QuestionsAnswered.net
What's Your Question?
10 Great Essay Writing Tips
Knowing how to write a college essay is a useful skill for anyone who plans to go to college. Most colleges and universities ask you to submit a writing sample with your application. As a student, you’ll also write essays in your courses. Impress your professors with your knowledge and skill by using these great essay writing tips.
Prepare to Answer the Question
Most college essays ask you to answer a question or synthesize information you learned in class. Review notes you have from lectures, read the recommended texts and make sure you understand the topic. You should refer to these sources in your essay.
Plan Your Essay
Many students see planning as a waste of time, but it actually saves you time. Take a few minutes to think about the topic and what you want to say about it. You can write an outline, draw a chart or use a graphic organizer to arrange your ideas. This gives you a chance to spot problems in your ideas before you spend time writing out the paragraphs.
Choose a Writing Method That Feels Comfortable
You might have to type your essay before turning it in, but that doesn’t mean you have to write it that way. Some people find it easy to write out their ideas by hand. Others prefer typing in a word processor where they can erase and rewrite as needed. Find the one that works best for you and stick with it.
View It as a Conversation
Writing is a form of communication, so think of your essay as a conversation between you and the reader. Think about your response to the source material and the topic. Decide what you want to tell the reader about the topic. Then, stay focused on your response as you write.
Provide the Context in the Introduction
If you look at an example of an essay introduction, you’ll see that the best essays give the reader a context. Think of how you introduce two people to each other. You share the details you think they will find most interesting. Do this in your essay by stating what it’s about and then telling readers what the issue is.
Explain What Needs to be Explained
Sometimes you have to explain concepts or define words to help the reader understand your viewpoint. You also have to explain the reasoning behind your ideas. For example, it’s not enough to write that your greatest achievement is running an ultra marathon. You might need to define ultra marathon and explain why finishing the race is such an accomplishment.
Answer All the Questions
After you finish writing the first draft of your essay, make sure you’ve answered all the questions you were supposed to answer. For example, essays in compare and contrast format should show the similarities and differences between ideas, objects or events. If you’re writing about a significant achievement, describe what you did and how it affected you.
Stay Focused as You Write
Writing requires concentration. Find a place where you have few distractions and give yourself time to write without interruptions. Don’t wait until the night before the essay is due to start working on it.
Read the Essay Aloud to Proofread
When you finish writing your essay, read it aloud. You can do this by yourself or ask someone to listen to you read it. You’ll notice places where the ideas don’t make sense, and your listener can give you feedback about your ideas.
Avoid Filling the Page with Words
A great essay does more than follow an essay layout. It has something to say. Sometimes students panic and write everything they know about a topic or summarize everything in the source material. Your job as a writer is to show why this information is important.
MORE FROM QUESTIONSANSWERED.NET
- Words with Friends Cheat
- Wordle Solver
- Word Unscrambler
- Scrabble Dictionary
- Anagram Solver
- Wordscapes Answers
Make Our Dictionary Yours
Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get:
- Grammar and writing tips
- Fun language articles
- #WordOfTheDay and quizzes
By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .
We'll see you in your inbox soon.
120+ Good Persuasive Essay Topics From Easy to Unique
- DESCRIPTION Book icon With Persuasive Essay Topics Examples
- SOURCE redchocolatte / iStock / Getty Images Plus
- PERMISSION Used under Getty Images license
Writing a persuasive essay helps refine critical thinking skills. As a writer addresses counterarguments and finds evidence to support their position, they develop a strong argument style. Find the perfect persuasive essay prompt with a list of more than 120 ideas.
Easy Persuasive Essay Ideas
Persuasive essays require the writer to convince the reader to see an issue from their side. These topics don’t involve much research, which makes them great for elementary school or as quick persuasive writing assignments for older students.
Persuasive Essay Topics About School
Students are experts on school – especially when it comes to their opinions about school. These persuasive topics about school are great for expressing views about dress codes, bullying, and school schedules.
- What should the punishment for cheating be?
- Should students be allowed to have phones at school?
- What’s the most interesting subject to learn?
- Should homework be required?
- Does your school handle bullying well?
- Are dress codes a good idea for schools?
- Is the school day too long?
- Should students get to choose what they study?
- What school rule would you change?
- Is it a good idea for friends to sit together in class?
- Does school start too early?
- Should students take a self-defense class?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Food
It’s easy to form an opinion on food but not as easy to convince others to agree with it. Try these persuasive prompts that range from junk food to healthy eating.
- What’s better: pizza or hot dogs?
- Should kids learn how to cook their own food?
- Is it more fun to eat in a restaurant or at home?
- What is the best dessert?
- Should healthy food cost less than junk food?
- Is eating meat a good idea?
- Is it better to snack all day or have three set meals?
- Should sugary drinks be allowed at school?
- Should kids have to eat foods they don’t like?
- What is the best food to serve at a party?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Animals
People care a lot about animals. Whether it comes to their favorite animals or where animals should be allowed to go, they’ve got something to say. See if these topics interest you enough to write a persuasive essay.
- If you want an animal to train, what is the best animal to pick?
- Should it be okay to keep wild animals as pets?
- Should pets be allowed in school?
- What animal makes the best pet?
- What animal makes the worst pet?
- Are big dogs better than small dogs?
- Should you adopt your pet from an animal shelter?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Sports and Activities
What’s the best sport? Is it more fun to play or watch an activity? Sports is another area in which people have strong opinions. Check out these sports-themed persuasive writing prompts for your next essay.
- Who is the best athlete in the world?
- What is the easiest hobby to learn?
- What is the best sport to play?
- Should girls be allowed to play on boys’ sports teams?
- Are team sports better than individual sports?
- Is it more fun to play sports or watch them?
- Are summer sports better than winter sports?
- Should students have to stop playing a sport if their grades aren’t high enough?
- Are professional athletes paid too much?
- What’s the best activity to do on a rainy day?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Entertainment
The world of movies, books, and music is an engaging place to be. But what’s the best – and worst – of the entertainment world? Some possible essay topics include:
- What’s the best music to listen to when you’re sad?
- Should music and movies be free?
- Are good guys or bad guys more interesting?
- What is the funniest movie you’ve ever seen?
- Are reality shows better than other shows?
- What is the best book ever written?
- Are scary movies enjoyable to watch?
- Are comedies better than action movies?
- What is the best superpower to have?
- Should audience members be able to film live concerts?
- Is it better to see a movie in the theater or stream it at home?
Challenging Persuasive Essay Ideas
Forming an argument about a more complex issue can be challenging. It involves backing up your stance with evidence while expressing yourself in a convincing way. The following persuasive essay prompts pose questions about politics, education, health, and more.
Persuasive Essay Topics About Social Issues
You probably hear arguments about modern social issues every day. Examine crime and punishment, the consequences of social media, overpopulation policies, and more with these topics on social issues.
- Should wealthy people pay more taxes?
- Are teenagers more impolite than other generations?
- Are people with mental illnesses treated fairly by society?
- Is social media beneficial or harmful?
- Do violent video games make people more violent?
- Is capital punishment ethical?
- Should we give money to homeless people?
- Should countries use a military draft?
- If countries are overpopulated, should the government be able to limit the number of children in each family?
- Are drunk drivers punished appropriately?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Education
Writing about issues in one’s school is less complex than writing about the educational system as a whole. See if these persuasive prompts about education inspire you to write about free college, grading systems, school choice, and online learning, among others.
- How much should parents be involved in their children’s education?
- Should families be able to choose the schools that their children attend?
- Is classroom learning better than online learning?
- Which is better: year-round school or summer vacation ?
- Should teachers use social media to communicate with their students?
- Do students deserve the same rights as adults?
- Should college be free?
- Which is better: letter grading systems or pass/fail?
- Should students have to learn sex education in school?
- Is having a college education required to have a good career?
- Should schools have security guards?
- Are tests the best way to see what students are learning?
Persuasive Essay Topics About History and Government
Perfect for social studies papers, these persuasive topics ask students to consider government policies in the past and present. Some questions may not be as straightforward as they seem.
- Was early European exploration a good thing or a harmful thing?
- Was America’s use of the atomic bomb in World War II necessary?
- Should companies be allowed to donate to political candidates?
- Is democracy the best form of government?
- Should children who are born in another country have citizenship there?
- Are there limits to the freedom of speech?
- Should members of Congress receive a salary during government shutdowns?
- If a felon has completed their sentences, should they be allowed to vote?
- What is the most unjust law in the country?
- Is America the most powerful country in the world?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Science and Technology
The ever-changing world of science and technology brings lots of practical and ethical questions. See what you think about animal testing, genetic engineering, and climate change with these thought-provoking persuasive prompts.
- Should America fund another trip to the moon?
- Is too much screen time harmful to children?
- Is climate change real?
- Should companies be allowed to create pollution if they’re making goods that benefit society?
- What is the most important scientific breakthrough of your lifetime?
- Is it okay for companies to sell their customers’ information?
- Should the government spend time and resources on renewable energy?
- Are clinical trials that use placebos ethical?
- Is animal testing ethical?
- Should parents be able to choose their babies’ traits before they’re born?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Health and Nutrition
Public health is an important issue in any society. But how much should the government be involved? Express your opinion with the following prompts:
- Should schools sell only healthy food?
- Is legalizing marijuana a good idea?
- Should parents be required to vaccinate their children?
- Should doctors and teachers screen teenagers for depression?
- Are genetically modified foods safe?
- Should physical education be required in schools?
- Should schools be allowed to drug test students whenever they want? What about companies and their employees?
- Are professional sports too dangerous?
- Should healthcare be universal?
- How could you convince someone to be more physically active?
- Should healthy people pay less for healthcare?
Unique Persuasive Essay Ideas
If none of the above topics appeal to you, see if these prompts would make an interesting persuasive essay. Remember to choose an issue you care about and one that you can back up with additional information.
- How much should the public know about a celebrity’s personal life?
- Is there ever a good reason for war?
- Is it ethical to train dogs as service animals?
- Is it better to listen to music while working, or to work in silence?
- What is the best career to have?
- Do zoos protect animals or exploit them?
- Is it better to be 2, 12, 22, or 32?
- Should people be allowed to clone themselves?
- What is the worst season?
- Is it better to be a morning person or a night person?
- Is loving your job more important than making a lot of money?
- What is the most important crop to the modern economy?
- Should you make new friends as you get older or focus on keeping the friends you have?
- If aliens came to Earth, should we befriend them?
- Is print news still important in a technological world?
- Is it better to be rich and alone or poor and have friends?
- Should parents teach their children old-fashioned manners?
- Is life better than it was 50 years ago?
- How would you convince your mayor to build a skate park?
Writing a Convincing Argument
Choosing an easy, challenging, or unique topic is the easy part. When you’re ready to build an argument, you’ll need to gather evidence, consider counterarguments, and draft your essay. Check out a template for a basic argumentative or persuasive essay , complete with a sample outline PDF.
Choose Your Test
Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 113 perfect persuasive essay topics for any assignment.
General Education
Do you need to write a persuasive essay but aren’t sure what topic to focus on? Were you thrilled when your teacher said you could write about whatever you wanted but are now overwhelmed by the possibilities? We’re here to help!
Read on for a list of 113 top-notch persuasive essay topics, organized into ten categories. To help get you started, we also discuss what a persuasive essay is, how to choose a great topic, and what tips to keep in mind as you write your persuasive essay.
