Argumentative Speech Topics and ideas: A Complete Guide

An argumentative speech is a persuasive speech. Here, speakers try to encourage audiences to alter their views on a controversial issue.

Though they are alike in some manner, persuasive and argumentative speech contains different goals.

A persuasive speech focuses on sharing a perspective and asking the public to think it over. An argumentative speech aims to alter the viewpoint already detained by the audience.

This type of speech is challenging. So, the speaker should pick up the topic that he is confident at and come up with a strong argument.

When you are involved in debates with family or friends, you obviously tend to win or lose. The way you argue shows your capability to compel facts and concepts in support of a topic.

While losing an argument, chances are you only used the standpoint supporting your situation. In a perfect argumentative speech, there should be a strong claim and the points to support it.

For an argumentative speech, find a concrete and controversial argument to use as your foundation. These speeches generally focus on the topics discussed at the moment by society. Most of the topics of argumentative speech are derivative of political discussion.

This is most commonly noticed in the media. The selected topic might be social, religious, ethical, or political by nature. The public must be confident to revise their long-held values. They might ask to change detained convictions relevant to the recent evidence.

In fact, picking up a topic that is debatable is important to develop good speech. The topic should not include something which is already demonstrated or verified.

Instead, it should be logical enough to convince the audience. The speaker should come up with a strong opinion to make his speech realistic to the audience.

To be able to argue in a reasonable and logical way is a fine life skill. It helps to stand up for what you think is correct and let others give attention to your viewpoints.

For instance, if the topic includes “eating egg and milk affects your healthiness”. You evaluate the opponent and create your own topic like “Eating egg and milk does not affect your health”. Yet, you have to give strong points to support your answer.

Terms to Present Argumentative Speech

These are some terms that help you to present an ideal argumentative speech:

• Claim – This is the main term that you should focus on. Try to give a strong standpoint. Support on the point, position, and the issue you are talking about. Do not forget the main purpose of the speech.
• Grounds – Grounds are the key information or the facts that you use to make your point more powerful and reliable. Make sure that the details you give are an appropriate reason for your claims in the initial place.

Argumentative Speech is based on:

Claims of fact

It starts with the reality relevant to the evidence. For an instance, you drink too much alcohol and do not exercise. Then, you will surely put up the weight. If you control your drinks, then you can maintain the weight.

Claims of value

Claims of value include the belief something is correct or incorrect, good or bad. For an instance, punishing children is wrong. It does not improve the habits of your children.

Here you can also state “Punishing children is right”. They will think properly before doing anything wrong

Claims of policy

Claims of the policy are taken from the course of action. For an instance, you should be able to vote through a driving license. There is a precise rule for the policy. It is realistic and superior compared to the current system.

Every child should learn different languages in school. It is vital to introduce teachers to the value of beginning foreign language experience.

While initiating the argumentative speech, get ready with strong arguments. You desire to give an influential impact right in front. Also, you might wish to leave a good impression on the audience hearing your speech.

Stay away from personal attacks. If you make the argument too boring, there will be a higher chance of losing your audience.

Besides, argumentative speech needs a powerful viewpoint on the topic that you are delivering. Remember, the goal is not to win your audience but to win the argument. You have to stand on your own point with an appropriate reason.

Essential components of an Argumentative speech:

The main goal of an argumentative essay is to influence others in your opinions. Generally, an argumentative speech addresses an audience with opposite opinions on a specific subject.

Here are four essential elements to focus on when developing an argumentative essay:

1. Pick Up debatable topic

While picking up a topic, you should select the topic with more than a single side. For an instance, there is no way to discuss the topic of human smell with the nose. It is familiar fact that has no other strong points to discuss against.

2. Take a strong standpoint

While preparing for an argumentative speech, take a strong standpoint. Try to stick with the stance. This makes your speech powerful. Make sure you do not confuse the audience with any irrelevant points.

3. Give some supportable arguments

A good argument needs to have reasonable and convincing evidence. Better support your statement with information, figures, examples, and some relevant opinions. Also, argumentative speech does not contain unproven opinions. Make sure you research and present the argument that is a relevant argument.

