should the laws be amended to accommodate commercial sex workers?
Do interracial marriages improve tolerance?
Should interracial marriages be encouraged?
Should controlled substances be legalized?
What is the condition of the black market because of the banning of controlled substances?
Are people paying too much taxes or too less?
Should the rich pay more taxes to alleviate the condition of the poor?
Are school homework and assignment affecting students’ mental welfare?
Should home assignments be scrapped from the system?
Are college tuition fees too high?
What will happen to the job market if the college fee is zero?
Should human beings be masters of their lives to end them?
Should euthanasia be legalized to give rights to people?
What happens to the professionals who are found guilty in euthanasia cases?

Choosing A Controversial Argumentative Essay Topic

It takes guts to make up your mind about writing a controversial argumentative essay. Still, this part is easy. The hardest part is choosing a topic that is controversial but provides true value to the discourse. Students often find it hard to pick and polish a topic for their argumentative essays that can set the direction and scope for the essay. This section is dedicated to helping students to choose and work on the best topics.

Brainstorm Ideas

It all starts with brainstorming. Students need to explore more than one idea in depth before settling on one. Often one idea comes as an epiphany and it seems perfect. But further scrutiny can only determine whether it is worth it to explore or not. That’s why brainstorming can help students to have multiple ideas to explore and test. All of them should be written and dissected properly before settling on one.

Do Research

Research is the key to argumentative essay writing, especially when it is on a controversial topic. Sometimes students do not even know that their essay would create controversy. They have to conduct extensive research and ensure that their arguments and evidence are based on sound foundations. If that is not the case, it will not take much time for the opposition to discredit the essay and the writer.

Develop A Thesis

A thesis is the essence of the argument that a writer is putting forward in the essay. It is a distillation of the thought and the postulates that will make rounds in controversial argumentative essays. Developing a thesis requires the exploration of possibilities and testing assumptions against established norms. It will not be an overstatement to say that an argumentative essay is as good as the thesis it depends on.

Test Validity of The Idea

Before moving forward with an idea, either explored through the body of the essay or done so succinctly through the thesis statement, testing its depth and endurance is a must. To do so, writers should go through multiple credible sources to rally support for the idea. If they can find enough support from established literature, it will help them in explaining and establishing the supremacy of their ideas.

What makes a good argumentative essay topic?

Following are some of the attributes that make a good argumentative essay topic:

It should have novel elements
The premise should not be readily accepted by the majority
It should not reveal everything nor hold everything back
It should grad readers’ attention and make them read the whole essay

What are some good argumentative essay topics?

Good argumentative essays are thought-provoking and cover the ground that the essay itself cannot. Many instances have proved that they can add much more value to the essay than merely covering space for the heading. Good argumentative essays can be about society, culture, sports, politics, and so on.

What is an argumentative research essay?

An argumentative research essay is a type of argumentative essay in which writers rely on extensive research to base their arguments. They are more like definition essays where they have to reveal certain qualities or characters of the subject through reliable references and citations from already accepted sources.

How do you write a strong argumentative essay?

To write a strong argumentative essay that can garner support for the writer, here are the steps to follow:

Brainstorm multiple ideas
Develop a strong thesis
Test your thesis against logical and evidential information
Find validation through further scrutiny

How should an argumentative essay start?

An argumentative essay should start with a hook to get readers invested in the essay. It can be a question, a statistic, or a bold or shocking statement. Whatever you do, it needs to connect the dots with the topic and make readers care for the essay.

What is the importance of structure in an argumentative essay?

Since writers want to convince and persuade readers about their side of the argument, structure is a must. It will help the writers to present their arguments in an easy-to-follow manner. Readers will understand it better and decide easily whether they want to endorse that thought or not.

Learning Through Controversy

The controversy should not be considered a bad thing as it helps us to learn more and question the established norms. Argumentative essays can be controversial, especially when writers determine to explore topics and areas that are not welcomed by both academics and people. In this post, we have shared multiple threads on topic suggestions for your argumentative essays that can be controversial to many. We have also shed ample light on how to choose the perfect topic for your essay .

Other things were covered by frequently asked questions.

So, if you are going to write a controversial argumentative essay , this is the resource to start your journey by picking the right topic!

Free Features

16 Persuasive Essay Topics About Controversial Issues

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

One of the best ways to make your persuasive essay engaging is to pick a controversial topic. But, of course, that’s just the start of the writing process. Students often get stuck at the very beginning as the page in front of them seems blank.

To help you overcome your writer’s block, we’ve compiled a list of several interesting topic ideas along with brief persuasive writing prompts. These can give you a headstart and guide you through the initial stages of your research and the actual writing.

In this article:

Is Global Warming Humanity’s Greatest Threat?

Is the death penalty effective, is the us criminal justice system fair, should the voting age in the usa be lowered to 16, should fast food be taxed at a higher rate, is social media increasing political polarization, do violent video games cause violent behavior, are cell phones addictive, should students be required to learn a foreign language, is college education worth the cost, are good grades a predictor of career success, is online learning an effective alternative to in-school classes, at what age should sex education start, should middle-school students be drug tested, should animal testing be banned, should people be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets, list of 16 good persuasive essay topics and writing prompts.

Below is a list of 16 interesting persuasive essay topics and a brief elaboration on the arguments you can make on them. There’s plenty of information online on each of these, so it’s not difficult to build a strong argument.

Keep in mind that our topics for essays and speeches are the same, and we have a huge list of these on our Essay Topics page if you’re looking for more ideas.

Many questions related to climate change are hotly debated (pun intended), but most of them are virtually settled by scientists, at least to the degree that scientific inquiry allows any issue to be conclusively established.

Is climate change real? That question is about as meaningful as asking, “Does the Earth revolve around the Sun?” Scientists have long ago verified that our planet goes through natural cycles of changes to the climate. Thus, the more pressing question is, “Is climate change accelerating?” Once again, the scientific consensus points to a resounding, “Yes.”

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

The next logical step is to ask, “Is the acceleration of climate change caused by humans?” Here, we are faced with another question that experts answer affirmatively. All evidence points to the fact that we produce a large amount of heat-trapping gases, such as carbon dioxide, which are proven to cause our atmosphere to get warmer.

So we come to the question in the title of this section. Humanity faces many existential threats, such as nuclear war, rogue biotechnological attacks, or artificial intelligence. Likewise, global warming is undoubtedly on this list, so it’s an interesting topic to examine in your academic paper.

