essay on a controversial topic

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?

ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA

Natalie Leppard Managing Editor [email protected]

© 2023 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved

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• School Uniforms
• Video Games
• Animal Testing
• Gun Control
• Banned Books
• Teachers’ Corner

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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
• 40 Topics to Help With Descriptive Writing Assignments
• What Is Expository Writing?
• Topical Organization Essay
• How to Outline and Organize an Essay
• Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing
• What an Essay Is and How to Write One
• Personal Essay Topics
• Ecology Essay Ideas

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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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 Controversial argumentative essay topics

Controversial argumentative essay topics ignite debates, challenge norms, and inspire critical thinking. These contentious subjects compel individuals to confront differing perspectives, question societal conventions, and defend their beliefs.

Exploring controversial topics in an essay offers a platform for discourse, enabling readers to delve into complex issues and examine them from various angles. From politics to ethics, religion to technology, controversial argumentative essay topics push boundaries, fostering intellectual growth and stimulating dialogue.

What is Controversial argumentative essay?

A controversial argumentative essay is an academic piece of writing that focuses on a contentious issue or topic. Unlike other types of essays, where the aim might be to inform or persuade without stirring controversy, the purpose of a controversial argumentative essay is to explore a topic that elicits strong opinions and heated debate.

In such essays, writers present their arguments and evidence to support their viewpoint on the controversial topic. However, they must also acknowledge and address opposing viewpoints, providing counterarguments and rebuttals where necessary. The goal is not only to express one’s own perspective but also to engage critically with alternative viewpoints and contribute to a deeper understanding of the issue.

Controversial argumentative essays require careful research, thoughtful analysis, and persuasive writing to effectively present and defend a stance on a contentious topic. They often tackle subjects related to politics, ethics, social issues, religion, science, technology, and more, where there is significant disagreement or ambiguity.

Importance of choosing the right Controversial argumentative essay topics

Choosing the right controversial argumentative essay topics is crucial for several reasons:

• Engagement: Selecting a compelling topic ensures that both the writer and the audience are deeply engaged in the essay. Controversial topics tend to evoke strong emotions and opinions, sparking interest and fostering debate.
• Relevance: Opting for a relevant topic ensures that the essay addresses issues that are significant and impactful in contemporary society. By tackling pressing issues, the essay can contribute to ongoing discussions and potentially influence opinions and policies.
• Depth of Analysis: The right topic provides ample opportunities for in-depth analysis and exploration. It allows the writer to delve into complex issues, examine multiple perspectives, and consider various aspects of the topic, resulting in a more thorough and nuanced argument.
• Critical Thinking: Controversial topics often require critical thinking and analytical skills to navigate conflicting viewpoints and evidence. Choosing the right topic encourages the writer to critically evaluate arguments, assess evidence, and develop well-reasoned conclusions.
• Impact: A well-chosen controversial topic has the potential to make a meaningful impact by raising awareness, challenging assumptions, and prompting reflection and action. It can contribute to social change, policy reform, or increased understanding of complex issues.
• Audience Engagement: Selecting a topic that resonates with the target audience increases the likelihood of capturing their attention and sparking meaningful dialogue. By addressing issues that matter to the audience, the essay can foster greater engagement and participation in the discussion.

Here are 10 categories with 20 controversial argumentative essay topics each that you can consider to use for your next contest.

1. Politics and Government:

• Gun control laws: Should they be stricter or more lenient?
• Electoral college: Should it be abolished in favor of a popular vote?
• Immigration policy: Should there be stricter border controls or more lenient pathways to citizenship?
• Universal healthcare: Should healthcare be a right guaranteed by the government?
• Capital punishment: Should it be abolished or retained as a form of punishment?
• Affirmative action: Is it necessary to promote diversity, or does it promote reverse discrimination?
• Military intervention: Should countries intervene in foreign conflicts for humanitarian reasons?
• Taxation: Should the wealthy be taxed more heavily to address income inequality?
• Surveillance: Is mass surveillance justified for national security purposes?
• Freedom of speech: Should hate speech be protected under the First Amendment?

2. Social Issues:

• Abortion: Should it be legal, and under what circumstances?
• LGBTQ+ rights: Should there be more protections and rights for LGBTQ+ individuals?
• Racial profiling: Is it an effective law enforcement tactic or a form of discrimination?
• Gender equality: Are gender disparities still prevalent in society, and how should they be addressed?
• Animal testing: Is it ethical to use animals for scientific experimentation?
• Legalization of drugs: Should drugs like marijuana be legalized for recreational use?
• Poverty and welfare: How should society address poverty and provide assistance to those in need?
• Cyberbullying: What measures should be taken to combat cyberbullying?
• Climate change: Is it primarily caused by human activity, and how should it be addressed?
• Prostitution: Should it be legalized and regulated, or remain illegal?

3. Ethics and Morality:

• Euthanasia: Should individuals have the right to end their own lives, and under what circumstances?
• Genetic engineering: Should there be limitations on genetic modification of humans?
• Animal rights: Do animals have rights, and if so, how should they be protected?
• Cloning: Is human cloning ethically acceptable?
• Environmental conservation: How much should society sacrifice for the sake of environmental preservation?
• Cultural appropriation: Where is the line between appreciation and appropriation of other cultures?
• Stem cell research: Should government funding be allocated to stem cell research?
• Endangered species protection: How far should society go to protect endangered species?
• Pornography: Is it a form of expression or exploitation?
• Organ donation: Should there be an opt-out system for organ donation?

4. Technology and Privacy:

• Online privacy: Should individuals have the right to complete online privacy, or should there be limits for security reasons?
• Artificial intelligence: Should there be regulations on the development and use of AI?
• Surveillance technology: How much surveillance is too much in the name of public safety?
• Social media: Should there be stricter regulations on social media platforms to prevent misinformation and hate speech?
• Encryption: Should governments have backdoor access to encrypted communication for national security reasons?
• Autonomous vehicles: Should they be allowed on the roads, and who is responsible in case of accidents?
• Data mining: Should companies be allowed to collect and sell personal data without consent?
• Internet censorship: Should governments have the authority to censor the internet for national security or moral reasons?
• 3D printing: What are the ethical implications of 3D printing, especially in terms of copyright infringement and weapon manufacturing?
• Virtual reality: How will virtual reality impact society, and what ethical considerations should be taken into account?

5. Education:

• Standardized testing: Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student achievement?
• School vouchers: Should public funds be used to support private education through vouchers?
• Affirmative action in education: Does affirmative action in college admissions promote diversity or perpetuate discrimination?
• Sex education: What should be included in comprehensive sex education programs in schools?
• Homeschooling: Should parents have the right to homeschool their children, and what regulations should be in place?
• Free college tuition: Should college education be free for all students?
• Teaching evolution in schools: Should creationism be taught alongside evolution in science classes?
• Bullying prevention: What measures should schools take to prevent bullying?
• Technology in the classroom: How should technology be integrated into education to enhance learning?
• Critical race theory: Should critical race theory be taught in schools, and how should it be approached?

6. Health and Medicine:

• Vaccination: Should vaccines be mandatory, and should there be consequences for those who refuse?
• Mental health care: Is there enough support and resources for mental health care in society?
• Physician-assisted suicide: Should terminally ill patients have the right to end their own lives with medical assistance?
• Obesity: How should society address the obesity epidemic?
• Alternative medicine: Should alternative medicine practices be regulated, and should they be covered by insurance?
• Prescription drug prices: How should society address the rising costs of prescription drugs?
• Healthcare for undocumented immigrants: Should undocumented immigrants have access to healthcare services?
• Organ transplantation: Should organs be sold for transplantation, and if so, under what circumstances?
• Plastic surgery: Should cosmetic surgery be regulated more strictly?
• Mental health stigma: How can society reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness?

7. Economics and Business:

• Minimum wage: Should the minimum wage be raised, and if so, to what level?
• Income inequality: How should society address the growing gap between the rich and the poor?
• Corporate responsibility: Should corporations prioritize profits or social responsibility?
• Globalization: Is globalization beneficial for everyone, or does it primarily benefit the wealthy?
• Sweatshops: Should consumers boycott companies that use sweatshop labor?
• Universal basic income: Should every citizen receive a basic income from the government?
• Trade tariffs: Are tariffs an effective way to protect domestic industries, or do they harm consumers?
• Monopolies: Should government regulate or break up monopolies to promote competition?
• Environmental regulations: Should businesses be subject to stricter environmental regulations?
• Corporate taxation: Should corporations be taxed more heavily to fund social programs?

8. Media and Entertainment:

• Media bias: How should society address bias in the media?
• Violence in media: Does exposure to violent media contribute to real-life violence?
• Censorship in the arts: Should governments censor art and literature for moral or political reasons?
• Celebrity culture: Does celebrity culture have a negative impact on society?
• Representation in media: How can media better represent marginalized groups?
• Video game violence: Does exposure to violent video games contribute to aggression in players?
• Reality television: Does reality TV have a negative impact on society?
• Freedom of the press: Should there be limitations on freedom of the press to prevent misinformation?
• Internet piracy: How should society address internet piracy and copyright infringement?
• Advertising to children: Should there be restrictions on advertising targeted at children?

9. Religion and Spirituality:

• Separation of church and state: How should the relationship between religion and government be defined?
• Religious freedom: To what extent should religious beliefs be protected in society?
• Evolution vs. creationism: Should intelligent design be taught alongside evolution in schools?
• Abortion rights: How do religious beliefs influence views on abortion?
• LGBTQ+ rights and religion: How do religious beliefs impact attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals?
• Religious extremism: How should society address religious extremism and terrorism?
• Interfaith marriage: Should there be restrictions on interfaith marriages?
• Religious education: Should religious education be mandatory in schools?
• Women’s rights and religion: How do religious beliefs influence attitudes towards women’s rights?
• Blasphemy laws: Should blasphemy laws be enforced to protect religious sentiments?

10. Miscellaneous:

• Space exploration: Should space exploration be prioritized over other societal needs?
• Legalization of prostitution: Should prostitution be legalized and regulated?
• Gambling: Should gambling be legalized and regulated, or remain illegal?
• Right to die: Should terminally ill patients have the right to end their own lives with medical assistance?
• Artificial sweeteners: Are artificial sweeteners safe for consumption, or do they pose health risks?
• Mandatory voting: Should voting be mandatory for all citizens?
• Plastic bag ban: Should single-use plastic bags be banned to reduce environmental pollution?
• Body modification: Should body modification practices such as piercings and tattoos be regulated?
• Legalization of euthanasia: Should individuals have the right to end their own lives, and under what circumstances?

These topics cover a wide range of controversial issues across various fields, providing ample opportunities for in-depth analysis and discussion.

Controversial argumentative essay topics serve as catalysts for critical thinking, engaging discourse, and societal progress. By delving into contentious issues across various domains, these topics challenge perspectives, prompt reflection, and inspire meaningful dialogue.

Through rigorous analysis and the exploration of opposing viewpoints, writers and readers alike are empowered to broaden their understanding, challenge societal norms, and contribute to a more informed and inclusive discourse. Controversial argumentative essay topics are not just subjects for debate; they are vehicles for intellectual growth, empathy, and positive change.

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?

Use our speech writing service if you want to leave your audience nothing short of amazed!

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

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• Oliver, E. (2023, May 18). Good Argumentative Essay Topics. Read Relevant. https://readrelevant.com/good-argumentative-essay-topics/
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100 Engaging Controversial Essay Topics

When students are asked to write an argumentative paper, they start with looking for controversial argumentative essay topics. It’s a good decision: if you succeed in finding something great to write about, you stand more chances at getting a satisfying grade. But despite knowing this, making a choice is not easy. For one thing, you should have a clear idea of what a controversial essay even is. It is a genre of writing where you present an opinion others could dispute and prove its validity as well as accuracy. In other words, you pick a subject that causes arguments among society members, voice your point of view, and work hard to prove it by relying on scientific evidence.

In the long run, you’ll benefit from completing a fair number of similar essays: you’ll understand what it takes to participate in debates and how to defend your position. The choice of topic is tough since while there are many potentially interesting things to discuss, only some of them will be to your liking, and even fewer will be something you understand well enough to argue about. We’ll be glad to show you how to approach the choosing process and how to settle on the best theme possible.

How to Pick Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics for College

At times, students are given a list from which they should pick their essay topics. This is a frustrating experience since they don’t get a right to really choose the topic they like. But fortunately, it doesn’t happen often, so if you are studying at college, you can expect to be given a free reign. Four tips below will show you how to go about picking an essay topic for a controversial paper.

• Go through things you find engaging.  Good controversial topics for essays are the ones that evoke some intense feelings in you. They could be positive or negative, but in any way, they should be something that makes you want to speak up. Recall the arguments you had online or with your friends and family recently. Maybe you saw something in the news and got angry? Did you read an article that got you passionate about the discussed topic? It could be anything, so think carefully.
• Play a choosing game.  If you have some essay ideas in mind but cannot settle on any of them, try a choosing game. This could also work in case you haven’t decided on anything at all yet. Pick a place, sit there, and note down everything you see or hear. Assign numbers to these things, and then ask a friend to choose one. Such an approach is fun, and it’s an easy way to arrive at a decision regarding your topic.
• Check sources.  When preparing for essay tasks, your first question should be, what are some controversial topics to write about? The second question should concern sources. Whatever subject you selected, it should be supported by credible resources that are peer-reviewed and have a DOI. Having an opposing position could be great, but if you are the only person who shares it, it’ll create some difficulties. Academic essays should be supported with some evidence, so your analysis cannot be performed merely based on your opinions. If you cannot locate trustworthy sources, better choose another topic.
• Discuss with the supervisor.  Once you made a decision, consult with your professor. They could give you valuable advice or warn you against some topics. If you are moving in the wrong direction, they will let you know in advance so that you wouldn’t waste your time for no reason.

100 Top Controversial Topics to Write About

There are many classical ways of choosing between topics on debatable issues, but with the evolution of the Internet, things have become much easier. You can search for online lists with suggestions, and they’ll give you the inspiration you need. We prepared this kind of list just below. There are ten popular topic categories there, with ten diverse themes in each. Take whichever you like best!

Controversial Essay Ideas on Education

Here are some traditional controversial argument topics related to education. All students will likely find them relatable!

• Education Gained in the US Has Lost Its Prestige
• The Importance of Doing Homework Diligently Is Overestimated
• Education Has become Redundant Today Because You Can Find a Job Anyway
• Governments & Universities Should Pay Full Tuition For All Their Students
• Physical Punishments for Children and Animals Should Be Made a Crime
• Minors Should Have the Right for Purchasing Condoms
• Children Should Be Taught About Different Kinds of Sexuality From Early Age
• Parents Should Never Supervise Their Children’s Online Actions
• No Student Should Ever Be Expelled From Educational Establishments
• Competitions Among Students Encourage Hurt and Feeling of Inadequacy

Controversial Essay Prompts on Technology

Technological progress has changed our lives to a profound extent. These controversial persuasive essay topics reflect this.

• iPhone Is an Uncomfortable and Highly Overrated Phone
• Cloning Must Be Provided for Acceptable Prices to Grieving Families
• Drones Could Be Used for Turning Wars into Soldier-less Fights
• Wi-Fi Has Many Serious Drawbacks & Should Be Used with Care
• Youth Depend on Technology Too Much & Become Helpless in the Process
• No One Should Be Punished for Saying Anything Online
• GPS Poses Serious Threats to Privacy & Safety
• Most Surveillance Cameras Should Have Better Level of Quality
• Internet Helped Queer Community Meet New People
• Cancer Rates Have Increased Due to Technological Developments

Controversial Topics for Philosophy Essay

Philosophy is a dreamy but also precise science, so you could find some good controversial topics to write about here.

• Some Universal Truths Are Actually Falsehoods
• We Underestimate Philosophy Because We’re Scared of Its Truth
• Existentialism Is Caused By Flawed Social Expectations
• Feminism Has Turned Into a Movement of Violence & Bigotry
• Some Problems Do Not Have Any Resolution
• Not All Mysteries Should Be Solved by Humans
• Every Person Should Be Allowed to Rebel Against Government
• Being Loved Is More Important Than Loving
• Emotions Could Be Hindrance to Having Successful Life
• Animals Do Not Differ From Human Beings In Any Relevant Aspects

Controversial Essays Ideas About Environment

Environment is a sphere that always fuels fierce debates. There is a big number of great controversial arguments topics here.

• Humans Should Be Forbidden to Eat Animals
• Recycling Must Be an Obligatory Part Of Every Person’s Life
• No Country Could Be Allowed to Have Nuclear Weapon
• People Who Actively Work to Protect Environment Should Receive Money For It
• Companies Who Break Environmental Laws Should Be Stopped from Operating
• Current Air Quality in Big Cities Is Unacceptably Bad & This Issue Must Be Resolved
• Alternative Fuels In Their Current State Are Not Effective
• Deserts Should Be Forcefully Turned Green Areas
• Global Warming Is More Dangerous Than We Believe
• Preventing Pollution Under Current Conditions Is Not Realistic

Science, Biology, and Health Topics

When writing controversial topics essay, these days, scientific and medical spheres are definitely among the most popular ones.

• Assisted Suicide Must Be Officially Permitted in All Countries
• Deadliness of COVID Is Overstated
• Food Created With Science Is More Useful Than Natural Food
• Some Illnesses Will Never Be Cured
• People Producing & Selling Alcoholic Beverages Must Be Imprisoned
• Biology Should Be Taught in All Schools From the First Year
• Eugenics Should Not Exist for Perfecting People
• GMO Is Not As Dangerous as We’re Led to Believe
• Fish Can Feel Emotional Attachment to Their Owners
• Science Is Not as Precise as We Think

Religious environment is relevant for many people, so it has plenty of controversial argumentative essay ideas.

• The Fact of Life Existing After Death Could Be Proven Scientifically
• Idea of Humans Evolving From Animals Is Not Sustainable
• Religion Kills More People Than It Saves
• Bible Has Been Written by Multiple Individuals
• People Should Be Allowed to Pray to Whichever God They Believe In
• Religion Is Not Based on Science
• Faith Is the Most Important Part of Life
• Violence Promoted by Religions Should Partly Discredit Them
• Words of Prayers Do Not Matter: Only Feelings Behind Them Do
• Stereotypes About Religions Unleash Violence Among People

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Controversial Essays Topics for Law and Politics

Controversial writing topics about justice and politics never end, considering how passionate everyone feels about them. Everyone wants the best for their country, so why not explore ways of achieving this in an essay?

• Death Penalty In Its Present Form Is Useless
• Death Penalty Is a Useful Method of Fight Against Human Monsters
• Multiculturalism Fuels Tolerance in the Society
• American Women Have Equal Opportunities with Men
• Electronic Voting Is Ineffective: Too Much Cheating
• Gun Control Is Not as Relevant as It Is Presented
• Free Journalism No Longer Exists
• Racist Allegations Are Often Exaggerated
• Hate Crimes Should Automatically Receive Death Penalty
• Presidents Who Allow Wars to Break Out Must Be Removed from Power

Current Events

The world is constantly undergoing changes, so unique controversial essay topics about it are in perpetual supply.

• Amount of Taxes People Pay Does Not Correspond to Benefits They Get
• Concept of Fashion Is Invented Solely by People
• Trump Should Have Never Been a President in US
• Trump Brought Positive Changes to Some Parts of the World
• World Has Become Too Demanding & Unfair to Still Live in It
• Mental Health Therapy Should Receive Additional Funding Due to COVID Impacts
• Quarantine Measures Should Be the Same in All Parts of the World
• People Should Be More Caring In These Difficult Times
• Food Should Be Made Free During COVID
• Rich & Poor People Should Be Treated in Equal Conditions

Prompts on Entertainment

How about some fun and easy controversial topics about things that work as distractions from everyday worries?

