120+ Argumentative Essay Topics by Grade & Subject

You have the document ready to go, the deadline staring at you in the face, and no clue how to start your argument. This happens to everyone. Picking the right topic is typically the most difficult part of the entire assignment process, more difficult than the writing itself.

That’s why we’re providing you with the list below. Here, we’ve put together over 120 argumentative essay topics for students divided by grades and subjects, as well as a simple tip on how to turn them into proper argumentative essays.

Step One: Let’s understand what exactly an argumentative essay is.

An argumentative essay isn’t just an opinion piece. You’re picking a side on something people genuinely disagree about, and then you support your position with facts and examples, not with emotions. That is the point that confuses most students. A persuasive essay allows the use of emotions, while an argumentative essay does not.

These four elements must be included in an effective one:

1. A thesis statement (your own belief)
2. Evidence (actual data or examples instead of some vibes)
3. Counterarguments (the most powerful arguments from the opposing side)
4. Rebuttals (explanations why your side remains valid despite them)

Try to keep this structure in mind while browsing the list provided below, since all the topics given here might not fit into this scheme equally well.

How Can You Recognize a Good Topic?

Before making a choice, try to answer the following questions.

• Is there a possibility of reasonable disagreement on the matter? If it’s a question everyone can answer instantly, it cannot serve as a topic for an essay. For example, “Is bullying wrong?” – everyone agrees on that; thus, no essay can be written on this topic.
• Are there enough sources? In case a five-minute research does not provide you with at least three to four sources, the chosen topic is definitely a bad idea.
• Is the size correct? The subject “climate change” is too wide for an essay – you might as well write a book about it. “Should we ban gasoline leaf blowers in your city?” is a topic that fits in five paragraphs perfectly.
• Does it interest you at all? Even a bit? It would be easier to create a good essay about something you are not completely bored with.

Topics by Grade Level

Not all topics are appropriate for all grades. The sixth graders won’t be able to cope with the theme of universal basic income. Below is the list of appropriate topics per grade level.

Middle School (grades 6-8)

These topics tend to reflect students’ reality directly, which means forming an informed opinion requires no need for external expertise.

1. Should students choose their seating positions in class?
2. Is it fair to make homework obligatory?
3. Should phone use during school hours be banned?
4. Should PE grade influence the GPA of a student?
5. Should students have the right to influence the menu of their cafeteria?
6. Should a year-round schooling system replace the traditional one?
7. Should children under 13 be permitted to access social media sites?
8. Should school days start later?
9. Is it reasonable to question the fairness of group projects?
10. Should students be allowed to retake failed tests?
11. Specialization in one sport or many sports?
12. Should vending machines offer less junk food?
13. Should middle schoolers get an allowance for housework?
14. Is there more harm than good in participation trophies?
15. Should a second language become mandatory in school?
16. Should recess time still be a part of the school routine?
17. Are there benefits from video games for children or more damage?
18. Should AI software be used in students’ homework process?
19. Should pets be allowed in the classroom for stress relief?
20. Is a four-day school week preferable?

High School

As high schoolers are older, they can think a bit deeper and are expected to include some external research in their discussion.

21. Should standardized tests determine whether you will be admitted to a college?
22. Should schools adopt a pass-fail grading system instead of a letter-grade?
23. Is social media beneficial or damaging for teenagers?
24. Should 16-year-olds be entitled to vote?
25. Should financial literacy become a mandatory class?
26. Is homeschooling as effective as traditional education?
27. Should students have a right to rate their teachers in terms of performance?
28. Should schools ban AI software as an assignment helper?
29. Is obtaining a college degree as valuable as paying for it?
30. Should high school athletes receive paychecks?
31. Should schools have armed security guards?
32. Is remote learning equivalent to face-to-face learning?
33. Should fast-food ads aimed at teenagers be prohibited?
34. Is community service necessary for graduation?
35. Is there more harm than good in mandatory second language?
36. Should SAT/ACTs be optional for good?
37. Should driver’s ed be required as part of the high school curriculum?
38. Should there be driver’s courses at school?
39. Should there be some banned books at school?
40. Should students skip class lessons that they have already learned?

College

College topics should be researched more deeply and generally revolve around policies, ethics, or broader social issues.

41. Should public university tuition be free?
42. Is affirmative action still justified in the admission process?
43. Should the accumulated student loan debt be forgiven?
44. Is a gap year a good idea after high school?
45. Should legacy admissions be banned?
46. Is the online degree as credible as a traditional one?
47. Should the gen-ed courses that do not belong to your major remain mandatory?
48. Should internships become obligatory for students and paid by law?
49. Is a traditional four-year degree program outdated?
50. Should the schools be able to use artificial intelligence to detect fake papers written by artificial intelligence?
51. Should fraternities and sororities be banned in colleges?
52. Is there any grade inflation in higher education?
53. Should the research capabilities of universities weigh more than the teaching capabilities?
54. Should international students receive the same scholarships as others?
55. Is the traditional lecture-based format of classes justified anymore?

Topics by Subject

Want something related to a particular class? Then check out our list of college topics organized according to the subjects.

Technology and Social Media

56. Are smartphones doing more harm than good to teenagers?
57. Should there be a legal minimum age to own a smartphone?
58. Should there be an ID requirement to use social media?
59. Is artificial intelligence going to threaten future jobs?
60. Should facial recognition be banned in public spaces?
61. Should there be some restrictions on the quantity of data that can be collected from people?
62. Are streaming services ruining cable television?
63. Should self-driving cars be allowed for public use?
64. Is there such a thing as privacy on the Internet nowadays?
65. Should coding become a compulsory school subject?

