argument essay writing prompts

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160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2024

April 3, 2024

The skill of writing an excellent argumentative essay is a crucial one for every high school or college student to master. In sum, argumentative essays teach students how to organize their thoughts logically and present them in a convincing way. This skill is helpful not only for those pursuing degrees in law , international relations , or public policy , but for any student who wishes to develop their critical thinking faculties. In this article, we’ll cover what makes a good argument essay and offer several argumentative essay topics for high school and college students. Let’s begin!

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is an essay that uses research to present a reasoned argument on a particular subject . As with the persuasive essay , the purpose of an argumentative essay is to sway the reader to the writer’s position. However, a strong persuasive essay makes its point through diligent research and emotion while a strong argumentative essay should be based solely on facts, not feelings.

Moreover, each fact should be supported by clear evidence from credible sources . Furthermore, a good argumentative essay will have an easy-to-follow structure. When organizing your argumentative essay, use this format as a guide:

• Introduction
• Supporting body paragraphs
• Paragraph(s) addressing common counterarguments

Argumentative Essay Format

In the introduction , the writer presents their position and thesis statement —a sentence that summarizes the paper’s main points. The body paragraphs then draw upon supporting evidence to back up this initial statement, with each paragraph focusing on its own point. The length of your paper will determine the amount of examples you need. In general, you’ll likely need at least two to three. Additionally, your examples should be as detailed as possible, citing specific research, case studies, statistics, or anecdotes.

In the counterargument paragraph , the writer acknowledges and refutes opposing viewpoints. Finally, in the conclusion , the writer restates the main argument made in the thesis statement and summarizes the points of the essay. Additionally, the conclusion may offer a final proposal to persuade the reader of the essay’s position.

How to Write an Effective Argumentative Essay, Step by Step

• Choose your topic. Use the list below to help you pick a topic. 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. For example, “Is the earth round?” would not be a solid choice.
• Research. Use the library, the web, and any other resources to gather information about your argumentative essay topic. Research widely but smartly. As you go, take organized notes, marking the source of every quote and where it may fit in the scheme of your larger essay. Moreover, remember to look for (and research) possible counterarguments.
• Outline . Using the argument essay format above, create an outline for your essay. Then, brainstorm a thesis statement covering your argument’s main points, and begin to put your examples in order, focusing on logical flow. It’s often best to place your strongest example last.
• Write . Draw on your research and outline to create a first draft. Remember, your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. (As Voltaire says, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”) Accordingly, just focus on getting the words down on paper.
• Does my thesis statement need to be adjusted?
• Which examples feel strongest? Weakest?
• Do the transitions flow smoothly?
• Do I have a strong opening paragraph?
• Does the conclusion reinforce my argument?

Tips for Revising an Argument Essay

Evaluating your own work can be difficult, so you might consider the following strategies:

• Read your work aloud to yourself.
• Record yourself reading your paper, and listen to the recording.
• Reverse outline your paper. Firstly, next to each paragraph, write a short summary of that paragraph’s main points/idea. Then, read through your reverse outline. Does it have a logical flow? If not, where should you adjust?
• Print out your paper and cut it into paragraphs. What happens when you rearrange the paragraphs?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School, High School, and College Students

Family argumentative essay topics.

• Should the government provide financial incentives for families to have children to address the declining birth rate?
• Should we require parents to provide their children with a certain level of nutrition and physical activity to prevent childhood obesity?
• Should parents implement limits on how much time their children spend playing video games?
• Should cell phones be banned from family/holiday gatherings?
• Should we hold parents legally responsible for their children’s actions?
• Should children have the right to sue their parents for neglect?
• Should parents have the right to choose their child’s religion?
• Are spanking and other forms of physical punishment an effective method of discipline?
• Should courts allow children to choose where they live in cases of divorce?
• Should parents have the right to monitor teens’ activity on social media?
• Should parents control their child’s medical treatment, even if it goes against the child’s wishes?
• Should parents be allowed to post pictures of their children on social media without their consent?
• Should fathers have a legal say in whether their partners do or do not receive an abortion?
• Can television have positive developmental benefits on children?
• Should the driving age be raised to prevent teen car accidents?
• Should adult children be legally required to care for their aging parents?

Education Argument Essay Topics

• Should schools ban the use of technology like ChatGPT?
• Are zoos unethical, or necessary for conservation and education?
• To what degree should we hold parents responsible in the event of a school shooting?
• Should schools offer students a set number of mental health days?
• Should school science curriculums offer a course on combating climate change?
• Should public libraries be allowed to ban certain books? If so, what types?
• What role, if any, should prayer play in public schools?
• Should schools push to abolish homework?
• Are gifted and talented programs in schools more harmful than beneficial due to their exclusionary nature?
• Should universities do away with Greek life?
• Should schools remove artwork, such as murals, that some perceive as offensive?
• Should the government grant parents the right to choose alternative education options for their children and use taxpayer funds to support these options?
• Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling for children’s academic and social development?
• Should we require schools to teach sex education to reduce teen pregnancy rates?
• Should we require schools to provide sex education that includes information about both homosexual and heterosexual relationships?
• Should colleges use affirmative action and other race-conscious policies to address diversity on campus?
• Should public schools remove the line “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance?
• Should college admissions officers be allowed to look at students’ social media accounts?
• Should schools abolish their dress codes, many of which unfairly target girls, LGBTQ students, and students of color?
• Should schools be required to stock free period products in bathrooms?
• Should legacy students receive preferential treatment during the college admissions process?
• Are school “voluntourism” trips ethical?

Government Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. decriminalize prostitution?
• Should the U.S. issue migration visas to all eligible applicants?
• Should the federal government cancel all student loan debt?
• Should we lower the minimum voting age? If so, to what?
• Should the federal government abolish all laws penalizing drug production and use?
• Should the U.S. use its military power to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan?
• Should the U.S. supply Ukraine with further military intelligence and supplies?
• Should the North and South of the U.S. split up into two regions?
• Should Americans hold up nationalism as a critical value?
• Should we permit Supreme Court justices to hold their positions indefinitely?
• Should Supreme Court justices be democratically elected?
• Is the Electoral College still a productive approach to electing the U.S. president?
• Should the U.S. implement a national firearm registry?
• Is it ethical for countries like China and Israel to mandate compulsory military service for all citizens?
• Should the U.S. government implement a ranked-choice voting system?
• Should institutions that benefited from slavery be required to provide reparations?
• Based on the 1619 project, should history classes change how they teach about the founding of the U.S.?
• Should term limits be imposed on Senators and Representatives? If so, how long?
• Should women be allowed into special forces units?
• Should the federal government implement stronger, universal firearm licensing laws?
• Do public sex offender registries help prevent future sex crimes?
• Should the government be allowed to regulate family size?
• Should all adults legally be considered mandated reporters?
• Should the government fund public universities to make higher education more accessible to low-income students?
• Should the government fund universal preschool to improve children’s readiness for kindergarten?

Health/Bioethics Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. government offer its own healthcare plan?
• In the case of highly infectious pandemics, should we focus on individual freedoms or public safety when implementing policies to control the spread?
• Should we legally require parents to vaccinate their children to protect public health?
• Is it ethical for parents to use genetic engineering to create “designer babies” with specific physical and intellectual traits?
• Should the government fund research on embryonic stem cells for medical treatments?
• Should the government legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill patients?
• Should organ donation be mandatory?
• Is cloning animals ethical?
• Should cancer screenings start earlier? If so, what age?
• Is surrogacy ethical?
• Should birth control require a prescription?
• Should minors have access to emergency contraception?
• Should hospitals be for-profit or nonprofit institutions?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics — Continued

Social media argumentative essay topics.

• Should the federal government increase its efforts to minimize the negative impact of social media?
• Do social media and smartphones strengthen one’s relationships?
• Should antitrust regulators take action to limit the size of big tech companies?
• Should social media platforms ban political advertisements?
• Should the federal government hold social media companies accountable for instances of hate speech discovered on their platforms?
• Do apps such as TikTok and Instagram ultimately worsen the mental well-being of teenagers?
• Should governments oversee how social media platforms manage their users’ data?
• Should social media platforms like Facebook enforce a minimum age requirement for users?
• Should social media companies be held responsible for cases of cyberbullying?
• Should the United States ban TikTok?
• Is social media harmful to children?
• Should employers screen applicants’ social media accounts during the hiring process?

Religion Argument Essay Topics

• Should religious institutions be tax-exempt?
• Should religious symbols such as the hijab or crucifix be allowed in public spaces?
• Should religious freedoms be protected, even when they conflict with secular laws?
• Should the government regulate religious practices?
• Should we allow churches to engage in political activities?
• Religion: a force for good or evil in the world?
• Should the government provide funding for religious schools?
• Is it ethical for healthcare providers to deny abortions based on religious beliefs?
• Should religious organizations be allowed to discriminate in their hiring practices?
• Should we allow people to opt out of medical treatments based on their religious beliefs?
• Should the U.S. government hold religious organizations accountable for cases of sexual abuse within their community?
• Should religious beliefs be exempt from anti-discrimination laws?
• Should religious individuals be allowed to refuse services to others based on their beliefs or lifestyles? (As in this famous case .)
• Should the US ban religion-based federal holidays?
• Should public schools be allowed to teach children about religious holidays?

Science Argument Essay Topics

• Would the world be safer if we eliminated nuclear weapons?
• Should scientists bring back extinct animals? If so, which ones?
• Should we hold companies fiscally responsible for their carbon footprint?
• Should we ban pesticides in favor of organic farming methods?
• Should the federal government ban all fossil fuels, despite the potential economic impact on specific industries and communities?
• What renewable energy source should the U.S. invest more money in?
• Should the FDA outlaw GMOs?
• Should we worry about artificial intelligence surpassing human intelligence?
• Should the alternative medicine industry be more stringently regulated?
• Is colonizing Mars a viable option?
• Is the animal testing worth the potential to save human lives?

