Good Persuasive Speech Topics & Ideas for Debaters

Bothered by the upcoming persuasive speech writing project?

Struggling to find persuasive speech topics that will leave a strong impression on your audience?

Stop worrying and get going!

Considering both the speaker's and the audience’s interests, we have compiled a list of top-notch persuasive speech topic ideas. They are classified according to fields and subject matter.

Pick a topic for your competition or project. Use it as it is, or mold it using different points of view.

Components of a Persuasive Speech

When creating a persuasive speech or essay, it is essential to have three components. These are called Logos (Logic), Ethos (Ethics), and Pathos (Emotion).

Let’s discuss them in detail.

Logos: Logos aims to convince an audience with logic and reason. It's most often used in advertising.

Ethos: Ethos is a persuasive technique that uses an audience's sense of credibility to make its argument more convincing.

Pathos: Pathos is a type of rhetoric that uses emotions, memories, and nostalgia to convince an audience.

Watch this video to learn how to organize a persuasive speech!

What are Good Persuasive Speech Topics?

A good persuasive speech topic is a relevant, debatable issue that the speaker feels passionately about. It has ample supporting evidence to persuade the audience to take action or change their perspective.

Here are some golden points that will help you in your topic selection process. 

Catches your Interest

A topic is good enough to make a speech on if it instantly catches your attention. However, it is necessary that the topic of your interest is also suitable for your speech. 

Be realistic and do the necessary research before settling on a specific topic. Just narrow down your interest list and pick the topic with good scope for research, argument, and discussion.

Appeals the Audience

Another important quality of a good idea is that they appeal to the audience.

So, when you are selecting a topic, make sure to keep your audience in mind.

If you talk about politics and government affairs in front of the elementary school kids, they won't understand it. And, you will not be able to persuade them, thus failing the purpose of your speech. They will be least interested in the speech.

Therefore, keep in mind the audience’s interest and level of understanding while picking the topic.

Unique and ‘Not Some Hundred Times Repeated’ Topic

Another important aspect of good topics is that they are not some generic or repetitive type of topics.

For example, the topic of legalizing abortion has been in debate for years. The opinions of both supporters and opponents of the topic are now at the fingertips of society.

You should not pick any such topic until and unless you have a new point in mind.

Suits the Demand

The last and most important point is that you choose a topic that suits the demand.

For example, you cannot talk about science and technology if you have to present a speech on sports days.

It is suitable to talk about sports persuasive speech topics only to get your audience's attention.

Keep these basic points in mind while selecting your topics; these are your first steps toward success.

Persuasive Speech Topics for Students

Wondering what some good topics for a persuasive speech are? 

It can be hard to choose a perfect topic for your speech. But don’t worry, we have done the hard work for you. Just keep reading this blog, and you will get to know what are the good topics for persuasive speech.

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics for College Students

1. College education should be free for students belonging to low-income families.
2. Psychological issues can never justify mass shootings.
3. Following one’s comfort level is more important than following the fashion.
4. Bragging about expensive possessions depicts immorality.
5. The tax rate should be double for rich people.
6. College students should be regularly provided with mental health counseling.
7. Classrooms should have background music to help the students focus on learning in a better manner.
8. Should athletes be paid less?
9. Cell phones should not be allowed in classrooms.
10. People should not be allowed to change their names after high school.

Policy Speech Topics for College Students

• Ban car racing in mass pollution areas.
• Domestic Violence Drug Policy.
• Equal Employment Opportunities.
• Sexist images of women should be banned.
• Smokers should be treated like drug addicts.
• What should be the minimum age for the voter?
• Why should meals in school be free?
• Why invading North Korea is a no go plan.
• Stop clothing and textiles sweatshops.
• Punish severely pupils taking drugs.

Public Speaking Persuasive Speech Topics

• Should schools still teach cursive handwriting?
• Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
• What is the best type of renewable energy?
• The danger of texting and driving.
• Why should you buy a Japanese car?
• Why do introverts make good leaders?
• Why should alcohol be illegal?
• More recycling should be encouraged.
• The trade deficit with China is dangerous.
• Should only native plants be grown in gardens?

