Smart Examples of Choosing a Topic for an Argumentative Essay

Real examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay

Instead of starting with theory, let’s start with real examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay the way actual students do.

Imagine three students: Maya, Jordan, and Luis.

Maya cares about mental health, but her first idea is just “mental health is important.” That’s not an argumentative topic; it’s a statement most people already agree with. After a bit of work, she turns it into:

“U.S. high schools should provide at least one mental health day per semester that students can use without a doctor’s note.”

Now people can disagree. Some will worry about abuse of the policy, others will support it based on rising teen anxiety and depression. That’s a strong argumentative topic.

Jordan loves sports. His first idea is “sports are good for you.” Again, too obvious. After asking, “What should change?” he lands on:

“College athletes in Division I programs should be paid a salary in addition to scholarships.”

This opens up debate about fairness, money, and education.

Luis is into technology. He starts with “AI is taking over” (way too broad and dramatic). With some narrowing, he chooses:

“Public schools should ban the use of generative AI tools for take‑home essays but allow them for brainstorming and outlining in class.”

Notice the pattern in these examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay:

• They move from vague to specific.
• They shift from “this is interesting” to “this is debatable.”
• They point toward a clear policy or position, not just a general idea.

Keep that pattern in mind as we walk through more examples and a simple method you can copy.

Step-by-step examples of turning a broad idea into an argumentative topic

Let’s walk through several examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay in different subject areas. In each case, we’ll start with a broad idea and shape it into a focused, arguable topic.

Example 1: Social media and teens

Broad idea: Social media and teenagers

Most students stop here and try to write, then get stuck. The idea is too big. So we ask:

• Which group, exactly? Middle schoolers? High schoolers? U.S. teens? Global?
• What aspect? Screen time, cyberbullying, body image, misinformation?
• What should change? A law, a school rule, a parent guideline, a company policy?

After some thinking and a quick look at data from the CDC on teen mental health trends (cdc.gov), you might land on:

“Social media platforms should be required to verify ages and restrict algorithmic recommendations for users under 16.”

Now you have:

• A specific group: users under 16.
• A concrete action: verify ages and limit algorithmic feeds.
• A real debate: Some argue for youth protection; others worry about privacy, free speech, or practicality.

This is a textbook example of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay that is current, researchable, and genuinely debatable.

Example 2: School uniforms

Broad idea: School uniforms

This one shows up in English classes constantly. To make it fresh, narrow it:

• Setting: public schools? private? elementary? high school?
• Angle: equality, cost, self‑expression, bullying?
• Action: require, remove, or modify uniforms?

A sharper topic might be:

“Public middle schools should adopt flexible dress codes instead of strict uniforms to balance student expression and safety.”

Now you can bring in examples of schools that changed dress codes, research on bullying, and student voice. You’re not just saying “uniforms are bad”; you’re arguing for a specific alternative.

Example 3: AI in education (2024–2025 trend)

Broad idea: AI in the classroom

In 2024–2025, teachers are actively debating how to handle tools like ChatGPT. To turn this into one of the best examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay that feels current, ask:

• Who decides AI rules: teachers, districts, governments, tech companies?
• Which level: middle school, high school, college?
• What policy: ban, regulate, or integrate?

A strong topic could be:

“Universities should require students to disclose when they use AI tools in writing assignments and treat undisclosed use as academic misconduct.”

Or, for K–12:

“State education departments should create clear guidelines for AI use in K–12 classrooms instead of leaving decisions to individual teachers.”

Both are realistic, timely, and invite real disagreement.

Example 4: Health and nutrition

Broad idea: Junk food is unhealthy

That’s true, but not an argument. To turn this into a usable example of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay, focus on a policy or rule.

You might narrow it to schools and ask: What should schools do differently? After checking some nutrition guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (usda.gov), you could write:

“Public schools should remove all sugary drinks from vending machines and cafeterias to reduce childhood obesity rates.”

Now you can argue using:

• Health data from sources like the CDC or NIH (nih.gov)
• Cost concerns from schools
• Student choice and freedom arguments

Again, the pattern holds: specific setting, specific action, clear debate.

Example 5: Climate and transportation

Broad idea: Climate change

This topic is so huge that you could write an entire degree on it. For an essay, you need to zoom in. Focus on one sector (transportation) and one policy.

“Large U.S. cities should phase out gas‑powered rideshare vehicles by 2035 and require electric or hybrid cars instead.”

That gives you room to discuss:

• Environmental benefits
• Cost impact on drivers and riders
• Feasibility and timelines

This becomes one of the best examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay in the environmental area: specific, time‑bound, and controversial.

Example 6: College admissions and standardized tests

Broad idea: SAT/ACT in college admissions

Many colleges have gone test‑optional in recent years. You can anchor your topic in that trend.

“All public universities in the U.S. should permanently adopt test‑optional admissions policies instead of requiring SAT or ACT scores.”

