210 Fun Debate Prompts & Essay Topics That are Argumentative

Argumentation and persuasion. The art of rhetoric is about helping students think critically and communicate effectively. Students don’t usually need help forming opinions. They come to us fully-loaded with opinions and are MORE than ready to share. What they do need help with is thoughtfully articulating those opinions and, more importantly, choosing meaningful (ahem… non-cliché) essay topics that are argumentative.

If I hear one more student propose a paper about whether cell phones should be allowed in school, I might shred it on the spot. And then throw the little shreds of paper in the air like glitter. ✨

So, what topics are not cliché?

The key is being specific. The more unexpected the angle, the more engaging the essay. Broad questions like “Is technology bad?” are too vague. But “Should students get a weekly grade for how long they go without their phones?” Now that’s something worth debating.

This blog post will help. Designed to spark laughter, lively conversation, and yes, even some deep thinking, these essay topics that are argumentative will get your students writing with voice, curiosity, and confidence.

Let’s Talk About Argumentation

Before we dive into the list, here are four strategies you can use to move students toward more sophisticated argumentation:

Start silly. Students often open up more when the pressure is low. Try topics from the podcast “Smash, Boom, Best” as a fun, impromptu intro to ease them into the genre (and give them speaking practice). As an alternative, you can have students listen to (or read) the arguments presented in one of the episodes and discuss which side was more persuasive and why.
- Clowns vs. Magicians
- Ketchup vs. Ranch
- Tag vs. Hide ‘n Seek
- Rollerblades vs. Scooters
- Elevators vs. Escalators
- Stripes vs. Polka Dots
- Peanut Butter vs. Marshmallows
- Bubble Gum vs. Gummy Bears
- Goldilocks vs. Little Red Riding Hood
- Birthday Parties vs. Trick or Treating
Play a game. Try a persuasive game as you are introducing rhetorical appeals and devices to get students used to using rhetoric in a low-stakes (fun) assignment.
Get specific. Model for students how they can “get an angle” on a general topic. For example, going from “school uniforms” to “should students design the school dress code?” makes all the difference.
Use daily life as inspiration. Anything from cafeteria food to weird social media trends to something happening in pop culture or the news is fair game!

Let’s equip students to defend their ideas with clarity, research, and maybe a little flair.

150 Fun, Creative, Specific Argumentative Essay Topics for Teens

These prompts are intentionally quirky, detailed, and debate-worthy. Use them as is or as a springboard for student brainstorming.

Fun & Food (or Funny Food?)

Should cereal go first or milk?
Is ketchup a smoothie?
Should nachos be considered a meal or just a snack?
Should school lunches be free for everyone?
Are pickles the most elite sandwich ingredient?
Should ranch dressing be its own food group?
Should pineapple be banned from pizza once and for all?
Is the microwave the most underrated kitchen appliance?
Should restaurants give out free breadsticks before every meal?
Is breakfast food better at night?
Should schools have “build your own snack” vending machines?
Are smoothies just grown-up baby food?
Chocolate or vanilla?
Is eating ice cream in winter underrated?
Should pizza slices be square or triangle?
Are sprinkles a topping or a decoration?
Can cereal be eaten dry and still count as breakfast?
Should students learn to cook before they can graduate?
Are muffins really just naked cupcakes?
Is sparkling water just soda in disguise?
Should leftovers be outlawed after 48 hours?
Can a grilled cheese sandwich be considered gourmet?
Is soup just a savory beverage?
Should food be sorted by color on your plate?
Are ice cream cones better than bowls?
Should all food come in bite-sized form?
Are crunchy snacks or sweet snacks better for stress relief?
Is the crust the best part of pizza?
Should food be judged by how Instagrammable it is?
Are dips (like salsa or guac) more important than the chips?

