competitive sports argumentative essay

209 Sports Topics: Argumentative Essay & Persuasive Speech Ideas

Persuasive speech is the art of convincing the audience to understand and trust your opinion. Are you ready to persuade someone in your view? Our list of sports persuasive speech topics will help you find a position to take and defend. If you need more options quick, apart from contents of this article, try a speech topic generator for school .

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Argumentative essays , on the contrary, dwell upon two possible opinions. You can make them balanced or defend one, contradicting the other. If you are unsure which perspective you should adhere to, sports argumentative essay topics are here for you.

Choose one of the following informative sports topics to develop your viewpoint. Plus, you can contact Custom-writing.org experts if you need any help with this or any other assignment.

• 🔝 Top 10 Topics
• 🏈 Football Topics
• ⚽ Topics on Soccer
• 🏀 Basketball Topics
• ⚾ Topics on Baseball
• 🏒 Hockey Topics
• ✨ Debate Topics
• 🏟️ General Topics
• 🤼 Controversial Topics
• 🏅 Other Topics

🔍 References

🔝 top 10 sports persuasive speech topics.

• Athletes are overpaid.
• Sport bets are not ethical.
• Cheerleading is not a sport.
• Extreme sports should be banned.
• Colleges spend too much money on sports.
• Olympic Games are not relevant anymore.
• Women sports need to be promoted better.
• Cybersport is as important as other sports.
• Men coaches shouldn’t work with women athletes.
• Children shouldn’t be allowed in competitions.

🏈 Great Persuasive Football Topics

When we say football, we mean American football. If you need soccer debate topics, then keep on scrolling! The football speech topics are controversial, so some research may be required to succeed.

• Football is too violent to be played by children. Should we forbid underage children to play it? Or could we make a “lighter” version for them? Can we say that it teaches kids to show aggression?
• In certain parts of the US (Texas and some others), football appears to be a religion. Do you agree with this statement? Does it relate anyhow to the theory of the exceptionalism of the US?
• Does football culture praise self-sacrifice for the benefit of the team and playing despite severe pain? Do you think it gives the game the essence of unity and involvement? Can the spectators feel empathy with individual players, or are they concerned with the outcome more?
• Are non-contact variants of American football played only by amateurs? Discuss touch football and flag football (or Canadian football). Are these games less fascinating? Should schools adopt them to prevent injuries of children?
• Is racism still present in football? Is there a grain of truth in the statement that football players are mostly black while spectators are mainly white? If no, argument your opinion. If yes, how could it be changed for more equality?
• Concussion rules in the NFL: do they spoil the game?
• What should be done about offensive team names in football?
• Deflategate: what does the US judicial system have to do with sports matters?
• Should players’ jerseys display ads?
• Is Tom Brady or Peyton Manning the greatest quarterback of our era?
• Would making a safer helmet encourage the teams to use more violence during the game?
• Do you think that real American football can only be played in America?
• If tackling in football was forbidden, the game would lose its interest for spectators.
• Playing football by children under 14 years old can cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other health problems.
• Does football popularity suffer because of “nomadic” players who regularly change their teams, depending on who pays more?
• When should you start playing football if you would like to become a professional player?
• Is it a frustrating experience for students that some schools discontinue their football programs?
• Should young athletes get paid for winning a football competition between schools?
• Why does the NFL decide in which team a former school player is going to act, and is that fair?
• Does dedication to football make childhood less fun?
• College football competitions have enormous charitable potential, yet unexplored.
• How could football players keep up with practice during the lockdown?
• What personality features matter in professional football?
• Does football promote mannish aggression?
• Is the methodology of the Bowl Championship Series subjective and unfair?
• Are college football playoffs better than BCS?
• Could women be allowed to play for the NFL?
• Is there any difference between football and rugby?
• Is Thanksgiving football the best family-building tradition?
• A team can play only 16 games in the NFL regular season, and it only stirs up interest.

⚽ Best Soccer Persuasive Speech Topics

The game of soccer offers some good topics for motivational sporting speeches. Just see for yourself:

• Goal-line technology and some other innovations have added fairness to soccer. Which state-of-art technologies could make the game even more spectacular? Or do you support the conservative approach? Is the human eye enough to control the results?
• Is it reasonable to hire players from other countries to national teams? Previously, the national team consisted of players from the specific area. But now the word “local” is just nominal. More than often, national teams consist of multinational players.
• Soccer matches can raise violent confrontation among the spectators. What are the possible measures to avoid aggression and vandalism? Does it depend on the host country?
• Why is women’s soccer less popular than its male variant? Women tend to play more gentle, is it the cause? Are there more male spectators who prefer watching men playing soccer?
• Is the short career of a soccer player worth the long years of training? Typically, players’ careers last for 15 years. After that, they can work as coaches or fulfill their potential in another activity. Is it enough to be satisfied with one’s life?
• Bayern Munich is only a good team because of its excessive funding: the issue of financing in soccer.
• FIFA is too corrupt to function and should undergo a major overhaul.
• Association football is experiencing a match-fixing crisis.
• World Cups produce devastating effects on the countries that host them.
• The World Cup bidding process is flawed and encourages human rights violations.
• Who is the greatest legend of football: Ronaldo or Messi?
• Does soccer need instant replay?
• The US population is concerned with soccer during the World Cup only.
• Can two good teams have a boring game?
• Usually, the same teams win the cup, with minor variations. Is it their merit or a tradition?
• Are soccer players’ salaries unreasonably high?
• Normally, the same teams win the cup, with minor variations. Is it their merit or a tradition?
• Why do soccer games last only 90 minutes?
• Should we refuse from extra time, and why?
• Goalposts are too thin and should be made thicker. How would it influence the game?
• Clubs that buy famous players are criticized. Should they develop their young players instead?
• How will technologies transform soccer in the next decades?
• The visibility of soccer in America depends on the success of the US team.
• Does soccer require more stamina than coordination?
• What is the best soccer player of all time?
• Does a local club preserve its local specifics if the majority of its players proceed from other countries?
• Clubs are increasingly more concerned with selling their players than with earning by vivid performance.
• Why do many secondary players become prominent coaches, but only a few famous players become good coaches?
• How do natives of African countries become rich and famous soccer players, if their homeland has poor soccer infrastructure?
• Is the contemporary FIFA rating methodology fair?

🏀 Basketball Persuasive Speech Topics

As the world’s third most popular sport, basketball naturally draws a lot of attention. Which basketball-related questions can you discuss in a speech on sports?

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• Do we need to raise the basketball rim? In the last century, basketball players have become considerably higher than their predecessors. Would this change favor the game? Or would basketball grow less impressive?
• Should complicated goals earn more points? Free throw across the field requires much skill, and it should be rewarded. Thus the written rules would become more complicated, and games would become more interesting for the public.
• Current NBA games are more gentle than they used to be a decade ago. Do you agree with the statement? Would today’s legends succeed in the basketball championships of the past?
• Think of the psychology of competing in the NBA for many years, yet never gaining any ring. Does it discourage the players? Famous players keep on earning goals while their less prominent teammates are lagging. What could be done for their motivation?
• Why is personal contact forbidden in basketball? If it did not constitute a personal foul, like in American football, how would the game be transformed? Would the players require to wear helmets and other protection?
• Michael Jordan is the best basketball player of all time.
• The NBA should implement a stricter dress code.
• Beyond football: the issue of Native American mascots in basketball.
• Should NBA teams be allowed to relocate at will?
• What is an acceptable age range for basketball players?
• Was Michael Olowokandi the most unsuccessful NBA player?
• Michael Jordan was the idol of the 90’s, leaving many other top players without proper attention.
• Why did Kevin Durant leave the Oklahoma City Thunder?
• Is it a good idea to conduct a second championship among the teams that failed the league?
• Who was the most infamous draft bust ever?
• Is it possible to make mixed basketball teams of men and women in equal proportion?
• How do advanced metrics help the teams to develop their playing strategies?
• Are basketball championships a legitimate way to measure the players’ proficiency?
• Is basketball the most “athletic” kind of sport?
• Does the draft lottery in the NFL make the championship less competitive?
• Should college basketball players be paid?
• What was the most prominent NBA team ever?
• What is the difference between the playing methods of Michael Jordan and LeBron?
• Why did the NBA become the most famous league?
• Why do basketball rules differ in the US and Europe?
• How does the 24-second clock impact the game?
• What makes a good basketball player: height, speed, or tactics?
• Why is it forbidden to pick up a ball thrown out of play?
• What are the common and different features between basketball and streetball?
• Why shouldn’t you pick up a dead ball to renew the attack?

⚾ Sports Topics on Baseball

Is baseball your favorite sport? Then research it in more detail by using some of these great ideas of baseball speech topics:

• Is designated hitter rule useless? Does it help the weak fielders and players with past injuries to keep up the career? If all players become hitters from time to time, would the outcome get worse for the team?
• Can we say that individual baseball players are inherently talented? Imagine that teams are made of players depending on their success, rather than their nationality. For every goal, a player receives a personal point. After gaining enough points, they go to a better team. Would it add more competitiveness to baseball?
• What if the best college team be preserved for playing in MLB? In-team relationships and mutual understanding are essential for success. After college, players go to different teams. How does it impact their career?
• The most complicated thing to do in all kinds of sports is undoubtedly hitting a baseball. It requires precision and strength. Are these two skills hardly compatible?
• Why are steroids one of the most controversial sports topics in baseball? Barry Bonds should have been at the top of the Hall of Fame, but steroid use impeded him. Still, he is a perfect player and deserves such merit. What other debatable examples do you know?
• In pitching, control is less critical than command.
• The RBI (runs batted in) statistic should not be given so much weight because it is meaningless.
• Instant replays should be used in baseball.
• Should Major League Baseball implement a salary cap instead of a luxury tax?
• Should the designated hitter rule be eliminated?
• Does the voting for the Hall of Fame need a reformation?
• Will Major League Baseball ever accept steroid use for the Hall of Fame?
• When a team wins a baseball championship, it is more about luck than we would like to think.
• How did the extended playoff system worsen the game?
• Is the 90 feet distance fair, or should it be decreased?
• Is it easier to win as a defense team?
• Does an excellent offensive system require a better run or a secure pass?
• Pitching grants more success in playoffs than hitting.
• Why is it dangerous to throw a curveball?
• Is it correct to use Wiffle ball for training purposes?
• What is the most breathtaking baseball movie?
• Which hitter is the best in MLB?
• Why is spring training so necessary in baseball, while other kinds of sport have no such widespread practice?
• Spring training was canceled because of the 2020 pandemic. What will be the effect?
• Does fantasy baseball have something in common with sports?
• Should baseball players be trained as universal players, so that they could replace any team member?
• Which baseball record will never be surpassed?
• Would you choose the best player in the draft, regardless of age, or opt for a college youth?
• Would Derek Jeter be a famous baseball player if he wasn’t a shortstop?
• Baseball is all about the rivalry between the pitcher and the hitter.

🏒 Hockey Sports Topics

• Was Wayne Gretzky the best hockey player of all time?
• Does video goal judge make the game fairer, or should debatable goals be dismissed?
• In hockey, penalties are easier to score than in soccer.
• Think of the drawbacks of playing hockey for a living.
• Hockey is the kind of sport that causes the most severe injuries.
• What are the most valuable skills and personal traits for a hockey player?
• Penalties make the game more exciting. But Is it fair to decide if a team won based on a penalty score?
• Players should be severely punished for fights during hockey games.
• What makes the outcome of a hockey game?
• Would a prominent ice hockey player be a good field hockey player?
• What is the most controversial rule in hockey?
• If a goaltender violates the rules, another team member is punished. Why is it different from soccer where the goalkeeper is replaced?
• Why are the Canadians more concerned with defeating the US than any other national team of the world?
• Why are multi-year contracts with players a detrimental practice for a club?
• Will the human factor of referees ever be eliminated?
• Does NHL need expansion to more teams?
• Are 4 on 4 playoffs an excellent way to know the winner?
• Hockey has the highest risk of injuries among all kinds of sports.
• Hockey is a full-contact sport. Is this the reason for frequent fights, despite that they are prohibited?
• Why do women in Canada prefer ringette to ice hockey?

✨ Sports Debate Topics

• College athletes can be smart—don’t fall prey to stereotypes.
• Student athletes drink Red Bull to get wings, but get health problems instead.
• Cheerleading is a sport and should be regarded as such.
• Colleges waste too much money on sports programs.
• Students should receive money for playing sports.
• Animal sports (bullfighting, horse racing, etc.) should be banned.
• Hunting in all forms should be prohibited by law.
• Extreme activities for entertainment should be banned.
• Tobacco and alcohol ads during TV sports events should be outlawed.
• All forms of betting on sporting events should be prohibited.

🏟️ General Sports Topics to Talk about

• Sports is the best stress reliever and reducer of obesity.
• Should athletes be regarded as role models for children?
• Instead of being prohibited, the use of steroids should be legalized and monetized.
• Should sports fans be somehow censored?
• Press conferences should be made mandatory for athletes.
• Are gloves helpful for fighting? Hockey players take them off, but boxers put them on.
• Every tennis tournament should give a separate award for the loudest player.
• Sports management : a more lucrative degree than business administration.
• We should have a separate radio station for sports chants so we can always listen to them.

🤼 Controversial Sports Topics

• Cybersport: can experienced gamers be considered professional athletes? The speech can revolve around most prominent examples of cyber-sportsmen and their lives.
• Should athletes use sports as a platform to promote their political views? Consider focusing on the ethical side of the problem.
• The influence of sports on the development of eating disorders in female athletes. In this speech, you can present multiple examples of anorexia and bulimia in female athletes and discuss how disorders affect their lives.
• Should gambling be legalized as professional sports across all states? Discuss the legalization of gambling in some countries and elaborate whether other states could use this experience.

🏅 Other Sports Topics

Sports persuasive speech topics: coaching.

• Not all great sportsmen can become good coaches.
• All’s fair in love and war, but not in sports. Coaches must care for athletes’ health.
• Athletes’ inborn talents are more important than the skills of their coaches.
• Even good coaches can lose their self-control.
• Women coaches should work with women athletes.

Sports Topics to Talk About: Women’s Rights

• Bodybuilding is inappropriate for women.
• Women’s boxing is less popular than men’s boxing because of stereotypes.
• Female tennis players can compete in the men’s league.
• Female and male athletes should not get equal salaries in the same sports.
• Women athletes are more likely to have injuries than men.

Sports Persuasive Speech Topics: Mind Sports

• The first move advantage in chess can help only a good player.
• Chess is not a waste of time and intelligence.
• Poker players should be allowed to wear headphones during live events.
• Chess is not a sport.
• The winners of the World Memory Championships should work in international councils.

Sports Topics: Importance of Games

• Benefits that daily exercise and sports bring to adolescents with physical or emotional challenges. Discuss how different types of activity (fitness, swimming, running, etc.) influence adolescents’ mood.
• How does sport affect human cognitive skills and can it prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s? Focus on some examples from research to prove your point and create a unique speech topic
• Regular exercises at a GYM do not only improve one’s health but also positively influence social skills. You might want to present examples from personal life and research, as well as focus on a life of sports stars.
• Games can improve children’s fine and gross motor skills. In your speech about this topic, you should focus on typical games used in kindergarten and primary school (for example, sketching and coloring).
• Sports and games can become great tools for creating and sustaining strong community ties. During the speech, you can discuss how communities are improved by local championships conducted annually.

Sports Argumentative Essay Topics: Injuries

• Increased risk of traumas in young athletes whose bodies are still developing. Talk about prevention methods that coaches and parents can learn and use.
• How can a professional athlete prevent most common sports injuries? Review the most common ways of prevention that discussed in media and research.
• Psychological issues such as depression and anxiety can increase the risk of getting injured during exercise. The speech can include both personal and professional opinions.
• Both men and women need psychological rehabilitation after an injury. To prove it, use recent research on mental illnesses in professional athletes.
• Traumas in young athletes can lead to severe long-term outcomes. In this speech, you can focus on the influence of sports on adolescents’ skeletal development.
• Sports injuries can negatively impact stress management of athletes. This discussion can revolve around stress management strategies that athletes use in their professional and personal life.

Sports Argumentative Essay Topics: Student Life

• Are sports admission essays necessary? Elaborate how and why such admission essays demonstrate student’s awareness of the topic.
• Colleges should support the integration of less popular sports such as swimming, fencing, handball, etc. You can engage your classmates in a heated discussion about the pros and cons of less popular sports disciplines.
• Sports can positively affect student’s self-perception and confidence. This speech should base on recent research, as well as independently conducted surveys (if possible)
• Sports can lead to underperformance in class. Discuss the stereotype that college athletes are less successful in studying than their peers.
• High school sports fans and their perceptions of alcohol and drug use. Use recent examples from media that illustrate how drugs and alcohol affect fans and colleges in general.

Sports Persuasive Speech Topics: Health

• Overtraining syndrome should not be overlooked in professional athletes. Elaborate how perfectionism negatively affects professionals.
• Fitness can help individuals with mental illnesses improve their psychological well-being. Use examples from research to indicate how fitness regulates mood swings and reduces anxiety.
• Green exercise and environment as essential aspects of healthy training. The speech needs to focus on the new trend of green activity and the importance of environment and nature for effective exercise.
• Sports is not about competitiveness; it is about participation and cooperation. Talk about cooperative games and their impact on social ties of individuals.
• Changes in lifestyle can prevent the development of physical and psychological diseases. Present examples of exercise used for the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes type II, obesity, etc.

Feel free to browse for other topics related to sports to prepare great informative speeches or write unique and persuasive essays.

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Choose any of these fresh persuasive speech topics on sports to convince your audience and earn high grades.

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awesome man?

Thank you 🙂

What a choice!

This list seems pretty bias.

Thanks for the feedback!

This is very helpful for students that are interested in public speaking.

Thank you a lot for the feedback 🙂

All the best!

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Some confusion. I have some doubts.

Please, share your doubts with us. We appreciate your feedback, Pravallika!

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787 Sports Argumentative Essay Topics & Persuasive Speech Ideas

18 January 2024

last updated

Sports persuasive speech topics delve into the rich, diverse universe of athletic activities and their profound influence on individuals and society. They provide an excellent platform to debate numerous issues, such as the role of sports in fostering unity, the implications of professional athletes as role models, or the necessity of safety regulations in high-risk sports. They also cover the ethical side of sports, debating doping scandals, fair play, and the commercialization of athletics. Engaging with sports persuasive speech topics enables audiences to broaden their perspectives, challenge pre-existing beliefs, and provoke new thoughts about the transformative power of sports in shaping societal norms and values.

Top 30 Sports Persuasive Speech Topics

• Reimagining the Role of Technology in Enhancing Sports Performance
• Addressing Gender Inequality in Sports: The Path Forward
• Impacts of Climate Change on Outdoor Sports
• Roles of Mental Health in Sports Performance
• Doping in Sports: A Threat to Fair Play
• Discussing the Impact of Cultural Factors on Sports
• Introducing Martial Arts in School Curriculum: Pros and Cons
• Importance of Financial Literacy for Professional Athletes
• Evaluating the Role of Nutrition in Athlete Performance
• Understanding the Connection Between Music and Athletic Performance
• Influences of Social Media on Athletes’ Lives
• Investing in Esports: A Future Perspective
• Transformation of Traditional Sports in the Digital Age
• The Economics of Hosting Mega Sporting Events
• Effects of Spectator Behavior on Athlete Performance
• Female Coaches in Male-Dominated Sports: Challenging Stereotypes
• Should Athletic Scholarships Be Need-Based or Merit-Based?
• The Critical Role of Physical Education in Schools
• Assessing the Impact of Sports on Academic Performance
• Challenges Faced by Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sports
• Does Participating in Sports Teach Leadership Skills?
• Balancing Sports and Studies: Techniques for Student-Athletes
• Dissecting the Role of Agents in Professional Sports
• Football or Soccer: Which Reigns Supreme Globally?
• Tackling Racism and Discrimination in Sports
• Emphasizing Safety Measures in Extreme Sports
• Paralympic Games: Promoting Inclusivity in Sports
• The Influence of Celebrity Athletes on Youth
• Necessity of Mental Health Days for Professional Athletes
• The Evolution of Women’s Role in Sports

Easy Sports Persuasive Speech Topics

• Unpacking the Ethics of Hunting as a Sport
• Animal Sports: Moral and Ethical Considerations
• Concussions in Sports: Need for Improved Safety Measures
• Strategies for Ensuring Fair Play in Competitive Sports
• How Do Sports Serve as a Medium for Social Change?
• Effectiveness of Yoga and Meditation for Athletes
• Can AI and Robotics Change the Future of Sports?
• Evaluating the Impact of Media Coverage on Sports Popularity
• Roles of Sports in Fostering Global Unity
• Impacts of Political Interventions on Sports
• Is Competition in Youth Sports Too Intense?
• Retiring from Professional Sports: The Transition Challenges
• The Role of Video Games in Promoting Sports
• Youth Involvement in Sports: A Step Toward Healthy Living
• Sportsmanship: Is It Being Lost in Modern Sports?
• Roles of Parents in Children’s Sports Participation
• Childhood Sports Specialization: Healthy Practice or Risky Business?
• The Importance of Sleep for High Performance in Sports
• Can Extreme Sports Foster Personal Growth?
• How Has the Pandemic Changed the World of Sports?
• Impacts of Broadcasting Rights on the Economy of Sports
• The Merits and Demerits of Fantasy Sports
• Analysis of Skill vs. Luck in Various Sports
• Can Mindfulness Training Improve Athletic Performance?

