Friday, January 13, 2012

Argumentative Research Topics

Argumentative topics revolve around controversial issues, mostly in current events, where two sides disagree on any given issue. People writing argumentative speeches or essays don't just offer an opinion; they give solid facts and research to bring an audience into their point of view. Newspaper editorials and opinion magazines generate good ideas and provide a place to begin when looking for topics.


Education


Argumentative research topics about education range from spending to classroom instruction. Topics include arguing why students should get a charter school education, cutting funding for teachers, re-evaluating how the government pays for education, and increasing the school day. To the contrary, people can also argue against using government vouchers for private schools, paying teachers more and advocating for increased funding for education. Addressing specific issues concerning curriculum, like teaching creationism, giving students standardized tests, making students learning more than one language and day-long kindergarten, are all controversial topics with multiple points of view.


Environment


Environmental issues make for good argumentative research because they pit scientists and politicians against each other, often leaving the audience wondering whom to believe and who mto trust. Arguing about the existence of global warming, the dangers and benefits of offshore oil drilling and whether there are too many or not enough environmental regulations that may or may not stop the expansion of business all contain strong elements on both sides. Expanding those topics to global issues including population pollution, greenhouse gases in other countries, industrial pollution and clean water problems in foreign countries also provide for good argumentative topics.


Social Problems


Arguing highly controversial issues like the war on drugs, poverty, homelessness and abortion incorporates political and religious topics on many levels. While most would agree the problems exist, solve them and what resources the government should use become the center of the debate. Topics include the benefits of moving people from welfare to work, cutting welfare altogether, increasing penalties for drug crimes and enforcing capital punishment would be pertinent. Others also argue for doing away with the death penalty, decriminalizing drugs and using welfare as a transitional system. Arguing these topics on either side become more strident when they incorporate government research; writers and speakers often interpret the data in their own way to make their points.


Healthcare


Healthcare topics that argue the both sides of a one-size-fits-all government-run healthcare system provide almost daily content to radio talk shows, newspapers, blogs and cable television news programs. Arguing who should pay, the extent of the government involvement and how the system should work can fill pages of content or hours of discussion. Considering topics like arguing the benefits of losing weight, getting involved in a fitness program and quitting smoking can use inspirational stories to argue a point of view and encourage others to change.







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