Pop Culture & Trends

Are memes a legitimate form of communication?
Is it ethical to ghost someone digitally?
Should there be a national holiday for binge-watching?
Are spoiler alerts necessary, or just polite?
Should influencers be considered journalists?
Would society collapse without Wi-Fi for one week?
Should TikTok trends be fact-checked before going viral?
Is celebrity gossip real journalism?
Should theme songs come back for every TV show?
Are sequels always worse than the original?
Should Gen Z slang be added to the dictionary?
Should fashion trends from the past be copyrighted?
Is the best music made before 2000?
Should people earn badges for binge-watching full seasons?
Are movie villains actually misunderstood heroes?
Should emojis be allowed on report cards?
Is it cooler to go viral by accident or on purpose?
Should everyone have to delete one app every month?
Should everyone be required to audition for a reality show once in their life?
Is it cooler to be underrated or overrated?
Should vintage fashion be its own school subject?
Is binge-reading better than binge-watching?
Should fictional characters have their own social media profiles?
Should TikTok dances be taught in PE?
Should people get an “influencer license” before posting ads?
Can video games be considered literature?
Is it better to be internet-famous or famous in real life?
Should classic movies be remade or left alone?
Is fan fiction a legitimate form of storytelling?
Should celebrities be allowed to run for president?

School Life

Should students be allowed to wear Halloween costumes year-round?
Are group projects character building or chaos-inducing?
Is it fair to assign homework over breaks?
Should schools have pet mascots that actually live on campus?
Should teachers give their students unhealthy treats like candy?
Should classes be rated on Yelp?
Should classroom chairs be replaced with bean bags?
Would a school-wide nap period boost productivity?
Should students vote on what the next school holiday will celebrate?
Is it better to have class outside or wear pajamas inside?
Should students be allowed to redecorate their classrooms?
Should grades be replaced by emojis?
Should students get to make up their own electives?
Should students grade their own participation?
Should students earn badges instead of letter grades?
Should the principal be elected by the student body?
Can cafeteria food be rated like restaurant meals?
Can students design their own report cards?
Should classrooms have Spotify playlists playing softly in the background?
Can a classroom pet improve focus?
Should schools allow “bring your adult to school” day?
Should students get to pick their own final projects?
Should extra credit be banned or expanded?
Should school days include a “do nothing” hour for creativity?
What is the best way to solve hallway traffic?
Should classes rotate every month for variety?
Is school spirit overrated?
Should school ID cards come with perks like snack discounts?
Should lockers be redesigned to charge phones?
Should students be allowed to train for specific careers in high school vs. general education?

Technology & Daily Life

Should voice memos replace emails?
Can robots have rights if they develop personalities?
Should students get a grade for how creatively they use AI tools?
Is using a calculator on a math test innovative or lazy?
Are digital planners better than paper ones?
Is it rude to text during a phone call?
Should spellcheck count as cheating?
Would life be better with fewer passwords?
Should people be allowed to name their Wi-Fi something weird?
Can you be friends with someone you’ve only met online?
Is posting old vacation photos a form of time travel?
Should schools create their own social media apps?
Can typing speed be a valid life skill on a resume?
Should smart fridges give you compliments?
Is online shopping better than treasure hunting in stores?
Should everyone get one “tech-free” day per week?
Are GIFs the new way to express emotion?
Is voice typing better than regular typing?
Can you trust a review written by a robot?
Should there be a “no scrolling zone” in public places?
Should there be a national “log off” hour?
Should everyone receive a digital time capsule on their birthday?
Should texting and walking be illegal in crowded places?
Is it better to live without a phone for a week or without music?
Can digital avatars replace school photos?
Should schools offer a class on how to go viral?
Should your phone automatically block toxic comments?
Can you learn more from YouTube than from lectures?
Should there be a mandatory test for digital fluency?
Can a phone ever be considered your best friend?

