100+ Trending Persuasive Speech Topics to Ensure Academic Success in 2023

Have you ever been a victim of purchasing things more than you need? We all have. Now, what made us make that extra purchase? It’s not always the goods or the discounts. The salesperson plays a major role in ‘persuading’ us to buy certain products we never planned to own.

Persuasion is an age-old technique of convincing people to believe or do something. From your childhood days to today, you have used this technique a lot of times. Yet, when it comes to using that in an academic project, you tend to look for ways to avoid the same.

So, to help you relate to the subject and deliver a perfect persuasive speech, we have made sure to cover everything about the subject in this blog. Know the meaning, importance, components and types of persuasive speeches and get a readymade list of some trending persuasive speech topics in the following few sections.

What is a Persuasive Speech?

Persuasive speeches aim to convince an audience about the speaker’s point of view or make them do something. If you look around, you will come across a lot of examples of persuasive speeches. In fact, you might have also used the same in your real life. You might have asked your professor for an extension of deadlines and persuaded them to do so.

While all of us can relate to these things, delivering a persuasive speech might not be that easy. There are quite a few things you need to know to address an audience and influence them to accept your point of view on a certain topic.

The next section will help you get familiar with the key components of a persuasive speech. The components can clear the air and take you a step further in understanding the subject better.

Components of a Persuasive Speech

Persuasion is not about lying about things to get a work done. The entire speech has three components: ethos, pathos and logos. What are they? Let’s explore:

Ethos

Let’s say you are planning to study abroad. Your friend who has never been to a foreign land advises you to take up a course that he feels would be the best. On the other hand, an experienced international education consultant shares an entire list of courses that is best suited for you. Who would you trust? The consultants, right? Now why did you trust a stranger over a friend?

First, the consultant is experienced, and second, he has a proven track record of helping students choose the right course. That’s exactly what ethos does in your speech. The component reflects your character and credibility. To persuade someone, you have to prove you are the right person to talk on that topic so that the audience can connect and rely on what you are saying.

Pathos

You have signed up with an assignment help website. But while sharing the requirements, the customer representative refuses to accept your conditions and shares the format they follow. The next thing you would do is leave the website and look for a better one.

Similarly, when you are delivering a speech, make sure to connect with the audience. You need to acknowledge what they are thinking before you put forward your points. Pathos is the component that is defined as the emotional motivator of a speech. Say something they can connect with instantly. It will help you deliver a strong speech and convince the audience about your point of view.

Logos

Logos or logic adds value to the entire speech. You cannot convince an audience with irrational points in support of your arguments. You have to prove each of your points logically. Thinking that your audience will not know enough about the topic is not wise. It is crucial to consider all aspects of delivering a strong speech.

Logos is mainly aimed at making your speech comprehensive, logical and specific. Go through some persuasive speeches written by experts and learn the correct ways to approach one.

Importance of Persuasive Speeches for Students

The modern generation is highly dependent on the Internet. With online classes taking centre stage, face-to-face discussions are close to extinction. While the perks of online classes cannot be denied, you also need to acknowledge the importance of public speaking and face-to-face discussions. No wonder why more than half of all candidates are rejected in the first round of interviews.  

Persuasive speeches can help you face people and learn the correct ways to put your point forward and convince them. Making students learn the art of persuasive speeches will help them in the long run. They will be able to get jobs and secure their future. Further, it is essential to communicate well in the workplace. Persuasive speeches help you enhance your skills and have a smooth run in your professional career.

Both students and teachers must understand the significance of the subject and work together to have a great future.

3 Types of Persuasive Speech Topics

Students are generally allowed to choose a topic for their persuasive speeches. Before you do so, you need to know the various types of persuasive speech topics. Here’s an insight:

Factual persuasive speech topics

There are topics that are based on facts and data. In these cases, you have to provide enough evidence to prove a statement true or false. For example, Adolf Hitler’s ambitions led to the Second World War. The statement has been proved, and there are facts and figures in support of this statement. But you can look at it from another aspect, investigate and present a new perspective. But remember, whatever you say must be backed with strong evidence.

Value persuasive speech topics

You come across a lot of changes every day. Now there are some you like and some others you do not like. Value persuasive speeches aim to define something as good or bad, right or wrong, beautiful or ugly. Suppose your university has changed the citation style from APA to MLA. You can deliver a speech stating if the change is good or bad. It is important to find enough points to ensure the audience gets convinced with the idea.

Policy persuasive speech topics

Policy persuasive speeches are directed towards things that need immediate action and look for passive agreement. The government needs to take immediate action to control global warming can be a good policy persuasive speech topic. Here, you need to present your views on the need for governments to take immediate action to fight against global warming. You need to present your points in a way that audience agrees with what you say.

But how do you know if a persuasive speech topic is good or bad? Let’s answer that in the next section.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

Students are generally allowed to choose a topic for their persuasive speech. However, the entire process can be quite challenging for all. You need to look into various aspects before making a choice. It is not always about what you like to talk about; it is also about engaging and influencing the audience.