Interesting Sports Persuasive Speech Topics

• Roles of Sports Psychology in Enhancing Athlete Performance
• The Growing Trend of Virtual Reality in Sports Training
• Influence of Equipment Technology on Sports Performance
• How Sports and Exercise Contribute to Mental Well-Being?
• Analyzing the Career Longevity of Professional Athletes
• Importance of Sustainable Practices in Sports Events
• Is Boxing Too Dangerous to Be Considered a Sport?
• Should Athletes Use Their Platform for Political Activism?
• The Role of Branding and Endorsements in Professional Sports
• Impacts of Sports on Community Development
• eSports vs. Traditional Sports: Which Holds the Future?
• Athletic Pay Gap: The Inequality Between Genders
• Body Image Issues in Gymnastics: Need for Change
• Is There a Limit to Human Athletic Performance?
• Roles of Corporate Sponsorship in Professional Sports
• The Effect of High Altitude Training on Athlete Performance
• Should Professional Athletes Have a Say in Team Management?
• Rise of Home Fitness: Impact on Traditional Gyms
• The Influence of Ancient Olympic Games on Modern Sports
• Unpacking the Physiological Demands of Triathlon
• Benefits of Incorporating Sports Into Corporate Culture
• Can Wearable Tech Improve Athletic Performance?
• Roles of Biomechanics in Injury Prevention for Athletes
• Challenges and Opportunities of Hosting the Olympic Games
• Performance Enhancing Drugs: The Controversial Debate in Sports

Persuasive Essay Topics: Seasonal Sports

• Emphasizing Safety Measures in Winter Sports: A Necessity
• The Essential Role of Seasonal Sports in Improving Mental Health
• Unfair Weather Advantages: The Bias in Summer and Winter Sports
• Transitioning Between Summer and Winter Sports: Benefits and Challenges
• Examining the Environmental Impact of Seasonal Sports
• The Underestimated Importance of Autumn Sports in Child Development
• Inclusivity in Seasonal Sports: A Call for More Accessibility
• Balancing Academics and Seasonal Sports in School Curriculum
• Economic Benefits of Hosting Seasonal Sports Events in Local Communities
• Maintaining Physical Fitness: The Role of Different Seasonal Sports
• Encouraging Women’s Participation in Winter Sports: A Social Perspective
• Changing Climate and its Impact on Winter Sports: A Global Concern
• The Necessity for More Public Funding in Summer Sports Programs
• Health Risks Associated with Extreme Winter Sports: A Need for Regulation
• Promoting Cultural Diversity Through Seasonal Sports
• Rising Popularity of Indoor Seasonal Sports: A New Trend
• Roles of Seasonal Sports in Enhancing Social Cohesion and Unity
• Unifying Power of International Seasonal Sports Events: A Case Study
• Expanding the Paralympic Games: Incorporating More Seasonal Sports
• Overcoming the Cultural Barriers to the Adoption of Seasonal Sports
• Childhood Obesity: Can Seasonal Sports Be the Solution?
• Reviving Traditional Seasonal Sports: A Necessity for Cultural Preservation
• Climate Change Mitigation: Rethinking the Execution of Winter Sports
• Professional Athletes’ Transition Between Seasonal Sports: An Evaluation
• Advantages of Integrating Seasonal Sports in Corporate Wellness Programs

Winter Sports Persuasive Essay Speech Topics

• Advantages of Integrating Technology in Winter Sports
• The Environmental Impact of Ski Resorts: Is It Worth It?
• Snowboarding vs. Skiing: Which Is the Superior Winter Sport?
• Benefits and Drawbacks of Hosting the Winter Olympics
• Ice Hockey’s Influence on Canadian Culture and Identity
• The Rise of Indoor Snowboarding: A Blessing or a Curse?
• The Importance of Proper Training and Equipment in Winter Sports
• Importance of Winter Sports in Physical Education Curriculum
• Assessing the Risks: The Dangers of Extreme Winter Sports
• Female Athletes in Winter Sports: Closing the Gender Gap
• The Thrill of Ice Climbing: Why Does It Deserve More Recognition?
• Speed Skating: The Art and Science Behind Its Appeal
• Winter Paralympics: A Platform for Adaptive Athletes
• High Altitude Sports: Evaluating Their Impact on Athlete’s Health
• Expanding Participation in Luge: Why Does It Matter?
• Promoting Cross-Country Skiing: Health and Environmental Benefits
• Lessons in Leadership and Teamwork from Bobsleigh
• Freestyle Skiing: The Fusion of Creativity and Athleticism
• Curling’s Subtle Strategies: A Case for Its Global Popularity
• Winter Sports Tourism: Economic Boon or Environmental Burden?
• Integrating Mental Health Support in Professional Ice Hockey
• Alpine Skiing: The Skill Set Required for Success
• The Relevance of Biathlon in Modern Competitive Sports
• Athlete Safety: Evaluating Protocols in Professional Figure Skating

Summer Sports Persuasive Essay Speech Topics

• The Importance of Hydration in Summer Sports
• Implementing Mandatory Sunscreen Policies in Outdoor Sports
• Benefits of Water Sports: An In-Depth Study
• Overcoming Heat Exhaustion: The Role of Sports Medicine
• Surfing: Should It Become an Official Olympic Sport?
• Beach Volleyball: Promoting Gender Equality in Sports
• Equestrianism: An Underrated Summer Sport
• Mountain Biking: Advocacy for Environmentally Friendly Trails
• Encouraging Youth Participation in Summer Athletic Programs
• Expanding Accessibility for Disabled Athletes in Summer Sports
• Importance of Regular Health Checks for Athletes in Heat-Intensive Sports
• The Need for Adequate Summer Sports Infrastructure in Schools
• Extreme Sports: Should They Be Included in the Summer Olympics?
• Female Empowerment Through Beach Soccer
• Balancing Physical Exertion and Heat Tolerance in Athletes
• Necessity of Life Guard Training in Water Sports
• Cricket: The Unexplored Potential for Summer Entertainment
• Combatting Stereotypes: Promoting Mixed-Gender Teams in Summer Sports
• Summer Sports Camps: Evaluating Their Impact on Child Development
• Water Polo: Proposing More Inclusive Rules
• Global Warming’s Impact on Outdoor Summer Sports
• Windsurfing: Advocating for a Stronger Presence in Sports Media
• Tennis: Strategies for Coping with Extreme Summer Heat
• Benefits of Incorporating Yoga into Summer Athletic Training
• Golf: Rethinking Water Use in Drought-Prone Areas

American Football Persuasive Essay Topics

• The Role of Protective Equipment in Reducing Concussions in American Football
• College Athletes in American Football Deserve Compensation
• Incorporating Women into Professional American Football: A Game Changer?
• Enhancing Performance: Should American Football Legalize Certain Supplements?
• American Football vs. Rugby: Which Sport Is More Physically Demanding?
• The Impact of American Football on Youth Development
• Cultural Influence: How Does American Football Shape Society?
• Why Should High Schools Prioritize American Football?
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): The Hidden Cost of American Football
• Evolution of American Football Rules: Safety or Spectacle?
• American Football Coaching: Art or Science?
• The Importance of Mental Health in American Football Athletes
• Athlete Protests: Freedom of Speech in American Football
• Understanding the Business Side of American Football
• Performance-Enhancing Drugs: Unseen Enemy in American Football?
• The Consequences of Early Specialization in American Football
• Should the National Football League (NFL) Implement a Salary Cap?
• Combatting Racism in American Football: Time for Change?
• Are the Risks of American Football Worth the Rewards for Young Athletes?
• College American Football: Exploitation or Opportunity?

Soccer Persuasive Essay Speech Topics

• Increasing Diversity in Professional Soccer: A Necessary Change
• Youth Soccer: Why Is Early Specialization Harmful?
• Soccer Refereeing: The Need for Technology Integration
• The Crucial Role of Women’s Soccer in Promoting Gender Equality
• Dangers of Over-Commercialization in Modern Soccer
• Elevating Grassroots Soccer for National Success
• Is Fair Play Really Fair? Exploring the FIFA Fair Play Policy
• The Mental Health Implications for Professional Soccer Players
• Soccer Stadiums: An Environmental Concern
• Financial Fair Play Regulations: Do They Stifle Competition?
• Should We Reconsider the Traditional Soccer League Format?
• Expanding the Role of Assistant Referees in Soccer
• Artificial Turf: Assessing Its Impact on Soccer
• The Case for Salary Caps in Soccer
• Tackling Racism: An Urgent Need in Soccer
• Implementing Comprehensive Concussion Protocols in Soccer
• Do Transfer Fees Threaten the Competitive Balance in Soccer?
• Managing Burnout: An Unseen Challenge in Youth Soccer
• Influence of Foreign Investors on Local Soccer Clubs: Beneficial or Detrimental?

Basketball Persuasive Essay Topics

• Influence of Height on Basketball Performance: A Critical Analysis
• International Exposure: The Impact of Basketball Globalization
• Female Representation: Breaking Stereotypes in Professional Basketball
• Early Specialization vs. Multisport Participation in Youth Basketball
• Pros and Cons of Implementing a Shot Clock in High School Basketball
• The Role of Teamwork in Winning Championships: Case Studies From the NBA
• Technology’s Impact on Modern Basketball: Improving the Game or Removing the Human Element?
• Benefits and Drawbacks of Strict Player Transfer Regulations in Basketball
• Analysis of Mental Toughness: The Key to Success in Professional Basketball
• NBA’s Draft System: An Evaluation of Fairness and Effectiveness
• Understanding the Influence of Nutrition and Diet on a Basketball Player’s Performance
• Is the NBA’s One-and-Done Rule Beneficial for Student Athletes?
• Necessity for More Rigorous Drug Testing Policies in Professional Basketball
• The Socioeconomic Impact of Hosting Major Basketball Events: Case Studies
• Consequences of Excessive Commercialization in Professional Basketball
• Social Justice Advocacy in the NBA: Responsibility or Overreach?
• Pioneering a New Age: Incorporation of Virtual Reality in Basketball Training
• Endorsements in Professional Basketball: An Examination of Athletes’ Influence
• College Basketball vs. NBA: Differences in Training Techniques and Their Results
• Exploring the Overemphasis on Offense in Modern Basketball: Is Defense Being Underestimated?

Baseball Persuasive Essay Speech Topics

• Should Instant Replay Be Used More Frequently in Baseball?
• The Merits and Drawbacks of Using a Designated Hitter in Baseball
• The Impact of Steroid Use on Baseball’s Integrity
• Is Baseball Truly America’s Pastime?
• Benefits of Encouraging Children to Play Baseball
• The Importance of Salary Caps in Professional Baseball
• How Does Baseball Promote Teamwork and Camaraderie?
• The Role of Advanced Analytics in Modern Baseball
• Assessing the Safety of Baseball: Are the Protective Measures Sufficient?
• Should Baseball Games Be Shortened for Better Viewer Engagement?
• How Has Baseball Influenced American Culture and Society?
• Exploring Gender Issues in Baseball: Should There Be More Opportunities for Women?
• Does Baseball’s Draft System Create a Fair Playing Field?
• Considerations for Stricter Penalties for Doping in Baseball
• Influence of Latino Players in Major League Baseball
• Baseball’s Place in the World: How Can Its Global Popularity Be Improved?
• Evaluating the Benefits of Artificial Turf vs. Natural Grass in Baseball
• Inclusion of Sabermetrics in Baseball: Does It Enhance or Detract From the Game?
• Impacts of High School Baseball on Student Development
• Hall of Fame Inductees: Is the Voting Process Flawed?
• The Environmental Impact of Baseball Stadiums
• Racial Diversity in Baseball: Is the Sport Doing Enough?

Water Sports Argumentative Essay Topics

• The Importance of Lifeguard Presence in Water Sports
• Dangers of White-Water Rafting: Adrenaline vs. Safety
• The Ethical Implications of Captive Dolphin Shows
• Should Jet Skis Be Banned in Marine Protected Areas?
• Professional Swimming: Is High-Intensity Training Worth the Risks?
• Analysis of the Environmental Impact of Surfboard Manufacturing
• The Role of Public Swimming Pools in Promoting Water Safety
• Are Private Beaches Detrimental to the Democratization of Surfing?
• Reevaluation of the Health Benefits vs. Risks of Scuba Diving
• Promoting Kiteboarding: Environmental Impact vs. Recreational Value
• Necessity for Speed Limitations in Powerboating
• Are Women Underrepresented in Competitive Surfing?
• Comparing Risks: Open Water Swimming vs. Pool Swimming
• Balancing Tradition and Modernity in Dragon Boat Racing
• Addressing the Dangers of Cold Water Shock in Winter Swimming
• Should Children Participate in Competitive Synchronized Swimming?
• Canoeing Versus Kayaking: Which Poses More Physical Danger?
• The Impact of Climate Change on Water Sports Destinations
• Evaluating the Threat of Overfishing to Recreational Spearfishing

Persuasive Speech Sports Topics on Badminton

• Importance of Regular Badminton Training for Enhanced Stamina and Reflexes
• Badminton: A Powerful Tool for Physical Education in Schools
• Why Do Professional Badminton Players Deserve Higher Recognition in Global Sports?
• Addressing Gender Inequality in Professional Badminton Competitions
• Roles of Modern Technology in Enhancing Badminton Practice and Performance
• Debate on Whether Badminton Should Be Promoted More Aggressively in the Olympics
• Exploring the Impact of Proper Nutrition on Badminton Players’ Performance
• Persuasive Analysis of Badminton as a Non-Destructive Sport for Public Spaces
• Is Badminton the Best Option for Improving Cardiovascular Fitness?
• Uncover the Hidden Talent: Encouraging Youth Participation in Badminton
• Should Coaches Emphasize More on Doubles Strategy in Badminton Training?
• Changing the Public Perception: Badminton Is Not a Backyard Sport
• Inclusion of Badminton in Corporate Wellness Programs: A Worthy Investment
• Rethinking the Value of Sportsmanship in High-Stakes Badminton Competitions
• Ensuring Better Broadcast Coverage for International Badminton Tournaments
• High-Tech Badminton Equipment: Enhancing Performance or Diminishing Skill?
• Addressing Injuries in Badminton: Importance of Adequate Safety Measures
• Transforming Grassroots Badminton: An Investment in Future Champions
• Does the Inclusion of Badminton in the School Curriculum Improve Student Focus?
• Advantages of Choosing Badminton as Your Primary Sport for Fitness and Health

Persuasive Speech Sports Topics on Athletics

• Enhancing Athletic Performance: The Role of Dietary Supplements
• Athletic Scholarships: Rewarding Talent or Creating Educational Disparities?
• Mandatory Drug Testing: Is It Necessary for All Athletics?
• Why Does Investing in Youth Athletics Contribute to Community Development?
• Should Professional Athletes Share Responsibility for Role Modeling?
• Physical Education in Schools: Athletics’ Role in Promoting Overall Wellness
• Performance-Enhancing Drugs: Unethical Shortcut or Leveling the Playing Field?
• Athletics and Academic Performance: Balancing the Dual Demands
• Exploring the Ethical Dilemmas of Competitive Athletics
• The Influence of Athletics on Body Image Perceptions Among Teens
• Gender Equality in Athletics: Progress Made and Miles to Go
• Encouraging Participation in Athletics: The Health and Social Benefits
• Professional Athletes’ Salaries: Are They Justifiable?
• Sponsorship in Athletics: A Necessary Evil or Commercial Exploitation?
• Combatting Concussions: Improving Safety Measures in High-Contact Sports
• The Impact of Athletic Participation on Social Skills Development
• Is Intense Training for Young Athletes Doing More Harm Than Good?
• Athletic Burnout: The Importance of Proper Rest and Recovery
• Media Portrayal of Athletes: Reinforcing Stereotypes or Inspiring Youth?

Cycling Persuasive Speech Sports Topics

• Pedal Power: Why Should Cycling Be Incorporated Into Daily School Curriculum?
• Biking Infrastructure: Investment for Healthier Cities and Communities
• Mandating Bicycle Helmets: Safety Measure or Freedom Infringement?
• Cyclists’ Rights: Necessity for Stringent Road Laws to Protect Bicyclists
• Combat Climate Change: Promote Cycling as a Preferred Mode of Transport
• Mountain Biking: Ecological Impact vs. Health Benefits
• Bicycle Racing: The Need for Stricter Doping Controls
• Empowerment Through Cycling: Closing the Gender Gap in Professional Biking
• Tour de France: Is It Promoting Unrealistic Body Image Among Athletes?
• E-Bikes Revolution: A Threat or Opportunity for Traditional Bicycling?
• Cycling to Work: The Corporate Benefits of Promoting Biking Culture
• Amateur Biking Events: Encouraging Community Bonding and Fitness
• Indoor Cycling: Fitness Trend or Effective Training Strategy?
• Biking Tours: Boosting Local Economy and Promoting Sustainable Tourism
• Cycle Lanes: Why Every City Should Have Dedicated Bike Paths?
• Children on Bicycles: The Impact of Early Cycling on Child Development
• Ride for Charity: Using Cycling Events to Raise Funds and Awareness
• Bicycle Design Evolution: Its Influence on Performance and Accessibility
• Health Rewards: Proving Cycling’s Long-Term Benefits for the Elderly
• Tackling Obesity: The Crucial Role of Regular Cycling in Weight Management

Persuasive Speech Sports Topics on Chess

• Implementing Chess in School Curriculums Enhances Cognitive Development
• Strategic Thinking Skills: The Link Between Chess and Business Success
• Investing in Chess Programs: A Boost for Community Engagement
• The Underrepresentation of Women in Competitive Chess: Time for a Paradigm Shift
• Elevate Mental Health: The Therapeutic Effects of Chess
• Online Chess Tournaments: An Evolutionary Leap for Traditional Sports
• Harnessing the Power of AI in Chess: Threat or Opportunity?
• Fostering International Diplomacy Through Chess
• Veterans and Chess: A Tool for Rehabilitation and Social Integration
• Deeper Analysis of Chess Strategies: A Must for Developing Critical Thinking
• Drawing Parallels: The Relationship Between Chess and Mathematics
• Advocate for Chess as an Official Olympic Sport: Its Global Recognition and Merit
• Incorporating Chess in Employee Training Programs: A Catalyst for Problem-Solving Skills
• Junior Chess Leagues: A Platform for Nurturing Future Leaders
• The Role of Chess in Reducing Age-Related Cognitive Decline
• Endorse Chess Clubs: A Means to Counter Youth Delinquency
• Propagate Chess Education to Foster a Culture of Non-Violence
• Celebrate Chess in Art and Literature: An Unexplored Terrain
• Transforming Prisons: The Impact of Chess Programs on Inmate Rehabilitation

Persuasive Speech Sports Topics on Golf

• Integrating Technology in Golf for Performance Enhancement
• Promotion of Women’s Golf: A Crucial Step Toward Gender Equality in Sports
• The Inclusion of Golf in School Curriculums: Encouraging a Healthy Lifestyle
• Investment in Public Golf Courses: A Boost for Local Economies
• Mandatory Golf Lessons for Executives: A Way to Enhance Networking Skills
• Advantages of Golf Tourism for the Global Travel Industry
• Shaping Character Through Golf: The Impact on Youth Development
• Relaxation and Stress Relief: The Hidden Benefits of Playing Golf
• Green Golf: Implementing Eco-Friendly Practices in Golf Courses
• Addressing Inequality: Ensuring Accessibility of Golf for Lower-Income Communities
• Advancement in Golf Equipment: Improvement or Hindrance for the Game’s Tradition?
• Establishing Greater Representation in Golf: The Need for Diversity in the Sport
• Health Benefits: Making Golf a Key Component of Active Aging
• Golf as Therapy: The Potential Role in Physical and Mental Rehabilitation
• The Future of Golf: Indoor vs. Outdoor Courses
• Standardizing Caddie Training: Raising the Professional Level in Golf
• Pro Golfers’ Salaries: Are They Justifiable Compared to Other Sports?
• Golf Etiquette: An Essential Element of the Game or an Outdated Tradition?
• Fairways to Highways: The Role of Golf Cart Laws for Public Safety
• Introducing Golf at an Early Age: A Strategy for Sports Development and Discipline

Argumentative Sports Speech Topics on Gymnastics

• Impacts of Gymnastics Training on Overall Athletic Performance
• Roles of Gymnastics in Promoting Flexibility and Strength
• Should Gymnastics Be Considered a Sport or an Art Form?
• Benefits of Gymnastics in Developing Coordination and Balance
• Is Early Specialization in Gymnastics Beneficial for Young Athletes?
• The Importance of Proper Nutrition in Gymnastics Training
• Should Gymnastics Competitions Have Weight Categories?
• Effects of Gymnastics on Bone Density and Injury Prevention
• Is Gymnastics a Safe Sport for Children and Adolescents?
• Psychological Benefits of Gymnastics Training
• The Role of Gymnastics in Promoting Body Positivity and Self-Confidence
• Should Gymnastics Competitions Be Judged Subjectively or Objectively?
• The Role of Gymnastics in Shaping Discipline and Determination
• Is Gymnastics an Expensive Sport to Participate In?
• The Impact of Gender Stereotypes on the Development of Gymnastics
• Should Gymnasts Be Allowed to Use Performance-Enhancing Drugs?
• The Challenges Faced by Gymnasts in Balancing Academic and Training Demands
• The Role of Gymnastics in Building Stronger Communities
• Should Gymnastics Training Be Included in Physical Education Curricula?
• Ethical Considerations of Gymnastics Training Methods
• Should Gymnastics Competitions Be More Inclusive of Athletes With Disabilities?

Horse Racing Argumentative Speech Sports Topics

• The Ethics of Horse Racing: Balancing Tradition and Animal Welfare
• Jockey Weight Restrictions: Ensuring Fair Competition in Horse Racing
• Enhancing Horse Racing Safety: Implementing Stricter Regulations
• Gambling in Horse Racing: Should It Be Encouraged or Restricted?
• The Use of Whips in Horse Racing: Cruelty or Necessary Tool?
• Horse Racing and Public Perception: Overcoming Controversies
• Horse Racing as a Sport: Celebrating Equine Athleticism
• Horse Racing and Economic Impact: Assessing Its Significance
• Doping Scandals in Horse Racing: Strengthening Anti-Doping Measures
• The Role of Horse Racing in Preserving Equestrian Heritage
• Female Jockeys in Horse Racing: Breaking Gender Barriers
• Horse Racing and Equine Retirement: Ensuring Post-Career Welfare
• The Impact of Technology on Horse Racing: Enhancing Performance or Diminishing Skill?
• Horse Racing and National Identity: Cultural Significance and Pride
• The Role of Breeders in Horse Racing: Shaping the Future of the Sport
• Horse Racing and Environmental Sustainability: Balancing Tradition with Conservation
• The Economic Divide in Horse Racing: Leveling the Playing Field
• Horse Racing and Betting: Regulating the Industry to Prevent Exploitation
• The Future of Horse Racing: Adapting to Changing Times
• Horse Racing and Youth Participation: Inspiring the Next Generation
• Horse Racing and its Impact on Local Communities: Examining Social Benefits and Challenges
• Synthetic Tracks vs. Traditional Dirt Tracks: Evaluating Performance and Safety

Argumentative Sports Speech Topics on Lacrosse

• The Growing Popularity of Lacrosse: A Beneficial Trend or a Threat to Traditional Sports?
• Lacrosse: The Ultimate Team Sport for Building Camaraderie and Communication Skills
• Is Lacrosse a Safer Alternative to Football for Young Athletes?
• The Role of Gender Equality in Lacrosse: Breaking Barriers and Challenging Stereotypes
• Should Lacrosse Be Recognized as an Olympic Sport?
• Lacrosse vs. Soccer: Which Sport Offers Better Physical Conditioning?
• The Evolution of Lacrosse: Traditional vs. Modern Techniques and Strategies
• Lacrosse Scholarships: A Fair Opportunity or Biased Selection Process?
• Should Lacrosse Players Be Required to Wear Helmets and Face Masks?
• The Influence of Lacrosse on Native American Culture: Preservation or Appropriation?
• The Rise of Professional Lacrosse Leagues: A Threat or an Exciting Development?
• The Impact of Lacrosse on College Admissions: Should It Be Considered a “Recruiting Sport”?
• The Controversy Surrounding Lacrosse: Cultural Appropriation or Cross-Cultural Exchange?
• Is Lacrosse More Physically Demanding Than Basketball?
• The Influence of Equipment Technology on Lacrosse: Innovation or Unfair Advantage?
• Should Lacrosse Players Be Tested for Performance-Enhancing Drugs?
• The Role of Lacrosse in Reducing Youth Crime and Promoting Social Integration
• Lacrosse: A Sustainable Sport for the Environment or a Resource-Intensive Activity?
• The Importance of Mental Health Support in Lacrosse: Addressing Athlete Well-Being
• The Impact of Lacrosse on Collegiate Athletics: Financial Investments and Revenue Generation
• Lacrosse in Schools: Should It Be Included in Physical Education Curricula?

