Here are the pros and cons you should consider before deciding to use a controversial topic in your work. You also have to be able to persuade your reader or listener to believe in your point of view. (Spoiler alert: they don’t.) They also argue that editing the genes of human embryos is tantamount to playing God. Pro-choice? While doctor-assisted suicide is the most controversial of the issues tested, with the public tied at 46% over its moral acceptability, Americans are fairly unified in their opposition to another life-ending choice -- suicide -- with 77% calling this morally wrong. They also argue that getting vaccinated is a personal choice that should be respected by the government. A few days ago, Gallup posted the results of a national survey to determine the most controversial issues in the U.S. These articles led to Weinstein’s ostracization from Hollywood and eventually led to criminal investigations into his behavior. The #MeToo movement has brought down several powerful men with accusations of sexual misconduct. On any list of current issues in education, school funding ranks near the top. We’ll talk more about how to do that in a minute.). According to the World Health Organization, there have been at least 40 measles-related deaths associated with the outbreak. In this article, we’re going to give you the best controversial topics you can use for essays and debates—and we’ll explain the controversies for you, too! As more and more immigrants arrive at America’s borders, the debate over immigration becomes even more heated. In order to write a good argument and convince your reader/listener to agree with you, you will need to treat your controversial issue with sensitivity and respect. After all, they tend to be controversial because many people have opinions on them! Learning how to read critically, come up with an argument, and communicate it is one of the fundamental skills you’ll need to tackle the writing portions of the SAT and ACT. The United States has experienced more than 200 mass shootings in 2019, and each new incident brings up controversial questions about gun control. Controversial debate topics include subjects that create strong differences of opinion. For example, a common stereotype is that all women love pink. The pro-life movement, on the other hand, brings the moral issues into the picture. Someone is always complaining that the generation after them is worse than their generation. This is a list of Wikipedia articles deemed controversial because they are constantly re-edited in a circular manner, or are otherwise the focus of edit warring or article sanctions.This page is conceived as a location for articles that regularly become biased and need to be fixed, or articles that were once the subject of an NPOV dispute and are likely to suffer future disputes. Most of the recent headlines about indigenous Americans have had to do with a certain D.C. football team, or a surpassingly dumb Adam Sandler movie, or casinos of the kind operated by the fictional Ugaya tribe on "House of Cards." (You’ll also need to make sure you’re being fair and respectful to avoid offending your teacher. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Problem: Controversy for this ad campaign arose in many different ways. These are current topics that involve our day to day lives. As members of Gen Z mature and reach adulthood, they face many criticisms from the preceding generations. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Katy Perry has been criticized for her 2017 music video "This Is How We Do” because the singer wore cornrows in her hair. Many of these issues are evergreen topics, which means you’ll be able to find plenty of information for them! You probably noticed that we’ve included links in this article that take you to ProCon.org. This helps the reader/listener to trust you. Not so fast! Supporters of recreational drugs rejoiced at the positive change, putting forth the argument that marijuana is lesser of an evil, compared to alcohol or tobacco. The pro-life movement, on the other hand, brings the moral issues into the picture. In fact, the mark of a genuine democracy is freedom of speech, which allows its citizens to be proactive in voicing their opinions. However, there are certain topics that are disputatious to the extreme, owing to their sensitive nature. This is due to the fact that driverless cars would feature many sensors and safety features whereas human drivers have a tendency to get distracted or sleepy while driving, and some may be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In 2017, UBER was rocked by claims of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, and false advertising. And we're not saying these issues don't matter. It would be better to say something like, “If we don’t start to solve climate change now, we’re risking the livelihoods and safety of future generations.” This is a more moderate statement that you can back up with facts, like scientists’ belief that climate change will put coastal cities underwater. This bill didn’t find favor with the unemployed, or those who didn’t have the means to pay hefty insurance premiums. Examples of topics that are controversial but lack compelling evidence include government conspiracies or theories that have been proven false, like the Earth being flat or that pineapple belongs on pizza (it doesn’t). The Trump administration’s most effective — and controversial — policy has been “Remain in Mexico,” officially called the Migrant Protection Protocols, or MPP. our step-by-step guide to the essay portion of the SAT. Gene editing proponents argue that gene editing will allow us to cure genetic diseases and prolong life. Recently, James Gunn, the director of Guardians of the Galaxy, was fired by Disney because there were several tweets on his Twitter feed they believed were offensive. In April of 2016, the European Union enacted the General Data Protection Regulation, which is designed to protect EU citizens’ personal data. In 2018, Hollywood came under fire after the internet learned that Michelle Williams was paid substantially less for her role in “All The Money In The World” than her male co-star, Mark Wahlberg. They are bound to occur in every country, considering the fact that every opinion has a counter-opinion. Many have questioned if the death penalty is a moral, ethical, and effective way to deal with crime. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? For more information on logical fallacies and how to avoid them, check out this resource. Stereotypes are not only false, they make you seem biased and ill-informed. People want to hear your opinion to see how it does—or doesn’t—match their own. Trump supporters have been quick to rebuff this claim, arguing that the election results reflect the will of the American population. Others argue that Williams did the same amount of work as Wahlberg and should receive the same amount of pay. the European Union enacted the General Data Protection Regulation. The pro-life/anti-abortion side argues that abortion is murder and inflicts pain and suffering on the unborn fetus. Pro-choice? The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. The Most Controversial Laws in Each State Wyoming. He is not the only one, either: Roseanne was fired by Netflix after she made an offensive tweet towards politician Valerie Jarrett. Recent advances in technology have allowed scientists to experiment with lab-grown, edible meat that doesn’t require animal slaughter. controversial questions about gun control. You’ll want to know what good arguments the other side has so that you can defend your position against them. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. The website has lists of ideas that they break down into general pro/con lists, and each topic links you research starters. As the polar ice caps continue to melt, people question whether or not human activity is responsible for raising the temperature of the Earth. In fact, one of the ads features Pope Benedict XVI kissing a top Egyptian imam which was quickly removed after being condemned by the Vatican. Proponents of this idea argue that due to human-generated waste and carbon dioxide, we are responsible for this rise in temperature. For example, a stereotype like the idea that all immigrants are criminals is extremely harmful. Those in power try to brush these issues under the carpet, but find it hard to keep them concealed for long. These are topics related to current political subjects both in the US and abroad. In an argumentative essay, opinions matter and controversy is based on opinions, which are, hopefully, backed up by facts. On the pro side, people argue that illegal immigrants help the economy by paying taxes and that most immigrants came here as asylum seekers, which is legal. These opponents argue that because people of color have been discriminated against for wearing traditionally black hairstyles, white women who sport the same hair styles profit from it. Supporters of lab grown meat claim it is better for the environment and does away with the moral issues surrounding animal husbandry, including animal abuse and inhumane farming practices. ">Why Non-STEM Degrees Are Still Valuable, ">3 Reasons Doing Nothing Can Actually be Productive, 3 Reasons Doing Nothing Can Actually be Productive, 3 Myths Far Too Many People Believe About the Past. However, it’s also raised some controversial debate topics regarding the ethics of allowing gene editing. Episodes of hate crimes against homosexuals may have gone down, but it does not disguise the simmering disdain that lies beneath the tolerant exterior. Remember that your job is to present them with the facts in an open and honest way. The Best Controversial Topics for Debates and Essays, Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score. daylight saving time – should the united states … Here are 3 killer tips to help you write an amazing argumentative essay. From assassinations to homicide to massacres in schools, gun violence spells controversy like nothing else. Ethical issues of euthanasia. For example, the idea that people can “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” is a textbook example of a cliché. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. For example, take this statement: “If we don’t stop climate change now, we’ll all be dead in 10 years.” While climate change is definitely a huge risk to humanity, saying everyone on Earth will die in a decade if we don’t fix is a significant exaggeration. Gay marriage and whether it should be allowed in the church is certainly at the top of the list of modern-day controversial subjects. the debate over immigration becomes even more heated. Abortion has always been controversial with a lot of moral implications at the center of it. The #MeToo movement began in 2017 with a series of articles that accused Harvey Weinstein of rape and sexual assault. The reason that homework is one of the most hotly debated issues in education today comes down to the question of necessity. The book presents a broad overview of issues and questions facing the field, including areas of policy/programs, health, social services, professional and family life, and more. some controversial debate topics regarding the ethics of allowing gene editing. This issue plugs into the larger social issue of pay discrepancies based on race and gender. Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. There isn’t a more fundamental matter in defining pro-Americanism and anti-Americanism than this very question. That’s because this website is a treasure trove of controversial issues! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Much of the modern news cycle is devoted to discussing hot-button topics of our time. The “bathroom bill” is the first of its kind to specifically address the issue of transgender public restroom access. Proponents believe artificial intelligence will keep us safer and solve many of the world’s problems; but opponents believe that developing AI might not be ethical, they ask whether or not robots programmed with AI count as  conscious beings and should be given rights, or if AI will eventually lead to humanity’s downfall. Or Pro-life? However, those who are anti-Trump argue that Trump did not legitimately win the election and that the results were due to Russian interference. They are united into categories to make a choice easier for you. Recently, several states have enacted new legislation limiting access to abortion. Things are definitely changing for the better when the LGBT community will be well and truly accepted in mainstream society. As we learned from West Virginia, even hunting laws can make people mad. A