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112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging
What’s covered:, how to pick an awesome persuasive speech topic, 112 engaging persuasive speech topics, tips for preparing your persuasive speech.
Writing a stellar persuasive speech requires a carefully crafted argument that will resonate with your audience to sway them to your side. This feat can be challenging to accomplish, but an engaging, thought-provoking speech topic is an excellent place to start.
When it comes time to select a topic for your persuasive speech, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options to choose from—or your brain may be drawing a completely blank slate. If you’re having trouble thinking of the perfect topic, don’t worry. We’re here to help!
In this post, we’re sharing how to choose the perfect persuasive speech topic and tips to prepare for your speech. Plus, you’ll find 112 persuasive speech topics that you can take directly from us or use as creative inspiration for your own ideas!
Choose Something You’re Passionate About
It’s much easier to write, research, and deliver a speech about a cause you care about. Even if it’s challenging to find a topic that completely sparks your interest, try to choose a topic that aligns with your passions.
However, keep in mind that not everyone has the same interests as you. Try to choose a general topic to grab the attention of the majority of your audience, but one that’s specific enough to keep them engaged.
For example, suppose you’re giving a persuasive speech about book censorship. In that case, it’s probably too niche to talk about why “To Kill a Mockingbird” shouldn’t be censored (even if it’s your favorite book), and it’s too broad to talk about media censorship in general.
Steer Clear of Cliches
Have you already heard a persuasive speech topic presented dozens of times? If so, it’s probably not an excellent choice for your speech—even if it’s an issue you’re incredibly passionate about.
Although polarizing topics like abortion and climate control are important to discuss, they aren’t great persuasive speech topics. Most people have already formed an opinion on these topics, which will either cause them to tune out or have a negative impression of your speech.
Instead, choose topics that are fresh, unique, and new. If your audience has never heard your idea presented before, they will be more open to your argument and engaged in your speech.
Have a Clear Side of Opposition
For a persuasive speech to be engaging, there must be a clear side of opposition. To help determine the arguability of your topic, ask yourself: “If I presented my viewpoint on this topic to a group of peers, would someone disagree with me?” If the answer is yes, then you’ve chosen a great topic!
Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for what it takes to choose a great persuasive speech topic, here are over one hundred options for you to choose from.
- Should high school athletes get tested for steroids?
- Should schools be required to have physical education courses?
- Should sports grades in school depend on things like athletic ability?
- What sport should be added to or removed from the Olympics?
- Should college athletes be able to make money off of their merchandise?
- Should sports teams be able to recruit young athletes without a college degree?
- Should we consider video gamers as professional athletes?
- Is cheerleading considered a sport?
- Should parents allow their kids to play contact sports?
- Should professional female athletes be paid the same as professional male athletes?
- Should college be free at the undergraduate level?
- Is the traditional college experience obsolete?
- Should you choose a major based on your interests or your potential salary?
- Should high school students have to meet a required number of service hours before graduating?
- Should teachers earn more or less based on how their students perform on standardized tests?
- Are private high schools more effective than public high schools?
- Should there be a minimum number of attendance days required to graduate?
- Are GPAs harmful or helpful?
- Should schools be required to teach about standardized testing?
- Should Greek Life be banned in the United States?
- Should schools offer science classes explicitly about mental health?
- Should students be able to bring their cell phones to school?
- Should all public restrooms be all-gender?
- Should undocumented immigrants have the same employment and education opportunities as citizens?
- Should everyone be paid a living wage regardless of their employment status?
- Should supremacist groups be able to hold public events?
- Should guns be allowed in public places?
- Should the national drinking age be lowered?
- Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
- Should the government raise or lower the retirement age?
- Should the government be able to control the population?
- Is the death penalty ethical?
Environment
- Should stores charge customers for plastic bags?
- Should breeding animals (dogs, cats, etc.) be illegal?
- Is it okay to have exotic animals as pets?
- Should people be fined for not recycling?
- Should compost bins become mandatory for restaurants?
- Should electric vehicles have their own transportation infrastructure?
- Would heavier fining policies reduce corporations’ emissions?
- Should hunting be encouraged or illegal?
- Should reusable diapers replace disposable diapers?
Science & Technology
- Is paper media more reliable than digital news sources?
- Should automated/self-driving cars be legalized?
- Should schools be required to provide laptops to all students?
- Should software companies be able to have pre-downloaded programs and applications on devices?
- Should drones be allowed in military warfare?
- Should scientists invest more or less money into cancer research?
- Should cloning be illegal?
- Should societies colonize other planets?
- Should there be legal oversight over the development of technology?
Social Media
- Should there be an age limit on social media?
- Should cyberbullying have the same repercussions as in-person bullying?
- Are online relationships as valuable as in-person relationships?
- Does “cancel culture” have a positive or negative impact on societies?
- Are social media platforms reliable information or news sources?
- Should social media be censored?
- Does social media create an unrealistic standard of beauty?
- Is regular social media usage damaging to real-life interactions?
- Is social media distorting democracy?
- How many branches of government should there be?
- Who is the best/worst president of all time?
- How long should judges serve in the U.S. Supreme Court?
- Should a more significant portion of the U.S. budget be contributed towards education?
- Should the government invest in rapid transcontinental transportation infrastructure?
- Should airport screening be more or less stringent?
- Should the electoral college be dismantled?
- Should the U.S. have open borders?
- Should the government spend more or less money on space exploration?
- Should students sing Christmas carols, say the pledge of allegiance, or perform other tangentially religious activities?
- Should nuns and priests become genderless roles?
- Should schools and other public buildings have prayer rooms?
- Should animal sacrifice be legal if it occurs in a religious context?
- Should countries be allowed to impose a national religion on their citizens?
- Should the church be separated from the state?
- Does freedom of religion positively or negatively affect societies?
Parenting & Family
- Is it better to have children at a younger or older age?
- Is it better for children to go to daycare or stay home with their parents?
- Does birth order affect personality?
- Should parents or the school system teach their kids about sex?
- Are family traditions important?
- Should parents smoke or drink around young children?
- Should “spanking” children be illegal?
- Should parents use swear words in front of their children?
- Should parents allow their children to play violent video games?
Entertainment
- Should all actors be paid the same regardless of gender or ethnicity?
- Should all award shows be based on popular vote?
- Who should be responsible for paying taxes on prize money, the game show staff or the contestants?
- Should movies and television shows have ethnicity and gender quotas?
- Should newspapers and magazines move to a completely online format?
- Should streaming services like Netflix and Hulu be free for students?
- Is the movie rating system still effective?
- Should celebrities have more privacy rights?
Arts & Humanities
- Are libraries becoming obsolete?
- Should all schools have mandatory art or music courses in their curriculum?
- Should offensive language be censored from classic literary works?
- Is it ethical for museums to keep indigenous artifacts?
- Should digital designs be considered an art form?
- Should abstract art be considered an art form?
- Is music therapy effective?
- Should tattoos be regarded as “professional dress” for work?
- Should schools place greater emphasis on the arts programs?
- Should euthanasia be allowed in hospitals and other clinical settings?
- Should the government support and implement universal healthcare?
- Would obesity rates lower if the government intervened to make healthy foods more affordable?
- Should teenagers be given access to birth control pills without parental consent?
- Should food allergies be considered a disease?
- Should health insurance cover homeopathic medicine?
- Is using painkillers healthy?
- Should genetically modified foods be banned?
- Should there be a tax on unhealthy foods?
- Should tobacco products be banned from the country?
- Should the birth control pill be free for everyone?
If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original persuasive speech ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.
Do Your Research
A great persuasive speech is supported with plenty of well-researched facts and evidence. So before you begin the writing process, research both sides of the topic you’re presenting in-depth to gain a well-rounded perspective of the topic.
Understand Your Audience
It’s critical to understand your audience to deliver a great persuasive speech. After all, you are trying to convince them that your viewpoint is correct. Before writing your speech, consider the facts and information that your audience may already know, and think about the beliefs and concerns they may have about your topic. Then, address these concerns in your speech, and be mindful to include fresh, new information.
Have Someone Read Your Speech
Once you have finished writing your speech, have someone read it to check for areas of strength and improvement. You can use CollegeVine’s free essay review tool to get feedback on your speech from a peer!
