300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing (Published 2021) (2024)

The Learning Network|300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/learning/300-questions-and-images-to-inspire-argument-writing.html

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Recent Student Opinion and Picture Prompts, categorized by topic, to help students discover the issues that matter to them.

300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing (Published 2021) (1)

Update: This list is available as a PDF.

If you’ve taught argument writing with our resources in the past, you already know we ask a fresh question every day as part of our long-running Student Opinion series. Teenagers around the world are invited to visit and post their thoughts on topics including politics, medical ethics, fashion, sports and entertainment.

We’ve rounded up lists of these prompts in the past, but this year we’re doing something new: Below you can find a categorized collection of all our recent, relevant Student Opinion questions, but alongside them we’re also including related Picture Prompts. These short, image-based forums are accessible to learners of all ages, but still provide engaging jumping-off points to help students make and support claims.

For instance, let’s say your class is interested in meme culture. A Student Opinion question asks, “Do Memes Make the Internet a Better Place?” and invites students to read and weigh in on a New York Times article that examines the role of memes in how teenagers process world events. Over 700 students have already submitted their thoughts.

But if you scan the “Technology and Social Media” category below, you’ll see we also have a Picture Prompt that asks a more direct, concrete question: “What are your favorite memes?” For many, that may be a fun, comfortable place to start.

So give your students both “voice and choice” by inviting them to find the questions and format that speak to them. All the prompts below are still open for comment. We look forward to seeing which ones inspire the most passionate arguments, and we invite your class to submit the results to our Eighth Annual Editorial Contest.

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300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing (Published 2021) (2024)

FAQs

Where can I find argumentative articles? ›

Relevant Websites for Controversial Topics
  • AllSides. ...
  • Debatabase -- International Debate Education Association Complete Topics Index.
  • National Library of Medicine - Social & Family Issues.
  • New York Times -- "Times Topics"
  • New York Times Opinion Page.
  • PBS Frontline. ...
  • Pew Research Center.
  • ProCon.org.
Apr 8, 2024

How do you pass an argumentative essay? ›

When writing and revising your drafts, make sure you:
  1. provide ample evidence, presented logically and fairly.
  2. deal with the opposing point of view.
  3. pay particular attention to the organization of your essay. ...
  4. address and correct any fallacies of logic.
  5. include proper transitions to allow your reader to follow your argument.

What are good openings for argumentative essays? ›

Begin with a compelling sentence or question to grab the reader's attention. Provide context for the issue, including relevant facts, statistics, or historical background. Provide a concise thesis statement to present your position on the topic.

What is the easiest argumentative essay topics? ›

Let's start with some easy argumentative essay topics for middle school students. Explain whether or not students should have schoolwork on weekends. Do you believe that the government should determine your school lunch? Should students have to take gym classes?

Which is the best place to find evidence for an argumentative essay? ›

Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published material. Argumentative assignments may also require empirical research where the student collects data through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments.

What databases would you use to find strong evidence for a debate? ›

Access academic databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, or PubMed for scholarly articles and research papers related to your topic. Government websites often provide statistics, reports, and data relevant to many topics. These sources are generally reliable and credible.

What not to say in an argumentative essay? ›

Aim for practical word choice. There is a difference between strong word choice and harsh word choice. Harsh words cross into judgmental territory and can potentially cause readers to reject or ignore your argument. To write more objectively, choose topic-related terms carefully, and cover the counterargument fairly.

What are the 5 parts of argumentative essay? ›

The purpose of argument writing is to convince a reader that a point of view is valid or to persuade the reader to take a specific action. Information is used, but it is organized based on these major components of an argument: claim, reason, evidence, counter-claim, and rebuttal.

What is a hook for starting an argumentative essay? ›

‍The type of essay you're writing is key to choosing the best hook for your piece. A serious argumentative essay can start with a shocking statistic or a bold claim. And an expository essay can open with a descriptive hook while a metaphor hook would work best for a narrative essay.

What is a good argumentative topic sentence? ›

In an argumentative essay, a strong topic sentence should be a claim. Remember, a claim expresses an idea or viewpoint about your evidence, not just a fact. Strong claims will convince your readers to agree with you.

What is a strong 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.

What are the 3 major parts of an argumentative essay? ›

There are three parts of the structure of an argumentative essay: introduction, body, and conclusion.

What is an example of an argumentative thesis? ›

The U.S. House of Representative should vote to repeal the federal estate tax because the revenue generated by that tax is negligible is an effective argumentative thesis because it identifies a specific actor and action and can be fully supported with evidence about the amount of revenue the estate tax generates.

How do you find an argumentative topic? ›

How to Choose a Topic for an Argumentative Essay
  1. Your topic must be debatable. Duh... this seems obvious, but it's worth stating. ...
  2. Write about what people are talking about. Watch the news. Browse the internet. ...
  3. Reflect on your interests. It's always better to write about something for which you have a passion.

What is a good argumentative article? ›

Ideally, a good argumentative essay topic will be meaningful to you—writing is always stronger when you are interested in the subject matter. In addition, the topic should be complex with plenty of “pro” and “con” arguments. Avoid choosing a topic that is either widely accepted as fact or too narrow.

What is an argumentative article called? ›

Persuasive writing, also known as the argument essay, uses logic and reason to show that one idea is more legitimate than another. It attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain point of view or to take a particular action.

Does an argumentative essay have sources? ›

For a typical college-level essay, it is usually recommended to use a minimum of three to five sources to provide enough evidence and support for your arguments. This allows you to demonstrate that you have done your research and considered multiple perspectives on the topic.

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