controversial argumentative essay topics in the philippines

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.

Abortion – Should abortion be legal?

Alternative Energy – Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels?

American Socialism – Should the U.S. become socialist?

Animal Dissection – Should K-12 students dissect animals in science classrooms?

Animal Testing – Should animals be used for scientific or commercial testing?

Artificial Intelligence – Is artificial intelligence good for society?

Banned Books – Should parents or other adults be able to ban books from schools and libraries?

Binge-Watching – Is binge-watching good for you?

Cancel Culture – Is cancel culture (or callout culture) good for society?

CBD for Pets – Is CBD good for pets?

Cell Phone Radiation – Is cell phone radiation safe?

Cheerleading – Is cheerleading a sport?

Churches & Taxes – Should churches (including mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt?

College Education – Is a college education worth it?

Congressional Term Limits  – Should term limits be imposed on U.S. Senators and Representatives?

Constitutional Carry of Handguns – Should permitless, “constitutional carry” of guns be legal?

Corporal Punishment – Should corporal punishment be used in K-12 schools?

Corporate Tax Rate – Should the federal corporate income tax rate be raised?

Cuba Embargo – Should the United States maintain its embargo against Cuba?

DACA & Dreamers – Are DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and the DREAM Act good for America?

Daylight Saving Time – Should the United States keep daylight saving time?

DC AND Puerto Rico Statehood – Should Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico be granted U.S. statehood?

Death Penalty – Should the death penalty be legal?

Defund the Police – Should police departments be defunded, if not abolished?

Dress Codes – Should dress codes be implemented and enforced?

Drinking Age – Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to a younger age?

Drone Strikes – Should the United States continue its use of drone strikes abroad?

Drug Use in Sports – Should performance-enhancing drugs be accepted in sports?

Election Day National Holiday – Should the election day be made a national holiday?

Electoral College – Should the United States use the electoral college in presidential elections?

Employer Vaccine Mandates – Should employers be able to mandate vaccinations?

Felon Voting – Should people who have completed felony sentences be allowed to vote?

Fighting in Hockey – Should fighting be allowed in hockey?

Filibuster – Should the U.S. Senate keep the filibuster?

Fracking – Should the United States continue fracking

Free College – Should public college be tuition-free?

Fur Clothing Bans – Should fur clothing be banned?

GMOS – Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be grown?

Gold Standard – Should the United States return to a gold standard?

Golf – Is golf a sport and are golfers athletes?

Gun Control – Should more gun control laws be enacted?

Historic Statue Removal – Should historic statues be taken down?

Homework – Is homework beneficial?

Illegal Immigration – Should the U.S. government provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants?

Internet – Is the internet “making us stupid?”

Kneeling during the National Anthem – Is kneeling during the national anthem an appropriate form of protest?

Mandatory National Service – Should the United States have mandatory national service?

Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) – Should medical aid in dying be legal?

Medical Marijuana – Should medical marijuana be legal?

Milk – Should humans consume dairy milk?

Minimum Wage – Should the federal minimum wage be increased?

Net Neutrality – Should the U.S. have net neutrality laws?

Obesity – Is obesity a disease?

Olympics – Are the Olympic games an overall benefit for their host countries and cities?

OTC Birth Control Pills – Should birth control pills be available over-the-counter (OTC)?

Penny – Should the penny stay in circulation?

Pit Bull Bans – Should breed-specific legislation (“pit bull bans”) be enacted?

Pokémon – Is Pokémon Go good for our society?

Police Body Cameras – Should police officers wear body cameras?

Prescription Drug Costs – Should the U.S. federal government regulate prescription drug prices?

Presidential Election, 2024 – 2024 Presidential Election Site

Private Prisons – Should prisons be privatized?

Recreational Marijuana – Should recreational marijuana be legal?

Reparations for Slavery – Should the federal government pay reparations to the descendants of slaves?

Right to Healthcare – Should all Americans have the right (be entitled) to health care?

Sanctuary Cities – Should sanctuary cities receive federal funding?

Santa Claus – Is there really a Santa Claus?

Saturday Halloween – Should Halloween be moved permanently to Saturday?

School Uniforms – Should students have to wear school uniforms?

Single-use Plastics Ban – Should single-use plastics be banned?

Social Media & Digital Addiction – Does social media spur digital addiction and other social ills?

Social Security Privatization – Should social security be privatized?

Space Colonization – Should humans colonize space?

Standardized Tests – Do standardized tests improve education in America?

Student Loan Debt – Should student loan debt be eliminated via forgiveness or bankruptcy?

TikTok Bans – Should TikTok be banned?

Uber & Lyft – Are ride-sharing companies a benefit to society?

Universal Basic Income (UBI) – Should the United States implement a universal basic income?

U.S. Supreme Court Packing – Should packing the U.S. Supreme Court ever be considered?

Vaccines for Kids – Should states be allowed to mandate vaccines for school attendance??

Vaping E-Cigarettes – Is vaping e-cigarettes safe?

Vegetarianism – Should people become vegetarian?

Video Games & Violence – Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?

Voting Age – Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Voting Machines – Are electronic voting machines the best method for voting?

Zoos – Should zoos exist?

Archived Topics

Please note that ProCon no longer updates these debates.

ACLU – Is the ACLU good for America?

Big Three Bailout – Should the big three car manufacturers be bailed out by the U.S. government?

Born Gay – Is sexual orientation determined at birth?

Climate Change – Is human activity primarily responsible for global climate change?

College Football Playoffs – Should college football replace the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) with a playoff system?

Dakota Access Pipeline – Should the Dakota Access Pipeline be completed?

D.A.R.E. – Is the D.A.R.E. program good for America’s kids (K-12)?

Gay Marriage – Should gay marriage be legal?

Congressional Insider Trading – Should insider trading by Congress be allowed?

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – What are the solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Obamacare – Is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) good for America?

Paying College Athletes – Should colleges and universities pay college athletes?

President Bill Clinton – Was Bill Clinton a good president?

President Ronald Reagan – Was Ronald Reagan a good president?

Presidential Election, 2008 – Which candidate would make the best U.S. president?

Presidential Election, 2012 – Which candidate should be U.S. president in 2012?

Presidential Election, 2016 – The candidates and where they stand on the issues

Presidential Election, 2020 – 2020 Presidential Election Site

Prostitution – Should prostitution be legal?

School Vouchers – Should states have school voucher programs?

Tablets v. Textbooks -Should tablets replace textbooks in K-12 schools?

Teacher Tenure – Should teachers get tenure?

Under God in the Pledge – Should the words “under god” be in the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance?

U.S. Drone Shot down by Iran – Was the U.S. drone shot down by Iran over international waters?

U.S.-Iraq War – Should the U.S. have attacked Iraq?

WTC Muslim Center – Is it appropriate to build a muslim community center (aka the ”ground zero mosque”) near the World Trade Center site?

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Natalie Leppard Managing Editor [email protected]

© 2023 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved

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Philippines Argumentative Essays Samples For Students

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Argumentative Essay On Corruption In The Marcos Presidency

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Argumentative Essay Topics and Ideas

Did you know that according to our argumentative essay writing service , the average person makes about 35,000 decisions every day? With so many fascinating topics out there – from politics to technology – the right one can be a real adventure. 

In this article, we'll explore how to pick argumentative essay topics that get people talking and make your paper stand out.

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Examples of Argumentative Essay Topics

It's crucial to ensure that you choose unique argumentative essay topics. While your school may occasionally offer a selection of subjects, there may be times when you find it difficult to settle on one. You can also try a persuasive essay writing service if your workload is too heavy on all fronts.

Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle Schoolers

• Recycling in communities.
• Outdoor activities for kids.
• Student involvement in policies.
• Year-round schooling.
• Social media and teen mental health.
• Zoos: Entertainment vs. welfare.
• Peer tutoring's academic impact.
• Sports in education.
• School vouchers.
• Technology in classrooms.
• Student choice in classes.
• Financial literacy for kids.
• Homeschooling pros and cons.
• Standardized testing debate.
• Music education's impact.

Argumentative Essay Topics for High School Students

• Social media's impact on relationships.
• Lowering the voting age.
• Legalizing marijuana: Pros and cons.
• Effectiveness of standardized testing.
• Cyberbullying: Causes and effects.
• Free college education debate.
• Importance of financial literacy.
• Technology in education.
• School dress codes: Yes or no?
• Gun control laws debate.
• Drinking age: Lower or raise?
• Climate change awareness.
• Banning animal testing for cosmetics.
• Online learning.
• Ethics of genetic engineering.

Argumentative Essay Topics for College Students

• Social media's impact on college students' mental health.
• Paying college athletes.
• Pros and cons of online learning
• College education: Worth the cost?
• Affirmative action in college admissions.
• Free college tuition: Should it be universal?
• Effects of climate change policies.
• Technology's role in higher education.
• Hate speech and the First Amendment.
• Ethics of genetic engineering and cloning.
• Diversity in the college curriculum.
• Pass/fail grading: Should it be an option?
• Student loan debt's impact on mental health and careers.
• Trigger warnings in college.
• Legalizing recreational substances: For or against?

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should euthanasia be legalized?
• The pros and cons of capital punishment.
• Is gun control necessary in modern society?
• Should abortion be legal or illegal?
• The debate over same-sex marriage.
• Are affirmative action policies fair or unfair?
• The ethics of animal testing in scientific research.
• Should prostitution be legalized?
• Is climate change a hoax or a real threat?
• The impact of immigration on society.
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• The role of religion in government and politics.
• Is genetic engineering ethical?
• The ethics of cloning humans.
• The morality of military intervention in foreign countries.

Funny Argumentative Essay Topics

• Cats vs. dogs: The ultimate debate.
• Flat Earth theory: Myth or reality?
• Pajamas: Fashion statement or fashion faux pas?
• Pineapple pizza: Love it or hate it?
• Procrastination: The art of delay.
• Emojis: The new language.
• Socks: More than just footwear.
• The five-second rule.
• Surviving boring meetings.
• DIY zombie apocalypse survival.
• Alien encounters: Fact or fiction?
• Air guitar: Serious sport or silly hobby?
• Deciphering cat communication.
• The thrill of watching paint dry.
• Laughing at your boss's jokes: A skill or survival tactic?

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Topics for Argumentative Speech

• Importance of voting in a democracy.
• Should college education be free for all?
• Impact of social media on mental health.
• Is climate change a real threat?
• Ethics of animal testing in scientific research.
• Should the legal drinking age be lowered?
• Pros and cons of legalizing marijuana.
• Should school uniforms be mandatory?
• Role of technology in shaping society.
• Need for stricter gun control laws.
• Benefits of renewable energy sources.
• Is online learning as effective as traditional education?
• Effects of fast food on public health.
• Should genetic engineering of humans be allowed?

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Argument Topics on Social Media 

• Should social media regulate hate speech?
• Role of social media in spreading misinformation.
• Is social media addiction real?
• Should employers use social media for hiring?
• Influence of social media on political views.
• Should parents monitor children's social media?
• Ethical implications of influencer marketing.
• Effects of social media on relationships.
• Should social media ban political ads?
• Responsibility of social media companies against cyberbullying.
• Impact of social media on self-esteem.
• Should social media have age restrictions?
• Privacy concerns with social media.
• Role of social media in activism.

Argument Topics on Music

• Impact of music education on academics.
• Should explicit music lyrics be censored?
• Influence of music on emotions.
• Streaming music: Did it help musicians?
• Is music piracy a crime?
• Music's role in cultural identity.
• Should music therapy be mainstream?
• Effects of music on child development.
• Autotune: Boon or bane for music?
• Prioritizing funding for school music programs.
• Ethics of sampling in music.
• Relevance of classical music today.
• Music's role in social movements.
• Age restrictions at music venues.
• Live music vs. recorded experiences: Which is better?

Health Argumentative Essay Topics

• Fast food's impact on health.
• Junk food ban in schools?
• Legalizing marijuana for medicine.
• Universal healthcare: A right?
• Vaccination: preventing diseases.
• Smoking in public: should it be banned?
• Genetics: Testing and editing ethics.
• Mental health vs. physical health?
• Exercise: Vital for health?
• Taxing sugary drinks: Good idea?
• Alternative medicine: Pros and cons.
• Mandatory flu shots for healthcare?
• Technology's mental health impact.
• Organic food: Worth the cost?
• GMOs: Safe for consumption?

Argument Topics on Science and Technology

• Ethics of artificial intelligence.
• Pros and cons of genetic engineering in humans.
• Renewable energy: Benefits and drawbacks.
• Nuclear energy: Sustainable solution?
• Technology's impact on privacy.
• Regulating facial recognition technology.
• Manned missions vs. robotics in space exploration.
• Ethics of CRISPR gene editing.
• Technology and social connection.
• Role of technology in climate change.
• Autonomous vehicles on public roads: Yes or no?
• Social media algorithms and information consumption.
• Regulation of artificial intelligence development.
• Biometric surveillance: Potential dangers.
• Limits on military technology development.

Argument Topics on Sports

• Impact of sports on youth development.
• Should college athletes be paid?
• Technology in sports officiating.
• Benefits of competitive sports for children.
• Performance-enhancing substances in sports.
• Banning violent sports like boxing.
• Ethics of gender segregation in sports.
• Importance of sportsmanship in competition.
• Changing racially insensitive sports team names.
• Hosting major sporting events for cities.
• Legitimacy of esports as sports.
• Sports' impact on mental health.
• Athlete protests during events.
• Salary caps in professional sports.
• Sports' role in promoting social change.

Argument Topics on Government

• Government's role in healthcare.
• Lowering or raising the voting age.
• Is democracy the best system?
• Term limits for politicians.
• Abolishing the Electoral College.
• Influence of lobbying on decisions.
• Government's role in regulating the economy.
• Stricter regulations on campaign finance.
• Universal basic income debate.
• Necessity of government surveillance.
• Ethics of Government Censorship.
• Limits on executive powers.
• Government policies and climate change.
• Government's role in addressing inequality.

Argument Topics on TV, Movies, Video Games

• Impact of violent video games on behavior.
• Should violent media be restricted?
• Influence of celebrity culture.
• Harmfulness of binge-watching.
• Portrayal of gender and race in media.
• Age restrictions on video game content.
• Effects of advertising in children's shows.
• Is piracy damaging to the industry?
• Role of censorship in protecting audiences.
• Regulation of video game loot boxes.
• Social media's impact on entertainment.
• Need for diversity in Hollywood.
• Future of virtual reality in entertainment.
• Streaming services vs. traditional TV.
• Regulating children's screen time.

How to Choose Argumentative Essay Topics

To come up with engaging and thought-provoking argumentative essay topics for students, it’s crucial to choose a strong topic. Here are seven genuine suggestions to help you through the process:

Explore Your Interests

Brainstorm interesting argumentative essay topics that genuinely interest you. A subject you're passionate about will make the research and writing process more enjoyable and engaging.

Consider Controversy

Look for topics for argumentative essay that spark debate or have multiple perspectives. Controversial issues often make for compelling argumentative essays because they allow you to explore different sides of an issue and present your stance.

Assess Current Relevance

Select unique argumentative essay topics that are relevant to current events or ongoing discussions in society. This ensures your essay resonates with readers and contributes to meaningful dialogue on contemporary issues. Also, we recommend learning more about an argumentative essay structure before working on your first draft. 

Narrow Down Broad Topics

Once you've identified a general area of interest, narrow it down to a specific aspect or angle. This will help you focus your research and develop a clear thesis statement for your essay.

Evaluate Feasibility

Consider the availability of credible sources and data for your chosen topic. Ensure that you find enough evidence to support your arguments and counterarguments effectively. Just in case, we have an article with a cause and effect essay structure , so don’t forget to consult it.

Check for Personal Connection

Reflect on your experiences, beliefs, or values that may intersect with potential topics. A topic that is personally significant to you can add depth and authenticity to your arguments.

Seek Feedback

Discuss your topic ideas with peers, instructors, or mentors for their input and perspectives. They can offer valuable insights, suggest alternative angles, or help you refine your topic to make it more persuasive. If you’re in a hurry, you can simply buy argumentative essay and call it a day.

A quality topic should be relevant, timely, and debatable, offering multiple perspectives for examination. Moreover, it should align with the writer's interests and expertise, enabling them to present a well-reasoned and well-supported argument.

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What Is the Five-Paragraph Argumentative Essay?

What are good topics for an argumentative essay, what is an argumentative example.

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• Added infographics.
• Added new topics.
• Added FAQs.
• https://static01.nyt.com/images/blogs/learning/pdf/2015/301_Prompts_for_Argumentative_Writing.pdf
• Oliver, E. (2023, May 18). Good Argumentative Essay Topics. Read Relevant. https://readrelevant.com/good-argumentative-essay-topics/
• 52 Argumentative Essay Ideas that are Actually Interesting. (2021, April 19). CollegeVine Blog. https://blog.collegevine.com/argumentative-essays-ideas

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160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2024

April 3, 2024

The skill of writing an excellent argumentative essay is a crucial one for every high school or college student to master. In sum, 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 an argumentative essay is to sway the reader to the writer’s position. However, a strong persuasive essay makes its point through diligent research and emotion while a strong argumentative essay should be based solely on facts, not feelings.

Moreover, each fact 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
• Paragraph(s) addressing common counterarguments

Argumentative Essay Format

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. The length of your paper will determine the amount of examples you need. In general, you’ll likely need at least two to three. Additionally, your examples should be as detailed as possible, citing specific research, case studies, statistics, or anecdotes.

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.

