101 Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics
By: Mr. Morton
Whether you are a student in need of a persuasive essay topic, or a teacher looking to assign a persuasive essay, this list of 101 persuasive essay topics is a great resource. I taxed my brain to create this huge list of persuasive essay topics relevant to today’s society, but I believe it was worth the effort. Additionally, any of these topics could be applied to a persuasive speech project as well. I appreciate any and all comments or feedback. Thank you for visiting!
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- Should students be allowed to have phones in elementary and high schools?
- Should students have to wear uniforms?
- Should college athletes be paid for playing?
- Should the elderly receive free bus rides?
- Should state colleges be free to attend?
- Should all American citizens have to complete a year of community service?
- Should students be required to take Spanish classes?
- Should marijuana be legal for medicinal purposes?
- Should the voting age be lowered to thirteen?
- Should the driving age be raised to twenty-one?
- Should students be paid for having good grades?
- Should illegal immigrants be allowed to get drivers licenses?
- Should not wearing a seat-belt be illegal?
- Should student’s textbooks be replaced by notebook computers or tablets?
- Should students have to pass a basic skills test to graduate high school?
- Should schools raise money by selling candy and sugary soft drinks to students?
- Should schools serve french-fries and fried potato products to students at lunch?
- Should students’ grades in gym affect their grade point averages?
- Should girls be allowed to play on boys sports teams?
- Should teens be able to buy violent video games?
- Should boys and girls be in separate classes?
- Should teenage girls be allowed to get birth control without the permission of their parents?
- Should our country have free health care?
- Should immigration laws be reformed?
- Should the federal government recognize civil unions?
- Should people who download music and movies illegally be punished?
- Should school athletes have to be on the honor roll to play in games?
- Should music with curse words be allowed at school dances?
- Should public schools begin the day with a silent prayer time?
- Should students be able to listen to music on headphones during study hall?
- Should schools offer fast food options like McDonald’s or Taco Bell?
- Should smoking be allowed at parks and other outdoor public venues?
- Should cities offer free public Wi-Fi?
- Should the government place a tax on junk food and fatty snacks?
- Should the 2nd amendment give citizens the right to own assault weaponry?
- Should people traveling in airplanes have to undergo intensive security screenings?
- Should genetically modified foods be sold with a warning label?
- Should teachers have to pass a basic skills test every ten years to renew their certification?
- Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals like chimpanzees or tigers?
- Should people be allowed to keep pit-bull dogs?
- Should the city offer a bike sharing program?
- Should there be an ordinance citing people who fail to recycle $50?
- Should there be an ordinance citing people who play music too loudly $50?
- Should prostitution be legalized and regulated by the government?
- Should celebrities who break the law face stricter penalties?
- Should the government increase spending on the space program?
- Should larger passengers have to pay for two plane or movie theater tickets?
- Should children have to use booster seats in cars?
- Should people have to get a license to become parents?
- Should there be tougher federal restrictions for content on the internet?
- Should people be allowed to curse on daytime television?
- Should owners be legally accountable for clearing snow from sidewalks on their property?
- Should sexual education be taught in public schools?
- Should students be able to get free condoms at school?
- Should students who commit cyber-bullying be suspended from school?
- Should corporations be allowed to advertise in schools?
- Should students be allowed to eat during class?
- Should more be done to protect and preserve endangered animals?
- Is it appropriate for students and teachers to be friends on Facebook?
- Should students have open campus lunch periods?
- Should abortions be legal?
- Should abortions be legal in cases of rape and incest?
- Should the death penalty be used to punish violent criminals?
- Should students learn about world religions in public schools?
- Should schools start later in the morning?
- Should the USA end overseas military operations?
- Should politicians be allowed to accept campaign contributions from corporate lobbyists?
- Should people with terminal illnesses have the right to doctor assisted suicides?
- Should Puerto Rico become a state?
- Should stem cell researchers be able to use stem cells from aborted babies to cure diseases?
- Should school athletes have to take drug tests?
- Should professional athletes have to take drug tests?
