argumentative essay 12th grade

A Step-by-Step Plan for Teaching Argumentative Writing

February 7, 2016

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For seven years, I was a writing teacher.  Yes, I was certified to teach the full spectrum of English language arts—literature, grammar and usage, speech, drama, and so on—but my absolute favorite, the thing I loved doing the most, was teaching students how to write.

Most of the material on this site is directed at all teachers. I look for and put together resources that would appeal to any teacher who teaches any subject. That practice will continue for as long as I keep this up. But over the next year or so, I plan to also share more of what I know about teaching students to write. Although I know many of the people who visit here are not strictly English language arts teachers, my hope is that these posts will provide tons of value to those who are, and to those who teach all subjects, including writing.

So let’s begin with argumentative writing, or persuasive writing, as many of us used to call it. This overview will be most helpful to those who are new to teaching writing, or teachers who have not gotten good results with the approach you have taken up to now. I don’t claim to have the definitive answer on how to do this, but the method I share here worked pretty well for me, and it might do the same for you. If you are an experienced English language arts teacher, you probably already have a system for teaching this skill that you like. Then again, I’m always interested in how other people do the things I can already do; maybe you’re curious like that, too.

Before I start, I should note that what I describe in this post is a fairly formulaic style of essay writing. It’s not exactly the 5-paragraph essay, but it definitely builds on that model. I strongly believe students should be shown how to move past those kinds of structures into a style of writing that’s more natural and fitting to the task and audience, but I also think they should start with something that’s pretty clearly organized.

So here’s how I teach argumentative essay writing.

Step 1: Watch How It’s Done

One of the most effective ways to improve student writing is to show them mentor texts, examples of excellent writing within the genre students are about to attempt themselves. Ideally, this writing would come from real publications and not be fabricated by me in order to embody the form I’m looking for. Although most experts on writing instruction employ some kind of mentor text study, the person I learned it from best was Katie Wood Ray in her book Study Driven (links to the book: Bookshop.org | Amazon ).

Since I want the writing to be high quality and the subject matter to be high interest, I might choose pieces like Jessica Lahey’s Students Who Lose Recess Are the Ones Who Need it Most  and David Bulley’s School Suspensions Don’t Work .

I would have students read these texts, compare them, and find places where the authors used evidence to back up their assertions. I would ask students which author they feel did the best job of influencing the reader, and what suggestions they would make to improve the writing. I would also ask them to notice things like stories, facts and statistics, and other things the authors use to develop their ideas. Later, as students work on their own pieces, I would likely return to these pieces to show students how to execute certain writing moves.

Step 2: Informal Argument, Freestyle

Although many students might need more practice in writing an effective argument, many of them are excellent at arguing in person. To help them make this connection, I would have them do some informal debate on easy, high-interest topics. An activity like This or That (one of the classroom icebreakers I talked about last year) would be perfect here: I read a statement like “Women have the same opportunities in life as men.” Students who agree with the statement move to one side of the room, and those who disagree move to the other side. Then they take turns explaining why they are standing in that position. This ultimately looks a little bit like a debate, as students from either side tend to defend their position to those on the other side.

Every class of students I have ever had, from middle school to college, has loved loved LOVED this activity. It’s so simple, it gets them out of their seats, and for a unit on argument, it’s an easy way to get them thinking about how the art of argument is something they practice all the time.

Step 3: Informal Argument, Not so Freestyle

Once students have argued without the support of any kind of research or text, I would set up a second debate; this time with more structure and more time to research ahead of time. I would pose a different question, supply students with a few articles that would provide ammunition for either side, then give them time to read the articles and find the evidence they need.

Next, we’d have a Philosophical Chairs debate (learn about this in my  discussion strategies post), which is very similar to “This or That,” except students use textual evidence to back up their points, and there are a few more rules. Here they are still doing verbal argument, but the experience should make them more likely to appreciate the value of evidence when trying to persuade.

Before leaving this step, I would have students transfer their thoughts from the discussion they just had into something that looks like the opening paragraph of a written argument: A statement of their point of view, plus three reasons to support that point of view. This lays the groundwork for what’s to come.

Step 4: Introduction of the Performance Assessment

Next I would show students their major assignment, the performance assessment that they will work on for the next few weeks. What does this look like? It’s generally a written prompt that describes the task, plus the rubric I will use to score their final product.

Anytime I give students a major writing assignment, I let them see these documents very early on. In my experience, I’ve found that students appreciate having a clear picture of what’s expected of them when beginning a writing assignment. At this time, I also show them a model of a piece of writing that meets the requirements of the assignment. Unlike the mentor texts we read on day 1, this sample would be something teacher-created (or an excellent student model from a previous year) to fit the parameters of the assignment.

Step 5: Building the Base

Before letting students loose to start working on their essays, I make sure they have a solid plan for writing. I would devote at least one more class period to having students consider their topic for the essay, drafting a thesis statement, and planning the main points of their essay in a graphic organizer.

I would also begin writing my own essay on a different topic. This has been my number one strategy for teaching students how to become better writers. Using a document camera or overhead projector, I start from scratch, thinking out loud and scribbling down my thoughts as they come. When students see how messy the process can be, it becomes less intimidating for them. They begin to understand how to take the thoughts that are stirring around in your head and turn them into something that makes sense in writing.

For some students, this early stage might take a few more days, and that’s fine: I would rather spend more time getting it right at the pre-writing stage than have a student go off willy-nilly, draft a full essay, then realize they need to start over. Meanwhile, students who have their plans in order will be allowed to move on to the next step.

Step 6: Writer’s Workshop

The next seven to ten days would be spent in writer’s workshop, where I would start class with a mini-lesson about a particular aspect of craft. I would show them how to choose credible, relevant evidence, how to skillfully weave evidence into an argument, how to consider the needs of an audience, and how to correctly cite sources. Once each mini-lesson was done, I would then give students the rest of the period to work independently on their writing. During this time, I would move around the room, helping students solve problems and offering feedback on whatever part of the piece they are working on. I would encourage students to share their work with peers and give feedback at all stages of the writing process.

If I wanted to make the unit even more student-centered, I would provide the mini-lessons in written or video format and let students work through them at their own pace, without me teaching them. (To learn more about this approach, read this post on self-paced learning ).

As students begin to complete their essays, the mini-lessons would focus more on matters of style and usage. I almost never bother talking about spelling, punctuation, grammar, or usage until students have a draft that’s pretty close to done. Only then do we start fixing the smaller mistakes.

Step 7: Final Assessment

Finally, the finished essays are handed in for a grade. At this point, I’m pretty familiar with each student’s writing and have given them verbal (and sometimes written) feedback throughout the unit; that’s why I make the writer’s workshop phase last so long. I don’t really want students handing in work until they are pretty sure they’ve met the requirements to the best of their ability. I also don’t necessarily see “final copies” as final; if a student hands in an essay that’s still really lacking in some key areas, I will arrange to have that student revise it and resubmit for a higher grade.

So that’s it. If you haven’t had a lot of success teaching students to write persuasively, and if the approach outlined here is different from what you’ve been doing, give it a try. And let’s keep talking: Use the comments section below to share your techniques or ask questions about the most effective ways to teach argumentative writing.

Want this unit ready-made?

If you’re a writing teacher in grades 7-12 and you’d like a classroom-ready unit like the one described above, including mini-lessons, sample essays, and a library of high-interest online articles to use for gathering evidence, take a look at my Argumentative Writing unit. Just click on the image below and you’ll be taken to a page where you can read more and see a detailed preview of what’s included.

What to Read Next

Categories: Instruction , Podcast

Tags: English language arts , Grades 6-8 , Grades 9-12 , teaching strategies

58 Comments

This is useful information. In teaching persuasive speaking/writing I have found Monroe’s Motivated sequence very useful and productive. It is a classic model that immediately gives a solid structure for students.

Thanks for the recommendation, Bill. I will have to look into that! Here’s a link to more information on Monroe’s Motivated sequence, for anyone who wants to learn more: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/MonroeMotivatedSequence.htm

What other sites do you recommend for teacher use on providing effective organizational structure in argumentative writing? As a K-12 Curriculum Director, I find that when teachers connect with and understand the organizational structure, they are more effective in their teaching/delivery.

Hey Jessica, in addition to the steps outlined here, you might want to check out Jenn’s post on graphic organizers . Graphic organizers are a great tool that you can use in any phase of a lesson. Using them as a prewrite can help students visualize the argument and organize their thoughts. There’s a link in that post to the Graphic Organizer Multi-Pack that Jenn has for sale on her Teachers Pay Teachers site, which includes two versions of a graphic organizer you can use specifically for argument organization. Otherwise, if there’s something else you had in mind, let us know and we can help you out. Thanks!

Dear Jennifer Gonzalez,

You are generous with your gift of lighting the path… I hardly ever write (never before) , but I must today… THANK YOU… THANK YOU….THANK YOU… mostly for reading your great teachings… So your valuable teachings will even be easy to benefit all the smart people facing challenge of having to deal with adhd…

I am not a teacher… but forever a student…someone who studied English as 2nd language, with a science degree & adhd…

You truly are making a difference in our World…

Thanks so much, Rita! I know Jenn will appreciate this — I’ll be sure to share with her!

Love it! Its simple and very fruitful . I can feel how dedicated you are! Thanks alot Jen

Great examples of resources that students would find interesting. I enjoyed reading your article. I’ve bookmarked it for future reference. Thanks!

You’re welcome, Sheryl!

Students need to be writing all the time about a broad range of topics, but I love the focus here on argumentative writing because if you choose the model writing texts correctly, you can really get the kids engaged in the process and in how they can use this writing in real-world situations!

I agree, Laura. I think an occasional tight focus on one genre can help them grow leaps and bounds in the skills specific to that type of writing. Later, in less structured situations, they can then call on those skills when that kind of thinking is required.

This is really helpful! I used it today and put the recess article in a Google Doc and had the kids identify anecdotal, statistic, and ‘other’ types of evidence by highlighting them in three different colors. It worked well! Tomorrow we’ll discuss which of the different types of evidence are most convincing and why.

Love that, Shanna! Thanks for sharing that extra layer.

Greetings Ms. Gonzales. I was wondering if you had any ideas to help students develop the cons/against side of their argument within their writing? Please advise. Thanks.

Hi Michael,

Considering audience and counterarguments are an important part of the argumentative writing process. In the Argumentative Writing unit Jenn includes specific mini-lessons that teach kids how, when and where to include opposing views in their writing. In the meantime, here’s a video that might also be helpful.

Hi, Thank you very much for sharing your ideas. I want to share also the ideas in the article ‘Already Experts: Showing Students How Much They Know about Writing and Reading Arguments’ by Angela Petit and Edna Soto…they explain a really nice activity to introduce argumentative writing. I have applied it many times and my students not only love it but also display a very clear pattern as the results in the activity are quite similar every time. I hope you like it.

Lorena Perez

I’d like to thank you you for this excellence resource. It’s a wonderful addition to the informative content that Jennifer has shared.

What do you use for a prize?

I looked at the unit, and it looks and sounds great. The description says there are 4 topics. Can you tell me the topics before I purchase? We start argument in 5th grade, and I want to make sure the topics are different from those they’ve done the last 5 years before purchasing. Thanks!

Hi Carrie! If you go to the product page on TPT and open up the preview, you’ll see the four topics on the 4th page in more detail, but here they are: Social Networking in School (should social media sites be blocked in school?), Cell Phones in Class, Junk Food in School, and Single-Sex Education (i.e., genders separated). Does that help?

I teach 6th grade English in a single gendered (all-girls) class. We just finished an argument piece but I will definitely cycle back your ideas when we revisit argumentation. Thanks for the fabulous resources!

Glad to hear it, Madelyn!

I’m not a writing teacher and honestly haven’t been taught on how to teach writing. I’m a history teacher. I read this and found it helpful but have questions. First I noticed that amount of time dedicated to the task in terms of days. My questions are how long is a class period? I have my students for about 45 minutes. I also saw you mentioned in the part about self-paced learning that mini-lessons could be written or video format. I love these ideas. Any thoughts on how to do this with almost no technology in the room and low readers to non-readers? I’m trying to figure out how to balance teaching a content class while also teaching the common core skills. Thank you for any consideration to my questions.

Hey Jones, To me, a class period is anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour; definitely varies from school to school. As for the question about doing self-paced with very little tech? I think binders with written mini-lessons could work well, as well as a single computer station or tablet hooked up to a class set of videos. Obviously you’d need to be more diligent about rotating students in and out of these stations, but it’s an option at least. You might also give students access to the videos through computers in other locations at school (like the library) and give them passes to watch. The thing about self-paced learning, as you may have seen in the self-paced post , is that if students need extra teacher support (as you might find with low readers or non-readers), they would spend more one-on-one time with the teacher, while the higher-level students would be permitted to move more quickly on their own. Does that help?

