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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!

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• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
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There is a small but important difference between planning a persuasive speech and writing a persuasive essay. First, if you are planning a persuasive speech, you should think about a topic that can engage your audience. For this reason, you may want to consider a few topics before settling on the one that allows you to be more descriptive and entertaining.

Another important factor when picking a persuasive speech topic is to choose one that can provoke your audience. If you stir up a little emotion in your audience members, you'll keep their attention. The list below is provided to help you brainstorm. Choose a topic from this list or use the list to generate an idea of your own.

• Studying martial arts is good for mind and health.
• Competitive sports can teach us about life.
• Reality shows are exploiting people.
• Community service should be a graduation requirement for all high school students.
• The characteristics that make a person a hero.
• It's important to grow things in a garden.
• Violent video games are dangerous.
• Lyrics in a song can impact our lives.
• Traveling and studying abroad are positive experiences.
• Journal writing is therapeutic.
• You should spend time with your grandparents.
• A laptop is better than a tablet.
• Religion and science can go hand in hand.
• School uniforms are good.
• All-female colleges and all-male colleges are bad.
• Multiple choice tests are better than essay tests .
• We should not spend money on space exploration.
• Open-book tests are as effective as closed-book tests.
• Security cameras keep us safer.
• Parents should have access to students' grades.
• Small classes are better than big classes.
• You need to start saving for retirement now.
• Credit cards are harmful to college students.
• We should have a royal family.
• We should protect endangered animals.
• Texting while driving is dangerous.
• You can write a novel.
• Recycling should be required in the U.S.
• State colleges are better than private colleges.
• Private colleges are better than state colleges.
• We should do away with penny coins.
• Fast food containers hurt the environment.
• Plastic straws are harmful to the environment.
• You can eat and enjoy healthy snacks.
• You can become a millionaire.
• Dogs are better pets than cats.
• You should own a bird.
• It's unethical to keep birds in cages.
• Liberal arts degrees prepare graduates to be better workers than other degrees.
• Hunting animals should be banned.
• Football is a dangerous sport.
• School days should start later.
• Night school is better than day school.
• Technical training is better than a college degree.
• Immigration laws should be more lenient.
• Students should be able to choose their schools.
• Everyone should learn to play a musical instrument.
• Grass lawns should be prohibited.
• Sharks should be protected.
• We should do away with cars and go back to horse and carriage for transportation.
• We should use more wind power.
• We should pay more taxes.
• We should do away with taxes.
• Teachers should be tested like students.
• We should not interfere in the affairs of other countries.
• Every student should join a club.
• Homeschooling is better than traditional schooling.
• People should stay married for life.
• Smoking in public should be illegal.
• College students should live on campus .
• Parents should let students fail.
• Giving to charity is good.
• Education makes us happier people.
• T​he ​ death penalty should be outlawed.
• Bigfoot is real.
• We should increase train travel to save the environment.
• We should read more classic books.
• Fame is bad for young children.
• Athletes should stay loyal to teams.
• We should reform our prisons.
• Juvenile offenders should not go to boot camps.
• Abraham Lincoln was the best president.
• Abraham Lincoln gets too much credit.
• Students should be allowed to have cell phones in elementary, middle, and high school.
• College student-athletes should be paid for playing.
• Elderly citizens on fixed income should receive free public transportation.
• Colleges and universities should be free to attend.
• All American citizens should complete one year of community service.
• Students should be required to take Spanish classes.
• Every student should be required to learn at least one foreign language .
• Marijuana should be legal for recreational use nationwide.
• Commercial testing of products on animals should no longer be allowed.
• High school students should be required to participate in at least one team sport.
• The drinking age in the U.S. should be 25.
• Replacing fossil fuels with cheaper alternative energy options should be mandated.
• Churches need to contribute their share of taxes.
• The Cuba embargo should be maintained by the U.S.
• America should replace income taxes with a nationwide flat tax.
• Once they reach the age of 18, all U.S. citizens should be automatically registered to vote .
• Doctor-assisted suicide should be legal.
• Spammers—people who bombard the internet with unsolicited email—should be banned from sending junk mail.
• Every automobile driver should be required to take a new driver's test every three years.
• Electroshock treatment is not a humane form of therapy.
• Global warming is not real.
• Single-parent adoption should be encouraged and promoted.
• Gun companies should be held accountable for gun crimes.
• Human cloning is not moral.
• Religion does not belong in public education.
• Juveniles should not be tried as adults.
• American workers should be guaranteed a three-day weekend by law.
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My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

613 Original Argumentative Speech Topics Ideas

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Argumentative speeches generally concern topics which are currently being debated by society , current controversial issues . These topics are often derived from political debates and issues which are commonly seen in the media. The chosen topic may be political, religious, social, or ethical in nature. The audience should be challenged to re-examine their long-held values, and will be asked to alter deeply held convictions based on new evidence or viewpoints on the issue.