How to Write an Effective Argumentative Essay, Step by Step

• Choose your topic. Use the list below to help you pick a topic. Ideally, a good argumentative essay topic will be meaningful to you—writing is always stronger when you are interested in the subject matter. In addition, the topic should be complex with plenty of “pro” and “con” arguments. Avoid choosing a topic that is either widely accepted as fact or too narrow. For example, “Is the earth round?” would not be a solid choice.
• Research. 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. Moreover, remember to look for (and research) possible counterarguments.
• Outline . Using the argument essay format above, create an outline for your essay. Then, brainstorm a thesis statement covering your argument’s main points, and begin to put your examples in order, focusing on logical flow. It’s often best to place your strongest example last.
• Write . Draw on your research and outline to create a first draft. Remember, your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. (As Voltaire says, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”) Accordingly, just focus on getting the words down on paper.
• Does my thesis statement need to be adjusted?
• Which examples feel strongest? Weakest?
• Do the transitions flow smoothly?
• Do I have a strong opening paragraph?
• Does the conclusion reinforce my argument?

Tips for Revising an Argument Essay

Evaluating your own work can be difficult, so you might consider the following strategies:

• Read your work aloud to yourself.
• Record yourself reading your paper, and listen to the recording.
• Reverse outline your paper. Firstly, next to each paragraph, write a short summary of that paragraph’s main points/idea. Then, read through your reverse outline. Does it have a logical flow? If not, where should you adjust?
• Print out your paper and cut it into paragraphs. What happens when you rearrange the paragraphs?

Good 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 cell phones 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?
• Should parents be allowed to post pictures of their children on social media without their consent?
• Should fathers have a legal say in whether their partners do or do not receive an abortion?
• Can television have positive developmental benefits on children?
• Should the driving age be raised to prevent teen car accidents?
• Should adult children be legally required to care for their aging parents?

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? If so, what types?
• 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 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 public schools remove the line “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance?
• Should college admissions officers be allowed to look at students’ social media accounts?
• Should schools abolish their dress codes, many of which unfairly target girls, LGBTQ students, and students of color?
• Should schools be required to stock free period products in bathrooms?
• Should legacy students receive preferential treatment during the college admissions process?
• Are school “voluntourism” trips ethical?

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.?
• Should term limits be imposed on Senators and Representatives? If so, how long?
• Should women be allowed into special forces units?
• Should the federal government implement stronger, universal firearm licensing laws?
• Do public sex offender registries help prevent future sex crimes?
• Should the government be allowed to regulate family size?
• Should all adults legally be considered mandated reporters?
• 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?

Health/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?
• Should organ donation be mandatory?
• Is cloning animals ethical?
• Should cancer screenings start earlier? If so, what age?
• Is surrogacy ethical?
• Should birth control require a prescription?
• Should minors have access to emergency contraception?
• Should hospitals be for-profit or nonprofit institutions?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics — Continued

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?
• Is social media harmful to children?
• Should employers screen applicants’ social media accounts during the hiring process?

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 .)
• Should the US ban religion-based federal holidays?
• Should public schools be allowed to teach children about religious holidays?

Science Argument Essay Topics

• Would the world be safer if we eliminated nuclear weapons?
• Should scientists bring back extinct animals? If so, which ones?
• Should we hold companies fiscally responsible for their carbon footprint?
• Should we ban pesticides in favor of organic farming methods?
• 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?
• Should we worry about artificial intelligence surpassing human intelligence?
• Should the alternative medicine industry be more stringently regulated?
• Is colonizing Mars a viable option?
• Is the animal testing worth the potential to save human lives?

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?
• Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
• Do participation trophies foster entitlement and unrealistic expectations?
• Should sports teams be divided by gender?
• Should professional athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympics?
• Should women be allowed on NFL teams?

Technology Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should sites like DALL-E compensate the artists whose work it was trained on?
• 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? If so, what age?
• Should we consider A.I.-generated images and text pieces of art?
• Does the use of facial recognition technology violate individuals’ privacy?
• Is online learning as effective as in-person learning?
• Does computing harm the environment?
• Should buying, sharing, and selling collected personal data be illegal?
• Are electric cars really better for the environment?
• Should car companies be held responsible for self-driving car accidents?
• Should private jets be banned?
• Do violent video games contribute to real-life violence?

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? If so, to what?
• 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?
• Should companies be allowed to fire employees based on political views or activities?
• Should tipping practices be phased out?
• Should employees who choose not to have children be given the same amount of paid leave as parents?
• Should MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) be illegal?
• Should employers be allowed to factor tattoos and personal appearance into hiring decisions?

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? You might consider checking out the following:

• 125 Good Debate Topics for High School Students
• 150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
• 7 Best Places to Study
• Guide to the IB Extended Essay
• How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay
• AP Lit Reading List
• How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay
• 49 Most Interesting Biology Research Topics
• High School Success

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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200+ Argumentative Essay Topics That Will Blow Your Mind

Updated 17 Jun 2024

Argumentative essays are very popular projects in universities, especially in classes such as English composition, history, and political science, etc. Professors like to assign them because they want to see how well you can reason and support an argument. This article will not only show you how to choose argumentative essay topics, but it will also teach you how to write the project, as well!

List of Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

What are the most controversial topics?

Controversial topics are often the result of such issues as conflicting ethical principles (e.g., euthanasia), going against traditional values (e.g., LGBT rights, gender roles), addressing societal taboos, focusing on delicate or painful issues/collective memories, or the existence of polarized groups in society having different beliefs/stances (e.g., religious groups, atheists, gun ownership supporters). Here are some possible topics for hardworking students who want to achieve the best grades:

Argumentative Essay Topics for College

Argumentative essay writing is a crucial skill for every student. As a college student, you need to find a “controversial” or “gray-area” topic to argue against or for. Your argumentative essay should include deeply researched facts that will support your claims.

• What is the ideal age for obtaining the right to vote?
• Are mobile phones really making people anti-social?
• Why technology-aided learning should be a standard.
• Is socialism bad or have we never implemented it right?
• Equal opportunity or equity: Which one and why?
• Reasons why the modern political structure is ready for a change.
• Money won’t give you happiness in life.
• We are living in the best era so far.
• The ruling elite should be held accountable in greater measure.
• Should college education be free for everyone?
• The impact of technology on the traditional college education system.
• Is the pressure to choose a major at a young age too high?
• The effectiveness of online classes compared to traditional in-person classes.
• Should universities implement mandatory courses on financial literacy?
• The role of Greek life in college culture: beneficial or harmful?
• Should college athletes be paid for playing?
• The impact of social media on college students' mental health.
• Is a gap year beneficial for students before starting college?
• The relevance of standardized testing in college admissions.

Argumentative Essay Topics for High School

• Are digital technologies a good thing for children?
• Is celebrity culture good or bad & why?
• Is there really a wage gap between men and women?
• Should countries get involved in military conflicts around the world?
• Is global warming really an issue & how?
• What are the effects of sexual education on students?
• Is migration good for the US and in what way?
• Should citizens have the right to own guns?
• Should sexual minorities have their own public bathrooms?
• Is traditional public education outdated and ready for an overhaul?
• Should high schools enforce a dress code or uniform?
• The effects of homework on high school students' stress levels and academic performance.
• Should high schools offer more vocational and career-oriented courses?
• The impact of school start times on student performance and well-being.
• Should high school students be allowed to choose their own curriculum?
• The role of technology and gadgets in the classroom: distraction or educational tool?
• Should high schools implement more programs for mental health awareness?
• The importance of teaching life skills in high school.
• Should community service be a graduation requirement for high school students?
• The influence of competitive sports on high school students.

Argumentative Essay Topics about Family

The family is the fundamental unit of society, with direct links to the individual. It influences/dictates many other higher level social processes/structures/hierarchies. Hence, its role for the individual and collective existence of humans is simply monumental. This makes it a topic worth researching and exploring from a sociological, cultural, and psychological perspective.

Moreover, given the current cultural transitions characterizing liberal societies, traditional values on the nature of the family unit have seen a dramatic shift due to a change in gender roles and the recognition of LGBT rights. Thus, families nowadays are facing existential questions; many of the aspects we grew accustomed to are being redefined (e.g., same-sex marriages and parents). Here is a short list of argumentative essay topics related to family:

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• Should homosexual partners be allowed to adopt children?
• It is ok for a parent to physically discipline his child?
• Should mothers stay at home and look after children, or should they work like their husbands?
• Are children better off in two-parent households?
• Should someone who has been convicted of a sex crime be allowed to visit his own children?
• Should children be forcibly taken from their parents if the state feels that the parents are incompetent?
• What are the advantages and benefits of reading to children?
• Do you believe that same-sex couples make better or worse parents?
• What positive and negative long-term effects can corporal punishment have on children?
• Should families have a television in the house or not?
• Should parents monitor their children's internet use?
• The effects of divorce on children's psychological well-being.
• Should families adopt a more sustainable lifestyle to combat climate change?
• The impact of single parenting vs. dual parenting on child development.
• Should parents be held accountable for their children's actions and behavior?
• The role of extended family in child upbringing in modern society.
• Should parents use technology to track their children's whereabouts?
• The effects of parental pressure on children's academic and career choices.
• The importance of family dinners in maintaining family bonds.
• Should parents choose their child's religion, or should the child decide when they are older?

Argumentative Essay Topics about Society

We are all defined by the society we live in. Whether we are aware of this or not, our culture slowly carves our personalities as we grow up, mature, and age. This influence is exerted through the families who raise us, our friends or romantic partners, our teachers/professors and academic colleagues, our professional contacts, the churches we attend, and any other person we interact with on the street, on the phone, online, etc. One of the fundamental principles by which society functions states, “My liberty ends where your liberty begins.”

While this depicts the general spirit, every individual situation/social relationship is characterized by peculiar circumstances that all need to be considered in order to reach a mutually satisfying solution (or at least a compromise). Societies worldwide are undergoing serious changes nowadays, changes which also need to be addressed. Below is a selection of argumentative essay topics related to society:

• Should abortion be legal or illegal?
• Do you believe that a person who is terminally ill has a right to assisted suicide?
• Should private businesses be allowed to discriminate against their clients based on race, gender, or sexual orientation?
• What should countries do to address the problem of illegal immigration?
• Should the Church play a more active role in government and society?
• Is the death penalty an effective deterrent to criminals?
• Should countries have a social safety net that protects the needy and the disadvantaged?
• Do you think that those receiving welfare payments should be required to actively seek work?
• What positive and negative effects does globalization have on societies?
• Does diversity in the workplace increase or decrease tension?
• The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem.
• Should the government regulate fake news on the internet?
• The effects of urbanization on community life and environment.
• Is the death penalty an effective deterrent to crime?
• The role of censorship in art and media.
• Should governments provide a universal basic income?
• The impact of consumer culture on society and the environment.
• Should voting be mandatory for all eligible citizens?
• The role of protests in shaping public policy.
• The impact of globalization on local cultures and economies.

Argumentative Essay Topics on Immigration

Immigration is a controversial topic that has been discussed often over the past decade, which makes it perfect for an argumentative essay. It allows you to give strong reasons behind supporting, rejecting, or changing how immigration is handled.

• How opening all the borders in the world will cause chaos.
• Situations in which illegal immigration should be justified.
• How do countries benefit from immigration?
• Why stopping wars is the best way to prevent immigration.
• Reasons why people want to emigrate to another country.
• Will building walls stop illegal immigration?
• Should refugees running away from conflict be seen as illegals?
• Why are there so many people against immigration?
• What are the effects of immigration on the economy?
• Should governments increase the screening of immigrants from the Middle East?
• Should countries have open borders?
• The impact of immigration on the job market and economy.
• Should immigrants have access to government-subsidized healthcare?
• The role of immigrants in cultural diversity and innovation.
• Should children of illegal immigrants be granted citizenship?
• The effectiveness of building walls and barriers to control immigration.
• The impact of immigration policies on family separation.
• Should immigrants be required to learn the official language of the host country?
• The role of international agreements in managing refugee crises.
• The impact of immigration on national identity and social cohesion.

Argumentative Essay Topics about Law

To manage the complexity of interactions that occur daily within society (involving individuals or groups of people, ranging from property owners to employers and employees to commercial entities to criminals to foreigners, etc.), a clear and transparent set of rules must be implemented. This is a fundamental prerequisite of every society, even from ancient times.

Writing legislation, however, is an ongoing process; and given the speed with which new technologies appear nowadays and the shifts in mentality we undergo on a regular basis, adopting laws to help manage any problem that may emerge is quite a challenge. In fact, adopting a law might solve one problem but create others, so oftentimes, it is a cycle of trial and error.

• Should federal bureaucracies be allowed to pass regulations that have the same weight as laws passed by legislative bodies?
• Would Great Britain be better off if the House of Lords had veto power over the House of Commons?
• Should judges make their rulings based on the wording of the law, or should they make rulings that benefit society?
• Do you believe that states should be able to nullify federal law and rulings made by the Supreme Court if they believe such laws and rulings violate their rights as sovereign republics in the Union?
• Does the Second Amendment allow for ordinary citizens to own firearms, or does it only relegate these rights to militias?
• Does the Supreme Court of the United States have too much power over the other branches of government?
• Should birthright citizenship be abolished by Congress?
• Is it a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment for states to deny the franchise to criminals?
• Is it a violation of the Fourth Amendment for the NSA to collect metadata?
• Should prosecuting a child as an adult be considered by the Supreme Court to be a violation of the Eighth Amendment?
• Should the death penalty be abolished worldwide?
• The impact of gun control laws on crime rates.
• Is the current copyright law adequate in the digital age?
• Should hate speech be protected under freedom of speech laws?
• The effectiveness of the juvenile justice system.
• Should marijuana be legalized for medicinal and recreational use?
• The implications of surveillance laws on privacy and security.
• Should prisoners have the right to vote?
• The role of international law in resolving global conflicts.
• The impact of legalizing assisted suicide on society.

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Ethics Argumentative Essay Topics

Ethics deals with the challenge of making the right decisions from the standpoint of moral values. Oftentimes, it is involved when discussing conflicting subjects – those in which, at first sight, both conflicting positions seem to have valid reasoning and appear to be driven by high moral principles.

By delving deeper into these problems, it is often possible to see additional layers, to learn about specific circumstances, and typical case scenarios and also to dissect problems and reflect both on their causes and potential solutions. Here are a few argumentative essay topics on some ethically controversial issues:

• Do you believe that a priest or psychologist ought to be required by law to share the contents of their conversations with parishioners and patients with the police?
• Is it ethical for a doctor to deny treatment to a patient who cannot afford an operation?
• Is it right for a college to have racial quotas that benefit minorities while denying entrance to academically gifted white and Asian students?
• Should someone be allowed to use a gun to defend his home from an intruder?
• Should the First Amendment protect speech that might be considered offensive by some?
• Is it ethical to require sex offenders to have their names listed on registries visible to the public?
• Is it morally acceptable to offer a white lie to someone when the truth might hurt their feelings?
• Should prostitution be a legal career?
• Do you think that drug use should be legalized?
• Should hunting be considered cruelty to animals?
• Is it ethical to use animals for scientific research?
• The morality of capital punishment.
• Should genetic engineering on humans be allowed?
• The ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
• Is it ethical to implement tracking devices on employees?
• The ethics of using placebo in clinical trials.
• Should parents have the right to select the gender of their unborn child?
• The ethical considerations of organ donation from deceased donors without prior consent.
• Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos and aquariums?
• The morality of war and military interventions.

History Argumentative Essay Topics

History can be viewed as the collective memory of humankind. It typically records significant or remarkable events affecting many people or signifying important societal, cultural, or economic changes or transitions. The chief practical motivation for learning history is to avoid repeating past human errors. History also has great intrinsic value since it describes our evolution from hunter-gatherers to individuals living in extremely sophisticated societies.

Some major events on this road include the creation of laws and the rise of capitalism, money, state institutions, constitutions, and the idea of separation of powers in a state. Many recent historical events help us understand current relationships and processes occurring between countries and within societies. Check out the following topics:

• Was colonialism beneficial to the Third World, or was it harmful?
• Was Adolf Hitler right to demand that territory formerly belonging to Germany be returned to it?
• Should President Abraham Lincoln have allowed the Southern states to leave the Union peacefully?
• Do you believe that the United States was justified in expelling the Native Americans from regions inhabited by white settlers?
• Was the Soviet Union justified in occupying Eastern Europe at the end of the Second World War?
• What were the causes of the US-Mexican War, and what effects does it have on the world today?
• What were the primary causes of the Indo-Pak Wars following the dissolution of British India?
• Was Reconstruction of the American South following the American Civil War a success or a failure?
• Why was Prussia successful in unifying Germany into a single nation?
• What effect did the invention of the cotton gin have on American agriculture?
• Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified?
• The impact of colonialism on indigenous populations.
• Should historical figures be judged by today's moral standards?
• The effectiveness of the Treaty of Versailles in preventing World War II.
• The role of women in World War II.
• The impact of the Renaissance on modern Western society.
• Was the Cold War inevitable?
• The influence of the Mongol Empire on world history.
• The consequences of the fall of the Roman Empire.
• The role of the Silk Road in shaping global trade and cultural exchange.

Conflict Essay Topics

The majority of conflict essay topics are dealing with challenging subjects like armed conflicts, crises, workplace issues, student debts, bullying, and more. The purpose is to identify a conflict, turn to an existing case study, and provide sources that will support an argument. Here are some conflict essay ideas that you should consider:

• The religious constituent of conflict between Israel and Palestine.
• The role of mediation in multicultural conflicts.
• Parents and teens conflict: psychology vs physiology.
• How do NGOs impact the human rights of females in India?
• Covid-19 and Alitalia workplace conflict.
• Konrad Lorenz and his theory of violence and conflict.
• Peaceful conflict resolution: Gandhi vs Tolstoy.
• Johan Galtung and Norwegian approach to world conflicts.
• Social media conflicts: where do we cross the line?
• An ethical side of religious conflicts and politics.
• The role of international intervention in civil wars.
• Can peace be achieved in the Middle East?
• The impact of economic sanctions on conflict resolution.
• The effectiveness of the United Nations in preventing global conflicts.
• Cyber warfare: The new frontier of international conflict.
• The role of natural resources in fueling conflicts.
• The impact of social media on political unrest and revolutions.
• Should countries have the right to intervene in the internal affairs of others for humanitarian reasons?
• The consequences of the arms trade on global peace and security.
• The role of education in preventing religious and ethnic conflicts.

