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
Armanys Cabrera
/ January 25, 2015How could I start my first paragraph
Mr. Morton
/ January 25, 2015http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/writing/writing-persuasive-essays/#introductory-paragraphs
MEL
/ January 20, 2015This website helped me alot with my essay, Thanks.
Jonathan Sena
/ January 16, 2015So many ideas for a 5 paragraph essay and pros and cons list😃😃
Jonathan Sena
/ January 16, 2015Cool website
Jonathan
/ January 16, 2015I have a lot of ideas for my essay today. 😨😱😱😱😁😁😁😂😂😜
Jonathan
/ January 16, 2015I really love this website.😂😂😂😂
Jonathan
/ January 16, 2015The ideas are vary good ideas for persuasive essays.
ciara
/ January 15, 2015thank you for these options they were really great
Robert
/ January 14, 2015MTV and music videos? When was this list written?
Mr. Morton
/ January 24, 2015Ha ha.
Just Smile
/ January 12, 2015Thank you for the suggestions! So terribly sorry, but I will not use one. The reason is that reading these fabulous suggestions helped me think of one that I greatly think should be addressed.
“Should people be truly affected by hurtful comments on social media?” Being a seventh grader, I, admittedly, am actively participating in social media. This topic definitely rung a bell for me. Tbh, I didn’t even think of this idea until I read through your suggestions! So, thank you. 🙂
Maria
/ January 12, 2015The topic ideas are great and many to chose from. Would you say this list is intended for more junior high level and up? Some of the topics do not seem not age appropriate for elementary school level? I have a 5th grader who’s 10 years old and just wondering if she needs to persaude the reader on topics she knows norhing about?
Aubrey
/ May 8, 2018Honestly, it really depends on how mature and intelligent the child is…
Elizabeth Marouk-Coe
/ January 11, 2015Thanks for all the work you put into it. It’s saving my life on a Sunday night!
dabates!
/ January 9, 2015it is should voting limits be redused to 13 and my belief is no even though i am 13 lol
Samira
/ January 8, 2015This was tremendously helpful. It made finishing homework easy
maggie
/ January 6, 2015i think it should be if you are caught drunk driving they should have it taken away for life
mahmoud
/ December 27, 2014This is an excellent website. Keep it up.
Mr. Morton
/ January 5, 2015Will do.
Kila
/ December 23, 2014Thank you so much for the 101
sarah
/ December 17, 2014thx love the choices. i think imma do Should students have to wear uniforms?
Martina
/ December 14, 2014Great job! It’s a very good list
Jasmine amazing
/ December 2, 2014Wow that is soooo helpful thanks soooo much I am soooo grateful. Lol😜😋❤️❤️😃😄😛
mahmoud
/ November 21, 2014That’s a good website. Please add more good topics
Jerome Gordon
/ November 19, 2014I like number 25
sierra enterline
/ November 19, 2014Thank u
Gabriel M.
/ November 12, 2014I needed help so i went to this website that was recomended by a friend and now i can see why. thank you for the ideas 😀
Pamela
/ November 11, 201440.Should people be allowed to keep pit-bull dogs?
Why is this even an option? If people weren’t allowed to keep pit-bull dogs what would we do with them? Where would they go?!?!?!?!?!?
Meu
/ November 25, 2014It’s there because it’s illegal to keep pit bulls in some cities and towns.
eduardo
/ November 10, 2014good job 🙂
angela
/ November 7, 2014Awesome…thank you! I added this site to my favorites!
Kayla
/ November 7, 2014Great site and awesome topics!
I feel as if there are more school oriented topics than there are with other controversial topics right now, maybe update some of these topics?
eh.
Mr. Morton
/ November 19, 2014That’s a good suggestion. I will update this list when I find some time…
Paige G.
/ November 6, 2014I was looking through this list and sadly my school is being dumb and wont let me do a lot of them. I’m really happy you made this list though, you did a great job. 🙂
Mr. Morton
/ November 19, 2014I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure you’ll come up with something that will appease all parties.
Andrew Owens
/ November 4, 2014should the hospital make you pay for your emergency? think about that
Sarah S
/ November 3, 2014I am a first year English teacher. I love it, but it can get extremely hectic. I wanted to take a moment to send my respect and appreciation to you. Your website has been invaluable to me since student teaching. Your website has such amazing and innovative worksheets; you have saved my time and my sanity. Thank you for your collaborative spirit. I hope to one day do the same with a website of my own.
Best and Highest Regards,
Ms. S
Mr. Morton
/ November 19, 2014Thank you for the kind words. I am committed to improving the site. I wish you the best in all of your efforts.
