250+ Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics To Persuade Your Audience!

Persuasive Speech Definition

A persuasive speech is a form of communication designed to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take specific action.

What Makes A Good Persuasive Speech?

Mentioned next are the key points that make a persuasive speech effective.

• Clear Purpose: The speech must have a focused objective, aiming to inform, convince, or inspire action.
• Engaging Opening: It starts with a hook that captures the audience's attention right from the beginning.
• Strong Argument: The speech is built on solid reasoning, with well-structured points and evidence to back up claims.
• Emotional Appeal: The speaker connects with the audience’s emotions, making the message more relatable and impactful.
• Credibility: The speaker establishes trust through expertise, honesty, or a sense of common ground.
• Call to Action: A clear and actionable request encourages the listeners to act based on the speech's message.

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Good Persuasive Speech Topics For Students

The following topics for persuasive speech are divided into different academic levels. Check them out to find unique ideas for your own.

Easy Persuasive Speech Topics For Kids

• Discuss the ways to stop bullying in schools.
• Why reading books is better than watching TV?
• Should boys and girls be taught in separate classrooms?
• Why should cell phones not be allowed in classrooms?
• Should athletes be paid based on performance or rank?
• Should junk food be banned in schools?
• Why one should save endangered animals?
• Why must car racing be banned in urban areas?
• Should schools still teach cursive handwriting?
• Video Games: Fun or Educational tool?

Persuasive Speech Topics For 12-Year-Olds

• Should students be given homework on a daily basis?
• Why all schools should have later start times.
• Should smartphones be allowed in school?
• Why everyone should learn a second language.
• Should there be free Wi-Fi everywhere?
• Why fast food is harmful and should be limited.
• Should schools teach financial literacy?
• Why volunteering should be a requirement for graduation.
• Should console games be considered a sport?
• Why recycling should be mandatory everywhere.

Persuasive Speech Topics For Teens

• Should teens have access to birth control?
• Are genetically modified foods dangerous for teenagers?
• Do video games cause violence among teens?
• Should adolescents be allowed to get tattoos?
• Does divorce harm children's lives?
• Should cell phones be banned for teenagers?
• Should teens be allowed to have a later curfew on weekends?
• Should educational institutes have more flexible dress codes?
• Should students be allowed to use electronic media within class?
• Should social media platforms have more strict age restrictions?

Simple Persuasive Speech Topics For High School Students

• Why is writing research papers a better way of learning than tests?
• Money cannot buy happiness. Discuss!
• Why must art and music be taught in public schools?
• Fast foods must be banned in educational institutions. Give reasons why!
• Why must the minimum age for driving cars be lowered to 16?
• Are sports cars really dangerous?
• Why are Japanese cars in trend nowadays?
• Should standardized testing be abolished as an assessment of student achievement?
• Should high school students have access to subsidized mental health resources? 
• Should prisoners be allowed to vote?

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics For College Students

• Why is online teaching not as constructive as regular teaching?
• Sex education must be compulsory in colleges. Discuss why!
• Should college students be required to take a financial literacy course? 
• Why must poor students get a free college application?
• Should smoking be allowed on college campuses?
• Should voting be made compulsory for all age groups?
• Should public prayer be allowed in colleges?
• Should all college athletes be required to pass regular drug tests?
• Should college sports teams receive funding weekly?
• Should boxing be declared an illegal sport?

Persuasive Speech Topics For University Students

• Should universities and other public buildings have prayer rooms?
• Should university athletes get tested for steroids?
• Should academic institutions be required to have physical education courses?
• MCQs are better than comprehensive tests. How?
• Extracurriculars are a waste of time. Why?
• Why does underage alcohol consumption lead to prison time?
• Is goal setting important for success? Discuss!
• Students should receive more financial assistance from their universities. Discuss!
• Should student debt be forgiven or canceled?
• Should courses in financial literacy and entrepreneurship be offered to all students?

Persuasive Speech Topics About Mental Health

• Should mental health be given the same importance as physical health?
• Should employers be required to provide mental health days for their employees?
• Should schools be mandated to provide mental health education and resources for students?
• Should mental health screenings be a routine part of regular medical check-ups?
• Should insurance companies be required to cover mental health treatments and medications on par with physical health treatments?
• Should social media platforms be held accountable for the negative impact they have on mental health?
• Should mental health care be made more accessible and affordable for low-income individuals and families?
• Should mental health professionals be required to receive more cultural sensitivity and diversity training?
• Should police officers and other first responders receive specialized training in handling mental health crises?
• Should there be more government funding for research into mental health and treatment options?