This is a question that we’ve tried to answer for ages—and for a good reason. It encapsulates many issues from different spheres. For one thing, you can look at it as a question of whether governments should have the power to determine who has the right to live. It also touches on the purpose of sentencing in general—is it primarily meant to protect society from violence or punish perpetrators for wrongdoing?

Besides the ethical issues, we also have purely practical ones. Is capital punishment effective in deterring violent crime, or is it just a remnant of a crueler past? To date, there have been no credible studies establishing a connection between the death penalty and crime deterrence, so we can safely say that it’s ineffective in this respect.

As for the moral side, there’s a strong argument against the use of lethal force in the name of justice. Amnesty International is just one global NGO that strongly condemns capital punishment. The organization argues that state-sanctioned executions violate two of our fundamental human rights established by the United Nations—the right to life and the right to live free of torture or inhumane treatment.

Amnesty International also cites the many examples of corrupt governments using the death penalty to eliminate enemies, wrongfully sentenced individuals on death row, and its disproportionate effect on minorities.

Although it’s an age-old debate, it’s far from over, so it’s a great chance for you to pitch in and practice persuasive essay writing.

This is a multifaceted question that you can explore from more than one side or pick an aspect you want to look at. There is a movement in the USA that’s in favor of a complete justice overhaul, but most groups focus on specific issues and call for reforms of certain parts of the system.

Two of the most controversial issues that often come up in relation to this debate are drug possession charges and institutional racism. These two come together in one of the most salient examples of injustice—the disparity between sentences for powder cocaine and crack cocaine possession.

Although the two drugs are, in essence, one and the same, possession of crack, which is stereotypically associated with Black people, comes with one hundred times longer sentences than powder cocaine on average. This leads many to blame the disparity on racism. A group of bipartisan lawmakers has recently introduced a bill to reform this discriminatory sentencing trend, so the debate is ongoing.

This is just one example of a good persuasive essay topic related to justice system reform. Since fairness is something we all seek, it’s an issue that’s worth exploring.

Did you know that the voting age in the USA used to be 21 until 1971? That was when a long campaign that transcended partisan lines achieved its goal of convincing lawmakers to introduce the 26th Amendment to the Constitution, reducing the voting age to 18.

This movement began during World War II when President Franklin D. Roosevelt lowered the draft age to 18, and suddenly young people were going to war to protect America but couldn’t vote in its elections.

Some argue the USA is currently at a similar crossroads. There’s a growing movement among progressives to lower the voting age to 16. According to supporters of the reform, teenagers 16 and above have the right to work and have to pay income taxes, so they should have a say in the policies that affect them. Proponents also cite research that says there’s little difference between the knowledge and cognitive abilities of 16- and 18-year-olds.

Whether you agree or not, this topic provides a great chance to develop your persuasive writing skills.

This has become a topic of discussion in many countries in recent years, as developed and developing nations alike face an obesity epidemic. Colloquially referred to as a “fat tax,” this measure is intended to disincentivize consumers from buying unhealthy foods, such as those high in sugar or fat.

However, the effectiveness of the “fat tax” is far from established. Opponents claim that imposing such a tax does little to curb obesity and promote a healthier diet. Instead, it disproportionately affects poorer communities that live in so-called food deserts—urban regions where healthy food options are lacking and the only available options are processed foods with a long shelf life.

Supporters of such a measure cite success stories from countries that have given this tax a try and have seen positive results. A recent study from New York University and Tufts University looked at several places where such a tax was imposed, such as Mexico, Hungary, and several US regions, and found some benefits for public health after the measure was implemented.

Since this is an issue with a lot of solid evidence on both sides of the argument, it’s a great topic for a persuasive research paper.

Few would deny that social media has a massive effect on our lives. Studies show that we spend more than two hours on various social media sites every day. How does that exposure affect our political views?

Many blame social networks for the increased political polarization we see around the world. The algorithms these platforms use are believed to create “echo chambers” in which every person is exposed to information that only confirms their preexisting views. This can cause near-total dismissal of opposing perspectives and pushes a person’s opinions to the extreme of the political spectrum.

Social media companies have faced a lot of scrutiny from the public lately, and some have tried to take measures to amend the adverse effects of this polarization. To address concerns, some platforms made changes to their algorithms so that people would get more opposing views in their feeds. However, that effort backfired.

It turned out that this only makes things worse. Why? It is because of these platforms’ tendency to amplify radical opinions . It turns out being exposed to extreme views from the other side of the spectrum only strengthens one’s existing beliefs.

That’s just one aspect of the huge debate around social media’s role in the shape of today’s politics, so writing an argumentative essay on this topic is sure to be engaging.

The question of video games’ effects on the psyche of children and adults alike is more pressing than ever. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced many students around the world to stay home, screen time has surged. A significant part of that time is dedicated to video games, as evidenced by the double-digit increase in the global game company revenue in 2020.

Likewise, can this pastime be blamed for violent behavior in the real world? Some US politicians have tried to pin tragic events, such as school shootings on shooter-type video games. However, scientists are yet to find a link between engaging in virtual killing sprees and real-life ones. As one researcher put it, “The data on bananas causing suicide is about as conclusive. Literally. The numbers work out about the same.”

It’s worth noting that recent research pointed to a connection between violent video games and aggression, but these studies were retracted, and their authors were accused of manipulating data.

Is this controversy even warranted? Most probably not, but, unfortunately, public sphere debates are usually as tied to scientific evidence as bananas are to suicide. That’s why exploring this in your persuasive essay is a great effort to bring awareness to this issue and nail your assignment at the same time!

The large majority of people own smartphones nowadays and use them for much more than calls. As comedian Gary Gulman puts it, “To me, the phone is this seldom-used app on my phone.”

We’re so used to having this multifunctional device at our disposal 24/7 that most of us shudder at the idea of going out without it. In fact, there’s a condition called nomophobia that describes the fear of being without your phone.

So are we addicted to those things? That’s a difficult question to answer definitively, because we first need to define addiction. Most experts agree that excessive cell-phone use has some detrimental effect on our mental health, but there is some disagreement on whether it fits the description of addiction or if it’s just an issue of poor impulse control.

Whatever the formal definition is, there’s growing concern about cell-phone use among teenagers and its effect on their development, so this is definitely a strong topic for a persuasive speech or essay.

There’s little doubt that gaining fluency in a second language has benefits, some more palpable than others. Learning another language usually comes with an increased knowledge of other cultures and an appreciation for different communication styles. It helps students gain perspective and understand the value of diversity.

