really good persuasive essay topics

100 Persuasive Essay Topics

• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Persuasive essays are a bit like argument essays , but they tend to be a little kinder and gentler. Argument essays require you to discuss and attack an alternate view, while persuasive essays attempt to convince the reader that you have a believable argument. In other words, you are an advocate, not an adversary.

Writing a compelling persuasive essay requires you to select a topic that ideally stirs your readers' emotions. Before settling on a subject, explore some options to find one that helps craft the strongest and most engaging argument.

Below is a list of potential persuasive essay topics to spark your brainstorming process. You can choose a topic from this list or use it as inspiration to develop an idea of your own.

Main Components of a Persuasive Essay

• Introduction : This is the opening paragraph of your essay. It contains the hook , which is used to grab the reader's attention, and the thesis , or argument, which you'll explain in the next section.
• Body : This is the heart of your essay, usually three to five paragraphs in length. Each paragraph examines one theme or issue used to support your thesis.
• Conclusion : This is the final paragraph of your essay. In it, you'll sum up the main points of the body and connect them to your thesis. Persuasive essays often use the conclusion as a final appeal to the audience.

Learning how to write a persuasive essay is an essential skill people use every day in fields from business to law to media and entertainment. English students can begin writing a persuasive essay at any skill level. You'll surely find a sample topic or two from the list of 100 persuasive essays below, sorted by degree of difficulty.

Watch Now: 12 Ideas for Great Persuasive Essay Topics

Beginner topics.

• Kids should get paid for good grades.
• Students should have less homework.
• Snow days are great for family time.
• Penmanship is important.
• Short hair is better than long hair.
• We should all grow our own vegetables.
• We need more holidays.
• Aliens probably exist.
• Gym class is more important than music class.
• Kids should be able to vote.
• Kids should get paid for extra activities like sports.
• School should take place in the evenings.
• Country life is better than city life.
• City life is better than country life.
• We can change the world.
• Skateboard helmets should be mandatory.
• We should provide food for the poor.
• Children should be paid for doing chores.
• We should populate the moon .
• Dogs make better pets than cats.

Intermediate Topics

• The government should impose household trash limits.
• Nuclear weapons are an effective deterrent against foreign attack.
• Teens should be required to take parenting classes.
• We should teach etiquette in schools.
• School uniform laws are unconstitutional.
• All students should wear uniforms.
• Too much money is a bad thing.
• High schools should offer specialized degrees in arts or sciences.
• Magazine advertisements send unhealthy signals to young women.
• Robocalling should be outlawed.
• Age 12 is too young to babysit.
• Children should be required to read more.
• All students should be allowed to study abroad.
• Yearly driving tests should be mandatory past age 65.
• Cell phones should never be used while driving.
• All schools should implement bullying awareness programs.
• Bullies should be kicked out of school.
• Parents of bullies should have to pay a fine.
• The school year should be longer.
• School days should start later.
• Teens should be able to choose their bedtime.
• There should be a mandatory entrance exam for high school.
• Public transit should be privatized.
• We should allow pets in school.
• The voting age should be lowered to 16.
• Beauty contests are bad for body image.
• Every American should learn to speak Spanish.
• Every immigrant should learn to speak English.
• Video games can be educational.
• College athletes should be paid for their services.
• We need a military draft .
• Professional sports should eliminate cheerleaders.
• Teens should be able to start driving at 14 instead of 16.
• Year-round school is a bad idea.
• High school campuses should be guarded by police officers.
• The legal drinking age should be lowered to 19.
• Kids under 15 shouldn't have Facebook pages.
• Standardized testing should be eliminated.
• Teachers should be paid more.
• There should be one world currency.

Advanced Topics

• Domestic surveillance without a warrant should be legal.
• Letter grades should be replaced with a pass or fail.
• Every family should have a natural disaster survival plan.
• Parents should talk to kids about drugs at a young age.
• Racial slurs should be illegal.
• Gun ownership should be tightly regulated.
• Puerto Rico should be granted statehood.
• People should go to jail when they abandon their pets.
• Free speech should have limitations.
• Members of Congress should be subject to term limits.
• Recycling should be mandatory for everyone.
• High-speed internet access should be regulated like a public utility.
• Yearly driving tests should be mandatory for the first five years after getting a license.
• Recreational marijuana should be made legal nationwide.
• Legal marijuana should be taxed and regulated like tobacco or alcohol.
• Child support dodgers should go to jail.
• Students should be allowed to pray in school.
• All Americans have a constitutional right to health care.
• Internet access should be free for everyone.
• Social Security should be privatized.
• Pregnant couples should receive parenting lessons.
• We shouldn't use products made from animals.
• Celebrities should have more privacy rights.
• Professional football is too violent and should be banned.
• We need better sex education in schools.
• School testing is not effective.
• The United States should build a border wall with Mexico and Canada.
• Life is better than it was 50 years ago.
• Eating meat is unethical.
• A vegan diet is the only diet people should follow.
• Medical testing on animals should be illegal.
• The Electoral College is outdated.
• Medical testing on animals is necessary.
• Public safety is more important than an individual's right to privacy.
• Single-sex colleges provide a better education.
• Books should never be banned.
• Violent video games can cause people to act violently in real life.
• Freedom of religion has limitations.
• Nuclear power should be illegal.
• Climate change should be the president's primary political concern.

Key Takeaways

• Persuasive essays aim to convince rather than confront, effectively making you advocate for a position or idea.
• Choosing a compelling topic that evokes emotions is crucial for crafting a strong persuasive essay.
• The main parts of a persuasive essay are the introduction (with a hook and thesis), body paragraphs (explaining themes supporting the thesis), and conclusion (summarizing main points and making a final appeal).

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120+ Good Persuasive Essay Topics From Easy to Unique

• DESCRIPTION Book icon With Persuasive Essay Topics Examples
• SOURCE redchocolatte / iStock / Getty Images Plus
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Writing a persuasive essay helps refine critical thinking skills. As a writer addresses counterarguments and finds evidence to support their position, they develop a strong argument style. Find the perfect persuasive essay prompt with a list of more than 120 ideas.

Easy Persuasive Essay Ideas

Persuasive essays require the writer to convince the reader to see an issue from their side. These topics don’t involve much research, which makes them great for elementary school or as quick persuasive writing assignments for older students.

Persuasive Essay Topics About School

Students are experts on school – especially when it comes to their opinions about school. These persuasive topics about school are great for expressing views about dress codes, bullying, and school schedules.

• What should the punishment for cheating be?
• Should students be allowed to have phones at school?
• What’s the most interesting subject to learn?
• Should homework be required?
• Does your school handle bullying well?
• Are dress codes a good idea for schools?
• Is the school day too long?
• Should students get to choose what they study?
• What school rule would you change?
• Is it a good idea for friends to sit together in class?
• Does school start too early?
• Should students take a self-defense class?

Persuasive Essay Topics About Food

It’s easy to form an opinion on food but not as easy to convince others to agree with it. Try these persuasive prompts that range from junk food to healthy eating.

• What’s better: pizza or hot dogs?
• Should kids learn how to cook their own food?
• Is it more fun to eat in a restaurant or at home?
• What is the best dessert?
• Should healthy food cost less than junk food?
• Is eating meat a good idea?
• Is it better to snack all day or have three set meals?
• Should sugary drinks be allowed at school?
• Should kids have to eat foods they don’t like?
• What is the best food to serve at a party?

Persuasive Essay Topics About Animals

People care a lot about animals. Whether it comes to their favorite animals or where animals should be allowed to go, they’ve got something to say. See if these topics interest you enough to write a persuasive essay.

• If you want an animal to train, what is the best animal to pick?
• Should it be okay to keep wild animals as pets?
• Should pets be allowed in school?
• What animal makes the best pet?
• What animal makes the worst pet?
• Are big dogs better than small dogs?
• Should you adopt your pet from an animal shelter?

Persuasive Essay Topics About Sports and Activities

What’s the best sport? Is it more fun to play or watch an activity? Sports is another area in which people have strong opinions. Check out these sports-themed persuasive writing prompts for your next essay.

• Who is the best athlete in the world?
• What is the easiest hobby to learn?
• What is the best sport to play?
• Should girls be allowed to play on boys’ sports teams?
• Are team sports better than individual sports?
• Is it more fun to play sports or watch them?
• Are summer sports better than winter sports?
• Should students have to stop playing a sport if their grades aren’t high enough?
• Are professional athletes paid too much?
• What’s the best activity to do on a rainy day?

Persuasive Essay Topics About Entertainment

The world of movies, books, and music is an engaging place to be. But what’s the best – and worst – of the entertainment world? Some possible essay topics include:

• What’s the best music to listen to when you’re sad?
• Should music and movies be free?
• Are good guys or bad guys more interesting?
• What is the funniest movie you’ve ever seen?
• Are reality shows better than other shows?
• What is the best book ever written?
• Are scary movies enjoyable to watch?
• Are comedies better than action movies?
• What is the best superpower to have?
• Should audience members be able to film live concerts?
• Is it better to see a movie in the theater or stream it at home?

Challenging Persuasive Essay Ideas

Forming an argument about a more complex issue can be challenging. It involves backing up your stance with evidence while expressing yourself in a convincing way. The following persuasive essay prompts pose questions about politics, education, health, and more.

Persuasive Essay Topics About Social Issues

You probably hear arguments about modern social issues every day. Examine crime and punishment, the consequences of social media, overpopulation policies, and more with these topics on social issues.

• Should wealthy people pay more taxes?
• Are teenagers more impolite than other generations?
• Are people with mental illnesses treated fairly by society?
• Is social media beneficial or harmful?
• Do violent video games make people more violent?
• Is capital punishment ethical?
• Should we give money to homeless people?
• Should countries use a military draft?
• If countries are overpopulated, should the government be able to limit the number of children in each family?
• Are drunk drivers punished appropriately?

Persuasive Essay Topics About Education

Writing about issues in one’s school is less complex than writing about the educational system as a whole. See if these persuasive prompts about education inspire you to write about free college, grading systems, school choice, and online learning, among others.

• How much should parents be involved in their children’s education?
• Should families be able to choose the schools that their children attend?
• Is classroom learning better than online learning?
• Which is better: year-round school or summer vacation ?
• Should teachers use social media to communicate with their students?
• Do students deserve the same rights as adults?
• Should college be free?
• Which is better: letter grading systems or pass/fail?
• Should students have to learn sex education in school?
• Is having a college education required to have a good career?
• Should schools have security guards?
• Are tests the best way to see what students are learning?

Persuasive Essay Topics About History and Government

Perfect for social studies papers, these persuasive topics ask students to consider government policies in the past and present. Some questions may not be as straightforward as they seem.

• Was early European exploration a good thing or a harmful thing?
• Was America’s use of the atomic bomb in World War II necessary?
• Should companies be allowed to donate to political candidates?
• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Should children who are born in another country have citizenship there?
• Are there limits to the freedom of speech?
• Should members of Congress receive a salary during government shutdowns?
• If a felon has completed their sentences, should they be allowed to vote?
• What is the most unjust law in the country?
• Is America the most powerful country in the world?

Persuasive Essay Topics About Science and Technology

The ever-changing world of science and technology brings lots of practical and ethical questions. See what you think about animal testing, genetic engineering, and climate change with these thought-provoking persuasive prompts.

• Should America fund another trip to the moon?
• Is too much screen time harmful to children?
• Is climate change real?
• Should companies be allowed to create pollution if they’re making goods that benefit society?
• What is the most important scientific breakthrough of your lifetime?
• Is it okay for companies to sell their customers’ information?
• Should the government spend time and resources on renewable energy?
• Are clinical trials that use placebos ethical?
• Is animal testing ethical?
• Should parents be able to choose their babies’ traits before they’re born?

Persuasive Essay Topics About Health and Nutrition

Public health is an important issue in any society. But how much should the government be involved? Express your opinion with the following prompts:

• Should schools sell only healthy food?
• Is legalizing marijuana a good idea?
• Should parents be required to vaccinate their children?
• Should doctors and teachers screen teenagers for depression?
• Are genetically modified foods safe?
• Should physical education be required in schools?
• Should schools be allowed to drug test students whenever they want? What about companies and their employees?
• Are professional sports too dangerous?
• Should healthcare be universal?
• How could you convince someone to be more physically active?
• Should healthy people pay less for healthcare?

Unique Persuasive Essay Ideas

If none of the above topics appeal to you, see if these prompts would make an interesting persuasive essay. Remember to choose an issue you care about and one that you can back up with additional information.

• How much should the public know about a celebrity’s personal life?
• Is there ever a good reason for war?
• Is it ethical to train dogs as service animals?
• Is it better to listen to music while working, or to work in silence?
• What is the best career to have?
• Do zoos protect animals or exploit them?
• Is it better to be 2, 12, 22, or 32?
• Should people be allowed to clone themselves?
• What is the worst season?
• Is it better to be a morning person or a night person?
• Is loving your job more important than making a lot of money?
• What is the most important crop to the modern economy?
• Should you make new friends as you get older or focus on keeping the friends you have?
• If aliens came to Earth, should we befriend them?
• Is print news still important in a technological world?
• Is it better to be rich and alone or poor and have friends?
• Should parents teach their children old-fashioned manners?
• Is life better than it was 50 years ago?
• How would you convince your mayor to build a skate park?

Writing a Convincing Argument

Choosing an easy, challenging, or unique topic is the easy part. When you’re ready to build an argument, you’ll need to gather evidence, consider counterarguments, and draft your essay. Check out a template for a basic argumentative or persuasive essay , complete with a sample outline PDF.

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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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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

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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Persuasive Essay Writing

Persuasive Essay Topics

Easy and Unique Persuasive Essay Topics with Tips

15 min read

Published on: Jan 4, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024

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You're staring at a blank screen, trying to come up with a topic for your persuasive essay. You know you need to pick something interesting, but you're unsure where to start. 

It's hard to get motivated when it feels like everything has already been said on the topic you're considering. You are wondering how can you make your essay stand out.

The good news is that CollegeEssay.org  is here to help. 

We have compiled a list of potential persuasive essay topics to get your creative juices flowing. Whether you are looking for something controversial, humorous, or informative – we have it all. 

Take a look at our list of persuasive essay topics below to get started.

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Unique Persuasive Essay Topics for Students

Writing a persuasive essay can be quite an interesting task for students. It allows them to showcase their research and analytic skills and present their thoughts orderly. 

Choosing the right topic is key to making the writing process more enjoyable. 

Here are some great ideas that you can use for your essay: 

Persuasive Essay Topics for Middle School 

• Should students be required to wear uniforms in school? 
• What are the benefits of a longer school day? 
• How can technology help improve student engagement and learning? 
• Is it important for all schools to have equal access to resources? 
• Should physical education be mandatory in all schools? 
• How can schools better prepare students for entering the job market?
• Should a student’s grade be based solely on test performance?
• Is it important to limit screen time, or should there not be restrictions? 
• Should recess time be increased or decreased in school? 
• Is it beneficial for students to take part in after-school activities?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 6 

• Should school lunch prices be lowered to make it more accessible for all students? 
• Is there an argument for allowing cell phone usage in the classroom? 
• Should schools offer a wider variety of electives? 
• Is there a persuasive case for requiring physical education classes in elementary and middle schools? 
• Should students be allowed to opt-out of standardized testing? 
• Is the current homework load for elementary and middle school students too much? 
• Should school provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of financial status?
• Should sixth-grade classes have more field trips and outdoor activities? 
• Should students have access to more technology in the classroom? 
• Is there an argument for making recess mandatory for all grade levels? 

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 7

• Should schools have a dress code? 
• Should students be required to do community service projects to graduate? 
• Is it necessary for all student-athletes to take mandatory drug tests? 
• Are the current laws on gun control sufficient enough? 
• Should same-sex marriage be legal? 
• Should teenage drivers be allowed to have passengers in their cars? 
• Is standardized testing an effective measure of student success?
• Should homework be abolished in schools? 
• Should young children be allowed to use mobile phones or tablets at school? 
• Are video games too violent for young children?

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Persuasive Essay Topics for High School 

• Should physical education classes be mandatory in high school?
• Is a strict dress code necessary for student success?
• Are standardized tests an effective measure of student achievement?
• Does social media have a positive or negative impact on teenagers?
• Should students be allowed to grade their teachers? 
• Should cell phones be prohibited in the classroom?
• Should schools offer fast food options like McDonald's or Taco Bell?
• Is competitive sports necessary for a well-rounded education? 
• Are after-school activities essential to a student’s development?
• Should students be allowed to choose their classes?

Persuasive Essay Topics for College 

• Should universities require all students to take at least one course in diversity studies? 
• Should universities implement free speech zones on campuses? 
• Should college athletes be paid for their performance? 
• Is it ethical for employers to ask about an applicant’s criminal history during the hiring process? 
• Should college students be required to take a foreign language course? 
• Should the US government provide free tuition for all qualifying students? 
• Is it ethical to use animals in scientific research? 
• Are standardized tests an adequate measure of academic aptitude and ability? 
• Should paper textbooks be replaced with e-books? 
• Should all students be required to learn coding and computer science in school? 

Persuasive Essay Topics for University 

• Should universities offer free tuition to all students?
• Are special scholarships beneficial for university students?
• Should college athletes be paid for their services?
• Is it important for universities to provide mental health resources to their students? 
• How can universities help prevent cheating and plagiarism among students?
• Should universities be required to provide online courses?
• Are university degree requirements outdated and irrelevant?
• Is it necessary for university students to take physical education classes? 
• Does the presence of social media in academia positively or negatively impact learning? 
• Should universities prioritize research over teaching?

Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics from Different Fields 

When choosing essay topics, there is no shortage of interesting persuasive essay topics from different fields available.

Here are some examples of interesting persuasive essay topics from different fields:

Arts & Culture 

• Should museums be more inclusive of diverse cultures?
• Should the government fund public art programs?
• Are comic books an important form of literature?
• Does graffiti have any value as an art form?
• Is the traditional concept of beauty outdated in today’s society? 
• Is it important for the public to have access to art galleries and museums?
• Do modern movies have any real artistic value?
• Are video games a form of art?
• Should government funding be given to the performing arts?
• Does the music industry put too much emphasis on image rather than talent?
• Should governments guarantee a minimum wage?
• Should the government subsidize green energy projects?
• Is it necessary to introduce higher taxes on wealthy people?
• Are free trade agreements beneficial or detrimental to developing countries?
• Can economic growth be sustained without harming the environment?
• Is immigration beneficial or detrimental to a country’s economic growth?
• Should governments limit the size of banks and financial institutions?
• Is it necessary for countries to regulate their currency markets?
• Should governments invest in renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels?
• Should high officials pay more taxes?
• Should students be required to complete a certain number of community service hours to graduate?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory for all public schools?
• Are textbooks becoming obsolete due to technological advances?
• Should the education system focus more on practical subjects such as coding and programming?
• Is the current grading system in public schools fair and effective?
• Is homeschooling a viable alternative to traditional schooling?
• Should standardized testing be abolished from the education system?
• Should teachers receive bonuses for good performance in the classroom?
• Are students more likely to succeed if they attend a private school or university?
• Should all students have access to free college tuition?
• Is using animals in medical research ethical?
• Should parents be allowed to choose their child’s gender?
• Should companies be held responsible for the pollution they create? 
• Are businesses obligated to act ethically when conducting business abroad? 
• Is it ethical to censor content on the internet?
• Should the government enforce stricter regulations on genetically modified food?
• Is it ethical to use artificial intelligence in decision-making processes?
• Should corporations be allowed to have their own private security forces? 
• Are restrictions on freedom of speech necessary for public safety? 
• Do companies have an ethical responsibility to pay fair wages?

Government and Politics 

• Should the government regulate social media?
• Should term limits be placed on members of Congress?
• Are taxes too high in the United States?
• Should voting be mandatory for all citizens?
• Is the Electoral College still relevant today?
• Does the death penalty serve as a deterrent to crime?
• Should the US switch to a single-payer health care system?
• Should there be limits on campaign spending?
• Should the United States adopt a flat tax system?
• Is it time to repeal the Second Amendment?
• Is legalizing marijuana an ethical practice?
• Should parents be allowed to choose the gender of their child? 
• Is it ethical to test medicines on animals? 
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of genetic engineering? 
• Are there any health risks associated with using digital screens too often? 
• Should physical education be mandatory in every school? 
• Is the healthcare system in your country adequate for your needs? 
• Are there any benefits to eating organic food? 
• How does mental health affect physical health? 
• Should vaccinations be mandatory for all children? 
• Was the Spanish Inquisition justified? 
• Were the American Colonists justified in rebelling against Great Britain? 
• Did Christopher Columbus’ discoveries benefit or harm indigenous populations? 
• What effect did Genghis Khan have on world history? 
• Did World War I significantly change the course of history? 
• Was the Treaty of Versailles fair to Germany? 
• Did Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule bring about positive or negative changes for France and Europe? 
• Should the United States annexed the Philippines in 1898? 
• How did the Great Depression shape world history? 
• Is there any validity to the theory of a “clash of civilizations”? 
• Should artificial intelligence be regulated?
• Should autonomous vehicles be allowed on public roads?
• Is the internet making us less social?
• Should research into cloning be banned?
• Are there moral issues related to genetic engineering?
• Should governments fund space exploration programs?
• Are smart home devices making us more vulnerable to cyberattacks?
• Should the government regulate social media use?
• Are robots taking away jobs from humans?
• Should nuclear energy be used as an alternative to fossil fuels?
• Should professional athletes be drug tested?
• Is there a gender gap in sports?
• Should college athletes be paid for their performances?
• Does skill or luck decide the outcome of sports competitions?
• Are sporting events becoming too commercialized? 
• Is it necessary to increase public funding for sporting events?
• Is the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports cheating or fair?
• Should college students be able to choose their own sports teams?
• Do professional sports hurt young people?
• Should parents allow children to play violent video games?
• Should schools replace textbooks with tablets?
• Are algorithms replacing human decision-making in the workplace?
• Is it time to regulate the use of facial recognition technology?
• Can artificial intelligence and robots be used to improve healthcare outcomes?
• Should autonomous vehicles be allowed on public roads? 
• Should Internet access be a basic human right?
• Should social media platforms do more to protect user privacy?
• Is blockchain technology the future of banking and finance? 
• Are virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa invading privacy? 
• Can we trust that autonomous weapons system will make ethical decisions in war?

