Assignment Paper

Argument essay on any of the topics inserted on the files

1. Essay should be 8-10 typed pages, and not more than 10, please.
2. Be sure to use specific details/examples to support your points.
3. Follow all MLA 8th edition Essay Formatting Guidelines (I will deduct points if you do not):
4. Essay must have an original title.
5. Be sure your writing doesn’t feel like a loose collection of paragraphs. You need to have an idea that controls your entire essay. Make your essay interesting. Choose points you can link together to form a logical whole. Be sure your essay has the necessary “connective tissue” that holds it together.

The Argumentative Essay
With this particular argumentative essay, you are required to defend (agree with), challenge (disagree with) your chosen topic.

The classical formula for an argument is:
1. Present the issue/situation/problem.
2. State your (writer’s) assertion/claim/thesis.
3. Support your claim.
4. Acknowledge and respond to real or possible opposing views.
5. Make your final comment or summary of the evidence.

You can draw your conclusions from implicit premises. These can include:
 Universal truths
 Possibilities that the reader will readily accept
 Familiar sayings
 Facts everyone, including the reader, knows.

Argument Topic Ideas

Gender Issues
 Should toys be more gender-neutral?
 Is Single-Sex Education Still Useful?
 Is There Too Much Pressure on Girls to Have ‘Perfect’ Bodies?
 How Much Pressure Do Boys Face to Have the Perfect Body?
 Now That Women Can Serve in All Combat Roles in the U.S. Military, Should They Also Be Required to Register for the Draft?
 Should Sports Be Coed?
 Do You Believe in Equal Rights for Women and Men?
 Should Transgender People Be Allowed to Use the Bathroom of Their Choice?
 What Rules Should Apply to Transgender Athletes When They Compete?
 Is It O.K. to Refuse to Serve Same-Sex Couples Based on Religious Beliefs?
 Should school dress be gender neutral?

Dating and Sex
 How Big of a Problem Is Sexting?
 How Should Educators and Legislators Deal with Minors Who ‘Sext’?
 How Should Parents Address Internet Pornography?

Sports
 Should parents let their children play football? Traumatic Brain Injury
 Should High Schools Drop Football Because Too Many Players Are Getting Injured?
 Should Parents Let Their Children Play Football?
 If Football Is So Dangerous to Players, Should We Be Watching It?
 Do Sports Teams Have a Responsibility to Hold Players to a Standard for Their Personal Conduct?
 Should Athletes Who Dope Have to Forfeit Their Titles and Medals?
 Is It Offensive for Sports Teams to Use Native American Names and Mascots?
 Are Some Extreme Sports Too Extreme?

School Rules, Discipline and Bullying
 Are School Dress Codes a Good Idea?
 How Does Your School Deal With Students Who Misbehave?
 What Role Should the Police Have in Schools?
 What Are the Best Teaching Methods for Getting Students to Behave Well in Class?
 Should Schools Be Allowed to Use Corporal Punishment?
 Should Schools Put Tracking Devices in Students’ ID Cards?
 Should Middle School Students Be Drug Tested?
 Should Students Be Barred From Taking Cellphones to School?
 How Big a Problem Is Bullying or Cyberbullying in Your School or Community?
 How Should Schools Address Bullying?
 How Should Schools Address Cyberbullying?
 What Should the Punishment Be for Acts of Cyberbullying?
 When Do Pranks Cross the Line to Become Bullying?
 How Should Schools Respond to Hazing Incidents?

College and Career
 Should a College Education be Free?
 Is College Overrated?
 How Necessary Is a College Education?
 Should Colleges Find a Better Way to Admit Students?
 Should Colleges Use Admissions Criteria Other Than SAT Scores and Grades?
 Do You Support Affirmative Action in College Admissions?
 Are Early-Decision Programs Unfair? Should Colleges Do Away With Them?
 What Criteria Should Be Used in Awarding Scholarships for College?
 Should Engineers Pay Less for College Than English Majors?
 Does It Matter Where You Go to College?
 Do College Rankings Really Matter?
 What Is the Perfect Number of College Applications to Send?
 Do Fraternities Promote Misogyny?
 Should Colleges Ban Fraternities?
 Is a Sorority a Good Place for a Feminist?
 Should Colleges Offer Degrees in Sports?
 What Do You Want More From a Career: Happiness or Wealth?
 Would You Quit if Your Values Did Not Match Your Employer’s?
 Should Employers Be Able to Review Job Applicants’ SAT Scores?
 Do You Worry Colleges or Employers Might Read Your Social Media Posts Someday?
 Would You Rather Work From Home or in an Office?
 Is ‘Doing Nothing’ a Good Use of Your Time?
 Should All High School Students Be Able to Get a Summer Job if They Want One?