Stan Yakovlev
/ October 22, 2014I will use all of these for my speech, thank you so much, this saved me a huge amount of time!
katrina
/ October 12, 2014Do you have a list of 100 Narrative and Expository Prompts/Essays like the Persuasive list ???? I really liked that one
Mr. Morton
/ October 22, 2014You have inspired me with your comment:
http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/writing/narrative-essay-topics-and-story-ideas/
http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/writing/research-paper-topics/
Dude Waldner
/ October 2, 2014I love the site!! keep it up!!
Mr. Morton
/ October 6, 2014Will do!
alecia norman
/ September 30, 2014#45.Should celebrities who break the law face stricter penalties?
my answer is: yes!
the reason I say this is because I understand they are famous and they have all the money and fancy cars and afford almost everything in the world (almost). they are still humans and they should still obey the law I mean what makes them better than us then there money? and once there in jail or what ever the judge should say your money isn’t an option and then they can feel what most of all feel, because we do the crime we pay the time not by money but by accepting our fate in life and so should they
hannah
/ October 12, 2014when you know how to use their, there, and they’re appropriately tell me that the rich and famous need to do more time than the rest of us. That made absolutely zero sense. So they have more money? So what? Poor or rich we should all experience the same penalties. Government punishment is based on the crime someone commits. Not their social status, and that’s the logical way for things to work.
alecia norman
/ September 30, 2014#9. should 13 years old be allowed to vote?
my answer is: NO!!!
because of many reasons…. one there still sort of like kids if you want to say there brains ant fully developed enough to make a big decision for our country. another one is they still like to pretend there’s like girly germs and they talk about silly things like monsters and zombies they ant ready just quite yet. I have a thirteen year old sister and a fourteen year old brother and they act more like ten year olds then there own age. so knowing by hand what they are like no I believe the are to young and not ready for this big decision yet.
and that’s why I believe.
cookie monster
/ January 12, 2015well maybe some more mature children(with permission) can vote.
anonymous
/ January 29, 2015I would like to say that I am a 13 year old boy and that I agree with your comment, we should not be allowed to vote, though I (and most likely everyone else) would like it if you were use proper spelling when talking about someones lowered intelligence. There is something called auto-correct that helps very often. (other than when texting)
Ethan
/ September 24, 2014To whomever it might concern:
On number 75 it says “should teens over the age of 13 be allowed into R rated movies?”
I wondered if it was intended to say “should teens UNDER the age of thirteen be allowed into R rated movies. I wasn’t sure if that was intentional or not. Correct me if I’m wrong. Other than that this list was great!
Mr. Morton
/ September 25, 2014Well, I actually meant over the age. As in, should kids that are 13 or older be allowed to see R rated movies. You could go the other way too of course.
Lucy Starbuck
/ August 20, 2014Omg thanks! I found so many good topics for school now it’s just up to which one i should pick? Hmmmm… 😉
Hanifat
/ June 25, 2014Its a wonderful list but please what is the meaning of the term speech
Mr. Morton
/ July 9, 2014A speech is writing that is meant to be delivered orally. That is to say, the speaker is intended to read the material out loud to an audience.
flower
/ June 11, 2014there were to many to think of doing!!!
and this is a good website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Morton
/ June 12, 2014Thanks.
Minahil
/ May 21, 2014Nice topics
Minahil
/ May 21, 2014Great topics
Jane O
/ May 20, 2014What is a perssusive piece
Mr. Morton
/ May 30, 2014Probably refers to a “piece” of writing.
In other words: a persuasive essay.
MissMadam
/ June 16, 2014Persuasive means to change someones mind. If someone thinks that age limit of licence should be lowered, you would give a pesuasive comment/writing using strong points to change their mind about it being lowered.
Evan
/ December 9, 2014Thanks now i can pass my EILA class
Jane O
/ May 20, 2014thanx I loved it
lebronking6
/ May 12, 2014this is ver helpful and also i am doing should kids have cell phones in class:YES
Jabe
/ May 5, 2014this is a very good wwebsite for argumentative essays
landre
/ May 5, 2014thanks alot
kalvin
/ April 30, 2014……. -_- boring but still interesting
Mr. Morton
/ May 29, 2014Those words are antonymous.
jeb bush
/ June 15, 2016ROASTED
vanessa
/ April 29, 2014it is is helpful
Kaitlyn Gilbert
/ April 28, 2014I want to do a persuasive paper about whether or not teachers should be allowed to use cell phones in classes. I strongly disagree with it but my English teacher refuses to let me use that topic. Now I don’t know what to do. She has shot every topic I have recommended down, and if I don’t get at least a C in this class I don’t graduate this year. I am a senior in high school and English is my favorite class I love to write but lately I don’t know what to do. I really need help with this subject does anyone have any useful tips for me? I appreciate your time for writing this list Mr. Morton. It was very helpful.
Mr. Morton
/ April 29, 2014Seems like your teacher is a bit prohibitive
when it comes to topic choices.
I would work with him or her directly on finding an
appropriate topic.