Discover Captivating Topics in a Click!

Topic Generator

Best Persuasive Speech Topics for High School Students

• Exchange programs make the students more appreciative of the world and different communities.
• Working part-time on weekends should be compulsory for teenagers.
• Introverts are the best motivational speakers.
• Modern youth has developed addictive personalities.
• Religious discussions should not be allowed in schools.
• Students should learn at least three foreign languages.
• Writing research papers is a better way of learning than tests.
• Money cannot ensure happiness.
• Positive thinking makes life easier and happier.
• Violent video games should be banned in the United States.

Sports Persuasive Speech Topics

• College players should be treated as professional players.
• Professional sports should be financed privately.
• Drug tests should be compulsory in all professional sports.
• The support crew should be considered sportspeople.
• Media and society are less interested in women's sports.
• Cheerleaders cannot compare with professional players.
• Safety precautions for athletes should be upgraded.
• Team names should not reflect ethnic and cultural affiliations.
• Team names should not reflect ethnic and cultural affiliations.
• Professional female players get fewer opportunities for financial support than male players.

Persuasive Speech Topics About Automotive

• The minimum driving age should be 18.
• Everyone should take driving courses.
• What are the best car seats for pets?
• Drivers should avoid the usage of cell phones while driving.
• You should drive in your lane.
• Watch out for animals on the road while driving.
• How to travel with your pet?
• Are sports cars really dangerous?
• Bike and bicycle riders should wear helmets.
• Why are Japanese cars in trend nowadays?

Great Persuasive Speech Topics for Teens

• Nuclear disarmament is necessary to restore world peace.
• The salaries of single parents should be higher than for other employees.
• Cyberbullying is the major cause of suicide among youngsters.
• Stalkers and paparazzi should be sentenced to life in prison.
• Genetically modified food products are less nutritious than natural products.
• Why can’t we quit fossil fuels?
• Birth control pills worsen the health of women.
• Everyone should donate blood at least once a year.
• The media should not promote beauty standards.
• Foster parents’ homes should be regularly inspected.

Technology Persuasive Speech Topics

• Human cloning is unethical.
• Food engineering can fight food insecurity.
• Self-driving cars are not reliable.
• Robots cannot replace human beings.
• Technology has isolated people instead of connecting them.
• Technological advancement has decreased employment opportunities.
• Mobile phones can be used to intrude on the privacy of individuals.
• Chips should be inserted in criminals to refrain them from violent behavior.
• Digital currency should be accepted and promoted.
• Technology is making life tougher instead of easier.

Persuasive Speech Topics About Travel

• The perks of being an air hostess.
• Tourism is ruining historical places.
• Traveling should be cheaper.
• Pets should be allowed to travel with their owner.
• You should visit a new place every six months.
• Switzerland is the most beautiful place on the face of this earth.
• Why you should not visit the Bermuda triangle.
• Tourism plays an important role in presenting a better image of a country.
• How to travel to mars?
• Airline tickets should be cheaper.

Persuasive Speech Topics for Kids

• The zoo or aquarium should not be closed on public holidays.
• Uniforms should not be mandatory for public schools.
• Schools should have a free period for video games.
• My pet is very obedient.
• Why shouldn't kids play R rated games?
• Why can't kids be a Santa?
• Why do I love my dad more than I love my mom?
• Where babies come from.
• The worst fruit on the earth.
• How do rainbows work?

Easy Persuasive Speech Topics About Education

• School or college bullies should be rusticated immediately.
• Coeducation makes students more competitive.
• Homosexuals should have separate educational institutes.
• Online teaching is not as constructive as regular teaching.
• Kids should be taught ethics and moral values in school.
• School kids should be taught about the prevention of rape.
• Sex education must be compulsory in high school.
• How can we make social media more educational?
• Teachers should give a basic skill test every year to renew their certifications.
• Poor students should get a free college education.

Persuasive Speech Topics Environmental

• Why are humans injurious to nature?
• How is air pollution affecting our environment?
• We need to keep our environment clean.
• Bad effects of plastic usage on the environment.
• We need to protect natural resources.
• Genetically modified foods should not be sold in the market.
• Smoking should be banned in public areas.
• How does deforestation affect animals?
• Why do we need to grow more plants?
• Global warming is ruining all wedding destination spots.

