Why Choosing the Best Discursive Essay Topic Matters
Do you know how to start your essay? Ever looked at the white sheet of paper and wondered where to start? You’re not alone. For a student, teacher, or aspiring writer, choosing the discursive form of an essay should always be exciting and rewarding, and this can only be made possible by developing a set of best discursive essay topics to write about. An interesting topic not only attracts readers’ attention but also changes the way people think and makes them reflect on and discuss the issue in question.
The aim of discursive approaches is far beyond just a writing assignment; it’s the opportunity to compare crucial questions, to create an opinion, and to stay adequately coherent. However, there is a catch and that is that not all topics are equal.
In what follows, we’re going to describe a list of handpicked interesting essay topics to write about, the process of selecting the best one, and provide you with some tips.
Let’s dive in!
What is a Discursive Essay?
Before moving on to the preferred options, allow me to explain what I meant while considering such vital factors.
A discursive essay is an avenue where the author shows his ability to present different arguments for and against a specific idea. While argumentative essays are advocated for something, discursive essays are composed of at least two arguments – the two sides of a coin to allow the reader to make a decision.
There are two main types:
Argumentative Discursive Essays:
● You only defend one side of the argument.
Balanced Discursive Essays:
● In this type of essay, both arguments are highlighted in equal measures before
coming up with the conclusion.
Each of them presupposes proper critical analysis, adherence to the structural patterns of
academic writing, and sound research. But it all starts with a great topic.
How to Choose the Best Discursive Essay Topics
Generally, picking a subject can be very demanding as it is sometimes compared to looking
for a needle in a haystack. But it is simple if one knows where to look.
The following criteria define that of an ideal discursive topic:
1. Relevance
Pick something timely and trending. This is because the likelihood of readers being
interested in particular current topics is higher.
2. Controversy (But Not Too Much!)
Disputed topics are always hot-button; however, it is wiser to avoid any topic that may create
discord unless you can approach it with complexity.
3. Multiple Viewpoints
The beneficial discursive topic must admit both arguments. If so, it borders on what may be
viewed as the argumentative (or persuasive) type of five-paragraph essay.
4. Interest & Engagement
If the author does not have passion for the subject, the readers are likely to have no passion
for the topic in question as well. Choose something that excites you.
Best Discursive Essay Topics for Students
This is a list of sample discursive subjects that you can use for projects and assignments, with the guidelines on how to write a discursive essay with clarity and precision:, Below is the classification of the best discursive essay topics suitable for students, teachers, or whoever intends to create the piece of work. These can indeed be classified as trending, are SEO friendly, and create a lot of engagement.
Education-Based Topics
Ideal for high school and college-level essays:
- Should schools ban homework?
- Is online education preferable to traditional classes?
- From where should coding be introduced ?:
- Should one accept standardized tests as an accurate tool used in the assessment of
- students?
- Should it be mandatory for schools to have a mandatory physical education for their
- students?
- Should students evaluate their teachers?
- Technology & Innovation
Outline the advantages and disadvantages of the modern technological advancement.
- Given that, is AI more dangerous or better than the alternatives?
- For or against the ban of smartphones in the classroom
- research question 1: Has social media caused the deterioration of mental health
- among the general population?
- Will the employment situation deteriorate dramatically due to the introduction of
- advanced technology?
- Should people be worried about using cryptocurrency as it threatens the banking
- sector?
- Is it always wise to use technology in learning for children?
Social Issues
Ideal to be used in debates and discussions as well as preaching and teaching as it strikes
the cords of the people’s hearts.
• Is canceling culture helpful or harmful?
• Under what circumstances should governments regulate free speech on social
media?
• Is thinness the cause of lowered self-esteem?
• Is it good that people under 18 marry, travel and work, but are denied their right to
vote?
• Defining social problems in terms of gender neutrality: is it the future of society?
• Should euthanasia be legalized?
Environmental & Ethical Issues
Perfect for thought-provoking essays:
• Should plastic be completely banned?
• What is the greatest threat to humankind?
• Should zoos be banned?
• Are electric vehicles truly sustainable?
• Nailah DeMire: You’ve asked whether fast fashion is harming the planet in this
questionnaire Oxidation.
• Should people embrace veganism?
High School Discursive Topics
Beginner-friendly yet deep:
• Should school uniforms be optional?
• Should students undergo examinations and if so, are these ‘examinations’ the best
ways to assess knowledge gained?
• Is peer pressure helpful or rather it has negative impacts that people ought to
reduce?
• Should students have part-time jobs?
• Can video games be educational?
That is lobbying its consumers with advertising campaigns, and tempting them by
offering free samples and creating brands that make people crave it, is there a
consideration to ban junk food in schools?
Media, Pop Culture, and Entertainment
Light but impactful:
• Are real-life shows making real-life entertainment less real?
• Is censorship in movies justified?
• In general, should participants posting sponsored information be treated like
journalists?
• Is streaming killing traditional cinema?