Obviously, selecting a topic that is debatable is key to creating an effective speech. The topic should not be something which is generally already proven, or would require an enormous leap of faith or logic in order to convince the audience. The speaker should already possess a strong interest and have a deeply-held opinion on the subject, or else his arguments will probably not come across as believable to the audience.

Topics below are not our personal opinion, they are just samples of a topic. You can flip them to create a different topic. For example, if the topic is “Eating meat and dairy is bad for your body” and you believe the opposite, just make your topic “Eating meat and dairy is good for your body”.

Our list is updated often; huge thank you to all of you who send us topic ideas. Do you have an idea? Use “Send us your idea” form, and we will publish it. And don’t forget to take a look at our extensive list of argumentative essay topics for topics more suited to the written word.

List of Argumentative Speech Topics

Constitutional issues, environment, food and drink, international politics, relationships.

• How poor accounting methods cause businesses to lose money.

See this page for a full list of  Speech Topics for Business .

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

• Does the government have the right to tax its citizens?
• Torture is an acceptable measure to prevent terrorism.
• Banning some books and movies can help society.
• Guns should be made illegal.
• The legal drinking age should be changed to 18 for hard liquor and spirits, and to 16 for beer and wine.
• Should the government be able to access cell phone data?
• Paying waiters a hourly rate below minimum wage is unfair.
• Illegal immigrants are good for the economy.
• Decreasing the wealth tax is good for the economy.
• What caused the recession in the USA?
• Rich people should have tax breaks.
• Should students sometimes teach the class about a subject they are an expert on?
• Should schools offer sign language in addition to foreign languages?
• Any student caught cheating on an examination should be automatically dismissed from college.
• Should there be a dress code to prevent students from wearing revealing clothes?
• Government aid for students should be based purely on academic performance.
• Mobiles phones should be banned in schools for both students and teachers.
• How No Child Left Behind has not been implemented correctly.
• Foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten.
• College students should have the freedom to choose their own courses.
• Should schools have single sex education?

See this page for a full list of Education Argumentative Speech Topics .

• How the USA can use renewable energy, and what role oil companies can play.
• How renewable energy technologies became economically and politically viable in the late 1990s.
• Destruction of the world’s forest is justified by human need for land and food.
• The racing industry should be forced to use environmentally-friendly fuel.
• The government should support and subsidize alternative energy sources.
• Alternative energy and hybrid vehicles can help save our planet.
• Penalties for crimes against the environment should be tougher.
• Vegetarianism is an ecologically thoughtful lifestyle.
• Has marine engineering increased pollution?
• Working from home is good for the environment.
• Rainforest logging should be banned.
• Hunting is good for the environment.
• The advantages of recycling water.

See this page for a full list of Environmental Argumentative Speech Topics .

• Should celebrities be held to a higher moral standard since they are often viewed as role models by children and teens?
• Convicted prisoners should not have better living conditions than those not in prison.
• Clothing and other items produced using child labor should not be imported and sold in the USA.
• Denying health insurance because of pre-existing conditions violates human rights.
• Using animals for scientific research is inhumane.
• DNA experiments on human embryos are unethical and should not be allowed.
• Zoos, aquariums, and circuses violate animal rights and should be shut down.
• Are beauty pageants exploitive?
• Should scientists bring back extinct species through cloning?
• People should not be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets.
• Should there be world population control?
• Stand up for what is right, even if you stand alone.
• Hunting is unethical and should not be allowed.
• Everyone in the world should have civil rights!
• Do you agree that honesty is the best policy?
• Assassination can never be justified.
• The sale of human organs should be legal.
• Euthanasia is not morally acceptable.
• Euthanasia should be legalized.
• Is human cloning ethical?
• Wearing fur is unethical.
• We shouldn’t eat meat.
• Every family with children filing for divorce must go through a mandatory ‘cooling off’ period.
• Adoptive parents should be legally bound to allow biological parents access to their children.
• Should babies younger than one get their ears pierced?
• Those who want children should take parenting classes and pass tests before having a child.
• Both parents should assume equal responsibility in raising a child.
• Strict parenting raises strong-hearted, resilient kids.
• Why both parents should be a part of their child’s life.
• Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?
• Why children should be respected.
• Should we have to pay to adopt a child?
• Teenagers should have more freedom than younger kids.
• Should kids under 13 be allowed on social media sites?
• Should children get to choose their living environment at age 13?
• Should parents be held responsible for actions of their children?

