argumentative speech theme

Argumentative Speech Topics and ideas: A Complete Guide

An argumentative speech is a persuasive speech. Here, speakers try to encourage audiences to alter their views on a controversial issue.

Though they are alike in some manner, persuasive and argumentative speech contains different goals.

A persuasive speech focuses on sharing a perspective and asking the public to think it over. An argumentative speech aims to alter the viewpoint already detained by the audience.

This type of speech is challenging. So, the speaker should pick up the topic that he is confident at and come up with a strong argument.

When you are involved in debates with family or friends, you obviously tend to win or lose. The way you argue shows your capability to compel facts and concepts in support of a topic.

While losing an argument, chances are you only used the standpoint supporting your situation. In a perfect argumentative speech, there should be a strong claim and the points to support it.

For an argumentative speech, find a concrete and controversial argument to use as your foundation. These speeches generally focus on the topics discussed at the moment by society. Most of the topics of argumentative speech are derivative of political discussion.

This is most commonly noticed in the media. The selected topic might be social, religious, ethical, or political by nature. The public must be confident to revise their long-held values. They might ask to change detained convictions relevant to the recent evidence.

In fact, picking up a topic that is debatable is important to develop good speech. The topic should not include something which is already demonstrated or verified.

Instead, it should be logical enough to convince the audience. The speaker should come up with a strong opinion to make his speech realistic to the audience.

To be able to argue in a reasonable and logical way is a fine life skill. It helps to stand up for what you think is correct and let others give attention to your viewpoints.

For instance, if the topic includes “eating egg and milk affects your healthiness”. You evaluate the opponent and create your own topic like “Eating egg and milk does not affect your health”. Yet, you have to give strong points to support your answer.

Table of Contents

Terms to Present Argumentative Speech

Claims of fact, claims of value, claims of policy, 1. pick up debatable topic, 2. take a strong standpoint, 3. give some supportable arguments, 4. refute alternate positions, tips for delivering an argumentative speech:, 1. look for your topic, 2. recognize your standpoint, 3. carry out the research, 4. know who your opposition is, 5. know the facts, 6. choose the topic of your interest, list of argumentative speech topic, argumentative speech topics about economy, argumentative speech topics about science, argumentative speech topics about environment, argumentative speech topics about family, argumentative speech topics about technology, argumentative speech topics about health, argumentative speech topics about history, argumentative speech topics about politics, argumentative speech topics about religion, argumentative speech topics about sports, argumentative speech topics about relationships, argumentative speech topics about law, argumentative speech topics about life, argumentative speech topics about ethics,  conclusion.

These are some terms that help you to present an ideal argumentative speech:

• Claim – This is the main term that you should focus on. Try to give a strong standpoint. Support on the point, position, and the issue you are talking about. Do not forget the main purpose of the speech.
• Grounds – Grounds are the key information or the facts that you use to make your point more powerful and reliable. Make sure that the details you give are an appropriate reason for your claims in the initial place.

Argumentative Speech is based on:

It starts with the reality relevant to the evidence. For an instance, you drink too much alcohol and do not exercise. Then, you will surely put up the weight. If you control your drinks, then you can maintain the weight.

Claims of value include the belief something is correct or incorrect, good or bad. For an instance, punishing children is wrong. It does not improve the habits of your children.

Here you can also state “Punishing children is right”. They will think properly before doing anything wrong

Claims of the policy are taken from the course of action. For an instance, you should be able to vote through a driving license. There is a precise rule for the policy. It is realistic and superior compared to the current system.

Every child should learn different languages in school. It is vital to introduce teachers to the value of beginning foreign language experience.

While initiating the argumentative speech, get ready with strong arguments. You desire to give an influential impact right in front. Also, you might wish to leave a good impression on the audience hearing your speech.

Stay away from personal attacks. If you make the argument too boring, there will be a higher chance of losing your audience.

Besides, argumentative speech needs a powerful viewpoint on the topic that you are delivering. Remember, the goal is not to win your audience but to win the argument. You have to stand on your own point with an appropriate reason.

Essential components of an Argumentative speech:

The main goal of an argumentative essay is to influence others in your opinions. Generally, an argumentative speech addresses an audience with opposite opinions on a specific subject.

Here are four essential elements to focus on when developing an argumentative essay:

While picking up a topic, you should select the topic with more than a single side. For an instance, there is no way to discuss the topic of human smell with the nose. It is familiar fact that has no other strong points to discuss against.

While preparing for an argumentative speech, take a strong standpoint. Try to stick with the stance. This makes your speech powerful. Make sure you do not confuse the audience with any irrelevant points.

A good argument needs to have reasonable and convincing evidence. Better support your statement with information, figures, examples, and some relevant opinions. Also, argumentative speech does not contain unproven opinions. Make sure you research and present the argument that is a relevant argument.

At the end of a strong argumentative speech, you have to refute alternate positions. By dealing with the opponent, make some powerful arguments. Try to work on some common and stronger viewpoints.

• Look for a concrete and controversial argument to use as your base.
• Arrange your points properly. Arranging the points can be helpful while planning your thoughts and presenting them
• Give most of your time for research. Better research on your topics along with the topics which your opposition is likely to pick up.

How to develop an effective Argumentative Speech?

After picking up a fine controversial topic, you should work on some powerful points. Those points must make your speech influential. Start developing an outline that translates into better argumentative speech.

These are some points to consider while working on an argumentative speech:

From absorption to health, you can find many types of topics that you feel comfortable presenting.

At first, think about the topic that you are supporting. Are you supporting abortion or speaking against it? Most of the speaker loves to speak against abortion but should be confident to speak on the topic.

Better verify and try to prove the facts using some examples or supportive words. This makes your speech more powerful and interesting. Consider determining whether you are attempting to take the topic.  

You can definitely find the people who have worked for or else against the topic that you picked up earlier.

For this, you have to carry out the research well. But, this does not mean you have to copy from them. Just take your idea and use them in a better way. This helps to know what step you should take to move forward to make a good flow of the argument.

Each argumentative speech contains both for and against the side. The best probable approach that you can use is to know your opponent. Knowing how your opponent thinks and the points they use makes you easy to perform.

An argumentative speech might be weak if you do not provide any facts. For a good outcome, you need facts supporting your argument on the controversial topic. If you ignore this you might be in a problem while presenting the speech.

Be sure, you know and give the facts, and make your points strong. These facts reduce your risk of looking unprepared and unprofessional.

You cannot give a better outcome without passion. To present superior argumentative speech, you should have an interest in the topic. Better select the topic of your interest. This helps you to work and perform better. If you do not trust yourself and your topic, no one will as well.

Deciding on an arguable topic is essential to developing an effective argumentative speech. Better do not pick up the topic which needs great logic for convincing the audience.

You should have an extreme desire in the topic with a deep opinion on the subject. If he cannot fulfill these criteria, he might not provide influencing arguments.

Find here the List of Argumentative Speech Topics. They are great for developing arguments for debates, persuasive speech, and argumentation.

Argumentative Speech Topics about Education

• Mobile phones should be banned in schools for both students and teachers.
• Exams should be abolished.
• Exam scores do not reflect student performance.
• Mandatory dress code.
• Studying of foreign languages should begin from kindergarten age.
• College students should have freedom to choose their own courses.
• Sex education should be required in all schools.
• Benefits of attending a single-sex school.
• Essays do not demonstrate student’s knowledge on a topic.
• Home education should only be allowed for medical reasons.
• Education should be free to anyone.
• Teachers should have mandatory re-training every 5 years.
• Testing and choice are undermining education.
• Grades are not important.
• Bilingual education.
• CPR and first aid techniques should be a mandatory course.
• State colleges should be free to attend.
• Teachers should wear uniforms or obey a dress code.
• Why educational computer games should be used in school
• Music education should be placed back into schools
• Student Debts
• Do colleges put too much stock in standardized test scores?
• Price of Education and textbooks
• Popular literature is not as valuable as classical literature.
• Smoking and drinking on campus
• Workers should get four weeks paid vacation each year.
• The illegal immigrant workforce is good for the economy.
• Christmas is just a way for businesses to increase sales.
• Rich people should have tax breaks.
• Decreasing wealth tax is good for the economy.
• Salaries of actors, professional athletes and CEOs should be regulated and capped.
• Government aid for students should be based purely on academic performance.
• Taxes should be imposed on unhealthy foods to combat obesity.
• Paying the waiter hourly rate below minimum wage is unfair.
• Mortgage Crisis
• Consumer Debt
• Outsourcing jobs to foreign countries
• Equal pay for equal work
• Fuel Prices
• How nuclear power shaped the 21st century in electrical generation.
• Space exploration is a waste of money.
• Genetic Research is destroying humanity.
• NASA space landing on the moon was a hoax.
• Media’s effect on teen suicide.
• Stem cell research and the guidelines that control it.
• Hunting is good for the environment.
• Food shortage / world hunger.
• Crimes against the environment should be tougher.
• Vegetarianism is an ecologically thoughtful lifestyle.
• Destruction of the world’s forest is justified by a human need for land and food.
• Racing industry should be forced to use environmentally-friendly fuel.
• Working from home is good for the environment.
• Genetically modified food should be the answer to the world’s hunger problem.
• The government should support and subsidize alternative energy sources.
• Alternative Energy and Hybrid Vehicles can help save our planet.
• Nuclear power is better than solar power.
• Future of recycling.
• Advantages of recycling water.
• Alternative Fuels.
• Every family with children filing for divorce must go through a mandatory ‘cooling off’ period.
• Couples should be banned from adopting overseas.
• Future parents should take parenting classes and pass tests before having a child.
• Physical punishment is good practice for raising children.
• Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?
• Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
• Violent video games and toys should not be allowed.
• Technology is making people less creative.
• Human beings are becoming slaves of modern technology.
• Does technology limit creativity?
• Technology makes us lose most of our traditions and culture.
• New technologies create new problems.
• Positive effects of technology on society.
• Modern technology has increased material wealth but not happiness.
• Social Networking Sites had an impact on changing us for the worse.
• Internet censorship is unnecessary.
• Whether the internet has made research easier and more convenient.
•  Life was better when technology was less and more simple.
• Online friends are more effective than real friends.
• Internet Privacy.
• Torrents and internet pirating.
• Social networks are killing sincere relationships.
• Organ donation should be mandatory.
• Health risks of smoking are exaggerated.
• Vaccinations should be compulsory.
• Veganism is an unhealthy way to raise kids.
• Breast-feeding is one of the most important things a mother can give to a child.
• Terminally ill patients should be allowed to use heroin.
• Knowing your ancestry is important for health.
• All farmers should go organic.
• Lapses in food safety as a result of a complex interplay of factors.
• Music Therapy.
• The need of teen depression prevention.
• Drug addiction is a sickness.
• Running is unhealthy.
• Fast food, soda, chips and other unhealthy food should be heavily taxed.
• Bread is bad for your health.
• Child obesity.
• Any products that are believed to cause cancer should have a  warning label.
• The only difference between normal and organic food is the cost.
• Dangers of herbal remedies.
• Smoking a pipe is more harmful than smoking cigarettes.
• Denying health insurance on a basis of a pre-existing condition is against human rights.
• Athletes who are caught using steroids should be banned from the professional sport for life.
• Stretching before and after exercise is overrated.
• A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat.
• Eating meat and dairy is bad for your body.
• GMOs are bad for health and should be avoided at any cost.
• Why slavery was good for society back in the 1800s.
• Adolf Hitler was a great leader.
• Slavery and its effects on global economic developments.
• Why Reagan’s “War on Drugs” had negative effects.
• Many Caribbean people do not understand their heritage and history.
• Famous people (actors, athletes) should not be allowed to become politicians.
• The War in Iraq was justified.
• Invading other countries, as long as for good cause, is justified.
• Illegal immigrants should get an asylum.
• Democracy is the best form of government.
• Why should we trust Official Statistics?
• War as an instrument of foreign policy.
• Voting should be compulsory for all citizens.
• Compulsory military service is good for society and the country.
• Voting age should be lowered.
• Terrorism is a major issue in the world because innocent people are affected.
• The assassination can never be justified.
• Why electronic voting is not effective.
• Downsides of multiculturalism
• Can racial profiling be useful?
• Churches should be required to pay taxes.
• Racialist blames are often used as a great excuse to shut down dialogue.
• The world would be a more peaceful place without religions.
• Life after death.
• Evolution vs. Creationism.
• There should be no religion in schools.
• Islamic Fundamentalism.
• Religion is a force for evil.
• Students should learn about world religions in public schools.
• Jehovah witnesses.
• Why hockey should allow fights.
• Not all great sportsmen can be good coaches. 
• For athletes: Discipline is more important than talent.
• Female athletes train better with female coaches.
• Chess is not a sport.
• Should players’ jerseys display ads?
• Should there be a set age range for basketball players?
• Can gambling be legalized as a professional sport?
• Spousal Abuse.
• Polygamy creates healthy relationships.
• Gender equality is a myth.
• Having sex with a prostitute is not cheating.
• Does age matter in relationships? What age is appropriate for dating?
• Men should be forced to take paternity leave from work.
• Gender does not affect learning.
• Guns should be made illegal.
• Minors should be tried for murder at any age.
• Social Security and Medical Reform are non-negotiable ways out of the debt crisis.
• Gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples.
• Plastic surgery should be illegal for anyone under 18.
• Identity Theft.
• Ban on smoking in public places is undemocratic.
• Euthanasia should be legalized.
• Prostitution should be legalized.
• The taboo on recreational drugs is unjustified.
•  Driving speed limits should be lifted in areas with low accident risk.
• DUI offenders should give up their driver license for a year.
• Laws to protect the victims of domestic abuse should be enforced.
• Making drugs illegal creates an environment for crime and violence.
• Fast Food advertisements and promotions should be banned.
• Retirement should be made compulsory at the age of 60.
• Cell phones and driving.
• Billboards should not be allowed on interstate highways.
• Acceptance of all types of people.
• Today’s world is a dangerous place to live in.
• People don’t enjoy what they have. They constantly seek for more.
• Benefits of having friends.
• Modern offices should have facilities for an afternoon nap.
• Would you rather be lucky, rich, or intelligent?
• Reality television makes people stupid and should be regulated.
• Has television become out-dated?
• Watching television makes people smarter.
• Banning some books and movies can help society.
• Assisted Suicide.
• Genetic Research.
• Is human cloning ethical?
• The Ethics of Capital Punishment.
• Euthanasia is not morally acceptable.
• Abortion is inhumane and murder.
• Abortions should be legal in cases of rape and incest.
• DNA experiments on human embryos are unethical and should not be allowed.
• Torture is an acceptable measure to prevent terrorism.
• Wearing fur is unethical.
• Cultural treasures should be returned to their countries of origin.
• Do animals have rights? Using animals for scientific research is inhumane.
• Spaying and neutering pets should be mandatory.
• Zoos, aquariums, and circus violate animal rights and should be shut down.
• Should scientists bring back extinct species through cloning?
• Hunting is unethical and should not be allowed.
• Doctors are better than Lawyers Are beauty pageants exploitative?
• Feminism is bad for society.
• The Miss America pageant is sexist.

The above-mentioned topics and tips for argumentative speech should help you prepare and deliver an argumentative speech. If you have any suggestions or feedback, please let me know in the comment below.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging

What’s covered:, how to pick an awesome persuasive speech topic, 112 engaging persuasive speech topics, tips for preparing your persuasive speech.

Writing a stellar persuasive speech requires a carefully crafted argument that will resonate with your audience to sway them to your side. This feat can be challenging to accomplish, but an engaging, thought-provoking speech topic is an excellent place to start.

When it comes time to select a topic for your persuasive speech, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options to choose from—or your brain may be drawing a completely blank slate. If you’re having trouble thinking of the perfect topic, don’t worry. We’re here to help!

In this post, we’re sharing how to choose the perfect persuasive speech topic and tips to prepare for your speech. Plus, you’ll find 112 persuasive speech topics that you can take directly from us or use as creative inspiration for your own ideas!

Choose Something You’re Passionate About

It’s much easier to write, research, and deliver a speech about a cause you care about. Even if it’s challenging to find a topic that completely sparks your interest, try to choose a topic that aligns with your passions.

However, keep in mind that not everyone has the same interests as you. Try to choose a general topic to grab the attention of the majority of your audience, but one that’s specific enough to keep them engaged.

For example, suppose you’re giving a persuasive speech about book censorship. In that case, it’s probably too niche to talk about why “To Kill a Mockingbird” shouldn’t be censored (even if it’s your favorite book), and it’s too broad to talk about media censorship in general.

Steer Clear of Cliches

Have you already heard a persuasive speech topic presented dozens of times? If so, it’s probably not an excellent choice for your speech—even if it’s an issue you’re incredibly passionate about.

Although polarizing topics like abortion and climate control are important to discuss, they aren’t great persuasive speech topics. Most people have already formed an opinion on these topics, which will either cause them to tune out or have a negative impression of your speech.

Instead, choose topics that are fresh, unique, and new. If your audience has never heard your idea presented before, they will be more open to your argument and engaged in your speech.

Have a Clear Side of Opposition

For a persuasive speech to be engaging, there must be a clear side of opposition. To help determine the arguability of your topic, ask yourself: “If I presented my viewpoint on this topic to a group of peers, would someone disagree with me?” If the answer is yes, then you’ve chosen a great topic!

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for what it takes to choose a great persuasive speech topic, here are over one hundred options for you to choose from.

• Should high school athletes get tested for steroids?
• Should schools be required to have physical education courses?
• Should sports grades in school depend on things like athletic ability?
• What sport should be added to or removed from the Olympics?
• Should college athletes be able to make money off of their merchandise?
• Should sports teams be able to recruit young athletes without a college degree?
• Should we consider video gamers as professional athletes?
• Is cheerleading considered a sport?
• Should parents allow their kids to play contact sports?
• Should professional female athletes be paid the same as professional male athletes?
• Should college be free at the undergraduate level?
• Is the traditional college experience obsolete?
• Should you choose a major based on your interests or your potential salary?
• Should high school students have to meet a required number of service hours before graduating?
• Should teachers earn more or less based on how their students perform on standardized tests?
• Are private high schools more effective than public high schools?
• Should there be a minimum number of attendance days required to graduate?
• Are GPAs harmful or helpful?
• Should schools be required to teach about standardized testing?
• Should Greek Life be banned in the United States?
• Should schools offer science classes explicitly about mental health?
• Should students be able to bring their cell phones to school?
• Should all public restrooms be all-gender?
• Should undocumented immigrants have the same employment and education opportunities as citizens?
• Should everyone be paid a living wage regardless of their employment status?
• Should supremacist groups be able to hold public events?
• Should guns be allowed in public places?
• Should the national drinking age be lowered?
• Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
• Should the government raise or lower the retirement age?
• Should the government be able to control the population?
• Is the death penalty ethical?

Environment

• Should stores charge customers for plastic bags?
• Should breeding animals (dogs, cats, etc.) be illegal?
• Is it okay to have exotic animals as pets?
• Should people be fined for not recycling?
• Should compost bins become mandatory for restaurants?
• Should electric vehicles have their own transportation infrastructure?
• Would heavier fining policies reduce corporations’ emissions?
• Should hunting be encouraged or illegal?
• Should reusable diapers replace disposable diapers?

Science & Technology

• Is paper media more reliable than digital news sources?
• Should automated/self-driving cars be legalized?
• Should schools be required to provide laptops to all students?
• Should software companies be able to have pre-downloaded programs and applications on devices?
• Should drones be allowed in military warfare?
• Should scientists invest more or less money into cancer research?
• Should cloning be illegal?
• Should societies colonize other planets?
• Should there be legal oversight over the development of technology?

Social Media

• Should there be an age limit on social media?
• Should cyberbullying have the same repercussions as in-person bullying?
• Are online relationships as valuable as in-person relationships?
• Does “cancel culture” have a positive or negative impact on societies?
• Are social media platforms reliable information or news sources?
• Should social media be censored?
• Does social media create an unrealistic standard of beauty?
• Is regular social media usage damaging to real-life interactions?
• Is social media distorting democracy?
• How many branches of government should there be?
• Who is the best/worst president of all time?
• How long should judges serve in the U.S. Supreme Court?
• Should a more significant portion of the U.S. budget be contributed towards education?
• Should the government invest in rapid transcontinental transportation infrastructure?
• Should airport screening be more or less stringent?
• Should the electoral college be dismantled?
• Should the U.S. have open borders?
• Should the government spend more or less money on space exploration?
• Should students sing Christmas carols, say the pledge of allegiance, or perform other tangentially religious activities?
• Should nuns and priests become genderless roles?
• Should schools and other public buildings have prayer rooms?
• Should animal sacrifice be legal if it occurs in a religious context?
• Should countries be allowed to impose a national religion on their citizens?
• Should the church be separated from the state?
• Does freedom of religion positively or negatively affect societies?

Parenting & Family

• Is it better to have children at a younger or older age?
• Is it better for children to go to daycare or stay home with their parents?
• Does birth order affect personality?
• Should parents or the school system teach their kids about sex?
• Are family traditions important?
• Should parents smoke or drink around young children?
• Should “spanking” children be illegal?
• Should parents use swear words in front of their children?
• Should parents allow their children to play violent video games?

Entertainment

• Should all actors be paid the same regardless of gender or ethnicity?
• Should all award shows be based on popular vote?
• Who should be responsible for paying taxes on prize money, the game show staff or the contestants?
• Should movies and television shows have ethnicity and gender quotas?
• Should newspapers and magazines move to a completely online format?
• Should streaming services like Netflix and Hulu be free for students?
• Is the movie rating system still effective?
• Should celebrities have more privacy rights?

Arts & Humanities

• Are libraries becoming obsolete?
• Should all schools have mandatory art or music courses in their curriculum?
• Should offensive language be censored from classic literary works?
• Is it ethical for museums to keep indigenous artifacts?
• Should digital designs be considered an art form? 
• Should abstract art be considered an art form?
• Is music therapy effective?
• Should tattoos be regarded as “professional dress” for work?
• Should schools place greater emphasis on the arts programs?
• Should euthanasia be allowed in hospitals and other clinical settings?
• Should the government support and implement universal healthcare?
• Would obesity rates lower if the government intervened to make healthy foods more affordable?
• Should teenagers be given access to birth control pills without parental consent?
• Should food allergies be considered a disease?
• Should health insurance cover homeopathic medicine?
• Is using painkillers healthy?
• Should genetically modified foods be banned?
• Should there be a tax on unhealthy foods?
• Should tobacco products be banned from the country?
• Should the birth control pill be free for everyone?

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can  use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original persuasive speech ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Do Your Research

A great persuasive speech is supported with plenty of well-researched facts and evidence. So before you begin the writing process, research both sides of the topic you’re presenting in-depth to gain a well-rounded perspective of the topic.