Fortunately, there are also practical benefits. A 2005 study published in The Review of Economics and Statistics found that being fluent in a second language is associated with a higher salary. This makes sense since knowing a foreign language opens doors in areas related to international business relations.

However, the question in the title of this section still stands: should learning a second language be required? That’s where some disagreements emerge. Opponents argue that although having foreign language requirements has its benefits, the time spent on it could be better used if students are given the option to focus on more relevant skills for the current job market, such as computer programming or statistics.

This is just one of many good persuasive topics related to education.

According to a report by the Institute for College Access & Success, the average graduate in the USA leaves college with a student debt of almost $30,000. This cost prompts many young people to wonder if attending university is even worth it.

A survey by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave asked recent graduates who took out a student loan if they think the degree was worth going into debt for. Thirty-six percent said it wasn’t. On top of that, a growing number of people, including successful entrepreneurs who dropped out of college, are joining the chorus of those calling for a reassessment of college degrees and their usefulness.

Is that the whole story? Most probably not. The majority of experts still agree that a college education is worth the cost, even if you have to take out a student debt. They urge people to think of it as a long-term, low-interest investment in their future, as a degree pays off more and more as time goes by.

Personal finance advisor Ramit Sethi argues college is definitely worth it: “I want to encourage everyone here to not just take advice from a bunch of people on Twitter who are telling you, ‘Drop out of college—student loans are bad.’”

This is an important question for young adults and a great persuasive essay idea, especially for college-level assignments.

It seems like common sense that a successful academic career leads to a similarly successful professional one. After all, why else do we need to put in the effort to get high marks? It turns out the relationship between a high GPA and future success is more complicated than that.

Good grades throughout school and college do have a predictive quality in some respects. That’s because GPA encompasses more than just obtained knowledge—attendance and on-time homework submission are just some of the factors that usually go into an evaluation. These components give an indication of a student’s personality traits, such as discipline and motivation, which are actually a good predictor of future success.

However,it gets even more complicated when we introduce the element of creativity. Research shows that successful entrepreneurs who are innovators in their field often did poorly in school, especially in classes where their imagination could not flourish. So standardized testing is probably not a good way to measure innovation potential.

High grades are, of course, still preferable, and writing a good persuasive essay on this topic can get you one.

As the COVID-19 pandemic prompted school closures, many are asking if online schools can replace traditional learning. Some argue that the time out of school is causing irreversible damage to a whole generation, while others maintain it’s the lesser of two evils and say Internet-based learning is a viable alternative to in-school instruction.

There’s supporting evidence for both camps. Traditional school is more than just a place to learn—it’s where young people connect with their peers, improve social skills, and develop a sense of purpose. Studies show that the isolation caused by the pandemic is taking a toll on teenager’s mental health. Anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are on the rise among teens, as they are physically removed from part of their social support network.

Experts also argue that Internet-based schools present purely academic challenges. Professor of education Susanna Loeb from Brown University says online learning can demotivate students: “In the online setting, students may have more distractions and less oversight, which can reduce their motivation.”

This issue touches on economic inequality as well. Many are concerned that students from poorer families are at a disadvantage because of their limited access to computers or the Internet and online learning only exacerbates existing inequality.

Proponents of online learning note that it’s a temporary and necessary measure or argue that its shortcomings are the wrinkles that will be ironed out as we get used to the new reality.

Whichever side you pick to base your thesis statement on, you’re bound to find more than one good argument and counterargument.

The topic of sex education usually conjures up an image of “the talk”—the conversation between a parent and a child (usually at the start of puberty) that takes the form of a lecture on the biological aspects of sex. However, it’s a lot more than that.

Sex education is concerned with relationships, boundaries, respect, and identity, among other things. It’s an opportunity to instill values in your child that set them up to become a healthy and functioning adult.

So how young is too young for sex education? Some experts argue it’s never too soon to start the conversation and that puberty is already too late. As Dr. Eva Goldfarb of Montclair State University puts it, “When your child starts talking, you can start talking.” When parents establish a rapport with their child on topics that are often considered taboo, the child is more likely to turn to the parents for answers instead of seeking them elsewhere.

There’s more than one angle you can approach this from for your persuasive essay. You can explore the school’s role in sex education or focus on the topics that parents should discuss with kids of different ages.

This question stirs up a lot of emotions in both parents and children. There are two separate campaigns related to drug testing and middle-school students.

One is trying to push the introduction of testing for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs for students involved in competitive sports, arguing that it shouldn’t be any different from what large sports organizations do, such as the Olympics or Tour de France.

The other campaign calls for introducing random drug testing in middle school to prevent drug abuse. Supporters say this could help address addiction among young people at the roots.

However, opponents of both drives claim this is not only unnecessary but invasive, going as far as to call it a civil liberties violation. Many students argue it’s also humiliating and overbearing, while some parents say it shouldn’t be the school’s responsibility to deal with such issues.

Whichever side you want to persuade readers of, you’ll find enough ideas to build a strong argument.

This is another moral dilemma that’s nearly impossible to answer conclusively because it depends on what value we place on animal welfare.

Surely, few would argue that animal experimentation is harmful to the creatures involved. Proponents usually frame it as a necessary evil that allows the development of new medical technologies that save human lives. However, who’s to say that human lives are more valuable than those of animals? As people, we take this to be true at face value.

What’s more, we now know for a fact that other creatures have emotions—an idea that was not widely accepted in the past. In previous centuries, philosophers such as Descartes argued that animals are little more than automatons that react in predictable ways and don’t have a consciousness of their own.

Calls for the ban on lab testing on animals also cite evidence that drugs that cured diseases such as Alzheimer’s and diabetes in mice proved ineffective in humans, questioning the usefulness of such experiments. Whichever side you pick, you’ll have the chance to make a strong case.

There’s a certain allure to owning an exotic animal such as a possum, a squirrel monkey, or even an eagle. That’s especially true after the wildly popular Netflix show Tiger King pulled back the curtain on the bizarre world of the illegal exotic animal trade. Some conservationists and animal rights activists insist the show brought awareness to a serious issue, while others argue it downplayed the animal abuse involved in this trade.

Whatever the case, we now know that there’s a huge demand for exotic animals as pets worldwide. Many are asking, though, if most of these creatures can function in a domestic environment or bring up other legal, ethical, and even health concerns.