Practice Makes Perfect
After completing your final draft, the key to success is to practice. Present your speech out loud in front of a mirror, your family, friends, and basically, anyone who will listen. Not only will the feedback of others help you to make your speech better, but you’ll become more confident in your presentation skills and may even be able to commit your speech to memory.
Hopefully, these ideas have inspired you to write a powerful, unique persuasive speech. With the perfect topic, plenty of practice, and a boost of self-confidence, we know you’ll impress your audience with a remarkable speech!
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50 Easy Persuasive Speech Topics
What is it that makes these EASY persuasive speech topics?
I have several pages on this site devoted to persuasive speeches, but this one is all about crafting your statement as efficiently as possible.
An EASY topic is one that...
- You already know well. If you know your subject thoroughly - and you don't need to spend hours researching the topic - then you'll instantly and significantly reduce your workload! Bringing your personal experiences to your speech makes it easier to write, and makes your presentation more engaging for your listeners. Try making a list of subjects you're interested in, and a topic idea may even jump out at you!
- You feel strongly about. There's nothing harder than trying to persuade someone they should feel a certain way about something if you're 'wishy-washy' on how you feel about it yourself! Real passion comes across in your words, which are more forceful and credible as a result.
Technically, then, an easy persuasive speech topic for one individual may not be so easy for another.
The list I have put together for you here, however, is of topics with broad appeal, subjects about which most of us have a strong opinion and PLENTY to say!
In each case, I have stated merely the topic itself - it is up to you to decide whether you will try to persuade your audience to be FOR or AGAINST the claimed idea.
Easy Persuasive Speech Topics - 1-12 Related to Schools
- All school children should wear a uniform
- Exams give little indication of a student's real ability
- Advertising in schools should be banned
- Homeschooling is better than traditional education
- Schools should ban soda
- Schools should not serve French fries
- Single-sex schools are better than mixed/co-ed
- School is not the place for sex education
- Students should be allowed to leave school at 14 to learn a trade
- Going to college is not the key to a prosperous future
- All students should master a 2nd language
- History textbooks do not tell the truth (discuss how the perception of historical events may vary around the world)
Easy Persuasive Speech Topics - 13-27 Related to Family Life
- Breastfeeding is better than bottle (formula) feeding
- Parents should be held legally responsible for the things their children do
- Under 18s should be allowed to drink alcohol at home with parental consent
- Every workplace should provide child-care
- Encouraging women to work is destroying the traditional family
- Punish parents who fail to give children a healthy diet
- We are over-scheduling our kids
- Parents should never pry into their teens' rooms/belongings
- Today's kids have it easier than their parents/grandparents
- Dads are more fun than moms! (Keep this light-hearted)
- Eating together as a family is important
- A woman's place is in the home! (This is a provocative title, so be funny or surprising in your speech)
- Older teenagers should contribute to household expenses
- We should value our old people rather than cast them aside
- It takes a village to raise a child
Easy Persuasive Speech Topics - 28-36 Funny/Light Hearted Ideas
- A Mac is better than a PC!
- Why [fill in the blank] is the best movie ever!
- Why everyone should visit [fill in the blank] (talk about somewhere you love)
- Mustaches should be banned
- Google is taking over the world
- Santa Claus is real!
- Games like Candy Crush are making us stupid
- Batman is cooler than Spiderman
- McDonald's is better than Burger King
Easy Persuasive Speech Topics - 37-50 Miscellaneous Ideas
- Plus size people should pay for two seats on public transport
- The government should not censor information given online
- Love is more powerful than hate
- Immigrants should be required to speak the language of the country to which they're moving
- We need more female construction workers!
- You should buy local produce whenever possible
- What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
- Money can't buy happiness
- A dog is man's best friend
- All hospitals should allow pets to be brought in to see their owners
- Criminals should be forced to make restitution to their victims, rather than to society in general
- Lying isn't always wrong
- Base discipline on rewards rather than punishment
- Facebook has improved life for many people
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Gender Selection
Energy Medicine
The Role of Marriage in Society
Fun Speech about Luck
Second-Hand Smoke
Using a Cell Phone Whilst Driving
School Uniform Policies
Become an Activist
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434 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.
Are you struggling to find a good persuasive speech topic ? We know – it can be hard to think of an interesting topic!
We’ve done all the hard work and created a list of 400+ great persuasive speech ideas for college students, teachers, and anyone interested in public speaking. They’re organized into categories to make it easier for you to find one that that genuinely interests you.
In addition to our collection of speech topic ideas, we also have some tips on selecting a good topic, as well as researchihng, writing, and delivering your persuasive speech.
What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?
Crafting a persuasive speech or writing a persuasive essay begins with picking the right topic. What makes a good persuasive speech topic? What are the most important factors that make it or break it when it comes to a good persuasive speech topic?
You are much more likely to be successful with your speech when you choose a topic that interests you, rather than merely picking one from a list.
Talking about something you know or would like to know more about well makes it much easier and fun!
Can We Write Your Speech?
Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.
Some speech topics have been done to death. They are tired and stale, and are not likely to excite you or your audience (think abortion, gun control, smoking, same-sex marriage). Find a topic that grabs you and your audience, something new and fresh, unique and original.
- Interesting
A good persuasive speech topic is one that you can use to grab the audience’s attention, inform and persuade, and provide a strong persuasive argument for adopting your point of view.
You want to pick a topic that your audience cares and what to hear about.
How To Select a Good Persuasive Topic
How to narrow down this list of ideas?
First, make a rough inventory:
- Which of the speech topics are you interested in?
- What amuses you, makes you move right the way, happy or sad?
- Which topics do you know something about?
- Which topics would you like to research?
Review your inventory list and narrow your choices by answering these questions:
- Do you know global, national, state, community, job or school-related problems and solutions, issues or controversies, related to the persuasive speech ideas?
- Are you excited about any historical or current events, places, processes, organizations or interesting people?
- Do you have certain concerns, opinions, or beliefs?
- Do you think something has to change in the human attitude or social values?
- Did you see or hear something in the news or read about in library books on any of these topics?
- Is there a link with personal experiences, professional or personal goals?
All the answers on the questions above help you to find your angle of approach for a conclusive speech. So, select a few specific angles. Those can serve as the basic main points.
Best 10 Persuasive Speech Topics
Don’t have time to read our full list of 400+ topic ideas? Here is our list of 10 best persuasive speech topics.
- Money can’t buy love or happiness
- Cooking should be taught in schools
- The minimum wage should be increased
- Advertising is a mind game
- Introverts make great leaders
- Eating meat is unethical
- Anyone under 16 should not be allowed to date
- Sustainable clothes are not really sustainable
- The penny coin should be phased out
List of Persuasive Speech Topics
- Constitutional Issues
- Easy and Simple
- Environment
- Food and Drink
- Funny and Humorous
- College Students
- International Relations
- Motivational
- National Security
- Practical Knowledge
- Relationships
10 Animal Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should more pets be adopted than bought from a breeder?
- Are pitbulls a vicious breed?
- Should a dog that has bitten somebody be executed?
- Should we tame wild animals like lions and sharks.
- Should battery farming still be legal?
- Should ‘factory farming’ be banned?
- Adopting pets is the best choice.
- How do puppy mills affect us?
- The benefits of having pets.
- Why cats make the perfect pet.
See this page for a full list of Speech Topics About Animals .
12 Automotive Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should the public first learn how to drive a manual transmission before obtaining their license?
- Drivers should have to take three courses before getting a license.
- Should young children use booster seats in vehicles?
- Hands-free cell phone use in cars should be promoted.
- Should the driving age be 14?
- The danger of texting and driving.
- Watch out for animals when driving.
- Why police should not chase a car.
- Why you should buy a Japanese car.
- Why sports cars are dangerous.
- Driving tests should be free.
- Share the road with bikes.
10 Business Persuasive Speech Topics
The world of business has so many aspects to it, but at the end of the day they are all about customer relations, about making money and about the relationship between employers and employees.
Below are topics that can be used to persuade your audience on a variety of business topics.
A tongue in cheek topic that can be used is “Hiring a lazy person isn’t always a bad thing”, this could be used to persuade an audience that often lazy people find the quickest solution to get something done, resulting in quickly completed work because they just want to get it over and done with.
- Advertising has tons of mind games.
- Advertising standards should be higher.
- The importance of understanding niche marketing.
