Introduction
Writing argumentative essays is an important skill for 6th grade students to develop. Argumentative essays require research, critical thinking, and strong rhetorical skills. When assigning argumentative essays, teachers should choose age-appropriate topics that sixth graders can relate to and have opinions on. Some great topic ideas for 6th grade argumentative essays include school rules or policies, health and fitness, technology use, community issues, books and movies, and holidays or traditions.
School Rules or Policies
Rules and policies at school are things sixth graders are directly affected by on a daily basis. Common school policy topics they could argue for or against include:
Dress code rules: Students could argue for or against certain aspects of the school dress code like rules on uniforms, logo clothing, short lengths, etc.
Homework policies: Students could argue how much homework is appropriate for their grade level or whether it should be eliminated completely.
Bullying and discipline policies: Students could analyze whether current school policies on bullying, fighting, and acceptable discipline methods are effective or need changes.
Lunch periods and recess times: Students could argue to lengthen or shorten lunch/recess based on fairness or learning needs.
Health and Fitness
Health and physical activity are important parts of sixth grade lives. Potential health and fitness argument topics include:
School nutrition standards: Students could argue for or against changes to school meal and snack food nutrition requirements.
Recess and PE requirements: Students could analyze if current recess and physical education class times at their school meet daily activity guidelines for children.
Screen time limits: Students could argue whether schools or parents should set limits on daily screen time for things like TV, video games, phone use, computers for educational or health reasons.
Sports teams vs intramurals: Students could discuss the pros and cons of school funding for organized sports teams versus intramural recreational activities.
Technology Use
Technology is intertwined with sixth grader lives both in and out of school. Technology policy topics could include:
Cell phone and smart device policies: Students could analyze arguments for or against allowing cell phones and personal smart devices at school.
Online learning vs traditional classes: Students could discuss advantages and disadvantages of online/blended learning models compared to only in-person instruction.
Social media access: Students could research impacts of various social media platforms and argue appropriate age limits or parental controls.
Screen time habits: As above, students could analyze healthy screen time limits from research on impacts to learning, development, eyesight, etc.
Community Issues
Sixth graders are gaining awareness of their communities and could argue local issues such as:
Volunteer/service learning requirements: Arguments for or against requiring a certain number of community service hours for students.
Local development projects: Students could analyze arguments for and against proposed developments like new stores, sports complex, roads, etc.
Community resource allocation: Arguments for spending priorities like police vs libraries vs road repairs vs other essential services.
Environmental policies: Students could use research to argue for or against certain city or county waste removal, recycling, natural resource protection policies.
Books and Movies
Books and movies are a large part of 6th grade entertainment, so students could debate topics such as:
Book bannings: Arguments for or against removing certain books/sections from school libraries or reading lists.
Book/film adaptations: Pros and cons of adapting page-to-screen and changes made in the process.
PG, PG-13, R movie ratings: Analyze if current age limits are sufficient based on content or if parental discretion is most important.
Required reading lists: Debate appropriate grade level, genres, topics, etc. that schools should require students to read.
Holidays and Traditions
Holidays are meaningful times that can also spur discussion and differing viewpoints for argument essays:
Holiday observances: Students could analyze pros and cons of school holiday observances like Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc.
Winter breaks: Arguments for continuing, shortening or moving up timing of annual winter school breaks.
Heritage months: Students could debate importance of dedicating certain months to celebrate cultural diversity and heritage through traditions, foods, art, and more.
Regardless of the topic, it is important teachers provide structured argument essay guidelines and research assistance for 6th graders. With accessible topics and support, argumentative writing helps sixth graders strengthen communication skills in a developmentally appropriate manner.
Conclusion
Argumentative essays offer 6th graders an opportunity to logically think through issues, contrast perspectives, and voice informed opinions on matters relevant to their lives and communities. When assigning such essays, teachers should pick current, engaging topics from areas of schooling, health, technology use, community concerns, literature and holidays that sixth graders have a baseline understanding of and stake in debating respectfully. With guidance, argumentative writing aids sixth graders’ intellectual growth and prepares them for greater academic demands to come.
Andrew Stroud