Sports Argument Essay Topics

• Should colleges compensate student-athletes?
• How should sports teams and leagues address the gender pay gap?
• Should youth sports teams do away with scorekeeping?
• Should we ban aggressive contact sports like boxing and MMA?
• Should professional sports associations mandate that athletes stand during the national anthem?
• Should high schools require their student-athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
• Should transgender athletes compete in sports according to their gender identity?
• Should schools ban football due to the inherent danger it poses to players?
• Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
• Do participation trophies foster entitlement and unrealistic expectations?
• Should sports teams be divided by gender?
• Should professional athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympics?
• Should women be allowed on NFL teams?

Technology Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should sites like DALL-E compensate the artists whose work it was trained on?
• Should the federal government make human exploration of space a more significant priority?
• Is it ethical for the government to use surveillance technology to monitor citizens?
• Should websites require proof of age from their users? If so, what age?
• Should we consider A.I.-generated images and text pieces of art?
• Does the use of facial recognition technology violate individuals’ privacy?
• Is online learning as effective as in-person learning?
• Does computing harm the environment?
• Should buying, sharing, and selling collected personal data be illegal?
• Are electric cars really better for the environment?
• Should car companies be held responsible for self-driving car accidents?
• Should private jets be banned?
• Do violent video games contribute to real-life violence?

Business Argument Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. government phase out the use of paper money in favor of a fully digital currency system?
• Should the federal government abolish its patent and copyright laws?
• Should we replace the Federal Reserve with free-market institutions?
• Is free-market ideology responsible for the U.S. economy’s poor performance over the past decade?
• Will cryptocurrencies overtake natural resources like gold and silver?
• Is capitalism the best economic system? What system would be better?
• Should the U.S. government enact a universal basic income?
• Should we require companies to provide paid parental leave to their employees?
• Should the government raise the minimum wage? If so, to what?
• Should antitrust regulators break up large companies to promote competition?
• Is it ethical for companies to prioritize profits over social responsibility?
• Should gig-economy workers like Uber and Lyft drivers be considered employees or independent contractors?
• Should the federal government regulate the gig economy to ensure fair treatment of workers?
• Should the government require companies to disclose the environmental impact of their products?
• Should companies be allowed to fire employees based on political views or activities?
• Should tipping practices be phased out?
• Should employees who choose not to have children be given the same amount of paid leave as parents?
• Should MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) be illegal?
• Should employers be allowed to factor tattoos and personal appearance into hiring decisions?

In Conclusion – Argument Essay Topics

Using the tips above, you can effectively structure and pen a compelling argumentative essay that will wow your instructor and classmates. Remember to craft a thesis statement that offers readers a roadmap through your essay, draw on your sources wisely to back up any claims, and read through your paper several times before it’s due to catch any last-minute proofreading errors. With time, diligence, and patience, your essay will be the most outstanding assignment you’ve ever turned in…until the next one rolls around.

Looking for more fresh and engaging topics for use in the classroom? You might consider checking out the following:

• 125 Good Debate Topics for High School Students
• 150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
• 7 Best Places to Study
• Guide to the IB Extended Essay
• How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay
• AP Lit Reading List
• How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay
• 49 Most Interesting Biology Research Topics
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Lauren Green

With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook  A Great Dark House  (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming novel (Viking/Penguin).

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100 Thought-Provoking Argumentative Writing Prompts for Kids and Teens

Practice making well-reasoned arguments using research and facts.

Writing a strong argumentative essay teaches students to make a case for their own point of view without relying on emotion or passion. These argumentative essay topics provide options for kids of all ages, including controversial subjects and some that are just for fun.

School and Education Argumentative Essay Topics

Science and history argumentative essay topics, life and ethics argumentative essay topics, social justice and civics argumentative essay topics, more argumentative essay topics.

Plus, make sure to fill out the form on this page to grab your free printable argumentative essay graphic organizers to help your students plan their essays.

What is an argumentative essay?

In an argumentative essay, the author considers multiple points of view and argues in favor of one claim. It’s a lot like building a court case. Start with an opening statement that explains your claim and the reasons that support it. Then, use strong evidence to support each of those reasons, and to refute any counterarguments (opposing points of view). Finish with a compelling conclusion that sums up and reinforces your claim.

What’s the difference between argumentative and persuasive essays?

These two types of essays are similar, but there are some subtle and important differences .

• Author’s purpose: In an argumentative essay, your job is to simply convince the reader that the point of view you’re presenting is valid, even if it doesn’t change their mind. Persuasive essays seek to sway the reader to adopt your point of view over any others.
• Method: Argumentative essays rely heavily on well-researched facts and logical assertions. In a persuasive essay, the writer may use a blend of emotion and facts to win over the reader.
• Audience: Persuasive essays require a specific audience, since the writer must acknowledge and attempt to overcome their potential objections. The writer of an argumentative essay is simply making a statement, so knowing their audience is less important.
• Viewpoint: A persuasive essay writer should believe their point of view is the only correct one, and try to persuade the reader to agree. Argumentative essays acknowledge other points of view, but use reason and logic to argue that the writer’s point of view is best.

Persuasive and argumentative essay topics often overlap. The difference is in how the writer approaches the topic. When you assign one of the topics below as an argumentative essay, remind students to use research, reason, and logic to make a strong but dispassionate argument.

• Should physical education be part of the standard high school curriculum?
• Schools should require recommended vaccines for all students, with very limited exceptions.
• Should all students have the ability to attend college for free?
• What one class should all high schools students be required to take and pass in order to graduate?
• Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?
• Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
• Should schools have dress codes?
• What is the most important school subject?
• Are letter grades helpful, or should we replace them with something else?
• If I could change one school rule, it would be …

• Is year-round school a good idea?
• Which is better, private schools or public schools?
• Should every student have to participate in athletics?
• Do you think schools should ban junk food from their cafeterias?
• Should students be required to volunteer in their communities?
• Should schools be allowed to ban some books from their libraries?
• Which is better, book smarts or street smarts?
• Are single-gender schools better or worse for students?
• Are computers making teachers obsolete?
• Students who fail a test should be given a chance to take it again.

• Is it acceptable to use animals for experiments and research?
• Vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco.
• Do we really learn anything from history, or does it just repeat itself over and over?
• Is it OK to keep animals in zoos?
• Should we ban plastic bags and bottles?
• Should we still consider Pluto a planet?
• It’s important to spend tax dollars exploring space instead of on other things.
• Is there life on other planets?
• Who was the best/worst American president?
• Should vaccines be mandatory?

• Are GMOs more helpful than harmful?
• Is animal cloning ethical?
• Should human cloning be legal?
• Should we use stem cells from human embryos for scientific research?
• Is it better to provide drug addicts with treatment instead of punishment?
• Should we ban the use of fossil fuels?
• Can we truly do anything about human-caused global warming?
• Are electric vehicles better than gas-powered ones?
• Was life really better “back in the day”?
• Choose a foreign conflict (e.g., Vietnam or Afghanistan) and argue whether or not the United States was justified in getting involved.

• The most important challenge our country is currently facing is … (e.g., immigration, gun control, economy)
• Does social media do more harm than good?
• The best country in the world is …
• Are men and women treated equally?
• Is it better to be vegetarian/vegan or to eat meat?
• Should little kids be allowed to play competitive sports?
• Who faces more peer pressure, girls or boys?
• Should kids have set bedtimes or just go to bed whenever they’re sleepy?
• Which is better, artificial Christmas trees or real ones?
• Playing violent video games is bad for kids and teens.

• Parents should track their kids’ cell phone use.
• Are paper books better than e-books?
• All kids should play on the same sports teams, regardless of gender.
• All paper documents should be replaced with electronic versions.
• Is conflict necessary for change?
• Is war ever justified?
• A strong middle class is vital to the economy.
• Is the local minimum wage truly a living wage?
• Should we do away with gender-specific public bathrooms?
• Is a progressive income tax better than a flat tax?

• Capital punishment does/does not deter crime.
• Would it be better to legalize, tax, and regulate all drugs (including alcohol and cigarettes) instead of banning them?
• Parents should be punished for their minor children’s crimes.
• The government should provide free internet access for every citizen.
• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Is capitalism the best form of economy?
• Should all Americans be required to vote?
• Should we change the minimum driving age in the United States?
• Do you think the government should find a way to provide free healthcare for everyone?

• School-age children should be allowed to vote.
• We should/should not abolish the Electoral College.
• Are “stand your ground” laws effective?
• Supreme Court judges should be appointed for fixed terms.
• Does segregation still exist in the United States?
• We should/should not continue building a wall between the United States and Mexico.
• Will stricter gun control laws help control mass shootings?
• Should we make the path to American citizenship easier?
• Is the American justice system inherently racist?
• Should we redirect some or all police force funding to social services?
• Should the United States implement a universal basic income?

• Choose a fictional character and explain why they should be the next president.
• What animal makes the best pet?
• Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
• Which is better, reading books or watching TV?
• Is a taco a sandwich?
• Should kids be allowed to stay up as late as they want?
• What’s the best video game system?
• Kids shouldn’t have to go to school on their birthdays.
• Is video gaming a sport?
• Are beauty pageants sexist?
• Should kids get participation trophies for sports?

• Are stereotypes ever right?
• Is there any benefit to teaching proper grammar and spelling, or should we allow language to be descriptive instead of prescriptive?
• All teenagers should have part-time jobs.
• Should kids have limits on screen time?
• Is it better to read fiction or nonfiction?
• Should kids have to eat everything on their plate, even if they really don’t like something?
• Is it better to spend an hour a day reading or exercising?
• Is graffiti an act of vandalism or an art form?
• Should society hold celebrities to a high moral standard?

Get your free printable argumentative writing graphic organizers

Our free printable argumentative essay graphic organizers use a court case theme to help student plan their essays. There are worksheets covering opening statements, reasoning and supporting evidence, refuting counter arguments, and closing statements. Just click the button below to fill out the form and receive your copy of this free worksheet bundle.

What are your favorite argumentative writing prompts? Come share your thoughts in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Also check out intriguing cause & effect essay topics for students ., you might also like.

The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (150+ Ideas!)