Argumentative Essay Topics on Health

Health topics can be very broad in their scope, ranging from a discussion of various medical conditions to arguing in favor of new treatment approaches; revealing new evidence regarding the causes of certain diseases (e.g., allergies); problems faced by the healthcare system and ways to best address them; various medical practices; the influence of modern lifestyle on our health; myths about a healthy lifestyle (and their debunking); and problems with untrustworthy medically related information on the web and how to address said problem.

• Do you believe that healthcare should be free for all?
• Should prisoners in the United States have the same access to healthcare as do free persons?
• Is it ethical to perform medical experiments on animals?
• Should medical knowledge gained from experiments performed on people in Nazi concentration camps be used today?
• Is it better to have a private or public healthcare system?
• How should the United States cope with an increasingly aging population?
• Should people with sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV/AIDs, be forcibly quarantined?
• Is drug and alcohol addiction a disease?
• Should military service members be allowed to sue military doctors for medical malpractice?
• How are 21st century social conditions affecting people’s health?
• Reasons why child vaccination is mandatory in some countries.
• Objective facts that show how cosmetic surgery is dangerous.
• Medical drugs should be cheaper and available to everyone.
• How to recognize unfactual medical advice that can be encountered online?
• Should vaccination be mandatory for all?
• The impact of diet fads on long-term health.
• Should healthcare be considered a right or a privilege?
• The effectiveness of alternative medicine.
• The impact of mental health on overall well-being.
• Should the government regulate junk food like it does tobacco and alcohol?
• The role of exercise in preventing lifestyle diseases.
• The ethical implications of cloning and genetic modification in humans.
• Should there be a cap on medical malpractice lawsuit settlements?
• The impact of social determinants on health outcomes.

Psychology Argumentative Topics Ideas

As a psychology student, you need to find interesting topics that are relevant to the field of psychology. Students need to use their knowledge, research, and analytic skills to write essays with reliable information that supports their claims.

• Why is love often the topic of music lyrics?
• How marketing subconsciously affects our minds.
• Main reasons why kids learn to play instruments faster.
• How emotions affect our actions and behaviour.
• How is cyberbullying harmful to personal development?
• How music rewires our brains and affects our development.
• Why modern people need to prepare themselves for parenthood.
• Why is a sense of humour different depending on the culture?
• How bad experiences can lead to nightmares.
• How social media creates bad values with children.
• Is nature or nurture more influential in shaping personality?
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy versus medication in treating depression.
• Should psychological testing be mandatory for gun ownership?
• The impact of social media on adolescent mental health.
• Does violent video game play contribute to aggressive behavior in children?
• The ethics of using animals in psychological research.
• Can psychological interventions effectively prevent addiction relapse?
• Is the concept of intelligence quotient (IQ) an outdated measure of intelligence?
• The role of psychology in addressing climate change denial.
• Should psychological profiling be used in the hiring process?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Education

Education is vital in the shaping of our future. The current generation of students will one day be in positions of power and manage the future of our society. Accordingly, we should attend to the needs of the current generation and ensure their harmonious and qualitative intellectual, moral, and physical development. We should also help them not only to adapt to the requirements of these times but also to have the skills, wisdom, and determination necessary to progress in the right direction (addressing current global problems).

Here is a list of topics:

• Should children with special needs be taught separately from normal children?
• Should standardized test scores be used to determine whether or not a student graduates?
• Do you believe that Common Core will benefit the American education system?
• Should the curriculum in public schools be determined by local communities or by the state?
• Which system is better: teacher-centered or student-centered education?
• Should schools include athletics as part of school life, or should school be solely for academic purposes?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of a classical education?
• Compare and contrast learning methodologies of the 19th and 20th centuries.
• How can parents facilitate learning in the classroom?
• Should teachers be friends with their students?
• Should middle-school students choose their subjects?
• How to balance free speech and regulations on campus.
• How the COVID-19 pandemic made distance learning mainstream.
• Why are younger generations ready to switch to online learning?
• Should standardized testing be abolished in schools?
• The impact of technology in the classroom: distraction or learning enhancement?
• Is homeschooling a better alternative to traditional schooling?
• Should college education be made free for everyone?
• The effectiveness of sex education in schools.
• Should schools implement more life skills courses?
• The role of physical education in the school curriculum.
• Should schools ban homework to reduce student stress?
• The impact of school uniforms on student behavior and performance.
• Should schools teach financial literacy?

Topics on Foreign Policy

The topics below address international diplomacy, discussing such issues as armed conflicts, frozen conflicts, commercial treaties and commercial wars, military alliances or cooperation, weapons commerce, peace-keeping operations, and traditional and emerging ties between countries.

The foreign policy of a country is often determined by politics, national interests, economic circumstances, social issues (e.g., low tolerance against immigrants), values, and traditions as well as any history of diplomatic ties. Feel free to check the options below for inspiration:

• Should the United States engage in rapprochement with Russia?
• Do you believe that the European Union is beneficial to Europe?
• Is it a good policy for the EU and NATO to expand in Eastern Europe?
• Should the United States guarantee the security of South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan against China, Russia, and North Korea?
• Is Great Britain justified in leaving the European Union?
• What should Ukraine’s foreign policy be as a result of American and Russian interference in her domestic affairs?
• Should South and North Korea unify, or should they remain separate countries?
• What foreign policy objectives should the Biden administration pursue?
• How can Russia and the United States achieve a lasting peace in Syria that is beneficial to both nations and Syria?
• How has terrorism affected the foreign policies of the United States and Russia?
• Should the international community intervene in human rights abuses in sovereign countries?
• The effectiveness of economic sanctions as a foreign policy tool.
• The role of the United Nations in maintaining global peace.
• Should countries prioritize national security over international cooperation?
• The impact of foreign aid on developing countries.
• The ethics of drone warfare in foreign policy.
• Should global environmental issues be a central focus of foreign policy?
• The influence of cultural diplomacy in international relations.
• The future of NATO in global security.
• The role of espionage in shaping foreign policy.

Economics Argumentative Essay Topics

A strong economy is essential for the well-being of a nation since it serves as the engine for individual prosperity, infrastructure projects benefiting millions, well-financed medicine, education, and the military—which, in turn, is the guarantor of national safety.

Argumentative essay topics related to the economy may deal with policies regarding economic development (tax cuts versus increased taxation for big corporations/small and medium enterprises; protectionism versus joining free-trade treaties), socio-economic doctrine (socialism/communism/capitalism), the investigation of reasons behind economic crises, indices of a strong economy, and how to solve economic problems in developing countries.

• Should developed nations adopt socialism?
• Which economic system is better for society: capitalism or socialism?
• What are some of the reasons why communism failed in the Soviet Union?
• Is buying shares speculation or is it investing?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of an economy oriented towards exporting commodities?
• What were the causes of the recession of 2008, and how might such an economic downturn be avoided in the future?
• Did President Roosevelt’s New Deal policies help to end the Great Depression, or did they protract America’s economic woes?
• What economic policies should Third World countries adopt to improve their global status?
• Should countries adopt protectionist or free-trade policies?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages to being in a customs union?
• Is capitalism the best economic system for wealth distribution?
• The impact of minimum wage laws on employment rates.
• Should governments bail out failing industries?
• The role of cryptocurrency in the future of the global economy.
• Is universal basic income a viable solution to poverty?
• The effects of globalization on local economies.
• Should governments regulate the sharing economy?
• The impact of trade tariffs on international relations.
• Can sustainable development coexist with current economic growth models?
• The role of government in regulating tech giants.

Military Science Topic Ideas

According to a popular saying, “if you don’t want to feed your own army, be prepared to feed the enemy’s army” – this summarizes the role played by the military for any given nation. While, according to the statistics of the last decades, we seem to be moving away from wars, these still occur and given the weaponry of today, they can be very destructive.

Nowadays, military science is not only concentrated on the use of strategies and tactical maneuvers but also on the mastery of a number of advanced technologies (nuclear weapons, drones, AI-powered devices, lasers, satellites).

• Can wars be won solely by strategic bombing, or are ground forces necessary to achieve victory?
• Can mechanized units be used to take urban areas, or is light infantry, supported by artillery and aircraft, better suited for this role?
• When waging a counterinsurgency in another country, should reprisals be taken against civilians in order to deter them from aiding the opposition force?
• Is it morally acceptable to use chemical and biological munitions as area denial weapons?
• What role did sea power play in the emergence of Great Britain as the premier superpower of the 19th century?
• Why, despite arguably having the best army in the world, did Germany still lose the Second World War?
• In a total war, where the objective is to replace the enemy’s government and completely occupy his country, do the means justify the ends?
• Are aircraft carriers still useful on the modern battlefield, or have they been rendered obsolete by recent developments in air and submarine warfare?
• Should the United States military seek to weaponize space?
• Can artificial intelligence and machines replace soldiers on the battlefield?
• The future of unmanned combat vehicles in warfare.
• Should cyber warfare be considered a legitimate military strategy?
• The ethics of using artificial intelligence in military operations.
• The role of space exploration in national security.
• Should nuclear weapons be globally abolished?
• The impact of military alliances on global peace.
• The effectiveness of counterinsurgency strategies.
• The role of women in combat roles.
• The impact of military spending on a country's economy.
• The ethics of enhanced interrogation techniques in military intelligence.

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Sports Argumentative Essay Topics

Are you a sports fan? Even if you are not, you can still pick relevant and interesting subjects to discuss and explore in your upcoming assignment. First, you will have to choose your position and make sure you have a clear idea of your thesis statement. Then, you will have to come up with relevant evidence to support both sides of the argument. Check this list of controversial essay topics in relation to sports:

• Stereotyping for college athletes: Is playing sports going to affect your academic level?
• Cheerleading is a real sport: Are cheerleaders shamed for what they like to do the most?
• Colleges spend too much money on sports programs.
• Animal sports should be banned and criminalized.
• The types of ads broadcast during sports events watched by children and teenagers should be controlled.
• Betting on all kinds of sports contradicts with the main purpose of practicing them.
• Male and female athletes should be given the same salaries and chances.
• Chess is a real sport that trains the most important organ in the body: the brain.
• Is American football too dangerous for players?
• Do elite athletes really deserve their enormous income?
• Should college athletes receive salaries?
• Is the use of technology in sports (e.g., VAR in soccer) beneficial or detrimental?
• Do sports stars deserve their high salaries?
• Should performance-enhancing drugs be legalized under medical supervision?
• Is cheerleading a sport?
• The impact of hosting the Olympics on a city.
• Should children be allowed to participate in contact sports?
• The role of mental health in athletic performance.
• Are esports legitimate sports?
• Should sports betting be legalized everywhere?

6th-Grade Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

For a middle-school student, picking the right topic for your upcoming essay can be a real challenge. Although you might think that you are better off when your teacher assigns the topic, it can be fun to make the choice on your own. Here are some topics that are appropriate for hardworking students who want to achieve the best grades.

• Should education be free for everyone?
• Why are children becoming more obese?
• Current academic grading system: Is it fair?
• What are the negative effects of following a nutritional diet?
• Getting enough sleep: Is it receiving enough attention?
• Should children and teens be playing dangerous sports?
• Should violent video games be prohibited by law?
• What is the effect of mobile phones on children and teens?
• Parents should have no control over the lives of their children once they turn 16.
• Are children and teens doing what they have to do to overcome globalization?
• Should school cafeterias only offer healthy food options?
• Are pets better companions than siblings?
• Should homework be banned in schools?
• Can video games be educational?
• Should schools start later in the morning?
• Is it better to read books or watch movies?
• Should recycling be mandatory for everyone?
• Are summer vacations too long?
• Should students wear uniforms to school?
• Is it important for children to learn a second language?

8th-Grade Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

• Smokers should avoid smoking when non-smokers are nearby.
• Why taking care of your diet is important.
• What makes pop culture so appealing to the younger population?
• How is reality tv actually different from reality?
• Why people in important positions make more money.
• Why teachers shouldn’t add students on social media.
• Why everyone should have access to the internet.
• How the environment affects our growth as a person.
• Differences in social pressure girls and boys face.
• Should students have a say in their curriculum?
• Is climate change the biggest threat to our future?
• Should plastic bags be banned in all stores?
• Are smartphones harmful to middle school students?
• Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
• Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos?
• Should schools have more arts and music classes?
• Is it better to be honest and poor or dishonest and rich?
• Should junk food be banned in schools?
• Are humans too dependent on computers?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Technology

Technology plays a crucial part in our lives, and this role keeps on growing every single day. Our technological breakthrough is currently improving the quality of life for millions of people, but it is also changing life as we know it. Here are some controversial topics to write about:

• Is technology turning us into present-day zombies?
• Is technology making people feel lonely?
• Online dating: Is it replacing the real thing?
• Is technology limiting creativity in young people?
• Do you think that humanity will reach a point where there is no chance for any technological advancement?
• Spending money on exploring space: the cost and the benefits.
• The effect of technology on education.
• Is technology making people smarter or dumber?
• Can technology be used to treat human problems related to feelings?
• Should cloning be allowed or banned?
• Will artificial intelligence surpass human intelligence?
• Is technology making us more alone?
• Should self-driving cars be legal?
• Is the digital age lowering people's attention spans?
• Are smartphones harmful to our personal relationships?
• Should all students be given tablets or laptops in school?
• Is net neutrality important?
• Can online education replace traditional education?
• Is technology making people less creative?
• Should people implant microchips for identity or banking?

Social Media Argumentative Topics

The rise in popularity of different social media platforms has caused a lot of changes across the globe. For starters, memes and trends spread too fast that one single meme can be viewed and shared by millions of people in one hour. Privacy, safety, and social responsibility are becoming extremely important as more people are relying on social media to communicate, study, work, and affect the lives of others.

• What is the right age to allow children to have their own private social media accounts?
• Does spending too much time on social media ruin family and personal relationships?
• Social media pranks and challenges: Are they really dangerous?
• Social media platforms can change someone’s point of view and bias.
• Should social media platforms be monitored and controlled?
• Are funny memes ethical?
• Reporting offensive social media content: Is it really worth it?
• International trends and how they affect the way we behave.
• Are YouTubers responsible for comments their fans publish on their posts?
• Making money off social media.
• Does social media promote unrealistic expectations about life?
• Should there be age restrictions on social media platforms?
• Does social media enhance or hinder interpersonal relationships?
• Is social media responsible for the spread of fake news?
• Should employers look at potential employees' social media during the hiring process?
• Is social media making us more narcissistic?
• Can social media activism be considered real activism?
• Should parents monitor their children's social media use?
• Does social media improve or damage mental health?
• Is it possible to have privacy on social media?

Funny Argumentative Essay Topics

Who said that education shouldn’t be fun? Picking the right funny topics will spice up the atmosphere in class and stir up a few laughs. Here are some ideas to think about before you decide on the topic of your next paper.

• Why do people like to watch funny cat videos?
• The reason why more people are interested in watching funny pranks.
• Our world would be different if dogs ruled it.
• Why are clowns frightening?
• Pretending that you are actually working: Is it good or bad?
• Teenagers have the worst pay for the worst jobs.
• Reasons to love and hate your last name.
• How to get rejected on a date.
• Annoying your parents: Is it worth it?
• Telling lies and getting away with them.
• Should cats or dogs rule the world?
• Is pineapple an acceptable pizza topping?
• Are aliens avoiding Earth because it's too boring?
• Should schools teach students how to become famous YouTubers?
• Is watching cartoons acceptable for adults?
• Should all desserts be considered breakfast food?
• Are humans really smarter than animals?
• Should there be a cap on the number of selfies one can post a day on social media?
• Is the zombie apocalypse near, and how should we prepare?
• Should robots have vacations?

Rogerian Argument Essay Topics

When a college professor asks you to come up with a Rogerian argument essay, it means that you should provide an essay with argumentation where both sides win. It may seem quite complex as it takes a great share of analysis, persuasion, debates, and study of the counter-arguments that are often contradictory or go against the most common logic. The solution is to choose a Rogerian argument where your audience should see at least two examples of an issue or the same idea like it has been done below:

• Should Bitcoin be made a fully legal currency as a way to maintain the world's economy?
• Should more skilled people be provided with better job positions?
• Are current school examination systems fair to determine a child's success?
• Should college athletes be paid more because they represent an educational institution?
• Is Internet censorship an advantage since it provides control?
• Marketing on children's television: is it a correct or a totally wrong approach?
• Should school uniforms be permitted as a way to achieve equality?
• Does automation help us as we become fully dependent on technology?
• Is punishment of children a way to bring up well-behaved personalities?
• Should boarding schools still exist as a way to let students communicate and live in a restricted learning environment?
• The balance between freedom of speech and hate speech.
• Finding common ground in gun control debates.
• Addressing climate change: economic growth vs. environmental protection.
• The middle path for abortion rights discussions.
• Balancing national security and individual privacy.
• Public school vs. homeschooling: finding the optimal model for education.
• The role of government in healthcare.
• Addressing immigration reform for a better future.
• Finding consensus on the death penalty.
• Balancing technology use and human interaction.

Environmental and Climate Change Topics

In a world where the environment is at the forefront of global discussions, debates, and policies, choosing a topic that resonates with current realities and future aspirations is crucial. The following list of environmental and climate change topics is curated to spark thoughtful discussions and arguments that echo the urgent need for sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and transformative policies. These topics are designed to provoke critical thinking, encourage research, and inspire a collective commitment to addressing our planet's pressing environmental challenges. Dive into these discussions with a sense of purpose and exploration, and you'll find a wealth of knowledge and perspectives that illuminate the path to a sustainable future.

