165 Excellent Discursive Essay Topics for Students To Consider

Do you want to write an engaging discursive essay? Are you struggling to come up with the best discursive essay topics for your assignment? Don’t worry! To help you with discursive essay writing, here, in this blog post, we have explained what a discursive essay means, its types, and the simple steps for writing it. Also, we have shared some interesting discursive essay topics and ideas to consider for assignments.

If you don’t know where to begin your essay, then keep on reading this blog post and update your knowledge on discursive essay writing.

What is a Discursive Essay?

A discursive essay is a type of academic essay in which you have to share your opinions or views in support of the topic or against the topic. Even at certain times, this essay would permit you to present your views on both sides of a topic in a neutral manner.

The ultimate aim of a discursive essay is to provide the readers with multiple viewpoints on a particular essay help topic or idea. Therefore, while writing a discursive essay, you will have to think deeper from various perspectives and review all the aspects of the subject.

Basically, a discursive essay appears like an argumentative essay or persuasive essay, but it is actually different from them in certain ways. In a nutshell, a discursive essay discusses arguments in a balanced way taking into account all the factors that are for and against the topic.

Types of Discursive Essays

The discursive essay is classified into three types as listed below.

For and Against Essay

It is a form of discursive essay that will argumentatively discuss either for or against the topic or theme. When writing an essay of this type, you should make sure to concentrate on both the advantages and disadvantages of the topic and present your views neutrally. Particularly, before wrapping up the essay, you should showcase your opinion on the topic by specifying your preference.

Solutions Recommending Essay

This discursive essay type will outline the issue and will recommend several possible solutions for that issue. But when you wrap up this essay, in the conclusion paragraph, you should highlight your opinion on the best solution to the issue and explain why that solution is effective.

Opinion Essay

It is a kind of discursive essay in which you have to share your opinions or arguments on a specific topic with supporting evidence from credible sources. Most importantly, while concluding this essay, you should remember to put forward your arguments against the topic and explain the reason why they are not persuasive.

How to Write a Discursive Essay

Do you wonder how to prepare a discursive essay? Cool! Writing a discursive essay will not be so hard when you have a proper essay plan and idea about the essay structure. In general, a discursive essay is a formal essay in which you have to organize and present the ideas in a way that is easy for the readers to understand.

Here are some essential steps that would guide you to craft an excellent discursive essay.

1. First, read and understand the essay writing guidelines shared by your instructor.
2. Matching your instructor’s instructions, find a perfect discursive essay topic that allows you to share your opinions.
3. Next, research the selected topic and gather the important points or arguments for discussion.
4. After analyzing the topic, prepare a well-structured discursive essay outline that includes sections such as introduction, body, and conclusion.
5. With the help of the prepared essay outline, start preparing the first draft of the essay according to the standard essay structure.
6. Open the essay with a catchy introductory paragraph. The introduction should have an engaging hook statement, background information, and a strong thesis statement relevant to the essay topic.
7. Craft the body paragraphs. The body of the essay should discuss in detail all the major arguments supporting your thesis statement with valid evidence.
8. Wrap up the essay with a conclusion paragraph. The conclusion section should portray your feelings about the topic and list all the necessary findings.
9. Add a reference page and list out the source of the ideas you have used in your essay.
10. Before submission, double-check the entire draft of the essay and edit the grammar, spelling, or logical errors in it. The final draft of the essay should be original and free from errors.

Tips for Writing a Discursive Essay

By following all the above-mentioned steps in order, you can come up with a great discursive essay. Besides, we also recommend you stick to the below-mentioned tips when writing a discursive essay because it would help you to fine-tune your essay format and structure.

1. Write the discursive essay in a formal third-person speech.
2. When writing this essay, use the right choice of words and formal language conventions.
3. Avoid using emotional writing style and clichés to exaggerate your opinions.
4. Follow the standard essay structure that contains separate sections for the introduction, body, and conclusion.
5. Explain the arguments using a balanced and calm tone.
6. Use well-known real-life examples as proof to explain the main arguments.
7. Never change the original structure of a discursive essay.
8. Add references to all the ideas taken from external sources.
9. Make sure to use transition words in between the paragraphs to maintain a smooth and seamless narration flow.
10. Include persuasive writing techniques such as hyperbole, imagery, metaphors, oxymoron, repetition, and similes at the appropriate places, if needed.