My primary goal for next semester is to increase academic discussion and make connections from discussion to writing, so I love how you launch this unit with lessons like Philosophical Chairs. I am curious, however, what is the benefit of the informal argument before the not-so-informal argument? My students often struggle to listen to one another, so I’m wondering if I should start with the more formal, structured version. Or, am I overthinking the management? Thanks so much for input.

Yikes! So sorry your question slipped through, and we’re just now getting to this, Sarah. The main advantage of having kids first engage in informal debate is that it helps them get into an argumentative mindset and begin to appreciate the value of using research to support their claims. If you’ve purchased the unit, you can read more about this in the Overview.

My 6th graders are progressing through their argumentative essay. I’m providing mini lessons along the way that target where most students are in their essay. Your suggestions will be used. I’ve chosen to keep most writing in class and was happy to read that you scheduled a lot of class time for the writing. Students need to feel comfortable knowing that writing is a craft and needs to evolve over time. I think more will get done in class and it is especially important for the struggling writers to have peers and the teacher around while they write. Something that I had students do that they liked was to have them sit in like-topic groups to create a shared document where they curated information that MIGHT be helpful along the way. By the end of the essay, all will use a fantastic add-on called GradeProof which helps to eliminate most of the basic and silly errors that 6th graders make.

Debbi! I LOVE the idea of a shared, curated collection of resources! That is absolutely fantastic! Are you using a Google Doc for this? Other curation tools you might consider are Padlet and Elink .

thanks v much for all this information

Love this! What do you take as grades in the meantime? Throughout this 2 week stretch?

Ideally, you wouldn’t need to take grades at all, waiting until the final paper is done to give one grade. If your school requires more frequent grades, you could assign small point values for getting the incremental steps done: So in Step 3 (when students have to write a paragraph stating their point of view) you could take points for that. During the writer’s workshop phase, you might give points for completion of a rough draft and participation points for peer review (ideally, they’d get some kind of feedback on the quality of feedback they give to one another). Another option would be to just give a small, holistic grade for each week based on the overall integrity of their work–are they staying on task? Making small improvements to their writing each day? Taking advantage of the resources? If students are working diligently through the process, that should be enough. But again, the assessment (grades) should really come from that final written product, and if everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing during the workshop phase, most students should have pretty good scores on that final product. Does that help?

Awesome Step 2! Teaching mostly teenagers in Northern Australia I find students’ verbal arguments are much more finely honed than their written work.

To assist with “building the base” I’ve always found sentence starters an essential entry point for struggling students. We have started using the ‘PEARL’ method for analytical and persuasive writing.

If it helps here a free scaffold for the method:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Paragraph-Scaffold-PEEL-to-PEARL-3370676

Thanks again,

Thank you for sharing this additional resource! It’s excellent!

I’ve been scouring the interwebs looking for some real advice on how I can help my struggling 9th grader write better. I can write. Since it comes naturally for me, I have a hard time breaking it down into such tiny steps that he can begin to feel less overwhelmed. I LOVE the pre-writing ideas here. My son is a fabulous arguer. I need to help him use those powers for the good of his writing skills. Do you have a suggestion on what I else I can be using for my homeschooled son? Or what you may have that could work well for home use?

Hi Melinda,

You might be interested in taking a look at Jenn’s Argumentative Writing unit which she mentions at the end of the post . Hope this helps!

Mam it would be good if you could post some steps of different writing and some samples as well so it can be useful for the students.

Hi Aalia! My name is Holly, and I work as a Customer Experience Manager for Cult of Pedagogy. It just so happens that in the near future, Jenn is going to release a narrative writing unit, so keep an eye out for that! As far as samples, the argumentative writing unit has example essays included, and I’m sure the narrative unit will as well. But, to find the examples, you have to purchase the unit from Teachers Pay Teachers.

I just want to say that this helped me tremendously in teaching argument to 8th Graders this past school year, which is a huge concept on their state testing in April. I felt like they were very prepared, and they really enjoyed the verbal part of it, too! I have already implemented these methods into my unit plan for argument for my 11th grade class this year. Thank you so much for posting all of these things! : )

-Josee` Vaughn

I’m so glad to hear it, Josee!!

Love your blog! It is one of the best ones.

I am petrified of writing. I am teaching grade 8 in September and would love some suggestions as I start planning for the year. Thanks!

This is genius! I can’t wait to get started tomorrow teaching argument. It’s always something that I have struggled with, and I’ve been teaching for 18 years. I have a class of 31 students, mostly boys, several with IEPs. The self-paced mini-lessons will help tremendously.

So glad you liked it, Britney!

My students will begin the journey into persuasion and argument next week and your post cemented much of my thinking around how to facilitate the journey towards effective, enthusiastic argumentative writing.

I use your rubrics often to outline task expectations for my students and the feedback from them is how useful breaking every task into steps can be as they are learning new concepts.

Additionally, we made the leap into blogging as a grade at https://mrsdsroadrunners.edublogs.org/2019/01/04/your-future/ It feels much like trying to learn to change a tire while the car is speeding down the highway. Reading your posts over the past years was a factor in embracing the authentic audience. Thank You! Trish

I love reading and listening to your always helpful tips, tricks, and advice! I was wondering if you had any thoughts on creative and engaging ways to have students share their persuasive writing? My 6th students are just finishing up our persuasive writing where we read the book “Oh, Rats” by Albert Marrin and used the information gathered to craft a persuasive piece to either eliminate or protect rats and other than just reading their pieces to one another, I have been trying to think of more creative ways to share. I thought about having a debate but (un)fortunately all my kids are so sweet and are on the same side of the argument – Protect the Rats! Any ideas?

Hi Kiley! Thanks for the positive feedback! So glad to hear that you are finding value in Cult of Pedagogy! Here are a few suggestions that you may be interested in trying with your students:

-A gallery walk: Students could do this virtually if their writing is stored online or hard copies of their writing. Here are some different ways that you could use gallery walks: Enliven Class Discussions With Gallery Walks

-Students could give each other feedback using a tech tool like Flipgrid . You could assign students to small groups or give them accountability partners. In Flipgrid, you could have students sharing back and forth about their writing and their opinions.

I hope this helps!

I love the idea of mentor texts for all of these reading and writing concepts. I saw a great one on Twitter with one text and it demonstrated 5-6 reasons to start a paragraph, all in two pages of a book! Is there a location that would have suggestions/lists of mentor texts for these areas? Paragraphs, sentences, voice, persuasive writing, expository writing, etc. It seems like we could share this info, save each other some work, and curate a great collection of mentor text for English Language Arts teachers. Maybe it already exists?

Hi Maureen,

Here are some great resources that you may find helpful:

Craft Lessons Second Edition: Teaching Writing K-8 Write Like This: Teaching Real-World Writing Through Modeling and Mentor Texts and Mentor Texts, 2nd edition: Teaching Writing Through Children’s Literature, K-6

Thanks so much! I’ll definitely look into these.

I love the steps for planning an argumentative essay writing. When we return from Christmas break, we will begin starting a unit on argumentative writing. I will definitely use the steps. I especially love Step #2. As a 6th grade teacher, my students love to argue. This would set the stage of what argumentative essay involves. Thanks for sharing.

So glad to hear this, Gwen. Thanks for letting us know!

Great orientation, dear Jennifer. The step-by-step carefully planned pedagogical perspectives have surely added in the information repository of many.

Hi Jennifer,

I hope you are well. I apologise for the incorrect spelling in the previous post.

Thank you very much for introducing this effective instruction for teaching argumentative writing. I am the first year PhD student at Newcastle University, UK. My PhD research project aims to investigate teaching argumentative writing to Chinese university students. I am interested in the Argumentative Writing unit you have designed and would like to buy it. I would like to see the preview of this book before deciding to purchase it. I clicked on the image BUT the font of the preview is so small and cannot see the content clearly. I am wondering whether it could be possible for you to email me a detailed preview of what’s included. I would highly appreciate if you could help me with this.

Thank you very much in advance. Looking forward to your reply.

Take care and all the very best, Chang

Hi Chang! Jenn’s Argumentative Writing Unit is actually a teaching unit geared toward grades 7-12 with lessons, activities, etc. If you click here click here to view the actual product, you can click on the green ‘View Preview’ button to see a pretty detailed preview of what’s offered. Once you open the preview, there is the option to zoom in so you can see what the actual pages of the unit are like. I hope this helps!

Great Content!

Another teacher showed me one of your posts, and now I’ve read a dozen of them. With teaching students to argue, have you ever used the “What’s going on in this picture?” https://www.nytimes.com/column/learning-whats-going-on-in-this-picture?module=inline I used it last year and thought it was a non-threatening way to introduce learners to using evidence to be persuasive since there was no text.

I used to do something like this to help kids learn how to make inferences. Hadn’t thought of it from a persuasive standpoint. Interesting.

this is a very interesting topic, thanks!

Hi! I’m a teacher too! I was looking for inspiration and I found your article and thought you might find this online free tool interesting that helps make all students participate meaningfully and engage in a topic. https://www.kialo-edu.com/

This tool is great for student collaboration and to teach argumentative writing in an innovative way. I hope this helps!

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• Lesson Plan Examples
• Writing An Argumentative Essay

12th Grade Writing An Argumentative Essay Lesson Plan (English)

Topic: writing an argumentative essay, objectives & outcomes.

• Students will be able to write a four-paragraph argumentative essay about an academic topic.
• Templates for the structure of the argumentative essay
• Sample essays for reference
• Writing materials (pen or pencil, paper)
• Ask students to share their understanding of what an argument is and what an argumentative essay is.
• Write their answers on the board.
• Discuss the different elements that make up an argument (claim, reasons, evidence, rebuttal) and how they are used in an argumentative essay.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the topic for the essay and give students a few minutes to brainstorm ideas and jot them down on the brainstorming sheet.
• Explain the four-paragraph structure of an argumentative essay and show students an example of a completed essay that follows this structure.
• Discuss the purpose of each paragraph in an argumentative essay:
• Introduction: introduces the topic and presents a position on it
• Body: presents supporting evidence and reasons to support the main claim
• Conclusion: summarizes the main points and reinforces the author's position
• Distribute the handout with the guidelines for writing each paragraph.
• Review the guidelines and make sure students understand them.

Guided Practice

• Give students a few minutes to brainstorm ideas and jot them down on the brainstorming sheet.
• Bring students back together and review the brainstorming sheet together.
• Have students work in small groups to organize their ideas into a four-paragraph essay following the guidelines.
• Allow time for students to check their work with a peer review.
• Have students present their essays to the class for feedback and encouragement.

Independent Practice

• For independent practice, have students work on writing their argumentative essays.
• Encourage students to use the rubric to check their work and ensure that all four paragraphs are present and cohesive.
• Provide support and assistance as needed.
• Have students share their argumentative essays with the class.
• Ask students to reflect on their own writing process and how they used the rubric to check their work.

Assessment:

• Collect the argumentative essays and use the rubric to evaluate students' writing skills.
• Use a verbal or written feedback to provide students with feedback and suggestions for improvement.

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Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 3 strong argumentative essay examples, analyzed.

General Education

Need to defend your opinion on an issue? Argumentative essays are one of the most popular types of essays you’ll write in school. They combine persuasive arguments with fact-based research, and, when done well, can be powerful tools for making someone agree with your point of view. If you’re struggling to write an argumentative essay or just want to learn more about them, seeing examples can be a big help.

After giving an overview of this type of essay, we provide three argumentative essay examples. After each essay, we explain in-depth how the essay was structured, what worked, and where the essay could be improved. We end with tips for making your own argumentative essay as strong as possible.

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is an essay that uses evidence and facts to support the claim it’s making. Its purpose is to persuade the reader to agree with the argument being made.

A good argumentative essay will use facts and evidence to support the argument, rather than just the author’s thoughts and opinions. For example, say you wanted to write an argumentative essay stating that Charleston, SC is a great destination for families. You couldn’t just say that it’s a great place because you took your family there and enjoyed it. For it to be an argumentative essay, you need to have facts and data to support your argument, such as the number of child-friendly attractions in Charleston, special deals you can get with kids, and surveys of people who visited Charleston as a family and enjoyed it. The first argument is based entirely on feelings, whereas the second is based on evidence that can be proven.

The standard five paragraph format is common, but not required, for argumentative essays. These essays typically follow one of two formats: the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model.