See this page for a full list of Family Argumentative Speech Topics . We also have a page with Speech Topics for Kids .

• The only difference between normal and organic food is the cost.

See this page for a full list of Speech Topic Ideas On Food, Drink, and Cooking .

• Why veterans should have more government support.
• Should the president have served in the military?
• Is the American criminal justice system racist?
• Democracy is the best form of government.
• Women make better presidents.
• Is our election process fair?
• Tap water is safer than bottled water in countries where the quality of tap water is regulated.
• Breastfeeding is one of the most important things a mother can do for a child.
• Should children born with birth defects have surgery?
• Lapses in food safety result from a complex interplay of factors.
• Should fast food restaurants stop adding chemicals to their food?
• Taxes should be imposed on unhealthy foods to combat obesity.
• GMOs are bad for health and should be avoided at any cost.
• Advertising of prescription drugs should not be allowed.
• Fast food advertisements and promotions should be banned.
• Terminally ill patients should be allowed to use heroin.
• Why people should smile when they’re happy, and pretend they are happy when feeling sad.
• Our identity is shaped by how others view us.
• The benefits of having friends.

See this page for a full list of  Argumentative Speech Topics on Health and Fitness . We also have a page with Medical Topics and Psychology topics.

• Was Mao Zedong a great leader?
• Adolf Hitler was a great leader.
• The negative effects of Ronald Reagan’s “War on Drugs.”

See this page for a full list of History Speech Topics .

• Is inequality in South Africa a suitable topic to use for public speaking?
• Should the world become one nation and have a council for leadership?
• The war in Iraq was justified.
• Terrorism is a major issue in the world because innocent people are affected.
• Cultural treasures should be returned to their countries of origin.
• Invading other countries, as long as for a good cause, is justified.
• The New Zealand flag should not be changed.
• War is an instrument of foreign policy.
• Driving speed limits should be lifted in areas with a low accident risk.
• People who use file-sharing sites to download content illegally should be found and prosecuted.
• Should the government give tax exemptions to those who drive electric or hybrid vehicles?
• Elderly drivers should be required to take a driving test each year after a certain age.
• Should colleges be allowed to use affirmative action to create a more diverse campus?
• Garbage disposal should not be free to encourage recycling (example: Switzerland).
• Salaries of actors, professional athletes and CEOs should be regulated and capped.
• Any products that are believed to cause cancer should have a warning label.
• Fast food, soda, chips and other unhealthy food should be heavily taxed.
• Making drugs illegal creates an environment for crime and violence.
• Should it be harder to get a divorce?
• Should the death penalty exist?
• Laws to protect the victims of domestic abuse should be enforced.
• Pitbulls and other aggressive dog breeds should not be allowed.
• Gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples.
• Should the EPA make it illegal to modify your car for racing?
• DUI offenders should lose their license for a year.
• Should you have to take a training class to purchase fireworks?
• Workers should get four weeks paid vacation each year.
• Plastic surgery should be illegal for anyone under 18.
• Retirement should be made compulsory at the age of 60.
• Abortions should be legal in cases of rape and incest.
• The cost of prescription drugs should be regulated.
• Couples should be banned from adopting overseas.
• Banning smoking in public places is undemocratic.
• Spaying and neutering pets should be mandatory.
• Minors should be tried for murder at any age.
• Voting should be compulsory for all citizens.
• Illegal immigrants should receive asylum.
• Organ donation should be mandatory.
• Vaccinations should be compulsory.
• Prostitution should be legalized.
• Should abortion be made illegal?
• The smoking age should be lowered.
• The voting age should be lowered.
• Why smoking should be banned.
• Talking on the phone while driving should be banned.
• There should be equal pay for equal work.
• Does Shakespeare romanticize youth suicide in the tragic play Romeo and Juliet?
• Edgar Allen Poe’s career as an author benefitted from his difficult, grief-filled life.
• Popular literature is not as valuable as classical literature.
• Why books are better than their movies.
• Reality television makes people stupid and should be regulated.
• Does media violence lead to behavioral problems?
• TV cop shows are too intense for children.
• Watching television makes people smarter.
• Are kids having too much screen time?
• Is watching TV good or bad for children?
• Has the television become obsolete?
• Reality TV is not reality.
• Vulgar scenes in films should be reduced.
• Can anyone play an instrument with the right materials and instruction?
• The beneficial physiological effects of music.
• Americans should not get involved in conflicts that don’t concern the national interest.
• Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid reform are non-negotiable ways out of the debt crisis.
• Famous people (actors, athletes) should not be allowed to become politicians.
• Is the government doing justice to the taxpayers?
• Does age matter in relationships?
• Social networks are killing sincere relationships.
• Polygamy creates healthy relationships.
• If nothing happens without a cause, then the big bang must have been caused by God.
• Why it is better to have many religions.
• Banning burkhas or other religious clothing is against human rights.
• The world would be more peaceful without religions.
• Churches should be required to pay taxes.
• Are there any alternatives to evolution?
• Religion is a force for evil.

