Persuasive Speech Topics: Education
Education is a complex topic that touches all aspects of society. From the student loan debt crisis to nationwide debates over what belongs in a public school curriculum, education is a topic that lots of people feel very passionately about. Their strong emotional appeal makes education topics an excellent choice for a persuasive speech. Consider answering questions like: Is forcing students to say the Pledge of Allegiance a violation of their right to freedom of speech? Should school districts offer bilingual education programs for ESL speakers? Should schools get rid of physical education requirements? Should schools have a remote learning option in their curriculum? Should school libraries be allowed 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 to graduate? Should classes about mental health and wellness be added to school curriculum? At what age or grade should sex ed be taught in 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? What is the most important book every high school student in America should read? Should art and music classes be taught in high school?
Persuasive Speech Topics: Business & Economy
The economy impacts everyone, and strong opinions can inspire change. Employment opportunities, taxes, the cost of living, and more economic issues touch the lives of everyone in the country. These topics are ripe for persuasive speeches because convincing arguments can lead to a shift in public opinion, legislation, or corporate policy that can make a real-life impact in the lives of everyday people. Consider a topic like: Should the US get rid of the minimum wage? Why or why not? Is it ethical for companies to use unpaid internships for 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 enact a universal base income? Should customers be required to tip a minimum amount to ensure food service workers make a livable wage? Should someone’s tattoos or personal appearance factor into the hiring process? Should US workers have more vacation time? Should the federal minimum wage be increased? Is the boom of e-commerce harmful or beneficial to small communities? Should all citizens receive paid maternity and paternity leave? 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? Should consumers pay more to support small businesses and services instead of going to large companies and retailers? Should there be a mandatory retirement age?
Persuasive Speech Topics: Science & Technology
Technology plays an increasingly big role in our everyday lives. Advances in science and technology are happening at breakneck speed and impact the day-to-day activities of people all over the world. As questions mount about the ethics and regulation of AI, social media, and other innovations, a persuasive call to action can motivate others to make positive change. Should tech companies regulate AI systems and automation to protect humans’ jobs? Should we limit screen time for children and teens? Is it ethical for AI models to train themselves on artists’ work without the artists’ consent? Should the government regulate the use of personal/private drones? Is mass surveillance ethical and does it pose a threat to civil liberties? 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? Do cell phone bans improve 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 is responsible for accidents caused by self-driving cars: the driver or the car company? Which renewable energy option should the US invest the most in? Should the US prioritize space exploration over domestic initiatives? 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? 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 regulate the Internet more strictly? Should everyone receive free internet? Should we build a colony on the moon?
Persuasive Speech Topics: Social Media
Social media is involved in debates over privacy and social development. Social media is almost universal, and most people have engaged with it at some point in their lives. Whether you’re concerned about its role in the spread of information (or disinformation), its effect on youth mental health, or its impact on business and marketing, there’s plenty to discuss when it comes to the apps we love to scroll on endlessly: 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 in real life? Do platforms like TikTok and Instagram 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 social media companies be required to protect user data? How should social media companies be held 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 active criminal investigations? At what age should children be allowed to have social media accounts? Should schools be responsible for teaching safe social media use? When should children be allowed to have a cell phone? What should the consequences be for cyberbullying? Do online friendships have the same benefits as in-person friendships? Are social media influencers beneficial or harmful to society (especially youth)? Has the popularity of “selfies” increased self-confidence or self-centeredness? What are the most reliable, unbiased sources to receive news and information? How much screen time is too much?
Persuasive Speech Topics: Sports & Athletics
Sports is a great topic because people are so passionate about their teams. There’s a lot to explore in athletics, from the role of sports in a child’s development to the social prominence of college and pro athletes to everyday fitness trends. Tap into your audience’s preexisting enthusiasm for sports to get your point across with questions like: Should colleges pay student athletes? Should violent contact sports like boxing and MMA be banned? Should professional athletes be required to stand during the national anthem? Should sports teams ban players 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? Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in professional sports? Is soccer better than American football? Should parents push their kids to participate in sports? Do eSports count as real sports? Do athletes make good role models? Is it fair to have gender divisions in sports? Should cheerleading be considered a sport? Is it important to have sports in school curriculums? Should there be stricter penalties for doping in sports? Is professional sports too commercialized? Are youth sports too competitive? Should there be equal pay for male and female athletes? Is the use of technology in sports enhancing or diminishing the experience? Should fan behavior be regulated in sports events?