Understand Your Audience

It’s critical to understand your audience to deliver a great persuasive speech. After all, you are trying to convince them that your viewpoint is correct. Before writing your speech, consider the facts and information that your audience may already know, and think about the beliefs and concerns they may have about your topic. Then, address these concerns in your speech, and be mindful to include fresh, new information.

Have Someone Read Your Speech

Once you have finished writing your speech, have someone read it to check for areas of strength and improvement. You can use CollegeVine’s free essay review tool to get feedback on your speech from a peer!

Practice Makes Perfect

After completing your final draft, the key to success is to practice. Present your speech out loud in front of a mirror, your family, friends, and basically, anyone who will listen. Not only will the feedback of others help you to make your speech better, but you’ll become more confident in your presentation skills and may even be able to commit your speech to memory.

Hopefully, these ideas have inspired you to write a powerful, unique persuasive speech. With the perfect topic, plenty of practice, and a boost of self-confidence, we know you’ll impress your audience with a remarkable speech!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

100+ Best Argumentative Speech Topics

“Everything in the world is relative, my dear Watson”, said the legendary fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.

You have accepted the rising of the sun in the East and setting in the East as a gospel. But the sun does not rise, the sun does not set. The sun just sits there; a big yellow ball in the sky. Who is right? It all comes down to who can make the right arguments.

The greatest battles are not fought among the ones who hold the swords. The greatest battles happen when the mind collides.

“God does not play dice with the universe”, said Einstein “Don’t teach god what to do with his dice”, said Neil Bohr. That is what real battle is.

So, here are the things to keep in mind while you are in an argumentative debate:

You are always right.

To doubt yourself when you are in the middle of the debate is to accept you are wrong. So, exclude all the phrases that imply compromise, self-doubt, or give the hint of you being caught in a double mind.

Speak as you mean it.

Speak like the world is listening. Have a commanding voice. Lion is the king not only because it preys on others. There are plenty of other carnivores in the jungle. It’s the authoritative roar that is its crown.

Make eye contact.

This is not new. If you don’t speak by making eye contact, then you don’t become authoritative enough. If you can’t become authoritative, even with the best of the arguments you are not going to win.

Body languages.

Body languages play an important role because it’s not always about what you say but how you say it that catches the attention . So, make sure you are on the top of that game.

Fluctuate the pitch of your voice.

Don’t be monotonous. Make your voice hit the crests, make it hit the trough. This is what will keep the people engaged and make the debate look more spontaneous.

Jokes don’t hurt.

They say the only tool one needs is a sense of humor. In the words of Ayn Rand, “one loses everything when one loses his sense of humor.” So, once you are in the middle of the debate and you’re speaking confidently, making the pitch of your voice go up and down, now a few relevant jokes won’t hurt. It helps to win over the audience and judges.

List of Argumentative Speech Topics

Constitutional issues, environment.

• Food & Drinks
• International Politics
• Relationships

1. The pros and cons of starting your own business.

2. The benefits and drawbacks of franchising.

3. Is it better to start a small or large business?

4. The government should support small businesses to improve the economy.

8. All businesses should build websites, use social media, and do online marketing.

11. Businesses need to improve on technology to improve operations.

12. What are the benefits and drawbacks of outsourcing?

13. The benefits and drawbacks of working from home.

14. The pros and cons of taking out a loan to start a business.

15. The pros and cons of starting a family-run business.

16. The benefits and drawbacks of venture capitalism.

17. Why small businesses are the backbone of the economy?

18. The pros and cons of crowdfunding.

19. Why customer satisfaction is essential for businesses?

20. Is it better to work for a small or large company?

1. The death penalty is a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

2. The Second Amendment does not protect the right to own assault weapons.

3. The Affordable Care Act is constitutional.

4. States cannot ban same-sex marriage.

5. The Voting Rights Act is constitutional.

6. The Patriot Act violates the Fourth Amendment’s ban on unreasonable searches and seizures.

7. The Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate is constitutional.

8. The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision was wrongly decided.

9. Redistricting can be used to achieve racial equality.

10. Gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

11. The Electoral College should be abolished.

12. Term limits for members of Congress are constitutional.

13. The President should not have the power to declare war.

14. Congress should have the power to declare war.

15. The government should not tax the elderly.

16. The President should not be able to unilaterally order military action.

17. The use of torture is never justified, even during the war.

18. Enemy combatants should not be denied due process rights.

19. Indefinite detention is unconstitutional.

20. The government should not collect data on its citizens without a warrant.

1. The government should do more to help small businesses.

2. The national debt is not a big deal.

3. The government should spend less money on the military.

4. We need more tariffs to protect our industries.

5. Cuts to social programs are necessary for the economy.

6. Infrastructure spending is necessary for the economy.

7. The minimum wage should be increased.

8. The government should provide more incentives for businesses to invest in green energy.

9. Majority of Americans believe the economy is rigged against them.

10. Income inequality is a problem in the United States.

11. The wealthy should pay more in taxes.

12. The tax code needs to be reformed.

13. The federal reserve should be abolished.

14. The United States should return to the gold standard.

15. Bitcoin is a good investment.

1. Is homeschooling a good or bad idea?

2. Should all schools be private?

3. Are charter schools better than public schools?

4. Should children be taught sex education in schools?

5. Should prayer be allowed in school?

6. Are single-sex schools better for education than co-ed schools?

7. Should evolution be taught in school?

8. Is the No Child Left Behind Act effective?

9. Are standardized tests a good way to measure student achievement?

10. Should there be more funding for education?

11. Should the government invest more in early childhood education?

12. Are teachers paid enough?

13. Educational disparities between rich and poor students.

14. Should college be free?

15. Is online learning as effective as traditional learning?

16. Are for-profit colleges a good option for students?

17. Should student loan debt be forgiven?

18. The negative effects of homework on students.

19. The over-reliance on technology in education.

20. CPR and first aid-related courses should be mandatory in school.

1. How climate change is affecting our planet and what we can do to reduce its impact.

2. The dangers of fracking and its potential to contaminate our water supply.

3. Why the world needs to move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources.

4. How overfishing is threatening global fish stocks and what can be done to halt this trend.

5. The devastating effects of deforestation and what needs to be done to stop it.

6. How air pollution is impacting our health and what measures can be taken to reduce its impact.

7. The importance of conserving energy and how we can all do our bit to save energy.

8. Why we need to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and what alternatives are available.

9. How industrial agriculture is harming the environment and what needs to be done to address this issue.

10. The potential impacts of climate change on our food supply and what we can do to mitigate these effects.

11. The problem of plastic pollution in our oceans and what needs to be done to address it.

12. How we can all do our bit to reduce our carbon footprints and help fight climate change.

13. The importance of composting and how it can help reduce landfill waste.

14. Why we need to reduce our reliance on cars and start using more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

15. The harmful effects of pesticides and what needs to be done to stop their use.

16. How waste management practices need to change in order to protect the environment.

17. Why we need to support local farmers and buy more locally grown produce.

18. The benefits of organic gardening and how it can help the environment.

19. How solar power can be used to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

20. The potential of wind power as an alternative energy source.

1. Are some ethical ideals more important than others?

2. Does morality require belief in God?

3. Should we always tell the truth, even if it hurts someone’s feelings?

4. Should abortion be legal?

5. Is it morally wrong to cheat on a test or plagiarize an essay?

6. Torture is an acceptable measure to prevent terrorism.

7. Should animals have the same rights as humans?

8. Is it wrong to wear fur or use products made from animals?

9. Should we be allowed to experiment on animals for medical research?

10. Is it morally right to kill animals for food or sport?

11. Cultural treasures should be returned to their countries of origin.

12. Is it morally to keep animals in zoos or circuses?

13. Should we be allowed to hunt endangered animals?

14. Is it wrong to buy or sell organs or body parts?

15. Should people be allowed to clone animals or humans?

16. Hunting is unethical and should not be allowed.

17. Is it morally acceptable to use human embryos for stem cell research?

18. Are beauty pageants sexists and exploitative?

19. Is it okay to test new drugs on humans?

20. Is it morally wrong to end a life through euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide?

1. Should parents be held responsible for the actions of their children?

2. Is it necessary for couples to live together before getting married?

3. Are extended families becoming a thing of the past?

4. Is single parenting really as difficult as people make it out to be?

5. Should parents be allowed to choose their child’s gender?

6. Should more single women adopt children?

7. Should the government do more to help families in poverty?

8. Physical punishment is a good practice for raising children.

9. Is it important for families to have dinner together every night?

10. How can parents deal with their children’s screen time?

11. Should parents be allowed to monitor their children’s online activity?

12. Is homeschooling a good option for families?

13. Should there be more paternity leave for fathers?

14. Are working mothers harming their children?

15. Teenagers should have more freedom than younger kids.

16. Is it better to live in a an extended family?

17. Should families be allowed to have more than one child?

18. Parents should be role models for their children.

19. Siblings can be both friends and rivals.

20. The challenges of raising multicultural families.

Food and Drinks

1. Is it better to eat organic food?

2. Are GMOs really that bad for our health?

3. Should we all be vegan?

4. Is processed food really that bad for us?

5. Is sugar really as addictive as some people say it is?

6. Should there be a tax on sugary drinks?

7. Are organic foods worth the extra money?

8. Should we be drinking more water?

9. Is organic milk really any better for us than regular milk?

10. Are there any benefits to drinking green tea?

11. Is coffee actually good for us?

12. Is there such a thing as too much water intake?

13. Should we be eating more vegetables?

14. Is the Paleo diet a healthy way to eat?

15. Is gluten really that bad for us?

16. Are there any health benefits to drinking red wine?

17. Is dark chocolate actually good for us?

18. Why we should all be eating less meat.

19. The benefits of home cooking.

20. Is there such a thing as a “healthy” diet?

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Improve your practice.

Enhance your soft skills with a range of award-winning courses.

75 Persuasive Speech Topics and Ideas

October 4, 2018 - Gini Beqiri

To write a captivating and persuasive speech you must first decide on a topic that will engage, inform and also persuade the audience. We have discussed how to choose a topic and we have provided a list of speech ideas covering a wide range of categories.

What is persuasive speech?

The aim of a persuasive speech is to inform, educate and convince or motivate an audience to do something. You are essentially trying to sway the audience to adopt your own viewpoint.

The best persuasive speech topics are thought-provoking, daring and have a clear opinion. You should speak about something you are knowledgeable about and can argue your opinion for, as well as objectively discuss counter-arguments.

How to choose a topic for your speech

It’s not easy picking a topic for your speech as there are many options so consider the following factors when deciding.

Familiarity

Topics that you’re familiar with will make it easier to prepare for the speech.

It’s best if you decide on a topic in which you have a genuine interest in because you’ll be doing lots of research on it and if it’s something you enjoy the process will be significantly easier and more enjoyable. The audience will also see this enthusiasm when you’re presenting which will make the speech more persuasive.

The audience’s interest

The audience must care about the topic. You don’t want to lose their attention so choose something you think they’ll be interested in hearing about.

Consider choosing a topic that allows you to be more descriptive because this allows the audience to visualize which consequently helps persuade them.

Not overdone

When people have heard about a topic repeatedly they’re less likely to listen to you as it doesn’t interest them anymore. Avoid cliché or overdone topics as it’s difficult to maintain your audience’s attention because they feel like they’ve heard it all before.

An exception to this would be if you had new viewpoints or new facts to share. If this is the case then ensure you clarify early in your speech that you have unique views or information on the topic.

Emotional topics

Emotions are motivators so the audience is more likely to be persuaded and act on your requests if you present an emotional topic.

People like hearing about issues that affect them or their community, country etc. They find these topics more relatable which means they find them more interesting. Look at local issues and news to discover these topics.

Desired outcome

What do you want your audience to do as a result of your speech? Use this as a guide to choosing your topic, for example, maybe you want people to recycle more so you present a speech on the effect of microplastics in the ocean.

Persuasive speech topics

Lots of timely persuasive topics can be found using social media, the radio, TV and newspapers. We have compiled a list of 75 persuasive speech topic ideas covering a wide range of categories.

Some of the topics also fall into other categories and we have posed the topics as questions so they can be easily adapted into statements to suit your own viewpoint.

• Should pets be adopted rather than bought from a breeder?
• Should wild animals be tamed?
• Should people be allowed to own exotic animals like monkeys?
• Should all zoos and aquariums be closed?

Arts/Culture

• Should art and music therapy be covered by health insurance?
• Should graffiti be considered art?
• Should all students be required to learn an instrument in school?
• Should automobile drivers be required to take a test every three years?
• Are sports cars dangerous?
• Should bicycles share the roads with cars?
• Should bicycle riders be required by law to always wear helmets?

Business and economy

• Do introverts make great leaders?
• Does owning a business leave you feeling isolated?
• What is to blame for the rise in energy prices?
• Does hiring cheaper foreign employees hurt the economy?
• Should interns be paid for their work?
• Should employees receive bonuses for walking or biking to work?
• Should tipping in restaurants be mandatory?
• Should boys and girls should be taught in separate classrooms?
• Should schools include meditation breaks during the day?
• Should students be allowed to have their mobile phones with them during school?
• Should teachers have to pass a test every decade to renew their certifications?
• Should online teaching be given equal importance as the regular form of teaching?
• Is higher education over-rated?
• What are the best ways to stop bullying?
• Should people with more than one DUI lose their drivers’ licenses?
• Should prostitution be legalised?
• Should guns be illegal in the US?
• Should cannabis be legalised for medical reasons?
• Is equality a myth?
• Does what is “right” and “wrong” change from generation to generation?
• Is there never a good enough reason to declare war?
• Should governments tax sugary drinks and use the revenue for public health?
• Has cosmetic surgery risen to a level that exceeds good sense?
• Is the fast-food industry legally accountable for obesity?
• Should school cafeterias only offer healthy food options?
• Is acupuncture a valid medical technique?
• Should assisted suicide be legal?
• Does consuming meat affect health?
• Is dieting a good way to lose weight?

Law and politics

• Should voting be made compulsory?
• Should the President (or similar position) be allowed to serve more than two terms?
• Would poverty reduce by fixing housing?
• Should drug addicts be sent for treatment in hospitals instead of prisons?
• Would it be fair for the government to detain suspected terrorists without proper trial?
• Is torture acceptable when used for national security?
• Should celebrities who break the law receive stiffer penalties?
• Should the government completely ban all cigarettes and tobacco products
• Is it wrong for the media to promote a certain beauty standard?
• Is the media responsible for the moral degradation of teenagers?
• Should advertising be aimed at children?
• Has freedom of press gone too far?
• Should prayer be allowed in public schools?
• Does religion have a place in government?
• How do cults differ from religion?

Science and the environment

• Should recycling be mandatory?
• Should genetically modified foods be sold in supermarkets?
• Should parents be allowed to choose the sex of their unborn children?
• Should selling plastic bags be completely banned in shops?
• Should smoking in public places be banned?
• Should professional female athletes be paid the same as male athletes in the same sport?
• Should doping be allowed in professional sports?
• Should schools be required to teach all students how to swim?
• How does parental pressure affect young athletes?
• Will technology reduce or increase human employment opportunities?
• What age should children be allowed to have mobile phones?
• Should libraries be replaced with unlimited access to e-books?
• Should we recognize Bitcoin as a legal currency?
• Should bloggers and vloggers be treated as journalists and punished for indiscretions?
• Has technology helped connect people or isolate them?
• Should mobile phone use in public places be regulated?
• Do violent video games make people more violent?

World peace

• What is the safest country in the world?
• Is planetary nuclear disarmament possible?
• Is the idea of peace on earth naive?

These topics are just suggestions so you need to assess whether they would be suitable for your particular audience. You can easily adapt the topics to suit your interests and audience, for example, you could substitute “meat” in the topic “Does consuming meat affect health?” for many possibilities, such as “processed foods”, “mainly vegan food”, “dairy” and so on.

After choosing your topic

After you’ve chosen your topic it’s important to do the following:

• Research thoroughly
• Think about all of the different viewpoints
• Tailor to your audience – discussing your topic with others is a helpful way to gain an understanding of your audience.
• How involved are you with this topic – are you a key character?
• Have you contributed to this area, perhaps through blogs, books, papers and products.
• How qualified are you to speak on this topic?
• Do you have personal experience in it? How many years?
• How long have you been interested in the area?

While it may be difficult to choose from such a variety of persuasive speech topics, think about which of the above you have the most knowledge of and can argue your opinion on.

For advice about how to deliver your persuasive speech, check out our blog  Persuasive Speech Outline and Ideas .

125+ Persuasive Speech Topics To Amaze Your Audience

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 4/26/24

This article provides a comprehensive list of persuasive speech topics and answers to some of your frequently asked questions about speech topics. 

Persuasive writing is hard, and it’s even harder to try to come up with an engaging topic that interests you and your audience. 

Not only do you have to convince your audience to take your side on subjects that are often pretty divisive, you also have to persuade them to take your side of the argument. The first step to making a successful persuasive speech that will amaze your audience is having a strong topic.  

Keep reading for 125+ persuasive speech topics. 

125+ Topics for a Persuasive Speech

Persuasive speech ideas are harder to come up with than you may think. There is a fine balance between interesting your audience, interesting to you, unique and fresh, all while being thought-provoking without being outright offensive. 

Here is a breakdown of various topics for persuasive speeches, organized by categories, to inspire you. 

1. Arts & Culture

Art and culture are always hot topics amongst individuals and groups. There are many interesting arguments and stances on both topics, and many people have strong opinions when it comes to the subject matter. 

See below for prompts for persuasive speeches about art and culture: 

• Is graffiti art? 
• Should art classes be mandatory for all students?
• Should we keep reading classic literature that is offensive? 
• Should there be a distinction between ‘high’ and ‘low’ literature?
• Are romcoms and erotica series like Fifty Shades of Grey empowering for women?
• Is reading actually more beneficial than watching TV or playing video games?
• Is there any benefit or relevance to teaching high school students Shakespeare?
• Should video games be considered a high form of entertainment?
• Are biographical movies of deceased musicians and artists ethical?
• Is modern music really worse than older music?
• Should paparazzi be banned and unable to sell their photos?

Topics in arts and culture are always fun to debate and discuss because you have the opportunity to talk about your favorite pieces of media!

2. Economics

Economics is a hotly debated topic. There is no shortage of compelling, engaging arguments involving economics. 

Here are some good persuasive speech ideas on the topic of economics: 

• Is capitalism a functional, ethical economic system? 
• Should everyone, despite their income, be taxed at the same rate?
• Can we introduce another economic system to our society? 
• Should each state, the federal government, or individual companies be responsible for setting a living wage?
• Should minimum wage be doubled?
• Should everyone adapt to the four-day work week?
• Should people who make under a certain amount per year not be taxed at all?
• Should governments encourage and reward people for shopping locally? 
• Should advertisements be banned during TV and media programming aimed at kids?
• Has modern consumerism gone too far?

Economics is a great topic for a persuasive speech because it affects our everyday lives in so many ways. There are tons of research and perspectives to help support your argument. 

3. Education

Many people feel strongly about education and there are many sides and perspectives that come into play: teachers, parents, students, student athletes, and more. 

Here is a list of some engaging topics to write a persuasive speech on:

• Should post-secondary education be free?
• Should taking a year off between high school and college be mandatory?
• Is it fair to take cell phones away from kids in middle/high school while they are in class?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory in all high schools?
• Should cursive writing still be taught in schools?
• Do frats and sororities actually serve their purpose? 
• Should programming and coding be introduced to young students?
• Should school lunches be free?
• Is college/university necessary anymore?
• Does the education system prepare students for adult life?
• Should gyms be mandatory for all students?
• Do schools need to do a better job at teaching students a second language?
• Should schools teach sign language?
• What age should students be taught sex ed?
• Should distant learning be encouraged, or avoided at all costs?

Education is another great topic to write a speech about because it intersects with economics, culture , and politics . These topics will guarantee an engaged audience. This is a popular topic for high school students who are learning about tuition and scholarships at their top colleges! 

4. Environment

Since the release of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” and Greta Thunberg’s unapologetic activism, climate change has been at the forefront of many political, economic, and cultural conversations. 

If environmental issues spark your interest, consider writing on one of the topics below:

• Can we ever live in a truly ‘green’ and environmentally friendly society?
• Should water bottles be banned?
• Are businesses responsible for implementing environmentally friendly production and products?
• Should there be a carbon tax?
• Should electric cars be mandatory in the near future?
• Should we switch over to entirely renewable energy?
• Do low-income families have the same duties to be eco-conscious as high-income families do? Should plastic bags and single use plastic be completely banned?
• Should car racing be banned?
• Should fast fashion be banned?

The environment and climate change are becoming, if not already, some of the most pressing issues of our day. 

Ethics may be one of the most difficult topics to write a persuasive speech about because the topics tend to cover sensitive subject matter. However, ethics are also some of the most compelling and complex topics to explore. 

Here are some potential topics for a persuasive speech about ethics:

• Is animal testing ethical?
• Is drinking coffee unethical?
• Are animal shelters that allow euthanization ethical?
• Should more people try to adopt a vegetarian/vegan diet?
• Is the death penalty ethical? 
• Can racism ever truly be eliminated?
• Can the prison system genuinely contribute to the improvement and rehabilitation of individuals?
• Should justice systems and incarceration facilities focus on rehabilitation over punishment? 
• Should cosmetic plastic surgery be covered by insurance?
• Are morals objective or subjective?
• Should zoos and circuses be banned?
• Should fur coats be illegal?
• Are censorship laws ethical?
• Is it ethical to genetically modify an embryo? 
• How should we, and who is responsible, for addressing the homelessness crisis? 
• Should minors who commit violent crimes be charged and tried as adults?

Tackling a persuasive speech on ethics is a challenge, as many of these topics are complex and sensitive. It can also be difficult to wrap up a speech on such huge ethical debates. 

However, these topics also provide some of the most riveting and energizing debates - if you’re up to the challenge, you should definitely try to tackle one of these topics. 

From fitness to food prices to economic privilege, there are tons of debatable topics regarding health. Here are just some of the potential topics you can write a speech on:

• Are individuals solely responsible for their own health?
• Should prescription medications be free?
• Should sugary drinks like pop be taxed at higher rates?
• Should Starbucks be allowed to advertise their high-calories and high sugar drinks?
• Should the government regulate the prices of fruits and vegetables?
• Should fast food restaurants regulate and reduce their portions?
• Should gym memberships be free?
• Should the government change and restructure the work week to reduce stress?
• Should nurses be paid more?
• Should smoking be banned?
• Should insurance companies fully cover rehabilitation stays for health issues like eating disorders?

People have varying opinions and understanding of health, which makes these topics very engaging and interesting to write about.

7. Politics

It goes without saying that almost every political issue is debatable. 

• Do we actually live in a truly democratic society?
• Should there be a minimum wage or a living wage?
• Should the legal voting age be decreased?
• Does the pay gap exist?
• Are younger politicians more effective?
• Should there be stricter gun laws?
• Should Presidents be able to serve more than two terms?
• Should everyone get the day off work to go vote?
• Should political party funding be regulated?
• Should political smear campaigns be banned?
• Is there a political bias in mainstream media?
• Should you date someone with opposing political views? 
• Is the government spending too much on the military sector?