For one thing, large mammals such as apes and big cats are often resistant to training and can seriously hurt or even kill humans. The exotic animal trade is also blamed for driving some species close to extinction or promoting the spread of zoonotic diseases—infectious pathogens that jump from wild animals to humans.

Whatever you choose to focus on, this issue is a great way to improve your persuasive essay writing skills.

460 Intriguing Debate Topics for High School and Middle School Students

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best College Essay Topics

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Hand writing in a book on a persuasive essay topic, and a cup of coffee in the background.

15 Persuasive Essay Topics About Controversial Issues

Controversial issues can be a great way to get your students engaged, and they also make perfect persuasive essay topics.

Whether your goal is to explore the controversial issue itself or to teach the mechanics of persuasive writing, controversial issues and persuasive essays go hand in hand.

In order to write a good persuasive essay, you need to feel passionately about an argument. Having a good prompt and a good issue let’s you do that.

The flip side is that to show you really understand a controversial issue, you have to make an argument about it. A persuasive essay is the perfect summative assessment to see whether a student really understands the issue and can articulate their opinion.

Below, I’ll share a list of 15 persuasive essay topics and writing prompts that you can use with your class. If you scroll down to the bottom, I’ll also wrap up with some other methods and resources that can help you teach these controversial issues and how to write argumentative essays.

List of Persuasive Essay Topics and Writing Prompts

So, without further ado, here’s a list of questions that would make great writing prompts for a persuasive essay.

Should the Government Ban or Regulate Indecency on Television?

This is a controversial issue as old as the airwaves. As long as there’s been radio and television, there have been arguments about what is acceptable and what is obscene.

If you’re studying constitutional law or taking AP U.S. Government, you’re probably familiar with George Carlin and his famous “ Seven Dirty Words ” bit. But for the average student, this persuasive writing topic is still relevant.

Think about the music you hear on the radio. What is bleeped out? Why do we have “dirty” and “clean” versions of hit songs? Why are some television shows allowed to curse, be violent, and have nudity, while others don’t?

You could definitely take this broader topic and make it more specific and timely by relating it to a current hit song or television show that your students are in to.

But however you phrase it, whether or not the government should regulate indecency on television is a great persuasive essay topic.

Should Voters Be Required to Show Identification?

For the last few years, this has been an increasingly hot topic as individual states have moved to implement various forms of voter ID laws. On the face of it, this sounds reasonable, but underneath the surface there are arguments about voter suppression and exclusion.

Is voter fraud a problem that needs to be dealt with? An answer to this question should likely depend on some research about the extent to which people are impersonating voters to enter the voting booth.

What kind of ID should be required? Different types of ID have different requirements to obtain them, and so this choice matters to.

Finally, how do you deal with the potential for discriminatory exclusion? Some people – the elderly, the young, low income – are more likely to not have ID, and for some people it can be a financial burden to secure the documentation necessary to get an ID.

Here’s a great, short NY Times Op-Doc video about the issue, which leans more to the “against” side of voter ID laws .

This ongoing policy debate about Voter ID laws makes for a great argumentative essay topic.

Should Race Be a Factor in Admissions to Universities?

Affirmative action has been a controversial issue for decades. Initially, the debate was over whether or not strict racial quotas were an appropriate way to make up for centuries of discrimination and segregation.

These early forms of affirmative action were struck down by the Supreme Court in Regents of the University of California vs Bakke , but other forms of affirmative action survived. Bakke affirmed that universities could use race as one factor in their admissions, and universities have been trying to strike the proper balance since.

A few years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in again – in Fisher v. University of Texas – and upheld more holistic processes designed to ensure diversity. But in the aftermath of Fisher , a group of students have brought a case against Harvard that is likely destined to find itself at the Supreme Court soon.

Which begs the original question – is it appropriate for a University to use race as a factor in admissions in order to guarantee diversity of its student body?

Should the Government Limit the Amount of Money Spent on Political Campaigns?

The influence of money in politics is another issue that has been fought out in the Supreme Court over the last 50 years. Money in politics is nothing new, and there are plenty examples of its corrupting influence in the early history of the United States.

But since the 1970’s, the federal government has struggled to strike a proper balance between regulation and free speech. Early campaign finance laws sought to restrict spending, and that was ultimately overturned. More recently, McCain-Feingold (aka BCRA) tried to funnel campaign spending into committees that have strict disclosure and contribution regulations.

Much of that came to an end with Citizens United , and since 2010 there has been a renewed surge of “dark” money in politics. So there’s really two parts to this question – a) should there be restrictions on how much money people can contribute and/or spend and b) does the public have a right to know who is contributing money to whom?

One way or another, the question of campaign finance is a great persuasive essay topic.

Should the Government Publicly Finance Campaigns?

Related to the previous question, you might also use this question as an argumentative essay prompt – should the government avoid the influence of money altogether by publicly funding campaigns?

There are some examples to look at. In 1974, the federal government set up a Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and candidates can use it to get matching dollar amounts if they agree to certain restrictions. But since Citizens United , the program has largely fallen out of favor.

New Jersey is one of several states with a public funding option for gubernatorial campaigns, and Arizona and Maine have more comprehensive systems offering public funding for state legislative elections. But these laws have also been challenged in court, and part of Arizona’s public financing law was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2011.

A simple version of this persuasive essay topic would focus on whether or not the government should publicly finance campaigns, while a more complex version might touch on how the government could do it in a way that withstood judicial scrutiny.

Should the United States Intervene When Foreign Dictators Use Chemical Weapons on Their Own People?

This is a more narrow version of the general question – should the United States intervene in foreign countries or mind its own business?

In some historical cases – like World War II and the Holocaust – it seems pretty obvious that intervention is a good idea. But in the present moment, it’s a little harder to identify that dividing line.

There have been a number of recent cases along these lines – Syria, Iraq, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Students will likely have a huge range of opinions on the issue, with some being fiercely isolationist and others advocating intervention on the slightest chance of abuse.

This is one of my favorite persuasive essay topics because it links up so directly with a theme that I talk a lot about in class – conflict. Read more about teaching with themes here.

Should the Federal Government Raise the Minimum Wage to $15 per hour?

The federal minimum wage is $7.25, and it’s been there since 2009. With the Fight for $15 movement is gaining steam around the country, this would make a great persuasive writing topic.

What once seemed kind of crazy is slowly becoming more realistic. First, some progressive cities took the lead, like Seattle. Now, some states are following suit – including New Jersey and Illinois.

