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Good persuasive speech topics

By: Susan Dugdale 

You want good persuasive speech topics and, fortunately I've got quite a few here.☺

My list of 91 is below.

However, whether they are good for you and your audience is something to seriously think about before making your final choice.

What's on this page:

• How to be sure you are choosing the best persuasive topic 
• What makes a good persuasive speech topic?
• How to use this list of persuasive topics effectively
• How to 'angle' or position a topic to fit your audience with examples
• 91 good persuasive speech topics grouped by theme 
  
• Links to more persuasive speech resources 
  
  

How to be sure you are choosing the best persuasive topic

To be sure you make an informed decision, before settling on a subject, check the guidelines about what makes a good persuasive speech topic and the "how to" examples, as well as the list itself.

(Hint- a not so subtle one: The absolutely best way to use my list is as a prompt to get your own creative juices working. That tip, combined with the series questions in the infographic below will help you cut through the time you spend dithering about trying to decide what topic to do.)

What makes a persuasive speech topic good?

A persuasive speech topic is good if it:

• is a fit with you - You already know something about it, or you're really interested in finding out more, and you know what want you to achieve through giving the speech.
  
  
• fits with the audience - Are they interested in it? Does it benefit them in anyway? How is it of value to them? Can you make it appealing? If it's an old topic, (one that has been covered a "million times" before like lowering the voting age or raising the penalties for being intoxicated while driving), can you make it fresh and interesting? Have you got something new to say?
  
  
• generates multiple points of view - There are strongly held points both for and against the topic. If a topic does not generate differences of opinion, there is nothing to persuade the audience that they should change their minds about because everybody is in already agreement with each other.  
  
  
• can be researched and prepared within the time frame you need the speech for
  
  
• fits the criteria and the purpose of your speech - set by yourself, your teacher, club, the organization who hired you to speak ...

Use the series of questions in the infographic below to narrow down your search for a good topic. As I've said, the winner is the topic with the highest number of YES answers.

How to use this list of persuasive topics effectively

Treat each idea as a starting point - a hook to give your brain something to latch on to.

As you scan the list look for the speech topics triggering more than a flicker of interest.

Stop and consider those more carefully.  Examine the topic from as many angles as you can. Apply imagination. Shake, rattle and roll that idea around and use the questions in the infographic to see whether it fits your needs.

And remember, any topic can be handled multiple ways.

Same persuasive topics - different treatments

Here are two topics that have been given two different angles to meet the needs of two different audiences.

• Topic 1: 'that voice matters - the quality our voice influences how we are responded to'. Example 1., Example 2.
• Topic 2: 'that social media affects mental health'. Example 1., Example 2.

"Voice Matters: that the quality of a teacher's voice impacts student behavior and learning" - (Example 1)

The Intended Audience: teachers - new and experienced

Speaker Credibility: many years of teaching English and drama, plus public speaking experience

Speech Angle: to persuade the listeners (teachers) that how their voices sound in their student's ears influences how their students behave and ultimately how they learn. Mastering vocal techniques can improve classroom management and student outcomes.

Specific Speech Purpose: to have them sign up for a voice workshop

Main ideas:

• Voice image - how we are perceived by others is influenced by voice quality. This in turn impacts on how we are responded to.
  (Do check the link. It really is interesting how much voice quality influences our lives.)
  
• What is a good quality voice?
  What personality or character traits are attributed to a person who has a good voice? Use sound clips to demonstrate. Ask for suggestions from the floor. How could that affect students?
  
• What is a poor-quality voice?
  Use sound clips to demonstrate. What do people assume about the speaker with that type of voice? How could that affect students?
• Can voice quality or voice image be changed?
  Why would you do/not do that? Provide researched examples of before and after work on voice.
  
• Consequences of working on voice quality
  Better classroom atmosphere, more on-target behavior, less time off with voice strain, less stress...
  *For sound, trustworthy information on how voice quality impacts on student learning please visit my page: How is your teaching voice? You'll find links to academic studies, and more. Voice quality matters a great deal.
  
• How to work on voice image - outline of action and timeline involved
  
• Sign up for workshop and ongoing public speaking course

"Voice Matters: that a good phone voice will open doors" (Example 2)

Audience: job seekers

Speaker Credibility: senior recruitment specialist for a major firm in town

Speech Angle: to persuade listeners that the quality of their phone voice, (how they say what they say) when they call to inquire about an advertised position, can influence whether or not they secure an interview.  A great phone voice isn’t just a skill—it’s an advantage. 

Specific Speech Purpose: to have the seekers sign up for course on phone skills to get the appointment, career opportunities, connections they want.

Main Ideas: 

• Confidence & Professionalism: A steady, well-paced voice creates a strong first impression.
• Clarity & Engagement: Speaking too fast or too softly can make you seem unsure or unprepared.
• Building Trust: A warm, articulate tone helps create instant connections.
• Getting Noticed: Recruiters and clients are more likely to remember and respond to a strong phone presence.
  
  

Social media and mental health: that parents need to protect their children's mental health by limiting their exposure to social media (Example1)

Audience: parents of teenagers

Topic Angle: that parents need to protect their children's mental health by limiting their exposure to social media 

Speaker credibility: concerned parent of teenagers

Speech purpose: to have parents educate themselves about the influences of social media and devise a plan with their teens to actively manage what, and how much of it, they consume.   

Main Ideas:

• Comparison Culture: Social media creates unrealistic beauty and lifestyle standards, leading to self-esteem issues.
• Addiction & Sleep Disruption: Endless scrolling keeps kids glued to their screens, affecting sleep and focus.
• Cyberbullying & Online Pressure: Instant feedback culture can cause stress, anxiety, and even depression.
• Parental Role: Monitoring screen time, promoting digital detoxes, and encouraging open conversations can help.