• The Role of Renewable Energy: Should governments globally prioritize renewable energy sources over fossil fuels to combat climate change?
• Plastic Pollution: How effective are bans on single-use plastics in reducing plastic pollution, and should more countries adopt such bans?
• Deforestation and Climate Change: Should there be stricter international laws to prevent deforestation and promote forest conservation?
• Sustainable Agriculture: How can sustainable agriculture practices be promoted to combat environmental degradation and ensure food security?
• Urban Planning and Environment: Should cities adopt green urban planning techniques to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainability?
• Ocean Acidification: What measures should be taken to prevent ocean acidification and protect marine biodiversity?
• Climate Change and Natural Disasters: Is climate change directly responsible for the increase in frequency and severity of natural disasters?
• Waste Management: How can waste management practices be improved to promote recycling and reduce landfill waste?
• Water Conservation: What role do water conservation practices play in preventing water scarcity and promoting environmental sustainability?
• Biodiversity and Conservation: Should more protected areas be established to conserve biodiversity and protect endangered species?
• Air Pollution and Public Health: How does air pollution impact public health, and what measures should cities take to improve air quality?
• Global Warming Mitigation: What global actions are necessary to mitigate the impacts of global warming and prevent catastrophic climate change?
• Should governments invest more in renewable energies?
• Is climate change the biggest threat facing humanity?
• Can individual actions significantly impact climate change?
• Should plastic products be banned to reduce pollution?
• Are electric vehicles the solution to global pollution?
• Should companies be held more accountable for environmental practices?
• Is the meat industry a major contributor to climate change?
• Can reforestation stop climate change?
• Should public transport be made free to reduce carbon emissions?
• Are current environmental laws enough to protect our planet?

Arts and Culture Topics

Arts and culture are the mirrors of society, reflecting our history, values, and diverse identities. The following topics invite you to explore the multifaceted world of arts and culture, encouraging a deeper understanding of its transformative impact on individuals and communities. These subjects aim to ignite discussions on the significance of artistic expression, cultural preservation, and creative innovation in shaping societal narratives and human experiences. Engaging with these topics will allow for a rich exploration of the dynamic interplay between arts, culture, and contemporary societal issues, fostering a nuanced appreciation of the arts' role in enriching our lives and societies.

• Impact of Digital Art: How has digital art transformed artistic expression and appreciation in the modern era?
• Cultural Appropriation in Art: Where is the line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation in various forms of art?
• Music and Mental Health: Can music be effectively used as a therapeutic tool for mental health improvement?
• Historical Accuracy in Movies: How important is historical accuracy in films, and what impact does it have on societal perceptions of historical events?
• Social Media and Art Exposure: Has social media positively or negatively affected artists' ability to showcase their work and gain exposure?
• The Role of Museums: How do museums contribute to education and the preservation of culture and history?
• Censorship in the Arts: Should there be limitations on artistic expression to prevent offensive or harmful content?
• The Influence of Art on Society: How does art influence societal norms, values, and attitudes?
• Cultural Impact of Literature: How does literature contribute to the preservation and transmission of culture and historical narratives?
• Diversity in the Film Industry: What steps should be taken to promote diversity and inclusion in the film industry?
• The Evolution of Dance: How has dance evolved as a form of cultural expression, and what influences have shaped its development?
• Art Education: What is the importance of art education in schools, and how does it contribute to students' overall development and creativity?
• The impact of digital media on traditional art forms.
• Cultural appropriation in fashion and art: Where is the line?
• The role of street art in urban culture and politics.
• The evolution of music genres and their cultural significance.
• How do museums shape our understanding of history and culture?
• The influence of social media on contemporary literature.
• The revival of indigenous arts and its importance in preserving culture.
• The role of art therapy in mental health and well-being.
• The impact of globalization on local cultural identities.
• The significance of cultural festivals in promoting unity and diversity.

Science and Research Topics

Science and research are the cornerstones of innovation and progress in society. The following topics delve into the realms of scientific discovery and exploration, encouraging a thoughtful examination of the advancements, ethical considerations, and impacts of research in various fields. These subjects aim to foster discussions on the role of science in addressing contemporary challenges, advancing technology, and enhancing our understanding of the natural world and human existence. Engaging with these topics will facilitate a deeper appreciation of the transformative power of scientific research and its capacity to shape a better and more informed future.

• Ethics in Scientific Research: How should ethical considerations shape scientific research, especially in sensitive areas like genetics and biotechnology?
• Space Exploration and Colonization: What are the potential benefits and risks of human colonization of other planets, such as Mars?
• Artificial Intelligence: How will the advancement of artificial intelligence impact various sectors such as healthcare, education, and employment?
• Vaccine Development: What lessons have been learned from the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines that can be applied to future vaccine research?
• Climate Change Research: How can scientific research contribute to a better understanding and mitigation of the impacts of climate change?
• Nanotechnology: What are the potential applications and ethical implications of advancements in nanotechnology?
• Renewable Energy Technologies: How can research and innovation in renewable energy technologies contribute to a sustainable future?
• Biodiversity and Conservation: What role does scientific research play in the conservation of biodiversity and natural ecosystems?
• Mental Health Research: How can research in psychology and neuroscience contribute to improved mental health treatments and interventions?
• Genetic Engineering: What are the potential benefits and ethical considerations of genetic engineering technologies such as CRISPR?
• Cybersecurity: How can research in cybersecurity help protect against emerging threats and ensure data privacy?
• Sustainable Agriculture: How can scientific research contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture practices and food security?
• The ethics of genetic editing: The CRISPR technology debate.
• The potential of renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels.
• The role of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
• The impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems and human health.
• The future of space exploration: Mars colonization.
• The psychological effects of social isolation.
• Climate change: Analyzing the effectiveness of current mitigation strategies.
• The relationship between diet, lifestyle, and longevity.
• The potential of stem cell research in regenerative medicine.
• The role of technology in enhancing or hindering educational outcomes.

These lists provide amazing ideas that you can use in your upcoming assignment. Browse them and make sure you choose a relevant topic to discuss in your writing.

What are good topics for college essays?

Good college essays may explore problems or challenges faced by students or youth, career choices, educational opportunities, and inspiring people; they may also address global or local challenges faced by the current generation of students, the dangers and potential they will be exposed to, and the change they need to bring to this world.

These topics can also serve as very good argumentative speech topics, too!

The Principles of Formatting Academic Papers

Academic papers are normally required to abide by a specific formatting style that is characteristic to the field (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, etc.). This preference for a given formatting style is primarily dictated by the nature of the content and the type of in-text citations, bibliography, and formatting of the page header and/or footer that works best with such content.

MLA uses the author-page number format for in-text citations and lists the first names of the authors in the bibliography section. This is better suited for precisely referencing information in humanitarian subjects, characterized by long works written by one or few authors.

In contrast, APA uses an author-year format and is thus better suited for sciences. Mentioning the year as part of in-text citations makes it easy to visualize the chronology of the research cited in the paper. At the same time, APA collapses first names in the bibliography section to initials, which is very handy when the number of authors involved is large, a frequent scenario in scientific publications. Finally, providing page numbers, in this case, makes less sense given that scientific publications are typically short and often published in online documents without explicit numbering.

You could download and use templates for the appropriate formatting styles to take a shortcut and save lots of time. The most basic elements required by a given format would be accounted for in these templates: margins, font size, page headers, indentation, first-level, and second-level headings, the format of bibliography sources, page numbering, footnotes and endnotes, title pages, etc. It’s often a good idea to check an essay format example before you start working on your own.

How to Prepare Your Essay

There are multiple steps you should take in order to learn how to write an argumentative essay of excellent quality:

• Research your argumentative essay ideas

Whatever topic you choose, you are going to have to do some reading up on it because chances are that you don’t know as much about the subject as you think you do.

The best research strategy is to find five reputable sources that support your argumentative essay ideas and read each while taking notes on the relevant sections. For each source you use, write down the book's title, the author's name, the publishing information, and the page numbers where you took the information. This will come in handy when you put together your bibliography.

• Brainstorming

To organize your thoughts, you should engage in a brainstorming exercise called pre-writing. Get out a piece of paper and a pen and start scribbling down every thought related to your project. Go through this list you’ve created and eliminate any idea that you believe won’t help you while keeping those you can use. Eventually, you will have a list of words and sentences that you can use to formulate the text of your essay.

Outlining is the process where you organize your text before you begin writing. Write your thesis statement down on a blank piece of paper; underneath it, write short sentences that summarize what you want to say for each paragraph in your main body. For your conclusion, write a short sentence in plain language that restates your argument, demands a call-to-action, or leaves a warning. When you have a completed  argumentative essay outline , you will have a step-by-step guide that you can follow.

Once you begin writing your argumentative research paper topic or social issues essay topic , follow the structure you wrote down as best as you can—but at the same time, don’t be a slave to it. You are the master of your work, and if you believe that you should try something different in your paper than what you have written in your outline, by all means, do it.

Do not do all of your writing on the same day. Work on your project a little bit at a time so you don’t have to cram to get everything done at the last minute. If you have to write your entire essay in one day, do your best to give yourself breaks so you don’t burn out.

• Proofreading

When you are done with your essay, check it not only for grammatical errors but also for logical fallacies as well. Useful note: aside from opting to  buy college essay , you can also contact an editing service. Alternatively, consider showing the final version of the essay to a family member or friend. 

To sum up, when writing your argumentative essay, you should follow these guidelines: identify reliable sources addressing the topic and write down all relevant bibliographic details to identify the sources later; research your question, search for evidence supporting your arguments and refuting or supporting your counterarguments; take notes throughout the process; brainstorm ideas to be included in the paper; outline the structure of the essay; do the writing, and proofread the final product.

Every professor pays attention to the structure of the submitted essay, especially the argumentative one. This is why you should master it and be confident while writing. Here is a basic argumentative essay structure for you to follow:

• Introduction

The introduction is where you introduce your topic to the reader. Here you should write your thesis statement, a one- to two-sentence statement that summarizes the position you will take in your essay. Be logical. Narrow down your thoughts and be straightforward. Your thesis statement is the most important part of your essay as it shows your position regarding the topic. Demonstrate your attitude towards the topic and support it with arguments in the body paragraphs.

Here you must present valid evidence to support whatever claim you made in your thesis statement. Place this information in the body of your composition in a manner that seems logical to you. Make sure you present your supporting facts in a way your audience can understand. Start every paragraph with a topic sentence that supports the thesis. Continue with the evidence you found in outside sources. You can provide a direct quotation or paraphrase. Remember to cite it properly in order to avoid any plagiarism accusations. Later on, interpret this piece of evidence; show how you understand it and how it relates to the topic. Finish the paragraph with a concluding sentence, providing a short summary of the paragraph along with a transition to the next passage of the essay.

After presenting the evidence for your argumentative essay topic and backing up your claims, you must then refute opposing arguments. Use evidence such as statistics and expert opinion that contradicts and disproves the position of your opponent. Do not be afraid that it will worsen your own position regarding the chosen topic. On the contrary, it will help you demonstrate your ability to contradict your opponents’ arguments and stick to your opinion.

Once you have presented your evidence and refuted your opponents' positions, it is time to write your conclusion. You can do several things with your conclusion. You can restate your argument, which is a very common practice amongst essayists. You might also consider calling on your audience to engage in a specific action or behavior—a call to action. Also, you can leave your audience with a warning, telling them that there might be dire consequences if they do not take your arguments seriously.

What are the five parts of an argumentative essay?

A standard argumentative essay consists of five paragraphs: one paragraph containing the thesis (the claim); two paragraphs with supporting arguments/evidence; a paragraph listing potential counterarguments along with their rebuttal; and a paragraph with a persuasive conclusion.

Tips for Choosing Good Argumentative Essay Topics

Which idea should you go for? Theoretically speaking, we could say that the sky's the limit; however, you should follow certain guidelines when deciding your next brilliant writing idea for your upcoming essay or paper.

• It should be interesting:

The idea of your next piece of writing should be subject to debate. In other words, you should be able to do the necessary research to find differing opinions regarding the idea you have chosen. It also should be interesting to you, your professor, and the audience who will most likely read or listen to your essay. It is difficult to write about a topic that you personally find boring or dull. Since you have the opportunity to choose your topic, choose wisely. The more interesting your idea is, the better you will be able to write about it. You should also make sure you have the knowledge needed to work on your writing. Being able to choose your own idea gives you an excellent chance to excel.

• Avoid using pure facts:

An interesting argumentative essay should be controversial. You shouldn’t depend purely on facts because the purpose of your assignment is to express an opinion. Students might be tempted to rely on facts only; but to make a good argument, you should also be able to state what you think. Researching to find appropriate argumentative essay ideas will take some time, but it is totally worth it. You should also do some brainstorming to come up with relevant evidence to include in your paper.

• Your topic shouldn’t be too wide:

When you look for controversial topics, you might be tempted to choose subjects that are way too broad to discuss. This can be a real problem when you are writing because you will get lost or overwhelmed. The more specific your essay or paper is, the better the quality of your writing will be. A very wide topic is going to be confusing for you as well as for your audience.

• You shouldn’t be biased:

There are many issues that may interest you. But when you pick one, make sure you don’t have extremely strong feelings about it. When you are working on the proposal of your writing, try to choose a subject that is not too sensitive and touches you on a personal level. The purpose of your writing is to provide your audience with a persuasive piece of writing. By picking the right subject and working on your thesis statement, your essay will have relevant evidence that makes it worth reading.

• Work on your evidence:

Just because you believe in something doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good enough to be included in your writing. It is crucial to back yourself up with sufficient supportive pieces of evidence to validate your viewpoint. Spend time to do adequate research to provide enough evidence for your opinion and the opposing opinion at the same time. This proves that you have worked hard to support your argument by using reliable information.

• You can take the risk:

Topics for argumentative essays should be special and unique. This is your chance to stand out and pick something that others might have tried to avoid. Don’t be scared to take the risk if it is properly calculated. Common themes are way too boring and will not deliver the message you mean to send to your audience. But if you are going to choose a unique and controversial topic, you should make sure you can provide enough information. Include enough data to argue for both sides of the argument.

Read also: 60 Narrative Essay Topics for Students

Use Our Argumentative Essay Ideas and Tips to Get Higher Grades

With the help of our topic generator for essay  and our interesting list of topics, you are guaranteed to get a high grade! But if time is running out and you have better things to do than write boring essays, the professional writers of EduBirdie can provide you with high quality essay writing help , or they can do your paper for you! Contact our customer service representatives today and get prompt answers to your questions.

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Written by David Kidwell

David is one of those experienced content creators from the United Kingdom who has a high interest in social issues, culture, and entrepreneurship. He always says that reading, blogging, and staying aware of what happens in the world is what makes a person responsible. He likes to learn and share what he knows by making things inspiring and creative enough even for those students who dislike reading.

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300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing

Recent Student Opinion and Picture Prompts, categorized by topic, to help students discover the issues that matter to them.

By The Learning Network

Update: This list is available as a PDF .

If you’ve taught argument writing with our resources in the past, you already know we ask a fresh question every day as part of our long-running Student Opinion series . Teenagers around the world are invited to visit and post their thoughts on topics including politics, medical ethics, fashion, sports and entertainment.

We’ve rounded up lists of these prompts in the past, but this year we’re doing something new: Below you can find a categorized collection of all our recent, relevant Student Opinion questions, but alongside them we’re also including related Picture Prompts. These short, image-based forums are accessible to learners of all ages, but still provide engaging jumping-off points to help students make and support claims.

For instance, let’s say your class is interested in meme culture. A Student Opinion question asks, “ Do Memes Make the Internet a Better Place? ” and invites students to read and weigh in on a New York Times article that examines the role of memes in how teenagers process world events. Over 700 students have already submitted their thoughts .

But if you scan the “Technology and Social Media” category below, you’ll see we also have a Picture Prompt that asks a more direct, concrete question: “ What are your favorite memes? ” For many, that may be a fun, comfortable place to start.

So give your students both “voice and choice” by inviting them to find the questions and format that speak to them. All the prompts below are still open for comment. We look forward to seeing which ones inspire the most passionate arguments, and we invite your class to submit the results to our Eighth Annual Editorial Contest .

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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 argue for or against 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. Then you need to take a position, do some research, and present your viewpoint convincingly.

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 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 you get across? Did the topic give you something new to think about? Can you see why someone else may feel differently?

List of 50 Possible Argumentative Essay 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. Just make sure your opinions are backed up by facts in the essay.   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 the U.S. election process fair?
• Is torture ever acceptable?
• Should men get paternity leave from work?
• Are school uniforms beneficial?
• Does the U.S. 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)?
• Should same-sex marriage be legalized in more countries?
• 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?
• Should more companies expand their reproductive health benefits for employees?
• 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?

How to Craft a Persuasive Argument

After you've decided on your essay topic, gather evidence to make your argument as strong as possible. Your research could even help shape the position your essay ultimately takes. As you craft your essay, remember to utilize persuasive writing techniques , such as invoking emotional language or citing facts from authoritative figures. 

• 100 Persuasive Essay Topics
• Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs
• Complete List of Transition Words
• Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay
• 501 Topic Suggestions for Writing Essays and Speeches
• How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech (With Topic Ideas)
• 67 Causal Essay Topics to Consider
• Practice in Supporting a Topic Sentence with Specific Details
• What Is Expository Writing?
• Topical Organization Essay
• How to Outline and Organize an Essay
• 40 Topics to Help With Descriptive Writing Assignments
• Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing
• What an Essay Is and How to Write One
• Personal Essay Topics
• Ecology Essay Ideas

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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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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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Argumentative Essay Guide

Argumentative Essay Topics

Last updated on: Dec 19, 2023

Argumentative Essay Topics - Compelling Ideas to Get Started

By: Jared P.

