Do you need a list of controversial essay topics? There are quite a number of them, I tell you. There are so many things that people feel strongly enough about to pick a side and argue it out that it is quite incredible how these topics stay open for so long. If you look at something like capital punishment, for example, you will notice that it has been a discussion in circulation for a great number of years now. One would think that one side eventually triumphs the other, right? Perhaps that is the thing though, these issues are sensitive and many people care about them. The more people who care, the more stand up for how they feel and the stronger their side grows. This happens for whichever side of the debate you find yourself on and so it keeps balancing without hope of resolution. 
Would it not be great if someone could just win? Sure, not everybody would be happy with the outcome but at least there will be a measure of peace. Well, I am not so sure about that. I think it is healthy to keep an open mind and having to see another perspective gives one the opportunity to do just that. Certainly it must help to create some understanding. If you need something controversial to write about try to think of the kinds of discussions that create a stir when they come up. Matters like religion, abortion and politics for example all have that scratchy element in common that make them debatable.