Ideas to inspire every young writer. Continue Reading

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50 Argumentative Essay Prompts for Secondary ELA

When it comes to teaching argument essays , students prefer a choice in their argumentative essay topics. That is why I filled this page with 50 argumentative essay prompts for students to choose from. By including students in the essay topic selection process, they feel more included in the process, but they will also be more engaged because they will feel like they have a say in their assignment.

When assigning a hot topic or controversial issue argumentative essay , I always let students select a topic in which they are passionate. However, I also make it clear that their topic cannot be discriminatory or hateful in any way and that they must fund valid and credible evidence to back up their claims. When I do this in the classroom, I also like to make sure that only one student per class has the same topic.

I usually have essay topic sign-ups in two different ways, and both are first come first serve. One way that works is that I usually open up topic selection either before or after school. The students know about the day in advance, and they come into the classroom to sign up for it. For the students who cannot make it to the classroom before or after school, I have them email me their topics.

The other way that I have students sign up for topics is through a Google Form. In the Google Form, I have them select their top choice and a backup. Usually, every student gets either their first or second-choice topic.

Furthermore, I also make sure that students understand the status quo about their topic before selecting it. I cannot even tell you how many years it took me to realize this and how many “medical marijuana should be legal” essays I read before coming to this conclusion. Since I teach in a state where it is (and was at the time) legal, I would explain to the student that they needed to add in some detail to their argument so that they weren’t arguing the status quo.

If you are planning an argument or controversial issue essay assignment, here is a list of potential topics you can include in your classroom. If you need teaching materials, this argument writing teaching unit will help you walk your students through the process.

50 Argumentative Essay Prompts

Argument essay topics about technology.

• Is social media harmful?
• Is technology making people more dependent?
• Should the Internet be a public utility?
• Is technology more harmful or beneficial?
• Should students be allowed to use phones in class?
• Should schools provide students with laptops?
• Should there be a legal age limit for social media?
• Should the US invest more money in the space program?
• Are teens too reliant on technology?
• Are emojis beneficial or destructive to communication?

Argument Essay Topics about School

• Should the dress code be abolished?
• Is the school dress code sexist?
• Should students be required to wear school uniforms?
• Should school start later?
• Should the school year be year-round?
• Is homework necessary?
• Should students participate in standardized tests?
• Should there be a school voucher system?
• Should schools require physical education?
• Should teachers accept late work?

Argument Essay Topics about the Environment

• Should fracking be banned?
• Should single-use plastic be eliminated?
• Are humans responsible for global climate change?
• Are electric cars as environmentally friendly as they claim to be?
• Is vegetarian food good or bad for the environment?
• Who or what is responsible for deforestation?
• What is the biggest environmental threat?
• Should the US do more to prevent global climate change?
• Can nuclear waste be stored safely?
• Is the US doing enough to reduce CO2 emissions?

Argument Essay Topics about Animals

• Should factory farming be banned?
• Should recreational hunting and fishing be banned?
• Should wild animals be kept in captivity?
• Is animal testing for pharmaceuticals necessary?
• Is animal testing for beauty and skin products necessary?
• Should certain dog breeds be considered illegal?
• How should endangered animals be protected?
• Should people keep exotic animals as pets?
• Who or what is responsible for animal extinction?
• Should farm animals be treated with antibiotics?

Argument Essay Topics about Social and Political Issues

• What should the US do about the refugee crisis?
• Should the death penalty be banned?
• Should the US prison system include for-profit prisons?
• Should Confederate statues and memorials come down?
• Should the US switch to a single-payer health system?
• Should community college be free?
• Should the minimum wage remain the same?
• Should the government regulate big tech companies?
• Should the US participate in reparations?
• Should vaccines be mandatory?

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The New York Times

The learning network | 301 prompts for argumentative writing.

301 Prompts for Argumentative Writing

Updated, March 2, 2017 | We published an updated version of this list, “401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing,” as well as a companion piece, “650 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing.”

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and get five new Student Opinion questions delivered to you every week.

If anything ever published on The Learning Network could be said to have “gone viral,” it is last February’s “ 200 Prompts for Argumentative Writing ,” which we created to help teachers and students participate in our inaugural Student Editorial Contest .

We’ve now updated last year’s list with new questions and what we hope is more useful categorization.

So scroll through the 301 prompts below that touch on every aspect of contemporary life — from politics to sports, culture, education and technology — and see which ones most inspire you to take a stand. Each question comes from our daily Student Opinion feature, and each provides links to free Times resources for finding more information.

What issues do you care about most? Find something to write about here, or post a comment if you think we’ve missed a topic you would like to see us cover.

And if these 301 questions aren’t enough, the Room for Debate blog provides many, many more.

• Does Technology Make Us More Alone?

Are You Distracted by Technology?

• Do Apps Help You or Just Waste Your Time?
• Do You Spend Too Much Time on Smartphones Playing ‘Stupid Games’?
• Will Wearable Technology Ever Really Catch On?
• Are Digital Photographs Too Plentiful to Be Meaningful?
• Do You Worry We Are Filming Too Much?
• Would You Want a Pair of Google’s Computer Glasses?
• What Role Will Robots Play in Our Future?
• How Many Text Messages Are Too Many?

Internet and Social Media

• Has Facebook Lost Its Edge?
• Does Facebook Ever Make You Feel Bad?
• Would You Consider Deleting Your Facebook Account?
• Should What You Say on Facebook Be Grounds for Getting Fired?
• Should People Be Allowed to Obscure Their Identities Online?
• How Much Do You Trust Online Reviews?

Technology in Schools

• Are the Web Filters at Your School Too Restrictive?
• Do Your Teachers Use Technology Well?
• Should Tablet Computers Become the Primary Way Students Learn in Class?
• Can Cellphones Be Educational Tools?
• Should Computer Games Be Used for Classroom Instruction?
• Is Online Learning as Good as Face-to-Face Learning?
• How Would You Feel About a Computer Grading Your Essays?

ART, FILM, BOOKS, VIDEO GAMES AND OTHER MEDIA

Are Video Games a Sport?

A look at e-sports, the fast-growing, lucrative world of professional competitive video gaming.

Movies, TV and Theater

• Is TV Stronger Than Ever, or Becoming Obsolete?
• Do TV Shows Like ‘16 and Pregnant’ Promote or Discourage Teenage Pregnancy?
• Does Reality TV Promote Dangerous Stereotypes?
• Does TV Capture the Diversity of America Yet?
• Is TV Too White?
• Why Do We Like to Watch Rich People on TV and in the Movies?
• What Makes a Good TV Show Finale?
• What Makes a Good Commercial?
• Why Did a Cheerios Ad Attract So Many Angry Comments Online?
• What Were the Best Movies You Saw in the Past Year?
• Does Live Theater Offer Something You Just Can’t Get Watching Movies or TV?
• What Can You Predict About the Future of the Music Industry?
• What Current Musicians Do You Think Will Stand the Test of Time?
• What Artists or Bands of Today Are Destined for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
• What Artists Do You Consider ‘Sellouts’?
• What Musician, Actor or Author Should Be a Superstar, but Hasn’t Quite Made It Yet?
• Who Does Hip-Hop Belong To?
• Will Musical Training Make You More Successful?

Video Games

• Should Video Games Be Considered a Sport?
• Should Stores Sell Violent Video Games to Minors?
• Do Violent Video Games Make People More Violent in Real Life?
• When Should You Feel Guilty for Killing Zombies?
• Can a Video Game Be a Work of Art?
• What Game Would You Like to Redesign?
• How Sexist Is the Gaming World?
• Would You Trade Your Paper Books for Digital Versions?
• Does Reading a Book Count More Than Listening to One?
• To What Writer Would You Award a Prize?
• Who Are the Characters That Authors Should Be Writing About?
• Do You Prefer Your Children’s Book Characters Obedient or Contrary?
• Can Graffiti Ever Be Considered Art?
• Do We Need Art in Our Lives?
• Does Pop Culture Deserve Serious Study?
• Where Is the Line Between Truth and Fiction?
• Should Society Support Artists and Others Pursuing Creative Works?

GENDER AND RELATIONSHIPS

Gender Issues

• Do Parents Have Different Hopes and Standards for Their Sons Than for Their Daughters?
• Is School Designed More for Girls Than Boys?
• Is There Too Much Pressure on Girls to Have ‘Perfect’ Bodies?
• How Much Pressure Do Boys Face to Have the Perfect Body?
• Do Photoshopped Images Make You Feel Bad About Your Own Looks?
• Doctored Photos: O.K. or Not?
• Is It O.K. for Men and Boys to Comment on Women and Girls on the Street?
• Do We Need New Ways to Identify Gender and Sexuality?
• What Should We Do to Fight Sexual Violence Against Young Women?
• How Do You Feel About Rihanna and Chris Brown Getting Back Together?
• Why Aren’t There More Girls in Leadership Roles?
• Why Aren’t More Girls Choosing to Pursue Careers in Math and Science?
• Should Women Be Allowed to Fight on the Front Lines Alongside Men?
• Do You Believe in Equal Rights for Women and Men?
• Are Women Better at Compromising and Collaborating?
• Do Boys Have Less Intense Friendships Than Girls?
• Can a Boy Wear a Skirt to School?
• Is It O.K. to Refuse to Serve Same-Sex Couples Based on Religious Beliefs?

Dating and Sex

• Should Birth Control Pills Be Available to Teenage Girls Without a Prescription?
• Should the Morning-After Pill Be Sold Over the Counter to People Under 17?
• How Should Children Be Taught About Puberty and Sex?
• Is Dating a Thing of the Past?
• Is Hookup Culture Leaving Your Generation Unhappy and Unprepared for Love?
• Should Couples Live Together Before Marriage?
• Could Following These Directions Make You Fall in Love With a Stranger?
• How Should Educators and Legislators Deal With Minors Who ‘Sext’?
• How Should Parents Address Internet Pornography?

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

• If Football Is So Dangerous to Players, Should We Be Watching It?
• Should Parents Let Their Children Play Football?
• Should College Football Players Get Paid?
• Is It Offensive for Sports Teams to Use Native American Names and Mascots?

