How to Select and Write Argumentative Questions and Topic

In modern days, writing argumentative essays is one of the ways to prove that a student has understood the topic and can apply writing skills to present a point. In such essays, the question is located on the argumentative essay’s introduction and is key to the writer.

While it is important that students learn how to write argumentative essays, knowing the type of argumentative question is to write about is key. Ideally, one should learn to select the right argumentative questions.

To understand how to do this, we consulted a few of our best and most experienced writers for argumentative essays for lessons and guidance. From their insight, we were able to get a number of tips that we share below.

Tips on How to Pick an Argumentative Question

To select a good argumentative question, one should get a topical thesis that is clear, specific, easy to understand, debatable, and inconclusive.

1. Pick a topic you are Passionate about

When picking an argumentative topic or question you have to go for one that you are passionate and knowledgeable about so that as you argue it out you are able to express yourself properly on it.

2. Write a Debatable Topic

The selected topic should be debatable and a bit unarguable with proper background research ready to be presented before an audience.

3. A topic based on your Interests

The topic should match your interest so try as much as possible to avoid emotive ones because you will not be able to argue them out with a clear mind.

Also, explore your environment so as to get many ideas and be able to pick the taboos and drawbacks that may be related to your topic of choice.

It is important to go back to the past and recall whether you have had an argument over an issue with someone, which might add a little bit of experience.

4. A standout topic

You can pick on a controversial topic that probably all along has been avoided by others, making your subject stand out from the commonly argued themes.

5. Researchable topic

The topic you settle on should be researchable in order to make the arguments and information that you relay convincing and reliable something that will make it easy for you to back up your opinions and challenge other opposing opinions.

6. A factual Topic

In addition, sufficient information makes your topic understandable and clear. As you try to bring out your points of argument, ensure that you consider your audience by asking yourself whether they will understand the topic.

Have in mind who might be reading your work and try to predict their opinion that might arise from what your topic is presenting before them.

Also Read: What should I write my College Essay about: The Best Topics

Features of a Good Argumentative Question

Let us explore the qualities of a good question for an argumentative essay that you can use as a topic by formulating a concrete thesis.

1. Clear

A good argumentative question has to be clear and framed in understandable language devoid of vagueness.

Whoever reads it should be able to determine what is required.

Should people enjoy their basic rights? is not a clear question since it does not spell it out clearly the rights referred to therein. However, the question:

Should people enjoy their basic rights as listed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Comes out as a very clear and specific question.

2. Specific

The topic should be specific and not broad because a broad topic will make it difficult for you to write about it, so if you are specific, it becomes easy to write. This also prevents you from writing a topic that has been explored by other people.

3. Easy to understand

A good argumentative question should be easy to understand when to read, thus making it easy to interpret. It should not have unnecessary details, which will compel the reader to spend a lot of time trying to understand it. For example,

Are affluent mortals entailed to indemnify supplementary imposts? Instead of:

Do rich people need to pay more taxes? The second question can be easily interpreted, while the first is a bit difficult to interpret.

4. The topic should be Debatable

An argumentative question should be easily debatable between two parties with conflicting opinions. The question should have various angles of argument, and this will be supported by evidence. Since it is not an opinion, it should elicit debate depending on the perspective of the arguing parties.

It has to allow for disagreements and agreements from either party trying to take a stand on their preferred aspect of the question. Finally, it should be open to arguments and counterarguments.

5. An Inconclusive topic

The argumentative question should at no time lead to a conclusion, but rather it has to open up a path of debate from either of the parties who are for it or against it.

The question should not summarize the argument but provide a platform for argument and counterargument.

Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Good Argumentative Question

Dos

1. Understand the Purpose of the Argument

First, ensure you understand the purpose of the argument since not all arguments are similar; some arguments are delicate, while others might appear forceful.

As you choose an argumentative question, you have to ask yourself how you intend to argue it out.

Do you intend to be abrasive as you pass your arguments to your audience, or will you be subtle in the argument? Take, for example, a topic like:

Why should someone not donate to a children’s home?

It might not be the correct approach if you argue this topic aggressively. The tone of the argument should match the purpose of the argument.

2. Present facts

Secondly, give some facts about the kind of argument you want to make. Basically, arguments entail facts, definitions, evaluations, and proposals, so your topic needs to lean toward either of these.

When it comes to facts, the question will try to answer whether something really happened or not. Did the police really secure the scene?

Questions with definitions try to enquire about the cause of something. Why was the Senator considered insane?

Questions with evaluative arguments should be able to use measures and criteria to help the audience understand the idea. Is the idea of Brexit feasible?

Argumentative questions can also be in the form of proposals and can question future happenings. Should we do away with boarding schools for a better parent-child relationship?

3. Get a unique topic

You can also pick a topic that has not been explored a lot. Try and pick an argumentative topic from a field that has not been explored by many or maybe feared by many.

It will bring out the best in you through motivation since you will know that you are the first to venture into it. However difficult or controversial the topic might be to your audience, it will be a chance to give input.

However, the topic should be within your ability to navigate thoroughly and connect you with your audience.

The Don’ts

The question you choose should impress upon you to argue too much because you cannot virtually argue about everything. It implies that you must narrow down and be sure of what you are arguing.

Therefore, it is imperative that you develop a clear argumentative question to be answered during the argument. It is therefore advisable to follow the categories of arguments as earlier mentioned above in this essay.

Do not choose a topic that lacks evidence. Your topic therefore will need to be supported by the evidence you provide throughout the argument and remember that arguments are based on facts, not feelings.

The evidence will go a long way in cementing the position of the title in your work. You can decide to give a lifetime experience though it has to be as innovative as possible in order to emerge as a fact. This requires you to be very innovative in handling the topic whether it is your specialty or not.

Also Read: Can an Essay Have Subheadings, subtitles or subtopics?

Examples of good Argumentative Questions

• Do rich people need to pay more taxes?
• Should teenagers be allowed to have an account on social media sites?
• Do gay marriages have a negative social impact on the society?
• Do violent video games cause behavioral problems?
• Should we put minors in juvenile or adult facilities?
• Do computer games have a negative effect on individuals?
• Does the media have an influence on the female perception of body image?
• Should the police use excessive force when dealing with criminal gangs?
• Should employers change their views on working in the office and allow their employees to work from home after the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Is it time for the African continent to rethink its relationship with the world superpowers when it comes to political relationships?