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113 Perfect Persuasive Essay Topics for Any Assignment

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Do you need to write a persuasive essay but aren’t sure what topic to focus on? Were you thrilled when your teacher said you could write about whatever you wanted but are now overwhelmed by the possibilities? We’re here to help!

Read on for a list of 113 top-notch persuasive essay topics, organized into ten categories. To help get you started, we also discuss what a persuasive essay is, how to choose a great topic, and what tips to keep in mind as you write your persuasive essay.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

In a persuasive essay, you attempt to convince readers to agree with your point of view on an argument. For example, an essay analyzing changes in Italian art during the Renaissance wouldn’t be a persuasive essay, because there’s no argument, but an essay where you argue that Italian art reached its peak during the Renaissance would be a persuasive essay because you’re trying to get your audience to agree with your viewpoint.

Persuasive and argumentative essays both try to convince readers to agree with the author, but the two essay types have key differences. Argumentative essays show a more balanced view of the issue and discuss both sides. Persuasive essays focus more heavily on the side the author agrees with. They also often include more of the author’s opinion than argumentative essays, which tend to use only facts and data to support their argument.

All persuasive essays have the following:

Introduction: Introduces the topic, explains why it’s important, and ends with the thesis.
Thesis: A sentence that sums up what the essay be discussing and what your stance on the issue is.
Reasons you believe your side of the argument: Why do you support the side you do? Typically each main point will have its own body paragraph.
Evidence supporting your argument: Facts or examples to back up your main points. Even though your opinion is allowed in persuasive essays more than most other essays, having concrete examples will make a stronger argument than relying on your opinion alone.
Conclusion: Restatement of thesis, summary of main points, and a recap of why the issue is important.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

Theoretically, you could write a persuasive essay about any subject under the sun, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Certain topics are easier to write a strong persuasive essay on, and below are tips to follow when deciding what you should write about.

It’s a Topic You Care About

Obviously, it’s possible to write an essay about a topic you find completely boring. You’ve probably done it! However, if possible, it’s always better to choose a topic that you care about and are interested in. When this is the case, you’ll find doing the research more enjoyable, writing the essay easier, and your writing will likely be better because you’ll be more passionate about and informed on the topic.

You Have Enough Evidence to Support Your Argument

Just being passionate about a subject isn’t enough to make it a good persuasive essay topic, though. You need to make sure your argument is complex enough to have at least two potential sides to root for, and you need to be able to back up your side with evidence and examples. Even though persuasive essays allow your opinion to feature more than many other essays, you still need concrete evidence to back up your claims, or you’ll end up with a weak essay.

For example, you may passionately believe that mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best ice cream flavor (I agree!), but could you really write an entire essay on this? What would be your reasons for believing mint chocolate chip is the best (besides the fact that it’s delicious)? How would you support your belief? Have enough studies been done on preferred ice cream flavors to support an entire essay? When choosing a persuasive essay idea, you want to find the right balance between something you care about (so you can write well on it) and something the rest of the world cares about (so you can reference evidence to strengthen your position).

It’s a Manageable Topic

Bigger isn’t always better, especially with essay topics. While it may seem like a great idea to choose a huge, complex topic to write about, you’ll likely struggle to sift through all the information and different sides of the issue and winnow them down to one streamlined essay. For example, choosing to write an essay about how WWII impacted American life more than WWI wouldn’t be a great idea because you’d need to analyze all the impacts of both the wars in numerous areas of American life. It’d be a huge undertaking. A better idea would be to choose one impact on American life the wars had (such as changes in female employment) and focus on that. Doing so will make researching and writing your persuasive essay much more feasible.

List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you’ll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, “should fracking be legal?” you’d decide whether you believe fracking should be legal or illegal, then you’d write an essay arguing all the reasons why your audience should agree with you.

Arts/Culture

Should students be required to learn an instrument in school?
Did the end of Game of Thrones fit with the rest of the series?
Can music be an effective way to treat mental illness?
With e-readers so popular, have libraries become obsolete?
Are the Harry Potter books more popular than they deserve to be?
Should music with offensive language come with a warning label?
What’s the best way for museums to get more people to visit?
Should students be able to substitute an art or music class for a PE class in school?
Are the Kardashians good or bad role models for young people?
Should people in higher income brackets pay more taxes?
Should all high school students be required to take a class on financial literacy?
Is it possible to achieve the American dream, or is it only a myth?
Is it better to spend a summer as an unpaid intern at a prestigious company or as a paid worker at a local store/restaurant?
Should the United States impose more or fewer tariffs?
Should college graduates have their student loans forgiven?
Should restaurants eliminate tipping and raise staff wages instead?
Should students learn cursive writing in school?
Which is more important: PE class or music class?
Is it better to have year-round school with shorter breaks throughout the year?
Should class rank be abolished in schools?
Should students be taught sex education in school?
Should students be able to attend public universities for free?
What’s the most effective way to change the behavior of school bullies?
Are the SAT and ACT accurate ways to measure intelligence?
Should students be able to learn sign language instead of a foreign language?
Do the benefits of Greek life at colleges outweigh the negatives?
Does doing homework actually help students learn more?
Why do students in many other countries score higher than American students on math exams?
Should parents/teachers be able to ban certain books from schools?
What’s the best way to reduce cheating in school?
Should colleges take a student’s race into account when making admissions decisions?
Should there be limits to free speech?
Should students be required to perform community service to graduate high school?
Should convicted felons who have completed their sentence be allowed to vote?
Should gun ownership be more tightly regulated?
Should recycling be made mandatory?
Should employers be required to offer paid leave to new parents?
Are there any circumstances where torture should be allowed?
Should children under the age of 18 be able to get plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons?
Should white supremacy groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
Does making abortion illegal make women more or less safe?
Does foreign aid actually help developing countries?
Are there times a person’s freedom of speech should be curtailed?
Should people over a certain age not be allowed to adopt children?

Government/Politics

Should the minimum voting age be raised/lowered/kept the same?
Should Puerto Rico be granted statehood?
Should the United States build a border wall with Mexico?
Who should be the next person printed on American banknotes?
Should the United States’ military budget be reduced?
Did China’s one child policy have overall positive or negative impacts on the country?
Should DREAMers be granted US citizenship?
Is national security more important than individual privacy?
What responsibility does the government have to help homeless people?
Should the electoral college be abolished?
Should the US increase or decrease the number of refugees it allows in each year?
Should privately-run prisons be abolished?
Who was the most/least effective US president?
Will Brexit end up helping or harming the UK?

What’s the best way to reduce the spread of Ebola?
Is the Keto diet a safe and effective way to lose weight?
Should the FDA regulate vitamins and supplements more strictly?
Should public schools require all students who attend to be vaccinated?
Is eating genetically modified food safe?
What’s the best way to make health insurance more affordable?
What’s the best way to lower the teen pregnancy rate?
Should recreational marijuana be legalized nationwide?
Should birth control pills be available without a prescription?
Should pregnant women be forbidden from buying cigarettes and alcohol?
Why has anxiety increased in adolescents?
Are low-carb or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
What caused the destruction of the USS Maine?
Was King Arthur a mythical legend or actual Dark Ages king?
Was the US justified in dropping atomic bombs during WWII?
What was the primary cause of the Rwandan genocide?
What happened to the settlers of the Roanoke colony?
Was disagreement over slavery the primary cause of the US Civil War?
What has caused the numerous disappearances in the Bermuda triangle?
Should nuclear power be banned?
Is scientific testing on animals necessary?
Do zoos help or harm animals?
Should scientists be allowed to clone humans?
Should animals in circuses be banned?
Should fracking be legal?
Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets?
What’s the best way to reduce illegal poaching in Africa?
What is the best way to reduce the impact of global warming?
Should euthanasia be legalized?
Is there legitimate evidence of extraterrestrial life?
Should people be banned from owning aggressive dog breeds?
Should the United States devote more money towards space exploration?
Should the government subsidize renewable forms of energy?
Is solar energy worth the cost?
Should stem cells be used in medicine?
Is it right for the US to leave the Paris Climate Agreement?
Should athletes who fail a drug test receive a lifetime ban from the sport?
Should college athletes receive a salary?
Should the NFL do more to prevent concussions in players?
Do PE classes help students stay in shape?
Should horse racing be banned?
Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
Should children younger than 18 be allowed to play tackle football?
Are the costs of hosting an Olympic Games worth it?
Can online schools be as effective as traditional schools?
Do violent video games encourage players to be violent in real life?
Should facial recognition technology be banned?
Does excessive social media use lead to depression/anxiety?
Has the rise of translation technology made knowing multiple languages obsolete?
Was Steve Jobs a visionary or just a great marketer?
Should social media be banned for children younger than a certain age?
Which 21st-century invention has had the largest impact on society?
Are ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft good or bad for society?
Should Facebook have done more to protect the privacy of its users?
Will technology end up increasing or decreasing inequality worldwide?

Tips for Writing a Strong Persuasive Essay

After you’ve chosen the perfect topic for your persuasive essay, your work isn’t over. Follow the three tips below to create a top-notch essay.

Do Your Research

Your argument will fall apart if you don’t fully understand the issue you’re discussing or you overlook an important piece of it. Readers won’t be convinced by someone who doesn’t know the subject, and you likely won’t persuade any of them to begin supporting your viewpoint. Before you begin writing a single word of your essay, research your topic thoroughly. Study different sources, learn about the different sides of the argument, ask anyone who’s an expert on the topic what their opinion is, etc. You might be tempted to start writing right away, but by doing your research, you’ll make the writing process much easier when the time comes.

Make Your Thesis Perfect

Your thesis is the most important sentence in your persuasive essay. Just by reading that single sentence, your audience should know exactly what topic you’ll be discussing and where you stand on the issue. You want your thesis to be crystal clear and to accurately set up the rest of your essay. Asking classmates or your teacher to look it over before you begin writing the rest of your essay can be a big help if you’re not entirely confident in your thesis.

Consider the Other Side

You’ll spend most of your essay focusing on your side of the argument since that’s what you want readers to come away believing. However, don’t think that means you can ignore other sides of the issue. In your essay, be sure to discuss the other side’s argument, as well as why you believe this view is weak or untrue. Researching all the different viewpoints and including them in your essay will increase the quality of your writing by making your essay more complete and nuanced.

Summary: Persuasive Essay Ideas

Good persuasive essay topics can be difficult to come up with, but in this guide we’ve created a list of 113 excellent essay topics for you to browse. The best persuasive essay ideas will be those that you are interested in, have enough evidence to support your argument, and aren’t too complicated to be summarized in an essay.

After you’ve chosen your essay topic, keep these three tips in mind when you begin writing:

Do your research
Make your thesis perfect
Consider the other side

What's Next?

Need ideas for a research paper topic as well? Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you.

Thinking about taking an AP English class? Read our guide on AP English classes to learn whether you should take AP English Language or AP English Literature (or both!)

Deciding between the SAT or ACT? Find out for sure which you will do the best on . Also read a detailed comparison between the two tests .

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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23 Persuasive writing Topics for High School students

Persuasive Writing Topics for High School Students

Writing a persuasive essay can be difficult for teachers and students if you don’t have a great idea to help get those creative juices flowing. These prompts cover a range of issues and topics that are pertinent to middle school and high school students and can be easily adapted to work with a topic you have been teaching in your own class.

Students really enjoy the opportunity to try and change the world in which they live, and hopefully, these prompts might be a great starting point.

Remember that if you are looking for more excellent free resources and structured guides to teach all aspects of English, especially writing, be sure to visit literacyideas.com and check out our vast collection of prompts here.

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117 Great Persuasive Essay Topics for High School Level Students

When working on any essay, the first thing you’ll have to figure out is your topic. In high school, you are supposed to pick the kind of topic you will be able to dig into — that is, you have to make sure you can find enough info on the subject. Sure, today it seems that getting your hands on any kind of information is simple and question how long is a thesis isn't on the table yet. Still, you have to remember that apart from being available, the info you discuss should be engaging. So, that’s something to think about.

Argumentative and persuasive essays are most commonly assigned to high school students. So, there are plenty of papers in public domains that are written in one of these styles — and you can take a look at those if you need some inspiration. When working on an argumentative paper, for example, a student is supposed to present two polar different opinions on the subject and present enough evidence to support each point of view. But simply discussing two sides of the argument is not enough — a writer should also come up with a comprehensible conclusion. The same goes for persuasive essays — after all, the student’s primary goal here is to persuade the reader in his/her point of view.

In fact, a lot of argumentative essays are actually persuasive papers. So, if you’ve written at least one of those, you'll know how to write the other one. If you haven’t, here is a tip for you: choose a topic you feel strongly about. This is the certain way to make sure you will have enough ideas for a truly engaging paper; and, since you feel strongly about the subject, it will be way easier to prove your point of view to the reader.

Another word of advice while choosing a persuasive essay topic is to pick something that would be neither too broad, nor too narrow. Remember that most high school papers are no longer than five pages (often, even shorter than that), so it’s best to choose just one question and focus on it in your work. Also, remember that you will have to provide some factual evidence for your opinion (after all, any academic paper should be supported by academically recognized sources), so do not go for subjects that are purely opinionated and do not have any chance of justification.

Now that we’ve highlighted how important choosing a persuasive topic is for a student, let’s give you some great topic ideas to get you started.