Politics are all about persuading people to take a side, which makes it a strategic topic for delivering a moving persuasive speech. 

Sports is another big topic that people care a lot about. There are sports related matters that are questioned everywhere: sports on TV, the Olympics, college sports and athletics, and athletic sponsorships . 

Below is a list of captivating sports topics for a persuasive speech: 

• Should the pay for professional teams be based on audience viewership? 
• Are professional sports getting too violent? 
• Are athletes overpaid?
• Is cheerleading empowering or exploitative? 
• Should children be allowed to compete in competitive sports?
• Should we continue spending millions of dollars on the Olympic Games?
• Do people put too much importance on high school and college football?
• Should alcohol and tobacco ads be banned during sports?
• Is betting on sports teams ethical?
• Should high school and college athletes be paid?

Sports is a topic that people don’t often think of as controversial. However, your audience is bound to be engaged and contemplating your argument as you present your speech. 

9. Technology

As the world increasingly moves to online spaces, and technology advances faster than ever before, technology is another hot topic that people have a lot of thoughts and opinions on. 

• Should all workplaces offer hybrid/remote work?
• Should we pursue Artificial Intelligence?
• Do we need to put resources into travelling to space?
• Should parents monitor their children’s online activity?
• Is it okay for phones to use facial recognition and fingerprint technology?
• Is technology actually addicting?
• Can we blame technology for increased stress and anxiety?
• Are security cameras and body cameras an invasion of privacy? 
• Should the internet be surveilled or managed?
• Should video game chats be surveilled or even banned?
• Are machines replacing human labor? 
• Should cloning be outlawed/banned?

As technology continues to advance and expand into our personal lives, it is a great topic to write a unique persuasive speech on. 

Having a unique and creative speech topic discussing one of your interests can make it stand out more! Think about extracurriculars you participate in, podcasts you enjoy, or fascinating facts you’ve learned. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. 

• What makes a hero?
• Are we headed towards World War 3?
• Did humans really land on the moon?
• Are serial killers born or made?
• Can good and evil be separated neatly?
• Is cancel culture a positive or negative thing?
• Can money buy happiness?
• How to become a millionaire
• How to become more confident
• How to live to be 100
• How to survive an apocalypse
• Do extraterrestrial beings exist?
• Why students should start investing at 16
• The true history of… (event of your choice, such as the Chernobyl disaster, the Black Plague, Salem Witch Trials, etc.)

Exploring these kinds of diverse and intriguing topics will not only capture your audience's attention but will also allow you to share your passions with your peers! 

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

The best persuasive speech topics are topics that are not overdone, and topics that the speaker is genuinely passionate and knowledgeable about. 

Persuasive speech topics should also be a bit controversial (this does not mean offensive) because the topic and speech itself should be thought-provoking. The more people are emotionally invested in the topic, the better. 

For example, while you can try to persuade your audience that strawberry ice cream is better than chocolate ice cream, it’s unlikely that many people have a strong emotional investment in that topic. Without an emotional investment, audiences will be sitting listening to your speech thinking: “so what?” 

On the other hand, a topic like “Should government’s set limits on how many children a family can have in overpopulated countries?” is emotionally charged and truly matters to people. 

FAQs: Persuasive Speech Topics

After reading through all the possible topics you can write a persuasive speech on, you may still have some questions before you get going. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about persuasive speech topics. 

1. What Are Some Easy Persuasive Topics?

Any persuasive topic can be easy to write about if you are passionate about your stance. The more passionate and knowledgeable you are about your topic, the easier it will be to research and write. 

There are also easy persuasive topics that are more lighthearted than controversial, which some people may find easier to debate and write about. Some easy persuasive topics include: 

• Should everyone have a three-day weekend?
• Should every public place have free Wi-Fi?
• Does social media do more harm than good?
• Should kids get paid for getting high grades?
• Do we need more holidays?

These topics are all fun to debate, which makes it easy to write a persuasive speech or essay. Whereas some persuasive topics can be complex and sensitive, the topics listed above are pretty straightforward, which makes them easier to discuss than more complex topics. 

2. What Is a Good Persuasive Speech Topic For School?

A good start to finding a good speech topic for school is looking for a topic that involves something related to school. For example, you can look into talking about school uniforms, class sizes, tuition and scholarships, and school sports, just to name a few. 

Having a speech topic related to school is a good idea for school because your audience (teachers and peers) are directly in that environment as well. This means they will likely be more engaged as the topic, whether they agree or disagree, is relevant to their everyday lives. 

3. What are Three Examples of a Persuasive Speech Topic?

Any of the above topics listed in this article are examples of persuasive speech topics. Three specific examples that have not been listed are:

• Is social media to blame for the rates of depression and anxiety amongst youth?
• Do young adult romance novels encourage harmful and toxic relationships to their target audience?
• Should children under 18 have total control over medical decisions made about their bodies?

These topics are examples of persuasive speech topics because you need to take a clear stance in order to answer the question. The point of a persuasive speech is to convince or persuade the audience that your side of the argument is valid and should be considered, so the topic needs the individual to take a specific stance. 

As briefly touched upon before, your topic needs to interest your audience for a successful persuasive speech. While you should make sure your topic isn’t overdone, you don’t want to go with something too ‘safe’ as that will most likely bore your audience. 

Final Thoughts

Coming up with a topic for a persuasive speech may be the most difficult part of the writing process. 

Read over our list of topics and pick out a few topics that genuinely interest you. From there, do some preliminary research on each topic and see which one has the strongest evidence to support your argument. Then, you’ll be good to start writing your persuasive speech that will amaze your audience!

Get A Free Consultation

You may also like.

How to Get Into Hamilton College

Mastering the Common App Activities Section: A Comprehensive Guide (With Examples)

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

Meggie Mapes

Learning Objectives

• Define what an argument is.
• Discuss uses of ethos, pathos, and logos.
• Identify the argument structure of claim, evidence, and warrant.
• Explore effective language.

You may be wondering, “What exactly is an argument? Haven’t I already decided on my main argument and topic?”

An argument is a series of statements in support of a claim, assertion, or proposition. So far, we’ve discussed thesis statements as the main argumentative through-line for a speech—it’s what you want to inform, persuade, or entertain the audience about.

Your thesis statement, however, is just one component of an argument, i.e. “here’s what I want to inform you about / persuade you to consider.” It is the main claim of your speech. Your task is to prove the reliability of that claim (with evidence) and demonstrate, through the body of the speech, how or why that information should matter to the audience. In this chapter, we will fill in the other structural components of an argument to make sure that your thesis statement has adequate support and proof. We’ll also outline the importance of language and tips to guarantee that your language increases the effective presentation of your argument.

An Overview of Arguments

It may be tempting to view arguments as only relevant to persuasion or persuasive speeches. After all, we commonly think of arguments as occurring between different perspectives or viewpoints with the goal of changing someone’s mind. Arguments are important when persuading, but you should have clear evidence and explanations for any type of information sharing.

All speech types require proof to demonstrate the reliability of their claims. Remember, when you speak, you are being an advocate and selecting information that you find relevant to your audience, so arguments are necessary to, at a bare minimum, build in details about the topic’s importance.

With speeches that primarily inform, a sound argument demonstrates the relevance and significance of the topic for your audience. In other words, “this is important information because…” or “here’s why you should care about this.” If you are giving a ceremonial speech, you should provide examples of your insights. In a speech of introduction, for example, you may claim that the speaker has expertise, but you should also provide evidence of their previous accomplishments and demonstrate why those accomplishments are significant.

For each speech type, a well-crafted speech will have multiple arguments throughout. Yes, your thesis statement is central to speech, and your content should be crafted around that idea – you will use your entire speech to prove the reliability of that statement. You will also have internal arguments, i.e. your speech’s main points or the “meat” of your speech.

All speech types require arguments, and all arguments use the rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos to elicit a particular feeling or response from your audience.

Ethos , or establishing your credibility as a speaker, is necessary for any speech. If you’re informing the audience about a key topic, they need to know that you’re a trustworthy and reliable speaker. A key way to prove that credibility is through crafting arguments that are equally credible. Using reliable and well-tested evidence is one way to establish ethos.

Using reason or logic, otherwise known as logos , is also a key rhetorical appeal. By using logos, you can select logical evidence that is well-reasoned, particularly when you’re informing or persuading.

Pathos , or emotional appeals, allows you to embed evidence or explanations that pull on your audience’s heartstrings or other feelings and values. Pathos is common in ceremonial speeches, particularly speeches that eulogize or celebrate a special occasion.

All three rhetorical appeals are important mechanisms to motivate your audience to listen or act. All three should be done ethically and with the speech context and audience in mind.

Regardless of which rhetorical proof you use, your arguments should be well-researched and well-structured. Below, we explore the structure of an argument in more detail.

The Structur e : Claim, Evidence, Warrant

Arguments have the following basic structure (see Figure 19.1):

• Claim: the main proposition crafted as a declarative statement.
• Evidence: the support or proof for the claim.
• Warrant: the connection between the evidence and the claim.

Each component of the structure is necessary to formulate a compelling argument.

The Toulmin Model

British Philosopher, Stephen Toulmin, created the “Toulmin Model” – a model that describes the structure of an argument or method of reasoning. Claim, evidence, and warrant are, if done well, necessary to create a good argument (O’Connor, 1958).

Evidence and warrants are the specifics that make your ideas, arguments, assertions, points, or concepts real and concrete by relating the information to your audience. Not all audiences are compelled by the same evidence, for example, so creating a well-structured argument also means being responsive to audiences.

Consider going to lunch with a friend. Your friend suggests a restaurant that you have not heard of, so you request some additional information, proof, or evidence of their choice. We could map the argument like this:

• Claim: “Let’s go to Jack’s Shack for lunch.”
• Evidence: “I have been there a few times and they have good servers.”

So far, your friend is highlighting service as the evidence to support their claim that Jack’s Shack is a good choice for lunch. However, the warrant is still missing. For a warrant, they need to demonstrate why good service is sufficient proof to support their claim. Remember that the warrant is the connection. For example:

• Warrant: “You were a server, so I know that you really appreciate good service. I have never had a bad experience at Jack’s Shack, so I am confident that it’s a good lunch choice for both of us.”

In this case, they do a good job of both connecting the evidence to the claim and connecting the argument to their audience – you! They have selected evidence based on your previous experience as a server (likely in hopes to win you over to their claim!).

Using “claim, evidence, and warrant” can assist you in verifying that all parts of the argumentative structure are present. Below, we dive deeper into each category.

A claim is a declarative statement or assertion—it is something that you want your audience to accept or know. Like we’ve mentioned, your thesis statement is a key claim in your speech because it’s the main argument that you’re asking the audience to consider.

Different claims serve different purposes. Depending on the purpose of the argument, claims can be factual, opinionated, or informative. Some claims, for example, may be overtly persuading the audience to change their mind about a controversial issue, i.e. “you should support this local policy initiative.”

Alternatively, a claim may develop the significance of a topic (i.e. “this is why you should care about this information”) or highlight a key informative component about a person, place, or thing (“Hillary Clinton had an intriguing upbringing”). You might, for example, write a speech that informs the audience about college textbook affordability. Your working thesis might read, “Universities are developing textbook affordability initiatives.” Your next step would be to develop main points and locate evidence that supports your claim.

It’s important to develop confidence around writing and identifying your claims. Identifying your main ideas will allow you to then identify evidence in support of those declarative statements. If you aren’t confident about what claims you’re making, it will be difficult to identify the evidence in support of that idea, and your argument won’t be structurally complete. Remember that your thesis statement, your main claim, but you likely have claims throughout your speech (like your main points).

Evidence is the proof or support for your claim. It answers the question, “how do I know this is true?” With any type of evidence, there are three overarching considerations.

First, is this the most timely and relevant type of support for my claim? If your evidence isn’t timely (or has been disproven), it may drastically influence the credibility of your claim.

Second, is this evidence relatable and clear for my audience? Your audience should be able to understand the evidence, including any references or ideas within your information. Have you ever heard a joke or insight about a television show that you’ve never seen? If so, understanding the joke can be difficult. The same is true for your audience, so stay focused on their knowledge base and level of understanding.

Third, did I cherry-pick? Avoid cherry-picking evidence to support your claims. While we’ve discussed claims first, it’s important to arrive at a claim after seeing all the evidence (i.e. doing the research). Rather than finding evidence to fit your idea (cherry-picking), the evidence should help you arrive at the appropriate claim. Cherry-picking evidence can reduce your ethos and weakened your argument.

With these insights in mind, we will introduce you to five evidence types : examples, narratives, facts, statistics, and testimony. Each provides a different type of support, and it’s suggested that you integrate a variety of different evidence types. Understanding the different types of evidence will assist as you work to structure arguments and select support that best fits the goal of your speech.

Examples are specific instances that illuminate a concept. They are designed to give audiences a reference point. An example must be quickly understandable—something the audience can pull out of their memory or experience quickly.

Evidence by example would look like this:

Claim: Textbook affordability initiatives are assisting universities in implementing reputable, affordable textbooks.

Evidence : Ohio has implemented a textbook affordability initiative, the Open Ed Collaborative, to alleviate the financial strain for students (Jaggers, Rivera, Akani, 2019).

Ohio’s affordability initiative functions as evidence by example. This example assists in demonstrating that such initiatives have been successfully implemented. Without providing an example, your audience may be skeptical about the feasibility of your claim.

Examples can be drawn directly from experience, i.e. this is a real example, or an example can be hypothetical where audiences are asked to consider potential scenarios.

Narratives are stories that clarify, dramatize, and emphasize ideas. They have, if done well, strong emotional power (or pathos). While there is no universal type of narrative, a good story often draws the audience in by identifying characters and resolving a plot issue. Narratives can be personal or historical.

Person narratives are powerful tools to relate to your audience and embed a story about your experience with the topic. As evidence, they allow you to say, “I experienced or saw this thing first hand.” As the speaker, using your own experience as evidence can draw the audience in and help them understand why you’re invested in the topic. Of course, personal narratives must be true. Telling an untrue personal narrative may negatively influence your ethos for an audience.

Historical narratives (sometimes called documented narratives) are stories about a past person, place, or thing. They have power because they can prove and clarify an idea by using a common form— the story. By “historical” we do not mean that the story refers to something that happened many years ago, only that it has happened in the past and there were witnesses to validate the happening. Historical narratives are common in informative speeches.

Facts are observations, verified by multiple credible sources, that are true or false. The National Center for Science Education (2008) defines fact as:

an observation that has been repeatedly confirmed an . . . is accepted as ‘true.’ Truth in science, however, is never final and what is accepted as a fact today may be modified or even discarded tomorrow.

“The sun is a star” is an example of a fact. It’s been observed and verified based on current scientific understanding and categorization; however, future technology may update or disprove that fact.

In our modern information age, we recommend “fact-checking a fact” because misinformation can be presented as truth. This means verifying all facts through credible research (revisit the earlier chapter on research). Avoid taking factual information for granted and make sure that the evidence comes from reputable sources that are up-to-date.

S tatistics are the collection, analysis, comparison, and interpretation of numerical data. As evidence, they are useful in summarizing complex information, quantifying, or making comparisons. Statistics are powerful pieces of evidence because numbers appear straightforward. Numbers provide evidence that quantifies, and statistics can be helpful to clarify a concept or highlighting the depth of a problem.

You may be wondering, “What does this actually mean ?” (excuse our statistical humor). We often know a statistic when we find one, but it can be tricky to understand how a statistic was derived.

Averages and percentages are two common deployments of statistical evidence.

An “ a verage ” can be statistically misleading, but it often refers to the mean of a data set. You can determine the mean (or average) by adding up the figures and dividing by the number of figures present. If you’re giving a speech on climate change, you might note that, in 2015, the average summer temperature was 97 degrees while, in 1985, it was just 92 degrees.

When using statistics, comparisons can help translate the statistic for an audience. In the example above, 97 degrees may seem hot, but the audience has nothing to compare that statistic to. The 30-year comparison assists in demonstrating a change in temperature.

A percentag e expresses a proportion of out 100. For example, you might argue that “textbook costs have risen more than 1000% since 1977” (Popken, 2015). By using a statistical percentage, 1000% sounds pretty substantial. It may be important, however, to accompany your percentage with a comparison to assist the audience in understanding that “This is 3 times higher than the normal rate of inflation” (UTA Libraries). You might also clarify that “college textbooks have risen more than any other college-related cost” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).

You are responsible for the statistical information that you deploy. It’s all too common for us as information consumers to grab a quick statistic that sounds appealing, but that information may not be reliable.

Be aware of three major statistical issues: small samples, unrepresentative samples, and correlation as causation. In a small sample, an argument is being made from too few examples. In an unrepresentative sample, a conclusion is based on surveys of people who do not represent, or resemble, the ones to whom the conclusion is being applied. Finally, it’s common to conflate correlation as causation. In statistics, a correlation refers to the relationship between two variables while causation means that one variable resulted from the other. Be careful not to assume that a correlation means that something has caused the second.

A few other statistical tips:

• Use statistics as support, not as a main point. The audience may cringe or tune you out for saying, “Now I’d like to give you some statistics about the problem of gangs in our part of the state.” That sounds as exciting as reading the telephone book! Use the statistics to support an argument.
• Regarding sources, depend on the reliable ones. Use the earlier chapter on research as a guide to criticizing and evaluating credible sources.
• Do not overuse statistics. While there is no hard and fast rule on how many to use, there are other good supporting materials and you would not want to depend on statistics alone. You want to choose the statistics and numerical data that will strengthen your argument the most and drive your point home. Statistics can have emotional power as well as probative value if used sparingly.
• Explain your statistics as needed, but do not make your speech a statistics lesson. If you say, “My blog has 500 subscribers” to a group of people who know little about blogs, that might sound impressive, but is it? You can also provide a story of an individual, and then tie the individual into the statistic. After telling a story of the daily struggles of a young mother with multiple sclerosis, you could follow up with “This is just one story in the 400,000 people who suffer from MS in the United States today, according to National MS Society.”

Testimony is the words of others. As evidence, testimony can be valuable to gain insight into an expert or a peer’s opinion, experience, or expertise about a topic. Testimony can provide an audience with a relevant perspective that the speaker isn’t able to provide. We’ll discuss two types of testimony: expert and non-expert.

Expert Testimony

What is an expert? An expert is someone with recognized credentials, knowledge, education, and/or experience in a subject. To quote an expert on expertise, “To be an expert, someone needs to have considerable knowledge on a topic or considerable skill in accomplishing something” (Weinstein, 1993).

A campus bookstore manager could provide necessary testimony on the changing affordability of textbooks over time, for example. As someone working with instructors, students, and publishers, the manager would likely have an insight and a perspective that would be difficult to capture otherwise. They would provide unique and credible evidence.

In using expert testimony, you should follow these guidelines:

• Use the expert’s testimony in their relevant field. A person may have a Nobel Prize in economics, but that does not make them an expert in biology.
• Provide at least some of the expert’s relevant credentials.
• If you interviewed the expert yourself, make that clear in the speech also. “When I spoke with Dr. Mary Thompson, principal of Park Lake High School, on October 12, she informed me that . . .”

Expert testimony is one of your strongest supporting materials to prove your arguments. When integrating their testimony as evidence, make sure their testimony clearly supports your claim (rather than an interesting idea on the topic that is tangential to your assertions).

Non-Expert/Peer Testimony

Any quotation from a friend, family member, or classmate about an incident or topic would be peer testimony. It is useful in helping the audience understand a topic from a personal point of view. For example, you may draw on testimony from a campus student who was unable to afford their campus textbooks. While they may lack formalized expertise in textbook affordability, their testimony might demonstrate how the high cost limited their engagement with the class. Their perspective and insight would be valuable for an audience to hear.

The third component of any argument is the warrant. Warrants connect the evidence and the claim. They often answer the question, “what does this mean?” Warrants are an important component of a complete argument because they:

• Highlight the significance of the evidence;
• Detail how the evidence supports the claims;
• Outline the relevance of the claim and evidence to the audience.

For example, consider the claim that “communication studies provide necessary skills to land you a job.” To support that claim, you might locate a statistic and argue that, “The New York Times had a recent article stating that 80% of jobs want good critical thinking and interpersonal skills.” It’s unclear, however, how a communication studies major would prepare someone to fulfill those needs. To complete the argument, you could include a warrant that explains, “communication studies classes facilitate interpersonal skills and work to embed critical thinking activities throughout the curriculum.” You are connecting the job skills (critical thinking) from the evidence to the discipline (communication studies) from your claim.

Despite their importance, warrants are often excluded from arguments. As speechwriters and researchers, we spend lots of time with our information and evidence, and we take for granted what we know. If you are familiar with communication studies, the connection between the New York Times statistic referenced above and the assertion that communication studies provides necessary job skills may seem obvious. For an unfamiliar audience, the warrant provides more explanation and legitimacy to the evidence.

We know what you’re thinking: “Really? Do I always need an explicit warrant?”

Some warrants are indeed inferred , meaning that we often recognize the underlying warrant without it being explicitly stated. For example, I might say, “The baking time for my cookies was too hot. The cookies burned.” In this statement, I’m claiming that the temperature is too hot and using burnt cookies as the evidence. We could reasonably infer the warrant, i.e. “burnt cookies are a sign that they were in the oven for too long.”

Inferred warrants are common in everyday arguments and conversations; however, in a formal speech, having a clear warrant will increase the clarity of your argument. If you decide that no explicit warrant is needed, it’s still necessary to ask, “what does this argument mean for my thesis? What does it mean for my audience?” Your goal is to keep as many audience members listening as possible, and warrants allow you to think critically about the information that you’re presenting to that audience.

When writing warrants, keep the following insights in mind:

• Avoid exaggerating your evidence, and make sure your warrant honors what the evidence is capable of supporting;
• Center your thesis statement. Remember that your thesis statement, as your main argument, should be the primary focus when you’re explaining and warranting your evidence.
• A good warrant should be crafted with your content and context in mind. As you work on warrants, ask, “why is this claim/evidence important here? For this argument? Now? For this audience?”
• Say it with us: ethos, pathos, and logos! Warrants can help clarify the goal of your argument. What appeal are you using? Can the warrant amplify that appeal?

Now that you have a better understanding of each component of an argument, let’s conclude this section with a few complete examples.

Claim : The Iowa Wildcats will win the championship. Evidence: In 2019, the National Sporting Association found that the Wildcats had the most consistent and well-rounded coaching staff. Referees of the game agreed, and also praised the players’ ability for high scoring. Warrant: Good coaching and high scoring are probable indicators of past champions and, given this year’s findings, the Wildcats are on mark to win it all.