- Why introverts make good leaders.
- Owning a business means you will lose your friends.
- Business will harden you.
- You should never go into business with family members.
- Just because someone knows you it doesn’t mean you owe them any discounts.
- To be a business owner you must learn to be well organized.
- It’s important that a business should have personality.
See this page for a full list of Persuasive Speech Topics for Business .
5 Constitutional Issues Persuasive Speech Topics
- Do you think it would be fair for the government to detain suspected terrorists without proper trial?
- Should flag burning as a form of protest be prohibited?
- Should every day begin with a silent prayer at school?
- Why alcohol should be illegal.
- Prayer in schools should not be mandatory.
10 Easy and Simple Persuasive Speech Topics
Below follow topics that should be easy enough to persuade your audience without going into too much research. There are some which can be used as ‘tongue in cheek’ topics such as ‘The paparazzi are the real stalkers’ and ‘People need to visit the dentist more often’.
- People should not text while driving.
- Celebrities who break the law should receive stiffer penalties.
- Teachers should pass a basic exam every few years to renew their certification.
- Cities should offer free bike-sharing programs.
- People should eat less junk food.
- We should do more to end poverty and world hunger.
- We should value the elders in our society and learn from their wisdom.
- Money can’t buy love or happiness.
- Children should be offered incentives for doing right, rather than punishment for wrongdoing.
- More recycling should be encouraged.
See this page for a full list of Easy and Simple Persuasive Speech Topics .
9 Economy Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should products manufactured outside the U.S. come with an additional tax?
- Buy products that are made in the USA.
- Free trade agreements are bad for workers.
- The trade deficit with China is dangerous.
- The minimum wage should be increased.
- Daylight savings time has many advantages for our economy.
- The oil companies are to blame for the rising energy prices.
- In most countries the economy is in the mighty hands of just a few multinational corporations.
- Hiring cheaper foreign employees hurts our economy.
10 Education Persuasive Speech Topics
- Teachers should have to pass a test of basic skills every decade to renew their certifications.
- Should free college tuition be offered to poor children?
- Would it be better to introduce a set of skills tests for students, before they graduate high school?
- Do you believe that students who are responsible for cyberbullying should be expelled from school?
- Would it be better if high school students completed community service hours to graduate?
- Do you think elementary and high school students should be allowed to use cell phones at school?
- Should students have to be on the honor roll in order to play sports?
- Art and music programs in public schools are an essential part of education.
- Schools should have the right to search students’ personal property (backpacks, lockers, pockets) to fight drugs in schools.
- Do you think students should be allowed to listen to music during study hall?
See this page for a full list of Education Persuasive Speech Topics .
10 Environment Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should there be stricter laws for protecting endangered species?
- Should only native plants be grown in gardens?
- More people should carpool or use public transportation.
- Should the U.S. limit the use of natural resources?
- How pollution is negatively affecting humanity.
- We should use algae to make oil instead of drilling.
- Why hydraulic fracturing should be banned.
- Why we shouldn’t use disposable diapers.
- Hybrid cars are good for the environment.
- We should keep our community clean.
See this page for a full list of Environmental Persuasive Speech Topics .
10 Ethics Persuasive Speech Topics
- Do you think female construction workers should have the same salary as male construction workers?
- Should assisted suicide be legal for people who suffer from terminal illnesses?
- Do you think the death penalty is the best punishment for dangerous criminals?
- Should you base your perspective of people on stereotypes you have heard?
- Should product testing on animals or humans be allowed?
- Why you should not choose your child’s genetics.
- Are people morally obligated to help the poor?
- Female genital mutilation should be stopped.
- Is it ethical to eat meat?
- Wearing fur is unethical.
10 Family Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should underaged people be allowed to consume alcohol at home, with parental permission?
- Should children 13 or younger be allowed to watch music videos or music channels like MTV?
- Do you think those older than 13 should be allowed into R-rated movies?
- Should teenagers be allowed to purchase violent video games?
- Is it appropriate for children to watch horror movies?
- Those under 16 should not be allowed to date.
- Parental pressure on child actors and athletes is harmful.
- Why parents should not hit their children.
- Fairy tales are good for young children.
- Why kids should not play R rated games.
See this page for a full list of Family Persuasive Speech Topics . We also have a page with Speech Topics for Kids .
6 Fashion Persuasive Speech Topics
- Men should wear pink.
- Choose an Eco-Fashion Fabrics Wardrobe!
- Are Sustainable Clothes Really Sustainable?
- Jewelry: Less Is More.
- Fashion Reveals Your True Identity.
- Fashion Is An Expression Of The Character
11 Financial Persuasive Speech Topics
- Why banks should ban hats and sunglasses to avoid robberies.
- Student loans should be forgiven.
- Reservation casinos are only beneficial if managed correctly.
- National debt is everyones problem.
- Purchasing a car is smarter than leasing one.
- The Japanese yen is affected by the weakness of the dollar.
- The Euro currency will oust the dollar.
- The Chinese Yuan / Japanese Yen / European Euro will all surpass the Dollar as leading currency.
- Phase the penny coin out.
- Severe budget cuts are the only way to maximise good financial results.
- Keeping a close eye on personal finance is key in achieving something in life.
15 Food and Drink Persuasive Speech Topics
- Genetically modified foods should be labeled.
- Do you believe companies who manufacture alcohol should be allowed to advertise on TV?
- Every child should learn to cook.
- Cooking should be taught in schools.
- Should we donate unused food from supermarkets?
- The history of added sugar in our food.
- We should all grow our own vegetables.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- The promise of genetically engineered food.
- Why peanuts are amazing.
- Drink more orange juice.
- Why people should cook.
- Farmers’ markets should be increased.
- Eating organic is good for your health.
- Get artificial hormones out of food.
See this page for a full list of Speech Topic Ideas On Food, Drink, and Cooking .
10 Fun Persuasive Speech Topics
Fun topics are a great way to get people to listen to what you have to say, because when they are entertained they listen more carefully. Fun topics also help the speaker be more at ease, because the topics are more relaxed. Below follow 100 topics that you can have fun with while persuading your audience. .
- Ghosts are not real.
- We all need to be childish.
- Smokers have more acquaintances.
- Music has the power to heal.
- Diamonds are a girls best friends.
- Couples need to live together before getting married.
- Allow kids to believe in Santa.
- Pick up lines do work.
- Cake is not cake if it is dry.
- Parents must be prepared for the ‘birds and bees’ talk.
See this page for a full list of Fun Persuasive Speech Topics .
10 Funny and Humorous Persuasive Speech Topics
Humour is a fabulous way to get people’s attention. Below are questions and statement topics that can be used to get your points across on a variety of topics.
It is important to remember that there can be a fine line between funny and insulting. So use wit and make it fun without insulting your audience. This would be important to remember with a title like ‘The most dangerous animal out there is a silent woman’.
- Blondes are not as dumb as they look.
- Why funny pick-up lines work.
- Guys gossip more than girls do.
- You should not be Facebook friends with your mom.
- If things go wrong, your horoscope is to blame.
- Students should not have to do a persuasive speech in front of a large audience.
- Millennials should stop wearing spandex yoga pants all the time.
- Dads are more fun than moms.
- Argumentative essays are pointless.
- Shoes that don’t fit right are hazardous to your health.
See this page for a full list of Funny Persuasive Speech Topics .
16 Government Persuasive Speech Topics
- Do you believe there should be stricter federal restrictions regarding content on the internet?
- Should employers be required to post job opportunities on a government-run website?
- The government should provide shelter for the homeless.
- Should the state fund schools run by religions?
- Whose face should be printed on the newest bank note?
- Do you believe Puerto Rico should become a state?
- Our nation’s justice system needs to be improved.
- Should the government have a say in our diets?
- The military budget must be decreased.
- Should people get drug tested for state aid?
- How policy works in local government.
- The government should increase funding of Amtrak.
- Fixing potholes should be a priority of local government.
- Eminent domain should be used rarely.
- The war on drugs is a failure.
- Zoning laws should be common sense.
10 Health Persuasive Speech Topics
- Female minors should be allowed to get birth control without telling their parents.
- Should stem cell researchers be able to use cells from aborted babies to help cure diseases?
- Should doctors be allowed to prescribe contraception for girls under 16?
- Do you think it would be better if the USA had a universal health care system?