Argumentative Sports Speech Topics on Martial Arts

• The Significance of Martial Arts in Building Discipline and Character
• Martial Arts: A Powerful Tool for Self-Defense and Personal Safety
• The Cultural and Historical Importance of Martial Arts
• Should Martial Arts be Included as an Olympic Sport?
• Martial Arts vs. Traditional Sports: Which Offers Better Physical Fitness?
• The Role of Martial Arts in Promoting Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being
• The Ethics and Morality of Martial Arts Competitions
• Martial Arts Training: Is It Suitable for Children?
• Martial Arts and Gender Equality: Breaking Stereotypes
• The Health Benefits of Practicing Martial Arts
• Martial Arts vs. Team Sports: Which Fosters Stronger Camaraderie?
• The Influence of Martial Arts on Popular Culture
• The Evolution of Martial Arts Techniques and Styles
• Should Martial Arts Be Taught in Schools as Part of the Physical Education Curriculum?
• The Impact of Martial Arts on Youth Empowerment and Personal Development
• Martial Arts and Sportsmanship: Finding the Balance
• The Role of Martial Arts in Reducing Bullying and Violence in Schools
• Martial Arts and the Philosophy of Balance and Harmony
• The Role of Martial Arts in Developing Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
• The Pros and Cons of Competitive Martial Arts Training

Persuasive Speech Sports Topics on Skating

• The Importance of Skating as a Foundational Skill in Sports
• Maximizing Performance Through Proper Skating Techniques
• Enhancing Agility and Speed With Skating Drills
• Benefits of Figure Skating for Overall Athleticism
• Utilizing Skating as a Cross-Training Tool for Other Sports
• The Role of Skating in Developing Balance and Coordination
• Exploring the Psychological Benefits of Skating
• Skating as a Low-Impact Exercise for Joint Health
• Building Confidence and Self-Esteem Through Skating
• Skating Safety: The Importance of Protective Gear
• Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity in Skating Communities
• The Economic and Social Impact of Skating on Local Communities
• Inspiring Youth Through Skating Role Models
• The Evolution of Skating: From Traditional to Modern Techniques
• The Environmental Benefits of Skating as a Green Mode of Transportation
• Skating as a Tool for Stress Relief and Mental Well-Being
• The Role of Skating in Promoting Discipline and Goal Setting
• Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Skating: Empowering Female Athletes
• Skating as a Therapeutic Activity for Physical Rehabilitation
• The Role of Skating in Fostering Teamwork and Sportsmanship
• Skating as a Form of Artistic Expression and Creative Outlet
• Skating: A Lifetime Sport for All Ages and Abilities

Persuasive Extreme Sports Speech Topics

• Thrilling Skydiving: Embrace the Ultimate Adrenaline Rush
• Conquer the Waves: Unleash Your Surfing Potential
• Dare to Ride: The Irresistible Allure of Motocross Racing
• Soar to New Heights: The Freedom of Paragliding
• Overcome Obstacles: Conquering Rock Climbing Challenges
• Defy Gravity: Bungee Jumping for an Unforgettable Experience
• Dive Deep: The Mesmerizing World of Scuba Diving
• Push Your Limits: The Thrill of Extreme Mountain Biking
• Taste the Speed: Experience the Thrills of Formula Racing
• Precision and Grace: The Art of Freestyle Skiing
• Unleash Your Inner Warrior: The Excitement of Paintball Battles
• Riding the Wild: The Joy of Horseback Endurance Racing
• Dance With the Wind: Kiteboarding for Adventurous Souls
• The Ultimate Rush: Extreme White Water Rafting
• The Freedom of Flight: Wingsuit Base Jumping
• Taming the Wilderness: Exploring Off-Road ATV Adventures
• The Rush of Speed: Roller Coasters and Theme Park Thrills
• Embark on Frozen Adventures: The Thrill of Ice Climbing
• Beyond Gravity: Exploring the World of Extreme Trampolining
• The Thrill of the Fight: MMA and Mixed Martial Arts
• Embrace the Heights: Highlining and Slacklining for Daredevils

Professional Sports Persuasive Essay Topics

• The Impact of Salary Caps on Professional Sports
• Enhancing Player Safety Measures in Contact Sports
• Promoting Gender Equality in Professional Athletics
• Implementing Stricter Drug Testing Policies in Sports
• The Importance of Sports Psychology in Achieving Peak Performance
• Addressing the Issue of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Athletics
• The Role of Technology in Improving Sports Performance and Analysis
• Supporting Athlete Mental Health and Well-Being in Competitive Sports
• Combating Doping in Professional Sports: The Need for Stronger Regulations
• Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion in Sports Organizations
• Tackling the Problem of Match-Fixing in Professional Sports
• Promoting Fairness and Integrity in Sports Officiating
• The Influence of Social Media on Professional Sports
• Benefits of Youth Sports Participation for Personal Development
• The Ethical Dilemma of Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sports
• Promoting Sustainable Practices in Professional Sports
• The Role of Sports Sponsorship in Shaping Athletes’ Careers
• Balancing Individual Achievements and Team Success in Sports
• The Role of Coaches in Athletes’ Physical and Emotional Development
• The Significance of Sports Rivalries in Boosting Fan Engagement
• Promoting Sportsmanship and Fair Play in Competitive Athletics

Olympics Persuasive Essay Topics

• The Power of Hosting the Olympics: Economic Benefits and Global Recognition
• Achieving Gender Equality in Olympic Sports: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Athletes
• Preserving Olympic Spirit: Ensuring Fairness and Integrity in Sports
• Olympic Legacy: Revitalizing Urban Infrastructure and Community Development
• Embracing Diversity: Celebrating Cultural Exchange and Inclusion in the Olympics
• The Olympics and Environmental Sustainability: Promoting Green Initiatives and Eco-Friendly Practices
• Overcoming Adversity: Inspiring Stories of Triumph in Olympic History
• Olympic Diplomacy: Fostering Peace and Cooperation Among Nations
• Empowering Youth Through Olympic Education and Participation
• Combatting Doping in Sports: Ensuring Clean and Fair Competition at the Olympics
• The Evolution of Olympic Technology: Enhancing Performance and Safety
• Accessibility in the Olympics: Removing Barriers for Athletes With Disabilities
• Preserving the Amateur Spirit: Balancing Professionalism and Amateurism in Olympic Sports
• The Economic Impact of Hosting the Olympics: Assessing Costs and Benefits
• Protecting Athletes’ Mental Health: Addressing Psychological Challenges in Olympic Sports
• Olympic Sponsorship: The Role of Corporate Partnerships in Supporting the Games
• Olympic Sports and National Identity: Inspiring Patriotism and Pride
• The Role of Sportsmanship in the Olympics: Encouraging Fair Play and Respect
• The Olympic Torch Relay: Symbolism and Significance in the Games
• Enhancing Olympic Security: Ensuring Safety and Counteracting Threats
• Olympic Athletes as Role Models: Inspiring the Next Generation of Champions
• The Paralympics: Recognizing and Celebrating the Achievements of Athletes With Disabilities

NBA Persuasive Essay Topics

• The Impact of Superstars on NBA Franchises
• Roles of Analytics in Modern NBA Strategy
• Enhancing Player Safety: Addressing Injuries in the NBA
• The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in NBA Organizations
• The Evolution of Three-Point Shooting in the NBA
• Developing a Sustainable Salary Cap System in the NBA
• The Significance of NBA All-Star Games for Player Legacies
• Promoting Mental Health Awareness in the NBA
• Analyzing the Influence of Social Media on NBA Players
• Balancing Competitive Balance in the NBA
• The Impact of International Players on the NBA
• Addressing the Issue of Tanking in the NBA
• Exploring the Role of NBA Coaches in Team Success
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of the NBA Draft Lottery System
• The NBA’s Efforts in Promoting Social Justice and Activism
• The Rise of Player Empowerment in the NBA
• Roles of NBA Officials in Maintaining Fair Play
• The Importance of Youth Development Programs in the NBA
• The Growth and Popularity of NBA eSports
• The Impact of NBA Expansion on the League
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of the NBA Replay Review System

NFL Persuasive Essay Topics

• The Impact of Concussions on NFL Players’ Long-Term Health
• Enhancing Player Safety: The Need for Stricter Penalties for Helmet-to-Helmet Hits
• The Importance of Mental Health Support for NFL Athletes
• Examining the Role of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Professional Football
• The Benefits of Implementing a Comprehensive Drug Testing Program in the NFL
• Addressing Racial Inequality in NFL Coaching and Executive Positions
• Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in NFL Hiring Practices
• The Controversy Surrounding the National Anthem Protests in the NFL
• Roles of NFL Players in Advocating for Social Justice Issues
• Impacts of Salary Disparities on Players’ Performance and Team Dynamics
• The Need for Stronger Measures to Prevent Domestic Violence Among NFL Players
• The Influence of Commercialization on the Integrity of the NFL
• The Debate Over Expanding the NFL Season: Pros and Cons
• Effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) on Retired NFL Players
• The Role of Fantasy Football in Shaping Fans’ Engagement With the NFL
• The Importance of Investing in Youth Football Programs for Long-Term Success
• The Controversy Surrounding NFL’s Handling of Off-Field Misconduct by Players
• The Impact of NFL Players’ Social Media Presence on Their Image and Brand
• The Role of NFL Cheerleaders and Their Representation in the League
• The Influence of Betting and Gambling on the Integrity of the NFL
• The Ethics of Player Recruitment and Transfers in the NFL
• The Significance of NFL’s Environmental Responsibility in a Changing Climate

NHL Persuasive Essay Topics

• The Impact of NHL Expansion on the Sport of Hockey
• Enhancing Player Safety in the NHL: Implementing Stricter Rules and Regulations
• The Importance of Youth Development Programs in NHL Franchises
• Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the NHL: Breaking Barriers for Underrepresented Communities
• The Economic Benefits of Hosting NHL Events and Stanley Cup Finals
• Embracing Technology: How Is Data Analytics Revolutionizing the NHL?
• Combatting Climate Change: Making the NHL a More Environmentally Sustainable League
• The Role of Fighting in the NHL: Should It Be Banned or Regulated?
• The Significance of Hockey Culture in Canadian Society
• Women in the NHL: Advancing Gender Equality in Professional Hockey
• The Impact of International Players on the NHL and the Globalization of the Sport
• Balancing Tradition and Innovation: Updating NHL Jerseys and Logos
• The Effectiveness of NHL Playoff Formats: Exploring Alternatives to the Current System
• The Role of NHL Franchise Ownership in Shaping the League’s Future
• Mental Health Awareness in the NHL: Supporting Players’ Well-Being
• Improving Fan Engagement in the NHL: Enhancing the In-Arena and Digital Experience
• Addressing Tanking and Competitive Balance in the NHL
• The Influence of NHL Coaches on Team Performance and Player Development
• NHL Player Salaries: Finding a Balance Between Fairness and Financial Sustainability
• The Evolution of NHL Rule Changes: Adaptations for a Faster and More Exciting Game
• Preserving the Legacy of NHL Legends: Honoring Retired Players and Their Contributions to the Sport

Other Sports Ideas

Persuasive sports speech topics to talk about: health.

• Sports and Cardiovascular Health: A Winning Combination
• The Effectiveness of Sports in Weight Management
• Sports and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases
• Psychological Benefits of Team Sports
• The Importance of Sports in Promoting Bone Health
• Sports as a Means of Stress Relief and Anxiety Management
• The Role of Sports in Enhancing Overall Immunity
• Sports and the Promotion of Longevity and Aging Gracefully
• The Impact of Sports on Improving Motor Skills and Coordination
• Sports as a Tool for Enhancing Cognitive Abilities
• The Connection Between Sports and Improved Sleep Patterns
• Sports and the Prevention of Lifestyle-Related Disorders
• The Influence of Sports on Boosting Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
• Roles of Sports in Teaching Discipline and Time Management
• The Psychological Benefits of Individual Sports vs. Team Sports
• Impacts of Sports on Enhancing Social Interactions and Relationships
• The Effectiveness of Sports in Building Leadership Skills
• The Role of Sports in Empowering Women’s Health and Well-Being

Persuasive Sports Essay Speech Topics: Coaching

• The Impact of Effective Coaching on Sports Performance
• Athlete Development: The Role of Coaching in Nurturing Talent
• The Ethical Responsibilities of Coaches in Sports
• Enhancing Teamwork Through Effective Coaching Strategies
• The Influence of Coaching Styles on Athlete Motivation
• The Importance of Coach-Athlete Communication in Sports
• Roles of Coaches in Preventing Sports Injuries
• Gender Equality in Sports Coaching: Breaking Stereotypes
• Benefits of Sports Psychology in Coaching Athletes
• Coaches as Role Models: Shaping Character and Values in Sports
• Coaching Youth Sports: Fostering a Love for the Game
• The Impact of Technology on Sports Coaching Methods
• Roles of Coaches in Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Sports
• The Use of Analytics and Data in Sports Coaching
• Coaching Athletes With Disabilities: Promoting Inclusivity in Sports
• The Influence of Cultural Diversity on Coaching Approaches in Sports
• Coaches as Educators: Teaching Life Skills Through Sports
• The Role of Coaching in Building Resilience among Athletes
• Effects of Coaching on Sports Performance in Individual vs. Team Sports

Argumentative Sports Speech Topics: Women’s Rights

• The Gender Pay Gap in Professional Sports: A Case for Equal Compensation
• The Need for Increased Investment in Women’s Sports Programs
• Overcoming Gender Stereotypes in Sports: Breaking Barriers for Women
• Examining the Lack of Female Coaches in Professional Sports
• Women in Combat Sports: Breaking the Glass Ceiling
• Promoting Gender Equality in Youth Sports Programs
• The Importance of Female Role Models in Sports
• Addressing Body Image Issues in Women’s Sports
• The Impact of Sports on Women’s Empowerment and Self-Esteem
• The Challenges Faced by Transgender Women in Sports
• The Intersectionality of Race and Gender in Women’s Sports
• Roles of Sports in Promoting Women’s Health and Wellness
• The Need for More Sponsorship and Endorsement Opportunities for Female Athletes
• The Role of Education in Encouraging Girls’ Participation in Sports
• The Importance of Safe and Inclusive Spaces for Women in Sports
• Roles of Sports in Breaking Down Cultural and Religious Barriers for Women
• The Impact of Sports on Reducing Violence Against Women
• The Need for Gender-Neutral Language and Policies in Sports
• Exploring the Role of Sports in Addressing Gender Inequality in Developing Countries

Sports Argumentative Essay Topics: Student Life

• The Impact of Competitive Sports on Academic Performance
• Enhancing Student Life Through Sports and Physical Activity
• The Role of Sports in Developing Leadership Skills in Students
• Balancing Sports and Academic Commitments in Student Life
• Should Sports Be Mandatory for Students?
• Sports Scholarships: An Effective Way to Support Student Athletes
• The Influence of Sports on Students’ Mental Health
• Sports and Gender Equality: Breaking Barriers in Student Athletics
• Benefits of Interscholastic Sports Programs in Student Life
• The Role of Sports in Building Teamwork and Collaboration Among Students
• The Ethical Dilemma of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Student Sports
• The Impact of Sports on Students’ Self-Esteem and Confidence
• Roles of Sports in Teaching Discipline and Time Management to Students
• Sports and Cultural Diversity: Promoting Inclusion in Student Life
• The Role of Sports in Fostering a Healthy Lifestyle Among Students
• Should Schools Prioritize Sports Facilities Over Academic Resources?
• The Challenges Faced by Student Athletes: Balancing Sports and Social Life
• The Influence of Sports Role Models on Students’ Behavior and Values
• The Importance of Sports Education in Schools for Holistic Student Development
• The Economic Impact of Sports on Student Life and Local Communities
• Roles of Sports in Teaching Resilience and Perseverance to Students
• Pros and Cons of Competitive Sports in Student Life

Mind Sports Argumentative Essay Topics

• Benefits of Chess in Cognitive Development
• The Role of Strategy in Poker: Skill or Luck?
• Critical Thinking in Competitive Scrabble: A Mental Workout
• Is Competitive Sudoku a Legitimate Mind Sport?
• The Psychological Benefits of Playing Go
• The Ethics of Mind Sports: Fair Play and Cheating
• The Mental Stamina Required for Competitive Bridge
• Is E-Sports a Valid Mind Sport?
• The Impact of Mind Sports on Memory Enhancement
• The Evolution of Mind Sports: Traditional vs. Digital
• Roles of Mathematics in Competitive Backgammon
• The Strategic Complexity of Competitive Rubik’s Cube Solving
• Is Competitive Crossword Puzzling a Form of Intellectual Sport?
• The Influence of Mind Sports on Decision-Making Skills
• Psychological Effects of Competitive Chess on Young Minds
• The Debate: Mind Sports vs. Physical Sports
• The Cognitive Benefits of Playing Competitive Memory Games
• Roles of Endurance in Competitive Sudoku Tournaments
• The Impact of Mind Sports on Problem-Solving Skills
• The Psychological Factors in Competitive Scrabble: Word Knowledge vs. Strategy
• The Role of Concentration in Competitive Mahjong

Argumentative Essay Topics: Injuries

• The Impact of Concussions in Contact Sports: A Call for Enhanced Safety Measures
• Prevention and Rehabilitation Strategies for ACL Injuries in Athletes
• The Dangers of Overtraining: Balancing Performance and Injury Risk
• Enhancing Safety in Youth Sports: Addressing the Rising Concerns of Head Injuries
• Exploring the Long-Term Effects of Sports-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries
• The Role of Proper Equipment in Preventing Sports Injuries
• Analyzing the Relationship Between Field Conditions and Musculoskeletal Injuries
• Managing Heat-Related Injuries in Outdoor Athletics: A Vital Priority
• The Psychological Impact of Sports Injuries: Overcoming Mental Hurdles
• Promoting a Culture of Injury Prevention in Collegiate Athletics
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Protective Gear in Reducing Sports Injuries
• Sports Injuries in Women: Understanding Gender-Specific Risks and Challenges
• The Importance of Strength and Conditioning Programs in Injury Prevention
• Exploring the Link Between Overuse Injuries and Early Sports Specialization
• Sports Injuries in Professional Athletes: Analyzing the Impact on Careers
• The Influence of Playing Surface on Injury Rates in Different Sports
• Recognizing and Managing Sports-Related Head and Neck Injuries
• The Role of Coaches and Trainers in Preventing and Responding to Sports Injuries
• Rehabilitation Techniques for Common Sports Injuries: Restoring Performance
• Sports Injuries in Aging Athletes: Challenges and Strategies for Active Living
• Promoting Safety and Injury Prevention in Extreme Sports: Finding the Right Balance

Persuasive Sports Speech Topics: Importance of Games

• The Significance of Athletics in Shaping Character
• Enhancing Physical Fitness through Competitive Sports
• Promoting Teamwork and Collaboration in Sports
• Fostering Discipline and Self-Determination Through Games
• Boosting Mental Agility and Critical Thinking in Athletic Pursuits
• The Role of Sports in Developing Leadership Skills
• Empowering Women in Sports: Breaking Gender Stereotypes
• Harnessing Sports as a Tool for Stress Relief and Mental Well-Being
• Sports as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange and Global Understanding
• Sports Diplomacy: Uniting Nations Through Athletic Competitions
• Preserving Health and Preventing Chronic Diseases Through Active Engagement in Sports
• The Role of Sports in Promoting Social Equality and Inclusivity
• The Educational Value of Sports: Lessons Beyond the Classroom
• The Psychological Benefits of Sports: Enhancing Resilience and Confidence
• Sports as a Vehicle for Teaching Life Skills and Ethics
• Exploring the Role of Technology in Enhancing Athletic Performance
• The Importance of Sports in Reducing Crime and Juvenile Delinquency
• Sports and Academic Achievement: Finding the Balance
• Preserving Cultural Heritage Through Traditional Sports and Games

Fitness Persuasive Speech Sports Topics

• The Importance of Regular Exercise in Maintaining Optimal Fitness Levels
• Integrating Strength Training to Enhance Overall Fitness
• The Role of Cardiovascular Exercise in Improving Heart Health
• Implementing a Balanced Diet for Effective Weight Management
• Exploring the Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
• Embracing Yoga and Its Positive Impact on Mind-Body Fitness
• The Psychological Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
• Incorporating Outdoor Activities for a Fun and Active Lifestyle
• Utilizing Technology for Tracking and Monitoring Fitness Goals
• Promoting Fitness in the Workplace for Improved Productivity
• Exploring the Role of Personal Trainers in Achieving Fitness Goals
• The Impact of Sleep on Athletic Performance and Fitness Levels
• Benefits of Group Fitness Classes for Motivation and Accountability
• Breaking the Sedentary Lifestyle Cycle: Tips for Staying Active Throughout the Day
• Enhancing Flexibility and Mobility for Overall Fitness
• The Role of Sports and Competitive Activities in Maintaining Fitness
• Preventing and Managing Exercise-Related Injuries for Long-Term Fitness
• Promoting Fitness Education in Schools to Cultivate Healthy Habits
• The Influence of Social Media on Fitness Trends and Body Image
• Overcoming Barriers to Fitness: Time, Motivation, and Accessibility
• Promoting Active Aging: The Importance of Fitness for Older Adults

Dance Persuasive Essay Speech Topics

• The Transformative Power of Dance: Inspiring Change and Empowerment
• Enhancing Physical and Mental Health Through Dance
• Preserving Cultural Heritage: Celebrating Dance as a Cultural Expression
• Dance Education: Fostering Creativity and Discipline in Students
• Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Promoting Equality in Dance
• Dance as a Tool for Social Integration and Inclusion
• Exploring the Art of Choreography: A Fusion of Movement and Expression
• The Evolution of Dance: Tracing Its Historical and Cultural Significance
• The Impact of Dance in Therapy: Healing the Mind, Body, and Soul
• Dance as an Effective Stress Reliever: Finding Balance Through Movement
• Competitive Dance: Nurturing Discipline, Teamwork, and Perseverance
• Contemporary Dance: Embracing Innovation and Experimentation
• Folk Dance: Celebrating Traditional Rhythms and Cultural Identity
• Dance as a Form of Activism: Raising Awareness and Advocating for Change
• The Role of Dance in Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
• Dance and Technology: Exploring the Intersection of Art and Innovation
• Ballet: The Grace, Precision, and Elegance of Classical Dance
• Dance as a Form of Communication: Conveying Emotions Without Words
• The Influence of Dance in Popular Culture: Shaping Trends and Styles
• Dance as a Career Path: Pursuing Passion and Professionalism
• The Ethical Debate in Dance: Balancing Artistic Freedom and Cultural Appropriation
• Dance as a Universal Language: Bridging Cultures and Connecting People

General Sports Topics to Talk About

• Enhancing Performance: The Importance of Sports Psychology
• Promoting Gender Equality in Sports: Breaking Barriers
• Sports and Education: The Power of Athletic Scholarships
• Addressing the Issue of Doping in Professional Sports
• The Economic Influence of Major Sporting Events
• The Social and Cultural Significance of Sports in Society
• Sports and Technology: The Evolution of Athletic Equipment
• Ensuring Fairness and Integrity in Sports: Combating Match-Fixing
• The Benefits of Team Sports for Personal Growth and Development
• Sports and National Identity: Uniting Nations
• The Role of Sports in Promoting Inclusion and Diversity
• The Ethics of Sports: Sportsmanship and Fair Play
• Exploring the Relationship Between Sports and Media
• The Environmental Impact of Sports Events and Facilities
• Combatting Childhood Obesity Through Sports and Physical Activity
• The Business of Sports: Opportunities and Challenges
• The Role of Coaches in Shaping Athletes’ Characters
• Sports and Politics: Navigating Controversial Issues
• Exploring the Future of Virtual and Esports
• Sports as a Platform for Social Change: Advocacy and Activism

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

196 psychology argumentative essay topics & ideas, 255 education argumentative essay topics & ideas.

