Discussion 1: Research BrainstormingOverviewResearch begins with questions. You find a topic that you are genuinely interested in learning more about, and then you think about the tough questions that
Researched Argument Topic Choice Guidelines
Your topic should be a social, political, environmental, educational, or economic problem (essentially anything you are interested in probably qualifies).
You should choose a controversial issue: an issue with at least two strong sides. If no one will argue the opposite opinion, you do not have a controversial topic. For example, Childhood Obesity is often called a controversial topic; however, no one will argue FOR childhood obesity, so it does not qualify as a controversial topic for our purposes. Think of this as the "No Duh" factor. If you state your thesis and 9/10 people would respond "No duh" (Childhood Obesity is bad. Really? No duh!), then you do not have an arguable topic. If you are genuinely interested in a “No duh” topic, then creatively brainstorm different approaches to the topic that could be considered debatable. For example, if childhood obesity is the topic you are interested in, then consider questions related to that issue. Should we remove soda machines from high schools? Should elementary schools should require 30 minutes of physical education every day?
You should also avoid topics that are strictly morally/ethically/faith based (such as Abortion, Euthanasia, and stem cell research) since you will have little luck arguing effectively for or against an argument based primarily in ethics/morals/faith.
Avoid general topics which have been over-argued. It is unlikely you will find a fresh angle on a topic such as gun control, the death penalty, illegal immigration, the war on drugs, the drinking age, etc. Try to choose a unique topic, or at least a unique or more specific approach to your topic.
Be sure your topic is not a fact (smoking is dangerous to your health), as this is not an arguable topic. Be sure your topic is also not a scientific theory for which there is a definitive answer, but we do not yet know it, or a theory that we cannot know the answer to. For example, you cannot argue that God does or does not exist. There is an answer to that question; we simply do not know it, and so these are not actually arguable topics.
Finally, check for available sources. Be sure you have an ample amount of source material supporting both sides of your issue. Do not make this assignment harder than it needs to be! Pick a topic easily researched and interesting.
