What are some good argumentative essay topics for college applications or classes?
I'm having a tough time picking a topic for my argumentative essay that's due next week for my AP Lang class. My teacher says it should be something that relates to college students or issues on college campuses, but I'm kind of drawing a blank.
Does anyone have ideas for topics that are interesting and not too overdone? I want to pick something unique but not so niche that I can't find research. Also, I'm hoping to use this essay as a potential writing sample for college apps, so something that might reflect my interests (I'm into psychology and current events) would be awesome.
Any advice or suggestions for brainstorming would be super helpful!
Does anyone have ideas for topics that are interesting and not too overdone? I want to pick something unique but not so niche that I can't find research. Also, I'm hoping to use this essay as a potential writing sample for college apps, so something that might reflect my interests (I'm into psychology and current events) would be awesome.
Any advice or suggestions for brainstorming would be super helpful!
5 days ago
•
9 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 5 days ago
Advisor
Finding a fresh and researchable argumentative essay topic can be tricky, especially with a college campus focus, but there are still plenty of unique options out there—especially if you connect them to your interests in psychology and current events!
Here are a few ideas that might inspire you:
1. Should colleges require courses or workshops on mental health literacy for all incoming students? This lets you dig into research about the prevalence of mental health issues on campus and proactive ways universities can address them, tying in lots of psyc angles and current policy discussions.
2. Do universities have a responsibility to monitor and address toxic social media behavior among students? You could explore questions around freedom of speech, campus safety, mental health, and the psychological impacts of online culture.
3. Should colleges implement mandatory technology "detox" zones or device-free days to support student well-being? This intersects with research about screen time, digital addiction, and productivity—all relevant in psychology and student life.
4. Has the push for trigger warnings in college classrooms helped or hindered student learning and resilience? There’s a lot of lively debate on this, connecting psychology (trauma, anxiety, resilience) and academic freedom.
5. Should colleges offer pass/fail grading options to reduce academic stress? This lets you examine academic psychology, competitiveness, and even differences in outcomes compared to traditional grades.
When brainstorming, try to start with a problem you’ve noticed or a question you genuinely wonder about. Even something small (like how much pressure group projects put on introverted students) can expand into a compelling argument if you dig into the causes, effects, and potential solutions.
For example, if you noticed friends struggling with anxiety about job recruitment, you could argue: "Should universities provide required career counseling sessions as part of every major?" Then, you can research career services effectiveness, student stress, and related policies at different schools.
Make sure to check if you can find enough academic sources or news articles for your chosen topic. College library databases, Google Scholar, and reputable news sites can help you quickly see if the topic is doable.
Good luck—you’re off to a great start by thinking about what matters to you and what stands out from the overdone topics!
Here are a few ideas that might inspire you:
1. Should colleges require courses or workshops on mental health literacy for all incoming students? This lets you dig into research about the prevalence of mental health issues on campus and proactive ways universities can address them, tying in lots of psyc angles and current policy discussions.
2. Do universities have a responsibility to monitor and address toxic social media behavior among students? You could explore questions around freedom of speech, campus safety, mental health, and the psychological impacts of online culture.
3. Should colleges implement mandatory technology "detox" zones or device-free days to support student well-being? This intersects with research about screen time, digital addiction, and productivity—all relevant in psychology and student life.
4. Has the push for trigger warnings in college classrooms helped or hindered student learning and resilience? There’s a lot of lively debate on this, connecting psychology (trauma, anxiety, resilience) and academic freedom.
5. Should colleges offer pass/fail grading options to reduce academic stress? This lets you examine academic psychology, competitiveness, and even differences in outcomes compared to traditional grades.
When brainstorming, try to start with a problem you’ve noticed or a question you genuinely wonder about. Even something small (like how much pressure group projects put on introverted students) can expand into a compelling argument if you dig into the causes, effects, and potential solutions.
For example, if you noticed friends struggling with anxiety about job recruitment, you could argue: "Should universities provide required career counseling sessions as part of every major?" Then, you can research career services effectiveness, student stress, and related policies at different schools.
Make sure to check if you can find enough academic sources or news articles for your chosen topic. College library databases, Google Scholar, and reputable news sites can help you quickly see if the topic is doable.
Good luck—you’re off to a great start by thinking about what matters to you and what stands out from the overdone topics!
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years