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Argumentative Essay: The Importance of Sports

Participation in sports is extremely important, and should be encouraged much more. Children and young people in particular need to do sport so that they develop good habits that they can continue into adulthood. The main benefits of sport are improved health and fitness, and the development of social and communication skills.

With more than a third of adults in the USA being classed as obese, and many more being overweight, it has never been more important to participate in sports. People that do sport on a regular basis are burning more calories than those that don’t, and are therefore less likely to end up overweight. Being a healthy weight means that you will be less likely to die young and suffer from heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes and a range of other conditions, and if you already eat well, it can give you an extra calorie allowance so you can treat yourself without feeling guilty about it.

As well as improving cardiovascular health and fitness, exercising is also good for the musculoskeletal system, making muscles more supple and toned, and improving the strength of bones and joints. People who do sports will be stronger and more able to lift and carry heavy things, which is also always useful, and they are less likely to become really weak and frail as they get older because their bodies are strong. Furthermore, doing sports can improve mental health as well as physical health, with exercise being helpful for people with depression and a range of other mental health issues, because it releases good chemicals into our brains. It also makes people feel better about their bodies, which can make them happier, and reduces the risk of eating disorders and crash dieting, as people make more sensible, healthy changes to their lifestyle.

Sports also allow people to develop personally. Social and communication skills can be learned and developed through sport. Teamwork, for example, is naturally learned through participating in team sports and games. Communication skills can really be honed, as they are at the center of any team’s success, and a lack of them leads to failure. Many people will also develop leadership skills through sport, often discovering abilities that they never knew they even had.

Many people’s self-esteem improves through sport as they discover things that they are good at and improve their body. Participating in any competitive sport also improves our ability to handle pressure and still perform well, as well as teaching us how to win and lose graciously. All in all, the fact that playing sport is good for us is completely undeniable, because it helps our minds and bodies, and ultimately means that we will be living longer, happier lives.

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Sports Argumentative Essay Topics: 30+ Ideas to Get Started

by  Antony W

May 27, 2023

When it comes to writing a sports argumentative essay in sports, the idea is that you look at two sides of one issue but pick one side as your stance. By using rebuttals to respond to counterclaims, you can demonstrate why your stand on a sports issue makes the most reasonable sense.

The first step is to pick the right topic to explore. But the best ideas don’t just come to mind during brainstorming, especially if you’re in the last minute rush to complete and hand in the work.

So in this post, we’ve put together a list of sports argumentative essay topics to get you started.

Key Takeaways

• Choose a topic on a sport that you love playing or one that you’d spend the whole day watching.
• We recommend choosing an interesting topic because it’s easier to write what you understand than what you don’t know at all.
• The format used for argumentative essay is the same regardless of the sports topic that you’re going to choose.

30+ Sports Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

The following are 30+ argumentative essay topics for sports based on their different categories:

American Football

Most people think of the American football as one of the most challenging games in human history. Within this category are many topic ideas that can make for a great sports argumentative essay. Here are some examples:

• Is the advertising on players’ uniforms too provocative, and should it be discontinued?
• Do American football players require health insurance?
• Why is playing rugby more challenging than playing American football, which is more comfortable?
• Should the government place a permanent ban on American football due to the high risk of injury to players?
• Is the NFL taking adequate measures to address racial inequality and social justice concerns among its players and fans?
• Should college football players get compensation for their performance?
• Does the culture of toxic masculinity in American football contribute to harmful stereotypes and behaviors among athletes and fans?
• Should the Super Bowl halftime show serve as a platform for social and political commentary?

Basketball Topics

Known as the most popular indoor game on the planet, Basketball continues to garner a wider audience worldwide. Like the American football, the field is so wide that you can come up with literally hundreds of topics to write about. Here are some ideas that can fit into your argumentative writing:

• Height should not be a mandatory requirement to get one to play basketball.
• Basketball across all levels should ban performance-enhancing drugs, such as steroids.
• Is the NBA draft system fair to all players?
• High school basketball players should not have the permit to bypass college and join the NBA directly
• Is the current basketball refereeing system impartial and just?
• Does the NBA bear a responsibility to address social justice concerns like racial inequity and police brutality?

Soccer Topics

Invented in December 1863, soccer has evolved to become the world’s most famous sports. With millions of fans and clubs all over the world, soccer definitely has a lot in it that you can talk about literally forever. Here are some argumentative essay topics to consider for this one:

• Would the use of video assistant referee technology improve the accuracy and fairness of soccer matches?
• Should soccer players have the freedom to express their personal beliefs and political views while on the field?
• Does modern soccer focus on commercial gain and profit?
• Is it important for women’s soccer to receive equal recognition, funding, and media coverage?
• Can we use soccer as an effective tool for promoting international cooperation and cultural exchange?

Summer Sports Argumentative Essay Topics

Here are some summer sports argumentative essay topics worth looking at:

• Is it justifiable to prohibit the consumption of alcohol during the Tour de France?
• Should we prohibit martial arts or have it permitted solely for self-defense?
• Do athletes in team sports perceive their coaches differently based on their communication style?
• Does psychological resilience influence performance in open water swimming competitions?
• Is there a correlation between heat acclimatization and performance in triathlon races?

Winter Sports Argumentative Essay Topics

The following are some of the best winter sports argumentative essay topics you might find worth exploring in your next assignment:

• Is Cross Country Skiing the safest winter hobby?
• Are figure skating judges excessively demanding of participants?
• Can people do jumps from the springboard with deep snow cover?
• Should bobsleigh be taken more seriously as a sport?
• Is there a connection between snow quality and snowboarding injuries?
• Can virtual reality technology enhance downhill skiing training?
• How does altitude affect the performance of elite cross-country skiers?

NBA Argumentative Essay Topics

If you’ve chosen NBA as the sports around which you’d like to write an argumentative essay, here are some topic ideas to consider: 

• Are NBA All-Star games more entertaining to watch than Super Bowl events?
• Is Michael Jordan’s popularity unjustified according to some opinions?
• What are the arguments for and against enforcing player conduct policies in the NBA?
• Is the NBA taking advantage of young athletes by requiring them to complete one year of college before joining the league?
• Does the NBA have a role in promoting basketball on the international and domestic levels?
• Should the NBA permit players to express their political and social views during games and on social media?

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

• [email protected]

Sports Argumentative Essay Topics (Simple Titles)

Sports allow us to stay physically healthy, learn new abilities, and improve our emotional well-being. It has enhanced social contact and is a kind of enjoyment for the majority of people. Sports Argumentative Essay Topics focus on persuading and supporting particular viewpoints on sports via academic writing. It could encompass all dimensions of sports, including social, economic, and political implications of various sports.

It’s just as vital to choose a good topic as it is to generate captivating material. You must impress your instructor with the greatest argumentative essay ideas if you want to do well in school.

Here are some excellent topic suggestions for you in a variety of disciplines. Select an appropriate topic for your essay and begin the writing process.

Sports Argumentative Essay Topics

• Are video game players considered real athletes?
• Can teenagers be kept out of trouble by engaging in sports?
• Should girls and boys be able to engage in the same sports?
• Should professional athletes be allowed to use non-steroidal alternatives to steroids?
• Is cheerleading a sport for individuals?
• Baseball isn’t nearly as exciting as it once was.
• Do colleges spend a significant amount of money on sports programs?
• Student-athletes should be compensated for their participation.
• Sports betting should be prohibited.
• Alcohol and cigarette advertisements should not be broadcast during sporting events.
• Is the media portraying female athletes as sexual objects?
• All athletes should be drug tested before they can compete.
• Women should not be allowed to participate in extreme sports.
• The effects of bodybuilding on a woman’s body as she gets older.
• Is chess a game or a sport? Explain it in depth.

Sports, as one of the most engaging leisure sectors, contribute significantly to a student’s well-being, both physically and in terms of essay writing. Popular sports have been included into the school curriculum as part of the co-curricular program. Students may keep intellectually attentive and physically healthy by participating in sports. They’ve also assisted students in obtaining scholarships for their education.

With the industry’s rapid expansion, a slew of contentious problems have arisen. Among them are how athletic activities are conducted and what constitutes a sport.

These scandals have sparked a slew of heated debates. Sport is an element of the extracurricular activities at the school. As a result, writing about sports argumentative essay themes is quite acceptable. Students struggle to choose what to write about due to the wide variety of sports available throughout the world. For the sports fan, the decision is simple.

There are several sports argumentative essay topics to choose from. However, narrowing down the options might be tough. A student’s finest topic ideas are determined by their interests. Here are some suggested sample topics for you to consider.

• Using performance enhancing drugs should lead to exclusion from professional sports.
• Cheerleading as a competitive sport
• Negative perceptions that college players are illiterate
• The amount of money spent on college games is too much.
• Is marching band a sport?
• Creating a school-wide sports culture
• Health issues associated with student-athletes’ use of energy drinks
• Student-athletes should be compensated for their participation in sports.
• Why cheerleading should be included in the Olympics
• Permitting fights during hokey games.
• Football’s dangers to players
• Baseball’s popularity has waned over time.
• Where should we draw the line when it comes to selling the name rights to sports teams?
• Coaches’ treatment of players is not controlled by rules that are rigorous enough.
• Athletes who utilize steroids should surrender their medals.
• Legalizing sports betting everywhere is bad.
• Home-schooled students should be permitted to participate in public school athletics.
• Athletes’ sponsors and chosen owners receive the majority of their earnings.
• Should video games be considered sports?
• Should violent sports including wrestling and boxing be prohibited?
• Is it appropriate for women to participate in powerlifting?
• Why Colleges should invest more on wellness programs than in athletics.
• College football players should be paid.
• Why Parents should not let their kids to participate in football activities.
• Being gay in sports gets greater media and spectator attention.
• It is offensive for sports teams to use Native American mascots and names.
• Advertisements for tobacco and alcohol should not be shown during sporting events.

Engaging in athletics may help you maintain your physical condition as well as your mental health. Even if it’s only for fun, everyone should engage in athletic activities. It adds to the body’s overall wellness in more ways than one. Many countries rely heavily on sports to boost their economies. People have gotten into a lot of fights because of sports. These are solid arguments to use as the basis for your writings.

It is suggested that you choose an essay topic that you are enthusiastic about. Here are 25 sports argumentative essay themes on which you could wish to write an essay and do research to discover persuasive arguments.

Topics for Women in Sports

The media plays a vital role in ensuring that genders are represented equally in sports news. Do you agree with me?

• Should sports teams, referees, and coaches be split into gender groups?
• Do you think it’s fair and reasonable to split girls and males?
• Is it true that male sports have more supporters than female sports?
• Female athletes are more motivated by personal achievement than by personal progress.
• Should female athletes be given more training than male athletes?
• Do you feel that sports regulations should be changed to eliminate gender bias?
• Should sports be divided into categories based on gender?
• Should transgender people be permitted to play sports?

Argumentative Topics in Winter Sports

Winter sports refer to those games that take place on snow or ice. Skiing, ice skating, and sledding are the most popular of these activities. Traditionally, such activities have only existed in frigid climates with temperatures below freezing throughout the winter. Artificial snow and ice, on the other hand, allow events to be staged in practically any weather situation.

If you enjoy winter sports and wanted to write about them, consider the following essay topics:

• Why is The Winter Dew Tour bringing more snowboarding visitors to the United States?
• Why has the future of winter sports been jeopardized? Is climate change to blame for this?
• Is cross-country skiing the safest sport to participate in?
• Are the figure skating judges overbearing to the competitors?
• Why do hockey fans embrace the game’s brutality and combat?
• Is it feasible to do springboard jumps when there is a lot of snow?
• Why do many people believe North Korea has copied the Pyongyang Winter Olympics show?
• Why are winter clothing businesses thriving and expanding despite the crisis?
• What are the dangers of artificial snow in winter sports?
• Why we should not take Bobsleigh seriously.

Here are more Great Topic Ideas for Your Argumentative Essay.

• Basketball is currently losing popularity.
• Parents should not allow their children to play football because of traumatic events.
• Students who win sporting events should be compensated by universities.
• Cheerleading cannot be categorized as a sport.
• Coaches should check to see whether their players are using anabolic steroids.
• All people have the legal right to wager on sports online.
• Advertisements that encourage unhealthy habits like drinking and smoking are incompatible with sporting activities.
• Why Dog and other animal sports competitions should be banned in all places.
• Why Parents should not allow their children to participate in violent activities such as boxing.
• Powerlifting should only be a males-only sports.
• It is incorrect to classify video gaming as a sport.
• Sports may have both good and bad impacts on a person’s health.
• In any sport, teamwork is essential for success.
• All American institutions should require their students to play soccer.
• What are the steps to becoming a university’s top sports team?
• Soccer’s worldwide appeal can be attributed to a variety of factors.
• Is it appropriate for a coach to lose his cool in the middle of a game?
• Do you think of chess as a full-fledged sport similar to football or basketball?
• Is there any gender prejudice in sports?
• How important is the media in sporting events?
• Is there a method to avoid football injuries?
• Does stress affect all athletes, and if so, how can it be avoided?
• It is difficult to have a successful athletic career and a personal life at the same time.
• Professional sports are more than a pastime; they are a way of life.
• Professional athletes have a variety of chronic health issues.

There may be only a few of the argumentative essay topics to consider depending on your subject area. Sports is among the most controversial essay subjects, and it is ideally suited to the argumentative essay type. Choose a topic that interests you and write a well-structured essay that demonstrates why your point of view is correct. You can let the reader know of all possible viewpoints, offer “for” and “against” reasons for each, and end the essay such that no one is left in doubt about your stance.

I hope the list of ideas above will assist you in coming up with sports debate themes. Choose one of the five topics from the list that you are most familiar with. Remember that the issue should be well-researched so that you can back up your claim with proof. You may always resort to pros who have written hundreds of argumentative essays if you don’t have enough time or writing abilities. As a result, forget about tension and simply let your thoughts flow!

Argumentative Sports Essay Outline

1. introduction for sports essay.

As expected, the introduction is the first paragraph of your essay. As a result, it must grab the audience’s interest and attention.

In addition, the beginning should excite the reader to read the body of the essay.

An introduction has two essential components.

1. General claim

2. Thesis statement

General claim

The broad statement’s primary goal is to provide background information about the issue to the reader.  This material should pique the reader’s curiosity in the subject.

A general statement MUST begin with a general overview of the topic and progress to a specific statement of the primary concept.

The thesis statement is the fundamentally the central idea of an essay. Its   purpose is to introduce the essay’s core concept.

Oftentimes, the thesis is written in the last the introduction.

Sample Topic: Basketball and Football are similar in many ways

General statement would look like something below:

For several millennia, sports have been played all throughout the world. There are several sports to choose from. Some of them are performed solo, while others are played in groups. Furthermore, some sports, such as basketball and football, are quite popular and give several benefits to anybody who participates in them.

Here is what to watch!

The explanation progresses from broad to specific issues about the topic.

Sentences need to be logically connected. This section prepares the reader for the main topic.

Thesis statement

The statement below could be your thesis statement:

Basketball and football share a lot of similarities, but they also have a lot of differences in other multiple ways.

The statement is specific because it shows a position about the topic. This will then guide the body paragraphs of the essay.

3. Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs can be as long as your essay prompt requires. If your essay is longer than 850 words, it will need more than 5 paragraphs.

4. Conclusion

The conclusion of an argumentative sports essay is the last paragraph. It will restate the thesis, list the supporting statements, and add a general personal view. Concluding an argumentative essay should leave the reader with a clear position the writer has taken regarding the topic.

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Win the Debate - Writing An Effective Argumentative Essay About Sports

Published on: Mar 1, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

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Are you searching for a way to score that winning point in the classroom? 

Are you wanting to take your sports knowledge and turn it into an impressive argumentative essay? 

Well, look no further - we have the perfect guide on how to win the debate through effective argumentation! 

This post will provide tips on how crafting an argumentative paper around sports can help you ace your next assignment. 

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Why Do We Write an Argumentative Essay About Sports?

Argumentative essays are meant to demonstrate a student's ability to think critically.

When writing about sports, you can use an argumentative paper as a way of exploring the different sides of any issue. 

This could include debates on rules changes, the impact of technology in sports, or the role of sports in society. 

By delving into these topics, you will be able to learn more about the topic. This way you  can make an informed argument for your side. 

Check out this amazing blog on argumentative essay outline to craft perfect outlines.

Examples of Argumentative Essay About Sports

Before you start writing your argumentative essay, it's a good idea to check out some example essays. 

This will give you an idea of what to write and the structure of a high-scoring paper. 

Here is a sample written by our experts. 

Here are some great examples by CollegeEssay.org: 

argumentative essay about team sports

argumentative essay about college sports

argumentative essay on sports should be compulsory in schools

argumentative essay about sports and physical activities

What are the benefits of playing sports essay

Check our extensive blog on argumentative essay examples to ace your next essay!

Examples of Persuasive Essay About Sports 

Sports persuasive essay is a form of argumentative writing that presents the writer’s opinion on a certain sports topic. 

The topics can cover anything from professional sports to health issues related to sports, to ethics in sports, and more. 

Writing an effective persuasive essay requires research, organization, and passion. 

Below are some examples of persuasive essays about sports that you can use as inspiration.

Persuasive essay about sports

Persuasive essay about sportsmanship

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Best Argumentative Essay About Sports Topics

Choosing a good argumentative essay topic can be a daunting task. 

But with the right approach and focus, you can easily find one that is both interesting and relevant to your paper.

Here are some of the best sports argumentative essay topics for you to consider: 

• Should student-athletes receive special privileges? 
• Are professional sports teams more important than amateur ones? 
• Should there be greater regulation of doping in professional sports? 
• Is it ethical to pay athletes so much money? 
• Should college athletes be paid for their participation in sports? 
• How can we prevent injuries in youth sports? 
• Are video games an effective way to teach sports skills? 
• Should the use of performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in professional sports? 
• Is it important to have gender equality in sports? 
• How can we encourage more girls and women to participate in sports? 

Check our comprehensive blog on argumentative essay topics to get more topic ideas!

How to Choose an Argumentative Essay Topic?

When choosing an argumentative essay topic, there are some things to consider. 

• Make sure the topic is something you're passionate about or interested in.
• Research your topic thoroughly and make sure it's current and relevant to today's society.
• Consider both sides of the argument when selecting a topic.
• Ensure that there is enough evidence available for your chosen topic to make a convincing argument.
• Choose an argumentative essay topic that you can easily defend.
• Make sure the topic is not too broad or too narrow to fit within your essay's scope.
• With the right topic and approach, you will be able to write a compelling persuasive essay that engages readers.

Check out this video about selecting the right argumentative essay topic.

In conclusion, 

Argumentative essay writing about sports can be a great way to explore and discuss important topics in today’s society. 

With the right topic and approach, you can easily make an informed argument for your side.

Discover excellence with our professional essay writing service , where we deliver top-quality essays for all academic needs. Our team of expert writers ensures your essays are handled with utmost professionalism.

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Playing to Win: Using Sports to Develop Evidence-Based Arguments

By Jeremy Engle

• Feb. 7, 2019

Sports is not just about X’s and O’s or wins and losses; it’s also about ethics and economics, race and gender, science and technology, joy and camaraderie, and nearly everything in between. Sports allows us to admire the awesomeness of the human body and the artistry of athletes in action, and to explore stories of grit and resilience and our need for heroes and villains.

While it might not be immediately obvious to all teachers, particularly those who aren’t die-hard fans, sports is also an endless source of inspiration for making arguments and throwing down facts.

In this lesson, we explore how to use the world of sports to help students effectively develop evidence-based arguments. We suggest three categories for practicing the skill in sports contexts — from making a case for the G.O.A.T. to taking on current sports-world controversies to proposing rule changes to make a sport or tournament better. We end the lesson with a few strategies for bringing debate and argument writing alive in the classroom.

Do you teach with sports reporting? We’d love to hear your ideas. Post a comment or write to [email protected].

1. Make a Case for the G.O.A.T.

Who is the G.O.A.T.?

No, not those cute animals with the horns and the beard. The Greatest of All Time.

No matter how seemingly impossible it is to determine the G.O.A.T., it is a perennial favorite argument for sports fans and is debated regularly in The New York Times.

The G.O.A.T. argument comes in many forms: Best Game, Best Season , Best Coach , Best Team , Greatest Upset , Greatest Olympian . Even best and worst sports cities.

But how do you decide: Is it the accomplishments on the playing field or is it a player’s greater impact beyond his or her sport? How do you compare one era to another?

Is Tom Brady the greatest football player of all time? Who would you pick, Michael Jordan or LeBron James? Is Serena Williams the greatest athlete of all time? Or is it Muhammad Ali?

Jesse Owens won four gold medals in the Berlin Olympics in 1936, broke or equaled nine Olympic records, also set three world records and single-handedly shattered Adolf Hitler’s myth of Aryan superiority; yet his record mark of 10.3 seconds in the 100 meters would today be 21 feet behind Usain Bolt’s record of 9.58. Would it be more fair to incorporate broader cultural accomplishments? Or should the Greatest of All Time focus solely on the numbers?

Student Challenge: Make your case for the G.O.A.T.

First, ask your students to decide which aspect of the G.O.A.T. debate they would like to tackle: greatest play, season, game, coach, athlete, et cetera.

Next, they should define their criteria for greatness: Does greatest mean the player you want to be up at bat in the seventh game of the World Series, two outs in the bottom of the ninth? Is it instead the number of an athlete’s victories? His or her longevity? The relative strength of the competition? The athlete’s impact within, as well as beyond, the sport?

Advance Evidence-Based Arguments and Tackle Counterarguments

Use a model text or two to help students move from mere assertion or opinion to rigorous, evidence-based argument. Here are a few excerpts to highlight how authors both support claims with evidence and anticipate counterarguments:

In “ Is Russell Westbrook’s Season the Best Ever? Some Apples and Oranges to Pick From ,” Jeré Longman supports his claims with evidence using sports statistics:

Westbrook’s season, while awesome, is not the greatest in N.B.A. history. That belongs to none other than Wilt Chamberlain in 1961-62 with the Philadelphia Warriors. Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds that season and (this may be the greatest stat in all of sports) 48.5 minutes played per game. Regulation games last 48 minutes, but the Warriors played seven games that extended for at least one period of overtime. During that 80-game regular season, Chamberlain played 3,882 of Philadelphia’s possible 3,890 minutes. On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain famously scored 100 points against the Knicks, but that was only the culmination of a four-game stretch in which he scored 67, 65 and 61 points in the three previous games, according to basketball-reference.com. All told, he scored at least 60 points 15 times that season, including a stunning performance on Dec. 8, 1961, against the Lakers, in which Chamberlain delivered 78 points and 43 rebounds.

