logo (1)

School Life Balance , Tips for Online Students

The Pros and Cons of Homework

The-Pros-and-Cons-Should-Students-Have-Homework

Homework is a word that most students dread hearing. After hours upon hours of sitting in class , the last thing we want is more schoolwork over our precious weekends. While it’s known to be a staple of traditional schooling, homework has also become a rather divise topic. Some feel as though homework is a necessary part of school, while others believe that the time could be better invested. Should students have homework? Have a closer look into the arguments on both sides to decide for yourself.

A college student completely swamped with homework.

Photo by  energepic.com  from  Pexels

Why should students have homework, 1. homework encourages practice.

Many people believe that one of the positive effects of homework is that it encourages the discipline of practice. While it may be time consuming and boring compared to other activities, repetition is needed to get better at skills. Homework helps make concepts more clear, and gives students more opportunities when starting their career .

2. Homework Gets Parents Involved

Homework can be something that gets parents involved in their children’s lives if the environment is a healthy one. A parent helping their child with homework makes them take part in their academic success, and allows for the parent to keep up with what the child is doing in school. It can also be a chance to connect together.

3. Homework Teaches Time Management

Homework is much more than just completing the assigned tasks. Homework can develop time management skills , forcing students to plan their time and make sure that all of their homework assignments are done on time. By learning to manage their time, students also practice their problem-solving skills and independent thinking. One of the positive effects of homework is that it forces decision making and compromises to be made.

4. Homework Opens A Bridge Of Communication

Homework creates a connection between the student, the teacher, the school, and the parents. It allows everyone to get to know each other better, and parents can see where their children are struggling. In the same sense, parents can also see where their children are excelling. Homework in turn can allow for a better, more targeted educational plan for the student.

5. Homework Allows For More Learning Time

Homework allows for more time to complete the learning process. School hours are not always enough time for students to really understand core concepts, and homework can counter the effects of time shortages, benefiting students in the long run, even if they can’t see it in the moment.

6. Homework Reduces Screen Time

Many students in North America spend far too many hours watching TV. If they weren’t in school, these numbers would likely increase even more. Although homework is usually undesired, it encourages better study habits and discourages spending time in front of the TV. Homework can be seen as another extracurricular activity, and many families already invest a lot of time and money in different clubs and lessons to fill up their children’s extra time. Just like extracurricular activities, homework can be fit into one’s schedule.

A female student who doesn’t want to do homework.

The Other Side: Why Homework Is Bad

1. homework encourages a sedentary lifestyle.

Should students have homework? Well, that depends on where you stand. There are arguments both for the advantages and the disadvantages of homework.

While classroom time is important, playground time is just as important. If children are given too much homework, they won’t have enough playtime, which can impact their social development and learning. Studies have found that those who get more play get better grades in school , as it can help them pay closer attention in the classroom.

Children are already sitting long hours in the classroom, and homework assignments only add to these hours. Sedentary lifestyles can be dangerous and can cause health problems such as obesity. Homework takes away from time that could be spent investing in physical activity.

2. Homework Isn’t Healthy In Every Home

While many people that think homes are a beneficial environment for children to learn, not all homes provide a healthy environment, and there may be very little investment from parents. Some parents do not provide any kind of support or homework help, and even if they would like to, due to personal barriers, they sometimes cannot. Homework can create friction between children and their parents, which is one of the reasons why homework is bad .

3. Homework Adds To An Already Full-Time Job

School is already a full-time job for students, as they generally spend over 6 hours each day in class. Students also often have extracurricular activities such as sports, music, or art that are just as important as their traditional courses. Adding on extra hours to all of these demands is a lot for children to manage, and prevents students from having extra time to themselves for a variety of creative endeavors. Homework prevents self discovery and having the time to learn new skills outside of the school system. This is one of the main disadvantages of homework.

4. Homework Has Not Been Proven To Provide Results

Endless surveys have found that homework creates a negative attitude towards school, and homework has not been found to be linked to a higher level of academic success.

The positive effects of homework have not been backed up enough. While homework may help some students improve in specific subjects, if they have outside help there is no real proof that homework makes for improvements.

It can be a challenge to really enforce the completion of homework, and students can still get decent grades without doing their homework. Extra school time does not necessarily mean better grades — quality must always come before quantity.

Accurate practice when it comes to homework simply isn’t reliable. Homework could even cause opposite effects if misunderstood, especially since the reliance is placed on the student and their parents — one of the major reasons as to why homework is bad. Many students would rather cheat in class to avoid doing their homework at home, and children often just copy off of each other or from what they read on the internet.

5. Homework Assignments Are Overdone

The general agreement is that students should not be given more than 10 minutes a day per grade level. What this means is that a first grader should be given a maximum of 10 minutes of homework, while a second grader receives 20 minutes, etc. Many students are given a lot more homework than the recommended amount, however.

On average, college students spend as much as 3 hours per night on homework . By giving too much homework, it can increase stress levels and lead to burn out. This in turn provides an opposite effect when it comes to academic success.

The pros and cons of homework are both valid, and it seems as though the question of ‘‘should students have homework?’ is not a simple, straightforward one. Parents and teachers often are found to be clashing heads, while the student is left in the middle without much say.

It’s important to understand all the advantages and disadvantages of homework, taking both perspectives into conversation to find a common ground. At the end of the day, everyone’s goal is the success of the student.

Related Articles

Persuasive Essay Sample: Homework Should Not Be Required

Seven hours is a long time right? Now imagine you spend seven hours in school, then you have to go home and finish all your homework for the next class. Learning is great and sometimes even fun but homework after school can cause stress, anxiety, homework can prevent sleep, homework can be difficult to complete at home and teenagers need a balance between school and home. These reasons lead me to believe that homework does more harm than good and should not be required to get done.

Homework should not be required because it causes stress and anxiety. In the article  Heavy Homework Load May Be Detrimental to Health it says “More than half of students say that homework is their primary source of stress, and we know what stress can do on our bodies," she says, adding that staying up late to finish assignments also leads to disrupted sleep.” (Moniuszko.) This shows that homework has a negative effect on a teenagers mental health. Some teenagers already struggle with mental health issues and adding the workload of homework could just make it worse for them. Is homework really more important than a person's mental health?

One important reason homework should not be required is because it can cut into teenagers' sleep schedule. “Sleep benefits the brain and promotes attention, memory and analytical thought. It makes thinking sharper, recognizing the most important information to consolidate learning. Sleep also facilitates expansive thinking 2 that can spur creativity3. Whether it’s studying for a test, learning an instrument, or acquiring job skills, sleep is essential for teens4..(Suni.) Sleep is crucial for the human mind to function especially for teenagers as their minds are developing. Homework can cut into a teenagers sleep schedule which can cause them to be tired in class not learning to the best of their ability, some could say that homework helps learn and memorize what you did in class that day but how are you supposed to remember what you did in class that day if you were tired. If homework was not required students wouldn't have to stay up late on an assignment and have a lack of sleep in the morning.

Personally, homework can become very overwhelming and I’m sure other students would agree with me on that. Not all homework is bad but it can cause anxiety. Not only can that be a problem for the student but it can also be hard for their parents.  “Homework anxiety is a condition in which students stress about and fear homework, often causing them to put homework off until later. It is a self-exacerbating condition because the longer the student puts off the homework, the more anxiety they feel about it, and the more pressure they experience to finish the work with less time. Homework anxiety can cripple some kids who are perfectly capable of doing the work, causing unfinished assignments and grades that slip.”(Tips for Minimizing the Homework Battle.) This can be a problem for the students because they may be very good at a subject but if they don't complete the homework it could reflect poorly on their grades. There might be a missing assignment in their grade book but teenagers not wanting to do the assignment isn't always the case, it can also be because of anxiety not requiring homework would just make life easier. 

Homework is a controversial topic should homework be required or should it not? Although homework can be helpful sometimes, there needs to be a balance between school work and home. In the article Pilling Homework on Kids Is a Mistake That Undermines Work/Life balance it says “Even before I realized years ago that my students were not deriving much, if anything, of educational value from homework, I could never grade homework assignments equitably, because each student's homework was being attempted in home environments that could be vastly different.” (Geoff.) For example Teenagers who have activities after school have less time to get their homework done compared to teens who have nothing to do after school. You also have to keep in consideration that Teens also need to sleep, eat and spend time with family and friends. This is why homework shouldnt be required because there should be a healthy balance for it all. 

