Dr. Alex Mercer
Dr. Alex Mercer

400+ Argumentative Essay Topics For You to Choose From

21 min read

Published on: Apr 22, 2025

Last updated on: Apr 26, 2025

Argumentative Essay Topics

Have you ever read an essay that was so boring it made you lose interest in the topic? The problem isn’t always the writing, it’s often the topic itself.

A good argumentative essay starts with a strong topic. The right topic makes people think, encourages debate, and even makes writing easier. But finding the right one can be a challenge.

That’s why this blog is here. It has over 400 argumentative essay topics on different subjects, so there’s something for everyone. 

Let’s get started.

Best Argumentative Essay Topics For Students

Below is a list of argumentative essay topics for different grade levels:

Argumentative Essay Topics For Grade 5

  • Should students be allowed to bring pets to school?
  • Is it better to have homework or no homework?
  • Should kids have a say in what they learn at school?
  • Are video games good or bad for children?
  • Should every child have to learn how to swim?
  • Is it fair to give rewards for good grades?
  • Should junk food be banned from school cafeterias?
  • Is it better to read books or watch movies?
  • Should kids be allowed to stay up as late as they want?
  • Is it important for children to do household chores?

Argumentative Essay Topics For Class 5

  • Should students be allowed to wear any clothes to school?
  • Is it better to have school five days a week or four?
  • Should kids be given money for doing well in school?
  • Are online classes better than traditional classrooms?
  • Should there be a limit on screen time for children?
  • Is playing outside better than playing indoors?
  • Should every school have a class on kindness?
  • Is it fair to have school rules that apply only to students?
  • Should children be allowed to have cell phones in school?
  • Are school field trips important for learning?

Argumentative Essay Topics For Middle School 

  • Should middle school students have part-time jobs?
  • Is it better to have school uniforms or free dress?
  • Should students get paid for good grades?
  • Is social media harmful to middle schoolers?
  • Should schools have longer lunch breaks?
  • Are group projects better than individual assignments?
  • Should every student have a laptop for schoolwork?
  • Is listening to music while studying helpful or distracting?
  • Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
  • Is it fair to give the same homework to all students?

Argumentative Essay Topics For Grade 6 

  • Should students have to do book reports?
  • Is it better to study one subject a day or multiple?
  • Should kids be allowed to use calculators in math class?
  • Is it important for students to learn a second language?
  • Should schools have no homework days?
  • Are video games a good way to learn new skills?
  • Should there be a limit on how much TV kids can watch?
  • Is it fair to have different rules for boys and girls?
  • Should students be able to redo tests for a better grade?
  • Is handwriting still important in the digital age?

Argumentative Essay Topics For 7th Graders 

  • Should students be allowed to bring their own lunches?
  • Is online learning better than classroom learning?
  • Should students be allowed to choose their teachers?
  • Are grades the best way to measure intelligence?
  • Should middle schoolers be given more independence?
  • Is social media a positive or negative influence?
  • Should there be a dress code for school events?
  • Are pets good for a person’s mental health?
  • Should students learn about money management in school?
  • Is it better to have one best friend or many friends?

Argumentative Essay Topics For Grade 8 

  • Should students be allowed to have jobs while in school?
  • Is competitive sports good for kids?
  • Should schools teach more life skills?
  • Is technology making students smarter or lazier?
  • Should students have to take art and music classes?
  • Are uniforms necessary in schools?
  • Should there be stricter rules for online bullying?
  • Is it better to be really good at one thing or okay at many things?
  • Should students be graded on participation?
  • Are reality TV shows bad for young viewers?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics For High School Students 

  • Should high school students be required to do community service?
  • Is college education necessary for success?
  • Should schools remove standardized testing?
  • Is it better to be a leader or a follower?
  • Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
  • Is social media ruining face-to-face communication?
  • Should students be allowed to use AI for schoolwork?
  • Are school sports more important than school clubs?
  • Should high school start later in the morning?
  • Is homeschooling better than public schooling?