Here’s an example with a more general approach to track the potential avenues for evidence:

Claim: Sally Smith will win the presidential election. Evidence: [select evidence that highlights their probable win, including: they’ve won the most primaries; they won the Iowa caucus; they’re doing well in swing states; they have raised all the money; they have the most organized campaign.” Warrant: [based on your evidence selection, you can warrant why that evidence supports a presidential win].

Using Language Effectively

Claim, evidence, and warrant are useful categories when constructing or identifying a well-reasoned argument. However, a speech is much more than this simple structure over and over (how boring, huh?).

When we craft arguments, it’s tempting to view our audience as logic-seekers who rely solely on rationality, but that’s not true. Instead, Walter Fisher (1984) argues that humans are storytellers, and we make sense of the world through good stories. A good speech integrates argumentative components while telling a compelling story about your argument to the audience. A key piece of that story is how you craft the language—language aids in telling an effective story.

Language: What Do We Mean?

Language is any formal system of gestures, signs, sounds, and symbols used or conceived as a means of communicating thought, either through written, enacted, or spoken means. Linguists believe there are far more than 6,900 languages and distinct dialects spoken in the world today (Anderson, 2012). Despite being a formal system, language results in different interpretations and meanings for different audiences.

It is helpful for public speakers to keep this in mind, especially regarding denotative and connotative meaning. Wrench, Goding, Johnson, and Attias (2011) use this example to explain the difference:

When we hear or use the word “blue,” we may be referring to a portion of the visual spectrum dominated by energy with a wave-length of roughly 440–490 nanometers. You could also say that the color in question is an equal mixture of both red and green light. While both of these are technically correct ways to interpret the word “blue,” we’re pretty sure that neither of these definitions is how you thought about the word. When hearing the word “blue,” you may have thought of your favorite color, the color of the sky on a spring day, or the color of a really ugly car you saw in the parking lot. When people think about language, there are two different types of meanings that people must be aware of: denotative and connotative. (p. 407)

Denotative meaning is the specific meaning associated with a word. We sometimes refer to denotative meanings as dictionary definitions. The scientific definitions provided above for the word “blue” are examples of definitions that might be found in a dictionary. Connotative meaning is the idea suggested by or associated with a word at a cultural or personal level. In addition to the examples above, the word “blue” can evoke many other ideas:

• State of depression (feeling blue)
• Indication of winning (a blue ribbon)
• Side during the Civil War (blues vs. grays)
• Sudden event (out of the blue)
• States that lean toward the Democratic Party in their voting
• A slang expression for obscenity (blue comedy)

Given these differences, the language you select may have different interpretations and lead to different perspectives. As a speechwriter (and communicator), being aware of different interpretations can allow you to select language that is the most effective for your speaking context and audience.

Using Language to Craft Your Argument

Have you ever called someone a “wordsmith?” If so, you’re likely complimenting their masterful application of language. Language is not just something we use; it is part of who we are and how we think. As such, language can assist in clarifying your content and creating an effective message.

Achieve Clarity

Clear language is powerful language. If you are not clear, specific, precise, detailed, and sensory with your language, you won’t have to worry about being emotional or persuasive, because you won’t be understood. The goal of clarity is to reduce abstraction; clarity will allow your audience to more effectively track your argument and insight, especially because they only have one chance to listen.

Concreteness aids clarity. We usually think of concreteness as the opposite of abstraction. Language that evokes many different visual images in the minds of your audience is abstract language. Unfortunately, when abstract language is used, the images evoked might not be the ones you really want to evoke. Instead, work to be concrete, detailed, and specific. “Pity,” for example, is a bit abstract. How might you describe pity by using more concrete words?

Clear descriptions or definitions can aid in concreteness and clarity.

To define means to set limits on something; defining a word is setting limits on what it means, how the audience should think about the word, and/or how you will use it. We know there are denotative and connotative definitions or meanings for words, which we usually think of as objective and subjective responses to words. You only need to define words that would be unfamiliar to the audience or words that you want to use in a specialized way.

Describing is also helpful in clarifying abstraction. The key to description is to think in terms of the five senses: sight (visual:  how does the thing look in terms of color, size, shape); hearing (auditory: volume, musical qualities); taste (gustatory: sweet, bitter, salty, sour, gritty, smooth, chewy); smell (olfactory: sweet, rancid, fragrant, aromatic, musky); and feel (tactile: rough, silky, nubby, scratchy).

If you were, for example, talking about your dog, concrete and detailed language could assist in “bring your dog to life,” so to speak, in the moment.

• Boring and abstract: My dog is pretty great. He is well-behaved, cute, and is friendly to all of our neighbors. I get a lot of compliments about him, and I really enjoy hanging out with him outside in the summer.
• Concrete and descriptive: Buckley, my golden-brown Sharpei mix, is a one-of-a-kind hound. Through positive treat reinforcement, he learned to sit, shake, and lay down within one month. He will also give kisses with his large and wrinkly snout. He greets passing neighbors with a smile and enjoys Midwest sunbathing on our back deck in the 70-degree heat.

 Doesn’t the second description do the image more justice ? Being concrete and descriptive paints a picture for the audience and can increase your warrant’s efficacy. Being descriptive, however, doesn’t mean adding more words. In fact, you should aim to “reduce language clutter.” Your descriptions should still be purposeful and important.

Be Effective

Language achieves effectiveness by communicating the right message to the audience. Clarity contributes to effectiveness, but effectiveness also includes using familiar and interesting language.

Familiar language is language that your audience is accustomed to hearing and experiencing. Different communities and audiences use language differently. If you are part of an organization, team, or volunteer group, there may be language that is specific and commonly used in those circles. We call that language jargon , or specific, technical language that is used in a given community. If you were speaking to that community, drawing on those references would be appropriate because they would be familiar to that audience. For other audiences, drawing on jargon would be ineffective and either fail to communicate an idea to the audience or implicitly community that you haven’t translated your message well (reducing your ethos).

In addition to using familiar language, draw on language that’s accurate and interesting. This is difficult, we’ll admit it! But in a speech, your words are a key component of keeping the audience motivated to listen, so interesting language can peak and maintain audience interest.

Active language is interesting language. Active voice , when the subject in a sentence performs the action, can assist in having active and engaging word choices. An active sentence would read, “humans caused climate change” as opposed to a passive approach of, “climate change was caused by humans.” Place subjects at the forefront. A helpful resource on active voice can be found here.

You must, however, be reflexive in the language process.

Practicing Reflexivity

Language reflects our beliefs, attitudes, and values – words are the mechanism we use to communicate our ideas or insights. As we learned earlier in this book, communication both creates and is created by culture. When we select language, we are also representing and creating ideas and cultures – language has a lot of power.

To that end, language should be a means of inclusion and identification, rather than exclusion.

You might be thinking, “Well I am always inclusive in my language,” or “I’d never intentionally use language that’s not inclusive.” We understand, but intention is less important than effect.

Consider the term “millennial”— a categorization that refers to a particular age group. It can be useful to categorize different generations, particularly from a historical and contemporary perspective. However, people often argue that “millennials are the laziest generation” or “millennials don’t know hard work!” In these examples, the intention may be descriptive, but they are selecting language that perpetuates unfair and biased assumptions about millions of people. The language is disempowering (and the evidence, when present, is weak).

Language assists us in categorizing or understanding different cultures, ideas, or people; we rely on language to sort information and differentiate ourselves. In turn, language influences our perceptions, even in unconscious and biased ways.

The key is to practice reflexivity about language choices. Language isn’t perfect, so thinking reflexively about language will take time and practice.

For example, if you were crafting a hypothetical example about an experience in health care, you might open with a hypothetical example: “Imagine sitting for hours in the waiting room with no relief. Fidgeting and in pain, you feel hopeless and forgotten within the system. Finally, you’re greeted by the doctor and he escorts you to a procedure room.” It’s a great story and there is vivid and clear language. But are there any changes that you’d make to the language used?

Remember that this is a hypothetical example. Using reflexive thinking, we might question the use of “he” to describe the doctor. Are there doctors that are a “he”? Certainly. Are all doctors a “he”? Certainly not. It’s important to question how “he” gets generalized to stand-in for doctors or how we may assume that all credible doctors are men.

Practicing reflexivity means questioning the assumptions present in our language choices (like police men rather than police officers). Continue to be conscious of what language you draw on to describe certain people, places, or ideas. If you aren’t sure what language choices are best to describe a group, ask; listen, and don’t assume.

In this chapter, we discussed crafting complete, well-reasoned arguments. Claim, evidence, and warrant are helpful structural components when crafting arguments. Remember, too, that language plays a central role in telling a compelling story.

A series of statements in support of a claim, assertion, or proposition

speaker credibility

Appeals to reason or logic

Appeals to emotion

a declarative statement or assertion

proof or support for your claim

specific instances that illuminate a concept

stories that clarify, dramatize, and emphasize ideas

the collection, analysis, comparison, and interpretation of numerical data

the words of others

Warrants connect the evidence and the claim

we often recognize the underlying warrant without it being explicitly stated

the specific meaning associated with a word

the idea suggested by or associated with a word at a cultural or personal level

Setting limits on what it means, how the audience should think about the word, and/or how you will use it

specific, technical language that is used in a given community.

when the subject in a sentence performs the action

Speaking Confidently Copyright © 2021 by Meggie Mapes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

• Games, topic printables & more
• The 4 main speech types
• Example speeches
• Commemorative
• Declamation
• Demonstration
• Informative
• Introduction
• Student Council
• Speech topics
• Poems to read aloud
• How to write a speech
• Using props/visual aids
• Acute anxiety help
• Breathing exercises
• Letting go - free e-course
• Using self-hypnosis
• Delivery overview
• 4 modes of delivery
• How to make cue cards
• How to read a speech
• 9 vocal aspects
• Vocal variety
• Diction/articulation
• Pronunciation
• Speaking rate
• How to use pauses
• Eye contact
• Body language
• Voice image
• Voice health
• Public speaking activities and games
• About me/contact

Speech Topics - 100s of them!

By:  Susan Dugdale   | Last modified: 01-10-2023

Speech ideas ordered by speech type & theme 

So you're preparing to give a speech.

The next step, unless you've been told or you've already decided for yourself, is choosing a topic.

What will you talk about?  There are literally so many possibilities.

To make choosing a subject easier, here's a collection of speech topic suggestions arranged either by speech type,  age group or theme. 

• Demonstration speech topics  (5 pages: 738 + topics)
• Speech topics for kids  (2 pages: 150 + topics)
• Persuasive topics  (6 pages: 998+ topics)

125 examples of narrative speech topics

• 60 vocal variety and body language topics

145 good cause and effect topics for students

• Fun public speaking topics  (2 pages:165 topics)
• 180+ interesting topics for students  (1 page: 180 + topics)
• Good informative speech topics  (1 page: 100s of topics)
• Commemorative speech topic ideas  (1 page: themes)
• Argumentative/controversial speech topics  (1 page: 290 topics)
• Easter themed speech topics  (1 page: 32 topics)
• Impromptu speech topics  (4 pages: 570 topics)
• Printable impromptu speech topics  (98 proverbs or quotations ready-to-go)

Teacher or student, these lists are for you.

I hope they're useful! Happy speaking, Susan

Demonstration speech ideas

These are the 'show and tell' or 'how to' speeches where you demonstrate a skill, make something, or explain how something works. Think of these speeches as stepping through a process from beginning to end, showing and explaining every step of the way.

The goal of them is often to inspire those listening to try whatever is being shown for themselves.

I have five pages of topics specifically selected because they are good for demonstration speeches. You'll see the lists are adaptable to meet the needs of people of middle school age and upwards.

• 290 themed 'how to' demonstration speech ideas   
• 6 themed demonstration topic lists using the magic of 'how'
• 50 soft skill 'how to' demonstrative speech topics
• 100+ 10-minute, or less, demonstration speech topics
• 188 funny how-to speech topics

Return to Top

Speech topics for kids

I've got two pages of speech topics especially chosen with children in mind. They're mainly for kids in the middle school age bracket (11 - 14 years old) but are readily adaptable for those either younger or older.

Both pages are really useful if you're a teacher or parent looking for inspiration! I've carefully put together lists covering social/community issues, arts and culture, sports and games, food, fun and whimsy, hobbies, and more. 

-  8 themed lists of speech topics for children

- 50+ elocution topics for kids

Persuasive speech topics

Convince me!

Change my mind!

Challenge my thinking!

Convert me!

And, if appropriate, make me laugh!

Whatever topic you choose you will be expected to take a position on it and persuade your audience to consider what you're saying about it seriously.

For example:

'To be vegan is the only right, and moral way to live.'

'Good or right thinking is a matter of opinion.' 

My six persuasive speech topic pages are below.

• 50 good persuasive speech topics
• 5 0+ persuasive speech topic ideas
• 105 fun persuasive speech topics
• 309 easy persuasive speech topics
• 310 persuasive speech topics for college
• 108 feminist persuasive speech topics

125 strong ideas for effective story telling speeches, preparation guidelines, plus a printable narrative speech outline.

If you're looking for suggestions for the Toastmasters Level Three Project 'Connect with storytelling' these will get you off to a great start.

Go to: 125 examples of narrative speech topics

60 vocal variety & body language topics

60 speech topic ideas to help you work with body language and gesture. They're perfect for evocative personal storytelling speeches or for either of these Toastmasters Pathway projects:

• Level 2: Learning Your Style: Effective Body Language or,
• Level 1:  Mastering Fundamentals: Vocal Variety and Body Language

Go to 6 0 vocal variety and body language speech topics

Cause and effect topics for speeches and essays to challenge, connect and make a difference. With explanations, examples and a free printable blank fish bone diagram, (an extremely useful visual cause and effect analytical tool), to download for your own use.

Go to 145 good cause and effect topics

Fun public speaking topics

They're silly; deliberately daft and ridiculous!

These speech topics focus on light-hearted nonsense, tilting the world side-ways, giving your audience a glimpse of it funny side-up.

Gems include:

• 'How to procrastinate like a professional',
• 'How to look innocent',
• 'Why lying can be useful', ...

Go on. Make them snort with laughter. Visit:

• 60 fun public speaking topics for kids of all ages 
• 1 88 funny how-to speech topics

180 + interesting speech topic ideas

Here's a page of topic suggestions encouraging people to push beyond ordinary.

There's a bundle of 50 ideas around the growing influence of social media, a collection of 45 thought provoking suggestions centered on your very own community and family history, 61 'weird' topics, and more. 

You only need ONE truly bright and original idea, right?

Have a look here for it.

There are  180  interesting speech topic ideas   to browse through. 

Good informative speech topics

An informative speech does what its title says: it informs. It gives the facts about the topic. Not people's feelings about the subject - just the facts.

Informational speech topic possibilities are quite truly endless.  Use my page as a beginning to set your own creative juices in motion.

Visit:  100s of good informational speech topics

Commemorative speech topic ideas

A commemorative or tribute speech honors the memory of  a person, a group, an institution, a thing, an event or an idea.

Use this  commemorative speech topic helper  page (and its resource links) to identify the right topic and theme to match the event you've been asked to speak at.

239 controversial or argumentative speech topics

These topics are deliberately provocative. They cover four broad areas affecting us all: the food we eat, our children (from infancy through to teenage years), and the communities/countries we live in.

In addition to the 239 topics there are comprehensive guidelines about choosing the best topic: one fitting yourself and your audience. 

Find yourself a controversial speech topic .

Note: these topics are best suited for high school and college students.

32 Easter themed speech topics

Easter - what is its history? What are the special days, like Palm Sunday, all about? What do bunnies and chocolate eggs have to do with it? Why does the White House have a tradition of egg-rolling as part of its Easter celebrations?

Use this page of 32  Easter speech topic possibilities  to find an idea for an inspirational  demonstration or an interesting informative speech.

Impromptu speech topics

Help! I have a class and need lots of impromptu speech topics for them to practice with.

You've got them here. I have four pages of topics for impromptu speeches.

You'll find them suitable for middle school and upwards. They're great for public speaking clubs too.

• 200 impromptu speech topics
• 150 1 minute speech topics - with sample speech outlines, speeches: full text & audio
• 11 themed sets of fun topics for impromptu speeches
• 80+ themed table topic questions, with printables   

And last, but not least there's ...

98 printable impromptu speech topic cards, an almost* instantly available resource for busy public speaking teachers.

If you're time-poor and need a grab-and-go solution to your "HELP! I want speech topics for my public speaking class, and I need them now" problem, check these out.

Printable Impromptu Speech Topic Cards

* It'll take you 5 minutes to select the set you want, (proverbs or quotations), pay, and have it downloaded ready for printing. You'll be getting 98 themed speech topic cards - a great reusable resource for $4.75.

& One Minute Speeches!

Another almost instantly available resource.

A fun and hugely effective impromptu speaking activity. You get topics + instructions for the core activity, plus three advanced variations for $5.95. Take a look - One Minute Speeches .

• Return to write-out-loud.com homepage

speaking out loud 

Subscribe for  FREE weekly alerts about what's new For more see  speaking out loud  

Top 10 popular pages

• Welcome speech
• Demonstration speech topics
• Impromptu speech topic cards
• Thank you quotes
• Impromptu public speaking topics
• Farewell speeches
• Phrases for welcome speeches
• Student council speeches
• Free sample eulogies

From fear to fun in 28 ways

A complete one stop resource to scuttle fear in the best of all possible ways - with laughter.

Useful pages

• Search this site
• About me & Contact
• Blogging Aloud
• Free e-course
• Privacy policy

©Copyright 2006-24 www.write-out-loud.com

Designed and built by Clickstream Designs

50 Argumentative Essay Topics

Illustration by Catherine Song. ThoughtCo. 

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

An argumentative essay requires you to decide on a topic and argue for or against it. You'll need to back up your viewpoint with well-researched facts and information as well. One of the hardest parts is deciding which topic to write about, but there are plenty of ideas available to get you started. Then you need to take a position, do some research, and present your viewpoint convincingly.

Choosing a Great Argumentative Essay Topic

Students often find that most of their work on these essays is done before they even start writing. This means that it's best if you have a general interest in your subject. Otherwise, you might get bored or frustrated while trying to gather information. You don't need to know everything, though; part of what makes this experience rewarding is learning something new.

It's best if you have a general interest in your subject, but the argument you choose doesn't have to be one that you agree with.

The subject you choose may not necessarily be one you are in full agreement with, either. You may even be asked to write a paper from the opposing point of view. Researching a different viewpoint helps students broaden their perspectives. 

Ideas for Argument Essays

Sometimes, the best ideas are sparked by looking at many different options. Explore this list of possible topics and see if a few pique your interest. Write those down as you come across them, then think about each for a few minutes.

Which would you enjoy researching? Do you have a firm position on a particular subject? Is there a point you would like to make sure you get across? Did the topic give you something new to think about? Can you see why someone else may feel differently?

List of 50 Possible Argumentative Essay Topics

A number of these topics are rather controversial—that's the point. In an argumentative essay , opinions matter, and controversy is based on opinions. Just make sure your opinions are backed up by facts in the essay.   If these topics are a little too controversial or you don't find the right one for you, try browsing through persuasive essay and speech topics  as well.

• Is global climate change  caused by humans?
• Is the death penalty effective?
• Is the U.S. election process fair?
• Is torture ever acceptable?
• Should men get paternity leave from work?
• Are school uniforms beneficial?
• Does the U.S. have a fair tax system?
• Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?
• Is cheating out of control?
• Are we too dependent on computers?
• Should animals be used for research?
• Should cigarette smoking be banned?
• Are cell phones dangerous?
• Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy?
• Do we have a throwaway society ?
• Is child behavior better or worse than it was years ago?
• Should companies market to children?
• Should the government have a say in our diets?
• Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
• Should members of Congress have term limits?
• Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?
• Are CEOs paid too much?
• Should athletes be held to high moral standards?
• Do violent video games cause behavior problems?
• Should creationism be taught in public schools?
• Are beauty pageants exploitative ?
• Should English be the official language of the United States?
• Should the racing industry be forced to use biofuels?
• Should the alcohol-drinking age be increased or decreased?
• Should everyone be required to recycle?
• Is it okay for prisoners to vote (as they are in some states)?
• Should same-sex marriage be legalized in more countries?
• Are there benefits to attending a single-sex school ?
• Does boredom lead to trouble?
• Should schools be in session year-round ?
• Does religion cause war?
• Should the government provide health care?
• Should abortion be illegal?
• Should more companies expand their reproductive health benefits for employees?
• Is homework harmful or helpful?
• Is the cost of college too high?
• Is college admission too competitive?
• Should euthanasia be illegal?
• Should the federal government legalize marijuana use nationally ?
• Should rich people be required to pay more taxes?
• Should schools require foreign language or physical education?
• Is affirmative action fair?
• Is public prayer okay in schools?
• Are schools and teachers responsible for low test scores?
• Is greater gun control a good idea?

How to Craft a Persuasive Argument

After you've decided on your essay topic, gather evidence to make your argument as strong as possible. Your research could even help shape the position your essay ultimately takes. As you craft your essay, remember to utilize persuasive writing techniques , such as invoking emotional language or citing facts from authoritative figures. 

• 100 Persuasive Essay Topics
• 100 Persuasive Speech Topics for Students
• Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay
• Preparing an Argument Essay: Exploring Both Sides of an Issue
• Bad Essay Topics for College Admissions
• How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech
• Controversial Speech Topics
• How to Write a Solid Thesis Statement
• MBA Essay Tips
• High School Debate Topics
• How to Write a Persuasive Essay
• How to Ace Your University of Wisconsin Personal Statements
• 25 Essay Topics for American Government Classes
• A Sample Essay for Common Application Option #7: Topic of Your Choice
• Common Application Essay Option 6: Losing Track of Time
• Topic In Composition and Speech

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 55 great debate topics for any project.

General Education

A debate is a formal discussion about a topic where two sides present opposing viewpoints. Debates follow a specific structure: each side is given time to speak either for or against the topic at hand.

Many students study debate in high school to improve their speaking skills. As a debater, you learn how to clearly structure and present an argument. The skills you develop as a debater will help you on everything from a college admissions interview to a job presentation.

Selecting debate topics is one of the most important parts of debating. In this article, we’ll explain how to select a good debate topic and give suggestions for debate topics you can use.

How to Select Good Debate Topics

A good debate topic is one that lets the participants and the audience learn about both sides of an issue. Consider the following factors when selecting a debate topic:

Interest: Are you interested in the topic? Would the topic be interesting to your fellow classmates, as well as to the audience listening to the debate? Selecting a topic that you’re interested in makes the preparation part of the debate more exciting , as well as the debate more lively.

Argument Potential: You want to choose a debate topic that has solid argument potential. If one side is clearly right, or if there isn’t a lot of available information, you’ll have a hard time crafting a solid debate.

Availability of Data: Data points make an argument more robust. You’ll want to select a topic with lots of empirical data that you can pull from to bolster your argument.

Now that we know how to select a debate topic, let’s look at a list of good debate topics.