• Violent Games Do Not Affect People Playing Them Negatively
• Modern Ads Could Be a Form of Art
• Fiction Is the Best Way to Distract Yourself From Troubles
• Media Should Be Regulated More Strictly
• Having Fun Is Essential for Mental Health
• Modern Entertainments Are Dangerous & Should Be Modified
• Nobody Falls In Love at the First Sight
• Entertainment Is Not to Blame For People Becoming Addicted
• Reality Shows Create Impossible Expectations
• Home Alone Is Still an Excellent Movie

Controversial Essay Ideas For College Students

College essays are more complex than those in high school, but they are also easier than those at universities. If you are a college student, take a look at these good controversial essay topics.

• Teenagers Should Be Allowed to Work Whenever They Want
• Teens Should Not Be the Ones Paying for Their Education
• College Students Do Not Need Cars Because They Are Not Prepared to Drive Them
• Internet Addiction Is a Myth in Most Cases
• Students Should Not Expect That They Will Find Love in College
• Gender Expectations Among Students Are Not Equal
• Serving the Military Is Romanticized to a Dangerous Degree
• Sororities and Fraternities Must Be Forbidden in the US
• Polygamy Is Vastly Misunderstood in Modern Society
• Love is Portrayed in Harmful Ways in Fiction

Controversial Essay Topic Ideas to Transform Your Writing

As you can see, topics are vital. You should pay extra attention when choosing them because your final success depends on it. Take your time and think carefully. In case nothing comes to your mind right away, try utilizing the tips we offered above. Still, we understand that writing is a tricky process that could be frustratingly difficult. If you have any questions, contact our support team via our website. They’ll be happy to help you with your problems! Whether you’d like us to guide you or write an essay in its entirety, we can do that. Drop a message and tell us what needs to be done. Your unique controversial essay on an original topic will be delivered on time.

Can’t come up with a topic for you paper? We’ve prepared a collection of essay topics for you

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150+ Controversial Topics For Essays For College Students

Updated 23 Jul 2024

The popularity of controversial essays these days cannot be overestimated since the majority of college professors want to see students explore, debate, and research as they discuss politics, healthcare, education, and many other subjects where various controversies can be encountered. The purpose of such essays is to test your research and analysis skills, which is why it is vital to discover good controversial essay topics. They must inspire you in the first place and keep things accessible regarding your attitude and position. Professional writers from our essay writing service will help you with academic papers of any difficulty.

How to Choose Controversial Topics For Essays?

As you receive essay help online and start with any academic writing, remember that your controversial topic choice must address the following elements:

• Narrow Your Subject Down As You Choose Controversial Topics For Essay.
• Research Similar Publications To Gain More Knowledge.
• Include Relevant Facts and Statistics To Make Things Credible.
• Research Opposite Sides & Include References.

By doing so, you should think about your wording to help it reflect your thesis statement and add more sense to it. In simple terms, saying that smoking is bad is not enough because you should explain why and come up with some controversy like smokers living up to 90 years of age! Do some research and make it sound controversial and inspiring with authentic and high-quality help provided by Edubirdie college essay service.

An Ultimate List of Controversial Essay Topics Across Subjects

Regardless if you need argumentative essay topics  or would like to find something unique for college debates, have a look at various ideas to keep your creative juices flow. Take your time to look at our good controversial essay topics below:

Politics and Government

• Should voting be mandatory for all citizens?
• Is a two-party system effective in modern politics?
• The ethics of political lobbying: good or bad for democracy?
• Should the electoral college be abolished?
• The impact of social media on political campaigns.
• Is nationalism a positive or negative political force?
• Should governments regulate fake news?
• The role of whistleblowers in democracy.
• Is universal basic income a viable political policy?
• Should there be term limits for politicians?
• The effectiveness of sanctions as a foreign policy tool.
• Should there be a global governing body with binding powers over nations?
• The implications of surveillance technology on personal privacy and government power.
• Is compulsory military service beneficial for a country?
• The role of lobbyists in shaping government policy: beneficial or harmful?
• Should political campaigns be publicly funded to reduce corruption?
• The impact of gerrymandering on democratic processes.
• Is a one-world government a realistic or desirable goal?
• The balance between free speech and hate speech in political discourse.
• The influence of corporate interests in shaping environmental policies.

Social and Cultural Issues

• The influence of reality TV on society.
• Should cultural appropriation in fashion and music be regulated?
• The impact of social media on body image.
• Is cancel culture a form of social justice or censorship?
• The role of gender in modern society.
• Should the age of consent be uniform worldwide?
• The ethics of beauty pageants.
• Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling?
• The impact of violent video games on youth behavior.
• Should public figures have a right to a private life?
• The impact of social media influencers on youth culture and values.
• Should cultural traditions be adapted to align with modern values?
• The role of censorship in art and media: protecting society or stifling creativity?
• Is the concept of a universal language beneficial or detrimental to cultural diversity?
• The influence of celebrity endorsements in political campaigns.
• Should there be legal consequences for spreading misinformation online?
• The ethical implications of AI in replicating human creativity and art.
• Is the gig economy empowering freelancers or exploiting workers?
• The impact of globalization on indigenous cultures and traditions.
• Should governments regulate the use of facial recognition technology in public spaces?

Ethics and Morality

• Is euthanasia morally acceptable?
• The ethical implications of animal testing.
• Should there be a global standard for human rights?
• The morality of the death penalty.
• Is it ethical to use drones in warfare?
• The ethics of genetic cloning.
• Should we have the right to own guns?
• Is torture ever justified in interrogation?
• The ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence.
• Should we prioritize privacy over security?
• The moral implications of wealth inequality and redistribution.
• Is it ethical to impose population control measures?
• The morality of using AI in decision-making processes affecting human lives.
• Should there be ethical standards for artificial intelligence and robotics?
• The ethical considerations of data privacy in the digital age.
• Is it morally acceptable to use animals in sports and entertainment (like horse racing, bullfighting)?
• The ethical dilemmas posed by virtual reality technologies.
• Should parents have the right to genetically modify their unborn children?
• The morality of using deepfake technology in media and information.
• Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos and aquariums for educational purposes?

Health and Medicine

• Should vaccination be mandatory?
• The ethics of placebo treatments in medicine.
• Is healthcare a right or a privilege?
• The impact of pharmaceutical companies on healthcare.
• Should alternative medicine be covered by insurance?
• The legalization of assisted suicide.
• The ethics of organ donation from deceased donors.
• Should parents have the right to refuse medical treatment for their children?
• The impact of diet culture on health.
• Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
• The ethical implications of using AI and big data in healthcare decision-making.
• Should there be a global standard for drug pricing to improve access to medications?
• The debate over compulsory mental health screenings in schools and workplaces.
• The impact of direct-to-consumer genetic testing on privacy and discrimination.
• Should life-extension treatments be available if they are only affordable to the wealthy?
• The ethical considerations of using placebo surgeries in clinical trials.
• Is it ethical to prioritize organ transplants for patients with healthier lifestyles?
• The implications of using neurotechnology to enhance cognitive abilities.
• Should parents have the right to refuse conventional medical treatment for their children in favor of alternative remedies?
• The controversy over patenting medical and pharmaceutical innovations.

Environment and Science

• Is climate change primarily a political issue?
• Should there be more investment in renewable energy?
• The ethics of space exploration.
• Is nuclear energy safe and sustainable?
• Should we engineer genetically modified organisms?
• The impact of plastic waste on the environment.
• Is animal conservation more important than economic development?
• The role of science in policy-making.
• Should we colonize other planets?
• The ethics of water privatization.
• The ethical implications of geoengineering as a solution to climate change.
• Should there be international regulations on deep-sea mining for resources?
• The debate over the long-term storage and disposal of nuclear waste.
• Is it ethical to use biotechnology to create drought-resistant crops?
• The impact of human population growth on wildlife and natural habitats.
• Should private companies be allowed to own and exploit extraterrestrial resources?
• The controversy surrounding the reintroduction of extinct species through genetic engineering.
• Is it ethical to manipulate weather patterns through cloud seeding?
• The debate over the use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for oil and gas extraction.
• The ethical considerations of creating artificial intelligence with consciousness.
• Should college education be free?
• The effectiveness of standardized testing.
• Should sex education be mandatory in schools?
• The role of technology in education.
• Should schools teach religious studies?
• The impact of school uniforms on student behavior.
• Should teachers be allowed to carry guns in school?
• The importance of arts education.
• Should schools have the right to monitor students' social media?
• The impact of student loan debt on young adults.
• The impact of standardized testing on the quality of education.
• Should education systems focus more on practical skills than theoretical knowledge?
• The debate over single-gender classrooms and their effectiveness.
• The role of technology in classrooms: enhancing learning or causing distractions?
• Should parents or educators have more influence over curriculum design?
• The ethics of using AI systems for grading student work.
• The impact of school vouchers on public education systems.
• Should schools implement life skills classes as a mandatory part of the curriculum?
• The debate over teaching evolution versus creationism in schools.
• The effectiveness of zero-tolerance policies in maintaining school discipline.

Economics and Business

• Is capitalism the best economic system?
• Should corporations be allowed to donate to political campaigns?
• The ethics of offshore banking.
• Is the gig economy exploitative?
• Should minimum wage be a living wage?
• The impact of globalization on local economies.
• Should companies be held responsible for environmental damage?
• The ethics of consumerism.
• Is universal basic income a solution to poverty?
• The role of cryptocurrency in modern finance.
• The ethical implications of automation and its impact on the workforce.
• Should there be a global minimum wage?
• The role of cryptocurrency in the future of global finance: a boon or a bane?
• The impact of multinational corporations on local economies and cultures.
• Is the sharing economy (like Uber, Airbnb) beneficial or harmful to society?
• The debate over implementing a wealth tax on the ultra-rich.
• The ethics of consumer data collection by businesses for marketing.
• Should governments bail out big corporations in financial crises?
• The controversy around unpaid internships and their impact on career opportunities.
• The role of corporate social responsibility in modern business practices.

International Relations

• Should countries have open borders?
• The effectiveness of the United Nations.
• Is foreign aid beneficial or harmful?
• The impact of trade wars on global economies.
• Should military intervention be used for humanitarian purposes?
• The effectiveness of international sanctions in changing the behavior of nations.
• Should global superpowers have the right to intervene in the internal affairs of other countries?
• The impact of global trade agreements on national sovereignty.
• The role of international organizations in managing global health crises.
• Is the concept of nation-states becoming obsolete in a globalized world?
• The ethical implications of foreign military bases on sovereign soil.
• Should there be an international protocol for internet governance and cybersecurity?
• The debate over repatriation of cultural artifacts to their countries of origin.
• The impact of climate change on international security and migration.
• The effectiveness of the United Nations in resolving modern conflicts.
• The role of international law in governing maritime disputes.
• The ethical considerations of humanitarian intervention versus national sovereignty.
• The impact of global surveillance programs on international trust and diplomacy.
• The debate over global wealth redistribution to address poverty and inequality.
• The role of emerging economies in shaping the new world order.

Remember that these are only the basic ideas to keep you inspired and provide you with some starting points!

No Stress and Fear!

If you are not comfortable with certain controversial topics for essays, choose an alternative topic that you know well. Always research it well and have a talk with your college professor to give you another option. Referencing controversial essays can also provide insights into how to effectively handle sensitive topics. After all, the purpose of good controversial research is to show that you can explore and clearly outline opposing opinions while keeping your position clear.

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How to Write an Essay on a Controversial Topic

Last Updated: June 4, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Michelle Golden, PhD . Michelle Golden is an English teacher in Athens, Georgia. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in 2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 22,765 times.

Essays on controversial topics can be hard to write, especially when you are passionate about the topic. Writing a good essay on a controversial topic involves establishing good faith between you and your readers, presenting your argument logically, and knowing and countering the opposing argument(s).

Establishing Good Faith with Your Readers

• Don’t preach to the choir. This is where you imagine only those readers who agree with you. For instance, if you are for labeling GMO (genetically modified organism) products, don’t just talk to organizations or people who already support that. You’ll need to consider farmers who rely on GMO products for their livelihood, corporations with lobbyists in congress, scientists who don’t think GMO products need to be labeled, etc. How can you convince these groups of your position? [1] X Research source

Introducing Your Essay

Presenting Your Argument Logically

• If you use scientific data, make sure it comes from a valid, peer-reviewed source. It should have a statistically significant sample size, and preferably should include a review of the literature (or summary of other studies doing similar things).
• Specific examples can be useful in making a point in an essay, but beware of relying solely on anecdotal evidence, as it can be misleading. Just because one person has a specific experience does not mean that experience can be generalized.

• How recent is it? Is a scientific paper from 1893 still valid? It may be so, but you’ll want to know whether more recent scientists cite it, and if there are any scientists since then who have refuted it.
• Is it scholarly? While it may not be essential to use solely academic sources for a paper, they can add a lot of credibility to your work. This is because most scholarly papers go through an extensive peer-review process before being published. The same is not true for very many other sources, including the news, most magazines, and many blogs. That doesn’t mean those sources aren’t credible, but that they are often processed very quickly (especially online) and are more prone to factual errors and bias.
• What sources does the source use? Do they use scholarly or other credible sources? Or do they cite personal blogs, or contain no citations at all?
• What is the purpose of the piece? Is it an op-ed, the purpose of which is to express an opinion, not necessarily to provide evidence for that opinion.
• Is the source biased? What biases does it have? It is important to know these before using it in a paper.

Supporting Your Argument

• A cause and effect structure can help show the ways in which your preferred option is preferable to other options because of a cause or an effect of that option. For instance, you can show how labeling GMOs makes people feel safer about their food. The feeling of safety would be an effect of labeling. But you would have to show how this effect outweighs any negative effects caused by such labeling.
• A compare and contrast essay is often the most effective in a persuasive essay, as it shows the similarities and differences among the different options your presenting, and can highlight why your view is preferable to others. You can compare and contrast in a point-by-point way or you can present your argument and then address the counterargument in separate parts of the paper.

• Hasty generalization is where you assume because a thing is true in a certain context, it must be true in a lot of other circumstances. For instance, if you say, “I got sick after eating GMO corn; therefore, GMO corn makes people sick,” then you are making a hasty generalization. You would need first to establish that it was the corn that made you sick, and that other people get sick not just from that particular brand of GMO corn, but from all GMO corn to prove your statement.
• A red herring is something that distracts from an argument. Xenophobia is often such a red herring, as it stirs people up and causes them to blame certain groups of people for something like job loss (which is demonstrably false), while distracting them from the actual evidence in the case such as which factors in our economy actually lead to job loss.
• A straw man is a false and easily disproven argument used to make another argument look good.
• The either/or fallacy occurs when someone insists that there are only two options for a given situation, when in actuality there are many.
• The slippery slope fallacy occurs when someone believes that because one thing happened, then it is inevitable that other (often negative) effects will follow.

• Ad Hominem is where you attack a person rather than their argument. For instance, if you say “Scientists are haughty know-it-alls—they don’t really know anything about GMOs,” you are attacking the scientists’ character rather than addressing their arguments about GMOs.
• Appeals to emotion that turn on invoking people's anger, but do not actually address the situation are fallacies that are aggressive and not particularly convincing to other parties.
• Tu quoque is where you turn the criticism back on the person making the criticism rather than addressing their argument. Children often turn to this when they are caught in the act of doing something wrong like coloring on the walls: "But you said I could use my crayons."
• Personal incredulity is where you don't believe a fact or argument simply because you don't understand it or it seems "unnatural" or somehow wrong to you based on a gut feeling. Many people used this fallacy to fight marriage equality by implying that their own aversion to/lack of understanding of same-sex relations justified outlawing it.

Addressing the Counterarguments

• Confirmation bias is where you look only for evidence that confirms your views. [19] X Research source
• Backfire effect is when you encounter evidence that calls into question deeply held beliefs and that makes you believe what you already believe all the stronger. [20] X Research source

Concluding Your Essay

Expert Q&A

• Keep an open mind. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Keep your audience in mind. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Cite all your sources. Failing to do so can be considered plagiarism. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/Department/Writing-Program/counter-argument.pdf
• ↑ https://www.mesacc.edu/~paoih30491/ArgumentsBestFriends.html
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/introductions/
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/03/
• ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/thanks-gwyneth-but-well-stick-with-the-scientists-on-this-issue_us_55c23d5ee4b0f7f0bebb34a4
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/evidence/
• ↑ http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-to-make-sense-of-conflicting-confusing-and-misleading-crime-statistics/
• ↑ http://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/02/
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/04/
• ↑ https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/personal-incredulity
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/659/03/
• ↑ https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/newsletters/authentichappinesscoaching/open-mindedness
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/science-choice/201504/what-is-confirmation-bias
• ↑ https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/05/13/backfire-effect-mcraney/
• ↑ http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/counter-argument
• ↑ http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2015/07/are_gmos_safe_yes_the_case_against_them_is_full_of_fraud_lies_and_errors.html
• ↑ http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions

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601 Controversial Questions & Topics for Research, Essays, & Debate

People constantly participate in passionate debates about sensitive and divisive societal issues. Some may utilize memes or social media to discuss hot topics, while others join online forums and blogs. Even though controversial topics are believed to address trivial issues, many may have a tangible impact on the world and global problems.

Below, you’ll find a list of controversial questions and topics for research that can come in handy on days when you lack inspiration!

🔝 Top 10 Controversial Questions in 2024

🤔 most controversial questions — and why.

• 🏫 Topics for High School Students
• 🎓 Topics for College Students

🔎 Controversial Research Topics

• 📝 Controversial Argumentative Topics

💼 Controversial Business Topics

🏥 controversial medical topics, 🔬 controversial science topics, 💡 controversial philosophical questions, 😛 funny controversial topics, 🗣️ controversial debate topics, 🔗 references.

• Why should brain control techniques in psychology be banned?
• How to stop sexual abuse in the motion picture industry?
• How is homosexuality discriminated against in the 21st century?
• Does drug control help to reduce drug consumption among teenagers?
• What is the role of plastic pollution in global warming?
• How to make domestic violence victims speak out?
• Why are alternatives to prison sentences more effective?
• What is the impact of human overpopulation on food security?
• What is the positive impact of free trade on the international market?
• Why do abusive power and control often take part in modern relationships?

A controversial topic differs from others in that it causes considerable disagreement, debate, and varied emotional reactions in society. It usually involves opposing points of view, beliefs, or interests.

Below, we’ve listed several most controversial questions and explained what makes them such.

❔ Should abortion be legalized around the world?

Abortion is controversial due to its ethical, moral, and legal consequences. It raises the question of the fetus’ rights to life and a person’s right to govern their own body.

❔ What are the most effective measures to prevent gun violence?

Gun control is among the most controversial and emotional topics in many nations. Its discussion is mainly centered around two questions:

• Can the limit on people’s right to bear weapons be considered an unfair restriction on liberty?
• Is there a link between gun ownership and crime?

❔ Should capital punishment be canceled?

Opponents of the death sentence point out its inhumanity, irreversibility, and unfairness due to the persistence of racial and economic inequalities. Proponents believe that it is reasonable retribution for specific acts and is effective in deterring crime and protecting society.

❔ To what degree should freedom of speech be protected?

Freedom of speech is controversial because society struggles to define its limits. There is still a need to find a balance between safeguarding the freedom of expression and protecting individuals against the harm caused by speech.

❔ What measures should be taken to stop global warming?