See this page for a full list of  Topics on Religion and Spirituality .

• Mobile phones shouldn’t be allowed at school.
• There is no place for religion in school.
• Technology is a distraction.
• Homework should be scrapped.
• High Schools need armed guards.
• Test scores reflect how good the teacher is.
• Refrain from dating in high school.
• Student ID cards should have tracking devices.
• Random drug tests need to be done in high schools.
• Teachers should also be graded.

See this page for a full list of  School Speech Topics  (Elementary, Middle School, High School).

• Genetically modified food should be the answer to the world’s hunger problem.
• Is Mars the next planet for human habitation?
• The NASA moon landing was a hoax.
• Space exploration is a waste of money.

See this page for a full list of  Science Speech Topics .

• Permits should not be needed to build small, permanent structures in the city of Baldwin.
• Technological progress signifies the decline of human moral, spiritual, and traditional values.
• Men and women face unequal pressure to change their bodies to look good.
• Sexual immorality in our society is a result of the influence of foreign films.
• People are not satisfied with what they have.
• Compulsory military service is good for society and the country.
• Christmas is just a way for businesses to increase sales.
• Billboards should not be allowed on interstate highways.
• Men should be forced to take paternity leave from work.
• Violent video games and toys should not be allowed.

See this page for a full list of Argumentative Society Speech Topics .

• Athletes caught using steroids should be banned from professional sports for life.
• Why cheerleading should be part of the Olympics.
• Why hockey should allow fights.
• Is marching band a sport?
• Is cheerleading a sport?
• Sports should be obligatory at school.

See this page for a full list of  Sports Speech Topics .

• Students should not have to learn cursive because technology is making it irrelevant.
• Social media has changed us for the worse.
• Modern technology has increased material wealth but not happiness.
• Has the internet made research easier and more convenient?
• How nuclear power shaped 21st century electrical generation.
• Technology makes us lose most of our traditions and culture.
• Life was better when technology was more simple.
• Human beings are becoming slaves of modern technology.
• Is the internet a good or a bad thing?
• Technology is making people less creative.
• The positive effects of technology on society.
• Are phones essential?
• Nuclear power is better than solar power.
• New technologies create problems.
• The impact of technology on society.
• How electronics affect our body.
• The pros and cons of Facebook.
• The pros and cons of plastic.
• Are children smarter or more socialized because of the internet?
• Modern offices should have facilities for an afternoon nap.
• Should tattoos be in the workplace?