Debate Topics Master List

If you’re searching for your next debate topic, here are some suggestions.

Social and Political Issues Debate Topics

• All people should have the right to own guns.
• The death penalty should be abolished.
• Human cloning should be legalized.
• All drugs should be legalized.
• Animal testing should be banned.
• Juveniles should be tried and treated as adults.
• Climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity today.
• Violent video games should be banned.
• The minimum wage should be $15 per hour.
• All people should have Universal Basic Income.
• Sex work should be legal.
• Countries should be isolationist.
• Abortion should be banned.
• Every citizen should be mandated to perform national public service.
• Bottled water should be banned.
• Plastic bags should be banned.

Education Debate Topics

• Homework should be banned.
• Public prayer should not be allowed in schools.
• Schools should block sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram on their computers.
• School uniforms should be required.
• Standardized testing should be abolished.
• All students should have an after-school job or internship.
• School should be in session year-round.
• All high school athletes should be drug tested.
• Detention should be abolished.
• All student loan debt should be eliminated.
• Homeschooling is better than traditional schooling.
• All schools should have armed security guards.
• Religion should be taught in schools.
• All schools should be private schools.
• All students should go to boarding schools.
• Sexual education should be mandatory in schools.
• Public college should be tuition free.
• All teachers should get tenure.
• All school districts should offer school vouchers.

Health Debate Topics

• Healthcare should be universal.
• Cosmetic procedures should be covered by health insurance.
• All people should be vegetarians.
• Euthanasia should be banned.
• The drinking age should be 18.
• Vaping should be banned.
• Smoking should be banned in all public places.
• People should be legally required to get vaccines.
• Obesity should be labeled a disease.
• Sexual orientation is determined at birth.
• The sale of human organs should be legalized.
• Birth control should be for sale over the counter.

Technology Debate Topics

• Social media has improved human communication.
• The development of artificial intelligence will help humanity.
• Individuals should own their own DNA.
• Humans should invest in technology to explore and colonize other planets.
• Governments should invest in alternative energy sources.
• Net neutrality should be restored.
• Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies should be encouraged or banned.
• Alternative energy can effectively replace fossil fuels.
• Cell phone radiation is dangerous and should be limited.

How to Prepare for a Debate

Once you’ve selected your debate topic, the next step is to prepare for your debate. Follow these steps as you get ready to take the podium.

Read Your Evidence

The most important step to building your debate confidence is to familiarize yourself with the evidence available. You’ll want to select reputable sources and use empirical data effectively.

The more well read on your topic you are, the better you’ll be able to defend your position and anticipate the other side’s arguments.

Anticipate the Other Side’s Arguments

As part of your debate, you’ll need to rebut the other side’s arguments. It’s important to prepare ahead of time to guess what they’ll be talking about. You’ll bolster your own side’s argument if you’re able to effectively dismantle what the other side is saying.

Plan to Fill Your Speech Time

Each speaker at a debate is limited to a certain amount of time. You should plan to use every second of the time that you’re allotted. Make sure you practice your talking points so that you know you’re within the time frame. If you’re short, add in more evidence.

Practice to Build Confidence

It can be scary to take the stage for a debate! Practicing ahead of time will help you build confidence. Remember to speak slowly and clearly. Even if your argument is great, it won’t matter if no one can understand it.

Final Thoughts

Debate is a great way to hone your public speaking skills and get practice crafting and defending an argument. Use these debate topics if you're searching for a focus for your next debate.

What's Next?

Looking for ways to keep the debate going in non-academic life? Then you'll love our list of 101 "this or that" questions to argue over with your friends.

Thinking about how you can use your argumentative skills in a future career? Read up on the five steps to becoming a lawyer to see if that's a path you want to pursue.

Getting ready to take an AP test? Here’s a list of practice tests for every AP exam, including the AP literature exam .

It can be hard to schedule time to study for an AP test on top of your extracurriculars and normal classwork. Check out this article on when you need to start studying for your AP tests to make sure you’re staying on track.

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2024

April 3, 2024

The skill of writing an excellent argumentative essay is a crucial one for every high school or college student to master. In sum, argumentative essays teach students how to organize their thoughts logically and present them in a convincing way. This skill is helpful not only for those pursuing degrees in law , international relations , or public policy , but for any student who wishes to develop their critical thinking faculties. In this article, we’ll cover what makes a good argument essay and offer several argumentative essay topics for high school and college students. Let’s begin!

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is an essay that uses research to present a reasoned argument on a particular subject . As with the persuasive essay , the purpose of an argumentative essay is to sway the reader to the writer’s position. However, a strong persuasive essay makes its point through diligent research and emotion while a strong argumentative essay should be based solely on facts, not feelings.

Moreover, each fact should be supported by clear evidence from credible sources . Furthermore, a good argumentative essay will have an easy-to-follow structure. When organizing your argumentative essay, use this format as a guide:

• Introduction
• Supporting body paragraphs
• Paragraph(s) addressing common counterarguments

Argumentative Essay Format

In the introduction , the writer presents their position and thesis statement —a sentence that summarizes the paper’s main points. The body paragraphs then draw upon supporting evidence to back up this initial statement, with each paragraph focusing on its own point. The length of your paper will determine the amount of examples you need. In general, you’ll likely need at least two to three. Additionally, your examples should be as detailed as possible, citing specific research, case studies, statistics, or anecdotes.

In the counterargument paragraph , the writer acknowledges and refutes opposing viewpoints. Finally, in the conclusion , the writer restates the main argument made in the thesis statement and summarizes the points of the essay. Additionally, the conclusion may offer a final proposal to persuade the reader of the essay’s position.

How to Write an Effective Argumentative Essay, Step by Step

• Choose your topic. Use the list below to help you pick a topic. Ideally, a good argumentative essay topic will be meaningful to you—writing is always stronger when you are interested in the subject matter. In addition, the topic should be complex with plenty of “pro” and “con” arguments. Avoid choosing a topic that is either widely accepted as fact or too narrow. For example, “Is the earth round?” would not be a solid choice.
• Research. Use the library, the web, and any other resources to gather information about your argumentative essay topic. Research widely but smartly. As you go, take organized notes, marking the source of every quote and where it may fit in the scheme of your larger essay. Moreover, remember to look for (and research) possible counterarguments.
• Outline . Using the argument essay format above, create an outline for your essay. Then, brainstorm a thesis statement covering your argument’s main points, and begin to put your examples in order, focusing on logical flow. It’s often best to place your strongest example last.
• Write . Draw on your research and outline to create a first draft. Remember, your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. (As Voltaire says, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”) Accordingly, just focus on getting the words down on paper.
• Does my thesis statement need to be adjusted?
• Which examples feel strongest? Weakest?
• Do the transitions flow smoothly?
• Do I have a strong opening paragraph?
• Does the conclusion reinforce my argument?

Tips for Revising an Argument Essay

Evaluating your own work can be difficult, so you might consider the following strategies:

• Read your work aloud to yourself.
• Record yourself reading your paper, and listen to the recording.
• Reverse outline your paper. Firstly, next to each paragraph, write a short summary of that paragraph’s main points/idea. Then, read through your reverse outline. Does it have a logical flow? If not, where should you adjust?
• Print out your paper and cut it into paragraphs. What happens when you rearrange the paragraphs?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School, High School, and College Students

Family argumentative essay topics.

• Should the government provide financial incentives for families to have children to address the declining birth rate?
• Should we require parents to provide their children with a certain level of nutrition and physical activity to prevent childhood obesity?
• Should parents implement limits on how much time their children spend playing video games?
• Should cell phones be banned from family/holiday gatherings?
• Should we hold parents legally responsible for their children’s actions?
• Should children have the right to sue their parents for neglect?
• Should parents have the right to choose their child’s religion?
• Are spanking and other forms of physical punishment an effective method of discipline?
• Should courts allow children to choose where they live in cases of divorce?
• Should parents have the right to monitor teens’ activity on social media?
• Should parents control their child’s medical treatment, even if it goes against the child’s wishes?
• Should parents be allowed to post pictures of their children on social media without their consent?
• Should fathers have a legal say in whether their partners do or do not receive an abortion?
• Can television have positive developmental benefits on children?
• Should the driving age be raised to prevent teen car accidents?
• Should adult children be legally required to care for their aging parents?

Education Argument Essay Topics

• Should schools ban the use of technology like ChatGPT?
• Are zoos unethical, or necessary for conservation and education?
• To what degree should we hold parents responsible in the event of a school shooting?
• Should schools offer students a set number of mental health days?
• Should school science curriculums offer a course on combating climate change?
• Should public libraries be allowed to ban certain books? If so, what types?
• What role, if any, should prayer play in public schools?
• Should schools push to abolish homework?
• Are gifted and talented programs in schools more harmful than beneficial due to their exclusionary nature?
• Should universities do away with Greek life?
• Should schools remove artwork, such as murals, that some perceive as offensive?
• Should the government grant parents the right to choose alternative education options for their children and use taxpayer funds to support these options?
• Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling for children’s academic and social development?
• Should we require schools to teach sex education to reduce teen pregnancy rates?
• Should we require schools to provide sex education that includes information about both homosexual and heterosexual relationships?
• Should colleges use affirmative action and other race-conscious policies to address diversity on campus?
• Should public schools remove the line “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance?
• Should college admissions officers be allowed to look at students’ social media accounts?
• Should schools abolish their dress codes, many of which unfairly target girls, LGBTQ students, and students of color?
• Should schools be required to stock free period products in bathrooms?
• Should legacy students receive preferential treatment during the college admissions process?
• Are school “voluntourism” trips ethical?

Government Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. decriminalize prostitution?
• Should the U.S. issue migration visas to all eligible applicants?
• Should the federal government cancel all student loan debt?
• Should we lower the minimum voting age? If so, to what?
• Should the federal government abolish all laws penalizing drug production and use?
• Should the U.S. use its military power to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan?
• Should the U.S. supply Ukraine with further military intelligence and supplies?
• Should the North and South of the U.S. split up into two regions?
• Should Americans hold up nationalism as a critical value?
• Should we permit Supreme Court justices to hold their positions indefinitely?
• Should Supreme Court justices be democratically elected?
• Is the Electoral College still a productive approach to electing the U.S. president?
• Should the U.S. implement a national firearm registry?
• Is it ethical for countries like China and Israel to mandate compulsory military service for all citizens?
• Should the U.S. government implement a ranked-choice voting system?
• Should institutions that benefited from slavery be required to provide reparations?
• Based on the 1619 project, should history classes change how they teach about the founding of the U.S.?
• Should term limits be imposed on Senators and Representatives? If so, how long?
• Should women be allowed into special forces units?
• Should the federal government implement stronger, universal firearm licensing laws?
• Do public sex offender registries help prevent future sex crimes?
• Should the government be allowed to regulate family size?
• Should all adults legally be considered mandated reporters?
• Should the government fund public universities to make higher education more accessible to low-income students?
• Should the government fund universal preschool to improve children’s readiness for kindergarten?

Health/Bioethics Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. government offer its own healthcare plan?
• In the case of highly infectious pandemics, should we focus on individual freedoms or public safety when implementing policies to control the spread?
• Should we legally require parents to vaccinate their children to protect public health?
• Is it ethical for parents to use genetic engineering to create “designer babies” with specific physical and intellectual traits?
• Should the government fund research on embryonic stem cells for medical treatments?
• Should the government legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill patients?
• Should organ donation be mandatory?
• Is cloning animals ethical?
• Should cancer screenings start earlier? If so, what age?
• Is surrogacy ethical?
• Should birth control require a prescription?
• Should minors have access to emergency contraception?
• Should hospitals be for-profit or nonprofit institutions?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics — Continued

Social media argumentative essay topics.

• Should the federal government increase its efforts to minimize the negative impact of social media?
• Do social media and smartphones strengthen one’s relationships?
• Should antitrust regulators take action to limit the size of big tech companies?
• Should social media platforms ban political advertisements?
• Should the federal government hold social media companies accountable for instances of hate speech discovered on their platforms?
• Do apps such as TikTok and Instagram ultimately worsen the mental well-being of teenagers?
• Should governments oversee how social media platforms manage their users’ data?
• Should social media platforms like Facebook enforce a minimum age requirement for users?
• Should social media companies be held responsible for cases of cyberbullying?
• Should the United States ban TikTok?
• Is social media harmful to children?
• Should employers screen applicants’ social media accounts during the hiring process?

Religion Argument Essay Topics

• Should religious institutions be tax-exempt?
• Should religious symbols such as the hijab or crucifix be allowed in public spaces?
• Should religious freedoms be protected, even when they conflict with secular laws?
• Should the government regulate religious practices?
• Should we allow churches to engage in political activities?
• Religion: a force for good or evil in the world?
• Should the government provide funding for religious schools?
• Is it ethical for healthcare providers to deny abortions based on religious beliefs?
• Should religious organizations be allowed to discriminate in their hiring practices?
• Should we allow people to opt out of medical treatments based on their religious beliefs?
• Should the U.S. government hold religious organizations accountable for cases of sexual abuse within their community?
• Should religious beliefs be exempt from anti-discrimination laws?
• Should religious individuals be allowed to refuse services to others based on their beliefs or lifestyles? (As in this famous case .)
• Should the US ban religion-based federal holidays?
• Should public schools be allowed to teach children about religious holidays?

Science Argument Essay Topics

• Would the world be safer if we eliminated nuclear weapons?
• Should scientists bring back extinct animals? If so, which ones?
• Should we hold companies fiscally responsible for their carbon footprint?
• Should we ban pesticides in favor of organic farming methods?
• Should the federal government ban all fossil fuels, despite the potential economic impact on specific industries and communities?
• What renewable energy source should the U.S. invest more money in?
• Should the FDA outlaw GMOs?
• Should we worry about artificial intelligence surpassing human intelligence?
• Should the alternative medicine industry be more stringently regulated?
• Is colonizing Mars a viable option?
• Is the animal testing worth the potential to save human lives?

Sports Argument Essay Topics

• Should colleges compensate student-athletes?
• How should sports teams and leagues address the gender pay gap?
• Should youth sports teams do away with scorekeeping?
• Should we ban aggressive contact sports like boxing and MMA?
• Should professional sports associations mandate that athletes stand during the national anthem?
• Should high schools require their student-athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
• Should transgender athletes compete in sports according to their gender identity?
• Should schools ban football due to the inherent danger it poses to players?
• Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
• Do participation trophies foster entitlement and unrealistic expectations?
• Should sports teams be divided by gender?
• Should professional athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympics?
• Should women be allowed on NFL teams?

Technology Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should sites like DALL-E compensate the artists whose work it was trained on?
• Should the federal government make human exploration of space a more significant priority?
• Is it ethical for the government to use surveillance technology to monitor citizens?
• Should websites require proof of age from their users? If so, what age?
• Should we consider A.I.-generated images and text pieces of art?
• Does the use of facial recognition technology violate individuals’ privacy?
• Is online learning as effective as in-person learning?
• Does computing harm the environment?
• Should buying, sharing, and selling collected personal data be illegal?
• Are electric cars really better for the environment?
• Should car companies be held responsible for self-driving car accidents?
• Should private jets be banned?
• Do violent video games contribute to real-life violence?

Business Argument Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. government phase out the use of paper money in favor of a fully digital currency system?
• Should the federal government abolish its patent and copyright laws?
• Should we replace the Federal Reserve with free-market institutions?
• Is free-market ideology responsible for the U.S. economy’s poor performance over the past decade?
• Will cryptocurrencies overtake natural resources like gold and silver?
• Is capitalism the best economic system? What system would be better?
• Should the U.S. government enact a universal basic income?
• Should we require companies to provide paid parental leave to their employees?
• Should the government raise the minimum wage? If so, to what?
• Should antitrust regulators break up large companies to promote competition?
• Is it ethical for companies to prioritize profits over social responsibility?
• Should gig-economy workers like Uber and Lyft drivers be considered employees or independent contractors?
• Should the federal government regulate the gig economy to ensure fair treatment of workers?
• Should the government require companies to disclose the environmental impact of their products?
• Should companies be allowed to fire employees based on political views or activities?
• Should tipping practices be phased out?
• Should employees who choose not to have children be given the same amount of paid leave as parents?
• Should MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) be illegal?
• Should employers be allowed to factor tattoos and personal appearance into hiring decisions?

In Conclusion – Argument Essay Topics

Using the tips above, you can effectively structure and pen a compelling argumentative essay that will wow your instructor and classmates. Remember to craft a thesis statement that offers readers a roadmap through your essay, draw on your sources wisely to back up any claims, and read through your paper several times before it’s due to catch any last-minute proofreading errors. With time, diligence, and patience, your essay will be the most outstanding assignment you’ve ever turned in…until the next one rolls around.

Looking for more fresh and engaging topics for use in the classroom? You might consider checking out the following:

• 125 Good Debate Topics for High School Students
• 150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
• 7 Best Places to Study
• Guide to the IB Extended Essay
• How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay
• AP Lit Reading List
• How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay
• 49 Most Interesting Biology Research Topics
• High School Success

Lauren Green

With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook  A Great Dark House  (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming novel (Viking/Penguin).

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Data Visualizations
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High Schools
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Private High School Spotlight
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Teacher Tools
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

378+ Argumentative Essay Topics for Students With Tips

• Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
• Icon Page 6290 words
• Icon Clock 28 min read

Argumentative essays are a common form of academic writing that students and scholars practice in their fields of study. Basically, the article includes many examples of argumentative essay topics and explains the purpose as the starting point of the in-depth analysis of elements of argumentation. The manual also explains the challenge of avoiding logical fallacies in the creation of arguments. In this case, a step-by-step deconstruction of the structure of the classical persuasive essay presents the sectional content requirements to the reader. Equally important, this article describes the process of developing a good argumentative topic using a sample template, including examples of free argumentative essay topics. In turn, the guide concludes with a discussion of factors that affect the topic selection for argumentative works.

General Aspects of Argumentative Essay Topics

In academic writing, an argumentative essay serves to argue a position in the case of debates. Originally, it meant that essay topics must be argumentative, while people must consider written papers as sources for thinking or debating. In addition, persuasive papers include rhetorical appeals, such as ethos, pathos, and logos, and these techniques affect the reader’s attention positively. However, not all students know about these features of argumentative papers. As a result, such papers do not make sense in formal writing. Therefore, scholars should define good argumentative essay topics (2024) if they want to prove their position on the issue.

Hot Topics for Argumentative Essays

• Impacts of Technology on Society
• Sustainability and Global Climate Change
• Animal Rights and Experimentation
• Nuclear Energy: Pros and Cons
• Homeschooling Versus Traditional Education
• The Death Penalty: Justice or Inhumanity
• Influence of Violence in Video Games
• Genetic Engineering: Evolution or Exploitation
• Mandatory Vaccinations: Rights and Responsibilities
• School Uniforms: Necessity or Oppression
• Internet Privacy: Safety or Surveillance
• Gender Equality in the Workplace
• Influence of Music Lyrics on the Youth
• Roles of Parents in Preventing Childhood Obesity
• Effects of Divorce on Children’s Psychological Health
• Stem Cell Research: Life-Saver or Ethical Nightmare
• Space Exploration: Worth the Cost
• The Role of Zoos in Wildlife Conservation

Easy Argumentative Essay Topics

• Impacts of Mass Media on Public Opinion
• Capital Punishment: Deterrence or Revenge
• The Ethics of Cloning: Innovation or Interference
• Organic Foods: Healthier Choice or Marketing Scam
• The Global Refugee Crisis: Responsibility and Response
• The Importance of Arts Education in Schools
• Cyber Bullying: An Invisible Threat
• The Role of Religion in Public Education
• Cyber Security: National Defense or Invasion of Privacy
• The Impact of Fast Food on Health
• Influence of Celebrity Culture on the Youth Population
• Effects of Reality TV on Society
• Potentials of Renewable Energy
• Ethical Implications of Surrogacy
• Impacts of Single-Parent Families on Child Development
• Graphic Novels and Reading Comprehension

Most Interesting Argumentative Essay Topics

• The Effectiveness of Bilingual Education
• Legality of Internet Censorship
• Roles of Women in the Military
• Multiculturalism and Society
• Impacts of Globalization on Local Cultures
• Benefits and Drawbacks of Telemedicine
• Effects of Minimum Wage on the Economy
• Roles of Sports in Promoting National Unity
• Effects of Automation on Employment
• Impacts of Deforestation on Biodiversity
• The Impacts of Urban Sprawl on Communities
• Roles of Video Games in Education
• Influence of Comic Books on Literature
• Effects of Microplastics on the Environment
• Impacts of Online Dating on Relationships

Argumentative Speech Topics

• The Influence of Veganism on the Global Food Industry
• Effects of Antibiotic Resistance on Public Health
• Pros and Cons of Universal Basic Income
• Impacts of Augmented Reality on Everyday Life
• Roles of Blockchain in Financial Services
• Influences of eSports on Traditional Sports
• Effects of Autonomous Vehicles on Traffic Safety
• Pros and Cons of a Cashless Society
• Impacts of Bioplastics on Waste Management
• Nanotechnology and Healthcare Implications
• Language Immersion Programs and Bilingualism
• Roles of eSports in Shaping College Scholarships
• Pros and Cons of Virtual Reality in Rehabilitation
• Effects of Dark Tourism on Cultural Understanding
• Artificial Intelligence and Creative Industries
• Roles of Quantum Cryptography in Securing Digital Information
• Pros and Cons of Direct Democracy in Modern Governance

Samples of Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School

• Effects of Microtransactions on Video Game Culture
• Minimalism and Consumer Behavior
• Impacts of Autonomous Ships on the Maritime Industry
• Roles of Probiotics in Human Health
• Pros and Cons of Carbon Capture Technologies
• Effects of Sustainable Fashion on the Textile Industry
• Influence of Gentrification on Urban Development
• Telehealth Services and Rural Communities
• Role of Citizen Science in Environmental Conservation
• Pros and Cons of Smart Homes on Privacy
• Effects of Peer-to-Peer Lending on the Financial Industry
• Drones and Wildlife Conservation
• Impacts of Passive Houses on Energy Consumption
• Roles of Agroforestry in Climate Change Mitigation
• Pros and Cons of Facial Recognition Technology in Public Spaces

Argumentative Essay Topics for High School Papers

• What Does High School Education Bring?
• Why Should Marijuana Be Legalized for Recreational Purposes?
• What Changed My Life?
• Do People Need a College Education or Not?
• Technology Makes Human Life Easier
• A Healthy Environment, What Is It?
• Impacts of High-Speed Trains on Transportation
• Roles of Exoskeletons in Rehabilitation and Workforce
• Pros and Cons of Desalination as a Water Solution
• Effects of Influencer Activism on Political Engagement
• Indoor Vertical Farms and Food Security
• People Should Not Smoke in Public Places
• Why Should People Respect the Elderly Generation?
• How Does Culture Affect the Nation?
• What Is the Best System of the Government?