Fun for Debate (And…who knows, maybe even essay topics that are argumentative. I once had my students write an essay to answer the question “Why DID the chicken cross the road?” … just sayin…)

Would the world be better if everyone spoke in rhymes one day a week?
Should the floor be considered the largest shelf?
Would you rather have a pet dinosaur or a pet dragon?
Is it better to have a time machine or a teleportation device?
Should glitter be banned from planet Earth?
Are unicorns technically narwhals?
Can socks and sandals ever be socially acceptable?
Should everyone have a personal theme song that plays when they enter a room?
Is clapping at the end of a movie necessary or outdated?
Should everyone have a twin just for fun?
Would school be better on a boat?
Should pets be allowed to vote (with owner supervision)?
Is it better to live in a treehouse or a submarine?
Should “opposite day” be legally recognized?
Are socks with holes still usable or fashionably rebellious?
Can music change the flavor of food?
Is it better to whisper everything or shout everything (for one day)?
Should everyone have to trade lives with a cartoon character for 24 hours?
Should socks always match—or is mismatching a form of self-expression?
Can you trust someone who doesn’t like pizza?
Should sneezing in threes be considered lucky?
Secret rooms or secret passageways?
Should people be allowed to bring dinosaurs back if science allows?
Would you rather live in a video game or a fairy tale?
Should people be allowed to swap birthdays?
Would having a clone solve more problems than it creates?
Should socks be worn to bed?
Should there be a “weird talent” requirement for graduation?
Is it better to laugh at everything or nothing?
Would it be cool or creepy to live in a house that talks?

Research Paper Topics that are Argumentative

Now, let’s say it’s time for a serious essay.

When you ask for a research paper, what you don’t want is another generic deep dive into “Why social media is bad” or “The pros and cons of school uniforms.” Yawn. Your students are capable of so much more (without putting you to sleep)!

The trick is to guide your learners toward questions that are quirky and complex: multiple sources, real-world connections, and enough nuance to fuel several pages of thought-provoking content. These aren’t just your everyday prompts. They’re essay topics that are argumentative, researchable, and rich with potential for deeper exploration.

Here are 20 original argumentative research topics with depth, personality, and essay writing potential:

Should artificial intelligence be allowed to create art?
Students can explore copyright law, creative expression, and the future of originality.
Are competitive e-sports deserving of Olympic recognition?
Cue the sports stats, economic analysis, and cultural legitimacy debates.
Can a school cafeteria influence student behavior or grades?
Yes, this is a real thing! Tie in psychology, nutrition, and campus culture.
Should virtual influencers be required to disclose they’re not real?
Research marketing, social identity, and truth in advertising.
Is nostalgia a tool used by media (choose one type of media) to manipulate viewers? (Or…how is nostalgia a tool used to manipulate viewers?)
A great blend of psychology, pop culture, and media literacy.
Should fast fashion companies be held legally responsible for environmental damage?
Environment, business ethics, and economics—yes, all in one juicy paper.
Can universal basic income work in a digital gig economy?
Economics, politics, and tech.
Is social media activism replacing real-world action?
A smart way to explore performative allyship, digital citizenship, and engagement.
Should humans explore space before solving problems on Earth?
NASA, philosophy, and ethics collide in the best way.
Can humor be a valid form of protest?
Tie in history, communication theory, and modern movements (with memes, of course).
Should schools use facial recognition for security purposes?
Students can explore privacy, surveillance ethics, and emerging tech in education.
Is boredom essential for creativity in the digital age?
Blends psychology, brain science, and screen time.
Should influencers be taxed based on their number of followers?
Economics, digital labor, and social media ethics.
Can climate change denial be considered a form of misinformation?
Media literacy, science communication, and policy intersect here.
Should there be age limits for political office?
Let them research historical context, voter trust, and generational representation.
Can school dress codes unintentionally promote gender bias?
This one’s always engaging—connect sociology, feminism, and education policy.
Is digital art undervalued in traditional art institutions?
Bring in cultural shifts, gallery politics, and generational perspectives.
Should space exploration be privatized?
NASA vs. SpaceX. Government vs. billionaires. Go.
Are fandoms a healthy outlet or a form of digital obsession?
Psychology, identity, and pop culture all wrapped into one.
Should companies be held accountable for the mental health of their users?
Think about tech giants, ethical design, and corporate responsibility.