Social Media

Here are a few social media persuasive essay topics. Take a look at them.

• Is social media a positive or negative influence on society?
• Should employers be able to access an employee's social media accounts?
• Should people be allowed to post anonymously online?
• How can parents protect their children from the risks of using social media?
• Does the spread of fake news on social media hurt society?
• Should governments regulate online speech on social media?
• Should employers be allowed to conduct background checks using social media?
• Is the personal data of individuals safe from exploitation by corporate interests on social media platforms?
• Are people spending too much time on their digital devices?
• Is the use of social media by young people making them more isolated?

Controversial Persuasive Essay Topics 

• Should the death penalty be reinstated in all states?
• Should gun control laws be stricter? 
• Is global warming a real threat? 
• Are vaccinations safe for children? 
• Should prostitution be legalized? 
• Should marijuana be made legal? 
• Does school uniform violate personal freedom? 
• Should genetically modified foods be allowed in the market? 
• Should sex education in school be mandatory? 
• Should animal testing be banned?

Fun Persuasive Essay Topics 

• Should cats be allowed to go to school?
• Should people have a minimum number of friends before they can graduate?
• Is it okay to laugh at your own jokes?
• Should parents be required to take parenting classes?
• Are video games the best way to spend free time?
• Should kids be allowed to wear pajamas in public places?
• Should students have to pass a test before they can drive a car?
• Are cell phones essential for teenagers or should they be limited?
• Should everyone learn how to cook their meals?
• Would it be better if all schools had the same uniform?

Argumentative Persuasive Essay Topics 

• Should the electoral college be abolished? 
• Is it ethical to eat meat? 
• Should the internet have censorship? 
• Are genetically modified foods safe for human consumption? 
• Is social media good or bad for society? 
• Should the drinking age be lowered or raised? 
• Should school attendance be mandatory for students? 
• Are video games too violent and negatively influencing children?  
• Should religious education be banned from public schools?

How to Choose a Good Persuasive Essay Topic? 

Choosing a writing topic for your persuasive essay writing is essential. 

The right topic will let you draft an exceptional and well-written essay. Selecting a persuasive essay topic might sound easy, but it can be challenging. 

You cannot randomly start writing a persuasive essay about any topic and expect your essay to be brilliant. 

To select the best topic for your essay, take these essential steps:

1. Know your Interests -   You can only draft an effective essay if you are writing about something that interests you. When you write something you are passionate about, the enthusiasm helps to persuade the readers.

2. Narrow Down Ideas - Make a rough list of the topic of your interest. Then, analyze all the issues and identify topics you think you can present well.

3. Pick your Stance - Now that you know the information is sufficient on a topic, decide your stance. Pick a side to support with evidence and logic. 

4. Controversy is the Best Policy - People love to read about controversial stuff. It is more likely that the readers will go through the entire essay to ease their curiosity. 

After passing your ideas through these filters, you will have a strong and arguable topic to draft an essay on.

Tips for Writing a Compelling Persuasive Essay 

Whether you are in school, college, or university, crafting an effective persuasive essay can be difficult.

Fortunately, with a few tips and tricks, you can create a compelling, persuasive essay that will make your readers take notice. 

Here are six tips to help you write a compelling, persuasive essay:

1. Choose Your Topic Carefully

You need to select a relevant and interesting topic for your audience. Make sure you feel passionate about it and can present it logically and convincingly.

2. Do Extensive Research

Before beginning your essay, research your topic as much as possible. So you can present both sides of the argument in an informed, balanced way.

3. Identify Your Audience

 Before writing your persuasive essay, consider who will be reading it and their interests. 

This will help you write in a language that resonates with them and ensure that your arguments suit their understanding.

4. Use Logical Arguments

It is important to provide logical and compelling arguments to be persuasive. Make sure you use facts, statistics, and other evidence to make your points more convincing.

5. Structure Your Essay Well

An effective persuasive essay should be well-organized. Divide it into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. 

Pay attention to the structure of your essay, as it can help you make your points more effectively.

Learn how to make a perfect persuasive essay outline with the help of our blog. 

6. Make It Engaging

An engaging, persuasive essay will capture your audience’s attention from beginning to end. 

Use various techniques to make your essay interesting and engaging, such as using examples, analogies, and persuasive language.

We hope you are inspired by our comprehensive list of topics. Pick up a topic that entices you and start working on it. By following these amazing tips and tricks, you can surely compose an essay that will wow your professor.

Still not sure how to draft a perfect essay? Well, leave it to us. Our essay writing service helps you craft your argument in the most effective way possible to get the desired results.

 Don't let yourself get overwhelmed with the process! Trust our professional persuasive essay writer. 

Let CollegeEssay.org's best essay writing service guide you on your journey and take your writing to the next level. 

Take the stress out of writing persuasive essays and get the results you need with our expert essay writer AI .

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i choose a good persuasive essay topic.

When selecting a persuasive essay topic, consider an issue that is interesting to you and has two or more opposing viewpoints. Research various resources about the topic to gain a better perspective

What strategies can I use for writing a persuasive essay?

When writing a persuasive essay, establish facts from reliable sources to support your argument. Be concise but thorough, and use persuasive language to strengthen your argument.

How can I make my persuasive essay stand out?

To make your persuasive essay stand out, use vivid language and strong, specific evidence to support each point. Make sure all sources are current and relevant to the argument being made. With these elements, your persuasive essay will stand out from the rest!

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50 Persuasive Essay Topics to Help You Ace Your Next Assignment

5-minute read

• 19th January 2023

Welcome to your ultimate guide to persuasive essay topics! 

In this post, we’ll provide a list of 50 persuasive essay topics to help you get started on your next assignment. 

We’ll also include some tips for writing a persuasive essay to help you craft a strong and effective argument. Whether you’re a student or a professional writer, these persuasive essay topics are sure to inspire and challenge you.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

Persuasive essays are a type of argumentative essay that encourage the reader to accept a particular point of view or take a specific action.

They typically open with a question, followed by a series of arguments intended to persuade the reader to take the same side as the author.

In a persuasive essay, the author will usually appeal to the readers’ emotions in order to prove that their opinion is the correct one. But this doesn’t mean that persuasive essays ignore evidence , facts, and figures; an effective persuasive essay makes use of a combination of logical argument and emotive language to sway the audience.

A persuasive essay can cover just about anything from pop culture to politics. With that in mind, we’ve put together this list of 50 persuasive essay topics to inspire your next assignment!

Top 50 Persuasive Essay Topics

• Should the government censor the internet?
• Should the government regulate the sale of violent video games?
• Should self-driving cars be banned?
• Is facial recognition software unethical?
• Should mental health apps collect users’ personal data?
• Should children under 13 have cell phones?
• Should internet access be treated as a human right?
• Should all paperwork be digitized?

Science and the Environment

• Should the use of plastic bags be banned?
• Should genetically modified organisms be labeled?
• Should we clone human beings?
• Should animal testing be allowed?
• Should the government fund space exploration?
• Should the government regulate the use of pesticides in farming?
• Should the government regulate the use of antibiotics in livestock?
• Should the government fine people who drive gas-powered vehicles?
• Should climate change be declared a national emergency?

Crime and Politics

• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Should all American citizens have to serve a year of community service?
• Should the US voting age be lowered to 16?
• Should the government adopt a tougher immigration policy?
• Should the government cut its military spending?
• Should the government introduce a national living wage?
• Should politicians be banned from social media?
• Should the electoral college be abolished?

Health and Fitness

• Should the government provide universal healthcare?
• Should the government ban the use of certain chemicals in cosmetics?
• Should parents be allowed to choose the gender of their unborn child?
• Should physical exercise be mandatory at work?
• Should employees have to disclose health conditions to their employers?
• Should fast food commercials be banned?
• Should herbal medicines be better regulated?
• Should regular mental health checkups be mandatory?
• Should schools offer fast food options like McDonald’s or Taco Bell?
• Should students be required to wear uniforms?
• Should the government provide free college education?
• Should schools offer comprehensive sex education?
• Are high school students given too much homework?
• Should humanities and arts subjects receive more funding?
• Should military recruiters be allowed on school grounds?
• Is the school day too long?
• Should every US citizen be required to learn another language?

Lifestyle and Culture

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• Should the drinking age be lowered or raised?
• Should the use of tobacco be banned?
• Should marijuana be legalized?
• Should all museums and art galleries be free?
• Should kids be encouraged to read more?
• Should public spaces provide unisex bathrooms?
• Is pet ownership a human right?
• Should extreme sports be banned?

Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay

Once you’ve chosen your topic, it’s time to start writing your persuasive essay. Here are our tips:

Choose a Side

When you’ve picked the question you’re going to address in your essay, you also need to choose one side – or answer – that you’re going to write in favor of.

It helps if you’re passionate about the topic, as this will enable you to write from an emotional perspective.

Do Your Research

In order to write persuasively , you need to understand the topic you’re writing about. 

Make sure you know the details of your subject matter, and can provide facts and figures to back up your appeal to your readers’ emotions.

You should also read up about different points of view on the topic, so that you can bring them up in the form of counterarguments and rebuttals .

Keep Your Audience in Mind

When you’re writing your essay, think about who it is you’re trying to persuade. The way you speak to a student, for example, will be different to how you address a parent.

Consider what your potential audience will value, and how you can reach them on an emotional level. 

Outline Your Essay

Now you’ve got all the information you need, it’s time to plan and write your essay.

You should break it down into the follow sections:

• An introduction, which sets up the question you’re going to answer and what side of the argument you are aiming to persuade the reader of.
• The body of the essay, with a paragraph for each of the points you want to make.
• A conclusion, where you summarize your points and main arguments.

Get It Proofread

As with any essay, your finished persuasive essay will need proofreading to make sure it’s the best it can be.

Our academic proofreading team here at Proofed can help with that. You can even get your first 500 words proofread for free !

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150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics for Students in 2024

April 1, 2024

Do you know that moment in your favorite film, when the soundtrack begins to swell and the main character stands up and delivers a speech so rousing, so impassioned, it has the entire room either weeping or cheering by the time it concludes? What distinguishes the effectiveness of such a speech is not only the protagonist’s stellar delivery but also the compelling nature of the subject matter at hand. Choosing an effective persuasive speech topic is essential for guaranteeing that your future speech or essay is as moving as these . If this sounds like a tall order, have no fear. Below you’ll find a list of some of the best and most interesting persuasive speech topics for high school students to tackle, from the playful (“Pets for President”) to the serious (“Should We Stop AI from Replacing Human Workers?”).

And if you’re craving more inspiration, feel free to check out this list of Great Debate Topics , which can be used to generate further ideas.

What is a Good Persuasive Speech?

Before we get to the list, we must address the question on everyone’s minds: what is a persuasive speech, and what the heck makes for a good persuasive speech topic? A persuasive speech is a speech that aims to convince its listeners of a particular point of view . At the heart of each persuasive speech is a central conflict . Note: The persuasive speech stands in contrast to a simple informative speech, which is intended purely to convey information. (I.e., an informative speech topic might read: “The History of Making One’s Bed,” while a persuasive speech topic would be: “Why Making One’s Bed is a Waste of Time”—understand?)

And lest you think that persuasive speeches are simply assigned by your teachers as a particularly cruel form of torture, remember that practicing your oratory skills will benefit you in all areas of life—from job interviews, to business negotiations, to your future college career in public policy or international relations . Knowing how to use your voice to enact meaningful change is a valuable skill that can empower you to make a difference in the world.

Components of a Great Persuasive Speech Topic

The ideal persuasive speech topic will inspire the audience to action via both logical arguments and emotional appeals. As such, we can summarize the question “what makes a good persuasive speech topic?” by saying that the topic must possess the following qualities:

• Timeliness and Relevance . Great persuasive speech topics grapple with a contemporary issue that is meaningful to the listener at hand. The topic might be a current news item, or it might be a long-standing social issue. In either case, the topic should be one with real-world implications.
• Complexity . A fruitful persuasive speech topic will have many facets. Topics that are controversial, with some gray area, lend themselves to a high degree of critical thinking. They also offer the speaker an opportunity to consider and refute all counterarguments before making a compelling case for his or her own position.
• Evidence . You want to be able to back up your argument with clear evidence from reputable sources (i.e., not your best friend or dog). The more evidence and data you can gather, the more sound your position will be. In addition, your audience will be more inclined to trust you.
• Personal Connection. Do you feel passionately about the topic you’ve chosen? If not, it may be time to go back to the drawing board. This does not mean you have to support the side you choose; sometimes, arguing for the opposing side of what you personally believe can be an effective exercise in building empathy and perspective. Either way, though, the key is to select a topic that you care deeply about. Your passion will be infectious to the audience.

150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics

• Should tech companies regulate the development of AI systems and automation to protect humans’ jobs?
• Should we limit screen time for children?
• Is it ethical for AI models like Dall-E to train themselves on artists’ work without the artists’ permission?
• Should the government regulate the use of personal drones?
• Is mass surveillance ethical? Does its threat to civil liberties outweigh its benefits?
• Are virtual reality experiences a valuable educational tool?
• Do the positive effects of powerful AI systems outweigh the risks?
• Do voice assistants like Siri and Alexa invade individuals’ privacy?
• Are cell phone bans in the classroom effective for improving student learning?
• Does the use of facial recognition technology in public violate individuals’ privacy?
• Should students be allowed to use ChatGPT and other AI tools for writing assignments?
• Should AI-generated art be allowed in art shows or contests?
• Who holds responsibility for accidents caused by self-driving cars: the driver or the car company?

Business and Economy

• Should we do away with the minimum wage? Why or why not?
• Is it ethical for companies to use unpaid internships as a source of labor?
• Does the gig economy benefit or harm workers?
• Is capitalism the best economic system?
• Is it ethical for companies to use sweatshops in developing countries?
• Should the government provide free healthcare for all citizens?
• Should the government regulate prices on pharmaceutical drugs?
• Should the government enact a universal base income?
• Should customers be required to tip a minimum amount in order to ensure food service workers make a living wage?
• Should someone’s tattoos or personal appearance factor into the hiring process?
• Should US workers have more vacation time?
• Is big game hunting beneficial for local communities?
• Should we legalize euthanasia?
• Is it ethical to use animals for medical research?
• Is it ethical to allow access to experimental treatments for terminally ill patients?
• Should we allow genetic engineering in humans?
• Is the death penalty obsolete?
• Should we allow the cloning of humans?
• Is it ethical to allow performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
• Should embryonic stem cell collection be allowed?
• Do frozen IVF embryos have rights?
• Should state and federal investigators be allowed to use DNA from genealogy databases?
• Should the government limit how many children a couple can have?
• Is spanking children an acceptable form of discipline?
• Should we allow parents to choose their children’s physical attributes through genetic engineering?
• Should we require parents to vaccinate their children?
• Should we require companies to give mandatory paternal and maternal leave?
• Should children be allowed to watch violent movies and video games?
• Should parents allow their teenagers to drink before they turn 21?
• Should the government provide childcare?
• Should telling your children about Santa Claus be considered lying?
• Should one parent stay home?
• Should parental consent be required for minors to receive birth control?
• Is it an invasion of privacy for parents to post photographs of their children on social media?

Social Media

• Should social media platforms ban political ads?
• Do the benefits of social media outweigh the downsides?
• Should the government hold social media companies responsible for hate speech on their platforms?
• Is social media making us more or less social?
• Do platforms like TikTok exacerbate mental health issues in teens?
• Should the government regulate social media to protect citizens’ privacy?
• Is it right for parents to monitor their children’s social media accounts?
• Should social media companies enact a minimum user age restriction?
• Should we require social media companies to protect user data?
• Should we hold social media companies responsible for cyberbullying?
• Should schools ban the use of social media from their networks?
• Should we be allowed to record others without their consent?
• Do online crime sleuths help or hurt criminal investigations?

Education – Persuasive Speech Topics 

• Would trade schools and other forms of vocational training benefit a greater number of students than traditional institutions of higher education?
• Should colleges use standardized testing in their admissions processes?
• Is forcing students to say the Pledge a violation of their right to freedom of speech?
• Should school districts offer bilingual education programs for non-native speakers?
• Should schools do away with their physical education requirements?
• Should schools incorporate a remote learning option into their curriculum?
• Should we allow school libraries to ban certain books?
• Should we remove historical figures who owned slaves from school textbooks and other educational materials?
• Should we have mixed-level classrooms or divide students according to ability?
• Should grading on a curve be allowed?
• Should graphic novels be considered literature?
• Should all students have to take financial literacy classes before graduating?
• Should colleges pay student athletes?
• Should we ban violent contact sports like boxing and MMA?
• Should sports leagues require professional athletes to stand during the national anthem?
• Should sports teams ban players like Kyrie Irving when they spread misinformation or hate speech?
• Should high schools require their athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
• Should the Olympic committee allow transgender athletes to compete?
• Should high schools ban football due to its safety risks to players?
• Should all high school students be required to play a team sport?
• Should sports teams be mixed instead of single-gender?
• Should there be different athletic standards for men and women?
• In which renewable energy option would the US do best to invest?
• Should the US prioritize space exploration over domestic initiatives?
• Should companies with a high carbon footprint be punished?
• Should the FDA ban GMOs?
• Would the world be a safer place without nuclear weapons?
• Does AI pose a greater threat to humanity than it does the potential for advancement?
• Who holds the most responsibility for mitigating climate change: individuals or corporations?
• Should we be allowed to resurrect extinct species?
• Are cancer screening programs ethical?

Social Issues – Persuasive Speech Topics

• College education: should the government make it free for all?
• Should we provide free healthcare for undocumented immigrants?
• Is physician-assisted suicide morally justifiable?
• Does social media have a negative impact on democracy?
• Does cancel culture impede free speech?
• Does affirmative action help or hinder minority groups in the workplace?
• Should we hold public figures and celebrities to a higher standard of morality?
• Should abortion be an issue that is decided at the federal or state level?
• Should the sex offender registry be available to the public?
• Should undocumented immigrants have a path to amnesty?
• Do syringe services programs reduce or increase harmful behaviors?
• Should there be a statute of limitations?
• Should those who are convicted of a crime be required to report their criminal history on job and housing applications?

Politics and Government

• Is the Electoral College still an effective way to elect the President of the US?
• Should we allow judges to serve on the Supreme Court indefinitely?
• Should the US establish a national gun registry?
• Countries like Israel and China require all citizens to serve in the military. Is this a good or bad policy?
• Should the police force require all its officers to wear body cameras while on duty?
• Should the US invest in the development of clean meat as a sustainable protein source?
• Should the US adopt ranked-choice voting?
• Should institutions that profited from slavery provide reparations?
• Should the government return land to Native American tribes?
• Should there be term limits for representatives and senators?
• Should there be an age limit for presidential candidates?
• Should women be allowed in special forces units?

Easy Persuasive Speech Topics

• Should schools have uniforms?
• Can video games improve problem-solving skills?
• Are online classes as effective as in-person classes?
• Should companies implement a four-day work week?
• Co-ed learning versus single-sex: which is more effective?
• Should the school day start later?
• Is homework an effective teaching tool?
• Are electric cars really better for the environment?
• Should schools require all students to study a foreign language?
• Do professional athletes get paid too much money?

Fun Persuasive Speech Topics

• Should we allow pets to run for public office?
• Does pineapple belong on pizza?
• Would students benefit from schools swapping out desks with more comfortable seating arrangements (i.e., bean bag chairs and couches)?
• Is procrastination the key to success?
• Should Americans adopt British accents to sound more intelligent?
• The age-old dilemma: cats or dogs?
• Should meme creators receive royalties when their memes go viral?
• Should there be a minimum drinking age for coffee?
• Are people who make their beds every day more successful than those who don’t?

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics

• Is the movie ranking system an effective way to evaluate the appropriateness of films?
• Should the government place a “health tax” on junk food?
• Is it ethical to create artificial life forms that are capable of complex emotions?
• Should parents let children choose their own names?
• Creating clones of ourselves to serve as organ donors: ethical or not?
• Is it ethical to engineer humans to be better and more optimized than nature intended?
• Should we adopt a universal language to communicate with people from all countries?
• Should there be a penalty for people who don’t vote?
• Should calories be printed on menus?
• Does tourism positively or negatively impact local communities?
• When used by non-Natives, are dreamcatchers cultural appropriation?
• Should companies require their employees to specify pronouns in their signature line?
• Should commercial fishing be banned?
• Are cemeteries sustainable?
• Is it okay to change the race, culture, and/or gender of historical figures in movies or TV shows?

I’ve Chosen My Topic, Now What?

Once you’ve selected your topic, it’s time to get to work crafting your argument. Preparation for a persuasive speech or essay involves some key steps, which we’ve outlined for you below.

How to Create a Successful Persuasive Speech, Step by Step

• Research your topic. Read widely and smartly. Stick to credible sources, such as peer-reviewed articles, published books, government reports, textbooks, and news articles. The right sources and data will be necessary to help you establish your authority. As you go, take notes on the details and nuances of your topic as well as potential counterarguments. Research the counterarguments, too.
• Choose an angle. For example, if you chose the topic “Should we limit screen time for children?” your speech should come down firmly on one side of that debate. If your topic is frequently debated, such as abortion, capital punishment, gun control, social media, etc. try to find a niche angle or new research. For example, instead of “Should abortion be legal?” you might consider “Should you be able to order abortion pills online?” Another example: “Should the death penalty be banned?” might become “How long is it ethical for someone to stay on death row?” If you do some digging, even the most cliche topics have incredibly interesting and relatively unexplored sub-topics.
• Create an outline. Your outline should include an introduction with a thesis statement, a body that uses evidence to elaborate and support your position while refuting any counterarguments, and a conclusion. The conclusion will both summarize the points made earlier and serve as your final chance to persuade your audience.
• Write your speech. Use your outline to help you as well as the data you’ve collected. Remember: this is not dry writing; this writing has a point of view, and that point of view is yours . Accordingly, use anecdotes and examples to back up your argument. The essential components of this speech are logos (logic), ethos (credibility), and pathos (emotion) . The ideal speech will use all three of these functions to engage the audience.

