A persuasive speech is a type of oral presentation that aims to convince the audience to accept the speaker’s point of view on a certain topic. A persuasive speech requires the speaker to use logic, evidence, and emotion to persuade the audience to agree with their opinion or take a specific action. A persuasive speech can be challenging to prepare and deliver, but it can also be rewarding and impactful.
One of the most important steps in creating a persuasive speech is choosing a good topic. A good topic for a persuasive speech should be:
- Relevant: It should relate to the current issues, trends, or challenges that interest or affect the audience and the speaker.
- Interesting: It should spark the curiosity and passion of the audience and the speaker, and motivate them to learn more about the topic and share their views.
- Debatable: It should have at least two opposing sides or perspectives, and allow the speaker to present and refute the arguments of the other side.
- Specific: It should be narrow enough to be covered within the time limit and the word limit, but broad enough to allow for sufficient research and evidence.
- Original: It should be unique and creative, and contribute to the existing knowledge or discussion on the topic.
To help you find a suitable topic for your persuasive speech, here are some tips and examples of persuasive speech topics in various categories.
Tips for Choosing a Persuasive Speech Topic
- Brainstorm: You can generate some ideas for your topic by reviewing your course materials, reading relevant articles or books, browsing online sources, or consulting your instructor or peers. You can also use online tools, such as mind maps, brainstorming apps, or topic generators, to help you organize and visualize your ideas123.
- Narrow: You can refine your topic by focusing on a specific aspect, perspective, or question that interests you, and by using some keywords, concepts, or variables that define your topic. You can also use online tools, such as databases, search engines, or filters, to help you narrow down your search and find relevant and reliable sources .
- Research: You can conduct some preliminary research on your topic by finding and evaluating some sources, such as academic journals, books, reports, or websites, that provide information, data, or evidence on your topic. You can also use online tools, such as citation managers, note-taking apps, or plagiarism checkers, to help you organize and manage your sources and avoid plagiarism .
- Evaluate: You can assess your topic by considering its relevance, interest, debatability, specificity, and originality, and by asking yourself some questions, such as: Why is this topic important? What do I want to persuade the audience to do or believe? How will I support my opinion with facts and examples? What are the counterarguments and how will I refute them?
Examples of Persuasive Speech Topics
Here are some examples of persuasive speech topics that you can use or modify for your own speech. These topics are divided into some common categories or themes, but you can also combine or cross them to create more interdisciplinary or complex topics.
Persuasive Speech Topics on Education
- Students should have more say in the curriculum and evaluation of their courses.
- Online learning should be more accessible and affordable for students of all backgrounds and abilities.
- Homework should be banned or reduced to improve the mental health and well-being of students.
- Sex education should be mandatory and comprehensive in all schools.
- School uniforms should be abolished or encouraged to promote the individuality and diversity of students.
Persuasive Speech Topics on Environment
- Climate change is a real and urgent threat that requires immediate and collective action.
- Plastic pollution is a serious problem that harms the environment and human health.
- Renewable energy sources should be more widely used and subsidized by the government.
- Animal rights should be respected and protected by the law.
- Veganism is a more ethical and sustainable lifestyle choice.
Persuasive Speech Topics on Health
- Smoking should be banned in all public places and workplaces.
- Organ donation should be compulsory or voluntary for all citizens.
- Junk food should be taxed or regulated to combat obesity and diabetes.
- Medical marijuana should be legalized or prohibited for medical and recreational purposes.
- Euthanasia should be allowed or forbidden for terminally ill patients.
Persuasive Speech Topics on Media
- Social media has more positive or negative effects on society and individuals.
- Violent video games have more harmful or beneficial impacts on the behavior and cognition of children and adolescents.
- Fake news is a serious problem that undermines the credibility and trustworthiness of the media and the public.
- Censorship is necessary or unnecessary to protect the freedom and security of the media and the public.
- Celebrities have more responsibility or right to use their influence and fame for social and political causes.
Persuasive Speech Topics on Politics
- Democracy is the best or the worst form of government for the people and the society.
- Voting should be mandatory or optional for all eligible citizens.
- Immigration should be restricted or encouraged to benefit the economy and the society.
- Gun control should be stricter or looser to prevent violence and crime.
- Capital punishment should be abolished or maintained to deter and punish criminals.