50 Argumentative Essay Topics

Illustration by Catherine Song. ThoughtCo. 

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

An argumentative essay requires you to decide on a topic and take a position on it. You'll need to back up your viewpoint with well-researched facts and information as well. One of the hardest parts is deciding which topic to write about, but there are plenty of ideas available to get you started.

Choosing a Great Argumentative Essay Topic

Students often find that most of their work on these essays is done before they even start writing. This means that it's best if you have a general interest in your subject, otherwise you might get bored or frustrated while trying to gather information. (You don't need to know everything, though.) Part of what makes this experience rewarding is learning something new.

It's best if you have a general interest in your subject, but the argument you choose doesn't have to be one that you agree with.

The subject you choose may not necessarily be one that you are in full agreement with, either. You may even be asked to write a paper from the opposing point of view. Researching a different viewpoint helps students broaden their perspectives. 

Ideas for Argument Essays

Sometimes, the best ideas are sparked by looking at many different options. Explore this list of possible topics and see if a few pique your interest. Write those down as you come across them, then think about each for a few minutes.

Which would you enjoy researching? Do you have a firm position on a particular subject? Is there a point you would like to make sure to get across? Did the topic give you something new to think about? Can you see why someone else may feel differently?

50 Possible Topics

A number of these topics are rather controversial—that's the point. In an argumentative essay, opinions matter and controversy is based on opinions, which are, hopefully, backed up by facts.   If these topics are a little too controversial or you don't find the right one for you, try browsing through persuasive essay and speech topics  as well.

  • Is global climate change  caused by humans?
  • Is the death penalty effective?
  • Is our election process fair?
  • Is torture ever acceptable?
  • Should men get paternity leave from work?
  • Are school uniforms beneficial?
  • Do we have a fair tax system?
  • Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?
  • Is cheating out of control?
  • Are we too dependent on computers?
  • Should animals be used for research?
  • Should cigarette smoking be banned?
  • Are cell phones dangerous?
  • Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy?
  • Do we have a throwaway society?
  • Is child behavior better or worse than it was years ago?
  • Should companies market to children?
  • Should the government have a say in our diets?
  • Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
  • Should members of Congress have term limits?
  • Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?
  • Are CEOs paid too much?
  • Should athletes be held to high moral standards?
  • Do violent video games cause behavior problems?
  • Should creationism be taught in public schools?
  • Are beauty pageants exploitative ?
  • Should English be the official language of the United States?
  • Should the racing industry be forced to use biofuels?
  • Should the alcohol drinking age be increased or decreased?
  • Should everyone be required to recycle?
  • Is it okay for prisoners to vote (as they are in some states)?
  • Is it good that same-sex couples are able to marry?
  • Are there benefits to attending a single-sex school ?
  • Does boredom lead to trouble?
  • Should schools be in session year-round ?
  • Does religion cause war?
  • Should the government provide health care?
  • Should abortion be illegal?
  • Are girls too mean to each other?
  • Is homework harmful or helpful?
  • Is the cost of college too high?
  • Is college admission too competitive?
  • Should euthanasia be illegal?
  • Should the federal government legalize marijuana use nationally ?
  • Should rich people be required to pay more taxes?
  • Should schools require foreign language or physical education?
  • Is affirmative action fair?
  • Is public prayer okay in schools?
  • Are schools and teachers responsible for low test scores?
  • Is greater gun control a good idea?
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271 Strong Argumentative Research Paper Topics You Must Know

argumentative research paper topics

Writing good argumentative research paper topics can always place you in a rock and a hard place. Writing from scratch can be daunting, but writing to a deadline is worse. Creating a terrific academic argumentative research paper takes a few tweaks. Through them, you will eventually craft a standardized paper that would earn you all points and, if not all, perhaps better grades.

This article will discuss the various angles you could take flawlessly to finish an argumentative research paper. Consequently, do not let terror take over you when writing a research paper.

Instead, it will be your forte after reading through this article’s steps.

What Is An Argumentative Research Paper?

An argumentative research paper is a paper that is structured in a way that allows you to present and defend your ideas about the topic, and that’s what definitional argument paper topics involve. The main purpose of an argumentative research paper is to make it possible for you to demonstrate your arguments. They may be based on either scientific knowledge or personal experience.

College argumentative research paper topics can be a single paper or a collection of several papers that you have written. Alternatively, it can be a series of papers in which you have analyzed different aspects of the topic. It will take you a while of introspection to understand this.

An award-winning research paper or one that could earn you better grades must be deeply rooted in facts. Generally, you must employ extensive evidence to defend your opinion or point.

What Are The Different Types Of Argumentative Research Paper Topics?

The are many different types of argumentative research paper topics. Here we explore the classic classification of the topics and their characteristics

  • Classical Western Argument These types of classical argument paper topics have always been footed on two bases: to convince the audience that they are right and give well-reasoned answers to questionsThey are easy argument paper topics. Topics for argumentative research paper tasks do not necessarily have to be complicated. An introduction is imperative for a classical western argument since it welcomes the audience and builds goodwill and a connection with the readers. It also announces the overall theme or thesis of the argument.It must have a narration that portrays necessary background facts. It is intended to inform the listener about the setting and occurrences that produced the argument.A classic western argument must have confirmation, refutation, and summation. Remember, the summary must be concrete, echoing the gravity of the argument and equally reflecting the best solution to the readers.
  • Toulon Argument The primary goal of a Toulmin argument is frequently to gather the most compelling proof in favor of the presented statements. For example, if you take “Philosophy argument paper topics”, you have to work through this topic well and understand it.The goal of a Toulmin argument is precise, unlike the previous types. It is made up of six parts, namely: introduction, data, warrants, qualifiers, rebuttal, and backing. It has a conclusion intended to trigger evocative thought among the readers.
  • Rogerian Argument The Rogerian argument seeks the greatest plausible solution based on the wants and preferences of everyone concerned, or, in other words, some form of unanimity. The essay structure of this type of argument does not bear innate disparities to the different types. It has a structure that aims at reaching a consensus amidst the contest.The Rogerian argument topics for a paper focus on expanding comprehension between conflicting viewpoints by noting that an issue can be viewed from various perspectives. Its building blocks are; an introduction, an acknowledgement of the opposition, a thesis statement, support for the thesis, and a conclusion.Notably, the summary has to highlight the imperatives of a classical argument paper topic, even if it cannot resolve the problem wholly. Also, it has to acknowledge that more work needs to be done in the future to find lasting remedies.

How To Write A Strong Thesis Statement

A thesis statement outlines the topic of your assignments, that is, argumentative research essay topics, and provides a summary of the article’s content, particularly your position on the subject. It is helpful to pose a concern before making your assertion in a thesis, so that your thesis can provide a resolution.

This is a powerful strategy for getting the reader interested in your subject and the viewpoint you advocate. The basic custom of any argument should be briefly covered in a thesis. By accomplishing this-getting thesis writing help, you can assist the reader in becoming ready for the essay’s main body.

When writing a thesis statement, you must include: A question A provocative statement A well-laid description An anecdote that compels the readers to find out more about the essay

Whenever you start writing, make an effort to define your aim explicitly. This is what argumentative research paper topics college institutions demand. Constantly write on your subject if you cannot express your purpose effectively.

How To Select A Topic For An Argumentative Essay

You might occasionally find yourself debating points you do not particularly agree with. That is just good – making a convincing argument does not need you to believe what you are saying fervently.

However, picking a subject you are passionate about is a fantastic option when you have complete freedom over it. A strong perspective and various supporting arguments are the two essential elements of a high quality successful argumentative essay.

It will be simpler for a student to obtain proof to back up an argument if they are fascinated and enthusiastic about the issue that they chose. The evidence itself is what matters most.

Decide on a topic by considering issues that are important to you, irrespective of whether they are good or bad. Create a list of concepts, and then pick a couple to focus on. You will then elaborate upon such concepts by addressing a few compensatory picks.

Making these lists may lead you to discover that a few are more powerful than others. The greater the issue, the more proof you have and the more compelling you believe that proved to be.

Again, choosing a different argument research topic is acceptable if you think one issue would have more verifiable data, but you would prefer not to pen about it. If you are enthusiastic about our topic, it might be much simpler to uncover solid arguments and evidence to support your claims than if you are not.

Well, here is a list of sample argumentative research paper topics you could decide to choose from and develop a terrific essay.

Good Argument Paper Topics On Education

Here are some ingenious argumentative essay sample topics touching on matters of education:

  • Can parents be able to alter their unborn children’s characteristics?
  • Should pupils need to be immunized to attend a public school?
  • Should global governments take action to combat climate change?
  • Should physical education classes have an impact on a student’s grades?
  • Is free college a good idea?
  • Should Greek life be banned from academic institutions?
  • Should comprehensive sex education be given to scholars?
  • It should be possible for pupils to choose the high school curriculum.
  • The importance of physical education in education.
  • Schools should not permit the use of cell phones.
  • Like scholars, teachers need to pass a professional exam.
  • Less work should be assigned to pupils in schools.
  • High schools should be required to include sex education.
  • The Best Alternative to Regular School is Home Schooling
  • Scholars should only spend three months studying and nine months vacationing.
  • Sporting Activities Can Help You Change Your Life.
  • Lies Are a Vital Component of a Healthy Relationship
  • There Are Aliens
  • Keeping a Journal Is a Fun Stress Reduction Technique
  • Colleges need medical facilities to aid scholars in overcoming stress and depression.
  • You Can Learn Important Life Skills from Video Games
  • Having a pet is a way to improve your happiness.
  • Better Off Renting Than Buying a Home
  • Is the American educational system ideal for the modern world?

Interesting Argument Paper Topics On Ethics

When faced with an argumentative essay touching on ethics, here are samples to jog your mind:

  • Do GMOs benefit or hurt humans?
  • Should Facebook be permitted to gather user data?
  • Should autonomous vehicles be made legal?
  • Is it moral to use automation to replace human labor?
  • Should use a cell phone while driving is prohibited by law?
  • Has the Internet had a good or bad impact on society?
  • Should college athletes receive compensation for playing on teams?
  • Must fracking be permitted?
  • Same-sex couples ought to be permitted to wed.
  • Death Penalties: Are They Still Valid in the Twenty-First Century?
  • Benefits of Medical Marijuana Legalization
  • Without organized religion, the world might be a better place.
  • More harm than good is caused by technology.
  • What would life be like if animals ruled the world?
  • What if scholars and teachers switched places?
  • How will having flying automobiles affect our daily lives?
  • The most prosperous people are school dropouts.
  • Why drinking is advisable before a test
  • What if humans were to view the world as dogs do?
  • The causes behind Starbucks’ delicious flavor
  • How defying your parents can help you succeed?
  • Why passing the driving test is crucial
  • The top pupils are those who do not attend class.
  • The best visitors are those who arrived already stuffed.
  • Why I enjoy junk mail
  • Why setting your school on fire is not an option
  • Clowns are not as terrifying as you would imagine.
  • The reason why your washing won’t do itself
  • Why you should continue to wear a mask even after COVID-19
  • Which film has ever been the worst?
  • How playing video games can benefit your career search
  • Why I don’t like country music
  • Why films are superior to books
  • Is it wrong to show sex scenes on television?
  • Should learning institutions condone cheating?
  • Should young people have access to birth control?
  • Is religion a valid justification for terrorism?
  • Does bullying make one stronger?
  • Do you think young kids should have access to cell phones and tablets?
  • Should minors be allowed to obtain contraception without their parent’s permission?
  • Is it time for single-payer healthcare in the US?
  • Should assisted suicide be allowed to exist?
  • Should nutritional supplements and products for weight loss, such as teas, be allowed to use influencer marketing?
  • Should physicians be permitted to promote medications?
  • Is the electoral college still a useful mechanism in contemporary America?
  • Should Puerto Rico gain statehood?
  • Is automatic voter registration a good idea?
  • Should prisoners have the right to vote?
  • Should justices of the Supreme Court be voted into power?
  • Children should not be served soda at restaurants.
  • Should sexual labor be made legal?
  • Should Indigenous Peoples’ Day take the place of Columbus Day?
  • Should executions be permitted?
  • Are uniforms for schools a good idea?
  • Should using animals for clinical tests be permitted?
  • Should the crime of drug possession be dropped?
  • Must unpaid internships be permitted?
  • Must abortion be outlawed?
  • Do individuals misuse their freedom to carry weapons?
  • Is there a racial component to police violence?
  • It is time to raise the legal drinking age.
  • A child’s sexual orientation is established when they are young.
  • All around the world, same-sex unions should be permitted.
  • Inmates should not be kept as illegal immigrants.
  • Should all women have access to reproductive health care and birth control?
  • Would anyone benefit equally from our tax system?
  • Is vaping just as dangerous as cigarette smoking?
  • Is global consumption a serious problem?
  • Is social media a privacy infringement?
  • Does everyone need to get vaccinated?
  • Do food firms have a say in what we eat?
  • Does our system of education fit our culture?
  • Why should certain languages be recognized as official in the US?
  • Is the death penalty ever justified?
  • Victims of rape ought to abort their unborn children.
  • Equal paternity leave should be granted to fathers.
  • Do trouble-making behaviors among teenagers stem from boredom?
  • Parents who have failed their children should be disciplined.
  • Animal testing ought to be prohibited.
  • Gaming that is violent needs to be prohibited.
  • Adopting parents with mental impairments should not be permitted.
  • Islamist nations should allow alcohol usage.
  • Everyone should receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • School dress codes ought to be abolished
  • Assignments should not be required
  • Pets ought to be allowed in learning institutions
  • Cellphone use should be permitted in class for scholars.
  • The daily schooling hours ought to be cut shorter
  • Why longer school breaks are necessary
  • Every classroom needs a TV.
  • We must extend our summer vacation.
  • Schools ought to have recess in between class sessions.
  • A pet belongs in every classroom.
  • Is a College Education Still Required?
  • Should High School Graduates Have a Gap Year?
  • Cyberbullying in High School Is a Serious Problem
  • Scholars ought to be permitted to dress however they like.
  • The Existing Grading System Does Not Reflect Scholars’ Knowledge in the Contemporary World
  • Is a Lower Voting Age Needed?
  • The Benefits of Offering Free Condoms to Scholars
  • Partners expecting a child ought to take parenting classes
  • Sex education ought to be taught in schools.
  • Should the legal drinking age be lowered?
  • Standardized Tests Need to Be Banned
  • Scholar loans: Are They Favorable or Bad?
  • Is drug use on campuses a test or a genuine issue?
  • Do College Relationships Last a Long Time?
  • Children should not be permitted to attend college classes by scholars.
  • Fraternities’ detrimental effects on scholars’ behavior and performance
  • When Is a Gap Year a Welcomed Idea?
  • There should be more benefits for college athletes when schooling.
  • Most college units are already obsolete and unfit for the contemporary world.
  • The cost of lodging in universities ought to be zero.
  • Celebs ought not to serve as teenage girls’ role models.
  • Diet obsession can result in a variety of eating conditions and health complications.
  • School uniforms ought to be required.
  • Males and females can have friendships that are limited to just that.
  • The vegetarian lifestyle is not practical
  • Democracy is currently the sanest form of government.
  • GMO diets aren’t as risky as we once thought
  • Horror films may harm one’s mental health.
  • Junk food ought not to be offered in school lunches.

