Discursive Essay Topics for Students

A discursive essay is a type of writing that explores different sides of an argument or issue in a balanced way. Unlike argumentative essays that focus on persuading the reader to agree with a particular point of view, discursive essays present an objective and comprehensive analysis of a topic.

100+ Discursive Essay Topics for Students

Writing a discursive essay is an excellent way to develop critical thinking by exploring various viewpoints on a range of topics. Whether you are a student looking to improve your writing skills or a teacher in search of engaging content for your classroom, choosing the right topic can set the stage for successful and discussions.

Here, we provide more than 100 discursive essay topics of different categories such as social issues, technology, environment, and others so that you can opt the topic of your own choice to write your essay.

Discursive Essay Topics for High School Students

• Should high school students be allowed to choose their own curriculum?
• Is a four-day school week better for student well-being and education?
• Should schools replace traditional textbooks with digital versions?
• Do school uniforms contribute to a better learning environment?
• Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
• Is participation in extracurricular activities as important as academics?
• Should schools enforce a strict cell phone policy during school hours?
• Are parent-teacher conferences necessary?
• Should community service be a compulsory part of high school education?
• Is it effective to have closed campus lunch policies for high school students?

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Discursive Essay Topics for College Students

• Should college education be free for everyone?
• Is the pressure to obtain a college degree worth it in today’s job market?
• Should colleges be allowed to enforce mandatory drug tests?
• Are student loans more harmful than beneficial?
• Should colleges have quotas for minority students?
• Is there a need for reform in Greek life on college campuses?
• Are online courses as effective as in-person classes?
• Should universities ban fraternities and sororities?
• Is it ethical for colleges to use animals for research?
• Should university students be required to learn a second language?

Discursive Essay Topics on Social Issues

• The impact of social media on interpersonal relationships.
• Does the modern education system prepare students for real-life challenges?
• Should voting age be lowered or raised?
• The pros and cons of gun control policies in the United States.
• Is the death penalty an effective crime deterrent?
• The ethical implications of euthanasia.
• Should countries have open or closed immigration policies?
• Is feminism still relevant in today’s society?
• The influence of advertisements on consumer behavior.
• Should schools enforce uniforms?

Political Topics for Discursive Essays

• Is democracy the most effective form of government?
• The implications of Brexit on the UK and the EU.
• Should political leaders have term limits?
• The role of the United Nations in maintaining global peace.
• Is a global government feasible or desirable?
• Can censorship be justified under any circumstances?
• The impact of lobbying on public policy.
• Should voting be mandatory?
• The ethics of political propaganda.
• Is nationalism a threat or a boon to global stability?

Technology Related Discursive Topics

• Will artificial intelligence eventually surpass human intelligence?
• Should there be regulations on the use of drones by civilians?
• The ethical concerns of genetic cloning.
• Is dependence on technology making humanity less capable?
• Can privacy exist in the age of the Internet?
• The effects of video games on youth behavior.
• Should the internet be considered a basic human right?
• The potential dangers of artificial superintelligence.
• How has technology changed the workplace?
• The future of space exploration.

Related Blog: Narrative Essay Topics for Students

Discursive Essay Topics on Health 

• Should there be a global policy on healthcare?
• The effects of fast food on the nation’s health.
• The ethical dilemmas of assisted suicide.
• Should vaccination be mandatory for all?
• The impact of pharmaceutical companies on healthcare.
• Is dieting effective for long-term weight loss?
• Should alternative medicine be covered by insurance?
• The consequences of legalizing drugs.
• Is there a right to die?
• The role of mental health awareness in schools.

Environmental Topics for Discursive Essays

• Should there be a worldwide ban on single-use plastics?
• The effects of global warming on biodiversity.
• Is nuclear energy a safe and sustainable option?
• The pros and cons of zoos and animal sanctuaries.
• Can industrial growth and environmental protection coexist?
• The effectiveness of the Paris Climate Agreement.
• Are electric vehicles the future of transportation?
• The impact of urban sprawl on the environment.
• Is organic farming the future of agriculture?
• The consequences of deforestation.

Ethical Discursive Essay Topics

• Is it ethical to use animals for testing?
• The moral implications of buying luxury goods.
• Should we modify our eating habits for ethical reasons?
• The ethics of using placebo in medical trials.
• Is it justifiable to break the law for a good cause?
• Should parents track their children with GPS devices?
• The moral questions surrounding abortion.
• Is wealth distribution a moral obligation of society?
• The ethics of surveillance for security purposes.
• Is honesty always the best policy?

Culture and Media Related Topics

• The representation of minorities in media.
• The impact of reality TV on society.
• Should art be censored?
• The influence of music on youth culture.
• Is the book always better than the movie?
• How does pop culture influence individual identity?
• The role of newspapers in the digital age.
• Should celebrities be considered role models?
• How has the internet affected traditional cultures?
• The commercialization of cultural festivals.

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Funny Discursive Essay Topics

• Should schools teach students how to become famous YouTubers?
• Is watching cartoons beneficial for adults?
• Should there be an upper age limit for people posting on TikTok?
• Are cats plotting to take over the world?
• Is pineapple on pizza a crime against cuisine?
• Should robots replace teachers?
• Are smartphones actually making us dumber?
• Is living in space better than living on Earth?
• Should there be a reality show in the White House?
• Is binge-watching TV shows better than reading books?

Discursive Essay Topics on Education

• Is homeschooling a better option than traditional schooling?
• Should physical education be optional in schools?
• How effective is the no-homework policy at schools?
• Should schools implement more technology in the classroom?
• Is the education system outdated for today’s society?
• Should moral education be taught in schools?
• How significant is the role of arts in education?
• Should sex education be mandatory in all schools?
• Are standardized tests a fair measure of student ability and intelligence?
• Should parents have a say in the curriculum?

These topics are suggested to encourage deep analysis and understanding from multiple angles, making them perfect for a discursive essay. Each topic provides you an opportunity to explore diverse viewpoints and provide a well-rounded discussion, perfect for academic assignments, let it be in any category i.e. educational, political, environmental etc. you can choose any topic of your interest. If you just don’t only need a topic, but need your essay to be written, you can always hire our academic writing service and get your essays done in high quality.