The global warming controversy refers to the public dispute over whether the planet is getting warmer. Also, people argue about the leading causes of climate change, its consequences, and methods to stop it.

🏫 Controversial Topics for High School Students

Investigating controversial topics may help high school students develop critical thinking skills, engage in meaningful dialogues, and expand their awareness of challenging social issues. Below you can find some controversial questions for students!

• Should sports classes in school be mandatory?
• Abortion as a controversy .
• Why can technologies destroy the world?
• The benefits of year-round school.
• Circumcision as a controversial topic in the United States .
• Social networks make people less social.
• Alcohol should be banned under 25.
• Child labor and exploitation controversies .
• Bad parenting is a leading reason for childhood obesity .
• Is it time to decriminalize prostitution ?
• Same-sex marriage as a moral controversy .
• Happiness is more crucial than a career.
• Zoos around the world should be closed.
• The controversy over marijuana legalization .
• Why will cryptocurrencies replace cash?
• The institution of marriage is a relic of the past.
• Genetic engineering and cloning controversy .
• Climate change has already become irreversible.
• Why is playing online games a sport?
• Controversy about global warming: skepticism and reality .
• Alternative medicines are more dangerous than helpful.
• Why is remote studying the future of education?
• Victorian period corset controversy .
• Leisure time is critical for working productivity.
• Is nationalism beneficial or harmful?
• The Barbie doll controversy in a Latinx community .
• The government should permit gay couples to adopt children .
• The positive side of smoking and vaping .
• Why is immigration a controversial topic in the US ?
• Should we outlaw the use of fatal force by police ?

🎓 Controversial Topics for College Students

Controversial topics often reflect current social challenges , allowing college students to contribute to discussions and decisions that influence the world around them. Look at the most interesting controversial debate questions for college that we have prepared for you!

• The crime behind animal testing in the beauty industry. 
• Biracial adoption and its controversies .
• Why are many people ignoring cybersecurity ? 
• The benefits of expanding stem cell research .
• The gun control controversy in the constitutional context .
• Why should churches and religious institutions pay taxes? 
• The issue of media bias and discrimination in the modern world. 
• Women in army infantry: controversial issues .
• Non-chemical cleaning products: worth the cost or not? 
• Capitalism is an economic system that perpetuates inequality. 
• The United States Patriot Act controversies .
• Should the death penalty be abolished in the US? 
• The effectiveness of using hacking skills in business. 
• Ethical controversies in COVID-19 pandemic regulations .
• Why is being transgender not a gender disorder ? 
• The risk of religious discrimination in a multi-cultured society. 
• Controversial art and censorship .
• Does a smoking ban reduce lung cancer rates? 
• The influence of mixed-race backgrounds on personal development. 
• Minimum wage policy and its impact: controversy .
• The importance of policies and religious accommodations at the workplace. 
• How to raise awareness of women’s rights in society? 
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis controversy .
• Legalization of marijuana for medical usage: for and against. 
• What are the potentially harmful effects of consuming genetically modified food ? 
• Dementia and its controversial treatment .
• The effects of globalization on national economies and job losses. 
• How to reduce the incidence of alcoholism and drug addiction in society? 
• The Jamestown massacre controversy .
• The efficiency of drug testing programs in schools . 

Controversial research topics inspire discussions and push limits on established beliefs. In the following paragraphs, you can find risky but interesting controversial questions for your future study!

Controversial Topics in Education

• How do cell phones decrease learning productivity?
• The role of textbooks in education .
• The impact of fast food on students’ learning skills.
• Do armed guards reduce crime rates in schools?
• Why does education require political intervention ?
• The negative side of individualized approach in education .
• Advantages and disadvantages of tracking and grouping in classes.
• School sex education and teenage pregnancy in the United States .
• Does a college education lower the unemployment rate ?
• Early childhood education and its influence on success in the future.
• Education: internet courses versus traditional courses .
• Does a low level of IQ affect academic performance?
• The importance of detention in disciplining students.
• Labeling in special education .
• Does homeschooling provide a better education than traditional schooling?

Controversial Psychology Topics

• What factors contribute to the persistence of stereotypes in diverse societies? 
• Happiness as a Way of Living and Perceiving Reality .
• The impact of advertising on the human brain and mental health. 
• How does yoga affect a person’s mental state? 
• Gaming influence on psychology and personality .
• The effect of biological factors on sexual orientation . 
• Do violent video games influence real-life aggression? 
• Psychology: does a criminal mind exist ?
• Placebo effect and its role in demonstrating the power of the mind. 
• Can psychological profiling accurately forecast criminal behavior? 
• Psychological testing: beneficial or harmful ?
• The impact of subconscious biases on decision-making. 
• Does testimony from witnesses properly represent historical events?
• Experimental psychology: science vs. ideology .
• Do near-death experiences provide evidence of an afterlife? 

Controversial Criminal Justice Topics

• Do mandatory minimum sentences lower crime rates?
• Racial bas in criminal justice systems and workplaces .
• The ethical side of capital punishment in the US .
• The role of racial bias in the criminal justice system.
• Recidivism in criminal justice: the prison system of America .
• Do private prisons put profit above inmate welfare?
• The effectiveness of body cameras in maintaining accountability and transparency.
• Ethical dilemmas in the criminal justice system .
• Is the drug war successful in lowering drug abuse?
• The impact of solitary confinement on the occurrence of mental disorders in prisoners.
• Non-inclusiveness of the criminal justice system .
• How to prevent sexual assault in the military ?
• The role of restitution in dealing with prison overcrowding .
• Cyberbullying as a criminal offense in Singapore .
• How does the prison system impact the mental health of prisoners ?

Controversial Political Questions

• Is wealth redistribution a successful way of addressing income inequality?
• Political culture: failure of democracy in Iraq .
• Do restrictive abortion policies decrease the abortion rates among teens?
• What impact do campaign funding regulations have on political corruption ?
• Mexican immigration as a political controversy .
• How do religious factors shape public opinion on LGBTQ+ rights?
• How to regulate the misinformation or propaganda inside the country?
• Abortion in Texas as a political issue .
• How does the accessibility of weapons affect the frequency of mass shootings ?
• What effect does immigration have on crime and public safety in host countries?
• Tolerance and political diversity in the US .
• Why does power concentration negatively affect press freedom?
• How do politicians reconcile private power interests and democratic values?
• Political ecologies of electronic waste: does it really make a difference ?
• What is the role of government in providing affordable healthcare ?

Controversial Environmental Topics

• Does the ban on plastic help to stop climate change?
• Environment: oil drilling in the Arctic National Refuge .
• Nuclear power as the solution for sustainable energy production.
• Can banning fast fashion be beneficial to the environment?
• The controversies of climate change .
• How does noise pollution affect marine life?
• Does recycling cause more trash in the environment?
• Global warming and the free rider problem .
• The benefits of efficient toilets in conserving water.
• The establishment of the carbon tax as a way to reduce carbon footprint.
• Global warming: myth or reality ?
• What threat to the Earth does overpopulation pose?
• The negative consequences of leftover foods in restaurants.
• It’s not my fault: global warming and moral responsibility .
• Would the ban on mining aid in preserving the environment?

📝 Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

Controversial argumentative essay topics require the student to investigate a problem, examine the evidence, and present a concise viewpoint on an issue. Some of the hottest topics are already waiting for you below!

• Should athletes be checked for steroid usage regularly?
• The controversy between free will and determinism .
• Procrastination has a negative influence on critical thinking.
• Pharmacies should provide teenagers with free contraception.
• Operation Geronimo: controversy and the legal authority .
• Torture can be efficient in solving some crimes.
• Why should computer addiction be treated seriously?
• Should illegal immigrants be made legal citizens ?
• Prenuptial agreements can strengthen families’ relationships.
• Why should media violence be censored?
• Should smoking be illegal ?
• Are social networks helpful, or are they just a waste of time?
• Cyberbullying should have legal consequences.
• Have “three-strikes” laws been effective and should they be continued ?
• Religious courses should be mandatory for everyone.
• Why is modern technology too isolating?
• Should Georgia legalize gambling to raise revenue ?
• Tourist tax is essential to protect cultural heritage .
• All individuals should have the right to possess firearms.
• The Right-to-Die bill: why all states should pass it .
• Do TV shows reinforce harmful stereotypes?
• Values of fashion should not contradict the healthy body image .

Controversial Questions About Art

• Why is the depiction of nudity in art considered vulgar?
• Pornography vs. artistic nude photographs .
• Should obscene artistic expression without “serious artistic value” be censored?
• Why is art not an objective branch of human culture?
• Graffiti as a monumental form of art .
• Can governments stop the trafficking of antiquities?
• What role does criticism play in modern art?
• Art and entertainment: is there any difference ?
• Are museums ready to cope with competition and demands for change?
• Why is visiting a theater good for cultural growth?
• Freedom of expression in artworks .
• Why are new directions in architecture widely criticized?
• Is an artwork’s worth determined by its price?
• Defining art in the past and present .
• Can graffiti be considered a legitimate form of art?

Controversial History Questions

• Is the existence of Atlantis not entirely mythical?
• How has the invention of gunpowder affected the world ?
• Why is it not true that pyramids were built by slaves in Egypt?
• What would be with Germany if Hitler had not happened?
• How did WWI change women’s role in America ?
• What was the leading cause of the American Civil War ?
• Who funded the assassins of Archduke Ferdinand?
• What led up to the assassination of Julius Caesar ?
• Why was slavery unprofitable for enslavers?
• From whom did Charles Darwin get his idea of evolution?
• Jacksonian democracy: who benefitted ?
• Why was Galileo tortured for his beliefs?
• Who actually wrote Shakespeare’s plays?
• Was the Industrial Revolution positive for society ?
• How did European pathogens cause the decline of the Cahokia and Mississippian mounds?

Controversial Opinion Questions

• Why should religion be separated from politics?
• Euthanasia in public opinion and policy-making .
• Do a person’s thoughts and behavior contribute to mental illnesses?
• How can curfews keep teens out of trouble?
• Internet in our life: personal opinion .
• Why are immigrants more of a benefit rather than a problem?
• Are social media platforms accountable for the material they publish?
• Money and expenditures: personal opinion .
• What is the harmful impact of homework ?
• Should LGBT+ problems be discussed during school sex education classes?
• Our opinions on vaccines and what factors influence them .
• Why allowing a child to be overweight is a form of child abuse ?
• How can smartphones damage our IQs?
• Opinions about euthanasia: for and against .
• Why is war never an option for solving international disputes?

Like any other sphere, business has many exciting topics that provoke deep discussion and boost people’s curiosity. Here are some ideas that you can use for your papers!

• The issue of discrimination and harassment at the workplace.
• Business ethics and CSR: when corporate values must be upgraded .
• How does abuse of leadership authority impact employees’ productivity?
• The risks of nepotism and favoritism in big corporations.
• Samsung and child labor: business ethics case .
• How to find the balance between work and personal life?
• The ethical side of corporate espionage.
• Business ethics: Indian tea plantation workers .
• Social media networks should be blocked at work.
• Why are remote workers more productive?
• Business ethics of concealing facts in a report .
• The efficiency of open-space offices in creating fresh business ideas.
• Companies should provide health care to part-time employees.
• Management issues: diversity in the workplace .
• How to avoid ethical issues in the business industry?
• A casual dress code should be mandatory in the office.
• Socialization of people with disabilities in the workplace .
• Will AI replace human jobs soon?
• Minimum wages should be increased around the world.
• Workplace sexual harassment and legal boundaries .
• Stakeholder capitalism as a fundamental violation of fiduciary duty.
• How to deal with a toxic working environment?

Controversial Topics in Business Management

• How to obtain an advantage over competitors ethically?
• Artificial intelligence in strategic business management .
• The importance of workforce diversity in global organizations.
• Participative management approach as a method to empower the workforce.
• Women minorities in business management .
• Why is it vital to implement quality management systems ?
• Employers should make accommodations for employees with mental health issues.
• The marginal productivity of labor in business management .
• All workplace relationships should be banned.
• Time management as a way to boost productivity.
• Moral wayfinding for a business manager .
• Outsourcing as a way of redirecting the company’s resources.
• The effectiveness of banning political discussion in resolving labor conflicts.
• Technological changes in business management .
• Why is focusing on customer service not vital in the business industry?

Controversial Marketing Topics

• Overpromising as a harmful way to gain customers’ trust.
• Marketing: social responsibility and the law .
• Misusing customer data should be punished by the government.
• How does misleading pricing affect the number of sales?
• Is it necessary to develop a marketing plan ?
• The risks and benefits of controversial marketing.
• The impact of colors on the brand and marketing campaigns .
• Advertising to children and social responsibility .
• Why should advertising potentially dangerous products be banned?
• Virtual influencers in marketing and their impact on teenagers.
• Sex in advertising and its harmful effects .
• Recycling content as a way to draw more customers.
• What is the role of social justice issues in ads of popular brands?
• Pharmaceutical advertising is propaganda .
• The role of racial diversity in marketing campaigns.

Controversial medical topics can inspire passionate discussions within healthcare. In the following paragraphs, you can check out the hottest ideas to discuss in the medical field!

Controversial Nursing Topics

• The importance of nurses in end-of-life care .
• Staffing issues in nursing .
• How long should nurses rest between patients?
• The benefits and drawbacks of nurse-physician collaboration .
• Circumcision ethical dilemma and a nurse’s role in it .
• The efficiency of nursing unions in defending nurses’ rights.
• Medical errors and disclosure in pediatric nursing .
• Nurse Robaczynski’s case: crime or mercy killing ?
• Nursing approaches to ophthalmic care for older adults.
• What is the value of informed consent in nursing practice?
• Drug addiction among nurses .
• The worth of nursing leadership in fostering a culture of transparency.
• The role of nurses in addressing medical futility.
• Nurses’ work-life balance and patient safety .
• How to balance patient autonomy and healthcare professional expertise?

Controversial Public Health Topics

• Should medical experiments on humans be legalized?
• Vaccination as a public health policy issue .
• The pros and cons of exercising for pregnant women.
• Social media disinformation as a key cause of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy .
• Abortion from legal and public health perspectives .
• How should the issue of obesity be treated?
• The impact of the coronavirus on a specific vulnerable population.
• Sugary drink tax as a public health policy .
• Did COVID-19 give a boost to telemedicine ?
• The opioid crisis is a public health catastrophe.
• Is bottled water safe for public health ?
• The impact of aging water and sewer infrastructure on health.
• Why are electronic cigarettes more harmful than regular ones?
• Firearm violence as a public health issue .
• Federal privacy laws should protect the privacy of patients.

Controversial Medical Ethics Topics

• Medical students’ involvement in patient care: for or against.
• Patient’s violence and the use of the doctor’s force .
• Is it ethical for healthcare workers to accept gifts from patients?
• The peculiarities of working with surrogate decision-makers.
• Medical ethics: a do-not-resuscitate order .
• How to address disparities in health care professionally?
• The importance of patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Medical ethics: performing an unnecessary test .
• The possible pitfalls of legalization of organ transplantation .
• Euthanasia should be a free choice of a patient.
• Is lying to patients against medical ethics ?
• What is the ethical side of DNR orders ?
• Moral dilemmas concerning physician-assisted suicide .
• Medical ethics: pet euthanasia .
• How should malpractice and negligence in healthcare be punished?

Controversial Questions about Mental Health

• Why is self-help in coping with mental disorders a waste of time?
• What are the dangers of fad diets for mental health ?
• Are mental health issues a result of personality weakness or character flaws?
• Do children experience mental health issues?
• What causes medication administration errors in a mental health hospital ?
• How to prevent a mental health condition?
• What is the role of psychosurgery in treating depression?
• How does ageism affect mental health and addiction ?
• Why do people use self-harm to overcome traumatic experiences?
• Is hearing voices the first symptom of schizophrenia ?
• What are the mental health issues in incarcerated adults ?
• Why is having bipolar disorder considered fancy among teenagers?
• What is the role of practical pharmacotherapy in child psychiatry ?
• How can violence potential be assessed in forensic psychiatric institutions ?
• How can suicidal behavior be unnoticed in society?

Do you need a controversial scientific topic for your term paper or essay? Read on to find the perfect topics on science that you can use in your favor!

• Science should try to revive extinct species.
• Vaccines and autism: does the controversy persist ?
• Will expanding stem cell research be beneficial?
• The role of genes in determining a person’s behavior.
• Controversies related to technology: newborn screening .
• What is the evidence of life on other planets?
• The scientific side of reincarnation .
• Controversies between religion and science .
• Why should alternative medicine be forbidden?
• Genetic variations as the leading cause of alcoholism.
• How is science demarcated from pseudoscience ?
• The efficiency of symptomatic care in the separation of conjoined twins .
• Is it possible to create a virus in the lab?
• Faith and science: did Darwin kill God ?
• The impact of scientific creationism on education.
• Why should the development of neural lace technology be banned?
• Cyber-science: fiction or modern reality ?
• Why should people have the right to refuse vaccinations?
• Should governments invest significant resources in space exploration ?
• The promises and perils of artificial intelligence .
• The ethical aspects of human cloning for medical purposes.
• Why is animal testing necessary?

Controversial Biology Topics

• Drinking a lot of water wipes away the vital nutrients the body needs.
• Is gender a culturally or biologically perscribed role ?
• Why are overweight people more likely to develop chronic diseases ?
• Current generations are responsible for preventing climate change.
• Mind-body problem in psychobiology .
• Charles Darwin’s evolution hypothesis may not be flawless.
• The potential for gene editing to heal genetic diseases .
• Substance abuse: environmental influences and biology .
• Cancer treatment does additional harm to the health.
• The debate in evolutionary biology regarding the validity of the molecular clock.
• Biotechnology: impact on biological warfare and biodefense .
• What are healthy bacteria that should remain in the body?
• The impact of synthetic biology on the environment.
• Advantages and disadvantages of stem cell research .
• What are the evolutionary origins of homosexuality ?

Controversial Engineering Topics

• The design and construction of weaponry should be banned.
• Engineering professionalism and ethics .
• What is the ethical side of bioengineering?
• The possible consequences of the “conflict mineral” exploitation.
• Loudness war in sound engineering .
• How can AI replace humans in engineering processes?
• The debate between imperial and metric measurements.
• Green engineering: principles, benefits, and constraints .
• Why do environmental engineers play a huge role in mitigating climate change?
• The safety of products and structures is a crucial concern for engineers.
• Human factor engineering problem: carpal tunnel syndrome .
• Manipulation of organisms with the help of genetic engineering .
• Why do males dominate the engineering industry?
• Ethical dilemmas in software engineering: Volkswagen ethical dilemma .
• The efficiency of chemical engineering technologies in diagnosing diseases.

Controversial Chemistry Topics

• How do chemical agendas impact cultural values or religious ideas?
• Government preparedness to chemical and bio terrorism .
• The role of chemistry in the prediction of environmental or health problems.
• Chemical weapons as a primary threat to the world.
• Chemical pollution and loans in business ethics .
• The role of chemical laboratories in increasing drug abuse rates.
• How does desalinated water impact human health?
• Dumping chemical wastes in the lake .
• The negative side of using nuclear energy .
• Why is avoiding pesticides in agriculture vital?
• An unethical decision of the Rongping Chemical Company .
• The use of radiant energy in making food safer.
• What is the potential side effect of fluoridation?
• Chemical impact on the US vulnerable communities .
• The safety of using BPA in food packaging .

Deep, controversial questions can challenge our beliefs and prompt introspection. Check out the most contentious philosophical questions that you can use for your essay or paper below!

