Top 80+ Topics To Argue About That Will Test Your Persuasive Skills

Are you tired of the same old conversations with your friends? Do you want to spice things up and engage in some healthy arguments? Or do you simply want some novel topics for your essay? 

Look no further! This blog post lists 80+ topics to argue about that will challenge you and others!

Table of Contents

• Best Topics To Argue About
• Interesting Topics To Argue About
• Topics To Argue About For An Essay
• Topics To Argue About With Friends
• Tips To Argue Effectively
• Key Takeaways 
• Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for Better Engagement

• Fun Debate Topics
• English Topics for Discussion

Best Topics To Argue About

1. Are financial literacy classes in schools necessary?
2. Should the government provide free healthcare for everyone?
3. Should schools teach students about mental health and emotional intelligence?
4. Is technology making us more or less connected?
5. Is censorship ever acceptable in art and media?
6. Should we prioritize space exploration or focus on fixing problems on Earth? 
7. Is vegetarianism or veganism a more ethical lifestyle choice?
8. Is traditional marriage still relevant in modern society?
9. Should we regulate artificial intelligence development? 
10. Is privacy more important than national security? 
11. Should environmental protection or economic prosperity take precedence?
12. Should there be a daily time limit on how much time people can spend on social media?
13. Should drivers be prohibited from texting while driving?
14. Is gender-specific schooling a good idea?
15. Is it permissible for students to have casual conversations with their teachers?
16. Are career counseling services something that colleges should offer?
17. How can a good diet be used to control certain diseases?
18. Genes play a bigger role in developing diabetes than nutrition does.

Interesting Topics To Argue About

1. Is homeschooling an acceptable substitute for regular education?
2. Should the government provide universal basic income?
3. Is it better to live in a big city or a small town?
4. Should we limit the power of big tech companies?
5. Is online dating a viable way to find a partner?
6. Should we be more concerned about income inequality?
7. Is giving to charity a moral duty?
8. Should athletes be allowed to kneel during the national anthem?
9. Animal zoos: are they morally acceptable?
10. Should we use more renewable energy sources?
11. Do people in the digital era have a right to privacy?
12. Should we have stricter laws on hate speech?
13. Gene editing for the purpose of producing "designer babies": is it moral?
14. Is there such a thing as "too much" free speech?
15. Should we have term limits for politicians?
16. Should we ban political advertising on social media?
17. Is the use of AI in warfare ethical?
18. Should nations be able to possess a certain number of nuclear weapons?
19. Should the number of cars that a family can own be limited?
20. Should all citizens be entitled to free childcare from the government?

Topics To Argue About For An Essay

1. Should private prisons be outlawed?
2. Is the use of AI ethical?
3. Is there a link between mental illness and gun violence?
4. Should we have a two-party political system?
5. Is AI the biggest threat to humanity?
6. Should college athletes be paid?
7. Is there a real problem with social media addiction?
8. Should the minimum wage be raised?
9. Is online learning as effective as traditional in-person learning?
10. Is the death penalty a just punishment?
11. Can drinking and smoking be avoided during pregnancy?
12. Does a child's mental health suffer due to his or her parent's behaviour?
13. What makes breakfast different from other meals?
14. Working too much will kill you.
15. Is it possible to lose weight by playing sports?
16. Which type of classroom—traditional or flipped—is preferable?

Topics To Argue About With Friends

1. Animals used for entertainment: Is it moral?
2. Should there be a cap on how many kids a person can have?
3. Should the drinking age be lowered for military personnel?
4. Is it ethical to clone animals?
5. Should the government regulate fast food?
6. Should gambling be legal?
7. Is homeschooling better for children's mental health?
8. Is online dating more effective than traditional dating?
9. Should public transportation be free?
10. Is college education worth the cost?
11. Should the number of assignments students receive each week be capped?
12. Can fast food chains be blamed for the obesity problem?
13. Is it appropriate to let parents decide the gender of their child?
14. Should the government make free internet access available to all citizens?
15. Vaccinations: Should they be required?
16. Can you succeed without attending college?

