Step 1: Brainstorming
Think about the world you live in. What are some issues that cause people to disagree or debate?
Here are some ideas, but you are encouraged to come up with your own:
Here are some ideas, but you are encouraged to come up with your own:
-Should school start later in the day or keep the traditional schedule?
-Should schools run on a year-round schedule or use summer breaks? -Should the government increase gun control or reduce gun control measures? -Should the United States use the death penalty? -Should animals be used for medical research? -Are CEOs of companies overpaid, correctly paid, or underpaid? -Should schools use leveled classes (like Core, Explore, and Quest)? |
-Should the government provide healthcare for US citizens?
-Are competitive sports good or bad for child development? -Is homework helpful or harmful to learning? -Should the government make cigarettes illegal? -Should the government make alcohol illegal? -Should the government lower the drinking age or increase the drinking age? -Should schools have immersion or bilingual programs? -Should schools be single-sex (all girls or all boys)? -Should the minimum wage be raised? -Should the minimum wage be abolished (outlawed)? -Should the US military continue its use of drone strikes? |
Take some time to brainstorm a list of your own, thinking of possible topics that interest you.
Heads Up: If you come up with your own topic, depending on how controversial it is, I might require that a parent write a note to me, saying that they give their permission for you to research that topic.
Heads Up: If you come up with your own topic, depending on how controversial it is, I might require that a parent write a note to me, saying that they give their permission for you to research that topic.
Step 2: Pick an issue, and a Side!
When choosing an issue, don't pick one that has one obvious answer. You want a topic that people truly disagree about, so that you can defend your side using evidence. The more you can "fight back" and point out flaws in the other side's reasoning, the better.
Also consider that you will definitely want to pick a topic that you can research, because your essay will be built on evidence, NOT opinion. For this reason, if you choose a topic like "Are school uniforms good or bad for students?" or "Should schools run year round or keep summer breaks?" be careful to base your arguments on actual research and not just your feelings.
Also consider that you will definitely want to pick a topic that you can research, because your essay will be built on evidence, NOT opinion. For this reason, if you choose a topic like "Are school uniforms good or bad for students?" or "Should schools run year round or keep summer breaks?" be careful to base your arguments on actual research and not just your feelings.