Sportsmanship

• Are Some Youth Sports Too Intense?
• Should There Be Stricter Rules About How Coaches Treat Their Players?
• Do Sports Teams Have a Responsibility to Hold Players to a Standard for Their Personal Conduct?
• Should Athletes Who Dope Have to Forfeit Their Titles and Medals?
• Do Fans Put Too Much Pressure on Their Favorite Professional Athletes?
• Does a Championship Game Always Need to Have a Winner (and a Loser)?
• Should Sports Betting Be Legal Everywhere?
• Should Colleges Fund Wellness Programs Instead of Sports?
• Where Should Colleges and Sports Teams Draw the Line in Selling Naming Rights?

Other Sports

• Has Baseball Lost Its Cool?
• Is Cheerleading a Sport?
• How Big a Deal Is It That an N.B.A. Player Came Out as Gay?
• Would You Want a Bike Share Program for Your Community?
• How Young Is Too Young to Climb Mount Everest?

POLITICS AND POLICY

• Do You Trust Your Government?
• If You Were Governor of Your State, How Would You Spend a Budget Surplus?
• What Local Problems Do You Think Your Mayor Should Try to Solve?
• Should Rich People Have to Pay More Taxes?
• What Is More Important: Our Privacy or National Security?
• California Notice

Leadership and Politics

• Do Leaders Have Moral Obligations?
• Do Great Leaders Have to Be Outgoing?
• Is It Principled, or Irresponsible, for Politicians to Threaten a Shutdown?

International Relations

• Should the U.S. Be Spying on Its Friends?
• When Is the Use of Military Force Justified?
• Should Countries Pay Ransoms to Free Hostages Held by Terrorists?

Police, Prisons and Justice System

• Should the United States Stop Using the Death Penalty?
• When Should Juvenile Offenders Receive Life Sentences?
• What Do You Think of the Police Tactic of Stop-and-Frisk?
• Do Rich People Get Off Easier When They Break the Law?
• Should All Police Officers Wear Body Cameras?
• Will What Happened in Ferguson Change Anything?
• Should Felons Be Allowed to Vote After They Have Served Their Time?
• How Should We Prevent Future Mass Shootings?
• Would You Feel Safer With Armed Guards Patrolling Your School?
• What Is Your Relationship With Guns?
• Where Do You Stand on Unconcealed Handguns?
• Should Guns Be Permitted on College Campuses?
• Did a Newspaper Act Irresponsibly by Publishing the Addresses of Gun Owners?

Immigration

• Should Millions of Undocumented Immigrants Be Allowed to Live in the U.S. Without Fear of Getting Deported?
• Are Children of Illegal Immigrants Entitled to a Public Education?

PARENTS AND FAMILIES

Parenting and Childhood

• How Much Freedom Should Parents Give Their Children?
• How Should Parents Discipline Their Kids?
• When Does Discipline Become Child Abuse?
• Do ‘Shame and Blame’ Work to Change Teenage Behavior?
• Do We Give Children Too Many Trophies?
• Are Adults Hurting Young Children by Pushing Them to Achieve?
• Is Modern Culture Ruining Childhood?
• How, and by Whom, Should Children Be Taught Appropriate Behavior?
• Are ‘Dark’ Movies O.K. for Kids?
• Should Halloween Costumes Portray Only ‘Positive Images’?
• Are Parents Violating Their Children’s Privacy When They Share Photos and Videos of Them Online?
• Should Children Be Allowed to Compete on TV?
• How Young Is Too Young for an iPhone?
• Should Parents Limit How Much Time Children Spend on Tech Devices?

Parents and School

• How Should Parents Handle a Bad Report Card?
• How Important Are Parent-Teacher Conferences?
• Who Should Be Able to See Students’ Records?
• Would You Want to Be Home-Schooled?
• Should All Children Be Able to Go to Preschool?

House and Home

• How Important Is Keeping a Clean House?
• Does Keeping a Messy Desk Make People More Creative?

Millennial Generation

• What Can Older People Learn From Your Generation?
• Does Your Generation Have Too Much Self-Esteem?
• Is Your Generation Really ‘Postracial’?

Becoming an Adult

• When Do You Become an Adult?
• When Should You Be Able to Buy Cigarettes, Drink Alcohol, Vote, Drive and Fight in Wars?
• When You Are Old Enough to Vote, Will You?

CHARACTER AND MORALITY

Personal Character

• Can Money Buy You Happiness?
• Does Buying and Accumulating More and More Stuff Make Us Happier?
• Are We Losing the Art of Listening?
• Do People Complain Too Much?
• Which Is More Important: Talent or Hard Work?
• How Important Is Keeping Your Cool?
• When Should You Compromise?
• Is Your Generation More Self-Centered Than Earlier Generations?

Religion and Spirituality

• Do You Believe That Everything Happens for a Reason?
• How Much Control Do You Think You Have Over Your Fate?
• Can You Be Good Without God?
• How Important Do You Think It Is to Marry Someone With the Same Religion?

Morality and Personal Responsibility

• Does Suffering Make Us Stronger and Lead to Success?
• Do Bystanders Have a Responsibility to Intervene When There is Trouble?
• When Is Looting Morally O.K.?
• Can Kindness Become Cool?

Language and Standards

• Have Curse Words Become So Common They Have Lost Their Shock Value?
• What Words or Phrases Do You Think Are Overused?
• What Words or Phrases Should Be Retired?
• Do Laws That Ban Offensive Words Make the World a Better Place?
• Should Newspapers Reprint Cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad That Some Deem Offensive?
• Is It Wrong for a Newspaper to Publish a Front-Page Photo of a Man About to Die?

Teaching and Learning

• Do Teachers Assign Too Much Homework?
• Does Your Homework Help You Learn?
• What Are You Really Learning at School?
• Does Class Size Matter?
• Do We Need a New Way to Teach Math?
• Does Gym Help Students Perform Better in All Their Classes?
• Should Reading and Math Be Taught in Gym Class Too?
• What Are the Best Ways to Learn About History?
• What Is the Right Amount of Group Work in School?
• What Do You Think of Grouping Students by Ability in Schools?
• How Important Is Arts Education?
• Do Schools Provide Students With Enough Opportunities to Be Creative?
• Does the Way Your Classroom Is Decorated Affect Your Learning?

Discipline and School Rules

• What Are the Best Teaching Methods for Getting Students to Behave Well in Class?
• How Does Your School Deal With Students Who Misbehave?
• Should Schools Be Allowed to Use Corporal Punishment?
• Is Cheating Getting Worse?
• Should Schools Put Tracking Devices in Students’ ID Cards?
• Should Middle School Students Be Drug Tested?
• Should Students Be Barred From Taking Cellphones to School?
• How Big a Problem Is Bullying or Cyberbullying in Your School or Community?
• How Should Schools Address Bullying?
• How Should Schools Address Cyberbullying?
• What Should the Punishment Be for Acts of Cyberbullying?
• When Do Pranks Cross the Line to Become Bullying?
• How Should Schools Respond to Hazing Incidents?

Time in School

Should the School Day Start Later?

• Is Your School Day Too Short?
• Do You Think a Longer School Calendar Is a Good Idea?
• Should the Dropout Age Be Raised?
• Should We Rethink How Long Students Spend in High School?
• Should Students Be Allowed to Skip Senior Year of High School?
• Should Kids Head to College Early?
• Class Time + Substitute = Waste?
• Do Kids Need Recess?
• Should Students Be Able to Grade Their Teachers?
• Does Your School Hand Out Too Many A’s?
• Do Girls Get Better Grades Than Boys in Your School?
• Does Separating Boys and Girls Help Students Perform Better in School?
• Why Do Boys Lag Behind Girls in Reading?
• Should Discomfort Excuse Students From Having to Complete an Assignment?

Standardized Tests

• How Well Do You Think Standardized Tests Measure Your Abilities?
• How Seriously Should We Take Standardized Tests?
• Do You Spend Too Much Time Preparing for Standardized Tests?
• Should Schools Offer Cash Bonuses for Good Test Scores?

School Life

Would You Rather Attend a Public or a Private High School?

• How Much Does It Matter to You Which High School You Attend?
• Are Small Schools More Effective Than Large Schools?
• Should Home-Schoolers Be Allowed to Play Public School Sports?
• Should All Students Get Equal Space in a Yearbook?
• Should School Newspapers Be Subject to Prior Review?
• Is Prom Worth It?
• Is Prom Just an Excuse to Drink?

COLLEGE AND CAREER

• How Necessary Is a College Education?
• Is College Overrated?
• Should a College Education be Free?
• What Is the Perfect Number of College Applications to Send?
• Should Colleges Find a Better Way to Admit Students?
• Should Colleges Use Admissions Criteria Other Than SAT Scores and Grades?
• Do You Support Affirmative Action in College Admissions?
• Does It Matter Where You Go to College?
• Do College Rankings Matter?
• What Criteria Should Be Used in Awarding Scholarships for College?
• Should Engineers Pay Less for College Than English Majors?
• Do Fraternities Promote Misogyny?
• Should Colleges Ban Fraternities?

Jobs and Careers

• Would You Quit if Your Values Did Not Match Your Employer’s?
• Should Employers Be Able to Review Job Applicants’ SAT Scores?
• Do You Worry Colleges or Employers Might Read Your Social Media Posts Someday?
• Would You Rather Work From Home or in an Office?
• Is ‘Doing Nothing’ a Good Use of Your Time?

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Drugs, Cigarettes and Alcohol

• Is Smoking Still a Problem Among Teenagers?
• Are Antismoking Ads Effective?
• Is Drinking and Driving Still a Problem for Teenagers?
• Should Marijuana Be Legal?
• Should Students Be Required to Take Drug Tests?
• Why Is Binge Drinking So Common Among Young People in the United States?

Nutrition and Food

• Do You Think a Healthier School Lunch Program Is a Lost Cause?
• Should French Fries and Pizza Sauce Count as Vegetables?
• How Concerned Are You About Where Your Food Comes From?
• Is It Ethical to Eat Meat?
• Is Breakfast Really the Most Important Meal of the Day?
• Do You Prefer Your Tacos ‘Authentic’ or ‘Appropriated’?
• Should Sugary Drinks Be Taxed?
• Should the Government Limit the Size of Sugary Drinks?

