A List of 18 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for High School Students

Argumentative essays are a normal piece of a high school curriculum. These essays teach students how to form opinions, defend those opinions and give a pedestal of confidence for further arguments. Some of the best topics are simple argumentative ideas that can be enhanced with the student’s own opinion on the subject matter. The following topics are simple to adapt to opinion and are a great starting point for high school students to master the art of argumentation. These topics ask important questions regarding ethical issues, gender issues, economics, education, health issues, and technology. Each of these questions allows for discussion on both sides, positive and negative, which teaches a student how to disagree with poise and knowledge.

Ethical Issues

  • Should cosmetic companies be able to test on animals?

  • Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry?

  • Should athletes be able to use anabolic steroids?

Gender Issues

  • Should women work instead of stay at home?

  • Are men and women equal on the pay scale?

  • Is it okay for men to show emotion?

Economy

  • Should all countries use the same currency?

  • Is the United States too far in debt to ever come back?

  • Should the United States get rid of the penny?

Education

  • Is homeschooling as effective as public schooling?

  • Should technology such as iPads and iPods be allowed as teaching tools in the classroom?

  • Should cursive writing still be taught in school?

Health

  • Should medical cannabis be legalized?

  • Should assisted suicide be allowed with patients’ consent?

  • Should more men strive to become nurses?

Technology

  • Does technology make us lazy, or is it helpful?

  • Should GPS technology be able to disclose our location?

  • Are privacy policies on social media networks what they should be?

These topics are a jumping off point to more in-depth topics that can be discussed in the classroom. For beginning argumentative essays, these topics give ample room for research, and these topics are easily found on the internet and in the local library. These topics give insight into the world we have today and can teach more than just the art of the argument. These topics give students the ability to be a part of the future and allow them to form ideas and solutions to the issues that are listed. These essay questions are important in a student’s development and overall culture of the classroom.