How to Practice and Deliver a Persuasive Speech

• Talk to yourself in the mirror, record yourself, and/or hold a practice speech for family or friends. If you’ll be using visual cues, a slide deck, or notecards, practice incorporating them seamlessly into your speech. You should practice until your speech feels very familiar, at least 5-10 times.
• Practice body language. Are you making eye contact with your audience, or looking at the ground? Crossing your arms over your chest or walking back and forth across the room? Playing with your hair, cracking your knuckles, or picking at your clothes? Practicing what to do with your body, face, and hands will help you feel more confident on speech day.
• Take it slow. It’s common to talk quickly while delivering a speech—most of us want to get it over with! However, your audience will be able to connect with you much more effectively if you speak at a moderate pace, breathe, and pause when appropriate.
• Give yourself grace. How you recover from a mistake is much more important than the mistake itself. Typically, the best approach is to good-naturedly shrug off a blip and move on. 99% of the time, your audience won’t even notice!

Good Persuasive Speech Topics—Final Thoughts

The art of persuasive speaking is a tricky one, but the tips and tricks laid out here will help you craft a compelling argument that will sway even the most dubious audience to your side. Mastering this art takes both time and practice, so don’t fret if it doesn’t come to you right away. Remember to draw upon your sources, speak with authority, and have fun. Once you have the skill of persuasive speaking down, go out there and use your voice to impact change!

Looking for some hot-button topics in college admissions? You might consider checking out the following:

• Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
• Should I Apply Test-Optional to College?
• Should I Waive My Right to See Letters of Recommendation?
• Should I Use the Common App Additional Information Section?
• High School Success

Lauren Green

With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook  A Great Dark House  (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming novel (Viking/Penguin).

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Persuasive Essay Guide

Persuasive Essay Topics

Last updated on: Dec 21, 2023

Persuasive Essay Topics Ideas to Craft an A-Worthy Essay

By: Caleb S.

11 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Jan 14, 2020

Are you having trouble starting to write a persuasive essay?

Can’t think of interesting persuasive essay topics to write on?

To help students like you find good persuasive essay topics, we have gathered a wide range of ideas on different subjects and academic levels.

Therefore, continue reading this blog and pick the best topic from the list for your essay.

On this Page

Persuasive Essay Topics for Students

The first step of writing a persuasive essay is to choose an interesting topic. If you are not sure what topic is best to write your persuasive essay on, this article is for you.

Here are some good topics for a persuasive writing assignment that will help you craft an interesting essay.

Persuasive Essay Topics for University Students

• Should churches pay property taxes to support schools?
• Teachers should also have to go through professional tests like students.
• Social media should be banned on school premises.
• Is getting a college degree worth its price?
• How is home education better than studying at a school?
• It shouldn’t be legal for students under 18 to drop out of school.
• Students with good attendance must be rewarded.
• Students with good academic results must get the opportunity to go to college free of cost.
• The government shouldn’t have a say in how students should be taught.
• Making the education sector free can decrease poverty rates. Is that true?

Persuasive Essay Topics for College

• Wrestling is a dehumanizing sport.
• Should all college students get a chance to experience fraternity or sorority?
• Should there be an age limit that teachers can teach?Is taking a gap year from studies a good idea?
• School students shouldn’t get assigned countless academic papers.
• Reducing paper consumption can benefit nature largely.
• The research paper is more effective to learn about the subject than exams.
• Do you agree that the feminist movement devalued motherhood?
• Do you think that the older generation can learn things from today’s generation?
• International exchange program experience, I agree, is important in shaping a student.

Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

• Is it possible for a person to overcome his fear?
• Should students evaluate their teachers?
• Is it ok to give extra incentives to students with good grades?
• What are the pros and cons of using cell phones for academic purposes?
• The social value of the death penalty in the United States.
• School college students should write argumentative essays.
• Who, in your opinion, influences the teenager's behavior the most?
• Why are teen girls influenced by celebrities?
• Should genetically modified foods be sold with a warning label?
• All the arts have become commoditized.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 9

• Divorce isn’t always due to the absence of love.
• Pornography should be banned in the United States.
• How important is it for a child to grow up with two parents?
• All students should be taught computer programming in school.
• We should blame our horoscope for things that have gone wrong in our lives.
• To get a perspective on life and what it is about, we should spend time with a kid.
• How to control hazing on college campuses.Listening to music on school campuses shouldn’t be allowed.
• There are drawbacks to studying abroad.Stricter punishments should be imposed on downloading music and movies illegally.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Middle School

• Kindness is beautiful.
• Do you agree?Pros and Cons of summer classes.
• School computers must have internet filters.
• Participation in school sports must be mandatory for students.
• Bullying in schools requires severe punishments.
• Should there be any flexibility with the policies for illegal immigrants?
• Why should every school have a school newspaper?
• Are we the real culprits of global warming?
• Do violent video games make children more likely to be violent themselves?
• The internet was invented to control our lives. Do you disagree?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 6

• Is toothpaste healthy?
• Churches should pay taxes.
• What is the role of the media in sports life?
• Adopting pets is the best choice.Fairy tales are good for young children.
• Should our country have free healthcare?
• Fizzy drinks should be banned from school.
• Free time gets teens into trouble.
• The best way to travel is in a guided group.Should nuclear power be used?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 7

• Should a college education be free?
• We should provide food for the poor.
• Is it a good idea to keep pets outdoors?
• What school rules would you change?
• Hunting is not ethical in any life situation.
• Should horse racing be banned?
• My allowance should be bigger.
• Bullies have no place in schools.
• Computer design isn’t art.
• Yoga supports the body and soul.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 8

• Having more than four kids is irresponsible.
• Is art a natural talent, or takes hard work and practice to learn?
• Choose a life partner who has the same educational level as you.
• Drinking while driving penalties must be much stricter.
• College students must consider joining a fraternity or sorority.
• Standardized tests are increasing for school students.
• Studying at a public school is better than studying at a private school.
• Wives shouldn’t make more money than their husbands.
• We should teach etiquette in schools.
• Is it justified for a person to demand a divorce from their spouse?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids

• Are vampires real?
• Time travel is possible.
• Global warming is just a way to scare people.
• Healthcare systems should be free.
• Computers don’t make us smarter.
• Animal abuse is a result of an uneducated owner.
• The importance of going to the dentist frequently.
• Discuss the pros and cons of summer classes.
• Nobody should litter.
• What is the best way to persuade someone?

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Persuasive Essay Topics About Animals

• Do you agree with the statement, “Animal testing is a necessary evil?
• ”People shouldn’t be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets.
• Zoos are useful for wildlife conservation.
• Zoo animals should be harvested for food.
• Is creating hybrids by breeding stray dogs and cats okay?
• What is the best way to train a dog: rewards or punishments?
• Is it beneficial to give cows drugs to increase their milk supply?
• Using animal skin to make coats and bags is unethical.
• Reforestation is the only way to save animals from becoming extinct.
• Conserving endangered species is much more essential than the conservation of other animals.

Funny Persuasive Essay Topics

• What would happen if unicorns took over the world?
• The worst movie in the world.
• The worst social network site.
• Why does the beach have tanning booths?
• Good video game skills can land you a job.
• Why do you enjoy getting spam emails more than actual emails?
• Is it true that wearing braces scares off strangers?
• Playing with Barbie dolls can change your life.
• How to look busy and do nothing at work.
• Do you agree with the statement, "Boys gossip more than girls do?"

Sports Persuasive Essay Topics

• College athletes dedicate a lot of time to sports, and they should be paid.
• Female students should be encouraged to participate in sports as much as male students.
• How can the school management improve this situation?
• Wimbledon is not as prestigious anymore.
• Importance of sports.
• Gender discrimination is a big issue in sports competitions.
• Girls can play and compete at the same level as boys their age.
• Bodybuilding has severe risks for females.
• Physically active kids make physically active adults.
• Therefore, parents and teachers should encourage taking part in sports.
• According to you, who is the best FIFA player?
• What can other players do to become like him?
• Energy drinks such as Red Bull have harmful effects on the human body.
• Therefore, athletes must stop consuming them.

Controversial Persuasive Essay Topics

• Polygamy should be legalized in the United States.
• Having a lesbian mother can have adverse effects on a daughter.
• Torture is a necessity for monstrous crimes such as murder, rape, etc.
• The world would be a better place if everyone followed a single religion.
• Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide should be made legal in every state.
• Online plagiarism is a serious problem. What actions need to be taken to stop it?
• High school and college surveillance isn’t ethical, nor is it safe.
• It should be stopped immediately.
• Is it ethical to prescribe drugs?
• How can we put an end to school bullying?
• It isn’t fair to the band members to have less power and control than the music producers.

Unusual Persuasive Essay Topics

• Is alcoholism a disease?
• Is having a pet waste of time?
• Is capital punishment necessary?
• Art should serve as a symbol of culture, and be returned to its country if it was taken from there.
• Young people only think about money. Agree?
• Living in university dormitories is an essential step to help you achieve academic success.
• Pharmaceutical industries are disrupting our lives.
• People are wasting their money on lotteries and it isn't worth the risk.
• Is having friends such a necessity?
• Transgenic foods: What are you for or against?

Higher English Persuasive Essay Topics

• Why should the government ban sports bet?
• A family should encourage self-expression, not inhibit it.
• The impact of TV cartoons on children's behavior should be controlled by their parents.
• English language learning should not be a requirement for anyone.
• There are many reasons e-books should not replace paper books.
• Cheating during college exams should be strictly punished.
• Teaching deaf children how to read is a vital part of their mental development.
• Fast food is a bad invention.
• Drug tests should be mandatory for high school sportspeople.
• School uniforms are an effective way to maintain discipline with students.

Easy Persuasive Essay Topics

• Paparazzi culture must get banned.
• Kids should be taught about different religions and then have them choose.
• Using earphones while driving must not be allowed.
• Everyone under the age of 7 should have a 9 pm curfew.
• Celebrities who break the law should have bigger penalties.
• Drug dealers selling drugs to kids should face the death penalty.
• The government should start a three-day weekend.
• Introducing grades for gym classes can help fight obesity.
• The government should keep better control of the content being shared on the internet.
• Kids need a personal space similar to adults.

Good Persuasive Essay Topics

• Punishment for cutting school should be made much worse.
• Parents who smoke shouldn’t tell their kids about its harmful effects.
• The major cause of obesity in America is fast-food chains.
• Women perform better than men in managerial posts.
• To improve the quality of education, the number of classes must be decreased.
• Should parents buy young kids gadgets for studies and learning purposes?
• Paparazzi culture should be banned. It puts lives in danger.
• A gap year after high school should be made compulsory.
• Optimism is key to good health.
• Persuasive speeches should be powerful.

Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics

• Pros and Cons of having school all year long.
• Participating in sports must be made compulsory for every student.
• Men are smarter than women.
• Consumption of tea is more harmful than coffee.
• Luck is an important part of success.
• Spanking kids should be a crime.
• Kidnapping by parents is a serious problem nowadays.
• The solution to the energy crisis is nuclear power.
• Male and female employees should have the same working privileges and environment.
• Homeschooling is better than going to a regular school.

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Persuasive Essay Topics 2022

• Should the jury system be eradicated?
• Biological weapons should be banned.
• The next generations should live on Mars.
• Is governmental surveillance a good thing?
• Children under 18 shouldn’t be allowed to buy contraceptives.
• Teen moms should be made to go to classes that encourage them to get married.
• Sex education should occur at home.
• Educating women is a waste of resources.
• Everyone should have free access to the internet in today's day and age.
• Theoretical subjects should be decreased, and students should study more practical courses to learn things.

How to Choose a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

Writing your persuasive essay means more than simply arguing the facts. However, you need to settle on a persuasive essay topic that allows you to present the best possible case.

You won’t be able to do that if you write a persuasive essay on a topic that is:

• Emotionally-charged
• Too familiar
• Not interesting for the target audience
• Factual, and you avoid analysis or reasoning

Here’s what you should do when choosing your essay topics :

• Take a stand
• Check for evidence and facts
• Make a list of specific ideas
• Outline the purpose of your essay
• Choose an accessible topic
• Find a topic that convinces the reader

Hopefully, you have found a good persuasive essay idea by this point and are heading towards the writing process. However, if you’re overwhelmed by the requirements of writing a persuasive and argumentative paper or you’re short on time, we are here to help.

5StarEssays.com is one of the top essay writing services with professional essay writers who deliver high-quality academic writing at the most affordable prices. You only have to request to write an essay for me  and our professional writers help you.

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• Free Persuasive Essay Examples to Help you Get Started

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187 Impressive Higher English Persuasive Essay Topics [2024]

Persuasive essay writing is a popular assignment for students in high school and college alike. This is not surprising. After all, it is a basic of the learning process. However, finding ideas for such a task isn’t easy, especially if you’re looking for higher persuasive essay topics.

One of the subjects that requires you to write such a paper is higher English. To pass this class, you have to deal with and compose quite tricky texts. Thus, if you are studying this subject, you will have to be ready to face many writing challenges.

This is why our team has created a list of the most fruitful ideas for academic writing. For your convenience, we divided the higher English persuasive essay topics into several sections. So, navigate our page, look through all the examples, and make your search even more effective.

❓ What Is Higher English?

• 💭 How to Choose?
• 📎 For High School
• ✒️ For College
• 📖 Literature
• 🙊 Controversial Issues
• 🏫 Education
• 🗳️ Politics
• 💭 Philosophy

📃 References

If you’ve studied in any country other than the UK, you may be wondering what higher English is. Is it a course? Is it a level? Well, in this section, we dive into the definition of the phrase.

Higher English is a course typical for the UK, particularly for England and Scotland. It investigates the English language and literature on a deep level.

It can be taught both:

• as an independent subject
• alongside other higher science programs

Developing a portfolio is one of the requirements for completing an advanced higher English course. It takes 30% of the overall grade. Thus, folio plays a vital role in accomplishing the course. For a successful portfolio, students have to write two texts, no less than 1300 words each. Composing them, they have to use creative and discursive writing techniques.

Generally, higher English is focused on advancing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. By the end of the course, students should be able to do the following:

• use complex language;
• apply literature knowledge in everyday life;
• understand the core of language operation.

Students are required to write an impressive number of persuasive essays. Here is where they may face difficulties with the appropriate topic selection.

We will not let you worry about that.

You can find a list of useful higher English persuasive topics created by our team on our page. Take a look at it and choose the most exciting idea for your essay!

💭 How to Choose a Persuasive Topic for Higher Folio?

A higher folio has to include a persuasive essay in it. Therefore, first, let’s figure out what it is.

A persuasive essay is one of the types of discursive essays. Its distinctive feature is the presence of a particular situation. Discuss a problem or issue is essential to its purpose.

Now, let’s narrow down the focus:

What is the nature of persuasive writing? It is a writing technique that aims to convince readers to accept the author’s point of view. Moreover, it often includes a call to action. It motivates the audience to take specific steps to achieve the desired result.

Be careful there! Learn how to distinguish an argumentative essay from a persuasive one.

An argumentative essay is often based on a consistent explanation and logical reasoning. It shows the readers the writer’s point of view, yet doesn’t call them for any action. In contrast, a persuasive essay relies on emotions and expressions of personal opinions. A perfect way to see those differences would be by going to an essay examples database that certainly would contain a variety of paper types.

Now, let’s move to the issue of an effective selection of a persuasive topic for higher English. Our team prepared some useful tips for you. Don’t hesitate to use them.

• Keep your goal in mind. The persuasive essay aims to present all the arguments that can convince the reader that the writer is right. So, choosing a topic, pick the one that you can elaborate on and persuade in.
• Choose the essay idea wisely. Ensure that the topic is appropriate and relevant for the tutor who will check and grade your paper. You’re writing for them.
• Make sure to have enough resources. Evaluate whether there is enough information on the topic so that you can write a compelling essay. Check the possible trustworthy sources for the evidence that you’ll use in the paper.
• Show your best side. Consider whether you can demonstrate your skills, composing on the chosen idea. Remember that you’re writing an essay for your portfolio. You may want it to look as perfect as possible and highlight your strengths. That is to say, see if you can elaborate on the topic.
• Compose a strong introductory paragraph. An introduction is crucial because it grabs the reader’s attention and presents a thesis. Think of a strong thesis statement and whether you can come up with one. If you cannot compose a powerful thesis statement, better choose a more successful topic.
• Don’t choose an overused topic. Determine the originality of your idea and your willingness to write about it. Try to google persuasive essay examples and figure out what topics are the most common and widely used. Based on your observations, come up with a unique issue and surprise your readers with it.

⭐ Top 12 Higher Persuasive Essay Topics

• Unions are important.
• Zoos are unacceptable.
• Paper books are obsolete.
• Graffiti is art.
• We will live on Mars.
• English is universal .
• Plastic bags are useful.
• Cloning is unethical.
• Student uniform is obsolete.
• UK schools are better.
• Most effective propaganda techniques.
• Internships should be paid.

☝️ Amazing Higher English Persuasive Essay Topics

Just like any other assignment, an essay may be of different degrees of complexity. This is how we divided our higher English persuasive essay ideas into several sections.

So don’t waste your time. Go to the corresponding section and select the most appropriate topic.

📎 Higher English Topics for High School

A subject of higher English may seem very unfamiliar and bizarre at school. Being unprepared for the complexity of the course can scare you. Pupils get extremely confused when it comes to the topic search.

You are lucky:

We prepared a list of exceptional topics for middle school and high school students. Feel free to use it. Be prepared to face any challenges of the higher English course!

• The significance of literacy .
• Football has a direct impact on the culture of England.
• Foreign languages should be taught in every school.

• Both abstinence and safe sex should be taught in high schools.
• School uniforms should be mandatory to maintain discipline.
• People should quit smoking .
• Eating disorders among teenage girls is an issue that shouldn’t be underestimated.
• Motivation theories are incredibly effective in education .
• Self-esteem plays a crucial role in students’ health condition .
• Alcohol negatively affects adolescent health , so their parents should monitor alcohol consumption by teens.
• Children and teenagers should not be silent about domestic violence .
• The government should ban sports betting.
• We should drink enough water.
• The minimization of a generation gap is crucial for a healthy relationship in a family.
• Drug tests should be mandatory for high school sportspeople.
• A gap year is a great idea . Convince your readers about the usefulness of taking a gap year after finishing school. Prove the rightness of your position by providing strong arguments. In case you don’t agree with the statement, provide well-developed counterarguments.
• Alcohol consumption in the UK. The government of the UK should introduce measures to limit alcohol consumption. We have to avoid possible adverse ramifications. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Prove your point of view by providing strong arguments.
• Studying in the United Kingdom is a great experience. What are the positive sides of gaining an education in the UK? Convince your readers to study the UK.
• A grade does not reflect students’ knowledge. Give your readers a clear explanation of why grades do not demonstrate a student’s performance in the class. Persuade them to pay more attention to education. You might believe that grades reflect a student’s academic performance. Then, support your position by providing counterarguments.
• Violent video games should be banned . What are the possible negative consequences caused by video games? Prove your audience the necessity to ban violent video games.

✒️ Higher English Topics for College

The majority of UK colleges require their students to take the course of higher English. Therefore, you need to be ready. Difficulties caused by this subject should not be your worry.

Since we care about college students, we gathered persuasive essay ideas in one place. So, if you are seeking help, you are on the right page! Scroll through our topics and chose the most appropriate for you.

• Cheating during college exams should be strictly punished because it is demoralizing.
• The benefits of active listening are crucial in demonstrating high performance in the workplace.
• Students’ time management strategies should be taken into consideration by every student.
• Sleep is essential because deprivation affects college students’ academic performance.
• Should fast food qualify as ‘food’?
• A healthy lifestyle and eating should become the norm for every person.
• Alternative energy sources are crucial for saving the planet.
• A family should promote mobility, not limit it.
• We have to implement specific strategies to combat the sexist language.
• Communication skills are essential in a successful business leading.
• Teaching deaf children how to read is a vital part of deaf kids’ mental development.
• Parents should control the impact of TV cartoons on their children’s behavior .
• Community services for mentally disabled people should be highly-developed.
• Recycling should become mandatory.
• Businesses should invest money in innovations.
• Genetically modified food should not be a threat to the population. Give a clear explanation of why GMO products are safe to consume. If you disagree with the statement, provide strong counterarguments to prove your position.
• Should smoking be banned in public places? Decide on whether it should be prohibited on not and prove your position. Your arguments should support only one side of the issue. Don’t stay somewhere in the middle.
• We should expand the legal age for getting a driving license in the UK . Explain why 17 years old adolescents are not mature enough to drive a car. If you don’t agree with the statement, provide counterarguments to prove the rightness of your point of view.
• E-books should not replace paper books. Express your position regarding this statement. Provide clear arguments or counterarguments to prove your point of view.

• English language learning should be mandatory in every country. The main idea of the essay: English is a global language. Support this statement and persuade the readers about the significance of English knowledge in the modern world.

💪 Persuasive Essay Topics: Advanced Higher English

If you are a university student in Scotland, you will be familiar with higher English. You may have to be ready for an advanced one as well.

Choose the most appropriate idea among a wide variety of persuasive essay topics about Scotland. Although the task is quite challenging, you don’t need to worry. Consider our list of cool essay topics. With it, you will write an outstanding paper without any struggles.

• Gender equity issues in work practices should be considered while creating a healthy working environment.
• The application of social concepts and theories is a part of the general well-being.
• Functionalism, conflict, and interactionism are the most significant aspects of sociological theories .
• Data collect regarding customer should be considered as a future of e-commerce.
• Scotland’s tourism products and destination identity develop the tourism market economy.
• Organizational behavior issues and theories are vital in leading a successful business.
• ICT impacts curriculum development and reforms in the United Kingdom to a great extent.
• Public sector financial management plays a crucial role in the general well-being of the country.
• Scottish routes company establishment is a turning point in the online marketing platform development.
• The city authorities should prevent senior citizens’ abuse .
• Women’s rights violations should not exist in modern society.
• Freedom of speech, religion, and religious tolerance are the fundamental concepts of modern civilized society.
• E-Commerce adoption results in wise business positioning. How will e-commerce help to increase the dynamics of any business? Convince your audience about the significance of e-commerce by providing strong arguments.
• Human rights play a vital role in public opinion-making. Support this idea with well-developed arguments and examples. If you disagree with the statement, provide compelling counterarguments to prove the rightness of your opinion.
• Globalization ruins the cultural heritage of the nations . Comment on the impact of the world globalization on the national identity of every country. Persuade the readers to preserve the national culture of their home countries.

👍 Good Persuasive Essay Topics for Higher English

Our team’s main aim is to help the students in all the possible ways. So, we decided to develop one more method to divide the academic essay topics.