18 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Oct 22, 2019

Are you about to write an argumentative essay but still confused about the topic?

Argumentative essays help students learn more about the subject matter of a particular course. This kind of writing is a genuine key to learning argumentative skills. You must pay attention to your subject while choosing a strong topic for your essay.

But what if you don’t even know what to write about? 

Don’t worry! Here is a list of topics and tips to help you decide on the perfect topic for your argumentative paper. 

So read on and make choosing a topic easier!

On this Page

Argumentative Essay Topics for students

Argumentative essay writing is one common academic assignment that almost every student will get to draft. In order to help the students, we have prepared a list of argumentative topic ideas. Pick a topic that works the best for you.

Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School

• What age is suitable for kids to start schooling?
• Should students be allowed to evaluate their teachers?
• Metal music should be banned due to its violent lyrics.
• What are the pros and cons of making friends virtually?
• Can we conserve energy as a society?
• Does playing violent video games contribute to making a person violent in real life too?
• How close is reality TV to real life?
• Do girls face more societal pressure than guys?
• What is the biggest challenge faced by students today?
• Should there be cash rewards for getting a good score on standardized tests?
• The rich should pay more taxes than the poor.
• Cartoons are better than movies.
• Teachers Vs. Parents: who plays a bigger role in shaping a child?

Argumentative Essay Topics for Grade 6 

Here are some argumentative essay topics for 6th-grade students:

• Should schools start later in the morning?
• Is confining wild animals within zoos a cruel practice?
• Should there be stricter laws for texting and driving?
• Are social media sites like Facebook and Twitter bad for our society?
• Should the voting age be lowered to allow young people a voice in democracy?
• Should the school year be longer or shorter? 
• Is it okay for children to play violent video games?
• Should cell phones be banned from schools?
• Should recycling become a mandatory practice in all households?

Argumentative Essay Topics for 7th Graders 

• Should schools provide free meals to all students?
• Are uniforms necessary for student success?
• Does standardized testing accurately measure student progress?
• Are after-school activities important for student development?
• Is there too much emphasis on social media in education today?
• Should schools place a stronger emphasis on physical education?
• Are required classes in high school helpful or harmful to students?
• Should all students have access to laptops and tablets in the classroom?
• Is technology taking away from traditional learning methods in the classroom?
• Should gym classes be mandatory for students?

Argumentative Essay Topics for Grade 8

Looking for argumentative essay topics for teenagers? Check out the ideas below: 

• Should the drinking age be lowered? Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Is it necessary for governments to fund childcare?
• Is there too much emphasis on standardized testing in schools?
• Are schools doing enough to prevent bullying from happening?
• Do adolescents need more sleep than adults?
• Should students be allowed to have cell phones in school?
• Is social media affecting the way we interact with each other?
• What should be done about the student loan crisis?

Argumentative Essay Topics for High School

• Is homeschooling better than the public school educational system?
• Smartphones help the learning process.
• Is co-education more advantageous than single-sex education?
• Are GMOs safe for human consumption?
• Is fast food healthy or a serious threat to physical health?
• Teenagers feel more comfortable talking on social media rather than face to face.
• Should it be legal to get a tattoo for kids younger than 18?
• Are standardized tests beneficial for school students?
• A negative high school experience you believe is important when it comes to personality.
• Does the education system prepare a student for the real world?
• Is there life after death?
• Our society works on gender equality.
• Subjects that should be removed from the high school program.
• Is hate crime growing in high school?

Argumentative Essay Topics for College Students

• Is the current taxation system effective or not?
• Are men paid more than women in our corporate sector?
• Should Shakespeare still be studied as part of the college curriculum?
• Is college tuition becoming way too expensive?
• Are test scores the only way to judge the competency of a student?
• Getting a College degree is worth the cost.
• Is the system of the electoral college still viable in the US?
• Youngsters on social networks don’t realize the significance of privacy on these online sites.
• Life is incomplete without faith.
• Students nowadays face greater social pressures compared to the past.
• Your past does not define you.
• What can be done about gun control in the United States?
• Is it ethical to genetically modify children to protect against diseases?
• Do we need more gender diversity in STEM programs?

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Argumentative Essay Topics for University Students 

• Should mental health services be made available for free?
• Is income inequality a necessary part of capitalism?
• Should the minimum wage be raised in all countries?
• Does technology have a positive or negative impact on mental health?
• Should universities be allowed to charge students for taking classes?
• Is it necessary for governments to fund space exploration?
• Should religion be taught in public schools?
• Are animal experiments necessary for medical progress?
• Should young students join a political party to enhance the democratic process?
• Does free speech help promote extremism in society?

Argumentative Essay Topics for O Levels 

• Should the government regulate the use of social media?
• Is the death penalty an effective way to prevent crime?
• Are online classes replacing traditional courses in schools?
• Do standardized tests accurately measure academic achievement?
• Should abortion be legalized in all countries?
• Do celebrity role models have a positive or negative influence on young people?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory in all schools?
• Should the Internet be censored by governments around the world?
• Should GMO foods be allowed in supermarkets?
• Does free trade help or harm developing economies?

Discover Captivating Topics in a Click!

Best Argumentative Essay Topics

Just as important as it is to create compelling content, choosing a great topic is equally important. If you want to score well in academics, you will have to impress your instructor with the best argumentative essay topics.

Below are some great topic ideas for you related to different fields. Choose the right topic for your essay and start the process.

Sports Argumentative Essay Topics

• Can video gamers be counted as true athletes?
• By participating in sports, can children be kept out of trouble?
• Should girls be allowed to participate in the same sports as boys?
• Should alternatives to steroids be legalized for professional athletes?
• Do you consider cheerleading a sport?
• Does your College spend a lot of money in the name of sports programs?
• Student-athletes should get money for playing.
• Betting on sports should be illegal.
• Sports events shouldn’t broadcast alcohol and tobacco ads.
• Are female athletes looked upon as sexual objects by the media?
• All athletes should be tested for drugs before their performance.
• Females should not be allowed to take part in extreme sports.
• Impact of bodybuilding on a woman’s body in old age.

Argumentative Essay Topics Education

• Parents should have an active role in their child's education.
• The grading system shouldn’t exist to judge a student’s abilities.
• Standardized tests should be abolished in schools.
• All students must wear a uniform in high school.
• Does technology benefit the educational system?
• Studying in a single-sex class is better than studying in a mixed one?
• All students must be made to learn a foreign language?
• Programming should be made compulsory for all students.
• Should students have sex education classes at school?
• Should schools have the right to test students for drugs?
• Girls should be equally encouraged to take part in sports in school.
• The world should have a uniform language.
• Hard work isn’t enough for being successful in a student’s life.
• Should teachers be allowed to physically discipline their students?
• How to bring change in the education system of the United States?

Social Media Argumentative Essay Topics

• Are social networks an effective platform for communication?
• Do people really get a job through LinkedIn?
• Is Facebook legally allowed to leak the private information of its users?
• Is it possible to earn a good amount of money from YouTube?
• Should Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter be banned permanently?
• Social media has successfully increased employment rates.
• Celebrity endorsements are unethical.
• Social media has destroyed real-life communication.
• Social media has made doing business easier.
• Blogging is an irrelevant profession.
• How is social media depicting beauty standards?
• How has social media become a major source of inferiority complex among teenagers?
• Is it possible to have a life without social media at this time?
• Should underaged children be allowed to own social media accounts?
• Pros and cons of social media.

Argumentative Essay Topics Technology

• Are cell phones harmful to the human race?
• Are spy applications invading the privacy of users?
• Are Millennials more dependent on computers than Baby Boomers?
• Is Typescript the future of front-end development?
• The impact of microwave tech on our biology.Technology has made us lazier.
• Should coding be taught from middle school?
• Cognitive Computers like Watson are unethical.
• Should a candidate’s social media profiles be considered in the hiring process?
• Children shouldn’t be given personal mobile phones.
• Self-driving cars and the future of transportation.
• Has technology made people less efficient?
• Technological advancements in the field of psychology.
• Is the future in the hands of Artificial Intelligence?
• Pros and cons of depending a lot on technology.

American History Argumentative Essay Topics

• What was the impact of European colonization on Native Americans?
• What was the role of women in the movement toward revolution?
• What were the key causes of the American Revolution?
• The key issues that caused conflict between North and South and led to the civil war?
• The effects of the Great Depression on the banking industry in America.
• Did the Civil Rights Movement reduce or lead to racial violence?
• Post World War II, how did America grow?
• 21st-century American foreign policy.
• Is Barack Obama the first American president who made history?
• Was slavery an inevitable part of the development of American society?
• Should the Indian Removal Act be considered an act of genocide?

Mental Health Argumentative Essay Topics 

• Are antidepressants overprescribed in modern society?
• Should mental health services be made free for all?
• Is social media affecting mental health negatively?
• Is there a stigma attached to seeking out mental health help?
• What role do genetics and environment play in determining mental illness?
• Can art and music therapy be effective treatments for mental illness?
• How can we tackle the stigma associated with mental illness?
• What can be done to reduce the prevalence of anxiety in young people?
• Should there be mandatory mental health education in schools?

Social Issues Argumentative Topics

• Should male workers receive paternity leave too?
• Is age a major factor in relationship success or failure?
• Is torture acceptable under any circumstance?
• What are the primary causes of down syndrome?
• What should the punishments be for failed parenting?
• A candidate’s appearance shouldn’t be considered in a job hiring process.
• Some common stereotypes in your society.
• Cheating is increasing every day.
• We are way too dependent on computers and technology.
• Is boredom the cause of getting into trouble?
• Beauty magazines should stop photoshopping models.
• Capitalism vs. socialism. What would benefit society more?
• Is the women’s rights movement justified?
• The real objectives of Feminism.
• Impact of homosexuality on society.

Argumentative Essay Topics Animals

• Hunting for fun and sports is unethical and must get banned.
• Aggressive dog breeds such as pit bulls should not be allowed as pets.
• Testing beauty products on animals is justifiable.
• Using monkeys for research in labs is a necessary evil.
• Wearing fur and leather shouldn’t be unethical.
• Is genetic modification of livestock beneficial?
• Animal dissection in medical school is a good way to learn.
• Owning pets reduces the risk of getting diseases. Do you agree?
• Emotional support animals can truly help lonely people.
• Keeping exotic animals as pets is inhumane.
• Stronger laws must be enforced against animal cruelty.
• Pros and cons of animal testing.
• How can the emotional support of animals help in treating mental problems?
• Significance of microchipping the pets.
• Rights enjoyed by the ESA owners.

Argumentative Research Paper Topics

• Ways to decrease childcare costs in the United States.
• Are literate people better parents?
• Challenges faced by female politicians.
• Is rehab effective for sex offenders?
• Is music a form of real art?
• Spanish is a simple language to learn.
• Schools should ban vending machines on-campus.
• Are teachers to blame when a student performs poorly?
• Are gender stereotypes encouraged by parents?
• Illegal immigrants and terrorism: is it related?
• Can imposing a tax on sugar help fight obesity.
• Should age be a factor in relationships?
• Do dreams have a symbolic meaning?
• Should South and North Korea become one?
• Can depression be cured using natural ways?

Unique Argumentative Essay Topics

Looking for some general argumentative essay topic ideas? Here is an ultimate list of great topics that can make your essay writing fun for you and your readers.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should same-sex marriage be legal in all 50 states within the United States of America?
• Is the feminist movement ruining the minds of young girls?
• Corruption and its effects on increasing wages.
• Hunting should be banned globally. Do you agree?
• Which is more beneficial for society, Communism or Capitalism?
• Should human cloning be allowed or not?
• Abortion – A pro-life or a pro-choice?
• Do anti-discrimination laws reinforce discrimination?
• Should patients be entitled to request medically-assisted suicide in cases of terminal illness?
• Can beauty standards be more inclusive?
• Workplace dating should not be allowed, and here’s why.
• Displaced immigrants and refugees should be given shelter by every country.
• Is vegan or vegetarian life good for health?
• Online dating has ruined the essence of old-school romance.
• Chocolate can help improve our bad mood.
• Is it ethical to eat meat?
• Mothers make better parents naturally.
• Politics can never be clean and fair.
• Should the drinking age be lowered?

Easy Argumentative Essay Topics

• Are girls more intelligent than boys?
• Parents of middle schoolers should control their internet.
• Was Johnny Depp the best choice for Burton’s Ed Wood?
• Do religious movements cause the outbreak of war?
• Are human beings the major source of global climate change?
• Is it ethical to have kids perform chores?
• Is using LEDs making a difference?
• How does being a vegan help the environment?
• Should teenage marriages be allowed?
• Social media has brought families closer. Is there any truth to this statement?
• If the House of Lords had veto power over the House of Commons, Britain would’ve been better off.
• It’s okay to date multiple people at the same time.
• HIV is falsely associated with homosexuals. Why?
• Why are the laws neglecting tobacco and alcohol?
• Most of the modern-time artists are one-hit wonders.

Fun Argumentative Essay Topics

• Is panda hugging a viable career option?
• Does Justin Bieber owe his success to negative PR?
• Is it true that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?
• Is the Bermuda Triangle a real thing?
• Is it okay for parents to lie to their children about Santa Claus?
• Did the feminist movement ever help you?
• How did the feminist movement ever help you?
• There is no such thing as organic food.
• How to make your roommate believe that moving out is the best option.
• Why should I join a different family?
• Fans should not judge players after losses or failures.
• Is social promotion a helpful practice?
• Is racism a natural condition of human society?
• Dieting must not be practiced by schoolers.
• Should tattoos be perceived as a social deviation?

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Argumentative Essay Topics 2022

• Are US elections always fair?
• Is the death penalty an effective punishment for criminals?
• Is it wise to replace soldiers with machines and artificial intelligence on battlefields?
• Should animals be used for performing experiments?
• Effects of terrorism on the foreign policy of the United States of America's cosmetic surgery worth the risks?
• What is your point of view on a terminally ill person having the right to assisted suicide?
• Life 100 years ago was much easier than it is today.
• Is religion a factor that contributes to war?
• A woman who doesn’t have enough resources to raise a child to be allowed to abort?
• Physical activities are the most convenient way to relax.
• The best way to enhance education is to decrease the number of classes.
• Sports classes should become mandatory for everybody.
• The pros and cons of using gadgets for studying purposes.
• What is the most important socio-political movement of the modern era?

Argumentative Essay Topics 2023

The following are some amazing topics for argumentative essays. Have a look at them to get a better idea.

• Fast food is responsible for childhood obesity in the US.
• Is the United States ready for a female president?
• Parents need to be very friendly with their kids.
• Are smartphones harmful to our health?
• Education needs to be free for all.
• Is single-sex education still a good idea in 2020?
• Should all people pursue a university degree worldwide?
• Internet access must be unlimited and free.
• Modern education has to eliminate grading systems.
• Capitalism should acquire more socially significant policies.
• Tourist tax is mandatory to save cultural heritage.
• Kindergartens must introduce foreign language instruction.
• Is hunting good for environmental well-being?
• Using animals for research must be banned.
• Women perform better than men in official positions and occupations.

Choosing a Good Argumentative Essay Topic

So you know the importance of choosing the right topic when writing an argumentative essay.

But what are you going to write about?

You sure don’t want to pick an argumentative essay topic that everyone else is working on. And you don’t want to research an argumentative topic where information and data are impossible to find.

You hopefully want to write on a debatable topic that will interest both you and your reader. Here are the criteria we use to choose a topic for argumentative essays:

• It has to be interesting to the writer. You’ll be outlining, researching, and writing in-depth, so pick an engaging topic for your argument.
• Have some information to begin with. The more familiar you are with the subject area, the easier it will be for both you and the reader.
• The best argumentative essay topics are mostly controversial. If there’s no conflict and everyone agrees on everything, it won’t qualify as an argumentative essay.
• An arguable thesis statement can be created according to the topic.

What Makes a Good Argumentative Essay?

A good argumentative essay is one that presents a well-reasoned and logical argument. It should be supported by facts and evidence, not just speculation or opinion. To create an effective argumentative essay, the writer must provide a strong case for their position on any given topic.

Strong Introduction and Thesis 

The first element of a good argumentative essay is an interesting and clear introduction. This should introduce the topic in a way that engages readers and makes them want to learn more. 

It should also provide an overview of the writer's position on the issue, as well as any evidence they will be using to support their argument.

Good Research and Evidence 

Good argumentation requires good evidence. So a good argumentative essay should be backed up by research and evidence. 

If a writer is making an assertion, they must provide evidence to back it up. This could include physical evidence such as statistics or quotes from experts in the field, as well as logical arguments that support their position.

Organized Structure 

The structure of an argumentative essay is also important. It should be structured in a way that makes it easy to follow and understand. 

This could include using headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up the text into more manageable pieces. In addition, it should have a clear flow of ideas, with each paragraph logically leading to the next.

Effective Conclusion 

Finally, a good argumentative essay should have an effective conclusion. This should provide a summary of the writer's main points and reiterate their position on the issue.  The conclusion should also leave readers with something to think about, leaving them informed and with new insight.

After reading our list, don’t be surprised if your mind starts coming up with additional topics for an argumentative essay. We recommend that you keep a notebook or journal handy to record these topic ideas for later.

These were some of the most interesting essay topics . Did you find a topic to write on?

Now, before you overwhelm yourself by jumping straight to the writing process, we have a helpful tip for you. Go through this detailed article to learn how to craft an argumentative essay effectively.

Seeking help from professionals is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when your grades are at stake. It is quite common for some students not to have a knack for writing. Also, some might not have the time to complete assignments.