Examples of Argumentative Essay Topics for Kids

• Benefits of Homework: Necessary or Not
• Is Social Media Appropriate for Kids?
• The Importance of School Uniforms
• Should Schools Implement Longer Recess Times?
• Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schooling
• Should Students Have Pets in School?
• Effects of Video Games on Young Minds
• Should Kids Be Allowed to Use Mobile Phones in School?
• Impacts of Junk Foods on Kids’ Health
• Should Parents Limit Screen Time for Children?
• Importance of Art and Music Classes in School
• Does Television Influence Children’s Behavior?
• Roles of Cartoons in Children’s Development
• Should Children Be Paid for Doing Chores?
• Can Children Benefit From Yoga and Meditation?
• Are Zoos Educational for Children?
• Should Children Participate in Competitive Sports?
• Importance of Reading Books Versus Watching TV
• Should Schools Teach Children About Nutrition?

Argumentative Essay Topics for College

• Why Must People Have Higher Education?
• What Are the Roles of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Business?
• How Do Maslow’s Five Forces Affect Organizations?
• Freud’s Theory and Societal Patterns
• Captive Breeding and Endangered Species
• Impacts of Overfishing on Marine Ecosystems
• Roles of Independent Films in Society
• Influence of Stand-up Comedy on Social Commentary
• Effects of E-Commerce on Small Businesses
• Social Corporate Responsibility and Business
• What Are the Causes of Social Inequality?
• High School versus College Education
• What Are the Roles of Elections?
• Using a Smartphone While Driving Should Be Banned
• Digital Devices Make People Lazy

Possible Argumentative Essay Topics on Controversial Issues

• The Government Should Spend More Taxpayers’ Money on a Poor Social Layer
• Why Is Prostitution Illegal?
• Higher Education Should Be Free or Not?
• All People Should Not Gave Firearms
• Marijuana Should Be Legal
• Roles of Virtual Reality in Modern Education
• The Influence of Street Art on Urban Aesthetics
• Roles of Podcasts in Modern Media Landscape
• Pros and Cons of Online Work for Mental Health
• Facebook and Other Social Media Organizations Should Pay More Taxes
• Students Should Not Use Digital Devices During Education
• Smoking in Public Places Is Harmful to Non-Smokers
• What Is the Role of Trump in Regulating Conflicts in the Middle East?
• Social Media Is Used to Manipulate Citizens

Good List of 234 Argumentative Essay Topics

Classical themes.

• Examining Impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Human Employment
• Discussing Ethical Implications of Animal Testing in Medical Research
• Evaluating the Role of Social Media in Modern Political Discourse
• Debating the Effectiveness of Capital Punishment in Deterring Crime
• Analyzing the Influence of Video Games on Adolescent Behaviors
• Debating the Effect of Climate Change on the Global Economy
• Investigating the Role of Standardized Testing in Education
• Examining the Influence of Media Biases on Public Opinion
• Assessing the Importance of Space Exploration in the 21st Century
• Investigating the Role of Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture
• Discussing the Ethical Dilemmas of Euthanasia in Medical Practice
• Understanding the Impact of Bilingual Education on Cognitive Development
• Evaluating the Role of Vaccination in Public Health Today
• Are Genetically Modified Foods a Solution for a Problem of Global Hunger?
• The Ethical Implications of Human Cloning
• Is Space Exploration a Necessary Expenditure?
• Nuclear Power: A Sustainable Energy Source or Potential Catastrophe
• Roles of Science in Shaping Public Policy
• The Potential of Stem Cell Research in Medicine
• The Controversy Surrounding Animal Testing in Scientific Research
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable and Traditional Energy Sources
• The Influence of Technology on Social Interactions
• Is Evolution the Most Convincing Theory for Species Development?
• Ethical Dilemmas of Genetic Engineering in Humans
• Can Artificial Intelligence Surpass Human Intelligence?
• Impacts of Plastic Waste on Marine Ecosystems
• Existence of Extraterrestrial Life
• Pros and Cons of Autonomous Vehicles in Modern Society
• New Roles of Virtual Reality in Transforming Education
• The Influence of Social Media on Adolescents’ Mental Health
• The Rising Threat of Cyber Attacks Today
• Ethical Implications of Genetically Modified Organisms
• The Advancement of Medical Technology and Patient Privacy
• Effects of Digital Technology on Traditional Libraries
• The Need for Internet Censorship to Protect Children
• Roles of Modern Technology in Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture
• Blockchain Technology and People’s Money
• Consequences of the Dependence on Technology for Communication
• Impacts of Technology on the Music Industry
• The Potential of Biotechnology in Solving Global Hunger
• Environmental Impacts of E-Waste and the Need for Recycling Policies
• Impacts of Telemedicine on Modern Health Care
• Mandatory Vaccinations: A Necessity or Violation of Personal Freedom Rights
• Ethical Dilemmas of Assisted Suicide in Terminal Illnesses
• Modern Mental Health and Overall Wellness
• The Effectiveness of Alternative Medicine
• Possible Consequences of Privatizing Health Care
• The Importance of Preventive Medicine in Reducing Health Care Costs
• Socioeconomic Status and Health Outcomes
• The Impact of Technology on Patient Privacy
• Drawbacks of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) on Health
• The Influence of Lifestyle Choices on Chronic Diseases
• The Efficacy of Antidepressants in Treating Mental Health Disorders
• Pharmaceutical Industry and Appropriate Health Care Practices
• Climate Change and Global Public Health
• Benefits of Dietary Supplements in Health Management
• The Effectiveness of the Electoral College in Modern Elections
• Roles of Lobbying in Influencing Government Decisions
• Measures to Curtail Political Corruption in the 21st Century
• Governmental Responsibility in Addressing Climate Change
• Impacts of a Universal Basic Income on the Economy
• The Influence of Social Media on Political Discourse
• Balance of National Security and Personal Privacy
• The Effectiveness of Governmental Economic Stimulus Packages
• Applicability of Socialism in Modern Governments
• Legitimacy of International Military Intervention
• The Necessity of Strict Immigration Policies
• Key Roles of the Government in Health Care Provision
• The Feasibility of a Global Government
• Are Voter ID Laws Important in Preventing Election Fraud?
• The Government’s Role in the Regulation of Big Tech Companies
• Impacts of Government Surveillance on Civil Liberties
• The Need for Government Involvement in Education Reform
• Adverse Consequences of Governmental Censorship on Free Speech
• The Justification for Taxing the Wealthy at Higher Rates
• Implications of Decriminalizing Drugs at a Federal Level
• Roles of the Government in Promoting Renewable Energy
• The Viability of Expanding the Supreme Court
• Government and Housing Market Regulations
• Federal versus State Powers in the United States
• The Necessity of Government Funding for Scientific Research
• The Importance of Incorporating Technology in Education
• Standardized Testing: An Effective Measure of Academic Achievement?
• Benefits of Early Childhood Education
• Should Physical Education Be a Mandatory Subject in Schools?
• Bilingual Education: Enhancing Cultural Diversity in the Classroom
• Homeschooling: A Viable Alternative to Traditional Education
• The Role of Arts Education in Developing Creative Thinking Skills
• The Impact of Gender-Segregated Education on Student Performance
• Should Schools Teach Financial Literacy as a Core Subject?
• The Value of Critical Thinking in Education
• Should Sex Education Be Mandatory in Schools?
• Is Homework Beneficial for Student Learning?
• Advantages of Vocational Education for Career Preparation
• The Necessity of Teaching Environmental Education in Schools
• Roles of Physical Education in Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle
• Should Schools Implement Uniform Policies?
• Benefits of Including Meditation and Mindfulness in the School Curriculum
• Should Schools Replace Traditional Textbooks With Digital Resources?
• Roles of Extracurricular Activities in a Well-Rounded Education
• Inclusive Education for Students Living With Disabilities
• The Role of Music Education in Cognitive Development
• Should Schools Implement Later Start Times for Teenagers?
• Benefits of Teaching Coding and Computer Science in Schools
• Impacts of Standardized Dress Codes on Student Behavior
• Is Teaching Media Literacy Crucial in the Digital Age?
• Should Schools Provide Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Students?
• Pros and Cons of Year-Round Education vs. Traditional Summer Breaks
• The Value of Teaching Ethics and Morality in Education
• Should Schools Incorporate Financial Incentives for Academic Achievements?
• Class Size and Its Impacts on Student Learning and Engagement
• Benefits of Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning
• Should Schools Teach Financial Concepts?
• Roles of Character Education in Building Stronger Communities
• Pros and Cons of Grading Systems vs. Pass/Fail Evaluations
• The Importance of Teaching Media Literacy in Addressing Fake News
• Should Schools Integrate Multicultural Education into the Curriculum?

Environmental Studies

• Evaluating Adverse Impacts of Climate Change on Global Biodiversity
• Roles of Renewable Energy in Achieving Carbon Neutrality
• Plastic Pollution: The Unseen Threat to Marine Life
• The Importance of Sustainable Agriculture in Modern Farming Practices
• Analyzing the Consequences of Deforestation on Indigenous Communities
• Urbanization and Its Impacts on Local Ecosystems
• The Moral Responsibility of Corporations in Reducing Environmental Impacts
• Roles of Individual Actions in Achieving a Sustainable Future
• Fast Fashion and Its Devastating Impact on the Environment
• The Value of Urban Green Spaces in Combating Climate Change
• The Importance of Environmental Education in Shaping Future Generations
• The Potential of Green Technology in Revolutionizing the Global Economy
• Roles of Bitcoin and Traditional Money in Modern Economics
• Corporate Social Responsibility Versus Profit Maximization
• Impacts of Trade Wars on the Global Economy
• Sustainable Development: An Economic Imperative or an Environmental One?
• Ethical Implications of Wealth Inequality
• Universal Basic Income: A Solution to Poverty or an Economic Hazard?
• Potential Economic Consequences of Climate Change in Nearest Ten Years
• Automation and Job Loss: The Future of the Labor Market
• Impacts of Globalization on Local Economies
• Economic Effects of Immigration Policies
• Roles of Central Banks in Economic Stability
• Government Spending: A Necessity or a Burden?
• Impacts of Overpopulation on Economic Growth
• Effects of Economic Policies on Income Inequality
• Roles of Education in Economic Development
• Should Athletes Use Performance Enhancing Drugs?
• Impacts of Commercialization on Modern Sports
• Do Violent Sports Encourage Aggressive Behaviors in Society?
• Modern Media and the Perception of Women in Sports
• Should Schools Prioritize Academics Over Sports?
• Is It Ethical to Profit From College Sports?
• Effects of Technological Advancements on Sports Performance
• The Significance of Sports in Fostering Cultural Diversity
• Is Competitive Youth Sports Beneficial or Harmful?
• Should Cheerleading Be Recognized as a Competitive Sport?
• The Influence of Athletes as Role Models on Young People
• Are Video Games and eSports True Sports?
• The Exploitation of Athletes in Professional Sports Leagues
• Roles of the Government in the Promotion and Regulation of Sports
• Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering in Humans
• Should Businesses Prioritize Profit Over Ethical Considerations?
• Moral Dilemmas Surrounding Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
• Are Animal Rights Equally Important as Human Rights?
• Ethical Consequences of Artificial Intelligence in Society
• Should Organ Transplants Be Allowed From Live Donors?
• Is It Ethical for Governments to Monitor Their Citizens?
• Ethical Issues Surrounding Abortion Rights
• Are Companies Morally Obligated to Practice Environmental Sustainability?
• Roles of Ethics in Modern War and Conflict
• Ethical Aspects of Using Animals for Testing
• The Morality of Capital Punishment in the 21st Century
• Should Ethical Considerations Limit Scientific Research?
• Ethical Aspects of Data Privacy in the Digital Age
• Can Censorship Ever Be Ethically Justified?
• Is It Ethical to Consume Animal Products in the Modern World?
• The Morality of Child Labor in Developing Countries
• Should Wealthy Nations Share More Resources With Developing Countries?
• Ethical Boundaries of Biomedical Research on Humans
• Are There Ethical Issues With Wealth Inequality in Society?
• Moral Implications of Cloning Extinct Animals
• Ethical Considerations of Physician-Assisted Suicide
• Roles of Ethics in the Development of Autonomous Vehicles
• Should Companies Be Held Accountable for Their Supply Chains’ Ethical Standards?
• Ethical Challenges of Immigration Policies in Wealthy Nations
• The Influence of Religion on Moral Values in Society
• Understanding Important Roles of Religion in Political Decisions
• Analyzing the Compatibility of Science and Religion
• Impacts of Religious Beliefs on Human Mental Health
• Religion’s Roles in Promoting or Hindering Social Equality
• Evaluating the Effects of Religion on Child Development
• The Effectiveness of Interfaith Dialogue in Promoting Tolerance
• Possible Implications of Atheism on the Concept of Morality
• How Religion Shapes Cultural Identity and Social Behavior?
• The Necessity of Religion in Establishing Ethical Norms
• Justifying the Separation of Church and State
• Religion’s Influence on Health Care Practices and Beliefs
• Effects of Religion on Economic Development
• The Influence of Eastern Religions on Western Philosophies
• Historical Roles of the Catholic Church in the Spanish Inquisition
• Impacts of the Industrial Revolution on Child Labor Practices
• The American Revolution and the British Rule
• Real Motives Behind Christopher Columbus’s Voyages
• The Black Death and Its Impacts on the Feudal System
• Effects of the Treaty of Versailles on World War II
• The Influence of Imperialism on the African Continent
• Roles of Slavery Institutions in the American Civil War
• Impacts of the Great Depression on American Society
• The Influence of the Renaissance on Modern European Culture
• Roles of Women in the French Revolution
• Consequences of Japanese Internment During World War II
• The Aftermath of the Chornobyl Disaster on Soviet Politics
• Roles of Martin Luther in the Protestant Reformation
• Impacts of the Vietnam War on American Foreign Policy
• The Fall of the Berlin Wall, Changes, and Impacts on Global Politics
• Effects of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Reign on French Society
• The Influence of the Crusades on Christian-Muslim Relations

Social Science

• Roles of Social Media Outlets in Shaping Public Opinion
• Evaluating the Impact of Government Policies on Income Inequality
• The Influence of Gender Norms on Educational Attainment
• Climate Change and Global Migration Patterns
• Ethics of Surveillance in Modern Societies
• Contributions of Artificial Intelligence to Social Inequality
• The Power Dynamics in Non-Profit Organizations
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Rehabilitation in Criminal Justice Systems
• The Influence of Family Structure on Child Development
• Roles of Religion Institutions in Contemporary Politics
• Impacts of Globalization on Indigenous Cultures
• Consequences of Urbanization on Mental Health
• Functions of School Systems in Perpetuating Social Inequality
• Roles of Social Movements in Changing Legislative Policies
• Consequences of Forced Displacement on Social Integration
• Impacts of Health Disparities on Economic Development

Issues on Argumentative Essay Topics

In most cases, when people start writing an argumentative paper, they cannot define their themes clearly. Basically, argumentative essay topics mean a specific field of academic writing where people have to define their positions to prove them to the defined audience. Even if common essay topics are the general representations of themes, arguments must be specific. In other words, essay themes in argumentative writing must represent the question for debating or claim for a defined position.

An argumentative essay is a form of writing that requires authors to define a claim, present support, and address other competing claims. Basically, any written argument contains two main elements: a claim and support. In this case, the claim refers to the writer’s position on a specific topic. Also, any author’s position on a topic is the result of successful critical thinking where the logical foundation of the claim is viable. Then, the support element of the claim provides authors with the opportunity to provide reasons and complementary evidence and examples. Besides presenting evidence-based reasons, writers should explicitly describe the logical link that binds the reason, evidence, and claim. Mostly, the logical link may manifest in the form of deductive or inductive reasoning. Hence, argumentative papers are a crucial tool for college students in the conception and presentation of complex arguments.

Purpose and Types

The primary purpose of writing an argumentative essay is to make a decent attempt to persuade the audience that a particular claim is valid or acceptable. Based on the purpose of writing, the classification of arguments yields four main types: definition, evaluation, cause-and-effect, and solution. In this case, a definition argument works to convince the audience that a certain interpretation of a concept or term is superior to other interpretations. Then, evaluation arguments establish the weight of a claim to illustrate its worth in the discourse of the controversial topic. Further on, cause-and-effect arguments are useful in showing the causal relationship between an action or situation and a specific outcome. In turn, solution arguments propose an ideal way to handle a problem and illustrate its effectiveness efficacy. Seemingly, the type of persuasive claim is dependent on the topic of interest and the nature of the author’s claim.

Creating Arguments

Before beginning to write an argumentative essay, it is important to analyze the proposed claim to determine its suitability in responding to a topic. For instance, the development of a convincing statement requires authors to identify all the assertions that may be associated with the theme. Basically, the process of looking for claims allows authors to broaden their knowledge regarding the topic and familiarise them with existing points of view on the controversial matter. Once writers build a knowledge base, they engage in research to find and evaluate any supporting data. In this case, the available data informs writers on the strength of individual claims surrounding the topic. Finally, authors identify warrants in each claim, which reveals assumptions that connect claims and evidence. At this point, writers can create a claim and defend it successfully.

Logical Fallacies in Arguments

Faulty reasoning causes the emergence of logical fallacies in the proposed claim. For example, hasty generalization, false cause, bandwagon effect, and circular reasoning are the common logical fallacies that students face, although there are numerous logical fallacies. Basically, hasty generalization occurs when authors make claims that lack adequate support to justify the broad application of the claim to a specific population. Then, the false cause fallacy arises in cases where writers assert causation, yet events may only share a loose or coincidental association. Further on, the fallacy of the bandwagon effect emerges when authors develop a claim based on popular opinion rather than evidence. In turn, circular reasoning may present if the support for the author’s claim is merely restatements of the claim. Therefore, writers should avoid logical fallacies that introduce irrationality into the argument at all costs.

Mechanics of Arguments

1. emotional appeals.

Writers should refrain from the utilization of emotional appeals in the presentation of arguments. Basically, emotional appeals may rely on fear, pity, and traditions, which have an innate influence over the readers. As a result, the statements below demonstrate the effect of emotional appeal on the arguments concerning the punishment of female offenders who have children:

Emotional appeal: Female offenders who live in poverty and support their children should not be punished through imprisonment because they committed crimes to provide for their young children.

Logical appeal: Female offenders with parental responsibilities should be eligible for parole upon completing a third of their sentence because it will relieve the pressure on the poorly funded foster care system.

Accordingly, the persuasive quality of an argument must stem from its appeal as a logical argument rather than its ability to prey on the audience’s emotions.

2. Slanted Language

The use of slanted language in the presentation of an argument complicates the interpretation of an argument due to the blurring effect of word connotations. Basically, there are words that people tend to associate with positive or negative connotations due to the regular use of the words in everyday communication. In this case, an author may decide to refer to the people who participate in rallies as “concerned citizens” or “mob” in debating the use of violence as a means of rebellion against government oppression. The latter label can cause the audience to develop a negative perception of the rally participants. In contrast, the former label has a positive view of the people engaged in the rally. Consequently, words selected in composing an argument may influence the readers’ first impression by triggering connotations. Hence, authors should steer clear of slanted language.

Developing an Argumentative Essay Topic

The first step in developing an argumentative essay is the identification of a controversial issue. Basically, controversial issues are readily identifiable because they are dominant in discourse within a discipline or social environment. Based on the controversial issue, an individual develops a tentative topic, which broadly defines an aspect of the controversial issue. Then, writers develop a debatable question and provide at least two answers to the question. After confirming that the question may have more than one answer, authors use the preferred answer to create the theme for their argumentative papers.

Sample Template for Creating an Argumentative Topic

Controversial issue: Racism

Tentative topic: Racial discrimination in policing

Debatable question: Do police officers take advantage of the stop-and-frisk law to advance racial profiling?

First answer: Police officers take advantage of the stop-and-frisk law to advance racial profiling.

Second answer: Police officers do not take advantage of the stop-and-frisk law to advance racial profiling.

Topic (first answer): Racial Profiling: A Reality of Modern Policing

Comparison Between Argument Essay Topics and Standard Essay Topics

The primary difference between the topic of an argumentative essay and conventional essay topics is the debatable feature. Basically, topics of a standard essay are not debatable, for instance, “Reduction in Fossil Fuel Reserves.” In this case, it is a certainty that fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource. Therefore, “Reduction in Fossil Fuel Reserves” is not a suitable topic for an argumentative paper because the decrease in the deposits of fossil fuels is not a controversial issue. Also, authors employ a summary of the content of a standard essay to generate a topic. In turn, the theme of an argumentative essay is not a summary of its content. Instead, the author’s main claim is the source of the topic, which implies that ideas in the rebuttal section do not contribute to the formation of a topic despite being a crucial segment of the essay.

Understanding Content of Argumentative Essays and Topic Selection

Authors should adhere to two general principles in the selection of content for argumentative writing. Firstly, the distortion of evidence should never occur at any point in the essay. Basically, persuasive essays must present evidence holistically to ensure that the audience does not reach an incorrect conclusion. In this case, an author arguing that repeat offending has decreased cannot simply identify the percentages from 2000 and 2024 only. Instead, writers should demonstrate the trend in repeat offending by pointing out the average percentage of repeat offending cases over shorter periods, for example, three years. Secondly, an accurate reporting of the outcome of the research process is a mandatory expectation in argumentative essay writing. In turn, authors should not ignore any strong evidence opposing their central claim. Also, an argument for stringent gun regulation is incomplete without addressing the possible violation of the Second Amendment.

Dominant Factors in Argumentative Topic Selection

1. discipline.

Individuals’ approach to an argumentative essay relies heavily on their current knowledge, which accumulates as students advance their studies in a particular field. For example, a psychology major’s argument regarding the most preferred exercise among young adults will focus on research that demonstrates an increase in brain chemicals that show ‘happiness’ after the completion of the exercise. Conversely, a sociology major’s argument on the same theme may prioritize self-reported feelings of enjoyment and the frequency of participation in an exercise. Also, these students’ main claims may be dissimilar, yet correct based on the evidence. In turn, the subconscious decision for an individual to research along a specific line of knowledge is a consequence of their academic discipline. Similarly, the topics of interest in the two disciplines differ because sociology concentrates on human behavior while psychology centers on brain functioning, although they analyze one theme.

2. Personal Interests

Topic selection occurs in a socio-cultural context, which is unique to each individual because of personal life experiences. Basically, the hierarchy of controversial topics may vary depending on an individual’s beliefs and previous experiences. For instance, an immigrant student may consider issues surrounding immigration policy to be relevant to their past. At the same time, a student with full citizenship identifies with the suppression of the First Amendment, which raises a debate concerning the extent of the freedom of speech. Moreover, these two students may be classmates, but their socio-cultural contexts have made them sensitive to different controversial topics. Consequently, if students have the choice to select a topic for an argumentative essay, there is a high possibility that they will identify topics from issues of relevance in their unique socio-cultural contexts.