Of course, there’s still plenty of pushback against this idea and a national minimum wage hike doesn’t seem to be in the cards in the near future. But a student could certainly take a side and stake out an argument – and maybe even send it to their legislature.

This is another one of the persuasive essay topics that relates directly back to a major theme in social studies – this time the theme of economics, and whether or not the economy is fair. Read more here about essential questions related to economics.

Should Congress Require Annual Standardized Tests in Schools?

Here’s another essay topic that’s particularly relevant for students. Every student knows the pain of testing – in fact just this morning, I spent several hours proctoring the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA).

Testing has been around a long time, but the frequency of it increased – and was required nationwide – after the 2001 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (aka “No Child Left Behind”). Congress took another look at the issue with the next reauthorization – the Every Student Succeeds Act – but they ended up leaving the testing mandate alone.

So what do your students think? Ask them and have them write an argumentative essay about it.

You could also put a twist on this question by focusing on the use of tests as an exit requirement. There’s no federal mandate for this, but some states do require students to pass a standardized test to graduate. For older students, this surely a topic about which they’ll have an opinion.

Should the United States Grant Asylum to Refugees?

This is another age old question that has taken on new relevance. From the beginning of its history, the United States took in people who could be considered refugees. Historically, the greatest test of this question may be the Holocaust, and early on the United States failed that test.

You can watch this PBS Frontline episode, Forever Prison , to learn about the plight of Haitian refugees to the United States in the 1990’s. More recently, there are refugees looking to come to the United States from the Middle East and from Latin America. If your students spend any time watching the news, they’ve surely heard something about this.

This topic could revolve around what people are fleeing from. Should we only accept refugees from religious persecution and human rights abuses? What about crime or poverty? Or natural disasters?

It’s a complex question that gets to the heart of the immigration policy debate – and makes a perfect argumentative essay prompt.

Should the Government Have Access to Encrypted Devices and Communications Platforms?

The topic of government surveillance pops up in the news from time to time. Under Bush, there was the warrantless wire-tapping, the use of phone metadata, and the FBI snooping on e-mails.

More recently, this question focuses on access to encrypted communication platforms – like WhatsApp. To your students, these are probably just convenient ways to chat with each other. But to people with security concerns, they’re also a way to make sure that no one is listening in on their conversations.

There could be some good reasons for that. There could also be some bad reasons. Apparently terrorist groups like ISIS have used these encrypted communication platforms to plan attacks, which begs the question – should the government have some kind of backdoor to get in?

Some students will shrug this off and think it’s no big deal, while others will probably react with quite a bit of concern.

Should the Federal Government Permit or Ban the Death Penalty?

This is a good argumentative essay topic to use in conjunction with the Bill of Rights. The Eighth Amendment says no cruel unusual punishment – which should mean no death penalty, right?

Of course, there’s a historical angle to this. The death penalty was widely accepted in 1789, so you can make an argument that the Eighth Amendment doesn’t forbid it.

But there’s also the angle of justice and equity. In the 1970’s, through a series of court cases, the death penalty was deemed arbitrary and capricious – because it tended to be used more against certain offenders (i.e. African Americans).

This led to some reforms, and some states have continued to use the death penalty. Texas is leading the way on that front. Other states, however, have banned it, while others have put a moratorium on executions because of concerns over the method of execution.

Should Hate Speech Be Protected by the First Amendment?

This is another great writing prompt to use with the Bill of Rights, and it’s one that’s sure to elicit strong reaction from your students.

Supreme Court caselaw has held that speech – even hate speech – is protected by the First Amendment. A pivotal case in this vein was Brandenburg v. Ohio . In that case, the Court decided that speech could only be limited if it created an imminent danger, not because it was hateful.

Another way to frame the question is to focus on social media platforms. Recently, Facebook, Twitter, and other companies have come under fire for allowing White Supremacists to share various forms of hate speech on their platforms. One could then make a connection to any number of violent incidents throughout the country (or the world).

So if the government can’t regulate hate speech because of the First Amendment, does a platform like Facebook have an obligation to do so? Great topic for a persuasive essay.

Should the Government Send a Manned Mission to Mars?

I love space, so this question really appeals to me. Fifty years ago, people might have thought JFK was crazy when he planned to send a man to the moon. I’m sure there were plenty of heated debates about that.

Today’s frontier is a bit further away, but is it any more crazy? Sure, there are some technological leaps that need to be taken before it’s possible. But in the early 1960’s, putting a man on the moon may have seemed crazy, too.

But it’s an important question for the space program. What’s next? Back to the moon, on to Mars, or something else? Or should we just hang out on Earth for a while and try to fix what we’ve got here?

Maybe it’s the science fiction fan in me, but I just think this is a great topic to think about. I’d love to see what students would write about this in an argumentative essay.

Should the Federal Government Have to Balance the Budget?

This is a question that should come with a heavy dose of economics and economic policy. But it’s one worth asking. It could also be a good vehicle for teaching some of these concepts that might otherwise seem boring and wonky.

You could also connect this back to history. When you teach about the early years of the nation and Alexander Hamilton’s role as the Secretary of the Treasury, there’s undoubtedly something that comes up about the National Debt. Instead of talking about that in historical isolation, you can connect that today and think about the current federal budget.

This is also back in the news this week, with moderate Democrats (i.e. the Blue Dog Coalition backing a concept that has traditionally been more closely associated with Republicans. Perhaps it’s a blip on the national scene and the topic will fade away, but if it’s in the headlines why not use it as a persuasive essay topic?

Should the Voting Age be Lowered to 16?

We’ll end with this one because it has a direct impact on students. Should teenagers be allowed to vote?

A few years ago, this might have sounded crazy. But over the last few years there have been several municipalities that lowered their voting age to 16. At the federal level, Rep. Ayanna Pressley introduced an amendment to a bill on federal election reform that would have lowered the age for participation in Congressional and Presidential elections.

There’s also a historical angle to this question. Once upon a time – not all that long ago – you couldn’t vote at 18. To today’s students it may seem like a fait accompli , but the 26th Amendment that lowered the voting age was less than fifty years ago. At the founding of the country, some states required voters to be as old as 25.

So let students wrestle with this writing prompt in an argumentative essay and put together an argument for (or against) lowering the voting age.

Other Methods and Resources for Teaching Controversial Issues and Persuasive Essays

A big piece of teaching how to write a persuasive essay is the topic, but – especially with controversial issues – it also helps to teach some background about the topics.