The experts suggest students to look at these three things before they choose a topic:

• The topic must be thought-provoking and can demonstrate your knowledge
• The topic resonates with both the speaker and the audience
• It must shed light on the subject you chose and make a lasting impact on your audience

It is hard to find the right topic and be ahead in the race. So, to ensure you don’t have to waste time searching for the right topic, we have listed more than a hundred trending persuasive speech topics on various subjects.

Persuasive Speech Topics about Animals

• Do you agree with the fact that dogs are the best service animals?
• Natural disasters were the reasons dinosaurs became extinct
• Do you believe that the nose is a dog’s fingerprint?
• Cats and dogs must not follow a vegetarian diet
• It is crucial to stop animal abuse in zoos
• It is necessary to stop animal extinction caused by humans
• Do you feel animal sports banning campaigns are ineffective?

Mental Health Persuasive Speech Topics

• Is it easy to identify personality disorders among teens?
• Understanding the ways our differences make us unique
• An insight into the similarities and differences between phobias of children, teens and adults
• Identifying the right time to give children medications to fight mental health issues
• Can the media be solely blamed for the rise of suicide among teenagers?
• Do psychology lessons cause stress among students?
• Mental problems among teenagers can be attributed to peer pressure

Business Persuasive Speech Topics

• Understanding how people’s skills are important for the success of a business
• Can introverts be better entrepreneurs?
• Understanding the role of a mentor in the success of an entrepreneur
• Can your position in the market affect your current and future business plan?
• The effect of social media on marketing plans
• Expert tips for starting a business without any money
• An insight into the value of unorthodox business ideas

Medical Persuasive Speech Topics

• Do you feel a migraine is often overlooked at school or workplace?
• Busting the myths related to alternative medication
• Issues with mental health affect the entire society
• Obesity can solely be attributed to the food industry
• It is necessary for everyone to donate blood once every year
• Finding the most effective ways to treat back pain
• Understanding if cell phones affect brains

Public Speaking Persuasive Speech Topics

• People’s self-image and self-esteem are highly influenced by social media
• You can learn a lot about life with competitive sports
• Using your mistakes as a way to learn about life
• The necessity of spending time with your grandparents
• The best ways to make money in the 21^st century
• Texting while driving should be made illegal
• It is necessary to ban single-use plastic containers

Funny Persuasive Speech Topics

• Don’t you think growing up is a trap?
• Humans are creatures on two legs that are unthankful
• Whatever is prohibited tempts us more than any other thing
• Squirrels are better than people: Exploring some reasons
• We must trust only in God; others can only bring data
• Exploring some facts, cats think we are their slaves
• Do you feel lumberjack beards attract animals towards men?

Scientific Persuasive Speech Topics

• A visit to space can improve life for humans
• Genetically modified food can harm your health
• It is not healthy to use painkillers
• Do you also feel that the scientific world is transforming too fast?
• All of us must depend more on renewable energy
• It is crucial for doctors to research and find cure for cancer
• Understanding the ways our diet can lead to different health conditions

Education Persuasive Speech Topics

• It is necessary to conduct proper research to write a short essay
• Students in high school and middle school must be trained to do presentations
• Finding the best ways to improve students’ presentation skills
• Do you feel uniforms should be obligatory in schools?
• Understanding if there’s a need for separate classrooms for boys and girls
• Cell phones in schools should be banned
• A year off from school can be helpful: Do you agree?

Sports Persuasive Speech Topics

• Understanding the need to consider gamers as professional athletes
• An insight into the reasons women’s sports do not get much attention
• A look into the reasons sports are so popular globally
• Understanding why soccer is so popular across the globe
• Do you feel physical training is good for all?
• Finding the ways performance-enhancing drugs are used in professional sports
• Understanding the reasons professional athletes are paid so well

Environment Persuasive Speech Topics

• The need to take more political and legal measures to protect the environment
• The environmental balance gets affected when animals are kept away from their homes
• Businesses are responsible for environmental protection
• It is necessary to formulate strict policies to control ocean pollution
• Is it necessary to have government policies to prevent the use of disposable diapers?
• Our planet can be saved if we recycle papers
• Are we on the right track to fight the global warming issues?

Family Persuasive Speech Topics

• Understanding if child abuse and traumas can cause mental disorders in the future
• An insight into how family history can make children prone towards stress and anxiety
• Finding the best ways to run a business with your family
• Understanding if children and teens need to be worried about their privacy and safety
• Do you think video games can be a great source of education for children?
• An insight into the perks and challenges of having an older/younger sibling
• Is it necessary to limit internet access for kids?

Government Persuasive Speech Topics

• Is it possible for governments to promote non-college education for higher income?
• Identifying the problems of spending on biological weapons
• Do you feel the governments are taking the right steps to erase cultural sensitivity?
• Understanding the reasons people question the need to vote
• Can one test in a lifetime is sufficient for getting a driving license?
• Is it necessary for smokers to pay a health tax?
• Do you think the government is spending way too much on the military?