- Should America convert to the metric system?
- Should high school students have to complete community service hours to graduate?
- Should teens over 13 years of age be allowed into R rated movies?
- Should state tests be given in other languages for ESL students?
- Should scientists be allowed to test products intended for human use on animals?
- Should unhealthy fast food products be sold with a warning label?
- Should there be a tariff or tax on products manufactured outside of the country?
- Should students or teachers receive money for scoring well on standardized tests?
- Should everyone under the age of 17 have a 9:00 PM curfew?
- Should schools with low scores on standardized tests be closed?
- Should minors be allowed to drink alcoholic beverages in their homes with their parents’ consent?
- Should students be allowed to drop out before they turn 18 years old?
- Should alcohol manufacturers be allowed to advertise on television?
- Should students as young as fourteen be allowed to hold jobs?
- Should American families have a two child max rule to limit population growth?
- Should children younger than thirteen be allowed to watch MTV or music videos?
- Should people who are caught driving drunk lose their licenses for a year?
- Should students who fail their classes be retained and have to repeat the grade?
- Should large businesses and corporations be required to employ a number of minorities proportionate to the population?
- Should female construction workers earn the same wages as males?
- Should children in temporary living situations with a 3.0 GPA earn free college tuition?
- Should gambling and sports-betting be illegal or should the government regulate it?
- Should children who commit violent crimes be tried as adults?
- Should the government be allowed to detain suspected terrorists without trial?
- Should the government censor internet content deemed inappropriate?
- Should teachers have to wear uniforms or have a dress code?
- Should teachers be allowed to have cell phones in the classroom?
- Should the state execute dogs that have bitten someone?
- Should talking on a phone without a hands-free device while driving be illegal?
These essay topics ought to be enough to get you started.
Looking For Something Else?
How to Write Persuasive Essays
How to Write Narrative Essays
Narrative Essay Topics
Research Paper Topics
Liz
/ November 15, 2011Thank you so much for these ideas!!! I have been thinking about it all week and could not come up with any good ideas!!! This list is definitely a life saver!!!! 😀
shelby
/ November 15, 2011this is really helpfull !!! <3
Melissa
/ November 14, 2011So helpful! i have to do a persuasive research paper on something of local importance. I’m still confused on the assignment, but at least i have found a topic. Do you think I could write enough on the inappropriateness of teachers and students being friends on facebook?
Mr. Morton
/ November 14, 2011I think that’s definitely a topic of local importance, especially if you attend a school where teachers have Facebook pages. Also, the topic is debatable. Thanks for visiting.
kristina
/ November 12, 2011drugtest to be on welfare?
Mr. Morton
/ November 14, 2011Well, that’s certainly controversial.
Waller
/ November 10, 2011Thank you so much i finally have a persuasive speech topic!!!! it helped a ton 🙂
kitty
/ November 10, 2011Thank- you for sharing these ideas, and for the links. I’m new in college level English composition, and was having an awful time singling out something to write about. kitty
Tearaa
/ November 9, 2011Thanks so much for this list! I can now complete my thought process for my persuasive essay & get on track and pass my English 11 SOL 🙂 Thankss Bunchesss (again)
Emily
/ November 9, 2011Should children be required to exercise at least twice a week?
Emily
/ November 9, 2011Should a pregnant woman have access to check-ups and sonograms, free of charge, if she cannot afford a doctor’s visit?
BlankSlate
/ November 4, 2011This helped alot 🙂
Austin
/ November 4, 2011thanks now my parents wont kill me 😀
Nick Nat
/ November 3, 2011We’re using this in my Junior English class! lol
zack
/ November 2, 2011i needed a topic to write an essay about and i found atleast twenty topics that i could write my essay about
Mr. Morton
/ November 7, 2011Happy to hear it, Zack. I hope the essay goes well.