4. Refute alternate positions

At the end of a strong argumentative speech, you have to refute alternate positions. By dealing with the opponent, make some powerful arguments. Try to work on some common and stronger viewpoints.

Tips for delivering an Argumentative Speech:

• Look for a concrete and controversial argument to use as your base.
• Arrange your points properly. Arranging the points can be helpful while planning your thoughts and presenting them
• Give most of your time for research. Better research on your topics along with the topics which your opposition is likely to pick up.

How to develop an effective Argumentative Speech?

After picking up a fine controversial topic, you should work on some powerful points. Those points must make your speech influential. Start developing an outline that translates into better argumentative speech.

These are some points to consider while working on an argumentative speech:

1. Look for your topic

From absorption to health, you can find many types of topics that you feel comfortable presenting.

2. Recognize your standpoint

At first, think about the topic that you are supporting. Are you supporting abortion or speaking against it? Most of the speaker loves to speak against abortion but should be confident to speak on the topic.

Better verify and try to prove the facts using some examples or supportive words. This makes your speech more powerful and interesting. Consider determining whether you are attempting to take the topic. 

3. Carry out the research

You can definitely find the people who have worked for or else against the topic that you picked up earlier.

For this, you have to carry out the research well. But, this does not mean you have to copy from them. Just take your idea and use them in a better way. This helps to know what step you should take to move forward to make a good flow of the argument.

4. Know who your opposition is

Each argumentative speech contains both for and against the side. The best probable approach that you can use is to know your opponent. Knowing how your opponent thinks and the points they use makes you easy to perform.

5. Know the facts

An argumentative speech might be weak if you do not provide any facts. For a good outcome, you need facts supporting your argument on the controversial topic. If you ignore this you might be in a problem while presenting the speech.

Be sure, you know and give the facts, and make your points strong. These facts reduce your risk of looking unprepared and unprofessional.

6. Choose the topic of your interest

You cannot give a better outcome without passion. To present superior argumentative speech, you should have an interest in the topic. Better select the topic of your interest. This helps you to work and perform better. If you do not trust yourself and your topic, no one will as well.

Deciding on an arguable topic is essential to developing an effective argumentative speech. Better do not pick up the topic which needs great logic for convincing the audience.

You should have an extreme desire in the topic with a deep opinion on the subject. If he cannot fulfill these criteria, he might not provide influencing arguments.

List of Argumentative Speech Topic

Find here the List of Argumentative Speech Topics. They are great for developing arguments for debates, persuasive speech, and argumentation.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Education

1. Mobile phones should be banned in schools for both students and teachers.
2. Exams should be abolished.
3. Exam scores do not reflect student performance.
4. Mandatory dress code.
5. Studying of foreign languages should begin from kindergarten age.
6. College students should have freedom to choose their own courses.
7. Sex education should be required in all schools.
8. Benefits of attending a single-sex school.
9. Essays do not demonstrate student’s knowledge on a topic.
10. Home education should only be allowed for medical reasons.
11. Education should be free to anyone.
12. Teachers should have mandatory re-training every 5 years.
13. Testing and choice are undermining education.
14. Grades are not important.
15. Bilingual education.
16. CPR and first aid techniques should be a mandatory course.
17. State colleges should be free to attend.
18. Teachers should wear uniforms or obey a dress code.
19. Why educational computer games should be used in school
20. Music education should be placed back into schools
21. Student Debts
22. Do colleges put too much stock in standardized test scores?
23. Price of Education and textbooks
24. Popular literature is not as valuable as classical literature.
25. Smoking and drinking on campus