I would also like to add that after school activities are not the only reason homework can be hard to get done for students.The environment where a student is doing homework has a part ot play “Some parents simply did not have space available at home to set up quiet spaces where students could focus on their work uninterrupted by the distractions common to every household.”(Geoff.) It could be hard for parents to help their kids with homework if they're working or taking care of their younger children. It could also be hard for them to help with homework if they don't know how to do it. Also phones and other electronics can be distracting at home because there's not that expectation to be working the whole time which can cause homework not to get done. There are many more reasons a student's environment could prevent them from finishing homework. Everyone's environment is different and there's a difference between a school environment and  a homes environment. It can be difficult to have that type of learning environment at home which makes homework hard for students. This is why it shouldn't be required. 

After school students should have free time to wind down and give their brains a break “Emer O'Connor says homework for her children will "typically take an hour". "Although teachers say the homework should only take a short amount of time, this is not my experience. The children are tired and distracted.”(Hogan.) The truth of the matter is that homework can take a long time to complete. The homework we have to do may not be too hard but it can be distracting when completing it which could cause the homework to last longer and students could end up putting little effort into. In this case I feel like boundaries should be put in place because homework taking an hour or more is ridiculous when we might not be checking it over in class anyways so we won't get the chance to correct our mistakes.

In conclusion, homework should not be required because homework can affect your mental health badly, everyone has a different home environment and might not be able to complete it at home, homework can take time away from a good night's sleep, and there needs to be a boundary between school and home. These reasons prove that homework does more harm than good and shouldnt be required.

Works Cited

Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Publication, Day Month Year. Database Title, URL. Accessed day month year. 

Sleep for Teenagers | Sleep Foundation

https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/homework-anxiety-explained

https://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/document/2521204097?accountid=9496

https://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/document/2564234859?accountid=9496

https://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/document/2578243016?accountid=9496

Related Samples

  • Essay on School Start Time
  • Personal Statement Essay: My Interest In Psychology
  • A Personal Development Progress Essay Example
  • My Experience of Learning Writing and Grammar
  • Compare and Contrast Essay: Homeschooling vs. Grade Schooling
  • Research Paper: Education’s Impact on Societal Progress
  • Scholarship Essay Example
  • Struggle in School Research Paper Example
  • Persuasive Essay on Too Much Homework
  • Mental Health in High School Essay Example

Didn't find the perfect sample?

persuasive writing should homework be required

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

  • Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Student Opinion

Should We Get Rid of Homework?

Some educators are pushing to get rid of homework. Would that be a good thing?

persuasive writing should homework be required

By Jeremy Engle and Michael Gonchar

Do you like doing homework? Do you think it has benefited you educationally?

Has homework ever helped you practice a difficult skill — in math, for example — until you mastered it? Has it helped you learn new concepts in history or science? Has it helped to teach you life skills, such as independence and responsibility? Or, have you had a more negative experience with homework? Does it stress you out, numb your brain from busywork or actually make you fall behind in your classes?

Should we get rid of homework?

In “ The Movement to End Homework Is Wrong, ” published in July, the Times Opinion writer Jay Caspian Kang argues that homework may be imperfect, but it still serves an important purpose in school. The essay begins:

Do students really need to do their homework? As a parent and a former teacher, I have been pondering this question for quite a long time. The teacher side of me can acknowledge that there were assignments I gave out to my students that probably had little to no academic value. But I also imagine that some of my students never would have done their basic reading if they hadn’t been trained to complete expected assignments, which would have made the task of teaching an English class nearly impossible. As a parent, I would rather my daughter not get stuck doing the sort of pointless homework I would occasionally assign, but I also think there’s a lot of value in saying, “Hey, a lot of work you’re going to end up doing in your life is pointless, so why not just get used to it?” I certainly am not the only person wondering about the value of homework. Recently, the sociologist Jessica McCrory Calarco and the mathematics education scholars Ilana Horn and Grace Chen published a paper, “ You Need to Be More Responsible: The Myth of Meritocracy and Teachers’ Accounts of Homework Inequalities .” They argued that while there’s some evidence that homework might help students learn, it also exacerbates inequalities and reinforces what they call the “meritocratic” narrative that says kids who do well in school do so because of “individual competence, effort and responsibility.” The authors believe this meritocratic narrative is a myth and that homework — math homework in particular — further entrenches the myth in the minds of teachers and their students. Calarco, Horn and Chen write, “Research has highlighted inequalities in students’ homework production and linked those inequalities to differences in students’ home lives and in the support students’ families can provide.”

Mr. Kang argues:

But there’s a defense of homework that doesn’t really have much to do with class mobility, equality or any sense of reinforcing the notion of meritocracy. It’s one that became quite clear to me when I was a teacher: Kids need to learn how to practice things. Homework, in many cases, is the only ritualized thing they have to do every day. Even if we could perfectly equalize opportunity in school and empower all students not to be encumbered by the weight of their socioeconomic status or ethnicity, I’m not sure what good it would do if the kids didn’t know how to do something relentlessly, over and over again, until they perfected it. Most teachers know that type of progress is very difficult to achieve inside the classroom, regardless of a student’s background, which is why, I imagine, Calarco, Horn and Chen found that most teachers weren’t thinking in a structural inequalities frame. Holistic ideas of education, in which learning is emphasized and students can explore concepts and ideas, are largely for the types of kids who don’t need to worry about class mobility. A defense of rote practice through homework might seem revanchist at this moment, but if we truly believe that schools should teach children lessons that fall outside the meritocracy, I can’t think of one that matters more than the simple satisfaction of mastering something that you were once bad at. That takes homework and the acknowledgment that sometimes a student can get a question wrong and, with proper instruction, eventually get it right.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

Should we get rid of homework? Why, or why not?

Is homework an outdated, ineffective or counterproductive tool for learning? Do you agree with the authors of the paper that homework is harmful and worsens inequalities that exist between students’ home circumstances?

Or do you agree with Mr. Kang that homework still has real educational value?

When you get home after school, how much homework will you do? Do you think the amount is appropriate, too much or too little? Is homework, including the projects and writing assignments you do at home, an important part of your learning experience? Or, in your opinion, is it not a good use of time? Explain.

In these letters to the editor , one reader makes a distinction between elementary school and high school:

Homework’s value is unclear for younger students. But by high school and college, homework is absolutely essential for any student who wishes to excel. There simply isn’t time to digest Dostoyevsky if you only ever read him in class.

What do you think? How much does grade level matter when discussing the value of homework?

Is there a way to make homework more effective?

If you were a teacher, would you assign homework? What kind of assignments would you give and why?

Want more writing prompts? You can find all of our questions in our Student Opinion column . Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classroom.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Jeremy Engle joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2018 after spending more than 20 years as a classroom humanities and documentary-making teacher, professional developer and curriculum designer working with students and teachers across the country. More about Jeremy Engle

Library homepage

  • school Campus Bookshelves
  • menu_book Bookshelves
  • perm_media Learning Objects
  • login Login
  • how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
  • hub Instructor Commons
  • Download Page (PDF)
  • Download Full Book (PDF)
  • Periodic Table
  • Physics Constants
  • Scientific Calculator
  • Reference & Cite
  • Tools expand_more
  • Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

Humanities LibreTexts

6.4: Persuasive Essays

  • Last updated
  • Save as PDF
  • Page ID 107782

  • Kathryn Crowther et al.
  • Georgia Perimeter College via GALILEO Open Learning Materials

Writing a Persuasive Essay

Choose a topic that you feel passionate about. If your instructor requires you to write about a specific topic, approach the subject from an angle that interests you. Begin your essay with an engaging introduction. Your thesis should typically appear somewhere in your introduction. Be sure to have a clear thesis that states your position and previews the main points your essay will address.

Start by acknowledging and explaining points of view that may conflict with your own to build credibility and trust with your audience. Also state the limits of your argument. This too helps you sound more reasonable and honest to those who may naturally be inclined to disagree with your view. By respectfully acknowledging opposing arguments and conceding limitations to your own view, you set a measured and responsible tone for the essay.