Medical Persuasive Speech Topics

• Should patients have the right to try experimental drugs and treatments that the FDA has not fully approved?
• Should medical professionals be required to receive additional training in recognizing and addressing health disparities in underrepresented communities?
• Should the government invest more money into medical research and development?
• Should insurance companies be required to cover all necessary medical procedures and treatments, even if they are costly?
• Should doctors be allowed to prescribe medical marijuana to patients as an alternative treatment for certain medical conditions?
• Should individuals be required to get vaccinated against preventable diseases, such as measles or the flu?
• Should there be more regulation of the pharmaceutical industry to prevent price uplift and ensure affordable access to medications?
• Should organ donation be mandatory for all eligible individuals, or should it remain a personal choice?
• Should individuals have access to their own genetic information, and should they be allowed to use it to make medical decisions?
• Should healthcare providers be required to disclose all possible risks and side effects of medications?

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Business Persuasive Speech Topics

• Why should you go after your passion for business?
• Are introverts better entrepreneurs?
• Why is a background check on potential staff members a must?
• Should companies be required to offer paid parental leave to both mothers and fathers?
• Should businesses be required to offer flexible remote work schedules to accommodate employees' personal needs?
• Should companies be mandated to provide a living wage for all employees?
• Should businesses be required to disclose their environmental impact and take steps to reduce it?
• Should companies be required to have a certain percentage of women and minorities on their executive teams and boards?
• Should businesses be required to provide mental health resources and support for employees?
• Should companies be required to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their hiring and recruitment processes?

Sports Persuasive Speech Topics

• Coaches in women’s sports teams must earn the same as coaches in men’s teams. Discuss!
• Should academic institutions provide basic athletic trainer insurance for every college athlete?
• Should athletes be granted compensation in case of injury?
• Women wrestlers vs. Men wrestlers. Who has more crowd attendance?
• Can the Olympics be treated as a philosophy?
• Should athletes be required to take a drug test before each competition?
• Should student athletes be required to maintain a certain GPA to participate in sports?
• Should athletes be required to wear helmets in all contact sports to prevent head injuries?
• Should professional athletes be required to use their platform to speak out on social and political issues?
• Should there be a limit on the amount of money that can be spent on college sports programs?

Public Speaking Persuasive Speech Topics

• Is social media affecting people’s self-esteem and self-image?
• Individuals must not be forced to join a particular school by their parents. Discuss!
• Calling and texting must be banned while driving.
• People from the 21st century are responsible for global warming.
• Living in outer space: A reality or science fiction? 
• Should school start later in the morning to improve student performance?
• Should fast food advertising be banned to combat the rise in obesity rates?
• Should college be free for all students to increase accessibility to education?
• Should the minimum wage be increased to provide better living standards for low-income workers?
• Should the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products be banned to reduce health risks?

Controversial Persuasive Speech Topics

• Should abortion be legally protected as a woman's right to choose?
• Why should police officers be charged for inappropriate use of force?
• Should mentally disabled people be charged with crimes?
• Why should all US citizens do community service?
• Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
• Should people be jailed for drug-related offenses?
• Is birth control ethical?
• When should we speak about domestic violence?
• How much of a role should your nation play in foreign aid?
• Why does the US have the largest prison population in the world?

Funny Persuasive Speech Topics

• Why do girls gossip more than boys do?
• Why should you never take on a food challenge?
• Why should men not wear skinny jeans?
• Why should kids make jokes in class?
• Who came first: The chicken or the egg?
• Why getting lost is the best advice someone could give you.
• Why is being an adult not an easy task?
• Why should Mondays be banned?
• Why should women not treat their faces like coloring books?
• When do we start to question if a word even exists?

Persuasive Speech Topics Reddit

• Should Reddit enforce stricter moderation to combat misinformation?
• Why anonymity on Reddit is both a blessing and a curse.
• Should Reddit ban all forms of paid promotions in user comments?
• Why karma should be more than just a number on Reddit.
• Should Reddit create a feature to curb toxic behavior in comment threads?
• Is Reddit’s upvote/downvote system truly democratic?
• Should Reddit implement a fact-checking system for viral posts?
• Why Reddit should have stricter age restrictions on certain subreddits?
• Is Reddit the best platform for unbiased discussions?
• Should Reddit prioritize privacy features to protect its users?