Health Issues

• How Should Schools Handle Unvaccinated Students?
• Should Physician-Assisted Suicide Be Legal in Every State?
• Should Texting While Driving Be Illegal in Every State?
• Should Terminally Ill Patients Be Allowed to Die on Their Own Terms?

Appearance and Fashion

• Should Children Be Allowed to Wear Whatever They Want?
• What Are Your Opinions on Cosmetic Surgery?
• Do ‘Saggy Pants’ Mean Disrespect?
• Should You Care About the Health and Safety of Those Making Your Clothing?

SCIENCE TOPICS

Science and the Environment

• How Concerned Are You About Climate Change?
• How Should Nations and Individuals Address Climate Change?
• Should Developers Be Allowed to Build in and Near the Grand Canyon?
• Should Scientists Try to Help People Beat Old Age So We Can Live Longer Lives?
• Given Unlimited Resources, What Scientific or Medical Problem Would You Investigate?
• When Is It O.K. to Replace Human Limbs With Technology?
• Should Fertilized Eggs Be Given Legal ‘Personhood’?

Outer Space

• Do You Think Life Exists — or Has Ever Existed — Somewhere Besides Earth?
• Do You Believe in Intelligent Alien Life?
• Will Humans Live on Mars Someday?
• Would You Want to Be a Space Tourist?
• Should Certain Animals Have Some of the Same Legal Rights As People?
• Is It Unethical for a Zoo to Kill a Healthy Giraffe?
• Should You Go to Jail for Kicking a Cat?
• Should You Feel Guilty About Killing Spiders, Ants or Other Bugs?
• How Do You Think Dinosaurs Went Extinct?

MISCELLANEOUS

Rich and Famous

• Should the Private Lives of Famous People Be Off Limits?
• Do You Think Child Stars Have It Rough?

American Dream

• Should the United States Care That It’s Not No. 1?
• Is It Possible to Start Out Poor in This Country, Work Hard and Become Well-Off?
• Do Poor People ‘Have It Easy’?
• How Much Does Your Neighborhood Define Who You Are?

Charity and Philanthropy

• Should Charities Focus More on America?
• What Causes Should Philanthropic Groups Finance?
• Is Teenage ‘Voluntourism’ Wrong?
• Do You Shop at Locally Owned Businesses?
• Is Amazon Becoming Too Powerful?
• Should Companies Collect Information About You?
• What Time Should Black Friday Sales Start?
• How Long Is It O.K. to Linger in a Cafe or Restaurant?

Comments are no longer being accepted.

This is an awesome list! Is there a way to print it as a PDF like some of the other lists you have posted?

Liza B, Thank you for your comment. We can try to get a PDF of the list on the website next week some time. So stop by again by the end of the week. – Michael

The ‘argumentative’ writing prompts are so on point! Unreal! I am going to present them to the members of my future workshops for especially women and girls. Please do share a PDF list — that would be so helpful.

Thank you. We will try to publish a PDF by the end of next week. Please stay tuned. – Michael

Hi! I was wondering, is it too late to update the list? I think a good topic would be environmental problems. For example, global warming, or tourism on the Galapagos islands.

Hi Sidney — The list is of questions we’ve already asked, so we can’t add more now, but we’ll keep the tourism question in mind (and for our contest, you’re welcome to write about whatever you like!). We’ve asked about global warming many times, however — for instance: How Concerned Are You About Climate Change? and How Should Nations and Individuals Address Climate Change? — Katherine

I would like to see information on Euthanasia.

Great list. But you really should use the term “global warming” rather than “climate change,” which was dreamed up by a PR guy for the oil companies because it sounded more neutral.

You should get some about girls ice hockey.

The evolution of the of our society has resulted in the immense amount of opportunities being made especially in school attendance. New York Times’ article, Affluent, Born Abroad and Choosing New York’s Public Schools by Kirk Semple and the passage Benefits of Private Education presented by the Council of Private Education discuss opposing sides on private verse public school benefits for a student in their school years. Public schools today presents a more favorable academic career in comparison to what private schools offer a student. Public schools have developed into a chance for a steady and high education with a more realistic approach on the process of their schooling. An education, although revolved around academics, can also have an actuality and real life sense playing a key role in decision making; for many parents have chosen public schools over private schools because of its authentic fortuity. For instance, in Semple’s article an instance described by conclusive mother, Miriam Rengier explained the cafeteria of the private school they were viewing. With the option of seven different meals for lunch, some being as decorative as sushi, gives an availability to a learning child that is not accessible in real life deterring her away from it’s education. The accessibility private schools offer to convey themselves as superior gives its students an unrealistic sense of what life offers evidently not preparing them for what comes in their lives. Additionally, amplifying the realistic approach public schools offer, the diversity is a favorable quality. In the article, Lynn Bollen states, “When they go to public school, they’re in a whole new world, a whole world of different people and different values, which is what the world is like.” By placing a growing person in a scenario in which brings challenges or change with mixture it is expected that they will learn to adapt and grow to diversity, just like needed in real life. According to other belief’s, private schools are beneficial because of their higher academics offered. Essentially, the passage states that their surpassing scores on standardized test and more challenging graduation requirements lead to a excelling and successful student for the future. However, the future of a student is not specifically dictated by grades and test scores, which is a main quality that private schools take pride in. Academic careers are a time for children to flourish into young adults ready to combat real life, and public schools offer the setting of just that. That is the reason for the exponentially increasing amount of parents choosing public schools, proven by the evidence given by Semple, “73 percent of native-born couples and 76 percent of foreign-born couples send their children only to public school.”

Work Cited- “CAPE | Council for American Private Education.” CAPE. Council for American Education, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. < //www.capenet.org/benefits.html>.

Semple, Kirk. “Affluent, Born Abroad and Choosing New York?s Public Schools.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 Feb. 2012. Web. 02 Mar. 2015. < //www.nytimes.com/2012/02/15/nyregion/foreign-parents-in-new-york-prefer-public-schools.html>.

Does Technology Make Us More Alone? Many people agree that technology has made long distance communication easier for society. In the passage “Disruptions: More Connected, Yet More Alone?” by Nick Bilton and in the passage “Does Social Media Cause a More Isolated Society” by Yukio Strachan discusses the effects of technology on our social lives. Technology is separating us from each other rather than connecting us through social media. Technology has taken a turn in our social lives, creating separation between face to face communications. In the passage by Nick Bilton, he talks about a YouTube video the he had encounter called “I Forgot My Phone” and it describes the negative effects of technology on our lives. In the passage by Nick Bilton it states that an actor in the film, Ms. deGuzman, goes through a day of people ignoring her due to the distraction of them being on their phones during lunch, at a concert, while bowling and at a birthday party. This demonstrates how people are more into their phones than they are to actual stepping back from the technology and watching reality go bye. In the passage by Yukio Strachan, it talks about Sherry Tukle’s perception on our social networks. In the passage by Yukio Strachan it states that parents text and email at breakfast and at dinner while their children complain about not having their parents’ full attention. This means that technology is taking away a person attention to something of greater importance than their text messages and emails. I have noticed that while I’m with a group of my friends, everyone would have their attention towards their phone screens instead of to the people around them. This is a perfect example of how technology is making us more alone. Another example is when I was at the movies with my friends and they were all on their phones while the movie was playing. Technology is taking away our ability to be social with the people around us and it’s taking our attentions away from the present moments in life that shouldn’t be interrupted by technology. On the other hand, technology still gives people the ability to communicate with someone who is far away. Technology has come a long way. The new advancements in technology now allow people to talk to each other face to face on front facing camera phones. Now phones allow us to text, take pictures, and go on social media networks and more. Even though technology has made long distance communication easier, this advancement is still separating us from the reality of face to face communication with our peers. //bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/disruptions-more-connected-yet-more-alone/?_r=0

Sex and puberty are among topics that are often swept under the rug until it starts to be questioned. Today, how kids or teens learn about body changes or sex is what they see or hear from friends, technology, and even music. While some of this information can be reliable, it can also set false or unrealistic ideas of the subject. At a time where technology is ruling the world, kids and teens shouldn’t have to rely on it as much for information that they can get from their parents. Questions such as “How does it happen?” or “What should I do?” should be answered by their parents or even by a school program. If parents or the school address the subject earlier rather than later, it can help educate the child about what will happen when puberty hits, or even when they are questioning sex. Often more than not, I hear people cross the topic as “it” when referring to sex and even whispering the word as if it was some unlawful or secretive act. Sex shouldn’t be a hush-hush matter as it can often lead to consequences if one isn’t sure of it. When puberty hits, there are many changes happening on the inside and outside of the body. As this happens, teens are usually made fun of for those occurrences. Therefore schools and parents must take the responsibility to teach their children that it’s nothing to make fun or to be afraid of, that it is all perfectly normal. Books such as “The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls” can help inform girls going through changes of what is happening. KJ Dell ’Antonia, explained that instead of handing the body informational books over to her kids and leaving them to it, she would instead “…sit down and turn some pages together, and maybe that’s the best thing to do with my younger son as well.” The Complete Guide to Baby and Child Care, exclaims that by “Giving a child facts about reproduction, including details about intercourse, does not rob him of innocence.” This is one reason why most parents are afraid to start a conversation about these areas, although they shouldn’t be because it’s only the body’s natural functioning.

While parents and schools shouldn’t dump all this information at once on to a child, they should ease into it and just make sure their child is getting all the right information they need, and to not be afraid of what comes with it. By interacting with the child about sex and puberty, their questions can be answered and they can feel more rested about the subject. Learning these things from my parents and from my school helped me feel more comfortable and confident about talking about this with anyone.

Works cited: Gonchar, Michael. “How Should Children Be Taught About Puberty and Sex?” The Learning Network How Should Children Be Taught About Puberty and Sex Comments. 27 Feb. 2013. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. < //learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/how-should-children-be-taught-about-puberty-and-sex/comment-page-2/>.