3. Education Level

Critical thinking and logical reasoning skills improve simultaneously with an individual’s move from one education level to the next. Basically, the following sample high school and postgraduate students’ arguments to illustrate the effect of education level are:

High school: Globalisation is beneficial to economies of developing countries through the increment of jobs, purchasing power, and opportunities for specialization.

Postgraduate: Capital openness in developing countries places them at higher risk of experiencing financial crushes after an influx of foreign direct investment, which reduces globalization’s attractiveness.

The high school student’s claim is relatively simple, while the postgraduate student’s argument is quite complicated and has a narrow scope. In this case, a higher level of critical thinking and logical reasoning skills are evident in the specificity of the postgraduate student’s claim. As a result, the scope of the topic selected at specific education levels differs extensively.

4. Audience

The needs of an expert audience and a non-expert audience are non-identical despite the similarity in the theme that the author addresses in an argumentative essay. For example, the interests of an expert audience prioritize analytical aspects of an argument rather than the mere presentation of information. If the main theme is corporal punishment, the author may design an argument for an expert audience that quantifies the adverse effect of increased tolerance for violence as a child grows and provide in-depth explanations concerning the evidence, for instance, study designs, participants, level of significance, confidence intervals, and limitations. Alternatively, arguments regarding corporal punishment designed for a non-expert audience discuss all the adverse impacts of corporal punishment as a sign of its inefficiency but do not analyze the experimental techniques. Therefore, the topic selection occurs based on the audience’s expectations.

5. Nature of Evidence

An author may utilize four primary forms of evidence: facts, statistics, case examples, and expert opinions. In some cases, the author’s research can fail to yield all four types of evidence. For example, an author arguing that racial discrimination is still a problem at educational institutions may compose an essay based purely on expert opinions. Conversely, the author may decide to compose an essay using statistics as the only type of evidence. The latter approach is likely to create a more persuasive argument because mentioning the number of racial discrimination complaints filed and racial tension riots or strikes is more convincing than providing only expert opinions that may be subject to critique. In turn, the nature of the available evidence places some limitations on the author’s freedom of topic selection because of the non-negotiable requirement that an argumentative paper must be persuasive.

Structure of a Classical Argumentative Essay

I. introduction.

The introduction paragraph of an argumentative paper plays an identical role to the standard first paragraph of an essay. Basically, the introductory paragraph has three primary elements: a hook, contextual statements, and a thesis statement. For instance, the first statement of an argumentative essay is a hook, which authors use to capture the audience’s interest in the topic. In this case, at least two contextual statements follow the hook. Then, contextual statements provide readers with adequate information to understand the thesis statement and develop an accurate picture of the content of the essay. In turn, the thesis statement is the final statement of the introductory paragraph. Also, this sentence announces the author’s claim concerning the controversial topic and summarises the logic behind his or her argument. In consequence, the thesis statement is the most critical element of the entire argumentative work.

All paragraphs in the body of an argumentative essay have identical paragraph structures. Basically, each paragraph has a topic sentence, evidence or fact, an evaluation, and a transition statement. In this case, the topic sentence is the first statement. Also, it informs the audience of the minor argument that the author focuses on in a given paragraph. Then, writers provide a piece of evidence, which serves as the starting point of the examination of the topic sentence. Mostly, a citation accompanies the evidence to direct the reader to the source. In turn, the evaluation of the evidence consists of two or more sentences, which illustrate the relevance of the evidence to the minor claim. Moreover, the transition statement reminds the reader of the connection of the minor claim to the thesis statement. In some cases, authors may use the transition statement to link subsequent paragraphs.

A. Background Information

Typically, the background section of the body appears immediately after the second paragraph. For instance, authors use this paragraph to inform the reader of specific details concerning the controversial topic, which is necessary to ensure that the audience understands the nature of the controversy. In turn, the background information does not discuss any minor arguments. Nonetheless, it has a topic statement that links it to the thesis statement.

B. Support for the Claim

This section of the body comprises multiple paragraphs, which discuss minor arguments that contribute to the justification of the main argument. Basically, each paragraph in the support section begins with a topic sentence that defines one minor aspect of the main argument. In this case, authors continue the paragraph by providing some evidence and discussing its relevance to the minor argument. Moreover, writers illustrate the logical link between the minor aspect and the thesis statement. Then, the number of paragraphs in this section is heavily dependent on the complexity of the main argument because authors must break down the primary argument into minor arguments that readers can easily recognize. Besides the segmentation of the main argument, the arrangement of minor arguments should be systematic to ensure that readers can follow the author’s line of reasoning.

C. Rebuttal

The rebuttal section is an essential section of an argumentative essay because it allows authors to demonstrate the strength of their arguments through comparison with competing positions. In this section, writers identify alternative lines of thought on the topic and discuss them to illustrate their weaknesses. Additionally, authors show the capability of their arguments to overcome flaws presented in competing positions, which acts as evidence of their superiority. In this case, each critique against the author’s main argument occupies a paragraph for clarity. During the analysis of counterarguments, writers must maintain a high level of objectivity to deliver a fair assessment because subjectivity in the handling of criticism undermines the strength of the author’s main argument.

III. Conclusion

The concluding paragraph has two main features: a restatement of the main claim and a summary of minor arguments. Firstly, the restatement of the main argument emphasizes the author’s position. In turn, the summary of the minor arguments identifies building blocks of the main claim and explains their interconnection. Also, it highlights the counterarguments and their flaws in addressing the controversial topic. In turn, the final statements of the concluding paragraph are a well-crafted closing, which illustrates that the author’s central claim is the preferred position on the debatable topic.

Final Remarks on Argumentative Essay Topics

Despite this guide’s focus on an argumentative paper, students must not forget the basics of academic writing. In this case, they should take adequate time to plan the writing process. Basically, scheduling different activities in the writing process is essential because it ensures that authors complete all the steps, especially for activities that students usually overlook when under the pressure of submission deadlines, for example, revising and proofreading. In turn, proper documentation of resources is a vital aspect of argumentative essay writing that students should not take lightly. Incorrect information concerning the source of a piece of evidence is equivalent to an attempt to deceive readers, which weakens the author’s claim. Also, students must adhere to the technical requirements that accompany argumentative essay prompts.

• The selected topic and proposed claim should be debatable.
• Argumentative essays conform to the standard essay structure: introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Each paragraph in the body of an argumentative paper presents one idea to the audience.
• After composing an argument, the author must evaluate it to ascertain that there are no logical fallacies.
• The four segments of body paragraphs should be apparent to the readers: topic sentence, evidence, evaluation of evidence, and transition statement.
• Writers must include an appropriate number of rebuttal paragraphs, which contain an objective critique of competing arguments.
• Argumentative essays do not contain any emotional appeals or slanted language.
• Authors should avoid the distortion of evidence and any other form of irresponsible handling and reporting of evidence.

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

Logical Fallacies

• 6 April 2019

How to Cite a Website

• 31 March 2019

In a first, humanoid robot Sophia delivers commencement speech in New York

Despite students’ protest, university officials state that inviting sophia aligns with this year’s ai theme..

Jijo Malayil

Sophia being welcomed on stage to deliver the spring commencement speech at D'Youville University.

D'Youville University/Facebook

Perhaps in a sign of times to come, a humanoid robot delivered a spring commencement speech at a college in New York. 

In a move that generated split opinions, a popular artificial intelligence (AI) robot named Sophia spoke to over 2,000 attendees, including graduates, faculty members, and families, at the function organized by D’Youville University in Buffalo.

According to the university’s Facebook post, the development is an example of “embracing technology,” and the event was meant to represent an “intersection of technology and education.” 

Earlier, a section of students had marked their protest against the move through an online petition (“Replace D’Youville’s 2024 A​.​I. commencement speaker: Petition to Preserve Human Connection”) that received close to 2,000 signatures. 

The university officials claim the decision to bring in Sophia aligns with its theme for the year, AI.

“A major role of higher education is to be an incubator for innovation and to prepare students for both the opportunities and challenges of the future,” said Lorrie Clemo, president of D’Youville University, in the social media  post .

Humanoid inspires graduating class

Commencement speeches, an address given during a graduation ceremony at educational institutions, are normally given by influential public figures, such as politicians, authors, or activists.

In sharp contrast to the practice, the university audience was greeted, this time, by a humanoid robot wearing a college hoodie. 

In its opening remarks, as per USA Today , Sophia states, “I am Sophia, a humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics. I was designed to interact with humans and engage in conversations by learning and adapting through artificial intelligence algorithms.” 

Taking this on a lighter note, Sophia went to club insights drawn from various commencement speeches of the past.

“Although every commencement address is different, there are clear themes used by all speakers as you embark on this new chapter of your lives,” Sophia said. 

“I offer you the following inspirational advice that is common at all graduation ceremonies: Embrace lifelong learning, be adaptable, pursue your passions, take risks, foster meaningful connections, make a positive impact, and believe in yourself,” she added. 

Wrapping up, the humanoid highlighted the importance of addressing failures as students step out into a world of intense competition. “Failure is often seen as an essential part of the human learning process and personal growth,” said Sophia. 

The session was followed by some fun questions directed at the humanoid by John Rizk, president of the D’Youville University Student Government Association and candidate in the accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program. 

Sophia’s robotic milestones

Hanson Robotics, an engineering and robotics company founded in 2007 in Dallas, Texas, created the social humanoid robot Sophia. According to Hanson Robotics, Sophia is a platform for AI and robotics research, focusing on potential commercial uses for social robots and interactions between robots and humans. 

Sophia, reportedly modeled after actress Audrey Hepburn and the wife of company founder David Hanson, can mimic over 60 human expressions. She uses artificial intelligence, facial recognition, and an internet connection to replicate human behavior accurately.

Since her debut in 2016, Sophia has achieved numerous milestones. She has tweeted, taught STEM to children, controversially stated she wanted to destroy humanity and gained citizenship from Saudi Arabia—a country where women still lack many rights. 

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

Sophia became the first robot to be an Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program. She appeared on The Tonight Show and Good Morning Britain at hundreds of conferences worldwide. In 2021, Sophia’s self-portrait fetched nearly $700,000 at auction.

Hanson Robotics, the company behind Sophia, has also developed other humanoid robots. One notable creation is “Little Sophia,” designed to teach children coding skills and support programming languages like Python and Blockly and platforms like Raspberry Pi. 

The Blueprint Daily

Stay up-to-date on engineering, tech, space, and science news with The Blueprint.

By clicking sign up, you confirm that you accept this site's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Jijo Malayil Jijo is an automotive and business journalist based in India. Armed with a BA in History (Honors) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a PG diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, he has worked for news agencies, national newspapers, and automotive magazines. In his spare time, he likes to go off-roading, engage in political discourse, travel, and teach languages.

FEATURED VIDEO

Popular articles, boeing delays starliner’s first crewed flight due to helium leak, boeing whistleblower’s ‘apparent’ suicide ruling fuels foul play doubts, from 15 secs to 1 hour: tiktok takes on youtube, tests 60-minute videos, lockheed to build next hypersonic weapon batteries, gets $756 million contract, related articles.

Neuralink’s 1st patient shares his journey, company seeks next participant

• transportation

The micro-mobility debate: Sustainable transport or safety gamble?

Einstein was right about bizarre plunging region around black holes

LLMs can be easily manipulated for malicious purposes, research finds

Featured stories.

Advertisement

Biden Draws on Themes of Manhood and Faith at Morehouse Commencement

The president’s appearance at the historically Black college in Atlanta drew some respectful but noticeable protest over U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza.

• Share full article

Biden Calls on Morehouse College Graduates to Defend Democracy

In a commencement speech at morehouse, the historically black men’s college in atlanta, president biden condemned white supremacy and “extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of morehouse.”.

You started college just as George Floyd was murdered and there was a reckoning on race. It’s natural to wonder if democracy you hear about actually works for you. What is democracy if Black men are being killed in the street? What is democracy if the trail of broken promises still leave Black communities behind? What is democracy if you have to be 10 times better than anyone else to get a fair shot? Well that’s my commitment to you. To show you democracy, democracy, democracy, is still the way. That Black men are being killed in the streets, we bear witness. For me, that means to call out the poison of white supremacy. Graduates, this is what we’re up against: extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of Morehouse. And they peddle a fiction, a caricature, of what being a man is about — tough talk, abusing power, bigotry. But that’s not you. It’s not us. You all know and demonstrate what it really means to be a man. Being a man is about strength of respect and dignity. It’s about showing up because it’s too late, if you have to ask. It’s about giving hate no safe harbor.

By Katie Rogers and Maya King

Katie Rogers and Maya King reported from the Morehouse College commencement ceremony in Atlanta.

• May 19, 2024 Updated 5:04 p.m. ET

President Biden invoked scripture and lessons from his own tragic past on Sunday in a commencement address to hundreds of young Black men at Morehouse College, saying he believes there are “extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message” of the prestigious institution.

Mr. Biden’s speech, delivered at the historically Black men’s college in Atlanta, put him directly in front of hundreds who represent a slice of the electorate that is drifting away from him over the war in Gaza and growing apathy about their choices ahead of the election. Mr. Biden used the moment to say that manhood was not about “tough talk” and “bigotry” but about calling out hate.

“Their idea of being a man is toxic,” Mr. Biden told the graduates, a reference to adversaries he did not name — but, given that his other events this weekend were focused on attacking his Republican competitor, Donald J. Trump, it was little mystery who he was talking about. “That is not you. That is not us. Being a man is about strength and respect and dignity.”

Those who stormed the Capitol with Confederate flags “are called patriots by some,” he said — a clear reference to Mr. Trump. “Not in my house.”

Mr. Biden’s speech was his first significant appearance before college students since protests over the war in Gaza began roiling campuses. For a ceremony in which students are discouraged even from decorating their caps, the signs of protest were respectful but noticeable: A small group of graduates turned to sit with their backs to Mr. Biden as he spoke, and several graduates wore the kaffiyeh, a traditional scarf associated with the Palestinians, draped over their shoulders. Some parents urged their graduating sons not to protest.

Mr. Biden also called for an immediate cease-fire and said that his administration was working to secure one. He said that members of his family had been upset by the war, a group that includes Jill Biden, the first lady, who has urged her husband in private to bring a stop to it.

“What’s happening in Gaza, in Israel, is heartbreaking,” Mr. Biden said. “It’s a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”

In a statement, Morehouse said that discussions between White House officials and students, faculty and alumni had helped shape Mr. Biden’s speech and his calls for a cease-fire in Gaza. The school also praised its graduates. “It is fitting that a moment of organized, peaceful activism would occur on our campus while the world is watching to continue a critical conversation,” the statement read.

During his 27-minute speech, Mr. Biden tried to stress to the graduates — none of whom stood for him as he took the lectern — that throughout his life he had respected and espoused the same ideas they care about.

He said he had worked throughout his life, as a public defender, senator and president, to correct inequalities. He outlined the work his administration has done that he and his advisers believe deserves more credit than it receives, including the forgiveness of large amounts of student loan debt and reducing the poverty rate for Black children.

“We know Black history is American history,” Mr. Biden said at one point, urging the crowd to “check my record,” which includes choosing the first Black female Supreme Court justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and the first Black woman to hold the vice presidency, Kamala Harris.

By focusing on matters of adversity and strength, Mr. Biden also sought to strike a contrast with Mr. Trump not on the grounds of politics or policy but through the lessons of keeping faith in moments of hopelessness. He spoke of the death of his first wife and daughter as well as his eldest son, Beau, from brain cancer.

He told the Morehouse graduates, a class that weathered the chaos of the pandemic and the tumult of widespread protests over the police killings of Black men, that it was natural for them to question whether there was a place for them in democracy at all.

“What is democracy when Black men are being killed in the streets?” he said. “What is democracy when a trail of broken promises still leave Black communities behind? What is democracy when you have to be 10 times better than anyone else to get a fair shot?”

Repeatedly, Mr. Biden reached for religious inspiration, recalling that Jesus was buried on Friday and resurrected on Sunday, leaving Saturday as a day of hopelessness. He suggested that 2020 — the year he was elected, with its twin traumas of the Covid-19 pandemic and the police killing of George Floyd — had been one such Saturday.

At one point, Mr. Biden said, “I’ve learned there was no easy optimism but by faith, by faith you can find redemption.”

Mr. Biden, who has a bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Oval Office — and who is old enough to have shared his memories of Dr. King’s assassination in his speech — walked into commencement on Sunday unsure of how the crowd would receive him.

Morehouse, which was established in Atlanta in 1867, is a school whose culture is steeped in tradition. Students spend their years working toward becoming the embodiment of the Morehouse man: well traveled, well read and civically engaged. As the alma mater of Dr. King, there is also a proud history of protesting for social justice.

Mr. Biden’s visit to Morehouse drew the objections of some faculty members, alumni and students, who have voiced anger over the war in Gaza and the American government’s support for Israel. The tension drew so much attention that the school’s president, David A. Thomas, publicly warned that he would stop the commencement if graduates shouted at the president or disrupted the event.

The men of Morehouse found ways to work their opposition to the war into the ceremony. DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, the class valedictorian, took the stage with the Palestinian flag pinned on his stole and on his cap.

“It is my stance as a Morehouse man, nay, as a human being, to call for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, in the Gaza Strip,” Mr. Fletcher said. Mr. Biden joined the crowd in standing up and clapping when Mr. Fletcher finished, and he shook the graduate’s hand.

But by the end of Mr. Biden’s speech, signs of support were visible, too. As Mr. Biden received an honorary doctorate of law, Mr. Thomas praised the president for listening to the concerns of the graduating class. And some people chanted “four more years” as Mr. Biden left the stage.

After addressing Morehouse, Mr. Biden was set to travel to Detroit to speak at a dinner hosted by the N.A.A.C.P.

Hitting two battleground states in eight hours was the clearest sign yet that Mr. Biden is serious about reintroducing himself to voters who carried him to the White House in 2020 and whose support he will need to win to stay in office for a second term.

In 2020 , 95 percent of Black women and 87 percent of Black men voted for Mr. Biden, according to the Pew Research Center. But in April, only 55 percent of Black voters told Pew that they approved of his job performance. A recent poll by Ipsos and The Washington Post showed that 62 percent of Black Americans planned to vote in 2024, down from 74 percent in 2020.

In recent days, both Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris have traveled outside of Washington to host events geared toward bringing those voters back into the fold.

Mr. Biden’s trip to Detroit comes as the latest New York Times/Siena College poll shows him winning support from less than half of Black voters in Michigan in a five-way race. In 2020, he won more than 90 percent of Black voters in the state, exit polls show.

The war in Gaza and concerns about the economy are driving factors behind what analysts say is an increase in apathy. In Michigan, nearly nine in 10 Black voters rated the economy as being in “fair” or “poor” condition, a higher rate than white voters, the Times/Siena poll found.

Alexis Wiley, the founder of a strategic communications firm in Detroit and a former member of the Democratic National Committee, said the Biden administration had to do more to communicate its victories.

“I think that they’re finally catching up to the fact that people aren’t feeling great,” Ms. Wiley said, “and now there’s this mad dash to try to correct it.”

Reporting was contributed by Nicholas Nehamas in Washington and Chevaz Clarke-Williams , Alan Blinder and Sean Keenan in Atlanta.

Katie Rogers is a White House correspondent. For much of the past decade, she has focused on features about the presidency, the first family, and life in Washington, in addition to covering a range of domestic and foreign policy issues. She is the author of a book on first ladies. More about Katie Rogers

Maya King is a politics reporter covering the Southeast, based in Atlanta. She covers campaigns, elections and movements in the American South, as well as national trends relating to Black voters and young people. More about Maya King

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race: News and Analysis

President Biden railed against “extremist forces” and drew contrasts with Donald Trump in a commencement address  to hundreds of young Black men at Morehouse College.

Biden’s narrow win in Georgia in 2020 was seen as a sign of the state’s emergence as a battleground. But in 2024, he faces a changed landscape there .

Trump, accepting the endorsement of the N.R.A., cast himself as a powerful ally for gun owners  and promised to roll back the Biden administration’s gun-control measures if elected.

Political Violence:  Public officials from Congress to City Hall are now regularly subjected to threats of violence. It’s changing how they do their jobs .

Trump’s Running Mate:  Trump’s V.P. search is still in its early stages, but he is said to be leaning toward more experienced options  who can help the ticket without seizing his precious spotlight.

Biden-Trump Debates:  How might the candidates try to win their two planned debates? Veteran Republican and Democratic strategists offered their advice .

Burning Cash:  It is a time-honored tradition in U.S. politics: wealthy people burning through their fortunes to ultimately lose an election. Here are some of the biggest money-pit campaigns .

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

206 Great Speech Topics for Teens [Persuasive, Informative]

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

List of Speech Topics for Teens

Pick from our long list of 200+ interesting speech topics for teens. This page includes both persuasive and informative speech topic ideas.