How to Select the Best Topic for a Discursive Essay

In the discursive essay writing process, topic selection is the first step that you can’t skip. Generally, you won’t find it hard to identify a topic when your instructor provides a list of discursive essay prompts for you to choose from. But the real challenge comes only when you are given the option to choose a topic of your choice.

For writing a discursive essay, there are numerous topics available on various subjects. Out of them all, based on your interest, you can search and identify any good topic. But the problem here is, when you have many topics, then finding one perfect topic from them would become too hard to handle.

So, to help you identify the right essay topic, here we have shared some key tips to keep in mind during the discursive essay topic selection phase.

• Pick a topic in which you have a strong opinion or knowledge.
• Go with the topic that is convenient for you to write about.
• Avoid selecting a frequently discussed topic.
• Identify a topic that is interesting for you and your readers.
• Choose a controversial topic in which you can raise varying viewpoints or opinions.
• Select a complex topic with two sides, so that you can extract more arguments that are for and against it.
• Give preference to the topic that has many valid facts or evidence to prove your arguments.
• Finalize the essay topic only if it meets your instructor’s essay writing guidelines, if there are any.

List of Discursive Essay Topics

Here are some unique discursive essay topic ideas on various disciplines.

If you don’t know what topic to choose for your discursive essay, feel free to access the entire list below and spot any topic that suits you perfectly.

Best Discursive Essay Topics for Students

Are you seeking the best discursive essay ideas for your assignment? Take a look at the list published here. Especially for students, in the list, we have provided some outstanding discursive essay titles on various subjects.

1. Do space explorations assure long-term survival?
2. Is the current education system productive?
3. Is English one of the toughest languages to learn?
4. Does reading non-fiction build up the writers’ creativity?
5. Do parents have to reward their children for behaving well?
6. Describe the best kind of parenting observed in your country.
7. Should tobacco production be made illegal across the world?
8. Which is better: reading e-book or paperback?
9. Discuss the effective ways to keep children away from the use of drugs.
10. Are acts of sex and violence acceptable on TV?
11. Is the dependency on technology making us foolish?
12. Is rock music related to Satanism?
13. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using mobile phones.
14. Has blockchain enhanced trade finance in 2018?
15. Can virtual reality turn out to be dangerous for youngsters?
16. Should social media platforms be banned from collecting their users’ data?
17. Do companies have to hire human workers instead of using autonomous machines?
18. Should cell phones be banned from vehicles?
19. Has the internet made society better?
20. Should parents limit screen time for kids?

Popular Discursive Essay Ideas

To create a discursive essay, you may select any popular topic ideas suggested here. But when you write about common discursive essay titles, rather than sharing the existing information, analyze the chosen topic from multiple viewpoints and present new arguments with supporting evidence.

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of globalization?
2. Is it essential to ban steroid takers from sports?
3. Are political authorities involved in illegal activities?
4. Discuss the association between food, fitness, and weight.
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of video games among teenagers?
6. Should schools avoid punishing students that include physical torture?
7. Is society becoming over-regulated?
8. How can students contribute to the safety of nature?
9. Do schools have to ban uniforms?
10. Explain the adverse effects of detox diets.
11. Why are policymakers pushing STEM education nowadays?
12. Should the government ban same-sex marriages?
13. Should there be restrictions on freedom of speech?
14. What are the workplace challenges faced by women?
15. Will robots in the future add to our efficiency?
16. Does every country have to ban capital punishment?
17. Should court proceedings in the UK be documented for television?
18. Is print media almost dead?
19. Is social media having a positive impact on our lives?
20. Is home-schooling good for students?
21. Discuss the need for employees to use social networks at work
22. Cite reasons why internet slang like LOL should be in the dictionary
23. Explain the challenges of over-dependence on technology for modern schools
24. Critique any innovation that has made us lazier than before
25. Discuss why so many college athletes struggle with schoolwork

Interesting Discursive Essay Topics

You can enjoy your discursive essay writing process only if the topic you choose falls within your passion area. So, for preparing a discursive essay, select a topic that resonates with your interest and allows you to present balanced arguments. Listed below are a few fascinating topics you may consider for creating a discursive essay.

