150+ Examples of Argumentative Essay Topics For College Students

Are you looking for argumentative essay topics to write about? If so, then you've come to the right place. Argumentative essays are a great way to express your opinion on a variety of topics and spark meaningful conversations with readers.

From current issues such as gun control and climate change, to more abstract concepts like morality and justice, argumentative essay topics provide an abundance of material for discussion. But before you start writing, it's important to have a thorough understanding of what argumentative essays are all about.

General Argumentative Essay Topics 

• Do you think that abortion should be made illegal?
• Do you think that animal testing should be banned?
• Is the #metoo movement a great thing?
• Do you think that manufacturers are responsible for the effects of the chemicals used in creating their products?
• Do you think that illegal immigrants be granted residency?
• Is there a fake news problem? What is the source?
• Do you believe that “big pharma” has people’s best interests at heart?
• Is the death penalty a just punishment?
• Are there moral concerns that make genetic cloning illegal?
• What Do you think that people do to stop human trafficking?

Argumentative Essay Topics About Politics

• Which political party has the right ideology?
• What Do you think that be done to reduce income inequality?
• Is paying down the US deficit the most essential issue of our time?
• Do you believe that the Federal Reserve needs to stop printing money because it creates an unsustainable bubble?
• Is capitalism the best economic system?
• Is socialism the best economic system?
• Is America ready for a female president?
• Do you think that an elected leader represents the interests of their own political party, or is it best to try to compromise?
• What modern political decision has created the most change?
• Do you believe that campaign finance reform works?

Argumentative Essay Topics About Society & Culture

• When will LGTBQ individuals experience equality?
• Is healthcare a fundamental human right?
• Do you think that TV censors explicit content because programmers must produce family-friendly programming?
• Social media brings us together and pulls us apart; Do you believe that the great outweighs the bad or vice versa?
• Is a gap year time for exploration and reflection or a year-long vacation?
• Many states have begun to decriminalize the possession of certain drugs like marijuana; is this a great idea?
• Equality is part of lawmaking, but do you believe that it works in practice?
• Do you think that people have the right to own a gun?
• In cases of terminal illness, Do you think that a patient should be able to request medically assisted suicide?
• Do you think that smoking should be illegal?
• What is the best way to foster positive conversation about controversial issues?

Argumentative Essay Topics About History

• Many people think that we learn from the past, but there are many patterns in history. Do you think history repeats itself?
• How did the US Civil War make the nation best or worse?
• Thomas Jefferson made considerable contributions to the founding of America, both as a writer and a politician. However, he didn’t live a perfect life. Was he a hero?
• Do you believe that our modern perspective changes the “truth” of what happened during major historical events?
• Pick a past decade and discuss if lower socio-economic classes had opportunities at that time.
• Did the handling of Native Americans leave a moral stain on the US?
• Slavery was a foundational part of the American colonies and, later, the United States. So how did this injustice change the nation?
• What factors led to the rise of Naziism in Germany and to the Holocaust?
• The plague destroyed the population of Europe and changed the course of history. So what was its biggest lesson?

Argumentative Essay Topics for Kids in Elementary School

• Do you think that there be commercials in kids’ programs?
• Do you believe that homework help kids learn?
• Do you think that school should be all year?
• Do schools treat girls and boys the same way?
• Do you think that parents limit screen time?
• Do you think that school start before eight o’clock in the morning?
• Do you think that kids be able to vote in national elections?
• Is it best to read fiction or nonfiction?
• Is it best for kids to have distance learning or be in school?
• Do parents treat all their kids the same way, or do they treat the oldest and youngest differently?
• Do you think that kids have the same teacher every year or switch teachers each year?
• Do you think that video games be a sport?
• Are schools doing enough to stop bullying?
• Do you think that kids have homework on weekends?
• Is it best if three generations of a family live together?
• Are hot dogs bad for you?
• Do you think that school lunch should include vegetables, even if Many kids don’t like them?
• Is it okay to eat dessert before dinner?

Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School

• Do you think that middle schoolers have jobs like babysitting or mowing lawns?
• Are beauty pageants a great idea?
• Are violent video games bad?
• Do you think that parents be able to say whether kids can dye their hair?
• Do you believe that social media do more harm than good?
• Do middle schoolers have too much homework?
• Do you believe that homework help kids learn?
• Do you think that teachers get paid more?
• Is life more challenging for your parent’s generation or yours’?
• Why is your favorite musical artist best than anyone else?
• Do you think that kids read age-appropriate books, or is it okay to read grown-up books?
• Do you think that there be ratings (like G, PG, and R) for movies?
• Is it best to ride the bus or walk to school?
• Is school lunch great for kids?
• Do you believe an hour of reading or an hour of exercising is better?
• Do you think that gym class should be required?
• Do you think that kids get paid for getting excellent grades?
• Is it best to have class over the computer or in person?
• Is cyberbullying as big of a problem as in-person bullying?
• Do you think that all cars be electric?

Argumentative Essay Topics for High School

• Do you think that people be allowed to burn the flag?
• Do you think that parents get in trouble for truancy if kids don’t go to school?
• Is social media bad for relationships?
• Do you think that businesses be required to hire for diversity?
• Are women and men treated equally?
• Do you think that the minimum wage should be raised?
• Do you think that everyone should go to college?
• Is climate change a real threat?
• Are wind farms benefitting the environment and economy?
• Do you think that people be allowed to wear fur of any kind?
• Is it a bad idea to use your DNA for genealogy?
• Do you think that parents should decide they don’t want medical treatment for their kids?
• Is the United States falling behind other nations in terms of education?
• Do the actions of a nation’s leader influence the actions of the people?
• Do you think that the electoral college should be abolished?
• Do you think that schools be required to offer art courses?
• Do you think that all new cars be electric?
• Will AI help the world or hurt it?
• Do you think that high school pupils work during the school year?
• Are there forms of personal expression that you think should be allowed in schools?

Argumentative Essay Topics for College

• Are men and women equally emotional?
• Are printed books best than e-readers?
• Do you think that the drinking age should be lowered?
• Are parents responsible for childhood obesity?
• Do you think that college should free?
• Do you think that beauty standards be more inclusive?
• Are all college majors equally essential?
• Is social media bad for kids?
• Has technology changed our definition of magic?
• Is it worth exploring space?
• Do you think that all internships be paid?
• Do you think that income should be tied to the cost of a degree?
• Is climate change the biggest threat to the world?
• Is feminism still essential?
• Has society made the needed reparations for slavery?
• Do you believe that elections should be decided by the popular vote?
• Should everyone be entitled to free health care?
• Do anti-discrimination laws protect disabled pupils?
• Is a degree from an online college or university as legitimate as a degree from a brick-and-mortar university?
• Is it a conflict of interest for an instructor or professor to require pupils to purchase his book?