6 Argumentative Topics to Write a Thought-Provoking Essay

An argumentative essay is an excellent chance to impress your professor and classmates with your ability to address and analyze complex topics that make difference in our lives. In this essay, you can review a relevant issue or a problem that's currently affecting the society, provide an in-depth analysis of its impact, and demonstrate a deep understanding of the consequences.

On top of that, you have the chance to let others know how you feel about this problem and voice your position or even propose a solution, which is the result of your careful consideration and analysis. Since encouraging students to share their views and opinions is one of the most important goals of colleges, your professor will be glad to discover that you've done your homework and wrote an excellent work.

If you need some assistance with choosing a topic for your thought-provoking essay, take a look at these options below and see if there's something you feel strongly about or something that you can use for inspiration.

Topic #1. Is There a Humane Way to Reduce Global Population?

A lot of scientists believe that a rapidly increasing global population will lead to depletion of resources, overconsumption of food, poverty, and loss of species.

This essay could speculate on ways to stop population growth without "child quotas" and violating civil and human rights such as universal access to effective contraceptive options and education to young people.

Topic #2. Humans Need to Be a Multi-Planet Species

Our Earth is essentially a large lump of rock with all of our species residing in just one place. Only one event such as an asteroid impact can potentially wipe out the entire population of the planet, so we need to look for other places in our solar system where we can live.

Elon Musk says that Mars should be our second home (he also wrote a paper which you can site in your essay), and it makes a perfect sense since the planet is most similar to Earth in terms of many factors such as the day/night rhythm, surface conditions, and others.

Topic #3. Americans Should Be Legally Required to Vote

Voter turnout has been comparably low in the last several elections, and mandatory voting is one way to change that.

In fact, Barack Obama endorsed this idea, too. Business Insider quoted him as saying:

"The people who tend not to vote are young, they're lower income, they're skewed more heavily towards immigrant groups and minority groups. There's a reason why some folks try to keep them away from the polls."

So, If people were forced to vote (for example, Australia has a similar policy), all social groups would voice their political preferences, which could advance our democracy.

Topic #4. Why You Should Never Retire

It's a known fact that continued work – excluding physically demanding jobs, of course - can support healthy aging and help seniors maintain better physical and mental health.

While the perfect antidote to the dangers of the older age has not been found yet, it's quite possible that performing age-appropriate work is a part of the answer. So, we should encourage willing seniors to continue to develop their skills and get academic help to allow them to prolong their careers and share their knowledge with younger generations.

Topic #5. Children under 12 Shouldn't Have Smartphones

The reasons for this are numerous. For example, many online source claim that smartphones limit creativity, expose children to too much radiation early, increase the probability of developing such serious mental illnesses as childhood depression and anxiety and stimulate aggressive behavior.

Topic #6. Cigarette Smoking Should Be Banned in All Public Places

Smoke-free policies in all public spaces can improve health, confirms the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Specifically, after reviewing a number of studies, the organization concluded that comprehensive smoke-free policies were associated with better health.