100+ Good Persuasive Speech Topics For Students

Do you remember that moment in your favorite movie, when the dialogue delivery is so passionate that the entire room either weepingly cheers by the time it concludes, isn’t it? Here, what distinguishes the speech is not only the protagonists delivering the speech in a high tone, but also the type of subject matter that they have written about. Choosing an effective persuasive speech topic is crucial for guaranteeing that your future speech or essay is as compelling enough. However, if you have a tall order, have no second thoughts. Below you will find a long list of some of the best and most interesting persuasive speech topics for learners of all ages.

What is a Good Persuasive Speech?

A well-constructed Persuasive Speech for students is a speech writing format in which the writer challenges the audience’s beliefs by presenting logical evidence and grounded emotional appeals. The most crucial elements to be understood in this context are creating credibility, communicating effectively, and solidifying the argumentation with an issue, a resolution, and the goals of that resolution, which must mostly include a call to action.

And do not think that persuasive essays are some sort of torture to you from your teachers, but on the brighter side, know that it's a way of practising your oratory skills that can benefit you in all areas of your life later. Be it the job interviews to business negotiations, you are going to remember the learnings for your greater good. 

Importance of choosing the right topic

Selecting a topic for your speech or presentation often has limitations. In other words, in school, the learners are limited only based on the nature of the assignment, whereas outside school, the speakers are limited by the nature of the environment in which they find themselves. But even with limitations, the speakers have a fair amount of flexibility to be able to generate their own angles on the particular topic. So, here developing a topic and then being able to identify the main purpose of a speech will aid you in your organisation and direction of the overall performances.

Learn about the many benefits that come with Speech Writing Tips for Students. 

1.Building Confidence and Credibility 

When you choose a topic about which you are passionate and you have background knowledge about, your confidence reflects in your words. A well-thought-out topic naturally calls for the attention of the people. If your audience finds the subject or the topic relevant, then they are most likely to listen to you attentively and have an open mind. If the topic is dull and outdated, then even the most powerful speech can have no power to show as if it's dull, outdated, or unimportant to the audience. 

2.Identify the Purpose 

The purpose of a**** persuasive speech topic for college students or even for adults should be to make the audience think out of the box or move into action in the immediate future. It is achievable when it concerns a topic that appeals to the audience. In this case, a good topic must be a topic that your audience can connect with in terms of either social, personal, political ,or cultural components. As an example, it will be easier to convince the students of the manifold benefits of home food rather than discussing financial issues in a classroom. The benefits of customizing your topic to your audience are that it makes it more relatable and persuasive, too. 

3.Holding the Audience’s Attention 

In the first few seconds of a speech, decide whether your audience will be able to get engaged or completely disinterested. A well-chosen topic holds the audience and draws more people to the speech. Once your audience feels that the subject matter is relevant to them, they are more likely to listen and become open-minded. In contrast, even the best speech could be impotent if the theme does not appear to be interesting, outdated, or unessential to the audience.

4.Structuring the Arguments Effectively 

The right persuasive speech topic ideas provide a clear direction for your research and arguments. Also, it enables one to find supporting evidence, such as statistics and examples, that help to strengthen one's stance. A strong topic naturally offers many opportunities to present both sides of a matter, where one makes sure that the many arguments are more balanced and credible. Needless to say, without a firm background, such as structure, it is tough enough to build logical arguments, and your speech may come out superficial and too insignificant to listen to. 

5.Leaving a Lasting Impression 

A persuasive speech is considered successful only if it lingers in the minds of your audience after it ends. A meaningful and concerning topic helps to gain this by encouraging people to reflect on your words. The right topic doesn’t just tell but it also helps to inform and inspire the change. So, whether you want your listeners to recycle more, rethink their daily routines, or volunteer for a cause, the topic is the main agenda that drives your ‘message’ home. 

Best Persuasive Speech Topics

1. General Good Persuasive Speech Topics

   EDUCATION 

• College education should be free for all students. 
• Homework should be optional for students under 10 years old. 
• Schools should focus more on practical skills than rote learning. 
• Schools should implement more financial literacy classes as part of the core curriculum. 
• Physical education should be mandatory in schools.
• College education should be free for all students. 

