I was wondering if the topic of bullying is debatable. I have to select a debatable topic to focus on. Make an arguable claim, and write a 5-7-page paper examining, evaluating, and supporting my argument. I was thinking I could write

1) Is bullying a big issue around the world
2) Bullying can be stopped
3) Bullying impacts children education
or something around those lines would I have a better chance to focus on topic 3 or should I think of a better one?

To have an arguable topic, it needs to be something people will disagree with you about!

I think #1 and #3 are not arguable, but #2 certainly is. Do we want to see it stopped? Of course. But in reality CAN it be stopped?

Now THAT'S an arguable topic! Use the ideas and directions in the following websites to organize your thoughts and your paper.

https://www.powa.org/convince.html

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/argument.htm

So i should choose "Bullying can be stopped," and talk about how bullying if not stopped can impact children when it comes to their education and how cyber bullying is a main cause of students with low self esteem etc?

The ideas you have stated, while true, are not really argumentative! Who would disagree with you? Anyone?

You need to convince your readers that you are correct, whatever your topic and stance are.

Here are some choices:

Bullying in all forms can be stopped, but it will take lots of publicity and hard work.

Bullying in any form cannot be stopped because there will always be bullies in any society, whether in real life or online.


What others can you think of? You can't be wishy-washy in an argumentative paper. You must take ONE side of a topic, and that is the side (your stance) that you work to convince others to agree with.

No fence-sitting!

I don't think I addressed your question completely.

So i should choose "Bullying can be stopped," and talk about how bullying if not stopped can impact children when it comes to their education and how cyber bullying is a main cause of students with low self esteem etc?

If you choose "Bullying can be stopped" then you write about how to stop it. You don't write about the obvious things that people agree about. People already agree that bullying affects children negatively. People already agree that cyberbullying is a main cause of low self-esteem. You could use those ideas in your introduction, maybe, but to use them as main ideas in the body of your paper would be to go way off topic.

If you choose "Bullying can be stopped" as your overall idea, then everything else in your paper needs to state and explain HOW bullying can be stopped.

Choosing a debatable topic for your paper on bullying is a great idea, as it allows for a more in-depth analysis and evaluation of different perspectives. All three of the potential topics you mentioned - "Is bullying a big issue around the world," "Bullying can be stopped," and "Bullying impacts children's education" - are valid choices.

To determine which topic would provide a better focus for your paper, it's important to consider a few factors:

1. Research potential: Before settling on a topic, it's crucial to ensure that there is enough research available to support your arguments. Look for reliable sources, studies, and statistics related to each topic, assessing their availability and credibility. This will help you gauge the strength of your arguments and the depth of analysis you can provide.

2. Relevance and interest: Consider the relevance of the chosen topic to your academic field or personal interests. Reflecting on your own knowledge and experiences can help you narrow down the topic that resonates with you the most. Interest in the topic will make the research and writing process more engaging and enjoyable for you.

3. Scope and depth: Evaluate the scope and depth of each topic, considering the potential for a 5-7-page paper. Ensure that your claims are specific and focused enough to be supported within a reasonable page limit. If the topic is too broad, you might struggle to cover all the necessary aspects in detail. Conversely, if the topic is too narrow, it might be challenging to find enough evidence to support your argument.

Regarding your choices, topic 3 - "Bullying impacts children's education" - could be an excellent focus area. It allows for a detailed examination of the effects of bullying on academic performance, social interaction, and psychological well-being of children. Additionally, there is substantial research available on this topic, enabling you to provide a comprehensive analysis.

However, it's important to conduct preliminary research on all three topics to make an informed decision. Assess the availability of sources, diverging viewpoints, and the potential for generating a strong argument. By considering these factors, you can choose a topic that aligns with your interests, has sufficient research support, and allows for a comprehensive analysis within the given page limit.