One place you can look for resources for these questions is C-SPAN’s Classrooms Deliberations . These are in depth lessons on current policy debates that come scaffolded with C-SPAN videos and other resources. Some of these questions are featured in these Deliberations lessons, and this can be a great place to find the factual resources your students need to write good arguments.

Two other methods that you could think about using with these controversial issues are Take a Stand and A/B Writing . With the Take a Stand activity, students arrange themselves on a continuum based on how they feel about a question. With A/B writing, students choose a statement to agree with and write down their reason for choosing it. Either method is a great way to get students to start thinking about a topic that’s going to turn into a persuasive essay.

Finally, a lot of these issues are things that are debates that are playing out in the country right now. If you follow the news, you’re bound to hear about many of these issues on a weekly basis. Better yet, if you teach current events on a regular basis in your class, you can have your students relate what they’ve learned in the news to these essays. Here are some resources on how to use CNN10 to teach current events in your class .

Which Issue Have You Used From These Persuasive Essay Topics?

Have you used one of these topics in your class? How did you students respond?

Do you have another controversial issue that you’ve used as a topic for a persuasive essay? What was it?

Drop a line in the comment below and share with our readers.

1 comments on “15 Persuasive Essay Topics About Controversial Issues”

Anna H. Smith
November 27, 2020

I really appreciate this website. I have learned some inciteful writing information. I feel strongly that I can go forward with the information that I have gained from this post. Great persuasive controversial essays you have shared. Thanks very much.

100 Persuasive Essay Topics

M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Persuasive essays are a bit like argument essays and persuasive speeches , but they tend to be a little kinder and gentler. Argument essays require you to discuss and to attack an alternate view, while persuasive essays are attempts to convince the reader that you have a believable argument. In other words, you are an advocate, not an adversary.

A Persuasive Essay Has 3 Components

Introduction : This is the opening paragraph of your essay. It contains the hook, which is used to grab the reader's attention, and the thesis, or argument, which you'll explain in the next section.
Body : This is the heart of your essay, usually three to five paragraphs in length. Each paragraph examines one theme or issue used to support your thesis.
Conclusion : This is the final paragraph of your essay. In it, you'll sum up the main points of the body and connect them to your thesis. Persuasive essays often use the conclusion as a last appeal to the audience.

Learning how to write a persuasive essay is an essential skill that people use every day in fields from business to law to media and entertainment. English students can begin writing a persuasive essay at any skill level. You're sure to find a sample topic or two from the list of 100 persuasive essays below, sorted by degree of difficulty.

Watch Now: 12 Ideas for Great Persuasive Essay Topics

Kids should get paid for good grades.
Students should have less homework.
Snow days are great for family time.
Penmanship is important.
Short hair is better than long hair.
We should all grow our own vegetables.
We need more holidays.
Aliens probably exist.
Gym class is more important than music class.
Kids should be able to vote.
Kids should get paid for extra activities like sports.
School should take place in the evenings.
Country life is better than city life.
City life is better than country life.
We can change the world.
Skateboard helmets should be mandatory.
We should provide food for the poor.
Children should be paid for doing chores.
We should populate the moon .
Dogs make better pets than cats.

Intermediate

The government should impose household trash limits.
Nuclear weapons are an effective deterrent against foreign attack.
Teens should be required to take parenting classes.
We should teach etiquette in schools.
School uniform laws are unconstitutional.
All students should wear uniforms.
Too much money is a bad thing.
High schools should offer specialized degrees in arts or sciences.
Magazine advertisements send unhealthy signals to young women.
Robocalling should be outlawed.
Age 12 is too young to babysit.
Children should be required to read more.
All students should be given the opportunity to study abroad.
Yearly driving tests should be mandatory past age 65.
Cell phones should never be used while driving.
All schools should implement bullying awareness programs.
Bullies should be kicked out of school.
Parents of bullies should have to pay a fine.
The school year should be longer.
School days should start later.
Teens should be able to choose their bedtime.
There should be a mandatory entrance exam for high school.
Public transit should be privatized.
We should allow pets in school.
The voting age should be lowered to 16.
Beauty contests are bad for body image.
Every American should learn to speak Spanish.
Every immigrant should learn to speak English.
Video games can be educational.
College athletes should be paid for their services.
We need a military draft .
Professional sports should eliminate cheerleaders.
Teens should be able to start driving at 14 instead of 16.
Year-round school is a bad idea.
High school campuses should be guarded by police officers.
The legal drinking age should be lowered to 19.
Kids under 15 shouldn't have Facebook pages.
Standardized testing should be eliminated.
Teachers should be paid more.
There should be one world currency.
Domestic surveillance without a warrant should be legal.
Letter grades should be replaced with a pass or fail.
Every family should have a natural disaster survival plan.
Parents should talk to kids about drugs at a young age.
Racial slurs should be illegal.
Gun ownership should be tightly regulated.
Puerto Rico should be granted statehood.
People should go to jail when they abandon their pets.
Free speech should have limitations.
Members of Congress should be subject to term limits.
Recycling should be mandatory for everyone.
High-speed internet access should be regulated like a public utility.
Yearly driving tests should be mandatory for the first five years after getting a license.
Recreational marijuana should be made legal nationwide.
Legal marijuana should be taxed and regulated like tobacco or alcohol.
Child support dodgers should go to jail.
Students should be allowed to pray in school.
All Americans have a constitutional right to health care.
Internet access should be free for everyone.
Social Security should be privatized.
Pregnant couples should receive parenting lessons.
We shouldn't use products made from animals.
Celebrities should have more privacy rights.
Professional football is too violent and should be banned.
We need better sex education in schools.
School testing is not effective.
The United States should build a border wall with Mexico and with Canada.
Life is better than it was 50 years ago.
Eating meat is unethical.
A vegan diet is the only diet people should follow.
Medical testing on animals should be illegal.
The Electoral College is outdated.
Medical testing on animals is necessary.
Public safety is more important than an individual's right to privacy.
Single-sex colleges provide a better education.
Books should never be banned.
Violent video games can cause people to act violently in real life.
Freedom of religion has limitations.
Nuclear power should be illegal.
Climate change should be the president's primary political concern.
Arizona State University Writing Center staff. " Persuasive Essay Structure ." ASU.edu, June 2012.
Collins, Jen, and Polak, Adam. " Persuasive Essays ." Hamilton.edu.
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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 113 perfect persuasive essay topics for any assignment.