Easy Argument Paper Topics On Sports

Sports argumentative essay topics can prove hard to formulate. Here are samples:

  • Should there be a gender divide in sports?
  • Should baseball’s designated hitter system be eliminated?
  • Should American sports treat soccer with more respect?
  • Should players and coaches receive the same compensation?
  • Girls should be urged to participate in sports and put just as much effort into their studies as boys do.
  • College Sports Players Must Be Paid
  • Sports should allow women to compete against men.
  • Countries benefit economically and socially by hosting the Olympic Games.
  • Media coverage of female athletes is still sexist.
  • Certain sports can encourage violent behavior.
  • Injury Has a Significant Impact on an Athlete’s Mental Health
  • Among Athletes, Eating Disorders Are a Common Issue
  • Schools and Colleges should emphasize physical education more
  • Taking part in sports can have calming, resonant effects on the body and mind.
  • Motivating girls to participate in sports is important.

Argument Paper Topics On Religion

Argumentative essay topics on religion could prove contentious. Below are samples:

  • Should religious institutions be subject to taxation?
  • Should schools allow religious clubs?
  • Should the pledge of allegiance include “one nation under God”?
  • Should religion be covered in the classroom?
  • Should clerics be permitted to wed?

Professional Argument  Paper Topics On Economics

Argumentative topics in economics essays are easy. Here are some examples:

  • Is raising the minimum wage necessary?
  • Do monopolies deserve to exist?
  • Is the concept of universal basic income wisely?
  • Should the tax rate on companies be higher or cheap?

Argument Paper Topics On Society And Culture

Formulating argumentative essay topics on culture and society, in general, should not bother you that much. Here are samples. But if you have problems with your writing you can order a dissertation online .

  • Is graffiti considered destruction or art?
  • Should books with offensive language be prohibited?
  • Should YouTube content be more strictly regulated?
  • Is the study of art important?
  • Should people be able to share their art and music online?
  • Current assessments do not match the scholar’s ability.
  • Breastfeeding in public should be permitted for women.
  • To bring about change, the Internet was developed.
  • When it comes to giving their kids a nutritious diet, parents should be accountable.
  • Churches ought to be taxed as well.
  • The Contribution of Art to the Evolution of Our World
  • Using Art Therapy to Treat Mental Illness
  • Scholars that participate in the arts excel academically.
  • Unlike traditional art, digital art lacks soul.
  • Everybody ought to enrol in art classes in school
  • Is Art Actually Required?
  • What Inner Fears Do Children Express in Their Art?
  • What Is Art For?
  • How Has the Representation of Women in Art Changed Over the Centuries?
  • Most art forms were created in ancient Greece, which is where they originated.
  • A potent treatment for psychological issues is music.
  • Hard Rock Harmfully influences teenage Behavior
  • If You Pay Attention, You Can Hear Music in the Natural World
  • Billie Eilish Is Not Your Average Teen Pop Star-Star
  • The Human Brain is Positively affected by Music
  • The Calming Power of Celtic Music
  • Modern music is largely commercial rather than artistic.
  • Rap music encourages aggression.
  • A better pregnancy can be ensured by classical music.
  • College scholars’ academic performance is improved through music

Technology Argument Paper Topics

Many learners avoid technology-related argumentative topics due to their technicality. Below are samples:

  • Owners of social media platforms should keep an eye on and delete comments that use offensive language.
  • Does technology contribute to individuals feeling more alone?
  • Will there ever be a moment when no new technological developments take place?
  • Vlogging is not a legitimate career.
  • Is LinkedIn useful in terms of job search?
  • The number of business opportunities has significantly increased thanks to social media.
  • Is Java going out of style?
  • Are social media profiles of candidates something employers should look through?
  • Social media cause teenage despair.

Science Argument Paper Topics

Below are argumentative topics touching on the science field:

  • The Morality of Cloning the Benefits of Genetic Engineering and How They Can Change the World the Potential Benefits of Investing in Space Exploration
  • Universities should spend more money on scientific programs.
  • How Do New Scientific Discoveries Affect Our Everyday Lives?
  • Do New Technologies Pose Health Risks?
  • The use of animals in scientific research should be prohibited
  • The Science of Medical Marijuana’s Healing Effect
  • Food that has been genetically modified: Is it healthy for us or not?
  • Why Science Should Be Taught to Everyone.

Argument Paper Topics On The Environment

Argumentative topics on the environment tend to be broad. Here are useful samples:

  • Existing environmental statutes do not avert human encroachment and habitat obliteration
  • Human encroachment endangers the lives of plants and animals
  • Climate change is real
  • Developed nations primarily cause global warming
  • A change in farming practices is required to cease environmental obliteration.
  • Environment-friendly effects of vegetarianism
  • The worst polluters of air and water are industrial by-products and farming additives
  • Overpopulation is the root cause of city pollution
  • We must protect the world’s resources.
  • Hunting is a sinful activity.
  • Is using animals in a circus acceptable?
  • Evil dogs ought to be put to sleep.
  • Recycling ought to be required.
  • Should recycling be made required?
  • Is competition advantageous?
  • Does blogging as a profession have a future?
  • Is it possible for people to ever exist without the Internet?
  • Should everyone volunteer and donate to charities?
  • Does the media infringe on famous people’s privacy?

Argument Paper Topics On Government

Politics is not everyone. Below are argumentative topics on governance you could exploit:

  • In wealthy nations, unlawful immigration is a serious problem.
  • Citizenship should always be granted to persons sired within a particular country’s borders. Stricter immigration laws should be enforced against illegal immigration
  • Border restrictions should be tightened to stop illegal immigration.
  • The main driver of unlawful immigration is poverty.
  • Deporting illegal immigrants to their nations of origin is usually pointless.
  • High Illegal Immigration Rates May Encourage Prostitution
  • High levels of unlawful immigration are one of the main causes of terrorism.
  • Lowering immigration costs may help avert illegal immigration
  • Refugee applicants ought not to be viewed as unauthorized immigrants.
  • Is Racial Profiling Still Appropriate in Today’s World?
  • Euthanasia for terminally ill patients should be made legal.
  • All should have access to free higher education.
  • Is Donald Trump’s presidency detrimental to the US and the rest of the world, or beneficial?
  • In colleges and schools, energy drinks have to be prohibited.
  • In the US, gambling ought to be outlawed.
  • Should abortion be outlawed globally?
  • Should the death penalty be carried out universally?
  • Certain kinds of animal experimentation and other forms of study ought to be prohibited.
  • Should the government take additional steps to provide accessibility for the physically challenged?
  • Are people born with the skill to be a politician, or do they learn it?

High Quality Argument Paper Topics On Health

There are numerous argumentative topics on health to choose from. Below are samples:

  • Everyone should have access to free health care.
  • It is possible to discover a working cure for AIDs
  • Art therapy can be effective for a wide range of health issues
  • Healthy alternatives: benefits and drawbacks
  • The negative consequences of a head injury
  • Does the media accurately represent the risk of coronavirus?
  • Are electronic cigarettes more harmless than smoke?
  • Could 3D printing help the medical field?
  • Nanotechnology can aid in cancer treatment
  • How would stem cells reduce cardiac arrest patients’ mortality rates?
  • Pro-life vs. Pro-choice views on abortion
  • Alcoholism harms all aspects of life, not just health
  • The production and sale of tobacco should be prohibited
  • Vaping is safer than cigarette smoking.
  • The risks of the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the benefits.

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150 Argumentative Research Paper Topics [2024 Upd.]

Argumentative research paper topics are a lot easier to find than to come up with. We always try to make your life easier. That’s why you should feel free to check out this list of the hottest and most controversial argumentative essay topics for 2024. In the article prepared by custom writing experts, you’ll find unique ideas for college, high school, and middle school. You might want to take your favorite topic as it is, or use it as an example and formulate one by yourself. Another option would be to tale the main keywords and try them on a research paper topic generator in order to get more choices.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

OK, let’s cut to the chase, and continue with our suggested argumentative topics for 2024!

🔝 Top 10 Argumentative Research Paper Topics

  • ⭐ Top 10 Argumentative Essay Topics
  • 📱 Topics on Social Media
  • 👪 Topics on Family
  • 👨‍⚕️ Topics on Health and Nutrition
  • 🗳️ Topics on Government
  • 💡 Other Topic Ideas
  • 🕵️‍♂️ Choosing a Topic
  • 🧱 Writing Rules
  • 📑 Organizing Your Paper

🔍 References

  • The benefits of GMOs
  • Is online dating dangerous?
  • Ways to reduce college tuitions
  • Should school athletes get paid?
  • Alternatives to the death penalty
  • Why is passive smoking dangerous?
  • How can we regulate YouTube content?
  • Should junk food advertisements be banned?
  • Should parents answer for children’s misbehavior?
  • How do wildfires contribute to global warming?

⭐ Top 10 Argumentative Essay Topics 2024

📱 argumentative research paper topics on social media.

  • Hiding identities online: should it be allowed? Anonymous surveys are not an unusual thing anymore. However, people can leave pretty offensive comments without naming themselves. It all leads to them feeling invincible. Should this function be removed for the sake of equality and justice?
  • Will GIFs become a new way of communication? People are getting more used to exchanging emoji and GIFs as a reaction to something. But is it a good idea? Can it affect our behavior patterns and the way we express our emotions in real life?
  • Online shaming and bullying : where is the limit? Since practically anyone can be active online these days, shaming has become an enormous problem. No one watches it, and only turning off the comment option is a way out. But other than that, who is in control of the unstopping flow of abusive comments?
  • Punctuation and spelling mistakes in texting. We all know someone who goes crazy when they see the slightest mistake in the text message. They may get pretty annoying, that’s true. But does it really matter? Or should we take it easy on spelling mistakes in the text messages?
  • Social media : helping us connect or contributing to loneliness? They say social media connects people from all over the world. But despite having thousands of friends online and hundreds of likes under photos, we can still feel lonely. Why is it happening?
  • How has Snapchat changed the social media industry?
  • Should there be a limit for sending text messages?
  • The impact of social media on the phenomenon of narcissism.
  • The issue of missing real life while filming?
  • Advantages and disadvantages of social media for college students .
  • What is the value of digital photos compared to those taken by film cameras?
  • What would make people delete their Facebook account?
  • Are new popular game apps a part of the culture?
  • Should social media consider adding a “dislike” function?
  • Screen time matters: what makes people stare at their phones so much?
  • The decline of Facebook’s popularity and its reasons.
  • How to only choose useful apps for your smartphone.
  • Employers on Facebook : why should you be careful with your content?
  • They are watching you: how to keep your privacy online ?
  • The issue of fake profiles online.
  • Is there still a deep meaning in digital photography?
  • Do influencers have fun spending hours taking a perfect shot?
  • Mental health and social media : is there anyone to help?
  • The optimal age restriction for new social media users.
  • Manipulating people’s feelings online: dangers.