Persuasive Speech Topics: The Arts & Culture
The arts reflect and shape our culture, history, opinions, and values. Their very value to society and importance in education is a topic of raging debate in itself. There are also a wide range of diverse opinions about how to fund, promote, protect, and encourage access to the arts and the benefits of doing so, making this an excellent topic area to give a persuasive speech about. Consider arguing questions such as: Should tattoos still be considered “unprofessional”? Do romantic movies and books glorify unrealistic ideas of love? Should offensive and inappropriate language be removed from classic literature? Does watching TV shows or movies about teenage suicide encourage it or prevent it? Does creating films and documentaries about criminals glorify them and inspire others to become criminals? Should art and music therapy be prioritized over traditional talk therapy? Is “cancel culture” a positive or a negative thing? Should arts education be mandatory in schools? Is graffiti a form of art or vandalism? Should government funding for the arts be increased? Is it important to preserve cultural heritage sites? Should museums be free to the public? Are reality TV shows harmful to youth culture? Should there be a more diverse representation of minorities in the media? Is cultural appropriation a serious issue? Can music therapy improve mental health? Should public libraries receive more funding? Is the commercialization of art detrimental to its value? Should we encourage more public art installations? Is it important to support local artists? Should cultural festivals be funded by the government? Can digital art be considered real art? Is there a need for more female representation in the arts? Should we integrate arts into STEM education (STEAM)? Are art and culture essential for a thriving society? Should artists have freedom of expression without censorship? Can the arts play a role in social justice movements?
Persuasive Speech Topics: The Environment
Environmental concerns are urgent, timely, and globally relevant. Environmental conservation and justice impacts every individual on the planet in some way, from the quality of their air, water, and soil to the economic and migration crises resulting from climate change. Many people also have a personal connection to nature or animal welfare, meaning your speech could be very emotionally appealing to many members of your audience. Consider important questions like: Should fuel-run vehicles be banned? Should it be okay to own exotic animals as pets? What is the biggest current threat to the environment and how should we remedy it? Should disposable diapers be banned? Should zoos and animal theme parks like SeaWorld be closed? Is big game hunting beneficial for local communities? How should companies with a high carbon footprint be held accountable? Who holds the most responsibility for mitigating climate change: consumers or corporations? Should we be allowed to resurrect extinct species? Should single-use plastics be banned globally? Is renewable energy the key to solving climate change? Should there be stricter laws on deforestation? Are electric cars the future of transportation? Is water conservation critical for the future? Should we invest more in protecting endangered species? Are GMOs harmful to the environment? Should governments subsidize green technologies? Is it possible to reverse the damage done to coral reefs? Should urban areas have more green spaces? Are zoos beneficial for animal conservation? Should the fashion industry adopt more sustainable practices? Is it necessary to reduce meat consumption to mitigate climate change? Should there be global regulations on plastic production? Should governments enforce stricter recycling laws? Are climate change deniers harming progress? Should we prioritize reforestation projects? Is it important to educate children about environmental issues? Should the US invest in the development of clean meat as a sustainable protein source?
Persuasive Speech Topics: Politics & Government
Controversial political topics are perfect for a persuasive speech. It goes without saying that political debates can get pretty heated these days. Politics and government intersect with our daily activities, reflect our priorities as a society, and can even form a crucial part of our individual identities. Scan the list of topics below—are there any ideas that resonate with you or your audience? Can you offer a new perspective on an old problem or policy? Should the government do more to help the homeless? Should the government crack down on tax evasion? Should lobbying be banned? Why or why not? Why should elected officials have term limits? Should the Supreme Court have the power to overturn laws approved by public representatives? Is the Electoral College still an effective way to elect the President of the US? Should the US establish a national gun registry? Should the US police force require all officers to wear body cameras while on duty? 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 we change the age restrictions to run for President? Should states have the ability to secede from the U.S.? Should Puerto Rico be added as a state to the U.S.? Should the US have open borders? Should the US get involved when other countries commit human rights violations against their own people? Is the US overly dependent on manufactured goods and imports from other countries? Should the government focus on increasing revenue or reducing spending? 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 US 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 US military funding be increased or decreased? Should there be stricter or looser restrictions to qualify for welfare assistance? Should our current two-party political system be replaced? Should major corporations be eligible for tax breaks? Should it be illegal for politicians to receive donations from large corporations? Should the US establish mandatory military service for all its young people?