What Is a Persuasive Essay?
In a persuasive essay, you attempt to convince readers to agree with your point of view on an argument. For example, an essay analyzing changes in Italian art during the Renaissance wouldn’t be a persuasive essay, because there’s no argument, but an essay where you argue that Italian art reached its peak during the Renaissance would be a persuasive essay because you’re trying to get your audience to agree with your viewpoint.
Persuasive and argumentative essays both try to convince readers to agree with the author, but the two essay types have key differences. Argumentative essays show a more balanced view of the issue and discuss both sides. Persuasive essays focus more heavily on the side the author agrees with. They also often include more of the author’s opinion than argumentative essays, which tend to use only facts and data to support their argument.
All persuasive essays have the following:
- Introduction: Introduces the topic, explains why it’s important, and ends with the thesis.
- Thesis: A sentence that sums up what the essay be discussing and what your stance on the issue is.
- Reasons you believe your side of the argument: Why do you support the side you do? Typically each main point will have its own body paragraph.
- Evidence supporting your argument: Facts or examples to back up your main points. Even though your opinion is allowed in persuasive essays more than most other essays, having concrete examples will make a stronger argument than relying on your opinion alone.
- Conclusion: Restatement of thesis, summary of main points, and a recap of why the issue is important.
What Makes a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?
Theoretically, you could write a persuasive essay about any subject under the sun, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Certain topics are easier to write a strong persuasive essay on, and below are tips to follow when deciding what you should write about.
It’s a Topic You Care About
Obviously, it’s possible to write an essay about a topic you find completely boring. You’ve probably done it! However, if possible, it’s always better to choose a topic that you care about and are interested in. When this is the case, you’ll find doing the research more enjoyable, writing the essay easier, and your writing will likely be better because you’ll be more passionate about and informed on the topic.
You Have Enough Evidence to Support Your Argument
Just being passionate about a subject isn’t enough to make it a good persuasive essay topic, though. You need to make sure your argument is complex enough to have at least two potential sides to root for, and you need to be able to back up your side with evidence and examples. Even though persuasive essays allow your opinion to feature more than many other essays, you still need concrete evidence to back up your claims, or you’ll end up with a weak essay.
For example, you may passionately believe that mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best ice cream flavor (I agree!), but could you really write an entire essay on this? What would be your reasons for believing mint chocolate chip is the best (besides the fact that it’s delicious)? How would you support your belief? Have enough studies been done on preferred ice cream flavors to support an entire essay? When choosing a persuasive essay idea, you want to find the right balance between something you care about (so you can write well on it) and something the rest of the world cares about (so you can reference evidence to strengthen your position).
It’s a Manageable Topic
Bigger isn’t always better, especially with essay topics. While it may seem like a great idea to choose a huge, complex topic to write about, you’ll likely struggle to sift through all the information and different sides of the issue and winnow them down to one streamlined essay. For example, choosing to write an essay about how WWII impacted American life more than WWI wouldn’t be a great idea because you’d need to analyze all the impacts of both the wars in numerous areas of American life. It’d be a huge undertaking. A better idea would be to choose one impact on American life the wars had (such as changes in female employment) and focus on that. Doing so will make researching and writing your persuasive essay much more feasible.
List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics
Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you’ll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, “should fracking be legal?” you’d decide whether you believe fracking should be legal or illegal, then you’d write an essay arguing all the reasons why your audience should agree with you.
Arts/Culture
- Should students be required to learn an instrument in school?
- Did the end of Game of Thrones fit with the rest of the series?
- Can music be an effective way to treat mental illness?
- With e-readers so popular, have libraries become obsolete?
- Are the Harry Potter books more popular than they deserve to be?
- Should music with offensive language come with a warning label?
- What’s the best way for museums to get more people to visit?
- Should students be able to substitute an art or music class for a PE class in school?
- Are the Kardashians good or bad role models for young people?
- Should people in higher income brackets pay more taxes?
- Should all high school students be required to take a class on financial literacy?
- Is it possible to achieve the American dream, or is it only a myth?
- Is it better to spend a summer as an unpaid intern at a prestigious company or as a paid worker at a local store/restaurant?
- Should the United States impose more or fewer tariffs?
- Should college graduates have their student loans forgiven?
- Should restaurants eliminate tipping and raise staff wages instead?
- Should students learn cursive writing in school?
- Which is more important: PE class or music class?
- Is it better to have year-round school with shorter breaks throughout the year?
- Should class rank be abolished in schools?
- Should students be taught sex education in school?
- Should students be able to attend public universities for free?
- What’s the most effective way to change the behavior of school bullies?
- Are the SAT and ACT accurate ways to measure intelligence?
- Should students be able to learn sign language instead of a foreign language?
- Do the benefits of Greek life at colleges outweigh the negatives?
- Does doing homework actually help students learn more?
- Why do students in many other countries score higher than American students on math exams?
- Should parents/teachers be able to ban certain books from schools?
- What’s the best way to reduce cheating in school?
- Should colleges take a student’s race into account when making admissions decisions?
- Should there be limits to free speech?
- Should students be required to perform community service to graduate high school?
- Should convicted felons who have completed their sentence be allowed to vote?
- Should gun ownership be more tightly regulated?
- Should recycling be made mandatory?
- Should employers be required to offer paid leave to new parents?
- Are there any circumstances where torture should be allowed?
- Should children under the age of 18 be able to get plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons?
- Should white supremacy groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
- Does making abortion illegal make women more or less safe?
- Does foreign aid actually help developing countries?
- Are there times a person’s freedom of speech should be curtailed?
- Should people over a certain age not be allowed to adopt children?
Government/Politics
- Should the minimum voting age be raised/lowered/kept the same?
- Should Puerto Rico be granted statehood?
- Should the United States build a border wall with Mexico?
- Who should be the next person printed on American banknotes?
- Should the United States’ military budget be reduced?
- Did China’s one child policy have overall positive or negative impacts on the country?
- Should DREAMers be granted US citizenship?
- Is national security more important than individual privacy?
- What responsibility does the government have to help homeless people?
- Should the electoral college be abolished?
- Should the US increase or decrease the number of refugees it allows in each year?
- Should privately-run prisons be abolished?
- Who was the most/least effective US president?
- Will Brexit end up helping or harming the UK?
- What’s the best way to reduce the spread of Ebola?
- Is the Keto diet a safe and effective way to lose weight?
- Should the FDA regulate vitamins and supplements more strictly?
- Should public schools require all students who attend to be vaccinated?
- Is eating genetically modified food safe?
- What’s the best way to make health insurance more affordable?
- What’s the best way to lower the teen pregnancy rate?
- Should recreational marijuana be legalized nationwide?
- Should birth control pills be available without a prescription?
- Should pregnant women be forbidden from buying cigarettes and alcohol?
- Why has anxiety increased in adolescents?
- Are low-carb or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
- What caused the destruction of the USS Maine?
- Was King Arthur a mythical legend or actual Dark Ages king?
- Was the US justified in dropping atomic bombs during WWII?
- What was the primary cause of the Rwandan genocide?
- What happened to the settlers of the Roanoke colony?
- Was disagreement over slavery the primary cause of the US Civil War?
- What has caused the numerous disappearances in the Bermuda triangle?
- Should nuclear power be banned?
- Is scientific testing on animals necessary?
- Do zoos help or harm animals?
- Should scientists be allowed to clone humans?
- Should animals in circuses be banned?
- Should fracking be legal?
- Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets?
- What’s the best way to reduce illegal poaching in Africa?
- What is the best way to reduce the impact of global warming?
- Should euthanasia be legalized?
- Is there legitimate evidence of extraterrestrial life?
- Should people be banned from owning aggressive dog breeds?
- Should the United States devote more money towards space exploration?
- Should the government subsidize renewable forms of energy?
- Is solar energy worth the cost?
- Should stem cells be used in medicine?
- Is it right for the US to leave the Paris Climate Agreement?
- Should athletes who fail a drug test receive a lifetime ban from the sport?
- Should college athletes receive a salary?
- Should the NFL do more to prevent concussions in players?
- Do PE classes help students stay in shape?
- Should horse racing be banned?
- Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
- Should children younger than 18 be allowed to play tackle football?
- Are the costs of hosting an Olympic Games worth it?
- Can online schools be as effective as traditional schools?
- Do violent video games encourage players to be violent in real life?
- Should facial recognition technology be banned?
- Does excessive social media use lead to depression/anxiety?
- Has the rise of translation technology made knowing multiple languages obsolete?
- Was Steve Jobs a visionary or just a great marketer?
- Should social media be banned for children younger than a certain age?
- Which 21st-century invention has had the largest impact on society?
- Are ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft good or bad for society?
- Should Facebook have done more to protect the privacy of its users?
- Will technology end up increasing or decreasing inequality worldwide?
Tips for Writing a Strong Persuasive Essay
After you’ve chosen the perfect topic for your persuasive essay, your work isn’t over. Follow the three tips below to create a top-notch essay.
Do Your Research
Your argument will fall apart if you don’t fully understand the issue you’re discussing or you overlook an important piece of it. Readers won’t be convinced by someone who doesn’t know the subject, and you likely won’t persuade any of them to begin supporting your viewpoint. Before you begin writing a single word of your essay, research your topic thoroughly. Study different sources, learn about the different sides of the argument, ask anyone who’s an expert on the topic what their opinion is, etc. You might be tempted to start writing right away, but by doing your research, you’ll make the writing process much easier when the time comes.
Make Your Thesis Perfect
Your thesis is the most important sentence in your persuasive essay. Just by reading that single sentence, your audience should know exactly what topic you’ll be discussing and where you stand on the issue. You want your thesis to be crystal clear and to accurately set up the rest of your essay. Asking classmates or your teacher to look it over before you begin writing the rest of your essay can be a big help if you’re not entirely confident in your thesis.
Consider the Other Side
You’ll spend most of your essay focusing on your side of the argument since that’s what you want readers to come away believing. However, don’t think that means you can ignore other sides of the issue. In your essay, be sure to discuss the other side’s argument, as well as why you believe this view is weak or untrue. Researching all the different viewpoints and including them in your essay will increase the quality of your writing by making your essay more complete and nuanced.
Summary: Persuasive Essay Ideas
Good persuasive essay topics can be difficult to come up with, but in this guide we’ve created a list of 113 excellent essay topics for you to browse. The best persuasive essay ideas will be those that you are interested in, have enough evidence to support your argument, and aren’t too complicated to be summarized in an essay.
After you’ve chosen your essay topic, keep these three tips in mind when you begin writing:
- Do your research
- Make your thesis perfect
- Consider the other side
What's Next?
Need ideas for a research paper topic as well? Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you.
Thinking about taking an AP English class? Read our guide on AP English classes to learn whether you should take AP English Language or AP English Literature (or both!)
Deciding between the SAT or ACT? Find out for sure which you will do the best on . Also read a detailed comparison between the two tests .
Need more help with this topic? Check out Tutorbase!
Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for Calculus. You can use dozens of filters and search criteria to find the perfect person for your needs.
Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.
Student and Parent Forum
Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.
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!”