Angel
/ November 1, 2011wait the problem is that i need three strong reasons to support my topic. Can someone please help me?????? 🙁
Angel
/ October 30, 2011Thank you very much!! At first my head was blank with nothing and now I have an entire list. Thank you!!!!! 🙂
blanca
/ October 26, 2011thanks alot we are doing an essay and i think i’m going to pass thanks a lot mr.morton i love this 🙂
Ronnie
/ October 25, 2011This is great! I was stressing out in figuring out what topic I should do for my argumentative essay and now I have a topic. No more worries this website saved me from failling my assignment.
anna aguillon
/ October 22, 2011OMG! i thought i never find a topic. But thanks to this page =)) It was hard choosing one, they are all great topics…
Jarve
/ October 21, 2011Man I think they should
Jarve
/ October 21, 2011Should kids in high school and elementary have cell phones in school
Jarve
/ October 21, 2011Should kids be able to vote
Gabriella Juan
/ October 20, 2011Gracias Amigo….Te Amo!!! Adios!!
Malikah
/ October 20, 2011awesome!
Vanessa V.
/ October 19, 2011Thank you so much, Mr. Morton! I just came up with some amazing ideas for my persuasive piece that’s due on Friday! Thank you again,
Vanessa V.
Tori
/ October 19, 2011Thanks so much!
because of this i decided to write a paper about pit-bulls, maybe ill convince a few people that its not the breed’s fault and they can be amazing pets! (:
The animals and I thank you!
Mr. Morton
/ October 19, 2011I’m pleased to hear it. A good persuasive topic will have two sides, each of which could be argued successfully. One could definitely go both ways with this argument, but I hope you write a compelling essay that accomplishes what you intend. Thanks for visiting!
Cody
/ June 20, 2012Pit-Bulls are great pets. they are often shown as extreemly violent dogs though.
It all depends on who the owner of the dog is wether or not they are violent. The fact that they can lock thier jaws in place also makes people fearful of a great type of dog.
Jarve
/ October 18, 2011Why kids can’t wear earrings
Mr. Morton
/ October 19, 2011Interesting suggestion. I think this might fall under school uniform/dress code, but it could be developed as a separate topic. Thanks, Jarve.
Trayvon
/ October 17, 2011Should people be able to keep pets in an apartment?
Samii
/ November 7, 2011I vote yes!!!!!
Rachel
/ October 15, 2011I totally LOVE this website, it has helped me sooo much!! 🙂
Tyler Gates
/ October 13, 2011Thank you I had a C now I have a B!
Mr. Morton
/ October 19, 2011Hey, that’s progress. “B”s are great, but remember that “A”s open doors. Always expect the best from yourself and you just may find it.
FlowerPower
/ October 9, 2011Thank you so much for this list! It is seriously helpful.
Kylie Ash
/ October 5, 2011wow, i never thought there were so many topics to choose from! over half of these i have never even thought about. it really is a eye opener, thanks!
Angela Warren
/ October 4, 2011Here is another topic for your website, this is what I am going to be doing my essay on.
Should parents be held responsible for their minor child’s criminal behavior?
Mr. Morton
/ October 4, 2011Great idea, Angela.
Mac miller.
/ October 3, 2011Dude,this is fresh!
the_girl_with_the_name
/ October 29, 2012wow, nobody says that anymore
Anas
/ September 26, 2011Really, REALLY helpful
thanks a lot for the great help Mr. Morton
Brad
/ September 20, 2011thanks bc I was struggling to think of a topic I wanted to write about….this helped ALOT
Mr. Morton
/ September 22, 2011Awesome.
Happy to help, Brad.
Good luck with the writing process!
ruby Hoffacker
/ September 20, 2011Thank you.
mandy
/ September 15, 2011You wouldn’t have an easy grading rubric for these topics would you???
Mr. Morton
/ September 15, 2011Hi.
I’ve added some essay writing rubrics for you.
Tami
/ September 10, 2011I am not a very creative person and was racking my brain trying to come up with a topic for my English essay. I found several topics from this list that I can definitely work with. Great job and thanks!
Mr. Morton
/ September 13, 2011So happy to hear it, Tami. I’m sure that you’re more creative than you think.
