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90+ Argumentative Essay Topics For University Students

Choosing an interesting topic for your argumentative essay is a difficult task. An argumentative essay is a paper that requires the writer to have a stand on a certain issue. They also need to provide evidence in favor of that stance. 

The topics for an argumentative essay can be controversial. So, it’s important to choose one that you’re interested in and can defend with valid arguments. 

We’ve compiled a list of 90+ argumentative essay topics from different sources. You should be able to find something that interests you, making it easier for you to write an argumentative essay. 

Trending Argumentative Essay Topics For University Students 

Here are some trending essay topic ideas to write on. 

  • The use of cell phones in university classrooms should be banned.
  • University students should be required to take a foreign language course.
  • The cost of tuition at universities should be lowered.
  • Universities should place more emphasis on practical skills training.
  • Online courses should be given the same weight as traditional courses.
  • Standardized tests should not be used to assess university students.
  • University professors should be paid more.
  • University students should have more freedom to choose their courses.
  • Research funding at universities should be increased.
  • Universities should do more to support mental health initiatives

For Politics Essay

If you want to talk about politics, here are some topics to write on. 

  • The Electoral College system should be abolished.
  • Voting should be made mandatory for all U.S. citizens.
  • The two-party system is detrimental to democracy.
  • Gerrymandering is a form of voter suppression and should be outlawed.
  • Big money has too much influence on American politics.
  • Super PACs should be banned.
  • The filibuster is an undemocratic tool and should be eliminated.
  • Term limits for members of Congress would help to reduce corruption.
  • The media is responsible for reporting the news objectively and without bias.
  • Social media platforms should do more to combat the spread of false information

For Healthcare 

Here are some good topics on healthcare. 

  • The rising cost of healthcare in the United States.
  • The Affordable Care Act and its impact on healthcare costs.
  • The role of insurance companies in healthcare.
  • The role of the government in healthcare.
  • The impact of healthcare reform on the quality of care.
  • The impact of the Affordable Care Act on access to care.
  • The impact of the Affordable Care Act on the doctor-patient relationship.
  • The use of alternative medicine in healthcare.
  • The role of technology in healthcare.
  • The future of healthcare in the United States.

For Education 

Here are some good argumentative essay topics that focus on education. 

  • The current education system is not preparing students for the real world.
  • Standardized testing is not an effective measure of student success.
  • College tuition is too high and prevents many people from getting an education.
  • Student loan debt is a major problem in the United States.
  • For-profit colleges are more interested in making money than in educating students.
  • Online education is not as effective as traditional classroom instruction.
  • Charter schools are not providing a quality education for students.
  • Homeschooling is not a good option for all families.
  • Education should be free for all people, regardless of income level.
  • Prayer should not be allowed in public schools

For Art 

Here are some interesting argumentative essay topics you can write on. 

  • Is art education important?
  • Should the government fund art programs?
  • What is the value of art?
  • How does art impact society?
  • Who defines what is considered art?
  • Is graffiti art or vandalism?
  • What is the difference between fine art and commercial art?
  • Should museums be free to the public?
  • Should all forms of artistic expression be protected under freedom of speech laws?
  • Do artists have a responsibility to society?

For Science 

Here are some good argument topics to write on.

  • The benefits of a plant-based diet.
  • The safety of genetically modified foods.
  • The importance of bees to the ecosystem.
  • The impact of climate change on agriculture.
  • The use of pesticides in agriculture.
  • The role of technology in food production.
  • The ethics of animal testing for scientific purposes.
  • The impact of technology on the environment.
  • The future of energy production.
  • The role of science in society.

For Technology

  • The impact of social media on college students. 
  • The pros and cons of using technology in the classroom. 
  • The advantages and disadvantages of online learning. 
  • How has technology changed the way we communicate? 
  • The effect of technology on human interaction. 
  • The role of technology in our everyday lives. 
  • The implications of technological advances for society as a whole. 
  • The impact of technology on the workplace. 
  • The future of technology and its impact on our lives.
  • The impact of technology on education.

For Sports

  • Should student-athletes be paid?
  • Should the NCAA be reformed?
  • Is college football too dangerous?
  • Should the Olympics be open to professional athletes?
  • How can the issue of doping in sports be addressed?
  • Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympics?
  • Is it fair to have separate men’s and women’s sports leagues?
  • How can racism in sports be addressed?
  • What is the impact of concussions on athletes?
  • Are there benefits to playing team sports?