Health and Nutrition
 Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered?
 Is Drinking and Driving Still a Problem for Teenagers?
 Should the Legal Age to Purchase Tobacco Be Raised From 18 to 21?
 Should E-Cigarettes Be Banned for Teenagers?
 Is Smoking Still a Problem Among Teenagers?
 Are Antismoking Ads Effective?
 Should Recreational Marijuana Be Legal?
 Should Students Be Required to Take Drug Tests?
 Why Is Binge Drinking So Common Among Young People in the United States?
 Should Universities Work to Curtail Student Drinking?
 Should Distracted Driving Be Punished Like Drinking and Driving?
 Should Texting While Driving Be Illegal in Every State?
 How Should Schools Handle Unvaccinated Students?
 Should Physician-Assisted Suicide Be Legal in Every State?
 Should Terminally Ill Patients Be Allowed to Die on Their Own Terms?
 Is School Lunch Really All That Bad? (There should be nutrition guidelines for high school lunches).
 Do You Think a Healthier School Lunch Program Is a Lost Cause?
 How Concerned Are You About Where Your Food Comes From?
 Is It Ethical to Eat Meat?
 Is Breakfast Really the Most Important Meal of the Day?
 Do You Prefer Your Tacos ‘Authentic’ or ‘Appropriated’?
 Should Sugary Drinks Be Taxed?
 Should the Government Limit the Size of Sugary Drinks?
 Should Teenagers Think Twice Before Downing Energy Drinks?
 How Important Is It to Be Attractive in Our Society?
 Are Models Too Skinny?
 What Are Your Opinions on Cosmetic Surgery?
 Should You Care About the Health and Safety of Those Making Your Clothing?

Animals and Science
 Should Farm Animals Have More Legal Protections?
 Is It Ethical to Genetically Engineer Animals?
 When Is Animal Testing Justified?
 Should Certain Animals Have Some of the Same Legal Rights As People?
 Do Animals Belong in Zoos?
 Should Circuses Be Animal Free?
 Should You Go to Jail for hurting an animal?
 Should Emotional Support Animals Be Allowed on College Campuses?
 How Concerned Are You About Climate Change?
 How Should Nations and Individuals Address Climate Change?
 If You Were President, What Would You Do About Climate Change?
 Should Developers Be Allowed to Build in and Near the Grand Canyon?
 Should Scientists Try to Help People Beat Old Age So We Can Live Longer Lives?
 Given Unlimited Resources, What Scientific or Medical Problem Would You Investigate?
 When Is It O.K. to Replace Humans With Technology?
 Should Fertilized Eggs Be Given Legal ‘Personhood’?
Humanity
 Should Millions of Undocumented Immigrants Be Allowed to Live in the U.S. Without Fear of Getting Deported?
 Are Children of Illegal Immigrants Entitled to a Public Education?
 Do We Need a Higher Minimum Wage?
 What Do We Owe Our Veterans?
 Do Leaders Have Moral Obligations?
 Do Great Leaders Have to Be Outgoing?

Guns, Prisons and the Justice System
 What Are Some Answers to America’s Gun Violence?
 How Should We Prevent Future Mass Shootings?
 Would You Feel Safer With Armed Guards Patrolling Your School?
 What Is Your Relationship With Guns?
 Where Do You Stand on Unconcealed Handguns?
 Should Guns Be Permitted on College Campuses?
 Would Arming College Students Help Prevent Sexual Assaults on Campus?
 What Should Be the Purpose of Prison?
 Should Prisoners Be Given the Opportunity to Get an Education?.
 Should Felons Be Allowed to Vote After They Have Served Their Time?
 Should the United States Stop Using the Death Penalty?
 What Do You Think of the Police Tactic of Stop-and-Frisk?
 When Should Juvenile Offenders Receive Life Sentences?
 Should All Police Officers Wear Body Cameras?
 Should Prostitution Be Legal?