- Translators
- Graphic Designers
- Editing Services
- Academic Editing Services
- Admissions Editing Services
- Admissions Essay Editing Services
- APA Style Editing Services
- Application Essay Editing Services
- Book Editing Services
- Business Editing Services
- Capstone Paper Editing Services
- Children's Book Editing Services
- College Application Editing Services
- Comprehensive Editing Services
- Content Editing Services
- Copy Editing Services
- Cover Letter Editing Services
- Developmental Editing Services
- Dissertation Editing Services
- eBook Editing Services
- English Editing Services
- Essay Editing Services
- Fiction Editing Services
- Journal Article Editing Services
- Legal Editing Services
- Letter Editing Services
- Line Editing Services
- Literary Editing Services
- Manuscript Editing Services
- Medical Editing Services
- MLA Style Editing Services
- Nonfiction Editing Services
- Novel Editing Services
- Paper Editing Services
- Personal Statement Editing Services
- Proposal Editing Services
- Report Editing Services
- Research Paper Editing Services
- Résumé Editing Services
- Scientific Editing Services
- Short Story Editing Services
- Statement of Purpose Editing Services
- Story Editing Services
- Structural Editing Services
- Substantive Editing Services
- Technical Editing Services
- Thesis Editing Services
- Website Content Editing Services
Proofreading
- Proofreading Services
- Academic Proofreading Services
- Admissions Proofreading Services
- Admissions Essay Proofreading Services
- APA Style Proofreading Services
- Application Essay Proofreading Services
- Book Proofreading Services
- Business Proofreading Services
- Children's Book Proofreading Services
- College Application Proofreading Services
- Dissertation Proofreading Services
- eBook Proofreading Services
- English Proofreading Services
- Essay Proofreading Services
- Fiction Proofreading Services
- Legal Proofreading Services
- Letter Proofreading Services
- Literary Proofreading Services
- Manuscript Proofreading Services
- Nonfiction Proofreading Services
- Novel Proofreading Services
- Paper Proofreading Services
- Personal Statement Proofreading Services
- Proposal Proofreading Services
- Statement of Purpose Proofreading Services
- Thesis Proofreading Services
- Website Content Proofreading Services
Translation
- Translation Services
- Chinese Translation Services
- French Translation Services
- Italian Translation Services
- Spanish Translation Services
Graphic Design
- Graphic Design Services
- Writing Services
- Blog Writing Services
- Content Writing Services
- Copy Writing Services
- Cover Letter Writing Services
- Curriculum Vitae Writing Services
- Dating Profile Writing Services
- LinkedIn® Profile Writing Services
- Match.com® Profile Writing Services
- Résumé Writing Services
- SEO Writing Services
- Website Content Writing Services
Please enter the email address you used for your account. Your sign in information will be sent to your email address after it has been verified.
75 Persuasive Essay Topic Ideas
The persuasive essay is one type of writing that you will likely come across in your academic career. A persuasive essay, if you're unfamiliar, is one in which you have to make an argument. You need to choose a side and prove why you're correct by using hard evidence and convincing language. The idea is that you want to convince the reader that your argument is the right one, so you'll definitely want to pick a topic that you're passionate about and something that you'll get excited about researching and writing. This exercise is designed so that you can clearly articulate your opinion and understand why it's important to have evidence to back up your claim.
Your teacher or instructor will probably have specific guidelines on what your essay should entail, but you might have a little bit of free reign on what kinds of topics you can explore and argue about in your essay. With so many things to argue about and for, it might be a little overwhelming to come up with a topic on your own. When you feel like you're stuck on brainstorming ideas, take a look at the following list of 75 persuasive essay topics. You may find something you can use, or something you can adapt for the specific guidelines of your paper. Happy writing!
Educational persuasive essay topics
There are so many things that can be discussed when it comes to education. In our country (and globally), there are many different opinions on how education should be handled and what tactics teachers or academic administrators should use. Here are a few topics on education (which could be expanded or changed to fit your teacher's guidelines) that might be of interest to you.
- Should soda be offered in school cafeterias?
- Should schools teach abstinence-only education?
- Why should schools teach financial literacy?
- Do all students need to go to college?
- Should students take a gap year after high school?
- Do all students need to learn a foreign language?
- Is online or homeschool an effective way to learn?
- Should standardized tests determine whether or not you go on to another grade level?
- Should all students be required to participate in the arts?
- Should a college education be free?
- Should high school journalists be protected under the First Amendment?
- Some universities just have pass/fail grades instead of letter grades. How do you feel about this?
- Should teachers/professors be unbiased in the classroom?
- Should you still learn cursive in elementary school? What are the disadvantages/ advantages?
- Many college campuses have speakers come in occasionally. These speakers can range in political opinion and some can be controversial. Should you let speakers come to schools that have controversial rhetoric or ideas to uphold free speech?
Political persuasive essay topics
They say that you should never talk about politics or religion because it's not polite. But in a persuasive essay, that rule is completely extinguished. Politics and religion are hotbed subjects for a reason—because so many people have radically different ideas of how a society and a country should operate. What side of these political persuasive topics are you on? Take a stab at one of these and the paper will likely fly out onto the keyboard.
- Should protesters be allowed to block traffic? Do they pose a threat to public safety?
- Why should you vote?
- Should same-sex marriage be legal?
- What is your opinion on protecting religious liberties?
- What is your opinion on separating church and state?
- Why has the country become so divided politically over the past few years? Can it be fixed?
- Many industries (like coal and manufacturing) are tough to find a job in and many Americans are out of work. How should we solve this problem?
- Should citizens under 18 be able to vote?
- Should a National Voter ID law be passed to avoid voter fraud?
- What does the phrase "fake news" mean?
- Local newspapers are dwindling. What should be done, if anything, about this problem?
- Should local municipalities do more to combat global warming? If so, how?
- How should we reduce the threat of terrorism in the United States?
- Females have traditionally lower participation in politics. Why do you think that is?
- Some people say that the top 1% of earners don't pay enough taxes. How do you feel about this?
- Will a huge wall on the southern border with Mexico solve the United States' immigration problem?
- How should we solve the United States' immigration problem?
- The voter turnout for the 2016 presidential election was less than 60%, which is much lower than in other democratic societies. Why do you think this is and what can be done about it (or should anything be done about it)?
- Millennials are graduating college with a lot of student loan debt. What should be done to avoid a debt crisis?
- Many say that minimum wage jobs are low skill and the workers in them shouldn't be compensated more for their work, but others claim that a minimum wage job isn't enough money to live off of. Which side do you land on?
- What do you think of celebrities who are vocal about environmental issues but who frequently fly on private, and not commercial, jets?
Crime and legal persuasive essay topics
Crime in any society is an unfortunate inevitability. Why does crime happen and what should be done about it? These are just a few of the things to explore in these crime/legal persuasive essay topics.
- What should we do about a city with a high crime rate like Chicago?
- Should guns be allowed on college campuses?
- Should gun laws be more restrictive?
- Do we have a right to privacy?
- Trends have shown that many recent terrorists have been convicted or accused of domestic violence. What should be done and how do you feel about this?
- Should we have the death penalty? If so, when should it be used?
- Many prisoners are incarcerated for minor drug charges (such as possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia). Should we try to rehabilitate these prisoners or should they serve their full sentences?
- Colorado has legalized marijuana for recreational purposes. What is your opinion of this?
- Do you think marijuana is a gateway drug which leads some users to harder drugs?
- Can criminals be rehabilitated?
- Many prisoners who enter the system are likely to have a high recurrence of criminal activity. What can be done to solve this?
- Many people are starting to use drones for recreational activity. Should there be restrictions on where and how you can use your personal drone?
- Self-driving cars are expected to become increasingly used on city roads. If a self-driving car gets into an accident, whose fault is it? The engineer's?
Health persuasive essay topics
Health is something that we all have to worry about. Whether it's our own health or the health of a loved one, there are many things to think about and research on. What's your opinion on the healthcare system in our country? Should we treat drug addiction like a disease? How should we handle end-of-life care? Try out one of these essay topics to research and gain insight on some of the biggest challenges and questions that our society faces when it comes to health.
- Opioid addiction is at an all-time high in states like Ohio. What should we do to combat this?
- Should healthcare be universal?
- How do you feel about paternity leave?
- Should women get guaranteed maternity leave?
- The state of California requires that you display nutrition facts about menu items in restaurants. Should all states do this?
- Should fast food be "sin taxed" like cigarettes are?
- There is an effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Should we do this or not? If we should, what improvements can be made to a replacement act?
- Many soldiers are coming back from warfare with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. What should we do to help them?
- Many Americans are overweight. What has caused this health crisis and what can be done about it?
- Should vitamins and supplements be more tightly regulated?
- Should health insurance companies provide more financial incentives for subscribers to work out and eat more healthfully?
Women's and gender persuasive essay topics
Are there inherent differences between men and women or is that just a societal myth? Women have gained a lot more rights over the last 100 years in America, but some say they still have a long way to go before they achieve equal rights. How do you feel about this and other women's and gender issues? Explore the following fascinating topics.
- Women have what is known as the "second shift" (meaning that as soon as they get home from work they have additional responsibilities that require their attention immediately). What do you think about this concept and should anything be done about it?
- There are many women's rights and minority rights advocates. Should there be men's rights advocacy groups? What about Caucasian advocacy groups?
- Some people say that gender is a socially constructed norm. What do you think?
- Women who participate in body building competitions are trying to build the "ideal" figure, which some claim is an outdated, sexist idea. But some argue that building muscles is considered a sport and a traditionally "masculine" idea. Which side do you agree with?
- Some people think that beauty pageants are outdated and anti-feminist and shouldn't be televised anymore. How do you feel?
- New wave feminism is the idea that feminism can encompass many different ideas of what it is to be a feminist. It's the idea that you can have choices (whether that's staying at home with children or trying to be a CEO). How do you feel about new wave feminism?
Miscellaneous persuasive essay topics
Of course, there are more categories of essay topics than what are listed above. Here are some additional essay topics if you haven't found one yet that captures your interest.
- Does social media improve or hurt our society?
- Is it important or frivolous to travel the world?
- Many Americans watch a lot of reality TV shows. Why do you think this is?
- With many people reading digital copies of books, are libraries necessary anymore?
- Should anything be done to curb the rise in offensive lyrics in music?
- Should pregnant women be allowed to park in handicapped parking spots?
- Recent studies have shown that pets improve the mental and the physical health of their owners. Should pet-related expenses be tax-deductible?
- What do you think about net neutrality?
- With the rise in selfies and Instagram photo filtering apps, do you think we have become a more self-obsessed society?
Related Posts
A Breakdown of the Four Styles of Academic Writing
Overcoming Academic Writing Anxiety
- Academic Writing Advice
- All Blog Posts
- Writing Advice
- Admissions Writing Advice
- Book Writing Advice
- Short Story Advice
- Employment Writing Advice
- Business Writing Advice
- Web Content Advice
- Article Writing Advice
- Magazine Writing Advice
- Grammar Advice
- Dialect Advice
- Editing Advice
- Freelance Advice
- Legal Writing Advice
- Poetry Advice
- Graphic Design Advice
- Logo Design Advice
- Translation Advice
- Blog Reviews
- Short Story Award Winners
- Scholarship Winners
Need an academic editor before submitting your work?
Ideas, Inspiration, and Giveaways for Teachers
We Are Teachers
60 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens
Use your words to sway the reader.