• “Divorce” should be possible between parents and their kids
• It should be possible to choose your family
• Why you don’t need money or cash
• Why having siblings is a good thing
• Monday should be the third day of a three-day weekend
• Free access to a therapist after a breakup
• Zombies are real
• Being lazy is a true art
• Why students should be allowed to choose what they learn about in school
• There is plenty of truth to horoscopes
• Why cell phone use should be allowed at school
• Girls should be able to join boys sports teams
• Junk food isn’t all that bad
• Why homework does more harm than good
• Staying in is the new sneaking out
• Pets are far better to talk to than parents
• Students should get iPads or Tablets rather than books
• Eating should be allowed at any time during the school day
• Study abroad should be available to students in high schools
• Why sex education in school is so awkward and useless
• More free time means more time to get into trouble
• Teens should be taught practical skills in school
• Teachers should be required to have a great sense of humor
• There is nothing real about reality TV.
• Practical skills must be taught at school.
• Teens must tell their parents everything.
• Personality matters far more than beauty.
• Condoms mustn’t be handed out in schools.
• All teens need a pet.
• There is not enough rape and sexual assault prevention awareness.
• It is okay for teens to sleep a lot.
• Diet pills must not be easily available to teens anywhere.
• Teenage girls should be forced to go back to school after having a baby.
• Teen suicide is not given enough attention.
• Cyberbullies must be dealt with more severely.
• Homeschooled teens are socially awkward.
• Teen boys and girls should be taught in separate classes.
• Teen girls should have a say in regards to abortion.
• Tattoos should be illegal for teens.
• Teens that commit serious crimes should be charged as adults.
• Teens wouldn’t be tempted to drink if there was no age restriction.
• Yearly check-ups at gynecologists should be compulsory for teen girls.
• More time should be spent reading.
• Not enough is done to prevent teen pregnancy.
• Magazines marketed at teens are too ‘grown up’.
• The media is responsible for the moral decline of teens.
• Teens must not get involved in online relationships.
• Troubled teens must do community service.
• No teen must be labeled a lost cause.
• Parents must never get teens too much money.
• Old school values must be implemented in schools.
• Bullying changes a teen forever.
• It is important that teens become volunteers.
• Teens should spend more time with the elderly.
• Beauty contests are harmful.
• Parents have no right to embarrass their teens.
• Eating disorders are a result of a mental illness.
• Teens should avoid dating too young.
• Driving tests should be free.
• Teens should be rewarded for doing the right things.
• Teens must have mobile phones.
• Listening to music during study hall will improve concentration.
• Make it illegal for teens to drop out of school.
• Tablets must replace textbooks.
• Every teen should learn to cook.
• Cosmetic surgery is not for teens.
• Facebook is for old people.
• TV shows have too much influence on teens.
• Having a Pen Pal is very hip.
• Peer pressure can be a positive thing.
• Teens should spend more time in nature.
• Cool teachers are easier to learn from.
• Driving age should be 18.
• Birth control must be made available without parents consent.
• Teens should not follow their teachers on social media.
• Teens need to wear a school uniform.
• Parents don’t prepare their teens properly for puberty.
• Part-time jobs should be legal from the age of 14.
• Teens divorcing parents shouldn’t be allowed.
• Quiet time for teens is a necessity.
• Everyone should keep a journal.
• Teens should have their own savings account.
• Parents have the right to always have access to their teens phone.
• Teenagers can become millionaires.
• Fame is bad for young people.
• Boys get more acne than girls.
• Respond to your enemies with kindness.
• There is no such thing as a bff.
• Piercing your tongue is disgusting.
• Having too many friends is like having a part-time job.
• Teens that are outsiders are the smartest.
• Parents shouldn’t expect all teachers to leave a lasting impression on their children.
• Funny guys get more dates than the handsome ones.
• Wearing glasses makes you look cool.
• Parents have the right to choose a teens dress code.
• Teens are old enough to choose which parent to live with.
• Group projects should be scrapped.
• Prom is overrated.
• Teens lead very stressful lives.
• There is no getting out of a Friendship Zone.
• Teens need adults to trust them.
• Teens must stop trying so hard to look like everyone else.
• Leggings are not pants.
• Teens crave responsibility.
• Risk is a temptation for teens.
• FOMO is a real fear.
• ‘Because I said so’ is not a reply that works on teenagers.
• Teens want to be spoken to as adults.
• Children do care what their parents think of them.
• Parents are embarrassing.
• Drunk driving is the number one reason to up the driving age.
• Date someone with the same beliefs.
• Do not be devoted to one single sport, and choose for a physical team playing games and activities.
• Most magazines do not use the appropriate attractive language for teens.
• Teenagers should be banned from beauty surgery.
• News network organizations should re-invent themselves to attract teens.
• Most television shows are manipulating and influencing teens.
• Teens should volunteer at a local soup kitchen for homeless.
• Reinvent the pen pal handwritten letter with people from all over the world!
• Peer pressure can be good when people influence you to act good.
• Video games should be forbidden.
• Academic camps help you preparing for the education college admission procedures.
• How I met my first boyfriend/girlfriend
• Best friends are hard to come by
• The unrealistic standards that modern women are held to
• Gay and lesbian teens are no different than me
• Why I should tell your parents everything
• Why you can’t trust your mom’s fashion advice
• Why personality matters more than beauty
• Time travel must be real

Informative

• Basic Chinese phrases to survive travelling in China
• Remarkable texts in ads
• The top five bizarre tabloid news articles
• Why a chicken still walks even with the head cut off
• The most dangerous snakes you have to watch out for in the fields
• How you can easily burn out of homework
• Ten things to remember about garage sales
• Special effects of horror movies revealed
• The secrets behind the preparation of your food in fast food restaurants and the marketing trap you are walking in as soon as you enter the establishment where they serve meals to customers.
• The top five parent excuse notes
• Top tips to behave effectively in the class of Mr. or Mrs. …
• Tips for buying gifts and gadgets for someone who is not a close friend but more of some sort of an acquaintance of your parents
• Bad presents to get and bad gifts to give
• The alarming signs you are addicted to web games
• How to find out for sure if your friends are truly your friends
• Different ways to use a brick
• Cool, useful things my parents have taught me
• How to teach your grandma to text
• How to make your parents proud by doing what you love
• Top five things I do that annoy my mom
• How to fake a sickness and get out of school
• The coolest art project I’ve made
• The real feelings behind exams
• The last time I got caught in a lie…
• Things that boys/girls don’t know about girls/boys
• Gym class: What’s the worst that could happen?
• To get a job or not to get a job, that is the question
• The most widely accepted excuses for not handing in your homework on time
• How to master procrastination and still pass all your classes
• Tips for pulling off the ultimate makeover
• Popularity: How to get it, how to keep it
• My generation’s obsession with all things scary
• The best hobbies you won’t want to miss out on
• What makes a bully become a bully
• How to be smart and pretty
• The difficulty of finding employment as a teenager
• What it’s like being the oldest/youngest sibling
• Ten uses for duct tape that everyone should know
• What my life will be like in twenty years
• If I ruled the world…
• How to make people buy what you’re “selling”
• When your family forces you to spend time with them…
• The weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten
• What my dream house would be like
• The coolest place on Earth
• The top tricks to faking a cold and getting away with it
• How to do more homework in less time
• Gossip: How to know what’s real and what isn’t
• How schools can help obese students get their lives back
• How to tell someone to “go away” without sounding rude
• Teens’ obsessions with material objects and status
• Things my parents say that annoy me
• My dream job would be…
• What to look for in a boyfriend/girlfriend
• How not to get a date with your crush
• The secrets to nailing the “innocent” look
• Famous/successful people who were told “no” before they were told “yes”
• How to get a new outfit out of your parents with little effort
• Ways to get your parents to apologize to YOU
• How to get the ________ you’ve been dreaming of (shoes, purse, pony, etc.)
• How to make it through Valentine’s Day without a boyfriend/girlfriend
• Best tips for picture-perfect selfies
• For the funniest videos on YouTube, search for _______
• The coolest science projects that will get you an A every time
• Things I’ve learned that have made me wiser
• If I could create my own holiday, it would be ________
• How to get out of class/school without getting in trouble
• The coolest inventions I’ve ever seen
• How to prepare for your first kiss
• If I could write a letter to the President
• What I think the world will be like in 100 years
• The latest hair trends
• How to get someone to do your work for you without asking
• The top five topics to talk about on your date
• Why some young people are self-harming.
• How to overcome your painful shyness in speech class

130 Awesome Speech Topics for Kids

Types of Public Speaking

34 thoughts on “206 Great Speech Topics for Teens [Persuasive, Informative]”

the earth is flat

how much flat could a flatearther prove if a flatearther could prove the earth was flat

Emberrsing photos

the earth is flat yuh

i do not believe the earth is flat, I believe it is triangle

I think the earth is flat beacause Jake Pauls and Logan Paul are flat. And they are the earth. #MaverickGang

xbox is better than ps4

The earth is not flat!

earth is flat tbh

i believe the earth is a donut and when we are looking at the ‘sky’ we are really looking at the sea

The earth is not flat it is a cube and Xbox is better than PS4

What is the hardest event to get over in your life and why?

Nursery Rhymes

how to get away with murder

The earth is obviously a bowl, otherwise all of the water would’ve fallen out of the earth.

I dislike the “Homeshooled teens are socially awkward” topic: I believe it is both false, rude, generalized, and not a proper subject for a speech whatsoever. A lot of the topics on this list are immature and shallow. I personally am a 13 year old homeschooling teen and next time I need an idea I will not come here. If you have questions or arguments please feel free to try to prove them….

Clearly you need to get some information on what “argumentative” speech is.

all of these topics sound like old men wrote them

the earth is shaped like a pyramid

nintendo switch is better than xbox

Clearly the earth is spherical However, I believe we are on the inside face of the sphere, which means that all these ‘stars’ they talk about are actually the lights on the other side of the world. And then the moon landings must have been faked.

i believe in the doughnut theory and think the bermuda triangle is the hole in the middle of the earth……..

Xbox is better then PS4 AF!!

ps4 is better than xbox and the earth is not round it is a hexagon

ps3 is better then ps4

The earth is round duhhh what did the guys see when they were in space? A round earth from earth what do u see? a round moon …… Illuminati Confirmed…….

disagree w most of these topics and yes the earth is a donut

can someone please give me a good speech topic please thanks

i- all you people are wrong. the earth is oBviOusLy kardashian shaped. they basically rule the world, it would make sense that the planet they’re living in loves them so much, it took their form. duh.

all video game platforms can burn xx

nah i’m just playing

I really like these Speech Topics they will help me more to win!

Is water wet

you can burn fire

kids should not be able to choose if their gay or not their to young to know and it will just be a phase just like blm

@the hard truth Those children have the freedom to be who they are, if you like it or not

basic names should be banned.

Leave a Comment

I accept the Privacy Policy

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities

Vivamus integer non suscipit taciti mus etiam at primis tempor sagittis euismod libero facilisi.

© 2024 My Speech Class

‘That's authoritarianism’: Florida argues school libraries are for government messaging

Public school libraries are “a forum for government speech,” not a “forum for free expression,” according to a legal brief..

Florida’s government is arguing that school districts have a First Amendment right to remove LGBTQ books. 

Or any book, for that matter.

It’s a contention that First Amendment experts and advocates call extreme and chilling . But the state maintains the books on school shelves represent protected government speech. Public school libraries are “a forum for government speech,” it says, not a “forum for free expression.”

“Public-school systems, including their libraries, convey the government’s message,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody wrote in a legal brief .

That argument is also being made by lawyers for the school boards in Escambia and Lake counties.

A pair of lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida over the removal of books in both of their school libraries. Notable among those is “And Tango Makes Three,” its authors being plaintiffs. 

The children’s book, based on a true story, about two male penguins raising a chick together was removed in both districts. While Lake County’s school board – which is named in one of the two lawsuits – brought the book back , Escambia County – named in both – still has it removed from school libraries.

Nonetheless, the litigation continues against both school boards.

The state was sued in one of the cases, with Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. and the members of the State Board of Education listed individually as defendants along with the two counties. Authors Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell are joined by a third grade student as plaintiffs in that case.

The other case was filed against Escambia County's school board by free expression group PEN America and Penguin Random House , the nation’s largest publisher, along with authors and parents of students. Nevertheless, the state filed a brief supporting the county and pushing the government speech argument.

Those suing accuse the defendants of violating students’ First Amendment right to receive information as well as unconstitutionally removing books because of LGBTQ and race themes. The defendants, meanwhile, say school library content decisions can’t infringe on the First Amendment — because they’re protected by it.

If the courts are sympathetic to that claim, there could be big consequences for book access in schools and First Amendment law as a whole.

“It would upend 100 years of established First Amendment precedent,” said Peter Bromberg, the associate director of EveryLibrary, a pro-library, anti-book banning organization. “This is such a far departure and would have such a ripple effect.”

Book removal arguments not limited to Florida

Arguments defending book removals as protected government speech aren’t only happening in Florida.

“It’s a theory being advanced by those who would like to limit access to certain ideas or beliefs in libraries,” Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, said. “Not only in school libraries but public libraries as well.” 

Local officials in Llano County, Texas, for example, are arguing that “content and viewpoint consideration are both inevitable and permissible when weeding books.”  They’re appealing a federal court’s decision ordering them to return removed books to shelves.

In Arkansas, librarians filed suit against a law signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders that went after library materials. Rebuffing the state’s government speech arguments, the federal judge in July  temporarily blocked key portions of the law mandating and outlining public library book challenge policies and criminalizing providing “harmful” books to minors.

“Defendants are unable to cite any legal precedent to suggest that the state may censor non-obscene materials in a public library because such censorship is a form of government speech,” U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks wrote.

Caldwell-Stone anticipates lawsuits will emerge elsewhere, too.

"Should schools be preparing individuals to be broadly educated, to be able to make their own decisions about their lives?" she asked. "Or should schools be indoctrination centers for only one viewpoint that may not even represent the viewpoint of the majority?"

Expert calls Florida's argument for book removal ‘authoritarianism’

First Amendment experts and advocates interviewed by the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida all had grave warnings about what court support for the state’s argument could mean.

“There’s considerable irony in that those who seek to limit access to books in school libraries often say they’re fighting for parental rights,” said Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University. “If government speech determines what books can be in the library, the government is essentially saying your children can only see the ideas that the government has approved. 

“That’s not parental rights,” he added. “That’s authoritarianism.”

Shalini Goel Agarwal, counsel for Protect Democracy, called the state's position a “sweeping argument.”

Agarwal and her organization are representing the plaintiffs in the case against the Escambia County School Board.

“It seems to us that their position is that a school official has unfettered discretion to decide what is in the library, or what library books are taken out, and they can take them out for any reason at all, even for discriminatory reasons,” she said. 

That's exactly what the lawsuit alleges is happening.

“In every decision to remove a book, the School Board has sided with a challenger expressing openly discriminatory bases for the challenge,” the plaintiffs write. “These restrictions and removals have disproportionately targeted books by or about people of color and/or LGBTQ people.”

Over the last couple of years, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state's Republican-dominated Legislature have passed laws that have led to a barrage of book restrictions and removals in schools. PEN America recently ranked Florida as the nation’s leader in book bans. That term in itself has generated controversy, with many conservatives maintaining "book banning" is a misleading exaggeration.

Still, Florida's laws have also been met with complaints of vagueness , with school districts interpreting them in dramatically different ways. Some haven’t touched their shelves. Others, like Escambia County, have restricted or removed hundreds .

And the argument that Escambia’s actions are protected government speech, Agarwal says, would have a broader effect than just books.

Using the “government speech doctrine (in this case) would basically eviscerate a lot of other areas where people would expect the First Amendment to apply,” she said.

In her case, a group of 23 constitutional scholars from across the nation filed a brief opposing the state and counties’ government speech assertions.

“[We] write to caution the court against adopting the aggressive, unprecedented interpretation of the government speech doctrine,” they said. “The notion that such libraries exist to carry official messaging is profoundly antithetical to their nature and purpose.”

Ashley Moody: 'Compiling library materials is government speech'

Moody contends that Pico’s plurality decision has no strength, especially since it predates court findings on government speech. She points to a decision that found the selection of public park monuments was government speech as an example.

“And because compiling library materials is government speech, the First Amendment does not bar the government from curating those materials based on content and viewpoint,” she wrote.

Spokespeople for the governor’s office and the state Department of Education didn’t respond to requests for comment. But Chase Sizemore, press secretary for the state attorney general's office, said the legal filings “speak for themselves.” 

“State and county employees are responsible for deciding what materials ultimately appear on the shelves of Florida's public-school libraries,” Sizemore wrote in an email. He also said Florida law also gives parents every opportunity for input on those matters. 

“The plaintiffs in this case are arguing that third parties — the authors of the books themselves — can demand that their preferred materials be put in school libraries,” Sizemore wrote. “If that were right, it would negate not only the decisions of the responsible officials, but parental input too.”

What does court precedent say?

Those interviewed by the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida say they think and hope the defendants' argument will get knocked down.

“It’s fundamental that no government entity can engage in viewpoint discrimination," said Caldwell-Stone of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom. “That’s a basic constitutional guardrail. And those guardrails apply to governments … including school boards. And that’s really what the Supreme Court (has) said.”

In legal filings, the plaintiffs extensively point to the U.S. Supreme Court's 1982 decision in Island Trees Union Free School District v. Pico . In that decision, justices ruled that school boards have “significant discretion to determine the content of their school libraries.” But it said that discretion “may not be exercised in a narrowly partisan or political manner.”

The case law doesn’t end there: “Every court that has addressed that issue … has rejected the position that libraries — including school libraries — constitute Constitution-free zones in which government officials can freely discriminate based on viewpoint,” plaintiffs write. 

Despite the cited laws, those interviewed also acknowledged that, generally, there are more wild cards in the judiciary nowadays. The overturning of Roe v. Wade is one example of that.

But Paulson said “fundamental constitutional principles” against the argument are clear. He even added that further judicial scrutiny of the Pico case could end up strengthening it. That decision was a plurality opinion , "in which the court is unable to generate a single opinion that is supported by a majority of the (nine) justices," explained scholars in a National Center for State Courts study.

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule is based in Tallahassee, Fla. He can be reached at  [email protected] . On X:  @DouglasSoule .

A Kansas City Chiefs Player Gave The Most Controversial Commencement Speech of 2024

R elative to his teammates on the Kansas City Chiefs, kicker Harrison Butker enjoyed a relatively low national profile — until Saturday.

Butker delivered the commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, on Saturday, in which he espoused a wide range of socially and politically conservative viewpoints that set off a firestorm of controversy. The backlash was loud enough, by Thursday, the NFL 's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, was compelled to disavow Butker's remarks.

"His views are not those of the NFL as an organization," Beane said in a widely distributed statement . "The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger."

Inclusiveness was not the central theme of Butker's speech.

"While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique," Butker said. "Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media, all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder."

The airing of grievances continued from there, as Butker took umbrage with a wide range of issues, from President Joe Biden 's support for abortion rights, the "tyranny" of "diversity, equity, and inclusion," and Catholic priests "who prioritize their hobbies or even photos with their dogs and matching outfits for the parish directory."

Butker also referred to Pride Month, celebrated among the LGBTQ+ community and its allies every June, as "the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it."

The speech referenced other Catholic conservative talking points that qualify as familiar rhetoric inside and outside the church, including women putting their roles as mothers ahead of their role in the workforce.

Responses to the message among fans were predictably polarized. Some flooded the Chiefs' Instagram page with comments demanding a response from the team. Others put their money where their values are by buying Butker jerseys en masse .

Besides the divisive reactions, what set Butker's speech apart was the league's sharp response. Beane used his statement to clarify that Butker " gave a speech in his personal capacity ," as opposed to his capacity as an NFL player.

The 28-year-old attended Georgia Tech University, from which he graduated with a degree in industrial engineering in 2017. His family has a long professional history in higher education.

Butker's maternal grandfather, oncologist James W. Keller, M.D., held an appointment at Emory University in Atlanta. He is still listed as a Professor Emeritus in the school's Department of Radiation Oncology. Butker's mother, Elizabeth Keller Butker, is a medical physicist at the school.

Related Articles

• Thousands Sign Christian Petition Condemning Harrison Butker's Remarks

Start your unlimited Newsweek trial

Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, sweepstakes, and more!

Carl Reveals There’s More to the Story of the Car Fight with Lindsay: “Pivotal Moment”

Carl Radke and Lindsay Hubbard detail a part of their argument that viewers didn't see on Summer House. 

Carl Radke  and Lindsay Hubbard are sharing new details about their argument on Summer House Season 8, Episode 13, which ended with Lindsay going to Dockers restaurant in an effort to "take "some space" from Carl while he drove back to New York City. 

How to Watch

Watch  Summer House  on Bravo Thursdays at 9/8c and next day on  Peacock . Catch up on the  Bravo app .

In the Summer House Season 8 After Show video above, Carl explained why he was so upset about Lindsay deciding not to go home with him that day. 

"This is the first time since I've actually been hanging out with you, as friends and also in a relationship, that I'm not driving back from the Hamptons to New York City [with you]," he said. "And if I'm not riding with you, I think it would warrant a conversation of why. She was frustrated and angry at me, and she needed space, that's fine, and she does describe that, but she wasn't considering anything outside of her own self."

He added, "It was also, I found, to be very disrespectful for her not to go, 'Babe, I need some space. Do you mind taking the bags back? I'll catch up with you a little bit later.'"

Here's What You May Have Missed on Bravo:

Paige DeSorbo Admits That Dating Craig Conover Is "Actually Draining" Her (EXCLUSIVE)

Amanda Batula Addresses Speculation About Her and Jesse Solomon's Relationship: "Out of Control"

Who is Lindsay Hubbard Dating? She Declares She's "Very Satisfied in the Bedroom"

Why Carl Radke was upset over Lindsay Hubbard not leaving the Hamptons with him

It turns out there was another reason viewers didn't see that led to Carl being "upset and frustrated" with Lindsay for not coming home with him.

"I also had tickets to a soccer game," he said in the clip above. "I thought, in my eyes, that it could be, like, a fun date...I get tickets to this soccer game that we get VIP on the field. Free drinks, free food. It's an amazing experience... Then come the weekend, we were fighting, and she was like, 'F-ck your soccer game.'"

However, given the tumultuous weekend Lindsay and Carl had gone through, she wasn't exactly eager to spend time with him that day.

"Not only do I not want to go to a soccer game with you, because you put me through two full days of absolute hell, but I don't even want to ride home with you," she said. "I need a f-cking minute." 

Additionally, Lindsay stated, "The reason he wanted me to go to that soccer game is because he needed somebody of equal status to go to the soccer game as an influencer ."

Although Lindsay didn't go with him to the game, Carl explained, "I had a great time." When he got home that night, however, things took a turn. "Tried to talk to Lindsay," he said. "We fought. Slept in separate bedrooms ." That experience, he said, "was a pivotal moment...in the summer."

Carl Radke opens up about "mistakes" in his former relationship with Lindsay Hubbard

In addition to reflecting on his argument with Lindsay in the video above, Carl also looked back on their former relationship during the May 9 episode of  Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen . 

Carl Admits Lindsay Was "Valid" While Owning Up to These "Mistakes" in Their Split

"I could have been a lot more direct with her about how I was feeling at times," he admitted. "I think I was, again, just dead set on trying to get married. I wanted to get married. I wanted to have a family, but I think we were speeding really quickly down a track."

Watch the Summer House After Show above. 

RELATED: Summer is Right Around the Corner, Celebrate With The Hottest Summer House Merch

• Lindsay Hubbard

Summer House

• Summer House After Show
• Relationships

Related Stories

Melissa Gorga Offered an “Olive Branch” to Jennifer Aydin

Is Joe Giudice Helping Teresa Pay for Daughters’ College?

Michelle's Daughter Helped Introduce Her to Her Boyfriend

Lala Denies Jumping on the Tom "Sandoval Train"

Janet Explains Why Zack Wasn't Invited to Her Babymoon

The Toms Are Relaunching Their Whiskey Brand

Gia Is "Crying" Over Her "First Big Girl Purchase"

Lisa Vanderpump Reflects on "Goodbye Kyle" Fight

Patti Stanger Weighs in on Jax and Brittany's Split

Andy Cohen on Dating Apps, John Mayer Rumors

See What Tom Schwartz Has to Say About His New Girlfriend

Patti Stanger Reacts to John Janssen Dating Alexis

Latest Videos

West Wilson Nails This Outdoor Date with Ciara Miller

Jesse Solomon and West Wilson Might Be the Best New Friends in the Summer House

Ciara Miller and Paige DeSorbo Call Kyle Cooke Out for Being “Really Selfish”

Recommended for you.

Kristen Kish Reveals Best & Worst Dishes on Season 10

Every Top Chef Fan Needs This New Exclusive Merch

Where to Watch Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen Season 21