Look through the sections, decide what is the most suitable for you, and choose a fascinating essay topic. An essay idea search has never been so easy, right?

💬 Persuasive Essay Topics on Language

Language is one of the most potent tools for communication within one nation and internationally. Moreover, it carries the cultural identity of the country, preserving a spirit.

The topic of language is too diverse and has a lot of aspects to discuss. Consequently, professors of higher English course usually give essays on it.

The section Topics For Persuasive Essay UK will provide you with a wide variety of ideas. Don’t waste your time! Choose an appropriate topic for your paper right away.

• Language influences our attitude to a great extent.
• Sexism is present in the English Language.
• Language and communication are two different concepts .
• Language has a direct influence on cognition.
• Shakespeare affected the modern English language to a great extent.
• To understand how language operates, we should first examine English Language Evolution .
• Multilingualism should be accepted and encouraged in modern society.
• Accents and dialects are the critical components of language intervention.
• The teachers should learn linguistics.
• The change in languages over time is harmful to the nation.
• Scottish Gaelic and Goidelic Celtic languages should not have been restricted in the 16th century.
• Text autocorrect negatively influences the level of literacy and language knowledge.
• We should consider Scots Gaelic as a separate language from Irish.
• English should become an official international language.
• Body language can say more than verbal communication.
• Joking or expressing love in a foreign language is harder than in a native one . Either support or contradict this statement by providing appropriate examples and clear arguments.
• The implementation of one universal language is a bad idea . Why and how it can impact the national diversity of the world? Prove the importance of preserving national languages.
• The Scottish language will soon disappear. Conduct research on the usage of Scottish nowadays. Is it very wide-spread? How many people know and use it in everyday life?

• “As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being.” – Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. Develop this thought by providing strong arguments and examples. Persuade your readers about the importance of foreign language learning.
• Irish language learning should become mandatory in the educational institutions of Ireland . Explain the significance of the Irish language for the population of Ireland. In case you don’t agree with the statement, provide clear counterarguments to prove your position.

🙊 Persuasive Essay Topics on Controversial Issues

• Is attention deficit disorder a real disorder?
• To deal with girls’ discrimination in the modern educational system , girls need to receive more attention than boys.
• Should cigarette smoking be banned?
• LGBTQ+ communities should have equal rights all over the world.
• Adoption, childlessness, or reproductive technology – which one is the most effective and ethical?
• Abortion should be legalized for underaged girls.
• Should smoking tobacco be classified as an illegal drug?
• Are surrogacy and its effects on families harmful for children?
• Should student diversity be present in a school classroom?
• Tuition fees should become lower.
• Should homelessness become a concern of city authorities or governmental representatives?
• Should the death penalty be legalized in the United Kingdom?
• Should sex education become mandatory in all high schools in Scotland?
• The mental health of employees should be a concern of employers.
• Health care should be free.
• Should women develop a career and have a stable income before giving birth to kids?
• Should the production and selling of energy drinks be banned? Explain the harm of energetics on the health of a human being. Decide whether energy drinks are worth consuming. Persuade the readers about the rightness of your position by presenting strong arguments.

• Suicides among male teen homosexuals: harassment, shame, or stigma? In your opinion, what is the main reason for suicides among them? Support your position with clear evidence and appropriate examples.
• Does studying abroad result in better education? Analyze the positive and negative aspects of gaining higher education abroad. Express your own opinion regarding this issue and convince your readers about your rightness.
• Should birth control be monitored on a governmental level? Why is birth control crucial in modern society? What are the religious, cultural, and political aspects of birth control? Explain the link between birth control and gender and sexuality issues. Support your opinion by providing well-structured arguments.

🏫 Persuasive Essay Topics on Education

• The college students should be ready to face challenges and pressures.
• There is a strong correlation between wearing a school uniform and academic performance .
• Sex education plays an essential role in preventing teenage pregnancy.
• Student diversity in school classroom influences the educational process in a positive way.
• The curriculum approaches in England and Scotland differ to a great extent.
• At university, acquiring skills is more significant than getting grades.
• Cheating on college exams is demoralizing.
• Could electronic cigarettes help university students give smoking up?
• Athletes that represent educational institutions should receive scholarships covering their tuition fees.
• In schools, we should teach colorblind children what colors are.
• Art oriented activities like drama clubs, music lessons, and handicraft classes are essential for the all-round development of children.
• A university should be a dry campus. Comment on the negative influence of alcohol on the learning process. Persuade your readers about the importance of controlling alcohol consumption while being a student.
• Single-sex schooling in education is effective. Convince the readers about the effectiveness of single-sex education by providing strong evidence. If you don’t agree with the statement, express the opposing position. Elaborate on your arguments and provide counterarguments.

• Online education cannot fully replace the regular one . Compare and contrast these two ways of gaining knowledge. Provide clear arguments to prove the significance of attending educational institutions. Explain why having in-class discussions is crucial for students’ development. Do you believe that regular education is replaceable by the remote one? Then provide counterarguments to support your position.
• The internet has a negative influence on the educational process . How the internet stops the mental development of kids, teenagers, and grown-ups? Persuade readers to limit internet usage while studying.

🗳️ Persuasive Essay Topics on Politics

• To prevent the adverse effects of corruption, we should eliminate its causes.
• The political parties of the United Kingdom are way more reliable than in the United States .
• Human rights should not intervene in public opinion-making.
• Politics and religion interdependence impacts the general political situation of a country.
• Political freedom is a significant key to the general well- being of modern society.
• Terrorism should not be used as a political instrument.
• Civil disobedience in contemporary society is a massive threat to civilians and governments.
• International humanitarian law is a useful tool to reduce the hazardous effects of military conflicts.
• The royal family is the indicator of the UK political system’s uniqueness.
• We should protect the confidentiality in the health care system.
• The voting system should be fair and transparent.
• The COVID-19 outbreak of 2019-2020 has a direct influence on international political relations.
• Scotland would not be a stronger country if it existed independently from the UK. What are the benefits for Scotland of being in a political union with the United Kingdom? Persuade your readers in a mutually beneficial economic and political cooperation.
• Brexit happened against Scotland’s will. Elaborate on the wish of the Scottish population to remain the part of the European Union. Prove that the negotiation of the conflict between England, Wales, and Scotland was not diplomatic enough.
• The retirement policy of the UK should be changed. What are the main weaknesses of the current British retirement system? Give your suggestions on how it can be improved. Convince your readers in the usefulness of the retirement policy modifications.

💭 Persuasive Essay Topics on Philosophy

• Dystopia idea in movies and novels influences people’s perception of life in a negative way.
• Philosophy ideology of success and failure plays a vital role in reaching high results.
• Suicide conflicts with moral philosophy and human values.
• Classic philosophical problems embodied in films can help people in dealing with them.
• We cannot ignore the philosophy of critical issues in today’s society .
• Spiritual and physical journeys play a vital role in human life.
• The philosophy of religion helps people to dive deep into their beliefs and values.

• Unethical treatment of animals contradicts the moral concepts of philosophy.
• From the philosophical perspective, heroism should be considered as a dedication to principles.
• Specific philosophical values help develop resilience in the face of adversity.
• Should human rights be violated if it may help the life of a person?
• Abortion should be band because it contradicts the ethical ideas of humanity.
• In the battle well-paid job vs. vocation, vocation should win . Explain the philosophy of vocation. Persuade the readers to follow their hearts when it comes to a choice of profession.
• Philosophy Issue: Truth vs. Happiness. While choosing between these two notions, what would you select? Persuade your audience about the rightness of your position by presenting well-structured and clear arguments.
• Philosophy plays a significant role in education . Convince your readers about the importance of philosophy while gaining knowledge. In case you don’t agree with the position of philosophy in school, present the opposing opinion. Provide counterarguments to support your ideas.

🗿 Persuasive Essay Topics on History

• The black death disease should be perceived as one of the most horrible pandemics that hit the medieval world.
• Industrial Revolution in England opened a new era of technical advancement.
• The conditions of the working class in England is one of the causes of the industrial revolution.
• Great Britain Empire’ Alliances led to the break out of the European Great War.
• Enlightenment and Romantic Age pushed the development of the British culture forward.
• History of Celtic Christianity has a direct impact on the development of religion in the UK.
• The provisional Irish republican army is one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations.
• The British ideal of an orderly world shaped the world we live in today.
• English Civil War has a direct impact on American colonists.
• The Wars of the Three Kingdoms formed the history of modern England, Scotland, and Ireland.

• Elizabeth II -is the legend of contemporary world history . Provide a brief overview of the queen’s achievements. Convince the readers about the uniqueness of Elizabeth’s II as a historical figure.
• The Great Fire of London is one of the darkest events in British history. Comment on the terrific outcomes of the tragedy. How did the fire impact the economic situation in the entire county?
• Oxford University is the place where ordinary people turn into upstanding figures . Introduce three of the most influential alumnae of Oxford University. What was their input in the scientific development of the UK? Prove the crucial role of Oxford University in the British educational system.
• William Wallace is a person who successfully fought for Scottish independence . Elaborate on his role in British history and prove the importance of his actions.
• History, culture, and language of Wales directly influenced the development of the United Kingdom. Give a brief overview of Wales formation starting from the ancient times and mowing to the 21st century. Prove the connection between Wales and the UK historical and cultural progress.

Thank you for visiting our page! We hope our article was insightful and full of useful ideas. Don’t forget to share it with the other students!

• Higher English, Course Overview and Resources: SQA, Scottish Qualifications Authority
• Higher English: Planit National Qualifications
• The Complete Guide to English-Language Certificates: Preparation Courses Portal
• How to Create a Thesis Statement for a Persuasive Essay: Amy Mahoney, Pen and the Pad
• 434 Good Persuasive Topics for Speech or Essay: My Speech Class
• Senior Fiction Suggestions for Advanced Higher English Dissertations: Senior Reading by Subject, Shetland Library
• Persuasive Essay Examples: AcademicHelp.net
• Choose Bright Persuasive Essay Topics 6 Main Steps: Persuasive Papers
• Strong Thesis Statements: Purdue Online Writing Lab, College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University
• Basic Steps in the Research Process: North Hennepin Community College
• How to Write a Persuasive Essay: Esther Lombardi, ThoughtCo
• Persuasive Essay: Writing Resources, Hamilton College
• Persuasive Writing: Read Write Think
• Distinguishing Argumentation from Persuasion: Thoughtful Learning, K-12
• Find Your Argument: Australian National University, Canberra
• Argument: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• What Is an Essay: Library University of Leeds
• Counterargument: Gordon Harvey (adapted from The Academic Essay: A Brief Anatomy), for the Writing Center at Harvard University
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This is so helpful, I’m going to use some of these topics with my students!

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• Should students be allowed to have phones in elementary and high schools?
• Should students have to wear uniforms?
• Should college athletes be paid for playing?
• Should the elderly receive free bus rides?
• Should state colleges be free to attend?
• Should all American citizens have to complete a year of community service?
• Should students be required to take Spanish classes?
• Should marijuana be legal for medicinal purposes?
• Should the voting age be lowered to thirteen?
• Should the driving age be raised to twenty-one?
• Should students be paid for having good grades?
• Should illegal immigrants be allowed to get drivers licenses?
• Should not wearing a seat-belt be illegal?
• Should student’s textbooks be replaced by notebook computers or tablets?
• Should students have to pass a basic skills test to graduate high school?
• Should schools raise money by selling candy and sugary soft drinks to students?
• Should schools serve french-fries and fried potato products to students at lunch?
• Should students’ grades in gym affect their grade point averages?
• Should girls be allowed to play on boys sports teams?
• Should teens be able to buy violent video games?
• Should boys and girls be in separate classes?
• Should teenage girls be allowed to get birth control without the permission of their parents?
• Should our country have free health care?
• Should immigration laws be reformed?
• Should the federal government recognize civil unions?
• Should people who download music and movies illegally be punished?
• Should school athletes have to be on the honor roll to play in games?
• Should music with curse words be allowed at school dances?
• Should public schools begin the day with a silent prayer time?
• Should students be able to listen to music on headphones during study hall?
• Should schools offer fast food options like McDonald’s or Taco Bell?
• Should smoking be allowed at parks and other outdoor public venues?
• Should cities offer free public Wi-Fi?
• Should the government place a tax on junk food and fatty snacks?
• Should the 2 nd amendment give citizens the right to own assault weaponry?
• Should people traveling in airplanes have to undergo intensive security screenings?
• Should genetically modified foods be sold with a warning label?
• Should teachers have to pass a basic skills test every ten years to renew their certification?
• Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals like chimpanzees or tigers?
• Should people be allowed to keep pit-bull dogs?
• Should the city offer a bike sharing program?
• Should there be an ordinance citing people who fail to recycle $50?
• Should there be an ordinance citing people who play music too loudly $50?
• Should prostitution be legalized and regulated by the government?
• Should celebrities who break the law face stricter penalties?
• Should the government increase spending on the space program?
• Should larger passengers have to pay for two plane or movie theater tickets?
• Should children have to use booster seats in cars?
• Should people have to get a license to become parents?
• Should there be tougher federal restrictions for content on the internet?
• Should people be allowed to curse on daytime television?
• Should owners be legally accountable for clearing snow from sidewalks on their property?
• Should sexual education be taught in public schools?
• Should students be able to get free condoms at school?
• Should students who commit cyber-bullying be suspended from school?
• Should corporations be allowed to advertise in schools?
• Should students be allowed to eat during class?
• Should more be done to protect and preserve endangered animals?
• Is it appropriate for students and teachers to be friends on Facebook?
• Should students have open campus lunch periods?
• Should abortions be legal?
• Should abortions be legal in cases of rape and incest?
• Should the death penalty be used to punish violent criminals?
• Should students learn about world religions in public schools?
• Should schools start later in the morning?
• Should the USA end overseas military operations?
• Should politicians be allowed to accept campaign contributions from corporate lobbyists?
• Should people with terminal illnesses have the right to doctor assisted suicides?
• Should Puerto Rico become a state?
• Should stem cell researchers be able to use stem cells from aborted babies to cure diseases?
• Should school athletes have to take drug tests?
• Should professional athletes have to take drug tests?
• Should America convert to the metric system?
• Should high school students have to complete community service hours to graduate?
• Should teens over 13 years of age be allowed into R rated movies?
• Should state tests be given in other languages for ESL students?
• Should scientists be allowed to test products intended for human use on animals?
• Should unhealthy fast food products be sold with a warning label?
• Should there be a tariff or tax on products manufactured outside of the country?
• Should students or teachers receive money for scoring well on standardized tests?
• Should everyone under the age of 17 have a 9:00 PM curfew?
• Should schools with low scores on standardized tests be closed?
• Should minors be allowed to drink alcoholic beverages in their homes with their parents’ consent?
• Should students be allowed to drop out before they turn 18 years old?
• Should alcohol manufacturers be allowed to advertise on television?
• Should students as young as fourteen be allowed to hold jobs?
• Should American families have a two child max rule to limit population growth?
• Should children younger than thirteen be allowed to watch MTV or music videos?
• Should people who are caught driving drunk lose their licenses for a year?
• Should students who fail their classes be retained and have to repeat the grade?
• Should large businesses and corporations be required to employ a number of minorities proportionate to the population?
• Should female construction workers earn the same wages as males?
• Should children in temporary living situations with a 3.0 GPA earn free college tuition?
• Should gambling and sports-betting be illegal or should the government regulate it?
• Should children who commit violent crimes be tried as adults?
• Should the government be allowed to detain suspected terrorists without trial?
• Should the government censor internet content deemed inappropriate?
• Should teachers have to wear uniforms or have a dress code?
• Should teachers be allowed to have cell phones in the classroom?
• Should the state execute dogs that have bitten someone?
• Should talking on a phone without a hands-free device while driving be illegal?

930 Comments

Wessam bedear.

Thanks for your support and cooperation. It is really helped a lot . Much appreciated

Reginald Ademola

Thank you so much for making your resources freely available.

Eric Villari

Thanks for all the effort you’ve put into the site. I teach in Australia, and I tweak and change topics/wording to suit, but It’s a great survey course in general Literacy you’ve put together… Thanks!

Thank you so much. What an informative and comprehensive site. You have provided an array of persuasive topics. I love this site!!

Marg L Brewerton

Thank you for these ideas. An extra idea from one of my students: Should we fix earth or spend our money on interplanetary travel?

Barbara Pulehetoa

I love this website. thank you for making this website

amazing website helped a lot

In my language arts class we are assigned to write two opinion essays the first one my teacher gave us but the second one we choose. i have a trouble with choosing but now that i came to this website i can choose easily and fast. thank you, thank you, thank you for this website.

this site has been absolutely resourceful and its the best site iv been on

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Persuasive Essay Guide

Persuasive Essay Topics

A Catalogue of 300 Best Persuasive Essay Topics for Students

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Finding a persuasive essay topic, whether controversial or every day, can be a real challenge. A persuasive essay topic should clearly showcase your stance on the matter. 

But don't worry! You’re not alone in this. 

That’s why we’ve created an extensive list of diverse persuasive essay topics. Covering different grade levels and academic themes, you’re sure to find a good persuasive essay topic.

So, read on to pick your topic!

• 1. Basics of Persuasive Essay Writing  
• 2. Persuasive Essay Topics for Students of All Grades
• 3. Subject-Specific Persuasive Essay Ideas
• 4. Persuasive Essay Topics by Complexity
• 5. Persuasive Argumentative Essay Topics
• 6. Controversial Persuasive Essay Topics
• 7. Unique Persuasive Essay Topics Ideas
• 8. Easy Persuasive Essay Topics
• 9. Fun Persuasive Essay Topics
• 10. Tips to Choose a Persuasive Essay Topic

Basics of Persuasive Essay Writing  

A persuasive essay is all about convincing your readers to see things from your point of view. Think of it as a debate on paper. You pick a topic, take a stance, and then use evidence and reasoning to make your case. 

In this type of essay , your goal should be to persuade your audience to agree with your perspective or take action based on your argument. 

A persuasive essay is often mixed up with an argumentative essay . Both try to convince readers, but persuasive essays appeal more to emotions, while argumentative essays use logic and evidence. It can also be confused with an expository essay , which aims to inform rather than persuade, focusing on presenting facts without pushing a specific viewpoint.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Students of All Grades

In this section, we’ll explore persuasive essay topics suited for students at all levels, from elementary school up to college and university. Whether you're just starting out or are deep into your studies, there's a topic here for you.

Persuasive Essay Topics For Grade 5

• Should Schools Have Longer Recess Periods?
• Should Homework Be Banned in Elementary School?
• Should All Students Be Required to Learn a Second Language?
• Should Animals Be Used in Science Experiments?
• Should Every Student Get a Pet in School?
• Should School Lunches Be Healthier?
• Should Students Be Allowed to Use Smartphones in Class?
• Should All Classrooms Have Air Conditioning?
• Should Kids Have a Say in What They Learn in School?
• Discuss the Benefits of Allowing More Field Trips in School.

Persuasive Writing Topics For Grade 6

• All Students Should Wear Uniforms
• Should Students Have Less School Work Over the Weekend?
• Should Schools Offer More Creative Arts Classes?
• Should Physical Education Be Mandatory Every Day?
• Should Schools Have a No-Phone Policy During Lunch?
• Should All Students Participate in Community Service?
• Should Video Games Be Used as Educational Tools in Class?
• Should Schools Limit the Amount of Time Students Spend on Technology?
• Should Students Be Allowed to Choose Their Own Study Subjects?
• Discuss the Impact of School Libraries on Student Learning.

Persuasive Essay Topics For Grade 7

• Should Schools Offer More Extracurricular Activities?
• Should Students Be Allowed to Have Breaks During Long Exams?
• Should Schools Implement a Four-Day School Week?
• Should All Students Be Taught Financial Literacy?
• Should Kids Have More Control Over Their Own Learning?
• Should School Cafeterias Serve Organic Food?
• Is Social Media Bad For You? 
• Should Schools Have a Mandatory Environmental Education Program?
• Should There Be More Focus on Mental Health in Schools?
• Discuss the Importance of Teaching Ethics and Morality in Schools.

Persuasive Essay Topics For Grade 8

• Discuss the Effectiveness of Peer Tutoring Programs in Schools.
• Discuss the Influence of School Culture on Student Success.
• Should Schools Provide More Support for Students with Learning Disabilities?
• Should Teenagers Be Required to Take a Course on Public Speaking?
• Discuss the Role of Social Media in Education.
• Should Schools Have a Dress Code for Physical Education Classes?
• Should Schools Offer More Career Exploration Opportunities?
• Discuss the Benefits and Drawbacks of Year Round School vs. Traditional Calendars.
• Should Students Be Allowed to Choose Their Own Class Schedules?
• Discuss the Impact of Online Education on Traditional Classroom Education.

Persuasive Essay Topics High School

• Discuss the Benefits of School-Based Mental Health Care Services for Students.
• Should Schools Implement a Later Start Time for Students?
• Discuss the Importance of Civic Education in Preparing Students for Citizenship.
• Discuss the Pros and Cons of Implementing Uniform Policies in High Schools.
• Should All High School Students Be Required to Take a Financial Management Course?
• Discuss the Role of Technology in Enhancing Learning Outcomes in High School.
• Should Schools Offer More Advanced Placement (AP) Classes?
• High School Students Be Allowed to Vote in Local Elections. Discuss.
• Should Schools Provide Free College Preparation Resources for All Students?
• Discuss the Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health.

Persuasive Essay Topics For College 

• Should College Education Be Free for All Students?
• Should Universities Require Students to Take a Course on Climate Change?
• Should Student Loans Have a Cap on Interest Rates?
• Should College Campuses Offer More Mental Health Resources?
• Should Internships Be a Mandatory Part of All Electoral  College Degrees?
• Discuss the Impact of Social Media on Academic Integrity.
• Discuss the Role of Technology in Facilitating Distance Learning in Higher Education.
• Discuss the Benefits of Diversity and Inclusion Programs on College Campuses.
• Discuss the Effectiveness of Online vs. Traditional College Courses.
• Discuss the Ethical Implications of Using AI in College Admissions.

Persuasive Essay Topics for University 

• Should Universities Implement a Universal Pass/Fail Grading System?
• Discuss the Impact of Student Activism on University Policy Changes.
• Should Colleges Offer Free Textbooks for All Students?
• Discuss the Role of University Research in Addressing Global Challenges.
• Should Universities Have a Mandate for Sustainability Practices?
• Discuss the Effectiveness of Mental Health Initiatives in Reducing Stress Among Students.
• Should Higher Education Institutions Prioritize Practical Skills Over Theoretical Knowledge?
• Discuss the Benefits and Drawbacks of a Flexible Semester System.
• Should Universities Provide More Support for Student Entrepreneurs?
• Discuss the Influence of Globalization on University Curricula.