• The Toulmin model is the most common. It begins with an introduction, follows with a thesis/claim, and gives data and evidence to support that claim. This style of essay also includes rebuttals of counterarguments.
• The Rogerian model analyzes two sides of an argument and reaches a conclusion after weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each.

3 Good Argumentative Essay Examples + Analysis

Below are three examples of argumentative essays, written by yours truly in my school days, as well as analysis of what each did well and where it could be improved.

Argumentative Essay Example 1

Proponents of this idea state that it will save local cities and towns money because libraries are expensive to maintain. They also believe it will encourage more people to read because they won’t have to travel to a library to get a book; they can simply click on what they want to read and read it from wherever they are. They could also access more materials because libraries won’t have to buy physical copies of books; they can simply rent out as many digital copies as they need.

However, it would be a serious mistake to replace libraries with tablets. First, digital books and resources are associated with less learning and more problems than print resources. A study done on tablet vs book reading found that people read 20-30% slower on tablets, retain 20% less information, and understand 10% less of what they read compared to people who read the same information in print. Additionally, staring too long at a screen has been shown to cause numerous health problems, including blurred vision, dizziness, dry eyes, headaches, and eye strain, at much higher instances than reading print does. People who use tablets and mobile devices excessively also have a higher incidence of more serious health issues such as fibromyalgia, shoulder and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and muscle strain. I know that whenever I read from my e-reader for too long, my eyes begin to feel tired and my neck hurts. We should not add to these problems by giving people, especially young people, more reasons to look at screens.

Second, it is incredibly narrow-minded to assume that the only service libraries offer is book lending. Libraries have a multitude of benefits, and many are only available if the library has a physical location. Some of these benefits include acting as a quiet study space, giving people a way to converse with their neighbors, holding classes on a variety of topics, providing jobs, answering patron questions, and keeping the community connected. One neighborhood found that, after a local library instituted community events such as play times for toddlers and parents, job fairs for teenagers, and meeting spaces for senior citizens, over a third of residents reported feeling more connected to their community. Similarly, a Pew survey conducted in 2015 found that nearly two-thirds of American adults feel that closing their local library would have a major impact on their community. People see libraries as a way to connect with others and get their questions answered, benefits tablets can’t offer nearly as well or as easily.

While replacing libraries with tablets may seem like a simple solution, it would encourage people to spend even more time looking at digital screens, despite the myriad issues surrounding them. It would also end access to many of the benefits of libraries that people have come to rely on. In many areas, libraries are such an important part of the community network that they could never be replaced by a simple object.

The author begins by giving an overview of the counter-argument, then the thesis appears as the first sentence in the third paragraph. The essay then spends the rest of the paper dismantling the counter argument and showing why readers should believe the other side.

What this essay does well:

• Although it’s a bit unusual to have the thesis appear fairly far into the essay, it works because, once the thesis is stated, the rest of the essay focuses on supporting it since the counter-argument has already been discussed earlier in the paper.
• This essay includes numerous facts and cites studies to support its case. By having specific data to rely on, the author’s argument is stronger and readers will be more inclined to agree with it.
• For every argument the other side makes, the author makes sure to refute it and follow up with why her opinion is the stronger one. In order to make a strong argument, it’s important to dismantle the other side, which this essay does this by making the author's view appear stronger.
• This is a shorter paper, and if it needed to be expanded to meet length requirements, it could include more examples and go more into depth with them, such as by explaining specific cases where people benefited from local libraries.
• Additionally, while the paper uses lots of data, the author also mentions their own experience with using tablets. This should be removed since argumentative essays focus on facts and data to support an argument, not the author’s own opinion or experiences. Replacing that with more data on health issues associated with screen time would strengthen the essay.
• Some of the points made aren't completely accurate , particularly the one about digital books being cheaper. It actually often costs a library more money to rent out numerous digital copies of a book compared to buying a single physical copy. Make sure in your own essay you thoroughly research each of the points and rebuttals you make, otherwise you'll look like you don't know the issue that well.

Argumentative Essay Example 2

There are multiple drugs available to treat malaria, and many of them work well and save lives, but malaria eradication programs that focus too much on them and not enough on prevention haven’t seen long-term success in Sub-Saharan Africa. A major program to combat malaria was WHO’s Global Malaria Eradication Programme. Started in 1955, it had a goal of eliminating malaria in Africa within the next ten years. Based upon previously successful programs in Brazil and the United States, the program focused mainly on vector control. This included widely distributing chloroquine and spraying large amounts of DDT. More than one billion dollars was spent trying to abolish malaria. However, the program suffered from many problems and in 1969, WHO was forced to admit that the program had not succeeded in eradicating malaria. The number of people in Sub-Saharan Africa who contracted malaria as well as the number of malaria deaths had actually increased over 10% during the time the program was active.

One of the major reasons for the failure of the project was that it set uniform strategies and policies. By failing to consider variations between governments, geography, and infrastructure, the program was not nearly as successful as it could have been. Sub-Saharan Africa has neither the money nor the infrastructure to support such an elaborate program, and it couldn’t be run the way it was meant to. Most African countries don't have the resources to send all their people to doctors and get shots, nor can they afford to clear wetlands or other malaria prone areas. The continent’s spending per person for eradicating malaria was just a quarter of what Brazil spent. Sub-Saharan Africa simply can’t rely on a plan that requires more money, infrastructure, and expertise than they have to spare.

Additionally, the widespread use of chloroquine has created drug resistant parasites which are now plaguing Sub-Saharan Africa. Because chloroquine was used widely but inconsistently, mosquitoes developed resistance, and chloroquine is now nearly completely ineffective in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 95% of mosquitoes resistant to it. As a result, newer, more expensive drugs need to be used to prevent and treat malaria, which further drives up the cost of malaria treatment for a region that can ill afford it.

Instead of developing plans to treat malaria after the infection has incurred, programs should focus on preventing infection from occurring in the first place. Not only is this plan cheaper and more effective, reducing the number of people who contract malaria also reduces loss of work/school days which can further bring down the productivity of the region.

One of the cheapest and most effective ways of preventing malaria is to implement insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs).  These nets provide a protective barrier around the person or people using them. While untreated bed nets are still helpful, those treated with insecticides are much more useful because they stop mosquitoes from biting people through the nets, and they help reduce mosquito populations in a community, thus helping people who don’t even own bed nets.  Bed nets are also very effective because most mosquito bites occur while the person is sleeping, so bed nets would be able to drastically reduce the number of transmissions during the night. In fact, transmission of malaria can be reduced by as much as 90% in areas where the use of ITNs is widespread. Because money is so scarce in Sub-Saharan Africa, the low cost is a great benefit and a major reason why the program is so successful. Bed nets cost roughly 2 USD to make, last several years, and can protect two adults. Studies have shown that, for every 100-1000 more nets are being used, one less child dies of malaria. With an estimated 300 million people in Africa not being protected by mosquito nets, there’s the potential to save three million lives by spending just a few dollars per person.

Reducing the number of people who contract malaria would also reduce poverty levels in Africa significantly, thus improving other aspects of society like education levels and the economy. Vector control is more effective than treatment strategies because it means fewer people are getting sick. When fewer people get sick, the working population is stronger as a whole because people are not put out of work from malaria, nor are they caring for sick relatives. Malaria-afflicted families can typically only harvest 40% of the crops that healthy families can harvest. Additionally, a family with members who have malaria spends roughly a quarter of its income treatment, not including the loss of work they also must deal with due to the illness. It’s estimated that malaria costs Africa 12 billion USD in lost income every year. A strong working population creates a stronger economy, which Sub-Saharan Africa is in desperate need of.  

This essay begins with an introduction, which ends with the thesis (that malaria eradication plans in Sub-Saharan Africa should focus on prevention rather than treatment). The first part of the essay lays out why the counter argument (treatment rather than prevention) is not as effective, and the second part of the essay focuses on why prevention of malaria is the better path to take.

• The thesis appears early, is stated clearly, and is supported throughout the rest of the essay. This makes the argument clear for readers to understand and follow throughout the essay.
• There’s lots of solid research in this essay, including specific programs that were conducted and how successful they were, as well as specific data mentioned throughout. This evidence helps strengthen the author’s argument.
• The author makes a case for using expanding bed net use over waiting until malaria occurs and beginning treatment, but not much of a plan is given for how the bed nets would be distributed or how to ensure they’re being used properly. By going more into detail of what she believes should be done, the author would be making a stronger argument.
• The introduction of the essay does a good job of laying out the seriousness of the problem, but the conclusion is short and abrupt. Expanding it into its own paragraph would give the author a final way to convince readers of her side of the argument.

Argumentative Essay Example 3

There are many ways payments could work. They could be in the form of a free-market approach, where athletes are able to earn whatever the market is willing to pay them, it could be a set amount of money per athlete, or student athletes could earn income from endorsements, autographs, and control of their likeness, similar to the way top Olympians earn money.

Proponents of the idea believe that, because college athletes are the ones who are training, participating in games, and bringing in audiences, they should receive some sort of compensation for their work. If there were no college athletes, the NCAA wouldn’t exist, college coaches wouldn’t receive there (sometimes very high) salaries, and brands like Nike couldn’t profit from college sports. In fact, the NCAA brings in roughly $1 billion in revenue a year, but college athletes don’t receive any of that money in the form of a paycheck. Additionally, people who believe college athletes should be paid state that paying college athletes will actually encourage them to remain in college longer and not turn pro as quickly, either by giving them a way to begin earning money in college or requiring them to sign a contract stating they’ll stay at the university for a certain number of years while making an agreed-upon salary.  

Supporters of this idea point to Zion Williamson, the Duke basketball superstar, who, during his freshman year, sustained a serious knee injury. Many argued that, even if he enjoyed playing for Duke, it wasn’t worth risking another injury and ending his professional career before it even began for a program that wasn’t paying him. Williamson seems to have agreed with them and declared his eligibility for the NCAA draft later that year. If he was being paid, he may have stayed at Duke longer. In fact, roughly a third of student athletes surveyed stated that receiving a salary while in college would make them “strongly consider” remaining collegiate athletes longer before turning pro.

Paying athletes could also stop the recruitment scandals that have plagued the NCAA. In 2018, the NCAA stripped the University of Louisville's men's basketball team of its 2013 national championship title because it was discovered coaches were using sex workers to entice recruits to join the team. There have been dozens of other recruitment scandals where college athletes and recruits have been bribed with anything from having their grades changed, to getting free cars, to being straight out bribed. By paying college athletes and putting their salaries out in the open, the NCAA could end the illegal and underhanded ways some schools and coaches try to entice athletes to join.

People who argue against the idea of paying college athletes believe the practice could be disastrous for college sports. By paying athletes, they argue, they’d turn college sports into a bidding war, where only the richest schools could afford top athletes, and the majority of schools would be shut out from developing a talented team (though some argue this already happens because the best players often go to the most established college sports programs, who typically pay their coaches millions of dollars per year). It could also ruin the tight camaraderie of many college teams if players become jealous that certain teammates are making more money than they are.

They also argue that paying college athletes actually means only a small fraction would make significant money. Out of the 350 Division I athletic departments, fewer than a dozen earn any money. Nearly all the money the NCAA makes comes from men’s football and basketball, so paying college athletes would make a small group of men--who likely will be signed to pro teams and begin making millions immediately out of college--rich at the expense of other players.

Those against paying college athletes also believe that the athletes are receiving enough benefits already. The top athletes already receive scholarships that are worth tens of thousands per year, they receive free food/housing/textbooks, have access to top medical care if they are injured, receive top coaching, get travel perks and free gear, and can use their time in college as a way to capture the attention of professional recruiters. No other college students receive anywhere near as much from their schools.

People on this side also point out that, while the NCAA brings in a massive amount of money each year, it is still a non-profit organization. How? Because over 95% of those profits are redistributed to its members’ institutions in the form of scholarships, grants, conferences, support for Division II and Division III teams, and educational programs. Taking away a significant part of that revenue would hurt smaller programs that rely on that money to keep running.

While both sides have good points, it’s clear that the negatives of paying college athletes far outweigh the positives. College athletes spend a significant amount of time and energy playing for their school, but they are compensated for it by the scholarships and perks they receive. Adding a salary to that would result in a college athletic system where only a small handful of athletes (those likely to become millionaires in the professional leagues) are paid by a handful of schools who enter bidding wars to recruit them, while the majority of student athletics and college athletic programs suffer or even shut down for lack of money. Continuing to offer the current level of benefits to student athletes makes it possible for as many people to benefit from and enjoy college sports as possible.