Argumentative Speech Topics about Economy

1. Workers should get four weeks paid vacation each year.
2. The illegal immigrant workforce is good for the economy.
3. Christmas is just a way for businesses to increase sales.
4. Rich people should have tax breaks.
5. Decreasing wealth tax is good for the economy.
6. Salaries of actors, professional athletes and CEOs should be regulated and capped.
7. Government aid for students should be based purely on academic performance.
8. Taxes should be imposed on unhealthy foods to combat obesity.
9. Paying the waiter hourly rate below minimum wage is unfair.
10. Mortgage Crisis
11. Consumer Debt
12. Outsourcing jobs to foreign countries
13. Poverty
14. Equal pay for equal work
15. Fuel Prices

Argumentative Speech Topics about Science

1. How nuclear power shaped the 21st century in electrical generation.
2. Space exploration is a waste of money.
3. Genetic Research is destroying humanity.
4. NASA space landing on the moon was a hoax.
5. Media’s effect on teen suicide.
6. Stem cell research and the guidelines that control it.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Environment

1. Hunting is good for the environment.
2. Food shortage / world hunger.
3. Crimes against the environment should be tougher.
4. Vegetarianism is an ecologically thoughtful lifestyle.
5. Destruction of the world’s forest is justified by a human need for land and food.
6. Racing industry should be forced to use environmentally-friendly fuel.
7. Working from home is good for the environment.
8. Genetically modified food should be the answer to the world’s hunger problem.
9. The government should support and subsidize alternative energy sources.
10. Alternative Energy and Hybrid Vehicles can help save our planet.
11. Nuclear power is better than solar power.
12. Future of recycling.
13. Advantages of recycling water.
14. Alternative Fuels.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Family

1. Every family with children filing for divorce must go through a mandatory ‘cooling off’ period.
2. Couples should be banned from adopting overseas.
3. Future parents should take parenting classes and pass tests before having a child.
4. Physical punishment is good practice for raising children.
5. Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?
6. Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
7. Violent video games and toys should not be allowed.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Technology

1. Technology is making people less creative.
2. Human beings are becoming slaves of modern technology.
3. Does technology limit creativity?
4. Technology makes us lose most of our traditions and culture.
5. New technologies create new problems.
6. Positive effects of technology on society.
7. Modern technology has increased material wealth but not happiness.
8. Social Networking Sites had an impact on changing us for the worse.
9. Internet censorship is unnecessary.
10. Whether the internet has made research easier and more convenient.
11.  Life was better when technology was less and more simple.
12. Online friends are more effective than real friends.
13. Internet Privacy.
14. Torrents and internet pirating.
15. Social networks are killing sincere relationships.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Health

1. Organ donation should be mandatory.
2. Health risks of smoking are exaggerated.
3. Vaccinations should be compulsory.
4. Veganism is an unhealthy way to raise kids.
5. Breast-feeding is one of the most important things a mother can give to a child.
6. Terminally ill patients should be allowed to use heroin.
7. Knowing your ancestry is important for health.
8. All farmers should go organic.
9. Lapses in food safety as a result of a complex interplay of factors.
10. Music Therapy.
11. The need of teen depression prevention.
12. Drug addiction is a sickness.
13. Running is unhealthy.
14. Fast food, soda, chips and other unhealthy food should be heavily taxed.
15. Bread is bad for your health.
16. Child obesity.
17. Any products that are believed to cause cancer should have a  warning label.
18. The only difference between normal and organic food is the cost.
19. Dangers of herbal remedies.
20. Smoking a pipe is more harmful than smoking cigarettes.
21. Denying health insurance on a basis of a pre-existing condition is against human rights.
22. Athletes who are caught using steroids should be banned from the professional sport for life.
23. Stretching before and after exercise is overrated.
24. A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat.
25. Eating meat and dairy is bad for your body.
26. GMOs are bad for health and should be avoided at any cost.

