Choose a topic that has received little or no attention in the mainstream media and argue why it is important and relevant. Explain why the issue has not yet been exposed or why it has been ignored. Also use the essay as a call to action by suggesting how the issue may be dealt with. In choosing a neglected issue as a topic, you must conduct original research rather than solely relying on secondary resources.
Pick a recent event from the news and pinpoint the debatable issue(s) in the story. Research the event from several angles and develop an argument based on your findings. For example, if you choose the 2011 Egyptian Revolution as your current event, you can draw out many broad topics such as the influence of social media in modern revolutions or how U.S. foreign policy may have aided or limited Egyptian political freedom. Centering your argument around a current event will keep the essay relevant to readers.
Choose a topic that is commonly accepted or agreed upon and prove that it deserves far more criticism. Explain the origins of the misconception and why it remains prevalent in society today. For example, you may choose to discuss the historic Christopher Columbus expedition and the myth that he set out to disprove that the earth was flat. Describe how and why the misconception has grown into an accepted belief and argue why the truth of the matter must be exposed.
Structure your argument from an angle unique to the existing debate. For example, if you're arguing about the commonly debated topic of immigration, discuss it in regard to the historic formation and definition of the nation state. Immigration is commonly argued from an ideological, political and logistical angle. Structuring your argument in this new way will add to the debate rather than just rehash it. Taking a creative approach to a well-worn debate will broaden the debate and open up the possibilities of persuasion.