This argumentative essay follows the Rogerian model. It discusses each side, first laying out multiple reasons people believe student athletes should be paid, then discussing reasons why the athletes shouldn’t be paid. It ends by stating that college athletes shouldn’t be paid by arguing that paying them would destroy college athletics programs and cause them to have many of the issues professional sports leagues have.

• Both sides of the argument are well developed, with multiple reasons why people agree with each side. It allows readers to get a full view of the argument and its nuances.
• Certain statements on both sides are directly rebuffed in order to show where the strengths and weaknesses of each side lie and give a more complete and sophisticated look at the argument.
• Using the Rogerian model can be tricky because oftentimes you don’t explicitly state your argument until the end of the paper. Here, the thesis doesn’t appear until the first sentence of the final paragraph. That doesn’t give readers a lot of time to be convinced that your argument is the right one, compared to a paper where the thesis is stated in the beginning and then supported throughout the paper. This paper could be strengthened if the final paragraph was expanded to more fully explain why the author supports the view, or if the paper had made it clearer that paying athletes was the weaker argument throughout.

3 Tips for Writing a Good Argumentative Essay

Now that you’ve seen examples of what good argumentative essay samples look like, follow these three tips when crafting your own essay.

#1: Make Your Thesis Crystal Clear

The thesis is the key to your argumentative essay; if it isn’t clear or readers can’t find it easily, your entire essay will be weak as a result. Always make sure that your thesis statement is easy to find. The typical spot for it is the final sentence of the introduction paragraph, but if it doesn’t fit in that spot for your essay, try to at least put it as the first or last sentence of a different paragraph so it stands out more.

Also make sure that your thesis makes clear what side of the argument you’re on. After you’ve written it, it’s a great idea to show your thesis to a couple different people--classmates are great for this. Just by reading your thesis they should be able to understand what point you’ll be trying to make with the rest of your essay.

#2: Show Why the Other Side Is Weak

When writing your essay, you may be tempted to ignore the other side of the argument and just focus on your side, but don’t do this. The best argumentative essays really tear apart the other side to show why readers shouldn’t believe it. Before you begin writing your essay, research what the other side believes, and what their strongest points are. Then, in your essay, be sure to mention each of these and use evidence to explain why they’re incorrect/weak arguments. That’ll make your essay much more effective than if you only focused on your side of the argument.

#3: Use Evidence to Support Your Side

Remember, an essay can’t be an argumentative essay if it doesn’t support its argument with evidence. For every point you make, make sure you have facts to back it up. Some examples are previous studies done on the topic, surveys of large groups of people, data points, etc. There should be lots of numbers in your argumentative essay that support your side of the argument. This will make your essay much stronger compared to only relying on your own opinions to support your argument.

Summary: Argumentative Essay Sample

Argumentative essays are persuasive essays that use facts and evidence to support their side of the argument. Most argumentative essays follow either the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model. By reading good argumentative essay examples, you can learn how to develop your essay and provide enough support to make readers agree with your opinion. When writing your essay, remember to always make your thesis clear, show where the other side is weak, and back up your opinion with data and evidence.

What's Next?

Do you need to write an argumentative essay as well? Check out our guide on the best argumentative essay topics for ideas!

You'll probably also need to write research papers for school. We've got you covered with 113 potential topics for research papers.

Your college admissions essay may end up being one of the most important essays you write. Follow our step-by-step guide on writing a personal statement to have an essay that'll impress colleges.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Writing curriculum

Argumentative Writing Unit

Writing prompts, lesson plans, webinars, mentor texts and a culminating contest, all to inspire your students to tell us what matters to them.

By The Learning Network

Unit Overview

On our site, we’ve been offering teenagers ways to tell the world what they think for over 20 years. Our student writing prompt forums encourage them to weigh in on current events and issues daily, while our contests have offered an annual outlet since 2014 for formalizing those opinions into evidence-based essays.

In this unit, we’re bringing together all the resources we’ve developed along the way to help students figure out what they want to say, and how to say it effectively.

Here is what this unit offers, but we would love to hear from both teachers and students if there is more we could include. Let us know in the comments, or by writing to [email protected].

Start With Our Prompts for Argumentative Writing

How young is too young to use social media? Should students get mental health days off from school? Is $1 billion too much money for any one person to have?

These are the kinds of questions we ask every day on our site. In 2017 we published a list of 401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing categorized to provoke thinking on aspects of contemporary life from social media to sports, politics, gender issues and school. In 2021, we followed it up with 300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing , which catalogs all our argument-focused Student Opinion prompts since then, plus our more accessible Picture Prompts.

Teachers tell us their students love looking at these lists, both to inspire their own writing and to find links to reliable sources about the issues that intrigue them. In fact, every year we get many contest submissions that grow directly out of these questions. Several, like this one , have even gone on to win.

But even if you’re not participating in our contest, you might use these prompts to invite the kind of casual, low-stakes writing that can help your students build skills — in developing their voices, making claims and backing them up with solid reasoning and evidence.

And, if your students respond to our most recent prompts by posting comments on our site, they can also practice making arguments for an authentic audience of fellow students from around the world. Each week we choose our favorites to honor in our Current Events Conversation column .

Find Lesson Plans on Every Aspect of Argument Writing

Over the years, we’ve published quite a few lesson plans to support our annual argument writing contests — so many, in fact, that we finally rounded them all up into one easy list.

In “ 10 Ways to Teach Argument-Writing With The New York Times ,” you’ll find resources for:

Exploring the role of a newspaper opinion section

Understanding the difference between fact and opinion

Analyzing the use of rhetorical strategies like ethos, pathos and logos

Working with claims, evidence and counterarguments

Helping students discover the issues that matter to them

Breaking out of the “echo chamber” when researching hot-button issues

Experimenting with visual argument-making

In 2021, we also developed An Argumentative-Writing Unit for Students Doing Remote Learning that can help teenagers guide their own learning.

Teach and Learn With Mentor Texts

You probably already know that you can find arguments to admire — and “writer’s moves” to emulate — all over the Times Opinion section . But have you thought about using the work of our previous Student Editorial Contest winners as mentor texts too?

Here are ways to use both:

Learn from the Op-Ed columnist Nicholas Kristof’s writing process : One edition of our “Annotated by the Author” Mentor Text series is by Mr. Kristof. See what he has to say about the writing challenges he faced in a recent column and how he did the kinds of things students will have to do, too, from fact-checking to fixing grammar errors to balancing storytelling with making a larger point.

Get to know one writer’s rhetorical style : Many teachers use an “adopt a columnist” method, inviting students to focus on the work of one of the Times Opinion columnists to get to know his or her issues and rhetorical style. In 2019, an English teacher in Connecticut wrote for our site about how he does this exercise, in which his students choose from among columnists at The Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

Use the work of teenage winners to help your students identify “writer’s moves” they can borrow: Teachers have told us there is no better way to prepare students to enter our contest than to have them examine the work of previous winners.

On our current site, you can find the essays of the top winners and the runners-up from 2017-202 3. Invite your students to read one and answer the questions we pose in all our Mentor Texts columns : “What do you notice or admire about this piece? What lessons might it have for your writing?” Then, have them borrow one or more of this student’s “writer’s moves” and imitate it in their own work.

We have also published two Learning Network books , one that collects 100 of the best student essays from this contest all in one place, categorized by subjects like “Teenage Life Online,” “Gender and Sexuality” and “Sports and Gaming,” and the other a related teacher’s guide to using them in the classroom.

Here is a roundup of ideas from 17 teachers and students for ways to use these “authentic, powerful and unafraid” student essays in several classroom contexts.

Finally, two new entries in our Annotated by the Author series feature student editorial contest winners from 2020 discussing their work and sharing tips: Ananya Udaygiri on “How Animal Crossing Will Save the World” and Abel John on “Collar the Cat!”

Get Practical Tips From Our Related Videos and Webinars

The video above, “ How to Write an Editorial ,” is only three minutes long, but in it Andy Rosenthal, the former editor of the Times Opinion page, gives students seven great pieces of advice.

Both students and teachers are welcome to watch our popular on-demand 2017 webinar, “ Write to Change the World: Crafting Persuasive Pieces With Help From Nicholas Kristof and the Times Op-Ed Page ,” which includes a wealth of practical tips from Mr. Kristof, as well as from Kabby Hong, a Wisconsin English teacher who works with this contest annually, and his student, Daina Kalnina, whose 2017 essay was one of our top winners that year.

Finally, you can watch our 2021 on-demand webinar, Teaching Argumentative Writing , that focuses on two key steps in the process: finding your argument, and using evidence to support it. You will also get broad overview of how to use our writing prompts and the work of our student winners to help your own students find topics they care about, and craft solid arguments around them. You can also watch an edited version of this webinar below.

Enter Our New Student Open Letter Contest: March 13-April 17, 2024

The culmination of this unit? Our new Open Letter Contest.

An open letter is a published letter of protest or appeal usually addressed to an individual but intended for the general public. Martin Luther King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail , the recent letter signed by over 1,000 tech leaders about the dangers of A.I. and this funny 2020 letter addressed to Harry and Meghan are all examples of this rich tradition.

Just as we did for our long-running Editorial Contest, we invite students to make an argument in 450 words about something that matters to them, and persuade us that we should care, too. But this time, students must address themselves to a specific target audience or recipient, institution or group — one that has the power to make meaningful change.

Whether students choose their parents, teachers, school board members or mayor; a member of Congress; the head of a corporation; or a metonym like “Silicon Valley” or “The Kremlin,” they should ask themselves, What do I care about? Who can make changes, big or small, local or global, to address my issue or problem? What specifically do I want them to understand and do? And how can I write this as an “open letter,” meaningful not just to me and the recipient, but to a general audience?

More information will be published soon. Until then, you can find ideas and inspiration in our related writing unit and via the work of past Editorial winners .

As always, all student work will be read by our staff, volunteers from the Times Opinion section, and/or by educators from around the country. Winners will have their work published on our site and, perhaps, in the print New York Times.

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• How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

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Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

• Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
• Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
• Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
• Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
• Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
• Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

• Make a claim
• Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
• Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
• Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

• Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
• Cite data to support your claim
• Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
• Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

• Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
• Highlight the problems with this position
• Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
• Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

• Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
• Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
• Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
• Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

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Praxis Core Writing

Course: praxis core writing   >   unit 1, argumentative essay | quick guide.

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Argumentative essay (30 minutes)

• states or clearly implies the writer’s position or thesis
• organizes and develops ideas logically, making insightful connections between them
• clearly explains key ideas, supporting them with well-chosen reasons, examples, or details
• displays effective sentence variety
• clearly displays facility in the use of language
• is generally free from errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
• organizes and develops ideas clearly, making connections between them
• explains key ideas, supporting them with relevant reasons, examples, or details
• displays some sentence variety
• displays facility in the use of language
• states or implies the writer’s position or thesis
• shows control in the organization and development of ideas
• explains some key ideas, supporting them with adequate reasons, examples, or details
• displays adequate use of language
• shows control of grammar, usage, and mechanics, but may display errors
• limited in stating or implying a position or thesis
• limited control in the organization and development of ideas
• inadequate reasons, examples, or details to explain key ideas
• an accumulation of errors in the use of language
• an accumulation of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
• no clear position or thesis
• weak organization or very little development
• few or no relevant reasons, examples, or details
• frequent serious errors in the use of language
• frequent serious errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
• contains serious and persistent writing errors or
• is incoherent or
• is undeveloped or
• is off-topic

How should I build a thesis?

• (Choice A)   Kids should find role models that are worthier than celebrities because celebrities may be famous for reasons that aren't admirable. A Kids should find role models that are worthier than celebrities because celebrities may be famous for reasons that aren't admirable.
• (Choice B)   Because they profit from the admiration of youths, celebrities have a moral responsibility for the reactions their behaviors provoke in fans. B Because they profit from the admiration of youths, celebrities have a moral responsibility for the reactions their behaviors provoke in fans.
• (Choice C)   Celebrities may have more imitators than most people, but they hold no more responsibility over the example they set than the average person. C Celebrities may have more imitators than most people, but they hold no more responsibility over the example they set than the average person.
• (Choice D)   Notoriety is not always a choice, and some celebrities may not want to be role models. D Notoriety is not always a choice, and some celebrities may not want to be role models.
• (Choice E)   Parents have a moral responsibility to serve as immediate role models for their children. E Parents have a moral responsibility to serve as immediate role models for their children.

How should I support my thesis?