Persuasive writing is one of those skills that can help students succeed in real life. Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative , but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader. It’s important to know your audience so you can anticipate any counterarguments they might make and try to overcome them. Try reading some mentor texts to show kids great examples of opinion writing. Then use these persuasive essay topics for practice.
School and Education Persuasive Essay Topics
Life and ethics persuasive essay topics, just for fun persuasive essay topics.
- Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?
- Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
- Should schools have dress codes?
- If I could change one school rule, it would be …
- Is year-round school a good idea?
- Should we stop giving final exams?
- Is it better to be good at academics or good at sports?
- Which is better, private schools or public schools?
- Should every student have to participate in athletics?
- Do you think schools should ban junk food from their cafeterias?
- Should students be required to volunteer in their communities?
- What is the most important school subject?
- Are letter grades helpful, or should we replace them with something else?
- Is it ever OK to cheat on homework or a test?
- Should students get to grade their teachers?
- Do you think college should be free for anyone who wants to attend?
- Should schools be allowed to ban some books from their libraries?
- Which is better, book smarts or street smarts?
- Should all students have to learn a foreign language?
- Are single-gender schools better or worse for students?
- Is it OK to eat animals?
- What animal makes the best pet?
- Visit an animal shelter, choose an animal that needs a home, and write an essay persuading someone to adopt that animal.
- Should we allow little kids to play competitive sports?
- Who faces more peer pressure, girls or boys?
- Should all Americans be required to vote?
- Is it better to be kind or truthful?
- Which is better, giving or receiving?
- Is it OK to keep animals in zoos?
- Should we change the minimum driving age in the United States?
- Which is more important, happiness or success?
- Is democracy the best form of government?
- Is social media helpful or harmful?
- Which is better, reading books or watching TV?
- Should kids have set bedtimes or just go to bed when they’re sleepy?
- Do you think the government should find a way to provide free health care for everyone?
- Is it better to save your allowance or spend it?
- Should we ban plastic bags and bottles?
- Which is better, living in the city or in the country?
- If I could make a new law, it would be …
- Choose a book that’s been made into a movie. Which was better, the movie or the book?
- Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
- What’s the best holiday?
- Are professional athletes/musicians/actors overpaid?
- Which is better, fiction or nonfiction?
- The very best food of all time is …
- The best music genre is …
- What is one book that everyone should read?
- What new sport should be added to the Olympics?
- Which is better, artificial Christmas trees or real ones?
- What’s the best season of the year?
- Should you put ketchup on a hot dog?
- Is a taco a sandwich?
- Are clowns scary or funny?
- Which is more dangerous, werewolves or vampires?
- The best pizza topping is …
- What would be the best superpower to have?
- Should we still consider Pluto a planet?
- Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
- What’s the best video game system?
What are your favorite persuasive essay topics for students? Come exchange ideas on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .
Plus, check out the big list of essay topics for high school (100+ ideas) ..
Jill Staake is a Contributing Editor with WeAreTeachers. She has a degree in Secondary English Education and has taught in middle and high school classrooms. She's also done training and curriculum design for a financial institution and been a science museum educator. She currently lives in Tampa, Florida where she often works on her back porch while taking frequent breaks for bird-watching and gardening.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
100 Persuasive Essay Topics
- M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
- B.A., History, Armstrong State University
Persuasive essays are a bit like argument essays and persuasive speeches , but they tend to be a little kinder and gentler. Argument essays require you to discuss and to attack an alternate view, while persuasive essays are attempts to convince the reader that you have a believable argument. In other words, you are an advocate, not an adversary.
A Persuasive Essay Has 3 Components
- Introduction : This is the opening paragraph of your essay. It contains the hook, which is used to grab the reader's attention, and the thesis, or argument, which you'll explain in the next section.
- Body : This is the heart of your essay, usually three to five paragraphs in length. Each paragraph examines one theme or issue used to support your thesis.
- Conclusion : This is the final paragraph of your essay. In it, you'll sum up the main points of the body and connect them to your thesis. Persuasive essays often use the conclusion as a last appeal to the audience.
Learning how to write a persuasive essay is an essential skill that people use every day in fields from business to law to media and entertainment. English students can begin writing a persuasive essay at any skill level. You're sure to find a sample topic or two from the list of 100 persuasive essays below, sorted by degree of difficulty.
Watch Now: 12 Ideas for Great Persuasive Essay Topics
- Kids should get paid for good grades.
- Students should have less homework.
- Snow days are great for family time.
- Penmanship is important.
- Short hair is better than long hair.
- We should all grow our own vegetables.
- We need more holidays.
- Aliens probably exist.
- Gym class is more important than music class.
- Kids should be able to vote.
- Kids should get paid for extra activities like sports.
- School should take place in the evenings.
- Country life is better than city life.
- City life is better than country life.
- We can change the world.
- Skateboard helmets should be mandatory.
- We should provide food for the poor.
- Children should be paid for doing chores.
- We should populate the moon .
- Dogs make better pets than cats.
Intermediate
- The government should impose household trash limits.
- Nuclear weapons are an effective deterrent against foreign attack.
- Teens should be required to take parenting classes.
- We should teach etiquette in schools.
- School uniform laws are unconstitutional.
- All students should wear uniforms.
- Too much money is a bad thing.
- High schools should offer specialized degrees in arts or sciences.
- Magazine advertisements send unhealthy signals to young women.
- Robocalling should be outlawed.
- Age 12 is too young to babysit.
- Children should be required to read more.
- All students should be given the opportunity to study abroad.
- Yearly driving tests should be mandatory past age 65.
- Cell phones should never be used while driving.
- All schools should implement bullying awareness programs.
- Bullies should be kicked out of school.
- Parents of bullies should have to pay a fine.
- The school year should be longer.
- School days should start later.
- Teens should be able to choose their bedtime.
- There should be a mandatory entrance exam for high school.
- Public transit should be privatized.
- We should allow pets in school.
- The voting age should be lowered to 16.
- Beauty contests are bad for body image.
- Every American should learn to speak Spanish.
- Every immigrant should learn to speak English.
- Video games can be educational.
- College athletes should be paid for their services.
- We need a military draft .
- Professional sports should eliminate cheerleaders.
- Teens should be able to start driving at 14 instead of 16.
- Year-round school is a bad idea.
- High school campuses should be guarded by police officers.
- The legal drinking age should be lowered to 19.
- Kids under 15 shouldn't have Facebook pages.
- Standardized testing should be eliminated.
- Teachers should be paid more.
- There should be one world currency.
- Domestic surveillance without a warrant should be legal.
- Letter grades should be replaced with a pass or fail.
- Every family should have a natural disaster survival plan.
- Parents should talk to kids about drugs at a young age.
- Racial slurs should be illegal.
- Gun ownership should be tightly regulated.
- Puerto Rico should be granted statehood.
- People should go to jail when they abandon their pets.
- Free speech should have limitations.
- Members of Congress should be subject to term limits.
- Recycling should be mandatory for everyone.
- High-speed internet access should be regulated like a public utility.
- Yearly driving tests should be mandatory for the first five years after getting a license.
- Recreational marijuana should be made legal nationwide.
- Legal marijuana should be taxed and regulated like tobacco or alcohol.
- Child support dodgers should go to jail.
- Students should be allowed to pray in school.
- All Americans have a constitutional right to health care.
- Internet access should be free for everyone.
- Social Security should be privatized.
- Pregnant couples should receive parenting lessons.
- We shouldn't use products made from animals.
- Celebrities should have more privacy rights.
- Professional football is too violent and should be banned.
- We need better sex education in schools.
- School testing is not effective.
- The United States should build a border wall with Mexico and with Canada.
- Life is better than it was 50 years ago.
- Eating meat is unethical.
- A vegan diet is the only diet people should follow.
- Medical testing on animals should be illegal.
- The Electoral College is outdated.
- Medical testing on animals is necessary.
- Public safety is more important than an individual's right to privacy.
- Single-sex colleges provide a better education.
- Books should never be banned.
- Violent video games can cause people to act violently in real life.
- Freedom of religion has limitations.
- Nuclear power should be illegal.
- Climate change should be the president's primary political concern.
- Arizona State University Writing Center staff. " Persuasive Essay Structure ." ASU.edu, June 2012.
- Collins, Jen, and Polak, Adam. " Persuasive Essays ." Hamilton.edu.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/list-of-persuasive-speech-topics-for-students-1857600-v5-01-5b4774d646e0fb003701911e.png "what to write about for persuasive essay")
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
How to Write a Persuasive Essay
Updated August 17, 2022 • 5 min read
So you've been assigned a persuasive essay: lucky you! This is your best shot at learning to influence people in every arena of your life.
Everyone wants to have influence of some kind: in their relationships, their career, their community, or their online spaces.
Persuasion is at the heart of influence. Good persuaders know how to convince an audience and even move people to action.
Persuasion is a skill you learn by doing, and one of the best ways to learn is by writing a persuasive essay.
What Is a Persuasive Essay?
A persuasive essay — also called a position paper or argument essay — is a piece of academic writing in which you employ logic and evidence to convince a reader to accept your point of view.
Whether you go to college in person or online, at some point you're going to have to write a persuasive essay.
Here are five simple steps to get you started.
5 Simple Steps for Writing a Persusive Essay
1. know your audience.
All writing is written to someone. With that in mind, you need to begin by understanding your audience.
- Who are you trying to persuade?
- What do they care about?
- What views and opinions do they already hold?
- Are they already open to your point of view, or are they skeptical?
- What arguments will they find most compelling?
What works with one audience may not work with another.
Are you writing for middle-aged conservatives or for a cross-section of leftist Gen-Z undergrads? Write directly to that audience.
It is always a mistake to assume your audience will understand what you meant to say. In fact, it can be helpful to imagine that your readers are both lazy and uncharitable (really!).
- Lazy: They will not make special efforts to understand unclear writing
- Uncharitable: They will assume your claims are false
It is your job to overcome these deficiencies in your reader by:
- Writing clearly, and
- Providing sufficient evidence for your claims
2. State Your Position
This might seem obvious, but every persuasive argument should establish a clear claim. What exactly are you arguing for? If the audience has to guess, you've already lost their attention.
You can avoid that problem by developing a strong thesis statement right out the gate. Reference it frequently to keep your reader focused on the matter at hand as you build each part of your argument.
How Do I Write a Strong Thesis Statement?
The trick to composing a solid thesis statement that can motivate an entire essay is to do your research first . That way, you won't commit to a position you can't make a compelling case for.
A thesis statement should be:
- Easy to understand
- Well-researched
- Focused in scope
If your thesis statement is too broad — "I argue that we should do something to combat climate change" — the argument will be both harder to establish and less interesting.
But if your thesis statement has a tight focus — "I argue that local governments can combat climate change by funding urban gardening projects" — you will be able to present specific, convincing evidence. Your argument will be much more compelling and actionable.
3. Draw a Roadmap
Once you've stated your claim, create a roadmap for your audience. Let the readers know exactly what to expect by explaining what you are going to do and how you are going to do it.
Use keywords to guide the reader, like "first" and "second." Don't do anything in the paper that you haven't outlined in your roadmap. Tangents will only confuse your audience. Aim for a coherent, logical flow that is easy for the reader to track.
Creating a good roadmap can be a lot harder than it sounds. To make it easier, draft an outline of your entire paper before writing it.
