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55 Great Argumentative Topics

Use these 35 argumentative topics + 20 new BONUS Ideas with your high school class (or other students) to help them learn how to better cut through the noise to find what’s really real—and, of course, to improve their own writing and arguing skills!

Argumentative Topics

See Some Awesome Essay Ideas and Argumentative Topics

By the time teenagers reach high school, they’ve probably written numerous papers and speeches in which they had to form clear, persuasive arguments to convince their audiences of their particular viewpoint.

In today’s era of AI writing, “fake news”, and poorly-researched Internet reports, it’s more important than ever for students to learn how to think critically about what goes into the arguments and messages they receive from others.

That’s why practicing writing an argumentative essay can be so valuable and educational for teens. You see…

A Few Words About Argumentative Topics and Essays

As students research and prepare their very own arguments, they will be called to evaluate their sources, define their own clear positions, and use all of the things they’ve gathered to bring someone else around to their side.

Whether they’re considering controversial topics like gun control or assessing whether or not companies should be required to pay a living wage, they’ll learn about how deeply biased some arguments are—and how very easy it is for anyone to construe information in support of their own position.

Ok, get to it and…

Use these argumentative essay writing prompts to encourage your students to delve into some hard-hitting topics today!

35 Argumentative Topics to Help High School Students Explore and Define Their Positions

  1. Does your vote count?
  2. Does diversity in media matter?
  3. Does the wage gap really exist?
  4. What should be done about gun control in the US?
  5. Does the average citizen need to have the right to own a gun?
  6. Should marijuana be legalized?
  7. Should religion have a place in government?
  8. Should students be allowed to choose their own classes (as they do in college) from a younger age?
  9. Is net neutrality important?
  10. Is single-sex education beneficial or harmful to students?
  11. What should young people be given more credit for?
  12. Is the widespread increased use of technology good for young children—or does it harm their development?
  13. How is the President doing at his job?
  14. Do movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo promote inclusiveness and awareness or division and inequality?
  15. What is the greatest threat to our environment?
  16. Should we be investing in space exploration?
    Argumentative Essay Writing for Students
  17. Is the development of technology that automates jobs previously held by real people good or bad for our society?
  18. Is celebrity culture harmful or harmless? Why?
  19. What types of restrictions should there be on abortions?
  20. How involved should the US get in conflicts in other parts of the world?
  21. Should employers be required to pay a living wage?
  22. What is the line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation?
  23. Do corporations have social responsibilities to their customers?
  24. Should there be restrictions or laws on what types of bathrooms trans people can use?
  25. What type of academic requirements should student-athletes have to meet to maintain their eligibility to compete?
  26. The Electoral College—effective or outdated?
  27. Which branch of government is the most important?
  28. Is homeschooling good for students?
  29. Should hate speech be protected under free speech?
  30. Should an employer be able to fire someone if the employer has a problem with the employee’s race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, identity, etc.?
  31. Are GMO foods good or bad for our country?
  32. What levels of education do people really need in order to be qualified to enter the workforce?
  33. Do our schools today adequately prepare students for the real world?
  34. What is the best way for the average person to make a difference?
  35. Should people who make more money pay taxes on a higher percentage of their income?

I hope you enjoyed this list of good argumentative essay topics.

Now, check out these…

20 Bonus Argumentative Topic Prompts

  1. Is it ethical to use an essay writing service?
  2. Should fast food get taxed like alcohol and cigarettes are taxed? 
  3. Should exotic animals be protected worldwide including banning their hunting of them?
  4. Are illegal immigrants criminal and should they be treated as such?
  5. Is healthcare in the United States of America the best in the world? Or, should universal healthcare become the standard?
  6. How is the rise in obesity a concern for the United States as a nation?
  7. Should private schools be banned and all students made to attend public schools?
  8. Should test scores remain the standard of academic achievement, why or why not?
  9. Should cell phones be banned in public schools?
  10. Should parents be given a year of paternity leave as well as a year of maternity leave?
  11. Should term limits be implemented into the American political system?
  12. Do you think the average annual salary of corporate CEOS should be limited?
  13. Physical education/gym class in school should be mandatory, optimal, or eliminated altogether because…
  14.  Beauty pageants should/should not be allowed because…
  15. How much screen time is too much or is there even such a thing?
  16. Are standardized tests a good measure of the effectiveness of an educational system?
  17. Year-round school would be a good/bad things because…
  18. Unpaid internships are…
  19. A politician having to declare a political party encourages/limits democracy.
  20. Explore the ethics of
    • Climate change
    • Religious beliefs vs. medical care
    • Promoting environmental responsibility in business
    • The use of animals in the research industry
    • Any other topic or idea of your own

I hope you enjoyed this list of argumentative topics. Now, be sure to explain your answers/stance in detail, especially when it comes to those more controversial argumentative essay topics. 

A Few Closing Thoughts & Some Useful Resources

If you’re looking for good argumentative topics and essay ideas or persuasive essay prompts for kids and teens, we’ve got them. (Check out these argumentative essay topics for middle school students and these new 55 Argumentative Essay Topics About Mental Health.)

Students can explore topics ranging from immigration and politics, homework and curfews, or celebrities and professional athletes. Sharing their point of view about school uniforms, minimum wage, social media, and gender equality will really challenge classroom participants to analyze their stances on controversial topics.

Here are 35 more essay prompts for High Schoolers and 103 Argumentative Essay Topics for Students!

And see these fabulous writing prompts for High School free resources.

Until next time, keep on writing!

If you enjoyed these Argumentative Topics and Essay Ideas for High School,
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I appreciate it!

Sincerely,
Jill
journalbuddies.com
creator and curator

Argumentative Writing Prompts
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