Argumentative Speech Topics about History

1. Why slavery was good for society back in the 1800s.
2. Adolf Hitler was a great leader.
3. Slavery and its effects on global economic developments.
4. Why Reagan’s “War on Drugs” had negative effects.
5. Many Caribbean people do not understand their heritage and history.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Politics

1. Famous people (actors, athletes) should not be allowed to become politicians.
2. The War in Iraq was justified.
3. Invading other countries, as long as for good cause, is justified.
4. Illegal immigrants should get an asylum.
5. Democracy is the best form of government.
6. Why should we trust Official Statistics?
7. War as an instrument of foreign policy.
8. Voting should be compulsory for all citizens.
9. Compulsory military service is good for society and the country.
10. Voting age should be lowered.
11. Terrorism is a major issue in the world because innocent people are affected.
12. The assassination can never be justified.
13. Why electronic voting is not effective.
14. Downsides of multiculturalism
15. Can racial profiling be useful?

Argumentative Speech Topics about Religion

1. Churches should be required to pay taxes.
2. Racialist blames are often used as a great excuse to shut down dialogue.
3. The world would be a more peaceful place without religions.
4. Life after death.
5. Evolution vs. Creationism.
6. There should be no religion in schools.
7. Islamic Fundamentalism.
8. Religion is a force for evil.
9. Students should learn about world religions in public schools.
10. Jehovah witnesses.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Sports

1. Why hockey should allow fights.
2. Not all great sportsmen can be good coaches. 
3. For athletes: Discipline is more important than talent.
4. Female athletes train better with female coaches.
5. Chess is not a sport.
6. Should players’ jerseys display ads?
7. Should there be a set age range for basketball players?
8. Can gambling be legalized as a professional sport?

Argumentative Speech Topics about Relationships

1. Spousal Abuse.
2. Polygamy creates healthy relationships.
3. Gender equality is a myth.
4. Having sex with a prostitute is not cheating.
5. Does age matter in relationships? What age is appropriate for dating?
6. Men should be forced to take paternity leave from work.
7. Gender does not affect learning.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Law

1. Guns should be made illegal.
2. Minors should be tried for murder at any age.
3. Social Security and Medical Reform are non-negotiable ways out of the debt crisis.
4. Gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples.
5. Plastic surgery should be illegal for anyone under 18.
6. Identity Theft.
7. Ban on smoking in public places is undemocratic.
8. Euthanasia should be legalized.
9. Prostitution should be legalized.
10. The taboo on recreational drugs is unjustified.
11.  Driving speed limits should be lifted in areas with low accident risk.
12. DUI offenders should give up their driver license for a year.
13. Laws to protect the victims of domestic abuse should be enforced.
14. Making drugs illegal creates an environment for crime and violence.
15. Fast Food advertisements and promotions should be banned.
16. Retirement should be made compulsory at the age of 60.
17. Cell phones and driving.
18. Billboards should not be allowed on interstate highways.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Life

1. Acceptance of all types of people.
2. Today’s world is a dangerous place to live in.
3. People don’t enjoy what they have. They constantly seek for more.
4. Benefits of having friends.
5. Modern offices should have facilities for an afternoon nap.
6. Would you rather be lucky, rich, or intelligent?
7. Reality television makes people stupid and should be regulated.
8. Has television become out-dated?
9. Watching television makes people smarter.
10. Banning some books and movies can help society.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Ethics

1. Assisted Suicide.
2. Genetic Research.
3. Is human cloning ethical?
4. The Ethics of Capital Punishment.
5. Euthanasia is not morally acceptable.
6. Abortion is inhumane and murder.
7. Abortions should be legal in cases of rape and incest.
8. DNA experiments on human embryos are unethical and should not be allowed.
9. Torture is an acceptable measure to prevent terrorism.
10. Wearing fur is unethical.
11. Cultural treasures should be returned to their countries of origin.
12. Do animals have rights? Using animals for scientific research is inhumane.
13. Spaying and neutering pets should be mandatory.
14. Zoos, aquariums, and circus violate animal rights and should be shut down.
15. Should scientists bring back extinct species through cloning?
16. Hunting is unethical and should not be allowed.
17. Doctors are better than Lawyers Are beauty pageants exploitative?
18. Feminism is bad for society.
19. The Miss America pageant is sexist.

 Conclusion

The above-mentioned topics and tips for argumentative speech should help you prepare and deliver an argumentative speech. If you have any suggestions or feedback, please let me know in the comment below.