- Thesis statement/opening paragraph
- Address objections
4. Support Your Argument
However, arguments stem from opinions. That's why we construct arguments in the first place: We have opinions, and we want other people to agree with them.
It's not enough to state your opinion with rhetorical flair. This isn't Twitter. You've got to back yourself up with good evidence and research.
Here are three things that will help you do that.
Statistics can be very convincing. It's hard to object to cold, hard numbers. Of course, stats can also be manipulated or misinterpreted, so be sure to provide the full context for any data you use and credit your sources.
Good examples, including testimony and anecdotes, can strengthen your point. Examples are vivid and exciting in a way that numbers aren't, which can help your reader see things from a new perspective. Make sure your examples are specific and applicable.
Referencing an expert's knowledge, experience, or researched conclusions is a persuasive way to provide evidence for your argument. Make sure to choose a relevant expert with good credentials. Otherwise, you'll weaken your position.
One way to absolutely sink your essay is to engage in any kind of logical fallacy to support your claims. Make sure you know what logical fallacies are and how to avoid them.
5. Anticipate Objections
One of the most persuasive things you can do is raise objections to your own points.
That may seem counterintuitive — why would I highlight viewpoints that oppose the one I'm arguing for? — but this is where knowing your audience really matters.
Your points might be brilliant and dazzling, but if your argument comes off as one-sided, your efforts at persuasion are going to fail.
On the flip side, if you can anticipate the objections your audience is most likely to raise and raise them yourself, you can then swiftly refute those objections with sound logic and good evidence.
In debate, this tactic is called a "prebuttal," and it makes your position look much stronger.
As an added benefit, the reader comes away with the sense that you have been very transparent, understood their perspective, and addressed their hesitations directly.
The result? Your audience is persuaded to agree with you.
If you want to ace that persuasive essay, dominate that debate, or learn how to effectively influence others, follow these five steps:
- Know your audience
- State your position clearly
- Draw a roadmap
- Support your arguments with evidence, including data, examples, and experts
- Anticipate and respond to objections
Also, check out your school's writing center! The folks who work there can help you master these techniques for free.
Meg Embry is a Colorado-based writer for TheBestSchools.org covering higher education. She is an award-winning journalist who has lived and worked in Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Header Image Credit: Ezra Bailey, Elke Schroeder / EyeEm | Getty Images
Learn more, do more.
More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge., popular with our students..
Highly informative resources to keep your education journey on track.
Take the next step toward your future with online learning.
Discover schools with the programs and courses you’re interested in, and start learning today.
The Edvocate
- Lynch Educational Consulting
- Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
- Write For Us
- The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
- The Edvocate Podcast
- Terms and Conditions
- Privacy Policy
- Assistive Technology
- Child Development
- Classroom Management
- Early Childhood
- EdTech & Innovation
- Education Leadership
- First Year Teachers
- Gifted and Talented Education
- Parental Involvement
- Policy & Reform
- Special Education
- Best Colleges and Universities
- Best College and University Programs
- HBCU’s
- Higher Education
- Higher Education EdTech
- International Education
- The Awards Process
- Finalists and Winners of The 2021 Tech Edvocate Awards
- Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
- Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
- Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
- Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
- Award Seals
- GPA Calculator for College
- GPA Calculator for High School
- Cumulative GPA Calculator
- Grade Calculator
- Weighted Grade Calculator
- Final Grade Calculator
- The Tech Edvocate
- AI Powered Personal Tutor
25 Interactive Synonym Activities to Boost Kids’ Language Skills
20 alliteration activities to add to your classroom, 20 fantastic pre-reading activities, 17 engaging taxonomy activities, 20 marvellous microscope activity ideas, 24 engaging synchronous activities for online learning, 20 brain-based learning activities, 22 guiding activities for learners of all ages, 20 counting coins activities that will make money fun for your students, 20 fantastic morse code activities, 100+ persuasive essay topics.
Are you a student looking for persuasive essay topics? If so, we have you covered. Below you will find a list of the best persuasive essay topics.
Persuasive Essay Topics About School
- What do you think that the punishment for cheating should be?
- Do you think that pupils be allowed to have phones at school?
- What’s the most exciting subject to learn?
- Do you think that homework should be required?
- Do you believe that your school handles bullying well?
- Are dress codes an excellent idea for schools?
- Is the school day too long?
- Do you think that pupils get to choose what they study?
- What school rules would you change?
- Is it a great idea for friends to sit together in class?
- Do you believe that school starts too early?
- Do you think that pupils take a self-defense class?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Food
- What’s best: pizza or hot dogs?
- Do you think that kids learn how to cook their own food?
- Is it more fun to eat in a restaurant or at home?
- What is the best dessert?
- Do you think that healthy food cost less than junk food?
- Is eating meat a great idea?
- Is it best to snack all day or have three set meals?
- Do you think that sugary drinks be allowed at school?
- Do you think that kids have to eat foods they don’t like?
- What is the best food to serve at an event or party?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Animals
- If you decide to train an animal, what is the best animal to pick?
- Do you think that it be okay to keep wild animals as pets?
- Do you think that pets be allowed in school?
- What animal makes the best pet?
- What animal makes the worst pet?
- Are big dogs best than small dogs?
- Do you think that you adopt your pet from an animal shelter?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Sports and Activities
- Who is the best athlete on the planet?
- What is the best hobby to learn?
- What is the best sport to watch?
- Do you think that girls be allowed to play on boys’ sports teams?
- Are team sports best than individual sports?
- Is it funnier to play sports or watch?
- Are summer sports best than winter sports?
- Do you think that pupils have to stop playing a sport if their grades aren’t high enough?
- Are professional athletes paid too much?
- What’s the best thing to do on a rainy day?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Entertainment
- What’s the best genre of music to listen to when you’re unhappy?
- Do you think that music and movies be free?
- Are great guys or bad guys more interesting?
- What is the funniest movie ever made?
- Are reality shows best than other shows?
- What is the best book ever written?
- Are scary movies enjoyable to watch?
- Are comedies best than action movies?
- What is the best superpower to have?
- Do you think that audience members be able to film live concerts?
- Is it best to see a movie in the theater or stream it at home?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Social Issues
- Do you think that wealthy citizens pay more taxes?
- Are teens ruder than other generations?
- Are individuals with mental illnesses treated fairly by society?
- Is social media good or bad?
- Do violent video games make people aggressive?
- Is capital punishment moral?
- Do you think that we give money to homeless people?
- Do you think that countries use a military draft?
- If countries are overpopulated, Do you think that the government should limit the number of kids in each family?
- Are drunk drivers punished appropriately?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Education
- How much do you think that parents be involved in their kids’ education?
- Do you think that families be able to choose the schools that their kids attend?
- Is classroom learning best than online learning?
- Which is best: year-round school or summer vacation?
- Do you think that teachers use social media to communicate with their pupils?
- Do pupils deserve the same rights as adults?
- Do you think that college should be free?
- Which is best: letter grading systems or pass/fail?
- Do you think that pupils have to learn sex education in school?
- Is obtaining a college education required to have a great career?
- Do you think that schools have security guards?
- Are exams the best way to see what pupils are learning?
Persuasive Essay Topics About History and Government
- Was early European exploration a great thing or a bad thing?
- Was America’s use of the atom bomb in World War II ethical?
- Do you think that businesses be allowed to donate to political candidates?
- Is democracy the best form of government?
- Do you think that kids who are born in another nation have citizenship there?
- Should there be limits to the freedom of speech?
- Do you think that members of Congress receive a salary during government shutdowns?
- If a felon has completed their sentences, Do you think that they should be allowed to vote?
- What is the most unfair law in the nation?
- Is America the most powerful nation in the world?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Science and Technology
- Do you think that America will fund another trip to the moon?
- Is too much screen time harmful to kids?
- Is climate change real?
- Do you think that businesses be allowed to create pollution if they’re making greats that benefit society?
- What is the most essential scientific breakthrough of your lifetime?
- Is it okay for businesses to sell their customers’ information?
- Do you think that the government spends time and resources on renewable energy?
- Are clinical trials that use placebos moral?
- Is animal testing moral?
- Do you think that parents be able to choose their babies’ traits before they’re born?
Persuasive Essay Topics About Health and Nutrition
- Do you think that schools sell only healthy food?
- Is legalizing marijuana a great idea?
- Do you think that parents be required to vaccinate their kids?
- Do you think that doctors and teachers screen teenagers for depression?
- Are genetically modified foods safe?
- Do you think that physical education should be required in schools?
- Do you think that schools be allowed to drug test pupils whenever they want? What about businesses and their employees?
- Are professional sports too dangerous?
- Do you think that healthcare should be universal?
- Do you think that healthy people pay less for healthcare?
Unique Persuasive Essay Ideas
- How much do you think that the public knows about a celebrity’s personal life?
- Is there ever an excellent reason for war?
- Is it moral to train dogs as service animals?
- Is it best to listen to music while working, or to work in silence?
- What is the most remarkable career to have?
- Do zoos protect animals or exploit them?
- Is it best to be 2, 12, 22, or 32?
- Do you think that people be allowed to clone themselves?
- What is the worst season?
- Is it best to be a morning person or a night person?
- Is loving your job more essential than making a lot of money?
- What is the most essential crop to the modern economy?
- Do you think that you make new friends as you get older or focus on keeping the friends you have?
- If aliens came to Earth, do you think that we befriend them?
- Is print news still essential in a technological world?
- Is it best to be rich and alone or poor and have friends?
- Do you think that parents teach their kids old-fashioned manners?
- Is life best than it was 30 years ago?
- How would you persuade your mayor to build a skate park?
23 Ways to Improve Students Reading Comprehension ...
100+ argumentative essay topics.
Matthew Lynch
Related articles more from author.
Understanding the Historical Roots of Today’s Public Education
4 Factors to Consider about Teaching Jobs and School Reform
17 Strategies to Help Students Who Have Excessive Unexcused Tardiness
24 Genius Ways for Encouraging Students to Control Their Anger
24 Ways to Teach Students Not to Blurt Out Answers During Class
10 School Report Writing Tips to Save Time
Top 257 Good Persuasive Essay Topics [Tips & Prompts]
What if your teacher assigned you to write an essay about anything you like? It would excite you at first. You’d consider endless opportunities to express yourself and show your writing skills…
…But then, you start looking for a good persuasive essay idea, and nothing seems to stand out.
Don’t worry:
We have a list of good persuasive essay topics for you! IvyPanda’s team compiled these great ideas that you can explore in detail. Use them for academic writing or public speaking—they would sound convincing either way. And don’t forget to check out our tips on composing a perfect persuasive essay.
Let’s get started and see if you like anything!
- ✋ What Is a Good Topic?
- 📌 Top-12 Topics
- 🎉 Funny Essay Topics
- 🎈 For Elementary Students
- 👩🏫 For Middle & High School
- 🎓 For College
- 🦉 For Higher English
- 🏈 Sports Topics
- 🩺 Health Topics
- 📲 Social Media Topics
- 🎹 Music Topics
- 💖 Love & Family Topics
- ✔ 60 More Topics
- 💁♀️ 6 Tips on Writing
- 📜 5 Writing Prompts
✋ What is a Good Persuasive Topic?
We can start by understanding what some good persuasive topics ideas are. A lot of people think that persuasive writing is the same thing as the argumentative one. They cannot be more wrong.