• (Choice A)   As basketball star Charles Barkley stated in a famous advertising campaign for Nike, he was paid to dominate on the basketball court, not to raise your kids. A As basketball star Charles Barkley stated in a famous advertising campaign for Nike, he was paid to dominate on the basketball court, not to raise your kids.
• (Choice B)   Many celebrities do consider themselves responsible for setting a good example and create non-profit organizations through which they can benefit youths. B Many celebrities do consider themselves responsible for setting a good example and create non-profit organizations through which they can benefit youths.
• (Choice C)   Many celebrities, like Kylie Jenner with her billion-dollar cosmetics company, profit directly from being imitated by fans who purchase sponsored products. C Many celebrities, like Kylie Jenner with her billion-dollar cosmetics company, profit directly from being imitated by fans who purchase sponsored products.
• (Choice D)   My ten-year-old nephew may love Drake's music, but his behaviors are more similar to those of the adults he interacts with on a daily basis, like his parents and teachers. D My ten-year-old nephew may love Drake's music, but his behaviors are more similar to those of the adults he interacts with on a daily basis, like his parents and teachers.
• (Choice E)   It's very common for young people to wear fashions similar to those of their favorite celebrities. E It's very common for young people to wear fashions similar to those of their favorite celebrities.

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Argumentative Essay Writing

Argumentative Essay Examples

Best Argumentative Essay Examples for Your Help

Published on: Mar 10, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 30, 2024

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Argumentative essays are one of the most common types of essay writing. Students are assigned to write such essays very frequently.

Despite being assigned so frequently, students still find it hard to write a good argumentative essay .

There are certain things that one needs to follow to write a good argumentative essay. The first thing is to choose an effective and interesting topic. Use all possible sources to dig out the best topic.

Afterward, the student should choose the model that they would follow to write this type of essay. Follow the steps of the chosen model and start writing the essay.

The models for writing an argumentative essay are the classical model, the Rogerian model, and the Toulmin model.

To make sure that you write a good argumentative essay, read the different types of examples mentioned in this blog.

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Good Argumentative Essay Examples

Argumentative essays are an inevitable part of academic life. To write a good argumentative essay, you need to see a few good examples of this type of essay.

To analyze whether the example is good to take help from or not. You need to look for a few things in it.

Make sure it follows one specific model and has an introductory paragraph, organized body paragraphs, and a formal conclusion.

Get More Examples From Our AI Essay Writer

How to Start an Argumentative Essay Example

Learning how to start an argumentative essay example is a tricky thing for beginners. It is quite simple but can be challenging for newbies.   To start an argumentative essay example, you need to write a brief and attractive introduction. It is written to convince the reader and make them understand your point of view .

Add body paragraphs after the introduction to support your thesis statement. Also, use body paragraphs to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of your side of the argument.

Write a formal conclusion for your essay and summarize all the key elements of your essay. Look at the example mentioned below to understand the concept more clearly.

Check out this video for more information!

Argumentative Essay Example (PDF)

Argumentative Essay Example 

Argumentative essays are assigned to university students more often than the students of schools and colleges.

 It involves arguments over vast and sometimes bold topics as well.

For university students, usually, argumentative essay topics are not provided. They are required to search for the topic themselves and write accordingly.

The following examples will give an idea of how university students write argumentative essays.

Argumentative Essay Example for University (PDF)

Argumentative Essay Examples for College

For the college level, it is recommended to use simple language and avoid the use of complex words in essays.

Make sure that using simple language and valid evidence, you support your claim well and make it as convincing as possible

If you are a college student and want to write an argumentative essay, read the examples provided below. Focus on the formatting and the vocabulary used.

Argumentative Essay Example for College (PDF)

College Argumentative Essay Sample (PDF)

Argumentative Essay Examples for Middle School

Being a middle school student, you must be wondering how we write an argumentative essay. And how can you support your argument?

Go through the following examples and hopefully, you will be able to write an effective argumentative essay very easily.

Argumentative Essay Example for Middle School(PDF)

Middle School Argumentative Essay Sample (PDF)

Argumentative Essay Examples for High School

High school students are not very aware of all the skills that are needed to write research papers and essays. 

Especially, when it comes to argumentative essays, it becomes quite a challenge for high schools to defend their argument

In this scenario, the best option is to look into some good examples. Here we have summed up two best examples of argumentative essays for high school students specifically.

Argumentative Essay Example for High School (PDF)

High School Argumentative Essay Sample (PDF)

Argumentative Essay Examples for O Level

The course outline for O levels is quite tough. O levels students need to have a good command of the English language and amazing writing skills.

If you are an O-level student, the following examples will guide you on how to write an argumentative essay.

Argumentative Essay Example for O Level (PDF)

Argumentative Essay for O Level Students (PDF)

5-Paragraph Argumentative Essay Examples

A 5-paragraph essay is basically a formatting style for essay writing. It has the following five parts:

• Introduction

In the introduction, the writer introduces the topic and provides a glance at the collected data to support the main argument.

• Body paragraph 1

The first body paragraph discusses the first and most important point related to the argument. It starts with a topic sentence and has all the factual data to make the argument convincing.

• Body paragraph 2

The second body paragraph mentions the second most important element of the argument. A topic sentence is used to start these paragraphs. It gives the idea of the point that will discuss in the following paragraph.

• Body paragraph 3

The third paragraph discusses all the miscellaneous points. Also, it uses a transitional sentence at the end to show a relation to the conclusion.

The conclusion of a five-paragraph essay reiterates all the major elements of an argumentative essay. It also restates the thesis statement using a more convincing choice of words.

Look at the example below to see how a well-written five-paragraph essay looks like

5 Paragraph Argumentative Essay Example (PDF)

Argumentative Essay Examples for 6th Grade

Students in 6th grade are at a point where they are learning new things every day. 

Writing an argumentative essay is an interesting activity for them as they like to convince people of their point of view.

Argumentative essays written at such levels are very simple but well convincing. 

The following example will give you more detail on how a 6th-grade student should write an argumentative essay.

6th Grade Argumentative Essay Example (PDF)

Argumentative Essay Examples for 7th Grade

There is not much difference between a 6th-grade and a 7th-grade student. Both of them are enhancing their writing and academic skills.

Here is another example to help you with writing an effective argumentative essay.

7th Grade Argumentative Essay Example (PDF)

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Short Argumentative Essay Examples

For an argumentative essay, there is no specific limit for the word count. It only has to convince the readers and pass on the knowledge of the writer to the intended audience.

It can be short or detailed. It would be considered valid as far as it has an argument involved in it.

Following is an example of a short argumentative essay example

Short Argumentative Essay Example (PDF)

Immigration Argumentative Essay Examples

Immigration is a hot topic for a very long time now. People have different opinions regarding this issue.

Where there is more than one opinion, an argumentative essay can be written on that topic. The following are examples of argumentative essays on immigration.

Read them and try to understand how an effective argumentative essay is written on such a topic.

Argumentative Essay Example on Immigration (PDF)

Argumentative Essay Sample on Immigration (PDF)

Writing essays is usually a tiring and time-consuming assignment to do. Students already have a bunch of assignments for other subjects to complete. In this situation, asking for help from professional writers is the best choice.

If you are still in need of assistance, our essay writer AI can help you create a compelling essay that presents your argument clearly and effectively. 

With our argumentative essay writing service, you will enjoy perks like expert guidance, unlimited revisions, and helpful customer support. Let our essay writer help you make an impact with your essay on global warming today! 

Place your order with our college essay writing service today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 7 types of arguments.

The seven types of arguments are as follows:

• Statistical

What is the structure of an argument?

The structure of an argument consists of a main point (thesis statement) that is supported by evidence. 

This evidence can include facts, statistics, examples, and other forms of data that help to prove or disprove the thesis statement. 

After providing the evidence, arguments also often include a conclusion that summarizes the main points made throughout the argument.

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11th-12th grade argumentative writing rubric

Offer 11th-12th grade students a standards-aligned structure for argumentative writing with this educator-developed rubric.

Offer 11th-12th Grade students a structure for informative writing with this standards-aligned rubric developed by educators for Feedback Studio.

Rubric suitable for formative and summative assignments with tasks involving the defense of a position on a topic. Use this rubric when asking students to argue whether or not they support a position on a topic, to examine sources in order to defend a position on a topic, etc. Consider using the 9th-12th Grade Argument QuickMark set with this rubric. These drag-and-drop comments were tailor-made by veteran educators to give actionable, formative feedback directly to students. While they were explicitly aligned to this particular rubric, you can edit or add your own content to any QuickMark. This rubric is available and ready to use in your Feedback Studio account. However, if you would like to customize its criteria, you can "Duplicate this rubric" in your Feedback Studio account and then edit the rubric as needed. Or, you can download this .rbc file and then import to your account to begin editing the content.

• Grades 6-12
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The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (120+ Ideas!)

Ideas to inspire every young writer!

High school students generally do a lot of writing, learning to use language clearly, concisely, and persuasively. When it’s time to choose an essay topic, though, it’s easy to come up blank. If that’s the case, check out this huge round-up of essay topics for high school. You’ll find choices for every subject and writing style.

• Argumentative Essay Topics
• Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics
• Compare-Contrast Essay Topics
• Descriptive Essay Topics
• Expository and Informative Essay Topics
• Humorous Essay Topics

Literary Essay Topics

• Narrative and Personal Essay Topics
• Personal Essay Topics
• Persuasive Essay Topics

Research Essay Topics

Argumentative essay topics for high school.

When writing an argumentative essay, remember to do the research and lay out the facts clearly. Your goal is not necessarily to persuade someone to agree with you, but to encourage your reader to accept your point of view as valid. Here are some possible argumentative topics to try. ( Here are 100 more compelling argumentative essay topics. )

• The most important challenge our country is currently facing is … (e.g., immigration, gun control, economy)
• The government should provide free internet access for every citizen.
• All drugs should be legalized, regulated, and taxed.
• Vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco.
• The best country in the world is …
• Parents should be punished for their minor children’s crimes.
• Should all students have the ability to attend college for free?
• Should physical education be part of the standard high school curriculum?

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• Schools should require recommended vaccines for all students, with very limited exceptions.
• Is it acceptable to use animals for experiments and research?
• Does social media do more harm than good?
• Capital punishment does/does not deter crime.
• What one class should all high schools students be required to take and pass in order to graduate?
• Do we really learn anything from history, or does it just repeat itself over and over?
• Are men and women treated equally?

Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics for High School

A cause-and-effect essay is a type of argumentative essay. Your goal is to show how one specific thing directly influences another specific thing. You’ll likely need to do some research to make your point. Here are some ideas for cause-and-effect essays. ( Get a big list of 100 cause-and-effect essay topics here. )

• Humans are causing accelerated climate change.
• Fast-food restaurants have made human health worse over the decades.
• What caused World War II? (Choose any conflict for this one.)
• Describe the effects social media has on young adults.

• How does playing sports affect people?
• What are the effects of loving to read?
• Being an only/oldest/youngest/middle child makes you …
• What effect does violence in movies or video games have on kids?
• Traveling to new places opens people’s minds to new ideas.
• Racism is caused by …

Compare-Contrast Essay Topics for High School

As the name indicates, in compare-and-contrast essays, writers show the similarities and differences between two things. They combine descriptive writing with analysis, making connections and showing dissimilarities. The following ideas work well for compare-contrast essays. ( Find 80+ compare-contrast essay topics for all ages here. )

• Public and private schools
• Capitalism vs. communism
• Monarchy or democracy
• Dogs vs. cats as pets

• Paper books or e-books
• Two political candidates in a current race
• Going to college vs. starting work full-time
• Working your way through college as you go or taking out student loans
• iPhone or Android
• Instagram vs. Twitter (or choose any other two social media platforms)

Descriptive Essay Topics for High School

Bring on the adjectives! Descriptive writing is all about creating a rich picture for the reader. Take readers on a journey to far-off places, help them understand an experience, or introduce them to a new person. Remember: Show, don’t tell. These topics make excellent descriptive essays.

• Who is the funniest person you know?
• What is your happiest memory?
• Tell about the most inspirational person in your life.
• Write about your favorite place.
• When you were little, what was your favorite thing to do?
• Choose a piece of art or music and explain how it makes you feel.
• What is your earliest memory?

• What’s the best/worst vacation you’ve ever taken?
• Describe your favorite pet.
• What is the most important item in the world to you?
• Give a tour of your bedroom (or another favorite room in your home).
• Describe yourself to someone who has never met you.
• Lay out your perfect day from start to finish.
• Explain what it’s like to move to a new town or start a new school.
• Tell what it would be like to live on the moon.