- Do you believe free condoms should be distributed in schools?
- Regular exercise will improve your health.
- Restaurants should post all ingredients to prevent allergic reactions.
- Do you believe fast food should come with a warning label?
- The use of animals in medical research is a necessary evil.
- Seat belts ensure all passengers a safer ride.
See this page for a full list of Persuasive Speech Topics on Health and Fitness . We also have a page with Medical Topics .
10 School Persuasive Speech Topics
School is a whole new world, where students discover more about themselves and life around them. These are topics that students will most likely have to deal with at some point during their elementary, middle, and high school careers.
- High school students should be allowed to have cell phones in school.
- High school students should not have to wear school uniforms.
- All high school students should learn a foreign language.
- Girls should be allowed to play on the boys’ sports teams.
- High school students should be required to do community service.
- Extracurricular activities are important for your future.
- Students should be able to stay up late, even on school nights.
- Peer pressure helps students grow as individuals.
- Students should have healthy food options.
- Students should be paid for getting good grades.
See this page for a full list of Persuasive Speech Topics for School Students .
10 College Students Persuasive Speech Topics
The following topics are for college students and about the many different aspects that they will deal with during their time in college.
- College textbooks should be replaced by iPads.
- Mobile phones should be switched off during a lecture.
- College students shouldn’t skip classes.
- Students shouldn’t study something that they are not passionate about.
- Gap years are actually a very good idea.
- Notes should always be taken in class.
- Student loans are expensive and students need to understand what they are getting themselves into.
- Students should get to know other students.
- It’s smart to get the harder classes out of the way first.
- Taking summer classes will help students get ahead of schedule.
See this page for a full list of Persuasive Speech Topics for College Students .
10 Teens Persuasive Speech Topics
The following topics are aimed at teens and subjects which are important and matter to teens.
- Teenage girls should be on birth control.
- Teenage boys are lazier than girls.
- Teens should have weekend jobs.
- Homework should not be given.
- Being popular isn’t a good thing.
- Teens are obsessed with scary things.
- Chores shouldn’t be paid for.
- Sex education must be compulsory.
- Exchange student programs for all students.
- Free time gets teens into trouble.
See this page for a full list of Great Speech Topics for Teens .
5 History Persuasive Speech Topics
- Did the U.S. Army provide their soldiers drugs during the Vietnam war?
- African- American achievements should be celebrated.
- Why Lincoln was the best President.
- Revisionist history is dangerous.
- The moon landing was a lie.
See this page for a full list of History Speech Topics .
10 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics
Interesting topics will always have an audience glued to every word, even when they may disagree with your point of view. Ultimately it is your job to persuade them that your view is in fact correct.
These topics have a mix of simpler speeches such as “Pick up lines do work” here both humour and a few examples of pick up lines have worked will get you going in the right direction. For a speech with a bit more research put into it there are topics such as “Stem cell research in murder”.
- The standards of beauty are never the same.
- Princess Diana was killed.
- Energy drinks are dangerous.
- School day needs to involve less sitting and more exercise.
- No credit cards for under 25.
- Healthy relationships require conflicts.
- Everyone needs medical insurance.
- Tooth whitening is out of control.
- In future air planes won’t crash.
- Business should hire more apprentices.
See this page for a full list of Persuasive Interesting Speech Topics .
13 International Relations Persuasive Speech Topics
- Do you think it is time for the United States to suspend overseas military operations?
- The U.S. should cut off all foreign aid to dictatorships.
- Why you should volunteer in a developing country.
- Should Scotland be a country of its own?
- China will be the next superpower.
- Is any nation truly independent?
- Should women drive in Saudi Arabia?
- Foreign oil dependence is dangerous.
- Weapons disarmament should be increased.
- The war in Iraq was a mistake.
- The United Nations is important in defusing international crises.
- Human rights should be advanced all over the world.
- China will be the almighty economic superpower by 2025.
10 Law Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should those who are caught driving after consuming alcohol lose their driver’s license for one year?
- Should it be illegal to drive while talking on the phone?
- Should illegal music and movie downloads be prosecuted?
- Do you believe illegal immigrants should be allowed to apply for a driver’s license?
- Should motorcyclists have to wear a helmet?
- People over 65 should be required to take a bi-annual driver’s test.
- Should the driving age be raised to 21?
- Should assault weapons be legal?
- Should known gang members be prohibited from public parks?
- Do you think it should be illegal for people to curse on TV during daytime?
See this page for a full list of Legal Speech Topics .
3 Literature Persuasive Speech Topics
- Why reading is more beneficial than watching television.
- Why it is a good idea to read Fifty Shades of Grey.
- Why people need to read more books.
17 Media Persuasive Speech Topics
- Why it’s wrong for the media to promote a certain beauty standard.
- Is the media responsible for the moral degradation of teens?
- Do magazines marketed to teenagers send the wrong message?
- Why Disney should not be making Star Wars movies.
- Why you should study photography.
- Should certain T.V. shows have age restrictions?
- Why the media is to blame for eating disorders.
- The media does not force us to worship false icons.
- Why the Russian should have beat Rocky.
- Television is harmful to children.
- Why comic books are good to read.
- Some TV shows are educational.
- Make TV more educational.
- We need more funding for public television and radio.
- Violence on television should be regulated.
- Cable TV monopolies destroy competition.
- Katniss Everdeen would alienate Harry Potter.
10 Motivational Persuasive Speech Topics
- School leaders must shape high-achieving learning curricula for students.
- Set a clear goal and devote all your positive energy toward reaching it.
- What to do for people who have no motivation to live a happy life.
- The art of moral imagination is the key to intellectual and spiritual development.
- Why it is hard to follow your dream.
- What keep most of us from following the voice of your heart when it comes to love or even discovery travelling?
- Overcome your stage fright and fear of public speaking.
- Begin with forming a moral tool set when children are young and build further when they are at least 18 years old.
- Aim straightforward in whatever project you undertake, and emphasize and evaluate what you want to achieve often in between the completed parts of the total planning.
- Prudence is an effort you can turn non-believers into believers in your plans.
See this page for a full list of Speech Topics For Motivational Speaking .
6 Music Persuasive Speech Topics
- Why the French horn should be played more.
- Should schools allow uncensored songs at school dances?
- How listening to music could improve your day.
- Why music is beneficial to society.
- MP3 music should be free.
- Rock music is better than Country & Western.
6 National Security Persuasive Speech Topics
- Are intensive security screenings essential for those who travel in airplanes?
- Negotiating with terrorists is sometimes justifiable.
- Should police carry firearms?
- Homosexuals belong in the military.
- Women benefit the military in many ways.
- Should police carry toy guns?
10 Politics Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should it be legal for politicians to accept campaign contributions from corporate lobbyists?
- Why you should vote.
- Ban abusive language in elections.
- Why you should know Bernie Sanders.
- Term limits need to be respected.
- Give Kurdistan back to the Kurds.
- Zimbabwe is the next drama in world politics.
- Central Asian states could become a threat.
- America is not the world’s policeman.
- Globalization pays off.
See this page for a full list of Speech Topics about Politics .
3 Practical Knowledge Persuasive Speech Topics
- Basic survival skills are important to know.
- Basic camping skills everyone should know.
- Personal hygiene is important for professional success.
7 Psychology Persuasive Speech Topics
- Intelligence depends more on the environment than genetics.
- Human development depends primarily on environmental factors.
- Why we should not see psychologists.
- Why do we need to love and to be loved?
- Can money give you happiness?
- Why introverts make the best public speakers.
- Verbal abuse can be much more destructive than physical.
See this page for a full list of Psychology Speech Topics .
23 Relationships Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should young people have internet relationships?
- Men and women speak a different language of love.
- Long distance relationships are possible.
- Why it is important to live together before marriage.
- Teens should live with their friends once a week.
- Jealousy can be a disease.
- Most people say they will break up with a cheating partner, but in the end most people do not.
- Counseling is the solution for working through relationship problems.
- Intimacy is the key to a successful relationship.
- Women cheat more than men do.
- Interreligious Relationships – Love between two people can never be forbidden.
- Arranged marriages must be outlawed.
- Asking someone to wear a condom shows a lack of trust.
- Celibacy is outdated.
- Cheating isn’t wrong if you do it well.
- Co-workers should never date.