Make your appeals in support of your thesis by using sound, credible evidence. Use a balance of facts and opinions from a wide range of sources, such as scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and personal anecdotes. Each piece of evidence should be fully explained and clearly stated. Make sure that your style and tone are appropriate for your subject and audience. Tailor your language and word choice to these two factors, while still being true to your own voice.

Finally, write a conclusion that effectively summarizes the main argument and reinforces your thesis. See the sample persuasive essay at the end of this section, “The Value of Technical High Schools in Georgia’s Business Marketplace,” by student Elizabeth Lamoureux. Please note that this essay uses the MLA style of documentation, for which you can find guidelines at Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) website: http://owl.english.purdue.edu .

Sample Persuasive Essay

In this student paper, the student makes a persuasive case for the value of technical high schools in Georgia. As you read, pay attention to the different persuasive devices the writer uses to convince us of her position. Also note how the outline gives a structure to the paper that helps lead the reader step-by-step through the components of the argument.

Student Outline

Elizabeth Lamoureux

English 1101 Honors

April 25, 2013

Thesis : Technical high schools should be established in every county in Georgia because they can provide the technical training that companies need, can get young people into the workforce earlier, and can reduce the number of drop outs.

  • Education can focus on these specific technical fields.
  • Education can work with business to fill these positions.
  • Apprenticeship programs can be a vital part of a student’s education.
  • Apprenticeship programs are integral to Germany’s educational program, providing a realistic model for technical high schools in Georgia.
  • Students train during their high school years for their chosen profession.
  • Students begin to work in a profession or trade where there is a need.
  • Students will become independent and self-supporting at the age of eighteen when many of their peers are still dependent upon their parents.
  • Students can make more money over the course of their lifetimes.
  • Students are more motivated to take courses in which they have an interest.
  • Students will find both core and specialized classes more interesting and valuable when they can see the practical application of the subjects.
  • Students would be able to earn a living wage while still taking classes that would eventually lead to full-time employment.
  • Students would learn financial skills through experience with money management.

Student Essay

The Value of Technical High Schools in Georgia’s Business Marketplace

Businesses need specialized workers; young people need jobs. It seems like this would be an easy problem to solve. However, business and education are not communicating with each other. To add to this dilemma, emphasis is still put on a college education for everyone. Samuel Halperin, study director of the Commission on Work, Family, and Citizenship for the W. T. Grant Foundation, co-authored two reports: “The Forgotten Half: Non-College Youth in America” and “The Forgotten Half: Pathways to Success for America’s Youth and Young Families.” Halperin states: “While the attention of the nation was focused on kids going to college . . . the truth is that 70 percent of our adults never earn a college degree” (qtd. in Rogers). According to an article in Issues in Science and Technology, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be more need for skills obtained through “community colleges, occupational training, and work experience” (Lerman). As Anne C. Lewis points out, although the poor job situation is recognized as detrimental to American youth, President Bush tried to get rid of career and technical education (CTE) and “promote strictly academic programs.” Luckily, Congress did not support it (Lewis 5). The figure for U.S. teen joblessness in October 2009 was 27.6 percent, the highest since World War II (Karaim). According to Thomas E. Persing, Americans are “disregarding the 50 percent who enter college and fail to graduate. . . .” Since everyone does not want or need to go to college, young people need an alternative choice, namely, technical high schools. Technical high schools should be established in every county in Georgia because they can provide the technical training that companies need, can get young people into the work force earlier, and can reduce the number of drop outs.

Technical high schools provide students with the technical training that companies need. By getting input from businesses on exactly what their specialized needs are, school systems could adapt their curricula to accommodate the needs of businesses. According to an article in Issues in Science and Technology, “employers report difficulty in recruiting workers with adequate skills.” The article goes on to say that “the shortage of available skills is affecting their ability to serve customers, and 84% of the firms say that the K-12 school system is not doing a good job preparing students for the workplace” (Lerman). Education can work with businesses to provide them with the workforce they need, and students can learn the skills they need through apprenticeship programs.

Business can be further involved by providing these apprenticeship programs, which can be a vital part of a student’s education. Currently, Robert Reich, economist and former Secretary of Labor, and Richard Riley, Secretary of Education, have spoken up for apprenticeship programs (Persing). In these programs, not only do students learn job-specific skills, but they also learn other skills for success in the work place, such as “communication, responsibility, teamwork, allocating resources, problem-solving, and finding information” (Lerman). Businesses complain that the current educational system is failing in this regard and that students enter the workforce without these skills.

The United States could learn from other countries. Apprenticeship programs are integral to Germany’s educational program, for example. Because such large numbers of students in a wide array of fields take advantage of these programs, the stigma of not attending college is reduced. Timothy Taylor, the Conversable Economist, explains that most German students complete this program and still have the option to pursue a postsecondary degree. Many occupations are represented in this program, including engineering, nursing, and teaching. Apprenticeship programs can last from one to six years and provide students with a wage for learning. This allows both business and student to compete in the market place. According to Julie Rawe, “under Germany’s earn-while-you-learn system, companies are paying 1.6 million young adults to train for about 350 types of jobs. . . .”

A second important reason technical high schools should be promoted in Georgia is that they prepare students to enter the work force earlier. Students not interested in college enter the work force upon high school graduation or sooner if they have participated in an apprenticeship or other cooperative program with a business. Students train during their high school years for their chosen profession and often work for the company where they trained. This ensures that students begin to work in a profession or trade where there is a need.

Another positive factor is that jobs allow students to earn a living upon graduation or before. Even though students are considered adults at eighteen, many cannot support themselves. The jobs available to young people are primarily minimum wage jobs which do not provide them with enough resources to live independently. One recent study indicates that the income gap is widening for young people, and “In March 1997, more than one-fourth of out-ofschool young adults who were working full-time were earning less than the poverty line income standard of just over $16,000 annually for a family of four” (“The Forgotten Half Revisited”). Conversely, by entering the work force earlier with the skills businesses need, young people make more money over their lifetimes. Robert I. Lerman considers the advantages:

Studies generally find that education programs with close links to the world of work improve earnings. The earnings gains are especially solid for students unlikely to attend or complete college. Cooperative education, school enterprises, and internship or apprenticeship increased employment and lowered the share of young men who are idle after high school.

Young people can obviously profit from entering the work force earlier.

One of the major benefits of promoting technical high schools in Georgia is that they reduce the number of dropouts. According to an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the figure for dropouts for the Atlanta metro area is about thirty-four percent (McCaffrey and Badertscher A16). The statistic for Germany’s dropout rate is less than nine percent (Rawe). As Rawe maintains, students stay in school because they cannot get the job if they do not have the diploma. Beyond the strong incentive of a job, students are more motivated to take courses in which they have an interest. In addition to the specialized career classes, students are still required to take core classes required by traditional high schools. However, practical application of these subjects makes them more interesting and more valuable to the students.

Another reason students drop out is to support their families. By participating in a program in which they are paid a wage and then entering that job full time, they no longer need to drop out for this reason. It is necessary for many students to contribute financially to the family: by getting a job earlier, they can do this. Joining the work force early also provides students with financial skills gained through experience with money management.

The belief of most Americans that everyone needs to have a college education is outdated. The United States needs skilled employees at all levels, from the highly technical to the practical day to day services society needs to sustain its current standard of living. Germany is doing this through its apprenticeship programs which have proven to be economically successful for both businesses and workers. If the State of Georgia put technical high schools in every county, businesses would get employees with the skills they need; young people would get into good paying jobs earlier, and schools would have fewer dropouts.

Works Cited

“The Forgotten Half Revisited: American Youth and Young Families, 1988-2008.” American Youth Policy Forum . N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2012.

Karaim, Reed. “Youth Unemployment.” CQ Global Researcher 6 Mar. 2012: 105-28. Web. 21 Apr. 2012.

Lerman, Robert I. “Building a Wider Skills Net for Workers: A Range of Skills Beyond Conventional Schooling Are Critical to Success in the Job Market, and New Educational Approaches Should Reflect These Noncognitive Skills and Occupational Qualifications.” Issues in Science and Technology 24.4 (2008): 65+. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context . Web. 21 Apr. 2012.