quick library or Google search will turn up tons of information. Even better: the book uses controversial issues as a way to teach writing, so you’ll get expert instruction on how to use them to write an amazing paper. Yet others defend kneeling during the anthem, regarding it as an expression of free speech that’s protected under the First Amendment. They’ll give you valuable information about what’s going on in your community and how larger, national issues are impacting where you live. Since these accusations went public, Louis CK has tried to rehabilitate his image, and he has since publicly apologized. Straw Man Fallacy: this is when you ignore your opponent’s real argument and instead argue that your opponent believes something easily ridiculed or proved false. A good place to find good sources are scholarly databases, like JSTOR and ProQuest, since the articles on these databases have been vetted by other experts before they are published. Opponents of this practice argue that “whitewashing” takes jobs away from deserving POC actors. argue that driverless technology is ultimately safer than human piloted transportation. Politics Controversial Debate Topics. If you’re looking for topics related to current events, news sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post will help! The Best Controversial Topics of 2019. Gay marriage. For instance, let’s say that you want to write an argumentative essay about climate change. When you Google a controversial source, the results can be overwhelming. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! Those for doctor-assisted suicide argue that allowing those with chronic pain or terminal illnesses to end their lives is a compassionate act that relieves their suffering. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: © PrepScholar 2013-2018. Our breaking political news keeps you covered on the latest in US politics, including Congress, state governors, and the White House. In 2016, the United Kingdom voted to settle the question of whether or not they should leave the European Union. like scientists’ belief that climate change will put coastal cities underwater. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. More grave controversies include the child sex abuse allegations against Jerry Sandusky and Jeffrey Epstein, as well as Anthony Weiner's repeated sexting scandals. Find some of the most controversial debate topics covering a wide variety of issues ranging from politics and religion to education and society. This has raised some controversial questions, like whether someone be held professionally accountable for what they say on social media. d.a.r.e. It’s okay to state your opinion in your paper as long as you use other sources to back your opinion up and are fair to the other side. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. But that can be really hard when you feel passionately about your topic and your opinions! Despite this, driverless car manufacturers like Tesla and transportation companies like Uber argue that driverless technology is ultimately safer than human piloted transportation. If you care about a topic you probably already know a little bit about it. It’s easier to work on a subject you enjoy. Instead, it’s better to explain the idea behind the cliché in more detail. Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more sophisticated, which raises questions about the ethics and eventual outcome of creating artificial intelligence. While shootouts at public places have appropriately raised instant outrage, there have hardly been any voices berating US drone attacks that kill several innocent civilians worldwide, in the name of abolishing terrorism. Hawaii will join six other states in enacting Death with Dignity laws for patients with terminal illnesses. We, quite literally, owe our lives to doctors and nurses. You could narrow it down even more by writing about how climate change has affected a small geographical location, like California or your own city, in the last 15 years. Mandatory vaccination benefits society in … Some examples of this are using the word “superior” instead of better, calling the opposition “stupid,” or using biased terminology (“infanticide” vs. “abortion”). Current & Controversial Issues Popular and Trending Topics Get Help Help Chat loading... Email Phone 254-299-8323; Library Hours ... (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) International Women's Health Coalition. Here are the best tips for making sure you stick to the facts, not the feelings. Stay away from topics where you might be too passionate about one side since it can be tough to distance yourself enough to see both sides of the argument. Here are some other places you can look to find a topic that’s perfect for your essay or debate. Controversies are born out of disagreements. Documentaries provide more in-depth perspectives on topics—both historical and contemporary—that have shaped the world. There are many pro and con arguments about the controversial issues related to driverless technology, Those who are pro-vaccine argue that vaccines save lives and by not vaccinating their children. Here are some of the most controversial topics discussed this year. An author is accused of using loaded language when they substitute words with positive or negative connotations instead of using more neutral language. This leads to one of the biggest women's issues of them all. They Say/I Say walks you through everything you need to know to write an argument. 13 Major Issues in Education at the K-12 Level. It can make that part of writing (or preparing for a debate) much easier. This is especially true for many controversial issues. That’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started! People have started to boycott Nike for their commercial featuring Colin Kaepernick. US Congress placed marijuana in schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act in 1972 because it was considered to have no use for medical purposes. Just because something appears high in a Google result doesn’t make it a good source that you can site in a paper or speech. When picking what topic to write about, it’s important that you pick a good strong topic that is relevant and that has an amount of easy to find good sources. They cite the fact that Hilary Clinton had a larger popular vote than Trump to support this. Those opposed argue that it violates the Hippocratic Oath to “do no harm,” and allowing euthanasia is a slippery slope that will lead to doctors deciding who is worthy of life and who is not. President Trump has publicly stated that any athlete who kneels during the national anthem is being disrespectful and should be fired. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. With the very likely exception of beer (and you’d be surprised), all of the aforementioned controversies reflect, in one way or another, that core disagreement as to whether America is a force of good or a force of evil. A Comprehensive Guide. After Donald Trump won the 2016 Presidential Election, there were several investigative reports published that suggested that Russia used targeted Facebook ads to encourage people to vote for Trump, and Russia may have been the ones who hacked the Democratic National Convention. After all, when something is controversial, everybody wants to have their say over it. These articles led to Weinstein’s ostracization from Hollywood and eventually led to criminal investigations into his behavior. To make sure you’re prepared, check out our step-by-step guide to the essay portion of the SAT (and the ACT). Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. pay discrepancies based on race and gender. See the Comprehensive Index of Legal Reports for our complete list of reports. A key feature of a successfully chosen controversial debate topic is that there are two clear sides and it’s not clear which one is the right one. If you have done a good job, your reader or listener will come away with the same opinion as you, or at least more informed. However, it’s also important that you address controversial issues with sensitivity and care. Here are some of the most controversial topics discussed this year. If these topics are a little too controversial or you don't find the right one for you, try browsing through persuasive essay and speech topics as well. If you’ve flipped on a television lately, you’ve probably seen people on the news arguing different sides of an issue. CNN anchor Chris Cuomo may have jokingly alluded to the controversy that has generated plenty of bad press. While this may be true, the average amount of homework assigned per week for high school students can be as hig… there are 11 states that have legalized recreational marijuana: people question whether or not human activity is responsible for raising the temperature of the Earth. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In 2018, a car accidentally ran over and killed a pedestrian as she was crossing the street in Tempe, AZ. Gun control is a perennially controversial topic in the United States. Federal law, however, retains the same punitive outlook on recreational drugs, deeming them illegal. Hollywood has come under fire for “whitewashing” or the act of casting a white actor when the role should have gone to a person of color. These are topics that are currently affecting sports, tv, Hollywood, literature, music, and art. This situation raises two controversial questions. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. People in the US are increasingly favoring the legalization of same-sex marriages, but has the decriminalization brought about any changes in the attitudes of the general public? Stereotypes are oversimplified, misinformed, or prejudiced assumptions held about other people or things. They oppose abortion on the principle that any form of life, including the human embryo, has a right to life. The adage that “controversy sells” is so rooted in society that even the rapper Chamillionaire named his second album after it! Recent advances in technology have allowed scientists to experiment with lab-grown, edible meat that doesn’t require animal slaughter. Opponents claim lab grown meat may have adverse health effects on people who eat lab-grown meat, especially since the technology is so new. If you’re not inspired by the topics we’ve already mentioned, don’t worry. If you are writing about controversial debate topics, ask yourself who it is you are trying to persuade. Those against legal marijuana argue that the drug is addictive and leads to a higher percentage of school dropouts, car accidents, and crime. Is it your teacher? Imagine that! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The first was the use of world leaders without their consent. The article split into categories by topic and links to articles that can help explain each issue. Reasons to resist illegal immigration. The uptick of 11 percentage points in Americans’ concern over race relations is likely due to the controversy surrounding the … The hashtag #DeleteUber went viral in January 2017, and many users and drivers boycotted the company. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. In this case, it would be better to say that people—no matter their station in life—can create opportunities for themselves through hard work. others think Gen Z might be the generation that saves the world. They tend to play into stereotypes and often rely on exaggerations or over the top statements. the United Kingdom voted to settle the question of whether or not they should leave the European Union. Recently, several states have enacted new legislation limiting access to abortion. Opponents argue that the UK will lose money due to new trade restrictions. No, we're not sorry.). ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Because controversial topics tend to raise emotions, you must walk a thin line between opinion and fact in order to build trust between you and your reader/listener. Congress has been unable to reach an agreement on comprehensive immigration reform for years, effectively moving some major policy decisions into the executive and judicial branches of government and fueling debate in the halls of state and municipal governments.Presi… In 2019, Wyoming passed a law that... Washington. UBER was rocked by claims of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, and false advertising. Controversies form an integral part of any democratic setup, and America certainly isn’t spared of them. cast Scarlett Johansson as the Asian protagonist Major, others argue that art should be free of any restrictions or boundaries. Controversial topics are issues that can really get people up in arms.