SOCIETY 

• Universal healthcare should be 
• Voting should be mandatory in all countries. 
• The death penalty should be mandated against the rapists. 
• Gender equality should be enforced in all workspaces. 
• Animal testing should be banned. 
• Stricter gun control laws are important for public safety. 
• Universal healthcare should be banned globally. 
• The media has the core responsibility to present unbiased news. 
• Marriage gifting should be optional, not an imposed one.

TECHNOLOGY 

• Technology is all about making people less social in real life. 
• Governments should prioritize cybersecurity more than before. 
• Smartphones should have stricter regulations for children. 
• Online privacy is a fundamental human right. 
• Space Exploration Should Receive More Funding. 
• Social media is taking over mental health. 
• The next public health crisis is ‘digital addiction’. 

LIFESTYLE

• Everyone should adopt a plant-based diet at least once a week. 
• Minimalist living leads to a happier lifestyle. 
• Physical fitness should be prioritized over many beauty standards. 
• Fast fashion is harmful and should be discouraged. 
• Work-life balance is more important than career success. 
• Travelling solo improves personal growth more than group travel. 
• Work-life balance is more than career success. 

2. Persuasive Speech Topics for Students

HIGH SCHOOL TOPICS

• High school students should have later start times for better learning strategies. 
• School uniforms should be optional, not mandatory. 
• Homework should be banned in high schools. 
• Part-time jobs teach students responsibility better than classroom lessons. 
• How social media negatively affects teenagers’ self-esteem. 
• Physical education should focus more on lifelong fitness rather than competitive sports. 
• The voting age should be lowered to 16 years. 
• Standardised tests fail to measure true intelligence. 
• Extracurricular activities are just as important as academics. 
• Extracurricular activities are just as important as academics. 
• Anti-bullying programs should be mandated in the schools. 
• Community services should be required for high school graduation. 
• Schools should focus more on learning by doing. 
• High school should provide free mental health counseling. 
• Part-time job helps students better than classroom lessons. 
• Students should not be allowed to use smartphones during class. 
• Sports should be given equal importance compared to all the subjects. 

COLLEGE TOPICS

• The College athletes should be paid for their many contributions. 
• Online teaching should not be the only learning way of learning in colleges. 
• College tuition should be free or more affordable for all students.
• Student debt is unfair and should not be asked back. 
• Internship experiences should be compulsory for all majors. 
• College campuses should be free of plastic usage. 
• Cafeterias in college should provide healthier and more affordable food. 
• Free access to the many textbooks should be a standard for all students. 
• College education should focus more on job skills than theory. 
• Gender neutral restrooms should be available on all campuses. 
• Access to textbooks should be free of cost. 

3. Easy Persuasive Speech Topics

TECHNOLOGY 

• Social media should have age restrictions. 
• Kids should not spend more time on screens. 
• Robots or AI cannot replace teachers. 
• Every student should know basic computer skills. 
• Online classes prepare one for the new technology world. 
• Video games can help improve problem-solving skills. 
• Technology is making people couch potatoes. 
• Age restrictions and regulations should be there for posting anything on social media platforms. 
• Talking and texting should be avoided. 

SOCIETY 

• Voting should be mandatory for every citizen
• Public transport saves money, and it promotes car pooling. 
• Zoos are not the only place to safeguard the animals. 
• Reading the news should be a daily habit. 
• Volunteering should be practiced by everyone. 
• Kindness and empathy should be taught to children. 
• Plastic bags should be banned. 
• Bullying should have strong punishments. 
• Everyone should try volunteering once. 
• Animals should not be used in the circus. 
• Public parks should be maintained by everyone. 
• Disagreements should not be expressed through violence. 
• Respect should be given to every walk of life. 
• Mental illness should be talked about more. 

LIFESTYLE

• Exercise should be done on a daily basis. 
• Kids should be involved with household chores. 
• Pets make life a lot easier. 
• Music helps reduce stress. 
• People should sleep for only 8 hours a day. 
• Children should play out rather than at home. 
• Everyone should drink as much water as they can. 
• Consider walking for shorter distances. 
• People should grow indoor plants for positive vibes. 
• Color choice should not define one’s lifestyle.
• Music helps reduce stress. 
• Gardening makes one's life easier.  

