Persuasive Essay Topics
1. Facebook has become one of the most visited websites in the world, but privacy advocates fear its reach, and parents worry that their kids are being distracted during homework time. Is social networking a positive use of time for teenagers?
2. The federal government considers marijuana a dangerous drug, and has made it illegal to sell, distribute, and use. However, some states have made it legal for some citizens, and other states have been debating the issue. Should pot be legalized across the United States?
3. Animals are used in laboratory testing, not just for cosmetic companies, but also in medical research efforts to cure major diseases. However, animal rights activists are against any use of animal testing, no matter the reason. Should animals be used in biomedical research?
4. Each year thousands of Mexicans cross the border illegally to find work in the United States. Most perform jobs that U.S. citizens won’t do, and they pay taxes, so some argue they should receive amnesty. However, opponents argue that aliens are a drain on the system and a threat to security, so they should be deported. Should undocumented workers in the United States be allowed to stay?
5. Title IX is a 1972 law that prevents any school receiving federal funding from discriminating against athletes on the basis of sex. This means that the same opportunities have to be available to female and male athletes. Does this law discriminate against male athletes?
6. Biologists have been exploring the uses for human stem cells, from treating chronic illnesses to curing fatal diseases. However, some people believe this type of research destroys human life, and is immoral. Should stem cell research be legal?
7. In professional sports today, star athletes are paid vast sums of money, but there are some who believe that leagues should limit what athletes can earn. Proponents of salary caps think they’re a good way to control costs and create an even playing field, and opponents argue that they’re unfair to the athletes and only put more money in the pockets of owners and managers. Should professional sports leagues impose salary caps on athletes pay?
8. The green movement is growing in popularity as scientists, citizens, and politicians become alarmed over how pollution affects the climate. However, many people believe that global warming is a scare tactic, and that the earth is just going through a natural phase. Is global climate change the result of human activity?
9. Fashion models are considered so skinny as to be unhealthy, yet advertisers continue to use them to sell everything from clothes, to cosmetics, to cars, to liquor. Does society’s promotion of thinness cause anorexia and other eating disorders among teens?
10. Violent movies, video games, and music have been blamed for having a negative affect on children and teenagers. However, people say to limit their distribution would amount to censorship. Should violence in the media be restricted by the government?
11. Most schools forbid students to use cell phones in classrooms, or even throughout the entire school day, yet students and their parents argue that there is a legitimate need for students to be allowed these devices. Is a ban on cell phones in schools a good idea?
12. The current legal drinking age in the United States is 21. Should it be reduced to 18?
13. Websites that allow users to share music and videos are incredibly popular; yet using them violates U.S. copyright laws, and film and music companies have been fighting hard against them in court. Certain universities make a practice of monitoring students’ internet usage and penalizing those who participate in file-sharing. Similarly, internet service providers like Verizon and Comcast have been pressured to do the same. Is this fair, or should it be up to the government to enforce these laws?
14. The second amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. However, gun-related deaths increase every year. Should regulations on guns be tightened in this country?
15. One of the most heated debates in the last few years has been over gay marriage. Countries including Canada, Argentina, Spain, New Zealand,
and South Africa allow same sex couples to marry, and some states in the U.S. have now made it legal. Yet opponents argue that it undermines traditional values, it’s morally wrong and unconstitutional. Should same‐sex couples be allowed to get married?
Source:
http://tmjh.pcschools.us/woad-local/users/mparker/persuasive_essay_assignment.pdf
2. The federal government considers marijuana a dangerous drug, and has made it illegal to sell, distribute, and use. However, some states have made it legal for some citizens, and other states have been debating the issue. Should pot be legalized across the United States?
3. Animals are used in laboratory testing, not just for cosmetic companies, but also in medical research efforts to cure major diseases. However, animal rights activists are against any use of animal testing, no matter the reason. Should animals be used in biomedical research?
4. Each year thousands of Mexicans cross the border illegally to find work in the United States. Most perform jobs that U.S. citizens won’t do, and they pay taxes, so some argue they should receive amnesty. However, opponents argue that aliens are a drain on the system and a threat to security, so they should be deported. Should undocumented workers in the United States be allowed to stay?
5. Title IX is a 1972 law that prevents any school receiving federal funding from discriminating against athletes on the basis of sex. This means that the same opportunities have to be available to female and male athletes. Does this law discriminate against male athletes?
6. Biologists have been exploring the uses for human stem cells, from treating chronic illnesses to curing fatal diseases. However, some people believe this type of research destroys human life, and is immoral. Should stem cell research be legal?
7. In professional sports today, star athletes are paid vast sums of money, but there are some who believe that leagues should limit what athletes can earn. Proponents of salary caps think they’re a good way to control costs and create an even playing field, and opponents argue that they’re unfair to the athletes and only put more money in the pockets of owners and managers. Should professional sports leagues impose salary caps on athletes pay?
8. The green movement is growing in popularity as scientists, citizens, and politicians become alarmed over how pollution affects the climate. However, many people believe that global warming is a scare tactic, and that the earth is just going through a natural phase. Is global climate change the result of human activity?
9. Fashion models are considered so skinny as to be unhealthy, yet advertisers continue to use them to sell everything from clothes, to cosmetics, to cars, to liquor. Does society’s promotion of thinness cause anorexia and other eating disorders among teens?
10. Violent movies, video games, and music have been blamed for having a negative affect on children and teenagers. However, people say to limit their distribution would amount to censorship. Should violence in the media be restricted by the government?
11. Most schools forbid students to use cell phones in classrooms, or even throughout the entire school day, yet students and their parents argue that there is a legitimate need for students to be allowed these devices. Is a ban on cell phones in schools a good idea?
12. The current legal drinking age in the United States is 21. Should it be reduced to 18?
13. Websites that allow users to share music and videos are incredibly popular; yet using them violates U.S. copyright laws, and film and music companies have been fighting hard against them in court. Certain universities make a practice of monitoring students’ internet usage and penalizing those who participate in file-sharing. Similarly, internet service providers like Verizon and Comcast have been pressured to do the same. Is this fair, or should it be up to the government to enforce these laws?
14. The second amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. However, gun-related deaths increase every year. Should regulations on guns be tightened in this country?
15. One of the most heated debates in the last few years has been over gay marriage. Countries including Canada, Argentina, Spain, New Zealand,
and South Africa allow same sex couples to marry, and some states in the U.S. have now made it legal. Yet opponents argue that it undermines traditional values, it’s morally wrong and unconstitutional. Should same‐sex couples be allowed to get married?
Source:
http://tmjh.pcschools.us/woad-local/users/mparker/persuasive_essay_assignment.pdf