Write an essay with a minimum of 1,000 words. Choose a subject that you have an interest in or an opinion about. It is important to clearly state your position or viewpoint in your first paragraph. Remember to use valid, specific details to support your writing.
In your introduction include a brief overview of the subject or topic. You may include a narrative of past events, a summary of others opinions on your subject, or a summary of the basic facts. Tell your reader why your subject is a valid concern, why it is interesting, or explain how it has been misunderstood.
Possible Topics: see next page for 50 additional topics!
You can select one of these if you like or choose your own topic
- Medical use or legalization of marijuana
- Capital punishment
- Censorship of certain aspects of popular entertainment
- Gay rights, e.g. to legal marriage, to equal protection in workplaces
- Affirmative action policies
- Public school dress codes
- Random highway police checks
- School prayer
- School voucher programs or private takeover of public schools
- Specific laws and penalties for hate crimes
Note:
You must have a thesis sentence that clearly defines the topic you are going to discuss; each of your supporting paragraphs must also have a clear topic sentences.
In your essay, you are expected to use a minimum of three correct MLA or APA citations and complete a Works Cited or References page with a minimum of three correct sources.
Format:
Your paper, appropriately titled, should be between three and four typed pages, double-spaced, in a 12-point font.
Please put your name, the title of the course and index number, and the date on the top left-hand corner of the first page. Your title should be centered on the first page below your name, and you should begin your text one line below your title.
Essay Schedule
Friday April 30 Typed Draft Due to Canvas
Friday May 7 Final Version Due to Canvas!
We HAVE NO FINAL EXAM!!! You are Welcome!
50 Additional Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas
Science
Should fracking be legal?
Should parents be able to modify their unborn children?
Do GMOs help or harm people?
Should vaccinations be required for students to attend public school?
Should world governments get involved in addressing climate change?
Technology
Should Facebook be allowed to collect data from its users?
Should self-driving cars be legal?
Is it ethical to replace human workers with automation?
Should there be laws against using cell phones while driving?
Has the internet positively or negatively impacted human society?
Sports
Should college athletes be paid for being on sports teams?
Should coaches and players make the same amount of money?
Should sports be segregated by gender?
Should the concept of designated hitters in baseball be abolished?
Should US sports take soccer more seriously?
Religion
Should religious organizations have to pay taxes?
Should religious clubs be allowed in schools?
Should one nation under God be in the pledge of allegiance?
Should religion be taught in schools?
Should clergy be allowed to marry?
Health
Should minors be able to purchase birth control without parental consent?
Should the US switch to single-payer healthcare?
Should assisted suicide be legal?
Should dietary supplements and weight loss items like teas be allowed to advertise through influencers?
Should doctors be allowed to promote medicines?
Government/Politics
Is the electoral college an effective system for modern America?
Should Puerto Rico become a state?
Should voter registration be automatic?
Should people in prison be allowed to vote?
Should Supreme Court justices be elected?
Ethics
Should sex work be legalized?
Should Columbus Day be replaced with Indigenous Peoples Day?
Should the death penalty be legal?
Should animal testing be allowed?
Should drug possession be decriminalized?
Economic
Should unpaid internships be legal?
Should minimum wage be increased?
Should monopolies be allowed?
Is universal basic income a good idea?
Should corporations have a higher or lower tax rate?
Education
Are school uniforms a good idea?
Should PE affect a students grades?
Should college be free?
Should Greek life in colleges be abolished?
Should students be taught comprehensive sex ed?
Arts/Culture
Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism?
Should books with objectionable words be banned?
Should content on YouTube be better regulated?
Is art education important?
Should art and music sharing online be allowed?
