Essay Topics

[bookishwench]

Traditionally, I try to jot down what the topics and opinions are from my students for their argumentative essays each semester, just so I get a bead on their world view. This semester, this is what they picked (I ask them not to do purely religious topics [got a paper once about why I was going to hell], lowering the drinking age to 18 [we use it as an example in class], or abortion [too much of a tendency towards ad hominum attacks for first time college arguers]):

Use of tablets in classroom (in favor)
Driving age kept at 16 (one in favor, one against who prefers 18)
Frank discussion of sex trafficking (in favor)
Genetic manipulation (against)
Social media (against, three times)
Children using technology (against, three times)
Smoking (against, twice)
NFL concussions (against)
Redistributing professional athletes' salaries (in favor)
Inclusive learning for students with mental difficulties (in favor)
Standardized testing (against)
Pollution (against)
Renewable energy (in favor)
Support of trans youth (in favor)
Cloning (against)
The VA (against)
Later school start times (two against, one in favor)
Paying college athletes (in favor, twice)
Animals in circuses (against)
Original Spider-Man trilogy (in favor)
Arming teachers (against)
Immigration (in favor)
Parental involvement in youth sports (against)
Plastics (against)
Strict parents (against)
Legalizing marijuana (against, twice)
Recognition of KPOP (in favor)
Banning vaping (in favor)
Spanking children (in favor)
Legal adulthood moved to 21 (in favor)
Obesity (against)
Electric cars (against)
Cooking (in favor)
Mandatory high school community service (against)
Food dyes (against)
Texting and driving (against)
Raising voting age to 21 (in favor)
Motorcycle helmet law (in favor)
Legalizing euthanasia (in favor)
Gene therapy in sports (against)
Dance as a sport (in favor)
Animal testing of cosmetics (against)
Vaping (against)

Quite a few changes in the last few years. I'm curious what this semester will pick.