Argumentative one is a type of writing that presents arguments without trying to convince anyone. Moreover, it shows both sides of a dispute. There are numerous beautiful essay examples that demonstrate it.
Persuasive writing is a piece of academic writing, which attempts to persuade that the presented viewpoint is more legitimate than any other. The word “persuade” derives from the Latin word “persuadere,” which means “to convince.” This type of essay doesn’t only describe a situation. It takes a stand and delivers a point.
You can use a good persuasive essay topic for both writing and speech preparation. Public speaking can become a lot more engaging when you have a convincing title. Here you can find one that can serve as an exceptional speech idea.
A persuasive topic is good if:
- It serves the purpose. You should be able to develop the topic. Check if there is room for discussion and analysis. For that, make sure there are plenty of primary and secondary sources available. It’s a good idea to check it out before picking your topic.
- It’s engaging for you. Remember that it’s you who will have to write your essay. So, pick something that genuinely interests you. Make sure you will be able to write about it with ease.
- It’s relevant to your readers. Always keep in mind the people who will read your paper. Who is your target audience? Pick a topic that resonates with your audience. Choose something that matters to them.
- It’s unique. One of the best things you can do when coming up with ideas is to stay original and fresh. Of course, it’s quite challenging to find a completely unique topic. However, even if it is more or less common, attempt to find an unusual perspective on the issue.
📌 Top-12 Good Persuasive Essay Ideas
- Is the Internet safe for young kids?
- Should we abolish zoos?
- Can animal testing be ethical?
- Is euthanasia a human right?
- Do public libraries need more funding?
- Is green energy reliable?
- Can we remain anonymous online?
- Is gender a social construct?
- How can debt be relieved for college students?
- Is there a point to political debates?
- Did the 2020 pandemic change the world?
- What is better – high school or middle school?
🎉 Funny Persuasive Essay Topics
Writing about something funny and entertaining is always more pleasant. Not only it puts you in a good mood, but also it helps you to train your sense of humor and stay creative. For your audience, it is even more exciting to read something fun.
This list of funny persuasive essay topics ideas will help you to start your essay. Or it can assist with brainstorming and generating your unique funny ideas.
- Girls do not like gossiping more than boys do. It is a widespread belief, but do you think it depends on gender? Or is it a stereotype that we keep perpetuating? If you ask any man if he gossips, the answer will most probably be negative. However, it is not valid. Men gossip as well. The difference is that they don’t consider their conversations as gossiping.
- Why should people eat less junk food? There are so many good reasons why people should eat less junk food. You can start with listing health benefits, the financial aspects of it. Add data about the inability to check sanitary norms and allergy restrictions. It is a straightforward and exciting topic to write about.
- Everyone should know how to cook.
- Why do smokers have more acquaintances?
- Why parents should stop lying about Santa Claus .
- People should live together before getting married.
- The color of your hair does not affect your IQ. There is a common stereotype that your hair color can somehow determine your IQ. This stereotype has been reinforced by Hollywood movies, magazines, and even by some ordinary people. Can it be true? Find some good scientific explanation for the position you hold.
- Why is social media great for you?
- Regular exercise can help you be happy .
- Netflix can help you grow as an individual.
- Why should homework not be given to kids?
- Overprotection can make your child fail in life . Every parent should allow kids to make mistakes. Unfortunately, that is how we learn. Without this valuable experience, we cannot succeed as adults. We will not be able to make crucial decisions because we will be so afraid of failure. Parents should be able to teach their kids that failure is normal because it is a part of life.
- Physical attractiveness can help you succeed .
😊 Good Persuasive Essay Topics
When you are trying to find a persuasive essay topic, it may not work for you. The task is either too simple or way too hard. This list is arranged based on your academic level. Hopefully, it will help you to navigate and find the topic for a persuasive essay.
🎈 Persuasive Essay Topics for Elementary Students
Being able to persuade others is a vital skill. To do that, we need to learn how to express our thoughts and ideas logically and coherently. Your sentences and words should be straight to the point.
These skills should be trained even at elementary school. This list can help you to come up with the topic for the next elementary school essay.
- School uniform is a good idea . If you disagree with this statement, you can easily change it to be what you agree with. There are plenty of reasons why a school uniform is a great idea. First, it teaches kids to obey authority. They will wear uniforms for the rest of their life no matter what professional path they will use. Second of all, it helps to balance economic differences between kids. Some parents cannot afford expensive clothing, while others can.
- School breaks should be longer.
- Watching TV is good for you.
- Why there should be no homework .
- Eating vegetables is good for your health .
- Why every child should be allowed to have a pet . Having a pet lets you experience what it is to be an adult. It teaches you responsibility. If you have a pet, you can share the lessons you have learned.
- Summer and Winter are the best seasons.
- Kids should be allowed to play computer games.
- I should be able to go to bed when I want to.
- Kids should be able to vote.
- My parents should pay me for doing chores.
- Why having a piggy bank can help you in life. Financial education should start at a very early age. Kids should be able to understand the value of money and what it means to save. If you have a piggy bank, you can share what benefits it has for you.
- Students should be able to give grades to teachers.
- Should we get paid for good grades?
- Having a big family has more benefits than disadvantages.
- Cats are better than dogs.
- Students should be allowed to pick their teachers.
- Using a cell phone at school should be allowed .
- Why learning another language is good for you. Do you like traveling? Or watching movies and cartoons? Learning another language can help you to do so while using a foreign language. It also provides you with a competitive edge and an advantage in the future.
- Everyone should have a hobby.
👩🏫 Persuasive Essay Topics for Middle & High School
Middle and high school is a place where you can learn and train the essential life skills. There is learning how to count, write, and communicate with others. Besides all of this, you can learn how to be convincing and persuasive. Essay writing is a great way to do that.
So, if you can choose your essay topic, try to go for a persuasive essay topic.
- Smoking is bad for you .
- The school day should start later in the day.
- Households should be obliged to recycle .
- Books should be replaced with tablets. Books are the things of the past. Having to carry heavy books is not necessary anymore. A tablet can contain hundreds of books. It is also better for the environment and forest preservation. If you agree with this statement, choose this persuasive essay topic.
- The Internet is the best invention of the 20th century . Pretty much everyone will agree with you. A modern world would be so much more difficult without the Internet. It elevates communication to another level and provides information. Some people disagree with these statements. They think that the Internet is not the best invention of the 20th century.
- Smoking should be banned in all public spaces.
- Why city life is better than country life.
- The Internet should be free for everyone. It is a critical component of modern life. Such things as applying for taxes, looking for a job, working are impossible nowadays without access to the Internet. Even applying to university, or for scholarships to support your studies cannot be done without it. Consequently, it should be free.
- Should tattoos be illegal?
- Women should be allowed to breastfeed in public.
- Eating chocolate is healthy .
- Animal dissection is inhumane.
- Cities should have a free bike-sharing.
- Video games promote violence . Video games are sometimes connected to violent actions. Kids who play video games are more likely to engage in intense activity. Elaborate on this view or argue against it.
- Social Media is bad for your self-image.
- Who do you consider your hero, and why?
- Texting while driving should be illegal.
- Why zoos should be banned . Lots of individuals love going to zoos. However, look at it from an ethical perspective. You will see why zoos should be forbidden for a large number of reasons. In this essay, you can give your personal opinion. For example, tell your reader why keeping animals in cages is inhumane.
- Gender divided schools are bad for kids.
- The benefits of having younger siblings.
🎓 Persuasive Essay Ideas for College
Choosing a persuasive essay idea for the college level is a real challenge. We’ve already done the hardest part for you and created a list of interesting topics. See if anything looks persuasive enough for your next paper or a public talk.
- How should Americans solve the gun violence issue in the United States?
- One policy that should be implemented in the educational sector.
- Why should public universities have free tuition?
- The death penalty is an ineffective way to prosecute .
- Hunting is not an ethical hobby. Many people believe that it is not a decent hobby because it makes animals suffer. Sometimes an animal can survive the shot but later on experience a prolonged and painful death. Find arguments that support this point of view. You can think that there is nothing wrong with hunting. Then highlight that love for animals and this hobby are not two mutually exclusive concepts.
- Vegetarianism does not save animals.
- Mcdonalds should not be an official sponsor of any sporting event.
- The world should have free borders.
- Abstract art is not art.
- Online learning is best for students and teachers .
- The importance of equal representation of genders and races in the police.
- Capital punishment should be abolished .
- Churches should be required to pay taxes. This debate continues for decades. A lot of people believe that churches should be stripped of their tax-exempt charity status. One of the reasons is that the Catholic Church is the wealthiest organization in the world.
- Teachers should be paid more .
- Americans should speak more languages.
- Beauty contests are bad for teenage girls’ self-image. This type of competition degrades women to mere sexual objects. Those who are not able to participate in such contests end up being affected as well. They feel that they are not good enough. Explore some other arguments about why beauty contests are not good for teenagers.
- Standardized tests should be banned.
- Why should there be only one currency in the world?
- Pets should be allowed to join children at school.
- Why cyberbullying should become a crime .
🦉 Persuasive Essay Topics for Higher English
College students majoring in English can use one of these topics for their essays. Writing a persuasive speech or paper starts with picking the right idea.
Check out this great list of creative and unusual topics for essay writing. Our ideas can help you to deliver an outstanding result that will pleasantly surprise your readers.
- The question of authority is the focus of The Giver by Lois Lowry.
- Why abortions should be allowed.
- People should be charged for racial slurs.
- Guns should not be allowed on College Campuses .
- Elementary schools should focus on teaching how to type, not handwrite.
- Security cameras at a workplace are an invasion of privacy .
- College football should be banned. It is just too dangerous.
- Parents should never lie to their kids. In this essay, you can explain what happens to kids when their parents lie to them. Later in life, it may create a colossal distrust. You can also talk about common lies parents tell their kids such as Santa, dead pet, or swallowing chewing gum.
- Illegal immigration benefits the American economy .
- Do we live in the society predicted by Ray Bradberry in Fahrenheit 451?
- Should priests be allowed to get married?
- Does the government have a right to choose what it censors?
- How the current tax system overburdens middle-class citizens.
- Religious beliefs do not define a person.
- Being egoistic should be encouraged. Being selfish is usually seen as a negative trait. However, psychologists believe that being selfish can make you a better individual. Find arguments that support this point of view. You can claim that being selfish can help you stay healthy or even have better relationships. There are many good arguments you can make that will persuade your readers.
- Sexual desire does not define human behavior.
- Equal rights between men and women are impossible to attain. Elaborate on the topic expressing this or the opposing view. Provide both arguments and counterarguments, striving to convince your reader.
- Women are better at collaborating and executing than men.
- There is a danger in being neutral.
- Should all residents receive free health care?
🎈 Great Persuasive Essay Topics according to Theme
We organized our topics thematically as well. It could help you to search for the right one as you may have to write a persuasive essay for a specific class.
Maybe you have a passion for music, or sports, or a healthy lifestyle. Then, you can go to a theme you like the most. Select a good persuasive essay topic that works.
🏈 Persuasive Essay Topics about Sports
Who does not like sports? Okay, maybe some individuals do not enjoy it. However, most students choose not to write essays about it.
Do you know why?
Mainly because it is hard to find the topic. It is especially problematic when you want to find a good one. This list will give you some fresh persuasive essay ideas.
- Don’t generalize college athletes . There is a common belief that all college athletes are not very smart. In this essay, you should provide reasoning on why this statement is wrong.