- Dating behavior rules are simple for girls: No means No, not Yes.
- Living together before marriage will lower the divorce rate.
- Men and women speak different languages in love matters.
- People only need one good friend.
- Polygamy should be allowed.
- You will learn most from friends that are different from you.
- Romance works best the old fashioned way.
8 Religion Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should public schools teach world religions?
- Students should be allowed to pray in school.
- Women should be priests.
- Religious conflict must be avoided.
- Why Islam is a peaceful religion.
- Islamic fundamentalism is not true Islam.
- Religious cults are dangerous.
- Faith in God should be protected.
See this page for a full list of Topics on Religion and Spirituality .
10 Science Persuasive Speech Topics
- Do you think the United States government should spend more on space programs?
- Why should we be aware of what is happening in outer space?
- Why Pluto should still be considered a planet.
- Mars was the same as Earth in the past.
- Why you should donate your body to science.
- We need more scientific advancements.
- Qualitative research is more preferable than quantitative research.
- Religion and science do not mix. (Or: they do.)
- Scientists have the duty to translate their findings in normal language.
- Theories are useless if they can not be transformed into strategies.
See this page for a full list of Persuasive Science Speech Topics .
11 Self-Help Persuasive Speech Topics
- Art is a stress reliever and can reduce depression.
- With hardwork and determination anyone can be successful.
- Why we should live life spontaneously.
- Improve your time management.
- Embarrassing moments make you stronger.
- Be true to yourself.
- Dress for success.
- How to continue your personal growth.
- The importance of self- confidence.
- If you don’t give up, you’ll make it.
- Talking to yourself can be beneficial.
10 Society Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should larger passengers be obliged to purchase two plane tickets, or two movie tickets?
- Should American families have no more than two children, in order to control population growth?
- Should property owners be obliged to clean the snow from sidewalks on their property?
- Should there be a cop in every bar to make sure people do not drink and drive?
- Do you believe that older people should receive free bus rides?
- Should all citizens of the USA complete one year of community service?
- Do you believe it is time for America to use the metric system?
- Why it should be mandatory for all students to stand for the pledge.
- Do you believe that cities should provide free wireless internet?
- Why living in the country is better than the city.
See this page for a full list of Persuasive Society Speech Topics .
10 Sport Persuasive Speech Topics
Some sports topics can quickly turn into an argument between fans so keep in mind that special care should be taken with some of the suggested topics.
The term soccer was used to distinguished between soccer and American football, feel free to use the term football for those countries that do not use the term soccer.
- Should some musical groups, such as marching band and show choir, be considered a sport?
- Do you think cities should have a bike sharing system?
- Should college athletes be paid?
- Why baseball players should take drug tests before playing.
- High school football programs should receive less funding.
- Female sports should be given equal coverage by the media.
- Should drug tests be mandatory for professional athletes?
- Should athletes be paid less?
- Should drug tests be mandatory for school athletes?
- Winning is not as important as trying your best.
See this page for a full list of Persuasive Sports Speech Topics .
28 Technology Persuasive Speech Topics
- Google and other search engines will be the death of libraries.
- Make sure to backup your computer files several times a day.
- What kind of influence will technology have on our future?
- Printing photos is better than keeping them on a computer.
- Do you believe internet censorship is inappropriate?
- Should nuclear power be used?
- How technology will change our lives.
- Internet could do more to free deaf people from their social isolation.
- Should screen time also be limited for adults?
- Why the government should regulate technology.
- Technology is making people less creative.
- Technology has made life better.
- Why Microsoft Word products should be free.
- Why you should not buy an iPhone.
- Anti-piracy software does not work.
- Internet chatrooms are not safe.
- The amount of spam you see in your mailbox is just the tip of the iceberg.
- We are addicted to the internet.
- Put down your phone and connect with people.
- Electronics are making kids lazy.
- How does a search engine work?
- Apple music should be free.
- The importance of the internet.
- Internet gambling needs more regulation.
- Computer literacy should be increased.
- The importance of internet fraud awareness.
- Why selfies are a thing of the past.
- People who say they do not need or want to use the world wide web are insane.
12 Travel Persuasive Speech Topics
- Why you should go to Bermuda.
- Why airline tickets should be cheaper.
- Traveling makes you more open-minded.
- Always report travel complaints as soon as possible when back home.
- Backpacking means every day unexpected adventures if you are open for it
- If there was no tourism there would be much more poverty.
- Support eco-tourism.
- Tourism ruins historical sites and there should be placed warning signs to awake them.
- Extreme air turbulence can be fatal.
- Fly First Class at least once in your lifetime.
- The best way to travel is in a guided group.
- Antarctica should be closed for tourists and scientists
8 Workplace Persuasive Speech Topics
- Should large corporations hire a number of minorities that are proportionate to the population?
- Do you think 14 year olds should be allowed to hold jobs?
- Why you should choose a high paying job over a fun job.
- Why everyone should work retail once in their life.
- Tipping should be mandatory in restaurants.
- Women make better managers than men.
- The importance of office parties.
- Labor unions should be protected.
Our list of topics is by far the best list you will find online – both in terms of quantity and quality. We add and remove ideas weekly to keep the list up-to-date.
Many timely persuasive speech topics can be found on radio, TV, your local newspaper, or your Facebook and Twitter feeds. We also have Argumentative (which is a type of persuasive speech on a controversial issue) and Policy topics . If you know of a cool topic, please send it to us and we will publish it on our page with fresh topics.
For persuasive essay topic ideas have a look at our list of Interesting Research Paper topics : these can be easily adapted for persuasive speeches.
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50 thoughts on “434 Good Persuasive Speech Topics”
Thank You! 🙂 Very helpful and inspiring and you get a good laugh out of these topics, wish me luck on my test.
That was some awesome topics for my college presentation thanks for the help 🙂
Thank you so much i got a 82 on my speech! I talked about how women don’t have rights, and that they should be in the kitchen. Thank you again!!!
These topics are good I like give speech. Speech good for speaking. thank for topics
Why smoking can help you make friends
These topic are good. Thank you so much..
Really helpful, I pro-formed a speech outlining why exactly unfaithful thots should be be vanquished from our society. Got a 69.
Thanks so much! I did a speech on the unfaithful thots of our society and the plague being wrought upon the population. We need a solution. Some might say a final, solution.
These topics are great. Thank you
OMG thank you sooooo mush you literally saved my life.
Thankkkk youuuuuuuuuuuuu sooooo much these topics are amazing and thank you for saving my life my speech was why airlines should be cheeper and i got a 99
Great topics but there is no R rating for video games. (Family, Topic 10)
Thank you so much this was really helpful!!!!
these are good topics because im in 5th grade in my class right now and we are starting pursasive right now
Why sex education important
Are pitbulls a vicious breed
Germany is the best
Does Lightning McQueen have Life Insurance or Car Insurance ?
Correction: why cats make the purrfect pet.
thank you this is a very helpful and inspiring topics
These were good and helpful. This was exactly what I needed for my speech. Thanks to whoever came up with all of these.
Thank you so much. My speech on getting Belle Delphine banned got 69%
Thank you so much, this was inspiring and helpful.
ok, so I know im the only one that did this but its actually 414 speech topics so!!!!!11
This was v helpful- thank you! i did that Princess Diana was murdered and was very easy to be passionate about it – thx again!
very nice. help alot.me like moon landing one. thought was funny.
i love ThiS website SO MUCH it helped me with my speech endlessly and will be forever greatful xxx <3 <3
Why water causes cancer
Why Sped kids should have more special attention in schools?
-Tax the freaking pants off the 1%
-Only highly education education specialists should make laws regarding education
-Schools should implement standards that require more recess and P.E. and no homework
did a speach on koalas being nuclearly reactive thx sm
please tell kate to stop trying to help with my academics in writing thanks xx
Should kids be allowed to kick their parents out of the house when they get caught doing bad things
cheating isnt wrong if you do it well
i personally think that this website helped a lot i think you should add a kpop section just for who is interester ^0^ thank you 🙂
I made a speech explaining why toothbrushing should be mandatory and it got a 69
thanks so much i got a 69 on my speech about free robux
thanks bro i got a 69% on my speech about how i would eat henrique all night
Couldn’t find a topic but site was amazing! Henrique on the other hand
thanks got me a 100
Those were so helpful wish me luck on my test
henrique is kind of annoying but a good website
i’m thinking a speech on the flash sounds perfect.