If you can relate to such students, you should consider taking help from a reliable essay writing service such as 5StarEssays.com . You can simply request ‘ write my essay '. And we will have an expert essay writer to provide you with high-quality assignments regardless of type and field.

Or, use our AI Essay Generator , for AI powered writing help to guide your way!

Masters Essay, Literature

Jared P. is a renowned author and writing service provider with over fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry. He has a Ph.D. degree in English Literature and has spent his entire career helping students achieve their academic goals by providing expert writing assistance.

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• How to Create a Strong Argumentative Essay Outline?

• Informative Argumentative Essay Examples by Experts

• Know About Types of Argument with the Help of Examples

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The Civic Educator

15 Persuasive Essay Topics About Controversial Issues

Controversial issues can be a great way to get your students engaged, and they also make perfect persuasive essay topics.

Whether your goal is to explore the controversial issue itself or to teach the mechanics of persuasive writing, controversial issues and persuasive essays go hand in hand.

In order to write a good persuasive essay, you need to feel passionately about an argument. Having a good prompt and a good issue let’s you do that.

The flip side is that to show you really understand a controversial issue, you have to make an argument about it. A persuasive essay is the perfect summative assessment to see whether a student really understands the issue and can articulate their opinion.

Below, I’ll share a list of 15 persuasive essay topics and writing prompts that you can use with your class. If you scroll down to the bottom, I’ll also wrap up with some other methods and resources that can help you teach these controversial issues and how to write argumentative essays.

List of Persuasive Essay Topics and Writing Prompts

So, without further ado, here’s a list of questions that would make great writing prompts for a persuasive essay.

Should the Government Ban or Regulate Indecency on Television?

This is a controversial issue as old as the airwaves. As long as there’s been radio and television, there have been arguments about what is acceptable and what is obscene.

If you’re studying constitutional law or taking AP U.S. Government, you’re probably familiar with George Carlin and his famous “ Seven Dirty Words ” bit. But for the average student, this persuasive writing topic is still relevant.

Think about the music you hear on the radio. What is bleeped out? Why do we have “dirty” and “clean” versions of hit songs? Why are some television shows allowed to curse, be violent, and have nudity, while others don’t?

You could definitely take this broader topic and make it more specific and timely by relating it to a current hit song or television show that your students are in to.

But however you phrase it, whether or not the government should regulate indecency on television is a great persuasive essay topic.

Should Voters Be Required to Show Identification?

For the last few years, this has been an increasingly hot topic as individual states have moved to implement various forms of voter ID laws. On the face of it, this sounds reasonable, but underneath the surface there are arguments about voter suppression and exclusion.

Is voter fraud a problem that needs to be dealt with? An answer to this question should likely depend on some research about the extent to which people are impersonating voters to enter the voting booth.

What kind of ID should be required? Different types of ID have different requirements to obtain them, and so this choice matters to.

Finally, how do you deal with the potential for discriminatory exclusion? Some people – the elderly, the young, low income – are more likely to not have ID, and for some people it can be a financial burden to secure the documentation necessary to get an ID.

Here’s a great, short NY Times Op-Doc video about the issue, which leans more to the “against” side of voter ID laws .

This ongoing policy debate about Voter ID laws makes for a great argumentative essay topic.

Should Race Be a Factor in Admissions to Universities?

Affirmative action has been a controversial issue for decades. Initially, the debate was over whether or not strict racial quotas were an appropriate way to make up for centuries of discrimination and segregation.

These early forms of affirmative action were struck down by the Supreme Court in Regents of the University of California vs Bakke , but other forms of affirmative action survived. Bakke affirmed that universities could use race as one factor in their admissions, and universities have been trying to strike the proper balance since.

A few years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in again – in Fisher v. University of Texas – and upheld more holistic processes designed to ensure diversity. But in the aftermath of Fisher , a group of students have brought a case against Harvard that is likely destined to find itself at the Supreme Court soon.

Which begs the original question – is it appropriate for a University to use race as a factor in admissions in order to guarantee diversity of its student body?

Should the Government Limit the Amount of Money Spent on Political Campaigns?

The influence of money in politics is another issue that has been fought out in the Supreme Court over the last 50 years. Money in politics is nothing new, and there are plenty examples of its corrupting influence in the early history of the United States.

But since the 1970’s, the federal government has struggled to strike a proper balance between regulation and free speech. Early campaign finance laws sought to restrict spending, and that was ultimately overturned. More recently, McCain-Feingold (aka BCRA) tried to funnel campaign spending into committees that have strict disclosure and contribution regulations.

Much of that came to an end with Citizens United , and since 2010 there has been a renewed surge of “dark” money in politics. So there’s really two parts to this question – a) should there be restrictions on how much money people can contribute and/or spend and b) does the public have a right to know who is contributing money to whom?

One way or another, the question of campaign finance is a great persuasive essay topic.

Should the Government Publicly Finance Campaigns?

Related to the previous question, you might also use this question as an argumentative essay prompt – should the government avoid the influence of money altogether by publicly funding campaigns?

There are some examples to look at. In 1974, the federal government set up a Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and candidates can use it to get matching dollar amounts if they agree to certain restrictions. But since Citizens United , the program has largely fallen out of favor.

New Jersey is one of several states with a public funding option for gubernatorial campaigns, and Arizona and Maine have more comprehensive systems offering public funding for state legislative elections. But these laws have also been challenged in court, and part of Arizona’s public financing law was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2011.

A simple version of this persuasive essay topic would focus on whether or not the government should publicly finance campaigns, while a more complex version might touch on how the government could do it in a way that withstood judicial scrutiny.

Should the United States Intervene When Foreign Dictators Use Chemical Weapons on Their Own People?

This is a more narrow version of the general question – should the United States intervene in foreign countries or mind its own business?

In some historical cases – like World War II and the Holocaust – it seems pretty obvious that intervention is a good idea. But in the present moment, it’s a little harder to identify that dividing line.

There have been a number of recent cases along these lines – Syria, Iraq, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Students will likely have a huge range of opinions on the issue, with some being fiercely isolationist and others advocating intervention on the slightest chance of abuse.

This is one of my favorite persuasive essay topics because it links up so directly with a theme that I talk a lot about in class – conflict. Read more about teaching with themes here.

Should the Federal Government Raise the Minimum Wage to $15 per hour?

The federal minimum wage is $7.25, and it’s been there since 2009. With the Fight for $15 movement is gaining steam around the country, this would make a great persuasive writing topic.

What once seemed kind of crazy is slowly becoming more realistic. First, some progressive cities took the lead, like Seattle. Now, some states are following suit – including New Jersey and Illinois.

Of course, there’s still plenty of pushback against this idea and a national minimum wage hike doesn’t seem to be in the cards in the near future. But a student could certainly take a side and stake out an argument – and maybe even send it to their legislature.

This is another one of the persuasive essay topics that relates directly back to a major theme in social studies – this time the theme of economics, and whether or not the economy is fair. Read more here about essential questions related to economics.

Should Congress Require Annual Standardized Tests in Schools?

Here’s another essay topic that’s particularly relevant for students. Every student knows the pain of testing – in fact just this morning, I spent several hours proctoring the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA).

Testing has been around a long time, but the frequency of it increased – and was required nationwide – after the 2001 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (aka “No Child Left Behind”). Congress took another look at the issue with the next reauthorization – the Every Student Succeeds Act – but they ended up leaving the testing mandate alone.

So what do your students think? Ask them and have them write an argumentative essay about it.

You could also put a twist on this question by focusing on the use of tests as an exit requirement. There’s no federal mandate for this, but some states do require students to pass a standardized test to graduate. For older students, this surely a topic about which they’ll have an opinion.

Should the United States Grant Asylum to Refugees?

This is another age old question that has taken on new relevance. From the beginning of its history, the United States took in people who could be considered refugees. Historically, the greatest test of this question may be the Holocaust, and early on the United States failed that test.

You can watch this PBS Frontline episode, Forever Prison , to learn about the plight of Haitian refugees to the United States in the 1990’s. More recently, there are refugees looking to come to the United States from the Middle East and from Latin America. If your students spend any time watching the news, they’ve surely heard something about this.

This topic could revolve around what people are fleeing from. Should we only accept refugees from religious persecution and human rights abuses? What about crime or poverty? Or natural disasters?

It’s a complex question that gets to the heart of the immigration policy debate – and makes a perfect argumentative essay prompt.

Should the Government Have Access to Encrypted Devices and Communications Platforms?

The topic of government surveillance pops up in the news from time to time. Under Bush, there was the warrantless wire-tapping, the use of phone metadata, and the FBI snooping on e-mails.

More recently, this question focuses on access to encrypted communication platforms – like WhatsApp. To your students, these are probably just convenient ways to chat with each other. But to people with security concerns, they’re also a way to make sure that no one is listening in on their conversations.

There could be some good reasons for that. There could also be some bad reasons. Apparently terrorist groups like ISIS have used these encrypted communication platforms to plan attacks, which begs the question – should the government have some kind of backdoor to get in?

Some students will shrug this off and think it’s no big deal, while others will probably react with quite a bit of concern.

Should the Federal Government Permit or Ban the Death Penalty?

This is a good argumentative essay topic to use in conjunction with the Bill of Rights. The Eighth Amendment says no cruel unusual punishment – which should mean no death penalty, right?

Of course, there’s a historical angle to this. The death penalty was widely accepted in 1789, so you can make an argument that the Eighth Amendment doesn’t forbid it.

But there’s also the angle of justice and equity. In the 1970’s, through a series of court cases, the death penalty was deemed arbitrary and capricious – because it tended to be used more against certain offenders (i.e. African Americans).

This led to some reforms, and some states have continued to use the death penalty. Texas is leading the way on that front. Other states, however, have banned it, while others have put a moratorium on executions because of concerns over the method of execution.

Should Hate Speech Be Protected by the First Amendment?

This is another great writing prompt to use with the Bill of Rights, and it’s one that’s sure to elicit strong reaction from your students.

Supreme Court caselaw has held that speech – even hate speech – is protected by the First Amendment. A pivotal case in this vein was Brandenburg v. Ohio . In that case, the Court decided that speech could only be limited if it created an imminent danger, not because it was hateful.

Another way to frame the question is to focus on social media platforms. Recently, Facebook, Twitter, and other companies have come under fire for allowing White Supremacists to share various forms of hate speech on their platforms. One could then make a connection to any number of violent incidents throughout the country (or the world).

So if the government can’t regulate hate speech because of the First Amendment, does a platform like Facebook have an obligation to do so? Great topic for a persuasive essay.

Should the Government Send a Manned Mission to Mars?

I love space, so this question really appeals to me. Fifty years ago, people might have thought JFK was crazy when he planned to send a man to the moon. I’m sure there were plenty of heated debates about that.

Today’s frontier is a bit further away, but is it any more crazy? Sure, there are some technological leaps that need to be taken before it’s possible. But in the early 1960’s, putting a man on the moon may have seemed crazy, too.

But it’s an important question for the space program. What’s next? Back to the moon, on to Mars, or something else? Or should we just hang out on Earth for a while and try to fix what we’ve got here?

Maybe it’s the science fiction fan in me, but I just think this is a great topic to think about. I’d love to see what students would write about this in an argumentative essay.

Should the Federal Government Have to Balance the Budget?

This is a question that should come with a heavy dose of economics and economic policy. But it’s one worth asking. It could also be a good vehicle for teaching some of these concepts that might otherwise seem boring and wonky.

You could also connect this back to history. When you teach about the early years of the nation and Alexander Hamilton’s role as the Secretary of the Treasury, there’s undoubtedly something that comes up about the National Debt. Instead of talking about that in historical isolation, you can connect that today and think about the current federal budget.

This is also back in the news this week, with moderate Democrats (i.e. the Blue Dog Coalition backing a concept that has traditionally been more closely associated with Republicans. Perhaps it’s a blip on the national scene and the topic will fade away, but if it’s in the headlines why not use it as a persuasive essay topic?

Should the Voting Age be Lowered to 16?

We’ll end with this one because it has a direct impact on students. Should teenagers be allowed to vote?

A few years ago, this might have sounded crazy. But over the last few years there have been several municipalities that lowered their voting age to 16. At the federal level, Rep. Ayanna Pressley introduced an amendment to a bill on federal election reform that would have lowered the age for participation in Congressional and Presidential elections.

There’s also a historical angle to this question. Once upon a time – not all that long ago – you couldn’t vote at 18. To today’s students it may seem like a fait accompli , but the 26th Amendment that lowered the voting age was less than fifty years ago. At the founding of the country, some states required voters to be as old as 25.

So let students wrestle with this writing prompt in an argumentative essay and put together an argument for (or against) lowering the voting age.

Other Methods and Resources for Teaching Controversial Issues and Persuasive Essays

A big piece of teaching how to write a persuasive essay is the topic, but – especially with controversial issues – it also helps to teach some background about the topics.

One place you can look for resources for these questions is C-SPAN’s Classrooms Deliberations . These are in depth lessons on current policy debates that come scaffolded with C-SPAN videos and other resources. Some of these questions are featured in these Deliberations lessons, and this can be a great place to find the factual resources your students need to write good arguments.

Two other methods that you could think about using with these controversial issues are Take a Stand and A/B Writing . With the Take a Stand activity, students arrange themselves on a continuum based on how they feel about a question. With A/B writing, students choose a statement to agree with and write down their reason for choosing it. Either method is a great way to get students to start thinking about a topic that’s going to turn into a persuasive essay.

Finally, a lot of these issues are things that are debates that are playing out in the country right now. If you follow the news, you’re bound to hear about many of these issues on a weekly basis. Better yet, if you teach current events on a regular basis in your class, you can have your students relate what they’ve learned in the news to these essays. Here are some resources on how to use CNN10 to teach current events in your class .

Which Issue Have You Used From These Persuasive Essay Topics?

Have you used one of these topics in your class? How did you students respond?

Do you have another controversial issue that you’ve used as a topic for a persuasive essay? What was it?

Drop a line in the comment below and share with our readers.

1 comments on “15 Persuasive Essay Topics About Controversial Issues”

• Anna H. Smith
• November 27, 2020

I really appreciate this website. I have learned some inciteful writing information. I feel strongly that I can go forward with the information that I have gained from this post. Great persuasive controversial essays you have shared. Thanks very much.

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Debate Proposition and Debate Issues: Philippine Context

DEBATE PROPOSITION necessarily involves an “issue” or that which is the subject of concern or the central topic in a debate. For instance, in the proposition “Resolved that Death Penalty should be legalized,” the debate issue is evidently ‘death penalty’ or ‘capital punishment.’

The following are some of the nationally relevant debate issues. Under each issue, useful discussions are provided to comprehensively introduce the debate topics. In most cases, useful accounts or reasons for and against the issues are enumerated to help the students in drafting arguments and cases for the debates in class or in debate tournaments.

As they are enlightening, the information and arguments provided for each issue may also be used by students in speech or public speaking class. (As a disclaimer, the contentions provided for the various issues are not necessarily the personal beliefs of the author.)

Sex Education

Also called ‘sexuality education’ and ‘sex and relationships education,’ the so-called sex education entails teaching and learning information about sex, sexual identity, relationships, and intimacy.

In the Philippines, sex education is recently one of the most controversial issues. The debate on the issue involves inquiring whether such kind of education could be a suitable solution to pertinent social problems like overpopulation or could only become a ‘black torch’ which would bring curse and immorality to our society particularly to the youth. Discussions on the topic also revolves on whether or not it will really develop young people’s minds so that they would make informed choices about their behaviors, and feel confident and competent about acting on their choices.

Some possible reasons for taking the stand that it is proper to implement sex education in the Philippines are:

1. Awareness.

Sex education will provide more knowledge on the negative and disastrous consequences of engaging in pre-marital sex.

2. Formality.

Academic institutions are far better place to learn things about sex compared to other venues like the various kinds of media like some websites.

3. Enlightenment.

Students at an early age can be enlightened on the harsh realities that can be brought about by sexual activity such as early pregnancy, depression, confusion, abortion, etc.

4. Fine Lining.

Sex education will provide lectures that will provide clear distinction between love and lust.

5. Morality.

Sex education will provide proper understanding of the concept “sex” which is by nature good or moral within proper context.

On the other hand, some reasons which could be submitted for the position that sex education is improper are:

1. Curiosity leads to activity.

Sex education will only stimulate the students’ curiosity on sex. Due to their curiosity, students might be unhesitant to engage in sexually activities.

2. Inappropriate responsibility.

It is improper to delegate the responsibility to teach such kind of education to public or private school teachers. It is part of the basic duties and responsibilities of the parents and of the church.

3. Promiscuity.

Especially that young people are not that mentally matured and responsible yet, sex education could promote indiscriminate sexual relations.

4. Encouragement.

Sex education might encourage the youth, especially those engaged in boyfriend-girlfriend relationships, to engage in pre-marital sex given the fact that the teens today can be sexually active especially when given constant stimulus.

5. Improper timing.

Various proposals mention teaching sex education to students as young as Grade 4 to 6 pupils who are too young to understand the things that should be taught to high school or college students.

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)

The Youth Council in the Philippines locally termed Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) is the governing body in every chapter of the Youth Federation or Katipunan ng Kabataan .

Each  barangay  in the Philippines is mandated by law to have its own chapter of the  Katipunan ng Kabataan , composed of the youth aging from 15 to 18 years old who reside in their respective barangays for at least 6 months and registered in the Sangguniang Kabataan , or in the official list in the custody of the barangay secretary. It is the local youth program-and-project-implementation partner of the government.

The  Sangguniang Kabataan  is an off-shoot of the KB or the  Kabataang Barangay  (Village Youth) which was abolished when the Local Government Code of 1991 was enacted. In the current system, the Katipunan ng Kabataan members elect their officers collectively known as Sangguniang Kabataan which serves as the local youth legislature in the barangay or village.