List of Argumentative Essay Topics

• Dieting makes people fat.
• Romantic love is a poor basis for marriage.
• The war on terror has contributed to the growing abuse of human rights.
• High school graduates should take a year off before entering college.
• All citizens should be required by law to vote.
• All forms of government welfare should be abolished.
• Americans should have more holidays and longer vacation.
• Participating in team sports helps to develop good character.
• The production and sale of cigarettes should be made illegal.
• People have become overly dependent on technology.
• Censorship is sometimes justified.
• Privacy is not the most important right.
• Drunk drivers should be imprisoned on the first offence.
• The lost art of letter-writing deserves to be revived.
• Government and military personnel should have the right to strike.
• Most study-abroad programs should be renamed “party abroad”: they are a waste of time and money.
• The continuing decline of CD sales along with the rapid growth of music downloads signals a new era of innovation in popular music.
• College students should have complete freedom to choose their own courses.
• The solution to the impending crisis in Social Security is the immediate elimination of this anachronistic government program.
• The primary mission of colleges and universities should be preparing students for the workforce.
• Financial incentives should be offered to high school students who perform well on standardizing tests.
• All students in high school and college should be required to take at least two years of a foreign language.
• College students in the U.S. should be offered financial incentives to graduate in three years rather than four.
• College athletes should be exempted from regular class-attendance policies.
• To encourage healthy eating, higher taxes should be imposed on soft drinks and junk food.
• Students should not be required to take physical education courses.
• To conserve fuel and save lives, the 55 miles-per-hour national speed limit should be restored.
• All citizens under the age of 21 should be required to pass a driving education course before receiving a license to drive.
• Freshmen should not be required to purchase a meal plan from the college.
• Zoos are internment camps for animals and should be shut down.
• University students should not be penalized for illegally downloading music, movies, or other protected content.
• Government financial aid for students should be based solely on merit.
• Nontraditional students should be exempted from regular class-attendance policies.
• At the end of each term, student evaluations of faculty should be posted online.
• A student organization should be formed to rescue and care for the feral cats on campus.
• People who contribute to Social Security should have the right to choose how their money is invested.
• Professional baseball players convicted of using performance-enhancing drugs should not be considered for induction into the Hall of Fame.
• Any citizen who does not have a criminal record should be permitted to carry a concealed weapon.
• Is global climate change man-made?
• Do colleges put too much stock in standardized test scores?
• Is torture ever acceptable?
• Should men get paternity leave from work?
• Is a lottery a good idea?
• Do we have a fair taxation system?
• Is cheating out of control?
• Are parents clueless about child predators on the Internet?
• Are cell phones dangerous?
• Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy?
• Are test scores a good indication of a school’s competency?
• Do we have a throw-away 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?
• Does access to condoms lead to irresponsible, dangerous, or bad behavior?
• Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?
• Are CEOs paid too much?
• Do violent video games cause behavior problems?
• Should creationism be taught in public schools?
• Should the racing industry be forced to use biofuels?
• When should parents let teens make their own decisions?
• Should the military be allowed to recruit at high schools?
• Should the alcohol drinking age be increased or decreased?
• What age is appropriate for dating?
• Are there benefits to attending a single-sex school?
• Does boredom lead to trouble?
• Does participation in sports keep teens out of trouble?
• Is competition good?
• Does religion cause war?
• Should the government provide health care?
• Should girls ask boys out?
• Is fashion important?
• Are girls too mean to each other?
• Is homework harmful or helpful?
• Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
• Is college admission too competitive?
• There is no such thing as a superfood!
• American football is better than rugby.
• Abused children grow up to be abusers
• Women priests have further weakened the influence of the church today
• Britain should exit the EU and concentrate on its special relationship with America
• Most asylum seekers are simply seeking a better life
• Who was the better wartime Prime Minister – Churchill or Thatcher?
• Insurance is a waste of money
• North Korea postulates but will never go to war
• Lady Gaga is a better role model than Madonna
• Celebrities adopting multi-racial kids is merely another cog in their publicity wheel
• Sororities do nothing to enhance the cause of womanhood
• All phobias can be cured
• America is seen as a safe haven for victims of persecution from all over the world
• There are more benefits to working in a small company than a large one
• Men do not understand the term “fashionista”
• Scottish independence would be a good thing for the UK
• Seeds are not a health food. They are bird food.
• Government spying on personal communication is an infringement of civil liberty
• Payday loans are the worst financial product ever
• What is the point of massive R&D projects like the Hadron Collider and space exploration when people are starving?
• All immigrants to English speaking countries should pass a test before being allowed rights to settle and be re-tested after 10 years.
• Only the supermarkets win in price wars
• The Burkha is a lasting symbol that Islam is divisive
• Space travel should be a rich man’s plaything and government funds diverted to things that matter
• Pipe smoking is less harmful than cigarette smoking
• Politicians don’t have a “calling” – it is merely a well paid job
• Ireland would be no better if it were one country