20 Argumentative Essay Topics That You Can Write a Lot About

Can social media activism lead to real-world change?
Look at recent movements, awareness campaigns, and slacktivism debates.
Is standardized testing a fair measure of intelligence or potential?
Plenty of room for history, equity, stress, and educational reform.
Can artificial intelligence ever fully replace human teachers?
Dive into tech ethics, learning theory, and emotional intelligence.
Should college be free for everyone?
Economics, equality, motivation, and taxpayer impact—so much to unpack.
Is cancel culture a form of accountability or public shaming?
This can go philosophical, political, or cultural.
Should voting be mandatory in democratic societies?
Explore civic responsibility, freedom, and global examples.
Can video games improve mental health and problem-solving skills?
Research, psychology, and even personal stories can all play a part.
Should schools replace grades with narrative feedback?
Education theory meets real-world logistics and student experience.
Is it ethical to genetically modify animals or humans?
Cue bioethics, science innovation, and future freak-outs.
Should the internet be treated as a public utility?
Deep dive into access, privilege, and infrastructure.
Should young people be required to complete community service?
Ethics, development, and equity in civic engagement.
Can humor be used effectively in serious political or social movements?
Think memes, satire, history, and modern protest.
Should students be required to take a financial literacy course before graduating?
So much relevance, especially around student debt and adulting.
Is homeschooling more effective than traditional schooling?
Lots of angles: personalization, socialization, outcomes.
Can social media platforms be trusted to self-regulate content?
Tie in free speech, misinformation, and algorithm transparency.
Should there be universal rules for digital privacy?
A great blend of ethics, law, and tech.
Is fast fashion worth the environmental cost?
Consumerism, sustainability, and personal responsibility galore.
Should animals have legal rights similar to humans in certain cases?
Legal precedent, ethics, and animal studies all in one.
Is year-round school a better model for learning?
Explore summer learning loss, family schedules, and global comparisons.
Should workweeks be reduced to four days without cutting pay?
Real-world examples, mental health, productivity, and economics.

20 Popular Argumentative Essay Topics

Should social media platforms ban political advertising?
Dive into election integrity, free speech, and digital influence.
Should college athletes be paid?
A hot-button issue mixing sports, economics, and fairness.
Should the death penalty be abolished worldwide?
Ethics, justice, and global perspectives all come into play.
Should schools require COVID-19 or other vaccinations?
Public health, personal freedom, and school safety intersect.
Is climate change the most urgent global issue?
There’s no shortage of evidence and debate here.
Should student loan debt be forgiven?
A real-world issue with long-term consequences for young adults.
Are smartphones making us less social?
A tech-meets-psychology favorite for teens.
Should public transportation be free for all?
Economics, equity, and environmental angles galore.
Should animal testing be banned?
A classic topic that sparks strong ethical arguments.
Should schools ban junk food and soda?
Public health meets personal choice.
Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling?
Popular post-pandemic topic with lots of directions to explore.
Should voting be online in national elections?
Technology, security, and accessibility are all at play.
Should violent video games be age-restricted more strictly?
Debate around media, behavior, and parental responsibility.
Should students be allowed to use AI tools like ChatGPT in schoolwork?
Timely, relevant, and full of nuance.
Should celebrities be political spokespeople?
Influence, expertise, and ethics collide.
Should there be stricter gun control laws?
A widely debated and emotionally charged issue.
Should zoos still exist in 2025?
Animal rights, education, and conservation arguments abound.
Should students have the right to grade their teachers?
Power dynamics and accountability in education.
Is universal healthcare a human right?
A globally relevant debate with deep social implications.
Should the legal voting age be lowered to 16?
Political engagement, maturity, and fairness—this one sparks real discussion.

Wrapping It Up: Let Students Shine

When you hand students a specific, original prompt, you give them the freedom to shine. Argumentative writing becomes less about ticking boxes and more about using their voices. They start to see writing as a way to entertain, to question, to challenge the ordinary.

So next time a student says, “I don’t know what to write about,” just hand them this list of essay topics that are argumentative. Or better yet… let them come up with their own topics or versions!

Ask them what bugs them, what cracks them up, what they’d argue about with their best friend at lunch…and then help them to turn these into awesome, narrowed-down essay topics for argumentation!

And if anyone still insists on writing about cell phones in schools? Well… keep that shredder handy. Just in case.