👪 Family Argumentative Topics 2024

  • How traumatic is the divorce of the parents for a child? There is no doubt that children are sensitive in terms of the relationship between their parents. Usually, kids blame themselves for the split of the family. As it often happens, they also go through a divorce in their adulthood.
  • Kids’ rooms: why privacy matters? Parents don’t usually think about the privacy of their children. They rush to invade in their rooms without permission and go through their stuff. How does it affect the perception of trust in kids?
  • Should we reconsider the age restrictions for starting a family? The age when young couples decide to get married and start a family varies from culture to culture. However, sometimes it appears that they are not ready for that. Should we think about implementing some restrictions to protect their mental and physical health?
  • What is the optimal age for children to travel without supervision? It is also a matter of personal preference. However, there must be some limits. Up until a specific age, parents are fully responsible for the safety of their children. But kids need some freedom. What should be a solution?
  • Where is the line between discipline and child abuse ? Unfortunately, some parents don’t know when to stop. It is normal to practice some disciplinary methods, but crossing the line is dangerous. A child’s mental health is on stake. What parents see as a light punishment, may look like an act of hate and abuse for a child.
  • Should fathers spend as much time with their kids as mothers do?
  • Choosing the teenagers’ outfits or letting them do it?
  • Sharing the records of the students with parents: is it the right decision?
  • Limiting the screen time of children and the benefits.
  • Who should teach kids how to behave ?
  • The community approach to building families and raising kids.
  • Traveling around as a family: benefits for the relationship between the family members.
  • Are parents violating children’s rights by posting pictures of them online?
  • Pursuing parents’ dreams: do children have a choice?
  • Bribing kids: is it for their sake or to spare a minute of peace for parents?
  • The effect of modern culture on childhood.
  • No punishment: what is the effect on children?
  • Teaching children responsibility without pushing them to do chores.
  • Buying your kids expensive technology: is it worth it?
  • A life without store-bought toys: the benefits.
  • Pros and cons of moving outside the city as a family.
  • Is it appropriate for kids to watch horror movies ?
  • Are there restrictions for Halloween costumes, and what are they?
  • Encouraging children without giving them too many trophies.
  • How are parents shaping the children’s behavior unconsciously?

👨‍⚕️ Argumentative Research Paper Topics on Health and Nutrition

  • What is the role of nutrition in professional sports (e.g., soccer)? We all know professional athletes train a lot. But how important is nutrition in that process? Why do they follow different diets and still get pretty much the same results? Are there specific foods that help them win?
  • Are French fries considered a part of your vegetable intake? Most of us probably wish it was true. Well, potatoes are vegetables, frying oils are made of plants as well. What’s the problem? It appears it is not that simple.
  • Why are school diets not as healthy as we wish they were? Parents all over the world would surely like to see some nutritious and healthy lunches at schools. But the reality is far from that, especially in the US. Why do only some schools implement healthy diets for school lunches?
  • Why is reading the lists of ingredients on the products so important? Unfortunately, most people don’t have a clue about what they eat and where it comes from. The worst part is that it may contribute to their health issues in the future. Reading the labels can save people from consuming harmful foods.
  • E-cigarettes and under-aged: should teenagers use them? Maybe e-cigarettes are not as harmful as the usual smoke, but they still carry some risks. Moreover, they increase the chance that people would start smoking tobacco later. So why do we allow teens to use them?
  • The age restrictions on alcohol: should the limits be lowered?
  • What is the effectiveness of the pictures on the tobacco packs?
  • The health risks connected with cosmetic surgeries .
  • Are the diets that models follow healthy enough?
  • Marijuana and science: what are the effects of this drug on our health?
  • Why do looks matter more in our society than being healthy?
  • Implementing required drug tests for school students: pros and cons.
  • The hidden harm of the regular consumption of energy drinks .
  • The phenomenon of binge drinking in the US.
  • What are the restrictions on the amount of sugar in soft drinks?
  • The methods colleges can implement to reduce the drinking problem among students .
  • Distracted driving : is it as serious and drunk driving?
  • What is the real importance of not skipping breakfast?
  • The issue of texting while driving from the perspective of being illegal.
  • The best and healthiest variation of the school lunch .
  • Do schools have the right to ban unvaccinated students?
  • Legal suicides from the perspective of ethics.
  • Terminal diseases: should patients decide how they end their lives?
  • Is there a way to prevent teenagers from smoking ?
  • Why do people keep eating chips even when they know it’s not healthy?

🗳️ Government Argumentative Essay Topics 2024

  • Authorities and values: what moral obligations should people with power have? Power doesn’t mean permission to do anything they want. Political leaders are obligated to use it wisely. But what are the standards? Should it be just a common sense of morality or something more?
  • Do our political leaders lead us in the right direction? Everybody must have wondered about it at least once. It is undoubtedly hard to trust our leaders without any doubts. They set the course of our lives. But how do we know whether they do it for the good of each and every citizen without exceptions?
  • To raise or not to raise: the question of the minimum wage . Many people are struggling with finances, and the rise of the minimum wage would help them out. This research can focus on supporting this idea by presenting strong arguments.
  • How achievable is the American dream when you start in the US from scratch? We all heard successful stories about the poor becoming millionaires in the US. But how far is it from reality? What are the real chances of people with low income to become self-made wealthy business owners?
  • Global crisis: who is responsible for refugees ? It’s not the refugees’ fault that wars have come to their home countries. Just like any other human being, they need our help. But who decides which country should take them? Who is responsible?
  • American democracy : how strongly citizens believe in it?
  • Politics becoming more friendly and outgoing: pros and cons.
  • Are we paying back enough to the veterans ?
  • Why is the US considered to be the best country?
  • Illegal immigrants and education : the rights and responsibilities.
  • The new authorities: should the opposition still deny it or become open-minded?
  • Immigrants with no documentation : what are the consequences of leaving them in peace?
  • The importance of the first lady nowadays.
  • Pay-offs: should we just pay terrorists to free the hostages?
  • Why is the current voting system failing?
  • Some of the most effective ways to encourage people to vote.
  • The morality of spying on fellow countries.
  • The most beneficial way to spend the city’s extra budget.
  • Knowing the right time: negotiating with opponent countries.
  • The most common issues city mayors should address immediately.
  • In what situations the military is allowed to use force without doubts?
  • How much taxes should millionaires pay?
  • Why do governments prefer national safety over our privacy?
  • Should all governments allow same-sex marriages ?
  • Young leaders: at what age should people start pursuing politics?

💡 Other Research Paper Topic Ideas

  • Fallacies of Afrocentrism. 
  • Antisemitism in the world today. 
  • Controversy over children being made into models. 
  • Money is the root of all evil. 
  • Corporal punishment . 
  • The right age for drinking . 
  • Doping and sports : possible misunderstandings 
  • Extended breastfeeding: pros and cons. 
  • Do we have to talk about feminism that much ? 
  • Food safety training and its outcomes. 
  • U.S. border control : the insights. 
  • Incest: why is this love forbidden ? 
  • Child advocacy : is it effective enough? 
  • Child adoption by a gay family.  
  • DADT repeal and its importance. 
  • The minimum wage in your state. 
  • The impact of the Gold Rush on California’s native communities. 
  • Native American sovereignty issues. 
  • The Pledge of Allegiance: was adding “under God” in 1954 to it the right choice? 
  • The effectiveness of military action against terrorism . 
  • What isn’t worth going to war for? 
  • War tax: to pay or to resist? 
  • You’re allowed to be cast in pornographic movies when you’re 18. But it’s not OK for you to buy alcohol until you’re 21? Where’s the logic? 
  • Homelessness : whose fault is it? 
  • Premarital sex : is it a problem in American society? 
  • Legalized prostitution . 
  • Tolerance for nudism and naturism. 
  • Shorter work weeks.  
  • Video games : leisure, or abuse ? 
  • What’s happening at the zoo? Animal abuse and problems of animals living in captivity . 

Research paper writing is not the most complicated academic assignment; and still, it does take a lot of time! Our argumentative essay topic ideas are meant to save your time when you need to choose what to write about.

Also be sure to check out our great article with 50 more argumentative research paper topics – it has a lot of useful ideas for your next amazing essay.

🕵️‍♂️ Choosing an Argumentative Paper Topic

Writing a college argumentative research paper is not as easy as it may seem at first glance. In fact, the difficulties start right from the beginning—choosing the right topic. We may have handed you a great list of argumentative topics, but still it takes a careful eye to pick a topic to write about. If you choose the wrong topic, you might get stuck with your writing and have a hard time moving forward.

But don’t worry! Soon you will have no more questions about how to write an argumentative essay.

Just in 1 hour! We will write you a plagiarism-free paper in hardly more than 1 hour

Why is that?

There are several essential criteria to be considered when choosing easy topics to write on. And you will discover them right now.

Argumentative Essay: Writing Rules

Here are the basic rules:

  • Write about what you know. Although this may seem obvious to some students, you need to have some basic knowledge about the chosen topic. You probably already have some topics you are familiar with, so opting for one of them will save you time and effort. Even research won’t frighten you away because you will know where to start.
  • Find things that you’re passionate about and write about them. Essentially, this is a recommendation rather than a rule. The more you like your essay topic, the easier it will be to generate solid and engaging content that your audience will like.
  • Don’t choose anything too broad; stay specific. It’s okay to think of some general topics at first, but then you should gradually narrow your topics down to just a few. The last remaining ones will be the ones you feel most comfortable with.
  • Make sure your thesis has enough defense. Choosing a wonderful topic that is not protected against potential counterarguments is a common mistake among students. So think twice before making your final choice, and consider the evidence you have available.
  • Opt for an argument that will appeal to your audience’s emotions. By making your readers emotionally relate to your words and position, you’ll connect them with what you’re trying to express. You’ll certainly have to include rational arguments in your paper, but choosing a topic that doesn’t trigger any feeling isn’t the best choice.
  • Choose a topic that is directly related to your assignment. Before starting to research and write, you’ll need to get closely acquainted with your task instead of just scanning it. Carefully check all the keywords to understand the essence of the assignment. Missing even minor details or instructions can break your paper!
  • Stay away from topics that don’t have two sides of the problem. Don’t forget that an argumentative essay is all about the argument. No argument means no argumentative essay. Before you start writing, take some notes: write down your thesis and an opposing thesis or an argument with its counterargument. Thinking carefully and writing it all down will save you time!

📑 Organizing Your Argumentative Paper

Here we’ll explain how to organize your argumentative essay. Keep in mind that your paper structure still has to stay flexible to meet the needs of your purpose and your readers. Our recommendation? Create an argumentative essay outline to make the writing process faster and easier.

Introduction

This part lays a solid foundation for your argumentative paper by providing answers to the reader’s questions:

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  • What is in front of me?
  • Why should I read it?
  • What do you want me to do?

Let’s see how these three questions can be answered in the basic steps for how to write an essay introduction:

  • Give some background information about the main idea and provide an explanation of the issue and the situation. Your reader should understand the topic, as well as your claims and their support.
  • Explain the importance of the main idea. This step will convince the reader to keep reading and really care about the content.
  • Describe your thesis/claim with logos, pathos, and ethos . Compose a few sentences that support your position with writer’s logic (logos), emotional appeals (pathos), and author’s trustworthiness/credibility (ethos).

Body paragraphs

Your argumentative essay should have body paragraphs that each look like an inverted pyramid: moving from general to specific. The broadest idea is located at the top, and as you continue writing, you become more concentrated on the main point, eventually coming to specific evidence to support your claim.

Good Argumentative Essay Paragraph

The following four elements are present in a good argumentative essay paragraph (also called TTEB ):

  • A transition sentence assures smooth reading by leading from one paragraph to the next.
  • A topic sentence explains to the reader what will be discussed in a paragraph.
  • Specific evidence and analysis support your claim. They provide more detail than a topic sentence.
  • A brief wrap-up (or a warrant) explains to the reader why and in what way this information supports the thesis. Basically, it connects your evidence to your main argument. It also demonstrates how the paragraph is connected to your thesis and assists in defending it.

This part of your essay concludes the discussion in your paper. The conclusion is a generalization and restating of the argument’s main points. It may also include a call to action or suggest further research. Here’s what any conclusion should do:

  • Restate the topic.
  • Tell why the chosen topic is important.
  • Restate the specific thesis/claim.
  • Cover opposing points of view.
  • Make readers align with the writer’s position.
  • Call readers to action or propose further research.

These core elements are the critical final steps in writing an argumentative essay.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

Our advice is to discover more tips and ideas for choosing argumentative essay samples to know what exactly argumentative essays look like. You can also get professional help from qualified essay writers from Custom-Writing.org.