Amy Shin
/ June 9, 2011Hello! Thank you very much! Mr. Morton. It helped me alot!
Mr. Morton
/ June 9, 2011It’s my pleasure, Amy. Thanks for visiting.
Amy Shin
/ June 10, 2011you’re welcome..
and you should try to put more!! 🙂
Saroj Chintakrindis
/ June 28, 2011yes
paul
/ May 24, 2011why is the US buying things from china if we’re that big in debt?
Michael Stewart
/ June 2, 2011because 2$ is like 500 yen and we get like 5,000,000 toys from them then we sell them for like $10 and we make lots of money
Mr. Morton
/ June 2, 2011I believe that the yen is the currency of Japan.
Saroj Chintakrindis
/ June 8, 2011totally
Saroj Chintakrindis
/ June 11, 2011The currency in China is Yuan
Amellia
/ September 21, 2011🙂
Princess
/ November 8, 2011Well, the government is never going to pay the debt off, so why not just add to it?
Mr. Morton
/ November 8, 2011That’s like saying, “The house isn’t going to stay clean, so stop cleaning.” It’s still worth trying.
Purplecow
/ January 5, 2012I agree with your quote 100%
joshua
/ December 5, 2011Because I’d rather prolong the inevitable than have our economy collapse right now.
Morgan sanders
/ May 23, 2011Thanks so much you guys helped me alot
Kasi
/ May 22, 2011Thanks so much, i’m so glad i found this! Now i can graduate from 8th grade without any worries!!! Life saver! 🙂
Cory Blake
/ May 15, 2011Students should be allowed to take thier cell phones incase of emergancy. For example somebody has died in thier family and thier parents need to contact them,ect. So why should students need to swicth off thier cell phones. So I think teachers should have everyones cell phones on thier desk swicth on and that teachers are allowed to check which e-mails are coming threw
Tami
/ September 10, 2011If there is a true emergency, the student could be contacted the same way they used to do it before there were cell phones. The parents could call the school office and have somebody get the student out of class to let them know of the emergency.
Casie
/ October 5, 2011true that.
high school student
/ November 3, 2011why do that when u can get direct contact and it might be too late if someone is in the hospital
Cody
/ June 20, 2012A couple minutes realy isn’t going to make a diffirence for the person who is not hurt. They will not come to any harm for receiving the message late.
kelly the fish
/ May 24, 2017i agree
High School Student
/ May 15, 2011Thank you so much for conjuring up this helpful list! 😀 I’ve been thinking all afternoon but now I’m confident I have a good topic for my essay!
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!! CCCC:
brandon
/ May 13, 2011this list saved my life now i passed middle school
Evan Richards
/ May 11, 2011thank you so much for this list it saved my life on my last high school essay. now I can pass English class and graduate without any worries!
keirstan
/ May 11, 2011Is it okay to be mean?
sarah
/ October 18, 2011its mean to be mean and nice to be nice
Mr. Morton
/ October 19, 2011Well, yes, but is that always true? What if your friend is a terrible singer but wants to spend $500 to have an interview with a talent agent? Would it be “nice” to act nice, and encourage her to waste her money? Or would it be “nice” to give her a bit of honesty that she might not find so nice?
Zee
/ October 25, 2011It would b nice if u spared her the HUGE embaresment of wasting her money. Also theres ALWAYS a nice way to say things and a NOT NIce way, so be a real friend and tell her as nicely as possible, that her singing is not good. Just b kind, and dont b shy!!
ashwin
/ November 8, 2011That comes from the heart
sarah
/ February 12, 2011Should stereotypes be permitted in schools?
joshua
/ December 5, 2011That is impossible to regulate. You can’t regulate what people think, which is disallowing stereotypes in schools trys to do. The only way this works is if you are speaking from a sand point of no school endorsed stereotypes, and even then it is still immensely difficult to keep track every comment a teacher happens to make about different groups. You can try to have programs that discourage stereotypes, but it is nonsensical to try and ban them.