General Education

Do you need to write a persuasive essay but aren’t sure what topic to focus on? Were you thrilled when your teacher said you could write about whatever you wanted but are now overwhelmed by the possibilities? We’re here to help!

Read on for a list of 113 top-notch persuasive essay topics, organized into ten categories. To help get you started, we also discuss what a persuasive essay is, how to choose a great topic, and what tips to keep in mind as you write your persuasive essay.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

In a persuasive essay, you attempt to convince readers to agree with your point of view on an argument. For example, an essay analyzing changes in Italian art during the Renaissance wouldn’t be a persuasive essay, because there’s no argument, but an essay where you argue that Italian art reached its peak during the Renaissance would be a persuasive essay because you’re trying to get your audience to agree with your viewpoint.

Persuasive and argumentative essays both try to convince readers to agree with the author, but the two essay types have key differences. Argumentative essays show a more balanced view of the issue and discuss both sides. Persuasive essays focus more heavily on the side the author agrees with. They also often include more of the author’s opinion than argumentative essays, which tend to use only facts and data to support their argument.

All persuasive essays have the following:

Introduction: Introduces the topic, explains why it’s important, and ends with the thesis.
Thesis: A sentence that sums up what the essay be discussing and what your stance on the issue is.
Reasons you believe your side of the argument: Why do you support the side you do? Typically each main point will have its own body paragraph.
Evidence supporting your argument: Facts or examples to back up your main points. Even though your opinion is allowed in persuasive essays more than most other essays, having concrete examples will make a stronger argument than relying on your opinion alone.
Conclusion: Restatement of thesis, summary of main points, and a recap of why the issue is important.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

Theoretically, you could write a persuasive essay about any subject under the sun, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Certain topics are easier to write a strong persuasive essay on, and below are tips to follow when deciding what you should write about.

It’s a Topic You Care About

Obviously, it’s possible to write an essay about a topic you find completely boring. You’ve probably done it! However, if possible, it’s always better to choose a topic that you care about and are interested in. When this is the case, you’ll find doing the research more enjoyable, writing the essay easier, and your writing will likely be better because you’ll be more passionate about and informed on the topic.

You Have Enough Evidence to Support Your Argument

Just being passionate about a subject isn’t enough to make it a good persuasive essay topic, though. You need to make sure your argument is complex enough to have at least two potential sides to root for, and you need to be able to back up your side with evidence and examples. Even though persuasive essays allow your opinion to feature more than many other essays, you still need concrete evidence to back up your claims, or you’ll end up with a weak essay.

For example, you may passionately believe that mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best ice cream flavor (I agree!), but could you really write an entire essay on this? What would be your reasons for believing mint chocolate chip is the best (besides the fact that it’s delicious)? How would you support your belief? Have enough studies been done on preferred ice cream flavors to support an entire essay? When choosing a persuasive essay idea, you want to find the right balance between something you care about (so you can write well on it) and something the rest of the world cares about (so you can reference evidence to strengthen your position).

It’s a Manageable Topic

Bigger isn’t always better, especially with essay topics. While it may seem like a great idea to choose a huge, complex topic to write about, you’ll likely struggle to sift through all the information and different sides of the issue and winnow them down to one streamlined essay. For example, choosing to write an essay about how WWII impacted American life more than WWI wouldn’t be a great idea because you’d need to analyze all the impacts of both the wars in numerous areas of American life. It’d be a huge undertaking. A better idea would be to choose one impact on American life the wars had (such as changes in female employment) and focus on that. Doing so will make researching and writing your persuasive essay much more feasible.

List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you’ll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, “should fracking be legal?” you’d decide whether you believe fracking should be legal or illegal, then you’d write an essay arguing all the reasons why your audience should agree with you.

Arts/Culture

Should students be required to learn an instrument in school?
Did the end of Game of Thrones fit with the rest of the series?
Can music be an effective way to treat mental illness?
With e-readers so popular, have libraries become obsolete?
Are the Harry Potter books more popular than they deserve to be?
Should music with offensive language come with a warning label?
What’s the best way for museums to get more people to visit?
Should students be able to substitute an art or music class for a PE class in school?
Are the Kardashians good or bad role models for young people?
Should people in higher income brackets pay more taxes?
Should all high school students be required to take a class on financial literacy?
Is it possible to achieve the American dream, or is it only a myth?
Is it better to spend a summer as an unpaid intern at a prestigious company or as a paid worker at a local store/restaurant?
Should the United States impose more or fewer tariffs?
Should college graduates have their student loans forgiven?
Should restaurants eliminate tipping and raise staff wages instead?
Should students learn cursive writing in school?
Which is more important: PE class or music class?
Is it better to have year-round school with shorter breaks throughout the year?
Should class rank be abolished in schools?
Should students be taught sex education in school?
Should students be able to attend public universities for free?
What’s the most effective way to change the behavior of school bullies?
Are the SAT and ACT accurate ways to measure intelligence?
Should students be able to learn sign language instead of a foreign language?
Do the benefits of Greek life at colleges outweigh the negatives?
Does doing homework actually help students learn more?
Why do students in many other countries score higher than American students on math exams?
Should parents/teachers be able to ban certain books from schools?
What’s the best way to reduce cheating in school?
Should colleges take a student’s race into account when making admissions decisions?
Should there be limits to free speech?
Should students be required to perform community service to graduate high school?
Should convicted felons who have completed their sentence be allowed to vote?
Should gun ownership be more tightly regulated?
Should recycling be made mandatory?
Should employers be required to offer paid leave to new parents?
Are there any circumstances where torture should be allowed?
Should children under the age of 18 be able to get plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons?
Should white supremacy groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
Does making abortion illegal make women more or less safe?
Does foreign aid actually help developing countries?
Are there times a person’s freedom of speech should be curtailed?
Should people over a certain age not be allowed to adopt children?

Government/Politics

Should the minimum voting age be raised/lowered/kept the same?
Should Puerto Rico be granted statehood?
Should the United States build a border wall with Mexico?
Who should be the next person printed on American banknotes?
Should the United States’ military budget be reduced?
Did China’s one child policy have overall positive or negative impacts on the country?
Should DREAMers be granted US citizenship?
Is national security more important than individual privacy?
What responsibility does the government have to help homeless people?
Should the electoral college be abolished?
Should the US increase or decrease the number of refugees it allows in each year?
Should privately-run prisons be abolished?
Who was the most/least effective US president?
Will Brexit end up helping or harming the UK?