In “ It’s Time to Appreciate Serena Williams’s Greatness ,” Christopher Clarey anticipates counterarguments:

In light of that and Williams’s enduring excellence, there is momentum building behind the concept of deeming her the greatest player ever. It is a subjective process, one in which it is always tempting to give too much weight to the great champion in front of you, the one whose victory under pressure is freshest in your mind. What is beyond dispute is that Williams has not been nearly as consistent in regular tour events during her career as players like Navratilova, Chris Evert and Graf. Navratilova won 167 singles titles as well as 177 doubles titles in an era when doubles was much more prestigious than now. Evert won 154 singles titles. Graf, who did not play as long as Williams has played, won 107. Williams, for the moment, has 67, which puts her in a tie for sixth on the career list with Billie Jean King. … But if “greatest” means the player who would have beaten all the rest at their peaks, it is hard not to feel a strong pull in Williams’s direction. Her power serving and her serving under pressure are weapons that no other great player has possessed to the same degree. Modern equipment is certainly a factor, but she is also complete off the ground and, guided by her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, improving her volleys, overheads and tactical variations.

Together, the class might analyze how these authors develop their case for G.O.A.T., for example, by defining their terms for greatness, providing evidence to support claims and anticipating and then considering potential counterclaims.

Here are additional resources, from The Times, and elsewhere, that can provide alternative mentor texts:

The Fine Line: What Makes Simone Biles the World’s Best Gymnast Eliud Kipchoge Is the Greatest Marathoner, Ever On Team of All-Time Greats, Pelé Shines Brightest Golden State Warriors Are Closing In on History Lindsey Vonn to Retire: Vonn Leaves as the Greatest Women’s Skier in History G.O.A.T. Athletes: The Definitive List | Complex.com Babe Didrikson, the Greatest Female Athlete of All Time? | The Guardian Major League Baseball: The Case for Babe Ruth as the Best Ever | Bleacher Report Tom Brady Has Surpassed Joe Montana as the G.O.A.T . | ESPN’s First Take (Video) LeBron James Has Already Passed Michael Jordan as Greatest Player | Fox Sports - Undisputed (Video)

Ultimately, there is no right answer to the G.O.A.T. question. To some, Jesse Owens will always be the G.O.A.T. for his cultural impact; for others, Bill Russell’s 11 N.B.A. championships will trump all other measures. But that is the beauty of the debate. And in the end, it’s about the power of the argument to persuade others — at least for that day — who is the Greatest of All Time.

2. Debate a Current Sports Controversy

Should athletes who use steroids be barred from professional sports? Should players have the right to kneel during the national anthem? Should college athletes be paid?

These are just a few of the countless debates that come and go in the world of sports. Any one of them is ripe for students to investigate and debate to practice their inquiry and argument skills.

In this section we present three sports-related case studies to demonstrate how students can develop good research questions, assert a strong claim and study mentor texts as a way to improve their debate writing and speaking skills. And these three topics are just the tip of the iceberg; at the end of the section, we suggest another 11 current issues in sports for students to explore. And we’re confident your students would have plenty more topics to add to our list.

Case Study #1. Sports and Concussions

Sports are often associated with heroism — endurance, toughness, and valor. It has long been assumed that an athlete will have to make physical sacrifices to achieve greatness. But the sacrifice is now being questioned because of changes in our understanding of the impact sports can have on our bodies and minds.

The brain trauma sustained in football and other contact sports is now linked to long-term cognitive impairment, including memory loss, confusion, depression and dementia. Although media coverage of concussions has focused on tackle football, these health issues are evident in many other sports like hockey , soccer , basketball , Nascar , skiing , snowboarding and BMX freestyle , among others.

The debate is not merely academic; it is causing significant changes to our understanding of athletes and athletics and is threatening the future viability of some of the world’s most popular sports.

Develop Winning Questions

Research generally begins with asking good questions. Even a topic as seemingly straight forward as sports-related concussions has many layers of complexity. So students should begin their research by asking themselves: What about this topic interests me most? What do I want to learn more about?

For example, if they want to start with the science, they might generate questions like: What is the impact of a single concussion ? What is the long-term impact of brain trauma? What is the degenerative brain disease C.T.E.? And what is the impact of concussions on youths ?

Or they may instead decide to investigate the role equipment plays, look into possible reforms or consider ethical implications. If they decide to go in any of these directions, they might come up with questions like: How do concussions affect athletes’ short- and long-term physical and mental health? How does this affect the people around them ? What is the role of equipment in brain trauma? Can equipment reduce concussions or does it give players a false sense of security , therefore making the problem worse? Should parents let their children play football ? Or are we obsessing about the dangers ? Should we as fans still watch football ?

No matter what question or questions students start with, research inevitably leads to asking more questions.

Some other relevant resources:

110 N.F.L. Brains. All But One Had C.T.E. A Football Player’s Descent Into Pain and Paranoia Anatomy of a Traditional Football Helmet Concussions Can Occur in All Youth Sports Canadian Football’s Big Steps to Reduce Hits, a Contrast to the N.F.L.

Case Study #2. National Anthem Protests

Political activism and protests by athletes are nothing new. Muhammad Ali publicly criticized the Vietnam War . John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised fists during a medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics. Following the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the other members of the Miami Heat posted a photo of themselves wearing hooded sweatshirts in his memory. But perhaps no act of political protest today is more polarizing than the stance by Colin Kaepernick to kneel during the national anthem at N.F.L. games.

If students want to argue a position related to recent national anthem protests, they should start by asking a question. For example, should athletes have the right to kneel during the national anthem? Or are athletes who protest being patriotic or unpatriotic? As students do research, they will gather evidence that will support a position. Once they find enough compelling evidence, they are ready to assert a claim (or thesis or resolution).

Assert a Claim

In small groups or as a whole class, students can debate one or more claims that were generated by students — or the teacher. After they have the opportunity to test their arguments with their peers and hear other points of view, they can write up their argument as an essay or editorial.

Below are a few possible resolutions that students can affirm or negate, with related articles below.

Resolution 1: The N.F.L. has the right to demand that its players stand during the national anthem.

Surprise! The N.F.L. National Anthem Problem Is Not Going Away. N.F.L. Anthem Policy Bound to Please Only the N.F.L. Trump Supports N.F.L.’s New National Anthem Policy Dolphins Policy Says Players Could Be Suspended for Anthem Protests

Resolution 2: Colin Kaepernick is a hero.

Why Kaepernick Takes the Knee This Time, Colin Kaepernick Takes a Stand by Kneeling The Awakening of Colin Kaepernick The Deafening Silence of Colin Kaepernick Colin Kaepernick’s Nike Campaign Keeps N.F.L. Anthem Kneeling in Spotlight

Resolution 3: Schools have the right to suspend student-athletes who protest during their games.

Protest Started by Colin Kaepernick Spreads to High School Students High School Students Explain Why They Protest Anthems and Pledges High Schools Threaten to Punish Students Who Kneel During Anthem High School Students Kicked Off Football Team After Protesting During National Anthem

Resolution 4: Athletes who are politically active are a distraction to their teams and should stick to competing in their sport.

In 2017, Many Athletes Found Their Voices Should Athletes Stick to Sports? Colin Kaepernick and the Myth of the ‘Good’ Protest

Case Study #3. Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Cheating has always existed in sports: spitballs in baseball; weighted gloves in boxing; stealing another team’s signs. Players are always looking for an edge , but perhaps none is more contentious and troubling than the edge that performance-enhancing drugs provide — steroids, human growth hormone, blood doping.

Some of sports’ most celebrated athletes have been caught using PEDs: for example, the cyclist Lance Armstrong , the gold-medal runner Marion Jones , the tennis champion Maria Sharapova and the Ultimate Fighting Championship star Jon Jones . In 2018, the entire Russian Winter Olympic team was barred from competing for doping violations.

Let’s say students have already generated their research questions related to the topic of performance-enhancing drugs in sports, they have done initial research, and they have asserted a claim they plan to defend in writing. What else can they do before they start typing to get an edge?

Study the Pros

Analyzing mentor texts can help students identify how writers build arguments using claims, reasons and supporting details, and they can help students see how to develop effective counterarguments as well.

Here are excerpts from two Opinion essays offering opposing viewpoints to the question: Should known steroid users be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?

In “ Keep Rose, Bond and Clemens Out of the Baseball Hall of Fame ,” Bijan C. Bayne makes the case for why Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, two statistical heavyweights in the sport, should not be inducted into the Hall of Fame:

Bonds and Clemens … sealed their own Hall of Fame fates. Bonds has said he didn’t know what was in ointments and injections he received — the “clear” and the “cream” — or that they contained steroids. Bonds insults our intelligence by feigning ignorance. World-class athletes know how many grams of protein are in a six ounce portion of salmon. Why would he use these substances without knowing their purpose? While some might say that performance-enhancing drugs don’t enhance the hand-eye coordination that made him great even before he seems to have started using them, they do produce stronger, larger muscles that facilitate quicker reaction times. Larger muscles also increase hitting power. And these drugs allow for faster recovery times after the fatigue of weight training and aid athletic endurance.

Zev Chafets argues the other side in “ Let Steroids Into the Hall of Fame ”:

Purists say that steroids alter the game. But since the Hall opened its doors, baseball has never stopped changing. Batters now wear body padding and helmets. The pitcher’s mound has risen and fallen. Bats have more pop. Night games affect visibility. Players stay in shape in the off-season. Expansion has altered the game’s geography. And its demography has changed beyond recognition. Babe Ruth never faced a black pitcher. As Chris Rock put it, Ruth’s record consisted of “714 affirmative-action home runs.” This doesn’t diminish Ruth’s accomplishment, but it puts it into context.

After reading these different points of view, students can brainstorm a list of strengths and weaknesses in each article and in each writer’s argument. Which argument is more effective? Convincing? Memorable? What elements are fact versus opinion? When is opinion most appropriate in an argument? Are there any aspects of either article that seem weak? Why? What might make these arguments stronger?

Together, the class can create a list of dos and don’ts for building an argument. For example, “DO: support your ideas with relevant statistics.” Or, “DON’T: assume your reader will agree with your viewpoint.”

For students researching this topic, here are just a few of the many related resources in The Times and elsewhere:

Some other relevant resources

Should Doping Be Allowed? Testing Levels the Playing Field How to Fight Doping in Sports Would legal doping level playing field? A Voice of Skepticism on the Impact of Steroids There Are No Sound Moral Arguments Against Performance-Enhancing Drugs Performance-enhancing drugs: Know the risks | Mayo Clinic Why Cheating in Sports Is Prevalent — and We Can’t Stop It | Forbes Magazine The Steroid Problem, and How to Fix It | Sports Illustrated Kids

Other Current Debates in Sports

We have provided three possible case studies above to explore, but there are innumerable questions to research, discuss and debate. Here is an additional list of 11 questions. And of course, students can suggest their own topics.

Should Every Young Athlete Get a Trophy? Should Character Matter in Pro Sports? Is It Wrong to Let Children Do Extreme Sports? Should College Athletes Be Paid? Should Gambling on Sporting Events Be Legal? Should Male and Female Athletes Be Paid the Same? Is Technology Helping or Hurting Sports? Is the 3-Point Basket Ruining Basketball? Is Horse Racing Ethical? Are Advanced Statistics Helping or Hurting Sports? Should Offensive Team Names and Mascots Be Ended?

3. Propose a Needed Change

Asking students to question the status quo in the world of sports doesn’t only help them strengthen their argument writing and speaking skills, but it can also strengthen their creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

A. Propose a New Sport for the Olympics

We have all played or watched sports. But what exactly is a sport?

What is the difference between a sport and a hobby? Is fishing a sport? How about poker? What about E-sports? Should the top players of League of Legends be considered athletes? And if so, would they be in the same class as LeBron James?

How about chess?

Don’t answer too quickly; chess is recognized as a sport in 107 countries. Poker is broadcast on ESPN.

Define Your Terms

An essential aspect of making an effective argument is the need to be clear and precise in defining terms. We discussed earlier about how one defines G.O.A.T. frames the entire “greatest of all time” debate. The same can be said for defining terms like “performance-enhancing drugs” in the debate about steroids or “patriotic” in the discussion about national anthem protests. When it comes to deciding what should or should not be considered a sport, or an Olympic sport, defining the term “sport” is essential.

Students might begin by reading the following articles and then designing their own criteria for what is or isn’t a sport:

Are Video Games a Sport Born on Sideline, Cheering Clamors to Be Sport Competitive Bridge Is Not a Sport, a British Court Rules

Student Challenge: Make a formal argument to the International Olympic Committee to add or delete a sport.

The fight over which sports get to be featured in the Olympics sheds light on the continuing societal question, “What is a sport?” Currently, there are 28 summer and 15 winter Olympic sports. (See the full list of sports here .) Did you know life saving is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a sport (though, as Victor Mather writes, “that doesn’t mean it will take its place in the Summer Games alongside venerable sports like track, basketball and synchronized swimming”).

Students can begin their research with the following examples:

Are Video Games Olympic Material? Some Boosters Say Yes The Olympics Would Be Better With a Breakdancing Competition. Discuss. Great Moments in Cheerleading: Could the Olympics Be Next? Too Many Olympic Events, or Not Enough?

Next, students should pick one Olympic sport to add or delete. They should then prepare an argument to support this proposal.

In making their case, students should compare the sports they are proposing to existing Olympic sports, and provide criteria for assessing those comparisons.

In his Room for Debate opinion essay “ Drop the Sliding Sports ,” Robert K. Barney writes:

Are there some winter sports that should be dropped? It may be perceived by many as blasphemous, but I have always had a difficult time in equating the demonstrated lack of athletic qualities in winter sliding sports, like bobsled, luge and skeleton, that depend more on technology and less on athleticism with those sports that reflect the epitome of strength, agility, endurance and strategy (nordic and Alpine skiing, speed and figure skating, and so on).

B. Propose a Rule Change

Rules are essential for any game or sport, yet they change all the time. How basketball is played can vary greatly from state to state. Every few years, it seems, the National Football League changes what qualifies as a catch and a legal tackle , alternately confusing and infuriating players and fans alike.

Student Challenge: Propose a rule change to improve the game.

For inspiration, students might read some of these proposed changes — big and small, practical as well as fantastical — from the pages of The Times before making a pitch for their own rule changes.

Baseball’s Too Slow. Here’s How You Fix It. Penalty-Kick Shootouts Are a World Cup Abomination In a Hole, Golf Considers Digging a Wider One Still Questioning the Best-of-Five Format in Men’s Tennis Drivers, Start Your Calculators: Nascar Introduces New Scoring System Room for Debate: Raise the Rim

Consider the Proposal From All Sides

Whether you want to raise the basketball rim by six inches or triple the size of a golf hole, you’ll need to consider how the change would affect the sport from all angles. In guiding their research for the development of their proposal, students should keep in mind the following questions:

• What are some weaknesses of the current game? (e.g., amount of scoring, length or speed of the game, popularity, and ratings) • What are the causes of the weakness? (e.g., tradition, the age of the fan base, technology) • What are some possible solutions? • How hard would it be to put the rule change in place? • What might be the drawbacks or unintended consequences of your game change? • How might purists or other critics respond to your rule change? How might you try to persuade them to join your side?

In “ Penalty-Kick Shootouts Are a World Cup Abomination ,” Rob Hughes passionately states a perceived problem in the current game of soccer:

The penalty shootout is an abomination. It reduces a team sport to a contrived tiebreaker that obliges physically tired and emotionally drained players to step up one by one, trudge half the length of the field and try to shoot down the opponent’s goalkeeper from 12 yards. ...Júlio César Soares de Espíndola — to give him his full title — guessed correctly and dove the right way to save the first two penalty kicks against him. He then was beaten twice. Finally, Júlio César just got plain lucky when Gonzalo Jara fired Chile’s fifth penalty beyond his reach, but against the post. From that twist of fate, that misplacement by inches, Brazil’s hope of winning the World Cup for the sixth time in its illustrious history remains on track. Two hundred million hearts in Brazil can beat again. Chile can go home across the Andes, defeated not by two hours of soccer, but by the lottery of shootouts that have their proper place alongside fairground games such as knocking over targets at a dozen paces.

Later, Mr. Hughes considers some solutions to the problem:

The old solution used to be that tied games were replayed, but in today’s crowded schedules, expediency demands that the result is decided on that day. FIFA tried the toss of a coin and had rejected a brighter idea from the now defunct North American Soccer League. The N.A.S.L. of the 1970s had, to my mind, a fairer option. It required an outfield player to run with the ball from 35 yards out, giving him five seconds to score and allowing the goalkeeper to advance toward the player. That at least contained more skills than the single shot of a nervous, fatigued individual.

No matter what rule they focus on, students should be clear to state the problem with the status quo and support their claim with details. Then they should propose a solution and explain why it would help to eliminate, or at least improve, the problem with the current rule.

Argument and Debate Teaching Ideas

Below, we provide a few possible ways students can build their argument writing and speaking skills and demonstrate those skills in front of an audience:

A. Write an Editorial

Have your students pick a sports-related issue that matters to them, such as inequity in pay for female athletes, and then write an evidence-based persuasive essay like the editorials The New York Times publishes every day. They can practice all year, but save their best work to submit in our annual Student Editorial Contest. (See our contest calendar for more details.) Each year we select 10 winners along with dozens of runners-up and honorable mentions from thousands of submissions.

Here are some sports-related editorials from the New York Times Editorial Board that can serve as mentor texts (in addition to our winning editorials from past years):

The Corruption at the Heart of March Madness Rein In Online Fantasy Sports Gambling What Time Is the A.F.C. Championship Game? The Scars From ‘Bell-Ringing’ Football Tackles Who Gets to Race as a Woman? Special Olympics Takes On the World

Additional Resources for Writing Editorials

Student Writing Models | Winning Student Editorials . Lesson Plan | Persuading an Audience Using Logos, Pathos and Ethos Lesson Plan | For the Sake of Argument: Writing Persuasively to Craft Short, Evidence-Based Editorials Lesson Plan | I Don’t Think So: Writing Effective Counterarguments

B. Have a Debate

There are many ways to hold formal and informal debates. Here are a few popular formats:

Lincoln-Douglas Debate: In this formal debate format, arguments are divided into timed segments and go back and forth between the “pro” and the “con” sides, with teams presenting arguments, providing evidence to support arguments and offering rebuttals. See our 2004 lesson Weighing the War for more details about this format.

Roundtable Discussion: Students take on the role of experts and engage in a talk show-style debate similar to the discussion format on such TV shows as “Meet the Press.”

Tournament Brackets: Students hold a research- and debate-based “tournament” to determine the “winners” of each round, until a final winner is declared.

Structured Academic Controversy: Pairs assigned to each position research and then present their argument to a pair that is assigned the opposing side. The debate follows these steps: Identify the argument; present the argument; restate the argument; discuss opinions; share conclusions; debrief the exercise. See our lesson On ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’: Debating a Proposed Repeal for more details about this format.

Moving Debate: After preparing for a debate on an assigned topic, students are arranged in the room in three sections: agree, disagree and neutral/unsure. The debate proceeds with “members” of each section taking turns to make arguments for their position and ask questions of others. As they are beginning to question, refine or change their positions (even momentarily so), they physically move to the sections of the room that reflect their mind-set. See the civics section of our lesson Preserve, Protect and Defend? Considering Violent Protests and American Values for more details about this format.

Other resources

Constructing Arguments: ‘Room for Debate’ and the Common Core Standards Reader Idea | Using Room for Debate to Teach Argumentative Writing and Discussion Skills Winners of Our Student Contest Featured in a Special Room for Debate Post Reader Idea | Debates on Persuasive Language That Extend Outside of Class

C. Use Our Daily Student Opinion Prompts

Of all the resources we publish on The Learning Network, perhaps it’s our vast collection of writing prompts that is our most widely used resource for teaching and learning with The Times.

So scroll through the sports-related prompts below and see which ones most inspire you to take a stand. Each question comes from our daily Student Opinion feature, and each provides links to free Times resources for finding more information.

Are Some Youth Sports Too Intense? Should There Be Stricter Rules About How Coaches Treat Their Players? Do Sports Teams Have a Responsibility to Hold Players to a Standard for Their Personal Conduct? Should College Athletes Be Paid? Should Colleges Fund Wellness Programs Instead of Sports? Do Fans Put Too Much Pressure on Their Favorite Professional Athletes? How Much Should Fans Be Allowed to Distract Opposing Teams? Has Baseball Lost Its Cool? Should Women’s Basketball Lower the Rims? Is It Offensive for Sports Teams to Use Native American Names and Mascots? Should Technology in Sports Be Limited?

D. Create A Public Service Announcement

There are many ways to present an argument; while many of our previous examples focus on writing and speaking, visual thinking is also important. Public service announcements can be both fun and a challenging way for students to take a stance on an issue and to creatively persuade audiences.

Students can begin with traditional forms of research and then identify an issue or stance they want to take before envisioning their P.S.A. They can then plan, storyboard, rehearse, record and edit a 30- or 60-second video including a tagline and message.

To start, students should view and analyze professional sports public service announcements to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the form. You can use these professional PSAs as models:

Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality NFL Players & Coaches Stand Together to Cure ALS NFL Players’ Concussion PSA: Be Man Enough to Admit When You’re Hurt PSA Youth Concussions UEFA’s Anti-racism Resolution Thierry Henry Stand UP, Speak UP Commercial

As a class, analyze and discuss: What is a public service announcement? How is it different from a commercial? What is the message of the P.S.A.? Who is the target audience? What video and audio elements were used? How did these elements strengthen the message? How effective was the P.S.A.? How might you improve it?

After identifying their issue or question and conducting research, students can begin planning their public service announcement.

Here are some process steps to consider:

• Determine a clear message. • Identify a target audience. • Develop a tagline or slogan. • Brainstorm video (stills, graphics, performers) and audio (narration, voice-over, music, sound effects) elements you will use to convey your message. • Storyboard your PSA. • Rehearse. • Record. • Edit.

Do you teach with sports reporting? We’d love to hear more about how. Write to [email protected], or post a comment here.

Argumentative Essay

Argumentative Essay About Sports

Last updated on: Mar 25, 2024

How to Write an Argumentative Essay About Sports: Tips Included

By: Barbara P.

Reviewed By: Caleb S.

Published on: Mar 6, 2023

Writing argumentative essays can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to topics related to sports. 

You have to make sure you present your argument in an organized and convincing way, while the facts remain accurate. 

It's easy for readers to spot errors or inconsistencies in argumentative essays about sports. 

To solve this problem, MyPerfectPaper.net has come up with a solution!

In this guide, we will help you craft a winning argumentative essay on sports with ease! 

We'll show you how to research your topic effectively, structure your argument logically, and use evidence from reliable sources. 

With this guide, writing an argumentative essay about sports won't seem so intimidating anymore!

Let's dive in!

On this Page

Why Write an Argumentative Essay About Sports?

Argumentative essays about sports are a great way to explore passion and excitement. It comes with being a fan of any professional sport. 

From playing football to basketball, argumentative essays can allow you to share your feelings. You can argue about why you think one team is better than another or pros and cons of a particular event. 

Writing argumentative essays about sports also allows you to explore the history of a sport and its impact on society. 