Thank youuu so muchhh!!!!!! This was so helpful and rly helped me find new perspectives to look from. I wrote my speech on how men are animals, have no rights, and should be locked in mines and milked for their semen. I also found out im pregnant guys!!!! Time to find out if it’s a girl or an abortion!!!!!
I got the best speech topic.thank goodness.I only got an hour to finish.
why can’t we make toast in the bath
Why teens shouldn’t have sex before marriage.
I laughed so hard at “students should not have to do a persuasive speech in front of public audiences”
is this the real life, or is it just a fantasy?
this site was so good i found nothing! thank goodness i got a 0% my grades are rising
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© 2024 My Speech Class
125+ Persuasive Speech Topics To Amaze Your Audience
Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University
Reviewed: 5/31/24
This article provides a comprehensive list of persuasive speech topics and answers to some of your frequently asked questions about speech topics.
Persuasive writing is hard, and it’s even harder to try to come up with an engaging topic that interests you and your audience.
Not only do you have to convince your audience to take your side on subjects that are often pretty divisive, but you also have to persuade them to take your side of the argument. The first step to making a successful persuasive speech that will amaze your audience is having a strong topic.
Keep reading for 125+ persuasive speech topics.
125+ Topics for a Persuasive Speech
Persuasive speech ideas are harder to come up with than you may think. There is a fine balance between interesting your audience, being interesting to you, unique, and fresh, all while being thought-provoking without being outright offensive.
Here is a breakdown of various topics for persuasive speeches, organized by categories, to inspire you.
1. Arts & Culture
Art and culture are always hot topics among individuals and groups. There are many interesting arguments and stances on both topics, and many people have strong opinions about them.
See below for prompts for persuasive speeches about art and culture:
- Is graffiti art?
- Should art classes be mandatory for all students?
- Should we keep reading classic literature that is offensive?
- Should there be a distinction between ‘high’ and ‘low’ literature?
- Are romcoms and erotica series like Fifty Shades of Grey empowering for women?
- Is reading actually more beneficial than watching TV or playing video games?
- Is there any benefit or relevance to teaching high school students Shakespeare?
- Should video games be considered a high form of entertainment?
- Are biographical movies of deceased musicians and artists ethical?
- Is modern music really worse than older music?
- Should paparazzi be banned and unable to sell their photos?
Topics in arts and culture are always fun to debate and discuss because you have the opportunity to talk about your favorite pieces of media!
2. Economics
Economics is a hotly debated topic. There is no shortage of compelling, engaging arguments involving economics.
Here are some good persuasive speech ideas on the topic of economics:
- Is capitalism a functional, ethical economic system?
- Should everyone, despite their income, be taxed at the same rate?
- Can we introduce another economic system to our society?
- Should each state, the federal government, or individual companies be responsible for setting a living wage?
- Should the minimum wage be doubled?
- Should everyone adapt to the four-day workweek?
- Should people who make under a certain amount per year not be taxed at all?
- Should governments encourage and reward people for shopping locally?
- Should advertisements be banned during TV and media programming aimed at kids?
- Has modern consumerism gone too far?
Economics is a great topic for a persuasive speech because it affects our everyday lives in so many ways. There are tons of research and perspectives to help support your argument.
3. Education
Many people feel strongly about education, and many sides and perspectives come into play: teachers, parents, students, student athletes, and more.
Here is a list of some engaging topics to write a persuasive speech on:
- Should post-secondary education be free?
- Should taking a year off between high school and college be mandatory?
- Is it fair to take cell phones away from kids in middle/high school while they are in class?
- Should school uniforms be mandatory in all high schools?
- Should cursive writing still be taught in schools?
- Do frats and sororities actually serve their purpose?
- Should programming and coding be introduced to young students?
- Should school lunches be free?
- Is college/university necessary anymore?
- Does the education system prepare students for adult life?
- Should gyms be mandatory for all students?
- Do schools need to do a better job at teaching students a second language?
- Should schools teach sign language?
- What age should students be taught sex ed?
- Should distant learning be encouraged or avoided at all costs?
Education is another great topic to write a speech about because it intersects with economics, culture , and politics . These topics will guarantee an engaged audience. This is a popular topic for high school students who are learning about tuition and scholarships at their top colleges!
4. Environment
Since the release of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” and Greta Thunberg’s unapologetic activism, climate change has been at the forefront of many political, economic, and cultural conversations.
If environmental issues spark your interest, consider writing on one of the topics below:
- Can we ever live in a truly ‘green’ and environmentally friendly society?
- Should water bottles be banned?
- Are businesses responsible for implementing environmentally friendly production and products?
- Should there be a carbon tax?
- Should electric cars be mandatory in the near future?
- Should we switch over to entirely renewable energy?
- Do low-income families have the same duties to be eco-conscious as high-income families do? Should plastic bags and single-use plastic be completely banned?
- Should car racing be banned?
- Should fast fashion be banned?
The environment and climate change are becoming, if not already, some of the most pressing issues of our day.
Ethics may be one of the most difficult topics to write a persuasive speech about because they tend to involve sensitive subject matter. However, ethics are also some of the most compelling and complex topics to explore.
Here are some potential topics for a persuasive speech about ethics:
- Is animal testing ethical?
- Is drinking coffee unethical?
- Are animal shelters that allow euthanization ethical?
- Should more people try to adopt a vegetarian/vegan diet?
- Is the death penalty ethical?
- Can racism ever truly be eliminated?
- Can the prison system genuinely contribute to the improvement and rehabilitation of individuals?
- Should justice systems and incarceration facilities focus on rehabilitation over punishment?
- Should cosmetic plastic surgery be covered by insurance?
- Are morals objective or subjective?
- Should zoos and circuses be banned?
- Should fur coats be illegal?
- Are censorship laws ethical?
- Is it ethical to genetically modify an embryo?
- How should we address the homelessness crisis, and who is responsible for it?
- Should minors who commit violent crimes be charged and tried as adults?
Tackling a persuasive speech on ethics is a challenge, as many of these topics are complex and sensitive. It can also be difficult to wrap up a speech on such huge ethical debates.
However, these topics also provide some of the most riveting and energizing debates—if you’re up to the challenge, you should definitely try to tackle one of these topics.
From fitness to food prices to economic privilege, there are tons of debatable topics regarding health. Here are just some of the potential topics you can write a speech on:
- Are individuals solely responsible for their own health?
- Should prescription medications be free?
- Should sugary drinks like pop be taxed at higher rates?
- Should Starbucks be allowed to advertise its high-calorie and high-sugar drinks?
- Should the government regulate the prices of fruits and vegetables?
- Should fast food restaurants regulate and reduce their portions?
- Should gym memberships be free?
- Should the government change and restructure the work week to reduce stress?
- Should nurses be paid more?
- Should smoking be banned?
- Should insurance companies fully cover rehabilitation stays for health issues like eating disorders?
People have varying opinions and understanding of health, which makes these topics very engaging and interesting to write about.
7. Politics
It goes without saying that almost every political issue is debatable.
- Do we actually live in a truly democratic society?
- Should there be a minimum wage or a living wage?
- Should the legal voting age be decreased?
- Does the pay gap exist?
- Are younger politicians more effective?
- Should there be stricter gun laws?
- Should Presidents be able to serve more than two terms?
- Should everyone get the day off work to go vote?
- Should political party funding be regulated?
- Should political smear campaigns be banned?
- Is there a political bias in mainstream media?
- Should you date someone with opposing political views?
- Is the government spending too much on the military sector?
Politics is all about persuading people to take a side, which makes it a strategic topic for delivering a moving, persuasive speech.
Sports is another big topic that people care a lot about. There are sports-related matters that are questioned everywhere: sports on TV, the Olympics, college sports and athletics, and athletic sponsorships .
Below is a list of captivating sports topics for a persuasive speech:
- Should the pay for professional teams be based on audience viewership?
- Are professional sports getting too violent?
- Are athletes overpaid?
- Is cheerleading empowering or exploitative?
- Should children be allowed to compete in competitive sports?
- Should we continue spending millions of dollars on the Olympic Games?
- Do people put too much importance on high school and college football?
- Should alcohol and tobacco ads be banned during sports?