What’s the best way to reduce the spread of Ebola?
Is the Keto diet a safe and effective way to lose weight?
Should the FDA regulate vitamins and supplements more strictly?
Should public schools require all students who attend to be vaccinated?
Is eating genetically modified food safe?
What’s the best way to make health insurance more affordable?
What’s the best way to lower the teen pregnancy rate?
Should recreational marijuana be legalized nationwide?
Should birth control pills be available without a prescription?
Should pregnant women be forbidden from buying cigarettes and alcohol?
Why has anxiety increased in adolescents?
Are low-carb or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
What caused the destruction of the USS Maine?
Was King Arthur a mythical legend or actual Dark Ages king?
Was the US justified in dropping atomic bombs during WWII?
What was the primary cause of the Rwandan genocide?
What happened to the settlers of the Roanoke colony?
Was disagreement over slavery the primary cause of the US Civil War?
What has caused the numerous disappearances in the Bermuda triangle?
Should nuclear power be banned?
Is scientific testing on animals necessary?
Do zoos help or harm animals?
Should scientists be allowed to clone humans?
Should animals in circuses be banned?
Should fracking be legal?
Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets?
What’s the best way to reduce illegal poaching in Africa?
What is the best way to reduce the impact of global warming?
Should euthanasia be legalized?
Is there legitimate evidence of extraterrestrial life?
Should people be banned from owning aggressive dog breeds?
Should the United States devote more money towards space exploration?
Should the government subsidize renewable forms of energy?
Is solar energy worth the cost?
Should stem cells be used in medicine?
Is it right for the US to leave the Paris Climate Agreement?
Should athletes who fail a drug test receive a lifetime ban from the sport?
Should college athletes receive a salary?
Should the NFL do more to prevent concussions in players?
Do PE classes help students stay in shape?
Should horse racing be banned?
Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
Should children younger than 18 be allowed to play tackle football?
Are the costs of hosting an Olympic Games worth it?
Can online schools be as effective as traditional schools?
Do violent video games encourage players to be violent in real life?
Should facial recognition technology be banned?
Does excessive social media use lead to depression/anxiety?
Has the rise of translation technology made knowing multiple languages obsolete?
Was Steve Jobs a visionary or just a great marketer?
Should social media be banned for children younger than a certain age?
Which 21st-century invention has had the largest impact on society?
Are ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft good or bad for society?
Should Facebook have done more to protect the privacy of its users?
Will technology end up increasing or decreasing inequality worldwide?

Tips for Writing a Strong Persuasive Essay

After you’ve chosen the perfect topic for your persuasive essay, your work isn’t over. Follow the three tips below to create a top-notch essay.

Do Your Research

Your argument will fall apart if you don’t fully understand the issue you’re discussing or you overlook an important piece of it. Readers won’t be convinced by someone who doesn’t know the subject, and you likely won’t persuade any of them to begin supporting your viewpoint. Before you begin writing a single word of your essay, research your topic thoroughly. Study different sources, learn about the different sides of the argument, ask anyone who’s an expert on the topic what their opinion is, etc. You might be tempted to start writing right away, but by doing your research, you’ll make the writing process much easier when the time comes.

Make Your Thesis Perfect

Your thesis is the most important sentence in your persuasive essay. Just by reading that single sentence, your audience should know exactly what topic you’ll be discussing and where you stand on the issue. You want your thesis to be crystal clear and to accurately set up the rest of your essay. Asking classmates or your teacher to look it over before you begin writing the rest of your essay can be a big help if you’re not entirely confident in your thesis.

Consider the Other Side

You’ll spend most of your essay focusing on your side of the argument since that’s what you want readers to come away believing. However, don’t think that means you can ignore other sides of the issue. In your essay, be sure to discuss the other side’s argument, as well as why you believe this view is weak or untrue. Researching all the different viewpoints and including them in your essay will increase the quality of your writing by making your essay more complete and nuanced.

Summary: Persuasive Essay Ideas

Good persuasive essay topics can be difficult to come up with, but in this guide we’ve created a list of 113 excellent essay topics for you to browse. The best persuasive essay ideas will be those that you are interested in, have enough evidence to support your argument, and aren’t too complicated to be summarized in an essay.

After you’ve chosen your essay topic, keep these three tips in mind when you begin writing:

Do your research
Make your thesis perfect
Consider the other side

What's Next?

Need ideas for a research paper topic as well? Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you.

Thinking about taking an AP English class? Read our guide on AP English classes to learn whether you should take AP English Language or AP English Literature (or both!)

Deciding between the SAT or ACT? Find out for sure which you will do the best on . Also read a detailed comparison between the two tests .

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Need to write an argumentative essay? Preparing for an upcoming debate? ProCon.org has over 100 topics complete with pro and con arguments, quotes and statistics from experts, historical information, and other pertinent research. Abortion - Should abortion be legal? Alternative Energy - Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels?
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These controversial persuasive essay topics reflect this. iPhone Is an Uncomfortable and Highly Overrated Phone. Cloning Must Be Provided for Acceptable Prices to Grieving Families. Drones Could Be Used for Turning Wars into Soldier-less Fights. Wi-Fi Has Many Serious Drawbacks & Should Be Used with Care.
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Examples of Argumentative Essay Topics. Choosing the proper topic for your argumentative essay might be a major difficulty. You should always ensure that your chosen topic is interesting and worthwhile. ... Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics. Touching upon controversy makes the best argumentative essay topics for writing. To add a little ...
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Check out our helpful list of argumentative essay topics, plus tips on picking the best one for you. Call Direct: 1 (866) 811-5546 Sign In Start Free Trial SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips ... 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 ...
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4.7. Controversial Topics on Present 2023 Issues. 5. Academic Benefits of Writing on Controversial Topics. Whether it is a debate or a speech, controversial topics can always spark discussions. It is pretty evident that "Why are drag queens and kings so over the top in recent years?" is one of the keen topics in the current date.
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The federal minimum wage is $7.25, and it's been there since 2009. With the Fight for $15 movement is gaining steam around the country, this would make a great persuasive writing topic. What once seemed kind of crazy is slowly becoming more realistic. First, some progressive cities took the lead, like Seattle.
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Kids should be able to vote. Kids should get paid for extra activities like sports. School should take place in the evenings. Country life is better than city life. City life is better than country life. We can change the world. Skateboard helmets should be mandatory. We should provide food for the poor.
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List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics. Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you'll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, "should fracking be legal?" you'd decide whether you believe fracking should ...

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