50 Simple Essay Topics for High School

How can a person overcome fear?
Describe a piece of art (book, painting, poem) that changed your life.
Should students evaluate their teachers?
Do standardized tests really reveal student knowledge?
Should there be extra incentives for good grades at school?
Should Gym classes be obligatory?
Should we make our school calendar longer?
Can a class size influence student performance?
Should schools punish inappropriate student behavior?
Is there a connection between real-life violence and video games?
Should illegal immigrants’ children get an education?
Is there a way to deal with bullies in schools?
How reality TV is enforcing dangerous stereotypes
Is pop culture encouraging students not to pursue education?
White lies: what are they and should we really believe them to be innocent?
Should violent video games be sold to minors?
Using cell phones for education: the pros and cons
Should we conceal our real identities on the web?
Technology: distraction or a bonus?
Educational apps: how helpful are they?
Should everyone go for a college education?
The role of affirmative action in the modern world
College admission criteria: is there anything else apart from SAT?
The skinny model stereotype and its pressure on average girls
Do we really have equal rights for men and women?
Why so few girls pursue careers in exact sciences?
Stopping sexual abuse against young women
Should sports bets be legalized?
Can cheerleading be considered a sport?
Homosexual rights for sportsmen
The role of sports in our world
Are sports in the US too commercialized?
The benefits of local sports franchises
Should colleges pay their baseball players?
The debate of the naming rights
How should we treat juvenile offenders?
Pros and cons of death penalty
Leadership and the moral obligations that come with it
A cure against mass shootings
Should we change our gun control policy?
Is there too much digital censorship these days?
Should rich people pay higher taxes?
Government and the confidence we place in it
Privacy Vs. Security: which one comes first?
Should the US monitor its allies and citizens?
Should students be able to pick their teachers?
Is it reasonable to lower the voting age?
How important is fashion?
The appropriate dating age
Can older generation learn from the new one?

50 Persuasive topic ideas for high school

The pros and cons of allowing cell phones in schools
Free state college attendance for the state residents
The pros and cons of marijuana treatment
Is death penalty justifiable for violent offenders?
Should illegal immigrants be granted same rights as citizens?
Airport security: do we really need that many screenings?
Should we allow birth control for minors?
Free condoms at schools: atrocity or necessity?
Should schools separate gym grades from the grade list?
Free wi-fi in the cities: pros and cons
How often should teachers pass qualification tests?
Universal wealthy: how reasonable it is in the US realia?
Animal product testing: ethical vs. practical
Civil unions: should the government recognize them?
Is it reasonable to keep suspected terrorists under custody?
Should students be allowed to bring their music players to school?
Can we charge plus size citizens double ticket fair?
Corporate lobbyists and political campaigns: is their support legal?
Should school dedicate more attention to world religions?
Introducing obligatory community service in schools
Is it safe to keep exotic pets?
Cellphones in the classroom: should the teachers have them?
Violent crimes and minors: should the government treat them as adults?
Should we legalize euthanasia?
Should federal government control and restrict certain content on the Internet?
Sexual education as an obligatory subject in high schools
Should ESL students pass state tests in their native languages?
Can digital devices replace traditional textbooks?
Is it reasonable to test professional sportsmen for drugs?
Should corporate advertising be allowed in schools?
Can students and over be friends on social media?
How ethical it is to use stem cells from aborted children for the research?
Should the USA spend more time on internal affairs and less on overseas issues?
Drunk driving: should we enforce stricter punishment?
Is it ethical for a rape victim to go for an abortion?
Driving without a seat-belt: should it be considered a crime?
Is it necessary for high school sportsmen to take drug tests?
Should schools increase their budgets by selling food and drinks to students?
Is it ethical to advertise alcohol on TV?
Should foreign goods be taxed higher than internal products?
Free bus rides for seniors: do we need them?
Should the government ban sports betting?
Should the government lower the budget for schools that show weak results on SAT?
Would it be reasonable to euthanize dogs that have shown aggressive behavior towards people?
Should we introduce government censorship on certain online content?
Should we lower the minimal working age to 14 years old?
The pros and cons of wearing uniforms in schools
Should we allow getting a driving permit starting the age of 21?
Should schools introduce fast food in their menus?
Should booster seats for children be made obligatory?

12 Controversial Topics for School

Are there any moral grounds that can justify torture?
Should we consider police cameras an invasion of our privacy?
Should we ban tobacco once and for all?
Is the access to condoms affecting teenage irresponsible behavior?
Is the mankind really responsible for global warming?
Is it reasonable to teach creationism in schools?
How fair is our election process?
Should fathers get a paternity leave just as mothers do?
Are parents disrupting their children’s privacy by posting photos online?
Is advertising to children ethical?
Is average CEO salary justifiable?
Should the army promote their programs to high school students?

Best Topics for high school that are interesting and fun to read

The positive aspects of rivalry
The matter of age in a relationship
Is boredom is the surest way to trouble?
Should we increase or lower the drinking age?
Are the college tuition fees too high?

Those are some of the most interesting, opinionated essay topics for high school level. The biggest perk of the above examples is that most of them are based on a student’s opinion. At the same time, most of these topics presuppose some research — so any idea you’re proving will not be without confirmation. If you want to get more inspiration check out exploratory essay topics as well.

The final word of advice would be to pay your attention not only to the topic you choose but also to the way you present and organize your ideas. Do not forget that any essay should have an intro, main body and conclusion. The main body should be divided into a series of logically connected paragraphs, each presenting a certain point.

Finally, if you are to write and essay but have little knowledge or interest in the subject, do not forget that there are plenty of custom essay writers that will gladly do the job for you. Perhaps, the toughest thing to do when looking for an essay writing service or lab report example is determining which of them are reliable and which are not. But, with a little bit of time and patience (and attention to detail, of course), you will have no problem figuring out which service is worth a shot. A tip: these companies usually have a great number of positive customer reviews, are available through multiple support channels and have no problem sharing useful information for free.

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100 Persuasive Essay Topics

M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Persuasive essays are a bit like argument essays , but they tend to be a little kinder and gentler. Argument essays require you to discuss and attack an alternate view, while persuasive essays attempt to convince the reader that you have a believable argument. In other words, you are an advocate, not an adversary.

Writing a compelling persuasive essay requires you to select a topic that ideally stirs your readers' emotions. Before settling on a subject, explore some options to find one that helps craft the strongest and most engaging argument.

Below is a list of potential persuasive essay topics to spark your brainstorming process. You can choose a topic from this list or use it as inspiration to develop an idea of your own.

Main Components of a Persuasive Essay

Introduction : This is the opening paragraph of your essay. It contains the hook , which is used to grab the reader's attention, and the thesis , or argument, which you'll explain in the next section.
Body : This is the heart of your essay, usually three to five paragraphs in length. Each paragraph examines one theme or issue used to support your thesis.
Conclusion : This is the final paragraph of your essay. In it, you'll sum up the main points of the body and connect them to your thesis. Persuasive essays often use the conclusion as a final appeal to the audience.

Learning how to write a persuasive essay is an essential skill people use every day in fields from business to law to media and entertainment. English students can begin writing a persuasive essay at any skill level. You'll surely find a sample topic or two from the list of 100 persuasive essays below, sorted by degree of difficulty.

Watch Now: 12 Ideas for Great Persuasive Essay Topics

Beginner topics.

Kids should get paid for good grades.
Students should have less homework.
Snow days are great for family time.
Penmanship is important.
Short hair is better than long hair.
We should all grow our own vegetables.
We need more holidays.
Aliens probably exist.
Gym class is more important than music class.
Kids should be able to vote.
Kids should get paid for extra activities like sports.
School should take place in the evenings.
Country life is better than city life.
City life is better than country life.
We can change the world.
Skateboard helmets should be mandatory.
We should provide food for the poor.
Children should be paid for doing chores.
We should populate the moon .
Dogs make better pets than cats.

Intermediate Topics

The government should impose household trash limits.
Nuclear weapons are an effective deterrent against foreign attack.
Teens should be required to take parenting classes.
We should teach etiquette in schools.
School uniform laws are unconstitutional.
All students should wear uniforms.
Too much money is a bad thing.
High schools should offer specialized degrees in arts or sciences.
Magazine advertisements send unhealthy signals to young women.
Robocalling should be outlawed.
Age 12 is too young to babysit.
Children should be required to read more.
All students should be allowed to study abroad.
Yearly driving tests should be mandatory past age 65.
Cell phones should never be used while driving.
All schools should implement bullying awareness programs.
Bullies should be kicked out of school.
Parents of bullies should have to pay a fine.
The school year should be longer.
School days should start later.
Teens should be able to choose their bedtime.
There should be a mandatory entrance exam for high school.
Public transit should be privatized.
We should allow pets in school.
The voting age should be lowered to 16.
Beauty contests are bad for body image.
Every American should learn to speak Spanish.
Every immigrant should learn to speak English.
Video games can be educational.
College athletes should be paid for their services.
We need a military draft .
Professional sports should eliminate cheerleaders.
Teens should be able to start driving at 14 instead of 16.
Year-round school is a bad idea.
High school campuses should be guarded by police officers.
The legal drinking age should be lowered to 19.
Kids under 15 shouldn't have Facebook pages.
Standardized testing should be eliminated.
Teachers should be paid more.
There should be one world currency.

Advanced Topics

Domestic surveillance without a warrant should be legal.
Letter grades should be replaced with a pass or fail.
Every family should have a natural disaster survival plan.
Parents should talk to kids about drugs at a young age.
Racial slurs should be illegal.
Gun ownership should be tightly regulated.
Puerto Rico should be granted statehood.
People should go to jail when they abandon their pets.
Free speech should have limitations.
Members of Congress should be subject to term limits.
Recycling should be mandatory for everyone.
High-speed internet access should be regulated like a public utility.
Yearly driving tests should be mandatory for the first five years after getting a license.
Recreational marijuana should be made legal nationwide.
Legal marijuana should be taxed and regulated like tobacco or alcohol.
Child support dodgers should go to jail.
Students should be allowed to pray in school.
All Americans have a constitutional right to health care.
Internet access should be free for everyone.
Social Security should be privatized.
Pregnant couples should receive parenting lessons.
We shouldn't use products made from animals.
Celebrities should have more privacy rights.
Professional football is too violent and should be banned.
We need better sex education in schools.
School testing is not effective.
The United States should build a border wall with Mexico and Canada.
Life is better than it was 50 years ago.
Eating meat is unethical.
A vegan diet is the only diet people should follow.
Medical testing on animals should be illegal.
The Electoral College is outdated.
Medical testing on animals is necessary.
Public safety is more important than an individual's right to privacy.
Single-sex colleges provide a better education.
Books should never be banned.
Violent video games can cause people to act violently in real life.
Freedom of religion has limitations.
Nuclear power should be illegal.
Climate change should be the president's primary political concern.

Key Takeaways

Persuasive essays aim to convince rather than confront, effectively making you advocate for a position or idea.
Choosing a compelling topic that evokes emotions is crucial for crafting a strong persuasive essay.
The main parts of a persuasive essay are the introduction (with a hook and thesis), body paragraphs (explaining themes supporting the thesis), and conclusion (summarizing main points and making a final appeal).

Hamilton College. " Writing a Persuasive Essay ."

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Persuasive Essay Guide

Persuasive Essay Topics

Last updated on: Dec 21, 2023

Persuasive Essay Topics Ideas to Craft an A-Worthy Essay

By: Caleb S.

11 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Jan 14, 2020

Are you having trouble starting to write a persuasive essay?

Can’t think of interesting persuasive essay topics to write on?

To help students like you find good persuasive essay topics, we have gathered a wide range of ideas on different subjects and academic levels.

Therefore, continue reading this blog and pick the best topic from the list for your essay.

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Persuasive Essay Topics for Students

The first step of writing a persuasive essay is to choose an interesting topic. If you are not sure what topic is best to write your persuasive essay on, this article is for you.

Here are some good topics for a persuasive writing assignment that will help you craft an interesting essay.

Persuasive Essay Topics for University Students

Should churches pay property taxes to support schools?
Teachers should also have to go through professional tests like students.
Social media should be banned on school premises.
Is getting a college degree worth its price?
How is home education better than studying at a school?
It shouldn’t be legal for students under 18 to drop out of school.
Students with good attendance must be rewarded.
Students with good academic results must get the opportunity to go to college free of cost.
The government shouldn’t have a say in how students should be taught.
Making the education sector free can decrease poverty rates. Is that true?

Persuasive Essay Topics for College

Wrestling is a dehumanizing sport.
Should all college students get a chance to experience fraternity or sorority?
Should there be an age limit that teachers can teach?Is taking a gap year from studies a good idea?
School students shouldn’t get assigned countless academic papers.
Reducing paper consumption can benefit nature largely.
The research paper is more effective to learn about the subject than exams.
Do you agree that the feminist movement devalued motherhood?
Do you think that the older generation can learn things from today’s generation?
International exchange program experience, I agree, is important in shaping a student.

Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

Is it possible for a person to overcome his fear?
Should students evaluate their teachers?
Is it ok to give extra incentives to students with good grades?
What are the pros and cons of using cell phones for academic purposes?
The social value of the death penalty in the United States.
School college students should write argumentative essays.
Who, in your opinion, influences the teenager's behavior the most?
Why are teen girls influenced by celebrities?
Should genetically modified foods be sold with a warning label?
All the arts have become commoditized.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 9

Divorce isn’t always due to the absence of love.
Pornography should be banned in the United States.
How important is it for a child to grow up with two parents?
All students should be taught computer programming in school.
We should blame our horoscope for things that have gone wrong in our lives.
To get a perspective on life and what it is about, we should spend time with a kid.
How to control hazing on college campuses.Listening to music on school campuses shouldn’t be allowed.
There are drawbacks to studying abroad.Stricter punishments should be imposed on downloading music and movies illegally.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Middle School

Kindness is beautiful.
Do you agree?Pros and Cons of summer classes.
School computers must have internet filters.
Participation in school sports must be mandatory for students.
Bullying in schools requires severe punishments.
Should there be any flexibility with the policies for illegal immigrants?
Why should every school have a school newspaper?
Are we the real culprits of global warming?
Do violent video games make children more likely to be violent themselves?
The internet was invented to control our lives. Do you disagree?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 6

Is toothpaste healthy?
Churches should pay taxes.
What is the role of the media in sports life?
Adopting pets is the best choice.Fairy tales are good for young children.
Should our country have free healthcare?
Fizzy drinks should be banned from school.
Free time gets teens into trouble.
The best way to travel is in a guided group.Should nuclear power be used?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 7

Should a college education be free?
We should provide food for the poor.
Is it a good idea to keep pets outdoors?
What school rules would you change?
Hunting is not ethical in any life situation.
Should horse racing be banned?
My allowance should be bigger.
Bullies have no place in schools.
Computer design isn’t art.
Yoga supports the body and soul.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 8

Having more than four kids is irresponsible.
Is art a natural talent, or takes hard work and practice to learn?
Choose a life partner who has the same educational level as you.
Drinking while driving penalties must be much stricter.
College students must consider joining a fraternity or sorority.
Standardized tests are increasing for school students.
Studying at a public school is better than studying at a private school.
Wives shouldn’t make more money than their husbands.
We should teach etiquette in schools.
Is it justified for a person to demand a divorce from their spouse?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids

Are vampires real?
Time travel is possible.
Global warming is just a way to scare people.
Healthcare systems should be free.
Computers don’t make us smarter.
Animal abuse is a result of an uneducated owner.
The importance of going to the dentist frequently.
Discuss the pros and cons of summer classes.
Nobody should litter.
What is the best way to persuade someone?