• How can we identify good without knowing what evil is?
• What is the problem of evil in relation to philosophy and religion ?
• Do you have control over your destiny, or does everything happen by fate?
• Is happiness the most essential goal in life?
• Philosophy prospectus: why should we be moral ?
• Does life exist somewhere else in the universe?
• Is it immoral to distribute riches inequitably?
• Issues in philosophy: does God exist ?
• Is love simply a physical desire or something more?
• Can a life without friends still be fulfilling?
• Are there limits to what should be questioned ?
• What will happen when the world ends?
• Does religion have an impact on scientific thinking?
• Is euthanasia morally acceptable ?
• How can you know that your perceptions are accurate?
• What is the distinction between being alive and living?
• Is watching football morally acceptable ?
• Is beauty a subjective or objective concept?
• Are we ethically obliged to help others?
• Are rich countries morally obligated to assist poor countries ?
• Is suffering an unavoidable aspect of human life?
• What does an afterlife look like?
• When is the use of military force justified ?

Moral Controversial Topics

• Would you kill one person to save the lives of hundreds?
• What is the moral doctrine of active and passive euthanasia ?
• Why is there no absolute morality in the world?
• Is refusing life-saving medical care morally wrong?
• What is the moral status of an abnormal fetus ?
• Would you lie in the name of love?
• Does putting others before yourself give your life purpose?
• Should athletes be held to a higher moral standard ?
• Would you want to know when you are going to die?
• Would you go against the law to save someone you care about?
• What is the moral status of the human embryo ?
• Would you use a dating service to find a lover?
• Can money buy happiness?
• Is it morally permissible to drive after having one drink ?
• What would you change in the world if you could?

Controversial Religious Topics

• How does religion impact a woman’s right to have an abortion?
• Religion in schools: is there a place for it ?
• What are the negative consequences of blasphemy laws?
• Why should animal sacrifice be banned in every religion?
• What are the consequences of religious freedom in America ?
• Why do autopsy laws conflict with religious objections?
• Is there scientific evidence for God’s existence ?
• Is religion the root of terrorism ?
• Why is gay marriage not supported in many religions?
• Can prayer affect the fate of events?
• What are the religious and moral aspects of slavery ?
• How should the church respond to racial injustice and discrimination ?
• Why can’t Satanism be a valid religion?
• Is Islam a religion that practices just war ?
• Do religions cause more conflict than they solve?

Do you know that funny, controversial questions can provide you with a dose of laughter and debate at the same time? Look at the entertaining topics we have prepared for you!

• Why are women often used as inspiration for writing poems?
• Should apartments ban dogs based on breed ?
• How quickly can children become addicted to video games?
• Why is procrastination necessary for achieving goals?
• Should stimulants be prescribed to boost grades ?
• What impact does noise pollution have on human well-being?
• Why should guys avoid wearing skinny jeans?
• Should plant-based dairy be labeled as milk ?
• How to choose a role model for your children?
• Why do people enjoy making things complicated?
• Should schools distribute condoms ?
• Why may clowns frighten both children and adults?
• How to win an argument with the husband?
• Why pitbulls should not be banned .
• What are the most effective ways to survive a zombie apocalypse?
• What is the most useless talent in the world?
• Should spamming be illegal ?
• Why is listening to podcasts instead of music more beneficial?
• The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
• Should people be paid to stay healthy ?
• Only hardworking people can achieve their goals.
• What makes someone a “good person”?

Random Controversial Questions

• What are the leading causes of awkward dates?
• Gender stereotypes: should real men wear pink ?
• What is the importance of mandatory napping hours for adults?
• What is the proper technique for applying toothpaste on a brush?
• Should wolves come back to Colorado ?
• How does laughter influence academic success in elementary school?
• When is it useful to be a good liar?
• Why shouldn’t you have grades in school ?
• Why should pajamas be a part of the work dress code ?
• Why is retail therapy an effective method for boosting happiness?
• Repatriate or keep: should museums return artifacts ?
• What are the possible consequences of falling coconuts for human health?
• Why should wearing socks with sandals be banned?
• Should societies impose monogamy ?
• Why are emojis the superior way of communication?

Controversial Sports Topics

• Why should the use of animals in the sports industry be banned?
• The issue of violence in sports .
• The benefits and drawbacks of social media’s influence on the sports world.
• Why does money play an essential role in professional sports?
• Steroid use and sports .
• Advertising during football matches should be banned.
• Why should sports betting be legalized?
• Transgender women athletes in professional sports .
• The impact of funny nicknames on sports career.
• Gender discrimination is the biggest problem in the sports industry.
• Accessibility of sports facilities for people with disabilities .
• What are the risks and rewards of steroids in sports?
• The role of sport in preventing mental problems.
• Public funding for professional sports facilities .
• Why are all Brazilian athletes good at soccer?

Controversial Music Topics

• Why is rap music considered to promote rape?
• The need for censorship in the music industry .
• Michael Jackson : a musical genius or a mentally ill man?
• The role of classical music in improving learning skills.
• Hip-hop and violence: does this music genre promote crime ?
• The effectiveness of piracy laws in curbing illegal copying of songs.
• What is the secret behind the success of Justin Bieber?
• Tupac’s fake death conspiracy theory .
• The impact of music types on sleep quality .
• Why isn’t auto-tuned music real music?
• Controversies about how to interpret music .
• The importance of lyrics in modern pop songs.
• The relationship between music and lifestyle of a music fan.
• Legalizing free downloads of music and movies .
• Why is talent not important in the music industry in the 21st century?

Controversial Animal Topics

• Why is animal testing never justified?
• Is animal creativity possible ?
• The efficiency of government laws in protecting animals’ rights.
• The ethical drawbacks of horse racing.
• Using animals in medical experiments .
• What should there be the penalty for animal poachers?
• What are the effective ways to prevent animal extinctions?
• Animal welfare: why animals should be treated with kindness and respect .
• Sacrificing an animal for religious reasons: an ethical side.
• What are humans’ responsibilities to animals?
• Captivity in zoos adversely affects animals .
• Using animals for food should be banned.
• The impact of farming on the environment.
• Animal transplantation and commerce in organs .
• Why should keeping exotic animals as pets be illegal?

Social Media Controversial Topics

• The influence of social networks on self-esteem.
• Social media’s influence on the children and teens .
• Social networks as a method to manipulate people.
• The importance of digital connectedness in modern society.
• Transparency of services: social media and the Internet usage .
• How to stop the dissemination of fake news on Twitter?
• Digital friendship: benefits and possible drawbacks.
• Social media for children: threat or opportunity ?
• How does the platform BeReal differ from other social networks?
• The impact of Instagram masks on the perception of one’s appearance.
• Law enforcement: online crimes and social media .
• Why should politicians be banned from social media?
• Social networks as a platform for the emergence of new professions.
• Nursing professionalism in social media .
• Social media destroys creativity in teenagers.

Controversial Relationship Questions

• How does divorce impact a child’s mental health?
• Money issues in romantic and marital relationships .
• Is there a place for monogamy in today’s world?
• Why are mothers expected to prioritize their children’s needs over their own?
• Family relationships and dominant culture .
• Why is it important for a couple to move in together before marriage?
• How does violence in a family affect a child?
• Family relationships and response to health issues .
• Why is a man considered the head of the family?
• Is it good for spouses to have different religious beliefs?
• Domestic violence in same-sex relationships .
• Should couples put their careers above their relationships?
• Why should adoptive parents not hide information about a child’s biological origins?
• Interpersonal qualities for good relationships .
• How does betrayal impact relationships?

Controversial Food Questions

• What are the health risks of genetically modified foods?
• Labeling food with genetically modified organisms .
• Why should pineapple on pizza be banned?
• How does food misinformation in the media impact consumers’ choices?
• Food additives: dangers and health impacts .
• Why is McDonald’s the best fast-food restaurant in the world?
• What is bad about taking photos of food at restaurants?
• Is fast food really harmful and can it be healthy ?
• Why should people not eat meat daily?
• What is the role of a healthy diet in dealing with childhood obesity?
• Food consumption: enjoyment and ethics .
• Can your diet be modified to match your genetic profile?
• Why do people in different countries have opposite views on nutrition?
• Advantages and disadvantages of biotechnology in improving the nutritive value of foods .
• What are the main risks of eating too much sweets?

Looking for controversial questions to debate in the classroom or during the conversation? Check out the list we’ve created especially for you!

• Addicts should receive help rather than punishment. 
• Breastfeeding and bottle feeding controversies .
• Why does the beauty industry create unrealistic beauty standards ? 
• Is it possible for alternative energy to replace fossil fuels effectively? 
• Rationalism and empiricism controversy .
• The possible drawbacks of binge-watching . 
• The importance of a parenting class before having a child. 
• Holocaust denial and antisemitism ideas .
• Why is war never justified? 
• Smoking e-cigarettes should be made illegal. 
• Contemporary global controversies: labor standards .
• The single-gender schools are better for teenagers. 
• Why should we ban “diet culture”? 
• Debate on circumcision: is it unethical and unlawful ?
• Effective ways of solving the problem of ageism in society. 
• The drawbacks of patriotism exceed the advantages. 
• Mass starvation: is it a real danger for humans ?
• Why is it impossible to achieve world peace ? 
• The negative impact of beauty pageants on self-esteem. 
• Graffiti: is it art or vandalism ?
• Are pharmaceutical medication prices reasonable? 
• Women are better at managing large corporations than men. 
• Sport hunting: is it cruel to kill animals for sport ?
• Organ donation should be made compulsory. 
• Why is feminism out of date in the 21st century? 
• Criminal profiling: is it science ?
• Cryptocurrencies will replace traditional currencies soon. 
• Corporate jobs are a new form of slavery. 
• Obesity: is it a disease ?
• Why is blockchain technology the future? 

❓ Controversial Questions FAQ

What is a controversial topic.

Controversial topics are topics that elicit strong emotions and divide opinions. Dealing with controversial issues may be highly emotional, especially if they involve values, beliefs, and ethical standards. At the same time, such topics help distinguish between fact and opinion and teach respect for other people’s viewpoints.

What Are Some Controversial Questions?

• Is freedom of speech essential in a functional society?
• Should burning the flag be punished?
• Is solar power the energy of the future?
• Should more people become vegetarian?
• Is tourism harmful to the environment?
• Will technology kill the world?

How to Present a Controversial Topic?

• Ensure you have all the necessary information and are well-versed in the subject.
• Avoid unnecessary jargon or technical terminology.
• Consider your target listeners’ age, gender, and ethnicity.
• Establish credibility by sharing accurate facts or relevant stories.
• Present both sides of the argument to be objective.
• Hot Topics and Controversial Issues | Texas State University  
• Guidelines for Discussing Difficult or High-Stakes Topics | University of Michigan  
• What Do Americans Think About Controversial Topics in Schools? | USC Dornsife  
• Topics | Brookings  
• Issues and Controversies: Find a Topic | Marquette University  
• Political Issues | Pew Research Center  
• Issues & Controversies: topics on Crime and Juvenile Justice | A&M University  
• Engaging in Discussions about Controversial Issues | Alys Avalos-Rivera  
• Business Management Topics | The University of Maine  
• Topics: Issues Related to Religion | The First Amendment Encyclopedia  
• 5 Major Controversies and Challenges in Engineering | Interesting Engineering  
• What Are the Top 10 Public Health Challenges in 2023? | News Medical
• Select a Research Topic: Current Events and Controversial Issues | Southern Adventist University  
• 110+ Controversial Debate Topics to Challenge Your Students | We Are Teachers  
• Addressing Controversial Issues | Council of Europe  
• 100+ Interesting Debate Topics | Owlcation
• Room for Debate | The New York Times
• The 22 Debates That Made Us Rage, Roll Our Eyes, and Change Our Minds In 2022 | The New York Times  
• Current Debates | SAGE edge
• Current Debates in Health Care Policy: A Brief Overview | Brookings
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• 135 Controversial Essay Topics

There’s always controversy in every debate and discussion. Even arguments in various subject matters lead to controversy. Since the term controversy is associated with happenings in society, it would be essential to learn about controversial essays. This article will take a comprehensive look at what a controversial essay is all about.

Controversial Essay In View

A controversial essay has to do with the writer maintaining his opinion, even when the writer’s opinion is contestable. The writer tries to make the reader understand his point of view by using different ideas and examples to explain.

As humans, we are different in almost everything. Both physically and psychologically. When any subject is raised, people tend to have different opinions. Hence, the controversial essay has become a critical aspect of school syllabuses. A controversial essay is meant to help students learn to express their views educationally.

A controversial essay is exciting and, at the same time, complex. You will need to maintain a certain opinion while also backing it up with facts and research data. For writers to be successful in a controversial essay, they need to state and defend their opinion with educated facts. To write a successful, controversial essay, you need to ensure that you use the proper format.

The Format For a Controversial Essay

When writing a controversial essay, your ideas and opinion must be represented using the following outlines:

• Introduction of the essay
• Body of the essay
• Conclusion of the essay

Introduction Of the Essay

This part of the essay should contain the statement thesis. This area is the most vital aspect of your essay. The Introduction is the point where your readers decide to continue reading or not. You must ensure that this section has a hook that engages the readers. The hook should be able to arouse curiosity in your readers.

You might be tempted to introduce readers to your topic right away, but this is the wrong move. You should know that if you can’t capture your reader’s attention with your introduction, they wouldn’t even bother reading the rest of your article.

Body Of The Essay

Your controversial essay takes a powerful shape with the body. It is the section that contains the arguments. The body of your controversial essay is where the writer and the reader spend more time in the essay. The essay should have at least 3 paragraphs.

It is to enable you to explain your points strategically. You can share your arguments in the various paragraphs for better understanding. Also, in this area, you must carry out extensive research to back up your viewpoints with valid points. You should never use a false claim when writing your controversial essay. Key facts are crucial.

Conclusion Of The Essay

The conclusion should be the area that contains the summary of the entire essay. However, most students fail woefully in this area. Therefore, though it’s a summary, it should be taken very seriously, like every other aspect of your controversial essay. To ensure that you write a successful conclusion to your essay, you must ensure you read the entire essay.

The moment you go through every aspect of your controversial essay, you’ll be able to connect the dots to pen down a great conclusion to your essay. Though many viewpoints may be stated during your essay, this shouldn’t leave you in doubt when writing your conclusion. Be precise and straight to the point. Never make any apologetic statement as this might affect the points you made in the article.

How to Select the Right Topic For Your Controversial Essay

You might discover that picking topics for your controversial essay might be challenging. However, we’ve got some great tips to help you choose the right topic for your controversial essay.

Choose a Topic That Interests You

It would be best if you were interested in whatever topic you choose to help you connect better when carrying out research. When you are interested in the topic, research and writing become fun for you. These are essential tips for creating a great essay.

Make Out Time to Read Controversial Essay Samples

When you have finally chosen the topic for your controversial essay, you should read samples of the essay. Reading samples of controversial essays helps you decide if you will engage better when discussing the subject matter or not. Going through different samples of controversial essays also helps you learn more ideas and unique topics you can discuss. Finally, using controversial essay samples can serve as an inspiration for you.

Here are 135 topic ideas from us:

Climate Change & Ecology Topics

• Solar power can/cannot replace the efficacy of fossil fuels
• Wind turbines damage wildlife patterns too much to be used as effective alternative energy.
• Increased wildfires are directly related to climate change.
• We have already passed the tipping point and climate change is irreversible.
• Carbon capture policies are harmful to the global economy
• Polar bears and other endangered species can/cannot be saved by current climate policy.
• Modern farming practices and animal husbandry need to be addressed before fossil fuels if we have any chance of reversing climate change.
• Overpopulation makes water conservation impossible.
• Electric vehicle materials and their power needs damage the environment more than they help.
• Microplastics in the ocean are a problem that needs to be addressed in global policy treaties like the Paris Agreement.

Race & Culture Topics

• Does race affect college entrance acceptance?
• Are HBCUs discriminatory?
• Should Critical Race Theory be taught in public schools?
• Is there a school-to-prison pipeline in the African American community?
• Is Affirmative Action good or bad?
• Should more be done to help restore lands to Native American communities?
• Should Native Hawaiian be allowed to establish reservation lands like Native Americans?
• Statistically, African Americans are 10 times more likely to resist arrest than whites, is this because they are essentially resisting police brutality?
• Should African Americans today be paid reparations for slavery?
• Is To Kill A Mockingbird a racist book?

Medical & Quality of Life Topics

• Long-term nursing home care should be free.
• Assisted suicide should be legalized for elderly and terminally ill individuals.
• Medicaid spending limits should be increased for the elderly spouse of someone in a long-term care facility.
• Should there be an animal/pet bill of rights?
• Should frozen embryos be allowed to live beyond 14 days?
• Should STEM cell research be deregulated?
• Should Marijuana be a schedule 1 drug?
• Is enough being done to help mentally and physically handicapped people?
• Should the United States have socialized medicine as many European nations do?
• Should human cloning be legal for harvesting transplant organs?
• Should the name of organ donors be kept anonymous?
• Are high blood pressure recommendations too low to encourage the use of pharmaceuticals?
• Is enough being done to help people afford their prescriptions?
• Should it be illegal to patent a life-saving medication?
• Individuals who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 should have to pay higher medical insurance premiums.
• People should have to carry proof of all vaccination statuses including MMR, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and COVID-19.
• Pharmaceutical companies need more cost regulations.
• The state should provide free health care for the homeless.
• Do vaccinations increase autism risk?
• Should child vaccinations be mandatory regardless of whether or not the child attends public school?

Contemporary Culture Topics

• Is enough being done to stop human trafficking?
• Parents should be required to take a parenting class before the birth of their first child.
• The current juvenile justice system promotes the school-to-prison pipeline.
• Should people who fly into space on commercially owned rockets be given their “Wings” by the FAA as NASA astronauts do?
• Free pornography on the internet is influencing the heightened rates of sexual assault.
• Unvaccinated animals should be removed from an owner.
• Dog licensing should be handled at the state level not local.
• Pornography use should be tracked the same way marketing ads are.
• Social media is crippling our real-world social skills.
• Facebook should provide you with information on who has seen/read a post on your wall.
• Social media is directly responsible for increased occurrences of body dysmorphia.
• Confederate statues and symbols should/should not be torn down.
• Prison convicts should not be allowed to earn a college education using taxpayers’ money.
• Public land hunting should be banned.
• Liberalized fishing damages the genetic base of a fishery.
• Night fishing should be made illegal for sensitive species.
• The second amendment should be removed from the US constitution.
• The second amendment is meant to give citizens the right to oppose the government if it no longer serves the people. Taken in this light, the average citizen should be allowed to purchase military-grade weapons and equipment.
• All animal research should be banned.
• Gun control should be managed at the state level.
• Assault weapons should not be allowed for hunting.
• Tobacco products should be banned in the United States.
• Earth-mined diamonds should be banned globally now that lab-grown diamonds are available.
• The United States should not provide foreign aid to other nations while carrying a national debt.
• The insurrectionist On January 6 th should be prosecuted for treason.
• Globalization is necessary for the advancement of human civilization.
• Trickle-down economics doesn’t work.
• The minimum wage should be mandated by the Federal government at $15 an hour.
• Raising the minimum wage only hurts the economy.
• Daylight savings time is unnecessary.

Gender and Sexuality Topics

• Should homosexuals in the military be given their own unit or platoon?
• Should transgender individuals be allowed in combat units in the military?
• Should homosexual couples be allowed to adopt a child who identifies as heterosexual?
• Should women be allowed to play in an all-male sport such as American football?
• Should gender identification questions be removed from all student surveys?
• Should there be transgender-specific bathrooms?
• Should reciprocity for same-sex marriage be recognized by states that ban same-sex marriage?
• Does the term “Civil Union” reduce the sanctity of the word “Marriage?”
• Should same-sex couples be barred from Planned Parenthood resources?
• Should homosexual priests & nuns be defrocked?