Argumentative Essay Topics For O Levels 

  • Should school subjects be optional?
  • Is learning a foreign language necessary?
  • Should students have less homework?
  • Are school uniforms good or bad?
  • Should teenagers have a curfew?
  • Is peer pressure more harmful than helpful?
  • Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
  • Is the Internet a reliable source of information?
  • Should schools offer mental health counseling?
  • Are reality shows good or bad for teenagers?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics For College Students 

  • Should college be free for all students?
  • Is online education as effective as in-person classes?
  • Should students be required to learn financial management?
  • Is social media harmful to mental health?
  • Should college athletes be paid?
  • Are internships more valuable than college degrees?
  • Should there be stricter rules on student loans?
  • Is group work helpful or stressful in college?
  • Should students be allowed to take gap years?
  • Is it better to attend a big university or a small college?

Argumentative Essay Topics For College Admissions 

  • Should college applications be based only on grades?
  • Is standardized testing a fair way to judge students?
  • Should students be able to apply to unlimited colleges?
  • Are extracurricular activities more important than academics?
  • Should colleges consider social media activity in admissions?
  • Is it fair to charge high tuition fees?
  • Should work experience be required for college admission?
  • Are scholarships based on merit or need better?
  • Should personal essays be optional for applications?
  • Is the college admission process too competitive?

Argumentative Essay Topics For University Students 

  • Should universities remove general education requirements?
  • Is student debt worth the cost of higher education?
  • Should universities focus more on job training than academics?
  • Are traditional college degrees becoming outdated?
  • Should students be allowed to design their own majors?
  • Is studying abroad worth it?
  • Should universities have stricter rules for online classes?
  • Is artificial intelligence a threat to future jobs?
  • Should attendance be mandatory in university lectures?
  • Is entrepreneurship better than working a 9-to-5 job?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Different Subjects 

Some topics challenge students to think critically, while others encourage them to research and analyze real-world issues. 

Below are argumentative essay topics on a variety of subjects to help students find one that matches their interests.

Argumentative Essay Topics on Science 

  • Should humans colonize Mars?
  • Is cloning ethical in medical research?
  • Should animal testing be banned in scientific studies?
  • Is genetic modification of crops beneficial or harmful to public health?
  • Should all scientific research be open to the public?
  • Is nuclear energy a sustainable solution to the energy crisis?
  • Should vaccines be mandatory for everyone?
  • Is artificial intelligence a threat to scientific progress?
  • Should governments fund space exploration?
  • Are alternative medicines as effective as traditional treatments?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Government 

  • Should voting be mandatory in democratic countries?
  • Is the death penalty an effective punishment?
  • Should politicians have term limits?
  • Is government surveillance necessary for national security?
  • Should taxation be based on income or wealth?
  • Are stricter gun control laws needed?
  • Should governments regulate social media?
  • Is democracy the best form of government?
  • Should political advertisements be banned?
  • Is the two-party system outdated?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Psychology 

  • Are personality traits fixed or changeable?
  • Should mental health days be mandatory in schools?
  • Is social media causing more anxiety and depression?
  • Are violent video games linked to aggressive behavior?
  • Should therapy be free for everyone?
  • Is nature or nurture more important in shaping personality?
  • Should there be stricter laws on advertising for mental health drugs?
  • Is hypnosis a legitimate form of treatment?
  • Should schools teach students about emotional intelligence?
  • Are dreams a reflection of real-life emotions?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Fashion & Beauty 

  • Should schools allow students to wear whatever they want?
  • Is fast fashion doing more harm than good?
  • Should there be laws against photoshopping models in advertisements?
  • Is high fashion disconnected from reality?
  • Are beauty pageants harmful to self-esteem?
  • Should there be a tax on luxury fashion brands?
  • Is body positivity being used as a marketing tool?
  • Should fashion designers be responsible for sustainability?
  • Is expensive makeup better than affordable brands?
  • Should there be age restrictions on cosmetic surgery?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Food and Nutrition 