The comment ‘Superhero movies are making modern storytelling stupid’ has been made
often by individuals complaining that these films simplify and chip away at the standards of
modern culture and thinking.
Debate essay topics for college students are as follows:
Advanced and research-worthy:
• Should every citizen of a country receive an unconditional cash payment from the
government, regardless of their employment status?
• Humans have to decide should the death penalty should be abolished in the whole
world.
• Should vaccination be mandatory?
• Is the fight for women’s rights still valid in the current society?
• Is it appropriate or justified to compromise on the rights to privacy given the
increasing cases of terror attacks across the globe?
Best Discursive Essay Topics In 2025: Statistics and Experts’
Choices
So, to be more concrete, here are some current popular topics:
1. AI and Job Markets
The AI revolution may cause job loss as estimates by the World Economic Forum state that
about 85 million human workers may be displaced by machines by 2025 while at the same
time, 97 million new jobs may be created in the same year. Great topic for debate!
Discursive Topic Suggestion:
AI: the goodness or the evil; does it create as many openings as it thwarts?
2. Climate Policy Conflicts
Having COP 29 focusing on the net-zero targets, countries are not united on the matter of its
fulfillment.
Discursive Topic Suggestion:
Can international climate agreements be conducive to creating a change or are these only
agreements in names?
3. Gender & Society
UN Women’s Report (2024) shows increasing demand for gender-neutral policies.
Discursive Topic Suggestion:
Are gender-specific roles becoming obsolete?
Tips to Write a Powerful Discursive Essay
Thus, even if you have chosen the best discursive essay topics, the result will be good only if
this work is properly accomplished. Here are different ways to avoid writing that blends in
with the rest:
1. Research Both Sides Thoroughly
Balance is key. Do not tilt the scales in its favor unless it is a spin version.
2. Use a Clear Structure
Follow this format:
• Introduction with the topic and background
• Main body with pros and cons
• Conclusion with your stance (optional)
3. Stay Neutral in Tone
In other words, if your goal of the writing is not argumentation do not use inflammatory
expressions.
4. Use Real-Life Examples & Stats
Guarantee your line of argumentation with facts, quotes from professional literature, and
examples from actual cases.
5. Proofread Like a Pro
Grammar mistakes kill credibility. To achieve clean and grammatically correct writing, there
are other features applied such as Grammarly or Hemingway.
Engaging Essay Topics: Why They Matter for SEO &
Grading
To achieve good results and high grades, in case you are studying at school, it is better to
choose great topics. When blogging, a good topic will increase the SEO visibility, page dwell
time, as well as the number of backlinks.
Difficult to remain impartial.
● Topics from 2010 can’t be used in 2025: Topics must be current and fresh for them
to relate to the targeted audience.
● Staying away from controversy: There must be conflict to create sparks of interest.
Real Examples of High-Scoring Discursive Essays
Below are some sample real-life essay topics that have been provided by students who
scored high in their school and college essays.
● “Should Space Exploration Be Privatized?” – Balanced analysis with Elon Musk vs.
NASA examples.
● “Are Online Friendships as Satisfactory as Real Friendships?” – Added the
information from the study by the Pew Research Center which focuses on
Generation Z.
● Fast food is one of the most exciting discussions going on in the current society and
the scientific realm and as such, choosing this topic will help in answering the
comprehensive question of ‘Can fast food ever be healthy?’ – Discussed McDonald’s
and Subway health claims with references to quotes from a dietitian.
Expert Insight:
What Makes a Discursive Essay Go Viral?
Thus, we turned to Dr. Angela Morris – an employee of a university teaching writing and
online content specialist.
A discursive essay that will be effective in being passed around enlightens without being
dogmatic. The topic chosen should be familiar to the audience, the text should not contain
any complex styling and the points made should not be obvious to the reader.
Bloggers and students, take note.
Final List: Unique, Uncommon Discursive Essay Ideas for 2025
You have seen some of the expected ones, here are a few that would certainly be a nice add-on:
This paper seeks to find out whether artists should use artificial intelligence in making songs.
● Should citizens accept that surveillance in public places is unavoidable?
● Are mental health apps effective?
● Is hustle culture toxic?
● News curation is a fairly delicate topic and thus it is important to ask, should TikTok be considered as a news source?
These make excellent high-school discursive topics and college-level essays alike.
Conclusion:
Make Your Writing Stand Out With the Best Discursive Essay Topics. By now, you should have a good understanding of the criteria that should be followed to select a great discursive essay topic.
Let’s recap:
● All the chosen topics should be relevant, capable of provoking a debate, and balanced.
● Suitability: Should be more suited for a classroom, a blog, or an academic setting?
● To enhance your writing, structure, statistics, and good storytelling should be utilized at high levels.
● Avoid outdated or one-sided ideas.
Many people would find that the world is boiling with topics that need to be debated. Discursive essay topics are the starting point to great, purposeful, and in some cases, trending pieces, for high schoolers as well as for bloggers.