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Persuasive Essay Topics About Animals

Do you agree with the statement, “Animal testing is a necessary evil?
”People shouldn’t be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets.
Zoos are useful for wildlife conservation.
Zoo animals should be harvested for food.
Is creating hybrids by breeding stray dogs and cats okay?
What is the best way to train a dog: rewards or punishments?
Is it beneficial to give cows drugs to increase their milk supply?
Using animal skin to make coats and bags is unethical.
Reforestation is the only way to save animals from becoming extinct.
Conserving endangered species is much more essential than the conservation of other animals.

Funny Persuasive Essay Topics

What would happen if unicorns took over the world?
The worst movie in the world.
The worst social network site.
Why does the beach have tanning booths?
Good video game skills can land you a job.
Why do you enjoy getting spam emails more than actual emails?
Is it true that wearing braces scares off strangers?
Playing with Barbie dolls can change your life.
How to look busy and do nothing at work.
Do you agree with the statement, "Boys gossip more than girls do?"

Sports Persuasive Essay Topics

College athletes dedicate a lot of time to sports, and they should be paid.
Female students should be encouraged to participate in sports as much as male students.
How can the school management improve this situation?
Wimbledon is not as prestigious anymore.
Importance of sports.
Gender discrimination is a big issue in sports competitions.
Girls can play and compete at the same level as boys their age.
Bodybuilding has severe risks for females.
Physically active kids make physically active adults.
Therefore, parents and teachers should encourage taking part in sports.
According to you, who is the best FIFA player?
What can other players do to become like him?
Energy drinks such as Red Bull have harmful effects on the human body.
Therefore, athletes must stop consuming them.

Controversial Persuasive Essay Topics

Polygamy should be legalized in the United States.
Having a lesbian mother can have adverse effects on a daughter.
Torture is a necessity for monstrous crimes such as murder, rape, etc.
The world would be a better place if everyone followed a single religion.
Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide should be made legal in every state.
Online plagiarism is a serious problem. What actions need to be taken to stop it?
High school and college surveillance isn’t ethical, nor is it safe.
It should be stopped immediately.
Is it ethical to prescribe drugs?
How can we put an end to school bullying?
It isn’t fair to the band members to have less power and control than the music producers.

Unusual Persuasive Essay Topics

Is alcoholism a disease?
Is having a pet waste of time?
Is capital punishment necessary?
Art should serve as a symbol of culture, and be returned to its country if it was taken from there.
Young people only think about money. Agree?
Living in university dormitories is an essential step to help you achieve academic success.
Pharmaceutical industries are disrupting our lives.
People are wasting their money on lotteries and it isn't worth the risk.
Is having friends such a necessity?
Transgenic foods: What are you for or against?

Higher English Persuasive Essay Topics

Why should the government ban sports bet?
A family should encourage self-expression, not inhibit it.
The impact of TV cartoons on children's behavior should be controlled by their parents.
English language learning should not be a requirement for anyone.
There are many reasons e-books should not replace paper books.
Cheating during college exams should be strictly punished.
Teaching deaf children how to read is a vital part of their mental development.
Fast food is a bad invention.
Drug tests should be mandatory for high school sportspeople.
School uniforms are an effective way to maintain discipline with students.

Easy Persuasive Essay Topics

Paparazzi culture must get banned.
Kids should be taught about different religions and then have them choose.
Using earphones while driving must not be allowed.
Everyone under the age of 7 should have a 9 pm curfew.
Celebrities who break the law should have bigger penalties.
Drug dealers selling drugs to kids should face the death penalty.
The government should start a three-day weekend.
Introducing grades for gym classes can help fight obesity.
The government should keep better control of the content being shared on the internet.
Kids need a personal space similar to adults.

Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Punishment for cutting school should be made much worse.
Parents who smoke shouldn’t tell their kids about its harmful effects.
The major cause of obesity in America is fast-food chains.
Women perform better than men in managerial posts.
To improve the quality of education, the number of classes must be decreased.
Should parents buy young kids gadgets for studies and learning purposes?
Paparazzi culture should be banned. It puts lives in danger.
A gap year after high school should be made compulsory.
Optimism is key to good health.
Persuasive speeches should be powerful.

Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics

Pros and Cons of having school all year long.
Participating in sports must be made compulsory for every student.
Men are smarter than women.
Consumption of tea is more harmful than coffee.
Luck is an important part of success.
Spanking kids should be a crime.
Kidnapping by parents is a serious problem nowadays.
The solution to the energy crisis is nuclear power.
Male and female employees should have the same working privileges and environment.
Homeschooling is better than going to a regular school.

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Persuasive Essay Topics 2022

Should the jury system be eradicated?
Biological weapons should be banned.
The next generations should live on Mars.
Is governmental surveillance a good thing?
Children under 18 shouldn’t be allowed to buy contraceptives.
Teen moms should be made to go to classes that encourage them to get married.
Sex education should occur at home.
Educating women is a waste of resources.
Everyone should have free access to the internet in today's day and age.
Theoretical subjects should be decreased, and students should study more practical courses to learn things.

How to Choose a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

Writing your persuasive essay means more than simply arguing the facts. However, you need to settle on a persuasive essay topic that allows you to present the best possible case.

You won’t be able to do that if you write a persuasive essay on a topic that is:

Emotionally-charged
Too familiar
Not interesting for the target audience
Factual, and you avoid analysis or reasoning

Here’s what you should do when choosing your essay topics :

Take a stand
Check for evidence and facts
Make a list of specific ideas
Outline the purpose of your essay
Choose an accessible topic
Find a topic that convinces the reader

Hopefully, you have found a good persuasive essay idea by this point and are heading towards the writing process. However, if you’re overwhelmed by the requirements of writing a persuasive and argumentative paper or you’re short on time, we are here to help.

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Persuasive Essay Guide - How to Write a Persuasive Essay

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This is a stack of books. It is meant to represent the many resources that are required to tackle these persuasive essay topics.

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 2 nd 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?

This is an image of a young woman writing an essay. She is in a library and appears to be in deep concentration.

930 Comments

Wessam bedear.

Thanks for your support and cooperation. It is really helped a lot . Much appreciated

Reginald Ademola

Thank you so much for making your resources freely available.

Eric Villari

Thanks for all the effort you’ve put into the site. I teach in Australia, and I tweak and change topics/wording to suit, but It’s a great survey course in general Literacy you’ve put together… Thanks!

Thank you so much. What an informative and comprehensive site. You have provided an array of persuasive topics. I love this site!!

Marg L Brewerton

Thank you for these ideas. An extra idea from one of my students: Should we fix earth or spend our money on interplanetary travel?

Barbara Pulehetoa

I love this website. thank you for making this website

amazing website helped a lot

In my language arts class we are assigned to write two opinion essays the first one my teacher gave us but the second one we choose. i have a trouble with choosing but now that i came to this website i can choose easily and fast. thank you, thank you, thank you for this website.

this site has been absolutely resourceful and its the best site iv been on

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Writing Tips

50 Persuasive Essay Topics to Help You Ace Your Next Assignment

5-minute read

19th January 2023

Welcome to your ultimate guide to persuasive essay topics!

In this post, we’ll provide a list of 50 persuasive essay topics to help you get started on your next assignment.

We’ll also include some tips for writing a persuasive essay to help you craft a strong and effective argument. Whether you’re a student or a professional writer, these persuasive essay topics are sure to inspire and challenge you.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

Persuasive essays are a type of argumentative essay that encourage the reader to accept a particular point of view or take a specific action.

They typically open with a question, followed by a series of arguments intended to persuade the reader to take the same side as the author.

In a persuasive essay, the author will usually appeal to the readers’ emotions in order to prove that their opinion is the correct one. But this doesn’t mean that persuasive essays ignore evidence , facts, and figures; an effective persuasive essay makes use of a combination of logical argument and emotive language to sway the audience.

A persuasive essay can cover just about anything from pop culture to politics. With that in mind, we’ve put together this list of 50 persuasive essay topics to inspire your next assignment!

Science and the Environment

Should the use of plastic bags be banned?
Should genetically modified organisms be labeled?
Should we clone human beings?
Should animal testing be allowed?
Should the government fund space exploration?
Should the government regulate the use of pesticides in farming?
Should the government regulate the use of antibiotics in livestock?
Should the government fine people who drive gas-powered vehicles?
Should climate change be declared a national emergency?

Crime and Politics

Should the death penalty be abolished?
Should all American citizens have to serve a year of community service?
Should the US voting age be lowered to 16?
Should the government adopt a tougher immigration policy?
Should the government cut its military spending?
Should the government introduce a national living wage?
Should politicians be banned from social media?
Should the electoral college be abolished?

Health and Fitness

Should the government provide universal healthcare?
Should the government ban the use of certain chemicals in cosmetics?
Should parents be allowed to choose the gender of their unborn child?
Should physical exercise be mandatory at work?
Should employees have to disclose health conditions to their employers?
Should fast food commercials be banned?
Should herbal medicines be better regulated?
Should regular mental health checkups be mandatory?
Should schools offer fast food options like McDonald’s or Taco Bell?
Should students be required to wear uniforms?
Should the government provide free college education?
Should schools offer comprehensive sex education?
Are high school students given too much homework?
Should humanities and arts subjects receive more funding?
Should military recruiters be allowed on school grounds?
Is the school day too long?
Should every US citizen be required to learn another language?

Lifestyle and Culture

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Should the drinking age be lowered or raised?
Should the use of tobacco be banned?
Should marijuana be legalized?
Should all museums and art galleries be free?
Should kids be encouraged to read more?
Should public spaces provide unisex bathrooms?
Is pet ownership a human right?
Should extreme sports be banned?

Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay

Once you’ve chosen your topic, it’s time to start writing your persuasive essay. Here are our tips:

Choose a Side

When you’ve picked the question you’re going to address in your essay, you also need to choose one side – or answer – that you’re going to write in favor of.

It helps if you’re passionate about the topic, as this will enable you to write from an emotional perspective.

Do Your Research

In order to write persuasively , you need to understand the topic you’re writing about.

Make sure you know the details of your subject matter, and can provide facts and figures to back up your appeal to your readers’ emotions.

You should also read up about different points of view on the topic, so that you can bring them up in the form of counterarguments and rebuttals .

Keep Your Audience in Mind

When you’re writing your essay, think about who it is you’re trying to persuade. The way you speak to a student, for example, will be different to how you address a parent.

Consider what your potential audience will value, and how you can reach them on an emotional level.

Outline Your Essay

Now you’ve got all the information you need, it’s time to plan and write your essay.

You should break it down into the follow sections:

An introduction, which sets up the question you’re going to answer and what side of the argument you are aiming to persuade the reader of.
The body of the essay, with a paragraph for each of the points you want to make.
A conclusion, where you summarize your points and main arguments.

Get It Proofread

As with any essay, your finished persuasive essay will need proofreading to make sure it’s the best it can be.

Our academic proofreading team here at Proofed can help with that. You can even get your first 500 words proofread for free !

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63 Excellent Persuasive Essay Topics

You’ve just discovered an excellent list of persuasive essay topics to help grade 9, 10, 11 & 12 students improve their essay-writing skills. Oh yeah! There are 63 persuasive writing topics PLUS 14 more bonus ideas in this blog post for you. Discover some great ideas for your next essay assignment now!

Persuasive writing is a type of writing that focuses on explaining a problem and convincing the reader of the writer’s opinion.

Yet, it’s not enough to simply offer a point of view, but it’s essential to offer valid, logical evidence that persuades the audience to the writer’s view of truth.

You see…

Persuasive essays are a common type of academic writing in which you need to choose your side and then prove why you’re correct with convincing language and the presentation of hard evidence.

Whether you’re teaching your class how to write persuasive essays or you’re a student trying to hone your persuasive writing skills, deciding what topic to focus on is often one of the most difficult tasks.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of persuasive writing topics to help teens and high school students improve their essay-writing skills.

Now, without further ado, here is our excellent list of persuasive essay topics. Enjoy!

63 Persuasive Essay Topics

Teens should learn etiquette at school.
All teens should have the opportunity to study in a different country.
Parents of a kid who bullies someone else should pay a fine.
School days should start after noon.
Teens should have the opportunity to determine their own curfew and bedtime.
The voting age should be changed from 18 to 16 years of age.
Cheerleaders should be eliminated from professional sports.
Beauty contests can negatively affect body image.
Is chess really a game or a sport?
Drinking energy drinks is dangerous.
Older pop music was better than today’s pop music.
Humans should not be testing beauty products on animals.
Should students all be required to learn a foreign language?
Pets should not be kept outdoors.
Junk food should be banned at school.
Are the Harry Potter books overrated?
Mobile devices should/should not be allowed at school.
Should college be free for all students?
Students should be allowed to take a music or art class instead of PE.
High school students should take a class on managing finances.
Sign language should be a required course.
Should there be some limits to free speech?
Recycling should be made mandatory.
Is using solar energy really worth the cost?
Should the world ban nuclear power?
College athletes should receive a salary.
Are the Olympic Games really worth the cost of hosting them?
Is online schooling as effective as going to a traditional school?
Can playing violent video games lead to violence in real life?