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Subject-Specific Persuasive Essay Ideas

Here, we’ll explore persuasive essay topics focused on different subjects. No matter the subject you're studying, you'll find interesting ideas for your field!

Law and Justice

• Should Juveniles Be Tried as Adults for Serious Crimes?
• Discuss the Impact of Mandatory Minimum Sentences on the Criminal Justice System.
• Should the Death Penalty Be Abolished Worldwide?
• Discuss the Role of Rehabilitation vs. Punishment in Reducing Recidivism.
• Should Surveillance Technology Be Restricted to Protect Privacy Rights?
• Discuss the Effectiveness of Drug Courts in Addressing Substance Abuse.
• Should Legal Aid Be Guaranteed for All Defendants Regardless of Income?
• Discuss the Influence of Media Coverage on High-Profile Trials.
• Should the Legal Drinking Age Be Lowered to 18?
• Discuss the Challenges of Ensuring Fair Trials in Cases Involving Racial Bias.

Politics and Government

• Should Campaign Finance Reform Be a Priority for All Governments?
• Discuss the Pros and Cons of Implementing Term Limits for Legislators.
• Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16?
• Discuss the Impact of Gerrymandering on Electoral Fairness.
• Should Governments Provide Universal Basic Income?
• Discuss the Role of Social Media in Shaping Public Policy.
• Should International Organizations Have Greater Authority Over National Governments?
• Discuss the Effectiveness of Mandatory Voting Laws in Improving Democracy.
• Should Citizens Have the Right to Recall Elected Officials?
• Discuss the Benefits and Risks of Proportional Representation in Elections.

Science and Technology

• Should Governments Invest More in Renewable Energy Research?
• Can Technology Solve Our Environmental Problems?
• Should Genetically Modified Foods Be Banned?
• Discuss the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health.
• Should Governments Fund Space Exploration Programs?
• Discuss the Benefits and Risks of Autonomous Vehicles.
• Should Personal Data Privacy Laws Be Strengthened to Protect Users?
• Discuss the Role of Technology in Enhancing Educational Outcomes.
• Should Climate Engineering Solutions Be Pursued to Combat Global Warming?
• Discuss the Influence of Biotechnology on Modern Medicine.

Social Issues

• Should Healthcare Be Universal?
• Discuss the Effects of Income Inequality on Social Mobility.
• Should Governments Regulate Social Media to Prevent Misinformation?
• Discuss the Role of Education in Addressing Systemic Racism.
• Should the Minimum Wage Be Increased to a Living Wage?
• Discuss the Impact of Affordable Housing Policies on Urban Development.
• Should Parental Leave Policies Be Standardized Across All Professions?
• Discuss the Benefits of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana.
• Should Schools Be Required to Teach Financial Literacy as Part of the Curriculum?
• Discuss the Influence of Cultural Representation in Media on Public Perception.
• Should Historical Monuments with Controversial Backgrounds Be Removed?
• Discuss the Role of Historical Fiction in Shaping Public Understanding of Past Events.
• Should Schools Include More Diverse Perspectives in History Curriculum?
• Discuss the Impact of Colonialism on Modern-Day Socioeconomic Structures.
• Should World War II Be Taught as a Central Focus in History Education?
• Discuss the Influence of Ancient Civilizations on Modern Governance Systems.
• Should Historical Figures with Controversial Legacies Be Re-evaluated in Textbooks?
• Discuss the Significance of the Civil Rights Movement in Contemporary Society.
• Should Museums Focus More on Preserving Local History or Global History?
• Discuss the Lessons Learned from Historical Economic Crises and Their Relevance Today.
• Should Schools Teach Abstinence-Only Education?
• Discuss the Benefits of Integrating Technology in the Classroom.
• Should Schools Adopt a Year-Round Education System?
• Discuss the Role of Emotional Intelligence in Academic Success.
• Should Students Take a Self-Defense Class?
• Discuss the Impact of Class Size on Student Learning Outcomes.
• Should Financial Literacy Be a Required Subject in Schools?
• Discuss the Advantages of Bilingual Education in Early Childhood.
• Should Schools Provide Free Meals to All Students?
• Discuss the Importance of Arts Education in Fostering Creativity.

Environment

• Should Single-Use Plastics Be Banned Globally?
• Discuss the Effectiveness of Renewable Energy in Combating Climate Change.
• Should Governments Provide Incentives for Reducing Carbon Footprints?
• Discuss the Role of Urban Green Spaces in Environmental Sustainability.
• Should Climate Change Education Be Mandatory in Schools?
• Discuss the Impact of Overfishing on Marine Ecosystems.
• Should Companies Be Required to Report Their Environmental Impact?
• Discuss the Benefits of Transitioning to a Plant-Based Diet for Environmental Conservation.
• Should There Be Stricter Regulations on Deforestation?
• Discuss the Challenges of Implementing Zero-Waste Policies in Cities.

Health & Wellness

• Should Governments Subsidize Healthy Foods to Combat Obesity?
• Discuss the Role of Mental Health Days in Improving Student Well-being.
• Should COVID-19 Vaccination Be Mandatory for Public Health?
• Discuss the Benefits and Drawbacks of Telemedicine for Patient Care.
• Should Workplaces Implement Mandatory Wellness Programs for Employees?
• Discuss the Impact of Sleep Hygiene on Overall Health.
• Should Vaccinations Be Required for All Public School Students?
• Discuss the Effectiveness of Meditation and Mindfulness Practices in Stress Reduction.
• Should There Be More Public Education on Preventative Healthcare Measures?
• Discuss the Influence of Social Media on Body Image and Self-Esteem.

Food & Nutrition

• Should Fast Food Advertising Be Restricted to Protect Children's Health?
• Discuss the Impact of Plant-Based Diets on Environmental Sustainability.
• Should Schools Offer Free Breakfast and Lunch to All Students?
• Discuss the Benefits of Organic Foods Compared to Conventional Foods.
• Should Nutrition Labels Include More Information About Added Sugars?
• Discuss the Role of Dietary Supplements in Preventing Chronic Diseases.
• Should Restaurants Be Required to Provide Nutritional Information on Menus?
• Discuss the Importance of Teaching Cooking Skills in Schools.
• Should Governments Implement Sugar Taxes to Reduce Consumption?
• Discuss the Influence of Cultural Food Practices on Modern Nutrition.
• Should the Minimum Wage Be Increased to Match the Cost of Living?
• Discuss the Impact of Universal Basic Income on Economic Inequality.
• Should Governments Provide Subsidies for Green Technology?
• Discuss the Role of Tax Incentives in Encouraging Business Investment.
• Should There Be Stricter Regulations on Financial Speculation?
• Discuss the Effects of Globalization on Local Economies.
• Should Student Loan Debt Forgiveness Be Implemented?
• Discuss the Economic Benefits and Risks of Trade Tariffs.
• Should There Be a Cap on Executive Salaries to Reduce Income Disparity?
• Discuss the Influence of Cryptocurrency on Traditional Financial Systems.

Media and Entertainment

• Should Streaming Services Be Required to Include More Diverse Content?
• Discuss the Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Consumer Behavior.
• Should Social Media Platforms Be Held Responsible for Content Moderation?
• Discuss the Role of Media Literacy in Protecting Against Misinformation.
• Should Video Game Companies Implement Stricter Regulations on In-Game Purchases?
• Discuss the Influence of Reality TV on Public Perception of Reality.
• Should There Be Regulations on the Amount of Advertising Targeted at Children?
• Discuss the Economic Impact of Major Film Studios on Local Economies.
• Should Content Creators Be Paid Fairly for Their Work on Social Media Platforms?
• Discuss the Ethical Considerations of Using Deepfake Technology in Entertainment.
• Should Music Education Be Mandatory in Schools?
• Discuss the Impact of Streaming Services on the Music Industry.
• Should Artists Have Control Over How Their Music Is Used?
• Discuss the Influence of Music on Teen Behavior.
• Should Concert Tickets Be More Affordable?
• Discuss the Role of Music in Mental Health.
• Should Musicians Be Allowed to Perform Political Songs?
• Discuss the Evolution of Music Genres Over the Decades.
• Should Music Piracy Be More Strictly Enforced?
• Discuss the Benefits of Learning to Play an Instrument.
• Should Professional Athletes Be Paid More than Public Servants?
• Discuss the Impact of Sports Sponsorships on Athlete Performance.
• Should Youth Sports Programs Be Funded by Public Schools?
• Discuss the Role of Technology in Enhancing Athletic Performance.
• Should There Be More Strict Regulations on Concussions in Contact Sports?
• Discuss the Benefits of Encouraging Girls to Participate in Sports.
• Should College Athletes Be Compensated for Their Role in Generating Revenue?
• Discuss the Influence of Sports on National Identity and Pride.
• Should Performance-Enhancing Drugs Be Legalized in Professional Sports Teams?
• Discuss the Effect of Major Sporting Events on Host Cities’ Economies.

Animals and Wildlife

• Should Zoos Focus More on Conservation Than Entertainment?
• Discuss the Effects of Deforestation on Endangered Species.
• Should Hunting Be Banned to Protect Wildlife Populations?
• Discuss the Role of Wildlife Corridors in Preventing Animal Extinction.
• Should Pet Ownership Be Regulated to Ensure Animal Welfare?
• Discuss the Impact of Climate Change on Marine Life.
• Should There Be Stricter Laws Against Animal Cruelty?
• Discuss the Benefits of Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release Programs.
• Should Trophy Hunting Be Prohibited to Protect Endangered Species?
• Discuss the Ethical Implications of Using Animals in Scientific Research.
• Should Companies Be Required to Publish Their Environmental Impact?
• Discuss the Ethics of Using Animals for Scientific Research.
• Should Whistleblowers Be Protected by Law?
• Discuss the Moral Implications of Genetic Engineering.
• Should Celebrities Be Held to Higher Ethical Standards?
• Can Animal Testing Be Ethical?
• Should Online Privacy Be a Fundamental Right?
• Discuss the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Decision-Making.
• Is Capital Punishment Ethical?
• Are Drunk Drivers Punished Appropriately?

Persuasive Essay Topics by Complexity

Now, let’s check out persuasive essay topics based on how tricky they are. Whether you’re after something easy or more advanced, you’ll find a topic that fits.

Beginner Topics

• Gun Ownership Should Be Tightly Regulated. Discuss.
• Discuss the Benefits of Reading Books Over Watching TV.
• Should Homework Be Limited to One Hour Per Night?
• Discuss the Advantages of Using Reusable Bags Instead of Plastic Ones.
• Are Open Borders a Good Idea?
• Should Fast Food Be Banned in School Cafeterias?
• Discuss the Importance of Regular Exercise for Kids.
• Books Should Be Replaced with Tablets
• Does Your School Handle Bullying Well?

Intermediate Topics

• Should Schools Implement a Later Start Time to Improve Student Performance?
• Discuss the Impact of Social Media on Teen Self-Esteem.
• Should Governments Invest More in Public Transportation to Reduce Traffic?
• Discuss the Advantages of Renewable Energy Sources Over Fossil Fuels.
• Should Higher Education Be Free for All Students?
• Discuss the Effectiveness of Mental Health Programs in Schools.
• Should Companies Be Required to Provide Paid Parental Leave?
• Discuss the Benefits of Mandatory Financial Literacy Education in High School.
• Should Online Privacy Laws Be Strengthened to Protect Personal Information?
• Discuss the Role of Government in Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Practices.

Advanced Topics

• Should Governments Enforce Stricter Regulations on Artificial Intelligence Development?
• Discuss the Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering in Humans.
• Should There Be a Universal Basic Income to Address Economic Inequality?
• Discuss the Impact of Globalization on Cultural Identity and Diversity.
• Should Climate Change Mitigation Strategies Prioritize Renewable Energy Over Carbon Capture?
• Discuss the Role of International Organizations in Managing Global Health Crises.
• Should Nations Adopt a Global Tax on Multinational Corporations to Address Inequality?
• Discuss the Challenges and Benefits of Implementing Universal Healthcare Systems.
• Should Governments Take More Aggressive Actions to Combat Cybercrime?
• Discuss the Influence of Media Ownership Concentration on Public Opinion and Democracy.

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Persuasive Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should Governments Mandate Corporate Social Responsibility Programs for Large Companies?
• Discuss the Impact of Automation on the Job Market and Income Distribution.
• Should Higher Education Institutions Be Held Responsible for Student Loan Debt?
• Discuss the Feasibility and Ethical Implications of Universal Basic Healthcare.
• Should Countries Adopt a Global Standard for Privacy Protection in Digital Transactions?
• Discuss the Consequences of Overpopulation on Global Resources and Environmental Sustainability.
• Should Governments Regulate the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Military Applications?
• Discuss the Role of Cultural Preservation in the Age of Globalization and Technological Advancement.
• Should Public Funding Be Allocated to Support the Arts and Humanities in Education?
• Discuss the Potential Risks and Benefits of Genetic Modification in Agriculture.

Controversial Persuasive Essay Topics

• Higher Taxes on the Wealthy: A Fair Solution?
• Are Abortion Restrictions Protecting Fetal Life or Limiting Women's Choices?
• Do Graphic Warning Labels on Cigarette Packs Truly Deter Smoking ?
• Do Drug Tests Ensure Safety or Violate Privacy Rights?
• Sex Education In Schools: Does it Foster Safer and Informed Choices
• Censorship of Art and Media: Protecting or Suppressing Expression?
• Stricter Background Checks: Enhancing Gun Control or Infringing on Rights?
• Free Speech Should Have Limitations
• Universal Basic Income: Easing Poverty or Discouraging Work?
• Should Violent  Video Games Be Considered a Sport?

Unique Persuasive Essay Topics Ideas

• Should Space Exploration Funding Be Increased?
• Discuss the Benefits of Banning Homework in Elementary Schools.
• Should Fast Fashion Brands Face Stricter Regulations?
• Discuss the Impact of Social Media Influencers on Youth Culture.
• Should Public Parks Have Designated Areas for Dog Owners?
• Should Nuclear Power Be Banned? 
• Should Schools Teach Emotional Intelligence as Part of the Curriculum?
• Discuss the Ethics of Using AI in Art and Creativity.
• Should Eco-Friendly Products Be Subsidized by the Government?
• Discuss the Role of Gamification in Enhancing Learning Outcomes.

Easy Persuasive Essay Topics

• Should School Cafeterias Offer Healthier Lunch Options?
• Should Nuclear Power Be Banned?
• Should Students Be Allowed to Use Cell Phones in Class?
• Discuss the Importance of Recycling at Home.
• Should Schools Have Longer Summer Breaks?
• Discuss the Advantages of Reading for Pleasure.
• Should Schools Offer More Art and Music Classes?
• Should Sports Be Mandatory in School Curriculums?
• Discuss the Impact of a Positive Attitude on Academic Success.
• Discuss the Benefits of Keeping Pets in the Classroom.

Fun Persuasive Essay Topics

• Should Schools Have a Nap Time for Students?
• Discuss the Impact of Hosting a School Carnival on Student Engagement.
• Discuss the Benefits of Allowing Pets in the Workplace.
• Should Every Student Have a Personal Robot Assistant?
• Discuss the Impact of Having a School Talent Show.
• Are There Benefits To Cannabis Use?
• Discuss the Benefits of Wearing Pajamas to School.
• Should Schools Offer a “Free Day” for Creative Projects?
• Discuss the Importance of Having a Weekly “Fun Friday” in Class.
• Should Students Design Their Own School Uniforms?

Decided on a topic? Check out these persuasive essay examples to start writing your essay on any topic!

Tips to Choose a Persuasive Essay Topic

Picking the right topic is key to writing a great persuasive essay. Check out these practical tips to find a topic that will grab your readers' attention and help you make a strong argument:

• Pick What Interests You: Choose a topic you’re passionate about. It’ll make researching and writing much more enjoyable and engaging.
• Know Your Audience: Think about who will be reading your essay. Pick a topic that will resonate with them and spark their interest.
• Be Clear and Specific: Select a topic that is narrow enough to cover in detail. A specific topic helps you build a stronger argument.
• Check for Controversy: Opt for a topic with different viewpoints. A controversial issue can provide more material for a persuasive argument.
• Researchability Matters: Ensure there’s enough information available on your topic. Good research is key to building a solid argument.
• Stay Current: Topics related to current events or recent developments can make your essay more relevant and engaging.
• Avoid Overused Topics: Try to steer clear of clichés or overly common issues. Fresh topics can make your essay stand out.
• Scope and Depth: Make sure it's neither too broad, nor too narrow. So narrow down your focus on a single aspect while developing ideas for your essay.

To Sum it Up, you now have a wide variety of essay topics to choose from and can dive into writing your persuasive essay.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to begin, our essay typer can give you some fresh ideas.

For more thorough help, you might want to check out our custom essay writing service .

Whether you need help picking a unique topic or writing the whole essay, our team is here to support you.

Our expert writers can craft persuasive essays that will help you achieve top grades. So, don’t hesitate—get in touch with our persuasive essay writing service and order now to get the support you need!

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105 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics for Any Project

General Education

Are you struggling to find good persuasive speech topics? It can be hard to find a topic that interests both you and your audience, but in this guide we've done the hard work and created a list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. They're organized into ten categories and cover a variety of topics, so you're sure to find one that interests you.

In addition to our list, we also go over which factors make good persuasive speech topics and three tips you should follow when researching and writing your persuasive speech.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

What makes certain persuasive speech topics better than others? There are numerous reasons, but in this section we discuss three of the most important factors of great topics for a persuasive speech.

It's Something You Know About or Are Interested in Learning About

The most important factor in choosing and creating a great persuasive speech is picking a topic you care about and are interested in. You'll need to do a lot of research on this topic, and if it's something you like learning about, that'll make the process much easier and more enjoyable. It'll also help you sound passionate and informed when you talk, both important factors in giving an excellent persuasive speech.

It's a Topic People Care About

In fourth grade, after being told I could give a persuasive speech on any topic I wanted to , I chose to discuss why the Saguaro cactus should be the United State's national plant. Even though I gave an impassioned talk and drew a life-size Saguaro cactus on butcher paper to hang behind me, I doubt anyone enjoyed the speech much.

I'd recently returned from a family vacation to Arizona where I'd seen Saguaro cacti for the first time and decided they were the coolest thing ever. However, most people don't care that much about Saguaro cacti, and most people don't care what our national plant is or if we even have one (for the record, the US has a national flower, and it's the rose).

Spare yourself the smattering of bored applause my nine-old self got at the end of my speech and choose something you think people will be interested in hearing about. This also ties into knowing your audience, which we discuss more in the final section.

It Isn't Overdone

When I was in high school, nearly every persuasive speech my classmates and I were assigned was the exact same topic: should the drinking age be lowered to 18? I got this prompt in English class, on standardized tests, in speech and debate class, etc. I've written and presented about it so often I could probably still rattle off all the main points of my old speeches word-for-word.

You can imagine that everyone's eyes glazed over whenever classmates gave their speeches on this topic. We'd heard about it so many times that, even if it was a topic we cared about, speeches on it just didn't interest us anymore.

The are many potential topics for a persuasive speech. Be wary of choosing one that's cliche or overdone. Even if you give a great speech, it'll be harder to keep your audience interested if they feel like they already know what you're going to say.

An exception to this rule is that if you feel you have a new viewpoint or facts about the topic that currently aren't common knowledge. Including them can make an overdone topic interesting. If you do this, be sure to make it clear early on in your speech that you have unique info or opinions on the topic so your audience knows to expect something new.

105 Topics for a Persuasive Speech

Here's our list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. We made sure to choose topics that aren't overdone, yet that many people will have an interest in, and we also made a point of choosing topics with multiple viewpoints rather than simplistic topics that have a more obvious right answer (i.e. Is bullying bad?). The topics are organized into ten categories.

Arts/Culture

• Should art and music therapy be covered by health insurance?
• Should all students be required to learn an instrument in school?
• Should all national museums be free to citizens?
• Should graffiti be considered art?
• Should offensive language be removed from works of classic literature?
• Are paper books better than e-books?
• Should all interns be paid for their work?
• Should employees receive bonuses for walking or biking to work?
• Will Brexit hurt or help the UK's economy?
• Should all people over the age of 65 be able to ride the bus for free?
• Should the federal minimum wage be increased?
• Should tipping in restaurants be mandatory?
• Should Black Friday sales be allowed to start on Thanksgiving?
• Should students who bully others be expelled?
• Should all schools require students wear uniforms?
• Should boys and girls be taught in separate classrooms?
• Should students be allowed to listen to music during study hall?
• Should all elementary schools be required to teach a foreign language?
• Should schools include meditation or relaxation breaks during the day?
• Should grades in gym class affect students' GPAs?
• Should teachers get a bonus when their students score well on standardized tests?
• Should children of undocumented immigrants be allowed to attend public schools?
• Should students get paid for getting a certain GPA?
• Should students be allowed to have their cell phones with them during school?
• Should high school students be allowed to leave school during lunch breaks?
• Should Greek life at colleges be abolished?
• Should high school students be required to volunteer a certain number of hours before they can graduate?
• Should schools still teach cursive handwriting?
• What are the best ways for schools to stop bullying?
• Should prostitution be legalized?
• Should people with more than one DUI lose their driver's license?
• Should people be required to shovel snow from the sidewalks in front of their house?
• Should minors be able to drink alcohol in their home if they have their parent's consent?
• Should guns be allowed on college campuses?
• Should flag burning as a form of protest be illegal?
• Should welfare recipients be required to pass a drug test?
• Should white supremacist groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
• Should assault weapons be illegal?
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Should beauty pageants for children be banned?
• Is it OK to refuse to serve same-sex couples based on religious beliefs?
• Should transgender people be allowed to serve in the military?
• Is it better to live together before marriage or to wait?
• Should affirmative action be allowed?
• Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
• Should Columbus Day be replaced with Indigenous Peoples' Day?