Expository and Informative Essay Topics for High School

Expository essays set out clear explanations of a particular topic. You might be defining a word or phrase or explaining how something works. Expository or informative essays are based on facts, and while you might explore different points of view, you won’t necessarily say which one is “better” or “right.” Remember: Expository essays educate the reader. Here are some expository and informative essay topics to explore. ( See 70+ expository and informative essay topics here. )

• What makes a good leader?
• Explain why a given school subject (math, history, science, etc.) is important for students to learn.
• What is the “glass ceiling” and how does it affect society?
• Describe how the internet changed the world.
• What does it mean to be a good teacher?

• Explain how we could colonize the moon or another planet.
• Discuss why mental health is just as important as physical health.
• Describe a healthy lifestyle for a teenager.
• Choose an American president and explain how their time in office affected the country.
• What does “financial responsibility” mean?

Humorous Essay Topics for High School

Humorous essays can take on any form, like narrative, persuasive, or expository. You might employ sarcasm or satire, or simply tell a story about a funny person or event. Even though these essay topics are lighthearted, they still take some skill to tackle well. Give these ideas a try.

• What would happen if cats (or any other animal) ruled the world?
• What do newborn babies wish their parents knew?
• Explain the best ways to be annoying on social media.
• Invent a wacky new sport, explain the rules, and describe a game or match.

• Imagine a discussion between two historic figures from very different times, like Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth I.
• Retell a familiar story in tweets or other social media posts.
• Describe present-day Earth from an alien’s point of view.
• Choose a fictional character and explain why they should be the next president.
• Describe a day when kids are in charge of everything, at school and at home.

Literary essays analyze a piece of writing, like a book or a play. In high school, students usually write literary essays about the works they study in class. These literary essay topic ideas focus on books students often read in high school, but many of them can be tweaked to fit other works as well.

• Discuss the portrayal of women in Shakespeare’s Othello .
• Explore the symbolism used in The Scarlet Letter .
• Explain the importance of dreams in Of Mice and Men .
• Compare and contrast the romantic relationships in Pride and Prejudice .

• Dissect the allegory of Animal Farm and its relation to contemporary events.
• Interpret the author’s take on society and class structure in The Great Gatsby .
• Explore the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia.
• Discuss whether Shakespeare’s portrayal of young love in Romeo and Juliet is accurate.
• Explain the imagery used in Beowulf .

Narrative and Personal Essay Topics for High School

Think of a narrative essay like telling a story. Use some of the same techniques that you would for a descriptive essay, but be sure you have a beginning, middle, and end. A narrative essay doesn’t necessarily need to be personal, but they often are. Take inspiration from these narrative and personal essay topics.

• Describe a performance or sporting event you took part in.
• Explain the process of cooking and eating your favorite meal.
• Write about meeting your best friend for the first time and how your relationship developed.
• Tell about learning to ride a bike or drive a car.
• Describe a time in your life when you’ve been scared.

• Share the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you.
• Tell about a time when you overcame a big challenge.
• Tell the story of how you learned an important life lesson.
• Describe a time when you or someone you know experienced prejudice or oppression.
• Explain a family tradition, how it developed, and its importance today.
• What is your favorite holiday? How does your family celebrate it?
• Retell a familiar story from the point of view of a different character.
• Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
• Tell about your proudest moment.

Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative , but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader. It’s important to know your audience, so you can anticipate any counterarguments they might make and try to overcome them. Try these topics to persuade someone to come around to your point of view. ( Discover 60 more intriguing persuasive essay topics here. )

• Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?
• Everyone should be vegetarian or vegan.
• What animal makes the best pet?
• Visit an animal shelter, choose an animal that needs a home, and write an essay persuading someone to adopt that animal.
• Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
• Should little kids be allowed to play competitive sports?
• Are professional athletes/musicians/actors overpaid?
• The best music genre is …

• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Is capitalism the best form of economy?
• Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
• Should schools have dress codes?
• If I could change one school rule, it would be …
• Is year-round school a good idea?

A research essay is a classic high school assignment. These papers require deep research into primary source documents, with lots of supporting facts and evidence that’s properly cited. Research essays can be in any of the styles shown above. Here are some possible topics, across a variety of subjects.

• Which country’s style of government is best for the people who live there?
• Choose a country and analyze its development from founding to present day.
• Describe the causes and effects of a specific war.
• Formulate an ideal economic plan for our country.
• What scientific discovery has had the biggest impact on life today?

• Analyze the way mental health is viewed and treated in this country.
• Explore the ways systemic racism impacts people in all walks of life.
• Defend the importance of teaching music and the arts in public schools.
• Choose one animal from the endangered species list, and propose a realistic plan to protect it.

What are some of your favorite essay topics for high school? Come share your prompts on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out the ultimate guide to student writing contests .

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100 Thought-Provoking Argumentative Writing Prompts for Kids and Teens

Practice making well-reasoned arguments using research and facts. Continue Reading

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English Language Arts and Reading.3.12.C

compose argumentative texts , including opinion essays , using genre characteristics and craft; and

A student expectation is directly related to the knowledge and skills statement, is more specific about how students demonstrate their learning, and always begins with a verb. Student expectations are further broken down into their component parts, often referred to as “breakouts.”

Knowledge and Skills Statement

A knowledge and skills statement is a broad statement of what students must know and be able to do. It generally begins with a learning strand and ends with the phrase “The student is expected to:” Knowledge and skills statements always include related student expectations.

Have students compose an opinion essay that includes a claim and support for the claim.

Further Explanation

Students are expected to compose an effective argumentative text that demonstrates how a certain position on a topic is logical and correct while other positions are incorrect. Their writing must have a clear central argument or claim that is supported by evidence. Their writing is expected to be organized, coherent, and include an introduction and a conclusion.

Glossary Support for ELA.3.12.C

Nunez-Eddy, E., Wang, X., & Chen, Y.-C. (2018). Engaging in Argumentation: Strategies for early elementary and English language learners. Science and Children , 56(2), 51+. Retrieved from https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A552763085/PROF?u=tea&sid=PROF&xid=45f308cb

Summary: This article describes argument strategies and activities that can be integrated within the 5E model (Bybee 1997) and demonstrates how argumentation can be assimilated into elementary classrooms. In this lesson exemplar, 25 students in a first-grade English Language Development classroom (all of whom were ELLs) were learning about animals and natural habitats. Because this class contained quite a few students in gifted education, a second-grade standard was chosen to facilitate differentiation and meet the needs of more advanced learners.

451 Essay Topics for Grade 8 to Grade 12: Simple & Interesting Ideas

Are you tired of the same old essay topics? Well, buckle up because we’ll take your writing assignments to a new level! Whether you’re in grade 8 or grade 12, we’ve got exciting and engaging essay topics that will make your writing stand out.

A good essay topic sets the foundation for your paper, sparks your curiosity, and allows for creativity. In this article, you’ll find excellent ideas for different types of essays and school grades. So, pick a theme that excites you and watch your paper come to life!

🔝 Top 10 School Essay Topics

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• The impact of social media on teenagers.
• The significance of raising mental health awareness in schools.
• The benefits of exercise for human well-being.
• The role of technology in modern education.
• The effects of climate change on our planet.
• The significance of cultural diversity in society.
• The pros and cons of online learning.
• The influence of music on human emotions.
• The challenges faced by today’s youth.
• The power of literature in shaping students’ worldviews.

When it comes to writing essays, there are various types that you can encounter throughout your academic journey. Each type serves a different purpose and requires a distinct approach.

Let’s discuss the most common essay types before moving on to the topics.

In 8th grade, students start writing their first large academic papers. We made a list of essay topics for 8th graders to help boost their writing skills and inspire them. Check it out!

Top 10 Essay Topics for Grade 8

• Benefits of reading for pleasure.
• Pros and cons of school uniforms.
• Environmental Changes: Negative and Positive Impacts.
• The effects of bullying on mental health.
• The significance of community service for students.
• Making School Lunches Healthier and More Affordable .
• Listening to music while studying: pros and cons.
• The effects of video games on cognitive development.
• Studying Abroad: The Benefits of the Opportunity .
• The impact of poor sleep on academic performance.
• The benefits of extracurricular activities for students.
• Doctors and Teachers Comparison .
• The effects of peer pressure on adolescent decision-making.
• The role of parents in student academic success.
• Fast Food Harmful Effects on Children .

8th Grade Writing Prompts

Writing an essay is an excellent opportunity to share your views on a controversial topic . If you want your paper to make a difference, consider our opinion essay topics for grade 8.

• The impact of cyberbullying on young people’s mental health . Write an essay discussing the potential consequences of cyberbullying on teenagers’ mental health. Enrich your paper with examples and research findings.
• The influence of advertising on teenagers’ consumer behavior. What are the potential effects of advertising on teenagers’ buying habits and decision-making? Discuss the strategies advertisers use to target adolescents and how these marketing tactics contribute to excessive consumerism.
• The benefits and challenges of online learning. Online learning has both benefits and drawbacks for students. In your essay, investigate how online learning can provide flexibility, access to resources, and personalized education. Additionally, refer to potential concerns, such as limited social interaction and technological barriers.
• What is the role of social media influencers in shaping teenagers’ behavior? You can write an essay describing the impact of social media influencers on teenagers’ attitudes, values, and behaviors. Analyze the strategies used by influencers to gain followers and promote specific products or ideologies.
• Emotional intelligence and teenagers’ well-being. Why is developing emotional intelligence essential for teenagers’ health? Discuss the benefits of emotional intelligence, such as improved self-awareness, empathy, and conflict-resolution skills. Provide strategies for teens to enhance their emotional intelligence and navigate challenging emotions effectively.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 8

Check out our argumentative essay topics for 8th graders that will spark your and your reader’s curiosity!

• Should school uniforms be mandatory?
• Why Vocabulary Lessons Should Be Taught?
• Should animal testing be banned?
• The importance of arts education in schools.
• Why Immigrants Should Receive Social Services?
• The impact of fast food on public health.
• Is homework necessary for academic success?
• Higher Education Should Be Free for Everyone .
• Should the sale of sugary drinks be restricted?
• The impact of technology addiction on mental health.
• Should plastic bags be banned?
• Evaluation Essay: How To Achieve High Grade .
• Should the driving age be raised or lowered?
• Should zoos exist for conservation purposes?
• Cell Phone Use While Driving Must Be Banned .
• Should genetically modified organisms be banned?
• The influence of media violence on youth behavior.
• Some Reasons Why Reading Is Important .
• Do emojis enhance or hinder communication skills?
• Should recreational hunting and fishing be prohibited?
• Why Electronic Book Is Better Than Print Book .
• Should vaccines be mandatory for everyone?

Expository Essay Topics for Grade 8

Here are some more ideas for compare-and-contrast, cause-and-effect , and process essays.

• Apple vs. Android: a comparison of smartphones.
• Michael Jackson Vs Elvis Presley .
• Effects of technology on human communication.
• Fiction vs. non-fiction: analyzing different literary genres.
• Communication: People-to-People vs. People-to-Devices .
• Causes and effects of obesity in modern society.
• Solutions to the problem of traffic congestion in cities.
• “The Da Vinci Code”: Book vs Movie .
• Traditional education vs. online learning.
• The art of making homemade pizza: from dough to toppings.
• House Activities vs. Personal Happiness .
• Facebook vs. Twitter: comparing social media platforms.
• Controlling air pollution: innovative solutions for cleaner cities.
• Indian Wedding Vs. American Wedding .
• How to plan and execute a successful event?
• Cats vs. dogs: choosing the perfect pet companion.
• Starbucks vs. Dunkin’ Donuts: Menu and Performance .
• Cyberbullying : prevention and intervention strategies.
• How to overcome procrastination and boost productivity?
• Language and Identity: What Is the Connection?
• City life vs. country life: contrasting lifestyles and environments.
• Traditional books vs. e-books: exploring reading preferences.
• Water Recycling: Why Is It Important?

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 8

Narrative essays are one of the most exciting types of written assignments. Check out our creative essay topics for 8th grade.

• A memorable childhood event that shaped my personality.
• Brief Description of the Tesla Company .
• My first day of school: nervousness and excitement collide.
• Overcoming a fear : how I conquered my phobia.
• Impact of the Internet on Students’ Life .
• The day I met my best friend: the beginning of a lifelong bond.
• A family vacation I’ll never forget: adventures and mishaps.
• When Learning Is Easy: My Experience in English .
• My experience participating in a sports competition.
• A personal achievement that filled me with pride.
• My Experiences as a Walmart Employee .
• The joy of becoming a sibling for the first time.
• A hiking trip that showed me the beauty of nature.
• Five Lessons From My First Semester .
• The day I received unexpected news that changed my life.
• A life-changing mentorship or guidance I received.
• YouTube as My Favorite Media Platform .
• A trip to a historical landmark that deepened my knowledge.
• Discovering a hidden talent within myself.
• A Person I Would Like to Be.
• The time I got lost and found my way back.
• The day I overcame stage fright and performed on stage.