Arts and Culture Persuasive Speech Topics

• Understanding the various ways writing a journal can help you become a better person
• An insight into if reality shows can be held responsible for people’s mental health
• Do you feel the lyrics of a song have an effect on our lives?
• Understanding if an artist needs to abide by the rules of the society when they are working on a project
• Do you think movies have the power to persuade you into doing things you don’t believe in?
• Understanding if action movies can be held responsible for stress
• Do you believe inspirational and humorous codes can help improve your mood?

Persuasive Speech Topics about Music and Fashion

• Understanding the reasons guitar music is above everything else
• Most of you are unaware of the fact that metal music is modern classical music
• Reasons music can make everything easy for us
• Do you feel pop fashion is highly influenced by alternative subcultures?
• It is crucial to make digital music free for download
• Clothes do not indicate someone’s personality, but it provides a different perception of people
• Understanding the ways fashion trends are different from one culture to another

Religion Persuasive Speech Topics

• Do you feel studying about religion can motivate people?
• Sharing some stories about ancient gods and goddesses
• Finding the best ways to deal with conflicts and arguments among people from different religions
• Do you feel arguing over the existence of Gods be done in classrooms?
• What’s your take on new-age spirituality?
• A comparison between current and ancient interpretations of the Bible
• Should children be allowed to choose their religion?

Persuasive Speech Topics for College Students

• Is it necessary for governments to regulate the use of personal drones?
• Do you feel virtual reality experiences can be valuable educational tools?
• Do you feel the positive effects of AI can overshadow the risks?
• Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa are a threat to individual privacy: Do you agree?
• Understanding if facial recognition technology is violating individual’s privacy policies
• Do you agree to do away with minimum wages?
• Do you feel capitalism is the best economic system?

Persuasive Speech Topics on the Economy

• Do you feel products manufactured outside the US must come with an additional tax?
• Is it necessary to buy products that are manufactured in the US?
• Free trade agreements are not fruitful for the workers
• The on-going trade deficit with China is becoming too risky
• It is necessary to increase the minimum wage
• Is it right to blame oil companies for the rise in energy prices?
• Our economy is getting harmed by cheaper foreign employees

Persuasive Speech Topics on Entertainment

• A look into the joke that was the worst I ever heard
• The time when I first got caught
• A story about how I got my nickname
• A story about a misheard lyric in a song
• Funny ways to embarrass a teenager
• Finding ways to take the worst picture for a passport
• A look into the ways to take your dog to a vet

Persuasive Speech Topics on Travel

• What are the advantages of being an air hostess?
• Do you feel historical places are getting affected badly due to tourism?
• Do you agree with the fact that travelling should be cheaper?
• It is necessary to visit a new place every six months
• Switzerland is the most beautiful place on earth
• Reasons you should not visit the Bermuda Triangle
• Do you feel tourism has a major role to play in presenting a better image of a country?

Final thoughts

There’s no denying the fact that learning the art of persuasion is important in life. Even if you keep things to yourself and do not like to talk to others, you will face situations where you need to explain yourself and persuade people. So, before you confront such situations, learn the art well. Persuasive speeches in academics give you the chance to explore the skill and enhance the same for a better future.

Frequently Asked Questions by Students

What makes a good persuasive speech topic?

You need to know the main objective of a persuasive speech to find the right topic. Persuasive speeches are directed to inform, educate, convince or motivate an audience. It is definitely not easy to change someone’s viewpoints. So, to grab the attention, ensure the topic is thought-provoking, daring and has a clear opinion.

What should every good persuasive speech have?

A good persuasive speech must be on trending topics. You have to understand that your speech will not have any relevance if the topic is backdated and has no significance for the audience. The two main elements of a good persuasive speech are timeliness and relevance. Understand the essence of these elements while choosing a topic for a persuasive speech.

Can a persuasive speech topic be a question?

Answering a question can be the best way to grab the attention of your audience. If you choose a persuasive speech topic that is a question, it will add value to the entire presentation. You will be able to persuade the audience to believe what you feel about a certain aspect. Choosing a topic that is a question can help you find the right audience and deliver a good speech.

What is the most important thing in a persuasive speech?

The way you start and end the speech are undeniably the two most important things in a persuasive speech. You must ensure that to get the attention of your audience with a good start to your speech. It will help you build interest among the audience to stay and listen to the entire speech. Similarly, when you end the speech, you must give the audience some room for thought and research on the topic.

How many points should a persuasive speech have?

Generally, a persuasive speech has an introduction with a hook statement, three main points, and a summary. The speech you deliver will be a custom version of this format. It is wise to create an outline before working on the main speech. It will help you overcome the odds and craft a good persuasive speech for your audience.

Why do we need persuasive skills?

People with strong persuasive skills have been able to perform better than others in their jobs. For people who are working in sales, it is crucial to be persuasive to fulfil their target and be ahead of the competition. Further, strong persuasive skills can help you be a great leader, encourage, and motivate your team members to work towards a common goal.