Unique Persuasive Speech Topics

Here's our list of unique persuasive speech ideas on different subjects. The topics are organized into nine categories.

Let's take a closer look at each category!

Arts & Culture

• Should modern art be given equal recognition and appreciation as traditional art?
• Should there be more government funding for arts education?
• Should people have a better understanding of different cultures? 
• Should museums and other cultural institutions remain free to the public? 
• Should local governments fund or subsidize theatre productions?  
• Should all states require the teaching of world history in schools? 
• Should the school curriculum reflect diverse perspectives on history and culture?  
• Should libraries provide access to non-traditional media, such as video games, podcasts, etc.? 
• Should high schools offer special classes dedicated to exploring various cultures around the world?  
• Should cities support businesses that promote artistic activities and projects?

Technology

• Should IT companies be subject to strict regulations? 
• Should online security measures become mandatory for all users? 
• Should developers have more responsibility when it comes to utilizing AI and robots? 
• Should the government invest in developing new technologies?
• Should all devices come with a digital “kill switch” for users to control access to their data?  
• Should there be regulation on how much technology businesses can use in order to ensure the quality of customer service? 
• Should governments provide incentives for businesses that adopt green technologies such as renewable energy sources or electric vehicles?  
• Should there be restrictions on who can buy certain types of tech products, such as cameras due to privacy concerns? 
• Should parents limit the amount of time their children spend using technology each day?  
• Should schools eliminate textbooks and teach students via tablets or computers instead?

Religion

• Should religious symbols be allowed in public spaces?
• Should students of all religions have access to faith-based school programs? 
• Should religious perspective be given a place in political discourse?  
• Should there be restrictions on how much influence organized religion has over government affairs? 
• Should people from different faiths be allowed to marry each other without facing any legal or social repercussions?  
• Should the free exercise of religion, including speech and expression, always remain protected under the law? 
• Should governments provide funding for religious institutions and practices when they are beneficial to local communities? 
• Should freedom of conscience always remain protected regardless of personal beliefs or affiliations with a particular denomination or faith tradition? 
• Should science education include teachings on various religious interpretations of scientific evidence, such as creationism, intelligent design, and evolution?
• Should immigrants have the right to practice their religion freely within countries that host them?

Government/Politics

• Should governments support citizens financially during times of economic hardship?
• Should the voting age be lowered? 
• Should all citizens have access to free healthcare? 
• Should taxes be restructured to provide more funds for government programs and services? 
• Should all countries adopt democracy as their form of government?  
• Should politicians be held accountable for any misdeeds or broken promises made during their campaign period? 
• Should there be term limits on elected officials in government positions? 
• Should lobbying efforts by corporations and other organizations be illegal or heavily regulated by law?  
• Should governments regulate the media so that people are not exposed to false information or propaganda?  
• Should student loan debt forgiveness become a priority for governments at both local and national levels?

Economic

• Should governments increase the taxation of large corporations?
• Should people be taxed more for luxury items?
• Should businesses be required to pay a higher minimum wage?
• Should the government provide free healthcare and education to citizens?
• Should economic incentives be provided for renewable energy sources?
• Should governments encourage small business growth through tax breaks and grants? 
• Should taxes on low-income earners be lowered or eliminated? 
• Should there be more investment in public infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and airports?
• Should subsidies on basic necessities such as food, housing, and utilities be increased or reduced? 
• Should social security programs like Medicare and Medicaid remain intact or should they undergo changes to reduce their costs?

Environmental/Climate Change

• Should countries take more responsibility for reducing their carbon footprint?
• Should governments offer tax incentives to businesses that are more environmentally friendly? 
• Should there be stricter regulations on industries that pollute the environment?
• Should brands be required to use more sustainable materials in their products and packaging? 
• Should the government create policies to shift consumers towards greener lifestyles? 
• Should governments increase funding for research into renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower?
• Should public transport options be sponsored by governments to reduce the number of cars on roads?  
• Should global warming education become a mandatory curriculum in schools worldwide?
• Should oil companies pay higher taxes to help fund environmental protection initiatives? 
• Should subsidies be provided for individuals who make eco-friendly lifestyle choices like using reusable shopping bags or taking public transportation?

Science

• Should students be required to take science classes throughout their entire school career?
• Should the government invest more in scientific research and development?
• Should science and technology be used to solve global problems such as hunger and poverty?
• Should schools incorporate more hands-on science experiments into the curriculum?
• Should we prioritize space exploration and research over other scientific fields?
• Should genetically modified foods be banned?
• Should animal testing be banned in scientific research?
• Should we invest more in renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels?
• Should science and religion be taught side by side in schools?
• Should scientists be allowed to play GOD and create new forms of life in the lab?