Creative Writing Topics for Grade 8

Here are some ideas for creative writing in 8th grade.

• Write a short story from the perspective of an inanimate object.
• Imagine you wake up one morning with the ability to speak to animals . Describe your interactions throughout the day.
• How to Groom Your Pet?
• Create a diary entry in the form of a poem expressing the emotions of a historical figure.
• Write a letter to your future self , exploring your hopes, dreams, and fears.
• How the Beatles Influenced Music .
• Imagine you discover a hidden door in your house that leads to a parallel universe. Describe your adventures in this new world.
• Write a screenplay for a short film about a conflict between two best friends.
• How Do Neurons Communicate?
• Rewrite a fairy tale from the villain’s perspective, exploring their motivations and emotions.
• Why Do Monsters Matter in Our Lives?
• Create an alternate ending for a famous novel, explaining how it changes the story’s overall message.
• Write a series of letters between two fictional characters who are in love but cannot be together.
• Why Do Dogs Make the Best Pets?
• Imagine you’re a time traveler who accidentally changes a historical event. Describe the consequences and how you attempt to fix them.
• Write a poem capturing the essence of a favorite song or piece of music.
• Why Do Good People Do Bad Things?
• Create a character who can control the weather. Describe their experiences and struggles with this power.
• Write a personal essay about a challenging experience that taught you an important life lesson.
• ”Doctor Strange”: Description and Interpretation .
• Imagine you wake up one day with the ability to fly. Describe how this newfound power impacts your daily life.
• My First Day at College .
• Write a short story inspired by a painting or photograph, describing the scene and the emotions it evokes.

9th grade is one of the most memorable life chapters because students enter high school. To help you complete the written assignments and enjoy your free time, we made a list of essay ideas for 9th graders.

Top 10 Essay Topics for Grade 9

• The importance of recycling for a sustainable future.
• Cultural Diversity in the Workforce .
• Bullying : causes, effects, and strategies for prevention.
• The role of sports in promoting health and fitness.
• Inclusion and Individual Differences in Classroom .
• Exploring different cultures through traditional cuisine.
• The benefits of volunteering in the community.
• Online Shopping App Effects on Impulsive Buying Behaviour .
• The importance of financial literacy for teens.
• Animal testing : ethical dilemmas and alternative methods.
• Social Media Effects on Consumer Behaviour .
• Cybersecurity: protecting personal information online.
• Exploring gender stereotypes and breaking barriers.
• The role of art education in fostering creativity.

9th Grade Writing Prompts

Here are some excellent 9th-grade writing prompts you can use as inspiration for your paper.

• Climate change and its impact on the environment. In this essay, you can analyze the causes and consequences of climate change. Explore the role of human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• The power of literature: exploring themes and messages in a novel. Choose a book that you have read recently and analyze its themes and underlying ideas. Discuss how the author uses literary elements such as characterization, plot, setting, and symbolism to convey these concepts.
• What is the role of cultural exchange in building bridges? Write an essay exploring the importance of cultural diversity and its impact on society. Discuss how multiculturalism contributes to a more prosperous and inclusive world. Highlight the benefits of cultural exchange.
• The future of AI technology : opportunities and challenges. Reflect on the rapid advancement of AI technology and its potential implications for our future. Discuss how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology affect our lives.
• Human rights and social justice. Assess the importance of human rights and social justice in today’s world. Discuss critical human rights issues, for example, inequality, discrimination, access to education, or freedom of expression. How do activism, advocacy, and grassroots movements promote and protect human rights?

9th Grade Argumentative Essay Topics

• School start times: Should they be adjusted?
• The pros and cons of standardized testing .
• Should Smoking Be Illegal?
• Should the voting age be lowered?
• Should College Education Be Free for All US Citizens?
• Can nuclear waste be safely stored long-term?
• Is censorship justified in the arts and media?
• The effects of air pollution on human health.
• Is society becoming overly reliant on technology?
• Smartphone Addiction Among American Youth .
• Should the United States allocate more funding to space exploration?
• Does the school dress code perpetuate gender inequality?
• Should single-use plastics be eliminated from society?
• Best Missing Homework Excuse Ever .
• Is it morally right to keep exotic animals as pets?
• Should the minimum wage be increased or remain the same?
• Physical Activity Education Among Young People .
• How should the United States address the ongoing refugee crisis?
• Is homework essential for academic success?
• Benefits of Healthy Lifestyle .
• Is technological advancement harmful or beneficial to humanity?

Essay Topics for Grade 9 Students: Expository Writing

• Friendship vs. romantic relationships: the dynamics of human connections. 
• Causes and consequences of bullying in schools . 
• Effects of smoking on health and well-being. 
• The Concept of Close Reading .
• High school vs. college: differences in educational experiences. 
• Rural living vs. urban living : examining residential lifestyles. 
• The influence of parental divorce on children’s emotional development.  
• Solutions to the rising costs of college education. 
• The impact of technology on work-life balance.  
• Role-Playing Games as a Learning Tool .
• The consequences of sleep deprivation on cognitive functions. 
• Negative Effects of Human Cloning .
• Solutions for combating youth unemployment. 
• Student-Teacher Interaction in Inclusive Education .
• Mastering the skill of time management: effective strategies. 
• Causes and effects of poverty in developing countries . 
• Paris as the Fashion Centre .
• The problem of substance abuse and addiction: prevention and recovery. 
• Solutions for reducing gun violence in society. 
• The process of learning a foreign language successfully. 

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 9

• A journey to a foreign country: cultural exploration and understanding.
• Experience of the Worst Job .
• The day I moved to a new city: challenges and adaptation.
• My brush with danger: how I overcame a scary situation.
• Life-Changing Events: Personal Experience .
• The time I failed and learned the importance of resilience.
• An encounter with a cultural tradition that broadened my perspective.
• My experience volunteering for a worthy cause.
• Most Memorable Childhood Christmas .
• The day I overcame a personal prejudice or bias.
• An adventure in the great outdoors: embracing nature’s beauty.
• Personal Hobby Analysis .
• A lesson I learned from a younger sibling or relative.
• The impact of a remarkable teacher or mentor on my life.
• Homer’s Odysseus as a Favorite Hero .
• Exploring a different culture through food and cuisine.
• My encounter with a famous personality : moments of inspiration.
• The day I faced a moral dilemma and made a difficult choice.
• Mindful Walking: Journey to Self-Discovery .
• The bond between humans and animals: a touching connection.
• Preserving family traditions: passing on values and heritage.
• Educational Experiences And Significant Career Goals .

Creative Writing Topics for Grade 9

• Design a dystopian society and write a story set within it, exploring the lives of its inhabitants.
• Create a world where dreams come to life. Describe how dreaming and reality intersect in this unique universe.
• The Purpose of Dreaming and Personal Sleep Habits .
• Write a dialogue between two characters who are complete opposites in terms of personality and interests.
• Write a poem using only colors, exploring their meanings and symbolism.
• The Functions of Film Music: Essay Example .
• Create a character who can communicate with plants. Explore the connections formed and the wisdom gained by this person.
• Write a short story set in a post-apocalyptic world, focusing on the survival and resilience of the protagonist.
• My Dream Car: Personal View .
• Imagine you can time-travel but can only observe, not interfere. Write about the historical events you witness.
• Create a character who is haunted by their past. Describe their journey toward healing and redemption.
• Why Is Christmas the Best Holiday?
• Compose a letter to your favorite fictional character, seeking advice or reflecting on their impact on your life.
• Imagine you’re a detective solving a mysterious crime . Write the story from the detective’s perspective, including their deductions and discoveries.
• Online Learning and Education Course Reflections .
• Write a monologue for a character who is about to embark on a great adventure, expressing their hopes and fears.
• Create a world where everyone has a unique superpower. Describe how society functions and how these powers affect individual lives.
• Human Species Uniqueness Compared to Other Species .
• Write a poem that embodies the spirit of a specific season, evoking the sensations and emotions associated with it.
• Chinese New Year Celebration History .
• Imagine you have the power to bring fictional characters to life. Write about the joys and challenges that come with this ability.
• Write a short story exploring the theme of identity and self-discovery .

To write an outstanding essay in 10th grade, choose a topic that will motivate you throughout the writing process . We listed great topic ideas, including the thought-provoking 10th-grade argumentative essay topics.

Top 10 Essay Topics for Grade 10

• Social media’s impact on self-esteem and body image.
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Pros & Cons .
• The importance of soft skills development at school.
• The pros and cons of standardized testing.
• Religion in Schools: Is There a Place for It? Pros and Cons .
• The benefits of learning a second language.
• Exploring different forms of renewable energy sources.
• The ethics of genetic engineering and cloning.
• Abortion: An Ethical Dilemma .
• The influence of pop culture on society.
• The necessity of comprehensive sex education in schools.
• Fast Food and Obesity Link – Nutrition .
• The consequences of cyberbullying and online harassment.
• The role of government in promoting healthy eating habits.

10th Grade Writing Prompts

• The causes and effects of bullying in schools. What is the long-term impact on both victims and bullies? Additionally, suggest practical strategies that can be implemented to prevent and address bullying within educational institutions.
• The impact of social media on personal relationships and communication . Analyze how platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have altered how people connect with others.
• The significance of climate change issues for future generations . What are the main contributors to climate change? Highlight the importance of sustainable practices and suggest ways individuals, communities, and governments can work together to combat climate change.
• The portrayal of women in the media and its influence on gender roles and stereotypes. Analyze how media representations can affect the perception of self-worth, body image, and societal expectations. Additionally, discuss the role media plays in promoting inclusivity and empowering women.
• The advantages and disadvantages of GMOs in agriculture. Examine the potential benefits, such as increased crop yields and resistance to pests, as well as possible concerns surrounding health, the environment, and biodiversity. Consider various perspectives and propose informed opinions on the topic.

Argumentative Essay Topics for 10th Grade

• The benefits and challenges of online friendships and relationships.
• Should Public Servants Have the Right to Strike?
• The ethical implications of genetic modification in agriculture.
• Should high schools require mandatory community service hours ?
• Why Pitbulls Should Not Be Banned?
• The consequences of the excessive use of technology in teenagers’ lives.
• The importance of teaching consent in high schools.
• The Right to Abortion Must Be Protected .
• Should schools increase the focus on teaching critical thinking skills?
• The impact of arts and music programs on students’ academic performance.
• Animal Welfare: Why Animals Should Be Treated With Kindness and Respect .
• Should schools teach coding and computer programming as core subjects?
• The benefits and drawbacks of social media influencers in shaping consumer behavior.
• Should People Under 18 Get a Tattoo?
• Should school lunches be healthier and more nutritious?
• The role of censorship in protecting children from harmful content in the media.
• Should Schools Distribute Condoms?
• The consequences of increasing dependence on technology in the classroom .
• The impact of climate change denial on environmental policies and actions.
• Solar Power as a Solution to Environmental Problems .
• The role of school dress codes in promoting a respectful and inclusive environment.
• The benefits and drawbacks of single-sex education.

10th Grade Essay Topics: Expository Writing

• The problem of food insecurity : sustainable approaches for hunger relief.
• A step-by-step guide to creating a budget and saving money.
• Plato’s “Republic” – What Is Democracy?
• Introverts vs. extroverts: contrasting personality traits.
• Effects of climate change on biodiversity.
• Criminality as a Result of Social Structure .
• The impact of social media on political movements.
• Causes and consequences of cybersecurity breaches .
• Online shopping vs. in-store shopping: a comparison of retail experiences.
• E-Commerce: The Change in Consumer Shopping .
• Different generations: comparing baby boomers and millennials.
• Causes and effects of teenage substance abuse.
• Critical Thinking in Education .
• Public school vs. homeschooling: comparing different approaches to education.
• Friends vs. family: contrasting relationships in one’s life.
• Education Impact on Life Quality .
• The relationship between educational attainment and job opportunities.
• Combating gender inequality: empowering women worldwide.
• Characteristics of Students With Disabilities .
• Addressing the challenges of an aging population: elderly care solutions.
• The process of creating a podcast: from concept to publishing.