Government/Politics

• Should the government spend more money on developing high-speed rail lines and less on building new roads?
• Should the government be allowed to censor internet content deemed inappropriate?
• Should Puerto Rico become the 51st state?
• Should Scotland declare independence from the United Kingdom?
• Whose face should be on the next new currency printed by the US?
• Should people convicted of drug possession be sent to recovery programs instead of jail?
• Should voting be made compulsory?
• Who was the best American president?
• Should the military budget be reduced?
• Should the President be allowed to serve more than two terms?
• Should a border fence be built between the United States and Mexico?
• Should countries pay ransom to terrorist groups in order to free hostages?
• Should minors be able to purchase birth control without their parent's consent?
• Should hiding or lying about your HIV status with someone you're sleeping with be illegal?
• Should governments tax soda and other sugary drinks and use the revenue for public health?
• Should high schools provide free condoms to students?
• Should the US switch to single-payer health care?
• Should healthy people be required to regularly donate blood?
• Should assisted suicide be legal?
• Should religious organizations be required to pay taxes?
• Should priests be allowed to get married?
• Should the religious slaughter of animals be banned?
• Should the Church of Scientology be exempt from paying taxes?
• Should women be allowed to be priests?
• Should countries be allowed to only accept refugees with certain religious beliefs?
• Should public prayer be allowed in schools?

Science/Environment

• Should human cloning be allowed?
• Should people be allowed to own exotic animals like tigers and monkeys?
• Should "animal selfies" in tourist locations with well-known animal species (like koalas and tigers) be allowed?
• Should genetically modified foods be sold in grocery stores?
• Should people be allowed to own pit bulls?
• Should parents be allowed to choose the sex of their unborn children?
• Should vaccinations be required for students to attend public school?
• What is the best type of renewable energy?
• Should plastic bags be banned in grocery stores?
• Should the United States rejoin the Paris Agreement?
• Should puppy mills be banned?
• Should fracking be legal?
• Should animal testing be illegal?
• Should offshore drilling be allowed in protected marine areas?
• Should the US government increase NASA's budget?
• Should Pluto still be considered a planet?
• Should college athletes be paid for being on a sports team?
• Should all athletes be required to pass regular drug tests?
• Should professional female athletes be paid the same as male athletes in the same sport?
• Are there any cases when athletes should be allowed to use steroids?
• Should college sports teams receive less funding?
• Should boxing be illegal?
• Should schools be required to teach all students how to swim?
• Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
• Should parents let their children play tackle football?
• Will robots reduce or increase human employment opportunities?
• What age should children be allowed to have a cell phone?
• Should libraries be replaced with unlimited access to e-books?
• Overall, has technology helped connect people or isolate them?
• Should self-driving cars be legal?
• Should all new buildings be energy efficient?
• Is Net Neutrality a good thing or a bad thing?
• Do violent video games encourage players to become violent in real life?

3 Bonus Tips for Crafting Your Persuasive Speech

Of course, giving a great persuasive speech requires more than just choosing a good topic. Follow the three tips below to create an outstanding speech that'll interest and impress your audience.

Do Your Research

For a persuasive speech, there's nothing worse than getting an audience question that shows you misunderstood the issue or left an important piece out. It makes your entire speech look weak and unconvincing.

Before you start writing a single word of your speech, be sure to do lots of research on all sides of the topic. Look at different sources and points of view to be sure you're getting the full picture, and if you know any experts on the topic, be sure to ask their opinion too.

Consider All the Angles

Persuasive speech topics are rarely black and white, which means there will be multiple sides and viewpoints on the topic. For example, for the topic "Should people be allowed to own pit bulls?" there are two obvious viewpoints: everyone should be allowed to own a pit bull if they want to, and no one should be allowed to own a pit bull. But there are other options you should also consider: people should only own a pit bull if they pass a dog training class, people should be able to own pit bulls, but only if it's the only dog they own, people should be able to own pi tbulls but only if they live a certain distance from schools, people should be able to own pit bulls only if the dog passes an obedience class, etc.

Thinking about all these angles and including them in your speech will make you seem well-informed on the topic, and it'll increase the quality of your speech by looking at difference nuances of the issue.

Know Your Audience

Whenever you give a speech, it's important to consider your audience, and this is especially true for persuasive speeches when you're trying to convince people to believe a certain viewpoint. When writing your speech, think about what your audience likely already knows about the topic, what they probably need explained, and what aspects of the topic they care about most. Also consider what the audience will be most concerned about for a certain topic, and be sure to address those concerns.

For example, if you're giving a speech to a Catholic organization on why you think priests should be allowed to marry, you don't need to go over the history of Catholicism or its core beliefs (which they probably already know), but you should mention any research or prominent opinions that support your view (which they likely don't know about). They may be concerned that priests who marry won't be as committed to God or their congregations, so be sure to address those concerns and why they shouldn't worry about them as much as they may think. Discussing your topic with people (ideally those with viewpoints similar to those of your future audience) before you give your speech is a good way to get a better understanding of how your audience thinks.

More Resources for Writing Persuasive Speeches

If you need more guidance or just want to check out some examples of great persuasive writing, consider checking out the following books:

• Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History by William Safire—This collection of great speeches throughout history will help you decide how to style your own argument.
• The Essentials of Persuasive Public Speaking by Sims Wyeth—For quick direct tips on public speaking, try this all-purpose guide.
• Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo—This popular book breaks down what makes TED talks work and how you can employ those skills in your own presentations.
• We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman—These two recent speeches by contemporary writers offer stellar examples of how to craft a compelling (and engaging) argument.

Conclusion: Persuasive Speech Ideas

Good persuasive speech topics can be difficult to think of, but in this guide we've compiled a list of 105 interesting persuasive speech topics for you to look through.

The best persuasive speech ideas will be on a topic you're interested in, aren't overdone, and will be about something your audience cares about.

After you've chosen your topic, keep these three tips in mind when writing your persuasive speech:

• Do your research
• Consider all the angles
• Know your audience

What's Next?

Now that you have persuasive speech topics, it's time to hone your persuasive speech techniques. Find out what ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos are and how to use them here .

Looking to take your persuasive technique from speech to sheets (of paper)? Get our three key tips on how to write an argumentative essay , or learn by reading through our thorough breakdown of how to build an essay, step by step .

Want a great GPA? Check out our step-by-step guide to getting good grades in high school so you can have a stellar transcript.

Interested in learning about other great extracurricular opportunities? Learn more about job shadowing , community service , and volunteer abroad programs.

Still trying to figure out your courses? Check out our expert guide on which classes you should take in high school.

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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110 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics to Impress Your Audience

Learn how to give an impressive persuasive speech and explore our comprehensive list of persuasive speech ideas .

Learn what makes a persuasive speech with these topics

Introduction

What makes a good persuasive speech topic, how to create and deliver a compelling persuasive speech, 110 interesting persuasive speech topics, introduction .

Are you having a hard time coming up with the right persuasive speech topic? One that isn’t boring or cliche? Are you looking for a persuasive speech topic that will both interest you and captivate your audience? It’s easier said than done, right?

Creating and delivering an interesting persuasive speech is a major endeavor. The last thing you want is to get stuck on the first step—selecting a persuasive speech topic. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. To help you identify the perfect persuasive speech topic for you, we’ve compiled a list of 110 compelling persuasive speech ideas. Every single one of these ideas has the potential to be an outstanding persuasive speech. 

In addition, we’ll peel back the curtain to teach you what makes a good persuasive speech topic and give you expert tips on delivering a successful persuasive speech that will convince and astound your audience.

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There are three questions you can use to determine which persuasive speech topics will lead to enthusiastic applause and standing ovations. 

Does the persuasive speech topic interest you?

A major part of writing a persuasive speech is doing ample research on the subject you choose. So one of the first things you should ask yourself when considering a potential persuasive speech topic is, “Would I enjoy learning about this subject extensively?” If you can’t answer that question with an emphatic, “Yes!” you might want to continue your topic search. You don’t want to spend hours diving into a subject you don’t enjoy.

Plus, an audience can easily pick up on boredom or lack of interest in a persuasive speech, and you clearly don’t want that. On the other hand, if you’re explaining a subject you’re passionate about, your audience will get caught up in your excitement—resulting in a much more compelling and persuasive speech.

Here’s another word of advice. Some people will tell you to pick a persuasive speech topic you’re already an expert in, and that’s certainly one way to go about it. While we won’t tell you being an expert in the subject should be your top deciding factor, this approach has its advantages—you’re already familiar with the lingo and the basics of the subject are. This helps you significantly speed up your research process. But if you have the time and willingness to tackle an entirely unfamiliar subject that utterly fascinates you, we say go for it!

Will the persuasive speech topic interest your audience?

So you’ve found a few persuasive speech topics that interest you. But what about your audience? Do they share your interest? Even if you argue your points with enthusiasm, will they be bored by your subject? 

To answer these questions, you have to understand your audience well. Study them to learn what grabs their attention. What do they care about? What topics are relatable to their lives or their communities? What subjects will they be more likely to get emotionally invested in?

When you find persuasive speech topics that equally interest you and your audience, you’re setting yourself up for success.

Has the persuasive speech topic been covered too many times?

This is the last question you should ask yourself before committing to your persuasive speech topic. Has this topic been overdone? Even if your audience is invested in the subject, they’ll be quickly bored if they’ve listened to ten similar speeches prior to hearing yours. You won’t be persuasive if your listeners can predict each of your arguments before you give them. 

Instead, search for persuasive speech topics that are unique and fresh—something your audience hasn’t heard a hundred times before. The one exception to this is if you can approach an overworked topic with a completely fresh and unusual perspective. For example, maybe you can approach the gun control debate as someone whose friend died from an accidental shooting, but your family still owns guns and enjoys hunting as a pastime. 

Once you’ve chosen your persuasive speech topic (our list of 110 riveting persuasive speech ideas is coming next!) and completed your research on the subject, you’ll begin the writing process. Use this step-by-step approach to produce an outstanding speech that easily persuades your audience to adopt your viewpoint.

Determine your thesis. What opinion or belief are you convincing your audience to embrace? Are you asking them to take a specific action after listening to your speech? Just as you do when writing a college essay , make sure your thesis or call-to-action is crystal clear before you start writing.

Organize your main arguments. Create an outline of the evidence or points you’ve collected to support your thesis. Make sure your ideas flow logically into each other and build your case.

Support your arguments with facts and examples. You’ll want to use multiple sources for your evidence, with a preference for well-known or reputable sources. (Please don’t cite Wikipedia!) You can also get personal by using anecdotes from your own life or the lives of someone close to you. This will increase your persuasive speech’s impact.

Add emotional connections with your audience. Make your argument more powerful by appealing to your audience’s sense of nostalgia and common beliefs. Another tactic (which marketers use all the time) is to appeal to your listeners’ fears and rely on their instincts for self-preservation.

Address counterarguments. Rather than waiting for your audience to think up objections to the points you make, do it yourself. Then dispute those objections with additional facts, examples, and anecdotes. 

Wrap up your persuasive speech with a strong conclusion. In your closing, restate your thesis, tug on your audience’s heartstrings one last time with an emotional connection, and deliver your decisive call to action.

Now that you have a strongly written persuasive speech, your final task is this: practice, practice, and practice some more! We guarantee your delivery won’t be perfect on your first attempt. But on your tenth or fifteenth, it just might be.

Record yourself delivering your persuasive speech so you can play it back and analyze your areas needing improvement. Are your pauses too long or not long enough? Did you sufficiently emphasize your emotional points? Are your anecdotes coming out naturally? How is your body language? What about your hand movements and eye contact?

When you’re feeling more comfortable, deliver your speech to a friend or family member and ask for feedback. This will put your public speaking skills to the test. Ensure they understood your main points, connected emotionally, and had all their objections answered. Once you’ve fine tuned your persuasive speech based on your warm-up audience’s feedback, you’ll be ready for the real thing.

Now for the fun part! 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

Should tattoos still be considered “unprofessional”?

Do romantic movies and books glorify an unrealistic idea of love and lead to heartbreak?

Should offensive and inappropriate language be removed from classic literature?

Does watching TV shows or movies about teenage suicide encourage it or prevent it?

Is creating films and documentaries about criminals glorifying them and inspiring some to become criminals themselves?

Should art and music therapy be prioritized over traditional talk therapy?

College and Career

Should the cost of college be reduced?

Are income-share agreements better for students than taking out student loans?

Should college athletes be paid like professional athletes are?

Are same-sex colleges beneficial or antiquated?

Should everyone go to college?

What are the benefits of taking a gap year before starting college?

Would removing tenure and job-protection from professors improve or reduce the quality of higher education?

Has the traditional college model become outdated in the age of the Internet?

Should you pursue a career based on your passions or a career based on earning potential?

Economy and Work

Should the federal minimum wage be increased?

Is the boom of e-commerce harmful or beneficial to small communities?

Should everyone receive paid maternity and paternity leave?

Is capitalism a harmful or beneficial economic system?

Should manufacturing and outsourced work be moved back to the United States?

Would three-day weekends increase work productivity?

Should working from home be the new standard?

Why should we pay more to support small businesses and services instead of going to large companies and retailers? 

Should the US establish mandatory military service for all its young people, such as the countries of Israel and South Korea do? 

Should there be a mandatory retirement age?

Should classes about mental health and wellness be added to school curriculum?

At what age or grade should sex education be taught in schools?

How can sex education be taught more effectively?

Should school funding be dependent on taxes of district residents or should all schools receive an equal amount of funding from the state?

What are the benefits of year-round schools?

Are charter schools hurting or helping low-income communities?

Is homeschooling beneficial or harmful to children?

Should students on the Autism spectrum be integrated into regular classrooms?

What should be the qualifications for books to be banned from schools?

Should advanced math classes in high school be replaced with more practical courses on financial literacy and understanding taxes?

Are grades an accurate representation of learning?

Should we switch to the metric system?

What is the most important book every high school student in America should read?

What are the benefits of teaching art and music classes in high school?

Should independent learning be offered as a larger option in high school?

What are the benefits of making preschool free to all families?

Environment and Conservation

Should fuel-run vehicles be banned?

How does it benefit nature to reduce human paper consumption?

Should it be okay to own exotic animals as pets?

Should hunting be made illegal?

What is the biggest current threat to the environment and how would you suggest we remedy it?

Should disposable diapers be banned?

Should zoos and animal theme parks (such as Sea World) be closed?

Family and Religion

Should children have the right to virtual and physical privacy from their parents?

“It takes a village to raise a child.” How important is a community in raising children?

Is it better for a young child to attend daycare or stay home with a parent?

Should children be told to believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy?

Nature vs. nurture—which is the most powerful influence on a person’s character?

Should parents have to give approval in order for their minor children to receive birth control?

How does learning about family ancestors impact you in the present and future?

Should parents teach their kids about sex or is it the responsibility of the school system?

What is the most beneficial parenting style and why?

Should cults receive protection under freedom of religion?

What are the benefits of belonging to a religious community?

Should parents force their children to go to church or let them decide for themselves?

Government and International Relations

Should states have the ability to secede from the U.S.?

Should Puerto Rico be added as a state to the U.S.?

How long should judges serve on the Supreme Court?

Should the U.S. have open borders?

Should the U.S. get involved when leaders of other countries commit human rights violations against their own people?

Is the U.S. overly dependent on manufactured goods and imports from other countries?

Should the government focus on increasing revenue or reducing spending?

Health and Medicine

Should universal health care be freely given to everyone? 

Should soda and candy be banned from school campuses?

Should tobacco products be completely banned in America?

Is a plant-based diet better than a meat-based diet?

Should addiction counseling and treatment be covered by health insurance?

Would taxing fast food help combat obesity?

Should we ban all genetically modified foods?

What would be the benefits of making all birth control methods (e.g. condoms, the pill) free of charge?

Should homeopathic and alternative medical treatments be covered by health insurance?

Politics and Society

Should voting become mandatory?

What could politicians do to appeal to younger generations of voters?

Should prisoners have the right to vote?

Would it be better in the U.S. if elected politicians were younger?

Should the police use rubber bullets instead of real bullets?

Are private, for-profit prisons a threat to prisoners’ rights?

Should U.S. military funding be increased or decreased? 

Should there be stricter or looser restrictions to qualify for welfare assistance?

Is our current two-party political system good enough or in need of replacing?

Should major corporations be eligible for tax breaks?

How can the current policy on undocumented immigrants in America be improved?

Should it be illegal for politicians to receive donations from large corporations?

Science and Technology

Should animal testing be banned?

Should organ donation be optional or mandated for all?

Is artificial intelligence a threat?

Should parents be allowed to scientifically alter their children’s genes?

What is the best option for renewable energy?

Should military forces be allowed to use drones in warfare?

Should self-driving cars be illegal?

Do the benefits of the internet outweigh the loss of privacy?

Should it be illegal for companies to sell their consumers’ information?

Should the government more strictly regulate the Internet?

How much screen time is too much?

Should everyone receive free internet?

Should we build a colony on the moon?

Social Media

At what age should children be allowed to be on social media?

Should schools be responsible for teaching safe social media education?

When should children be allowed to have a cell phone?

What should the punishment be for cyberbullying? 

Do online friendships have the same benefits as in-person friendships?

Are social media influencers beneficial or harmful to society?

Has the popularity of “selfies” increased self-confidence or self-centeredness?

Is cancel culture a positive or a negative thing?

What are the most reliable, unbiased sources to receive news and information?

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Writing Guides  /  High Quality Persuasive Essay Topics (Updated for 2021)

High Quality Persuasive Essay Topics (Updated for 2021)

All of us use persuasion informally in our everyday lives and have done so since we were young. When you were younger, didn’t you try to persuade your mother to allow you to have dessert without eating your vegetables or to stay up late past your bedtime?  Haven’t you tried to persuade a friend to see a particular movie or to help you with your homework? Think of all the many ways you tried to persuade people to see your point of view. Now all you have to do is translate those same feelings into a persuasive essay.

However, a persuasive essay is a little bit different than how you use persuasion in daily life because you are trying to persuade someone to change his or her mind using a formal argumentative structure.  Your language needs to be academic, as you are maturing as a writer. You need to be as rational as possible, even when there is an emotional side to your argument. There should be two sides to the issue you are discussing and you should use logical as well as emotional reasoning to convey your thought process.

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What is a Persuasive Essay?

Beginning a persuasive essay can seem daunting at first. Unlike conventional informative essays, a persuasive essay has to express a particular point-of-view.  The critical element of a persuasive essay is that it contains an arguable thesis, preferably stated in one sentence at the end of the first paragraph. All of us use persuasion informally in our everyday lives and have done so since we were young. When you were younger, didn’t you try to persuade your mother to allow you to have dessert without eating your vegetables or to stay up late past your bedtime?  Haven’t you tried to persuade a friend to see a particular movie or to help you with your homework?

But a persuasive essay is a little bit different than how you use persuasion in daily life because you are trying to persuade someone to change his or her mind using a formal argumentative structure.  There should be two sides to the issue you are discussing and you should use logical as well as emotional reasoning to convey your thought process.

How to Start a Persuasive Essay

Students often throw up their hands in despair when asked to create a persuasive thesis. “I don’t have any strong opinions on anything,” they often say.  The first step of writing a persuasive essay is to brainstorm ideas.  As yourself what do I believe?  What issue am I passionate about?

It cannot be stressed enough that it is extremely important that there are two sides to the issue you are arguing.  For a good essay, the two different sides should be compelling. For example, many students want to use the topic “you should stop smoking” for their persuasive essays.  But there are no really good arguments in favor of people choosing to smoke.  Yes, it is true that people still do smoke despite the overwhelming evidence that smoking is bad for their heath.  But there are no logical reasons to embrace this bad health habit. A persuasive claim must have a reasonable counter-argument using logos, ethos, and pathos (logic, ethics, and emotion).   Ask yourself: if you had to debate the opposite side of the issue you are arguing, could you do it? If not, you do not have a good topic for a persuasive essay.

Once you have selected your topic, it is time to do some more research. After learning more about the different sides of the issue, you can refine your thesis or perhaps even change it.  Have a good sense of your audience when reframing your claim. If your intended audience is extremely familiar with the topic, you will not need to give a great deal of background information. On the other hand, if you know your professor knows very little about the issue (for example, if your persuasive speech is about online bullying and you know that your teacher is not active on social media) you may need to provide a more extensive setup.  Even if you give information to your reader about the topic, however, don’t lose sight of the fact that you are not writing a purely informative essay.

What Are Persuasive Essay Topics?

The goal of a persuasive essay is to convince the reader to think or act differently. Persuasive essay topics can be about controversial subjects, but they are different from argumentative essay topics in several key ways.

For one, a persuasive essay does not use the same rhetorical devices as an argumentative essay no matter what essay topics you choose. A persuasive essay is similar to an argumentative essay in its overall structure but your advice should appeal to reason and urge the person to agree.

Second, a persuasive essay is more about getting the reader to take action or convincing the reader to adopt your point of view. An argument can be about an abstract issue or principle. With a persuasive essay topic, you genuinely want to urge the reader to take action, not just make a philosophical case about an issue.

How to Find Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Beginning a persuasive essay can seem daunting at first. The hardest part is figuring out what to write about. If you are being asked to write a persuasive essay on any topic whatsoever, you might find yourself wondering where to begin. Settling on a topic is never easy, even for expert writers.

This article will help you by giving you some good and unusual ideas that will impress your readers. You will learn about how to pick the best persuasive essay topics in any subject area, and make your persuasive essays stand out from the crowd.

However, sometimes you will be assigned a persuasive essay topic from your class or professor. If you have been assigned a specific topic, or have to pick a persuasive essay topic from within a specific subject area, this essay will also help you to write better. You will learn how to narrow down your topic and use rhetorical devices and strategies that will actually convince your reader to adopt your point of view.

Good Persuasive Essay Topics Are Specific

Unlike conventional informative essays, a persuasive essay has to express a particular point of view.  The critical element of a persuasive essay is that it contains an arguable thesis, preferably stated in one sentence at the end of the first paragraph. Ideally, your thesis not only shows what you believe, but also why. Get as specific as you can about what you are going to write about. Here are some examples:

Instead of: Jay Z is a better artist than Kanye West.

Go with: Jay Z is a better artist than Kanye West because his music is more sophisticated, his lyrics are more political, and his influence on popular culture is more positive.

Instead of: Meat should be banned in the United States.

Go with: Meat should be banned because it is bad for the environment, bad for health, and because it is unethical to kill animals.

Instead of: All American students should learn three languages by the time they are ten.

Go with: All American students should learn three languages by the time they are ten because it leads to expanded opportunities in the job market.