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Education

• Should college education be free for everyone?
• Should students be required to wear uniforms in school?
• Should the school day start later to allow for more sleep?
• Should standardized tests be eliminated in favor of alternative forms of assessment?
• Should physical education be mandatory in schools?
• Should schools provide laptops or tablets for learning purposes?
• Should homeschooling be a more widely accepted form of education?
• Should colleges place more emphasis on hands-on learning experiences?
• Should the education system place more focus on vocational training?
• Should schools implement mindfulness and meditation programs for students?

Ethics

• Should companies be held accountable for the environmental impact of their operations?
• Should animal testing be banned in all industries?
• Should assisted suicide be legalized in all states?
• Should governments prioritize human rights over economic interests?
• Should companies be allowed to use consumer data for advertising purposes?
• Should people be allowed to clone themselves?
• Should the death penalty be nullified in all countries?
• Should whistleblowers be protected from retaliation by their employers?
• Should the sale and distribution of firearms be regulated more strictly?
• Should people be allowed to donate their organs while they are still alive?

Persuasive Speech Topics About Music

• Why learning a musical instrument should be mandatory in schools.
• How music positively and negatively affects mental health. Discuss!
• Should music education be prioritized over sports in schools?
• Why live music performances are better than recorded music.
• Why music streaming services should pay artists more.
• Does listening to classical music improve concentration?
• How lyrics in music influence teen behavior.
• Should concert tickets have price limits to avoid scalping?
• Why vinyl records are making a comeback and should be embraced.
• Should music with explicit content be restricted to certain age groups?

Policy Persuasive Speech Topics

• Should the voting age be lowered to 16 or 18?
• Why universal healthcare should be adopted nationwide.
• Should college tuition be free for all students?
• Why stricter gun control laws are necessary. Discuss!
• Should plastic bags be banned in all countries?
• Why the death penalty should be abolished worldwide.
• Should governments regulate social media platforms more strictly?
• Why the minimum wage should be increased promptly.
• Should mandatory vaccination policies be implemented?
• Why the legal drinking age should be raised to 21 globally.

Persuasive Speech Topics About Animals

• Why zoos should be protected?
• Should animal testing be completely outlawed?
• Why adopting pets is better than buying them.
• Why all circuses should stop using animals?
• Should exotic animals be kept as pets?
• Why endangered species need more protection.
• The importance of spaying and neutering pets.
• Should factory farming be banned for animal welfare?
• Why using animals for entertainment is cruel?
• Why we should all support wildlife conservation efforts.

Key Traits Of An Effective Persuasive Speech Topic

Selecting a persuasive speech topic is the foundation of delivering a powerful and convincing message. A well-chosen topic not only engages the audience but also allows the speaker to present a compelling argument effectively.

Following are some elements that make a good persuasive speech topic:

• It should reflect current events or issues that are important to the audience.
• A good topic should be simple enough to understand, yet complex enough to provoke thoughtful discussion.
• It should be based on subjects that allow for credible evidence and reliable data to strengthen the argument.
• When a speaker has a personal connection or interest in the topic, it adds authenticity and enthusiasm to the delivery.
• A compelling topic encourages the audience to reflect and engage critically with the subject matter.
• Topics that are currently popular or trending in society are more likely to capture attention and generate lively discussions.
• Choosing less commonly discussed topics ensures that the speech stands out and offers fresh perspectives to the audience.

Guidelines For Selecting The Right Persuasive Speech Topic

Mentioned next are the tips for choosing effective topics for delivering a persuasive speech to impress your audience.

• Choose a topic that excites you personally, as this enthusiasm will make your speech more engaging and authentic.
• Select a subject with multiple viewpoints, allowing for a dynamic discussion and giving your argument more depth.
• Opt for topics that are topical and aligned with current events, making them more relatable and impactful for your audience.
• Choose a topic where you can offer new insights or a unique perspective, making your speech stand out from the rest.
• To keep your speech original and engaging, stay away from clichés or overly familiar topics that the audience may find dull.
• Pick a subject that you feel strongly about, but ensure it is also arguable, allowing you to present compelling points backed by evidence.

By keeping these key factors in mind, you can craft a persuasive speech that is engaging, insightful, and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Let’s Sum Up!

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