Now you can reference data from universities and education researchers (for example, reports discussed by institutions like Harvard Graduate School of Education) to argue whether test‑optional policies help or hurt equity and academic standards.

These six scenarios give you real examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay across different fields. Notice how each one:

• Names a specific group or place
• Proposes a clear change or rule
• Invites reasonable disagreement

How to test whether your topic actually works

A lot of topics sound good until you try to write about them. Before you commit, run your idea through a quick test using the same logic behind the examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay above.

Ask yourself:

Can someone reasonably disagree with this?
If everyone in your class will say, “Obviously,” it’s too safe. “Bullying is bad” or “Exercise is good” won’t work. But “Schools should install metal detectors at all entrances” will spark real debate.

Is it focused enough for the word count?
“Fix climate change” is impossible in 1,500 words. “Ban single‑use plastic bags in city grocery stores” is manageable.

Can I find reliable sources?
Check quickly: can you find at least two credible sources (like .gov, .edu, or respected .org sites) with data or expert opinions? For health topics, for instance, you might look at Mayo Clinic or WebMD to see how they discuss the issue.

Does the topic match the assignment?
If your teacher wants a policy argument, pick something that ends with “should” or “should not.” If it’s a value argument, you might focus more on ethics or fairness.

If your idea passes these checks, you’re likely on track, just like the earlier examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay that turned vague interests into sharp claims.

Common mistakes when choosing an argumentative essay topic (with better examples)

Looking at examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay is helpful partly because they show you what not to do. Here are some frequent mistakes, with better alternatives.

Mistake 1: Picking something too broad

• Weak: “Technology is changing our lives.”
• Better: “Employers should be required to offer remote work options for at least part of the week when jobs can be done fully online.”

Mistake 2: Picking something that’s not really debatable

• Weak: “Reading is important for children.”
• Better: “Elementary schools should replace traditional homework with mandatory daily reading time at home.”

Mistake 3: Picking something you don’t care about
If you’re bored writing it, your reader will be bored reading it. The best examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay usually come from issues the writer actually cares about—sports, fashion, mental health, gaming, climate, or social justice.

Mistake 4: Choosing a topic that’s too personal to argue fairly
Some topics hit so close to home that it’s hard to consider other perspectives. You don’t have to avoid personal topics entirely, but ask: Can I argue this logically, not just emotionally?

Mistake 5: Choosing a conspiracy or something with no solid evidence
If your entire argument depends on sources most teachers won’t accept, you’ll struggle. Stick to topics where you can use credible research, like government health agencies, universities, or respected organizations.

Use the earlier examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay as a guide: they’re specific, researchable, and open to multiple viewpoints.

Quick “recipe” you can copy for your own topic

Here’s a simple pattern you can plug your interests into. Think of it as a topic‑choosing template inspired by all the real examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay above.

1. Pick a broad area you care about: social media, school rules, sports, health, environment, work, etc.
2. Zoom in on one problem or debate inside that area.
3. Decide who is involved: students, parents, cities, companies, governments.
4. Decide what should change: a law, a policy, a requirement, a ban, a new program.

5. Turn it into a “should” statement:

   • “_____ should _____ because _____.”

For example:

• Area: Social media
• Problem: Teen anxiety and sleep
• Who: Parents and middle schools
• Change: Phone use rules at night

Topic:

“Parents and middle schools should work together to create ‘phone‑off’ agreements after 10 p.m. on school nights to improve teen sleep and mental health.”

You can repeat this process for any subject and quickly generate your own examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay that are ready to research and write.

FAQ: examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay

How do I know if my idea is a good example of an argumentative essay topic?
Ask: Can someone disagree with me in a reasonable way? Can I support my side with evidence from credible sources like .gov, .edu, or major .org sites? Is the topic specific enough to cover in the length I’ve been assigned? If yes, you likely have a solid topic.

Can you give a short example of a strong argumentative essay topic about health?
Yes. Here’s a clear example of a health‑related topic:

“States should require high school students to complete a basic mental health education course before graduation.”

You can support it using data from organizations such as the CDC or NIH.

What are some good examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay about technology?
Realistic topics include:

• “High schools should teach a required ‘AI literacy’ unit so students understand how algorithms shape their news and social media feeds.”
• “Social media companies should be held legally responsible for removing clearly false medical information reported by verified health organizations.”

Both are specific, current, and invite debate.

Where can I find reliable information to support my argumentative topic?
Look for government sites (.gov), university sites (.edu), and major health or research organizations (.org). For example, the CDC, NIH, and Mayo Clinic are strong sources for health topics, while universities and education departments often publish reports on school and policy issues.

What if my teacher says my topic is too broad?
Use the method shown in the earlier examples of choosing a topic for an argumentative essay: narrow the group, the place, and the action. Move from “gun control” to “background checks for all gun purchases at gun shows,” or from “education” to “year‑round school schedules in large urban districts.” The more specific you get, the easier it is to argue clearly.