Should social media platforms do more to protect the privacy of users?
Excessive use of social media leads to anxiety and depression.
There should be an age limit on social media use.
What 21 st Century invention has had the greatest impact on our society?
Does technology increase or decrease inequality?
Athletes who have a positive drug test should be banned from the sport.
What type of punishment should be given for cheating?
Homework should not be required.
What school rule should be changed and why?
Kids should learn how to cook their own meals.
Music education is important and should be a part of school curriculum.
Should music producers have more power than band members do?
There’s a good chance that aliens exist.
Having too much money can end up being a bad thing.
Dress codes should not be used in schools.
School days are too long and should be shortened.
The best dessert in the world is _____.
Should schools allow sugary drinks?
Is it more exciting to eat at home or at a restaurant?
Should you be allowed to have wild animals as a pet?
The best athlete in the world is ______.
Winter sports are better than summer sports.
Is it more fun to watch sports or to play sports?
Do professional athletes make too much money?
Should you be able to get books free?
Are action movies better than comedies?
Which is better: streaming a movie at home or seeing a movie at the theater?
Should people who are rich pay more in taxes than poorer people?
Do you think we should give money and other benefits to homeless people?
Does society treat individuals with mental illness fairly?
Should you go to school year-round or do you think you should have that summer vacation?
Are security guards needed in schools?
Should teachers and schools use social media to communicate with students?

I hope your writers enjoy this excellent list of persuasive essay topics.

123 More Free Persuasive Writing Topics and Prompts

Looking for even more exciting persuasive writing prompts? Try some of these additional topics and ideas.

54 Persuasive Writing Prompts
15 Persuasive Writing Prompts for Elementary Students
31 Good Persuasive Essay Topics
23 Persuasive Writing Prompts for High School Students
Persuasive Essay Steps (free printable PDF)

14 Bonus Persuasive Essay Topics

Use these ideas to get inspired to write your next persuasive assignment.

Why it is/isn’t ethical to use an essay writing service.
Zoos should or should not exist because…
To address illegal immigration, all immigrants deserve a path to citizenship and here is how that could work…
The internet should be free for all to access and use.
School uniforms are…
Healthcare needs this…
Planet earth deserves worldwide protection because…
Gym class should take place for two hours minimum per day OR should not take place at all.
Climate change and global warming can be remedied through…
Year-round school for public schools is a great idea because it…
Drivers license should be for those 21 and older only.
Getting a good grade is or is not important because grades are….
Space exploration is/is not essential to the evolution of humans.
Wages should be raised for all because…

I hope you enjoyed our lists of writing resources and topics. Now get to writing those persuasive essays! Oh, and we’ve also got your covered for writing argumentative essays or if you need a persuasive speech topic.

Ok, that’s all for today.

Until next time, write on…

If you enjoyed these Persuasive Essay Topics, please share them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. I appreciate it!

Sincerely, Jill journalbuddies.com creator and curator

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25 Persuasive Essay Topics That Will Captivate High School Students

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Persuasive Essay Writing

Persuasive Essay Topics

Easy and Unique Persuasive Essay Topics with Tips

15 min read

Published on: Jan 4, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024

Unique Persuasive Essay Topics for Students

Writing a persuasive essay can be quite an interesting task for students. It allows them to showcase their research and analytic skills and present their thoughts orderly.

Choosing the right topic is key to making the writing process more enjoyable.

Here are some great ideas that you can use for your essay:

Persuasive Essay Topics for Middle School

Should students be required to wear uniforms in school?
What are the benefits of a longer school day?
How can technology help improve student engagement and learning?
Is it important for all schools to have equal access to resources?
Should physical education be mandatory in all schools?
How can schools better prepare students for entering the job market?
Should a studentâs grade be based solely on test performance?
Is it important to limit screen time, or should there not be restrictions?
Should recess time be increased or decreased in school?
Is it beneficial for students to take part in after-school activities?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 6

Should school lunch prices be lowered to make it more accessible for all students?
Is there an argument for allowing cell phone usage in the classroom?
Should schools offer a wider variety of electives?
Is there a persuasive case for requiring physical education classes in elementary and middle schools?
Should students be allowed to opt-out of standardized testing?
Is the current homework load for elementary and middle school students too much?
Should school provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of financial status?
Should sixth-grade classes have more field trips and outdoor activities?
Should students have access to more technology in the classroom?
Is there an argument for making recess mandatory for all grade levels?

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 7

Should schools have a dress code?
Should students be required to do community service projects to graduate?
Is it necessary for all student-athletes to take mandatory drug tests?
Are the current laws on gun control sufficient enough?
Should same-sex marriage be legal?
Should teenage drivers be allowed to have passengers in their cars?
Is standardized testing an effective measure of student success?
Should homework be abolished in schools?
Should young children be allowed to use mobile phones or tablets at school?
Are video games too violent for young children?

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Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

Should physical education classes be mandatory in high school?
Is a strict dress code necessary for student success?
Are standardized tests an effective measure of student achievement?
Does social media have a positive or negative impact on teenagers?
Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
Should cell phones be prohibited in the classroom?
Should schools offer fast food options like McDonald's or Taco Bell?
Is competitive sports necessary for a well-rounded education?
Are after-school activities essential to a studentâs development?
Should students be allowed to choose their classes?

Persuasive Essay Topics for College

Should universities require all students to take at least one course in diversity studies?
Should universities implement free speech zones on campuses?
Should college athletes be paid for their performance?
Is it ethical for employers to ask about an applicantâs criminal history during the hiring process?
Should college students be required to take a foreign language course?
Should the US government provide free tuition for all qualifying students?
Is it ethical to use animals in scientific research?
Are standardized tests an adequate measure of academic aptitude and ability?
Should paper textbooks be replaced with e-books?
Should all students be required to learn coding and computer science in school?

Persuasive Essay Topics for University

Should universities offer free tuition to all students?
Are special scholarships beneficial for university students?
Should college athletes be paid for their services?
Is it important for universities to provide mental health resources to their students?
How can universities help prevent cheating and plagiarism among students?
Should universities be required to provide online courses?
Are university degree requirements outdated and irrelevant?
Is it necessary for university students to take physical education classes?
Does the presence of social media in academia positively or negatively impact learning?
Should universities prioritize research over teaching?

Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics from Different Fields

When choosing essay topics, there is no shortage of interesting persuasive essay topics from different fields available.

Here are some examples of interesting persuasive essay topics from different fields:

Arts & Culture

Should museums be more inclusive of diverse cultures?
Should the government fund public art programs?
Are comic books an important form of literature?
Does graffiti have any value as an art form?
Is the traditional concept of beauty outdated in todayâs society?
Is it important for the public to have access to art galleries and museums?
Do modern movies have any real artistic value?
Are video games a form of art?
Should government funding be given to the performing arts?
Does the music industry put too much emphasis on image rather than talent?
Should governments guarantee a minimum wage?
Should the government subsidize green energy projects?
Is it necessary to introduce higher taxes on wealthy people?
Are free trade agreements beneficial or detrimental to developing countries?
Can economic growth be sustained without harming the environment?
Is immigration beneficial or detrimental to a countryâs economic growth?
Should governments limit the size of banks and financial institutions?
Is it necessary for countries to regulate their currency markets?
Should governments invest in renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels?
Should high officials pay more taxes?
Should students be required to complete a certain number of community service hours to graduate?
Should school uniforms be mandatory for all public schools?
Are textbooks becoming obsolete due to technological advances?
Should the education system focus more on practical subjects such as coding and programming?
Is the current grading system in public schools fair and effective?
Is homeschooling a viable alternative to traditional schooling?
Should standardized testing be abolished from the education system?
Should teachers receive bonuses for good performance in the classroom?
Are students more likely to succeed if they attend a private school or university?
Should all students have access to free college tuition?
Is using animals in medical research ethical?
Should parents be allowed to choose their childâs gender?
Should companies be held responsible for the pollution they create?
Are businesses obligated to act ethically when conducting business abroad?
Is it ethical to censor content on the internet?
Should the government enforce stricter regulations on genetically modified food?
Is it ethical to use artificial intelligence in decision-making processes?
Should corporations be allowed to have their own private security forces?
Are restrictions on freedom of speech necessary for public safety?
Do companies have an ethical responsibility to pay fair wages?

Government and Politics

Should the government regulate social media?
Should term limits be placed on members of Congress?
Are taxes too high in the United States?
Should voting be mandatory for all citizens?
Is the Electoral College still relevant today?
Does the death penalty serve as a deterrent to crime?
Should the US switch to a single-payer health care system?
Should there be limits on campaign spending?
Should the United States adopt a flat tax system?
Is it time to repeal the Second Amendment?
Is legalizing marijuana an ethical practice?
Should parents be allowed to choose the gender of their child?
Is it ethical to test medicines on animals?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of genetic engineering?
Are there any health risks associated with using digital screens too often?
Should physical education be mandatory in every school?
Is the healthcare system in your country adequate for your needs?
Are there any benefits to eating organic food?
How does mental health affect physical health?
Should vaccinations be mandatory for all children?
Was the Spanish Inquisition justified?
Were the American Colonists justified in rebelling against Great Britain?
Did Christopher Columbusâ discoveries benefit or harm indigenous populations?
What effect did Genghis Khan have on world history?
Did World War I significantly change the course of history?
Was the Treaty of Versailles fair to Germany?
Did Napoleon Bonaparteâs rule bring about positive or negative changes for France and Europe?
Should the United States annexed the Philippines in 1898?
How did the Great Depression shape world history?
Is there any validity to the theory of a âclash of civilizationsâ?
Should artificial intelligence be regulated?
Should autonomous vehicles be allowed on public roads?
Is the internet making us less social?
Should research into cloning be banned?
Are there moral issues related to genetic engineering?
Should governments fund space exploration programs?
Are smart home devices making us more vulnerable to cyberattacks?
Should the government regulate social media use?
Are robots taking away jobs from humans?
Should nuclear energy be used as an alternative to fossil fuels?
Should professional athletes be drug tested?
Is there a gender gap in sports?
Should college athletes be paid for their performances?
Does skill or luck decide the outcome of sports competitions?
Are sporting events becoming too commercialized?
Is it necessary to increase public funding for sporting events?
Is the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports cheating or fair?
Should college students be able to choose their own sports teams?
Do professional sports hurt young people?
Should parents allow children to play violent video games?
Should schools replace textbooks with tablets?
Are algorithms replacing human decision-making in the workplace?
Is it time to regulate the use of facial recognition technology?
Can artificial intelligence and robots be used to improve healthcare outcomes?
Should autonomous vehicles be allowed on public roads?
Should Internet access be a basic human right?
Should social media platforms do more to protect user privacy?
Is blockchain technology the future of banking and finance?
Are virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa invading privacy?
Can we trust that autonomous weapons system will make ethical decisions in war?

Social Media

Here are a few social media persuasive essay topics. Take a look at them.

Is social media a positive or negative influence on society?
Should employers be able to access an employee's social media accounts?
Should people be allowed to post anonymously online?
How can parents protect their children from the risks of using social media?
Does the spread of fake news on social media hurt society?
Should governments regulate online speech on social media?
Should employers be allowed to conduct background checks using social media?
Is the personal data of individuals safe from exploitation by corporate interests on social media platforms?
Are people spending too much time on their digital devices?
Is the use of social media by young people making them more isolated?

Controversial Persuasive Essay Topics

Should the death penalty be reinstated in all states?
Should gun control laws be stricter?
Is global warming a real threat?
Are vaccinations safe for children?
Should prostitution be legalized?
Should marijuana be made legal?
Does school uniform violate personal freedom?
Should genetically modified foods be allowed in the market?
Should sex education in school be mandatory?
Should animal testing be banned?

Fun Persuasive Essay Topics

Should cats be allowed to go to school?
Should people have a minimum number of friends before they can graduate?
Is it okay to laugh at your own jokes?
Should parents be required to take parenting classes?
Are video games the best way to spend free time?
Should kids be allowed to wear pajamas in public places?
Should students have to pass a test before they can drive a car?
Are cell phones essential for teenagers or should they be limited?
Should everyone learn how to cook their meals?
Would it be better if all schools had the same uniform?

Argumentative Persuasive Essay Topics

Should the electoral college be abolished?
Is it ethical to eat meat?
Should the internet have censorship?
Are genetically modified foods safe for human consumption?
Is social media good or bad for society?
Should the drinking age be lowered or raised?
Should school attendance be mandatory for students?
Are video games too violent and negatively influencing children?
Should religious education be banned from public schools?

How to Choose a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

Choosing a writing topic for your persuasive essay writing is essential.

The right topic will let you draft an exceptional and well-written essay. Selecting a persuasive essay topic might sound easy, but it can be challenging.

You cannot randomly start writing a persuasive essay about any topic and expect your essay to be brilliant.

To select the best topic for your essay, take these essential steps:

1. Know your Interests - You can only draft an effective essay if you are writing about something that interests you. When you write something you are passionate about, the enthusiasm helps to persuade the readers.

2. Narrow Down Ideas - Make a rough list of the topic of your interest. Then, analyze all the issues and identify topics you think you can present well.

3. Pick your Stance - Now that you know the information is sufficient on a topic, decide your stance. Pick a side to support with evidence and logic.

4. Controversy is the Best Policy - People love to read about controversial stuff. It is more likely that the readers will go through the entire essay to ease their curiosity.

After passing your ideas through these filters, you will have a strong and arguable topic to draft an essay on.

Tips for Writing a Compelling Persuasive Essay

Whether you are in school, college, or university, crafting an effective persuasive essay can be difficult.

Fortunately, with a few tips and tricks, you can create a compelling, persuasive essay that will make your readers take notice.

Here are six tips to help you write a compelling, persuasive essay:

1. Choose Your Topic Carefully

You need to select a relevant and interesting topic for your audience. Make sure you feel passionate about it and can present it logically and convincingly.

2. Do Extensive Research

Before beginning your essay, research your topic as much as possible. So you can present both sides of the argument in an informed, balanced way.

3. Identify Your Audience

Before writing your persuasive essay, consider who will be reading it and their interests.

This will help you write in a language that resonates with them and ensure that your arguments suit their understanding.

4. Use Logical Arguments

It is important to provide logical and compelling arguments to be persuasive. Make sure you use facts, statistics, and other evidence to make your points more convincing.

5. Structure Your Essay Well

An effective persuasive essay should be well-organized. Divide it into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Pay attention to the structure of your essay, as it can help you make your points more effectively.

Learn how to make a perfect persuasive essay outline with the help of our blog.

