Skip to Main Content

English 1021/1022 Research Paper

A guide to research and opinion resources for English 1021 students writing argumentative research papers on social issues.

Introduction to Topic Exploration

Below you will find a list of relevant issues and topics that could be used for your argumentative paper assignment. As easy as it can be to only focus on the side of an argument that you agree with, a good research paper will highlight the main arguments of multiple sides of a debate. 

NOTE:  Always consult your instructors before choosing a topic from the list, some instructors have specific topics that they do not want students to focus on.  

Topic Ideas

The topics below are just ideas to help you think about what you would like to learn more about and some starting search phrases you might use. You can use other topics, these are starting points!

 

  • Net Neutrality 
  • Universal human income
  • Education Reform/ Policy 
  • Tariffs; Needed or Not? 
  • North Korea and Nuclear Proliferation 
  • Brexit; Future of the European Union 
  • Charter Schools Vs. Public Schools
  • Free Tuition
  • Paying College Athletes
  • Opioid  Epidemic 
  • US Election : Popular Vote or Electoral College 
  • White Nationalist Movement 
  • Gun Control
  • Environmental Regulations -Needed or Not? 
  • Teacher's Pay 
  • Voting Age
  • Social Media and the future of Society
  • Arab Spring 
  • Venezuela Political/Economic Crisis 
  • Gentrification 
  • Gender Identity 
  • Border Security 

 

  • Climate Change
  • Nuclear Proliferation 
  • Immigration Reform / D.R.E.A.M.E.Rs
  • Russian Election Interference (U.S. and others)
  • Smart Phones and Driving 
  • Smart Cars/Self-Driving Vehicles
  • Privatization of Space Exploration
  • Right to Die laws / Euthanasia 
  • Crispr / Gene Editing 
  • Food Production / Food Sustainability 
  • Affordable Housing Crisis
  • Cyber bullying / Bullying 
  • Puerto Rico /disaster aid and preparedness
  • Black Lives Matter
  • School Safety / Student Protests and Gun Control
  • Militarization of the Arctic / Who owns the North Pole?
  • E-Cigarettes/Vaporizers and teen use
  • Water Rights and the Colorado River
  • Flint Michigan Water Crisis
  • U.S. Infrastructure (Roads, Bridges, Water Systems etc.) 
  • Crypto-currencies (e.g. Bit Coin) 
  • Paid Maternity Leave / Child Care

 

  • Viability of Coal/ Is "clean coal" obtainable?
  • U.S. Government Term Limits
  • Single-Payer Health Plan
  • Cultural appropriation 
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Information Literacy/ Fake News 
  • Free Speech/ 1st Amendment
  • Death Penalty
  • U.S. Immigration Policy
  • U.S. Foreign Policy 
  • Impeachment: Good or Bad? 
  • COVID-19: How do we stop it?
Research
  Articles & Databases
  Books & More (PoudreLibraries.org)
  Research Guides 
  Citation Styles
  Video Tutorials
Services
 Library Cards (PoudreLibraries.org)
  Mobile Printing
  Reserve a Study Room
  Instructor Resources
  Course Reserves
About
 Hours & Location
Suggest a Resource
 New FRCC Books
 Open Educational Resources
 Larimer Campus Archive