• Global warming is just a phase in the planet’s life cycle
• Cigarettes will never be banned completely because Governments couldn’t work without the income they generate
• Beauty pageants are exploitative
• Condoms should be dispensed free in high schools
• Professional athletes are paid too much
• Most schools fail at adequate sex education
• Aids is the forgotten disease now that it affects mainly African countries
• Legalizing some drugs will not combat the scourge
• The legal limit of 21 encourages underage drinking
• Video games do not cause violent behavior: Violence comes from values
• Should creationism be taught in schools
• High school is not competitive enough and does not encourage high standards of achievement in everyone
• CEOS of public service industries are paid too much
• Britain should adopt a new voting system
• In a society that calls for equality, men should receive a decent period of paternity leave
• Torture has a place in the fight against terrorism
• Many parents have no idea of what their child is doing on the computer
• Standardized test scores are not the best indication of a student’s aptitude for a certain course.
• Should we have a national high school exam?
• Is Private school tuition (elementary, high school or college) really worth it?
• Does state wide testing like TAKS/STAAR test in Texas really increase student knowledge?
• Should colleges abolish reliance on SAT and ACT scores in admissions?
• How should our school system in America be reformed?
• Should America adopt an educational system more like Europe?
• What causes students to graduate high school without basic skills?
• How do American students compare with students from other countries?
• What Role should technology play in Education?
• What is the value of a liberal arts education?
• Should students be required to take foreign language courses (or any other type of specific course)?
• Does adding school days really improve learning?
• Should schools continue to spend money on fine arts?
• How should students whose first language is not English be taught in public schools?
• Should college athletes be paid?
• Does smoking help make acquaintances?
• Should students add their teachers as friends on Facebook?
• Is the first impression of a person always right?
• Are conflicts necessary for healthy relationships?
• Should lecture attendance be optional?
• Is business ethics an obsolete concept?
• Should companies try to copy what their competitors do?
• Can businesses learn from their customers’ complaints?
• Should all energy drinks be banned?
• Is China a new superpower?
• Should employees be allowed to use social media sites at work?
• Should companies send ‘happy birthday’ messages to clients?
• Would Shakespeare’s plays be more interesting if shortened?
• Should internet slang, like ‘LOL’ and ‘IMHO’ be included in dictionaries?
• Does the English language need to be simpler?
• Should kids be allowed to draw on walls?
• Do modern schools depend too much on technology?
• Do online students have better chances to cheat?
• Should hospitals use placebo treatments?
• Do innovations really make us lazier?
• Can college athletes be smart?
• Should students have profiles on all major social networks?
• Should people abandon cash and use plastic cards only?
• Should countries have ‘1 car per family’ policies?
• Should we preserve old buildings as historical monuments?
• Are some TV ads objects of art?
• Is music in shopping malls harmful to employees’ wellbeing?
• Can listening to favorite music heal?
• Should journalists who distort the truth to make the news more sensational be punished?
• Should all TV channels have censorship?
• Do SOPA and PIPA make pirates more skilful?
• Is negative PR the secret behind Justin Bieber’s success?
• Should Wikipedia give diplomas to their most faithful readers?
• Can diamonds be girls’ best friends?
• Is the way to a man’s heart through his stomach?
• Should couples live together before marriage?
• Should parents tell their kids stories about birds and bees?
• Can virtual reality be dangerous for kids?
• Can we call any war ‘a peacemaking operation’?
• Is too much political correctness making communication more confusing?
• Are early marriages more likely to end in divorces?
• Do elderly people receive better care in retirement homes than with family members?
• Should hyperactive kids receive treatment?
• Should mind reading during poker games be banned?
• Should parents pass tests before homeschooling their kids?
• Should parents lie to their kids about Santa Claus?
• Does Beavis and Butthead  have a negative impact on youth?
• Is it fair to use the results of standardized tests to define schools’ budgets?
• Are optimism and success infectious?
• Is the Bermuda triangle a creation of our imagination?
• Advertising: Information Or Manipulation?
• Should Affirmative Action Be Abolished?
• Should Minors Be Executed For Murder?
• Should Parents Be Held Responsible For Their Minor’s Crimes?
• Should Gay Clubs Be Allowed In High Schools?
• Should High School Education Be Mandatory?
• Should Affirmative Action be abolished?
• Should schools place more emphasis on disciplining?
• To what extent has the traditional male role changed in the last 20 years?
• Dieting Does Not Help People Lose Weight
• Is gender equality a myth or a sustainable reality?
• Should divorce be harder to obtain?
• Should marijuana be legalized in the United States?
• Should the legalization of marijuana be a state law or left up to the federal government to enforce?
• Are colleges and schools just for either all girls or all boys fair or are they sexist?
• Should corporal punishment be used to punish children?
• Should the US drinking age be lowered or raised from age 21?
• How young is too young to have your own cellphone?
• Should immigrants to the US be required to learn English before being granted citizenship?
• Should those applying for Welfare be drug tested?
• Are fast food chains killing people?
• Should those receiving government assistance have a limit on the number of children they can receive help for?
• Should news reporters be required to share their sources with viewers?
• What role, if any, should the federal government take in dealing with the problem of homelessness?
• Should women also be required to sign up for the draft at age 18 in the US?
• Should those younger than 13 be allowed to have a Facebook or Myspace (or other social networking account)?