Lewis, Anne C. “Support for CTE.” Tech Directions 65.3 (2005): 5-6. Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 Apr. 2012.

McCaffrey, Shannon, and Nancy Badertscher. “Painful Truth in Grad Rates.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution 15 Apr. 2012: A1+. Print.

Persing, Thomas E. “The Role of Apprenticeship Programs.” On Common Ground . Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, Fall 1994. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.

Rawe, Julie. “How Germany Keeps Kids From Dropping Out.” Time Magazine U.S. Time Magazine, 11 Apr. 2006. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.

Rogers, Betsy. “Remembering the ‘Forgotten Half.’” Washington University in St. Louis Magazine Spring 2005. Web. 21 Apr. 2012.

Taylor, Timothy. “Apprenticeships for the U.S. Economy.” Conversableeconomist.blogspot.com. Conversable Economist , 18 Oct. 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.

PrepScholar

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 113 perfect persuasive essay topics for any assignment.

author image

General Education

feature_essaytopics

Do you need to write a persuasive essay but aren’t sure what topic to focus on? Were you thrilled when your teacher said you could write about whatever you wanted but are now overwhelmed by the possibilities? We’re here to help!

Read on for a list of 113 top-notch persuasive essay topics, organized into ten categories. To help get you started, we also discuss what a persuasive essay is, how to choose a great topic, and what tips to keep in mind as you write your persuasive essay.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

In a persuasive essay, you attempt to convince readers to agree with your point of view on an argument. For example, an essay analyzing changes in Italian art during the Renaissance wouldn’t be a persuasive essay, because there’s no argument, but an essay where you argue that Italian art reached its peak during the Renaissance would be a persuasive essay because you’re trying to get your audience to agree with your viewpoint.

Persuasive and argumentative essays both try to convince readers to agree with the author, but the two essay types have key differences. Argumentative essays show a more balanced view of the issue and discuss both sides. Persuasive essays focus more heavily on the side the author agrees with. They also often include more of the author’s opinion than argumentative essays, which tend to use only facts and data to support their argument.

All persuasive essays have the following:

  • Introduction: Introduces the topic, explains why it’s important, and ends with the thesis.
  • Thesis: A sentence that sums up what the essay be discussing and what your stance on the issue is.
  • Reasons you believe your side of the argument: Why do you support the side you do? Typically each main point will have its own body paragraph.
  • Evidence supporting your argument: Facts or examples to back up your main points. Even though your opinion is allowed in persuasive essays more than most other essays, having concrete examples will make a stronger argument than relying on your opinion alone.
  • Conclusion: Restatement of thesis, summary of main points, and a recap of why the issue is important.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

Theoretically, you could write a persuasive essay about any subject under the sun, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Certain topics are easier to write a strong persuasive essay on, and below are tips to follow when deciding what you should write about.

It’s a Topic You Care About

Obviously, it’s possible to write an essay about a topic you find completely boring. You’ve probably done it! However, if possible, it’s always better to choose a topic that you care about and are interested in. When this is the case, you’ll find doing the research more enjoyable, writing the essay easier, and your writing will likely be better because you’ll be more passionate about and informed on the topic.

You Have Enough Evidence to Support Your Argument

Just being passionate about a subject isn’t enough to make it a good persuasive essay topic, though. You need to make sure your argument is complex enough to have at least two potential sides to root for, and you need to be able to back up your side with evidence and examples. Even though persuasive essays allow your opinion to feature more than many other essays, you still need concrete evidence to back up your claims, or you’ll end up with a weak essay.

For example, you may passionately believe that mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best ice cream flavor (I agree!), but could you really write an entire essay on this? What would be your reasons for believing mint chocolate chip is the best (besides the fact that it’s delicious)? How would you support your belief? Have enough studies been done on preferred ice cream flavors to support an entire essay? When choosing a persuasive essay idea, you want to find the right balance between something you care about (so you can write well on it) and something the rest of the world cares about (so you can reference evidence to strengthen your position).

It’s a Manageable Topic

Bigger isn’t always better, especially with essay topics. While it may seem like a great idea to choose a huge, complex topic to write about, you’ll likely struggle to sift through all the information and different sides of the issue and winnow them down to one streamlined essay. For example, choosing to write an essay about how WWII impacted American life more than WWI wouldn’t be a great idea because you’d need to analyze all the impacts of both the wars in numerous areas of American life. It’d be a huge undertaking. A better idea would be to choose one impact on American life the wars had (such as changes in female employment) and focus on that. Doing so will make researching and writing your persuasive essay much more feasible.

feature_argumentativeessay-1

List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you’ll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, “should fracking be legal?” you’d decide whether you believe fracking should be legal or illegal, then you’d write an essay arguing all the reasons why your audience should agree with you.

Arts/Culture

  • Should students be required to learn an instrument in school?
  • Did the end of Game of Thrones fit with the rest of the series?
  • Can music be an effective way to treat mental illness?
  • With e-readers so popular, have libraries become obsolete?
  • Are the Harry Potter books more popular than they deserve to be?
  • Should music with offensive language come with a warning label?
  • What’s the best way for museums to get more people to visit?
  • Should students be able to substitute an art or music class for a PE class in school?
  • Are the Kardashians good or bad role models for young people?
  • Should people in higher income brackets pay more taxes?
  • Should all high school students be required to take a class on financial literacy?
  • Is it possible to achieve the American dream, or is it only a myth?
  • Is it better to spend a summer as an unpaid intern at a prestigious company or as a paid worker at a local store/restaurant?
  • Should the United States impose more or fewer tariffs?
  • Should college graduates have their student loans forgiven?
  • Should restaurants eliminate tipping and raise staff wages instead?
  • Should students learn cursive writing in school?
  • Which is more important: PE class or music class?
  • Is it better to have year-round school with shorter breaks throughout the year?
  • Should class rank be abolished in schools?
  • Should students be taught sex education in school?
  • Should students be able to attend public universities for free?
  • What’s the most effective way to change the behavior of school bullies?
  • Are the SAT and ACT accurate ways to measure intelligence?
  • Should students be able to learn sign language instead of a foreign language?
  • Do the benefits of Greek life at colleges outweigh the negatives?
  • Does doing homework actually help students learn more?
  • Why do students in many other countries score higher than American students on math exams?
  • Should parents/teachers be able to ban certain books from schools?
  • What’s the best way to reduce cheating in school?
  • Should colleges take a student’s race into account when making admissions decisions?
  • Should there be limits to free speech?
  • Should students be required to perform community service to graduate high school?
  • Should convicted felons who have completed their sentence be allowed to vote?
  • Should gun ownership be more tightly regulated?
  • Should recycling be made mandatory?
  • Should employers be required to offer paid leave to new parents?
  • Are there any circumstances where torture should be allowed?
  • Should children under the age of 18 be able to get plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons?
  • Should white supremacy groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
  • Does making abortion illegal make women more or less safe?
  • Does foreign aid actually help developing countries?
  • Are there times a person’s freedom of speech should be curtailed?
  • Should people over a certain age not be allowed to adopt children?