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 10

• The moment I learned an important life lesson.
• My First Experience in Riding a Bicycle .
• An unexpected act of kindness that touched my heart.
• The time I took a risk and stepped out of my comfort zone.
• Paris: Beautiful and Breathtaking .
• An unforgettable concert experience: music and emotion intertwined.
• How I discovered my passion and pursued it.
• My Personal Development Plan as a Future Teacher .
• Exploring my cultural heritage: connecting with ancestral roots.
• Overcoming a personal obstacle: finding inner strength.
• High School Challenges in Personal Experience .
• The day I learned the value of gratitude and appreciation.
• The day I witnessed an act of injustice and stood up for what’s right.
• The Most Embarrassing Moment In my Life .
• A humbling experience that taught me to embrace humility.
• The time I found strength through vulnerability and opening up.
• How Can a Person Change the World?
• A life-altering trip abroad: immersion in a different culture.
• The day I overcame a longstanding personal fear.
• Losing a Loved One and Learning to Live Without Them .
• An inspiring encounter with a role model or hero.
• A childhood memory that brings joy to my life.
• Personal Financial Goals for the Next Five Years .

In this section, you will find top 11th-grade essay topics to make your papers memorable.

Top 10 Essay Topics for 11th Grade

• The impact of social media on political activism .
• The benefits of volunteering and community service.
• The dangers of texting while driving .
• Alternative methods of transportation to reduce pollution.
• The Problem of Air Quality: Impact on Public Health .
• The importance of financial literacy for high school students.
• The benefits of playing video games.
• Democratic Views on Pro-Immigration .
• The role of digital media in shaping public opinion .
• The benefits of learning about different cultures and diversity.
• Decision-Making in Choosing a Career .
• The implications of artificial intelligence in our daily lives .
• The significance of teaching practical life skills in school.

11th Grade Writing Prompts

• The impact of AI and automation on employment. Examine how technological advancements may lead to job displacement, and analyze the potential for new job creation. Consider both the economic and social implications of these changes.
• The long-term consequences of plastic pollution on ecosystems. What are the sources and impacts of plastic waste on marine life, biodiversity, and the food chain? Propose sustainable solutions to mitigate this global issue.
• The impact of globalization on cultural diversity. Analyze how increased interconnectedness affects local traditions, languages, and cultural heritage. What measures can be taken to preserve and celebrate diverse cultures in a globalized world?
• What are the ethical considerations of animal testing for scientific research? Analyze the arguments for and against using animals in experiments. Explore alternative methods to replace or reduce the reliance on animal testing.
• The significance of media in forming public opinion during elections. Examine the impact of television, newspapers, and social media platforms on voters’ political choices. Which ethical considerations guide responsible journalism and unbiased reporting in democratic societies?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 11

• Should schools incorporate comprehensive sex education into their curriculum?
• Are Marxist Criminologists Right to See Crime Control as Class Control?
• Should performance-enhancing drugs in sports be allowed?
• Does the death penalty effectively deter crime?
• Gender Stereotypes: Should Real Men Wear Pink?
• Should high schools teach financial literacy?
• Is the use of surveillance cameras in public places justified?
• Should COVID-19 Vaccines Be Mandatory?
• Is climate change primarily caused by human activities?
• Is online activism an effective means of bringing about social change?
• Money as a Means Rather Than a Result of Achieving Happiness .
• Is music censorship necessary?
• Is graffiti a form of art or vandalism ?
• Is it fair for college admissions to consider race as a factor?
• Is there a need for comprehensive LGBTQ+ education in high schools?
• The Solution to the Increasing Incidence of Criminals Reverting .
• Should the government provide free college tuition for all students?
• Is virtual reality a beneficial tool for education?
• The Benefits of Taking Online Classes .
• Is technology making people more or less socially connected?
• Should there be stricter gun control laws?

Essay Topics for 11th Grade: Expository Writing

• Natural beauty vs. makeup: comparing concepts of beauty standards .
• The influence of advertising on consumer behavior.
• The effects of technology on human productivity.
• The relationship between excessive screen time and sleep disorders.
• Solving the problem of bullying in online spaces.
• Preventing substance abuse among adolescents: education and support.
• Tackling environmental pollution: innovative solutions for cleaner air and water.
• History of Batteries, What Is a Battery, Recycling of Batteries .
• Addressing the issue of food deserts: access to nutritious food.
• A step-by-step guide to mastering soft skills .
• How to start a YouTube channel: a process guide.
• Art Definition: Modern vs. Traditional .
• Traditional art vs. digital art: contrasting artistic mediums.
• Introverted leaders vs. extroverted leaders: comparing leadership styles.
• Google Search Explained: Search for Beginners .
• Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest: causes and effects.
• The influence of technology on communication skills.
• What Is Digital Literacy?
• Combating digital addiction: promoting healthy technology use.

Working on your writing skills in 12th grade is essential so that you can later successfully deal with college assignments. We hope our list of 12th-grade essay topics will spark your creativity and catch readers’ attention.

Top 10 Essay Topics for Grade 12

• The effects of teenage pregnancy on individuals and society.
• The role of censorship in artistic expression.
• Importance of Nurses’ Professional Self-Development .
• The impact of globalization on local economies and cultures.
• Deforestation Causes and Barriers to Solution .
• Exploring the history and consequences of colonization.
• The importance of promoting gender equality in education .
• French Revolution as a Turning Point to Democracy .
• The impact of technology on privacy rights.
• The benefits and challenges of homeschooling .
• The role of media in perpetuating stereotypes.
• Ethnic and Racial Diversity in the Caribbean Region .
• The consequences of fast fashion for the environment.
• Environmental Activism: Benefits and Threats .
• The effects of video streaming platforms on the film industry.

12th Grade Writing Prompts

• The impact of globalization on the economy of your country. Discuss how global trade, outsourcing, and foreign investment have influenced domestic industries, job markets, and income inequality. Additionally, you can evaluate the government’s role in managing these effects and promoting economic growth.
• The origins and effects of income inequality in society . What are the leading factors contributing to wealth disparities? Refer to education, social mobility, and public policy. Discuss the potential consequences of income inequality and propose measures to address this issue.
• The role of education in fostering gender equality . What are the challenges and barriers girls and women face in accessing quality education? Discuss the potential benefits of gender-inclusive policies and programs to empower girls and women and promote gender equity.
• The impact of immigration on cultural diversity and social cohesion. For this essay topic, study how migration patterns contribute to multicultural societies and the enrichment of cultural traditions. Consider the social, economic, and political implications of immigration and explore strategies for fostering inclusive communities.
• The role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Assess AI’s potential benefits and ethical considerations in diagnosing diseases, personalized medicine, and health data management. Discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in improving healthcare outcomes.

Persuasive Essay Topics for 12th Grade

• Is online dating a reliable way to find true love?
• Should professional athletes be role models for children?
• Smoking Should Be Banned in Public Places .
• Is it essential for high schools to offer courses in personal finance?
• Should the use of corporal punishment be allowed in schools?
• Is multiculturalism beneficial to society?
• Should Canada Provide Free Tuition for University Students?
• Is it ethical to use animals in circuses and entertainment shows?
• Should the government provide free healthcare for all citizens?
• Government Must Control TV Show Contents .
• Is age discrimination prevalent in the workplace?
• Is it necessary to have strict gun control laws to reduce gun violence?
• Should college education be free for all students?
• Why Must We Protect Crocodiles?
• Should the government regulate the use of artificial intelligence in industries?
• Is it important to have stricter regulations on the food industry to combat obesity?
• What Qualities Should a Leader Have?
• Is technological advancement leading to job loss and unemployment?
• Is homeschooling a viable option for students with special needs?
• Is digital privacy becoming a thing of the past?

12th Grade Essay Topics: Expository Writing

• The process of writing a compelling research paper.
• The influence of advertising on children’s behavior and perception.
• The process of building a website from scratch.
• Smart House System Technology Explained .
• The steps involved in starting a small business.
• The effects of globalization on cultural identity.
• Mars and Earth Comparison .
• Coffee vs. tea: contrasting popular beverages and their effects.
• Causes of water pollution and its effects on marine life.
• What Is Meant By Social Science Paradigms?
• The issue of air pollution: solutions for cleaner air quality.
• Causes and consequences of income inequality in developing countries.
• How to Achieve a Goal?
• Solving the challenges of affordable housing.
• Tackling the problem of plastic waste : promoting recycling and sustainability.
• Addressing mental health stigma in society: creating supportive communities.
• The Problem of Global Warming and Ways of Its Solution .
• A step-by-step guide to writing a winning scholarship essay.
• The process of developing an effective study routine: tips for academic success.
• Evaluating the Solution to the Nurse Shortage Issue .
• The issue of traffic congestion: strategies for improving transportation systems.

Creative Writing Topics for Grade 12

• Write a personal essay about an influential person in your life and how they have shaped your worldview.
• Personal Experience: How Being Bullied Shaped Me .
• Imagine you find a portal that leads to a mythical realm. Write about your encounters with mythical creatures and the lessons you learn.
• Create a character who can hear the thoughts of others. Explore the ethical dilemmas and challenges they face.
• Personal Responsibility and Its Limits .
• Write a dialogue between two historical figures from different periods, discussing their views on a specific topic.
• Compose a poem that captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
• Etihad Airways’ Passenger Self-Service Project .
• Write a short story set in a future where books are banned. Tackle the issues of the power of literature and the fight for intellectual freedom.
• Imagine you find a magical object that grants you three wishes. Write about your desires and how they change your life.
• John Lennon’s “Imagine” as a Secular Hymn .
• Write a personal essay about a difficult decision you had to make and the lessons you learned from it.
• Claude Monet’s “Impression, Sunrise.”
• Create a character who can communicate with ghosts. Describe this character’s experiences and the insights they gain from the afterlife.
• Write a poem about the power of love, exploring its different dimensions and forms.
• Cinderella Fairy Tale in Narratology and Feminism .
• Imagine you wake up one day with the ability to speak every language. Write about how this talent affects your interactions with others.
• Analysis of the Images Created in Painting Arts .
• Create a character who can manipulate emotions. Explore the consequences of this power and the moral implications.
• Write a short story set in a world where technology has taken over, and humans are losing their ability to connect.
• Image of a Zombie: Researching of Zombie Behavior .
• Imagine you are stranded on a deserted island. Write a diary entry describing your daily struggles and your journey toward survival.
• Write a personal essay about a significant turning point in your life and how it has shaped you.

Of course, an essay in 8th Grade will differ from more complex writing in high school. However, some general rules will help you write an outstanding paper in any grade. Check out our essay-writing guide!

What is Porter’s five forces example?

There are ten main types of essays : narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive, argumentative, process, definition, critical, cause-and-effect, and compare-and-contrast. It is worth noting that these categories are not mutually exclusive, and a paper may often combine elements from multiple types.

How Long Is an Essay in 8th Grade?

The length of an essay in 8th grade can vary depending on the specific assignment or teacher’s instructions. However, it is typical for essays in 8th grade to be around 300-500 words or about 1-2 pages , considering a standard double-spaced format with 12-point font.

How Long is an Essay in High School?

The length of an essay in high school can vary based on the assignment, subject, and teacher’s guidelines. High school essays usually take 500 to 1500 words (3-5 pages) or more, depending on the complexity of the topic. The final papers can be 1250-1750 words (5-7 pages).

How to Write a Personal Narrative Essay for High School?

To write a personal narrative essay for high school, follow these steps:

• Choose a meaningful experience from your life.
• Craft a catchy introduction to engage readers.
• Develop the storyline with vivid descriptions and dialogue.
• Reflect on the significance of the experience in the conclusion.
• Edit and revise for clarity, coherence, and grammar.
• The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (100+ Ideas!) | We Are Teachers
• 9th Grade Writing Prompts | Study.com
• 61 General Expository Essay Topic Ideas to Practice Academic Writing | ThoughtCo
• 60 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens | We Are Teachers
• 8th Grade Persuasive Writing Prompts | Study.com
• Expository Writing: Types and How to Write in This Style | Indeed
• Essay Writing | Purdue Online Writing Lab
• Five Steps to Writing an Essay | University of Pittsburgh
• 50 Writing Prompts for All Grade Levels | Edutopia
• Journal Writing Prompts for High School | Love to Know
• 50+ Uncommon Expository Essay Topics | YourDictionary
• 43 Dynamic Writing Prompts for High School | YourDictionary
• Personal Narrative Essays | San José State University Writing Center
• 10 Types of Essays: Examples and Purposes of Each | Indeed
• Over 1,000 Writing Prompts for Students | The New York Times
• Personal Essay Topics | ThoughtCo
• 500 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing | Oregon State University
• 10 Ideas for Narrative Essay Writing | Lehigh University Scalar
• Narrative Essay | Nova Southeastern University
• 37 Creative Writing Prompts for High School | Love to Know
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