I have to pick a topic for an argumentative research paper, but when I think about different topics I realize that all of my ideas and support on the subjects are from other people's ideas that I have read or heard.

So how do I come up with original ideas for a topic without using other peoples ideas?

2 answers

It would be almost impossible because if you know anything about a subject, you know what other people think about it.

The best you can do is choose a topic that hasn't been in the news much recently. How about --

Should we have dropped atomic bombs on Japan in 1945?
Should we get rid of the Electoral College?
Should coffee houses have well-ventilated smoking rooms?
I was always told to write out my thoughts and pick a random thing from what I'm thinking of. It's actually quite useful.