Persuasive Essay Topics That Interest YOU

Students often throw up their hands in despair when asked to create a persuasive thesis. “I don’t have any strong opinions on anything,” they often say.  The first step of writing a persuasive essay is to brainstorm ideas.  Do some soul searching. Ask yourself, “What do I believe, and why?” Or, “What issue am I passionate about?” You will write best about what you care about most.

You might be thinking, “How can I pick a topic that interests me if I know nothing about it?” Here’s where you need to do a little research online first. Even the most boring subjects can become interesting when they become controversial. Let’s say you know nothing about current events and politics but need to come up with a persuasive essay topic. Start by doing a Google search on current events. You can focus your search on a specific country or issue like oil and energy, climate change, or gender. Pretty soon you can come up with some good persuasive essay topics like these, based on current events:

• China recently decided to ban the internal combustion engine by 2040, and the United States should do the same.
• Trump is correct, and the United States should build a border wall across not only the southern border with Mexico but also along the northern border with Canada.
• Aung San Suu Kyi should have her Nobel Peace Prize revoked because of the way she is treating the Rohingya.

Topics Should Have At Least Two Sides

It cannot be stressed enough that it is extremely important that there are two sides to the issue with any persuasive essay topic.  To write a good persuasive essay, you should be able to convincingly argue two or more points of view, which means you need to be open minded and willing to do research. Also, the two or more different sides of the issue should be compelling. You want your reader to remain interested in the persuasive essay topics.

For example, let’s say you want to persuade the reader to stop smoking as the persuasive essay topic. Persuading the reader to stop smoking might have been a good persuasive essay topic fifty years ago, but now most people are aware of why smoking is bad and there are few good arguments in favor of smoking. Yes, it is true that people still do smoke despite the overwhelming evidence that smoking is bad for their heath, but there are no logical reasons to embrace this bad health habit. For this reason, smoking is not usually a good persuasive essay topic.

[related essays]

Playing Devil’s Advocate

Have you heard of the term “devil’s advocate?” Playing the devil’s advocate means arguing for a position you do not necessarily agree in yourself, or a position that could even be considered unethical. It means arguing for the sake of arguing. When assigned a persuasive essay topic, you might find yourself in the position of playing the devil’s advocate. Playing the devil’s advocate is one of the best ways to improve your skills in writing persuasive essays. For example, if you truly believe that abortion is immoral, it can be helpful to write a persuasive essay on the topic of why abortion should be legal. Playing the devil’s advocate ensures that you will reveal both or multiple sides of an issue.

Using Rhetoric

Rhetorical devices can transform a good persuasive essay topic into a great persuasive essay. The three primary elements of any good rhetoric include pathos, ethos, and logos (emotion, credibility, and logic). Pathos refers to the emotional undercurrent in your persuasive essay. With pathos, you prevent your essay from being dry and boring. This is why it is important that you care about your subject. Writers who care about the subject will write better persuasive essays. Ethos refers to the overall credibility of your claim, which is why you need to find credible resources including primary and secondary sources that either substantiate your persuasive essay topic or provide the counter-argument. Finally, logos is the logical framework you use to convince your reader. Few people can be won over by ethos or pathos alone. You need logic and reason to make a good case.

Remember the importance of research in a persuasive essay topic. Research adds the logos to your persuasive essay. Without research, your persuasive essay will rely too heavily on pathos, or emotion. Although emotions are necessary to ultimately persuade people to act, few people can be persuaded only by emotion.

Rhetorical Devices

There are also a number of advanced rhetorical devices you can use to make your persuasive essay topic even better. Some of these include analogies, metaphors, similes, and allegories. When you use rhetorical devices like analogies, you build conceptual bridges in the reader’s mind, linking what they already know with what you are trying to convince them of. Therefore, you can relate material they do not necessarily understand in ways that becomes more familiar to them, using language, symbols, and imagery your reader knows. Using metaphors and analogies also improves your writing. You can learn how to develop and improve your rhetorical skills by referring to a writing tutor or asking your professor for advice.

Agree to Disagree

Remember, a persuasive claim must have a reasonable counter-argument using logos, ethos, and pathos. You do need to anticipate that other people will disagree with you. Your persuasive essay topic will be stronger when you can put yourself in the shoes of your reader. Ask yourself: if you had to debate the opposite side of the issue you are arguing, could you do it? What would someone who holds the opposite point of view say in response to your persuasive essay topic? If cannot anticipate counterclaims, perhaps you do not have a good topic for a persuasive essay. As one college points out, you need to anticipate that your reader will disagree with you when writing a good persuasive essay.

For example, if you are persuading your reader that cannabis should be legal at the level of federal government, you would anticipate some of the counterarguments. The counterarguments might include references to health scares, or to being afraid that children would have easy access to drugs. When you anticipate the counterargument, you are well on your way towards recognizing good persuasive essay topics.

Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Consider the following persuasive essay topics. Do you believe you could argue both sides of the issue?

• Being a vegetarian is healthier than being a meat-eater.
• The U.S. should switch to a single-payer healthcare system.
• The U.S. should legalize same-sex marriage in every state.
• Members of Congress should be subject to term limits.
• NCAA athletes should receive a salary.
• GMOs should not be allowed in the food supply.
• Marijuana should be legal in the U.S. for medicinal purposes.

Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics

Interesting persuasive essay topics are unique, rather than subjects your teachers or professors have heard about a million times before. Consider the following as unique persuasive essay topics.

• Carriage horses should be banned in New York City.
• Religious institutions should be able to be taxed in the United States.
• The U.S. should not have invaded Iraq.
• All businesses should be required to cover employees’ contraception through their health plans.
• The current movie rating system should be liberalized to allow teenagers into R rated films.
• Teenagers should be tried as adults when they commit violent crimes.

Topics for College Students

College students are expected to have a wide range of knowledge and be able to write convincingly about any topic. Depending on the class you are taking, the persuasive essay topics you choose could be about anything from agriculture to fine art. Consider some of the following persuasive essay topics for college students to get you started. You can also refer to a New York Times blogger for more persuasive essay topic ideas .

• Van Gogh is an overrated artist.
• Puerto Rico should be the 51 st state in the union.
• The South should have been allowed to cede and form their own country.
• All cities should offer free public WiFi.
• Donald Trump can and should be impeached.
• Meat should be banned.
• The death penalty should be abolished.
• There should be a Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing equal pay for men and women.

Topics for High School Students

High school students are still learning the art of persuasion. The persuasive essay topics high school students choose reflects their level of education, the classes they are taking, and their personal interests. Some good persuasive essay topics for high school students are about their daily lives or education. Other persuasive essay topics for high school students are more familiar topics. Consider some of the following persuasive essay topics, which you can use when you have been given the option to write about anything you want.

• Schools should have dress codes.
• The benefits of a college education outweigh the costs.
• You should adopt your next pet from a shelter.
• School lunches should have higher nutritional standards.
• Schools should have a zero-tolerance policy regarding bullying.
• The school year should be longer.
• The SAT should not be a significant factor in college admissions.
• Sugar should be banned in all public school cafeterias.

The Importance of Doing Research On Persuasive Essay Topics

Once you have selected your topic, it is time to do a lot of research. After learning more about the different sides of the issue, you can refine your thesis or perhaps even change it.  Have a good sense of your audience when reframing your claim.

If your intended audience is extremely familiar with the topic, you will not need to give a great deal of background information. On the other hand, if you know your professor knows very little about the issue (for example, if your persuasive speech is about online bullying and you know that your teacher is not active on social media) you may need to provide a more extensive setup.  Even if you give information to your reader about the topic, however, don’t lose sight of the fact that you are not writing a purely informative essay.

What it Takes to Write About Any Persuasive Essay Topic

Although research is not necessarily required when writing a persuasive essay, doing research can help you write the best possible persuasive essay. In some cases, research will be essential for a good persuasive essay. It helps to know how to do research both in libraries and online.

Persuasive essay topics can be about things you simply feel passionate about but do not know why. Unless you are a famous expert in your field, your reader cannot just take your word on faith. You need to do research to substantiate your claims. Researching your persuasive essay topic also adds credibility to your work.

Credibility is the essence of ethos, one of the primary rhetorical strategies the experts use. Therefore, research adds both logos and ethos to your persuasive essay topic. You have the facts to solidify your claim, and to show readers that you know what you are talking about. Yet by doing research, you are also citing the experts in the field, including researchers and scholars who have a great degree of credibility when they are published in peer-reviewed journals. Take care to refer to credible sources as much as possible.

Remember that Good Persuasive Essay Topics Are Like Advertising

The purpose of all advertising is to persuade you—the consumer—to buy products or services. Companies spend billions of dollars on marketing schemes and strategies because it pays off. A good persuasive essay topic is like a good marketing campaign . Your goal is to get your readers to change their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

Next time you watch an advertisement anywhere, try and pay attention to the methods they are using to persuade you . Consider all advertisements as persuasive essay topics and it may help you. The next time you are looking for a good persuasive essay topic, or want to write a better persuasive essay, pretend you are a marketing executive!

Advertising is persuasive because it relies on pathos, evoking emotion in you. When you pick a persuasive essay topic to write about, remember to get passionate about your cause. As important as research is to your persuasive essay, you need to interject emotion into your writing to prevent the paper from being dry, boring, or too much like an ordinary term paper. A persuasive essay has emotion, by definition, but your emotional appeals are backed up by research, evidence, and reason.

Ultimately, you should be writing about persuasive essay topics that interest you. In this article, we tried to give you some ideas about what to write about no matter what class you are taking. If you are taking an English composition class and the instructor has asked you to pick any subject, remember to start with what you know.

Sometimes you will be assigned a persuasive essay topic you know nothing about. Don’t worry! You can always seek help from a writing tutor online or in person. Even subjects you know little about can become interesting when you do enough preliminary research and find out why and how you can persuade the reader. Alternatively, you can start doing research now on the subject so that you get to know all sides of the issue. With the best tools, writing a persuasive essay is not as hard as you think, and it can even be fun.

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Persuasive Essay Topics - Top Choices

Did you know that persuasive essays are exercises in rhetoric and powerful tools for shaping opinions and influencing behaviors? With approximately 70% of students in the United States tasked with writing such essays at some point during their academic careers, brainstorming a compelling theme becomes of vital importance. 

As a writer, you have to pick the right subject that makes the difference between sparking lively debate and eliciting yawns from your audience. In this article, we’ll share a collection of persuasive essay topics that easily captivate readers and inspire thoughtful discourse and potential change.

The List of Persuasive Essay Topics

Browsing persuasive essay ideas can really benefit students in several ways. First, it helps them think critically by examining issues from different angles. Second, it broadens their knowledge about important things happening in the world. 

Plus, when they pick topics they're passionate about, writing becomes more enjoyable and their arguments stronger. Let's not forget that sample topics from our paper writing service also sharpen their communication skills, helping them express their ideas clearly and persuasively. So, let’s get started, shall we?

Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Finding a strong persuasive essay topic takes time and precision. Also, you need an action plan on how to research a topic as well. 

• Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
• Is mandatory community service beneficial for high school students?
• Should the use of plastic bags be banned?
• Is social media beneficial or harmful to society?
• Should college athletes be paid for playing sports?
• Should standardized testing be abolished in schools?
• Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos?
• Should the death penalty be abolished worldwide?
• Is online learning more effective than traditional classroom learning?
• Should the government provide free healthcare for all citizens?
• Is climate change primarily caused by human activity?
• Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be labeled in food products?
• Is it ethical to use animals for scientific experimentation?
• Should the use of cell phones be banned while driving?
• Is homeschooling a better option than traditional schooling?

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Persuasive Essay Topics for College

Advanced students on the lookout for persuasive essay topics for college will find the following ideas most interesting. 

• Should college tuition fees be free for all students?
• Is the grading system an effective measure of students' abilities?
• Should colleges implement stricter policies against plagiarism?
• Is it beneficial for colleges to adopt a pass/fail grading system?
• Should colleges prioritize mental health services for students?
• Is it fair for colleges to consider race or ethnicity in admissions decisions?
• Should college athletes be allowed to profit from their likeness?
• Is it important for colleges to offer courses on financial literacy?
• Should colleges provide free menstrual products on campus?
• Is it ethical for colleges to invest in fossil fuel companies?
• Should colleges require students to take courses on diversity and inclusion?
• Is online education as effective as traditional classroom learning in college?
• Should colleges implement stricter policies to combat sexual assault on campus?
• Is it beneficial for colleges to offer courses on sustainable living practices?
• Should colleges prioritize funding for STEM programs over humanities programs?

Persuasive Essay Topics High School

In high school, topics for persuasive writing have to always be on point. If you’re stuck in writer’s block, we’re here to help!

• Should high school students be required to pass a financial literacy course before graduating?
• Is it important for high schools to provide comprehensive sex education?
• Should the school day start later to accommodate teenage sleep patterns?
• Is it beneficial for high schools to implement mandatory community service requirements for graduation?
• Should high school students be allowed to choose their own curriculum?
• Is it ethical for high schools to use surveillance cameras in classrooms and hallways?
• Should high school athletes be subject to random drug testing?
• Is it beneficial for high schools to offer courses on mental health and well-being?
• Should high schools ban the use of cell phones during school hours?
• Is it fair for high schools to implement dress codes or uniform policies?
• Should high school students be allowed to leave campus for lunch?
• Is it important for high schools to teach comprehensive LGBTQ+ education?
• Should high schools require students to complete a certain number of hours of volunteer work to graduate?
• Is it beneficial for high schools to offer courses on environmental sustainability?
• Should high schools prioritize funding for arts and music programs?

Persuasive Essay Topics on Education

This academic domain offers many peculiar topic ideas for research. We’ve gathered the best themes that you can easily explore stress-free. But first, find out how to write a persuasive essay up to the mark.

• Should standardized testing be replaced with alternative forms of assessment?
• Is the traditional grading system effective in accurately measuring students' knowledge and abilities?
• Should schools implement comprehensive sex education programs from an early age?
• Is it important for schools to prioritize teaching emotional intelligence and mental health awareness?
• Should technology be integrated into classrooms as a primary tool for learning?
• Is homeschooling a viable alternative to traditional schooling?
• Should schools provide free breakfast and lunch for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status?
• Is the current curriculum adequately preparing students for the demands of the modern workforce?
• Should financial literacy be a mandatory part of the school curriculum?
• Is it beneficial for schools to offer classes on mindfulness and stress management?
• Should arts and music programs receive equal funding and recognition as other academic subjects?
• Is there a need for stricter regulations regarding bullying and harassment in schools?
• Should schools prioritize teaching critical thinking skills over rote memorization?
• Is there a need for more emphasis on environmental education and sustainability in schools?
• Should schools provide comprehensive support services for students with learning disabilities?

Persuasive Essay Topics on Society

Modern society faces plenty of challenges, which are a great source of inspiration for topic ideas.

• Should the government provide universal basic income to all citizens?
• Is social media usage contributing to a decline in mental health among young people?
• Should hate speech be protected under freedom of speech laws?
• Is gun control necessary to reduce gun violence in society?
• Should the minimum wage be raised to a living wage?
• Is healthcare a fundamental human right that should be guaranteed by the government?
• Should affirmative action policies be implemented to address systemic inequalities?
• Is police brutality a widespread problem that requires urgent reform?
• Should the prison system focus more on rehabilitation rather than punishment?
• Is immigration beneficial or harmful to the economy and society?
• Should there be stricter regulations on the use of fossil fuels to combat climate change?
• Is access to affordable housing a basic human right?
• Should there be stricter regulations on the advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages?
• Is the death penalty an effective deterrent to crime?
• Should there be stricter regulations on the use of technology to protect privacy rights?

Persuasive Essay Topics on History

History provides a wealth of diverse and impactful events, figures, and societal changes that offer rich material for exploring lessons, controversies, and parallels with contemporary issues, making it an excellent source of ideas.

• Should reparations be paid to descendants of enslaved individuals?
• Was colonization a beneficial or detrimental force for indigenous peoples?
• Should Confederate monuments and symbols be removed from public spaces?
• Was the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified?
• Should Columbus Day be replaced with Indigenous Peoples' Day?
• Was the Civil Rights Movement successful in achieving its goals?
• Should historical figures with controversial legacies be reevaluated and reassessed?
• Was the Treaty of Versailles fair to Germany after World War I?
• Should Holocaust denial be considered a form of hate speech?
• Was the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II justified?
• Should the United States apologize for its role in the transatlantic slave trade?
• Was the feminist movement of the 20th century successful in achieving gender equality?
• Should historical monuments and landmarks be preserved even if they represent controversial figures or events?
• Was the policy of Manifest Destiny morally justified?
• Should history textbooks be revised to provide a more inclusive and diverse narrative?

Persuasive Essay Topics About Social Issues

Social issues are a compelling source of persuasive essay topics because they touch upon fundamental aspects of human experience, ignite passionate debates, and prompt critical examination of societal norms and values.

• Is universal basic income an effective solution to poverty?
• Should hate speech be criminalized to protect marginalized groups?
• Should stricter gun control laws be implemented to reduce gun violence?
• Is the criminal justice system biased against racial minorities?
• Should LGBTQ+ individuals have equal rights and protections under the law?
• Is access to quality education a fundamental human right?
• Is climate change primarily caused by human activity, and what measures should be taken to address it?
• Should abortion be legal and accessible to all women?
• Is income inequality a growing problem that needs to be addressed?
• Should there be greater investment in mental health services and support?

Crime and Legal Persuasive Essay Topics

Crime and legal topics offer rich ground for persuasive essays due to their inherent complexity, moral ambiguity, and profound impact on individual rights, justice, and societal order.

• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Is solitary confinement a humane form of punishment?
• Should juveniles be tried as adults for serious crimes?
• Is mandatory sentencing effective in reducing crime rates?
• Should marijuana be legalized for recreational use?
• Is racial profiling a legitimate law enforcement tactic?
• Should there be stricter penalties for white-collar crimes?
• Is the current bail system fair to low-income individuals?
• Should police officers be required to wear body cameras?
• Is the War on Drugs effective in addressing drug-related crime?
• Should there be stricter regulations on gun ownership?
• Is the three-strikes law an effective deterrent to repeat offenders?
• Should hate crimes be punished more severely than other crimes?
• Is plea bargaining a just and fair practice in the criminal justice system?
• Should non-violent drug offenders be given alternative sentences, such as rehabilitation instead of incarceration?

Health Persuasive Essay Topics

Health is our biggest asset, so exploring topics related to medical aid or illnesses is a great move. If you need more essay topics , we have them here.

• Should vaccination be mandatory for all children?
• Is universal healthcare a fundamental human right?
• Should junk food be banned in schools to combat childhood obesity?
• Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right?
• Should there be stricter regulations on the marketing of sugary drinks and snacks?
• Is mental health education as important as physical health education in schools?
• Should the government regulate the portion sizes of fast food items?
• Is the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) a safer alternative to smoking?
• Should there be a tax on sugary beverages to discourage consumption?
• Is access to contraception and family planning services a fundamental right for women?
• Is healthcare a privilege or a commodity?
• Should there be stricter regulations on the advertising of prescription medications?
• Is the use of medical marijuana beneficial for treating certain medical conditions?

Women's and Gender Persuasive Essay Topics

Women's and gender issues are an excellent source of persuasive essay topics because they encompass fundamental questions of equality, identity, and justice.

• Should gender equality be actively promoted in all areas of society?
• Is feminism still relevant in the 21st century?
• Should there be greater representation of women in leadership positions?
• Is gender-based violence a widespread problem that requires urgent attention?
• Should there be equal pay for equal work regardless of gender?
• Is maternity leave sufficient for working mothers, and should paternity leave be offered to fathers?
• Should gender-neutral language be used to promote inclusivity?
• Is body positivity an important movement for promoting self-acceptance regardless of gender?
• Should transgender individuals have equal rights and protections under the law?
• Is the objectification of women in media harmful to society?
• Should sex education include comprehensive information on consent and healthy relationships?
• Is the gender binary outdated, and should society embrace a more fluid understanding of gender identity?
• Should there be greater access to reproductive healthcare services for women?
• Is the beauty industry promoting unrealistic standards of beauty for women?
• Should gender quotas be implemented to ensure equal representation in politics and corporate boards?

Ethics Persuasive Essay Topics

Every online essay writer knows that ethics provides a fertile ground for persuasive essay topics, prompting critical reflection on moral dilemmas, societal values, and the ethical implications of various actions and policies.

• Should animal testing be banned in all industries?
• Is using animals for entertainment, such as in circuses and zoos, ethical?
• Should euthanasia be legalized for terminally ill patients?
• Is it ethical to clone animals for scientific research or conservation purposes?
• Should genetic engineering be used to modify human embryos?
• Is it ethical to use artificial intelligence in decision-making processes?
• Should genetic testing be mandatory for certain medical conditions?
• Is it ethical to use sweatshop labor to produce goods?
• Should there be limits on the amount of wealth individuals can accumulate?
• Is it ethical to engage in cultural appropriation?
• Should the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports be allowed?
• Is consuming products that harm the environment ethical, such as palm oil?
• Should businesses prioritize profit over social and environmental responsibility?
• Is it ethical to use personal data for targeted advertising?
• Is it ethical to use technology to monitor citizens for security purposes?

Science Persuasive Essay Topics

Science offers a wealth of persuasive essay topics by exploring cutting-edge advancements, ethical dilemmas, and societal implications, fostering critical thinking and informed discourse on key issues shaping our world.

• Should nuclear energy be promoted as a clean alternative to fossil fuels?
• Is space exploration worth the investment of time and resources?
• Should there be stricter regulations on the use of antibiotics in agriculture?
• Is there a need for greater investment in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power?
• Should scientific research involving animals be subject to stricter ethical guidelines?
• Is it ethical to use gene editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 in humans?
• Should there be stricter regulations on the use of pesticides in agriculture?
• Is there a need for greater investment in stem cell research for medical purposes?
• Should the use of plastic be banned to reduce pollution in the oceans?
• Is there a need for greater investment in space exploration to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts?
• Should there be stricter regulations on using artificial intelligence to ensure ethical behavior?
• Is there a need for greater investment in research on renewable energy storage technologies?
• Should there be stricter regulations on the use of nanotechnology in consumer products?

Persuasive Essay Topics on AI Impact

Due to its transformative potential, ethical considerations, and societal implications, AI's impact provides a rich source of persuasive essay topics. Use our dissertation service if you require assistance with more complex papers rather than short compositions.