The main function of the Sangguniang Kabataan is to initiate policies, programs, and projects for the development of youth in their respective political territories. The SK Chairman acts as the Chief Executive of the  Sanggunian  (Council), while the  Kagawad  (Councilor), as the legislative council. The Kagawads  approve resolutions of the Sanggunian and appropriate the money allotted to the council, a share in the revenue of the Barangay .

There is an ongoing debate on whether or not the Sangguniang Kabataan should be abolished. Some possible reasons to call for its abolition are:

1. SK officers are youths who are (and should be) in school studying. Either they focus on studying well preparing for their future or function well as political leaders, but not both.

2. The SK functions can be absorbed by the Sangguniang Barangay (SB). The state will save a huge amount of money in abolishing the SK.

3. Abolishing SK will remove the youth from the culture of politics which is usually associated with corruption.

4. Young as they are, SK officials are unprepared to discharge their duties. Exposed to older corrupt officials, SK could only be a training ground for corruption.

Some possible reasons to hold that SK should not be abolished, but be somewhat reformed instead, are:

1. The youth should really be represented in the barangay government and SK officers are the best ones to represent them in various government programs and projects.

2. SK projects provide venues to enhance and develop the different skills and abilities of the youth.

3. The Sangguniang Kabataan trains the youth to become good leaders of the community.

4. SK officers are elected by the youth, so their being the voice of the youth in their respective community is the will of the youth.

Also Check Out: Reasoning and Debate: A Handbook and a Textbook  by  Jensen DG. Mañebog

Nuclear Power in the Philippines

Electric bills among Filipino households have been increasing almost incrementally not necessarily because of increase in energy utilization but because of the increase in charges by electric companies.

Furthermore, many places in the Visayas and Mindanao regions experience electric interruptions due to insufficiency of energy resources. To solve this problem, two congressmen, namely Rep. Mark Cojuangco and Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, pushed in 2009 the reestablishment and reopening of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant through House Bill 4631.

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was built by the late president Ferdinand Marcos to ease the country’s problem on electric energy sources and to lessen the burden of the Filipinos in paying high cost for electricity. Yet, this billion-worth project was never used, so it did not really become beneficial to the country. Different environmental groups backed up by some politicians opposed and hindered the proposed operation of the power plant.

Many scientific studies prove that nuclear power provides a cheap alternative to fossil fuel sources of electricity. Aside from its economic advantage, its operation is considered the cleanest among the currently known viable energy source. In addition, nuclear power’s safety record is exemplary. Efficient as it is, it is possible to generate a great amount of electrical energy in one single plant. Lastly, this technology, as far our country is concerned, is readily available—it does not have to be build from scratch for it is already there.

On the other hand, some studies state that despite a generally high security standard, accidents can still occur in nuclear power operation. In addition, the problem of radioactive waste is still an unsolved issue. Nuclear power plants as well as the nuclear waste could also be the preferred targets for terrorist attacks or during wars.

Furthermore, the energy source for nuclear energy is Uranium which is a scarce resource. Its supply is estimated to last only for the next 30 to 60 years depending on the actual demand. Lastly, nuclear power plant may harm the environment and may cause contagious diseases to those who will be exposed to its radiation, like what happened in Japan, after the tsunami incident.

Philippine Supreme Court Justices

In the Philippines, the Judiciary is one of the three branches of the government which is co-equal with the Legislative and the Executive. Under the Judiciary branch is the Supreme Court which is the highest court of the country. The court is composed of 14 Associate Justices appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Judiciary is the only branch of the government with officials not elected by the voting citizens but basically appointed instead by the president.

In the near past, the 8-5 votes of the Supreme Court in favor of a temporary restraining order filed by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the watch list order issued by the Department of Justice was so controversial. As they were appointed by her, most of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court then, many say, were part of the elaborate scheme laid down by the past administration to frustrate the efforts of exacting accountability and justice from the Arroyo couple. So, not to taint the dignity of the Supreme Court decisions, among other things, should the Supreme Court Justices be elected and not appointed?

Some usable justifications for the proposal to subject Supreme Court Justices to election are:

1. The proposal will fortify the principle of co-equality among the branches of government. In effect, it will strengthen the power of the Judiciary branch and make it more independent from the Executive counterpart.

2. As should be the case, the Supreme Court Justices will owe their allegiance to the electorates and the nation, not to the president who, in the current system, appoints them.

3. The Supreme Court’s decisions will not be blemished with suspicions (like of being politically influenced) since justices are elected by people and not appointed by a politician.

4. The proposed system will increase people’s trust on the Supreme Court and our Justice system for it is the people themselves who get to choose and elect the justices.

5. Current and past presidents would no longer receive special favors from the land’s highest court.

To dispute the proposition, the following reasons can be offered:

1. In the proposed system, the Justices will have campaign contributors like big personalities, politicians, and companies which may also affect their future decisions in favor of their election sponsors.

2. The system will limit the Justices’ freedom to rule based on what they feel is best because they will have to make decisions that are popular to the voters to keep their “political career.”

3. Conducting an election for Supreme Court Justices means additional expenses to the nation.

4. The proposal will not make the Supreme Court doubt-free. For one thing, the nation’s electoral system is not yet that efficient to produce trustworthy results.

5. Experientially, only the rich and the famous have the capacity to launch a nationwide campaign. So competent but poor candidates have minimal chance of becoming part of the Supreme Court.

Ferdinand Marcos’ Remains

Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was the President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. Born on September 11, 1917, he was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives (1949–1959), and a member of the Philippine Senate (1959–1965). A Filipino leader, Marcos was the Senate President from 1963–1965.

During his terms as president, he implemented nationwide infrastructure development programs and monumental economic reform. However, his accomplishments were somewhat overshadowed by his authoritarian way of ruling the country after 1972. His administration was marred by charges of massive corruption, nepotism, political repression, and human rights violations.

Marcos died on September 28, 1989 of kidney, heart, and lung ailments. His remains are currently interred inside a refrigerated crypt in his home province, Ilocos Norte. One controversial issue for an academic debate is whether or not his remains should be transferred to Heroes’ Cemetery.

Some possible justifications for the proposal to transfer Marcos’ remains to the Heroes’ Cemetery are:

1. He was a bona fide Filipino soldier, former Philippine president, and he held various other national political positions for a long time. By law, he is thus qualified for the honor to be buried in ‘Libingan ng Mga Bayani.’

2. In terms of accomplishments, he had built more schools, hospitals, and infrastructures than any of his predecessors had done.

3. His declaration of Martial Law had maintained peace and order in the community which paved the way for educational reforms, labor forms, land reforms, and other social services and programs.

4. He promoted ‘crony capitalism’ which redistributed the monopolies traditionally owned by Chinese and Mestizo oligarchs to Filipino businessmen.

5. He promoted Filipino culture and nationalism through the establishment of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in accordance to Executive Order No. 30 s. 1966.

On the other hand, the following claims can be used to oppose the idea of transferring Marcos’ remains to heroes’ cemetery:

1. Marcos’ martial law was the dark, if not the darkest, era in modern Philippine history. Human rights violations were rampant such as the tortures of political prisoners in the hands of Marcos’ military men.

2. As a president, Marcos financed his extravagant projects by borrowing huge amounts of money from international lenders, thereby making the Philippines one of the most indebted countries in Asia.

3. He in effect suspended the writ of habeas corpus, thereby permitting the military to pick up and incarcerate many innocent citizens on trumped-up charges like sedition. More often than not, these people were convicted without trial, and were thus deprived of the due process of law.

4. Marcos’ crony capitalism practically led to graft and corruption via bribery, racketeering, and embezzlement. Some estimate that Marcos alone stole at least $5 billion from the Filipino treasury.

5. Some allege that there were misuse and misapplication of funds for the construction of the Film Center, where X-rated and pornographic films were purportedly exhibited, contrary to public morals and Filipino customs and traditions.

The K to 12 Basic Education Program in the Philippines

Some claim that just because it is underway does not mean that it is okay. So the debate continues on whether or not the K to 12 Basic Education Program in the Philippines is proper.

The new educational program adds two years to the former 10-year basic education system. The K to 12 program includes Kindergarten, 6 years of elementary education, four (4) years of junior high school (Grades 7 to 10), and two (2) years of senior high school.

The 2010 Department of Education Briefing Report explains that the last two years (Grades 11 and 12) will provide time for the student to consolidate the acquired academic skills and competencies. Basically, the program aims to prepare the basic education graduates for becoming part of the nation’s competent workforce.

The following accounts can be used to refute the appropriateness of K to 12 program in the Philippines:

1. As the proposal is costly, it is impractical for a country that has a relatively low budget for education.

2. Additional years to finish basic education literally mean extra expenses for Filipino families, the majority of which evidently belong to the poor. K to 12 thus just adds up to the burden of parents.

3. The program jut reinforces cheap semi-skilled Filipino labor for foreign markets.

4. The implementation is untimely just as the program itself is unrealistic. Many Filipino educators are not prepared to teach the curriculum and K to 12 will just drive more youths to drop out of school, especially the many poor students.

In contrast, the following points can be used to defend the K to 12 basic education program in the Philippines:

1. In the current program, the incompetence of high school graduates for work, entrepreneurship, and college education is evident. The K to 12 is thus a good opportunity for the nation to produce Filipino youths who will match the academic and skill levels of their counterparts in other countries.

2. Carefully implementing the K to 12 program is enhancing our basic education program in a manner that is not disruptive to the current curriculum and most affordable to the government.

3. The program will provide time for the students to consolidate acquired academic skills and competencies. It is thus a big opportunity for us to produce well experienced, competitive, and international skilled graduates.

4. As the additional two years will decongest the basic education curriculum and provide quality learning, the program will produce graduates who will be at par with other countries which provide more years for basic education.

The Government’s Treatment on Poor Filipinos

The late Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay once said that “He who has less in life must have more in law.” Ideally pro-poor, this principle is appealing to the Filipino mass which generally comprises people in poverty.

Under the Philippine Constitution, the poor citizens should at least be treated equally, if not necessarily favorably. In the Bill of Rights, particularly in Article III Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution, “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of laws.“

In Metropolitan areas, the poor are basically seen in the slums which are densely populated, usually filthy parts of cities. Many Filipinos in the areas are too poor to pay for at least decent quarters so instead they choose to build makeshift homes on un-chartered lands. How does the government treat these people and their counterpart in the provinces? Are not the laws and political decisions favoring the rich in the country?

Some usable justifications to propose that the government is favoring the wealthy sector of the nation are:

1. The so-called selective justice is palpable. The poor, without the decent means to defend themselves, have to rot in jail after being charged of committing an offense. On the other hand, the rich, committing the same crime, could enjoy life outside of prison with their brilliant lawyers and money working on their behalf.

2. Despite approved charters and budget for it, there is inadequate housing for the poor and insufficient jobs created by the government for them. Implemented projects basically serve the interest of those in the middle and upper classes.

3. The so-called ‘double standard’ exists in the country’s judicial system. Many cases can be referred to proving that there is a standard for the poor and another for the rich.

4. The poor do not have a voice in many government bodies. It is the rich people who become appointed officials and they have the means either to run for offices or sponsor the election of people who will keep them enjoy their lifestyles.

5. The government fails to have reasonable and humane methods to address ‘illegal settling.’ Some programs even become opportunities for rich people to benefit off the poor—such as the case of politicians and other public officials who illegally subdivide plots which are supposedly awarded to the poor.

Contrariwise, the following are reasons that could be submitted to counter the claim that the Philippine government is favoring the rich.

1. Government-sponsored bills like the RH Bill is pro-poor. It promotes parity favoring the poor families as the bill addresses the severe inequities between the rich and poor as regards reproductive health. According to OurHappySchool.com (“Philippine Government,” 2011), 94% of women in the richest quintile have a skilled attendant at birth compared to only 26% in the poorest. Compared to the poorest families, the richest have three (3) times higher tubal ligation rates—something that partly explains why the wealthy hardly exceed their planned number of children, while the poorest get an extra two (2). The RH law will provide stronger public health services accessible to poor families.

2. Because of the government’s accomplishments in its efforts to promote national growth through good fiscal management, improved investment climate, and programs in human capital (specifically in health and education), the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved some years ago a US$250 million financing for the Philippines. This is a recognition of the Philippine government’s achievement in good governance, growth, and poverty reduction as its programs enable the poor to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities.

3. On June 21, 2011, Benigno “PNoy” Aquino, the Philippine President, signed the ‘Pro-poor Laws’ that include the Mandatory Immunization for Children, a bill allowing the Employment of Female Night Workers, and the Extension of the Lifeline Electricity Rates for the Poor Consumers. The Extension of a Lifeline Rates for Electricity would allow the poor citizens to put more of their resources into feeding themselves, or into saving enough money to pay for their medical needs. Thus, it would allow the poor to focus more of their resources into keeping themselves and their families alive, while also giving them access to electricity. The Mandatory Infants and Children Immunization Act mandate that all children under 5 years old must be given basic immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases. The bill that allows female night workers to get employed would exempt night-working female employees from the Department of Labor and Employment.

4. Quezon City, an example of Local Government Unit (LGU), is currently enforcing the Social Housing Tax Ordinance which imposes an additional 0.5% tax on lands with assessed value exceeding P100,000.00 that shall accrue to a special account under the city government’s general fund over the next five years. District II Councilor Roderick Paulate said that the ordinance was pro-poor and pro-people for the fund would be translated into more public services.

5. In partnership with many private companies, various government agencies sponsor job fairs for the unemployed which are continuously conducted every month. This program gives opportunities for the poor to get a job and be economically successful.

Also Check Out: From Socrates to Mill: An Analysis of Prominent Ethical Theories , also by author   Jensen DG. Mañebog

The Philippine National Hero

If we were to choose only one national hero who is best fitting to be regarded as ‘the’ Philippine national hero, who would it be? Though many Filipino reformers and revolutionaries are deemed national heroes, two of them typically stand out: Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio.

Jose Rizal (José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda) was born on June 19, 1861 to a relatively well-off family in a Dominican-owned tenant land in Calamba, Laguna. He lived and died during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines.

At an early age, Jose had mastered the alphabet and learned to write and read. At age eleven, Rizal attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila and obtained at age 16 his Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of “excellent”. In the same year (1877), he took Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas, while at the same time enrolled in a course in land surveying at the Ateneo. He finished his surveyor’s training in 1877 and passed the licensing exam in May 1878. He enrolled in medicine at the University of Santo Tomas in 1878. On May 3, 1882, he went to Spain and enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid. In June of 1884, he received the degree of Licentiate in Medicine at the age of 23. A year later, he completed his course in Philosophy and Letters with the grade of “excellent.” Wanting to cure his mother’s advancing blindness, Rizal went to Paris, Heidelberg, and Berlin to get further knowledge and training in ophthalmology. In Heidelberg, he completed his eye specialization.

Being well-traveled, Rizal was said to have learned 22 languages. He wrote extraordinary poems, contributed nationalistic essays to publications, religiously kept his diary, and corresponded to his friends and relatives. In March 1887, he published in Berlin his first controversial novel, the Noli Me Tangere , which revealed the tyranny and arrogance of the Spanish clergy and officials in the Philippines. To bring to light that the Filipinos had an impressive civilization even long before the Spanish colonization, he annotated and reprinted in Paris Morga’s Successos De Las Islas Filipinas . On September 18, 1891, Rizal’s more militant novel, El Filibusterismo was printed in Ghent.

As leader of patriotic Filipinos, he became one of the leaders of the literary and cultural organization  Propaganda Movement , the patriotic society Asociacion La Solidaridad (Solidaridad Association), the temporary social society Kidlat Club , the society of Filipino patriots in Paris Indio Bravo , the mysterious Redencion de los Malayos (Redemption of the Malays), and founded the  La Liga Filipina , a civic organization that subsequently gave birth to the  Katipunan. In various ways, Rizal asked for radical reforms in the Spanish colonial system and clerical powers in the Philippines and advocated equal rights before the law for Filipinos.

In 1892, he was imprisoned in Fort Santiago from July 6 to July 15 on a trump-up charge that anti-priest leaflets were found in the pillow cases of his sister Lucia who arrived with him from Hong Kong. He was then exiled to Dapitan, an island in Mindanao. While an exile, he engaged in agriculture, fishing, and commerce while operating a hospital and maintaining a school for boys. Moreover, he did scientific researches, collected specimens of rare species, corresponded with scholars abroad, and led construction of water dam and a relief map of Mindanao.

In 1896, Rizal received a permission from the Governor General to become a volunteer military physician in the revolution in Cuba, which was at the time also raged by yellow fever. But the ‘Katipunan’ started the Philippine Revolution in August 1896. The powerful people whose animosity Rizal had provoked took the opportunity to implicate him to the rebellion.

After a trial in a kangaroo court, he was convicted of rebellion and sentenced to death by firing squad at Bagumbayan Field (now Luneta). Not even an Andres Bonifacio or Emilio Aguinaldo had saved him from the executioners’ Remingtons and Mausers. Facing the sky, Rizal died in the serene morning of December 30, 1896. But since then, he has lived perpetually in the hearts and minds of true Filipinos.

On the other hand, Andres Bonifacio (Andres Bonifacio y de Castro) was born on November 30, 1863 and died on May 10, 1897. He was a co-founder and later the ‘ Supremo’  (supreme leader) of the Filipino revolutionary group Katipunan .

Bonifacio was the eldest of five children of Santiago Bonifacio, a tailor who served as a  teniente mayor  of Tondo, Manila, and Catalina de Castro, a mestiza born of a Spanish father and a Filipino-Chinese mother. When his parents died of sickness, Andres stopped attending school to support his siblings. He made and sold canes and paper fans, crafted posters for commercial firms, worked in the British trading firm ‘Fleming and Company’, later transferred as storehouse worker to the German trading firm ‘Fressell and Company’, and even moonlighted as an actor in moro-moro plays.

