Persuasive Speech Topic Ideas

What is a Persuasive Speech? 

Persuasive speaking essentially is defined as any speech where the primary aim is to persuade the audience and get them to align with the views of the speaker.

The art in persuasive speaking lies in the well-structured reasons that the speaker gives to ensure that the audience listens to him/her.

It’s not just random passion. Here, the goal of persuasion is supported by statistics, real-life examples and other technically sound information.

The goal here can be anything, to get someone to vote or to create greater environmental awareness or raise a voice against inequality.

The idea is to leave your audience with a call of action and to persuade them to believe in your vision.

How to Write a Persuasive Speech?

There is no separate template when it comes to writing a persuasive speech.

There, however, are a few things that one must keep in mind to ensure that the writing is clear and crisp and the impact greater.

Understand and research your topic thoroughly

 Since you are looking to persuade your audience about a topic ensure that you have thoroughly read and understood about it.

Till the time you are completely well versed with all that the topic has to offer it is not going to reflect in your writing.

Your writing will lack the punch and the crispness that comes with complete knowledge of a topic.

Sometimes persuasive speech topics are like those of debates and you will have to choose sides. Here, knowing your topic is of primary importance.

Language

Understand that you are trying to persuade the audience to listen to you and to then believe in the arguments that you are presenting. Use the correct language.

Ensure that you use politically correct and simple language with the correct jargon depending on the field of the topic and steer clear of making concentrated statements. They tend to turn off your audience.

Your aim should be to win your audience on your side using your flair of writing and speaking and not using definitive statements.

Audience Analysis 

Aim to understand who your audience is. Your content, way of writing, use of language and mode of delivery will change according to the audience.

As a persuasive speaker, there are two types of audiences that you will encounter. The first will be people who know nothing to very little about the topic. E.g., a group of young school kids on the importance of sleep.

The other will be a group of people who will be at varying levels of knowing the topic.

The former will demand a simpler use of language and not too depth in the content to ensure that your audience understands you. The latter, a more technical approach in both language and depth of content.

Use examples 

Since the primary aim of a persuasive speech is to convince your audience try to use as many examples as you can in a bid to make them understand why what you are saying is right.

 E.g. An investor trying to persuade a group of young students on how money can grow exponentially if they begin investing right and young is more likely to convince them should he give them examples of people their age making it big.

Thus, ensure that you have ample of examples, case studies and facts to back you up.

We have written a detailed resource to help you write and deliver your best Persuasive Speech. Check it out here: The Secret of Writing a Persuasive Speech (On Any Topic) | Ethos, Logos, Pathos is Not Enough

How to Select Speech Topics for Persuasive Speaking?

Selecting speech topics is not that difficult but then it’s always a process marred by confusion. For persuasive speaking there is one simple trick – know your interest. Since a persuasive speech is going to demand a lot of research and reading on your part, it is best to take up a topic that one is interested in.

Persuasive Speech Topics

1. Why eating right during exams is necessary
2. Why exam stress needs immediate addressing
3. The need for sports in school
4. The need to stand up against online bullying
5. The need to stand up against body shaming
6. Why it is essential to groom school students to be leaders
7. Why sleep is essential for better grades
8. The need of Public Policy education
9. Why it’s essential to normalise failure
10. The need to seek mental health aid
11. Why there should be psychologists in school
12. The need to normalise therapy
13. Why online teaching is here to stay
14. The need for dance, music, art and sports in schools
15. Why we need more arts students
16. Why liberal arts is the need of the hour
17. Why integrated sciences can help the world
18. The need to speak about climate change
19. Why peer teaching should be encouraged
20. The need for co-curricular education
21. Importance of self-study
22. Why peer teaching should be promoted
23. Why periodic assessment of teachers is necessary
24. The need for psychologists and therapists in school
25. Reading as an accelerator for better grades
26. Healthy lifestyle an accelerator for better grades
27. Why positive peer pressure can be a game changer
28. Why sports should be a graded component in schools
29. The need for adequate sleep
30. Why application-based learning is necessary
31. The need to not negate bilingualism/multilingualism
32. Shorter school days for the win
33. Why recreational reading is also important
34. The need for sex education in school
35. Why it’s not too late to reduce climate change
36. Is life really possible on Mars
37. The need to focus on coral conservation
38. How can harvesting microorganisms help us
39. Should zoos still be legal
40. Why vertical forests help reduce climate change
41. The need for forest management
42. Why forest fires are good
43. How glacier tourism is good
44. Is it the end of snow?
45. How wildlife tourism helps
46. Natural disasters a result of urbanisation
47. Architects – The future environment warriors
48. How the lockdown eased the planet
49. The need to teach climate change in schools
50. The need to ban animal testing
51. Why microorganism harvesting is beneficial
52. Why we need algae 
53. Why men will lead the next mass extinction
54. The need for animal mental health warriors
55. The need to ban circuses 
56. Wildlife tourism – a boon
57. The need for animal therapy
58. Why coral conservation needs attention
59. How migratory tourism harms
60. Why cross breeding is unethical
61. The need to conserve endangered carnivorous plants
62. The need to ban leather
63. The need to make animal therapy accessible
64. Ethical & Successful: How NOT to Compromise on Business Practices
65. The Promotion of Meritocracy
66. Work From Home: A Productivity Killer
67. How Greed Serves as The Foundation to Every Business
68. Why Family-Owned Businesses Are More Successful
69. Gender Bias: Why the Glass Ceiling Still Exists
70. Why the Promotion of MSMEs Hinder a Country’s Growth
71. Ageless & Timeless: Why a Multi-Generational Workforce Boosts Productivity
72. Why Success Isn’t Determined By a College Degree
73. The Essentiality of Networking & Collaborations
74. AI: Why the Human Touch is STILL Greater Than a Smart One
75. Why Addressing Mental Health is a Necessity
76. How Restructuring Your Business Structures Growth 
77. A Strong Performance Appraisal System: Need of the Hour 
78. Why Parental Leave Should Always Be Paid 
79. Zoos: Throwing Autocracy, Bringing Democracy  
80. Why should everyone be an Animal Rights Activist?
81. Raising Voices against Animal Abuse: Why just watching dog videos is not enough?  
82. How are dogs saving so many lives?  
83. How are animals smarter than humans?  
84. How people who have pets lead a happier life?
85. The Need for Animal Welfare Influencers 
86. Animal Sanctuaries: The best solution to wildlife stewardship?  
87. Afraid of dogs? Know why running isn’t the best but the worst way out  
88. Stray Dogs crave your affection, just like your own pet 
89. How are humans causing depression in animals? 
90. Lessons on selflessness humans must learn from animals 
91. Treat animals the way you would want to be treated 
92. Pets: The ray of hope in your most-difficult times 
93. Do animals feel compassion and empathy as well?