Technology & Science Topics

• Should the development of self-aware artificial intelligence be banned globally?
• Has the use of robotics in manufacturing reduced the value of the average worker?
• The space program is/isn’t worthy of the tax dollars spent on it?
• Should we make more of an effort to mine precious metals from asteroids to reduce the ecological impact of strip mining on Earth?
• We should colonize the moon before attempting to colonize Mars.
• The current regulations regarding the use of drones are insufficient.
• Machine learning needs more human oversight.
• Access to technology is the driving force behind the gap between the rich and poor.
• Animal testing is a necessary evil to prevent human harm
• Cold fusion is impossible to accomplish on a human scale.
• GMOs put agriculture at risk as they don’t produce viable seeds.
• Overuse of technology is affecting the evolution of the human brain.
• Not enough has been done to answer the question of how to decommission nuclear power plants when they reach the end of their performance life.
• Space junk is slowing the speed of space exploration and poses a greater long-term threat to satellites.
• The Fermi Paradox supports the Rare Earth Theory.

Education Topics

• Should tuition costs be lowered for University Distance Learning courses?
• Should University online classes have lower earned credits?
• Should sex ed be removed from the public school curriculum?
• Should schools be allowed to ask children about their gender identity when collecting demographic data?
• Is Distant Learning an effective form of education?
• Should preschool be free as an extension of public school?
• Should athletic scholarships to universities be banned to preserve the quality of education?
• It should be legal/illegal for college athletes to have paid endorsements.
• Critical Race Theory should be a mandatory part of all public-school curriculum.
• Making a university education free will lower academic standards & performance

Politics and Legal Topics

• The Electoral College should be removed and the popular vote should be used for determining the outcome of national elections.
• Do national security concerns justify surveillance without a warrant?
• Should all vaccines be mandatory?
• Should the COVID-19 vaccines be mandatory for all medical workers?
• Should the death penalty be banned in all 50 states.
• Should someone have to earn the right to vote?
• Family law attorneys should only be paid if they “Win” which would ensure honorable practices in custody disputes.
• We need stricter animal cruelty laws.
• All felons should have to register their location not just sex offenders.
• The death penalty should be made illegal at the Federal level.
• Withdrawing from Afghanistan was a mistake.
• So-called junk food such as soda and chips should not be tax-exempt.
• Designer clothing and high-priced shoes should be taxed as luxury items.
• Student loan forgiveness should be legislated and added to the national debt.
• Cryptocurrency should be ratified as the international currency instead of the US Dollar.

Religious Topics

• Christian holidays like Christmas being recognized as Federal holiday goes against the policy of separation between church & state.
• More Muslim and other non-Christian holidays should be recognized as Federal holidays.
• Polygamy in the Mormon religion should be made illegal.
• Same-sex marriage should be recognized by all religions.
• Evangelical pastors like Joel Osteen should not be granted tax-exempt status.
• Abortion is immoral and should be banned.
• Same-sex marriage is immoral and should not be recognized by the church.
• Divorced people should not be allowed to have a second marriage in a religious ceremony.
• All religious institutions should have to pay taxes.
• Religion should be taught as an elective in public schools.
• The Pledge of Allegiance should be recited daily in schools and include the line Under God.
• Teachers should be allowed to display symbols and jewelry of their personal religious beliefs.
• Priests who are moved or removed from a community over concerns of child abuse should have to register as sex offenders.
• Sex before marriage is immoral and should not be allowed.
• Worship leaders who are tax-exempt should not be allowed to endorse political candidates.

In the end, one has to be prepared to do well in writing a controversial essay. Therefore, writing a controversial essay has to do with preparedness and studying. Thanks to the tips we’ve mentioned in this article, you can learn to do so easily. Incorporate our tips into your research and writing plans, and you’ll get the best result.

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16 Persuasive Essay Topics About Controversial Issues

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

One of the best ways to make your persuasive essay engaging is to pick a controversial topic. But, of course, that’s just the start of the writing process. Students often get stuck at the very beginning as the page in front of them seems blank.

To help you overcome your writer’s block, we’ve compiled a list of several interesting topic ideas along with brief persuasive writing prompts. These can give you a headstart and guide you through the initial stages of your research and the actual writing.

In this article:

Is Global Warming Humanity’s Greatest Threat?

Is the death penalty effective, is the us criminal justice system fair, should the voting age in the usa be lowered to 16, should fast food be taxed at a higher rate, is social media increasing political polarization, do violent video games cause violent behavior, are cell phones addictive, should students be required to learn a foreign language, is college education worth the cost, are good grades a predictor of career success, is online learning an effective alternative to in-school classes, at what age should sex education start, should middle-school students be drug tested, should animal testing be banned, should people be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets, list of 16 good persuasive essay topics and writing prompts.

Below is a list of 16 interesting persuasive essay topics and a brief elaboration on the arguments you can make on them. There’s plenty of information online on each of these, so it’s not difficult to build a strong argument.

Keep in mind that our topics for essays and speeches are the same, and we have a huge list of these on our Essay Topics page if you’re looking for more ideas.

Many questions related to climate change are hotly debated (pun intended), but most of them are virtually settled by scientists, at least to the degree that scientific inquiry allows any issue to be conclusively established.

Is climate change real? That question is about as meaningful as asking, “Does the Earth revolve around the Sun?” Scientists have long ago verified that our planet goes through natural cycles of changes to the climate. Thus, the more pressing question is, “Is climate change accelerating?” Once again, the scientific consensus points to a resounding, “Yes.” 

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The next logical step is to ask, “Is the acceleration of climate change caused by humans?” Here, we are faced with another question that experts answer affirmatively. All evidence points to the fact that we produce a large amount of heat-trapping gases, such as carbon dioxide, which are proven to cause our atmosphere to get warmer.

So we come to the question in the title of this section. Humanity faces many existential threats, such as nuclear war, rogue biotechnological attacks, or artificial intelligence. Likewise, global warming is undoubtedly on this list, so it’s an interesting topic to examine in your academic paper.

This is a question that we’ve tried to answer for ages—and for a good reason. It encapsulates many issues from different spheres. For one thing, you can look at it as a question of whether governments should have the power to determine who has the right to live. It also touches on the purpose of sentencing in general—is it primarily meant to protect society from violence or punish perpetrators for wrongdoing?

Besides the ethical issues, we also have purely practical ones. Is capital punishment effective in deterring violent crime, or is it just a remnant of a crueler past? To date, there have been no credible studies establishing a connection between the death penalty and crime deterrence, so we can safely say that it’s ineffective in this respect.

As for the moral side, there’s a strong argument against the use of lethal force in the name of justice. Amnesty International is just one global NGO that strongly condemns capital punishment. The organization argues that state-sanctioned executions violate two of our fundamental human rights established by the United Nations—the right to life and the right to live free of torture or inhumane treatment.

Amnesty International also cites the many examples of corrupt governments using the death penalty to eliminate enemies, wrongfully sentenced individuals on death row, and its disproportionate effect on minorities.

Although it’s an age-old debate, it’s far from over, so it’s a great chance for you to pitch in and practice persuasive essay writing.

This is a multifaceted question that you can explore from more than one side or pick an aspect you want to look at. There is a movement in the USA that’s in favor of a complete justice overhaul, but most groups focus on specific issues and call for reforms of certain parts of the system.

Two of the most controversial issues that often come up in relation to this debate are drug possession charges and institutional racism. These two come together in one of the most salient examples of injustice—the disparity between sentences for powder cocaine and crack cocaine possession.

Although the two drugs are, in essence, one and the same, possession of crack, which is stereotypically associated with Black people, comes with one hundred times longer sentences than powder cocaine on average. This leads many to blame the disparity on racism. A group of bipartisan lawmakers has recently introduced a bill to reform this discriminatory sentencing trend, so the debate is ongoing.

This is just one example of a good persuasive essay topic related to justice system reform. Since fairness is something we all seek, it’s an issue that’s worth exploring.

Did you know that the voting age in the USA used to be 21 until 1971? That was when a long campaign that transcended partisan lines achieved its goal of convincing lawmakers to introduce the 26th Amendment to the Constitution, reducing the voting age to 18.

This movement began during World War II when President Franklin D. Roosevelt lowered the draft age to 18, and suddenly young people were going to war to protect America but couldn’t vote in its elections.

Some argue the USA is currently at a similar crossroads. There’s a growing movement among progressives to lower the voting age to 16. According to supporters of the reform, teenagers 16 and above have the right to work and have to pay income taxes, so they should have a say in the policies that affect them. Proponents also cite research that says there’s little difference between the knowledge and cognitive abilities of 16- and 18-year-olds.

Whether you agree or not, this topic provides a great chance to develop your persuasive writing skills.

This has become a topic of discussion in many countries in recent years, as developed and developing nations alike face an obesity epidemic. Colloquially referred to as a “fat tax,” this measure is intended to disincentivize consumers from buying unhealthy foods, such as those high in sugar or fat.

However, the effectiveness of the “fat tax” is far from established. Opponents claim that imposing such a tax does little to curb obesity and promote a healthier diet. Instead, it disproportionately affects poorer communities that live in so-called food deserts—urban regions where healthy food options are lacking and the only available options are processed foods with a long shelf life.

Supporters of such a measure cite success stories from countries that have given this tax a try and have seen positive results. A recent study from New York University and Tufts University looked at several places where such a tax was imposed, such as Mexico, Hungary, and several US regions, and found some benefits for public health after the measure was implemented.

Since this is an issue with a lot of solid evidence on both sides of the argument, it’s a great topic for a persuasive research paper.

Few would deny that social media has a massive effect on our lives. Studies show that we spend more than two hours on various social media sites every day. How does that exposure affect our political views?

Many blame social networks for the increased political polarization we see around the world. The algorithms these platforms use are believed to create “echo chambers” in which every person is exposed to information that only confirms their preexisting views. This can cause near-total dismissal of opposing perspectives and pushes a person’s opinions to the extreme of the political spectrum.

Social media companies have faced a lot of scrutiny from the public lately, and some have tried to take measures to amend the adverse effects of this polarization. To address concerns, some platforms made changes to their algorithms so that people would get more opposing views in their feeds. However, that effort backfired.

It turned out that this only makes things worse. Why? It is because of these platforms’ tendency to amplify radical opinions . It turns out being exposed to extreme views from the other side of the spectrum only strengthens one’s existing beliefs.

That’s just one aspect of the huge debate around social media’s role in the shape of today’s politics, so writing an argumentative essay on this topic is sure to be engaging.

The question of video games’ effects on the psyche of children and adults alike is more pressing than ever. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced many students around the world to stay home, screen time has surged. A significant part of that time is dedicated to video games, as evidenced by the double-digit increase in the global game company revenue in 2020.

Likewise, can this pastime be blamed for violent behavior in the real world? Some US politicians have tried to pin tragic events, such as school shootings on shooter-type video games. However, scientists are yet to find a link between engaging in virtual killing sprees and real-life ones. As one researcher put it, “The data on bananas causing suicide is about as conclusive. Literally. The numbers work out about the same.”

It’s worth noting that recent research pointed to a connection between violent video games and aggression, but these studies were retracted, and their authors were accused of manipulating data.

Is this controversy even warranted? Most probably not, but, unfortunately, public sphere debates are usually as tied to scientific evidence as bananas are to suicide. That’s why exploring this in your persuasive essay is a great effort to bring awareness to this issue and nail your assignment at the same time!

The large majority of people own smartphones nowadays and use them for much more than calls. As comedian Gary Gulman puts it, “To me, the phone is this seldom-used app on my phone.”

We’re so used to having this multifunctional device at our disposal 24/7 that most of us shudder at the idea of going out without it. In fact, there’s a condition called nomophobia that describes the fear of being without your phone.

So are we addicted to those things? That’s a difficult question to answer definitively, because we first need to define addiction. Most experts agree that excessive cell-phone use has some detrimental effect on our mental health, but there is some disagreement on whether it fits the description of addiction or if it’s just an issue of poor impulse control.

Whatever the formal definition is, there’s growing concern about cell-phone use among teenagers and its effect on their development, so this is definitely a strong topic for a persuasive speech or essay.

There’s little doubt that gaining fluency in a second language has benefits, some more palpable than others. Learning another language usually comes with an increased knowledge of other cultures and an appreciation for different communication styles. It helps students gain perspective and understand the value of diversity.

Fortunately, there are also practical benefits. A 2005 study published in The Review of Economics and Statistics found that being fluent in a second language is associated with a higher salary. This makes sense since knowing a foreign language opens doors in areas related to international business relations.

However, the question in the title of this section still stands: should learning a second language be required? That’s where some disagreements emerge. Opponents argue that although having foreign language requirements has its benefits, the time spent on it could be better used if students are given the option to focus on more relevant skills for the current job market, such as computer programming or statistics.

This is just one of many good persuasive topics related to education.

According to a report by the Institute for College Access & Success, the average graduate in the USA leaves college with a student debt of almost $30,000. This cost prompts many young people to wonder if attending university is even worth it.

A survey by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave asked recent graduates who took out a student loan if they think the degree was worth going into debt for. Thirty-six percent said it wasn’t. On top of that, a growing number of people, including successful entrepreneurs who dropped out of college, are joining the chorus of those calling for a reassessment of college degrees and their usefulness.

Is that the whole story? Most probably not. The majority of experts still agree that a college education is worth the cost, even if you have to take out a student debt. They urge people to think of it as a long-term, low-interest investment in their future, as a degree pays off more and more as time goes by.

Personal finance advisor Ramit Sethi argues college is definitely worth it: “I want to encourage everyone here to not just take advice from a bunch of people on Twitter who are telling you, ‘Drop out of college—student loans are bad.’”

This is an important question for young adults and a great persuasive essay idea, especially for college-level assignments.

It seems like common sense that a successful academic career leads to a similarly successful professional one. After all, why else do we need to put in the effort to get high marks? It turns out the relationship between a high GPA and future success is more complicated than that.

Good grades throughout school and college do have a predictive quality in some respects. That’s because GPA encompasses more than just obtained knowledge—attendance and on-time homework submission are just some of the factors that usually go into an evaluation. These components give an indication of a student’s personality traits, such as discipline and motivation, which are actually a good predictor of future success.

However,it gets even more complicated when we introduce the element of creativity. Research shows that successful entrepreneurs who are innovators in their field often did poorly in school, especially in classes where their imagination could not flourish. So standardized testing is probably not a good way to measure innovation potential.

High grades are, of course, still preferable, and writing a good persuasive essay on this topic can get you one.

As the COVID-19 pandemic prompted school closures, many are asking if online schools can replace traditional learning. Some argue that the time out of school is causing irreversible damage to a whole generation, while others maintain it’s the lesser of two evils and say Internet-based learning is a viable alternative to in-school instruction.

There’s supporting evidence for both camps. Traditional school is more than just a place to learn—it’s where young people connect with their peers, improve social skills, and develop a sense of purpose. Studies show that the isolation caused by the pandemic is taking a toll on teenager’s mental health. Anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are on the rise among teens, as they are physically removed from part of their social support network.

Experts also argue that Internet-based schools present purely academic challenges. Professor of education Susanna Loeb from Brown University says online learning can demotivate students: “In the online setting, students may have more distractions and less oversight, which can reduce their motivation.”

This issue touches on economic inequality as well. Many are concerned that students from poorer families are at a disadvantage because of their limited access to computers or the Internet and online learning only exacerbates existing inequality.

Proponents of online learning note that it’s a temporary and necessary measure or argue that its shortcomings are the wrinkles that will be ironed out as we get used to the new reality.

Whichever side you pick to base your thesis statement on, you’re bound to find more than one good argument and counterargument.

The topic of sex education usually conjures up an image of “the talk”—the conversation between a parent and a child (usually at the start of puberty) that takes the form of a lecture on the biological aspects of sex. However, it’s a lot more than that.

Sex education is concerned with relationships, boundaries, respect, and identity, among other things. It’s an opportunity to instill values in your child that set them up to become a healthy and functioning adult.

So how young is too young for sex education? Some experts argue it’s never too soon to start the conversation and that puberty is already too late. As Dr. Eva Goldfarb of Montclair State University puts it, “When your child starts talking, you can start talking.” When parents establish a rapport with their child on topics that are often considered taboo, the child is more likely to turn to the parents for answers instead of seeking them elsewhere.

There’s more than one angle you can approach this from for your persuasive essay. You can explore the school’s role in sex education or focus on the topics that parents should discuss with kids of different ages.

This question stirs up a lot of emotions in both parents and children. There are two separate campaigns related to drug testing and middle-school students.

One is trying to push the introduction of testing for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs for students involved in competitive sports, arguing that it shouldn’t be any different from what large sports organizations do, such as the Olympics or Tour de France.

The other campaign calls for introducing random drug testing in middle school to prevent drug abuse. Supporters say this could help address addiction among young people at the roots.

However, opponents of both drives claim this is not only unnecessary but invasive, going as far as to call it a civil liberties violation. Many students argue it’s also humiliating and overbearing, while some parents say it shouldn’t be the school’s responsibility to deal with such issues.

Whichever side you want to persuade readers of, you’ll find enough ideas to build a strong argument.

This is another moral dilemma that’s nearly impossible to answer conclusively because it depends on what value we place on animal welfare. 

Surely, few would argue that animal experimentation is harmful to the creatures involved. Proponents usually frame it as a necessary evil that allows the development of new medical technologies that save human lives. However, who’s to say that human lives are more valuable than those of animals? As people, we take this to be true at face value.

What’s more, we now know for a fact that other creatures have emotions—an idea that was not widely accepted in the past. In previous centuries, philosophers such as Descartes argued that animals are little more than automatons that react in predictable ways and don’t have a consciousness of their own.

Calls for the ban on lab testing on animals also cite evidence that drugs that cured diseases such as Alzheimer’s and diabetes in mice proved ineffective in humans, questioning the usefulness of such experiments. Whichever side you pick, you’ll have the chance to make a strong case.

There’s a certain allure to owning an exotic animal such as a possum, a squirrel monkey, or even an eagle. That’s especially true after the wildly popular Netflix show Tiger King pulled back the curtain on the bizarre world of the illegal exotic animal trade. Some conservationists and animal rights activists insist the show brought awareness to a serious issue, while others argue it downplayed the animal abuse involved in this trade.

Whatever the case, we now know that there’s a huge demand for exotic animals as pets worldwide. Many are asking, though, if most of these creatures can function in a domestic environment or bring up other legal, ethical, and even health concerns.

For one thing, large mammals such as apes and big cats are often resistant to training and can seriously hurt or even kill humans. The exotic animal trade is also blamed for driving some species close to extinction or promoting the spread of zoonotic diseases—infectious pathogens that jump from wild animals to humans.

Whatever you choose to focus on, this issue is a great way to improve your persuasive essay writing skills.

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40+ Most Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

Table of Contents

Argumentative essay writing.

In a nutshell, argumentative essay writing is about convincing the readers by formulating strong arguments and then providing empirical evidence to back those claims. Like other essay types, argumentative essays follow a rigid structure so that readers find it easy to follow and understand the theme or central idea.

The hallmarks of argumentative essays include an unbiased tone and voice, an objective approach toward the subject matter, and structured information. The same around found in expository essays, but they can have multiple arguments and postulates regarding the thesis statement. Whereas an argumentative essay has only one.

Writers need to carry it throughout the essay by providing both logical explanations as well as references and citations from other publications. 

