Argumentative essays are often assigned as homework in school. These essays teach valuable skills in articulating your position and structuring your thoughts. However, finding the right topic to write about can be difficult. If you’re not interested in a specific topic, it’ll be difficult to make a strong argument. If you’re struggling to find the right topic, don’t worry! We’ve put together this massive list of argumentative essay topics to inspire you!
What is an Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay is a piece of writing where you take a clear position on a topic and try to convince others to agree with you. You choose a subject that has more than one side. Then you give reasons and facts to support your opinion. You also explain the other side and why you still believe your side is stronger. This is a common essay type in high school and middle school.
What are the Parts of an Argumentative Essay?
The five parts of an argumentative essay are the introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, counterargument, and conclusion. The introduction grabs the reader’s attention, and tells the reader your stance. Body paragraphs are used to give reasons and evidence to support your view. The counterargument shows the other side and explains why it’s weaker. Finally, the conclusion is a summary of the essay and an opportunity to reiterate your points.
Argumentative Essay Topics for High Schoolers
If you need some inspiration, check out the topics below. These topics have been hand-selected to be suitable for high-schoolers. We’ve split them up into various categories so you can choose one that you find interesting. The best argumentative essay topics are ones that you actually care about!
Argumentative Essays About School
1. Is taking a gap year after high school a smart idea?
2. Should students grade their teachers?
3. Is there too much pressure put on high school students to attend college?
4. Should schools require volunteer hours for graduation?
5. Are AP classes worth the stress?
6. Would offering more electives improve student engagement?
7. Should arts and music be funded as much as sports?
8. Would later school start times improve student well-being?
9. Should gym class count towards GPA?
10. Do class grades and GPA increase student anxiety?
Argumentative Essay Topics About Technology
11. Can AI tools like ChatGPT enhance learning or do they promote cheating?
12. Does technology in the classroom make education better?
13. Should schools ban personal laptops in class?
14. Are digital textbooks better than printed ones?
15. Is facial recognition technology too invasive for schools?
16. Should students be taught coding in high school?
17. Will robots or AI replace teachers in the future?
18. Are virtual classrooms as effective as in person classrooms?
19. Should students be allowed to use phones at school?
20. Are tech-free schools more effective?
Essay Topics About Social Media
21. Do influencers have too much power over teen opinions?
22. Should students be taught how to use social media responsibly?
23. Is social media harming face-to-face communication skills?
24. Is TikTok a good source for news and information?
25. Should schools monitor social media posts of students?
26. Does cancel culture do more harm than good?
27. Should teens have to take a social media literacy course?
28. Is it healthy to go on a “digital detox”?
29. Are anonymous apps too dangerous for teens?
30. Do likes and followers impact self-esteem for high schoolers?
Environmental Topics
31. Can one person really make a difference in fighting climate change?
32. Should schools have mandatory recycling programs?
33. Are electric cars truly better for the environment?
34. Should climate change be taught in schools?
35. Is eating meat bad for the environment?
36. Are eco-friendly products really better for the environment?
37. Should companies be taxed for polluting?
38. Can fast fashion be stopped?
39. Is bottled water wasteful?
40. Should students participate in local clean-up efforts?
Health Discussions
41. Should mental health days be excused absences in high school?
42. Are beauty standards on social media damaging?
43. Should schools screen students for mental health issues?
44. Is dieting safe for teens?
45. Should junk food be banned from school vending machines?
46. Are fitness apps good for teen health or encouraging obsession?
47. Can meditation reduce test anxiety?
48. Are sports too dangerous for students?
49. Should high schools offer more wellness programs?
50. Is caffeine consumption harmful for teens?
Lifestyle
51. Should teens work part-time during the school year?
52. Is fashion a valid form of self-expression?
53. Should teens be trusted to make major life decisions like taking out a student loan?
54. Are curfews necessary for high school students?
55. Is it better to be popular or respected?
56. Are uniforms a form of censorship in high schools?
57. Should students have more say in school policies?
58. Can hobbies prepare students for future careers?
59. Should personal finance be a required course?
60. Is “quiet quitting” a real issue for teens?
Argumentative Essays About Entertainment
61. Can video games improve cognitive skills?
62. Is binge-watching TV unhealthy or just relaxing?
63. Should schools ban violent video games on campus?
64. Do music lyrics influence teen behavior?
65. Is censorship in music bad?
66. Are celebrity role models good for teens?
67. Is social media creating unrealistic lifestyles?
68. Should athletes and actors speak on political issues?
69. Are reality shows setting bad examples?
70. Should influencers be more transparent about sponsorships?
Ethics & Current Issues
71. Should voting be allowed at age 16?
72. Is freedom of speech absolute in school?
73. Do students have a right to protest during class time?
74. Should wealthy people be required to donate more to charity?
75. Is it okay to break a law to stand up for what’s right?
76. Is canceling a public figure ever justified?
77. Do celebrities deserve privacy?
78. Are zero-tolerance policies in schools fair?
Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle Schoolers
Middle school is typically the time in school when you first start writing essays for class. The following argumentative essay ideas have been chosen to be fit the interests of middle school students.