Government/Politics

  • Should the minimum voting age be raised/lowered/kept the same?
  • Should Puerto Rico be granted statehood?
  • Should the United States build a border wall with Mexico?
  • Who should be the next person printed on American banknotes?
  • Should the United States’ military budget be reduced?
  • Did China’s one child policy have overall positive or negative impacts on the country?
  • Should DREAMers be granted US citizenship?
  • Is national security more important than individual privacy?
  • What responsibility does the government have to help homeless people?
  • Should the electoral college be abolished?
  • Should the US increase or decrease the number of refugees it allows in each year?
  • Should privately-run prisons be abolished?
  • Who was the most/least effective US president?
  • Will Brexit end up helping or harming the UK?

body-sparkler-us-flag

  • What’s the best way to reduce the spread of Ebola?
  • Is the Keto diet a safe and effective way to lose weight?
  • Should the FDA regulate vitamins and supplements more strictly?
  • Should public schools require all students who attend to be vaccinated?
  • Is eating genetically modified food safe?
  • What’s the best way to make health insurance more affordable?
  • What’s the best way to lower the teen pregnancy rate?
  • Should recreational marijuana be legalized nationwide?
  • Should birth control pills be available without a prescription?
  • Should pregnant women be forbidden from buying cigarettes and alcohol?
  • Why has anxiety increased in adolescents?
  • Are low-carb or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
  • What caused the destruction of the USS Maine?
  • Was King Arthur a mythical legend or actual Dark Ages king?
  • Was the US justified in dropping atomic bombs during WWII?
  • What was the primary cause of the Rwandan genocide?
  • What happened to the settlers of the Roanoke colony?
  • Was disagreement over slavery the primary cause of the US Civil War?
  • What has caused the numerous disappearances in the Bermuda triangle?
  • Should nuclear power be banned?
  • Is scientific testing on animals necessary?
  • Do zoos help or harm animals?
  • Should scientists be allowed to clone humans?
  • Should animals in circuses be banned?
  • Should fracking be legal?
  • Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets?
  • What’s the best way to reduce illegal poaching in Africa?
  • What is the best way to reduce the impact of global warming?
  • Should euthanasia be legalized?
  • Is there legitimate evidence of extraterrestrial life?
  • Should people be banned from owning aggressive dog breeds?
  • Should the United States devote more money towards space exploration?
  • Should the government subsidize renewable forms of energy?
  • Is solar energy worth the cost?
  • Should stem cells be used in medicine?
  • Is it right for the US to leave the Paris Climate Agreement?
  • Should athletes who fail a drug test receive a lifetime ban from the sport?
  • Should college athletes receive a salary?
  • Should the NFL do more to prevent concussions in players?
  • Do PE classes help students stay in shape?
  • Should horse racing be banned?
  • Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
  • Should children younger than 18 be allowed to play tackle football?
  • Are the costs of hosting an Olympic Games worth it?
  • Can online schools be as effective as traditional schools?
  • Do violent video games encourage players to be violent in real life?
  • Should facial recognition technology be banned?
  • Does excessive social media use lead to depression/anxiety?
  • Has the rise of translation technology made knowing multiple languages obsolete?
  • Was Steve Jobs a visionary or just a great marketer?
  • Should social media be banned for children younger than a certain age?
  • Which 21st-century invention has had the largest impact on society?
  • Are ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft good or bad for society?
  • Should Facebook have done more to protect the privacy of its users?
  • Will technology end up increasing or decreasing inequality worldwide?

feature_information_technology

Tips for Writing a Strong Persuasive Essay

After you’ve chosen the perfect topic for your persuasive essay, your work isn’t over. Follow the three tips below to create a top-notch essay.

Do Your Research

Your argument will fall apart if you don’t fully understand the issue you’re discussing or you overlook an important piece of it. Readers won’t be convinced by someone who doesn’t know the subject, and you likely won’t persuade any of them to begin supporting your viewpoint. Before you begin writing a single word of your essay, research your topic thoroughly. Study different sources, learn about the different sides of the argument, ask anyone who’s an expert on the topic what their opinion is, etc. You might be tempted to start writing right away, but by doing your research, you’ll make the writing process much easier when the time comes.

Make Your Thesis Perfect

Your thesis is the most important sentence in your persuasive essay. Just by reading that single sentence, your audience should know exactly what topic you’ll be discussing and where you stand on the issue. You want your thesis to be crystal clear and to accurately set up the rest of your essay. Asking classmates or your teacher to look it over before you begin writing the rest of your essay can be a big help if you’re not entirely confident in your thesis.

Consider the Other Side

You’ll spend most of your essay focusing on your side of the argument since that’s what you want readers to come away believing. However, don’t think that means you can ignore other sides of the issue. In your essay, be sure to discuss the other side’s argument, as well as why you believe this view is weak or untrue. Researching all the different viewpoints and including them in your essay will increase the quality of your writing by making your essay more complete and nuanced.

Summary: Persuasive Essay Ideas

Good persuasive essay topics can be difficult to come up with, but in this guide we’ve created a list of 113 excellent essay topics for you to browse. The best persuasive essay ideas will be those that you are interested in, have enough evidence to support your argument, and aren’t too complicated to be summarized in an essay.

After you’ve chosen your essay topic, keep these three tips in mind when you begin writing:

  • Do your research
  • Make your thesis perfect
  • Consider the other side

What's Next?

Need ideas for a research paper topic as well? Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you.

Thinking about taking an AP English class? Read our guide on AP English classes to learn whether you should take AP English Language or AP English Literature (or both!)

Deciding between the SAT or ACT? Find out for sure which you will do the best on . Also read a detailed comparison between the two tests .

author image

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Join the Conversation

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

  • For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

persuasive writing should homework be required

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”
  • Writing services
  • Proofreading
  • Math/Science
  • Copywriting
  • Dissertation services
  • Admission services
  • Our Writers

Too Much Homework Persuasive Essay

Too much homework persuasive essay

Table of contents:

  • Introduction
  • Body paragraphs

Homework can be such a controversial topic. Teachers apparently love to give it, students hate to receive it, and parents are often confused by it. When you sit down to write a persuasive essay, which you were presumably given as homework, it can be very tempting to say that we should just get rid of all homework completely.

However, make sure you’re considering the nuances of the situation. There are both disadvantages and advantages to homework, and your teacher or professor may not love giving you homework as much as you think they do. After all, they presumably have to grade it, taking up valuable hours of their free time. Try considering the case for less or no homework from the teacher’s perspective. What pros or cons would they see homework having?

Start your essay with an attention-grabbing hook. You should also make clear who your audience is from the start. Then move on to lay out your statement of purpose, or thesis, which explains the aim you are trying to achieve. Any titles you are considering should reflect your thesis, as well.

Introduction examples

Introduction: Teachers! Abolish homework and reclaim your evenings for yourselves. Why struggle under the burden of grading thirty students’ excuses for essays when you could be out having fun?

Introduction: Should students have homework? The latest studies into student health say they should have much less. When teachers give too much homework, it’s very stressful for young minds, who should be free to enjoy themselves and grow up naturally without worries and stress.

The body of your essay, then, consists of your persuasive points backed up with your arguments. These can be emotional or evidence-based. When you’re thinking about your audience, it’s important to consider what sort of appeal will work better on them. Is an audience of teachers going to see right through your heartfelt emotional appeal? Perhaps they would respond better to hard evidence showing the disadvantages of homework.

Body paragraphs examples

Body: Parents’ help with homework is another reason to avoid assigning too much. If children are confused, they will simply go to their parents, who frequently end up doing most of the homework for them. It’s far better to thoroughly learn with supervision from a teacher, with most or all of the work done in class. When teachers assign too much to be done every evening, it just stresses students out and makes the situation where parents do the work inevitable.

Your conclusion is pretty much your last chance to persuade your audience, so save your best zinger for the end. Close with a brief summary of your points, followed by calling your audience to action of some kind, even if it’s just to have a different perspective on the topic.

Conclusion examples

Conclusion: Homework should be reduced, although it should not be banned altogether, and children should do the vast majority of their work during school lessons. That’s better for teachers, better for parents, and better for students. So next time you plan your lessons, be sure to consider what’s best.

  • Essay samples
  • Infographics
  • Essay writing
  • Crafting a Powerful Essay on Political Polarization
  • Oral Health Overview Essay: Preventing Tooth Decay in Australia
  • How to Write a Good Expository Essay About Macbeth
  • How to Write An Expository Essay About Love
  • How to Write a Great Expository Essay About Life

Price per page

Total price:

Limitless Amendments

Bibliography

Plagiarism Report

Get all these features for A$93.12 FREE

If you don't know exactly what type of paper you need or can't find the necessary one on the website - don't worry! Contact us and we'll help you out!

  • Terms of Use
  • Money Back Guarantee
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write My Essay
  • Custom Essay
  • Essay Writer
  • Do My Essay
  • Type My Essay
  • Pay For Essay
  • Cheap Essay
  • Write My Paper
  • Write My Assignment
  • Assignment Writer
  • Buy Assignment
  • Assignment Help
  • Do My Assignment
  • Nursing Essay Writing Service
  • Management Essay
  • Business Essay
  • Law Essay Writing Service
  • Education Essay Service
  • Marketing Essay
  • Accounting Essay
  • Sociology Essay

Before continuing to use our service please make sure you got acquainted with our Cookie Policy and accepted it by clicking OK

Squarehead Teachers

Free teacher stuff to get your elementary classroom all squared away.