Learn more on this topic:

  • Top Ideas for Argumentative or Persuasive Essay Topics
  • 97 Inspirational & Motivational Argumentative Essay Topics
  • Great Persuasive & Argumentative Essay on Divorce
  • Gun Control Essay: How-to Guide + Argumentative Topics
  • Proposal Essay Topics and Ideas – Easy and Interesting
  • Free Exemplification Essay Examples

✏️ Argumentative Research Paper FAQ

An argumentative research paper is a piece of writing you work on when you need to defend your position. You have an issue, and you have your point of view. All you need to do is to write an essay strong enough to persuade your opponents. There are specific writing steps, too.

Some good argumentative research paper topics would always be related to the theme you feel passionate about. For example, if you think that every life is precious, consider writing about the death penalty. Or if you enjoy promoting a healthy lifestyle, you can write a persuasive statement on youth alcoholism.

A debatable question is such a question that can encourage the start of a debate. Some people would support the issue, while others would disagree because they have doubts. It means that the opposition would try to persuade others. Mostly, such questions are related to moral issues, politics, and gender equality.

Today, the most debated topics are controversial and related to human rights, environmental issues, gender equality, as well as women’s rights. For instance, some people insist that climate change is not the most important problem now. Others would disagree and argue that we need to take action immediately to prevent the collapse of the ecosystem.

  • Research Papers | KU Writing Center
  • Purdue OWL: Research Papers–Choosing a Topic
  • What is a Research Paper? | Online Writing Center
  • Project Topics Research Papers – Academia.edu
  • 200 Prompts for Argumentative Writing – The New York Times
  • Thesis Generator | Ashford Writing Center
  • Social Media Studies | SAGE Publications Inc
  • List of issues Journal of Family Studies – Taylor & Francis Online
  • Journal of Child and Family Studies | Home – Springer
  • Nutrition | Nutrition Studies Research Group | Stanford Medicine
  • American Society for Nutrition – Nutrition Research & Practice
  • List of issues Local Government Studies
  • Argumentative Paper Format. University of Washington
  • Suggestions for Developing Argumentative Essays. UC Berkeley
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Research topic about TVL, please

Custom Writing

John Paul, you can use our essay topic generator https://custom-writing.org/writing-tools/topic-generator or ask our experts here . Thanks!

The best one!

Julia Reed

Thanks for such kind words 🙂 Be sure to come back for more helpful posts!

Hi guys, I’m stuck in the mind of blankness. I have to do a term paper by Monday on Corporate social responsibilities on Shell Corrib Gas and can’t think off my heading or argument. I have a lot of information. Just don’t know where to begin. Please help 🙁

Hi Emma, We’d be happy to help you. You’re welcome to place an order with our writing service and we’ll find the most experienced expert for you. Looking forward to serve your needs.

Thank you so much for providing these topics! I have been searching and searching for topics for the English course, which I will be taking for the third time! I am most definitely sure that one of these topics will be suitable! I appreciate it very much! Again, thank you!

:)This is so helpful! I will use this again for sure.

Oh my God, I was searching for all of these. Thank you so… must. Best argumentative topics!

Thank you for your feedback, Katherine! 🙂 We’re glad to be useful:)

What about the rainforest? I know people have arguments about the trees getting cut down. Why don’t kids have a say in this all too?

Well, you certainly can use that topic – as long as you feel the most comfortable and confident about it. It’s essential to be able to prove your point of view. The ideas which we are offering are just suggestions for possible topics:) We wish you good luck with your argumentative research paper:)

This is amazing! Thank you very much for this list of topics!

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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?

topics for a research argument paper

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?

Other Questions

126. Should the Week Be Four Days Instead of Five? 127. Should Public Transit Be Free? 128. How Important Is Knowing a Foreign Language? 129. Is There a ‘Right Way’ to Be a Tourist? 130. Should Your Significant Other Be Your Best Friend?

114 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2023

April 25, 2023

argumentative essay topics

The skill of writing an excellent argumentative essay is a crucial one for every high school or college student to master. 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 this essay is to sway the reader to the writer’s position. A strong persuasive essay makes its point through diligent research, evidence, and logical reasoning skills.

Argumentative Essay Format

A strong argumentative essay will be based on facts, not feelings. Each of these facts 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, paragraphs addressing common counterarguments, and conclusion.

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. 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.

For more tips and tricks on formatting an argumentative essay, check out this useful guide from Khan Academy.

How to Write an Effective Argumentative Essay, Step by Step

  • Choose your topic. Use the list below to help you pick a topic. Ideally, the topic you choose will be meaningful to you.
  • Once you’ve selected your topic, it’s time to sit down and get to work! 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. Remember to look for possible counterarguments.
  • Outline . Using the argumentative essay format above, create an outline for your essay. Brainstorm a thesis statement covering your argument’s main points, and begin to put together the pieces of the essay, focusing on logical flow.
  • Write . Draw on your research and outline to create a solid first draft. Remember, your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. (As Voltaire says, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”) For now, focus on getting the words down on paper.
  • Edit . Be your own critical eye. Read what you’ve written back to yourself. Does it make sense? Where can you improve? What can you cut?

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 cellphones 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?

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?
  • 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 comprehensive 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 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?

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.?

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?

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?

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 .)

Science Argumentative Essay Topics

  • Should the world eliminate nuclear weapons?
  • Should scientists bring back extinct animals?
  • Should we hold companies fiscally responsible for their carbon footprint?
  • Should we ban pesticides in favor of organic farming methods?
  • Is it ethical to clone animals for scientific purposes?
  • 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?
  • Would the world be safe if we got rid of all nuclear weapons?
  • Should we worry about artificial intelligence surpassing human intelligence?

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?

Technology Argumentative Essay Topics

  • Should sites like DALL-E compensate the artists whose work it was trained on?
  • Is social media harmful to children?
  • 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?
  • Should we consider A.I.-generated images and text pieces of art?
  • Does the use of facial recognition technology violate individuals’ privacy?

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?
  • 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?

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? Also check out our 85 Good Debate Topics for High School Students .

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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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topics for a research argument paper

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

topics for a research argument paper

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 models of argumentative writing

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 :

Argumentative Essay Outline

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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topics for a research argument paper

52 Argumentative Essay Ideas that are Actually Interesting

What’s covered:, how to pick a good argumentative essay topic, elements of a strong argumentative essay, argumentative essay idea example topics.

Are you having writer’s block? Coming up with an essay topic can be the hardest part of the process. You have very likely encountered argumentative essay writing in high school and have been asked to write your own. If you’re having trouble finding a topic, we’ve created a list of 52 essay ideas to help jumpstart your brainstorming process! In addition, this post will cover strategies for picking a topic and how to make your argument a strong one. Ultimately, the goal is to convince your reader. 

An argumentative essay tasks the writer with presenting an assertion and bolstering that assertion with proper research. You’ll present the claim’s authenticity. This means that whatever argument you’re making must be empirically true! Writing an argumentative essay without any evidence will leave you stranded without any facts to back up your claim. When choosing your essay topic, begin by thinking about themes that have been researched before. Readers will be more engaged with an argument that is supported by data.

This isn’t to say that your argumentative essay topic has to be as well-known, like “Gravity: Does it Exist?” but it shouldn’t be so obscure that there isn’t ample evidence. Finding a topic with multiple sources confirming its validity will help you support your thesis throughout your essay. If upon review of these articles you begin to doubt their worth due to small sample sizes, biased funding sources, or scientific disintegrity, don’t be afraid to move on to a different topic. Your ultimate goal should be proving to your audience that your argument is true because the data supports it.

The hardest essays to write are the ones that you don’t care about. If you don’t care about your topic, why should someone else? Topics that are more personal to the reader are immediately more thoughtful and meaningful because the author’s passion shines through. If you are free to choose an argumentative essay topic, find a topic where the papers you read and cite are fun to read. It’s much easier to write when the passion is already inside of you!

However, you won’t always have the choice to pick your topic. You may receive an assignment to write an argumentative essay that you feel is boring. There is still value in writing an argumentative essay on a topic that may not be of interest to you. It will push you to study a new topic, and broaden your ability to write on a variety of topics. Getting good at proving a point thoroughly and effectively will help you to both understand different fields more completely and increase your comfort with scientific writing.

Convincing Thesis Statement

It’s important to remember the general essay structure: an introduction paragraph with a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. A strong thesis statement will set your essay up for success. What is it? A succinct, concise, and pithy sentence found in your first paragraph that summarizes your main point. Pour over this statement to ensure that you can set up your reader to understand your essay. You should also restate your thesis throughout your essay to keep your reader focused on your point.

Ample Research

A typical argumentative essay prompt may look like this: “What has been the most important invention of the 21st century? Support your claim with evidence.” This question is open-ended and gives you flexibility. But that also means it requires research to prove your point convincingly. The strongest essays weave scientific quotes and results into your writing. You can use recent articles, primary sources, or news sources. Maybe you even cite your own research. Remember, this process takes time, so be sure you set aside enough time to dive deep into your topic.

Clear Structure

If the reader can’t follow your argument, all your research could be for nothing! Structure is key to persuading your audience. Below are two common argumentative essay structures that you can use to organize your essays.

The Toulmin argument and the Rogerian argument each contain the four sections mentioned above but executes them in different ways. Be sure to familiarize yourself with both essay structures so that your essay is the most effective it can be.

The Toulmin argument has a straightforward presentation. You begin with your assertion, your thesis statement. You then list the evidence that supports your point and why these are valid sources. The bulk of your essay should be explaining how your sources support your claim. You then end your essay by acknowledging and discussing the problems or flaws that readers may find in your presentation. Then, you should list the solutions to these and alternative perspectives and prove your argument is stronger.

The Rogerian argument has a more complex structure. You begin with a discussion of what opposing sides do right and the validity of their arguments. This is effective because it allows you to piece apart your opponent’s argument. The next section contains your position on the questions. In this section, it is important to list problems with your opponent’s argument that your argument fixes. This way, your position feels much stronger. Your essay ends with suggesting a possible compromise between the two sides. A combination of the two sides could be the most effective solution.

  • Is the death penalty effective?
  • Is our election process fair?
  • Is the electoral college outdated?
  • Should we have lower taxes?
  • How many Supreme Court Justices should there be?
  • Should there be different term limits for elected officials?
  • Should the drinking age be lowered?
  • Does religion cause war?
  • Should the country legalize marijuana?
  • Should the country have tighter gun control laws?
  • Should men get paternity leave?
  • Should maternity leave be longer?
  • Should smoking be banned?
  • Should the government have a say in our diet?
  • Should birth control be free?
  • Should we increase access to condoms for teens?
  • Should abortion be legal?
  • Do school uniforms help educational attainment?
  • Are kids better or worse students than they were ten years ago?
  • Should students be allowed to cheat?
  • Is school too long?
  • Does school start too early?
  • Are there benefits to attending a single-sex school?
  • Is summer break still relevant?
  • Is college too expensive?

Art / Culture

  • How can you reform copyright law?
  • What was the best decade for music?
  • Do video games cause students to be more violent?
  • Should content online be more harshly regulated?
  • Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism?
  • Should schools ban books?
  • How important is art education?
  • Should music be taught in school?
  • Are music-sharing services helpful to artists?
  • What is the best way to teach science in a religious school?
  • Should fracking be legal?
  • Should parents be allowed to modify their unborn children?
  • Should vaccinations be required for attending school?
  • Are GMOs helpful or harmful?
  • Are we too dependent on our phones?
  • Should everyone have internet access?
  • Should internet access be free?
  • Should the police force be required to wear body cams?
  • Should social media companies be allowed to collect data from their users?
  • How has the internet impacted human society?
  • Should self-driving cars be allowed on the streets?
  • Should athletes be held to high moral standards?
  • Are professional athletes paid too much?
  • Should the U.S. have more professional sports teams?
  • Should sports be separated by gender?
  • Should college athletes be paid?
  • What are the best ways to increase safety in sports?

Where to Get More Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original argumentative essay ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

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50 Argumentative Essay Topics for Students

50 Argumentative Essay Topics for Students

4-minute read

  • 11th June 2022

The goal of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to understand and support your position on an issue by presenting your reasoning along with supporting evidence. It’s important to find the right balance between giving your opinions and presenting established research.

These essays discuss issues around a range of topics, including science, technology, politics, and healthcare. Whether you’re a teacher looking for essay topics for your students or a student tasked with developing an idea of your own, we’ve compiled a list of 50 argumentative essay topics to help you get started!

●  Does texting hinder interpersonal communication skills?

●  Should there be laws against using devices while driving?

●  Do violent video games teach or encourage people to behave violently?

●  Should social media sites be allowed to collect users’ data?

●  Should parents limit how long their children spend in front of screens?

●  Is AI helping or hurting society?

●  Should cyber-bullying carry legal consequences?

●  Should Supreme Court justices be elected?

●  Is war always a political decision?

●  Should people join a political party?

●  Is capitalism ethical?

●  Is the electoral college an effective system?

●  Should prisoners be allowed to vote?

●  Should the death penalty be legal?

●  Are governments around the world doing enough to combat global warming?

●  Is healthcare a fundamental human right?

●  Should vaccinations be mandated for children?

●  Are there any circumstances under which physician-assisted suicides should be legal?

●  Should parents be able to choose specific genetic modifications of their future children?

●  Should abortion be legal?

