Here, you’ll find a giant list of persuasive speech topic ideas and examples that are broken down into 10 different categories, from arts and culture to economics to ethics and more—so no matter what guidelines your teacher gave you, you’ll be able to find an interesting speech topic below that fits the bill and will help you nag that A+ you’re after.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

There are multiple factors that make persuasive speech topic ideas better than others. Three major things to think about when choosing a persuasive speech topic from this list are: 1) make sure that the speech topic is something you are interested in learning about, 2) make sure the topic is something that people care about, and 3) make sure you can still make interesting and unique arguments about the particular topic, without it feeling overdone.

Good Persuasive Speech Topics

Arts and Culture Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Are paper books better than e-books?
  • Should graffiti be considered art?
  • Should all students be required to learn an instrument in school?
  • Should offensive language be removed from works of classic literature?
  • Should all national museums be free to citizens?
  • Should art and music therapy be covered by health insurance?
  • How can writing a journal help you become a better person?
  • Does watching reality television affect people’s mental health?
  • Can action movies cause unwanted stress?
  • Should an artist comply with the rules set by society while working on a project?
  • Why reading an informational article in a list form is easier.

Economics Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Should all interns be paid for their work?
  • Why should imported products come with an extra tax?
  • Should employees receive bonuses for walking or biking to work?
  • Should people over the age of 65 be able to access public transport for free?
  • Should the federal minimum wage be increased?
  • What are the hazards of the trade deficit with China?
  • Should tipping in restaurants be mandatory?
  • Why should consumers buy products manufactured in their own country?
  • Should Black Friday sales be allowed to start on Thanksgiving?
  • Will Brexit hurt or help the UK’s economy?

Education Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Should students who bully others be expelled?
  • Should boys and girls be taught in separate classrooms?
  • Should grades in gym class hold an effect on a student’s GPA? -  Should high schools mandate a certain number of volunteer hours for students?
  • Should teachers get a bonus when their students score well on standardized tests?
  • Should children of undocumented immigrants be allowed to attend public schools? -  Should schools prohibit the use of cell phones on school grounds?
  • Should high school students be allowed to leave school during lunch breaks?
  • Should elementary schools teach at least one foreign language?
  • Should Greek life at colleges be abolished?

Ethics Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Is wearing fur unethical?
  • Should prostitution be legalized?
  • What is the solution for the mistreatment of farm and circus animals?
  • Should guns be allowed on college campuses?
  • Should terminally ill individuals have access to Euthanasia?
  • Should people be required to shovel snow from the sidewalks in front of their house?
  • Should product testing on animals be required?
  • Should white supremacist groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
  • Should ethics be taught as a mandatory high school class?
  • Should beauty pageants for children be banned?
  • Do parents deceive children by telling them about Santa Claus?

Government and Politics Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Should the government spend more money on developing high-speed rail lines and less on building new roads?
  • Should voters with no party affiliation be allowed to vote in primary elections?
  • Who was the best American president?
  • Popular vote vs. Electoral College.
  • Should Scotland declare independence from the United Kingdom?
  • DNA evidence in criminal cases: is it enough?
  • Should the President be allowed to serve more than two terms?
  • Capital punishment: right or wrong?
  • Should Puerto Rico become the 51st state?

Health Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Should minors be able to purchase birth control without their parent’s consent?
  • Conventional vs organic produce: does it really make a difference on your health?
  • Should governments tax soda and other sugary drinks and use the revenue for public health?
  • Should we teach yoga and meditation in public schools?
  • Should high schools provide free condoms to students?
  • Should massages be seen as necessities rather than luxuries?
  • Should hiding or lying about your HIV status with someone you’re sleeping with be illegal?
  • Keto vs Paleo vs Vegan: which diet is better?
  • Should a patient be allowed to deny medical care?
  • Should the US switch to single-payer health care?

Religion Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Should religious organizations be required to pay taxes?
  • Should the religious slaughter of animals be banned?
  • Is atheism a problem of the 21st century?
  • Should religion be taught as a high school subject?
  • Should the Church of Scientology be exempt from paying taxes?
  • Should religious leaders be involved in politics?
  • Should priests be allowed to get married?
  • Should women be allowed to be priests?
  • Should public prayer be allowed in schools?
  • Should countries be allowed to only accept refugees with certain religious beliefs?

Sports Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Should college athletes be paid?
  • Should parents let their children play tackle football?
  • Do college students need more time off?
  • Should schools be required to teach all students how to swim?
  • Can the Olympics be treated as a philosophy?
  • Are there any cases when athletes should be allowed to use steroids?
  • What are the benefits of the Paralympics?
  • Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
  • Summer Olympics vs Winter Olympics: which one is better?
  • Is there any connection between sports and violent behavior?

Technology Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Will robots reduce or increase human employment opportunities?
  • Does technology make kids lazy?
  • What age should children be allowed to have a cell phone?
  • Does electronic use make people less creative?
  • Is Net Neutrality a good thing or a bad thing?
  • Are search engines replacing libraries?
  • Do violent video games encourage players to become violent in real life?
  • Should online music be free of charge?
  • Should all new buildings be energy efficient?
  • What is the influence of technology on humanity’s future?

History Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Was Galileo a heretic?
  • The conspiracy theories about Shakespeare’s work.
  • What was the real cause of the American Civil War?
  • How smart were the Ancient Egyptians?
  • Who was the first real feminist?
  • The role of women in ancient cultures.
  • Are the methods experts use to verify the likelihood of historical data really adequate?
  • Should Tesla be acknowledged more than Edison with regards to who did more work inventing electricity?
  • Did the Vietnam war happen as a result of poor communication between rebels and the US military?
  • Has Puritanism influenced modern American culture? Check out:Public Speaking Tips100 Back-to-School Quotes28 Free Learning Apps250 Deep Questions to Ask

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