1. Is a college education mandatory to be successful in life?
2. Which is better: listening to the mind or the heart?
3. Which is better: watching a movie on the big screen or in your home?
4. Should parents be honest with their kids?
5. Share your views about the marriage of convenience.
6. Is Graffiti an art?
7. Are plastic water bottles spoiling the environment?
8. Are athletes the best role models for children?
9. Is social media presence necessary for a small business to succeed?
10. Should people in Muslim countries develop religious tolerance?
11. Should public schools have a responsibility to teach social-emotional skills to students?
12. Is the best music founded on social oppression?
13. Should animal sports be banned?
14. Should zoos be abolished?
15. Is cutting hands the only way to stop corruption?
16. Should polio vaccinations be compulsory for every citizen of the United States?
17. Is it good to believe that car seats are effective in keeping children safe in car crashes?
18. Should social media sites be banned from collecting their users’ data?
19. Should healthcare professionals be allowed to market and sell drugs to their patients?
20. Should companies switch to hiring employees using autonomous machines?

Unique Discursive Essay Prompts

Write your discursive essay on any of the below-recommended distinct topics. When you compose discursive essays on original topics, you will get a chance to set your work apart and also improve your critical thinking, argumentation skills, creativity, and communication abilities on complex problems.

1. Explain the scenario of healthcare and medicine in the 1900s.
2. Is Facebook needed to stay in touch with each other?
3. Should short dresses be restricted from the workplace?
4. Should offshore drilling be widened?
5. Should famous people in society stay active in politics?
6. Is social media contributing to a more self-centered society?
7. Is IoT no longer a tool that screws up privacy and security?
8. Is studying Shakespeare outdated in today’s world?
9. Does workplace diversity contribute to increased productivity?
10. Are contemporary people across the world depending too much on technology?
11. Should the average driving age in your country be reduced or increased?
12. Is yoga a more spiritual activity than fasting?
13. Discuss the pros and cons of peer pressure.
14. Are non-vegetarians healthier than vegetarians?
15. Discuss your viewpoints on cryptocurrency.
16. Analyze the future of cryptocurrencies
17. Should there be more parties in the United States?
18. Should college students be restricted from participating in Greek life?
19. Is co-education better than single-sex education?
20. Should college students get to autonomy to choose which professor’s class they attend?

Read more: Amazing Descriptive Essay Topics and Ideas for Students

Top Discursive Essay Topics

Would you wish to prepare a discursive essay deserving of an A+ grade? If so, pick a topic of your choice from the collection of top-rated topics suggested below and compose an evidence-based and high-quality discursive essay after a thorough investigation.

1. Are tattoos a work of art?
2. Is exercising mandatory for losing weight?
3. Is plastic surgery good?
4. Do parents have to be on the same social network as their children?
5. Is an MBA necessary to be successful in business?
6. Are technological advancements making us lazier?
7. Does slavery have a positive influence on world economics?
8. Explain your views about the child-free movement.
9. Should cell phones be allowed in school?
10. What should be the penalty for internet trolling or cyberbullying?
11. Which is better: traditional medicine or alternative medicine?
12. Is texting and texting apps like WhatsApp ruining the English language?
13. Should companies allow employees to take a nap in the afternoon?
14. At what age should a child start doing household chores?
15. Should cheerleading be recognized as a sport and played in the Olympics?
16. Discuss the correlation between wealth and happiness.
17. Which is better: Single-sex School or Co-ed School?
18. Will Google bring about the end of privacy?
19. Is good grammar necessary?
20. Which is worse: White-collar crime or Blue-collar crime?

Captivating Discursive Essay Ideas

The discursive essay you develop should be thought-provoking and attention-grabbing. So, to accomplish this, craft your discursive essay on any engaging topics or ideas. Listed below are a few captivating topics you may consider for developing a great discursive essay.

1. Is radio important as a form of media in the 21st century?
2. Discuss the prospect of having a woman president.
3. Discuss the mortgage crisis in the economy.
4. Is it important to heavily regulate newspapers?
5. Is earning money through the lottery a good idea?
6. Does technology isolate the individual?
7. Why an assassination can never be justified?
8. Discuss the challenges in outsourcing to foreign countries.
9. Should rape victims be hanged to death?
10. Explain how the celebrity culture is spoiling the moral values of young teenagers.
11. Is it necessary to abolish the grading system in the education field?
12. Explain the challenges that different countries face when trying to end poaching.
13. Should the case for equal pay for equal work be advanced?
14. Explain how the sitting government perpetuates poverty.
15. Why is it important to allow college students to choose the course they wish to study?