●  Is it ethical to perform medical experiments on animals?

●  Should patients who lead unhealthy lifestyles be denied organ transplants?

●  Should doctors be able to provide medical care to children against their parents’ wishes?

Mental Healthcare

●  What causes the stigma around mental health?

●  Discuss the link between insufficient access to mental health services and the high suicide rates among veterans.

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●  Should cannabis be used as a treatment for patients with mental disorders?

●  Is there a link between social media use and mental disorders?

●  Discuss the effect of physical activity on mental health.

●  Should sports be segregated by gender?

●  Should male and female athletes be given the same pay and opportunities?

●  Are professional athletes overpaid?

●  Should college athletes be paid?

●  Should sports betting be legal?

●  Should online access to art such as music be free?

●  Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism?

●  Are there any circumstances under which books should be banned?

●  Should schools be required to offer art courses?

●  Is art necessary to society?

●  Should schools require uniforms?

●  Should reciting the Pledge of Allegiance be required in schools?

●  Do standardized tests effectively measure intelligence?

●  Should high school students take a gap year before pursuing higher education?

●  Should higher education be free?

●  Is there too much pressure on high school students to attend college?

●  Are children better off in two-parent households?

●  Should LGBTQ+ partners be allowed to adopt?

●  Should single people be able to adopt children as easily as couples?

●  Is it okay for parents to physically discipline their children?

●  Does helicopter parenting help or hurt children?

●  Should parents monitor their children’s Internet use?

Proofreading & Editing

An argument could also be made for the importance of proofreading your essay ! The reader can focus more on your message when your writing is clear, concise, and error-free, and they won’t question whether you’re knowledgeable on the issues you’re presenting. Once you have a draft ready, you can submit a free trial document to start working with our expert editors!

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  • How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

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Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

  • Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
  • Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
  • Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
  • Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
  • Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
  • Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

  • Make a claim
  • Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
  • Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
  • Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

  • Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
  • Cite data to support your claim
  • Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
  • Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

  • Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
  • Highlight the problems with this position
  • Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
  • Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

  • Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
  • Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
  • Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
  • Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

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80 Great Compelling Argumentative Research Topics

Jessica Nita

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topics for a research argument paper

We argue every day, we discuss everything with our friends and family, and everything seems so simple and understandable. But when you have to arrange the discussion in a written form argumentative research paper , that’s where the rubber meets the road.

Usually, teachers provide a theme to write about, and all your problems narrow down to the search of information and to writing a text. However, when you receive a chance to select a topic on your own, it can become a real nightmare.

You face a writer’s block, the field of study is not interesting for you, so you feel no excitement over the writing task. The list of possible problems can be prolonged.

We believe that those students who can pick a topic are lucky ones! You receive a possibility to write about things that turn your crank , what’s not to love?

How to select great argumentative research paper topics?

Here is one simple rule: you will never write a top-notch college research paper if your topic does not provoke a discussion. It should be a controversial theme without clear answer so you can try to argue the public with the opposite point of view into your standpoint.

Here are some signs of the catching subject matter:

  • It hits a raw nerve so many readers can take it to heart.
  • You can find solid facts to support your point of view.
  • It is not to cover moral issues as it is impossible to hold a logical discussion.
  • It leaves an aftertaste so the reader will think about it after he finishes reading.
  • Most importantly, you feel enthusiastic about it.

In case a lack of inspiration makes you waste time thinking about the most appropriate argumentative research paper writing ,browse through our list of the best topics to choose from!

topics for a research argument paper

Controversial argumentative essay topics

  • Is politics always a dirty game?
  • Is gun control an efficient way to control crimes?
  • Should animals be used in experiments/testing?
  • Only a person with native ability can become a great politician.
  • Is the death penalty efficient?

Good argumentative essay topics

  • Everyone should get a higher education.
  • Can humans influence climate change?
  • Is Spanish the simplest language to study?
  • Is art a profession?
  • Can a philosopher succeed in life?

The best argumentative essay topics

  • Free access to the Internet harms students’ ability to study.
  • Are tests like the SAT are efficient nowadays?
  • Can school uniform equalize rich and poor students?
  • Prisoners should not be allowed to vote.
  • Girls today behave more aggressive towards other girls.

Perfect argumentative essay topics for middle school

  • Should we blame teachers if students show low results in testing?
  • Should we ban vending machines at school?
  • People should dedicate more time to sleep.
  • Children should not watch horror films.
  • Should parents be allowed to spank their children?

Argumentative essay topics for college

  • The most appropriate age to start voting.
  • Is the white lie acceptable if the truth hurts somebody’s feelings?
  • It is necessary to ban energetic drinks.
  • Should schools include athletes as a part of school life?
  • Is it right to boost taxes for wealthy people?

topics for a research argument paper

Interesting argumentative essay topics for high school

  • Is child behavior better or worse these days than it was 20 years ago?
  • Is it beneficial for students to attend single-sex schools?
  • Nowadays humanity is too dependent on technologies
  • Should the government influence our diet?
  • Is there any connection between violent video games and violent behavior?

Sports argumentative essay topics

  • NCAA has a negative impact on the academic progress of student-athletes.
  • Steroids should be considered illegal.
  • Colleges spend too much money on sports.
  • Female student-athletes are discriminated.
  • Is cheerleading a real sport?

Argumentative essay topics education

  • Are inclusive schools beneficial for “general education” students?
  • Can standardized tests determine the level of knowledge and talent of a student?
  • Should everyone get a higher education?
  • How does gender affect education?
  • How does parents’ poverty affect the child’s education?

Medical argumentative essay topics

  • Is it correct to refuse treatment because of religious beliefs?
  • Should teenagers be allowed to do plastic surgery without parents’ permission?
  • Should doctors disconnect patients who cannot be alive without life support machines?
  • Should the government punish inoperative parents of children with obesity?
  • Do doctors violate the children’s rights if they do not provide treatment according to the parent’s denial to treat the child?

Music argumentative essay topics

  • What will be the next music revolution?
  • Can violent lyrics in songs affect violent behavior?
  • Is music in the workspace a disturbance?
  • Can music be called an art?
  • Are today’s lyrics making any sense?

American history argumentative essay topics

  • The impact of Mormons on the American outlook.
  • Could Abraham Lincoln let off the Southern States from the Union without war?
  • How did slavery impact the American economy?
  • The Federal Reserve had a great impact on the Great Depression.
  • The Second Amendment is the most controversial point of the Constitution.

Psychology argumentative essay topics

  • Boy-Girl friendship is impossible.
  • Should men be protected from feminist attacks?
  • Should surrogacy be legalized?
  • Depression is the main illness of society.
  • Do parents encourage gender stereotypes?

Technology argumentative essay topics

  • Can online dating replace real dating?
  • Technology limits creativity.
  • Exploring space is a waste of money.
  • Technologies make people feel lonely.
  • Technologies have a positive impact on education.

Argumentative philosophy essay topics

  • Moral rules enslave people.
  • Should abortion be legalized?
  • Is it ethical to use drugs enhancing cognition?
  • Should patriotism be considered a virtue?
  • Are people good or evil by nature?

Argumentative essay topics about animals

  • Zoos are good for animals.
  • Wearing fur and leather is always unethical.
  • Is it OK for people to keep exotic pets?
  • Are wildlife preserves healthy for all species that live there?
  • Should animal fashion be banned?

Argumentative essay topics on immigration

  • Immigration is a help to the national economy.
  • Illegal immigration can provoke terrorism.
  • Children of illegal immigrants should have access to the public system.
  • Refugees should be considered legal immigrants.
  • A thorough check of documents by employers will decrease the number of illegal immigrants.

Chose the coolest topic, but have no inspiration to write the essay? Well, our professional writers are always inspired to offer you a helping hand! Click the button to learn more.

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192 Captivating Argumentative Research Paper Topics That You Will Love

argumentative research paper topics

Finding argumentative research paper topics is a lot easier than coming up with them. These topics enable students to learn about the content of a specific course. This form of writing is essential because it allows learners to acquire vital argumentative skills. A student must pay attention to their subject when selecting a relevant topic for their essay or paper.

If the educator asked you to write an essay on an argumentative topic, selecting a good title is the first step. This article has a wide range of argument paper topics from which you can choose what to write about when your teacher gives you this assignment.

What is an Argumentative Research Paper?

An argumentative research paper is a form of writing where the writer takes a specific stance on a topic or issue. This paper is analytical, and the author supports their perspective using relevant information. Thus, your writing won’t be compelling even if you take a firm stance if it lacks proper structuring and reinforcement with evidence and solid reasoning.

How to Write an Argumentative Paper

You can write an argumentative paper by following these simple steps:

Select a topic for your essay and compose a thesis statement Research and organize your ideas and findings Structure and outline your paper Present your information with relevant supporting information Edit and revise your paper

The first and essential step is selecting an ideal topic that you can argue for or against in your paper. The following list comprises 190-plus ideas from which you can choose the subject to support or oppose.

College Argumentative Research Paper Topics

If you’re a college student, you need good topics to build your arguments in academic papers. Here are exciting ideas to consider for your college argumentative research papers.

  • The industrial revolution was a Europe-wide phenomenon during the 19th century
  • Does everybody enjoy justice?
  • When can a person start smoking and drinking?
  • When should a person have voting rights?
  • Should the court document proceedings for television?
  • Energetic drinks are harmful
  • Entertainment joints should not sell alcoholic beverages after 11 pm
  • The government should control alcohol usage
  • The government should illegalize smoking in all public places
  • Every country should activate the death sentence
  • Tobacco production and sales should be illegal
  • Are males and females equally emotional?
  • Parents are responsible for obesity in children
  • College education should be free
  • Beauty standards should be more inclusive
  • All college majors are equally vital
  • Social media is terrible for kids
  • Technology has changed the magic definition
  • Exploring places is worth your time and money
  • Employers should pay for internships
  • Workers’ income and degrees should have a tie
  • Climate change threatens the planet
  • Feminism is still important
  • Professors have a conflict of interest when asking students to buy their books
  • Online college degrees are as legit as those from brick-and-mortar schools
  • Anti-discrimination laws don’t protect disabled students sufficiently
  • Everybody should enjoy free healthcare
  • A popular vote should decide elections
  • Society has made the necessary slavery reparations
  • The modern taxation system is not effective
  • Males earn more money than females in the corporate sector
  • Students should study Shakespeare as part of their college curriculum
  • College tuition is too expensive for some students
  • Test scores provide the best method for judging the students’ competency
  • Is a college degree worth its cost?
  • Can life be complete without hope and faith?
  • Modern students face more social pressures
  • The past does not define a person
  • Females should not select STEM programs
  • Well-read persons are not necessarily intelligent individuals
  • Parenting should not be gender-neutral

All are brilliant topics for argument-based papers. Nevertheless, you should be creative to write good essays on these ideas.

Good Argument Paper Topics for High School

You should know how to write a detailed argumentative paper by the time you’re in high school. These ideas can help you get started with your argumentative essay.

  • The government should not punish people for burning the flag
  • Parents should not be in trouble if their kids don’t attend school
  • Social media hurts relationships
  • Companies should have a diverse staff
  • The government should raise the minimum wage
  • Society does not treat males and females equally
  • Every student should acquire a college education
  • Climate change is not a real threat
  • Schools should not allow some personal expressions
  • High school students should work during their academic years
  • Artificial intelligence will hurt the world
  • All cars should be electric
  • Schools should offer more art courses
  • The electoral college is unnecessary
  • A country’s leader actions influence every citizen
  • The United States is lagging in terms of education
  • Parents should have the right to decline their kids’ medical treatment
  • Sampling your DNA for genealogy purposes is a good idea
  • Wind farms are beneficial to the economy and environment

High school students can write on any of these titles without struggling because they are relatively straightforward. Nevertheless, a learner should take a stance and focus on convincing the readers to side with them.

Elementary School Topics for Argument Research Paper

If you’re in elementary school and your teacher has assigned you an argumentative essay, consider the following topics for your paper.

  • Children programs should not feature commercials
  • Homework helps children learn
  • School should go year-round
  • Schools do not treat girls and boys equally
  • Parents should limit kids’ screen time
  • Is reading a non-fiction or a fiction book better?
  • Schools should be fairer for children with humble backgrounds
  • Learning should start earlier than eight in the morning
  • Kids should participate in national elections
  • Dessert should come before dinner
  • School rules are not fair
  • School lunch should include vegetables even when some learners dislike them
  • Hot dogs are bad for your health
  • Three family generations should live together
  • Kids shouldn’t have weekend homework
  • Schools are not doing enough to end bullying
  • Video games should be a sport
  • Kids should switch teachers every year
  • Parents do not treat children equally
  • Harmful diet effects
  • Swimming is the best sport
  • Hockey is among the most dangerous sports
  • Golf is no longer necessary
  • Society should address anorexia
  • People should think more about sleep to address health issues

Elementary school learners can write about these topics argumentatively. Nevertheless, they need creativity to write winning papers.

Definitional Argument Paper Topics

A definitional argument paper requires the learner to introduce an issue or claim, define the key terms and present their argument that meets or supports the definition. Here are interesting definitional argument essay topics to consider for your papers.