  • Should junk food be banned in schools?
  • Is a vegetarian diet healthier than a meat-based diet?
  • Should fast-food restaurants have stricter health regulations?
  • Is organic food really better for health?
  • Should soda and sugary drinks be taxed?
  • Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?
  • Should schools provide only healthy meals?
  • Are GMOs safe for human consumption?
  • Should artificial food additives be banned?
  • Is eating locally better than importing food?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Legal and Criminal Justice 

  • Should the drinking age be lowered?
  • Is the criminal justice system biased?
  • Should drug use be decriminalized?
  • Are private prisons ethical?
  • Should hate speech be a punishable crime?
  • Is the jury system fair?
  • Should prisoners have the right to vote?
  • Is capital punishment a violation of human rights?
  • Should police officers wear body cameras at all times?
  • Is the current bail system unfair to low-income individuals?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Music 

  • Should music be free to stream online?
  • Is classical music more valuable than modern music?
  • Should explicit lyrics in songs be censored?
  • Are music awards shows biased?
  • Is pop music losing its originality?
  • Should schools make music education mandatory?
  • Are concerts too expensive for the average fan?
  • Should artists be held responsible for the messages in their lyrics?
  • Is country music underrated?
  • Should music therapy be covered by health insurance?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Immigration 

  • Should immigration laws be more lenient?
  • Is illegal immigration a threat to the economy?
  • Should children of illegal immigrants be given citizenship?
  • Are border walls an effective solution to illegal immigration?
  • Should refugees be granted immediate asylum?
  • Does immigration help or hurt job opportunities?
  • Should immigrants be required to learn the national language?
  • Are stricter immigration policies necessary for national security?
  • Should immigration quotas be removed?
  • Are immigrants treated fairly in society?

Argumentative Essay Topics on International Relations 

  • Should developed countries help struggling nations financially?
  • Is the United Nations still effective?
  • Should countries prioritize their own citizens over global issues?
  • Are international sanctions a fair way to enforce policies?
  • Should there be a universal minimum wage?
  • Is global free trade beneficial?
  • Should military intervention be allowed in foreign conflicts?
  • Are international peace treaties effective?
  • Should foreign aid be conditional?
  • Is globalization doing more harm than good?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Artificial Intelligence 

  • Should AI replace human jobs?
  • Is AI more dangerous than beneficial?
  • Should AI be given human rights?
  • Can AI create true art?
  • Should AI be used in military operations?
  • Is AI-generated content ethical?
  • Should AI be held accountable for its actions?
  • Can AI surpass human intelligence?
  • Should there be regulations on AI development?
  • Is AI making humans less creative?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Democracy 

  • Is democracy the most effective form of government?
  • Should voting be a legal obligation?
  • Are democratic elections truly fair?
  • Should there be age limits for political leaders?
  • Is democracy being weakened by misinformation?
  • Should political parties be abolished?
  • Are protests an effective way to create change?
  • Is social media a threat to democracy?
  • Should voting rights be extended to younger people?
  • Are democratic governments responsible for wealth inequality?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Human Rights 

  • Should freedom of speech have limits?
  • Is privacy a fundamental human right?
  • Should prisoners have human rights?
  • Are human rights violations properly punished?
  • Is censorship ever justified?
  • Should companies be responsible for human rights abuses?
  • Are labor rights the same as human rights?
  • Should the death penalty be considered a human rights violation?
  • Are animal rights as important as human rights?
  • Should governments be held accountable for human rights violations?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Religion 

  • Should religious studies be taught in public schools?
  • Is there a place for religion in politics?
  • Should religious symbols be banned in public spaces?
  • Is science more reliable than religion?
  • Should faith-based charities receive government funding?
  • Are religious beliefs a personal or societal matter?
  • Should religious groups pay taxes?
  • Is religious freedom absolute?
  • Should atheism be considered a belief system?
  • Are religious traditions outdated?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Ethics 