- Is betting on sports teams ethical?
- Should high school and college athletes be paid?
Sports is a topic that people don’t often think of as controversial. However, your audience is bound to be engaged and contemplating your argument as you present your speech.
9. Technology
As the world increasingly moves to online spaces, and technology advances faster than ever before, technology is another hot topic that people have a lot of thoughts and opinions on.
- Should all workplaces offer hybrid/remote work?
- Should we pursue Artificial Intelligence?
- Do we need to put resources into traveling to space?
- Should parents monitor their children’s online activity?
- Is it okay for phones to use facial recognition and fingerprint technology?
- Is technology actually addicting?
- Can we blame technology for increased stress and anxiety?
- Are security cameras and body cameras an invasion of privacy?
- Should the internet be surveilled or managed?
- Should video game chats be surveilled or even banned?
- Are machines replacing human labor?
- Should cloning be outlawed/banned?
As technology continues to advance and expand into our personal lives, it is a great topic to write a unique persuasive speech on.
Having a unique and creative speech topic discussing one of your interests can make it stand out more! Think about extracurriculars you participate in, podcasts you enjoy, or fascinating facts you’ve learned. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.
- What makes a hero?
- Are we headed toward World War 3?
- Did humans really land on the moon?
- Are serial killers born or made?
- Can good and evil be separated neatly?
- Is cancel culture a positive or negative thing?
- Can money buy happiness?
- How to become a millionaire
- How to become more confident
- How to live to be 100
- How to survive an apocalypse
- Do extraterrestrial beings exist?
- Why students should start investing at 16
- The true history of… (event of your choice, such as the Chernobyl disaster, the Black Plague, Salem Witch Trials, etc.)
Exploring these diverse and intriguing topics will not only capture your audience's attention but also allow you to share your passions with your peers!
What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?
The best persuasive speech topics are topics that are not overdone and that the speaker is genuinely passionate about and knowledgeable about.
Persuasive topics should also be a bit controversial (this does not mean offensive) because the topic and speech itself should be thought-provoking. The more people are emotionally invested in the topic, the better.
For example, while you can try to persuade your audience that strawberry ice cream is better than chocolate ice cream, it’s unlikely that many people have a strong emotional investment in that topic. Without an emotional investment, audiences will be sitting listening to your speech, thinking: “So what?”
On the other hand, a topic like “Should government set limits on how many children a family can have in overpopulated countries?” is emotionally charged and truly matters to people.
Components of a Great Persuasive Speech Topic
Let's take a look at the key components that make up a great persuasive speech topic.
Timeliness and Relevance
Consider what's on people's minds right now. Your topic should be something they care about, whether it's in the news or a long-standing issue. It needs to feel important and connected to their lives. Picking a timely and relevant topic grabs your audience's attention and makes them more interested in what you have to say.
When choosing a topic, aim for something that has layers to it. Controversial topics or ones with lots of different opinions are good because they make people think. By exploring all the different angles of your topic, you can make your speech more engaging and show that you understand it well.
In today's world, facts matter more than ever. It's not enough to simply state your opinion; you need to back it up with solid evidence. Rely on numbers, data, and information from reliable sources to support what you're saying. When you do this, people trust you more and are more likely to believe what you're saying.
Personal Connection
Passion is a powerful tool in persuasion - so choose a topic that you truly care about. Passion is evident in your speech and ultimately makes it more interesting. Your enthusiasm rubs off on the audience, and they're more likely to pay attention. Feeling connected to your topic makes your speech more powerful and convincing.
How to Create a Compelling Persuasive Speech
Let's delve into the process of creating a compelling persuasive speech.
Understanding Your Audience
Before diving into your speech, take the time to understand your audience. What motivates them? What are their goals and values? Tailoring your message to resonate with their interests and concerns will greatly enhance its impact.
Focus on Key Goals
Keep your speech focused by selecting just one to three key goals to address. Trying to cover too much ground can overwhelm your audience and dilute your message. Instead, hone in on the most important points you want to convey.
Address Objections Head-On
Anticipate objections that your audience might have and incorporate them into your speech. Acknowledging and addressing these concerns demonstrates empathy and builds credibility, making your argument more persuasive.
Start with a Compelling Story
Capture your audience's attention from the outset by starting with a compelling story. Make it relatable and relevant to your message to draw listeners in and set the tone for the rest of your speech.
Practice, Practice, Practice
The key to delivering a persuasive speech with confidence is practice. Rehearse your speech until you know it inside and out, focusing on the flow of your ideas rather than memorizing every word. This will allow you to speak naturally and authentically.
Maintain Eye Contact
Engage your audience by maintaining eye contact throughout your speech. This creates a connection and keeps listeners attentive and engaged. Don't just stare at one person; instead, scan the room and make brief eye contact with various individuals.
Reinforce Your Points with Repetition
Repetition is a powerful tool for reinforcing your message. After explaining each key point, circle back and reiterate it to drive it home. This helps ensure that your audience remembers and internalizes your main ideas.
Leave a lasting impression by ending your speech with a strong closing statement. Summarize your key points and reiterate your main message with conviction. This final flourish will leave your audience inspired and motivated.
Embrace Feedback
Be open to feedback from your audience, and graciously accept both praise and criticism. Use feedback as an opportunity to refine your message and improve your delivery. By embracing feedback, you can continuously hone your persuasive skills and become an even more effective communicator.
After reading through all the possible topics you can write a persuasive speech on, you may still have some questions before you get going. Let’s get into them.
1. What Are Some Easy Persuasive Topics?
Any persuasive topic can be easy to write about if you are passionate about your stance. The more passionate and knowledgeable you are about your topic, the easier it will be to research and write.
There are also easy, persuasive topics that are more lighthearted than controversial, which some people may find easier to debate and write about. Some easy persuasive topics include:
- Should everyone have a three-day weekend?
- Should every public place have free Wi-Fi?
- Does social media do more harm than good?
- Should kids get paid for getting high grades?
- Do we need more holidays?
These topics are all fun to debate, which makes it easy to write a persuasive speech or essay. Whereas some persuasive topics can be complex and sensitive, the topics listed above are pretty straightforward, which makes them easier to discuss than more complex topics.
2. What Is a Good Speech Persuasive Topic For School?
A good start to finding a good persuasive speech topic for school is looking for a topic that involves something related to school. For example, you can look into talking about school uniforms, class sizes, tuition and scholarships, and school sports, just to name a few.
Having a speech topic related to school is a good idea for school because your audience (teachers and peers) are directly in that environment as well. This means they will likely be more engaged as the topic, whether they agree or disagree, is relevant to their everyday lives.
3. What are Three Examples of a Persuasive Speech Topic?
Any of the above topics listed in this article are examples of speech topics. Three specific examples that have not been listed are:
- Is social media to blame for the rates of depression and anxiety among youth?
- Do young adult romance novels encourage harmful and toxic relationships with their target audience?
- Should children under 18 have total control over medical decisions made about their bodies?
These topics are examples of speech topics because you need to take a clear stance in order to answer the question. The point of a persuasive speech is to convince or persuade the audience that your side of the argument is valid and should be considered, so the topic needs the individual to take a specific stance.
As briefly touched upon before, your topic needs to interest your audience for a successful persuasive speech. While you should make sure your topic isn’t overdone, you don’t want to go with something too ‘safe’ as that will most likely bore your audience.
Final Thoughts
Coming up with a topic for a persuasive speech may be the most difficult part of the writing process.
Read over our list of topics and pick out a few topics that genuinely interest you. From there, do some preliminary research on each topic and see which one has the strongest evidence to support your argument. Then, you’ll be good to start writing your persuasive speech that will amaze your audience!
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75 Persuasive Speech Topics and Ideas
October 4, 2018 - Gini Beqiri
To write a captivating and persuasive speech you must first decide on a topic that will engage, inform and also persuade the audience. We have discussed how to choose a topic and we have provided a list of speech ideas covering a wide range of categories.
What is persuasive speech?
The aim of a persuasive speech is to inform, educate and convince or motivate an audience to do something. You are essentially trying to sway the audience to adopt your own viewpoint.
The best persuasive speech topics are thought-provoking, daring and have a clear opinion. You should speak about something you are knowledgeable about and can argue your opinion for, as well as objectively discuss counter-arguments.