It has three common types, including research papers, analysis papers, and persuasive essays.

What is A Controversial Argumentative Essay?

Controversy can stem from anywhere. It is defined as prolonged debate or public displeasure over any idea or its manifestation. Throughout history, there were many controversial publications, including essays and dissertations, that charged the public against the writers.

When a writer supports an argument that is against general public perception, the essay becomes controversial because many disagree with its contents. Argumentative essays have the potential to become controversial because they are neither subjective nor speculative. When a writer provides proof and evidence for his “controversial”, it enhances its potency as well as controversy.

Students in schools and colleges enjoy some artistic freedom as they can explore controversial topics. But they have to be careful and highly detail-oriented to ensure quality and acceptance.

Why Controversy And Disagreement Is Important

Many people believe that controversy and disagreement are bad for academia and society as a whole. Since people have opposing views of the same thing, they become hostile to one another. The reality is quite contradictory to these views.

For the advancement of society, controversy and disagreement are important. The established ideas and norms should be challenged, intellectually, to gauge their worth in both academic and practical matters. People come to believe certain things without peeking much under the hood. Argumentative essays with their far reach and strong command of the facts can help readers and writers uncover new truths about the things that have been established for millennia. To do that, controversy and disagreement should be welcomed.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

We have encouraged students to take up controversial ideas and treat them academically to uncover truths. But they could be at odds as to what ideas or things to explore in these areas. We understand this and that’s why we have dedicated this whole section to providing 40+ controversial argumentative essay topics for students.

These topics range from social issues, politics, culture, academics, and more. If students cannot come up with one, they are welcome to pick one as it is or modifies it to meet their criteria.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Ideas On Social Issues

Society was formed before the political and economic institutions. Both social structure and the underlying issues were born when two human beings decided to depend on each other for survival. Argumentative essays cover different social issues and provide clear insight into their causes and effects. For a controversial topic, this list will help students to base their argumentative essay on social issues that are not easy to take and treat because of public outcry.

• Is global warming a myth pedaled by naysayers to scare us off?
• What can be the suitable course of action to decelerate global warming?
• Can governments enforce measures on people to improve the environment?
• Is the death penalty effective in eradicating crimes in society?
• Should it be banned permanently?
• What kind of offenses warrant as severe punishment as the death penalty?
• Do common causes of war stem from our nature as killing machines?
• Can non-combatants justify war?
• Is there a way to outcast war as a solution to social issues?
• Should tobacco products be banned for good?
• Why society will be a better place without tobacco products?
• What will happen to the people who are addicted to tobacco if it is eradicated?
• Is it controversial to employ animals for scientific research?
• Will it be practical to ban animals from scientific research?
• Is it morally acceptable to have coitus before getting married? 

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics On Politics

Politics is still one of the most unifying and polarizing phenomena in the world. People often flock to one side and contest and detest others, mostly visible during public debates and elections. Controversial political topics can be perfect for students who want to unearth underlying issues and factors behind the force and potency of politics. In that spirit, here are some topic suggestions for argumentative essays that can be controversial.

• What are the deepening effects of the current state of gun laws?
• Should there be a mechanism to provide guns to only eligible people?
• Is globalization a good idea for nation-states?
• What are the effects of globalization on major and regional powers?
• Can we foresee the effects of globalization ten years from now?
• Should abortion get a green light around the world?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of legalizing abortion?
• Is there a way to de-stigmatize abortion in conservative societies?
• Is torture an acceptable form of interrogation?
• Is torture more effective than other humane methods?
• What are the moral grounds that are against torture?
• The interconnection of religion and politics
• Should the church be more active in politics?
• How can we separate the church and the state in public affairs?
• Is universal peace a dream?

Controversial Argumentative Essay Ideas On Culture

Culture is hard to define but you can tell when you see one. Apart from social issues and politics, culture is another thing that is a hot topic that people explore or refrain from it due to personal reasons. As an academic, you can explore different things about culture including the controversial aspects. The best thing to do is to look at the topics for argumentative essays that we have covered in this section for a quick start.

• Should prostitution be legalized in every country?
• Should the laws be amended to accommodate commercial sex workers?
• Do interracial marriages improve tolerance?
• Should interracial marriages be encouraged?
• Should controlled substances be legalized?
• What is the condition of the black market because of the banning of controlled substances?
• Are people paying too much taxes or too less?
• Should the rich pay more taxes to alleviate the condition of the poor?
• Are school homework and assignment affecting students’ mental welfare?
• Should home assignments be scrapped from the system?
• Are college tuition fees too high?
• What will happen to the job market if the college fee is zero?
• Should human beings be masters of their lives to end them?
• Should euthanasia be legalized to give rights to people?
• What happens to the professionals who are found guilty in euthanasia cases?

Choosing A Controversial Argumentative Essay Topic

It takes guts to make up your mind about writing a controversial argumentative essay. Still, this part is easy. The hardest part is choosing a topic that is controversial but provides true value to the discourse. Students often find it hard to pick and polish a topic for their argumentative essays that can set the direction and scope for the essay. This section is dedicated to helping students to choose and work on the best topics.

Brainstorm Ideas

It all starts with brainstorming. Students need to explore more than one idea in depth before settling on one. Often one idea comes as an epiphany and it seems perfect. But further scrutiny can only determine whether it is worth it to explore or not. That’s why brainstorming can help students to have multiple ideas to explore and test. All of them should be written and dissected properly before settling on one.

Do Research

Research is the key to argumentative essay writing, especially when it is on a controversial topic. Sometimes students do not even know that their essay would create controversy. They have to conduct extensive research and ensure that their arguments and evidence are based on sound foundations. If that is not the case, it will not take much time for the opposition to discredit the essay and the writer.

Develop A Thesis

A thesis is the essence of the argument that a writer is putting forward in the essay. It is a distillation of the thought and the postulates that will make rounds in controversial argumentative essays. Developing a thesis requires the exploration of possibilities and testing assumptions against established norms. It will not be an overstatement to say that an argumentative essay is as good as the thesis it depends on.

Test Validity of The Idea

Before moving forward with an idea, either explored through the body of the essay or done so succinctly through the thesis statement, testing its depth and endurance is a must. To do so, writers should go through multiple credible sources to rally support for the idea. If they can find enough support from established literature, it will help them in explaining and establishing the supremacy of their ideas.

What makes a good argumentative essay topic?

Following are some of the attributes that make a good argumentative essay topic:

• It should have novel elements
• The premise should not be readily accepted by the majority
• It should not reveal everything nor hold everything back
• It should grad readers’ attention and make them read the whole essay

What are some good argumentative essay topics?

Good argumentative essays are thought-provoking and cover the ground that the essay itself cannot. Many instances have proved that they can add much more value to the essay than merely covering space for the heading. Good argumentative essays can be about society, culture, sports, politics, and so on.

What is an argumentative research essay?

An argumentative research essay is a type of argumentative essay in which writers rely on extensive research to base their arguments. They are more like definition essays where they have to reveal certain qualities or characters of the subject through reliable references and citations from already accepted sources.

How do you write a strong argumentative essay?

To write a strong argumentative essay that can garner support for the writer, here are the steps to follow:

• Brainstorm multiple ideas
• Develop a strong thesis
• Test your thesis against logical and evidential information
• Find validation through further scrutiny

How should an argumentative essay start?

An argumentative essay should start with a hook to get readers invested in the essay. It can be a question, a statistic, or a bold or shocking statement. Whatever you do, it needs to connect the dots with the topic and make readers care for the essay.

What is the importance of structure in an argumentative essay?

Since writers want to convince and persuade readers about their side of the argument, structure is a must. It will help the writers to present their arguments in an easy-to-follow manner. Readers will understand it better and decide easily whether they want to endorse that thought or not.

Learning Through Controversy

The controversy should not be considered a bad thing as it helps us to learn more and question the established norms. Argumentative essays can be controversial, especially when writers determine to explore topics and areas that are not welcomed by both academics and people. In this post, we have shared multiple threads on topic suggestions for your argumentative essays that can be controversial to many. We have also shed ample light on how to choose the perfect topic for your essay .

Other things were covered by frequently asked questions.

So, if you are going to write a controversial argumentative essay , this is the resource to start your journey by picking the right topic!

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113 Perfect Persuasive Essay Topics for Any Assignment

General Education

Do you need to write a persuasive essay but aren’t sure what topic to focus on? Were you thrilled when your teacher said you could write about whatever you wanted but are now overwhelmed by the possibilities? We’re here to help!

Read on for a list of 113 top-notch persuasive essay topics, organized into ten categories. To help get you started, we also discuss what a persuasive essay is, how to choose a great topic, and what tips to keep in mind as you write your persuasive essay.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

In a persuasive essay, you attempt to convince readers to agree with your point of view on an argument. For example, an essay analyzing changes in Italian art during the Renaissance wouldn’t be a persuasive essay, because there’s no argument, but an essay where you argue that Italian art reached its peak during the Renaissance would be a persuasive essay because you’re trying to get your audience to agree with your viewpoint.

Persuasive and argumentative essays both try to convince readers to agree with the author, but the two essay types have key differences. Argumentative essays show a more balanced view of the issue and discuss both sides. Persuasive essays focus more heavily on the side the author agrees with. They also often include more of the author’s opinion than argumentative essays, which tend to use only facts and data to support their argument.

All persuasive essays have the following:

• Introduction: Introduces the topic, explains why it’s important, and ends with the thesis.
• Thesis: A sentence that sums up what the essay be discussing and what your stance on the issue is.
• Reasons you believe your side of the argument: Why do you support the side you do? Typically each main point will have its own body paragraph.
• Evidence supporting your argument: Facts or examples to back up your main points. Even though your opinion is allowed in persuasive essays more than most other essays, having concrete examples will make a stronger argument than relying on your opinion alone.
• Conclusion: Restatement of thesis, summary of main points, and a recap of why the issue is important.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

Theoretically, you could write a persuasive essay about any subject under the sun, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Certain topics are easier to write a strong persuasive essay on, and below are tips to follow when deciding what you should write about.

It’s a Topic You Care About

Obviously, it’s possible to write an essay about a topic you find completely boring. You’ve probably done it! However, if possible, it’s always better to choose a topic that you care about and are interested in. When this is the case, you’ll find doing the research more enjoyable, writing the essay easier, and your writing will likely be better because you’ll be more passionate about and informed on the topic.

You Have Enough Evidence to Support Your Argument

Just being passionate about a subject isn’t enough to make it a good persuasive essay topic, though. You need to make sure your argument is complex enough to have at least two potential sides to root for, and you need to be able to back up your side with evidence and examples. Even though persuasive essays allow your opinion to feature more than many other essays, you still need concrete evidence to back up your claims, or you’ll end up with a weak essay.

For example, you may passionately believe that mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best ice cream flavor (I agree!), but could you really write an entire essay on this? What would be your reasons for believing mint chocolate chip is the best (besides the fact that it’s delicious)? How would you support your belief? Have enough studies been done on preferred ice cream flavors to support an entire essay? When choosing a persuasive essay idea, you want to find the right balance between something you care about (so you can write well on it) and something the rest of the world cares about (so you can reference evidence to strengthen your position).

It’s a Manageable Topic

Bigger isn’t always better, especially with essay topics. While it may seem like a great idea to choose a huge, complex topic to write about, you’ll likely struggle to sift through all the information and different sides of the issue and winnow them down to one streamlined essay. For example, choosing to write an essay about how WWII impacted American life more than WWI wouldn’t be a great idea because you’d need to analyze all the impacts of both the wars in numerous areas of American life. It’d be a huge undertaking. A better idea would be to choose one impact on American life the wars had (such as changes in female employment) and focus on that. Doing so will make researching and writing your persuasive essay much more feasible.

List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you’ll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, “should fracking be legal?” you’d decide whether you believe fracking should be legal or illegal, then you’d write an essay arguing all the reasons why your audience should agree with you.

Arts/Culture

• Should students be required to learn an instrument in school?
• Did the end of Game of Thrones fit with the rest of the series?
• Can music be an effective way to treat mental illness?
• With e-readers so popular, have libraries become obsolete?
• Are the Harry Potter books more popular than they deserve to be?
• Should music with offensive language come with a warning label?
• What’s the best way for museums to get more people to visit?
• Should students be able to substitute an art or music class for a PE class in school?
• Are the Kardashians good or bad role models for young people?
• Should people in higher income brackets pay more taxes?
• Should all high school students be required to take a class on financial literacy?
• Is it possible to achieve the American dream, or is it only a myth?
• Is it better to spend a summer as an unpaid intern at a prestigious company or as a paid worker at a local store/restaurant?
• Should the United States impose more or fewer tariffs?
• Should college graduates have their student loans forgiven?
• Should restaurants eliminate tipping and raise staff wages instead?
• Should students learn cursive writing in school?
• Which is more important: PE class or music class?
• Is it better to have year-round school with shorter breaks throughout the year?
• Should class rank be abolished in schools?
• Should students be taught sex education in school?
• Should students be able to attend public universities for free?
• What’s the most effective way to change the behavior of school bullies?
• Are the SAT and ACT accurate ways to measure intelligence?
• Should students be able to learn sign language instead of a foreign language?
• Do the benefits of Greek life at colleges outweigh the negatives?
• Does doing homework actually help students learn more?
• Why do students in many other countries score higher than American students on math exams?
• Should parents/teachers be able to ban certain books from schools?
• What’s the best way to reduce cheating in school?
• Should colleges take a student’s race into account when making admissions decisions?
• Should there be limits to free speech?
• Should students be required to perform community service to graduate high school?
• Should convicted felons who have completed their sentence be allowed to vote?
• Should gun ownership be more tightly regulated?
• Should recycling be made mandatory?
• Should employers be required to offer paid leave to new parents?
• Are there any circumstances where torture should be allowed?
• Should children under the age of 18 be able to get plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons?
• Should white supremacy groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
• Does making abortion illegal make women more or less safe?
• Does foreign aid actually help developing countries?
• Are there times a person’s freedom of speech should be curtailed?
• Should people over a certain age not be allowed to adopt children?

Government/Politics

• Should the minimum voting age be raised/lowered/kept the same?
• Should Puerto Rico be granted statehood?
• Should the United States build a border wall with Mexico?
• Who should be the next person printed on American banknotes?
• Should the United States’ military budget be reduced?
• Did China’s one child policy have overall positive or negative impacts on the country?
• Should DREAMers be granted US citizenship?
• Is national security more important than individual privacy?
• What responsibility does the government have to help homeless people?
• Should the electoral college be abolished?
• Should the US increase or decrease the number of refugees it allows in each year?
• Should privately-run prisons be abolished?
• Who was the most/least effective US president?
• Will Brexit end up helping or harming the UK?

• What’s the best way to reduce the spread of Ebola?
• Is the Keto diet a safe and effective way to lose weight?
• Should the FDA regulate vitamins and supplements more strictly?
• Should public schools require all students who attend to be vaccinated?
• Is eating genetically modified food safe?
• What’s the best way to make health insurance more affordable?
• What’s the best way to lower the teen pregnancy rate?
• Should recreational marijuana be legalized nationwide?
• Should birth control pills be available without a prescription?
• Should pregnant women be forbidden from buying cigarettes and alcohol?
• Why has anxiety increased in adolescents?
• Are low-carb or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
• What caused the destruction of the USS Maine?
• Was King Arthur a mythical legend or actual Dark Ages king?
• Was the US justified in dropping atomic bombs during WWII?
• What was the primary cause of the Rwandan genocide?
• What happened to the settlers of the Roanoke colony?
• Was disagreement over slavery the primary cause of the US Civil War?
• What has caused the numerous disappearances in the Bermuda triangle?
• Should nuclear power be banned?
• Is scientific testing on animals necessary?
• Do zoos help or harm animals?
• Should scientists be allowed to clone humans?
• Should animals in circuses be banned?
• Should fracking be legal?
• Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets?
• What’s the best way to reduce illegal poaching in Africa?
• What is the best way to reduce the impact of global warming?
• Should euthanasia be legalized?
• Is there legitimate evidence of extraterrestrial life?
• Should people be banned from owning aggressive dog breeds?
• Should the United States devote more money towards space exploration?
• Should the government subsidize renewable forms of energy?
• Is solar energy worth the cost?
• Should stem cells be used in medicine?
• Is it right for the US to leave the Paris Climate Agreement?
• Should athletes who fail a drug test receive a lifetime ban from the sport?
• Should college athletes receive a salary?
• Should the NFL do more to prevent concussions in players?
• Do PE classes help students stay in shape?
• Should horse racing be banned?
• Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
• Should children younger than 18 be allowed to play tackle football?
• Are the costs of hosting an Olympic Games worth it?
• Can online schools be as effective as traditional schools?
• Do violent video games encourage players to be violent in real life?
• Should facial recognition technology be banned?
• Does excessive social media use lead to depression/anxiety?
• Has the rise of translation technology made knowing multiple languages obsolete?
• Was Steve Jobs a visionary or just a great marketer?
• Should social media be banned for children younger than a certain age?
• Which 21st-century invention has had the largest impact on society?
• Are ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft good or bad for society?
• Should Facebook have done more to protect the privacy of its users?
• Will technology end up increasing or decreasing inequality worldwide?

Tips for Writing a Strong Persuasive Essay

After you’ve chosen the perfect topic for your persuasive essay, your work isn’t over. Follow the three tips below to create a top-notch essay.

Do Your Research

Your argument will fall apart if you don’t fully understand the issue you’re discussing or you overlook an important piece of it. Readers won’t be convinced by someone who doesn’t know the subject, and you likely won’t persuade any of them to begin supporting your viewpoint. Before you begin writing a single word of your essay, research your topic thoroughly. Study different sources, learn about the different sides of the argument, ask anyone who’s an expert on the topic what their opinion is, etc. You might be tempted to start writing right away, but by doing your research, you’ll make the writing process much easier when the time comes.

Make Your Thesis Perfect

Your thesis is the most important sentence in your persuasive essay. Just by reading that single sentence, your audience should know exactly what topic you’ll be discussing and where you stand on the issue. You want your thesis to be crystal clear and to accurately set up the rest of your essay. Asking classmates or your teacher to look it over before you begin writing the rest of your essay can be a big help if you’re not entirely confident in your thesis.

Consider the Other Side

You’ll spend most of your essay focusing on your side of the argument since that’s what you want readers to come away believing. However, don’t think that means you can ignore other sides of the issue. In your essay, be sure to discuss the other side’s argument, as well as why you believe this view is weak or untrue. Researching all the different viewpoints and including them in your essay will increase the quality of your writing by making your essay more complete and nuanced.

Summary: Persuasive Essay Ideas

Good persuasive essay topics can be difficult to come up with, but in this guide we’ve created a list of 113 excellent essay topics for you to browse. The best persuasive essay ideas will be those that you are interested in, have enough evidence to support your argument, and aren’t too complicated to be summarized in an essay.

After you’ve chosen your essay topic, keep these three tips in mind when you begin writing:

• Do your research
• Make your thesis perfect
• Consider the other side

What's Next?

Need ideas for a research paper topic as well? Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you.

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Home — Essay Types — Controversial Essay

Controversial Essay Examples

Controversial essay topics are those that spark debate and disagreement among people. They often touch on sensitive issues such as politics, religion, ethics, and social issues. Some examples of controversial essay topics include gun control, abortion, capital punishment, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration policies, and climate change. These topics can be difficult to discuss because they often involve deeply held beliefs and strong emotions. However, they are also important because they encourage critical thinking and the exploration of different viewpoints. Writing an essay on a controversial topic requires careful research, thoughtful analysis, and the ability to present a balanced argument. It is important for writers to approach these topics with sensitivity and respect, acknowledging the diverse perspectives that exist. By engaging with controversial essay topics, individuals can broaden their understanding of complex issues and contribute to meaningful discussions within society.

