85+ Fun Argumentative Topics for High School Writing and Debates

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Argument writing doesn’t always have to be formal and serious. Introducing fun argumentative topics for high school can effectively teach students the basics of defending their position, recognizing counterarguments, and organizing their thoughts to better persuade their audience.

Explore a variety of argumentative essay topics that can inspire high school debates, writing exercises, or any time the class is ready for an engaging discussion. We also provide top-notch resources to enhance argument writing skills and tips for integrating these topics into your classroom, regardless of the subject you teach!

Teen Life Argumentative Topics

Teenagers experience a lot and have numerous opinions about their lives. These engaging argumentative topics for high school can serve as writing prompts, debate topics, or quick icebreakers and conversation starters at the beginning of the school year.

• Should you be allowed to use your phone in a movie theater?
• Would it be worse to skip the teen years or be stuck in the teen years forever?
• Are pajamas real clothes if you wear them outside?
• Would chocolate spaghetti be terrible or delicious?
• Is it disrespectful to tell someone they look bad in an outfit?
• Should gossip be considered legitimate communication?
• Would you rather lose the ability to type or the ability to speak?
• Would it be better to have Halloween every day or lose Halloween altogether?
• Should teachers use teen slang?
• Would Taylor Swift or MrBeast be a better president?
• Do you think time in the gym should count as PE credit?
• Should the school replace water fountains with soda fountains?
• Is punctuation in a text message hostile?
• Should we give influencers awards?
• Should students get extra credit for going viral in Media Studies?
• Since chocolate has milk, is it healthy?
• Should it be okay to date an AI?
• Is pizza crust part of the meal or something to throw away?
• Should sports teams be split by age or by height?
• Is “liking” another person’s photo technically cheating?
• Should students be allowed to watch online videos during class?
• Is it acceptable to eavesdrop on a phone conversation if they’re on speakerphone?
• Should parents be banned from social media?
• Who is the most overrated celebrity?

Include argument prompts as daily bell ringers

Enhance students’ argument skills by incorporating them into daily activities right from the start of class. Use easy-to-prepare resources that include quick methods to integrate argument topics into warm-ups and bell ringers without taking much time from the rest of the class period.

AP Language Argument Bell Ringers | Argument Essay Thesis Graphic Organizers
By The English Department
Grades: 10th-12th
Subjects Writing Essays
Standards: CCSS CCRA.W.1, W.5; CCRA.SL.1

This CCSS-aligned resource guides high school students through the process of crafting an argumentative essay—without writing yet another essay! It includes a graphic organizer activity sheet to assist students in developing their argument from response to thesis statement, along with 20 high-interest topics that work well as bell ringers during your argumentative writing unit.

Bring real-world concepts into an argument writing unit

When planning a unit with current events for high school students, consider including a final argument essay as a potential summative assessment. These resources help high schoolers write a structured argument essay on topics that matter to them.

Argument Essay Writing Practice | Part 2 English Regents Exam | Vaping
By HS English and MORE with Ms K
Grades: 9th-12th
Subjects: ELA Test Prep, Writing Essays
Standards: CCSS RI.9-10.1, 2, 6, 8; W.9-10.1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, W.9-10.2, 2e, 4

Whether students are preparing for the New York State English Regents Exam, another state writing exam, or tackling a writing unit in class, this argument essay resource offers a comprehensive approach to enhance their learning. It includes a pro/con chart, four reference texts, a graphic organizer for essay structuring, and an essay booklet, all centered around the topic of whether vaping is a useful tool for quitting smoking.

Embarrassing Argumentative Topics for High School

If teens were to list the things that embarrass them, it would likely be quicker to list what doesn’t! These argumentative topics and “Would You Rather” questions for high school students highlight those awkward moments in their lives.

• Would it be worse to have your face on a meme or to have a theme song play whenever you enter the room?
• Are kid influencers cringe or cool?
• Is it more embarrassing to accidentally call your teacher “Mom” or to fall asleep in class?
• What is the acceptable time limit on reminding people about an awkward moment?
• Would it be worse to accidentally livestream your first kiss or a moment when you’re gossiping about a friend?
• Are “Dad Jokes” secretly funny?
• Would you rather wear the same clothes for a year or never shower for a year?
• Would you rather burp bubbles or sneeze glitter?
• Would it be worse to publish your search history or your deepest secret?
• Is it cute or cringe when your parents kiss?
• Should parents be allowed to post embarrassing photos of their kids online?
• Would it be worse to throw up in class or to have a bathroom accident?
• Would it be embarrassing to receive a Valentine from your mom in school?
• Would it be better to have the power to undo an embarrassing moment or to make someone else have an embarrassing moment?
• Is it worse to wear the same outfit as your teacher or as your parent?
• Should parents be banned from embarrassing their kids on purpose?
• What is the most embarrassing thing you can be suspended for?
• Would you rather have your crush revealed at a pep rally or perform a preschool song on live TV?
• Would you rather be friendless or dateless at a dance?
• Would it be more embarrassing to wear your parents’ clothes to school or wear your clothes from elementary school?

Learn each step of an argumentative essay

Forming an opinion is just the beginning; drafting an entire essay takes more effort. Utilize step-by-step resources to guide high schoolers through pre-writing, essay writing, and peer evaluation stages of an argument essay.