Topics About School and Education
1. Should there be recess in middle school?
2. Should homework be optional for middle school students?
3. Are school dress codes fair to all genders?
4. Is it better to have group projects or work alone?
5. Should students help design school rules?
6. Are field trips worth missing class for?
7. Should middle schoolers be allowed to choose some of their classes?
8. Do grades help or hurt student motivation?
9. Should students get rewards for good attendance?
10. Is detention an effective punishment?
Technology
11. Should tablets replace textbooks?
12. Is too much screen time bad for middle schoolers?
13. Can video games help kids learn?
14. Is online learning better than in-person school?
15. Are digital tools making students lazy?
16. Should middle schoolers learn basic programming?
17. Can technology ever replace teachers?
18. Is autocorrect hurting your spelling skills?
19. Should students be allowed to use calculators in math class?
20. Should cursive be taught in middle school?
Social Media
21. Is social media safe for middle schoolers?
22. Should kids under 13 be allowed on social media?
23. Do likes and followers matter too much?
24. Should parents monitor what their kids do and see on social media?
25. Is texting a good way to communicate with friends?
26. Does social media cause drama among friends?
27. Are kids too young to go viral?
28. Should schools teach students how to use social media wisely?
29. Can watching short videos affect attention span?
30. Is taking a break from social media healthy?
Argumentative Essay Topics About the Environment
31. Should schools start a garden?
32. Is it important for kids to learn about climate change?
33. Can kids help reduce plastic use at home?
34. Are paper straws better than plastic ones?
35. Should students walk or bike to school more often?
36. Are zoos good or bad for animals?
37. Can one person make a difference for the planet?
38. Should schools use more solar power?
39. Should kids pick up trash in their neighborhoods?
40. Is recycling worth it?
Argumentative Essay Topics on Health
41. Should candy be banned at school?
42. Is it okay for kids to drink energy drinks?
43. Are sports good for every student?
44. Can playing outside help kids do better in school?
45. Should lunch breaks be longer?
46. Are school lunches healthy enough?
47. Should students take naps during the school day?
48. Is hand sanitizer better than soap?
49 Should gym be required every year?
50. Should mental health be discussed more in school?
Middle School Lifestyle
51. Should kids get paid for doing chores?
52. Is it better to have a small group of close friends or lots of friends?
53. Should students be allowed to wear whatever they want?
54. Is it fair to have a bedtime on weekends?
55. Are hobbies more important than sports?
56. Should you be able to bring your pet to school?
57. Is it okay to skip an activity you don’t enjoy?
58. Can middle schoolers start their own business?
59. Should there be a limit on after-school activities?
60. Do kids need more free time?
Entertainment
61. Are cartoons only for little kids?
62. Should video games be played on school nights?
63. Can music help you focus while doing homework?
64. Are superhero movies better than regular ones?
65. Is YouTube better than television?
66. Should parents control what kids watch?
67. Can reading comics be as educational as books?
68. Is listening to music in class helpful?
69. Are streaming services replacing books?
70. Can TikTok teach anything useful?
Argumentative Topics About Ethics & Current Issues
71. Is it ever okay to lie?
72. Should students be punished for bad behavior outside school?
73. Is it fair to make kids do community service?
74. Can one kid stand up to bullying and make a difference?
75. Is it okay to tell on a friend if they break a rule?
76. Should every student be treated the same?
77. Is it better to be honest or kind?
78. Can kindness stop bullying?
79. Should middle schoolers vote in school decisions?
How to Choose an Argumentative Essay Topic
When choosing an argumentative essay topic, pick something that is debatable. This means it should be a topic that people can have different opinions on. You should be able to see both sides, even if you only support one. It also helps to choose something you find interesting. If you care about the topic, writing about it will feel easier. Make sure the topic is also easy to research, so you can find facts and examples to support your argument. You don’t want to write purely from personal experience, it is best to be able to find statistics to include in your essay to strengthen your argument.