  • Death penalty- Is there a human way to execute it?
  • Drug abuse- Why people start abusing drugs and their influence on the human brain
  • Alcoholism- Why a person becomes alcoholic and its root
  • Pro-life and pro-choice- What they mean and the argument supporting them
  • Global warming- Its causes and how to end it
  • Patriotism- What it means and why everybody should be patriotic to their country
  • Independence- Definition and what it means for a country
  • Capitalism and communism- Their differences and which one is ideal for people
  • Terrorism- Its origin and how to stop it
  • Revolution- Meaning and causes
  • Anarchism- What it means
  • Charisma- Why it’s essential for a person’s success
  • Kindness- What being kind means
  • Creative mind- Meaning and how learners can develop creativity
  • Responsible behavior- How learners can be more accountable for their actions

If your tutor requires you to write a definitional argument essay, pick any of these titles and develop it with relevant information supporting your stance.

Rogerian Argument Topics for a Paper

In Rogerian writing, a student starts discussing an argument without inclination to any side. Ideally, you try to find a middle ground when writing an argumentative Rogerian paper. Here’s a list of ideas for this essay.

  • Should men be older than women when starting relationships?
  • Are video games or cartoons making children violent and stubborn?
  • Do beauty pageants or film stars have to endure exploitation to come into the limelight?
  • Is television decreasing or increasing criminal minds?
  • How actors are increasing nudity
  • Is it good for teens to access condoms?
  • Are child development and behavior better now than in ancient times?
  • The government should limit cell phones’ usage
  • Children don’t treat parents the same way when they grow old
  • Test scores don’t provide good criteria for judging efficiency in students
  • Modern technologies are not doing enough for the planet
  • Rape and murder criminals deserve a death penalty
  • Governments should plan a new, more sensible election procedure
  • Three days of paternity leave is insufficient for fathers
  • Mothers are responsible for nurturing their kids’ rights from conception
  • People should quit playing the lottery
  • The Indian taxation system is unfair
  • Cheating doesn’t aid learning
  • Is drinking coffee or tea good for human health?
  • Playing video games improves the mental level.

These topics are highly debatable and will attract more readers. However, you need some research to write about some of these ideas.

Classical Argument Paper Topics

Perhaps, you want to base your paper on a classic topic. In that case, pick a title for your essay from this list.

  • Does the American territory has actual Indians?
  • How humans can protect the Amazonia nature
  • Tsunami and sacrifices that people associate with it
  • The effects of a tornado
  • Can the US disappear from the world map?
  • The robust aspects of the Roosevelt reign
  • Why do people say Wilson lost the war?
  • Are you for or against globalization, and why?
  • Can electric vehicles solve the pollution problem?
  • Government should punish citizens for hurting the environment
  • Government should forbid animal usage in research
  • Students should contribute to the social movement to enhance nature’s safety
  • More species that should feature in the Red Book
  • Do you support King Kong for killing the people who tried to investigate his world?
  • Should the government punish people for destroying rainforests?

Any of these ideas can be the basis of an excellent paper. Nevertheless, you will need time to research some of these titles to develop a good essay.

Philosophy Argument Paper Topics

Students have many philosophical ideas on which they can write brilliant papers. Whether you need traditional or modern philosophy argument paper topics, this list has exciting titles for you.

  • Morality should be subjective
  • Sexual desires provide clues about a person’s behavior
  • Love is a positive word for everybody
  • Knowledge value is essential than that of truth
  • Scientific or technological progress should have a free rein
  • People should listen to conscience more
  • Should humans exploit or eliminate ageism?
  • Is philosophy the first science?
  • Is making health decisions with long-term or permanent effects for kids moral?
  • Is passing beliefs that are impossible to prove to children moral?
  • Does beauty lie in the eyes of the beholder, or does it exist universally?
  • Is spreading life on the planet a moral obligation for humans?
  • Is atheism the same belief as to the others?
  • Should individuals with mental or cognitive disorders have similar ethical standards to ordinary people?
  • Are humans naturally good or evil?
  • Is there a moral fact?
  • Should the unborn people affect your current decisions?
  • Does education level affect morality negatively or positively?
  • How to claim that current ethical standards are perfect and universal or not
  • People can’t be humans if they use genetic engineering on their personalities
  • Are evil and good characters absolute or relative?
  • Is it moral and ethical to enforce animal spaying?
  • Is denying person recognition or an award of extraordinary skill and feats moral and ethical?
  • Is using embryos in genetic engineering and medical research ethical?
  • Do humans have a moral duty to protect the environment?
  • Should humans slow down technological advancement to match with philosophy?
  • Should humans reconsider the free-will notion?
  • Are clones the original’s extensions or individuals?
  • Are moral rules limiting humans?
  • Is it a person’s choice to suffer?
  • How genetics contribute to a person’s behavior
  • Is censoring social media hate speech ethical?
  • Are religions moral and ethical?
  • Are wars moral and ethical?
  • Do people get fulfillment or happiness from money?

All these are excellent ideas on which you can base philosophy essays. Nevertheless, take your time to research what other scholars say about your topic before you start writing.

Causal Argument Topics for a Research Paper

A causal argument answers the why question. While most papers lack comprehensiveness in answering this question, they speculate on a phenomenon’s causes. Here are topics to consider for this essay.

  • Why females mature faster than males
  • The effects of body-shaming on a woman’s general wellbeing
  • Factors affecting women’s leadership efficiency in the workplace
  • Investigating factors affecting women’s healthcare access
  • Factors affecting military organizations’ women
  • Assessing top leadership barriers for military women
  • Analyzing gender studies role in society
  • Strategies for reducing the gap between male and female students taking STEM subjects
  • How gender studies affect women’s development globally
  • Understanding the effects of domestic and sexual violence on teenage girls and women
  • Analyzing the differences in men and women in top political positions
  • Exploring women’s experiences in leadership among the African-American churches in the United States
  • Do men need a movement to fight for their rights like feminist women?
  • How social media affects activism and feminism movements
  • Does the media set beauty standards that increase the girl child suicide rate?
  • Paternity and maternity leave- Which one is essential than the other?
  • The role of the women’s suffrage movement and its impact on equality
  • Workplace policies and the glass ceiling in workplaces
  • Anorexia and bulimia in females and males
  • Gender and homophobia in modern society
  • The effects of religion and culture on gender roles
  • The impact of media in shaping female and male roles in society

All these are interesting argument research paper topics for students at different study levels. Nevertheless, you need time and skills to write about these ideas and score a higher grade.

Get Professional Help with Your Argumentative Research Paper

Knowing what an argumentative paper is and how to write it is not enough. Even if you choose easy argument paper topics, you may lack adequate time to handle your assignment. However, this shouldn’t hinder you from scoring the top grade. Our expert writers can help you write and submit a quality paper within the deadline set by your educator. Regardless of your study level, we have the best specialists to assist you.

Stop struggling with your paper when our experts are ready to offer you cheap, fast, and quality assistance. We’ve helped many learners complete writing assignments about different argumentative topics, and we’re prepared to assist you. Whether you have a complex or easy title, we have a specialist ready to work on it. Contact us now!

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130 Argumentative Research Paper Topics for You

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The spark of truth is struck on the anvil of discussion and the most passionate conversations are almost always debated. We all like to dispute over something, and if you believe arguing isn’t for you, you just haven’t found an interesting topic to argue about. Usually, teachers give you a topic to write about. But when you are asked to choose your topic, it might give you some serious headaches. And this is where we come in.  

In this article we’ll give you a list of captivating topics to write an argumentative research paper on. You’ll be able to choose any topic you like based on many different niches of a research paper, from cryptocurrencies to mental health. But first, let’s go into the basics of what an argumentative research paper topic is all about.  

What Are Argumentative Research Papers?

The main objective of an argumentative research paper is to convince the reader about a certain point of view and make them agree with it. It can also present counter-arguments so that the reader can see all sides of an argument, and then make up their mind about it. These are done by presenting facts, statistics, or any other type of information that supports the main thesis.

A good way to find these types of topics is to look for problems that are occurring in society or the world around you. For example, if you live near a beach and you see trash on the shoreline, this may be an argumentative research paper idea for you. You might take this idea and make a claim about why people should not litter their trash on the beach.

Another example would be if you read an article that said that smoking cigarettes were bad for your health, but then another article came out saying it wasn’t as bad as everyone thought. This would also be a good topic for an argumentative research paper because there is no definitive answer either way and both sides have valid points.

Argumentative research papers can be challenging to write, but they can also be a lot of fun. The key is to make sure you’re choosing a topic that you’re interested in. If you’re not into the subject, it’s going to be hard to convince other people to care about it! If you’re looking for some great topics for an argumentative research paper, here are some suggestions for high school, college, and different niches.  

Argumentative Research Paper Topics College

Every student has to be able to write an argumentative essay, especially when you’re in college. If you have problems with finding argumentative research topics for your college essay, we’ve got you covered! Here are some topics you can choose from!

  • Students should be required to take a course in politics/law/justice studies.
  • Should colleges offer free tuition for students who graduate high school with excellent grades?
  • Should colleges be allowed to have fraternities and sororities?
  • The impact of technology on college education
  • Should students be allowed to use laptops in class?
  • The importance of environmentalism
  • Should student loans exist?
  • Is it ethical to eat animals?

Good Argumentative Research Paper Topics

Many students find it difficult to come up with a decent arguing topic, especially if they are unfamiliar with how to do so. If you’re having trouble coming up with a solid topic for your argumentative college essay, here are some good topics for an argumentative research paper.  

  • Can online education be as effective as a traditional education?
  • Should universities have the right to decide what their students wear on campus?
  • Do you think that men and women should be treated equally in the workplace?
  • Should students who have already graduated high school be able to take college courses for free?
  • Rigorous testing is the best way to prepare students for college and career choices
  • The necessity of standardized tests as a measure of accountability
  • Should you take a nap after lunch?
  • Should we have a national health care system?
  • Is there such a thing as a perfect parent?

Easiest Argumentative Research Paper Topics

The easiest argumentative research paper ideas aren’t always easy to come up with. If you need easy topics to work on, here are some straightforward argumentative research topics.

  • Can you trust your dentist?
  • Is America racist?
  • Are you a good person?
  • Should you be allowed to say whatever you want on social media?
  • Should you be allowed to smoke weed?
  • The importance of sleeping well
  • What is the best way to handle the global warming problem?
  • Should there be harsher punishments for criminals who commit crimes against children?

Best Argumentative Research Paper Topics

Sometimes, it takes a lot of effort to come up with the best topics for an argumentative research paper. Here are some argumentative research paper topics that are sure to blow your mind.

  • Whether or not the United States should be involved in foreign wars, and if so, when it should become involved.
  • If a woman has the right to choose what happens with her body when it comes to abortion or birth control.
  • Whether or not there should be a law that requires all Americans to be vaccinated against measles before they turn 18 years old.
  • How to make America’s healthcare system better.
  • Should we allow people who have been convicted of sex crimes against children to be able to work as teachers?
  • The effectiveness of stricter gun control laws in preventing violent crime in the United States.
  • Who should be responsible for student discipline: the teacher or the principal?
  • How schools can better address students’ mental health needs without infringing on their privacy rights.

Argumentative Research Paper Topics High School

Are you looking for a list of high school argumentative research paper topics? We’ve put together a list of some high school argumentative research paper topics.

  • Should students be allowed to bring their dogs to school?
  • The benefits of working with a team
  • The benefits of taking online courses
  • The benefits of getting a college degree
  • The benefits of a vegan diet
  • Are cellphones a distraction in the classroom?
  • Is it possible to teach students how to be good citizens in school?
  • How can teachers use technology in the classroom more effectively?

Topics for Argumentative Research Paper

Sometimes, it can be really stressful to come up with topics for argumentative research papers. But no worries! Here are some argumentative topics for research paper you can choose from!

  • The evolution of social media and its impact on society.
  • The role of the media in influencing public opinion.
  • The best way to teach children about their gender identity and sexual orientation.
  • What are the pros and cons of standardized testing in schools?
  • Should people with disabilities be able to drive?
  • Is it better to be alone or in a relationship?
  • The environmental impact of using plastic straws
  • Do you prefer one-night stands or relationships?
  • The psychological impact of social media on mental health

Mental Health Argumentative Research Paper Topics

Finding an appropriate argumentation topic for mental health can be difficult. But if you’re seeking argumentative ideas about mental health for your research paper, this list of topics can help you!

