Argumentative Essay Topics

Understanding the difference between an argumentative essay and other types of essays is essential if you want to score highly in your essays.

As the name suggests, the purpose of an argumentative essay is to argue your position on a particular topic. Within your essay, you must present your case effectively. Remember, your viewpoint should be backed up with evidence, facts, beliefs, observations, and analysis.

One of the hardest parts of writing an argumentative essay is choosing an interesting topic. Below are some topics and debates to help get you started!

General Argumentative Essay Topics

When writing your essay, you must justify your own standpoint; in order to achieve this, you should be confident in your own opinion. Being able to argue your point is key to communication and confidence building. The topic which you choose may not even be one that you agree with, or you may be asked to write one with an opposing point of view. Below are some general argumentative essay topics:

  • Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy?
  • Is global climate change caused by humans?
  • Is torture ever acceptable?
  • Is the death penalty effective?
  • Is it good that same-sex couples are allowed to marry?
  • Does religion cause wars?
  • Is the election process fair?
  • Is animal testing necessary?
  • Prisons do not work. Agree or disagree?
  • Is it ethical to eat animals if we have other options?
  • Marriage is becoming old fashioned.
  • Sports involving animals should be banned. Yes or no?
  • Can gender selection improve family relations?
  • Military service should be compulsory.

Technology and Social Media Argumentative Essay Topics

Technology has presented many arguments in the modern era, which is particularly interesting in the presence of social media and mobile technology. Understanding the arguments around technology and social media are important to the evolution of youth culture as well for those in the older age groups.

  • Are we too dependent on computers?
  • Mobile phones are harmful.
  • Online courses will not kill the traditional concept of university.
  • Facebook can be dangerous when too much information is shared.
  • Social media is changing how we communicate.
  • Should content on the internet be more restricted?
  • Does social media fame impact one’s life?
  • Does a constant social media connection make people feel lonelier and more stressed?
  • Video games encourage violence.
  • Social media can encourage bullying.
  • Can humanity get rid of the internet and continue developing?
  • What is the impact of technology on people’s ability to create?

Education Argumentative Essay Topics

Education is a particularly emotive subject and there are a great many arguments which can be pursued. From young children right up to adulthood there are many topics which are up for debate. Below are some examples:

  • Should public prayer be allowed in schools?
  • Are schools and teachers responsible for low test scores?
  • Is homework harmful or helpful?
  • Should university be free?
  • Education is key to the reduction of crime.
  • Should teachers and staff members be allowed to socialise with students after school?
  • Should children be taught at school about gender nonconformity and various types of sexual orientation?
  • Home schooling deprives children of important social experiences.
  • Peer pressure is good for self-development.
  • Are standardised tests a good way to evaluate someone’s knowledge?
  • Parents have an active role in their children’s education.

Physical and Mental Health Argumentative Essay Topics

Arguments can be made very easily when it comes to physical and mental health, especially when there are important decisions to be made about an individual. While you may not agree with the outcome, you should be able to make an argument based on your opinion. Some examples can be seen below:

  • Modern doctors prescribe too much medication.
  • The age restriction on alcohol should be lowered.
  • Should marijuana be legalised?
  • Should the government provide healthcare?
  • Should euthanasia be illegal?
  • Is human cloning acceptable?
  • Should healthcare systems be free or paid?
  • Can people live without eating meat at all?
  • Should abortion be legalised?

Race and Gender Argumentative Essay Topics

There are still challenges around race and gender in modern society which have been bred from traditional roots and a lot of arguments in society comes from the traditional norms in culture and society. Here are some example essays.

  • Should women and men have different rights and responsibilities in spousal relationships?
  • Does gender help or hinder women in the workplace?
  • Are women more emotional than men?
  • Woman should keep their maiden name after marriage.
  • Do white people have a duty to participate in the Black Lives Matter campaigns?
  • Are women still being held back by stereotypes?
  • Racism is a natural condition of society.
  • Should people be allowed to adopt children from a different racial background?
  • Should hormone therapy be offered to adolescents who identify as a different gender?
  • Women’s sports should be treated equally to men’s sports.
  • Do men make better leaders?
  • Women as victims of human trafficking.
  • Feminism is positive for society.
  • Male workers should be entitled to paternity leave.
  • To what extent has the COVID-19 pandemic highlight societal inequality?

Media and Journalism Argumentative Essay Topics

The media has a huge influence on how we, as ordinary people, see the world. However, there are times when the information presented to us is bias or incomplete. This raises some important ethical debates. Below are some topics which can present an argumentative essay based upon media and journalism:

  • Media bias should be outlawed.
  • Journalists should bever distort the truth for sensationalism.
  • Can the media coverage affect the outcome of an election?
  • Sources are essential to journalists.
  • Should journalism rely on the right to freedom of expression?
  • Should journalists name and shame?
  • Should suicide ever be reported on?
  • Cable television has negative effects on journalism.
  • Social media is quicker at spreading information than official news channels.
  • Increased competition in broadcasting is bad for professional ethics.
  • Digital television is bad for the environment.
  • Government should not sponsor the media.
  • Children should be protected from inappropriate content through censorship.
  • Do paparazzi violate the private lives of celebrities?
  • Social media is integral to modern culture.

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