Health and Lifestyle

66. Should junk food be legally taxed as much as tobacco?
67. Should vaccinations become mandatory for attending school?
68. Is fast food responsible for growing obesity?
69. Should mental health days be considered excused absences from school?
70. Should energy drinks be banned among teenagers?
71. Is the vegetarian diet better for the environment?
72.  
73. Should sugar be regulated as a harmful substance?
74. Is the rule of eight hours of sleep outdated?
75. Should gym attendance become free?

Environment

76. Should plastic bags be banned throughout the country?
77. Is nuclear power safer than fossil fuel, altogether?
78. Is it individuals or companies that are responsible for climate change?
79. Should gas cars be banned by 2035?
80. Is recycling an efficient practice or only a symbol of one?
81. Should companies be fined for the use of excessive packaging?
82. Are there any reasons why zoos are still relevant considering modern conservation activities?
83. Is it justifiable to ask developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the same pace as developed?
84. Should environmental science become a mandatory subject?
85. Should restaurants be prohibited from using single-use plastics?

Government and Society

86. Should voting be made obligatory?
87. Should capital punishment be abandoned?
88. Should the state implement universal basic income?
89. Should the minimum wage be increased?
90. Should the periodical national service be introduced after graduating from high school?
91. Should the country legalize marijuana nationwide?
92. Should the owner of the firearm attend the safety class?
93. Should social media websites be treated as public utilities?
94. Should the immigration policy favor skilled workers?
95. Should the state control the educational program of the schools?

Sports and Entertainment

96. Should college sportsmen receive salaries?
97. Is esports considered a sport?
98. Should combat sports such as boxing be banned?
99. Should the professional sportspersons be legally obliged to conduct themselves as role models?
100. Is there a justification of gender gap in payment in men’s and women’s sports?
101. Should violent video games be subject to age limitations?
102. Should reality shows be controlled as news channels?
103. Should the schools shift the funds from sport to education?
104. Is streaming the death of the movie industry?
105. Should performance-enhancing drugs be legalized?

Ethics and Daily Living

106. Is consuming meat still an ethical thing to do, especially with plant-based alternatives around?
107. Should cosmetic tests on animals be stopped altogether?
108. Is it alright to lie to spare someone’s feelings?
109. Should we abolish zoos in favor of sanctuaries for wildlife?
110. Is cancel culture a justified way to punish someone?
111. Should tipping be outlawed in favor of higher wages for employees?
112. Is it ethically justifiable to advertise to kids?
113. Are influencers supposed to disclose their paid content?
114. Is it justified to criticize historical characters using modern standards?
115. Is it alright to allow euthanasia to those who are terminally ill?

A Couple of Lighter Ones

116. Is cereal actually a soup?
117. Should the inclusion of pineapple on pizza be banned?
118. Are superhero movies better than comic books?
119. Is the hot dog really a sandwich?
120. Is the book always better than the movie?

Transforming a Topic into an Essay

The tricky part is not coming up with a good topic but turning it into a thesis statement. There is a quick solution for that problem.

Topic + your position on it + main reason why = thesis

If you chose the time when the school starts, your position would be that it is supposed to start later. Your reason would be that such a schedule improves the concentration and health of students.

Therefore, your thesis statement could look something like this: “Schools should not start earlier than 8:30 a.m., since such a schedule contributes to a better mood and focus of students.”

Mistakes worth avoiding

Becoming too broad is one of the mistakes people often do. The technology, for example, is not a topic but rather a whole sphere of study. And Should Schools Ban Phones During Class? — that’s the actual topic.

Choosing the issue where only one position can be clearly identified and argued is another common mistake. If literally there’s no way to oppose it, it means that there’s nothing to write.

Omitting the part about the opposite opinion is the mistake people do more often than they think. Usually, teachers want to see evidence that you know the opposing point of view, not only your own position.

Not checking the availability of the sources first is one more frequent mistake which students realize only halfway through their writings.

And choosing any topic that “sounds impressive” rather than any topic you really understand is also quite dangerous. In most cases, the more complex the topic is the harder it will be to write a good argument.

Quick Answer to Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the easiest argumentative topic to write about? Anything tied to daily school life — homework, phone rules, start times — tends to be easiest, since students already have opinions and real examples on hand.

How long does an argumentative essay usually need to be? Most assignments land somewhere between 500 and 1,500 words, roughly five paragraphs to five pages. Always check what your teacher actually asked for, though.

Can I write about a topic I don’t have a strong opinion on? Yes, and it’s honestly pretty common. Pick whichever side has more available evidence — a well-researched argument still works even if it’s not something you personally believe.

What’s the real difference between argumentative and persuasive essays? Argumentative essays lean almost entirely on facts and logic. Persuasive essays can bring in emotional appeals too.

How many sources should I use? For a typical high school or college essay, three to five solid sources is usually enough to support your claim and address the other side.

Still Not Sure Where to Start?

Choosing an argumentative topic is just the first step. The research and the structure of your paper are the most important parts, which are graded most heavily. If you don’t have much time, or simply need some additional assistance, Coursework Tutor’s essay writing service helps you with writing, researching, and structuring your paper.