“Talking About Sex and Puberty.” Focus on the Family. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. < //www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/schoolage-children/talking-about-sex-and-puberty/talking-about-sex-and-puberty>.

Plastic surgery has become fairly commonplace within today’s society. Men and women see procedures as easy fixes to curing whatever part of their bodies they seem to find unsatisfying. The plastic surgery work field is growing tremendously because more and more people are becoming comfortable with the fact that money can buy the physical appearance that they want. What seems to be the problem is the fact that people who get altering procedures done, especially when their reasoning is solely based on a negative personal body image, usually are not satisfied for long with the procedure they have done. This in turn, motivates more procedures to be performed. Plastic surgery that is not brought on because of a medical reason, is usually the misled solution for those who suffer from a distorted mental image of their bodies, and therefore try to “fix” things about themselves that there is nothing wrong with. While there are justified reasons for having cosmetic surgeries performed, the sad reality is that more often than not the surgeries are performed with skewed intentions.

The New York Times article What Are Your Opinions on Cosmetic Surgery? by Katherine Schulten explores the views of various writers who answer the question of aging. One writer Cindy Jackson says that “Plastic surgery is simply a symptom. Ageism in our country, specifically against women, has gone too far.” While both men and women abuse their ability to have a cosmetic procedure done for any reason, women seem to be more commonly observed doing so. In reality, society owes a lot of credit for the value that women place on themselves to celebrities and how the media portrays them. In Mark Shallenberger’s article “The Psychology of Cosmetic Surgery” he speaks of how public figures that are scrutinized at a higher magnitude such as actors, models, and on air spokes people are more likely to get procedures done in order to increase their chances of getting hired in certain fields if they have a more youthful appearance. What ends up happening is that the women in society see the cosmetic altered and airbrushed models and stars and aspire to look like them. This is usually the beginning of the downward spiral that is plastic surgery. Under some circumstances, cosmetic surgery is justified and well needed for different purposes. A prime example of such a circumstance would be a woman who had to have a double mastectomy. In order to bring normalcy back into her life, an appropriate size breast implant would be helpful. This kind of cosmetic procedure is called reconstructive surgery. It is used to improve the function of body parts, or to attempt to approximate a normal appearance. In some parts of the world, cosmetic surgery is termed as elective surgery or nonessential surgery, while the term plastic surgery is used to mean surgery used to reconstruct or improve appearance after injury or illness. Unless there is a viable reason for the procedure, cosmetic surgery is not needed and essentially harmful to the human body. In this instance, the question of what a “viable reason” is might come up. A sustainable reasoning for getting procedures done would be in order to revert to normality after an illness has caused undesirable physical appearance , to fix injuries, or to make a body part function with more ease.

Dawson Stage P.#4

Many people are pushed towards getting a good education because they think that it will help them in life. Grade school is pretty much a necessity for getting anywhere in life, but what if you want to go further? An education is one thing, but a college education can help you go that extra distance that you need and the articles “How necessary is a College Education” from the New York Times and “How Important is a College Education” from Education Portal will show you that. A college education is becoming more of a necessity in today’s world than it was several years ago. Unemployment rate are high and millions of people are fighting to try and get regular jobs. What separate a college graduate from a regular person in the workforce? The answer is the extra experience and knowledge that college graduates have. Getting a job is much easier with a college degree than it is with a high school diploma. “College graduates have an unemployment rate half that of people with only high school degrees,” (NYT Article). That extra four years in college makes your life much easier and much better in the long run. A college education is becoming more of a necessity each year and has many perks, but it also has its downsides. Going to college takes away years of your life that you could spend in the workforce making money. College is also expensive and with today’s economy people are stuck paying their student loans debt back for years. Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars to get a college degree people can join the workforce with a high school diploma and start making money while college students are entering debt. The extra money that college students make versus a regular working person is probably evened out when they have to pay back their student loans. College students also do not just gain a higher education than high school graduates, they also develop better life skills. “During their classes, college students often develop the reasoning skills needed to make life decisions, ranging from buying a house to helping their children choose their own college” (Education-Portal). “In fact, college graduates are more likely to have children who also complete a college education” (Education-Portal). All in all, a college education is becoming more and more of a necessity in everyday life and having that college education can allow people to have a better life with less things to worry about. Having a college educations makes life easier and makes life something that you can enjoy. In today’s world, a college education is the icing on the cake.

Works Cited “How Important Is a College Education?” Education Portal, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2015. B, Frank. “How Necessary Is a College Education?” The Learning Network How Necessary Is a College Education Comments. The New York Times, 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 03 Mar. 2015.

Please post more prompts! Am writing for school and cant find a good one for me!

Although none of us want to admit to it, we are all distracted by technology. There are many places where we are susceptible to the distraction of technology. The most popular being at school and in the car. However, the effect of these distractions most significantly affect our relationships and productiveness.

“With the red thumb no-texting campaign sponsored by Nissan, many of us are putting our cell phones in our glove box or our trunk as we drive” (Graham). We all know better than to text or talk while driving because not eliminating this distraction could potentially lead to a life-or-death situation. According to The Daily Mail, “cell phone use while driving is a contributing factor to more than one-in-four car accidents across the country” (Gorman). This is only one example of how technology distracts us.

The Common Sense project surveyed 685 teachers on how technology affects students (Richtel). About 60 percent said technology impeded students’ ability to communicate face to face, and almost half said it hurt their ability to do homework. As a junior in high-school I have first-hand experience of how technology affects my school work. I’ve found that technology is both a gift and curse. Because of technology, it is not a lot easier for me to complete and turn in homework online as well as contact my teachers. However, before my school restricted the use of “Airdrop” on our school-issued iPads, I was constantly receiving notes and pictures from my peers during class.

Two weeks ago my parents took away my cell phone because they believed it was a distraction that hindered both my productiveness and my relationships. At first I strongly believed that because of how the world is today, not being able to access the internet at my convenience would serve as a severe disability. My parents then challenged my to go one whole week without using technology for reasons other than educational. As a result, my grades significantly increased and I noticed I was able to be more productive in getting my work done. Also, I noticed a change in my relationship with my friends and family. I was forced to communicate face-to-face with them and valued the time I had to talk with them more than when I could just text them instead. Now I almost don’t want to ask for my phone back!

I encourage everyone to think about how different their lives would be if they didn’t have technology. If you think, “I cannot live without my iPhone”, you may be in need of a priority change. This world has so much more to offer than what you can see on a screen.

Gorman, Ryan. “One in Four Car Accidents Caused by Cell Phone Use While Driving… but Only Five per Cent Blamed on Texting.” Mail Online. The Daily Mail, 27 Mar. 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2015.

Graham, Stedman. “Relationships Matter: The Importance of Social Intelligence.”Technology Distractions. The Huffington Post, 26 Dec. 2014. Web. 7 Mar. 2015. .

Richtel, Matt. “Technology Changing How Students Learn, Teachers Say.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 31 Oct. 2012. Web. 07 Mar. 2015. < //www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/education/technology-is-changing-how-students-learn-teachers-say.html>.

Art, Impacting our World “Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in,” said by Amy Lowell; a nineteenth century poet. Art is all around us, and impacts every aspect of who we are. Art is anything from Eminem, to Beethoven, the Mona Lisa, to graffiti. Art has been a part of mankind before we could even speak; charcoal paintings in cave walls and design covered pottery have shown us this. Art is a critical part of humanity. Artists Jeroen Koolhaas and Dre Urhahn tell us an amazing story of Vila Cruzeiro in Rio, a community of violence and poverty. Koolhaas and Urbahn got the idea to transform Vila Cruzeiro into a great big piece of art. They re-painted buildings, and turned a concrete path for mudslides into a detailed painting of carp jumping in a river. People heard about the transformation and impact art made on this community. From “North Philly, which is one of the poorest neighborhoods in the United States,” a request was sent asking if they could repaint their community like they had done in Rio. Community volunteers, “were trained as painters, and together they transformed their own neighborhood” “into a giant patchwork of color.” Through community involvement of transforming their neighborhood through art, it not only created unity for the project, it painted a bridge of understanding and cooperation that still exists today. The art project brought the community closer together than ever imagined. “Life without the collective resources of our libraries, museums, theaters and galleries, or without the personal expression of literature, music and art, would be static and sterile- no creative arguments about the past, no diverse and stimulating present, and no dreams of the future,” from The Value of Arts and Culture to People and Society, by the England Arts council. If we didn’t have art in our lives, then we wouldn’t have lives. Art is a crucial part of humanity that has led the human race through inspiration and has posed as a stress relief for many. Art surrounds us and makes us who we are, giving us a way to express ourselves. Every single person is involved in art whether they recognize or acknowledge it. Another example of art impacting lives is Bittersweet farms, an assisted living facility for autistic adults. Upset patients get sent to professional artist Valerie French. She works with patients to express themselves through art. They are given a voice through art and are provided a way to relieve stress in a healthy way. Art is everywhere, and without it, we would not be nearly as advanced nor humane as we are.