You can use argumentative essays about sports to discuss points like:

• How different teams or events have shaped popular culture 
• How World Cups influenced legislation
• How participation in sports affects student athlete’s lives.

Finally, argumentative essays are a great way to practice your critical thinking skills. 

Enhance your argumentative writing skills with our comprehensive argumentative essay guide.

Writing argumentative essays requires you to assess both sides of an argument and make a compelling argument for one side. This is a great way to stretch your analytical skills and hone your writing abilities! 

Explore our samples to see what argumentative essays about sports might look like!

Argumentative essay about team sports

Argumentative essay about sports in school

Argumentative essay about sports injuries

Argumentative essay about extreme sports

Argumentative essay on sports should be compulsory in schools

Argumentative essay about sports and Politics

Argumentative essay about college sports

What are the benefits of playing sports essay

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Examples of Persuasive Essay About Sports

Before you start researching and writing your argumentative essay about sports. It can be helpful to look at a few examples of persuasive essays. 

Here are a few argumentative essay examples  to get you started: 

Persuasive essay about sports

Persuasive essay about sportsmanship

Be sure to check out our blog of argumentative essay examples for some creative and inspiring ideas.

Best Argumentative Essay About Sports Topics

The best argumentative essay topics are those that tap into people's passions and interests. 

Here are some popular sports argumentative essay topics to consider: 

• Should college athletes be paid? 
• Is it ethical for professional athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs?
• Is boxing a sport or a form of violence? 
• Should the Olympics include video games as an event? 
• Is cheerleading considered as a sport? 
• Do professional leagues have an obligation to make sports safer for their players? 
• Are high school sports programs important enough to receive special funding? 
• Is it ethical to pay college athletes differently based on gender?  
• Should sports betting be legalized? 
• Is it possible for professional athletes to be good role models? 

Seeking more argumentative essay topics that will keep your readers engaged? Our blog has a variety of ideas to choose from!

Argumentative Essay Topics About Athletes

• Should athletes be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs to improve their performance?
• Are professional male athletes overpaid compared to their female counterparts?
• Should athletes be held responsible for being role models to the younger generation?
• Should college athletes be paid for their participation in sports?
• Should athletes be allowed to participate in contact sports with the risk of long-term brain injuries?
• Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete in sports according to their gender identity?
• Should athletes be encouraged or discouraged from using their platform to engage in political activism?
• Should there be age limits for athletes in professional sports leagues?
• Are current anti-doping measures effective in maintaining fair competition among athletes?
• Has the commercialization of sports negatively impacted the integrity of athletic competition?

How to Choose an Argumentative Essay Topic?

Now that you've seen some argumentative essay topics about sports, it's time to narrow down your choices. Pick the one that is perfect for you. 

Here are a few tips on how to choose an argumentative essay topic: 

• Think About What Would Interest You Most – Choosing a topic that interests you will make writing your argumentative essay about sports more enjoyable and much easier. 
• Consider the Audience – Who are you addressing with your argumentative essay? Make sure the argument you make is relevant to the people who will be reading it. 
• Research Thoroughly – Do your research on any argumentative essay topic before settling on one. Make sure you have enough evidence to support your argument and that the argument is compelling. 
• Be Creative – Argumentative essays about sports don't have to be boring! Think of an original argument or perspective on a topic that hasn't been discussed yet. 

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Tips For Writing An Effective Essay

When it comes to writing an effective essay, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Here are some valuable tips for writing an effective essay:

• Understand the Prompt

Carefully read and comprehend the essay prompt or question. Ensure that you have a clear understanding of what is being asked before you start writing. If you have any doubts, seek clarification from your instructor or professor.

• Plan and Organize

Before diving into writing, create a solid plan and outline for your essay. Organize your thoughts and structure your essay in a logical manner. This will help you maintain a coherent flow of ideas throughout your essay.

• Conduct Thorough Research

Gather relevant and credible information to support your arguments. Use a variety of sources such as books, scholarly articles, reputable websites, and academic databases. Ensure that your research is up-to-date and provides a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

• Develop a Strong Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement should clearly state your argument or main point. It serves as a roadmap for your essay and guides your readers on what to expect. Make sure your thesis statement is concise, specific, and arguable.

• Provide Strong Evidence

Back up your arguments with reliable evidence. This can include statistics, research findings, expert opinions, examples, anecdotes, or historical facts. Ensure that your evidence is relevant, accurate, and effectively supports your claims.

• Consider Counterarguments

Acknowledge and address counterarguments to strengthen your essay's credibility. Anticipate opposing viewpoints and present a compelling rebuttal to showcase your understanding of the topic.

• Write with Clarity and Conciseness

Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas effectively. Avoid unnecessary jargon, complex sentence structures, and excessive wordiness.

• Revise and Edit

Take the time to revise and edit your essay. Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure that your sentences are well-structured and coherent.

Take some time to watch the video to compose an engaging argumentative essay!

Now that you've seen some argumentative essay topics and examples about sports, it's time to start writing your argumentative essay!

Argumentative essays about sports allow you to explore the passion and discuss how teams practice critical thinking skills.

If you do not know where to start on your argumentative essay, it can be helpful to reach out to a reputable paper writing service. MyPerfectPaper.net has a professional argumentative essay writer who can help you write persuasive pieces of argumentative essays about sports.

With the help of our argumentative essay writing service, you could craft a powerful argument. It will engage audiences and make an impact!

So, do not hesitate to place your " do my paper online " request! Get started on your argumentative essay about

Literature, Management

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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Easy argumentative essay topics on sports [+essay outline], bob cardens.

• August 1, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas , Samples

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of some easy argumentative essay topics on Sports. Whether you’re looking for something lighthearted or something a little more serious, we’re sure you’ll find something on this list.

What You'll Learn

Easy Argumentative essay topics on Sports

• Does sports have health befits if we at look at it in term of exercise. Argue
• Do all cash collected from ticket buying go to players?
• Are referees always right in their judgment and who assist them?
• A review of sporting culture among women. Are they fully participating in all countries?
• What remains for retired sportsmen? Forgotten or included in technical benches?
• The need for extra exercise to stay fit for sports. Necessary or unnecessary?
• Doping among athletes. Should be it moderated on completely discouraged?
• Discuss the importance of sports with examples and also give disadvantages
• Should gambling be admitted into Olympics?
• Is archery on its death bed? Discuss
• Match fixes and the law. What penalties should they face?
• The revival of boxing. Is boxing going extinct?
• The question of safety in motorsports. Are drivers really insured?
• Sports and rights violation. Should women play football?
• The case of corruption in football governing body. What are the facts?

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Controversial Argumentative essay topics on Sports

• Using performance enhancing drugs should lead to exclusion from professional sports.
• Cheerleading as a competitive sport
• Negative perceptions that college players are illiterate
• The amount of money spent on college games is too much.
• Is marching band a sport?
• Creating a school-wide sports culture
• Health issues associated with student-athletes’ use of energy drinks
• Student-athletes should be compensated for their participation in sports.
• Why cheerleading should be included in the Olympics
• Permitting fights during hokey games.
• Football’s dangers to players
• Baseball’s popularity has waned over time.
• Where should we draw the line when it comes to selling the name rights to sports teams?
• Coaches’ treatment of players is not controlled by rules that are rigorous enough.
• Athletes who utilize steroids should surrender their medals.
• Legalizing sports betting everywhere is bad.
• Home-schooled students should be permitted to participate in public school athletics.
• Athletes’ sponsors and chosen owners receive the majority of their earnings.
• Should video games be considered sports?
• Should violent sports including wrestling and boxing be prohibited?
• Is it appropriate for women to participate in powerlifting?
• Why Colleges should invest more on wellness programs than in athletics.
• College football players should be paid.
• Why Parents should not let their kids to participate in football activities.
• Being gay in sports gets greater media and spectator attention.
• It is offensive for sports teams to use Native American mascots and names.
• Advertisements for tobacco and alcohol should not be shown during sporting events.

Argumentative Essay Topics for Women in Sports

• The media plays a vital role in ensuring that genders are represented equally in sports news. Do you agree with me?
• Should sports teams, referees, and coaches be split into gender groups?
• Do you think it’s fair and reasonable to split girls and males?
• Is it true that male sports have more supporters than female sports?
• Female athletes are more motivated by personal achievement than by personal progress.
• Should female athletes be given more training than male athletes?
• Do you feel that sports regulations should be changed to eliminate gender bias?
• Should sports be divided into categories based on gender?
• Should transgender people be permitted to play sports?

Argumentative Essay Topics for Winter Sports

• Why is The Winter Dew Tour bringing more snowboarding visitors to the United States?
• Why has the future of winter sports been jeopardized? Is climate change to blame for this?
• Is cross-country skiing the safest sport to participate in?
• Are the figure skating judges overbearing to the competitors?
• Why do hockey fans embrace the game’s brutality and combat?
• Is it feasible to do springboard jumps when there is a lot of snow?
• Why do many people believe North Korea has copied the Pyongyang Winter Olympics show?
• Why are winter clothing businesses thriving and expanding despite the crisis?
• What are the dangers of artificial snow in winter sports?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics About Sports

• Why we should not take Bobsleigh seriously.
• Here are more Great Topic Ideas for Your Argumentative Essay .
• Basketball is currently losing popularity.
• Parents should not allow their children to play football because of traumatic events.
• Students who win sporting events should be compensated by universities.
• Cheerleading cannot be categorized as a sport.
• Coaches should check to see whether their players are using anabolic steroids.
• All people have the legal right to wager on sports online.
• Advertisements that encourage unhealthy habits like drinking and smoking are incompatible with sporting activities.
• Why Dog and other animal sports competitions should be banned in all places.
• Why Parents should not allow their children to participate in violent activities such as boxing.
• Powerlifting should only be a males-only sports.
• It is incorrect to classify video gaming as a sport.
• Sports may have both good and bad impacts on a person’s health.
• In any sport, teamwork is essential for success.
• All American institutions should require their students to play soccer.
• What are the steps to becoming a university’s top sports team?
• Soccer’s worldwide appeal can be attributed to a variety of factors.
• Is it appropriate for a coach to lose his cool in the middle of a game?
• Do you think of chess as a full-fledged sport similar to football or basketball?
• Is there any gender prejudice in sports?
• How important is the media in sporting events?
• Is there a method to avoid football injuries?
• Does stress affect all athletes, and if so, how can it be avoided?
• It is difficult to have a successful athletic career and a personal life at the same time.
• Professional sports are more than a pastime; they are a way of life.
• Professional athletes have a variety of chronic health issues.

Argumentative Essay About Sports Outline

Whether you’re a diehard sports fan or someone who doesn’t really follow any particular teams, there’s no denying that sports can be a great source of debate. From which sport is the most exciting to watch to whether certain players or teams are truly the best in their respective leagues, there are plenty of topics to choose from when it comes to sports debates.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of some potential sports debate topics. Whether you’re looking for something lighthearted or something a little more serious, we’re sure you’ll find something on this list that gets your blood pumping.

So without further ado, here are 20 sports debate topics to get you started:

• Which sport is the most exciting to watch?
• Are certain players or teams overrated?
• Who are the best players in each sport?
• Who are the biggest busts in each sport?
• What are the best and worst moments in each sport?
• Are there too many teams in each league? Not enough?
• What changes would you make to each sport?
• Which teams are due for a championship

Sports Persuasive Speech Topics

When it comes to giving a persuasive speech, there are many different topics that you can choose from. However, one topic that always seems to be popular is sports. Sports persuasive speech topics can be about anything related to sports, from the benefits of playing a particular sport to the dangers of not playing any sport at all.

• Some good sports persuasive speech topics include:
• The benefits of playing team sports
• The importance of staying active and participating in physical activity
• The dangers of using performance-enhancing drugs in sports
• The negative effects of not playing any sport at all
• Why children should be encouraged to play sports
• How adults can benefit from playing sports

Read more on  Unique argumentative essay topics

Informative Speech Topics about Sports

When it comes to choosing a topic for an informative speech, there are many directions you could go. You could choose to give a speech about a particular sport, or about the history of sports, or about some of the great athletes who have made their mark on the world of sports.

If you’re a fan of sports, then giving an informative speech about sports could be a great way to share your love of the game with others. There are so many different aspects to sports that you could focus on, from the rules of the game to the training and conditioning that athletes undergo. You could even give a speech about some of the great moments in sports history.

If you’re not a big sports fan, don’t worry – there are plenty of other topics you could choose for your informative speech. You could focus on the history of a particular sport, or on the evolution of sports over time. You could even choose to give a speech about some of the great athletes who have made their mark on the world of sports. No matter what angle you choose, there’s sure to be an informative speech topic about sports that will interest you and your audience

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Should Video Games Be Considered a Sport?

Introduction, definition, background, and history, lack of physical activity, lack of athletic ability, why should video games be considered a sport.

The development of the personal computer marked the emergence of a new genre of competitive games referred to as “eSports.” The popularity of eSports has led to a greater focus on the controversial issue of whether video games should be considered a sport or not. Video games share numerous similarities with conventional sporting events such as massive audiences, high earnings, and the application of rigorous strategy and skills. Proponents of video games present the aforementioned similarities to support the argument of classification as a sport. However, the similarities are not good enough reasons to promote competitive games to a sport. Video games should not be considered a sport because they do not involve any physical exertion or the application of athletic ability that conventional sports require.

A Sport is a contest in which people participate in a physical activity, compete against each other, and follow certain rules (Brookey & Oates, 2015). A recent study conducted by Baronowski et al. (2012) found out that providing active video games to children does not provide any health benefit to children because it does not additional physical activity when compared to passive video games. In the spring of 2015, a cable and satellite television channel (ESPN) aired a tournament of college students competing in a video game known as “Heroes of the Storm.” The broadcast was criticised by individuals who were opposed to the classification of video games as a sport.

Opponents of video games argue that television networks that are devoted to sports should only broadcast tournaments that involve physical activity (Borg, 2015). One of the features of conventional sports is organisation. Sports are organised into leagues that are differentiated by the levels of expertise possessed by players. In contrast, video game tournaments are poorly-organised (Borg, 2015). The main weakness of video game leagues is the lack of a proper strategy to manage players. The only strategy used is the imposition of fines. Moreover, players can play independently or participate in international competitions without joining any league (Borg, 2015). This essay will argue that video games should not be considered a sport because of the lack of physical exertion, which encourages sedentary lifestyles that are non-existent in conventional sports.

Playing video games is not a sport but a hobby. It is a pastime activity that people engage in when they are bored or when they want to relax. The difference between a sport and a competitive hobby is the amount of physical exertion involved (Cashmore, 2010). Many people choose video games as hobbies because they do not involve physical movement. According to the World Health Organisation, one of the challenges that young people face is the negative health effect of embracing sedentary lifestyles because they encourage the development of conditions such as obesity and diseases such as diabetes. The organisation recommends participation in sports as one of the strategies to reduce the incidence of diabetes and obesity among children and young people. Video games are not recommended because they encourage sedentary lifestyles that numb people to the world around them. Prior to the emergence of the personal computer, sports were primarily defined by the amount of physical and mental strength required to master an activity and gain excellence (Cashmore, 2010). In contemporary society, international tournaments only include events that involve physical contests of strength and stamina. After the emergence of the personal computer, the term “eSports’ was coined to refer to games played through the aid of electronic devices (Newman, 2008).

Video games should not be considered a sport because they do not involve physical activity (Brookey & Oates, 2015). Online multiplayer games require significant amount of training, skill, and strategy. However, mental exertion cannot be compared to physical exertion. Video games require mental exertion only while conventional sports require both mental and physical exertion (Berger, 2002). The lack of physical exertion in video games denies them the opportunity to be considered a sport. Video games are gradually becoming the most common pastime activity among young people and some adults (Vorderer & Bryant, 2012).

They should not be considered a sport because even though they have similarities with conventional sports, they do not involve physical movement (Consalvo, Mitgutsch, & Stein, 2013). Sports are beneficial because they enhance physical fitness, aid in weight loss, strengthen the body, and encourage the development of healthy eating habits. None of these benefits can be enjoyed from playing video games. Researchers have argued that video games players do not become physically stronger or healthier because of the lack of physical exertion (Baronowski et al., 2012). Conventional sports and video games require significant amount of training, strategy, commitment, and mental acuity (Berger, 2002). However, the lack of physical activity disqualifies video games from receiving the sport status. Mastering a sport like basketball or football takes time, energy, and effort (Brookey & Oates, 2015).

Not only do people fail to understand that video games cannot be considered a sport because of lack of physical exertion, but also lack the application of athletic ability. Players do not need to possess any athletic ability in order to participate in tournaments. Conventional sports such as football, basketball, tennis, swimming, and cycling entail great commitment and training (Cashmore, 2010). Great athletic ability is attained through intensive physical training and mental conditioning. Any person can become great at playing video games because it does not require any athletic ability (Berger, 2002). The only physical movement involved in playing video games is the movement of fingers when pressing buttons on the controller. The skills needed to play video games are developed mentally and not physically (Vorderer & Bryant, 2012). Athletic prowess is achieved by undergoing brutal sessions of physical and mental conditioning for a certain period of time (Cashmore, 2010). Athletes regularly test the limits of their abilities by enduring the pain of suffering life-threatening injuries. Moreover, the exhaustion experienced in conventional sport comes from physical and mental exertion and has numerous health benefits (Cashmore, 2010).

Video games should not be considered a sport because they neither involve physical exertion nor the application of athletic ability. However, many people feel that the amount of training, strategy, and mental exertion required to play video games are similar to those involved in conventional sports (Young, 2016). Some researchers argue that just like conventional sports, video games attract massive audiences, are highly competitive, earn professional players a lot of money, and have become a major part of mainstream cable television networks’ programming (Consalvo et al., 2013). For example, the 2013 League of Legends Championship attracted more than 32 million fans and generated millions in revenue.

The increased popularity of eSports is an indication video games will eventually be a critical component of people’s daily lives. More people are embracing video games and as a result, spending time and effort improving their skills. Gaining mastery in video games requires the same level of training and specialisation that is applied in conventional sport (Newman, 2008). In that regard, video games should be considered a sport because they share several similarities with conventional sports. Some researchers may argue that active video games enable players to engage in moderate and vigorous physical activity, and a result, enjoy the benefits of physical activity (Consalvo et al., 2013). They argue that unlike passive video games, active video games involve physical exertion.

The evidence above may be convincing but if we examine it deeper we will see that no matter how evolved or advanced video games become, they will never involve physical exertion or application of athletic ability. Whilst many people may feel that active video games involve varying degrees of moderate and vigorous physical activity, current research illustrates the opposite. For example, a study conducted by Baronowski et al. (2012) did not find any relationship between physical activity and active video games. As mentioned earlier, one of the main characteristics of a sport is physical activity. Video games are gaining more popularity as technology advances and as eSports become a source of income (Young, 2016). However, it is highly unlikely that video games will be played at any international event involving conventional sports.

The issue of classifying video games as a sport or not is highly controversial. Video games tournaments have rules, people compete against each other, and excellence requires significant amounts of training, skills, strategy, and coordination. Although the mastery of video games requires great amounts of mental exertion, dedication, and training, the little physical activity involved disqualifies them from receiving the sport status. The main findings of my research were; active and passive video games do not involve any physical exertion and athletic ability is not a requirement. Therefore, Video games should not be considered a sport because they do not involve any physical exertion or the application of athletic ability that conventional sports require.

Berger, A. A. (2002). Video games: a popular culture phenomenon . New York, NY: Transaction Publishers.

Baronowski, T., Abdelsamad, D., Baronowski, J., O’Connor, T. M., Thompson, D., Barnett, A.,…Chen, T-A. (2012). Impact of an active video game on healthy children’s physical activity. Paediatrics, 129(3) , 636-642.

Borg, O. J. (2015). Is computer gaming really sport? Web.

Brookey, R. A., & Oates, T. P. (2015). Playing to win: sports, video games, and the culture of play . Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.

Cashmore, E. (2010). Making sense of sports . New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

Consalvo, M., Mitgutsch, K., & Stein, A. (2013). Sports videogames . New York, NY: Routledge.

Newman, J. (2008). Playing with videogames . New York, NY: Routledge.

Vorderer, P., & Bryant, J. (2012). Playing video games: motives, responses, and consequences . New York, NY: Routledge.

Young, H. (2016). Seven-figure salaries, sold-out stadiums: is pro video gaming a sport? Web.

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Argumentative Essay On Competitive Sports

Some think sports such as football are causing children and teenagers to develop severe concussions. But others argue that sports are a good way to learn social skills and learn to take constructive criticism. If one had to choose , competitive sports should not be open to young children because of all the brain injuries . To start things off , the most important reason children shouldn’t be playing competitive sports is because of the outrageous amount of head injuries and concussions. According to the Center of Disease Control and prevention , ““In 2013,1 about 2.8 million TBI-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occurred in the United States”( Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion." Centers for Disease …show more content…

For example the Center of Disease Control and prevention states that , “A TBI can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain disorders” (Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 06 Apr. 2017. Web. 11 Apr. 2017). This shows how people can die at young ages from these horrible diseases. Also , the Center of Disease Control and prevention states that , Thinking i.e., memory and reasoning, Sensation i.e., sight and balance;Language i.e., communication, expression, and understanding; and Emotion i.e., depression, anxiety, personality changes, aggression, acting out, and social inappropriateness ” (Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 06 Apr. 2017. Web. 11 Apr. 2017).This shows how head injuries could lead to depression and other horrible things such as suicide. Furthermore ,the Center of Disease Control and prevention states that,” Repeated mild TBIs occurring over an extended period of time can result in cumulative neurological and cognitive deficits. Repeated mild TBIs occurring within a short period of time (i.e., hours, days, or weeks) can be catastrophic or fatal” (Traumatic Brain …show more content…

The Center of Disease Control and prevention states that,” he estimated economic cost of TBI in 2010, including direct and indirect medical costs, is estimated to be approximately $76.5 billion “ (Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 06 Apr. 2017. Web. 11 Apr. 2017). This shows that all this money we spend on injury recovery we could be using for something else if competitive sports weren’t open for young children. Also , the Center of Disease Control and prevention states that,”Additionally, the cost of fatal TBIs and TBIs requiring hospitalization, many of which are severe, account for approximately 90% of the total TBI medical costs” (Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 06 Apr. 2017. Web. 11 Apr. 2017). This shows that all this money we spend on injury recovery we could be using for something else if competitive sports weren’t open for young children. To conclude the last reason , The Glasgow coma scale states that,” The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS),5 a clinical tool designed to assess coma and impaired consciousness, is one of the most commonly used severity scoring systems. Persons with GCS scores of 3 to 8 are classified with a severe TBI” (Traumatic Brain Injury &

Are Sports Beneficial or Detrimental to Youth?

“Are Competitive Sports Bad for Kids?” Mar 31, 2011 | By Rachel Nelson, Web, 20

Are Sports Programs For Children And Teenagers Too Intense?