Squarehead Teachers

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School

60 pers. writing prompts for ms and hs

2. Should at least two years of foreign language classes be required for high-school graduation?

3. Should there be a dress code at your school?

4. Persuade your parents to listen to your favorite music.

5. Your principal has asked you to suggest one way of improving your school to make it a better place for students.  Think about the changes that are needed at your school.  Pick one change you feel  would really make a difference.  Write an essay to convince your principal that your idea is one that should be adopted.

6. Convince your teacher to read a favorite book of yours to the class.

7. Children watch too much television.  Do you agree?  Take a stand and support it.  Convince your reader of your position.

8. Are part-time jobs for high school students a good thing or do they hinder getting an education?  Take a stand.

9. Students are allowed to drop out of school at age 16.  Should the state lower the school dropout age?  Write an essay to support your view on the subject.

10. Should your school require uniforms?  Convince your reader why or why not uniforms should or should not be required in your school.

11. Convince your parents to take you to a particular place.

12. Should gum chewing (use whatever is forbidden at your school) be allowed on the school campus?

13. Should community service be a requirement for graduation from high school?

14. Suppose you want a pet, and your parents are not sure you should have one.  Think of the reasons for having a pet.  Think of what you can say that would change your parents’ minds.  Write a paper to convince your parents to allow you to have a pet.

15. Persuade your mom to let you have your favorite food any time you want it.

16. Should the state legislature add ten days to the school year?  Write to convince your reader of your side of the argument.

17. Should we do away with extra-curricular activities such as Art, P.E., and Music and go back to the basics, or are these classes necessary to a student’s education?

18. Should homework be eliminated?

19. Considering the rights of non-smokers, write an essay about whether smoking should or should not be permitted in public places.  Convince your reader of your position.

20. Should students be allowed to drop out of school?

21. If you could make a suggestion to change the school dress code, what one suggestion would you make? Now write to convince your reader to adopt your suggestion.

22. Your teacher has asked for suggestions on a place to visit for a field trip.  Where would you like to go?  Now write to convince your reader to adopt your suggestion.

23. We have rules everywhere.  Argue to support the need to change a rule or situation that affects you.

24. Vandalism is becoming a problem in today’s society.  Do you think teenagers who vandalize should pay fines or serve mandatory community service to help repair the damage?  Write an essay to  convince your reader of your position.

25. Should students hold after-school jobs?  Convince your reader of your point of view.

26. Parents, courts, and cities often impose curfews on teenagers.   What do you think of curfews?  Are they helpful in saving lives and keeping teenagers out of trouble, or are they just another insult to  responsible teenagers?  Think of some arguments to support your opinion.  Alternative for younger students: Most people make their children come in before dark.  What do you think of this?  Does having to come home early keep kids out of trouble, or are they just another insult to responsible kids?  Think of some arguments to support your opinion.  Now, write an essay to convince your reader of your opinion regarding requiring kids to be home after dark.

27. Many adults disagree whether sex education should be taught in the schools.  What is your opinion on this matter?  Should sex education be taught in the schools?  Take a stand.  Write an essay to convince your reader of your point of view on whether sex education should be taught in the schools or not.  Alternative for younger students : Some things are taught in school that students do not think should be taught.  Think of one thing you are required to learn in school that you do not think should be included in the curriculum.  Now, write an essay to convince your teachers to abandon that part of the curriculum.

28. The state writing assessment test puts pressure on students and their teachers.  On the other hand, student writing all over the country has improved since this test has been implemented.  What is your opinion on the matter?  Should there be a state writing  assessment test, or should this particular test be eliminated?  Write an essay to convince your state of your opinion on whether there should (or should not) be a state writing assessment test.

29. Parents, schools, and society all impose rules, but schools especially have a set of rules that must be followed.  Think of one school rule that you really dislike.  Think of some arguments against having this rule at your school.  Now, write an essay to convince your principal and teachers to abandon this particular rule.

30. Universities require that an entering freshman must have taken at least two years of a foreign language in high school in order to be considered for admission.  Some teacher and politicians think that high schools should require two years of a foreign language for graduation.  What do you think of this possible requirement?  Should high schools require two years of studying a foreign language for  graduation?  There are many arguments for and against this.  Write an essay to convince the powers-that-be whether or not two years of a foreign language should be a requirement for graduation from high school.

Alternative for younger students : Research has shown that the younger you are, the easier it is to learn a foreign language.  Should we start requiring that students begin taking a foreign language in elementary school?  Take a stand, and convince your reader of your opinion on requiring foreign language in elementary school.

31. Most families assign chores to the children (teenagers).  Most children (teens) object to having these chores imposed upon them. What is your opinion?  Do you think that children should have assigned chores to do at home, or do you think you have enough to do already?

32. There is controversy (argument) going on in the country about requiring seat belts in school buses.  What is your opinion?  Should seat belts be required in all school buses?  Write an essay to convince  the powers-that-be of your opinion regarding the matter of whether seat belts should be required on school buses.

33. High schools do not offer all the elective courses that students would like to take.  Think of an elective course you would like to take that your school does not offer at this time.  Think of some reasons why you think this course should be offered.  Now, write an essay to convince the administration at your high school to offer the course of your choice.

34. In Europe, the driving age is 18 because those governments feel that teens are not mature enough to handle the responsibility and the rules of driving in order to avoid accidents.  In America, the driving age is still 16.  Some people would like to raise the driving age in America to 18.  What do you think?  Should the driving age be raised to 18? Write an essay to convince the legislature of your position in the matter of raising the driving age to 18.

35. Most school systems have a separate school for pregnant teens to keep them away from other teens and to give them special classes to help them raise their babies.  Do you think that pregnant teenagers  should have to attend a special school, or do you think that they should be allowed to remain in their current school?  Write an essay to convince your reader of your point of view.  Should pregnant  teenagers have to attend a special school?  Alternative for younger students: Many school systems have special schools for students who misbehave all the time and disrupt the classroom so that little learning can take place.  Do you think this is a good idea?  What is your opinion?  Write an essay to convince your school system of your point of view.

36. Many students object to the requirement of taking P.E., saying that it is not necessary.  What do you think?  Should physical education remain a required course at your school?  Write an essay to convince your principal of your point of view. (Note:  You can substitute any unpopular course here.)

37. American teenagers have argued that they drink anyway even though it is illegal for them to do so.  Adults feel that they are too young to drink alcohol.  Should the drinking age be lowered?  What do you think about this?  Think about some teens that you know.  Think of some arguments to support your opinion.  Now, write an essay to convince your reader of your opinion on whether the drinking age should be lowered or not.

38. In recent years, there has been much controversy over the previously solemn ritual of high school graduation.  Students (and parents) at some graduation ceremonies have become rowdy and playful.  What do you think of this?  Should high school graduation continue to be the solemn occasion it has been in the past, or should students (and parents) be allowed to yell and “cut up” during the ceremony?  Write an essay to convince your graduation committee of your opinion concerning the matter.  Should graduation be a solemn occasion?  Alternative for younger students: Some schools have graduation ceremonies in the fifth and eighth grade before students have completed their education.  What do you think of this? Should students have graduation ceremonies before they finish all of their education or not?  Think of some reasons to support your opinion.  Now, write an essay to convince the reader of your point of view.

39. You hear the older generation complaining that they wished they had watched what they ate when they were younger so they wouldn’t have the health problems they have as older persons.  What do you think of this?  Should teens (children) watch what they eat?  Should young people be health-conscious and eat healthily even though they have few health problems now?  Write an essay to convince your reader on your point of view on whether or not children should watch their health through their choices in food.

40. Teachers and educational experts say that TV is rotting the mind of today’s youth.  They maintain that young people watch far too much television.  Do you think this is true?  Do you think that children watch too much television?  Should parents restrict the number of hours their children watch?  Write an essay to convince your parents of your point of view on this issue.  Should parents limit your TV viewing?