Unique Persuasive Speech Topics for University Students

• Graffiti is the art of the future.
• A helmet is necessary for bike riders.
• People should not use their phones while driving.
• Easy steps for staying happy and healthy.
• Money can’t buy happiness.
• Wild animals should be tamed.
• Why we should have a balanced diet.
• Benefits of exercise.
• Why should Black Friday sales start on Thanksgiving?
• We should learn from the wisdom of our elders.

Mental Health Persuasive Speech Topics

• Organic foods are good for health.
• Junk food should be avoided to protect ourselves.
• A morning walk is essential for good health.
• A healthy diet has some great effects on the mind’s health.
• College cafes should offer only healthy foods.
• Alcohol and tobacco products have bad effects on health.
• People who smoke cigarettes are more likely to die early.
• Animal testing in medical research should be legalized.
• The amazing effects of eating a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits regularly.
• Why is dieting not a good option to lose weight?

Persuasive Speech Topics About Workplace

• Interns should always be paid for their work.
• Part-time workers should have the legal right to claim annual paid leaves.
• How to deal with bullying at the workplace?
• A friendly environment is important for the growth of a company.
• Everyone should do a retail job once in their life.
• Hardworking employees should be rewarded with performance awards.
• All employees should get basic first aid training.
• Everyone should learn basic survival skills.
• The theory has no importance if it can’t be implemented.
• Personal hygiene is essential for good health.

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics

• Energy drinks are far away from providing energy.
• Watching television is more beneficial than reading books.
• Health benefits and transport facilities should be free for senior citizens.
• Confidence is the key to success.
• Urban life is more tiring and energy-consuming than rural life.
• Neutral behavior is the best coping mechanism.
• The first impression is never the last impression.
• Little conflicts strengthen and make relationships healthier.
• Credit cards should not be issued to people under 30.
• All US citizens should do community service.

Persuasive Speech Topics Related to Food and Beverages

• Kids should not eat fast food.
• People are required to learn cooking skills.
• There should be a period for cooking in school and college.
• Benefits of growing our own vegetables.
• Benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Why we need to stay away from processed foods.
• Frozen foods are not good for health.
• Energy drinks do not provide any energy.
• Artificial sugary drinks should be replaced with fruit juices.
• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Persuasive Speech Topics About Media

• Advertisements should not be aimed at children.
• How the media is encouraging cyberbullying.
• The media is responsible for the moral degradation of teenagers.
• Certain TV shows should have an age restriction.
• How the media is helping to prevent corruption.
• Media could become an educational resource.
• Media is to be blamed for eating disorders.
• The media should not promote certain beauty standards.
• How advertising helps in promoting the product.
• Freedom of the press has gone too far.

Persuasive Speech Topics About Government

• The government should ban all alcohol and tobacco products.
• The government should provide the basic necessities of life to the people.
• The government should tax sugary products and use the revenue for public health.
• The military budget should be decreased.
• Should government authorities be tested for drugs?
• The government should increase the rates of specific licenses.
• The state should renew its policies every 3 years.
• The elections should take place every 2 years.
• There should be some allocated seats for people with disabilities.
• Minorities should be treated as equal citizens.

Law and Politics Persuasive Speech Topics

• Charity is used as the source of converting black money into white money.
• Detaining people on the suspicion of terrorism is justified.
• Military service should not be compulsory.
• Physician-assisted suicide should be a punishable crime.
• Violent crime offenders should be sentenced to death.
• Illegal immigrants should be instantly deported.
• Foreigners should not be allowed to buy the property.
• Surveillance should not compromise the privacy of the citizens.
• Rapists and pedophiles should be hanged to death immediately.
• Burning sketches and flags during protests should be punished.