Andres was self-educated, having read local and international books in his time. Aside from Spanish and Tagalog, he could speak English, which he learned from the British firm where he worked. Bonifacio had read Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

On July 3, 1892, he joined Rizal’s  La Liga Filipina , being one of the 20 attendees in the meeting administered by Rizal at the house of Doroteo Ongjunco at Ilaya Street, Tondo, Manila. When Rizal was exiled to Mindanao, Bonifacio and others revived  La Liga  in Rizal’s absence, recruiting members for it.

Bonifacio and his compatriots officially founded the Katipunan on July 7, 1892 when Rizal was to be deported to Dapitan. Bonifacio, whose pseudonym in the society was ‘May Pag-asa’  ( There is Hope), became Katipunan’s Supremo  (supreme leader) in 1895. The Katipunan created its organ, ‘ Kalayaan’  (Freedom) in which Bonifacio wrote several articles like the poem ‘ Pag-ibig sa Tinubúang Lupa’  (Love for One´s Homeland) under the penname ‘ Agapito Bagumbayan’ .

Being the Supremo, Bonifacio supervised a council meeting of Katipunan  leaders in Pasig on May 3, 1896. When the council decided to consult first Jose Rizal before launching a revolution, Bonifacio sent Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan. Rizal nonetheless politely refused to sanction the uprising, believing that a revolution would be unsuccessful without arms and monetary support from wealthy Filipinos. He nonetheless advised that if the Katipunan were to start a revolution, it had to ask for the support of rich and educated Filipinos.

Bonifacio led the launching of the Philippine Revolution toward the end of August 1896. Rizal, on the other hand, left for Cuba on September 3, but was later declared as prisoner onboard, and was imprisoned in Monjuich when he reached Spain in October. He was then sent back to the Philippines and imprisoned in Fort Santiago upon his return.

At the onset of December1896, the criminal hearing of Rizal’s case started. When asked about his connections to Katipunan leaders, he denied to the end that he knew Andres Bonifacio (Bantug & Ventura, 1997, p. 141). Rizal was charged, among other things, with being the principal organizer and the living soul of the Filipino insurrection that was launched by Bonifacio’s group.

After Rizal’s martyrdom, Bonifacio wrote the first Tagalog translation of Rizal’s farewell poem (later named ‘Mi Ultimo Adios’) to which he (Bonifacio) gave the title ‘ Pahimakas’  (Farewell).

Together with his brother Procopio, Andres was charged with sedition and treason against Emilio Aguinaldo’s government and conspiracy to murder ‘El Presidente.’ Found guilty by the jury consisted exclusively of Aguinaldo’s men, the Bonifacio brothers were executed on May 10, 1897 in the Maragondon mountains in Cavite.

On February 16, 1921, just twenty five (25) years after the launching of the revolution by the Katipunan, the members of the Philippine Legislature passed Act No. 2496, proclaiming November 30 of every year a legal holiday to commemorate the birth of its Supremo, Andres Bonifacio.

Despite the absence of any official and legal declaration categorically stating them as national heroes, both Rizal and Bonifacio are given the implied recognition of being such for having shown exemplary acts of patriotism and heroic deeds to attain Philippine independence. Both heroes are commemorated annually nationwide on their respective birth day. But, who do you think, between the two, deserves to be considered ‘the’ Philippine national hero?

Check out: Jose Rizal’s Collaborations with Other Heroes  by  Jensen DG. Mañebog

Read Also: The Interesting Tales of the Jose Rizal Family  by  Jensen DG. Mañebog

Divorce Bill

The Encarta Dictionary defines ‘divorce’ as “official ending of marriage: an ending of a marriage by an official decision in a court of law” (“Divorce,” 2009). The Wikipedia.org further explains this dissolution of marriage’ as “the termination of a marital union, the canceling of the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and the dissolving of the bonds of matrimony between a married couple” (“Divorce,” n.d.).

Divorce is not the same with annulment which pronounces the marriage null and void. Though divorce laws substantially vary around the world, divorce typically requires the sanction of an authority (such as a court) and allows each former partner to marry another.

Aside from the Vatican City (a religious state), the only country that does not allow divorce is the Philippines (though an annulment is permitted in the country). In a referendum held on the 28th May 2011, the country Malta voted in favor of divorce legislation, leaving the Philippines and the Vatican City the only sovereign states where divorce is legally forbidden.

Divorce can be a taxing and strenuous experience affecting both parties’ finances, children, living arrangements, health conditions, household jobs, schedules, and the like. It may also involve other issues like that of alimony (spousal support), distribution of property, child custody and support, and division of debt.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Reasoning and Debate: A Handbook and a Textbook  by  Jensen DG. Mañebog

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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!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

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• Write a College Essay
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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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10 Mind-Blowing Controversies in Philippine History

While we’re already familiar with the more well-known controversies in Philippine history, such as Jose Rizal’s retraction, Luna’s assassination, etc., some lesser-known controversies are worth delving into. After all, they do form a part of Philippine history.

Also Read:  10 ‘What If’ Scenarios That Would Have Changed Philippine History Forever

Table of Contents

10. we already had an excellent public school system before the americans came.

Although we cannot discount all the good things the Americans did to improve the country’s education system, the Spanish deserve credit for their contributions.

Contrary to popular belief that Filipinos lived like uneducated medieval peons during the Spanish era, the inhabitants were one of the most educated peoples in all of Asia, and thanks mainly to the implementation of the public school system by the Spanish government, which started with the Educational Decree Act of 1863.

Also Read:  10 Reasons Why Life Was Better In Pre-Colonial Philippines

The act created separate public schools for Filipino boys and girls and the teaching of free compulsory education, a first for any European colony. Surprisingly, the girls were taught “domestic” lessons and subjects such as Spanish and French languages and the sciences.  Manuel Quezon, a product of the Spanish public school system, attested to the existence and excellence of Spanish education long before the Americans came.

Unfortunately, American propaganda against the Spanish and the fact that local friars tried to subvert the system made a very negative impression of the Spanish educational system.

9. Jose Rizal Disliked The Chinese.

Other than campaigning against Spanish oppression, Rizal would also end up fighting what he perceived to be the Chinese exploitation of his countrymen. He viewed the Chinese primarily as unscrupulous traders and businessmen who liked to take advantage of Filipinos for profit, even if it meant kowtowing to the Spanish.

Rizal’s dislike for the Chinese could be seen in his letter to his mother, in which he complained of being embroiled in a lawsuit with a Chinese and promised never to buy any products from him, and in his novel El Filibusterismo , where he portrayed the character of Quiroga (who was reportedly based on a real Chinese businessman) as a shrewd and cunning individual.

Also Read:  8 Mind-Boggling Myths About Jose Rizal

While Rizal’s anti-Chinese sentiment could be attributed to his nationalist drive, some historians think he may have gone too far by putting all Chinese in the same category as those he had encountered. Not only that, he ironically disowned his Chinese ancestry by claiming he had no Chinese blood and was pure Filipino.

Related Article:  9 Reasons Why Rizal Was Just As Human As The Rest Of Us

However, to some historians, Rizal expressed his wish to be viewed as a full-blooded Filipino, no matter his heritage. In addition, general sentiment at that time ran high against foreigners regardless of whether they were Chinese or Spanish.

8. Jose Burgos Was Framed For The Cavite Mutiny.

We all know that Gomburza—Fathers Mario Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora—very much had nothing to do with the 1872 Cavite Mutiny and that some disgruntled soldiers launched it after discovering they were now forced to pay personal taxes as well as perform forced labor,  both of which they had been previously exempted from.

Trivia:  There were three other martyr priests aside from “Gomburza.”

However, according to the accounts of two Spanish clergymen captured during the Revolution, the failed mutiny was, in fact, a plot by the Spanish friars to eliminate Jose Burgos, who was then the foremost champion of secular priests. To that end, they sent a Franciscan friar named Claudio del Arceo to Cavite and foment unrest among the soldiers, promising them money and a great fleet from the United States in the name of Father Burgos would arrive to assist them.

After the mutiny unfolded, the friars convinced Rafael de Izquierdo that Burgos planned it all by giving him a banquet and a colossal bribe.

7. The Americans Used Pigs’ Blood And Body Parts On Moro Insurgents.

Other than the infamous “water-cure” method the Americans used on captured Filipino combatants during the Philippine-American War, they would also reportedly employ the unconventional method of using pigs to pacify the Moro fighters in the second half of the same war.

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Specifically, they were said to have executed captured insurgents or “juramentados” (an assassin gone amok) with bullets dipped in pig blood or buried with dead pigs. The Americans believed that the Moros—who detested pork—would not be able to go to the afterlife if they had any contact with the animals and so hoped to dissuade further attacks.

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The originator of this method was supposedly none other than US General John “Black Jack” Pershing, the first and only man to have ever been promoted to General of the Armies during his lifetime (Washington was promoted posthumously). Although the method is unsubstantiated, many books and websites regularly quote it as one way to fight Islamic terrorists.

6. The Jabidah Massacre Never Happened.

While we may all be familiar with the alleged massacre of disenchanted Muslim recruits in Corregidor in 1968, many historians have disputed whether the massacre happened.

Contrary to popular belief, then-Senator Benigno Aquino did not believe Jibin Arula, who claimed to be the massacre’s sole survivor. For him, the massacre reeked of a hoax. However, he did accuse President Ferdinand Marcos of plotting to build up a personal elite force for his “garrison state,” as well as planning for the takeover of Sabah. Rigoberto Tiglao even states that the Jabidah Massacre was a brilliant propaganda campaign pulled off by Malaysia, a belief accepted again by Ninoy.

Also Read: 13 Curious Facts About Ninoy Aquino

Supposedly, many of the recruits were Malaysian counter-agents tasked to foment dissent among the members, thus ensuring that Marcos’ plan would never go off. In a way, the alleged plan to sow chaos in Sabah boomeranged right back into the Philippines’ backyard—Mindanao.

5. A Filipino Helped Found Los Angeles.

While not directly concerning the country, this little historical controversy is somewhat of a heated issue, especially within the Fil-Am community of Los Angeles.

Although there is no doubt given to the eleven founding settlers who helped to found Los Angeles in 1781, the same cannot be said for Antonio Miranda Rodriguez. Supposedly, he was a skilled gunsmith from Manila who journeyed there with his daughter via the galleon trade but arrived much later after suffering from smallpox. Later, he came to be feted as the 12 th settler of Los Angeles.

Did you know?   A Filipino dwarf became a famous figure in 19th-century Britain .

However, some historians have disputed the recognition of the argument that Rodriguez never settled. Upon arriving in California, he was reportedly sent to Sta. Barbara instead was an armorer due to his skills as a gunsmith and was said to have died in that place after only eight months. Also, his name cannot be found on any of the plaques and markers honoring the founders of LA.

4. Gregorio del Pilar Was Aguinaldo’s Assassin.

Admittedly, most of del Pilar’s fame comes from his death defending Tirad Pass from advancing American forces during the Philippine-American War. Yet for all his bravery (or foolhardiness, depending on one’s view), del Pilar also has his plethora of controversies.

Also Read: Gregorio del Pilar’s famous last words .

Aside from the controversy of reportedly indulging in a drinking spree and an orgy the night before his big battle, it is alleged that del Pilar was also Emilio Aguinaldo’s “hatchetman.” As someone who reportedly exhibited sadistic tendencies toward captured friars (he made one clean the toilet with his bare hands, according to one story) and with his unwavering loyalty to the president, del Pilar was the ideal “berdugo” for Aguinaldo.

Recommended Article:  13 Facts That Prove Antonio Luna Was An All-Around Badass

Accordingly, it is believed that del Pilar and his men were behind the killing of Antonio Luna after being ordered by Aguinaldo to eliminate him. By extension, del Pilar was also said to have personally conducted the arrests, torture, and execution of many of Luna’s officers.

3. Bonifacio ‘Acted Like A King’ In Cavite.

Although many would undoubtedly choose Bonifacio over Aguinaldo as their hero, the former does deserve his fair share of criticism, mainly because he was said to have “acted like a king” upon his arrival in Cavite after being invited to mend the growing rift between the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions.

According to Nick Joaquin, Bonifacio turned off the Caviteños when he showed up, began barking orders, and behaved like “Caesar without the crown.” He adds that instead of capitalizing on the golden opportunity to stop the infighting among the revolutionaries who were at the time facing a Spanish offensive, Bonifacio just added more fuel to the fire by openly taking sides.

Also Read:  7 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Andres Bonifacio

After the Tejeros Convention, he nullified all appointments and had Artemio Ricarte intercept Magdalo reinforcements to Pasong Santol, resulting in the death of Aguinaldo’s brother Crispulo who was defending that area. At that point,  Aguinaldo and the rest of Cavite must have decided Bonifacio was too dangerous to leave alone.

2. Miguel Malvar, Not Manuel Quezon, Should Be The Second Philippine President.

On par with the perennial argument of whether Andres Bonifacio should be recognized as the country’s first president is whether Miguel Malvar and not Manuel Quezon rightfully deserve the title as the country’s second president.

According to his supporters (Jejomar Binay is one of them), Malvar deserves to be recognized as such in line with the natural order of succession.  With the capture of Aguinaldo and the surrender of Mariano Trias, his designated successor and Malvar’s direct superior, it fell upon the general from Batangas to lead the remnants of the revolutionary forces.

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His presidency was also recognized as legitimate by members of the “Hong Kong Junta,” the overseas council which procured arms and campaigned for foreign recognition of Philippine independence. During his period of resistance up until his surrender, Malvar ran the fledgling republic as a chief executive and as head of the armed forces—just as a real president would.

1. An Ancient Family Owns The Entire Philippines.

Did an ancient family rule the Philippines before the coming of the Spaniards? According to the modern-day descendants of the Tagean-Tallano clans, their ancestors used to rule over a land called “Maharlika,” an empire that consisted of the Philippines, the rest of Southeast Asia, the Marianas Islands, and even Hawaii.

The clan counts Lapu-Lapu, Soliman, Lakandula, and other prominent Filipino rulers as their descendants. Under Luisong Tagean Tallano, Maharlika was said to have been one of the most prosperous countries in Asia. The clan also claims that their sovereignty over the Philippines was recognized by the different colonial powers (Spain, Britain, and the US) through the issuance of three documents, all of which were unfortunately thrown out by the Court of Appeals in 2002 for being “spurious.”

READ:  13 Intriguing Facts You Might Not Know About Ferdinand Marcos

However, that hasn’t stopped some family members from showing up in the news from time to time. In 2012, Salam Lacan Luisong Tagean—who claims to be from the clan—made headlines when he filed his candidacy for senator while proclaiming he was the country’s rightful ruler.

Arguelles, M. (2012). Hundreds turn up in rally to back ‘Ako Bicol’ party-list group. Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved from http://goo.gl/sVwmHW

Escobar, A. (2014). Groundbreaking Filipino American Art Exhibit “The Arrival of the 12th Poblador” at the El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historical Monument – Closes May 25th . FilAm Arts . Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/U7gjFv

GMA News Online. (2008). General Goyo: The Gregorio del Pilar story . Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/7E4Oyj

Joaquin, N. (2005). A Question of Heroes (pp. 86-108). Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc.

National Historical Commission of the Philippines 2013. The Hong Kong Junta . Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/cHbDbh

Official Website of the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines, (2015). VP Binay To Historians: Help Rectify Oversight In Recognizing General Malvar As 2nd President . Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/q7mqIb

Paredes, J. (2013). Bonifacio Remembered: Divisive and a hero downgraded, what, finally, is Supremo’s place in history? . InterAksyon.com . Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/de04a6

Pimentel, J. (2008). The Enclave of Our Roots. The Asian Journal MDWK Magazine , 2. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/2OATMf

Snopes.com. Pershing the Thought . Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/7P8Xab

The ProPinoy Project,. (2011). Was Jose Rizal anti-Chinese? . Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/Q85ylv

Tiglao, R. (2013). Malaysia’s masterstroke that buried our Sabah claim . RigobertoTiglao.com . Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/OcLR5U

Tiglao, R. (2013). Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.’s Jabidah speech 1968 . RigobertoTiglao.com . Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/6SYiRp

Written by FilipiKnow

in Facts & Figures , History & Culture

Last Updated January 26, 2023 10:49 PM

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• Ballesteros, M. M. (2010). _Linking poverty and the environment: Evidence from slums in philippine cities._ Retrieved on December 19, 2013 from http://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/ris/dps/pidsdps1033.pdf.
• Castillo, T. (2013). _Pinoy kids micronutrient deficient._ Retrieved on December 19, 2013 from http://tempo.com.ph/2013/06/pinoy-kids-micronutrient-de%EF%AC%81cient/#.UtSTrzfnimR.
• Cousins, B., Fry, S. (2002). _Health of children living in urban slums in asia and the near east: Review of existing literature and data._ Retrieved on December 19, 2013 from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNACQ101.pdf.
• Salaverria, L. B. (2013). _Revised penal code revised: Criminal age lowered to 13 in house bill._ Retrieved on December 19, 2013 from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/465181/revised-penal-code-revised-criminal-age-lowered-to-13-in-house-bill.
• Tesha, J. (n.d). _Plato's concept of education._ Retrieved on December 19, 2013 from http://sdsmorogoro.com/common/My%20pages/Research%20Papers/Plato%27s%20Concept%20of%20Education.html.
• Tubeza, P. C. (2012). _5.50 million child laborers in philippines, says ILO survey._ Retrieved on December 19, 2013 from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/218947/philippines-has-3-m-child-laborers-nso-ilo.

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