  • Should lying ever be acceptable?
  • Should healthcare be a basic human right?
  • Should animal testing be banned?
  • Is genetic engineering ethical?
  • Should businesses prioritize profits over ethics?
  • Is it ethical to eat meat?
  • Should doctors be allowed to help patients end their lives?
  • Are billionaires morally responsible for donating wealth?
  • Should AI have ethical guidelines?
  • Is honesty always the best policy?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Education 

  • Should standardized testing be abolished?
  • Is homework beneficial or harmful to students?
  • Should schools implement a four-day school week?
  • Is online education as effective as traditional schooling?
  • Should college be free for all students?
  • Is grading an accurate measure of intelligence?
  • Should students be allowed to choose their own curriculum?
  • Are school uniforms necessary?
  • Should physical education be mandatory in all schools?
  • Is homeschooling better than public schooling?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Technology 

  • Should social media platforms regulate free speech?
  • Is AI and new technology a threat to public safety?
  • Should children have limited access to smartphones?
  • Is artificial intelligence replacing too many jobs?
  • Should internet access be a basic human right?
  • Is online privacy more important than national security?
  • Should schools replace textbooks with tablets?
  • Is video game addiction a real problem?
  • Should self-driving cars be allowed on public roads?
  • Are smart devices invading people’s privacy by accessing user data?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Business 

  • Should companies be required to pay a living wage?
  • Is outsourcing jobs to other countries ethical?
  • Should advertisements targeting children be banned?
  • Is it ethical for businesses to track consumer data?
  • Should employees be allowed to work remotely permanently?
  • Are unpaid internships unfair?
  • Should big companies be taxed more?
  • Is customer data collection a violation of privacy?
  • Should businesses be held responsible for climate change?
  • Are labor unions still necessary in modern workplaces?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Environment 

  • Should plastic bags be banned worldwide to combat climate change?
  • Is climate change the biggest threat to humanity?
  • Should governments invest more in renewable energy?
  • Is veganism the best solution to environmental issues?
  • Should corporations be required to go carbon neutral?
  • Is deforestation a bigger problem than air pollution?
  • Should the use of pesticides in farming be banned?
  • Are electric cars really better for the environment?
  • Should single-use plastics be completely banned?
  • Is fast fashion harming the environment more than people think?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Gender 

  • Should gender roles be eliminated in society?
  • Is the gender pay gap real?
  • Should gender-neutral pronouns be encouraged?
  • Is feminism still necessary today?
  • Should men and women be required to take equal parental leave?
  • Are gender quotas in the workplace fair?
  • Should schools teach gender studies?
  • Is gender a social construct or a biological reality?
  • Should women be allowed to serve in all military roles?
  • Are gender reveal parties outdated?

Sports Argumentative Essay Topics 

  • Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in professional sports?
  • Is esports a real sport?
  • Should doping be allowed in professional sports?
  • Are professional athletes overpaid?
  • Should transgender athletes compete in sports according to their gender identity?
  • Is cheerleading a sport?
  • Should violent sports like boxing be banned?
  • Is sports betting ethical?
  • Should schools focus more on academics than sports?
  • Are professional sports too commercialized?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Different Themes 

Different themes help students explore a variety of perspectives, from social issues to entertainment, technology, and ethics. 

Below are argumentative essay topics covering different themes to help students craft compelling arguments.

Argumentative Essay Topics on Gaming 

  • Should video games be considered a sport?
  • Do violent video games contribute to aggressive behavior?
  • Should professional gaming be recognized as a legitimate career?
  • Are video games more beneficial than harmful?
  • Should there be age restrictions on all online games?
  • Is gaming addiction a real issue?
  • Do video games improve cognitive skills?
  • Should esports be included in the Olympics?
  • Are loot boxes in video games a form of gambling?
  • Should parents limit the time their children spend playing video games?