Argument Writing DIGITAL Interactive Argumentative Essay
By Darlene Anne – Middle School ELA
Grades: 6th-10th
Subject: Writing Essays
Standards: CCSS.W.6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 9-10.1; CCRA.W.1

Designed for independent learners and those needing a quick review, this argumentative writing resource allows students to explore each step of the writing process. It includes a PDF with digital links, explanations of argumentative versus persuasive writing, a step-by-step guide to essay organization, an argumentative essay scramble activity, and more.

Argumentative Topics on TV and Movies

High school teachers know that students have strong reactions to TV and movies. These engaging debate topics for high school are excellent for honing argumentative skills and fostering interesting discussions.

• What’s the funniest movie of all time?
• Does watching a movie on your phone ruin the experience?
• Is it more fun to binge-watch a series or a movie trilogy?
• Are kids’ shows valuable or do they just get kids addicted to screens?
• What movie is so bad that it’s good?
• Does audience laughter make a show funnier or lamer?
• Is the movie theater experience fun? What would make it better?
• If you had to choose one movie to watch for the rest of your life, what would it be?
• Is slapstick comedy funny?
• Should TV count as screen time?
• Is comedy funnier when people use curse words?
• Are TV and movie award shows still relevant?
• Is it better to watch TV one episode at a time or binge the whole series?
• What movie sequel definitely didn’t need to exist?
• Is reality TV harmful or informative?
• Is the “mockumentary” comedy style funny or boring?
• Should you be allowed to bring food into the movie theater?
• Are animated movies only for kids?
• Are the G, PG, PG-13, and R ratings fair?
• Who is the funniest actor or actress of all time?
• Are action movies exciting or boring?

Keep it focused with lessons on the thesis statement

An argument essay is only as effective as its thesis statement. Assist students in reaching the core of the issue with CCSS-aligned resources on developing, supporting, and revising thesis statements in argumentative writing.

Argumentative Writing Thesis Statement Based Argument Essay Unit Every Paragraph
By DiGiGoods and Printables ELA
Grades: 6th-10th
Subject: Writing Essays
Standards: CCSS.W.7.1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1e, W.7.2b, 2c, 2f, W.8.1a, 1b, W.9-10.1, 1a, 1b

Teach students to craft focused, concise argumentative essays with a comprehensive writing unit. Featuring graphic organizers, mini-lessons, paired passages, anchor charts, and more, the unit is structured as mini-workshops that guide high schoolers from pre-writing to student editing and evaluation.

Argumentative Essay Writing Rubric Argument Essay Writing
By The Beach Chair Teacher
Grades: 6th-12th
Subjects: ELA Test Prep, Writing Essays
Standards: CCSS W.6.1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 6.2, 2e, 2f, 6.9b, W.7.1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 2d, 2e, 2f

If you’re short on time this semester but need to teach an argumentative writing unit, try a time-saving essay rubric resource that serves as both a writing guide and an evaluation checklist. It encourages students to thoughtfully edit their peers’ work while understanding what to include in their writing.

Fantastical Argumentative Topics for High Schoolers

For students who love creative thinking and “What If” questions, a list of argumentative topics involving sci-fi, fantasy, and other imaginative genres can help them grasp the argument writing process. Encourage them to argue in class or write essays for deeper exploration!

• Should we have clones to help us with daily tasks?
• The world is ending. Which five professions must be saved?
• Would it be better to wake up as Garfield the cat or Bluey the dog?
• If a person had magical powers, would they be obligated to report them?
• Should deep space travel be open to all people or just astronauts?
• Would it be better to be a zombie or a zombie fighter?
• Which lost power would affect Superman more?
• Who would win in a fight: clowns or vampires?
• If time travel were real, would you need a license to use it?
• Who would be better at ruling the world: dogs or cats?
• Should we be able to meet alternate selves from parallel universes?
• If ghosts are real, should they have to pay rent?
• Would it be ethical to reincarnate someone without asking them beforehand?
• Is it unfair to make AI work without paying it?
• Are clowns funny or freaky?
• If you were an alien, would you rather land on a mountain or in the ocean?
• If you could see the future, would you be obligated to stop terrible things from happening?
• If there were a way to design a child’s life before they were born, should a parent do it?
• Could downloading memories into a device prevent grief after someone dies?
• If people could fly, should they have to wait until a certain age to do it?

How to Use Fun Argumentative Topics in Class

Now that you have a list of entertaining argumentative essay topics for high schoolers, it’s time to put it to use! Discover ways to introduce argument writing and speaking with prompts that are less serious.

• Use argument prompts as SEL activities for high school where students can engage in low-stakes discussions and debates.
• Present one argument topic on the board (or slideshow) daily for students to consider as writing prompts for high school.
• Include less serious argument prompts in formal debates to teach students debate structure simply.
• Add fun argumentative topics for high school to an exam for students to choose from alongside other writing prompts.
• Practice casual arguments in class to reinforce communication as a vital life skill activity for high school students.
• Host mini debates in class that give students a few minutes to gather their arguments and five minutes to win a debate.
• Incorporate these prompts into your question of the day for high school students to start each class thoughtfully.

Keep arguments structured, controlled, and fun

Argument writing is a dynamic way for students to express themselves and engage with issues in their lives. By using fun argumentative topics for high school, students practice these skills with topics that don’t require extensive research or emotional investment—yet still resonate with them. Discover more argumentative text and writing resources for high school students to develop their arguments in both writing and speech, all with topics that inspire a love for learning.