Koolhass, Jeroen and Urhahn, Dre. “How Painting Can Transform Communities.” TED. Oct. 2014. Lecture England Arts Council. “The Values of Arts and Culture to People and Society.” Valerie French

The Scripture to Love “Would you like to go to church with us today honey?” This is the persistent question my mom asks my dad on Sunday mornings before loading up into the Chevy, spouseless. But, no matter how much she asks she always gets the same response: “No.” I could tell you she is used to it by now, but I know it still hurts to have her husband not believe in the one thing she devotes her whole life to-God-if it didn’t she wouldn’t squirm or get emotional whenever our pastor talks about how “It is important to have your spouse in your walk with god.” Of course, I think it is extremely important for couples to have the same religion but, at the same time we can’t always help that we fall in love with the Christian, or a Muslim, or even the bad boy that believes “God is bull crap.” Naomi Schaffer Riley states many interfaith couples may be “Unaware or unwilling to acknowledge that religion can be a serious dividing in a marriage.” She may be right. Religion is all around us it’s a part of our daily lives but that doesn’t mean everyone has to believe in the same god, or the same entity, or a higher power, or anything at all for that matter. After all, people tell you all the time that love is blind when it comes to height, race, color, and weight but have we ever considered that love is blind to religion? Maria Peyer, the wife in an interfaith relationship even says that she “can love you and think you’re wrong” just like how her husband Mike Bixby can love her and think she is wrong. Or even Erika Seamon, a woman who studies and teaches religion and interfaith relationships at Georgetown University, who says “couples find common ground on love, ethics, and even spirituality while maintaining very different religious identities.” Interfaith marriage is defined as the occurring between persons of a different religion. This type of marriage is up to a whopping 42 percent. My mom has made it clear to me that my father has never judged her being a Christian and that she has never judged him for being an atheist. But, that will not stop her from being an example of Christ in his life. In interfaith relationships there can be big obstacles to jump over, but not impossible ones. We need to be informed that even though a “Rocky road may lie ahead” we can always remember that “Love conquers all.”   Works cited Chideya, Farai. “Finding Love of a Different Faith.” Interview. Audio blog post. Npr.org. N.p., 30 July 2007. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. < //www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12348757>. Fish, Stanley. “Marrying Out of the Faith.” New York Times 1 Apr. 2013: n. pag. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. “”Making Marrriage Work When Only One Spouse Believes in God”” Interview by Deena Prichep. Audio blog post. Npr.org. N.p., 17 Jan. 2013. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. < //www.npr.org/2013/01/17/168954402/making-marriage-work-when-only-one-spouse-believes-in-god>.

THE ART OF TRYING Why Critically Acclaimed Video Games have always been Art

By: Emma Rogers

Games are just a form of interactive art. Video games that appeal to all who play them usually have an amazing music score, fantastic and creative visuals, as well as an emotionally resonant story. A great example of a phenomenal game is Ōkami. Originally released in 2006 for SONY’s PlayStation 2, and published by Capcom, IGN gave it a score of 9.1/10, and Metacritic a 4.5/5 for the re-released version on the Nintendo Wii (2008). In 2007, it was nominated and later won BAFTA’s (The British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Academy Video Game Award for best artistic achievement, as well as their award for best original score (also in the gaming category).

What makes up a great game is exactly what makes up a great anything—only there is more of it, because a great game has to be great in all aspects. Roger Ebert, a famous film critic, claims “no one in or out of the field has ever been able to cite a game worthy of comparison with the great dramatists, poets, filmmakers, novelists and composers.” Ebert has never played a video game, and never will. And you can tell.

Having played Ōkami myself, I can attest to its visual beauty, in the form of a gorgeous art style, laden with thick, inky-black brush strokes as outlines. The characters move with natural fluidity, and the atmosphere—with music and art style combined—is magical. By the end of my near 50-hour endeavor, I was sad to see the adventure come to a close. But isn’t that the same feeling you get from a good film, or book? No matter how long you have spent with those beloved characters, there is still a craving for more to chow on. The fact that this game can invoke such emotion in me that I let a few tears drop over a digital wolf (did I forget to mention that the main protagonist is not only a glorified mutt, but a sun goddess?) is simply astounding. Tom Bissel, a journalist, critic, and writer, even wrote a book on games being art, titled Why Video Games Matter. He claims that video games are “ambitious works of narrative fiction,” and can be compared with even the most engaging of books. Perhaps gaming was simply ahead of Ebert’s time, but in the end, it wouldn’t have hurt to dip a toe into the vast ocean of wonderful experiences you can find in the ever-changing market of gaming. Perhaps mindless shooters will always dominate, but hidden gems will always surface every once in a while—just to keep it fresh.

Works Cited:

Ebert, Roger. “Video Games Can Never Be Art.” Rogerebert. Roger Ebert, 16 Apr. 2010. Web.

Staff. “2007 UK BAFTA Game Award Winners Led By Nintendo.” Gamustra. UBM Tech, 24 Oct. 2007. Web

Schulten, Katherine. “Can a Video Game Be a Work of Art?” Learning.blogs.nytimes. The Learning Network/The New York Times, 25 June 2010. Web

Should schools offer cash bonuses for good test scores?

Would you study more for a good test score and a cash bonus? Those who score a high test score would get rewarded with a hundred dollar bonus, and the teacher would get a raise on his/her salary. For instance, Mr. Nystrom from South High had 43 of his students pass the exam this year, far above his target, he will add a $7,300 check to his $72,000 salary. This financial incentives is “making it cool for boys with low-slung jeans who idolize rappers like Lil Wayne to take the hardest classes.” If students knew that they were getting a cash bonus for a good test score, then they would obviously study more and try in their classes so they can get a good score on their next test, and their teachers would also want their students to do really good because they are also getting paid for their students good test score. A cash bonus can really help students get a higher test scores and let them attempts to take harder classes, and help teachers get more students in their classes, classes that are out of students comfort zone. At UChicago-led, students gained a 10 percentile increase in their score with incentives. this piece of evidence supports my claim because it shows students get better grades and scores with incentives. Another piece of evidence is from the NY-times, a teacher at South High, Mr. Nystrom teaches A.P. statistics to eight times as many students as he used to teach. in other words, this shows that if there is money involved students become more interested in school. Even though financial incentives sound great there could be some reasons why schools shouldn’t use them. The teachers might be able to receive the money from the school, but maybe not the students. In a New York City’s spark program, now going into their second year they reward fourth-graders and seventh-graders for high achievement. A fourth grader can earn up to $250 a year and a seventh grader up to $500. Therefore, that shows thats students are allowed to receive money from the schools. How is the school going to provide all the money they promised? Well, the school can host fundraisers for the money, and the schools can’t afford to give the students incentives to work harder, than they can reward what ever sound suitable for them. I realized that, it is a lot of money but its for students who need a push in their education. This idea also helps the students who are struggling in school to want to try harder, it would be like giving an extra push. At lake Hamilton High, Mr. Leonardo had a “quintessential average rural students: always wearing camo clothing.” That same kid took A.P. Statistics, Mr. Leonardo worked with him and he ended up passing his exam. Surely, This explains that anyone with a little push can succeed. Further more, South High had a reputation with two students which led to murder. The school holds underachieve students, but in 2009, 46 students enrolled in a class that would help them achieve greatness, and out if those 46 students 22 earned qualifying scores on exams in may 2010. Knowing the reputation of the school and their students, and hearing that out of those 46 students, 22 passes exams surprised me in a good way. I can not argue, thats cash incentives help students tremendously. Therefore, with incentives students thats are not doing so well in school are going to want to study harder and pay attention in their class, which later would benefit themselves. Dillon, Sam. “Incentives for Advanced Work Let Pupils and Teachers Cash In.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 02 Oct. 2011. Web. 06 Mar. 2015. Medina, Jennifer. “Next Question: Can Students Be Paid to Excel?” The New York Times. The New York Times, 04 Mar. 2008. Web. 08 Mar. 2015. “Student Performance Improves When Teachers given Incentives Upfront.” Student Performance Improves When Teachers given Incentives Upfront. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Mar. 2015. “Cash for Good Grades? Some Schools Give It a Try.” GreatSchools. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2015.

Why Disney Princesses are Evolving

2013 was the year that Disney released its most popular blockbuster yet. Similar to many other thirteen year old girls at the time, Frozen earned a spot on my favorite movies of all time, for one reason that stood out above the others. It wasn’t the movie’s comic relief in the form of a talking snowman. It also wasn’t the catchy songs, although “Let it Go” will certainly be stuck in our heads as long as we live. Ultimately, Frozen incorporated an independent female character that’s just not available in male dominated films. Surprisingly, I didn’t see independence in the main character at all, but in her sister, Elsa. According to a study by San Diego State University, only thirteen percent of 2013’s top 100 films featured an equal number of male and female characters. In a world I previously believed to be sexism-free, a statistic like this confuses me. Why, in a world half occupied by women, are men dominating by eighty-seven percent in the film business? Perhaps it’s the lack of awareness in females. There is the idea that “women will go see films for men, but men will not see films for women”. This unfortunately seems to ring true, once you look at movies like Indiana Jones, Batman, and the infamous Star Wars. I don’t say “infamous” because of a negative audience reaction, but because of a point made by Colin Stokes in “The Hidden Meaning in Kids Movies,” observing that “there are only boys in the universe except for… [Princess Leia], who…waits around for most of the movie so she can award the hero with a medal and a wink.” Although many women have noticed it before, Stokes seems to be the first man to mention it. His observation leads into a theory much more bizarre, but possibly just as true. Instead of women fighting sexism alone, perhaps men should be taught to take a battle stance too. In Manohla Dargis’ words, “while individual men struggle in the industry, women struggle as a group”. Although this observation is true, it doesn’t have to be. Elsa proved she could do anything without the help of a man, however I now realize she could’ve been even more powerful and made a bigger impact if she worked together with a man as an equal part of a team. Men must be taught to respect and listen to women while they’re young. There are so many advancements happening right now, not only in film, but in technology, education, and politics, and women missing out on them may be putting their good ideas to waste. Only by working together as a team can we finally say “Let it Go” to sexism.

Works Cited Stokes, Colin. “The Hidden Meanings in Kids’ Movies.” TED. Dec. 2012. Lecture. Dockterman, Eliana. “Lena Dunham has a Point: New Research Documents Hollywood’s Sexism.” Time. Time, 11 March. 2014. Web. 3 March 2015. Dargis, Manohla. “Lights, Camera, Taking Action.” New York Times, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2015. Web. 3 March 2015.

Brandon Alter What grade should we give? Ever since 1860 students have been given letter grades by their teachers, is it time for students to be able to grade their teachers? The answer is yes. Most school systems decide on how well a teacher is doing by seeing how well the students did on a standardized test. “On most measures, Ms. Campbell and her fellow teachers at the Aspire Lionel Wilson Preparatory Academy were scoring at or above the average for Aspire, a charter system that runs more than a dozen schools in California and Tennessee. But the survey, conducted by a tech start-up called Panorama Education, also indicated that her students did not believe she was connecting with them” (Manjoo). This quote shows that although the students are doing well, they don’t think the teacher is teaching the right way. Most students would need a tutor or spend hours studying to do well on these standardized tests. Part of the problem is that schools spend too much time focusing on standardized tests. Most students in public schools do not have a teacher they can trust and talk to. Finally students usually have no voice on how good a teacher is, and this will give students more of a voice in their future of education.