Easy Argumentative Essay Topics on Arts and Entertainment 

  • Should movies and TV shows be censored?
  • Is graffiti an art or vandalism?
  • Should streaming services release movies in theaters first?
  • Are reality TV shows harmful to society?
  • Should music with explicit lyrics be restricted?
  • Is digital art as valuable as traditional painting?
  • Should book-to-movie adaptations stay 100% true to the original story?
  • Are awards shows like the Oscars still relevant?
  • Should classical music be taught in schools?
  • Is social media influencing modern art?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Economy and Income 

  • Should universal basic income be implemented worldwide?
  • Can universal basic income reduce poverty?
  • Is universal basic income a threat to hard work and innovation?
  • Should the government cancel student loan debt?
  • Is student loan debt a national crisis?
  • Should college be free to prevent student debt?
  • Does universal basic income encourage unemployment?
  • Is universal basic income better than minimum wage laws?
  • Should financial literacy be a mandatory subject in schools?
  • Can student loan forgiveness boost the economy?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Gun Violence 

  • Should stricter gun control laws be enforced?
  • Is owning a gun a right or a privilege?
  • Do gun-free zones reduce violence?
  • Should teachers be allowed to carry guns in schools?
  • Are background checks enough to prevent gun violence?
  • Should assault weapons be banned for civilians?
  • Is the media responsible for glorifying gun violence?
  • Do mental health issues contribute more to gun violence than gun access?
  • Should there be stricter laws on gun ownership for minors?
  • Are self-defense laws encouraging unnecessary gun use?

Argumentative Essay Topics on Freedom of Speech 

  • Should social media platforms have the right to ban users?
  • Is freedom of speech absolute?
  • Should hate speech be protected under free speech laws?
  • Do colleges limit students’ freedom of speech?
  • Should whistleblowers be punished or protected?
  • Is cancel culture a violation of free speech?
  • Should there be restrictions on political protests?
  • Do governments have the right to regulate online speech?
  • Is freedom of the press under threat?
  • Should employers be allowed to fire employees over controversial opinions?

Unique Argumentative Essay Topics on Global Warming 

  • Is global warming the biggest threat to humanity?
  • Should governments enforce stricter environmental laws?
  • Are humans the main cause of climate change?
  • Should fossil fuels be banned entirely?
  • Is global warming a natural cycle or a man-made crisis?
  • Should schools teach climate change as a mandatory subject?
  • Are electric vehicles the best solution to global warming?
  • Should big companies pay a pollution tax?
  • Are international climate agreements effective?
  • Should plastic production be completely stopped?

Social Media Argumentative Essay Topics 

  • Is social media doing more harm than good?
  • Should social media companies be responsible for misinformation?
  • Do influencers have too much power over public opinion?
  • Should social media platforms ban anonymous accounts?
  • Is social media making people more isolated?
  • Should there be an age limit for social media use?
  • Are social media filters damaging self-esteem?
  • Should employers check employees’ social media profiles?
  • Is social media addiction a real problem?
  • Should parents monitor their children's social media accounts?

Argumentative Essay Topics About the Internet 

  • Should internet access be a basic human right?
  • Is online privacy more important than security?
  • Should governments regulate the internet?
  • Is the internet making people less intelligent?
  • Should schools ban the use of the internet for assignments?
  • Are online friendships as meaningful as real-life ones?
  • Should there be stricter laws against cyberbullying?
  • Is internet censorship ever justified?
  • Are blogs and online news sources reliable?
  • Should internet service providers offer free access to educational websites?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Teenagers 

  • Should teens have unlimited access to the internet?
  • Is it fair for parents to monitor their teen’s phone use?
  • Should schools start later to accommodate teenagers’ sleep schedules?
  • Is social media affecting teenage mental health?
  • Should part-time jobs be mandatory for high school students?
  • Are smartphones making teenagers less social?
  • Should high schools teach financial literacy?
  • Is peer pressure a bigger issue now than in the past?
  • Should teenagers have the right to vote?
  • Is homework necessary for academic success?

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics 

  • Should capital punishment be abolished?
  • Is social media censorship a violation of free speech?
  • Should drug use be decriminalized?
  • Is homeschooling better than public schooling?
  • Should plastic surgery be banned for minors?
  • Is genetic modification ethical?
  • Should prostitution be legalized?
  • Are beauty standards harmful to society?
  • Should governments control population growth?
  • Is privacy more important than national security?