  • Mental health can be improved with self-care activities and exercise, but not with medication
  • The effects of sleep deprivation on mental health
  • How technology is helping to treat mental health disorders
  • What’s the difference between a mental illness and an emotional disorder?
  • How do we know that mental health is just as important as physical health?
  • People with mental illnesses are more likely to commit crimes than those without mental illnesses
  • Mental health issues should be treated by medication, not by talking about them (or “counseling,” which is just another form of talking).
  • There’s no such thing as “mental illness” because it’s not an illness—it’s just a part of being human!
  • To be considered mentally healthy, one must be able to perform well at work, school, or in other areas of their life
  • Mental illness is a myth

Psychology Argumentative Research Paper Topics

Looking for debatable topics to write about for your upcoming psychology debate? We’ve got your back! The following is a list of ten good psychology research paper argument topics:

  • The relationship between creativity and mental illness
  • The effect of social media on the development of personalities in children
  • The role of stress in the development of mental illness
  • The impact of social media on the development of personalities in children
  • The connection between creativity and mental illness
  • The effect of sleep deprivation on thoughts and memory
  • How women and men perceive each other’s sexuality
  • The effects of music on early childhood development
  • The impact of social media on the self-esteem of young people
  • The effects of pornography on society (and vice versa)

Controversial Topics for Argumentative Research Paper

Finding a controversial topic for a debate is not easy, and many students struggle to come up with a topic worth discussing. That is why we have compiled a list of 10 controversial ideas for argumentative research papers from which you can choose.

  • Should the death penalty be abolished?
  • Should we allow same-sex marriage?
  • The legalization of marijuana
  • The use of genetically modified crops
  • Should we be allowed to eat genetically modified foods?
  • Is there such a thing as a war on women?
  • Publicly funded sports stadiums
  • The use of animals in scientific research
  • Gender equality: a fad?
  • The legalization of abortion

Argumentative Research Paper Topics on Social Media

The use of social media has risen dramatically in recent years, raising a slew of questions about how it influences the world. Are you seeking a good argumentative research paper topic to write on social media? You can choose from this list of topics.

  • Social media is destroying our ability to communicate with each other in the real world.
  • Social media is making us less human than we were before its invention.
  • The value of social media in healthcare
  • The usefulness of social media in law enforcement
  • What are the pros and cons of using social media?
  • Social media has created a society where we only care about ourselves and our feelings while ignoring the feelings of others.
  • Social media in education
  • Is social media addictive?
  • Social media is making people more depressed
  • What’s the most popular social media platform?

Sports Argumentative Research Paper Topics

Sports has evolved into a fascinating and engaging activity; virtually everyone has a favorite sport. Although sport is intriguing, coming up with topics to write about might be difficult! Here are ten sports-related argumentative research paper ideas to consider.

  • Is it fair to penalize an athlete’s entire team when one player violates a rule?
  • Should there be a cap on how much money professional athletes can make off their labor, or are they entitled to all that they earn?
  • The effect of steroids on professional sports
  • Is it right to give children sports scholarships?
  • Should sports be considered a professional career?
  • Why do people watch sports?
  • Who is the best athlete in the world today?
  • The role of sports in our society
  • What is the best way to contractually bind athletes and teams?
  • Is college athletics good for the academic experience of students?

Fun Argumentative Research Paper Topics

Sometimes, all you need is a fun argumentative topic to grab your audience’s attention and keep the debate exciting, But coming up with a fun topic to argue about isn’t easy because you’ll need to rack your brains for some ideas. That’s why we have compiled a list of some entertaining argumentative research paper topics!

  • Is it better to have a dog or cat as a pet?
  • Are you more likely to be the victim of a crime if you live in a big city or a small town?
  • Should we allow people to bring their dogs on planes with them?
  • Why people should not be forced to have fun
  • Why you shouldn’t drink and drive
  • Should we ban people from wearing flip-flops in public after Labor Day?
  • Are we all sociopaths?
  • What makes a great leader?
  • Is it ever okay to use a selfie stick?
  • Can you be gay and christian?

Cryptocurrency Argumentative Research Paper Topics

Cryptocurrency is a big thing right now. It’s been gaining popularity and attention from investors, governments, and other stakeholders for years. Writing or reading a cryptocurrency argumentative research paper is a great way to get started in the world of cryptocurrency. The topic area has a lot of potential for research, as there are many different viewpoints on cryptocurrencies and their place in our society today.

This list will give you some ideas for topics that would make great argumentative research papers about cryptocurrencies.

  • Should the government regulate cryptocurrencies?
  • Is cryptocurrency better than fiat money?
  • How do cryptocurrencies affect global economics?
  • What are the benefits of using cryptocurrency in our society?
  • Is cryptocurrency a bubble? Discuss
  • Is Bitcoin anonymous? How do governments regulate cryptocurrencies?
  • Should we use cryptocurrencies to buy goods and services?
  • What are the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies?
  • Is it possible to create a cryptocurrency that is not volatile?
  • Why are cryptocurrencies good for the world?

Historical Argumentative Research Paper Topics

When it comes to picking historical debate topics, who hasn’t been stumped? It’s difficult to retain all of the material presented in a classroom setting. Thankfully, any historical issue can be turned into a fantastic history argumentative research paper topic. To make it easier for you, we have compiled a list of unique world history argumentative research paper topics below.

  • What role did women play in WWII?
  • How did the Great Depression impact American society?
  • Was the Holocaust necessary to stop Adolf Hitler’s rise to power?
  • Did the Russians have a right to invade Afghanistan in 1979?
  • Did the world need a new religion?
  • Should the United States have invaded Iraq in 2003?
  • What is the cause of the current gun violence epidemic?
  • The causes of World War II in Europe
  • The effects of the Great Recession on the US economy. Discuss  
  • Was it right to execute Mary, Queen of Scots?

Conclusion  

So here we are! 130 argumentative research paper topics to write your research paper on! We hope that you’ve been able to choose the topic you’ll like to work on for your argumentative research paper. Don’t forget to choose a topic that you’re comfortable and excited about writing about. And if you need some help with writing your research paper, we can help you!

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Richard Ginger is a dissertation writer and freelance columnist with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the writing industry. He handles every project he works on with precision while keeping attention to details and ensuring that every work he does is unique.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 113 perfect persuasive essay topics for any assignment.

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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.

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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 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?

body-sparkler-us-flag

  • 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?

feature_information_technology

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 .

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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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Research Beyond the Obvious!

Are you struggling to find a topic that can unearth new findings? Even before starting, many students feel drowning with the mere task of sorting out the best research topics. Don’t fret! This blog explores the top 10 research topics for students, with a focus on different subjects, including psychology, social sciences, etc. From exploring the impact of AI to dealing with social issues, let’s discover good ideas for a research paper! 

Why Do You Need to Find a Research Topic?

Before we get down to the top 10 research topics for students, let’s understand what they are. Research topics help students to drill down into a subject and break down a wide aspect into smaller things. The topics serve the purpose of bringing fresh perspectives to the table and point out a potential knowledge gap or core problem. 

Research Topic vs. Research Question 

Going by its definition, a research topic focuses on a broad theme that calls for deep investigation. On the other hand, a research question is a particular query that researchers use to find plausible answers and new scopes. While you may be busy finding the top 10 research topics for students in college or senior high school, always remember that the topic reflects an aspect of a subject. 

Factors to Choose Good Research Project Topics 

The key to finding the top 10 research topics may leave you confused but don’t worry. The table below portrays the characteristics of interesting research paper topics that you must keep in mind: 

How to Choose a Good Research Paper Topics?

While we will give you some ideas about the top 10 research topics for students, you still need to pick one. However, getting closer to this sole topic may feel soul-crushing! Don’t worry; these tips will help you select the best research topics for students. 

1. Personal Interest

The top 10 research topics for students usually stem from what motivates them. If you are interested in a specific field, you can go forward with the topic as long as it is relevant to your field. However, this does not mean you can overlook potential biases - being too close to the subject might even lead you nowhere. 

2. Check the Guidelines

When looking for the top 10 research topics for students, it’s imperative to adhere to guidelines laid out by your school. Sometimes, they approve good topics for research papers only if they are related to the public interest or environment. Ask your professor/mentor whether you need to follow certain guidelines while finding the best research topics for students. 

3. Availability of Resources  

Your research project might never see the daylight if you do not have enough resources available. Make sure the resources are within your limits! In case your research has funding, always check how you will be able to use it. Finances, access to participants, and timings are key factors in finalising among the top 10 research topics for students. 

Top 10 Research Topics for Students in College and Senior High School

Here, we will delve into the top 10 research topics for students. Whether you are in a college or senior high school, these topics will show you light at the end of the tunnel. You might find inspiration from these topics and may even come up with original research topics and research questions. So, let’s unveil the best research topic ideas for students! 

1. Psychology Research Paper Topics 

Psychology papers offer an exciting opportunity to explore and understand the human psyche. Emerging technologies and their impact on mental health is one of the best research topics for students, yet there are more you can explore. Below, are some of the best research topics for students: 

1. The impact of social media on mental health among adolescents and young adults.

2. The potential benefits and risks of virtual reality therapy for mental health conditions. 

3. The ethical considerations of using AI in psychological treatment. 

4. The influence of mindfulness practices on cognitive performance and well-being.

5. The link between sleep quality and cognitive decline in ageing populations.

2. Business and Economics Research Topics 

From sustainable business practices to global trade dynamics, the best research topics for students regarding business and economics revolve around many areas. While you may initially find it challenging how to conduct research , you can draw inspiration from these topics for research paper:

1. The impact of AI on various aspects of business, such as marketing and financial analysis.

2. The ethical considerations and challenges associated with the use of big data and analytics in business practices.

3. The potential of blockchain technology to revolutionise supply chain management and improve data privacy.

4. The effectiveness of policy interventions to promote sustainable economic growth & development.

5. Exploring the factors that contribute to the success of startups and new ventures in the digital age.

3. Social Sciences Research Topics 

Social sciences deal with the study of human behaviour and explore socioeconomic inequalities, political ideologies, urban development, and more. If you are looking for good ideas for a research paper regarding social sciences, here are some: 

1. The effectiveness of different social policy interventions aimed at addressing global issues. 

2. The potential of blockchain technology to improve transparency and accountability in social structures.

3. The social and ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of life. 

4. The psychological and social impacts of climate change on individuals and communities. 

5. The increasing focus on interdisciplinary research that combines social science with data science.

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4. Language and Linguistics Research Topics 

From computational linguistics to semantics to language preservation, the field of language  leads to some really good topics for research papers. While going through our list of top 10 research topics for students, you can already grasp that there are a few things to keep in mind when writing a college paper ! So, here are the best research topic ideas for students regarding language studies: 

1. The influence of social media and digital communication on language use and evolution.   

2. The impact of language learning apps and online platforms on pedagogy. 

3. The role of language in perpetuating social inequalities.

4. The link between language and mental health in the context of cultural displacement.

5. The potential of multilingualism to enhance cognitive abilities. 

5. Health and Medicine Research Topics

Finding the best research topics for students is daunting when it comes to a dynamic field like health and medicine. After going through this compilation of the top 10 research topics for students, you can understand how to come up with the right one. Here, based on the emerging areas of interest, we share some of the potentially impactful and the best research ideas for students: 

1. The integration of AI in medical diagnosis and treatment. 

2. Investigating the ethical considerations of using AI in the healthcare sector. 

3. The developing field of preventive health measures and promoting healthy lifestyles.

4. The link between social determinants of health and mental well-being. 

5. Improving access to healthcare and promoting health equity in minority communities.

6. Renewable Energy & Clean Technologies Research Topics

Initially, you might find it impossible to understand how to write a research paper for college , but these top 10 research topics for students will have you covered. Especially when your focus is on clean energy sources and the emission of greenhouse gases, there is a lot to cover nowadays. Here are some of the best research topics for students: 

1. The potential of next-generation solar cell technologies. 

2. The social and environmental aspects of renewable energy deployment.

3. Discovering the potential of decentralised energy systems.

4. The potential of hydrogen energy, including production, storage, and utilisation.

5. The impact of climate change on renewable energy resources.

7. Technology and Innovation Research Topics 

The sector for technology is ever-evolving, with innovations taking place every other. With the emergence of IoT, artificial intelligence, and ML, the world of technology is your oyster. Here are the best research topics for students: 

1. The societal implications of AI in healthcare, finance, and autonomous vehicles. 

2. The potential of blockchain technology to revolutionise cybersecurity and voting systems.

3. Innovative solutions to combat climate change, including renewable energy technologies and sustainable infrastructure. 

4. The role of technology in disaster preparedness and risk management. 

5. The use of technology to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to information. 

8. Arts and Design Research Topics 

Whether your niche lies in art therapy, cultural studies in arts, or architecture innovation, there are interesting research paper topics. While exploring the top 10 research topics for students, constructing research may seem difficult – going through the research design - elements and characteristics can solve your problems. So, here are the best research topics for students in college: 

1. The impact of AI on artistic creation. 

2. The use of virtual reality and augmented reality in storytelling. 

3. The role of art in addressing social and environmental challenges. 

4.  The use of art as a tool for social commentary and activism. 

5. The evolving nature of art museums and galleries in the digital age.

9. Argumentative Research Topics 

Building a specific argument and exploring topics can bring you some unique topics for research paper. Through these top 10 research topics for students, you can evaluate human interest on a global scale and beyond. Let’s have a look at these best research topics for students: 

1. Is universal basic income a viable solution to poverty?

2. Is nuclear power a solution to the global energy crisis?

3. Does increased global cooperation offer a solution to climate change?

4. The impact of automation and AI on the future of work and employment.

5. The ethical implications of gene editing and other emerging biotechnologies.

10. Human Rights Research Paper Topics  

Our list of top 10 research topics remains incomplete without human rights. This field is evolving and has become a growing interest for everyone around the world. If you want to probe questions about gender equality or privacy rights, here are a few of the best research topics for students: 

1. The role of human rights defenders and activists in promoting social change. 

2. The human rights of marginalised groups, such as LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities.

3. The impact of AI on human rights, including issues of bias and discrimination.

4. Examining the ethical implications of facial recognition technology. 

5. Exploring the human rights implications of environmental pollution and toxic waste disposal. 

Now that you have an idea about some of the top 10 research topics for students, we hope you come up with an original one. Remember, successful research always starts with the right question. Take time, dig deep into the relevant theories, and find thought-provoking topics for research papers. Meanwhile, don’t overlook the power of how to write a research paper appendix and how to create the right structure for the paper. So, happy researching! 