Informative Discursive Essay Topics

Your discursive essay should not only convey your opinions, but it should also expand the knowledge of your readers. Therefore, for discursive essay writing, it is advised to select a topic with high educational worth. The following are some topics that will allow you to develop an informative discursive essay.

1. Do social media platforms affect the academic performance of students?
2. Should the government censor rap music culture?
3. Are tattoos and paganism related to each other?
4. Do airlines have to provide a two-seat policy for heavier people?
5. Are dating websites a good place to meet romantic partners?
6. Are drug abuse commercials effective?
7. Is the military’s use of drones an invasion of privacy?
8. Should GMOs be allowed in food?
9. Discuss the negative and positive effects of Blockchain on energy.
10. Why should we prohibit the destruction of rainforests?
11. Do energy drinks cause health risks to teenagers?
12. Should text message acronyms be added to dictionaries?
13. Does the gaming world promote problematic gender and racial stereotypes?
14. Do all adults need eight hours of sleep?
15. Is cheerleading a way to objectify young women?

Read more: Sample GRE Essay Topics To Practice

Impactful Discursive Essay Questions

In this section, we have recommended a collection of impactful discursive essay prompts. By writing discursive essays on influential topics, you can improve your persuasive skills and original thinking and also get a nuanced understanding and thoughtful engagement with real-world issues.

1. Which is better: nuclear families or joint families?
2. Is social media more relevant these days than traditional media?
3. Is it essential to emphasize etiquette in all curriculums?
4. Are apps more of a help or a waste of time?
5. Do contact sports encourage aggression?
6. Do video games have educational value?
7. Is it possible to create a society based on matriarchy?
8. Should schoolchildren learn religion as a part of their curriculum?
9. Is it important to ban beauty contests?
10. Do politicians rely on the media to remain in power?
11. Discuss the prospect of making education a free-for-all affair
12. Explain how the concept of consumer debt affects purchasing ability.
13. Discuss the correlation between the price of textbooks and education
14. Is it necessary to close zoos, circuses, and aquariums for the violation of animal rights?
15. Discuss the ethical prospect of bringing back extinct species through cloning

Trending Discursive Essay Topics

To keep you updated, write discursive essays on any of the below-suggested topics based on current happenings. Usually, dealing with the latest issues will enable you to thoroughly examine the subject and generate multiple strong arguments.

1. Should social media platforms prioritize free speech or regulate misinformation?
2. Discuss the influence of fake news on democratic processes.
3. Compare the economic benefits and environmental concerns of fracking.
4. Analyze the ethics of facial recognition technology in law enforcement.
5. How can governments balance national security concerns with individual privacy rights?
6. Examine the role of social media influencers in shaping public opinion.
7. Discuss the mental health implications of excessive smartphone usage.
8. Should artificial intelligence be regulated to prevent job displacement?
9. Explain the pros and cons of universal basic income in addressing poverty.
10. Discuss the role of blockchain technology in ensuring data security.
11. Examine the influence of streaming services on traditional cinema.
12. Investigate the economic implications of cryptocurrency legalization.
13. Discuss the pros and cons of implementing a four-day workweek.
14. Should AI-generated content be entitled to copyright protection?
15. Can technology itself provide sufficient solutions to the deepfake problem?

Conclusion

Generally, by writing discursive essays, you can explore complex issues, challenge perspectives, and develop critical thinking skills. But to compose an outstanding discursive essay, an appropriate topic is needed first. So, in this blog, we have recommended several discursive essay topics that will inspire you to think deeply, research thoroughly, and articulate your opinions effectively. Initially, for creating an impactful discursive essay, choose a topic that aligns with your interest and essay writing guidelines. Next, examine the chosen topic with an open mind from multiple perspectives and then compose a compelling and persuasive discursive essay with valuable evidence supporting your arguments. Remember, your discursive essay should be engaging, informative, well-structured, and plagiarism-free. If it is challenging for you to pick a good topic and develop an evidence-based discursive essay, get guidance from the finest essay writers on our team and wrap up the task as per your requirements