- Cheerleading should also be regarded as a sport.
- Only women should be allowed to train female teams.
- Universities should stop spending so much money on sports programs . This essay topic is another debate in American society. A lot of people believe that spending this amount of money on sports does not make sense. We could redirect this money to academics and financial support for students in need. The best schools in the USA do not have large sports programs, explain why.
- Not every sportsperson can be a good coach.
- Every college athlete should get insurance .
- Women should be allowed to compete against men.
- An issue of homophobia in sports.
- Cheerleaders should wear different costumes because the current ones are sexist.
- Why parents should let their kids play extreme sports . Think about why parents should allow their children to participate in such activities. First, you can write about why kids want to do extreme sports. Second, you can elaborate on why parents do not want to let that. You will be surprised at what you might find.
- Fame is the main factor in getting a sports-related career.
- College athletes should get paid as much as the professional ones .
- Chess should become an Olympic sport.
- Sports help with managing depression and anxiety.
- Michael Jordan is the most successful athlete of all time .
🩺 Persuasive Health Topics
This particular section has some ideas of the persuasive essay topics about health. Each section has about five titles.
Let’s see what health topics you can use:
Medical Persuasive Essay Topics
- Everyone should have a right to euthanasia .
- The importance of talking to kids about sex .
- Healthcare should be free. First and foremost, free healthcare can save millions of lives. So, it creates a foundation for a right and just society. Some of the poorest people cannot afford to pay their medical bills. It creates even more inequality in society.
- Talking about childhood cancer is essential to fight it.
- Why marijuana should not be legalized . There is a popular belief that marijuana is not dangerous. However, some scientists disagree with this statement. In this essay, you can persuade your readers not to support the legalization of the drug. Or you can do the opposite. Convince them that it is not harmful and can be beneficial for your health.
Persuasive Essay Topics on Healthy Lifestyle
- Your eating habits affect your personality.
- Seven harmful effects of junk food .
- The vegetarian diet is the healthiest one.
- Unhealthy foods taste so good because it’s a manipulation. This topic is a funny one, but many people probably had the same type of questions. Why do unhealthy foods taste so good? Not only it pleases our taste buds, but it also triggers brain chemicals to start reacting.
- Poor nutrition and life expectancy connection.
Persuasive Essay Topics on Mental Health
- Misuse of ADHD medication among college students.
- Stigma and discrimination affect gay men’s mental health.
- Does playing music during pregnancy increase a baby’s IQ?
- Playing with Barbie dolls can later manifest in eating disorders . Girls who played with Barbie dolls are convinced that their bodies are not perfect. They feel as if they need to diet. An impossible ideal of Barbie creates a disturbance in body image. Society needs to see that playing with skinny dolls does not cause eating disorders. It increases the risks of having low self-esteem. This essay can provide a fresh look at something as innocent as playing with a doll.
- The stigma associated with mental illness has to be eliminated.
Persuasive Essay Topics on Depression
- The connection between perfectionism and anxiety.
- Teenage Depression is more common than you think . Some individuals believe that teenagers nowadays have very unrealistic expectations. They claim the media and Social Media continuously promote a message about “feeling good.” Many people do not teach their kids vital skills on how to manage their lives under pressure. Find some data that can show how regular the issue is. Prove your point with facts and opinions from trustworthy sources.
- Every school should have a mechanism to help students with mental health issues.
- Recognizing the symptoms, signs, and risk factors of OCD is important .
- The reasons why everyone should have a psychologist. There are plenty of reasons why everyone should see a therapist. An essay can discuss some of them and maybe convince people to start therapy.
📲 Social Media Persuasive Essay Topics
Social Media has a considerable impact on the world we live in. Therefore, in the past years, essay topics about it became increasingly popular.
A Social Media persuasive topic should be intriguing, controversial, and relatable.
- The negative effects of Social Media .
- What makes a successful Social Media marketing plan. Some many different tricks and tips help to make a successful social media marketing plan. However, stick to the essential ones. What you are trying to do and what you want to achieve should be the focus. In the world of marketing, it is called S.M.A.R.T. goals.
- The importance of attention getter in writing an Instagram post.
- Don’t forget to live your life, not only to document it for Social Media.
- Teenagers spend too much time on Social Media . In the modern world, almost everyone has a device. People spend a lot of time looking at the screen. Teenagers spend even more. Explain whether it is a problem or how it can be changed. What are the dangers of spending too much time on Social Media?
- A specific purpose of Social Media.
- The positive effects of Social Media.
- Social Media addiction among older people . You might be surprised, but social media addiction exists even among older people. First, talk about what is considered social media addiction. Then talk about how it can be changed. Why should it be changed?
- The reasons why Twitter is popular among celebrities.
- Social Media opened new possibilities for business.
- The world cannot survive without Social Media.
- Social Media promotes cyberbullying.
- Social Media strengthens relationships between people . Despite a lot of negative effects, one thing remains clear: social media helps people to stay in touch. The world we live in today became much smaller because of social media.
- Social Media and Networking Sites are a great help in your professional development.
- Social Media is a social problem.
- Social Comparison caused by Social Media is something we cannot avoid.
- Social Media Influencers are not celebrities.
- The Internet heavily affects News .
- Social Media should not be allowed in the workplace.
🎹 Persuasive Topics on Music
Everyone loves music—both listening to it and reading about it. Imagine how pleasantly surprised your peers will be if you choose a persuasive essay topic on it. Choose an artist or a genre and get creative.
- Hard Rock music is the music of violence.
- Rap music is not music—it’s poetry. A lot of people believe that rap isn’t music but poetry. Do you agree? If you do, then this topic is excellent for you. Look at the history of rap music. You will find some great arguments that support this view. What was the purpose of the first songs?
- Some people have an addiction to music.
- Depressive songs can be triggering for people with mental issues. Sad music usually goes hand-in-hand with depression. If you aren’t feeling well, it is quite reasonable if you choose sad music. However, researchers say that sad music can worsen your condition, so you should be careful. There are a lot of great experiments that demonstrate this idea and prove this point. Your essay can be quite helpful for those battling with their emotions and feelings.
- Music does not always have a positive effect.
- Kids should not listen to death metal.
- Hip hop dancing is a mainstream American culture now.
- Why music talent shows are so popular in America .
- Kids who listen to hip hop music are more rebellious than the rest. Rap music is heavily scrutinized. Kids who listen to rap and hip-hop may be more rebellious than others. It can happen since that such music often advocates violence and rebellion.
- The Negative view of women in hip hop music videos is outdated.
- The similarities between ballet and hip hop .
- The music can influence our behavior .
- The positive aspects of playing a musical instrument.
- Classical music and intelligence.
- The music reflects society and its authenticity.
- The positive effects of Mozart’s music on babies. There are so many advantages when it comes to listening to classical music. That’s why many parents in the United States start playing classical music to kids at a very early age.
- Blacks express themselves through music for centuries.
- Even plants grow better with classical music.
- Jazz is an extinct music genre.
- Reasons why most people do not like country music.
💖 Persuasive Essay Topics about Love & Family
All we need is love. It is a very famous song, and it is so true. Here’s a list of topics about love and family for you to be able to get inspired.
- Love is more than a set of chemical reactions. What is love? A lot of writers, scientists, philosophers, artists tried to answer this question. According to science, love is no more than a set of chemical reactions in the brain. Can it be true? You can argue that love is more sophisticated than any chemical reaction. Finding arguments that support this viewpoint should not be complicated. Or take the opposite stand.
- Everyone needs love.
- Why men do not understand women.
- It is not a good idea to live together before marriage.
- Hitting kids should be a crime. Children cannot make a connection between their actions and physical. Therefore, any form of aggression to children should become illegal. The only thing they feel is pain, so kids should not be physically punished. You can talk about the short-term and long-term effects of childhood traumas caused by caregivers.
- Every parent should talk to kids about sex.
- Why can people be happy only if they have love in their life?
- Love is the only way we can fight racism.
- Why parents should not drink and smoke in front of their children.
- Are marriage bonds are more reliable than any other relationship?
- The concept of love is different from culture to culture .
- The love between Romeo and Juliet was not mature.
- A love of a woman is different .
- Looking beyond imperfections is essential for success in marriage.
- Sacrifice is an element in family life. To build a happy family, we may need to learn the quality of sacrifice. In your essay, you can talk about why it may be necessary. What does it help to achieve? You can include your life examples and show the benefits of sacrifice.
- The changing landscape of love and marriage .
- Love and marriage are incompatible .
- Can parents leave their kids at home alone before 13 years old?
- Teenagers should have more free time.
✔ 60 More Persuasive Essay Topics
In this section, you can find 60 more persuasive essay topics.
1. Persuasive Essay Topics: UK
Choosing a good persuasive essay topic can be difficult. For UK students and students interested in UK culture, finding this section can be such a relief. These ten topics were waiting for you:
- Why Are UK Universities Better than the ones in the USA’s ones? It is a very subjective idea. Though it has a place to exist. If you think that UK universities are better, develop this idea into a persuasive essay.
- Why are UK musicians so famous in America?
- Brexit will help the UK to prosper.
- Why some believe that Shakespeare didn’t write his plays . You have probably heard this point of view before. However, you do not have to agree with it. You could find good arguments to demonstrate this common belief. Explain your position and why people think this way.
- Scotland’s version of UK history is different.
- The UN and International Peace .
- British and English are not synonyms.
- The history of the Northern Ireland crisis.
- Difficult relationships between the United Kingdom and the EU.
2. Persuasive Essay Topics: Philippines
- The effects of globalization on poverty in The Philippines.
- Death penalty laws in The Philippines are cruel.
- Critical issues in the Philippines should be resolved immediately.
- Benefits of a nationwide smoking ban in the Philippines.
- The quality of education in the Philippines should be higher.
3. Persuasive Essay Topics: Canada
- The impact of immigration on the geography of Canada is exceptional. Did you know that Canada receives more than 200.000 immigrants per year? Discuss how it affects economic geography in Canada. Where do most immigrants decide to reside? What happens to the job market?
- Canadian immigration is marked with a history of discrimination.
- Democratic racism in Canada is apparent.
- Canada is in denial about the issue of gender inequality .
- The most famous Canadian women and their achievements are underappreciated.
4. Persuasive Essay Topics: Social Science
- There is a connection between mental illness and aging.
- There are effects of violent movies on psychology. Absolutely everything that people see and watch affects their psychology. It affects us in one way or the other. Unfortunately, nowadays, violence is one of the most common forms of entertainment. This essay can persuade people to watch less violent movies.
- We have to deal with the social issues of families in poverty .
- Technology positively impacts society.
- There are negative consequences of individualism .
5. LGBT+ Persuasive Essay Topics
- Social problems in relation to the LGBT population is still an issue.
- LGBT labor and employment discrimination issues . Unfortunately, the LGBT community still faces discrimination. Besides showing the state of affairs, try to change your reader’s attitude. Make them see it as a social issue.
- The effects of cyberbullying on the LGBT community are significant.
- There is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender discrimination in the Hispanic community.
- The causes of homosexual discrimination in American society .
6. Emotional Persuasive Essay Topics
- The importance of the use of ethos, pathos, logos in essay writing.
- The reasons why we should protect the environment.
- Should older people be allowed to drive?
- Is access to the internet a human right?