FUN & LIGHTHEARTED (beginner speeches) 

• Summer is better than winter. 
• Video games help to concentrate. 
• School trips should happen more often
• Laughter really is the best medicine. 
• Watching cartoons is not just for the kids. 
• Ice cream is better than cake. 
• Everyone should try a new hobby. 
• Sports are more fun than studying. 
• Pizza is the best food in the world. 
• Trips with friends are more enjoyable. 
• Art should be done by everyone. 

FOOD AND DRINK 

• French fries taste better with ice cream.
• Tacos are tastier than sandwiches. 
• Pineapples do not belong to Pizza. 
• Chocolate is the best day for any bad day. 
• Coffee is more important than breakfast. 
• Deserts are a must after dinner. 

SCHOOL AND LEARNING 

• Teachers should let students teach a class once a month. 
• Homework should not be given on a regular basis. 
• Summer vacations should not have any in-school activities
• Grades and snacks should have balanced time. 
• Eating should not be allowed in the classroom

RANDOM AND FUN

• Everyone should have a funny hat day once a week. 
• Laughing at your own jokes makes you funnier. 
• Social media should be able to give out awards for your funny posts. 
• Cats are not afraid of dogs. 
• Laughing at your own jokes makes you funnier. 

CONTROVERSIAL PERSUASIVE TOPICS

• Should climate change policies prioritize economic growth or save Earth?
• Abortion rights and choice should be the decision of the parents. 
• LGBTQ members should be given an opportunity in the mainstream. 
• Child health should be a priority of the state government. 

BEST PERSUASIVE SPEECH TOPICS BY THEME

EDUCATION 

• Is AI making education easier or more difficult?
• How are social media platforms making people more anxious?

SOCIETY AND CULTURE 

• Are self-driving cars safe?
• Technology and Privacy 
• Should tattoos be considered unprofessional? 
• School teaching Sex Education
• Home schooling better than traditional schooling?

ENVIRONMENT

• Deforestation 
• Endangered Species Need Protection 
• Ecology Tourism 
• Importance of a sustainable lifestyle 

MENTAL HEALTH 

• Workplace Mental Health 
• Breaking Stigma on Mental Health 
• Media Portrayals of myth on mental illness. 
• Stress Reduction: A New Norm 

SPORTS & HEALTH 

• How technology is reshaping the future of sports. 
• Banning of violent sports 
• Equal pay and media coverage for women’s sports.

Bonus Tip: Find out some of the most used Debate Topics for Students to help you score well in your academics.

How to pick the best persuasive speech topic?

Well, a strong and engaging topic is all it takes to make a presentation memorable and effective. However, if you're not well-prepared, you cannot do much about your speech, but nevertheless, persuasive speech topics for college students should have all the components that mark it as the ‘best persuasive speech topics’. Here’s how to pick the best persuasive speech topic: Topic you should be passionate about

Your own interest in the topics for a persuasive speech is as important as the audience's. And if you are passionate about it, then it will be shown in your body language and arguments. See, if you care about the subject, your energy and enthusiasm will capture the right attention towards you. So, select a topic with which you can spark strong feelings in the audience. 

Think about the listeners or the audience, who are all going to be there. A topic that excites one group of people may hardly make an individual take an interest in the topic. 

In creating persuasive speech topic ideas, use topics that can be discussed in a coherent manner ,not the ones that may become too broad. Avoid very general (“Education is important”) or very specific topics or explanations (the effects of one math program somewhere in a single district). Rather than being too specific or too general, find a balance that is particular enough to clearly outline your arguments and broad enough to offer a space in which to bring evidence and discussion to bear.

Click on the link to know about the many formats used in How to Write a Persuasive Essay?

Test the ‘Topic”

Last but not least, test the topic by asking yourself a few questions. 

• Can I put forth my views on both sides of the topic?
• Will it hold the attention of my audience?
• How confident can I be in front of an audience? 
• Do I really have some good ideas that others might embrace?
• What is important to me?

Conclusion

The best persuasive speech topic should be one that balances passion, audience interest, and relevance. When you make the smart choice, then your words become something more than words only; they become the means of inspiration and information that can influence. An appropriate topic will not only make your presentation easier to give, but also will stick with your audience. What are you waiting for? Click on the link to know about the many formats used in How to Write a Persuasive Essay?