Here's a good place to start your research if you're interested in the topic: Social media harms teenagers mental health, mounting evidence show. What now?

Social media and mental health: that teenagers can take control of how they use social media to protect their own mental well-being (Example 2)

Audience: teenagers

Speech angle: that you can take control of how you use social media to protect your own mental well-being 

Speaker Credibility: a peer - also a teenager

Speech purpose: to encourage teenagers to make a plan to actively manage what social media, and how much of it, they use. 

Main ideas:

• Social Comparison Trap: Seeing curated versions of others’ lives can lead to anxiety and self-doubt.
• Doomscrolling & Stress: Constant exposure to negative news can heighten stress and feelings of helplessness.
• Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) & Social Pressure: The pressure to post, engage, and stay ‘relevant’ can create anxiety.
• Practical Solutions: Setting screen time limits, unfollowing toxic accounts, and practicing mindful social media use.

91+ good persuasive speech topics

Persuasive speech topics on social issues

1. Freedom of speech and censorship.
2. Gender equality and feminism.
3. Racism and discrimination.
4. Social media’s impact on society.
5. Body positivity vs. health concerns.
6. Sport is the new religion.
7. Protests are effective.
8. Single people should be allowed to adopt a child.
9. Adoption of other-race children should be encouraged.
10. Discrimination makes you stronger.
11. Swearing has lost its shock value.
12. Religion has no place in schools.
13. Age gives a face character.
14. Immigration laws are there to protect us.
15. We should buy locally to support our communities.
16. Everyone should have the right to wear what they wish.

Persuasive speech ideas on education

1. The benefits/drawbacks of standardized testing.
2. Should college be free?
3. The effectiveness of online learning vs. in-person learning.
4. The importance of financial literacy in schools.
5. Should homework be banned?
6. Should schools require uniforms?
7. Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling?
8. Private education/schools promote elitism.
9. The quality of our voice matters.
10. Manners are essential.

Good persuasive speech topics on health and wellness

1. Should junk food be taxed?
2. The pros and cons of veganism
3. Is the wellness industry a scam?
4. The impact of social media on mental health
5. Should healthcare be free for everyone?
6. Is alternative medicine effective or dangerous?
7. Children should not be allowed mind-altering drugs of any sort.
8. Assisted suicide should be made legal.
9. Diets do more harm than good.
10. Food does not make you fat.
11. Allowing yourself to have fun is good for your health.
12. Addiction is an illness, not a crime. Alcoholics or drug addicts do not belong in prison.
13. Advances in medicine are not necessarily good for us.

Technology & innovation persuasive speech topics

1. Should AI replace human jobs?
2. The dangers of deepfakes
3. Should social media platforms be regulated?
4. Is technology making us smarter or lazier?
5. Are self-driving cars safe?
6. Should there be age restrictions on social media?
7. Drones need to be regulated to protect privacy.
8. Big Brother is more alive and well every day.

Persuasive speech ideas on politics & government

1. Should voting be mandatory?
2. The pros and cons of universal basic income.
3. The role of government in climate change.
4. Should there be term limits for politicians?
5. Gun control laws: Stricter or more lenient?
6. Should the drinking age be lowered or raised?
7. Should the U.S. adopt stricter immigration policies?
8. There should be tough laws against drugged driving.
9. Truth and politics seldom mix.
10. All guns should be registered.
11. Government benefits weaken a country.
12. Multi-national corporates should be outlawed.
13. Safety legislation leads to diminished personal responsibility.
14. Community service should be compulsory for everyone.

Environment and sustainability

1. The pros and cons of nuclear energy.
2. Is fast fashion destroying the planet?
3. Should zoos be banned?
4. Are electric cars the solution to climate change?
5. Should governments enforce a meat tax to reduce carbon emissions?
6. Should bottled water be banned?
7. Cars and city centers should not mix.
8. Oil drilling is dangerous for the environment.
9. Organic farming is the way for the future.
10. Plastic packaging should be banned.

Ethics and Morality

1. Should the death penalty be abolished?
2. Is cancel culture fair or harmful?
3. Should animal testing be banned?
4. Is lying ever justifiable?
5. Should parents be punished for their children’s crimes?
6. Love is not a defense or an excuse.
7. Good or right thinking is a matter of opinion.
8. To be vegan is the only right and moral way to live.
9. Arranged marriages have more chance of succeeding.
10. A young single girl who has a child should give it up for adoption.
11. Birth control should be compulsory for people with genetically inheritable diseases.

Business & economy

1. Should the minimum wage be raised?
2. Is remote work the future?
3. Should billionaires exist?
4. Should companies be responsible for employees' mental health?
5. The impact of influencer marketing on consumer choices.
6. Is capitalism the best economic system?
7. Should employees have a four-day workweek?
8. Exploitative advertising should be banned.
9. A big brand doesn't necessarily mean big value.

More persuasive speech resources

For help turning your good persuasive speech topic into a fully fledged speech check these pages:

• Persuasive speech outline
  Find out how to prepare an excellent speech outline using the classic persuasive speech structure: the 5 steps of Monroe's Motivated Sequence, (fully explained with an example speech)  and then download a blank speech outline to complete.
• How to write a persuasive speech
  Step by step easily followed instructions for refining your outline into an effective speech.

Another 822 persuasive speech topic ideas

If you haven't found the persuasive topic you want yet, check these pages: 

• 100 persuasive speech ideas, 
• 309 'easy' persuasive speech topics  
• 105 fun persuasive speech topics
• 310 persuasive speech topics for college
• 108 feminist persuasive speech topics

• And last but not least, read a sample persuasive speech that follows the persuasive speech outline referenced above.
  Please note though before you go to that page the subject is somber: the impact of suicide on families.