6. Make It Engaging

An engaging, persuasive essay will capture your audienceâs attention from beginning to end.

Use various techniques to make your essay interesting and engaging, such as using examples, analogies, and persuasive language.

We hope you are inspired by our comprehensive list of topics. Pick up a topic that entices you and start working on it. By following these amazing tips and tricks, you can surely compose an essay that will wow your professor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can i choose a good persuasive essay topic.

When selecting a persuasive essay topic, consider an issue that is interesting to you and has two or more opposing viewpoints. Research various resources about the topic to gain a better perspective

What strategies can I use for writing a persuasive essay?

When writing a persuasive essay, establish facts from reliable sources to support your argument. Be concise but thorough, and use persuasive language to strengthen your argument.

How can I make my persuasive essay stand out?

To make your persuasive essay stand out, use vivid language and strong, specific evidence to support each point. Make sure all sources are current and relevant to the argument being made. With these elements, your persuasive essay will stand out from the rest!

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162 Persuasive Writing Prompts & Topics: Examples & Tips

Writing a persuasive essay can be a challenging task. While it is excellent for improving a student’s critical thinking and rhetoric skills, coming up with a good topic might be difficult.

The easiest way to kickstart the writing process is to find persuasive writing prompts. Are you passionate about some controversial issue? Want to express your opinion? A prompt will help you to start thinking about it critically. It may contain a set of questions or a brief guideline for your discussion.

Our team will help you!

There is plenty of persuasive writing prompts for high school and college that deserve attention. So, we’ve prepared a list of such. Once you choose one to your liking, remember to read a prompt thoroughly. The controversy of an issue is usually apparent. It is crucial to find a prompt that states the main aspects of the topic clearly.

Believe us—writing a persuasive essay is elementary with prompts at your disposal!

🤷 Writing with Prompts
💡 How to Write?
⭐ 12 Best Prompts
🧒 Elementary School
🎒 Middle School
🖊️ High School
🌊 Environment
🕹️ Video Games
🔌 Technology

🤷 Persuasive Writing with Prompts

Before we dive into the prompts, let’s answer a few vital questions.

What is a persuasive essay?

A persuasive essay is a type of academic writing where you try to persuade your reader using arguments and supporting evidence. You provide facts and examples that explain why your position is the correct one. Describe the issue in the introduction, and express your stance on it in your thesis statement.

Remember to include the other side of the argument in your essay. It is essential to consider different perspectives on the problem. You can find numerous examples of persuasive papers in a free essay database . Not only will it serve as a sample, but can act as a source of writing prompts, too.

What is a writing prompt?

A writing prompt is a short passage that describes an idea for an essay, report, article, or some other piece of writing. It can be as short as one sentence, although it is usually more elaborate.

Some prompts can be presented in the form of an image. The most crucial thing is that they give a clear understanding of the topic.

Re-read the writing prompt when to ensure that you should write a persuasive essay.

How does a persuasive writing prompt look like?

The main goal of persuasive writing is to convince the reader that your side of an argument is the most legitimate one. Unlike in expository or descriptive writing, persuasive essay prompts express the duality of a dispute.

Persuasive letter prompts should be pertinent to the audience’s concerns. A prompt should ultimately convey your stance on the subject. Use words like convince , persuade , and why . Avoid using how in a persuasive essay prompt as it distracts from the purpose of such writing.

💡 How to Write a Persuasive Essay Using a Prompt?

Persuasive writing prompts help produce a good quality essay. Here is a list of things you should do to write an essay using a prompt:

Read it and learn what issue the prompt states. What should you elaborate on? Look out for words that you find especially important or problematic.
Understand what the prompt wants you to do. See whether you should discuss causes and effects or your opinion. In the case of persuasive writing prompt, it asks you to convince your reader in something. In what? Should you discuss both sides of an argument or state your opinion immediately?
Divide the prompt. Look deeper into what it’s saying. Write down your initial thoughts on the subject.
Compose a thesis statement . Outline the question or the situation the prompt states and elaborate on it in one topic sentence.
Write arguments and supporting evidence. Dedicate one body paragraph to describing the opposing argument. Remember to use transition words to ensure good writing flow.
Revise if you have time for it. Check with the prompt not to miss anything. That’s why writing drafts is always a good idea. This way, you can change your text without making a mess out of your paper.

⭐ 12 Persuasive Writing Prompts for High School

Cooking as art — a delicate craft.
4-Day work week.
Facebook vs. Instagram: visual design.
Winter holidays — a time for friends.
Is living in a village stressful?
Beef production.
Is kindergarten education importnat?
Hobby as a job is a bad idea.
High school students and independence.
Allowance for kids: how much?
Reptiles as pets — a lifelong commitment.
Outside classes and fresh air benefits.

✔ 50 Persuasive Essay Writing Prompts

If you have trouble coming up with ideas for writing a persuasive essay, here is our prompts list. Whether you’re in school or college, we’re sure here you’ll find a topic that interests you!

Ask someone to proofread your persuasive essay.

🧒 Persuasive Writing Prompts for Elementary Students

Your parents should go to bed at 9 pm every day. They say that it’s your time to fall asleep, but why? This way, they get to have a good night’s rest to feel energized the next morning. And your parents need it as their jobs are tedious and stressful. While you would like to have more spare time before going to bed. Persuade your parents that going to bed at 9 pm is perfect for them, not for you.
We should stop wearing a uniform to school. If not every day, at least once a week, students should be allowed to wear casual clothes to school. Discuss why it is a fun and useful initiative.
You need to move to another country for a year. Explain why you think that studying abroad is essential for you. Which country would you pick and why? Discuss what made you choose this country.
Every child needs a pet. Some parents don’t allow animals at home. Explain why it is vital to have a pet in a family. Convince that a pet of your choice is the perfect option for any kid.
Pupils should select their seats in the class . Your teacher always tells you where to sit in class. Would it be better if you get to pick your place? What is your opinion on that?
Playing music is an educating activity that is crucial for child development. What musical instrument is the most fun to play? Convince your reader that the music instrument of your choice is the best one.
The summer break has to be longer. Do you believe the summer holidays are long or short? Is it enough for you to get rest and find the strength to start a new term? Convince your reader that your point of view is the right one.
The ability to read people’s minds in both the worst and best superpower. Imagine that you get to have this superpower. What are its advantages and disadvantages? When can you use it? Is it ethical? Discuss your opinion in your essay.
Pupils should select their tutors. In school, you don’t get to choose your teacher. Would it be better if you could? Can students change teachers based on their personal preferences? Discuss why or why not.
We should manage our budget from an early age. Do your parents give you pocket money? Well, they’re better to start. Some parents think they should give their kids pocket money even if they misbehaved. Others wouldn’t give allowance to their children if they did something wrong. What position do you think is fairer, and why?

Giving a set budget for a specific task teaches teenagers responsibility.

🎒 Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

Tutors should wear uniforms to schools, just like students do. Imagine there is an initiative that wants teachers to do so. Some people believe it is a sign of equality and professional attire. Others think that just a formal dress code is enough. What is your opinion on this?
Every school has to initiate school trips. Some individuals think they are disruptive to the study process. Other people claim that such trips unite students and are an essential part of education. What do you think? Explain your point of view and why it is the right one.
Students should learn from famous people from time to time. There is an opportunity for one famous person to come to your school with a motivational speech. Who would you want to come, and why? Discuss why your school can benefit if a celebrity of your choice gives a speech there.,
Single-sex schools are better than mixed ones. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? Talk about your point of view using convincing argumentation.
Some individuals should lack money. What’s better: enough money to get by or too much money and more problems? Some think that too much money makes you forget about more straightforward and essential things in life. Yes, cash gives more opportunities, but people tend to strive for more money than necessary. What’s the point of millionaires in the 21st century? What is your opinion on this?
Fast food damages children’s health and should be excluded from the school meal plan. Do you agree or disagree? What are some benefits of having fast food as a meal option at school? Discuss which opinion is more legitimate.
Educational institutions have to support the arts and sciences more. Imagine there is a new building opening up in your school. The school administration hasn’t decided what is going to be there. It could be an art studio, a new sports center, or a computer class. Explain why it should belong to the arts and sciences. Talk about how such disciplines motivate students to evolve.
We should study for four days a week. There is a law that considers implementing a more extended weekend. Do you think three days would be too much? Why or why not? Support your point of view with thoughtful arguments.

25 US states have at least one district using a four-day school week.

Teachers should be required to turn off their mobiles during the classes. You can’t use your phone during the course (or at school). It’s a law in various educational institutions and for obvious reasons. Should teachers be prohibited from using their phones as well? Is it fair?
It is better to have PE lessons as the first classes of the day. Some people think it is an excellent way to kickstart the day. Others believe that students will be physically tired to carry on with other classes. Which opinion is the right one?
Plagiarism and cheating should be punished more strictly. Copying others’ works or using crib notes in class is strictly prohibited, yet it happens. Should schools implement more measures to ensure there is no cheating? How can they work?
Students should select their courses according to their performance. Some people are better at science, while others excel at arts. Would it be better if we were allowed only to study things we are naturally good at? Why or why not? Convince your reader that your opinion is valid.
You shouldn’t eat in class. Teachers generally think that it interrupts the lesson and distracts other students. At the same time, eating a snack can help you concentrate better and stay energized. Discuss your opinion on this in your essay.
There should be mixed sports teams at school. Girls often like to play the same sports as boys. Should schools let them play in the same groups? Why or why not? Support your opinion with argumentation.
Teachers should treat every student equally. It seems like an obvious thing, but the reality is often different. What would you do to make sure everyone is respected? Why?

🖊 Persuasive Writing Prompts for High School Students

In the US, the 18-year-olds should be allowed to drink alcohol. In the country, driving is permitted after age 16, while drinking becomes legal after 21. How fair are these age thresholds? Statistics show that countries with integrated drinking culture (like France or Italy) have lower alcoholism rates. Would it be better to bring the legal drinking age down to 18? Discuss why or why not, using supportive argumentation.
The “book of your choice” is fantastic, and here is why. Write a persuasive essay explaining why your favorite book deserves attention. Convince your audience it is worth reading it.
Time management skill is vital for a successful adult life. It’s what you acquire in school and use for a job. Why is being organized so important? And why should you learn this already in school? Talk about your opinion on this subject.
What’s more important in school – discipline or an ability to self-express? Some think that you come to school to get knowledge and acquire social skills. However, some students thrive in a less harsh environment. Discuss your point of view and why it is valid.
Educational institutions should implement anti-bullying policies. School authorities should intervene if a student is bullied by other students, even outside of school. Do you agree or disagree? Convince your reader that your opinion is the most legitimate.

The definition of bullying includes three characteristics.

Parents shouldn’t raise their children the same way they’ve been raised. Some people think there are universal values and principles that parents should teach their kids. While this is true, times change tremendously as generations grow up. What do you think is more just? Discuss your point of view in your essay.
Your neighborhood requires a renovation. Imagine city authorities are planning on improving your area. What would you change in particular, and why? Write an essay using the appropriate argumentation.
The importance of community is overrated. Some people are naturally more outgoing and thrive in such environments. Others often feel pressured and may feel out of place. Talk about your opinion on that subject.
Are fictional books useless? Some people believe fiction improves imagination and teaches empathy. Others consider it a waste of time since there is no actual value in it. Which stance is more valid?
Life is fair because it is unfair to everyone. Do you think this statement is true? Discuss the issue of class privilege. Do you think modern society gives everyone equal opportunities? Why or why not?
Community service should be mandatory for high school students. Do you agree or disagree? What kind of activities would be included? Discuss your point of view in your essay.
Classic literature should be an integral part of the high school curriculum. Should students be required to read old texts like Homer’s Odyssey or Shakespeare’s tragedies? Why or why not?
You can make a career out of a hobby. True or not? Pick your side of an argument and convince a reader it’s valid.
It would be better if all countries in the world switched to one currency. There are many aspects to consider when talking about this argument. Which side of it would you support? Why?
Safety on school property should be a primary concern. Some institutions offer inefficient security services, which can result in tragedies. They may lack funds to ensure their students are safe. Should the government prioritize these issues? Discuss your opinion on this.

🎓 Persuasive Writing Prompts for College Students

Abortions should be legal in all US states. Some religious communities are vehemently opposed to abortions. People with more liberal beliefs claim that it should be a mother’s personal choice. Discuss your opinion in an essay.
The military should be voluntary. Military service is a civic duty is some countries. Should it be obligatory everywhere? Why or why not? Persuade your reader that your opinion is the most legitimate.
Veganism and vegetarianism should become a new norm. They start to gain popularity in Western society. Some people consider it beneficial for health and the environment. Others switch to these diets because good meat is often too pricey. What are the real advantages? Or are they a myth? Discuss your opinion.
The education system in the Western world has become outdated. Do you agree or disagree? What should be changed to make it more suitable for modern times?
Your parents shouldn’t be your buddies. What’s better: a parent who is your mentor or best friend? Choose your stance on the subject and defend it using appropriate reasoning.
Soft skills are more important than hard skills. It is thought that employers often prioritize your personal skills over professional ones at first. Do you think this is the right position? Express your opinion and support it with facts.

Technical skills alone are not enough to be truly effective.

Social media is a major frustrating factor in the lives of many people. Have you ever gotten FOMO looking at other’s picture-perfect lives? Why is it so easy to succumb to this illusion of ideal life? Discuss your opinion on the subject and support your point of view with pertinent facts.
Democracy has proven to be the most sustainable governmental form. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Express your opinion and use relevant argumentation in your essay.
United Nations have become inefficient over time. There is an opinion that the UN does not function properly anymore. Would you agree with this statement?
Are genderless pronouns a good idea? They have become a crucial tool for transgender and genderfluid people to express their identity. Or does society overthink about words instead of actions? Do you agree or disagree?

💯 Persuasive Essay Writing Topics

If you feel more confident and inspired after reading our prompts list, check out some persuasive writing topics!