Persuasive Speech Topics on Business

• Why should businesses analyze their target groups?
• How do social media advertising techniques work?
• How to start a business with a little investment?
• Why should you not do business with a family member?
• Why do introverts make good leaders?
• Why does the HR department need to be polite and understanding?
• Why do sales and customer service departments need to be paid more?
• What does it take to be a successful businessman?
• What are small businesses successful and profitable?
• How to do business analysis before starting a business?

Persuasive Speech Topics About Animals

• Taming wild and exotic animals is unethical.
• Emotional support animals provide several health benefits.
• Animals should have protection laws.
• Why do bunnies make the perfect pet even for a small apartment?
• Why do animals make the best companions?
• The benefits of pets.
• Why should emotionally disabled people have emotional support animals?
• How do service animals differ from emotional support animals?
• Why are dogs more loyal than humans?
• How do birds and fishes provide support to emotionally disturbed people?

Funny Persuasive Speech Topics

• Funny pick-up lines help in the development of a serious relationship.
• Endless memes can be made on my mother.
• Life is troublesome due to your horoscope.
• Girls are more interested in diamonds than makeup.
• Guys are more interested in sports than their girlfriends.
• You are not enjoying student life if you do not procrastinate.
• It is your major duty to annoy your parents.
• Life is useless without indulging in troubles without your friends.
• Guys are more interested in gossip than girls.
• Never add your parents on Facebook.

Controversial Persuasive Speech Topics

• Animal testing of drugs is necessary for ensuring the safety of humanity.
• Cosmetic surgery, being an unhealthy obsession, should be banned.
• Human behavior is the product of society and not of nature.
• The death penalty is the only solution for controlling the crime rate in society.
• The legal age of drinking, driving and voting should be set at eighteen years.
• Corruption and bribery run in today’s economy.
• Do you think immigration laws need to be revised?
• Job Discrimination based on Hair Color/Style.
• Our constitution should protect hate speech.
• Regulations on applying safety devices.

Family Persuasive Speech Topics

• Family traditions are important.
• We are over-scheduling our kids
• How to run a family business?
• What is the most beneficial parenting style, and why?
• Why do I love my family?
• Should schools do more to teach family values?
• Families should start every morning with yoga.
• Laws for child abuse
• Parents should teach their children to stay polite
• It’s okay to say no to children.

Persuasive Speech Topics About Music & Fashion

• Should white people listen to rap?
• Jazz is an extinct music genre.
• Good song lyrics can inspire people.
• How do fashion trends differ in society?
• Jewelry defines your worth
• Marketing high fashion.
• Men shouldn’t wear pink
• Music has its own language
• Fashion and music are different from each other
• Fashion and music of 1987

Problem Solution Persuasive Speech Topics

• How do we reduce the illiteracy rate?
• How does data become the new oil?
• What can be done to prevent divorce?
• The role of pets on the elderly
• The role of the United Nations internationally.
• The problem of violence in schools
• Drinking water has become an uncommon thing in many countries
• How can parents best handle homework?
• Signs of a toxic relationship.
• Best way to save from jammed traffic

Arts and Culture Persuasive Speech Topics

• Modern art lacks authenticity.
• Can action movies cause stress?
• Importance of art and culture
• The effectiveness of art and music therapy
• Should graffiti be considered art?
• Should art and music therapy be required for students?
• Should all students be required to learn an instrument in school?
• Is music therapy effective?
• Should art is necessary for students?
• Importance of performing arts

Tips for Writing Persuasive Speech

Writing a persuasive essay or speech requires a lot more than just a good topic. The best idea is to read some sample persuasive speech examples to learn the format.

Have a look at the three most important persuasive speech writing tips from experts to nail this task like a pro.

• For a persuasive speech, it is essential to portray yourself as you know and understands what you are talking about. To achieve that, do quality research and write the key points on the topic to make your speech strong and convincing.
• Most probably, your chosen speech essay topic has multiple issues and viewpoints. Try to cover all angles and make your writing seem well-informed on your topic.
• One of the most important factors is audience analysis; know for whom you are preparing a speech. When you are writing your speech, think about what your audience already knows and what they probably need to do. The speech topic should be able to engage your audience and fulfill the purpose of your speech.

Let's take a look at a structured persuasive speech example below: 

Let’s sum it up!

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