41. Years ago, in some cities, there were separate public schools for girls and boys, especially at the high school level.  Boys went to one school and girls went to another nearby, an entirely different school.  Do you think this is a beneficial idea?  Should boys and girls attend separate schools?  Write an essay to persuade school officials whether or not they should separate boys and girls into different schools.

42. Most teens (children) complain that they get too little allowance. What do you think?  Should you get more allowance?  Think of some arguments to raise your allowance.  Now, write an essay to the adults in your home to convince them to raise your allowance.

43. In many households where teens reside, possession of the family car is a conflict.  How would you convince your parents to lend you the car?  Think of some arguments you could use.  Write an essay to  convince the adults in your home to lend you the car whenever you want it.  Alternative for younger students : In many households where there are children, there are many arguments over the use of the telephone.  How would you convince your parents to get you a phone of your own?  Think of some arguments you could use.  Now, write an essay to convince your parents that you need a phone of your own.  (Note:  If some of your students have no phone in their home, perhaps they could convince parents to buy an outfit or handheld video game that their parents could afford.)

44. Students complain about having too much homework.  Do you think this is true?  Do your teachers assign too much homework, or do they not give you enough for you to learn the subjects?  Write an essay to convince your teachers either to give you more or less homework.

45. Test scores show that the United States is educationally behind other developed countries in Europe and Asia.  We need to take a course of action to improve our education.  Some think that the school year should be extended year-round with only short breaks between semesters.  Others think it would not help.  What do you think? Write an essay to persuade the reader of your opinion on the matter. Should the school year be lengthening?

46. Many people think that smoking is a dangerous habit that kills many from lung cancer.  They think that cigarette smoking is not only dangerous for the people who smoke, but also for others around them. They think that the tobacco companies lure young people into smoking (convince young people to smoke) with their clever advertisements. Do you think that smoking should be made illegal?  Do you think that no one should be allowed to smoke at all?  Or, do you think the choice of smoking should be up to the individual person?  What is your opinion?  Take a stand.  Should all smoking be banned and made illegal? Write an essay to convince the reader of your point of view.

47. In the 1920’s it was illegal to sell or to drink alcohol.  Today alcohol still causes many problems for the people who drink and for their families.  There are also many deaths caused by people (teens) who drink and drive.  Should alcohol be made illegal again?  Would making it illegal solve some problems, or would it impinge (limit) the rights of adults to do what they want to do?  What do you think?  Should the sale and drinking of alcohol again be made illegal?  Write an essay to convince the reader of your point of view.

48. Many people are convinced that violence on TV influences children and teens to be violent in real life.  Do you think that this is true?  Do you think that the violence on TV is responsible for increased violence among today’s youth?  Take a stand on this issue and write an essay to convince your reader of your position on whether TV causes violence in real life.

49. Some schools in the United States are requiring that students volunteer for several hours each semester to help on a community problem.  What do you think?  Write an essay to persuade your reader of your point of view on whether students should be required to volunteer for several hours each semester to help on a community problem.

50. School dress codes often cause conflict among students and teachers. If you were on a committee of teachers and students to set the dress code at your school, what one item of your dress code would you argue to allow students to wear?  How would you convince your fellow committee members to accept your idea to allow students to wear this item?  Now, write an essay to convince your fellow dress-code committee members that the clothing item you chose be allowed at your school. (Note:  Conversely, {to be contrary} you could have a prompt to argue one item of clothing that should not be allowed at your school.)

51. Your local TV station is going to hire a student reporter for the evening news program, and you would like the job.  Think about your local evening news program and why you should be chosen as the student reporter.  Now write an essay to convince your local TV station to hire you as their student reporter.

52. The drama teacher is selecting students to act in a play about famous people.  Think of yourself and some of your friends.  Think who would be best suited to act in such a play and why they would be good at it. Now write an essay to convince the drama teacher to use that person in a play.

53. A national organization is honoring a teacher.  Who should that teacher be?  Think of some of the excellent teachers you have had in the past or have this year.  Pick one whom you think should be honored by this award.  Think of some reasons why you picked this teacher. Now write an essay to convince the national organization to honor the teacher you picked.

54. The School Advisory Council has money to spend in one of the following ways:  improving the cafeteria, buying computers, getting interesting speakers for assemblies, or taking field trips.  Pick one of these choices and think why you chose it over the others.  Now write an essay to convince the School Advisory Council why they should spend their money on the choice you suggest.

55. The City Council wants a teen as a member to represent your age group.  Think of yourself and the teens you know.  Who would make an excellent representative on the City Council?  Think of some reasons why you chose this  person.  Now write an essay to convince the City Council to select your choice.

56. Imagine that your school does not have a school newspaper.  Your principal wants to begin one.  Is a school newspaper a good idea? What do you think?  Write an essay to convince your principal of your point of view.

57. A good friend of yours is thinking of moving to your town.  Think of some attributes of your town that would appeal to your friend.  Now write an essay to convince your friend to move to your town.

58. Imagine that you had a friend who ate only junk food, and you know that this is not good for him or her.  Think of some reasons why eating junk food is not good for people.  Now write an essay to convince your reader of your opinion.

59. A movie director is looking for teens to act in a movie that will be set in your town.  Think of yourself and all the teens you know.  Who would you choose to act in this movie?  Think why you would choose this person.  Write an essay to convince the movie director of your choice.

60. If your school is going to grant your grade level one privilege that other grades in your school will not have, what should that privilege be?  Think of one privilege that you would like to have that you do not have now.  Think why your class should be granted this privilege. Write an essay to convince the administrators of your school to grant this privilege to your class for the rest of the year.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

9 thoughts on “ Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School ”

Pingback: 21 Clever Writing Prompts That Will Unleash Your Students' Creativity | Sharing Interesting Stuff, Updates News & Free Tips

Please leave a comment (No sign-in required). Thanks! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

' src=

  • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
  • Copy shortlink
  • Report this content
  • View post in Reader
  • Manage subscriptions
  • Collapse this bar

Logo

Essay on Should Homework Be Required

Students are often asked to write an essay on Should Homework Be Required in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Should Homework Be Required

Introduction.

Homework is a part of school life. But is it necessary? This question has sparked a lot of debate. Some people say yes, while others say no. Let’s look at both sides.

Benefits of Homework

Homework helps students practice what they learn in school. It can make lessons stick better. It also teaches responsibility. When you have homework, you must manage your time and work on your own.

Drawbacks of Homework

On the other hand, too much homework can be stressful. It can take away from time that could be spent on hobbies or with family. It can also lead to late nights and lack of sleep.

So, should homework be required? It’s a tough question. Homework has benefits, but also drawbacks. It might be best if teachers give less, but more meaningful homework. This way, students can still learn and practice, but also have free time.

250 Words Essay on Should Homework Be Required

Homework is a topic that has been debated for years. Some people think it is important, while others do not. This essay will look at both sides of the argument.

The Value of Homework

Many people believe that homework is very important. They say it helps students to remember what they learned in school. This is because when you do something over and over again, you get better at it. Homework also teaches students how to work by themselves. This is a skill that is important for life.

Downsides of Homework

On the other hand, some people think that homework is not needed. They believe that students should have free time after school. This is because rest and play are also important for growing minds and bodies. Too much homework can make students tired and stressed. This is not good for learning.

Balance is Key

In conclusion, homework can be both good and bad. It can help students remember what they learned, but it can also make them tired and stressed. The best solution might be to find a balance. This could mean giving students a small amount of homework, not too much. This way, students can still learn and remember, but also have time to rest and play.

Remember, the goal of school is to help students learn and grow. This can be achieved in many ways, not just through homework. The key is to find the right balance that works for each student.

500 Words Essay on Should Homework Be Required

Homework is a topic that has been debated for years. Some people think it’s a good way to help students learn. Others think it’s not necessary and takes away from family time. Let’s explore both sides of the argument.

The Purpose of Homework

First, let’s talk about why teachers give homework. Homework is meant to help students practice what they’ve learned in class. It’s like when you play a sport. You don’t just play the game. You also have practice sessions to get better. In the same way, homework is like practice for your brain. It helps you understand the things you learn in school better.