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Please help me with a research essay PROPOSAL ONLY. Preferably...

Please help me with a research essay PROPOSAL ONLY. Preferably research question based on rap music. In the proposal all we need is 

1. OUTLINE TOPIC: 

2. RESEARCH QUESTION:

3.ARGUMENTS/POINTS TO BE USED IN ESSAY

4.RESEARCH MATERIAL/ ACADEMIC RESOURCES THAT WILL USED TO SUPPORT. 

Answer & Explanation

"This is America" by Childish Gambino: A Sociocultural and Political Analysis of Rap Music

  • OUTLINE TOPIC: The proposed research essay will explore the sociocultural and political implications of the song "This is America" by Childish Gambino within the context of rap music. The focus will be on analyzing the song's lyrics, music video, and reception to understand its significance in reflecting and critiquing contemporary American society.
  • RESEARCH QUESTION: How does "This is America" by Childish Gambino use rap music as a medium to address and comment on social and political issues in the United States, and what impact has it had on public discourse?
  • ARGUMENTS/POINTS TO BE USED IN ESSAY:
  • The use of rap music as a form of social commentary and cultural critique
  • The portrayal of gun violence, racism, and mass media in the song's lyrics and music video
  • The reception and interpretation of the song within the context of American society and popular culture
  • The influence of "This is America" on the rap music genre and its role in shaping public awareness and activism

4. RESEARCH MATERIAL/ ACADEMIC RESOURCES:

  • Berry, Venise. American Music , vol. 14, no. 2, 1996, pp. 231-33. JSTOR , https://doi.org/10.2307/3052359. Accessed 13 Feb. 2024.
  • Coates, Ta-Nehisi. "I'm Not Black, I'm Kanye." The Atlantic, 7 May 2018, www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/05/im-not-black-im-kanye/559763/.
  • Forman, Murray. "Represent: Race, Space, and Place in Rap Music." Popular Music, vol. 19, no. 1, 2000, pp. 65-90.
  • Rose, Tricia. Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America . Wesleyan University Press, 1994.
  • Watkins, S. Craig. Hip Hop Matters: Politics, Pop Culture, and the Struggle for the Soul of a Movement. Beacon Press, 2005.  

Approach to solving the question:

Let's thoroughly explain the approach to solving the questions above, including the definitions and methodologies utilized.

  • OUTLINE TOPIC: The first step in the approach was to outline the topic of the research essay. In this step, I defined the topic as the sociocultural and political implications of the song "This is America" by Childish Gambino within the context of rap music. This involved identifying the key elements of the topic, such as the song's lyrics, music video, and reception, and understanding their significance in reflecting and critiquing contemporary American society. The methodology utilized here was to define the scope of the research and identify the specific aspects of the song and its context that would be analyzed in the essay.
  • RESEARCH QUESTION: The second step was to formulate a research question that would guide the essay. In this step, I defined the research question as: How does "This is America" by Childish Gambino use rap music as a medium to address and comment on social and political issues in the United States, and what impact has it had on public discourse? The methodology utilized here was to create a focused and specific question that would direct the research and analysis, allowing for a clear and structured approach to addressing the topic.
  • ARGUMENTS/POINTS TO BE USED IN ESSAY: The third step was to identify the key arguments and points that would be used in the essay. In this step, I defined four main arguments that would form the backbone of the essay:

The methodology utilized here was to identify the key themes and elements of the song that would be analyzed and to structure the essay around these arguments, providing a clear and logical progression of ideas.

  • RESEARCH MATERIAL/ ACADEMIC RESOURCES: The final step was to identify the research material and academic resources that would be used to support the arguments in the essay. In this step, I searched for peer-reviewed articles and books that focused on rap music, social commentary, and cultural critique. The methodology utilized here was to ensure that the sources were credible and academically rigorous, providing a solid foundation for the arguments in the essay. I found four sources that would be useful and made sure to cite them in MLA format and use them to support my arguments in the essay.

Overall, the approach to solving the questions above involved carefully defining the topic, formulating a focused research question, identifying key arguments, and selecting credible research material to support those arguments. The methodology utilized was to ensure a clear and structured approach to the essay, using evidence and analysis to support each point and create a well-organized and well-supported argument.

Detailed explanation:

I'd be happy to explain in detail how I answered the questions above!

  • OUTLINE TOPIC: The first step in answering the proposal questions was to outline the topic of the research essay. To begin with, I look into different controversial rap music in the world. Among the considerations I made were the available resources that would support the chosen music. The topic was to explore the sociocultural and political implications of the song "This is America" by Childish Gambino within the context of rap music. To do this, I needed to analyze the song's lyrics, music video, and reception to understand its significance in reflecting and critiquing contemporary American society.
  • RESEARCH QUESTION: The second step was to formulate a research question that would guide the essay. The research question I came up with was: How does "This is America" by Childish Gambino use rap music as a medium to address and comment on social and political issues in the United States, and what impact has it had on public discourse? This question would help me focus my research and analysis on the key themes and arguments of the essay.
  • ARGUMENTS/POINTS TO BE USED IN ESSAY: The third step was to identify the key arguments and points that would be used in the essay. Based on the research question and the topic outline, I came up with four main arguments:

These arguments would form the backbone of the essay, and I would use evidence and analysis to support each one.

  • RESEARCH MATERIAL/ ACADEMIC RESOURCES: The final step was to identify the research material and academic resources that would be used to support the arguments in the essay. I searched for peer-reviewed articles and books that focused on rap music, social commentary, and cultural critique. Based on my research, I found four sources that would be useful:
  • Rose, Tricia. Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America. Wesleyan University Press, 1994.
  • Watkins, S. Craig. Hip Hop Matters: Politics, Pop Culture, and the Struggle for the Soul of a Movement. Beacon Press, 2005.

I made sure to cite these sources in MLA format and use them to support my arguments in the essay.

Key references:

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COMMENTS

  1. 50 Compelling Argumentative Essay Topics

    50 Possible Topics A number of these topics are rather controversial—that's the point. In an argumentative essay, opinions matter and controversy is based on opinions, which are, hopefully, backed up by facts.

  2. 271 Strong Argumentative Research Paper Topics

    These types of classical argument paper topics have always been footed on two bases: to convince the audience that they are right and give well-reasoned answers to questionsThey are easy argument paper topics. Topics for argumentative research paper tasks do not necessarily have to be complicated.

  3. 125 Strong Argumentative Essay Topics For Your Next Paper

    There are three key elements of a good argumentative essay: a strong argument, thesis and comprehensive research. Strong argument To write a compelling essay that persuades your reader, start with a strong argument. Start with a topic that you feel strongly about and construct an argument with reasons and proof.

  4. 150 Argumentative Research Paper Topics [2024 Upd.]

    🔝 Top 10 Argumentative Research Paper Topics ⭐ Top 10 Argumentative Essay Topics 📱 Topics on Social Media 👪 Topics on Family 👨‍⚕️ Topics on Health and Nutrition 🗳️ Topics on Government 💡 Other Topic Ideas 🕵️‍♂️ Choosing a Topic 🧱 Writing Rules 📑 Organizing Your Paper ️ FAQ 🔍 References 🔝 Top 10 Argumentative Research Paper Topics

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    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...

  6. 50 Great Argumentative Essay Topics for Any Assignment

    50 Great Argumentative Essay Topics for Any Assignment Posted by Melissa Brinks General Education At some point, you're going to be asked to write an argumentative essay. An argumentative essay is exactly what it sounds like—an essay in which you'll be making an argument, using examples and research to back up your point.

  7. 120+ Strong Argumentative Essay Topics

    These top 10 hot topics for argumentative essays are sure to stir up a fire. Remember, you don't have to agree with the position you take to craft a winning argument, but you do have to make solid, logical arguments backed up by credible sources. Should abortion be banned? Should animal testing be stopped? Is the #metoo movement a good thing?

  8. 114 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2023

    Looking for good argumentative essay topics that are relevant to students in 2023? Check out our list of 114 argument essay topics.

  9. 100+ Topics for Argumentative Essays and Debates

    100+ Topics for Argumentative Essays and Debates Last updated on: 6/23/2023 | Author: ProCon.org Debate Topics 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. A

  10. 130 Unique Argumentative Essay Topics: How to Pick Out One

    130 Argumentative Essay Topics: Tips on How Choose the Best One Written by John S. February 14, 2023 8 min read Share the article Defining What Is an Argumentative Essay Imagine the following scenario: You just got into an argument with your friend over climate change.

  11. 52 Argumentative Essay Ideas that are Actually Interesting

    Convincing Thesis Statement It's important to remember the general essay structure: an introduction paragraph with a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. A strong thesis statement will set your essay up for success.

  12. 50 Argumentative Essay Topics for Students

    The goal of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to understand and support your position on an issue by presenting your reasoning along with supporting evidence. It's important to find the right balance between giving your opinions and presenting established research.

  13. How to Write an Argumentative Essay

    What is the greatest challenge facing young people today? Argumentative writing at college level At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

  14. 80 Great Compelling Argumentative Research Topics

    How to select great argumentative research paper topics? Controversial argumentative essay topics Good argumentative essay topics The best argumentative essay topics Perfect argumentative essay topics for middle school Argumentative essay topics for college Interesting argumentative essay topics for high school Sports argumentative essay topics

  15. 100+ Easy Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

    Get some topic ideas for your argumentative essay. Monkey Business Images via Canva Pro Choosing an Easy Topic Need a great argument topic? Below, you'll find over 100 ideas. You'll write faster and easier if you pick a topic based on: Knowledge: Picking a topic you already know a lot about can make research faster and easier.

  16. 55 Research Paper Topics to Jump-Start Your Paper

    A research paper topic is the main focus of a piece of academic writing, encompassing the author's main argument, thesis, or hypothesis that they plan to research and investigate. Usually, the assignment stipulates what kind of research paper topics you can use, but even so you should choose topics that you feel passionately about and that ...

  17. Top 192 Argumentative Research Paper Topics To Write About

    Anorexia and bulimia in females and males. Gender and homophobia in modern society. The effects of religion and culture on gender roles. The impact of media in shaping female and male roles in society. All these are interesting argument research paper topics for students at different study levels.

  18. 113 Great Research Paper Topics

    For example, if you're really interested in current events but your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the US and North Korea.

  19. 130 Argumentative Research Paper Topics for You

    If you're looking for some great topics for an argumentative research paper, here are some suggestions for high school, college, and different niches. Argumentative Research Paper Topics College Every student has to be able to write an argumentative essay, especially when you're in college.

  20. 113 Perfect Persuasive Essay Topics for Any Assignment

    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:

  21. 100 Academic Persuasive Research Topics

    In this type of essay or paper, your job is to make a claim and support it using facts, logic, and research. While you might use personal experience to argue "Mandatory state testing is a bad idea," you will need to go beyond your own experience by using statistics, views of experts, and other evidence. In this article, I include: 100 academic ...

  22. 100+ Argument or Position Paper Topics With Sample Essays

    Position Paper Topics. The argument or position essay is a standard type of writing exercise that almost everyone encounters at the high school or college level. This essay has two primary defining components: It has to be about an issue that people don't agree on. It focuses on disagreements about facts, definitions, causes, values, or solutions.

  23. PDF Strategies for Essay Writing

    paragraph is connected to the larger argument in your paper. Below is an example of a topic sentence from a paper by Laura Connor '23 that analyzes rhetoric used by Frederic Douglass, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Karl Marx. In her paper, Connor argues that Marx's rhetoric was most effective in driving social change.

  24. Find Impactful And Top 10 Research Topics For Students

    Argumentative Research Topics Building a specific argument and exploring topics can bring you some unique topics for research paper. Through these top 10 research topics for students, you can evaluate human interest on a global scale and beyond. Let's have a look at these best research topics for students: 1.

  25. Please help me with a research essay PROPOSAL ONLY. Preferably

    The methodology utilized here was to identify the key themes and elements of the song that would be analyzed and to structure the essay around these arguments, providing a clear and logical progression of ideas. RESEARCH MATERIAL/ ACADEMIC RESOURCES: The final step was to identify the research material and academic resources that would be used ...