A persuasive speech is a speech designed to inform or persuade an audience It is typically focused on an issue or topic and uses evidence, facts, and data to support its main point, as well as to refute counterarguments. Though the speaker is usually trying to convince the audience of a particular perspective or opinion, the goal of the speech is not to coerce the audience but to inform and, if possible, persuade. Good persuasive speech topics should be engaging,relevant to the audience, and have debatable points of view.
Here are five examples of interesting persuasive speech topics:
1. Should College Tuition Be Free? Most countries around the world offer free tuition to college students, while the United States has not yet adopted this policy. This topic would allow the speaker to discuss the pros and cons of free college tuition, as well as point to examples of other countries that have adopted free tuition among their higher education policies.
2. The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health. This is an important topic to explore as social media use has increased exponentially over the past decade. The speaker would provide both anecdotal evidence from real life scenarios and scientific evidence through research regarding the effects that social media has on mental health.
3. Should the U.S. End Its War on Drugs? This is an issue with a variety of perspectives, as some believe that the end of the war on drugs would lead to an increase in drug-related crime and addiction, while others believe that decriminalization is the best policy. The speaker could present facts and research to give the audience a better understanding of the issue.
4. The Benefits of Working Remotely. This is a timely topic, as more and more employees are being offered the option of working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The speaker could discuss the advantages of remote work and provide examples of how it has positively impacted remote workers.
5. Ending Food Deserts in Low Income Communities. This topic would allow the speaker to discuss the prevalence of food deserts in low-income areas and the need for better access to healthy food. The speaker can use evidence to convince the audience of the importance of ending food deserts.