The Benefits of Homework

Homework can have many advantages. It can help you become a better student. How? It teaches you to work on your own. It helps you learn how to use your time wisely. It also helps you learn how to solve problems on your own. These are all important skills that you will need in the future.

The Drawbacks of Homework

On the other hand, homework can also have some downsides. Some students feel stressed because of too much homework. They don’t get enough time to play or relax. Some students also feel that they don’t have enough time to understand the homework. They feel rushed to finish it.

Quality Over Quantity

So, should homework be required? It’s not a simple yes or no answer. Maybe the focus should be on the quality of homework rather than the quantity. Teachers could give less but more meaningful homework. This way, students can still practice what they’ve learned. But they also won’t feel too stressed or rushed.

In conclusion, homework can be both good and bad. It can help students learn and grow. But it can also make them feel stressed. So, maybe the answer isn’t to get rid of homework. Maybe the answer is to make homework better. This way, students can get the benefits without the downsides. It’s a topic that needs more thought. But one thing is clear. Homework, in some form, is important for a student’s learning.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

  • Essay on Should Homework Be Banned
  • Essay on Should Everyone Go To College
  • Essay on Should College Athletes Be Paid

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

IMAGES

  1. 50 Free Persuasive Essay Examples (+BEST Topics) ᐅ TemplateLab

    persuasive writing should homework be required

  2. How to start a persuasive writing essay

    persuasive writing should homework be required

  3. Persuasive writing examples, Persuasive writing, Explanation writing

    persuasive writing should homework be required

  4. Should we reduce the amount of homework? by Australia Master Essays

    persuasive writing should homework be required

  5. 48 Amazing Persuasive Essay Examples

    persuasive writing should homework be required

  6. Persuasive Writing Project Homework Versus No Homework by Stephanie

    persuasive writing should homework be required

VIDEO

  1. Writing_Persuasive_S1b-Quickwrite Persuasive Speech

  2. Communications Persuasive Speech: Why You Should Adopt From Shelters

  3. Persuasive Speech: Why We Should Use Social Media Less

  4. GCSE Persuasive Writing

  5. Writing_Persuasive_S2-Notice Problems & Think of Solutions

  6. Writing_Persuasive_S7-Draft New Persuasive Writing Text

COMMENTS

  1. The Pros and Cons: Should Students Have Homework?

    It allows everyone to get to know each other better, and parents can see where their children are struggling. In the same sense, parents can also see where their children are excelling. Homework in turn can allow for a better, more targeted educational plan for the student. 5. Homework Allows For More Learning Time.

  2. Persuasive Essay on The Importance of Homework

    In this persuasive essay, we will delve into the importance of homework in the academic journey of students. By examining the benefits of homework in enhancing academic performance, fostering discipline, and preparing students for future challenges, we will make a compelling case for why homework should be an integral part of every student's ...

  3. PDF Persuasive Writing: Beyond the Three Reasons

    2009 Volume I: Writing, Knowing, Seeing Persuasive Writing: Beyond the Three Reasons Curriculum Unit 09.01.09 by Alice R. Smee Introduction Persuasive writing is a tool that students will use in and out of school. Arguments are the "predominant communication mode of our contentious times." 1 If this is the case, then we must prepare students to ...

  4. Persuasive Essay Sample: Homework Should Not Be Required

    Homework should not be required because it causes stress and anxiety. In the article Heavy Homework Load May Be Detrimental to Health it says "More than half of students say that homework is their primary source of stress, and we know what stress can do on our bodies," she says, adding that staying up late to finish assignments also leads to ...

  5. Should We Get Rid of Homework?

    A defense of rote practice through homework might seem revanchist at this moment, but if we truly believe that schools should teach children lessons that fall outside the meritocracy, I can't ...

  6. 8 Tips and Strategies for Better Persuasive Writing

    Here are a few tips and tricks to writing more persuasively. 1. Focus on the Best Possible Audience. Writers often make the mistake of generalizing their audience in the hopes of persuading as many people as they can. But that only dilutes what you are saying.

  7. 6.4: Persuasive Essays

    In this student paper, the student makes a persuasive case for the value of technical high schools in Georgia. As you read, pay attention to the different persuasive devices the writer uses to convince us of her position. Also note how the outline gives a structure to the paper that helps lead the reader step-by-step through the components of ...

  8. The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Persuasive Text

    The purpose of a persuasive is to convince your reader of a view that you are putting forward. This means that it is very important for you to have a strong stance or opinion on a topic before you begin writing. The readers are convinced through a combination of logical, ethical and emotional arguments that are explored while you write.

  9. Persuasive Essay: Why Homework Is Important For Students

    712 Words | 3 Pages. Above all, homework allows the students to gain responsibility, time-management, perseverance, and self-esteem. "The act of completing homework has benefits in terms of developing good habits in students.". This shows that, students are gaining many skills from homework.

  10. 113 Perfect Persuasive Essay Topics for Any Assignment

    List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics. Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you'll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, "should fracking be legal?" you'd decide whether you believe fracking should ...

  11. Persuasive Essay: Why Homework Should Not Be Necessary?

    To begin, a study showed that "High-achieving high school students said too much homework leads to sleep deprivation and other health problems such as headaches, exhaustion, weight loss, and stomach problems" ("Homework - Top 3"). For example, homework can cause kids to have a breakdown.

  12. Students Should Have Less Homework: a Persuasive Argument

    1. **Quality Over Quantity**. One of the primary reasons students should have less homework is to prioritize the quality of assignments over their quantity. When students are inundated with numerous assignments, they often rush through them to meet deadlines, compromising the quality of their work. Instead of encouraging deep learning ...

  13. Persuasive Essay : Should Homework Be Important For Students?

    Homework has always been something that has been presented and required for students without question. While this may be true within the schooling system, people are starting to wonder if the stress and diminishment of one's social life that homework plagues upon us as students entirely worth it. Although the workload may be strenuous, homework ...

  14. Why Is Homework Important: Essay

    Common homework assignments may include required reading, writing or typing project, mathematical exercises to be completed, information to be reviewed before a test, or other skills to be practiced. Ramos (2018) narrated that homeworks started in Venice, Italy in 1095. It was first introduced by a strict teacher whose name is Roberto...

  15. PDF PERSUASIVE WRITING1

    Today, most of this advocacy is accomplished through writing.2 Therefore, persuasive writing is, as one professor puts it, "essential to the practice of law."3 Persuasive writing enables you to make strategic decisions about how to present and package your arguments to ensure your document is as convincing as possible.

  16. Too Much Homework Persuasive Essay Sample

    Conclusion examples. Conclusion: Homework should be reduced, although it should not be banned altogether, and children should do the vast majority of their work during school lessons. That's better for teachers, better for parents, and better for students. So next time you plan your lessons, be sure to consider what's best.

  17. Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School

    5. Your principal has asked you to suggest one way of improving your school to make it a better place for students. Think about the changes that are needed at your school. Pick one change you feel would really make a difference. Write an essay to convince your principal that your idea is one that should be adopted. 6.

  18. PDF Persuasive Writing Prompts

    9. Should students have homework? 10. Should students be required to wear uniforms? 11. Should students be required to learn cursive? 12. Should girls and boys play competitive sports against each other? 13. Should Columbus Day be removed as a holiday? 14. Are white lies okay? 15. Are zoos beneficial or harmful for animals? 16. Should animal ...

  19. Should Students Have Homework Essay by EduBirdie

    The No Homework Bill No. 966 that filed by Senator Grace Poe in the Senate stating that all private and public schools in the country should not allow teachers to give any homework to students during weekends. Under this proposed measure, Senator Grace Poe intended to the public and private schools that teachers can assign school work during ...

  20. Essay on Should Homework Be Required

    Downsides of Homework. On the other hand, some people think that homework is not needed. They believe that students should have free time after school. This is because rest and play are also important for growing minds and bodies. Too much homework can make students tired and stressed. This is not good for learning.

  21. Persuasive Writing Week One Homework

    Challenge your children to complete this persuasive writing homework task, and encourage them to keep their brains ticking over, even when they're not in the classroom. Whether you want them to do this task over a weekend, or as a holiday project, it's a great way to keep their brains engaged, and make learning part of their lifestyles ...