Pros and Cons - Topics To Argue About

1. Pros and cons of social media
2. Pros and cons of genetically modified foods
3. Pros and cons of censorship
4. Pros and cons of online dating 
5. Pros and cons of free speech
6. Pros and cons of virtual learning
7. Pros and cons of artificial intelligence 
8. Pros and cons of the sharing economy
9. Pros and cons of the death penalty
10. Pros and cons of animal testing
11. Pros and cons of immigration
12. Pros and cons of fast food
13. Pros and cons of college education
14. Pros and cons of cell phones in schools

Tips To Argue Effectively

1/ Know Your Topic

First, make sure you have a good understanding of the topic you are arguing about. 

This means that you should take the time to research and gather information about the topic from reliable sources. Doing so will enable you to develop a well-informed opinion on the matter, which will help you make a more effective argument.

Some ways to research a topic include 

• Reading articles, watching videos, listening to podcasts, attending lectures, etc. 
• Using different sources to look for both supporting and opposing arguments to get a complete picture of the topic.

In addition to gathering information, you should organize your thoughts and ideas about the topic by writing down key points, arguments, and evidence that support your position. They will help you stay focused and confident.

2/ Use Evidence

Research, surveys, and interviews, among other sources, are good things to argue about in an essay and also in debates because they can provide facts, statistics, and other evidence forms. You need to ensure that the evidence is credible and trustworthy. 

• For example, if you're arguing about the benefits of a particular medical treatment, you might want to cite a study published in a reputable medical journal rather than an article from a blog with no scientific credentials.

In addition to providing proof, it's also important to explain how they support your argument. 

• For example, if you're arguing that a particular policy is good for the economy, you could offer numbers showing higher employment growth or GDP, and then explain how those factors are related to the policy in question.

3/ Listen To The Other Side 

By actively listening to the other person's arguments without interrupting or dismissing their ideas, you can obtain a deeper grasp of their point of view, which can help you find any areas of common ground or weaknesses in your own argument.

Furthermore, by listening to the other side, you can show that you are respectful and open-minded, which can help to establish a productive and civil discussion, rather than a heated argument that ultimately leads nowhere.

4/ Stay Calm

Staying calm helps you think more clearly and react to the arguments of others more effectively. It also helps prevent the argument from escalating into a personal attack or becoming futile.

To stay calm, you can take deep breaths, count to ten, or take a break if needed. It is also important to avoid using aggressive or confrontational language and focus on the nature of the argument rather than attacking the person making the argument.

In addition to maintaining a calm demeanor, you might need to actively listen to others' arguments, ask questions for clarification, and respond with caution and respect.

5/ Know When To End The Argument

When arguments become unproductive or hostile, it can be difficult to make progress or find common ground. In some cases, continuing the argument may even damage the relationship between the parties involved.

So, when you feel that the debate is not working, you can handle it in a few ways:

• Take a break or change the subject
• Seek the assistance of a mediator or third party
• Accept that you may have to agree to disagree.

Key Takeaways 

Hopefully, with the 80+ topics to argue about and the tips that AhaSlides has just provided, you will have effective arguments that will get your mind racing and your heart pumping. 

And to make your discussion even more engaging and interactive, AhaSlides offers templates with various features, such as live polls, Q&A, word cloud, and MORE! Let's explore!

Having so many topics, and you need some help to choose one? Use AhaSlides' spinner wheel to pick a random topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

1/ What are good argumentative topics?

Good argumentative topics can vary depending on the context and audience, but some examples include:

• Are financial literacy classes in schools necessary?
• Should the government provide free healthcare for everyone?
• Should schools teach students about mental health and emotional intelligence?
• Is technology making us more or less connected?

2/ What is a good and bad argument?

A good argument is supported by evidence and reasoning, is respectful to opposing points of view, and is focused on the topic at hand. 

A bad argument, on the other hand, is based on fallacies, lacks evidence or reasoning, or becomes insulting or personal.

3/ What are good argumentative topics for kids?

Here are some examples of argumentative topics for kids:

• Animal zoos: are they morally acceptable?
• Is it better to live in a big city or a small town?
• What makes breakfast different from other meals?