Youth sports are being questioned by the public as being too intense. One of the reasons for this is that sport specialization is up to a record high 25 percent(Sirs). This means that one in every four people are only playing one sport which can lead to injuries and psychological issues. Another issue is injuries in youth sports. Most specifically football is being researched intensely for head injuries that can hurt the children for the rest of their lives. Even though some believe that youth sport programs should be less intense they still believe that all sports are helping the youth grow up to be leaders for the next generation. Although many believe youth sports programs

Argumentative Essay On High School Sports

Almost all student athletes get butterflies before that Friday night football game, before the fans get to watch them compete, or even the to get the ability to practice. Many argue that high school sports are a distraction in the classroom or even cause career ending injuries. There are many different scenarios that prove that high school sports do the exact opposite of those. When it comes to high school sports, it keeps students fit, boosts a student’s academic performance, and enhances a student’s self-esteem. High school sports are very beneficial and for anyone who is looking to take on a new challenge to take on.

Summary Of Mark Hyman's Until It Hurts

Competitive sports in some cases are becoming very unhealthy for children. Most children would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench of a winning team. Youth sports are a great idea to get children up and active, as well as improve their social skills. Just like every other thing in life it is important to practice and work hard to achieve success. However it is unhealthy to push for results over the needs or wants of the child. Aside from the mental stress that young athletes may experience from intense training and physical play long lasting injures is now a growing concern. Fact is competitive sports is a double edge sword if done right it is the greatest thing world, but if done wrong it can be very unhealthy for a child.

Competitive Sports Are Not Worth The Risk Of Injury

A point of disagreement among many parents of children who play competitive sports is if the benefits outweigh the risk of injury. It is clear that competitive sports aren’t worth the risks, with high mental costs to send a child where they would be pressured to not let down the team, and when all it takes is a hit to the head to sustain life-changing injuries.

Essay on Traumatic Brain Injury

• 3 Works Cited

Traumatic brain injury occurs when a person is hit in the head with a blunt force. This significant force to the head can happen playing recreational sports, on the playground, being in a car or motorcycle accident, falling down at home and your head impacting something, a blast or explosion. Traumatic brain injuries are also the leading cause of fatality rate and disability, especially in children, young adults and elderly. TBI is a devastating condition that affects millions of people nationwide, because it can affect the nervous system permanently, it also messes with the neurological, musculoskeletal, cognitive and much more. TBI force a family to deal with not just the physical disability, with the behavioral and emotional roller

Argumentative Essay On After School Sports

Everyone knows academics are the main point of school, but athletics have begun to take over and draw away from that focus. Many individuals believe school sports are more important than ever; however, cost is excessive and players often think about upcoming games or matches, detracting attention from homework. Therefore, districts should eliminate after-school sports because they cost tremendous amounts of money, cause academic failure, and are a major distraction.

High School Football Comes With A Risk Essay

Young children having major physical injuries while participating in sports should be of more concern. In the article High School Football Comes With a Risk, by Jeffrey Perkel it states that, “...boys aged 10 to 14 we’re most likely to end up in the nation’s emergency departments with a traumatic brain injury…,” This shows how adolescents are unnecessarily hurting themselves because of these sports. Expectedly, during the 2005-2006 US high school football season an , estimate of 517, 726 injuries were submitted to the RIO. Even my own personal experiences with sports all ended in tragic faults. Swimming with

The Major Causes Of Concussions In Sports

Keeping children away from what they love to do isn’t fair to them, even though there is a higher risk for their child to suffer from a concussion, because their brains are not fully developed yet. Kids should be able to live their dreams and play whatever sport suits them. If they don’t get to play as a child, how will they know if they like the sport or can play it? They wouldn’t have any experience playing the sport, just watching the games on television or going to them. Sports are not the only way someone can get a concussion. A child could fall off a bed, trip over something, or get into a wreck and hit their head and

Kids Should Not Play Competitive Sports Essay

The first reason that kids should not play competitive sports is that they are stressful. Kids who play competitive sports often experience stress from wanting the recognition involved with winning. According to LiveStrong, “The mounting pressure to play well can increase stress and make children feel bad and lose confidence should they make mistakes or lose” (Huggins 2017). This shows that kids want to win and be the best player on the team, which can result in stress or pressure. When kids are put on the bench or the team loses, the players may experience low self-esteem. Also, participating in a competitive sport also takes up time because of the intense training schedule that is demanded. Because of that, kids may stress about schoolwork or other activities. This can develop failing grades or other consequences. Time.com states, “Student-athletes tend to take easier classes and get lower grades than non-athletes” (Square 2015). This is important to notice because the intense schedules that the athletes have may not allow enough time for schoolwork. The schoolwork may not be completed or fully understood, which can lead to lower academic excellence and poor grades. Competitive sports are unhealthy to kids’ minds. They can cause stress and pressure, and may lead to poor grades and other academic issues.

Traumatic Brain Injury: The Most Frequent Cause of Disability in America

In addition, it is believed that the difference in fitness levels and equipment could increase the rate of concussions in student age athletes. Due to increased susceptibility, high school athletes are three times more likely to experience a second concussion during a season (Iverson, 1999). Failure to properly manage concussions may lead to long-term consequences, such as difficulty learning, emotional difficulty and personality changes (Iverson, Lovell & Smith, 2000).

Brain Traum Football 's Final Fight?

Traumatic brain injuries can have many effects that vary in both severity and symptoms. CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy is one effect of a TBI. CTE was discovered by Dr. Bennet Omalu. In a CNN article, the authors state

Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury Research Paper

One sport in particular would be football. Children starting tackle football at the age of 5 and 6 are putting themselves at risk for long term damage of their brain and could possibly contract CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) throughout their lives. According to Boston University CTE Center “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes (and others) with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including symptomatic concussions as well as asymptomatic subconcussive hits to the head.” In 2002 Dr. Omalu was the first to identify CTE in American football players after examining Mike Webster’s brain after he committed suicide . This is what would start a lot of controversy within the sport

Principle Shwanz Research Paper

Many experts agree that sports especially contact sports like hockey, can be really dangerous and lead to serious injuries. According to the journal of pediatrics concussions have tripled in the last decade. This means that anyone playing football, hockey, and wrestling are more likely to get hurt than in other sports and if we can get rid of these activity and do something else we could help students avoid these injuries. Not only if we get rid of sports to stop injuries, we can also stop students from being pressured from their coaches or parents.

Should Teens Be Allowed To Participate In Dangerous Sports

One of the biggest issues in dangerous sports is that it cause many minor/major effects to the brain. Wake Forest Baptist Health, Dr. Alexander K. Powers estimates that, “Each year U.S. emergency departments treat an estimated 135,000 children ages 5 to 18 for sports-related brain injuries.” Dr. Alexander K. Powers also reported, “Repeated concussions could put a child at risk for such crippling conditions as early onset

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Argumentative Essay: Competitive Sports

Show More Many people have debated that competitive sports are a great way to stay healthy and learn team work, but other people believe that there are different ways to do these things. I believe that competitive sports are bad for children because they could develop stress and anxiety related disorders due to their parent and coach pushers, also they could get serious mental and physical injuries that could last a lifetime , and because competitive sports can cost more than a parent can give. One reason children should not play competitive sports is because kids who play sports could develop stress and anxiety related disorders due to their parent and coach pushers. For example from Dr. Henry Goitz, chief of sports medicine at the Medical College …show more content… Some people disagree, saying that sports are a great way for children to become more physically active, I challenge this. Kids can become more physically active but they could also get injuries ruining their lives. For example, as stated in the article, Listening to Wisdom from my 10 Year-Old Son About His Head Injury,”N.F.L. veterans exhibiting Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in their 40s, of teenagers dying after playing too soon after a concussion.” (Adam Buckley Cohen/2009) The text shows how after sports N.F.L veterans got Alzheimer’s-like symptoms which is a very serious disease and causes you to forget almost everything about your life which won’t only affect your life but also your family's. Also from that same article,”Troy Aikman’s account of being unable to remember a Super Bowl victory. He knew that Steve Young had retired because of concussions. And he recognized that if he kept taking hits year after year, he could suffer the same fate — or worse.” (Adam Buckley Cohen/2009) This evidence shows how sport plays had to retire or couldn’t recall things after sports. In addition from, Jacqueline Stenson, an MSNBC contributor, ”Not only are these youngsters at risk for emotional burnout, they may also develop injuries that plague them for a lifetime. Some will turn to steroids or other performance-enhancing substances to try to gain …show more content… From the article, High Cost of Youth Sports, ”In the United States, parents spend $671 on average per year to cover the costs of uniforms and the hefty fees charged for registration, lessons and coaching, and at least 1 in 5 ends up spending over $1,000 per child , every year.” (Huffington Post/2013) This text shows how parents spend a lot of money for their kids to play competitive sports and can cause a financial crisis for a family. Also from that article, “The result, according to TurboTax’s most recent infographic, is that youth sports are no longer an excellent opportunity for social involvement determined by passion and skill, but by the family’s financial resources, sustaining a $5 billion-a-year industry.” This evidence shows how youth sports are making a strain on family’s financial resources. Finally from an assistant professor and Utah State University, “Mr. Dorsch, who is now an assistant professor at Utah State University, where his research involves parents’ engagement in their children’s sports, said that spending on sports has grown so high — up to 10.5 percent of gross income in his research — that it is hurting family harmony. “A family bringing in $50,000 a year could be spending $5,500,” he said. “Without being judgy, I’m fine with families spending that kind of money. What’s wrong is when that investment brings out some sort of negative parent behavior.

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Pulling together: how Cambridge came to dominate the Boat Race – a photo essay

The race along the River Thames between England’s two greatest universities spans 195 years of rivalry and is now one of the world’s oldest and most famous amateur sporting events. Our photographer has been spending time with the Cambridge University Boat Club over the past few months as they prepare for 2024’s races

T he idea of a Boat Race between the two universities dates back to 1829, sparked into life by a conversation between Old Harrovian schoolfriends Charles Merivale, a student at the time at St John’s College Cambridge, and Charles Wordsworth who was at Christ Church Oxford. On 12 March that year, following a meeting of the newly formed Cambridge University Boat Club, a letter was sent to Oxford.

The University of Cambridge hereby challenge the University of Oxford to row a match at or near London each in an eight-oar boat during the Easter vacation.

From then, the Cambridge University Boat Club has existed to win just one race against just one opponent, something Cambridge has got very good at recently. Last year the Light Blues won every race: the open-weight men’s and women’s races, both reserve races, plus both lightweight races – six victories, no losses, an unprecedented clean sweep. Cambridge women’s open-weight boat, or blue boat, has won the last six Boat Races while the men’s equivalent have won five out of the last seven. In such an unpredictable race, where external factors can play a large part, this dominance is startling.

Thames trials

Rough water as the two women’s boats make their way along the River Thames near Putney Embankment during the Cambridge University Boat Race trials.

It’s a mid-December day by the River Thames. The sky and water merge together in a uniform battleship grey and the bitter north wind whips the tops off the waves. Outside a Putney boathouse two groups of tense-looking women dressed in duck-egg blue tops and black leggings with festive antlers in their hair are huddling together, perhaps for warmth, maybe for solidarity. The odd nervous bout of laughter breaks out. For some of them this is about to be their first experience of rowing on the Tideway, a baptism of fire on the famous stretch of London water where the Boat Race takes place. “Perfect conditions,” remarks Paddy Ryan, the head coach for Cambridge University women, for this is trial eights day, when friends in different boats duel for coveted spots in the top boat.

A couple of hours later these women along with their male equivalents will have pushed themselves to the absolute limit, so much so that several of the men are seen trying to throw up over the side of their boats at the finish under Chiswick Bridge. This may be brutal but it’s just the start. For these students the next few months are going to be incredibly tough, balancing academic work with training like a professional athlete. Through the harshest months of the year they will be focused on preparing for the end of March and a very simple goal: beating Oxford in the Boat Race.

Agony for one of the men’s boats after the finish of the race near Chiswick Bridge during the Cambridge University Boat Race trials.

Ely early mornings

Two of the women’s boats head out in the early morning for a training session on the Great Ouse.

Early winter mornings on the banks of the Great Ouse, well before the sun has risen, can be pretty bleak. In the pitch black a batch of light blue minivans drop off the men and women rowers together at the sleek Ely boathouse that was opened in 2016 at the cost of £4.9m – it’s here that all Cambridge’s on-water training takes place. Very soon a fleet of boats carrying all the teams takes to the water for a training session that may last a couple of hours. Then it’s a quick change, a lift to the train station and back to Cambridge for morning lectures.

The women’s squad head into the Ely boathouse after a 6am drop-off.

As a rower descends the stairs to the bays where the boats are stored, there is a clear indication of why it was built and why they are there. “This is where we prepare to win Boat Races,” a sign says. Since this boathouse was built, Cambridge have won 30 of the 37 races across all categories.

Top: The men’s squad stretch in the boathouse before an early morning training session and a member of the men’s blue boat descends the stairs into where the boats are kept. Below: One of the men’s teams set off for early morning training and the women’s blue boat rows past the women’s lightweight crew during a training session.

It’s a far cry from the old tin sheds with barely any heating and no showers. These current facilities are impressive, enabling the entire men’s and women’s squads to be there at the same time and get boats out.

Top: The men’s blue boat prepare to derig their boat at their Ely training site. Above: The women’s blue boat put their vessel back in the boathouse after a training session on the Great Ouse.

But it’s not just the boathouse that has contributed so much, it’s also the stretch of water they train on. In a year when floods have affected so many parts of the country it has really come into its own. Paddy Ryan, the chief women’s coach, explains: “Along this stretch the river is actually higher than the surrounding land. The water levels are carefully managed by dikes and pumps. As a result we haven’t lost a single session to flooding. That’s not the case for Oxford. I believe their boathouse has been flooded multiple times this year, unable to get to their boats. We’ve had multiple storms but we’ve been able to row through them all.”

The men’s third boat practises on the Great Ouse.

It’s a flat, unforgiving landscape, especially in midwinter, definitely not the prettiest stretch of water, but Cambridge don’t care. Ryan says: “It might be a little dull on the viewing perspective but we could row on for 27km before needing to turn round. We have a 5km stretch that is marked out every 250m. We are lucky to have it.”

The men’s blue boat practise their starts on the long straight on the Great Ouse.

The sweat box

Members of the men’s squad check on their technique with the use of a mirror at the Goldie boathouse.

The old-fashioned Goldie boathouse is right in the centre of Cambridge perched on the banks of the River Cam. Built in 1873, its delicate exterior belies what goes on inside. This is the boat club’s pain cave, where the rowers sweat buckets, pushing themselves over and over again; it’s a good job the floor is rubberised and easy to wipe clean.

A wreath to Charles Merivale, the founder of the Boat Race, and wood panelling in the upstairs room at the Goldie boathouse which commemorates Cambridge crews that have competed in the Boat Race from 1829.

(Top) Seb Benzecry, men’s president of the Cambridge University Boat Club, and (above) Martin Amethier, a member of the reserve Goldie crew, sweat during sessions on ergo machines.

Iris Powell of the women’s blue boat (above) performs pull-ups during a training session.

Above left: Hannah Murphy, the cox of the women’s blue boat, urges on four of her crew (left to right) Gemma King, Megan Lee, Jenna Armstrong and Clare Hole, as they undertake a long session on the ergo machines. Above right: Kenny Coplan, a member of the men’s blue boat crew, looks exhausted then writes in his times after his session on an ergo machine (below).

Brutal sessions on the various ergo machines, where thousands of metres are clocked and recorded, are a staple of the training regime set in place. If there is any slacking off the students just need to look up at one of the walls where a map of the Boat Race course hangs. The “S” shape of the Thames has been carefully coloured in the correct shade of blue and record timings for various key points on the course have been written in for both men and women. All but one record, and that one is shared, is held by Cambridge.

Paddy Ryan, the women’s chief coach, talks to the women’s blue boat during a training session on the River Great Ouse in February.

A key ingredient in any successful team is the coaching. Cambridge’s setup is stable and well established. Paddy Ryan is the chief women’s coach, a genial, tall Australian, he has been part of the women’s coaching team since 2013. The care and devotion to his squad is perfectly clear. “I have my notebook next to my bed so I can jot things down. I wake up in the middle of the night going: am I making the right decisions? I care about them as people and I need to manage them … We joke as coaches that we are teaching some of the smartest people on the planet how to pull on a stick.”

Rob Baker, the chief men’s coach, has Cambridge rowing in the blood. Born and bred in the city, his father was a university boatman for 25 years. He even married into the sport – his wife, Hayley, rowed for Cambridge as a lightweight – so it was no surprise that he became part of the coaching setup way back in 2001. He was the first full-time women’s coach in 2015 then moved to take over the men in 2018.

Rob Baker, the men’s chief coach, talks to his blue boat at their Ely training site.

Apart from an obvious role in the development of rowing skills, a key part of their job is making sure there is a balance for their student athletes. They understand they have to juggle training needs. “Every week we have a general plan,” says Baker, “but then someone might have an extra class or supervision they’ve got to do so we have to move around it. They are studying at one of the most competitive universities in the world with the highest standards so you’ve got to give them space to do that properly.” He goes on: “But when they get on the start line for their race, they’ll be just as competitive as if they were professionals.”

The presidents

Jenna Armstrong and Seb Benzecry discuss their plans in the Great Hall at Jesus College.

Every year one man and one woman are elected presidents to represent Cambridge University Boat Club. They are the captains and leaders, not only responsible for helping design the training programme in conjunction with the coaches but also making budgetary and tactical decisions along the way. This year both of them, Jenna Armstrong and Seb Benzecry, are from the same college, Jesus, which helps the communication between the two of them. They share ideas and knowledge, thoughts and worries. Their lives, for these intense few months, are a juggling act.

Armstrong is a 30-year-old from New Jersey, and doing a PhD in physiology. Once a very keen competitive junior skier she was forced to abandon her hopes of a career on the slopes after a number of serious knee injuries. She only started rowing in 2011 and only became aware of the Boat Race when she saw it on TV a couple of years later.

Jenna Armstrong, cycling down the Chimney, the grand entrance to Jesus College, to go to the other side of the city to carry out more of her PhD research at the department of physiology, development and neuroscience.

The research she carries out at the university labs could be turn out to be life-saving. “I study mitochondrial function in placentas from women from all over the world to learn how genetic and environmental factors during pregnancy can influence placental metabolism and impact the health of both mother and baby. I’m particularly interested in growth restriction which affects about 10% of babies worldwide. That can have lifelong implications for these babies and currently we don’t have any treatment for this.”

Benzecry, 27, is studying for a PhD in film and screen studies, and comes from a completely different rowing background. He grew up just a stone’s throw from the Boat Race course and went to a school on the banks of the Thames. This will be his 14th year of competitive rowing but his fourth and last Boat Race.

“ I remember one year my birthday fell on race day and we watched after my birthday party. Because we live fairly close to the course, I’ve always felt connected to the race.”

Seb Benzecry stands next to an Antony Gormley statue in the Quincentenary Library at Jesus College as he conducts research for his dissertation which forms part of his PhD in film and screen studies.

Talking about how hard it is to get the right balance between academic student life and rowing, Benzecry says: “I guess you have to accept there are many, many things you can’t do, you just don’t have time for during the season. You have to put the blinkers on.”

Armstrong says: “I have to be very prepared, very strategic and organised. I pack everything the night before, and then once I leave my room in the morning, I don’t go back. That allows me to go to training, go to the lab, go to training again. It’s surreal actually, to come to a place like Cambridge, have one of the best educations in the world on top of the most incredible rowing experiences in the world. We have a thing now in the boat, when we are doing something incredibly hard, I say this is my ideal Saturday, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I would rather be here than in bed or on a date. And I make everyone else say it with me too. I’d rather be nowhere else.”

Benzecry states: “When it’s really bad, when training is so hard, we say Oxford aren’t doing this, they could never do this. It’s an incredibly powerful thing to be thinking we work harder than them, our culture is better than them. They don’t want to go hard as we do – they might think they do but they don’t, they just don’t have it.”

Integration

The men’s and women’s blue boats during a training session on the River Great Ouse in February.

Until 1 August 2020, there were three separate university boat clubs in Cambridge: one for open-weight men, one for lightweight men, and one for open-weight and lightweight women. Since they merged to become one club, it has undoubtedly helped with everyone sharing the same resources and motivating and inspiring one another. No one is more important and everyone has a key part to play in the result. This year, Oxford have followed suit.

Baker says: “I definitely feel, for the athletes themselves, it makes a big difference. They all feel like they’re contributing to one common goal. Every cog in the wheel has to do its job but for sure it feels like one big team on a mission.”

Benzecry explains: “We’re seeing each other train, we’re all out on the water at the same time, we’re supporting each other throughout the season, building a sense of momentum for the whole club towards the races. Everyone’s just inspiring each other all the time and I think that’s been such a sort of cultural shift for Cambridge.”

The men’s blue boat pack their craft on to a trailer at their Ely training site ready for the trip down to London for the Boat Race.

Siobhan Cassidy, the chair of the Boat Race, knows from first-hand how the integration has helped. She rowed for the Light Blues in 1995 and had a key role in the transition. “We could see the advantages of working together, collaborating as a bigger team, the positive impact we felt that could have on performance. But not just the output, actually the whole experience for the young people taking part.”

Siobhan Cassidy, the chair of the Boat Race, pictured at the Thames Rowing Club at Putney Embankment.

This Saturday, if the weather holds, an estimated 250,000 people, the vast majority of whom have no allegiance to one shade of blue or the other, will pack the banks of the Thames to see these races. It’s one of the largest free events in Britain. Broadcast live on BBC One, the race is also beamed to 200 countries across the world.

The starting stone for the University Boat Race and pavement inscription: “The best leveller is the river we have in common” at Putney Embankment.

A map of the Boat Race course at the Goldie boathouse, with the Thames coloured in Cambridge blue and record timings written in for men and women showing almost total Cambridge dominance.

A sporting pinnacle being contested on a fast-flowing, unpredictable river by two teams of university students – it’s pretty bizarre. But maybe it’s that quirkiness that keeps the race, after almost two hundred years, still going strong. And even more bizarre to think that Cambridge, the current dominant force in the Boat Race, a sporting event that can’t shrug off its elitist stereotype, owes so much of that success to such egalitarian principles.

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The Moscow Trials

(march 1962).

This article was first published in Survey , No. 41, April 1962, pp. 87–95. Prepared for the MIA by Paul Flewers.

AT the twenty-second congress of the CPSU, N.S. Khrushchev once again raised the question of the “great purge”, this time in open session and with more detailed references to individual instances of Stalin’s persecution of his opponents. Khrushchev did not directly mention the three great Moscow trials, but the whole tenor of his reply to the discussion on the party programme made it clear that these trials were frame-ups. His remarks on the Kirov assassination alone were sufficient to demonstrate this, since the Kirov affair was the king-pin of the entire structure of these trials.

The assassination, 25 years ago, of Sergei Mironovich Kirov – Secretary of the Leningrad party organisation and member of the Politbureau – was the signal for the merciless repression of all Stalin’s known, suspected or potential opponents in the party. The range and thoroughness of this action was matched by the domestic and international propaganda campaign that accompanied it: for the Stalinist objective was not merely the physical destruction of all those who might conceivably constitute a rallying point for opposition within the party; not merely the creation in the USSR of an atmosphere of terror in which self-preservation should become the overriding consideration for each individual; it was also the complete moral annihilation of the leading figures of the Russian Revolution. Only Lenin would remain untouched, a great messianic figure; and by his side would rise the figure of Stalin, his sole true disciple. Consciousness of the past history of the Russian Revolution was to be erased from the mind of man and a new history was to take its place, the Stalin legend.