🎤 Persuasive writing: Music

Hip-hop music objectifies women .
Jazz does not exist anymore.
Music festivals involve too many drugs.
Classical music is the most sophisticated genre.
The music culture of other societies does not get enough attention because of Western dominance .
Musical therapy is not efficient.
Patriotic songs can have a stimulating effect on people.
Listening to music can increase one’s productivity.
Anyone can learn how to sing.
Humanity cannot imagine itself without the art of music.
Music is the most influential form of art.
Rap should be considered a form of poetry .
Jazz sounds the best at a live concert .
A piano is the best musical instrument.
All children should have musical training at school.
Music can unite people from all over the world.
Specific lyrics can trigger aggression in people.
Queen is the most influential band in Western history.
To some extent, all music reflects a creator’s personal experience.
Is the bell ringer a musician?

🦙 Persuasive Writing: Animals

Wild animals should not be kept in a zoo.
Animal fights should be illegal.

Three most common types of animal fighting in the US.

Hybrid animals are unnatural.
Agricultural production puts endangered species at more significant risk .
Slaughtering farm animals for food does not justify their killing .
Animal hunts should be illegal everywhere.
There is no better alternative than animal experimentation for some medicine.
Exotic animals should not be kept as pets.
Animals should not be treated as objects—they are meant to cohabitate with humans .
Cow milk is terrible for human health.
Dolphins are the most intelligent animals.
Using animals for medical research is unethical.
There are better alternatives than cosmetic testing on animals .
Poaching has multiple adverse effects on the economy.
Farming is a form of animal abuse .
Zoos can help in preserving endangered animals.
All makeup brands should switch to cruelty-free policies.
The use of elephants in the entertainment industry can lead to their extinction .
Children should be taught how to treat animals.
A dog is the best animal companion for a human.

🌊 Persuasive Writing: Environment

Governments should advocate for the use of renewable energy sources.
Garbage recycling should be obligatory.
Humanity should take rainforest conservation more seriously.
Urban areas should implement environment-friendly design and policies .
There is a connection between waste management and global warming.

Fuel buyers in the United States could be convinced to buy back their carbon.

If proper measures are not taken, the loss of biodiversity in coral reefs will be devastating .
Greta Thunberg is the voice of her generation . The girl’s letter to the UN was one of the most discussed events of 2019. Talk about why her call to enhance environmental protection is more than timely.
Sustainable clothing is the best fashion trend in 2023.
Poor farming technologies accelerate climate change .
Water pollution will soon become a more significant issue than air pollution.
Environmental conservation is an essential element of economic growth in developing countries .
First-world countries should implement a carbon tax.
It is impossible to decrease environmental pollution without severe damage to the world’s economy .
Weather forecasts are too inaccurate.
Climate change trends have made the risk of natural disasters worse.

🌽 Persuasive writing: Food

Parents in America should take better care of their children’s diets . Childhood obesity is a growing concern in the US.
Healthy eating is more important than exercise.
Overeating junk food affects mental health.
Restaurants should be transparent about the nutritional value of the food they serve.
There is no harm in consuming GMOs .
Addiction to sugar can be worse than drug addiction.
The fast-food industry isn’t entirely responsible for consumers’ health . It is up to every individual to take care of their diet.
Food is not just fuel; it’s a leisure experience .
Schools must provide students with healthy food options.
Intuitive eating is the best diet.
The downsides of sugar substitutes aren’t thoroughly researched .
Being underweight is more dangerous than being overweight.
Social and psychological factors have a notable role in obesity development .
Eating meat is bad for health.
Food supplements are harmful.

🕹 Persuasive Writing: Video Games

Violence in video games causes behavioral problems in kids .
Board games will never go out of fashion.
Playing computer games can develop one’s cognitive skills .
Game addiction is a more prominent concern than most of us realize.
Virtual reality can disrupt one’s social skills .
Children should have limited access to certain video games.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests the time for video games should be limited.

There is no place for gaming in education.
Certain video games can be beneficial for human health and brains.
Hunger Games should not have been turned into a franchise.
Gaming will become the most popular leisure activity in 30 years.
You can earn a fortune by playing online games.
Video games have multiple adverse effects on children .
Gaming is just a way to escape reality.
First-person shooter games improve one’s reaction and reflexes.
Playing video games too much affects one’s academic and life performance.

🔌 Persuasive Writing: Technology

Siri is the best example of publicly available Artificial intelligence .
Computer science classes at school should incorporate beginner-level software engineering.
Internet is humanity’s greatest invention.
E-learning in medicine is still too expensive .
Nowadays, nobody’s personal data is protected.
If World War III happens, it will be a war of modern technology and information, not nuclear power.
Genetically modified organisms are science’s big mistake.
Cloning should be illegal.
Cell phone addiction will soon become humanity’s worst challenge.
Cyberbullying leads to drug and alcohol abuse among the youth .
Robots will never be able to replace humans .
Technology can help individuals with learning disabilities .

Assistive technology is available to help individuals with many types of disabilities.

Drones are an invasion of privacy and should be illegal.
Apple is the best technology brand on the market.
Data mining is an essential part of every company’s marketing strategy .

Thank you for reading the article! Leave a comment below to let us know what you think. Share the page with friends who may find the persuasive writing prompts and topics useful.

🔗 References

15 Awesome Persuasive Writing Prompts: Thoughtful Learning, K-12
200 Prompts for Argumentative Writing: Michael Gonchar, The New York Times
English II Persuasive Essay [10th grade]: Brianna Johnson, Trinity College
Writing Prompt (Composition): Richard Nordquist, ThoughtCo
What Is a Writing Prompt: Karen Frazier, LoveToKnow
What Makes a Great Writing Prompt: Laura Davis, Kripalu
Writing Prompts for Middle School: Holt McDougal Online
Persuasive Essay Outline: Houston Community College Learning Web
Tips To Write An Effective Persuasive Essay: Melissa Burns, The College Puzzle
Counterargument: Gordon Harvey for the Writing Center at Harvard University
Persuasive Essay: EssayInfo, Writing Guides
Ten Timeless Persuasive Writing Techniques: Brian Clark, CopyBlogger
31 Powerful Persuasive Writing Techniques: Karri Stover, Writtent
A CS Research Topic Generator or How To pick A Worthy Topic In 10 Seconds: Department of Computer Science, Purdue University
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April 21, 2024

The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (120+ Ideas!)

High school students generally do a lot of writing, learning to use language clearly, concisely, and persuasively. When it’s time to choose an essay topic, though, it’s easy to come up blank. If that’s the case, check out this huge round-up of essay topics for high school. You’ll find choices for every subject and writing style.

Argumentative Essay Topics for High School

When writing an argumentative essay, remember to do the research and lay out the facts clearly. Your goal is not necessarily to persuade someone to agree with you, but to encourage your reader to accept your point of view as valid. Here are some possible argumentative topics to try. ( Here are 100 more compelling argumentative essay topics. )

The most important challenge our country is currently facing is … (e.g., immigration, gun control, economy)
The government should provide free internet access for every citizen.
All drugs should be legalized, regulated, and taxed.
Vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco.
The best country in the world is …
Parents should be punished for their minor children’s crimes.
Should all students have the ability to attend college for free?
Should physical education be part of the standard high school curriculum?

WeAreTeachers

Schools should require recommended vaccines for all students, with very limited exceptions.
Is it acceptable to use animals for experiments and research?
Does social media do more harm than good?
Capital punishment does/does not deter crime.
What one class should all high schools students be required to take and pass in order to graduate?
Do we really learn anything from history, or does it just repeat itself over and over?
Are men and women treated equally?

Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics for High School

A cause-and-effect essay is a type of argumentative essay. Your goal is to show how one specific thing directly influences another specific thing. You’ll likely need to do some research to make your point. Here are some ideas for cause-and-effect essays. ( Get a big list of 100 cause-and-effect essay topics here. )

Humans are causing accelerated climate change.
Fast-food restaurants have made human health worse over the decades.
What caused World War II? (Choose any conflict for this one.)
Describe the effects social media has on young adults.
How does playing sports affect people?
What are the effects of loving to read?
Being an only/oldest/youngest/middle child makes you …
What effect does violence in movies or video games have on kids?
Traveling to new places opens people’s minds to new ideas.
Racism is caused by …

Compare-Contrast Essay Topics for High School

As the name indicates, in compare-and-contrast essays, writers show the similarities and differences between two things. They combine descriptive writing with analysis, making connections and showing dissimilarities. The following ideas work well for compare-contrast essays. ( Find 80+ compare-contrast essay topics for all ages here. )

Public and private schools
Capitalism vs. communism
Monarchy or democracy
Dogs vs. cats as pets
Paper books or e-books
Two political candidates in a current race
Going to college vs. starting work full-time
Working your way through college as you go or taking out student loans
iPhone or Android
Instagram vs. Twitter (or choose any other two social media platforms)

Descriptive Essay Topics for High School

Bring on the adjectives! Descriptive writing is all about creating a rich picture for the reader. Take readers on a journey to far-off places, help them understand an experience, or introduce them to a new person. Remember: Show, don’t tell. These topics make excellent descriptive essays.

Who is the funniest person you know?
What is your happiest memory?
Tell about the most inspirational person in your life.
Write about your favorite place.
When you were little, what was your favorite thing to do?
Choose a piece of art or music and explain how it makes you feel.
What is your earliest memory?
What’s the best/worst vacation you’ve ever taken?
Describe your favorite pet.
What is the most important item in the world to you?
Give a tour of your bedroom (or another favorite room in your home).
Describe yourself to someone who has never met you.
Lay out your perfect day from start to finish.
Explain what it’s like to move to a new town or start a new school.
Tell what it would be like to live on the moon.

Expository and Informative Essay Topics for High School

Expository essays set out clear explanations of a particular topic. You might be defining a word or phrase or explaining how something works. Expository or informative essays are based on facts, and while you might explore different points of view, you won’t necessarily say which one is “better” or “right.” Remember: Expository essays educate the reader. Here are some expository and informative essay topics to explore. ( See 70+ expository and informative essay topics here. )

What makes a good leader?
Explain why a given school subject (math, history, science, etc.) is important for students to learn.
What is the “glass ceiling” and how does it affect society?
Describe how the internet changed the world.
What does it mean to be a good teacher?
Explain how we could colonize the moon or another planet.
Discuss why mental health is just as important as physical health.
Describe a healthy lifestyle for a teenager.
Choose an American president and explain how their time in office affected the country.
What does “financial responsibility” mean?

Humorous Essay Topics for High School

Humorous essays can take on any form, like narrative, persuasive, or expository. You might employ sarcasm or satire, or simply tell a story about a funny person or event. Even though these essay topics are lighthearted, they still take some skill to tackle well. Give these ideas a try.

What would happen if cats (or any other animal) ruled the world?
What do newborn babies wish their parents knew?
Explain the best ways to be annoying on social media.
Invent a wacky new sport, explain the rules, and describe a game or match.
Imagine a discussion between two historic figures from very different times, like Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth I.
Retell a familiar story in tweets or other social media posts.
Describe present-day Earth from an alien’s point of view.
Choose a fictional character and explain why they should be the next president.
Describe a day when kids are in charge of everything, at school and at home.

Literary Essay Topics

Literary essays analyze a piece of writing, like a book or a play. In high school, students usually write literary essays about the works they study in class. These literary essay topic ideas focus on books students often read in high school, but many of them can be tweaked to fit other works as well.

Discuss the portrayal of women in Shakespeare’s Othello .
Explore the symbolism used in The Scarlet Letter .
Explain the importance of dreams in Of Mice and Men .
Compare and contrast the romantic relationships in Pride and Prejudice .
Dissect the allegory of Animal Farm and its relation to contemporary events.
Interpret the author’s take on society and class structure in The Great Gatsby .
Explore the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia.
Discuss whether Shakespeare’s portrayal of young love in Romeo and Juliet is accurate.
Explain the imagery used in Beowulf .

Narrative and Personal Essay Topics for High School

Think of a narrative essay like telling a story. Use some of the same techniques that you would for a descriptive essay, but be sure you have a beginning, middle, and end. A narrative essay doesn’t necessarily need to be personal, but they often are. Take inspiration from these narrative and personal essay topics.

Describe a performance or sporting event you took part in.
Explain the process of cooking and eating your favorite meal.
Write about meeting your best friend for the first time and how your relationship developed.
Tell about learning to ride a bike or drive a car.
Describe a time in your life when you’ve been scared.
Share the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you.
Tell about a time when you overcame a big challenge.
Tell the story of how you learned an important life lesson.
Describe a time when you or someone you know experienced prejudice or oppression.
Explain a family tradition, how it developed, and its importance today.
What is your favorite holiday? How does your family celebrate it?
Retell a familiar story from the point of view of a different character.
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
Tell about your proudest moment.

Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative , but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader. It’s important to know your audience, so you can anticipate any counterarguments they might make and try to overcome them. Try these topics to persuade someone to come around to your point of view. ( Discover 60 more intriguing persuasive essay topics here. )

Is democracy the best form of government?
Is capitalism the best form of economy?
Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
Should schools have dress codes?
If I could change one school rule, it would be …
Is year-round school a good idea?

Research Essay Topics

A research essay is a classic high school assignment. These papers require deep research into primary source documents, with lots of supporting facts and evidence that’s properly cited. Research essays can be in any of the styles shown above. Here are some possible topics, across a variety of subjects.

Which country’s style of government is best for the people who live there?
Choose a country and analyze its development from founding to present day.
Describe the causes and effects of a specific war.
Formulate an ideal economic plan for our country.
What scientific discovery has had the biggest impact on life today?
Analyze the way mental health is viewed and treated in this country.
Explore the ways systemic racism impacts people in all walks of life.
Defend the importance of teaching music and the arts in public schools.
Choose one animal from the endangered species list, and propose a realistic plan to protect it.

What are some of your favorite essay topics for high school? Come share your prompts on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out the ultimate guide to student writing contests , dig deeper with our longreads, newsletter sign up to get our best longform features, investigations, and thought-provoking essays, in your inbox every sunday..

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40 Real-World Persuasive Writing Examples (Essays, Speeches, Ads, and More)

Learn from the experts.