How to choose a topic for your speech
It’s not easy picking a topic for your speech as there are many options so consider the following factors when deciding.
Familiarity
Topics that you’re familiar with will make it easier to prepare for the speech.
It’s best if you decide on a topic in which you have a genuine interest in because you’ll be doing lots of research on it and if it’s something you enjoy the process will be significantly easier and more enjoyable. The audience will also see this enthusiasm when you’re presenting which will make the speech more persuasive.
The audience’s interest
The audience must care about the topic. You don’t want to lose their attention so choose something you think they’ll be interested in hearing about.
Consider choosing a topic that allows you to be more descriptive because this allows the audience to visualize which consequently helps persuade them.
Not overdone
When people have heard about a topic repeatedly they’re less likely to listen to you as it doesn’t interest them anymore. Avoid cliché or overdone topics as it’s difficult to maintain your audience’s attention because they feel like they’ve heard it all before.
An exception to this would be if you had new viewpoints or new facts to share. If this is the case then ensure you clarify early in your speech that you have unique views or information on the topic.
Emotional topics
Emotions are motivators so the audience is more likely to be persuaded and act on your requests if you present an emotional topic.
People like hearing about issues that affect them or their community, country etc. They find these topics more relatable which means they find them more interesting. Look at local issues and news to discover these topics.
Desired outcome
What do you want your audience to do as a result of your speech? Use this as a guide to choosing your topic, for example, maybe you want people to recycle more so you present a speech on the effect of microplastics in the ocean.
Persuasive speech topics
Lots of timely persuasive topics can be found using social media, the radio, TV and newspapers. We have compiled a list of 75 persuasive speech topic ideas covering a wide range of categories.
Some of the topics also fall into other categories and we have posed the topics as questions so they can be easily adapted into statements to suit your own viewpoint.
- Should pets be adopted rather than bought from a breeder?
- Should wild animals be tamed?
- Should people be allowed to own exotic animals like monkeys?
- Should all zoos and aquariums be closed?
Arts/Culture
- Should art and music therapy be covered by health insurance?
- Should graffiti be considered art?
- Should all students be required to learn an instrument in school?
- Should automobile drivers be required to take a test every three years?
- Are sports cars dangerous?
- Should bicycles share the roads with cars?
- Should bicycle riders be required by law to always wear helmets?
Business and economy
- Do introverts make great leaders?
- Does owning a business leave you feeling isolated?
- What is to blame for the rise in energy prices?
- Does hiring cheaper foreign employees hurt the economy?
- Should interns be paid for their work?
- Should employees receive bonuses for walking or biking to work?
- Should tipping in restaurants be mandatory?
- Should boys and girls should be taught in separate classrooms?
- Should schools include meditation breaks during the day?
- Should students be allowed to have their mobile phones with them during school?
- Should teachers have to pass a test every decade to renew their certifications?
- Should online teaching be given equal importance as the regular form of teaching?
- Is higher education over-rated?
- What are the best ways to stop bullying?
- Should people with more than one DUI lose their drivers’ licenses?
- Should prostitution be legalised?
- Should guns be illegal in the US?
- Should cannabis be legalised for medical reasons?
- Is equality a myth?
- Does what is “right” and “wrong” change from generation to generation?
- Is there never a good enough reason to declare war?
- Should governments tax sugary drinks and use the revenue for public health?
- Has cosmetic surgery risen to a level that exceeds good sense?
- Is the fast-food industry legally accountable for obesity?
- Should school cafeterias only offer healthy food options?
- Is acupuncture a valid medical technique?
- Should assisted suicide be legal?
- Does consuming meat affect health?
- Is dieting a good way to lose weight?
Law and politics
- Should voting be made compulsory?
- Should the President (or similar position) be allowed to serve more than two terms?
- Would poverty reduce by fixing housing?
- Should drug addicts be sent for treatment in hospitals instead of prisons?
- Would it be fair for the government to detain suspected terrorists without proper trial?
- Is torture acceptable when used for national security?
- Should celebrities who break the law receive stiffer penalties?
- Should the government completely ban all cigarettes and tobacco products
- Is it wrong for the media to promote a certain beauty standard?
- Is the media responsible for the moral degradation of teenagers?
- Should advertising be aimed at children?
- Has freedom of press gone too far?
- Should prayer be allowed in public schools?
- Does religion have a place in government?
- How do cults differ from religion?
Science and the environment
- Should recycling be mandatory?
- Should genetically modified foods be sold in supermarkets?
- Should parents be allowed to choose the sex of their unborn children?
- Should selling plastic bags be completely banned in shops?
- Should smoking in public places be banned?
- Should professional female athletes be paid the same as male athletes in the same sport?
- Should doping be allowed in professional sports?
- Should schools be required to teach all students how to swim?
- How does parental pressure affect young athletes?
- Will technology reduce or increase human employment opportunities?
- What age should children be allowed to have mobile phones?
- Should libraries be replaced with unlimited access to e-books?
- Should we recognize Bitcoin as a legal currency?
- Should bloggers and vloggers be treated as journalists and punished for indiscretions?
- Has technology helped connect people or isolate them?
- Should mobile phone use in public places be regulated?
- Do violent video games make people more violent?
World peace
- What is the safest country in the world?
- Is planetary nuclear disarmament possible?
- Is the idea of peace on earth naive?
These topics are just suggestions so you need to assess whether they would be suitable for your particular audience. You can easily adapt the topics to suit your interests and audience, for example, you could substitute “meat” in the topic “Does consuming meat affect health?” for many possibilities, such as “processed foods”, “mainly vegan food”, “dairy” and so on.
After choosing your topic
After you’ve chosen your topic it’s important to do the following:
- Research thoroughly
- Think about all of the different viewpoints
- Tailor to your audience – discussing your topic with others is a helpful way to gain an understanding of your audience.
- How involved are you with this topic – are you a key character?
- Have you contributed to this area, perhaps through blogs, books, papers and products.
- How qualified are you to speak on this topic?
- Do you have personal experience in it? How many years?
- How long have you been interested in the area?
While it may be difficult to choose from such a variety of persuasive speech topics, think about which of the above you have the most knowledge of and can argue your opinion on.
For advice about how to deliver your persuasive speech, check out our blog Persuasive Speech Outline and Ideas .
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List of Family Speech Topics Persuasive. Children should go to daycare. The importance of listening to your parents. Internet chat rooms are dangerous places for kids. Child abuse prevention efforts should be increased. Domestic abuse awareness should be increased. Should parents lie to their children about Santa?
We’ve compiled a list of 110 persuasive speech topics—broken down by category—for you to choose from or use as inspiration. Use the set of three questions we shared above to determine which of these interesting persuasive speech topics is right for you. Art, Media, and Culture.
In this post, we’re sharing how to choose the perfect persuasive speech topic and tips to prepare for your speech. Plus, you’ll find 112 persuasive speech topics that you can take directly from us or use as creative inspiration for your own ideas!
If you know your subject thoroughly - and you don't need to spend hours researching the topic - then you'll instantly and significantly reduce your workload! Bringing your personal experiences to your speech makes it easier to write, and makes your presentation more engaging for your listeners.
Find a topic that grabs you and your audience, something new and fresh, unique and original. A good persuasive speech topic is one that you can use to grab the audience’s attention, inform and persuade, and provide a strong persuasive argument for adopting your point of view.
Here, you'll find a giant list of persuasive speech topic ideas and examples that are broken down into 10 different categories, from arts and culture to economics to ethics and more.
10 min read. . This article provides a comprehensive list of persuasive speech topics and answers to some of your frequently asked questions about speech topics. Persuasive writing is hard, and it’s even harder to try to come up with an engaging topic that interests you and your audience.
49 Persuasive Speech Topics. I’ve divided this list of 49 topics into seven categories. I’ve also included links to sample persuasive speech outlines, persuasive essays, and argumentative essays to give you a few ideas of how you might develop ideas for your persuasive speech. Persuasive speech topics about technology.
Looking for persuasive speech ideas? Check out our comprehensive list of good persuasive speech topics and tips on making your speech stand out.
October 4, 2018 - Gini Beqiri. To write a captivating and persuasive speech you must first decide on a topic that will engage, inform and also persuade the audience. We have discussed how to choose a topic and we have provided a list of speech ideas covering a wide range of categories. What is persuasive speech?