Persuasive Speech Topics: Family & Social Issues
Family and social issues are widely relevant and impactful. Our homes and society reflect our well-being as a people and are affected by politics, the economy, the environment, and just about any other issue you can think of. Family, religion, and social justice are highly personal, and the right argument can inspire your audience to agree with your point of view. Consider addressing concerns like: 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 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 one parent stay home or should children go to daycare? 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? Is physician-assisted suicide morally justifiable? 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? 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? Should children have the right to virtual and physical privacy from their parents? How important is a community in raising children? Is it better for a young child to attend daycare or stay home with a parent? 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? Should parents force their children to go to church or let them decide for themselves?
Persuasive Speech Topics: College & Careers
Skepticism about if college is “worth it” opens doors for new ideas. In a 2023 survey, only 22% of Americans thought that getting a college degree was worth it, even if it included student loan debt. Why is this? What can be done to address the issue? What alternatives to the traditional college experience are there? There a ton of questions that need answering in this area, including: 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? Should you pursue a career based on your passions or a career based on earning potential? 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 college students have to meet a required number of service hours before graduating? Should professors earn more or less based on how their students perform? 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? Are trade schools and other forms of vocational training as beneficial as traditional institutions of higher education? Should colleges use standardized testing in their admissions processes?
Persuasive Speech Topics: Health & Medicine
Current debates over US healthcare make this an important topic. The cost of health insurance, access to care in rural and underserved areas, and controversies around birth control, euthanasia, abortion, and other services are front of mind for many people. This makes health and medicine a compelling, relatable, and emotionally appealing topic area for a persuasive speech or debate. For example: Should soda, candy, and junk food be banned from school campuses? Is a plant-based diet better than a meat-based diet? Should addiction counseling and treatment be covered by health insurance? What would be the benefits of making all birth control methods (e.g. condoms, the pill) free of charge? Should the government regulate prices on pharmaceutical drugs? Are cancer screening programs ethical? 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 in the long term? Should genetically modified foods be banned? Should there be a tax on unhealthy or processed foods? Should tobacco products be banned in the US? Should the birth control pill be free for everyone? Should we require parents to vaccinate their children?
Persuasive Speech Topics: Ethical Dilemmas
Thoughtful arguments on ethical issues can change public opinion. Is there something in society that makes you say “That’s just not right”? If so, you may have stumbled on the perfect ethical dilemma to present to your audience—the more passionate you are about the topic, the better chance you have of persuading your audience! You might consider controversial questions like: Should we legalize euthanasia? Should marijuana be legalized? 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 or modification in humans? 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 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 prisoners be allowed to vote? Should the government be able to control the population? Is the death penalty ethical?
Easy Persuasive Speech Topics
Easy topics use simple questions with clear and relatable arguments. While no argument is “easy” if you dig deep enough, there are a lot of familiar topics that pit 2 opposite choices against each other. These easier “yes/no” questions make the topic and your arguments more accessible and understandable for audience members. Consider addressing questions like: Should schools have uniforms? Can video games improve problem-solving skills? Are online classes as effective as in-person classes? Should companies implement a 4-day work week? Is co-ed learning more successful than learning separated by gender? Should the school day start later? Is homework an effective teaching tool? Are electric cars really better for the environment? Do professional athletes get paid too much money? Are there benefits to having a part time job in school? Is being popular a good thing? Should teenagers have more freedom in their lives? Should schools adopt a year-round calendar? Is social media a positive influence on teens? Should physical education be mandatory through high school? Should you learn a second language in high school?
Funny Persuasive Speech Topics
You can present a serious persuasive speech—even if the topic is hilarious! Pick a lighthearted question or thesis to argue to take some pressure off of yourself (and give your audience a few chuckles during your presentation). You can pick practically anything you like, but here are some humorous ideas for inspiration: A high-paying job or a fun job: which one should you choose and why? Why should you not use funny pick-up lines? Why blame your horoscope when things go wrong? Why should folding fitted sheets be an olympic sport? Can pajamas double as formal wear? Should we allow pets to run for public office? Does pineapple belong on pizza? Is procrastination the key to success? Should Americans adopt British accents to sound more intelligent? Are cats or dogs better pets? Should meme creators receive royalties when their memes go viral? Should there be a minimum drinking age for coffee? Should adults be allowed to trick-or-treat? Is it okay to wear socks with sandals? Should toilet paper hang over or under? Is it okay to talk to your pets like they are people? Should there be a limit on how many selfies you can take in a day? Are dad jokes the best kind of humor? Is it better to always be slightly late or always slightly early?