The Importance of Writing Controversial Essays

Writing controversial essays is crucial for fostering critical thinking and promoting open dialogue on contentious subjects. By delving into topics that elicit strong emotions and differing opinions, individuals can challenge their own beliefs, gain a deeper understanding of complex issues, and develop empathy for diverse perspectives. Controversial essays also serve as a platform for advocating social change and sparking meaningful conversations within society. Additionally, they provide an opportunity for individuals to practice respectful and thoughtful discourse, honing their skills in presenting well-researched, balanced arguments. Ultimately, writing controversial essays encourages individuals to engage with challenging topics and contribute to the ongoing discourse on important societal issues.

How to Choose a Good Topic for a Controversial Essay

When it comes to writing a controversial essay, choosing the right topic is crucial. A good controversial essay topic should be thought-provoking, debatable, and relevant to current societal issues. Here are some tips on how to choose a good topic for your controversial essay:

Consider current events: Look at recent news headlines and trending topics to find issues that are sparking debate and discussion. These topics are likely to be controversial and will provide a wealth of material for your essay.

Research different perspectives: Choose a topic that has multiple viewpoints and conflicting opinions. This will allow you to explore the complexities of the issue and present a well-rounded argument in your essay.

Choose a topic you are passionate about: Writing a controversial essay can be emotionally draining, so it's important to choose a topic that you feel strongly about. Your passion for the topic will shine through in your writing and make your essay more compelling.

Consider your audience: Think about who will be reading your essay and choose a topic that will resonate with them. Consider their interests, beliefs, and values when selecting a controversial topic.

By following these tips, you can choose a thought-provoking and relevant topic for your controversial essay that will engage readers and spark meaningful discussion.

Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

Controversial essay topics spark debate and disagreement, touching on sensitive issues such as politics, religion, ethics, and social issues. Here are some controversial essay topics divided by popular categories.

• The role of government in healthcare
• Electoral college vs popular vote
• Campaign finance reform
• Voter ID laws
• Term limits for politicians

Social Issues

• Police brutality and racial profiling
• Affirmative action in college admissions
• Gender wage gap
• Mandatory vaccination laws
• Homelessness and poverty
• Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide
• Animal testing for medical research
• Genetic engineering and designer babies
• Cultural appropriation
• Ethical considerations of artificial intelligence
• Freedom of religion vs separation of church and state
• Religious exemptions for vaccines
• LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedom
• Women's rights and religious traditions
• Religious extremism and terrorism

Environment

• Fracking and its impact on the environment
• Keystone XL pipeline
• Endangered species protection vs economic development
• Plastic use and environmental pollution
• Renewable energy vs fossil fuels

By exploring these controversial essay topics, individuals can engage in critical thinking and contribute to meaningful discussions within society.

In summary, controversial essay topics are essential for fostering critical thinking, promoting open dialogue, and advocating for social change. These topics touch on sensitive issues such as politics, religion, ethics, and social issues, and they encourage individuals to explore different viewpoints and develop empathy for diverse perspectives. By engaging with controversial essay topics, individuals can contribute to meaningful discussions within society and broaden their understanding of complex issues. It is important for writers to approach these topics with sensitivity and respect, acknowledging the diverse perspectives that exist. Ultimately, writing controversial essays encourages individuals to engage with challenging topics and contribute to the ongoing discourse on important societal issues.

A controversial essay type is an essay that addresses a topic that is widely debated, disputed or has strong opposing viewpoints. This type of essay requires the writer to present both sides of the argument in a fair and balanced manner, while also providing their own perspective on the issue. Controversial essays often deal with sensitive or contentious subjects such as politics, religion, social issues, ethics, and morality.

📝 Next Article: Process Essay Topics 📚

Writing a controversial essay requires careful consideration, extensive research, and the ability to present multiple viewpoints in a fair and balanced manner. By following the tips below and checking controversial essay examples, students can effectively navigate the complexities of controversial topics and produce compelling and thought-provoking essays.

Writing a Controversial Essay

Writing a controversial essay can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can effectively convey your ideas and engage readers in a thought-provoking discussion. Here are some tips to help you craft a compelling controversial essay:

• Choose a Provocative Topic: Select a topic that is current, relevant, and sparks strong opinions. This will ensure that your essay generates interest and incites discussion.
• Present Both Sides: A controversial essay should explore multiple perspectives on the issue. Presenting both sides of the argument demonstrates a well-rounded understanding of the topic and allows readers to form their own opinions.
• Back Up Your Claims: Support your arguments with credible sources and evidence. This will strengthen your position and lend credibility to your essay.
• Acknowledge Counterarguments: Address opposing viewpoints in your essay and explain why you disagree with them. This demonstrates critical thinking and shows that you have considered all angles of the issue.
• Be Respectful: While controversial essays can be passionate and opinionated, it’s important to maintain a respectful tone. Avoid personal attacks or inflammatory language, and focus on presenting your ideas in a clear and persuasive manner.
• Consider the Audience: Understand who your audience is and tailor your writing to resonate with them. Anticipate their potential objections and address them in your essay.

By following these tips, you can effectively navigate the complexities of writing a controversial essay and make a compelling argument that sparks meaningful discussion.

How to Start a Controversial Essay

Starting a controversial essay effectively involves several key steps to ensure that it engages readers and sets a clear tone for the discussion. Here’s a concise guide on how to begin:

• Choose a Provocative Hook: Start with a statement, question, or anecdote that grabs attention and sets the stage for the controversial topic. This could be a striking statistic, a bold claim, or a rhetorical question that challenges conventional views.
• State Your Topic Clearly: Introduce the subject of the essay directly and succinctly. Ensure that your audience understands exactly what controversial issue you’ll be addressing.
• Present the Relevance: Explain why this topic is important and relevant to your audience. This could be due to its impact on society, its timeliness, or the strong opinions it evokes.
• Outline the Main Arguments: Briefly preview the main points that will support your position in the essay. This helps to orient readers to your perspective and the structure of your argument.
• Thesis Statement: Conclude your introduction with a strong thesis statement that clearly states your position on the issue. This statement should be assertive and clear, encapsulating your central argument in a way that prepares readers for the detailed discussion that will follow.

Structure Creation for a Controversial Essay

When writing a controversial essay, it is important to carefully structure your arguments and evidence in order to effectively convey your perspective on the topic. Here are some key elements to consider when structuring your controversial essay:

• Introduction : Begin by introducing the topic and providing some background information. Clearly state your thesis statement, which should present your stance on the controversial issue.
• Body paragraphs: Each body paragraph should focus on a single aspect of the controversy, presenting evidence and arguments to support your position. It is important to anticipate and address counterarguments in order to strengthen your own argument.
• Evidence : Use reliable sources and evidence to support your claims. This can include statistics, expert opinions, case studies, and historical examples.
• Counterarguments : Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and provide a thoughtful rebuttal to strengthen your own argument.
• Conclusion : Summarize your main points and restate your thesis, emphasizing the significance of your argument and its implications.

By carefully structuring your controversial essay, you can effectively present your viewpoint and engage readers in a thoughtful discussion of the issue at hand.

The Importance of Controversial Essay Examples

Controversial essay examples are essential for understanding how to effectively present and argue a controversial topic. They provide a framework for students to analyze and learn from different perspectives, helping them to develop critical thinking skills and articulate their own opinions.

Controversial essay examples are useful for sparking discussions, challenging assumptions, and encouraging students to engage with complex and contentious issues. By examining how others have presented controversial topics, students can learn how to construct persuasive arguments, anticipate counterarguments, and develop a nuanced understanding of the topic at hand.

📘 Find Out: Quantitative Essay Examples  📝

To use controversial essay examples effectively, students should first select a topic that is controversial and relevant to their interests. They should then research and read various essays on the topic to gain a comprehensive understanding of different viewpoints. Students should analyze the structure, evidence, and language used in the examples to identify effective strategies for presenting a controversial argument. Finally, students should practice writing their own controversial essay, incorporating the lessons learned from the examples they have studied.

In conclusion, controversial essay examples are a valuable resource for students to learn how to effectively engage with controversial topics. By studying and analyzing these examples, students can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to construct persuasive and well-reasoned arguments on contentious issues.

Controversial Essay Writing Checklist

🔘 Clearly define the controversial topic you will be discussing in your essay. 🔘 Research and gather evidence from credible sources to support your argument. 🔘 Address opposing viewpoints and counterarguments to strengthen your position. 🔘 Use logical reasoning and critical thinking to make your points. 🔘 Avoid emotional language and focus on presenting factual information. 🔘 Provide real-life examples and case studies to illustrate your arguments. 🔘 Acknowledge the complexity of the issue and avoid oversimplifying it. 🔘 Present a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines your position. 🔘 Use proper citation and referencing to give credit to the sources you have used. 🔘 Proofread and edit your essay to ensure clarity and coherence.

Writing a controversial essay requires careful research, critical analysis, and the ability to present a well-structured argument. By following this checklist, you can effectively navigate the complexities of controversial topics and present a compelling essay that challenges readers to think critically about the issues at hand.

Conclusion: Controversial Essay Examples

Controversial essay examples are valuable tools for students to learn how to effectively engage with contentious topics. By studying and analyzing these examples, students can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to construct persuasive and well-reasoned arguments on controversial issues. Controversial essay examples provide a framework for students to analyze and learn from different perspectives, helping them to develop critical thinking skills and articulate their own opinions. They are also useful for sparking discussions, challenging assumptions, and encouraging students to engage with complex and contentious issues.

Ultimately, controversial essay examples serve as a guide for students to understand how to effectively present and argue a controversial topic. By incorporating the lessons learned from these examples, students can develop the ability to construct well-structured and compelling essays that challenge readers to think critically about the issues at hand.

The Impact of Controversial Music Lyrics on Society

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The Complexity of Climate Change Controversy

Introduction Climate change has become a highly debated topic in recent years. While scientists overwhelmingly agree that human activities are causing the Earth’s climate to change, the issue remains controversial due to various political, economic, and societal factors. This essay aims to explore these factors…

The Complex Issue of Gay Marriage

Introduction The issue of gay marriage has been a controversial topic for decades. While some argue that it is a basic human right that needs to be recognized, others believe that it undermines the sanctity of traditional marriage and poses threats to religious freedom. This…

Should Humans Have the Right to Modify Their Genetic Code

In the realm of science and ethics, few debates have stirred as much controversy as the question of whether humans should have the right to modify their genetic code. With the advent of powerful genetic editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, the ability to alter DNA has…

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Religious Freedom Controversies in Democratic Societies

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Planned Parenthood: A Controversial Organization Shrouded in Debate

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Bernie Sanders and the Controversy Surrounding His Political Views

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Adoption Costs: Controversy, Impact, and Solutions

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What is a Controversial essay?

A Controversial essay type is a piece of writing that presents a contentious topic and argues for a specific stance on that issue.

How to write a Controversial essay?

To write a Controversial essay, research the topic thoroughly, present both sides of the argument, and clearly articulate your position with evidence and reasoning.

How to structure a Controversial essay?

A Controversial essay should have an introduction with a clear thesis statement, body paragraphs presenting evidence and arguments, and a conclusion summarizing the main points and restating the thesis.

What is the purpose of a Controversial essay?

The purpose of a Controversial essay is to engage readers in critical thinking and debate by presenting a controversial topic and arguing for a specific viewpoint.

How to choose the topic for a Controversial essay?

Choose a topic for a Controversial essay based on its relevance, personal interest, and the availability of credible sources and evidence to support both sides of the argument.

The most popular topics for Controversial Essay

• Medical Marijuana
• Electoral College
• Government Surveillance
• Gun Control
• Freedom of Speech
• Juvenile Justice System
• Same Sex Marriage
• Genetic Engineering
• Vaccination
• Assisted Suicide

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110+ Controversial Debate Topics to Challenge Your Students

Don’t be surprised when the discussion gets heated…

It can be tempting to steer away from controversial debate topics in the classroom. But teaching students to discuss hot topics calmly and rationally is vital. Show them how to think critically about a subject, then use facts to support their point of view. These controversial topics can work well for classroom debates, persuasive essays , or fishbowl discussions .

Note: Each topic includes a link to an article from a reliable source that provides pros and/or cons to help kids make their arguments.

Education Controversial Debate Topics

Science and health controversial debate topics, civics controversial debate topics, social justice controversial debate topics, more controversial debate topics.

• Should students be required to wear school uniforms?
• Should schools eliminate dress codes?

• Are private schools better than public schools?
• Should schools be allowed to teach critical race theory?
• Are standardized tests effective?
• Should schools teach abstinence instead of sexual education?
• Should schools make condoms available to students?
• Is year-round school better for students?
• Should schools ban junk food?
• Are single-gender schools better for students?
• Is it ever OK to cheat on homework or a test?
• Should we make college free for everyone?
• Should we allow schools to ban books from their libraries?
• Does religion have a place in public schools?
• Should charter schools receive public school funds?
• Are school voucher systems a good idea?

• Is in-person school better than online school?
• Should schools have surveillance cameras in classrooms and hallways?
• Should schools install safe rooms in case of mass shootings or natural disasters?
• Should all teachers be armed in the classroom to help protect their students?
• Is it important for schools to provide mental health support to students?
• Should schools allow students to use phones during the school day?
• Is recess important at every grade level?
• Should we put equal value on vocational education and academics?
• Is homeschooling good for children?
• How much emphasis should school put on reading from the “canon” versus reading more contemporary voices?
• Should humans eat animals?
• Is it OK to keep animals in zoos?
• Should we completely ban cigarette smoking and vaping?

• Should we ban plastic bottles and bags?
• Is it worth it to spend money exploring space?
• Should vaccines be mandatory?
• Are GMOs more helpful than harmful?
• Is animal cloning ethical?
• Should human cloning be legal?
• Should we use stem cells from human embryos for scientific research?
• Is it better to provide drug addicts with treatment instead of punishment?
• Should we ban the use of fossil fuels?

• Should assisted suicide be legal?
• Will expanded use of artificial intelligence be good for humanity?
• Should all countries have to give up their nuclear weapons?
• Is universal government-sponsored healthcare a good idea?
• Should we ban testing on animals?
• Should net neutrality be mandatory for internet service providers?
• Is our society too reliant on technology?
• Can we truly do anything about human-caused global warming?
• Are electric vehicles better than gas-powered ones?
• Does our society have a harmful “diet culture”?
• Would taxing unhealthy foods help fight obesity?

• Can alternative energies replace fossil fuels?
• Is nurture more important than nature when raising a child?
• Should we lower the voting age to 16?
• Should we lower the drinking age to 18?
• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Should all Americans be required to vote?
• Should we raise the driving age to 18?

• Is a progressive income tax better than a flat tax?
• Should parents be punished legally for their children’s crimes?
• Should abortion be legal?
• Would it be better to appoint Supreme Court judges for fixed terms?
• Should people have to take a parenting class before having a child?
• Should we legalize marijuana at the federal level?
• Would it be better to legalize, tax, and regulate all drugs (including alcohol) instead of banning them?
• Should the United States implement a universal basic income?
• Should we redirect some or all police force funding to social services?
• Do gun safety laws infringe on the Second Amendment?
• Should we require people of all genders to register for the draft?
• Should anyone over 12 be tried as an adult in court?

• Is it right to require people to take drug tests before receiving government aid like welfare?
• Should we do away with gender-specific public bathrooms?
• Is the local minimum wage truly a living wage?
• Why haven’t we had a female U.S. president yet?
• Should men be allowed to make laws that affect women’s bodies?
• Should the government provide funding for public art programs?
• Are there any reasonable limits to freedom of speech?
• Is security more important than freedom?

• Should we abolish the death penalty?
• Is a strong middle class vital to the economy?
• Should we make the path to American citizenship easier?

• Is the American justice system inherently racist?
• Will stricter gun control laws help stop mass shootings?
• Is it logical to continue building a wall between the United States and Mexico?
• How much of a problem is ageism in our society?
• Should felons be allowed to vote after serving their time in prison?

• Does socioeconomic prejudice affect our society?
• Should we automatically deport illegal immigrants, regardless of how long they’ve been in the country?
• What is the role of media in fighting systemic racism?
• Does segregation still exist in the United States?
• Are white-collar jobs better than blue-collar jobs?
• Does religion do more harm than good?
• Will we ever achieve world peace?
• Should parents use their kids’ cell phones to track where they are?
• Should we let young children play contact sports like football?

• Are the prices of pharmaceutical drugs reasonable?
• Who should cover the medical costs of people without insurance?
• Is video gaming a sport?
• Should parents be allowed to pierce a baby’s ears?
• Should we ban all violent video games?
• Are beauty pageants sexist?
• Should kids get participation trophies for sports?

• Should there be a minimum age for owning a smartphone?
• Is it possible to be an ethical hunter?
• What is the best way to deal with homelessness?
• Was Russia justified in attacking Ukraine?
• Should both parents receive equal amounts of paid leave when they have or adopt a child?
• Are stereotypes ever right?
• Do people have a responsibility to step in when they see a crime in action?
• Are “Stand Your Ground” laws effective?
• Is there any benefit to teaching proper grammar and spelling, or should we allow language to be descriptive instead of prescriptive?
• What gives people true power in the United States?

• Is conflict necessary for change?
• Is war ever justified?

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Category: essays on controversial topics.

Browse our collection of essays on controversial topics. Each topic in this category represents a controversial issue and thus is a good choice if you are looking for argumentative or persuasive essay topics .  When writing an argumentative essay or a persuasive essay you should focus on picking a topic that is current and relevant to society and can be argued logically.

While a strong interest in a topic is important, it’s not enough to be interested. You have to consider what position you can back up with reasoning and evidence. It’s one thing to have a strong belief, but when shaping an argument you’ll have to explain why your belief is reasonable and logical. As you explore the topics, make a mental list of points you could use as evidence for or against an issue.

ENG 102: Controversal Topics Assignment

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Pro/Con Controversial Essay Selected Resources

These selected resources are here to help you choose a topic, find background information within popular sources, find evidence in news articles, and peer reviewed scholarly articles in MCC databases!

(Double check the assignment rubric to make sure it fits the assignment criteria)

• NY Times Debate Topics
• Pew Research Center Full list of research topics
• Rand Think tank on current topics
• Intelligence Squared: U.S. Top Thinkers Debate Today's Most Important Issues
• List of Topic Inspiration Kirkland Community College
• Why search here? Opposing Viewpoints contains articles, reports, opinions, general information, and more that provide different viewpoints on controversial topics and popular social issues. A great place to search lists of topic or research ideas for assignments. 
• What's included? Content in this database includes topic overviews, full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, statistics, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted websites. Includes an easily searchable list of some of the most hotly-debated topics.
• Why search here? CQ Researcher is noted for itsaward winning in-depth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology and the economy. Reports are published online 44 times a year. This publication contains in-depth articles focusing on recent news topics and issues of broad interest in the public policy sphere. All perspectives are covered and this is an excellent source when writing an argumentative essay. 
• What's included? Each single-themed report is researched and written by a seasoned journalist, footnoted and professionally fact checked. The consistent, reader-friendly organization provides researchers with an introductory overview, which poses and addresses relevant questions; a background and chronology on the topic; an assessment of the current situation; tables and maps; a pro/con debate by representatives of opposing positions; and bibliographies of key sources.
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• What's included? This collection includes the following collections: Literature: Authors, Themes, and Works, as well as Critical Surveys; History: Curated Content of the Times, Decades, Great Events from History, Working Americans, Innovators; Science: Environmental Issues; Health: Magill's Medical Guide, 8th Edition; Careers: Business, Healthcare, Hospitality and Tourism, Human Services, Law, Criminal Justice, Emergency Services, Social Media
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55 Controversial Essay Topics and Essay Writing Tips

Controversial essay topics are topics that evoke a variety of emotions and opinions. They often cause heated debates among different individuals. Moreover, these topics are a bit challenging and not easy to handle. Do not stress out! We have got you covered. In this article, we will:

Help you select a controversial question for your essay.