The American Crisis historical article, as an instance of persuasive essay examples

The more we read, the better writers we become. Teaching students to write strong persuasive essays should always start with reading some top-notch models. This round-up of persuasive writing examples includes famous speeches, influential ad campaigns, contemporary reviews of famous books, and more. Use them to inspire your students to write their own essays. (Need persuasive essay topics? Check out our list of interesting persuasive essay ideas here! )

Persuasive Essays
Persuasive Speeches
Advertising Campaigns

Persuasive Essay Writing Examples

First paragraph of Thomas Paine's The American Crisis

From the earliest days of print, authors have used persuasive essays to try to sway others to their own point of view. Check out these top persuasive essay writing examples.

Professions for Women by Virginia Woolf

Sample lines: “Outwardly, what is simpler than to write books? Outwardly, what obstacles are there for a woman rather than for a man? Inwardly, I think, the case is very different; she has still many ghosts to fight, many prejudices to overcome. Indeed it will be a long time still, I think, before a woman can sit down to write a book without finding a phantom to be slain, a rock to be dashed against. And if this is so in literature, the freest of all professions for women, how is it in the new professions which you are now for the first time entering?”

The Crisis by Thomas Paine

Sample lines: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”

Politics and the English Language by George Orwell

Sample lines: “As I have tried to show, modern writing at its worst does not consist in picking out words for the sake of their meaning and inventing images in order to make the meaning clearer. It consists in gumming together long strips of words which have already been set in order by someone else, and making the results presentable by sheer humbug.”

Letter From a Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sample lines: “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was ‘well timed’ in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word ‘Wait!’ It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This ‘Wait’ has almost always meant ‘Never.’ We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that ‘justice too long delayed is justice denied.'”

Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau

Sample lines: “Even voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing to men feebly your desire that it should prevail. A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men.”

Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Roger Ebert

Sample lines: “‘Kindness’ covers all of my political beliefs. No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime.”

The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin

Sample lines: “Methinks I hear some of you say, must a man afford himself no leisure? I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says, employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never; so that, as Poor Richard says, a life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things.” ADVERTISEMENT

The Crack-Up by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sample lines: “Of course all life is a process of breaking down, but the blows that do the dramatic side of the work—the big sudden blows that come, or seem to come, from outside—the ones you remember and blame things on and, in moments of weakness, tell your friends about, don’t show their effect all at once.”

Open Letter to the Kansas School Board by Bobby Henderson

Sample lines: “I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design should be taught along with the theory of Evolution. … Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. … We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him. It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories.”

Open Letter to the United Nations by Niels Bohr

Sample lines: “Humanity will, therefore, be confronted with dangers of unprecedented character unless, in due time, measures can be taken to forestall a disastrous competition in such formidable armaments and to establish an international control of the manufacture and use of the powerful materials.”

Persuasive Speech Writing Examples

Many persuasive speeches are political in nature, often addressing subjects like human rights. Here are some of history’s most well-known persuasive writing examples in the form of speeches.

I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sample lines: “And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Woodrow Wilson’s War Message to Congress, 1917

Sample lines: “There are, it may be, many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free.”

Chief Seattle’s 1854 Oration

Sample lines: “I here and now make this condition that we will not be denied the privilege without molestation of visiting at any time the tombs of our ancestors, friends, and children. Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove, has been hallowed by some sad or happy event in days long vanished. Even the rocks, which seem to be dumb and dead as they swelter in the sun along the silent shore, thrill with memories of stirring events connected with the lives of my people, and the very dust upon which you now stand responds more lovingly to their footsteps than yours, because it is rich with the blood of our ancestors, and our bare feet are conscious of the sympathetic touch.”

Women’s Rights Are Human Rights, Hillary Rodham Clinton

Sample lines: “What we are learning around the world is that if women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish. And when families flourish, communities and nations do as well. … If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all.”

I Am Prepared to Die, Nelson Mandela

Sample lines: “Above all, My Lord, we want equal political rights, because without them our disabilities will be permanent. I know this sounds revolutionary to the whites in this country, because the majority of voters will be Africans. This makes the white man fear democracy. But this fear cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the only solution which will guarantee racial harmony and freedom for all. It is not true that the enfranchisement of all will result in racial domination. Political division, based on color, is entirely artificial and, when it disappears, so will the domination of one color group by another. … This then is what the ANC is fighting. Our struggle is a truly national one. It is a struggle of the African people, inspired by our own suffering and our own experience. It is a struggle for the right to live.”

The Struggle for Human Rights by Eleanor Roosevelt

Sample lines: “It is my belief, and I am sure it is also yours, that the struggle for democracy and freedom is a critical struggle, for their preservation is essential to the great objective of the United Nations to maintain international peace and security. Among free men the end cannot justify the means. We know the patterns of totalitarianism—the single political party, the control of schools, press, radio, the arts, the sciences, and the church to support autocratic authority; these are the age-old patterns against which men have struggled for 3,000 years. These are the signs of reaction, retreat, and retrogression. The United Nations must hold fast to the heritage of freedom won by the struggle of its people; it must help us to pass it on to generations to come.”

Freedom From Fear by Aung San Suu Kyi

Sample lines: “Saints, it has been said, are the sinners who go on trying. So free men are the oppressed who go on trying and who in the process make themselves fit to bear the responsibilities and to uphold the disciplines which will maintain a free society. Among the basic freedoms to which men aspire that their lives might be full and uncramped, freedom from fear stands out as both a means and an end. A people who would build a nation in which strong, democratic institutions are firmly established as a guarantee against state-induced power must first learn to liberate their own minds from apathy and fear.”

Harvey Milk’s “The Hope” Speech

Sample lines: “Some people are satisfied. And some people are not. You see there is a major difference—and it remains a vital difference—between a friend and a gay person, a friend in office and a gay person in office. Gay people have been slandered nationwide. We’ve been tarred and we’ve been brushed with the picture of pornography. In Dade County, we were accused of child molestation. It is not enough anymore just to have friends represent us, no matter how good that friend may be.”

The Union and the Strike, Cesar Chavez

Sample lines: “We are showing our unity in our strike. Our strike is stopping the work in the fields; our strike is stopping ships that would carry grapes; our strike is stopping the trucks that would carry the grapes. Our strike will stop every way the grower makes money until we have a union contract that guarantees us a fair share of the money he makes from our work! We are a union and we are strong and we are striking to force the growers to respect our strength!”

Nobel Lecture by Malala Yousafzai

Sample lines: “The world can no longer accept that basic education is enough. Why do leaders accept that for children in developing countries, only basic literacy is sufficient, when their own children do homework in algebra, mathematics, science, and physics? Leaders must seize this opportunity to guarantee a free, quality, primary and secondary education for every child. Some will say this is impractical, or too expensive, or too hard. Or maybe even impossible. But it is time the world thinks bigger.”

Persuasive Writing Examples in Advertising Campaigns

Ads are prime persuasive writing examples. You can flip open any magazine or watch TV for an hour or two to see sample after sample of persuasive language. Here are some of the most popular ad campaigns of all time, with links to articles explaining why they were so successful.

Nike: Just Do It

The iconic swoosh with the simple tagline has persuaded millions to buy their kicks from Nike and Nike alone. Teamed with pro sports-star endorsements, this campaign is one for the ages. Blinkist offers an opinion on what made it work.

Dove: Real Beauty

Beauty brand Dove changed the game by choosing “real” women to tell their stories instead of models. They used relatable images and language to make connections, and inspired other brands to try the same concept. Learn why Global Brands considers this one a true success story.

Wendy’s: Where’s the Beef?

Today’s kids are too young to remember the cranky old woman demanding to know where the beef was on her fast-food hamburger. But in the 1980s, it was a catchphrase that sold millions of Wendy’s burgers. Learn from Better Marketing how this ad campaign even found its way into the 1984 presidential debate.

De Beers: A Diamond Is Forever

Diamond engagement ring on black velvet. Text reads "How do you make two months' salary last forever? The Diamond Engagement Ring."

A diamond engagement ring has become a standard these days, but the tradition isn’t as old as you might think. In fact, it was De Beers jewelry company’s 1948 campaign that created the modern engagement ring trend. The Drum has the whole story of this sparkling campaign.

Volkswagen: Think Small

Americans have always loved big cars. So in the 1960s, when Volkswagen wanted to introduce their small cars to a bigger market, they had a problem. The clever “Think Small” campaign gave buyers clever reasons to consider these models, like “If you run out of gas, it’s easy to push.” Learn how advertisers interested American buyers in little cars at Visual Rhetoric.

American Express: Don’t Leave Home Without It

AmEx was once better known for traveler’s checks than credit cards, and the original slogan was “Don’t leave home without them.” A simple word change convinced travelers that American Express was the credit card they needed when they headed out on adventures. Discover more about this persuasive campaign from Medium.

Skittles: Taste the Rainbow

Bag of Skittles candy against a blue background. Text reads

These candy ads are weird and intriguing and probably not for everyone. But they definitely get you thinking, and that often leads to buying. Learn more about why these wacky ads are successful from The Drum.

Maybelline: Maybe She’s Born With It

Smart wordplay made this ad campaign slogan an instant hit. The ads teased, “Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s Maybelline.” (So many literary devices all in one phrase!) Fashionista has more on this beauty campaign.

Coca-Cola: Share a Coke

Seeing their own name on a bottle made teens more likely to want to buy a Coke. What can that teach us about persuasive writing in general? It’s an interesting question to consider. Learn more about the “Share a Coke” campaign from Digital Vidya.

Always: #LikeaGirl

Always ad showing a young girl holding a softball. Text reads

Talk about the power of words! This Always campaign turned the derogatory phrase “like a girl” on its head, and the world embraced it. Storytelling is an important part of persuasive writing, and these ads really do it well. Medium has more on this stereotype-bashing campaign.

Editorial Persuasive Writing Examples

Newspaper editors or publishers use editorials to share their personal opinions. Noted politicians, experts, or pundits may also offer their opinions on behalf of the editors or publishers. Here are a couple of older well-known editorials, along with a selection from current newspapers.

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (1897)

Sample lines: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.”

What’s the Matter With Kansas? (1896)

Sample lines: “Oh, this IS a state to be proud of! We are a people who can hold up our heads! What we need is not more money, but less capital, fewer white shirts and brains, fewer men with business judgment, and more of those fellows who boast that they are ‘just ordinary clodhoppers, but they know more in a minute about finance than John Sherman,’ we need more men … who hate prosperity, and who think, because a man believes in national honor, he is a tool of Wall Street.”

America Can Have Democracy or Political Violence. Not Both. (The New York Times)

Sample lines: “The nation is not powerless to stop a slide toward deadly chaos. If institutions and individuals do more to make it unacceptable in American public life, organized violence in the service of political objectives can still be pushed to the fringes. When a faction of one of the country’s two main political parties embraces extremism, that makes thwarting it both more difficult and more necessary. A well-functioning democracy demands it.”

The Booster Isn’t Perfect, But Still Can Help Against COVID (The Washington Post)

Sample lines: “The booster shots are still free, readily available and work better than the previous boosters even as the virus evolves. Much still needs to be done to build better vaccines that protect longer and against more variants, including those that might emerge in the future. But it is worth grabbing the booster that exists today, the jab being a small price for any measure that can help keep COVID at bay.”

If We Want Wildlife To Thrive in L.A., We Have To Share Our Neighborhoods With Them (Los Angeles Times)

Sample lines: “If there are no corridors for wildlife movement and if excessive excavation of dirt to build bigger, taller houses erodes the slope of a hillside, then we are slowly destroying wildlife habitat. For those people fretting about what this will do to their property values—isn’t open space, trees, and wildlife an amenity in these communities?”

Persuasive Review Writing Examples

Image of first published New York Times Book Review

Book or movie reviews are more great persuasive writing examples. Look for those written by professionals for the strongest arguments and writing styles. Here are reviews of some popular books and movies by well-known critics to use as samples.

The Great Gatsby (The Chicago Tribune, 1925)

Sample lines: “What ails it, fundamentally, is the plain fact that it is simply a story—that Fitzgerald seems to be far more interested in maintaining its suspense than in getting under the skins of its people. It is not that they are false: It is that they are taken too much for granted. Only Gatsby himself genuinely lives and breathes. The rest are mere marionettes—often astonishingly lifelike, but nevertheless not quite alive.”

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (The Washington Post, 1999)

Sample lines: “Obviously, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone should make any modern 11-year-old a very happy reader. The novel moves quickly, packs in everything from a boa constrictor that winks to a melancholy Zen-spouting centaur to an owl postal system, and ends with a scary surprise. Yet it is, essentially, a light-hearted thriller, interrupted by occasional seriousness (the implications of Harry’s miserable childhood, a moral about the power of love).”

Twilight (The Telegraph, 2009)

Sample lines: “No secret, of course, at whom this book is aimed, and no doubt, either, that it has hit its mark. The four Twilight novels are not so much enjoyed, as devoured, by legions of young female fans worldwide. That’s not to say boys can’t enjoy these books; it’s just that the pages of heart-searching dialogue between Edward and Bella may prove too long on chat and too short on action for the average male reader.”

To Kill a Mockingbird (Time, 1960)

Sample lines: “Author Lee, 34, an Alabaman, has written her first novel with all of the tactile brilliance and none of the preciosity generally supposed to be standard swamp-warfare issue for Southern writers. The novel is an account of an awakening to good and evil, and a faint catechistic flavor may have been inevitable. But it is faint indeed; novelist Lee’s prose has an edge that cuts through cant, and she teaches the reader an astonishing number of useful truths about little girls and about Southern life.”

The Diary of Anne Frank (The New York Times, 1952)

Sample lines: “And this quality brings it home to any family in the world today. Just as the Franks lived in momentary fear of the Gestapo’s knock on their hidden door, so every family today lives in fear of the knock of war. Anne’s diary is a great affirmative answer to the life-question of today, for she shows how ordinary people, within this ordeal, consistently hold to the greater human values.”

What are your favorite persuasive writing examples to use with students? Come share your ideas in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, the big list of essay topics for high school ..

Find strong persuasive writing examples to use for inspiration, including essays, speeches, advertisements, reviews, and more.

Persuasive Essay Topics: Should we allow little kids to play competitive sports?

130 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, high school persuasive essay topics.

Hi folks! I have to write a persuasive essay for my English class, and I'm having a hard time deciding on a topic that is both interesting and relevant to my future college applications. Any suggestions on what topic I should choose from other successful essays you guys have written? Thanks in advance!