What makes a good persuasive speech topic?
Passion, relevance, and evidence are all components of good topics. Your passion and expertise on the topic may be the most important—people are more likely to be persuaded by someone who knows what they’re talking about and cares about the outcome. (Plus, you’ll probably enjoy yourself more if you’re presenting on something that really matters to you.) Besides passion, a good persuasive speech topic is: Timely and relevant: Is this something that is on people’s minds right now? Somewhat controversial: Is this something that’s emotionally charged or that people are opinionated about? (Note: “Controversial” does not mean “offensive.”) Complex: Does the topic have layers to it, or can the audience already predict where you’re going? Supported by evidence: Are there data and facts to support your claims? Appropriate for the audience: Does your topic resonate with their interests and concerns?
Writing & Delivering a Persuasive Speech
Research your topic and determine your angle or thesis statement. Maybe you’re already familiar with your topic and know exactly what your point of view is—or, maybe you don’t. In either case, research different opinions and data about your topic so you’re very familiar with both its supporting and opposing arguments. Gather as much information as you can before starting an outline or draft of your speech. Once you’ve got all the facts, write your thesis statement. This is your main argument in one sentence. For example, “School uniforms should not be required because they don’t positively impact academic performance or behavior.” Your audience will be able to tell if you’re prepared and knowledgeable about the topic. If you appear unsure or your research is weak, you’ll have a harder time persuading them to agree with you.
Open with an attention-getting anecdote or statistic in your thesis. Use your introduction to hook the audience and find some common ground with them. Muñoz recommends starting with a personal anecdote: “Say the opposite of what you're going to be persuading them on to make it really stand out in their mind, like ‘Wow, is he/she really saying this?’ Speak from your heart and make sure you really connect to people, that you really look them in the eyes, that you really talk to them, that you're speaking very specifically about your topic. Those are good things to open up a persuasive speech with.” State your thesis after your attention-getter to preview what’s to come in the body of your speech.
Outline your arguments and support them with facts and evidence. After your intro, walk the audience through the problems you’re describing, using evidence from your research to prove they’re a real issue. Explain what causes these problems and then propose solutions that relate back to your thesis statement. Include details on how your solution should ideally be executed, how long it may take, and any other relevant information. For example, you could state that “School uniforms suppress self-expression” is a problem and use a student survey as evidence. Then, explain the cause: “Forcing everyone to wear the same thing limits creativity and personal expression at school.” End with a solution: “Eliminating uniforms allows students to dress more authentically.” You can also address any relevant counterarguments in a similar way: state what the counterargument or problem is, then use evidence to explain why it’s a weak or false argument and why your solution will work instead.
Summarize your position and primary argument in a short conclusion. Wrap up your speech by summarizing the problem and your proposed solutions to it. This could be a loose summary for casual presentations, or a restatement of your thesis for formal speeches. Try ending with a final statement that leaves your audience thinking about your ideas—this is the last thing they’ll hear, so aim to make it impactful! For example, you might say something like “A school without uniforms is a school where individuality and creativity soar. Will you be part of the movement?”
Practice your delivery, including body language and enunciation. According to Muñoz, “Most of the time, we're not aware of how we come across.” The solution? “Prepare, prepare, prepare. Record yourself or practice giving [your speech] to the mirror. Practice singing it, try going as fast or slow or loud as you can, and jump around while you do it. Do anything you can do to get out of [your head] and into your body.” He continues, “Make sure there are no physical tics that give you away…and you're using a warm, centered voice.” If you struggle with mumbling, Muñoz advises to “Slow down and over-enunciate. Take a passage from a poem or a tongue twister and start to speak it very slowly and clearly. Make sure you're breathing in and letting that breath flow out. Record and listen to yourself.”
Present your speech to the audience with confidence and energy. Pretend you’re speaking to real people instead of an amorphous “audience” in the distance. The key to persuading people is to make them feel like you’re really connecting with them. This could be through an anecdote, asking the audience questions, or just being your authentic self while you talk to them. Muñoz adds, “Make sure you're standing up and you're very centered. Make sure you're breathing, make sure you're physically relaxed. All of those things can really help you give a great speech.”
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