Mental Health Argumentative Essay Topics 

  • Should mental health education be mandatory in schools?
  • Is social media contributing to rising anxiety and depression?
  • Should therapy be free for everyone?
  • Are antidepressants overprescribed?
  • Is there still a stigma around mental health issues?
  • Should workplaces offer mental health days?
  • Is stress management as important as academic success?
  • Should schools have counselors in every classroom?
  • Are video games beneficial for mental health?
  • Should mental health be treated the same as physical health?

Fun Argumentative Essay Topics 

  • Should pineapple be allowed on pizza?
  • Is cereal a soup?
  • Should we have three-day weekends?
  • Are cats better pets than dogs?
  • Should memes be considered a form of art?
  • Is it better to be an early bird or a night owl?
  • Should people be able to wear pajamas in public?
  • Is coffee better than tea?
  • Should reality TV be banned?
  • Is a hot dog a sandwich?

How to Choose a Good Argumentative Essay Topic? 

Not all essay topics are good. Some make people think and start debates, while others are too simple or boring. A good argumentative essay topic should be interesting, debatable, and important. But with so many choices, how do you pick the best one?

Here are some things to think about:

  • Personal Interest: Choosing a topic that is interesting makes writing easier and more enjoyable. If a topic is boring, writing about it will be hard.
  • Different Opinions: A good topic should have two or more sides. If everyone agrees on something, there is nothing to argue about.
  • Enough Information: A strong essay needs facts, examples, and expert opinions. The topic should have enough research available.
  • Important Today: Topics about social issues, technology, or education are more engaging because they affect people now.
  • Not Too Broad or Too Narrow: A broad topic is hard to cover, and a narrow topic may not have enough information. A good topic is focused but not too small.

Thinking about these points will help in picking the right topic. But what makes a topic truly "good"? Let’s find out.

Things a Good Argumentative Essay Topic Should Have 

A good argumentative essay topic is not just any topic. It should have certain qualities to make sure the argument is strong and well-supported.

  • Debatable: If everyone agrees on a topic, there is no argument. A good topic should have different opinions.
  • Can Be Researched: There should be enough facts, studies, or examples to support both sides. A topic based only on opinions is not strong.
  • Relevant: The topic should be important today. A topic connected to real-world issues is more interesting.
  • Clear and Specific: A topic that is too broad can be confusing, and one that is too narrow may not have enough information. A good topic is clear and focused.
  • Respectful and Logical: Some topics may be too sensitive or controversial. A good topic allows for respectful and logical discussion.

Keeping these things in mind will help in choosing a strong argumentative essay topic. Now, let’s look at some great topic ideas.

Final Thoughts!

A good argumentative essay isn’t just about picking a topic—it’s about building a strong, well-supported argument. 

With the right topic and a clear stance, writing a compelling essay becomes much easier. Strong reasoning, credible evidence, and a logical flow will make any argument more persuasive. 

If writing feels overwhelming, expert guidance can make all the difference. That’s where EssayService.ai comes in. 

We are offering expert assistance to help students with research, writing, and editing. Whether it's an argumentative essay, persuasive essay, or any other type of essay, we are the one-stop solution you need.

Our essay writing service guarantees original, high-quality work with timely delivery. 

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Dr. Alex Mercer

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Alex Mercer (Mass Literature and Linguistics, Masters)

Dr. Alex Mercer is a renowned author specializing in AI and academic writing, known for his insightful and informative blogs on EssayService.ai. With a passion for both technology and education, Dr. Mercer has established himself as a trusted voice in the field, providing valuable insights to students, educators, and technology enthusiasts alike.

Dr. Alex Mercer is a renowned author specializing in AI and academic writing, known for his insightful and informative blogs on EssayService.ai. With a passion for both technology and education, Dr. Mercer has established himself as a trusted voice in the field, providing valuable insights to students, educators, and technology enthusiasts alike.

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