Outline a list of 55 unique essay topics to choose from.

Show you how to tackle a debatable subject. Before we begin, if you need help with your essay, you can make an order here at Macro essays. We will deliver an excellent paper that meets your academic expectations and demands.

Here are tips to help you to pick the right essay topic ; Brainstorm. Writing is easier if you find a topic that abides by your interests. So, take your time and think. Ask yourself these three questions. [i] Are there any contemporary issues that you find interesting? {ii} Was there any piece of information that made you emotional? {iii} Is there a personal issue you could dwell into?

Research. Once you find the right topic, you can start researching. You can find information for your topic by reading articles and summaries. You can even ask your friends to assist you with a piece of information.

Credibility. Make sure the topic you choose is credible and support it with substantial evidence. Back your claims with proof to enhance the credibility of your topic. Narrow your topic down. To narrow down your subject; Limit it to a specific period (i.e., the 60s) Focus on a specific location (i.e., in Europe) Zoom in on single culture (i.e., African Americans) Be unique. Stay clear from overused topics such as abortion and alcohol abuse.

2.Controversial Health Topics to write about

💡2.1.Controversial medical topic to write about

Is it appropriate for diabetic people to inject insulin in public?

Should we allow medical doctors to advertise abortion services openly?

Should the government provide birth-control pills free of charge?

Should the system of organ donation be opt-in or opt-out?

Religious beliefs in way of medical treatment.

💡2.2. Controversial psychology topics for your paper

6. Does pornography affects a person’s sexuality? 7. How useful is online therapy to an individual? 8. Common reasons for self-harm 9. What are the psychological issues related to child spanking? 10. What is the efficacy of hypnotherapy?

💡2.3. Controversial nursing topics to research on?

11. Ethics of circumcision.12.Is giving birth at home dangerous? 13. Is it morally right for nurses to go on strike? 14. What is the role of social media in nursing practice? 15. Should commercial surrogacy be legal?

💡3.Controversial Topics in America to Write about

16.Racial discrimination and prejudice in America.

17. The political impact of BLM movements. 18. How can we solve racially based police brutality? 19. Is CNN or Fox News a reliable source of information? 20. Should the two-party system be abolished? 21. African-American women and higher education barriers 22. Does Affordable Care Act does more harm than good? 23. Should the government ban commercial advertisements of Phamature products? 24. Does the Us election system corresponds with modernity? 25. Impact of healthcare reforms in the US.

💡4.Controversial Science Topics to Dive into

26. Who and what is responsible for climate change? 27. Extinctions of dinosaurs; what caused it? 28. Why are animal rights important? 29. Do we need to store food supplements? 30. Should people boycott google for its privacy issues? 31. Do we surrender our right to privacy when we visit online websites? 32. Is Bio-engineered food the solution to end world hunger? 33. Does chemistry have the tools to revert climate change? 34. Are hybrid cars a sustainable alternative to classic cars? 35. Are we too dependent on technology?

💡5. Controversial Culture Essay Topics To Explore

36. Who benefits from copyright laws? 37. Is it insensitive to make fun of a certain religion? 38. Is it difficult for black artists to get recognition? 39. When does sampling become plagiarism? 40. How much do we learn about physics from The Big Bang Theory movie? 41. Do musicians and movie actors have to be role models? 42. How does pop culture influence our moral code? 43. When is censorship justified? 44. Should, the government allow graffiti in specific areas? 45. How does Sportify influence the music market?

💡6. Controversial Nutrition, Political, and Sports Essay Topics to Write About

46. Should all people go vegan? 47. Can fast food be healthy? 48.The global impacts of the Coca-Cola company 49. Is caffeine dangerous for your health? 50.The pros and cons of VAR 51. Should the sports environment be free of politics? 52. Is defunding the police department the key solution to secure social justice? 53. Should the EU be dissolved? 54. Discuss the consequences of adopting a cashless money system? 55. US national policy and federalism

How To Handle Controversial Essays

With all these thrilling ideas and topics, you are probably eager to start writing immediately. But first, make sure you know to handle such topics and issues appropriately. Here are some tips to help you get on the right track.

Be objective but not emotional. Take a definite stand on controversial topics. Your tone of writing should be opinionated rather than emotional.

Provide detailed support for your arguments.

The better support your claims have, the harder it is to prove you wrong.

Consider your audience. To be persuasive, figure out what your audience cares about. Knowing your audience helps you to write down your arguments accordingly.

Be ready to defend your opinions and ideas If you are asked to.

Now you have learned a lot about controversial topics. Use this information in your essay writing. We wish you good luck with your writing. In case you need help with any academic paper, just reach us via chat or phone call. We are eager and ready to help you. If you would like to know how to write an essay please read here is everything you should know about Writing an Essays. 6 Simple Steps and Examples

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50 years after Gerald Ford became president, scholars ponder modern parallels

As the nation looks ahead to the upcoming presidential election at a time of political uncertainty, some in Michigan will look back on Friday to the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of a man who became president under extraordinary circumstances .

During a Aug. 9, 1974, ceremony at the White House, Vice President Gerald R. Ford — who had been a long-time U.S. representative from Michigan's 5th district — took the oath of office.

His wife, Betty, held the Bible, which was open to Proverbs 3:5-6 , verses that emphasized trusting "in the Lord;" and Ford, who was appointed vice president just eight months earlier, became the first — and only — person to hold both top offices without having been elected to either.

Leading up to Ford's presidency, the nation had faced some dark times, the assassinations of a sitting president and presidential candidate, including racial strife, international conflict, economic hardship, scandal and discord. How would Ford view the juncture America finds itself in now?

"I think Ford would look at this moment and say tumultuous times are part of the long arc of history," Celeste Watkins-Hayes, dean of the University of Michigan's public policy school that now bears Ford's name, said during a recent PBS segment about the anniversary. These times, she added, can feel "very anxiety producing and very worrying," but Ford would likely ask "what are the areas of common ground, what are the areas of common concern, and how do we move forward on the basis of those?"

In many ways, Ford’s inauguration and presidency is a reminder to Michiganders of the place the state holds in history in shaping the only president to come from it. It also is reassurance to Americans that, even in challenging times, the message that Ford delivered in his first presidential address is true: The democratic process works.

After leaving office, Ford, a Republican, also offered some thoughts on women in the White House, which some voters find relevant today.

To mark the milestone anniversary, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids is opening a year-long exhibit, " Ford at 50: Decisions that Defined a Presidency ," displaying artifacts and film footage that chronicle some of Ford’s most difficult and controversial decisions.

Moreover, at 6:30 p.m., the museum is sponsoring a variety of activities and tributes at a West Michigan Whitecaps game at the LMCU Ballpark just north of Grand Rapids in Comstack Park . Ford’s nephew, Greg Ford, is scheduled to throw out the first pitch, and the first 1,000 attendees will receive a Gerald R. Ford bobblehead.

But, history shows, Ford was no bobblehead politician.

While in office, one contemporary told Ford he was acting like " too much of a boy scout ," taking principled stances on issues. Ford, who was an Eagle Scout, responded that a boy scout was what the American people wanted and he intended to use the aspirations and ideals of scouting as a "guide and compass."

"In a time of ethical relativism and political cynicism, Ford’s personal integrity stood out," Gleaves Whitney, the executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation in Grand Rapids, wrote in a yet-unpublished essay he emailed the Free Press. "His presidency was characterized by transparency and accountability, with frequent news conferences to rebuild trust with the media and the American people."

An office he never sought

Ford’s tenure as president was short — just 2 years and 164 days — but not the shortest in history .

William Henry Harrison died of pneumonia after 32 days in office. James Garfield was shot and died after 199 days. Zachary Taylor suffered from a bacterial infection after a year and 127 days. Warren Harding died from a heart attack after 2 years and 151 days.

In many ways Ford's presidency was a test of a peaceful transfer of executive power, which was an area of the Constitution that was clarified by the 25th Amendment and ratified in 1967, Daniel Clark, an Oakland University history professor , explained.

"No one anticipated, when that amendment was passed, it would be put to the test so quickly," Clark said, adding that the question of transfer of power is one of the parallels of what happened then has for today. "Can we continue to rely on peaceful transfers of power?"

Clark, who grew up in Midland and was 15 when Ford became president, recalled that he had gone on a week-long canoe trip up north. When he left, he said, Nixon was president; when he came back home, Ford occupied the Oval Office.

Ford's presidency, Clark also noted, was — and is — a source of pride for Michiganders, who recognized Ford, a son of Grand Rapids, as one of their own, even though he was born in Omaha, Nebraska .

Ford, who was named Leslie Lynch King Jr. at birth after his biological father, ended up in Michigan after his parents separated. Ford said his father was abusive to his mother. To get away, his mother moved them to Oak Park, Illinois. Then they relocated to Grand Rapids, where his grandparents lived.

Ford’s parents divorced and his mother married Gerald Rudolff Ford , a businessman.

Ford adopted his stepfather’s name, becoming Gerald Rudolff Ford Jr. To his friends, he was just Jerry.

As a boy, Ford got involved with sports and scouting, becoming an Eagle Scout, the only president to do so . A standout athlete, Ford went on to play football at the University of Michigan . While on the team, the Wolverines won two national titles.

Ford went on to Yale Law School, where he also coached football and boxing .

Still, Ford loved football and his undergraduate alma mater so much that, as president, instead of "Hail to the Chief," he reportedly would have the band play "The Victors," the U-M fight song .

Ford joined the Navy, served as an officer , and returned to Grand Rapids, where he had a law practice and became active in politics, running for congress. He held the seat for 25 years, with an ambition to become Speaker of the House. Instead, he settled for minority leader.

In 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew pleaded no contest to income-tax evasion and resigned. To replace him, President Richard Nixon selected Ford, which, the congressman from Michigan figured, was the highest political position he would attain, according to Ford’s obituary in the New York Times .

But a few months later, Nixon resigned and Ford became president.

When Ford died at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, in 2006, the Times praised Ford, who it said had "gently led the United States out of the tumultuous Watergate era." It noted the 93-year-old former president had a "common touch" and "uncommon virtue."

And yet, the Times obituary also pointed out, Ford was thrust into an office "he had never sought."

 Our 'national nightmare is over'

Ford’s inauguration speech — a talk, he called it — was brief.

"I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers," he told the nation, making clear that he had not "gained office by any secret promises."

But in becoming president though a Constitutional process, as opposed to a party nomination and election, Ford reasoned he was not bound by a "partisan platform" nor was he "indebted to no man, and only to one woman — my dear wife, Betty."

During that speech, he also uttered some of the best-known phrases of his presidency.

"My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over," Ford said, referring to the Watergate office building break-in that had gripped the nation and forced Nixon to resign, the first president ever to do so. "Our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here, the people rule."

A month later, Ford pardoned Nixon, a controversial decision that led to the resignation of the Detroit News reporter Ford had appointed as his press secretary , and, some said, was an act that helped doom Ford’s chances for re-election.

But many historians also recognize Ford's pardon — Proclamation 4311 — was the right decision for America.

Nixon, who, until Ford's pardon insisted he had not committed crimes, released a contrite statement , expressing "regret and pain" at the "anguish my mistakes over Watergate have caused the nation and the presidency."

He added: "I was wrong in not acting more decisively and more forthrightly in dealing with Watergate, particularly when it reached the stage of judicial proceedings and grew from a political scandal into a national tragedy."

A woman in the White House

After he left office, Ford put his presidential library in Ann Arbor, honoring his connection to the University of Michigan, and his presidential museum in Grand Rapids, his hometown until he went to Washington D.C. Both are operated as one entity.

And in 1989, Ford was in West Branch, Iowa, where former President Herbert Hoover was from, for a conference for former presidents. Ford spoke to a group of school children, and one of them, a girl, asked him a prophetic question.

"What advice would you give a young lady wanting to become president of the United States?"

Ford’s response, recorded on video , has had some relevance in these past few months, and recently has been circulating on social media. Ford gently told the girl that he hoped that at some point a woman would become president.

"I can tell you how I think it will happen," he said to her, although he added he didn't believe such an event would happen through the "normal course of events." He said he thought a woman might become president "sometime in the next four or eight years."

His prediction:

"Either the Republican or Democrat political party will nominate a man for president and a woman for vice president, and the woman and man will win," he said. "And in that term of office of the president, the president will die, and the woman will become president under the law, our Constitution."

But Ford didn't stop at forecasting how the first woman might become president, he added: "And once that barrier is broken, from then on, men better be careful because they’ll have a hard, hard time ever even getting a nomination in the future."

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or [email protected].

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Where Tim Walz Stands on the Issues

As governor of Minnesota, he has enacted policies to secure abortion protections, provide free meals for schoolchildren, allow recreational marijuana and set renewable energy goals.

• Share full article

By Maggie Astor

• Aug. 6, 2024

Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the newly announced running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris, has worked with his state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature to enact an ambitious agenda of liberal policies: free college tuition for low-income students, free meals for schoolchildren, legal recreational marijuana and protections for transgender people.

“You don’t win elections to bank political capital,” Mr. Walz wrote last year about his approach to governing. “You win elections to burn political capital and improve lives.”

Republicans have slammed these policies as big-government liberalism and accused Mr. Walz of taking a hard left turn since he represented a politically divided district in Congress years ago.

Here is an overview of where Mr. Walz stands on some key issues.

Mr. Walz signed a bill last year that guaranteed Minnesotans a “fundamental right to make autonomous decisions” about reproductive health care on issues such as abortion, contraception and fertility treatments.

Abortion was already protected by a Minnesota Supreme Court decision, but the new law guarded against a future court reversing that precedent as the U.S. Supreme Court did with Roe v. Wade, and Mr. Walz said this year that he was also open to an amendment to the state’s Constitution that would codify abortion rights.

Another bill he signed legally shields patients, and their medical providers, if they receive an abortion in Minnesota after traveling from a state where abortion is banned.

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• How to reduce the risk of developing dementia

A healthy lifestyle can prevent or delay almost half of cases

S ome of the best strategies for reducing the chances of developing dementia are, to put it kindly, impracticable. Don’t grow old; don’t be a woman; choose your parents carefully. But although old age remains by far the biggest risk factor, women are more at risk than men and some genetic inheritances make dementia more likely or even almost inevitable, the latest research suggests that as many as 45% of cases of dementia are preventable—or at least that their onset can be delayed.

That is the conclusion of the latest report, published on July 31st, of the Lancet commission on dementia, which brings together leading experts from around the world, and enumerates risk factors that, unlike age, are “modifiable”. It lists 14 of these, adding two to those in its previous report in 2020: untreated vision loss; and high levels of LDL cholesterol. Most news about dementia seems depressing, despite recent advances in treatments for some of those with Alzheimer’s disease, much the most common cause of the condition. Most cases remain incurable and the numbers with the condition climb inexorably as the world ages. That the age-related incidence of dementia can actually be reduced is a rare beacon of hope.

The modifiable risk factors include smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, diabetes and drinking too much alcohol (see chart). The best way to reduce the risk of developing dementia is to lead what has long been considered to be a healthy life: avoiding tobacco and too much alcohol and taking plenty of exercise (but avoiding those forms of it that involve repeated blows to the head or bouts of concussion, a list which includes boxing, American football, rugby and lacrosse).

It also means having a good diet, defined in one study cited by the commission as: “Eat at least three weekly servings of all of fruit, vegetables and fish; rarely drink sugar-sweetened drinks; rarely eat prepared meat like sausages or have takeaways.” So it is not surprising that LDL cholesterol has been added to its not-to-do list. It is also important to exercise the brain: by learning a musical instrument or a foreign language, for example—or even by doing crossword and sudoku puzzles.

Some physical ailments do not bring heightened risks of cardiovascular disease or cancer but have been shown to make dementia more likely. One is untreated hearing loss. The Lancet commission’s report from 2020 concluded this was the biggest of its 12 risk factors, a conclusion shared by this latest study. People with hearing loss are about twice as likely as others to develop dementia. The wider availability and use of hearing aids would probably be the single intervention most effective in reducing the incidence of dementia.

It is also not surprising that eyesight problems have been added to the latest dementia-risks list. It is unclear why impaired hearing and vision should have such an impact on the risk of dementia. One idea is that they all have a common cause. That hearing aids are very effective in protecting against dementia, however, argues against that theory for deafness. Diabetes, however, is a risk factor for both failing eyesight and dementia.

Others speculate that people straining to understand what is said to them or to navigate a world made hazy by poor eyesight suffer a debilitating increased “cognitive load”. It may also be that these problems inhibit people’s social lives and make them lonelier. Social isolation and depression are also important risk factors.

Against the world

Some of the modifiable risk factors are, in fact, far beyond any individual’s control. For example, it makes a big difference how many years of education someone has had. Broadly speaking, the higher the level of educational attainment, the lower the risk of dementia. Polluted air is another risk factor. And the only guaranteed way to escape that is to move.

Again, the mechanism by which air pollution contributes to dementia risk is disputed. The danger comes from fine particles known as PM 2.5 (defined as those measuring less than 2.5 millionths of a metre in diameter) that, if inhaled, can increase the risk of strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases—some of which are themselves risk factors for dementia. But a more direct cardiovascular link is also possible: the particles could enter the bloodstream and affect the walls of blood vessels, making them less efficient in clearing the brain of waste.

Longitudinal studies into the causes of dementia take years to run and are complex to organise. They can be controversial and raise ethical problems (randomised-controlled trials, for example, might be possible only if some curable conditions were left untreated). That can make definitive conclusions hard to reach. Many experts, for example, had wanted sleeping disorders added to the list of risk factors. Some studies do, in fact, suggest that poor sleep patterns in middle age may contribute to a higher risk of dementia in later life. But the evidence is mixed, with other studies suggesting that some sorts of insomnia are actually associated with a diminished risk of developing dementia.

Nevertheless, there is plenty of evidence to show that the risk factors outlined by the commission are salient. In rich Western countries, for example, the incidence rate of dementia has declined by 13% per decade over the past 25 years, consistently across studies. Gill Livingston, a professor in the psychiatry of older people at University College London and leader of the Lancet commission, has summed up the evidence of progress in North America and Europe as “a 25% decrease in the past 20 years”. Such rapid and significant change can only be the result of changes in modifiable risk factors.

Despite the upbeat tone of the commission’s report, in some countries, such as China and Japan, the age-related incidence of dementia is climbing. In Japan the overall age-adjusted prevalence rate doubled from 4.9% in 1985 to 9.6% in 2014. And according to the China Alzheimer Report of 2022, the incidence of Alzheimer’s in that country had “steadily increased”, making it the fifth-most important cause of death in the country in that year.

Nobody doubts that the prevalence of dementia is going to climb fast in the next decades as humanity ages. All the more reason for dementia-risk reduction to become a global policy priority. ■

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This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Silver linings”

Science & technology August 10th 2024

Do women make better doctors than men, new batteries are stretchable enough to wear against the skin, lavender extract makes excellent mosquito-repellent, engineered dust could help make mars habitable.

From the August 10th 2024 edition

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