Hello! I'm glad you're seeking suggestions for a persuasive essay topic. When it comes to choosing a subject that will be engaging and also relevant for your future college applications, it's essential to consider your passions and interests, as well as topics that may showcase your personality or transferable skills.

Some intriguing persuasive essay topics that could be relevant to college applications might include:

1. The importance of mental health awareness and support in high schools: This topic will allow you to discuss a pressing issue while demonstrating your empathy and concern for your peers.

2. The case for or against standardized testing in college admissions: By choosing this topic, you can showcase your understanding of the college admissions process along with your critical thinking and research skills.

3. The role of social media in modern society: This topic will enable you to explore the positive and negative aspects of social media, and it could lead to discussions about online communication, managing one's digital footprint, and ethics in technology.

4. Addressing sustainability in schools: This topic will allow you to demonstrate environmental awareness and potentially propose local action plans to make your school more sustainable.

5. The impact of extracurricular activities on student success: With this topic, you can discuss the importance of having a well-rounded education, demonstrate your involvement in school activities, and showcase your understanding of the importance of time management and pursuing passions outside the classroom.

Remember, the best persuasive essays stem from a topic you are genuinely interested in. Consider your opinions on current global or local issues, your experiences, and the issues you are passionate about. This passion will translate into a more convincing and engaging essay.

Ultimately, what matters most is that you choose a topic that resonates with your values and experiences, and that your essay is well-argued, researched, and written with conviction. Best of luck with your essay, and I hope you find a topic that you are truly excited about writing!

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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50 Persuasive Speech Topics for High School Students

September 9, 2024

Throughout high school, students will be asked to write about topics and make compelling arguments for certain positions. These persuasive speeches and other writing assignments train a student's communication skills. Creating a compelling, persuasive speech is a powerful skill that will help students in all aspects of their careers, not just in writing courses. The ability to write persuasively will especially have a huge effect on your admissions results when writing your personal statements and essays for college.

With a powerful speech, students can express their opinions, influence others, and develop critical communication skills for school and the workplace. Choosing the right topic for a speech is often as important as how well it's written. To help you find the right topics for your audience, here are 50 persuasive speech topics you can use to help you get started with your writing.

Want an expert's opinion on your college applications? Book a free strategy call and begin your admissions journey today!

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

Compelling persuasive speech topics are relatable, debatable, and relevant. Students should investigate a topic they're passionate about and will intrigue an audience. Don't just take an easy position everyone can agree with—audiences are interested in ideas they may have never heard before, expressed enthusiastically by a passionate speaker.

When ideating a topic, find something with clear, opposing viewpoints. Research the available arguments and present your speech in a way that promotes a meaningful discussion. For example, topics regarding the use of social media, the right to freedom of speech, and the Supreme Court are general and can engage a wide audience.

Topics that everyone agrees with, have no opposing viewpoints, and require no research will not make for interesting speeches. Choose a topic that will challenge you and your audience, but avoid being offensive or controversial for its own sake. A topic you're genuinely interested in—like renewable energy for engineering students or social media platforms for communications students will make writing a compelling speech much more natural. With additional research and effective writing techniques, you can craft a speech to captivate an audience.

How to Choose the Right Persuasive Speech Topic for Your Audience

Choosing the right topic starts with knowing your target audience. While ideating, consider:

Who are you targeting?
What do you want to convince them?
What counter-arguments may they have?

Think about those who would agree with you, be on the fence with you, and who would directly oppose your viewpoint. Writing persuasively is not just about presenting facts and hoping others agree. It's about making an emotional connection with your audience and using that impression to shift their thinking.

Once you've given careful thought to those you'd be presenting to, brainstorm persuasive speech topic ideas that may resonate with them. Make a list of potential ideas and interrogate their merit. Consider current events, personal experiences, and issues others may relate to. Then, narrow down your list to the persuasive topics you would be most interested in—as an audience member and a researcher.

Once you've landed on a few interesting topics, don't rest on them. Ask for feedback and get insights from family, friends, and teachers. Outside perspectives are important; others may have experiences that could provide you with valuable knowledge to use when refining your topic.

50 Persuasive Speech Topic Ideas

School topics.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Mandatory School Uniforms
How Effective is the School Grading System?
How Students can Shape their Curriculum
Is Homework Beneficial or Harmful?
How Would Schools Handle a Four-Day Week?

Art and Humanities Topics

Art or Vandalism: The History of Graffiti
Art vs STEM: What Should Schools Prioritize?
AI-Generated Media: How Do Humans Value Art?
The Correlation Between Art and Mental Health
Are Video Games the Ultimate Artform?

Social Issues Topics

The Right to Protest: Traditional Movements vs Digital Activism
Why do Wealthy Countries have Declining Birth Rates?
Should For-Profit Prisons be Permanently Abolished?
Is Healthcare a Human Right?

Environmental Issues

Why Corporations Need Stricter Plastics Regulation
Environmental Ethics: Human Development vs Species Preservation
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Fully Electric Vehicles
History of Geo-Engineering: Can Society Reverse Climate Change?
What is Dark Oxygen? The Effect of Deep Sea Mining

Technology and Media Topics

Should the Government Regulate the Coming AI revolution?
Where Does Online Misinformation Come From?
Why Does Social Media Affect Self-Image?
The Right to Privacy: How Online anonymity affects people's behavior
Why All Messaging Apps Should Have End-to-End Encryption
Should Artificial Intelligence be Used in Creative Works?
Should Social Media Platforms be Accountable for their Users?

Politics and Government

Should Voting be Compulsory?
How Public and Private Funding Affect Political Campaigns
What is gerrymandering?
Why Do Some Countries Have Mandatory Military Service?
The benefits and drawbacks of term limits for elected officials

Sports Topics

Should esports be officially recognized as part of the Olympic Games?
MMA and Boxing: The Ethics of Broadcasting Violence
Has Football Become More Dangerous?
Should Men and Women compete in the same Leagues?
Restrictor Plates: Why Did NASCAR Make Racing Slower?

Economy and Finance

Should Cryptocurrency be Regulated?
Does a minimum wage help or hurt the economy?
Employees vs contractors: How freelance work Affects commerce
Is Universal Basic Income a Viable Option?
When should the Government regulate the Market?

STEM Topics

What are the Benefits of Mars Colonization?
City Planning: How US Infrastructure Affects the Environment
Why Nuclear Energy is the Cleanest, Safest, and Cheapest Option
Why the US Hasn't Returned to the Moon Yet
Where will Technological Implants take Human Evolution?

Culture and Entertainment Industry Topics

How Binge-Culture Has Affected Our Attention Spans
How Streaming Services Caused the 2023 Writers Strike
Why are actors paid so highly? Hollywood's income inequality
Should IP Copyright be abolished?

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Crafting a persuasive speech isn’t just about presenting facts—it’s about connecting with your audience, understanding their perspectives, and sparking meaningful conversations. These skills are especially important in the college admissions process, where every aspect of your college application is trying to convince an Admissions Officer you're worthy of acceptance.

For more on college applications, InGenius Prep's counseling services are designed to guide high school students through every step of the admissions process. With a focus on story-telling, candidacy building, and highlighting the most impactful aspect of your student profile, we’ll help you capture the attention of your admissions officers.

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113 Perfect Persuasive Essay Topics for Any Assignment
List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics. Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you'll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, "should fracking be legal?" you'd decide whether you believe fracking should ...
23 Persuasive writing Topics for High School students
Find a range of issues and topics that are relevant and engaging for middle school and high school students. Use these prompts to write persuasive essays with specific reasons and examples to support your position.
23 Great Persuasive Essay Topics for High School
23 Persuasive Essay Topics for High School Students. Choose a position and write a persuasive essay on the current greatest environmental threat facing our world today. Write an essay arguing for a skill that everyone should have. Explain why it is so important for people to know that particular thing.
117 Great Persuasive Essay Topics for High School Level Students
Find out how to choose a persuasive topic for your high school paper and get inspired by 117 great ideas on various subjects. Learn the tips and tricks for writing a successful argumentative or persuasive essay with factual evidence and strong opinions.
130 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens
130 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens. Use your words to sway the reader. By Jill Staake, B.S., Secondary ELA Education. Sep 26, 2023. Persuasive writing is one of those skills that can help students succeed in real life. Learn the basics of this valuable skill, then use our big roundup of persuasive essay topics for practice.
120+ Fascinating Essay Topics for High School Students
The following ideas work well for compare-contrast essays. (Find 80+ compare-contrast essay topics for all ages here.) Public and private schools. Capitalism vs. communism. Monarchy or democracy. Dogs vs. cats as pets. WeAreTeachers. Paper books or e-books. Two political candidates in a current race.
100 Persuasive Essay Topics
Beginner Topics. Kids should get paid for good grades. Students should have less homework. Snow days are great for family time. Penmanship is important. Short hair is better than long hair. We should all grow our own vegetables. We need more holidays. Aliens probably exist.
120+ Good Persuasive Essay Topics From Easy to Unique
Find the perfect persuasive essay prompt from a list of more than 120 ideas. Topics range from easy to challenging, covering school, food, animals, sports, entertainment, social issues, education, history, science, and more.
150+ Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Students 2024
Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics. Pros and Cons of having school all year long. Participating in sports must be made compulsory for every student. Men are smarter than women. Consumption of tea is more harmful than coffee. Luck is an important part of success. Spanking kids should be a crime.
50 Great Essay Topics for High School Students (Updated)
Here are some themes they could explore from their unique point of view: Internet (see 50 privacy essay topics here) Climate change and global warming (see our list of 53 Earth and Environmental prompts) Fake news. Obesity in the United States. Immigration, illegal immigrants, and a path to becoming a citizen.
101 Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics
Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics. 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.
120 Persuasive Essay Topics
15 Persuasive Essay Topics for High School. Finding a balance between a topic that's easy to research but not so easy that it's too simplistic is difficult. Below are fifteen intermediate essay topics, which are hard enough to get you a good grade but simple enough that they're not confusing. They're suitable for high schoolers and below.
50 Persuasive Essay Topics to Help You Ace Your Next Assignment
In this post, we'll provide a list of 50 persuasive essay topics to help you get started on your next assignment. We'll also include some tips for writing a persuasive essay to help you craft a strong and effective argument. Whether you're a student or a professional writer, these persuasive essay topics are sure to inspire and challenge you.
63 Excellent Persuasive Essay Topics » JournalBuddies.com
63 Persuasive Essay Topics. Teens should learn etiquette at school. All teens should have the opportunity to study in a different country. Parents of a kid who bullies someone else should pay a fine. School days should start after noon. Teens should have the opportunity to determine their own curfew and bedtime.
25 Top Persuasive Essay Topics for High School
Your goal is not just to share information, but to convince your readers to embrace your viewpoint. 1. Components of a Persuasive Essay. The typical structure of a persuasive essay includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Introduction: This is where you introduce your topic and state your position.
Top 257 Good Persuasive Essay Topics [Tips & Prompts]
‍👩‍🏫 Persuasive Essay Topics for Middle & High School. Middle and high school is a place where you can learn and train the essential life skills. There is learning how to count, write, and communicate with others. Besides all of this, you can learn how to be convincing and persuasive. Essay writing is a great way to do that.
Think Outside the Box: 200 Inspiring Persuasive Essay Topics
To select the best topic for your essay, take these essential steps: 1. Know your Interests - You can only draft an effective essay if you are writing about something that interests you. When you write something you are passionate about, the enthusiasm helps to persuade the readers. 2.
High Quality Persuasive Essay Topics (Updated for 2021)
The persuasive essay topics high school students choose reflects their level of education, the classes they are taking, and their personal interests. Some good persuasive essay topics for high school students are about their daily lives or education. Other persuasive essay topics for high school students are more familiar topics.
162 Persuasive Writing Prompts & Topics: Examples & Tips
162 Persuasive Writing Prompts & Topics: Examples & Tips. by IvyPanda®. 14 min. 18,748. Writing a persuasive essay can be a challenging task. While it is excellent for improving a student's critical thinking and rhetoric skills, coming up with a good topic might be difficult. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our ...
The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (120+ Ideas!)
Humorous Essay Topics for High School. Humorous essays can take on any form, like narrative, persuasive, or expository. You might employ sarcasm or satire, or simply tell a story about a funny person or event. Even though these essay topics are lighthearted, they still take some skill to tackle well. Give these ideas a try.
40 Persuasive Writing Examples (Essays, Speeches, and More)
Use them to inspire your students to write their own essays. (Need persuasive essay topics? Check out our list of interesting persuasive essay ideas here!) Jump to: Persuasive Essays; Persuasive Speeches; Advertising Campaigns ... The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (120+ Ideas!). Share this article. Yes, I want teaching tips ...
High School Persuasive Essay Topics
Some intriguing persuasive essay topics that could be relevant to college applications might include: 1. The importance of mental health awareness and support in high schools: This topic will allow you to discuss a pressing issue while demonstrating your empathy and concern for your peers. 2. The case for or against standardized testing in ...
50 Persuasive Speech Topics for High School Students
Once you've landed on a few interesting topics, don't rest on them. Ask for feedback and get insights from family, friends, and teachers. Outside perspectives are important; others may have experiences that could provide you with valuable knowledge to use when refining your topic. 50 Persuasive Speech Topic Ideas School Topics
Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics for High School
Write a speech you're passionate about with these 55 great ideas for interesting persuasive speech topics for high school. ... School is another universal topic that everyone will care about, so it makes a great choice for a persuasive essay or speech. Try one of these topics:

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113 Perfect Persuasive Essay Topics for Any Assignment

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

What Makes a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

It’s a Topic You Care About

You Have Enough Evidence to Support Your Argument

It’s a Manageable Topic

List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics

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Government/Politics

Tips for Writing a Strong Persuasive Essay

Do Your Research

Make Your Thesis Perfect

Consider the Other Side

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50 Persuasive Essay Topics to Help You Ace Your Next Assignment

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

Top 50 Persuasive Essay Topics

Science and the Environment

Crime and Politics

Health and Fitness

Lifestyle and Culture

Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay

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