Topic ideas for argumentative essays can come from today's (or even yesterday's) news, and many times a topic revolving around current events makes for a better essay. It's not because a writer is better simply because he is dealing with a current topic; rather, the essay is often better because it's dealing with a topic that doesn't seem dull or trite. It's fresh, so people (including instructors) look forward to reading it.
Writing an Argumentative Essay
One of the best, simplest ways to write an argumentative essay is to first figure out the pros and cons of the topic. Once a writer chooses several strong points to argue her side, she should then choose at least one point from the opposition to argue against. This will make her argument stronger and more credible. For example, if a writer is arguing that the United States should have a national health care system, she could make the following points:
- No one should ever be denied medical assistance, no matter what his or her financial situation.
- National health care would likely increase efficiency of the health care system; insurance and drug companies would probably have less say in how doctors or hospitals treat patients.
- Life expectancy for both men and women in the U.S. would likely increase.
Obviously, the writer would want to find credible sources to back up her statements. Further, once she made her points, she would also want to argue against and refute at least one claim for the other side. In this instance, she might choose to argue against the idea that socialized medicine means long waiting lists for care. To argue against this point, she might research universal health care in other countries (such as Canada or the United Kingdom); she would want to see if there are waiting lists for care and, if so, she would want to get more information.
The best way to write an argumentative essay is to argue for one's side while arguing against the other side.
Social Issues for Argumentative Essays
Social issues (and society's current events) often lend themselves to argumentative essays. Remember, a good topic for an argumentative paper will have two clear sides. Therefore, with the following topics, the writer will want to give good reasons either for or against the issue. Here are some fairly recent social issues that would make good topics for an argumentative essay:
- Mandatory recycling
- Gay marriage
- Safety and effectiveness of low-carb diets
- Mandatory immunization
- Pornography on the internet
- Treatment of food animals
- Cell phone usage in automobiles
- Internet taxes
- Genetic engineering
- Internet addiction
- Minimum wage
- Breastfeeding in public
- Marriage obsolete
- Safety of artificial sweeteners
Political Issues for Argumentative Essays
Political issues are often good topics for argumentative papers because they usually have two clear sides. Here are some political topics:
- Immigration laws
- Legalization of drugs
- Legalization of prostitution
- English as the official language of the United States
- Necessity or practicality of electoral voting system
- Flat income tax
- Mandatory helmet laws
- Necessity of war
Writing a Strong Essay
Often, a good argumentative essay is not necessarily due to the topic one chooses, but how strongly one feels about his subject. If a person feels passionately about his topic, he will typically write a strong essay. Whenever possible, a student should choose a topic he has strong feelings about. It makes writing the essay a little easier and more enjoyable.
Related articles:
How to Write an Argumentative Essay
How Documentaries Teach Argumentative Writing
Argumentative Essay Self-Evaluation
Cynthia Jones-Shoeman - Cynthia (“Cindy”) Jones-Shoeman earned her MA in English from Colorado State University in 2007; her thesis was "Toni ...
