Topic suggestions

 

P robably the most difficult part of any research paper is the first . . . choosing a topic. This list suggests some of the many ideas and issues - there are countless others. Remember these are suggestions. Be sure to check with your instructor for clarifying the assignment and consult with a librarian if you need help with a topic. When you are writing an argumentative paper, you should always be aware of all sides of an issue. After you choose one of these topics, you will need to refine it.

Global warming

Does global warming matter? What causes global warming? What do scientists say about its impact? Which countries or activities contribute most to global warming? What are some of the controversies about it?

Computers and the disabled

How is computer technology being used to help disabled people? What are some existing systems and how do they work?

Sexism in advertising

What is sexism? What are some examples of sexist advertising? Who are the victims of sexist advertising? Who regulates advertising? Does sexism in advertising lead to maltreatment of women?

Treatment of animals

Should animals be used for medical testing? What is vivisection? What are some alternatives to animal experimentation? Does mistreatment of animals occur in livestock transportation? Are zoos cruel and should they be banned? What can be done about pet overpopulation? Should animals be used to test cosmetics?

Climactic change and environmental control

Who has the right to control the environment? Are people inadvertently changing the earth's climate? What do scientists predict the impact of worldwide climactic change would be? In what cases would environmental control be beneficial?

Racism in the media

How are African-Americans, for example, treated by the press? Are criminal cases involving African-Americans handled differently by the press than cases involving Caucasians? What are some examples of this? How are African-Americans portrayed in television and movies? What harm can stereotypes cause?

Illiteracy

What is the literacy rate in the U.S.? How does that rate compare to the literacy rate in other countries such as Japan, Switzerland, and Canada? What political conditions allow for high illiteracy?

Aging in the media

Are the aged portrayed fairly in the media? What value does our society place on the aged? How are the aged portrayed on film and television?

Visual display terminals

What are some of the health problems related to v.d.t.'s (video display terminals)? Are v.d.t.'s safe for pregnant women to use? In what kinds of jobs are v.d.t. problems most common?

Homelessness

How many people in the U.S. are homeless? What are the causes of homelessness? Who is responsible for homeless people? What kind of education do homeless children receive?

Women & poverty

Why are there more women below the poverty level than men in the U.S.? Is this true in other countries? How does the U.S. welfare system contribute to women's poverty? Who heads most single-parent households in the U.S.? How do women fare in divorce? What can be done to correct this inequity?

Endangered species

What are some endangered species? Who or what is threatening species? What agencies protect endangered species? What choices can consumers make to save endangered species? What is the role of the sportsman in preserving/annihilating species? Conservationists? The government?

First Amendment Rights

What does the First Amendment guarantee? How can the First Amendment be used to support pornography? Why should Americans have the right to burn the flag? How is the NEA affected by the First Amendment? What is the ACLU? What controversial issues have they taken stands on?

Peer pressure

How does peer pressure work? Are there good and bad consequences of it? What do psychologists say about peer pressure among teenagers? Can it be used as a positive force? Are there people who are hurt because of peer pressure? Are you subject to it? How does it work in your life?

Teen pregnancy

Are there any successful programs being offered to keep teen parents in school? How does teen pregnancy relate to welfare? Should condoms be distributed in high schools? What is Norplant and how is it being used to prevent teen pregnancy?

Sex education

What do young people need to know about sex and when do they need to know it? Who should teach sex education? How detailed should sex education be? What kind of subject matter should be included? How should sex education relate to values? Whose values? Should life styles such as homosexuality be included?

Homosexuality

Is homosexuality a choice? Should homosexuals be allowed in the military? To adopt children? To marry?

Birth control

Do teenagers use birth control? What kinds are available to them? Which are the most effective? What are the side effects of the birth control pill? What are some obstacles to teens' use of birth control? Should birth control advice be made available to teens for free?

Abortion

Has abortion always been legal? What do religions say about abortion? Do you think a woman has the right to choose? Does a father have the right to participate in the decision? What about violent demonstrators at abortion clinics? Should the government and courts be involved?

Steroids

Why do people take steroids? What are the physiological effects of steroids? Are sports figures obligated to "set a good example?" Is there a valid use for steroids?

Alcohol

Is alcohol addictive? Should there be a "sin" tax on things such as alcohol and cigarettes? What should be the drinking age? Have there been successful programs to prevent teenagers from driving drunk? Should we have another prohibition and make alcohol illegal, or require a certain license? Do you know people who abuse alcohol?

Racism

Is racism learned? What are some of the effects of racism? How are poverty and racism connected? What is "environmental racism?" What was the Supreme Court case named Brown v. Board of Education? What is "institutional racism?" Have you ever seen racism? What are the goals of Affirmative Action? Is there such a thing as "reverse discrimination?"

Sexually transmitted diseases

What are the most common sexually transmitted diseases? Which ones have treatment available? How can std's be avoided? Should sex education discuss std's? What is the occurrence of std's among teenagers?

Midwifery

What are the advantages/disadvantages of midwifery? How does the history of midwifery relate to current attitudes? What groups favor/oppose midwifery? What issues should be discussed when choosing a midwife? What education and training is required of a Licensed Midwife?

AIDS in schools

Should children with AIDS be allowed to attend school? Has this been an issue in any U.S. communities already? How is AIDS transmitted? What are some of the ways people's fear of AIDS might be overcome?

Rainforest

What's happening in rainforests? Who is responsible for destroying the rainforests? What's being done to stop the destruction? Why should we save the rainforests? How do our life-styles determine the rainforests' fate? What is the U.S. doing with its own rainforest land?

Ozone depletion

What are the causes of ozone depletion? How much damage has already been done? What are some international efforts to protect the ozone layer? What are the repercussions of depletion?

Censorship

What is censorship? How does it affect the arts (music, theater, dance, etc.)? Does censorship stop people from buying or listening or reading? What side of this issue are feminists on? The Moral Majority? Playboy? Other groups? What laws govern censorship?

Clear cutting

What is clear cutting? What problems does it cause? What industries are clear cutting and why? Are there any laws regulating clear cutting? Where is it being practiced?

Welfare reform

What were the goals of the welfare reform package recently passed by Congress? Has it worked?

Smoking

What is passive smoking? What has happened recently in court cases regarding smoking? Should smoking be banned from public places?

Drug testing

Should schools search students' lockers for drugs? Should random drug testing be done in the work place?

Death penalty

Is the death penalty "cruel and unusual" punishment? What does the Supreme Court say? What does Massachusetts say?

Child murderers

Should children be tried as adults? Should this depend on the crime? Can someone be too young to be tried as an adult?

Prisoners' rights

What kinds of rights do prisoners have? Should money be spent on educating prisoners? On rehabilitation programs? What prevents recidivism?

Mainstreaming

What is the best way to educate mentally or physically challenged students?

Television

What is the effect of TV violence on children? Should TV viewing be monitored? Should TV's have devices for screening certain programs? Should cable TV programs be used in the classroom?

 

 

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last updated on 3/30/99