• Should there be regulations on developing and using autonomous weapons powered by AI?
• Is AI technology advancing faster than our understanding of potential risks and consequences?
• Should there be guidelines for the ethical use of AI in the surveillance and monitoring of citizens?
• Is AI exacerbating existing societal inequalities, such as access to employment and healthcare?
• Should there be measures in place to prevent AI algorithms from perpetuating bias and discrimination?
• Is AI technology contributing to job displacement and unemployment in certain industries?
• Should there be transparency and accountability in the decision-making processes of AI systems?
• Is AI technology enhancing or hindering privacy rights for individuals?
• Should there be regulations on using AI in facial recognition technology by law enforcement agencies?
• Is AI technology leading to the creation of safer autonomous vehicles than human-driven vehicles?
• Should there be guidelines for the ethical use of AI in medical diagnosis and treatment?
• Is AI technology posing risks to cybersecurity and data privacy?
• Should there be regulations on the use of AI in predictive policing to prevent potential biases and abuses?
• Is AI technology exacerbating misinformation and manipulation in online platforms and social media?
• Should there be regulations on the use of AI in financial markets to prevent market manipulation and fraud?

Persuasive Essay Topics on Racism

Racism is an important and impactful source of persuasive essay topics because it addresses systemic injustices, societal inequalities, and ethical imperatives, fostering critical examination and advocacy for social change.

• Should hate speech laws be strengthened to combat racism and discrimination?
• Is affirmative action necessary to address systemic racism in education and employment?
• Should there be greater representation of diverse voices in the media industry?
• Is cultural appropriation harmful and perpetuates racism?
• Should schools teach the contributions of marginalized communities?
• Should there be reparations for descendants of enslaved individuals to address the legacy of slavery?
• Is colorblindness an effective approach to addressing racism?
• Should there be greater investment to build trust between law enforcement and communities of color?
• Is there a need for anti-racism education and training in schools and workplaces?
• Should there be stricter penalties for hate crimes motivated by racism?
• Is there a need for greater diversity in leadership positions in the corporate and political spheres?
• Should there be policies to address environmental racism?

Unique Persuasive Essay Ideas

Would you like to stand out from the rest of the classroom with a unique topic that sparks interest and fosters meaningful dialogue? Consider choosing one of these topics.

• Should schools implement mandatory outdoor education to promote environmental awareness?
• Is there a need for a universal basic income to address the rise of automation and job displacement?
• Should there be a cap on the number of hours individuals can work per week to promote work-life balance?
• Is it ethical to use virtual reality technology to enhance empathy and understanding?
• Should there be regulations on using AI-generated content to prevent misinformation?
• Is there a need for a global ban on single-use plastics to combat ocean pollution?
• Should there be a tax on meat consumption to address environmental and public health concerns?
• Is there a need for mandatory financial literacy education starting from elementary school?
• Should there be incentives for companies to prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship?
• Is there a need for a standardized global curriculum to ensure equal access to quality education worldwide?
• Should there be regulations on using facial recognition technology to protect privacy rights?
• Is there a need for greater representation of Indigenous voices in mainstream media?
• Should a universal declaration of digital rights protect individuals' privacy and autonomy online?
• Should there be stricter regulations on advertising fast food and sugary beverages to children?
• Should a ban on cosmetic animal testing to promote cruelty-free alternatives?

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, this article has presented a diverse array of persuasive essay topics, spanning from pressing social issues to the ethical implications of AI and beyond. It highlights the importance of engaging in critical discourse, fostering empathy, and advocating for positive change in our ever-evolving world.

At the same time, if you find yourself seeking assistance with your academic endeavors, remember that we can help you with your homework, ensuring you stay on top of your studies and coursework. Whether it's tackling complex essays or asking for support like ' do my homework ,' our resources are here to aid you on your academic journey.

What if Your Essay Could Change Minds and Transform Ideas?

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Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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• Morton. (2018, October 1). 101 Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics | Ereading Worksheets. Ereading Worksheets. https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/writing/persuasive-essay-topics/  
• Education, J. S. B. S. E. (2023, September 27). 101 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens. We Are Teachers. https://www.weareteachers.com/persuasive-essay-topics/
• User, S. (n.d.-b). Persuasive Writing Topics - Ethos, Pathos, and Logos, the Modes of Persuasion ‒ Explanation and Examples. https://pathosethoslogos.com/9-persuasive-writing/7-persuasive-writing-topics  

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75 Persuasive Essay Topic Ideas

The persuasive essay is one type of writing that you will likely come across in your academic career. A persuasive essay, if you're unfamiliar, is one in which you have to make an argument. You need to choose a side and prove why you're correct by using hard evidence and convincing language. The idea is that you want to convince the reader that your argument is the right one, so you'll definitely want to pick a topic that you're passionate about and something that you'll get excited about researching and writing. This exercise is designed so that you can clearly articulate your opinion and understand why it's important to have evidence to back up your claim.

Your teacher or instructor will probably have specific guidelines on what your essay should entail, but you might have a little bit of free reign on what kinds of topics you can explore and argue about in your essay. With so many things to argue about and for, it might be a little overwhelming to come up with a topic on your own. When you feel like you're stuck on brainstorming ideas, take a look at the following list of 75 persuasive essay topics. You may find something you can use, or something you can adapt for the specific guidelines of your paper. Happy writing!

Educational persuasive essay topics

There are so many things that can be discussed when it comes to education. In our country (and globally), there are many different opinions on how education should be handled and what tactics teachers or academic administrators should use. Here are a few topics on education (which could be expanded or changed to fit your teacher's guidelines) that might be of interest to you.

• Should soda be offered in school cafeterias?
• Should schools teach abstinence-only education?
• Why should schools teach financial literacy?
• Do all students need to go to college?
• Should students take a gap year after high school?
• Do all students need to learn a foreign language?
• Is online or homeschool an effective way to learn?
• Should standardized tests determine whether or not you go on to another grade level?
• Should all students be required to participate in the arts?
• Should a college education be free?
• Should high school journalists be protected under the First Amendment?
• Some universities just have pass/fail grades instead of letter grades. How do you feel about this?
• Should teachers/professors be unbiased in the classroom?
• Should you still learn cursive in elementary school? What are the disadvantages/ advantages?
• Many college campuses have speakers come in occasionally. These speakers can range in political opinion and some can be controversial. Should you let speakers come to schools that have controversial rhetoric or ideas to uphold free speech?

Political persuasive essay topics

They say that you should never talk about politics or religion because it's not polite. But in a persuasive essay, that rule is completely extinguished. Politics and religion are hotbed subjects for a reason—because so many people have radically different ideas of how a society and a country should operate. What side of these political persuasive topics are you on? Take a stab at one of these and the paper will likely fly out onto the keyboard.

• Should protesters be allowed to block traffic? Do they pose a threat to public safety?
• Why should you vote?
• Should same-sex marriage be legal?
• What is your opinion on protecting religious liberties?
• What is your opinion on separating church and state?
• Why has the country become so divided politically over the past few years? Can it be fixed?
• Many industries (like coal and manufacturing) are tough to find a job in and many Americans are out of work. How should we solve this problem?
• Should citizens under 18 be able to vote?
• Should a National Voter ID law be passed to avoid voter fraud?
• What does the phrase "fake news" mean?
• Local newspapers are dwindling. What should be done, if anything, about this problem?
• Should local municipalities do more to combat global warming? If so, how?
• How should we reduce the threat of terrorism in the United States?
• Females have traditionally lower participation in politics. Why do you think that is?
• Some people say that the top 1% of earners don't pay enough taxes. How do you feel about this?
• Will a huge wall on the southern border with Mexico solve the United States' immigration problem?
• How should we solve the United States' immigration problem?
• The voter turnout for the 2016 presidential election was less than 60%, which is much lower than in other democratic societies. Why do you think this is and what can be done about it (or should anything be done about it)?
• Millennials are graduating college with a lot of student loan debt. What should be done to avoid a debt crisis?
• Many say that minimum wage jobs are low skill and the workers in them shouldn't be compensated more for their work, but others claim that a minimum wage job isn't enough money to live off of. Which side do you land on?
• What do you think of celebrities who are vocal about environmental issues but who frequently fly on private, and not commercial, jets?

Crime and legal persuasive essay topics

Crime in any society is an unfortunate inevitability. Why does crime happen and what should be done about it? These are just a few of the things to explore in these crime/legal persuasive essay topics.

• What should we do about a city with a high crime rate like Chicago?
• Should guns be allowed on college campuses?
• Should gun laws be more restrictive?
• Do we have a right to privacy?
• Trends have shown that many recent terrorists have been convicted or accused of domestic violence. What should be done and how do you feel about this?
• Should we have the death penalty? If so, when should it be used?
• Many prisoners are incarcerated for minor drug charges (such as possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia). Should we try to rehabilitate these prisoners or should they serve their full sentences?
• Colorado has legalized marijuana for recreational purposes. What is your opinion of this?
• Do you think marijuana is a gateway drug which leads some users to harder drugs?
• Can criminals be rehabilitated?
• Many prisoners who enter the system are likely to have a high recurrence of criminal activity. What can be done to solve this?
• Many people are starting to use drones for recreational activity. Should there be restrictions on where and how you can use your personal drone?
• Self-driving cars are expected to become increasingly used on city roads. If a self-driving car gets into an accident, whose fault is it? The engineer's?

Health persuasive essay topics

Health is something that we all have to worry about. Whether it's our own health or the health of a loved one, there are many things to think about and research on. What's your opinion on the healthcare system in our country? Should we treat drug addiction like a disease? How should we handle end-of-life care? Try out one of these essay topics to research and gain insight on some of the biggest challenges and questions that our society faces when it comes to health.

• Opioid addiction is at an all-time high in states like Ohio. What should we do to combat this?
• Should healthcare be universal?
• How do you feel about paternity leave?
• Should women get guaranteed maternity leave?
• The state of California requires that you display nutrition facts about menu items in restaurants. Should all states do this?
• Should fast food be "sin taxed" like cigarettes are?
• There is an effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Should we do this or not? If we should, what improvements can be made to a replacement act?
• Many soldiers are coming back from warfare with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. What should we do to help them?
• Many Americans are overweight. What has caused this health crisis and what can be done about it?
• Should vitamins and supplements be more tightly regulated?
• Should health insurance companies provide more financial incentives for subscribers to work out and eat more healthfully?

Women's and gender persuasive essay topics

Are there inherent differences between men and women or is that just a societal myth? Women have gained a lot more rights over the last 100 years in America, but some say they still have a long way to go before they achieve equal rights. How do you feel about this and other women's and gender issues? Explore the following fascinating topics.

• Women have what is known as the "second shift" (meaning that as soon as they get home from work they have additional responsibilities that require their attention immediately). What do you think about this concept and should anything be done about it?
• There are many women's rights and minority rights advocates. Should there be men's rights advocacy groups? What about Caucasian advocacy groups?
• Some people say that gender is a socially constructed norm. What do you think?
• Women who participate in body building competitions are trying to build the "ideal" figure, which some claim is an outdated, sexist idea. But some argue that building muscles is considered a sport and a traditionally "masculine" idea. Which side do you agree with?
• Some people think that beauty pageants are outdated and anti-feminist and shouldn't be televised anymore. How do you feel?
• New wave feminism is the idea that feminism can encompass many different ideas of what it is to be a feminist. It's the idea that you can have choices (whether that's staying at home with children or trying to be a CEO). How do you feel about new wave feminism?

Miscellaneous persuasive essay topics

Of course, there are more categories of essay topics than what are listed above. Here are some additional essay topics if you haven't found one yet that captures your interest.

• Does social media improve or hurt our society?
• Is it important or frivolous to travel the world?
• Many Americans watch a lot of reality TV shows. Why do you think this is?
• With many people reading digital copies of books, are libraries necessary anymore?
• Should anything be done to curb the rise in offensive lyrics in music?
• Should pregnant women be allowed to park in handicapped parking spots?
• Recent studies have shown that pets improve the mental and the physical health of their owners. Should pet-related expenses be tax-deductible?
• What do you think about net neutrality?
• With the rise in selfies and Instagram photo filtering apps, do you think we have become a more self-obsessed society?
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40 Persuasive Essay Topics to Help You Get Started

Are you asking yourself why you should read this blog post?

Are you asking, “What’s in it for me?”

What if I promised that by reading this you’ll learn more about how to write an effective persuasive essay?

What if I promised that by reading this you’ll learn 40 persuasive essay topics to help you get started writing your persuasive essay—and that you’ll even learn some tips about how to choose a persuasive essay topic?

If you’re still reading, then I’ve achieved my goal. I’ve written a persuasive opening. And if you’re assigned to write a persuasive essay, you should definitely keep reading, as you can find solutions to manage stress for this, like the use of CBD vape carts which are great to feel better and more relax while you work.

The Persuasive Essay Defined

The goal of a persuasive essay is to convince readers.

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When writing the essay, you’ll first need to state your own opinion, then develop evidence to support that opinion.

These reasons and examples (evidence) should convince readers to believe your argument .

I know this quick definition gives you the basics, but you should know more about persuasive writing before you attempt to write your own essay.

It may seem tempting to skip past the additional information and go directly to the list of persuasive essay topics. But don’t do it.

Take the time now to read more about persuasive writing. (It’s all about persuasion. Are you clicking the links below yet?)

• Persuasive Essay Writing Made Simple (Infographic)
• How to Create a Persuasive Essay Outline
• What Is a Persuasive Essay and How Can You Make Yours Good?

I’ll trust that I’ve persuaded you to read all three of the above articles. And now that you know how to write a persuasive essay, here are 40 persuasive essay topics to help you get started.

1. Does Facebook (or other forms of social media) create isolation ?

Facebook lets people stay connected and meet new friends, yet some argue people spend so much time on social media that they lose contact with real life and may even become addicted .

2. Should guns be permitted on college campuses?  

With recent school massacres permeating the news, people feel as though they should be able to protect themselves by carrying guns in all public spaces. Others, however, feel as though allowing guns on campuses will only increase crime and the death toll.

3. Do kids benefit if everyone on the team receives a trophy?

If everyone on the team receives a trophy (even for participation), kids may feel like part of the team and feel as though their efforts matter. Others believe handing out trophies to all kids on the team simply makes them feel entitled.

4. Is society too dependent on technology ?  

Technology creates great opportunities, yet some feel people can no longer function without a smartphone by their sides at all times.

5. Should all high school students be required to complete parenting classes?

Parents often believe sexuality, family planning, and parenting should be taught at home. But many don’t believe parents sufficiently educate their children about these topics and feel the school should provide teens with training for adulthood and require parenting classes.

6.  Does the school day start too early?

While some simply say kids should go to bed earlier in order to be alert during the school day, others argue teens require more sleep and need to sleep later to function properly.

7. Should the minimum wage be increased?

Many business owners argue that raising the  minimum wage would only cause hardship and cause them to raise their prices. But many workers argue raising the minimum wage is necessary to help low-income workers dig out of poverty.

8. Should elementary schools teach handwriting?

If no one knows how to write or read cursive handwriting, the form of communication will be lost, some believe. Others, however, believe handwriting is antiquated, and kids would be better served learning keyboarding.

9. Should childhood vaccinations be mandatory?

Though vaccinations can prevent a number of childhood illnesses, some believe mandatory vaccination violates individual rights and can actually do more harm than good.

10. Are security cameras an invasion of privacy?

Security cameras are in place to protect both businesses and the general public. But some argue cameras have gone too far and actually invade privacy because people are constantly under surveillance.

11. Should citizens be allowed to keep exotic pets?

People feel they should be allowed to keep exotic pets as they are capable of caring for the animals. They feel it is their right to keep such pets. However, others feel keeping such pets creates a danger to other people and is harmful to the animals.

12. Should a relaxed dress code be allowed in the workplace?

Some argue that a more relaxed dress code has created more relaxed and less productive workers. Others argue the more relaxed dress code creates a more casual, friendly, and creative workplace.

13. Is it ethical to sentence juveniles as adults?

The old cliche is, “If you do the crime, you should do the time.” But many believe it isn’t ethical to charge a juvenile as an adult as a child’s brain isn’t yet fully developed.

14. Should corporations be allowed to advertise in schools?

Some think schools should embrace corporate advertising as budgets are very limited. But others believe kids shouldn’t be bombarded with corporate persuasion. Instead, they think kids should focus on learning.

15. Should public transportation be free for all residents of a city?

While some say free public transportation would help the environment and reduce traffic, others think free public transportation is too expensive. They argue that the government can’t afford to pay for it.

16. Is professional football too dangerous for players?

Because of recent discoveries about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), many believe football is too dangerous and that rules need to change. Those on the other side of the argument believe football players know the risks and thus should be allowed to play.

17. Should minors be allowed to get tattoos (if they have parental permission)?

18. Should fracking be banned?   

Some people argue fracking is an effective way to extract natural gas, but others argue it is too dangerous and is harmful to the environment.

19. Should a college education be free for everyone?  

Some people believe education is a right and will make society, on the whole, a better place for everyone. But others feel there is no true way to offer a free college education as colleges would still need to be funded (likely through tax dollars).

20. Should the US assist developing countries with immunization efforts?

Immunizations have been critical to eradicating diseases such as polio and measles in the United States, so some argue that it’s important to distribute immunizations to developing countries where people are still dying from these types of diseases. Others may argue that this type of effort would be too costly or ineffective.

21. Does corporal punishment help children?

If you’ve ever been spanked by your parents, I’m sure you weren’t in favor of corporal punishment. But does it actually help discipline children, or does it promote violence?

22. Does the welfare system need to be revised?

There are many people who clearly need the additional assistance welfare services provide. There are others, however, who take advantage of the system. Because of this, many feel the program should be revised to create alternate or stricter requirements.

23. Is learning a skilled trade more valuable than earning a college degree?

Many companies state they have numerous job openings but cannot find skilled employees. Given the current economy, some feel that it may be more advantageous for people to learn a trade.

24. Should cigarettes be illegal?

Given the trend of legalizing marijuana, it seems that it would be impossible to ban cigarettes, but some believe that cigarettes should be illegal because of the health risks they pose which is also one of the reasons people now use cbd vape cartridges.

25.  Should organ donors be financially compensated?

While some feel that people should donate their organs on a strictly volunteer basis, others argue that donations would increase if people were financially compensated.

26. Do laws promote racial discrimination?

Justice is supposed to be blind, though many argue that laws are designed to discriminate against minorities .

27. Do dual-parent households benefit children more than single-parent households?

A dual-parent household may have an advantage of a higher household income and the benefit of one parent who may able to spend more time with children. But many argue that a high income alone doesn’t make a happy home and that quality time spent with children is far more important than simply being present.

28. Is it acceptable for parents to lie to their children?

Most people would probably agree that the small lies parents tell their children in order to protect them or motivate them are harmless (and perhaps even helpful). But others feel that, if parents lie, they are only teaching their children to lie.

29. Are teens unfairly stereotyped?

Teens are often stereotyped as lazy and entitled. Specific groups of teens, such as skaters, are often seen as criminals and addicts. Are these classifications true, or are they unfair stereotypes?

30. Is reality television actually real?

Reality TV is supposed to follow the lives of real people. But are the shows scripted or staged to create more drama?

31.  Does illegal immigration harm the U.S. economy?

While some feel that even illegal immigrants contribute to the economy through spending their wages in local economies, others feel that they don’t pay their fair share of taxes, which harms the economy.

32. Should high schools distribute birth control?

Though some claim that the distribution of birth control encourages sexual behavior, others claim that it actually protects teens who are already sexually active.

36. Should colleges and universities do more to help incoming freshman transition to college life?

Though most colleges offer orientation programs, many students feel that the college itself does not do enough to prepare them for the realities of college life.

37. Has the No Child Left Behind Act helped students?

The No Child Left Behind Act was designed to help all students succeed, but many people believe that it has been an unsuccessful program.

38. Should team names deemed to be offensive be banned?

Some feel that team names such as “Redskins” or “Chiefs” are racially insensitive and are racial slurs. However, others argue that these names are steeped in tradition and should not be banned.

39. Fast-food meals are high in calories and are often not as healthy as other options.

Thus, these restaurants are to blame for increased obesity rates. Others argue that it’s the individual’s responsibility to consume these foods in moderation and that society cannot blame fast-food restaurants for obesity rates.

40. Do modern gender roles harm women?

Though women are generally no longer expected to be stay-at-home moms, many argue that gender roles today continue to harm women. Some argue that media continues to sexualize women and thus perpetuates the classic gender roles of males being dominant over females.

Dos and Don’ts of Choosing Persuasive Essay Topics

After reading this list, I’m sure at least a few topics appeal to you. But how do you know which one of these great ideas to choose for your own paper?  Here are a few tips.

You care about. It’s easier to write about something that interests you. Other people care about too. Why would you write about a topic that no one cares about? You are willing to examine from multiple viewpoints. Looking at both sides of the issue shows that you’re educated about your topic. You can research effectively in the allotted time. If  you can’t find enough evidence to support your viewpoint, you might need to switch topics.

You don’t care about. If you don’t care about the topic, it will be difficult to persuade others. You are extremely passionate about. While passion is important, if you’re so passionate about the topic that you aren’t willing to learn new information or see additional viewpoints, it will be difficult to write an effective paper. Can’t be researched effectively. In other words, don’t try to research a topic like the meaning of the universe or why people usually wear matching socks.

In this blog post, you’ve learned how to write a persuasive essay, examined a variety of persuasive essay topics, and learned the dos and don’ts of selecting and narrowing a topic .

So what are you waiting for? Start researching, and start writing!

What? None of these topics are working for you? Try this list of 15 topics or these additional 15 topics .

Need a few pointers to get started with research? Check out 5 Best Resources to Help With Writing a Research Paper and How to Write a Research Paper: A Step-by-Step Guide .

Looking for even more help? I recommend reading this study guide about persuasive and argumentative essays.

Want to make sure you’re writing is convincing? Why not have one of our  Kibin editors review your paper?

Psst... 98% of Kibin users report better grades! Get inspiration from over 500,000 example essays .

About the Author

Susan M. Inez is a professor of English and writing goddess based out of the Northeast. In addition to a BA in English Education, an MA in Composition, and an MS in Education, Susan has 20 years of experience teaching courses on composition, writing in the professions, literature, and more. She also served as co-director of a campus writing center for 2 years.

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