For it to work, it *has* be be something that you can argue.
Child abuse is bad. Not a good topic. Pretty much everyone would agree.
Making kids do homework is child abuse. You'd have some argument there.
Parents have a right to corporally punish their children. Again, there are two sides to the point.
Every home should be equipped with government-monitored video cameras to ensure that parents are not abusing their children. And we are back to no argument. It would be tough to make the case that homes should be equipped so.
With an argumentative essay, you could use a formula like this:
1. State an issue
2. Take a stance
3. Offer up the opposing side's view
4. Refute the opposing view
5. Sum it all up and provide a call to action
Eric Noto