Works Cited Bluemle, Stefanie. N.p.: n.p., 2002. 1. Web. 8 Mar. 2015. < //www.augustana.edu/x21668.xml>. Manjoo, Farhad. New York, NY, U.S.A: New York Times, n.d. N. pag. Web. 8 Mar. 2015. < //www.nytimes.com/2014/09/04/technology/students-grade-teachers-and-a-start-up-harnesses-the-data.html

“The Ironies of Reality TV” It has been said Americans spend ⅓ of their free time watching television and about ⅔ of that time is watching Reality TV according to Word Press Blog. And a reasonable question to have is does this consuming form of media affect our values? The 10th season of Keeping up with the Kardashians will premiere on E! network on March 15th! The Kardashian-Jenner family has been in the limelight since their Reality TV show first aired in 2007. The show has become increasingly popular and has made way to become extremely prominent through the years producing several spin-off shows, which is common for thriving reality television. The show follows the family known as the “Kardashian Klan”. The family is recognized for their glamorous, high spending lifestyle and ways, but the real question is; do families like the Kardashians affect our values in society and has viewers? It is called Reality TV, but unfortunately it is unrealistic and misleading to those who are ignorant towards the fact that it is merely there for the purpose of entertainment. According to The New York Times Article, “Yes, They’re Sleazy, but not Originals”, “Reality shows are staged, scripted and heavily edited”. Reality shows like “Buckwild” require hours of filming scenes and incidents in order for the producers to get the raging drama viewers are looking for. What we call “reality television” bluntly contradicts the real world. The truth is, everyday people can be harmed by the unrealistic lifestyles and open vulgarity which grasps the attention of consumers when viewed on reality television. Although you may think Reality Television is harmless, think again. According to a recent study by Bryan Gibson, a psychologist at Central Michigan University, people are more likely to act and think aggressively after watching these kinds of shows on television . Gibson also advises parents to take caution in what they allow their children to view through this form of media because it may appear harmless but can be damaging towards youth eyes. So how can we protect ourselves from bad influence? Instead of observing shows like “The Real Housewives” or “Jersey Shore” try options like “Cake Boss” where we see Buddy Valastro make magnificent desserts or “So You Think You Can Dance”where we get to watch individuals dance their heart out with amazing talent. Shows like such are where we can see everyday people doing amazing things we could never do ourselves. These are better options than viewing the same celebrities that are “famous for being famous” as Alessandra Stanley states from the New York Times. If we are not careful, reality television will influence our society for the worse rather than the better. Works Cited: Curtis, Mary. “In ‘Buckwild’ death, another case of a too real ‘reality’show.” The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 2 April 2013. Web. 24 February 2015. “Reality Television: Creating a World Where No One is Real.” Word Press. Word Press, Web. 8 March 2015. Stanley, Alessandra. “Yes, They’re Sleazy, but Not Originals.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 20 Aug. 2010. Web. 24 February 2015. “Viewer Beware: Watching Reality Tv Can Impact Real-Life Behavior.” NPR. NPR. 24 August 2014. General OneFile. Web. 24 February 2015.`

Connected Yet Isolated Five years ago, when a friend would ask to hang out, I assumed we would play outside, talk, or play board games, yet in current times, it is impossible to make these same assumptions. Current technology distracts us from each other, and attaches our eyes to the screen. Should we still call it hanging out if we are only paying attention to our phones?

Many teenagers today would rather be on their phones than be with friends or family. In a recent Pew internet survey, thirteen percent of people with cellphones were reported to have pretended to use their phones in order to avoid social interaction. Technology has its benefits: staying connected with people, making plans, and rediscovering old friends. However, its constant use can cause problems. Despite the benefits that technology brings, my generation often relies on it too much, resulting in our social isolation.

When I am hanging out with my friends, I feel like we are not necessarily hanging out. Most of my friends have smartphones which they can easily play games on or go to Instagram or Twitter. When we sit down at someone’s house, we don’t engage in as much conversation as I would like to. The person conversing is usually projecting their voice into their phone rather than everyone else. I catch myself doing this also. I find myself on my phone instead of engaging in conversation with my peers, which was the reason we decided to get together in the first place. Even though we are together, I feel as if we are all in our own worlds of the little screens on our phones.

Teenagers are not the only age group affected by technology. According to New York Times article, Disruptions: More Connected, Yet More Alone, “Momofuku Ko and Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, have prohibited people from photographing their food.” These restaurants did a smart thing, in my opinion. They understand how some people are on their phones during dinner rather than socializing with the people they are eating with. In Sherry Turkle’s TED Talk, she mentions how “parents text and do email at breakfast and at dinner while the children complain about not having their parents’ full attention.” Parents are even isolating themselves from their own families.

Technology can overtake our social lives, but we have to fix that now or it could be harder to later. We can stop using technology all the time and spend time with others around us. We can pick a book up or actually converse instead of expressing our thoughts through hashtags.. Technology is great, but sometimes we have to put it aside for a little bit and enjoy the world as it is.

Bilton, Nick. “Disruptions: More Connected, Yet More Alone.” New York Times. New York Times, 1 Sep. 2013. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. “Does the Internet Make You More– Or Less– Connected?” NPR. NPR. 24 August 2011. NPR. Web. 25 February 2015. Turkle, Sherry. “Connected, but alone?” TED. Feb. 2012. Lecture.

How Is The Pressure for Girls to Be Perfect Affecting Them? A young girl stares at the bright screen in her hand. She is on Tumblr when she sees the photos of a young Victoria Secret model. As she looks at the photos, she begins to notice the difference between the model and herself. The model had a smaller waist and was tall and blonde and her skin looked flawless. She compared herself to the photos and said “I need to look like that.” Our media today flashes with airbrushed pictures of women constantly, showing up on our T.V.s and cell phones. Victoria Secret models, famous actresses and singers, even fast food commercials have began to show half naked woman eating their food.Yes, this is all for advertising but do they know what it is doing the girls’ self esteem? Girls are looking at these photos and comparing their body to them, I myself have done it many times. Several girls do not realize the images they are seeing are unattainable and are airbrushed or fake. Many girls go to extremes to try and become that image. According to 2004 survey published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal, 29% of girls ages 10-14 at a healthy weight, are trying to lose weight. Being that I am in that age group, I know the pressures of trying to meet the ‘perfect body’ image. This is the age that middle school ends and high school starts, and so do reputations, and no one wants to be the girl that looks different. Even celebrities like Mary Kate Olsen fell into the pressure of having a perfect body and suffered from an eating disorder. Many girls suffer from them everyday trying to become what they think is the acceptable and attractive weight. I think the media should show woman for how they really are and not the fake images shown now. Even models struggle with body image. I feel like if I was a model and saw the airbrushed pictures of myself, I would be disappointed when I looked in the mirror. For all women to feel more confident and feel like their body is the perfect body, woman should be shown for how they actually look. No airbrush or filters should mess with the pictures and not all, but a lot of pressure would be lifted off girls. The pressure that is left should be turned into pressure that they should be themselves. Pressure to be the beautiful individuals that girls are now trying to hide.

Works Cited: Wulff, Jennifer, Allison Adato, KC Baker, Mark Dagostino, Kathy Ehrich, Debbie Seaman, Tom Cunneff, Sean Daly, Alison SIngh Gee, Kwala Mandel, Brenda Rodriguez, Giovanna Brue, Kelly Williams, Wendy Grossman, and Sara Hammel. “Pressure To Be Perfect.” People 26 July 2004: 72-78. Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Feb. 2015 Hartocollis, Anemona. “City Unveils Campaign to Improve Girls’ Self-Esteem.” The New York TImes 1 Oct. 2013: A22. Print.. Khadaroo, Stacy Teicher. “Sexy Halloween Costumes for Girls? Study Backs Up Concerned Parents.” Christian Science Monitor. N.p., 31 Oct. 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.

Has Baseball Lost It’s Cool?

The school day should start a few hours later. 7:10 is way too early for students to start school. That leaves kids not getting enough sleep. Many people say that teens should get 8-10 hours of sleep every night, but getting up at 5:30-6:00, maybe even earlier, it barely leaves them getting eight hours of sleep. Many teens go to bed later than 10:30. I’m sure most adults think they should just go to bed earlier but they don’t seem to fall asleep that early. This may help kids do better mentally and physically. Not only in school, but in everything else as well. If school would start at 8:30 then that would put the ending around 3:30, leaving it okay for after school activities to not end too late. Teachers get mad at students because they fall asleep in class. That is because they have to get up so early and they’re not getting enough sleep. After a day of school and sports I am wore out. Maybe those few more hours of sleep at night would help.

Should the school day start later? Does the school day start too early for kids? Most teens say they don’t like school just because it starts to early. Some teens say they wouldn’t mind going to school if it didn’t start at seven in the morning. For me I would love for the school days to start later in the day. It would give the kids brains time to start working. The kids can’t think right if they are tired. Kids don’t like to wake up so early because they don’t go to sleep till late at night. If the day started later the kids can stay up late and get enough sleep. Kids need their sleep so they can work good and focus. You should let them start later in the day, there is a study saying kids brains don’t actually start working till being three hours awake. So really they aren’t learning anything till ten in the morning anyway. The kids know that if it started later it would end later , but if you cut the hours test scores might actually go up some. Why do you think that a lot of kids like to be home schooled. It is because they don’t have to wake up so early and get ready for school. Nobody in their right mind wants to be trapped in a building for eight hours just to get screamed at all day. So in my opinion that is why the school day should start later in the day than it does. Kids hate school and I don’t see why parents don’t see it. They should do what would make the kids happy and start the day later, and then maybe kids will actually show up and not hate it as much. It wouldn’t surprise me if they did start the school day later and kids showed up more than what they do now.

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