• Should public school teachers be randomly drug tested as a condition for employment?
• Is year-round school a good idea or bad?
• Should gay couples be allowed to adopt children?
• Should the families of organ donors be compensated for their loved one’s donation?
• Damage to the environment is an inevitable consequence of worldwide improvements in the standard of living.
• Are famous people treated unfairly by the media? Should they be given more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?
• Are women better parents than men?
• Are zoos necessary for education?
• Children learn best by observing the behavior of adults and copying it.
• Children should never be educated at home by their parents.
• Computers can translate all kinds of languages well. Do our children need to learn more languages in the future?
• Advantages and disadvantages of giving international aid to poor countries.
• Do the benefits of study abroad justify the difficulties?
• Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported?
• Does foreign aid helps donor countries more than the recipients?
• Does travel help to promote understanding and communication between countries?
• Education is the single most important factor in the development of a country.
• The destruction of the world’s forests is inevitable as our need for land and food grows.
• A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat.
• If children behave badly, should their parents accept responsibility and also be punished?
• In what ways has information technology changed work and working practices in the past 10 years?
• Should government intervene in the rights of the individual with regard to family planning?
• In your opinion what factors contribute to a good movie?
• Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women?
• News editors should decide what to broadcast on TV and what to print in newspapers.
• Should developing countries concentrate on improving industrial skills or should they promote education first?
• Should money be spent on space exploration?
• Should retirement be compulsory at 65 years of age?
• Should rich countries forgive all debts for poor countries?
• Should rich countries pay more for environmental damage?
• Should sports classes be dropped in secondary school so students can concentrate on academic subjects?
• Should the same laws which prohibit the sale and consumption of heroin be applied to tobacco?
• To what extent should universities function as training grounds for employment?
• To what extent should university courses be geared to the economic needs of society?
• What are factors which are related to academic success in high-school students?
• What should a government do for a country to become successful?
• Free meals should be provided in every school.
• Citizens should be taxed a percentage to send towards medical research.
• All motor vehicles should be pushed towards electric power.
• Prisoners should be used in the workforce.
• Dieting does more harm than good.
• Chivalry has no place in modern society.
• Sexism is still a major problem in the workplace.
• Government welfare is an excuse for laziness.
• Capitalism is another name for evil.
• National security is an excuse for war.
• 9/11 was an excuse for continuous war.
• Privacy is a luxury not a right.
• The age of consent should be raised.
• The federal government should control the laws of each state.
• Average workplace hours are too long.
• Oppressive regimes shouldn’t be given any monetary aid.
• The death penalty should be reintroduced.
• All people should be allowed to strike.
• The music industry needs to get with the times.
• A college education needs to be about preparing for the world of work.
• There are too many degree options in colleges.
• All citizens should speak a second language.
• People should be encouraged to holiday abroad.
• Restrictions on fuel consumption need to be implemented.
• People should be encouraged to start their own businesses.
• All citizens should dedicate an hour a week to community service.
• Cheating on an examination should be a criminal offense.
• Pornography should be illegal.
• Brothels should be legalised.
• All states should gain equal representation in elections.
• Presidential elections should be held every five years.
• The restriction on consecutive presidential terms should be removed.
• Financial aid shouldn’t be given to people with a criminal record.
• People should have a bigger say in how the country is run.
• The military needs to see major cuts.
• An emphasis on sport in college should be removed.
• Social Security Numbers should be abolished.
• Elderly people shouldn’t drive.
• The rich should pay more tax.
• Tax avoidance should be clamped down upon.
• Essays are not an accurate reflection of a student’s ability.
• There are too many people in the U.S.
• Immigration caps should be tightened.
• Should people be able to choose to have health care or not?
• Are we too dependent on foreign oil?
• Is the education policy ‘No Child Left behind’ working?
• The media affects young children’s minds
• Does the ‘old boy network’ still exist?
• Should prostitution be legalized?
• Divorced parents should always share custody of their children
• Social media is ruining relationships
• Convicted prisoners have a better life in prison than out
• Society and laws are too lenient on Child Sex offenders
• Should racial profiling be legal?
• Are Americans sexual prudes?
• Is euthanasia inhumane?
• Is Michael Jordan the best basketball player of all time?
• Should people have to take a test to become parents?
• Italians are healthier because they drink red wine
• Are humans solely responsible for GlobalWarming?
• Cheating helps children learn.
• Are vampires real or only in the novels characters?
• File-sharing programs on the Internet should/ not be banned.
• What is the relationship between illegal immigration and crime
• People who download from file sharing websites should be prosecuted.
• Rich people should be allowed to pay off their crimes.
• Corruption in society is an unstoppable force.
• Doctors should learn about religion before practicing.
• Rationing of fuel is a good idea.
• Sodomy isn’t a sin.
• Political figures are out of touch with society.
• Public figures should be struck off if they break the law.
• All men and women should complete a year of civil service.
• Community service isn’t a punishment.

