ENG 112 Lanigan

MEDIA

• Are anonymous blog posts or letters to the editor fair, or should you have to "own" your opinions?
• Are mean girls really meaner than mean boys?
• Should we treat cable television companies like other utility company monopolies?
• Are "opt out" or "opt in" privacy settings for social networking sites better for users?
• How real is reality tv?
• What should be done about viral photos or videos & personal privacy?
• Do Americans have an anti-science bias?
• Does the news include too many entertainment and sensational stories vs useful news?
• Are we afraid of the wrong things - do we misunderstand personal risk?
• Is Google growing too fast and becoming too powerful?

MONEY / ECONOMICS

• Should we eliminate senior citizen discounts in favor of discounts for young people, or should we require proof of financial need?
• Are current education, exercise, or medical benefits for prison inmates too generous?
• Which business practices of quick cash or payday loan businesses should be regulated?
• What is the real relationship of wealth to happiness?
• Are labor-saving devices always a good innovation?
• Should non-profit organizations be allowed to use contributions to sue other non-profits?
• Are current IRS tax rules for reporting tip income fair?
• How do minimum-wage issues vary in the US vs other industrialized countries?
• Should job postings that prohibit unemployed persons from applying be permitted?
• Are facilities with mixed public and private ownership (such as convention centers, parking decks or sports stadiums) a good idea?

HEALTH

• Is internet gambling more likely to cause addiction than other types of gambling?
• Do gluten-free foods really benefit people without gluten-intolerance conditions
• Who should regulate how thin fashion models can be in an attempt to reduce eating disorders?
• Should soft drink, candy & snack food sales in schools be restricted?
• Should there be smoke free beaches?
• Will charging parents of obese students with child neglect help or hurt children?
• What should parents of young children do about fantasy beliefs such as Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, & ghosts

POLITICS / LAW

• Are ordinances, rental agreements, or HOA rules that restrict dog ownership by breed appropriate?
• Is it fair to charge extra to obese people for space-related things (events tickets, public transportation seats, etc.)?
• Should convicted felons lose their voting rights for life?
• Should states require inspection of vehicles?
• What laws, ordinances, or policies should govern skateboarding?
• Can workplaces craft fair rules & regulations about tattoos?
• Should states or counties offer film production incentives?
• What is the role of lawsuits in the fashion industry - what can or cannot be trademarked?
• Has the "Citizens United" Supreme Court ruling made political campaigns more or less democratic?
• Would substituting public ridicule or corporal punishment for jail time for some nonviolent crimes be a good idea?

• Is global climate change caused by humans?
• Is the death penalty effective?
• Is our election process fair?
• Is torture ever acceptable?
• Should men get paternity leave from work?
• Are school uniforms beneficial?
• Do we have a fair tax system?
• Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?
• Is cheating out of control?
• Are we too dependent on computers?
• Should animals be used for research?
• Should cigarette smoking be banned?
• Are cell phones dangerous?
• Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy?
• Do we have a throwaway society?
• Is child behavior better or worse than it was years ago?
• Should companies market to children?
• Should the government have a say in our diets?
• Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
• Should members of Congress have term limits?
• Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?
• Are CEOs paid too much?
• Should athletes be held to high moral standards?
• Do violent video games cause behavior problems?
• Should creationism be taught in public schools?
• Are beauty pageants exploitative?
• Should English be the official language of the United States?
• Should the racing industry be forced to use biofuels?
• Should the alcohol drinking age be increased or decreased?
• Should everyone be required to recycle?
• Is it okay for prisoners to vote (as they are in some states)?
• Is it good that same-sex couples are able to marry?
• Are there benefits to attending a single-sex school?
• Does boredom lead to trouble?
• Should schools be in session year-round?
• Does religion cause war?
• Should the government provide health care?
• Should abortion be illegal?
• Are girls too mean to each other?
• Is homework harmful or helpful?
• Is the cost of college too high?
• Is college admission too competitive?
• Should euthanasia be illegal?
• Should the federal government legalize marijuana use nationally?
• Should rich people be required to pay more taxes?
• Should schools require foreign language or physical education?
• Is affirmative action fair?
• Is public prayer okay in schools?
• Are schools and teachers responsible for low test scores?
• Is greater gun control a good idea?

Source: Fleming, Grace. "50 Argumentative Essay Topics." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/argument-essay-topics-1856987.