The campaign launched for this purpose – which may truly be termed a brain-washing campaign – was on a colossal scale. Its highlights were the three great Moscow trials in August 1936, January 1937 and March 1938, when almost the entire Bolshevik “old guard” was found guilty of organising the murder of Kirov, of wrecking, sabotage, treason, plotting the restoration of capitalism, etc. And it was precisely the defendants at these trials who, with their self-accusations, their abject penitence, their acceptance and praise of Stalin’s policies, showed themselves as eager as the Stalinists to support this campaign. Never before in history had there been a conspiracy of such dimensions, conspirators of such former eminence, and at the same time conspirators so uniformly anxious to attest the unrighteousness of their cause and the utter criminality of their actions.

At once sordid and deeply tragic, combining the grim reality of apparently normal juridical procedure with the lack of any evidence against the accused other than their own nightmarishly unreal confessions, these trials shocked the liberal conscience of the entire world. Yet it was, strangely enough, in Great Britain, a country proud of its tradition of liberal thought and action, that the most influential voices were raised in their defence.

Thus A.J. Cummings, then a political columnist of considerable standing, although admitting to some difficulty in accepting the guilt of all the accused, wrote of the first trial that “the evidence and the confessions are so circumstantial that to reject both as hocus-pocus would be to reduce the trial almost to complete unintelligibility”. (News Chronicle , 25 August 1936) The Moscow correspondent of the Observer also wrote (23 August 1936) that: “It is futile to think that the trial was staged and the charges trumped up. The government’s case against the defendants is genuine.” Sir Bernard Pares ( Spectator , 18 September 1936) likewise expressed the view that:

As to the trial generally, I was in Moscow while it was in progress and followed the daily reports in the press. Since then I have made a careful study of the verbatim report. Having done that I must give it as my considered judgement that if the report had been issued in a country (that is, other than the USSR) without any of the antecedents I have referred to, the trial would be regarded as one which could not fail to carry conviction ... The examination of the 16 accused by the State Prosecutor is a close work of dispassionate reasoning, in which, in spite of some denials and more evasions, the guilt of the accused is completely brought home.

These statements were made use of by the Anglo-Russian Parliamentary Committee in presenting to the public its summarised version of the official report (itself not verbatim) of the first Moscow trial. Its account of the second trial (compiled by W.P. and Zelda K. Coates) was introduced by Neil Maclean, MP, with a preface by the Moscow correspondent of the Daily Herald , R.T. Miller, and contained two speeches by Stalin, “in that simple and clear style of which Mr Stalin is such a master”, as Maclean put it. Maclean in his introductory foreword asserted that:

... practically every foreign correspondent present at the trial with the exception, of course, of the Japanese and German – have expressed themselves as very much impressed by the weight of evidence presented by the prosecution and the sincerity of the confessions of the accused.

In the course of his preface Miller wrote that “the prisoners appeared healthy, well-fed, well-dressed and unintimidated”; that “Mr Dudley Collard, the English barrister ... considered it perfectly sound from the legal point of view”; and that the accused “confessed because the state’s collection of evidence forced them to. No other explanation fits the facts.” [1]

Leaving aside Mr Collard, whose well-known political sympathies might explain his easy acceptance of surface appearances, it is clear that none of these commentators had the slightest understanding of the political struggle raging in the Soviet Union; a struggle of which these trials and those that had preceded them from 1928 onwards (which these gentlemen had apparently totally forgotten) were a reflection. Nor could any of them have really made a serious study of the official report. The circumstances of the time made many politically conscious people desire above all to think the best of the Soviet Government, and the views quoted above, deriving in part from this very desire, in part from sheer ignorance, were very welcome to the Stalinists. If they did not wholly convince, they at least helped to lull suspicion.

*  *  *

The most outstanding and the most influential supporter of the Stalinist campaign in the country was D.N. Pritt, an MP, a KC, and formerly president of the enquiry set up to investigate the proceedings of the Reichstag fire trial. Pritt entered the campaign with an article in the News Chronicle (27 August 1936), later reprinted in pamphlet form, The Moscow Trial was Fair (with additional material by Pat Sloan). He then expanded his analysis and argument in a booklet of 39 pages entitled The Zinoviev Trial (Gollancz, 1936). In this he first of all suggests that the bulk of the criticism of the trial emanated from the extreme right-wing opponents of the Soviet government. Still, he admits that much of it was made in good faith and came from “newspapers and individuals of very high reputation for fairness”. However, he goes on to imply that these critics had not, as he had, really studied the whole of the available evidence, but had relied upon incomplete reports. Moreover, they had not his advantage of being an eyewitness of the trial and a lawyer into the bargain. Having established in the reader’s mind that all criticism coming from sources hostile to the Soviet regime is ipso facto baseless, and having made plain his own geographical and professional superiority to the “fair-minded” critics, he argues that:

It should be realised at the outset, of course, that the critics who refuse to believe that Zinoviev and Kamenev could possibly have conspired to murder Kirov, Stalin, Voroshilov and others, even when they say themselves that they did, are in a grave logical difficulty. For if they thus dismiss the whole case for the prosecution as a “frame-up”, it follows inescapably that Stalin and a substantial number of other high officials, including presumably the judges and the prosecutor, were themselves guilty of a foul conspiracy to procure the judicial murder of Zinoviev, Kamenev and a fair number of other persons. (pp. 3–4)

The most general and important criticism of the trial, Pritt says, is that it was impossible to believe that “men should confess openly and fully to crimes of the gravity of those in question here”. (p. 5) In fact, of course, the critics” difficulty was not to believe that “men” should confess to “grave crimes”, but that these particular men should confess in that particular manner to crimes so contrary to everything known of their very public political pasts, so contrary to their known political philosophy, and so manifestly incapable of achieving their alleged objectives. For among those 16 accused there were, as Khrushchev has now obliquely reminded us, “prominent representatives of the old guard who, together with Lenin, founded “the world’s first proletarian state”. ( Report on the Programme of the CPSU , Soviet Booklet No. 81, 1961, p. 108) These were now transformed, in the words of the indictment, into “unprincipled political adventurers and assassins striving at only one thing, namely, to make their way to power even through terrorism”. ( Report of Court Proceedings: The Case of the Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre , People’s Commissariat of Justice of the USSR, Moscow 1936, p. 18)

Pritt himself, however, does not appear to be wholly at ease about the lack of evidence adduced other than the confessions, for he suggests that the Soviet government would have preferred all or most of the accused to have pleaded not guilty, for then the “full strength of the case” would have been apparent. As it was, “all the available proof did not require to be brought forward”. (p. 9) He assumes the existence of this proof; he writes that we cannot possibly know “what further facts there were in the record that were not adduced at all”. Not, that is, whether further facts were available, but what facts.

Although there is constant mention of facts, Pritt never gets down to a consideration of verifiable factual evidence adduced in alleged corroboration of the confessions. The closest he gets to giving an example of this is when he refers to an alleged conversation between two of the accused in which “a highly incriminating phrase was used”. Each of the accused denied using it, but each said that the other had. Pritt found this highly significant. He does not explain why the accused should have shied at admitting the use of “incriminating phrases” when they had already confessed to capital crimes.

Pritt claims to have reached his conclusion on the basis of a careful study of the official report of the trial. Surely, then, he must have been aware that, when it was not simply a question of “incriminating phrases”, conversations about conversations, but of concrete facts, some very glaring discrepancies were exposed, such as, for example, the flatly contradictory evidence of two of the accused, Olberg and Holtzmann, and the alleged meeting at a non-existent hotel.

It hardly seems possible that a man of Pritt’s professional training could have failed to see that the whole structure of the confessions simply did not hang together. He did not even notice anything strange in the tale of those two desperadoes Fritz David and Bermin-Yurin, who, after spending two and a half years preparing a plan to kill Stalin at the Congress of the Communist International, decided, when it came to the point, that they could not shoot “because there were too many people”!

For Pritt “anything in the nature of forced confessions is intrinsically impossible”; it was “obvious to anyone who watched the proceedings in court that the confessions as made orally in court could not possibly have been concocted or rehearsed”; and not even the keenest critic had been able to find a false note (pp. 12–14). The picture he gives of himself is that of an utterly credulous bumpkin. Any reasonably objective student of Soviet politics must have been aware at the time that this trial and those that followed were frame-ups. It did not require Khrushchev to admit that “thousands of absolutely innocent people perished ... Many party leaders, statesmen and military leaders lost their lives”; that “they were ‘persuaded’, persuaded in certain ways, that they were German, British or some other spies. And some of them ‘confessed’.”

For the Moscow trials were all of a piece with those that had preceded them: the Shakhty trial in 1928; the Industrial Party trial in 1930; the Menshevik trial in 1931; and the Metro-Vickers trial in 1933. [2] No student of these trials would fail to see that they served a definite political purpose and that justice had been perverted to this end. The very occurrence, previous to the Moscow trials, of exactly similar confession trials – with all their “technical” failures (attempted retraction of confessions; an accused going insane; long dead men named as conspirators, etc) – should have been enough to raise doubts in the mind of the most prejudiced. But the supporters of Stalin clearly did not want to see the truth. [3]

Here, as elsewhere, it was the paramount task of the Communist Party to “sell” the trials. For this purpose, in addition to public meetings throughout the country and articles in the Daily Worker and other periodicals, a stream of pamphlets was published. The Moscow correspondent of the Daily Worker , W.D. Shepherd, wrote two pamphlets in 1936: The Truth About the Murder of Kirov (31 pages) and The Moscow Trial (15 pages). In 1937, two leading English communists, Harry Pollitt and R. Palme Dutt, wrote The Truth about Trotskyism: The Moscow Trial (36 pages), and in 1938 R. Page Arnot and Tim Buck dealt with the third trial in Fascist Agents Exposed (22 pages). Supplementing all this there were the so-called verbatim Reports of the Court Proceedings (published in English by the People’s Commissariat of Justice of the USSR), and the abridged version of the official report of the August 1936 trial, published by the Anglo-Russian Parliamentary Committee. This does not, of course, exhaust the list of published matter issued directly or indirectly by the Communist Party in defence at the trials. Party contributors to the Left Book Club publications naturally also supported the campaign. In this respect JR Campbell’s Soviet Policy and its Critics (Gollancz, 1938, 374 pages) and Soviet Democracy (Gollancz, 1937, 288 pages) by Pat Sloan, are notable.

The bulk of this material eschews any attempt at reasoning and concentrates on invective in the verbal knuckleduster style typical of the Stalinist school. Campbell’s book is a much more ambitious effort in that he admits knowledge of the Dewey Commission [4] , quotes from its proceedings, and also uses quotations from Trotsky’s writings, albeit within strict limits. Thus he quotes Trotsky’s words:

Why, then, did the accused, after 25, 30 or more years of revolutionary work, agree to take upon themselves such monstrous and degrading accusations? How did the GPU achieve this? Why did not a single one of the accused cry out openly before the court against the frame-up? Etc, etc. In the nature of the case I am not obliged to answer these questions.

Here Campbell stops and comments: “But if there is no answer then a most important element in the case of the Soviet government is upheld.” (p. 252) He does not follow the quotation further, which runs:

We could not here question Yagoda (he is now being questioned himself by Yezhov), or Yezhov, or Vyshinsky, or Stalin, or, above all, their victims, the majority of whom, indeed, have already been shot. That is why the Commission cannot fully uncover the inquisitorial technique of the Moscow trials. But the mainsprings are already apparent. ( The Case of Leon Trotsky , pp. 482–83)

A very striking illustration of the Stalinist technique – low cunning, contempt for the truth, contempt for the reader’s intelligence – is to be seen on page 213 of Campbell’s book in his quotation from Trotsky’s The Soviet Union and the Fourth International . He begins in the middle of a paragraph:

The first social shock, external or internal, may throw the atomised Soviet society into civil war. The workers, having lost control over the state and economy, may resort to mass strikes as weapons of self-defence. The discipline of the dictatorship would be broken down [5] under the onslaught of the workers and because of the pressure of economic difficulties the trusts would be forced to disrupt the planned beginnings and enter into competition with one another. The dissolution of the regime would naturally be thrown over into the army. The socialist state would collapse, giving place to the capitalist regime, or, more correctly, to capitalist chaos.

And on this, Campbell writes: “This was more than a prophecy. It was the objective of the conspirators.” The very next paragraph in Trotsky’s essay begins: “The Stalinist press, of course, will reprint our warning analysis as a counter-revolutionary prophecy, or even as the expressed ‘desire’ of the Trotskyites.”

Campbell’s book is a long diatribe against “Trotskyism” and of its 374 pages there is hardly one on which the name Trotsky does not appear. Since this was written after the third Moscow trial, he has caught up with the Soviet scenario, successively developed with each trial. The crimes of the accused are now “only a culminating point in the struggle which Trotsky and his followers have been waging against the Bolshevik party since 1903”.

One of the curiosities of this period is the book written by Maurice Edelman from the notes of a Peter Kleist, entitled GPU Justice (1938). [6] According to Edelman, Kleist was “by no means a communist”. Efforts to convey an impression of objectivity are evident. The book dispenses with the usual Stalinist bludgeoning invective and affects a dispassionate, disengaged attitude, but its phraseology and tone are unmistakably pro-Stalinist. The Soviet Union is a classless society; the GPU is simply a police force like any other (only superior, of course); it is a misconception to consider it a secret police; if you are innocent no one can make you guilty; talk of GPU torture is Polish fascist slander; he, Kleist, is treated considerately, without brutality, and, therefore, so is every other suspect. There are many little touches designed to bring out the humanity of Kleist’s captors. The Lubyanka and Butyrki prisons are depicted as rest-homes, where lengthy discussions (reproduced apparently verbatim) permit Stalinists to defend Stalin and Trotskyites to expose themselves as avowed wreckers and saboteurs in collaboration with the White Guards. The book could obviously only have been written by someone with a very clear idea of the party line, and at the same time someone anxious to appear non-partisan. The cloak of non-partisanship is worn pretty thin, however, by the author’s efforts to defend and extol, not merely “GPU justice”, but almost every aspect of Soviet life, including the forced labour camps. Finally, in an appendix, Kleist on the Moscow Trials , all pretence of impartiality is dropped. There one reads: “Why do they confess? was the typical journalistic question, and no one, except the communist papers, supplied the obvious answer: ‘Because they were guilty.’” (p. 211) In this section the stock Stalinist arguments are put forward by Kleist himself and not, as in the main narrative, through the mouths of others.

To these arguments he adds one of his very own. It gives the appearance of having been inserted to show that in spite of his total agreement with the party line, he is nevertheless by no means a communist. For he says that, the GPU having established the guilt of the accused, they were “at this point quite conceivably offered remission of the death sentence”. This, he argues, “would account for the fluency of the confession and for the calm with which the majority of the prisoners heard the sentence of death” (p. 217). Apparently, Kleist regards this kind of double-crossing as a mark of the humanity of GPU justice.

His final sentence is worth noting:

In the years which have passed since this my release , the bursting into flames of the Spanish-Fascist rebellion, the risings and intervention of the Nazis in Austria and the promise of intervention in Czechoslovakia, have convinced me that whatever bewilderment is felt outside the Soviet Union at the unearthing of these Fascist conspirators, Fascist conspiracy in conjunction with Trotskyist conspiracy does exist and that its extirpation, so far from endangering the USSR, marks another peril avoided. (p. 218)

Leaving aside the peculiar logic of this passage, attention is drawn to the words emphasised. The book was published in 1938. Kleist was released in April 1937. Thus, no “years” could have passed since his release. The reader may work out for himself the chronology of the events to which he refers, all of which he says took place after his release.

The verdict of the British press was in general unfavourable to the Moscow trials. Among the dailies the Manchester Guardian stood out as their sharpest critic. In addition to its own editorial comment, it published cables from Trotsky rebutting the evidence and attacking Stalin’s policy, earning what is probably the rarest praise ever bestowed by a revolutionary on a “bourgeois” newspaper. “I know full well”, Trotsky telegraphed from Mexico (25 January 1937), “that the Manchester Guardian will be one of the first to serve the truth and humanity.” Typical of the Manchester Guardian ’s attitude was its statement of 28 August 1936: “He [Stalin] surrounds himself with men of his own making [7] and devotes all the power of the state to removing those who, however remotely, might become rival centres of authority.”

Nothing as bluntly condemnatory as this came, however, from The Times . Indeed, in 1936 and 1937, its attitude might justly be construed as favourable to Stalin. The trials, it thought, reflected the triumph of Stalin’s “nationalist” policy over that of the revolutionary die-hards. The conservative forces, with the overwhelming support of the nation, had now demonstrably gained the day. On this single point it was curiously at one with Trotsky himself, who wrote in an article in the Sunday Express (6 March 1938) that: “From beginning to end his [Stalin’s] programme was that of the formation of a bourgeois republic.” It was only with the 1938 trial that The Times expressed doubts as to the general trend of affairs in the Soviet Union. On balance one cannot say that The Times saw very clearly in this matter. [8]

The labour press was naturally in agreement with the views expressed by the Socialist International and the International Federation of Trade Unions (Louis de Brouckère and F. Adler on behalf of the LSI, and Sir W. Citrine and Walter Schevenels on behalf of the IFTU sent telegrams of protest on the occasion of each of the trials). Writing on the second trial in Reynolds News (7 February 1937), H.N. Brailsford said that it left him “bewildered, doubtful, miserable”; pointed however to the confessions – “If they had been coerced, surely some of them ... would have blurted out the truth”; referred then to the conflict of the evidence with known facts, and concluded: “In one Judas among 12 apostles it is easy to believe. But when there are 11 Judases and only one loyal apostle, the Church is unlikely to thrive.” In the Scottish Forward , Emrys Hughes” witty, ironic articles bluntly exposed the trials as “frame-ups”.

On the other hand, however, it was the communists alone who maintained a campaign consonant with their objectives. There can be little doubt that they did finally succeed in diverting the attention of left-wing opinion and those others whom they courted from the essential issues raised by the trials, and in persuading a very large body of public opinion that Stalin’s policy was right.

In this task they received powerful support from the New Statesman and Nation , which reached an audience not in general susceptible to direct communist approach. This journal gave an exhibition of dithering evasiveness and moral obtuseness rarely displayed by a reputedly responsible publication. The 1936 trial, “if one may trust the available reports, was wholly unconvincing” (28 August 1936). At the same time:

We do not deny ... that the confessions may have contained a substance of truth. We complain because, in the absence of independent witnesses, there is no way of knowing ... When we hear that so close and trusted a friend of Stalin as Radek, is suspected ... we are compelled to wonder that there may not be more serious discontent in the Soviet Union than was generally believed.” (5 September 1936)

An article on the second trial, Will Stalin Explain? (30 January 1937), stated that “the various parts of the plot do not seem to hang together”; but the confessions could not be doubted because that would mean doubting Soviet justice; on the other hand, “to accept them as they stand is to draw a picture of a regime divided against itself”. If there was an escape from this dilemma, would Stalin please tell them what it was?

In the absence of any answer from Stalin to this complaint, the journal had to be, and apparently was, satisfied with matters as they stood. For after the verdict it asserted that: “Few would now maintain that all or any of them were completely innocent.” (6 February 1937) Reference is made to a letter from Mr Dudley Collard (the letter noted earlier in this article) and the comment made: “If he is right, we may hope that the present round-up and the forthcoming trial will mean the final liquidation of ‘Trotskyism’ in the USSR, or at least of the infamous projects to which that word is now applied.”

The third trial again demonstrated the New Statesman and Nation ’s remoteness from reality and indifference to the moral issues raised: “The Soviet trial is undoubtedly very popular in the USSR. The exposure of Yagoda ... pleases everyone and seems to explain a great deal of treachery and inefficiency in the past.” But: “the confessions remain baffling whether we regard them as true or false, and the prisoners as innocent or guilty. There has undoubtedly been much plotting in the USSR.” (12 March 1938)

True or false; innocent or guilty: one could take one’s choice – what was important was that the confessions were baffling. Even more baffling were the mental processes by which an otherwise humane and intelligent man could write in a manner at once so callous and so superficial.

This type of confusion and refusal to face facts dominated the thinking of many left-wing intellectuals and the left wing of the labour movement during the 1930s. The experience of the great Russian purge destroyed no illusions, taught them nothing. And even today it is doubtful if there is a full appreciation of the profound effect those events had on Russian society and the men who lead it.

1. A member of the Fabian Society, Mr Collard performed the same service for the second Moscow trial as Pritt had done for the first (see D. Collard, Soviet Justice and the Trial of Radek , 1937). In 1936 he sent from Moscow a long telegram of protest against the appeal for mercy addressed to the court by Adler and Citrine. Yet in the New Statesman of 6 February 1937 he stated that “English reports of previous trials induced in me certain misgivings as to the genuineness of the charges”.

2. There were 53 accused at the 1928 trial – far too many for its proper staging. Right at the beginning it was announced that one, Nekrasov, had gone mad. Two other accused tried to withdraw their confessions during the course of the trial, giving a sickening glimpse of the preliminary investigation’s “rehearsal” horrors. At the next trial, in 1930, one Osadchy was brought into court under guard to give evidence as a member of the “conspiracy”. Osadchy had been one of the state prosecutors in the 1928 trial. With each trial the staging “improved”, but in the very nature of such trials perfection was impossible. Even at their “best” they could only deceive those suffering from what Ignazio Silone called the disease of juridical cretinism. It is worth noting that at the third Moscow trial the State Prosecutor, Vyshinsky, himself called attention to the connection between all these trials. ( Report of the Court Proceedings in the Case of the Anti-Soviet Bloc of Rights and Trotskyists , Moscow 1938, pp. 636–37)

3. It is worth recording that Moscow University recently conferred on D.N. Pritt the honorary degree of Doctor of Law. During the ceremony Academician Ivan Petrovsky, Rector of the University, praised Pritt as an “outstanding lawyer and selfless defender of the common people”.

4. See The Case of Leon Trotsky and Not Guilty (Secker and Warburg, 1937 and 1938).

5. The original reads: “The discipline of the dictatorship would be broken. Under the ...”, etc.

6. Recommended in Philip Grierson’s Books on Soviet Russia, 1917–1942 (1943) as “sober and matter-of-fact narrative; an admirable corrective to more sensational writings” (p. 125).

7. Among them, of course, N. Khrushchev, who, speaking from the roof of Lenin’s tomb to a parade of 200,000 workers after the 1937 trial, said: “By lifting their hands against Comrade Stalin they lifted them against everything that is best in humanity, because Stalin is the hope, Stalin is the expectation, Stalin is the lighthouse of all progressive humanity. Stalin, our banner! Stalin, our will! Stalin, our victory!” ( Daily Telegraph , 1 February 1937)

8. “Stalin’s policy of nationalism has been amply vindicated. Russia has made much industrial progress, social conditions are improving.” ( The Times , 20 August 1936) “Today the Russian dictatorship stages what is evidently meant to be the most impressive and terrifying of its many exhibitions of despotic power ... The customary overture has already been played by the Soviet press ... howling for the blood of those whom it denounces, in the grimly proleptic phrase, as “this Trotskyist carrion”.” ( The Times , 2 March 1938).

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Last updated: 17 February 2023