509 Informative Speech Ideas and Topics

243 Easy and Simple Speech Topics

7 thoughts on “613 Original Argumentative Speech Topics Ideas”

can money buy happiness?

I like this page

I think you’re ideas are from the far left, the “topics” you have are just so one sided im yawning just reading them. COME ON!

Most of these “topics” you list aren’t original. I’ve heard these be argued on the news and in class many times before. Only about 10 of these topics even peaked my interest.

Stand up for what is right even if you stand alone

how does one have a pet?

Only 7 of these actually had me thinking. Some aren’t even original. I’ve seen the ‘Should the death penalty exist’ on almost every single site I’ve tried before this.

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• High School Speech Topics

High School speech topics are often difficult to discover. Also, giving a speech may cause you to shake with anxiety, wondering how my classmates will perceive me.

On this page, you'll not only find some great topics, but also a SUPERB video to help you overcome your fear of speaking in public.

Public speaking doesn't have to be something you shy away.

Making speeches in high school can help you build confidence in your ability to interact with your peers.  Public speaking practice is also a GREAT way to learn to communicate in the outside world effectively.

And the good news is that coming up with high school speech topics - then turning them into compelling speeches - is not as difficult as it seems. Just take a deep breath and check out the video below. The presentation contains excellent tips to overcome public speaking anxiety and gives great ideas on how to deliver your speech topics and turn them into amazing speeches!

After that, scroll down, and you'll find 25 high school speech topics that I hope will inspire you!

25 High School Speech Topics

• Joining the debate club will help you be successful in College/University.
• High school is the best time of your life.
• High school is a waste of time.
• Should marijuana be legalized?
• Should parents be held legally responsible for their children's actions?
• Should animals be given chemotherapy for cancer or should they be euthanized?
• Should volunteer work be mandatory in order to graduate from high school?
• Should students have to take mandatory drug tests?
• Should the Government be involved in internet censorship?
• Assisted suicide should be legalized.
• Will weapons of mass destruction one day bring about the end of the world?
• Mothers should stay at home with their kids.
• Why are vampires so popular with school kids?
• Teachers' pay should be based on performance.
• Should adoption records stay sealed forever?
• Eating meat is detrimental to your health and to the planet.
• Television, video game and movie violence all contribute to greater juvenile crime rates.
• Students should be allowed to choose the school they attend.
• People should be allowed to sell their organs for transplants.
• Ancient methods of torture.
• Overuse of cell phones causes trauma in young brains.
• The voting age should be reduced to 16.
• Why you deserve an A in your course.
• Should any country be allowed to use torture to obtain intelligence information?
• Dependence on technology is making humanity less intelligent.

I hope these high school speech topics have helped to kickstart your brain. Just remember to take a deep breath before you begin speaking and have fun with your subject!

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