For Finance

  • The role of the government in the economy.
  • The impact of taxation on businesses and individuals.
  • The importance of financial literacy.
  • The role of the banking system in the economy.
  • The effects of inflation on the economy.
  • The causes and effects of economic recession.
  • The impact of globalization on the economy.
  • The importance of small businesses in the economy.
  • The role of investment in the economy.
  • The impact of economic policy on businesses and individuals.

For Business

  • The pros and cons of starting your own business.
  • The benefits and drawbacks of franchising.
  • The advantages and disadvantages of being an entrepreneur.
  • The pros and cons of online marketing.
  • The advantages and disadvantages of global marketing.
  • The benefits and drawbacks of online advertising.
  • The pros and cons of social media marketing in real life.
  • The advantages and disadvantages of search engine optimization.
  • The pros and cons of email marketing.
  • The benefits and drawbacks of affiliate marketing.

How To Select The Right Argumentative Essay Topic

You can select the right argumentative essay topic for your college degree by: 

Pick A Side

The first step in choosing an argumentative essay topic is to decide which side of the fence you’re on. There’s no use trying to argue a point that you don’t believe in—you’ll just end up looking foolish. So take a stance and stick to it. Once you’ve decided which side you’re on, selecting a topic that supports your position will be much easier. 

Example

If you decide to write about illegal immigration, you need to specify if you want to be in favor or against it. 

Doing Your Research

You can’t argue effectively if you don’t know what you’re talking about. So before settling on a topic, do your research and learn as much as you can about the issue at hand. This will give you a better chance of winning over your audience and making a persuasive argument. You can also use your research to write a solid thesis statement. 

Example 

If you decide to take up a topic about test scores, you need to have a clear point of view to describe the underlying issues in your argument paper. 

Keeping It Specific

Regarding argumentative essays, the narrower your focus, the better. Trying to tackle too broad of a topic will leave you feeling overwhelmed and lost. So, you should pick something specific and run with it. Not only will this make your essay more manageable, but it’ll also make it more interesting to read.

Example 

If you decide to write an argumentative essay on death penalty, you need to give exact reasons why inmates deserve compassion after serving. 

Make Sure There’s Enough Evidence To Support Your Position

No matter how confident you are in your position, your argument will fall flat if there’s no evidence to back it up. So before settling on a topic, ensure enough evidence to support your position. Otherwise, you might struggle to fill up those precious essay pages. 

Example

If you’re writing about violent video games, you must have concrete evidence to support your argument and refute counterarguments. 

Elements Of A Solid Argumentative Essay 

To write a solid argumentative essay, there are several key elements that you will need to include in your paper. These elements are:

A Clear Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement is the most important part of your essay. It is the foundation upon which your entire paper will be built, so it needs to be strong and clear. A good thesis statement will make a claim that can be disputed by other people. 

For example, “Pizza is the best food ever” is not a good thesis statement because it cannot be disputed. “Pizza is a delicious food that should be eaten more often” is a better thesis statement because it can be disputed.

Strong Evidence To Support Your Claims

Once you have a solid thesis statement, you will need to back up your claim with evidence. This evidence can come from statistics, expert testimony, anecdotes, or anything else that supports your claim. Remember to use only credible sources for your evidence; otherwise, your argument will not be taken seriously.

A Solid Understanding Of The Opposing Side’s Argument

To write a great argumentative essay, you need to understand and address the opposing side’s argument.

  • What are their claims? 
  • What evidence do they have? 
  • What holes can you poke in their logic? 

Answering these questions will help you create counterarguments to rebut the other side’s claims.

A Conclusion That Ties Everything Together

Once you have addressed the opposing side’s argument, it’s time to bring everything together in your conclusion. In your conclusion, restate your thesis and summarize the main points of your argument. Then, leave your reader with something to think about, like a call to action or a thought-provoking question.

Argumentative essays are a popular choice for university students. They allow you to:

  • Explore an issue from all angles.
  • Hone your research and writing skills.
  • Express your point of view on a topic. 

If you’re struggling to develop a good topic for your essay, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. We have compiled over 90 argumentative essay topics to help get you started.

Emily Brown
Emily Brown
Author

An experienced author and writing instructor. Has been teaching composition and creative writing at the college level since 2015.