- The American dream is no longer attainable.
7. Deep Persuasive Essay Topics
- Should graffiti be considered a form of art?
- Stereotypes of American citizens .
- Why the debate over free education for all students should be over.
- Why is it important to teach Shakespeare in school?
- Art and music therapy should be covered by health insurance.
8. Harry Potter: Persuasive Essay Topics
- Does the sorting hat know more than humans?
- Is there a deeper meaning in Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone?
- A theme of love and betrayal in J.K.Rowling’s books is prominent. A lot of critics believe that Harry Potter is not about magic but love. It is a recurring theme in the whole series.
- Hogwarts: a home away from home.
- We should discuss the symbolism of deathly hallows more.
9. Fashion: Persuasive Essay Topics
- Eco-friendly clothing is the next type of fashion.
- Why is a style more important than fashion?
- What does your choice of dress tell about you?
- Fashion photography is a form of art, as well.
- What are the concepts of beauty in the fashion industry?
10. Domestic Violence: Persuasive Essay Topics
- We have to take into account a cross-cultural perspective on domestic abuse. Different cultures approach domestic violence with varying levels of tolerance. In multicultural families, it can be a challenging problem to address. In your essay, you should try to explain why, in some places, people tolerate domestic violence. Elaborate on why, in other areas, it is forbidden.
- Domestic violence against women is a prominent problem.
- Domestic abuse against men exists too. Not everyone understands, but domestic violence against men is an issue. However, people discuss it less commonly, and men do not like to share their experiences. Why? They prefer to maintain their sharp facade. However, domestic abuse is damaging to everyone.
- There is significant emotional abuse in low-income families.
- Child abuse is still a problem .
11. Persuasive Agriculture Topics
- How urban agriculture affects the economy .
- The agricultural effects on wild animals.
- Should GMO organisms in farming be allowed?
- The issue of agricultural modernization in third world countries .
- Organic farming should be the only type of farming.
👩🏫 6 Tips on Writing a Persuasive Essay
A persuasive essay is one of the most common types of academic writing. You, as a student, will be required to master it. The goal is to present a distinct opinion on a topic and illustrate it with arguments and evidence. Hopefully, by the end of this section, you will be able to write a good persuasive essay.
As you already can guess from the name, in the essay, you have to is to persuade (convince) others. Attempts to make people feel and think a certain way. To be able to do that, you need to have a good grasp of logos, pathos, and ethos.
Even heard of it?
A Greek philosopher Aristotle discovered this theory. A good speech that can convince others depends on three elements, which are:
- Logos refers to the part responsible for logical persuasion;
- Pathos refers to the part responsible for emotional appeal;
- Ethos refers to the extent readers are willing to trust the writer.
So, you should determine and implement logos, pathos, and ethos in your essay. You might not be able to use the third one, though. It deals with your social status and reputation.
Now let’s understand what makes a persuasive essay so great:
- Your distinctive position supported by both arguments and counterarguments.
- A compelling style that influences your reader.
- An adequate organization that ensures the natural progression of your argumentation.
📜 5 Persuasive Writing Prompts
In this section, we will give you some good ideas for using both logos and pathos. It is essential to remember about these components if you are writing a persuasive essay. These five persuasive writing prompts will help you to start:
- Immigrants are not a threat to American society. This is such a familiar debate. Some politicians and regular people see immigrants as a threat to American society. Present several facts that argue against the idea. Elaborate on the increase in human capital, innovation, science. Appeal to the fact that America is a country that was built by immigrants.
- The immoral aspect of eating animals. Have you ever heard about the Animal Rights movement? It exists, and it states that causing suffering to animals is immoral. You can argue for or against it. You can say that humans were created to eat meat. Or claim that the Bible says we should be vegetarians. There are many logos and pathos arguments that you can make if you decide to choose this topic.
- Having a lot of friends is impossible. A lot of times, people confuse who is their friend and who is their acquaintance. In this essay, try to find a good definition of who you would call a friend. Friendship requires a lot of time and effort. Is it possible to maintain a lot of friendship relationships?
- Sexual orientation is determined in childhood. A lot of people believe that sexual orientation is determined later in life. However, most LGBTQ+ persons state that it is not valid. They say that their sexual orientation became evident to them even when they were kids. You can develop this argument and include some personal stories of people you know.
- Capital punishment is a crime. In this essay, you can give your opinion about capital punishment. Choose the position you genuinely believe in and support it with evidence. One thing is clear; capital punishment is a susceptible subject. No matter what view you have, you will most probably meet some opposition. Stick to logical arguments and try not to appeal too much to pathos.
Thank you for reading this article! Do not hesitate to share our persuasive essay topics with your friends and fellow students. And leave a comment below—we’d be happy to learn your opinion.
🔗 References
- 100 Persuasive Essay Topics: Grace Fleming, ThoughtCo
- Writing Resources: Writing Center Handouts, Hamilton College
- Ten Timeless Persuasive Writing Techniques: Brian Clark, Copyblogger
- How to Write a Good Argumentative Essay, Easy Step-by-Step Guide: Malcolm Gladwell, MasterClass
- Persuasive Essay, Examples and Definition of Persuasive Essay: Literary Devices, Definition and Examples of literary Items
- Persuasive Essay Outline: HCC Learning Web
- How To Write A Persuasive Essay: Writing Guides, Ultius
- Tips To Write An Effective Persuasive Essay: Melissa Burns, The College Puzzle
- Tips for Organizing an Argumentative Essay: Judith L. Beumer Writing Center
- Counterargument: Gordon Harvey (adapted from The Academic Essay: A Brief Anatomy), for the Writing Center at Harvard University
- 60 Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics: K12 Reader
- 434 Good Persuasive Topics for Speech or Essay: My Speech Class
- How to Write Persuasive Essays: Matrix Education
- 31 Powerful Persuasive Writing Techniques: Writtent
- A CS Research Topic Generator or How To pick A Worthy Topic In 10 Seconds: Purdue University
- Topic Ideas Generator: Online Research Library Questia
- English Grammar, Grammar Rules and Tips: Grammarist, English Grammar, Usage, and Style Blog
- How Do I Cite Sources: Plagiarism.org
- Writing Essays: Learning Development, Plymouth University
- Citation Style and Reference Formats: C. Rodkin, Association for Computing Machinery
- Effective Writing Grammar Rules: Grammar Book
- Effective Persuasion Presentation: Purdue Writing Lab, College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University
- The Basics of Essay Writing: UNSW Current Students
- Writing Paragraphs: The Writing Centre, University of Ottawa
- Share via Facebook
- Share via Twitter
- Share via LinkedIn
- Share via email
You might also like
110 Original History Essay Questions: Examples and Topics
Cool History Topics: 151 Great Historical Events & Ideas
20 Ways Handwriting Is Good for You and Your Studying
Writing a Persuasive Essay
View in pdf format, the introduction.
Simply enough, the introductory paragraph introduces the argument of your paper. A well-constructed introductory paragraph immediately captures a reader’s interest and gives appropriate background information about the paper’s topic. Such a paragraph might include a brief summary of the ideas to be discussed in body of the paper as well as other information relevant to your paper’s argument. The most important function of the introductory paragraph, however, is to present a clear statement of the paper’s argument. This sentence is your paper’s thesis. Without a thesis, it is impossible for you to present an effective argument. The thesis sentence should reflect both the position that you will argue and the organizational pattern with which you will present and support your argument. A useful way to think about the construction of a thesis sentence is to view it in terms of stating both the “what” and the “how” of the paper’s argument. The “what” is simply the basic argument in your paper: what exactly are you arguing? The “how” is the strategy you will use to present this argument. The following are helpful questions for you to consider when formulating a thesis sentence:
- What is the argument that I am trying to convince the reader to accept?
- How exactly do I expect to convince the reader that this argument is sound?
Once you have answered these questions, the next step is to synthesize these answers into a single thesis sentence, or, if necessary, two thesis sentences.
For example: You want to convince your reader that the forces of industry did not shape American foreign policy from the late 19th century through 1914, and you plan to do this by showing that there were other factors which were much more influential in shaping American foreign policy. Both of these elements can be synthesized into a thesis sentence:
Fear of foreign influence in the Western hemisphere, national pride, and contemporary popular ideas concerning both expansion and foreign peoples had significantly more influence on American foreign policy than did the voices of industrialists.
This sentence shows the position you will argue and also sets up the organizational pattern of your paper's body.
The body of your paper contains the actual development of your paper’s argument. Each body paragraph presents a single idea or set of related ideas that provides support for your paper’s argument. Each body paragraph addresses one key aspect of your paper’s thesis and brings the reader closer to accepting the validity of your paper’s argument. Because each body paragraph should be a step in your argument, you should be mindful of the overall organization of your body paragraphs. The first step in writing an effective body paragraph is the construction of the first sentence of this paragraph, the topic sentence. Just as the thesis sentence holds together your essay, the topic sentence is the glue binding each individual body paragraph. A body paragraph’s topic sentence serves two main purposes: introducing the content of the paragraph and introducing the next step of your argument. It is important to keep in mind that the goal of the topic sentence is to advance your paper's argument, not just to describe the content of the paragraph. For example: The first part in your thesis on page two states that fear of foreign influence in the Western Hemisphere had more influence on American foreign policy than did industry. Thus, you need to elaborate on this point in your body paragraphs. An effective topic sentence for one of these paragraphs could be:
American fear of foreign influence was a key factor in the United States’ actions in the Spanish-American War. Subsequent body paragraphs might offer further evidence for the idea presented in this body paragraph.
A good way to test the strength of both your topic sentences and your argument as a whole is to construct an outline of your paper using only your paper's thesis statement and topic sentences. This outline should be a logical overview of your paper's argument; all of your paper’s topic sentences should work together to support your thesis statement.
The Conclusion
A basic purpose of your paper’s concluding paragraph is both to restate the paper’s argument and to restate how you have supported this argument in the body of the paper. However, your conclusion should not simply be a copy of your introduction. The conclusion draws together the threads of the paper’s argument and shows where the argument of your paper has gone. An effective conclusion gives the reader reasons for bothering to read your paper. One of the most important functions of this paragraph is to bring in fresh insight. Some possible questions to consider when writing your conclusion are:
- What are some real world applications of this paper’s argument?
- Why is what I am writing about important?
- What are some of the questions that this paper’s argument raises?
- What are the implications of this paper’s argument?
While the organization and structure described in this handout are necessary components of an effective persuasive essay, keep in mind that writing itself is a fluid process. There are no steadfast rules that you need to adhere to as you write. Simply because the introduction is the first paragraph in your essay does not mean that you must write this paragraph before any other. Think of the act of writing as an exploration of ideas, and let this sense of exploration guide you as you write your essay.
by Adam Polak ’98 and Jen Collins ’96
Popular resources.
- Writing a Good APA Research Paper
- Writing a Good History Paper
- Understanding Passive Voice
Office / Department Name
Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center
Contact Name
Jennifer Ambrose
Writing Center Director
The $400 million campaign to provide students with a life-altering education.
Site Search
How to Write Perfect Persuasive Essays in 5 Simple Steps
WHAT IS A PERSUASIVE ESSAY?
A persuasive text presents a point of view around a topic or theme that is backed by evidence to support it.
The purpose of a persuasive text can be varied. Maybe you intend to influence someone’s opinion on a specific topic, or you might aim to sell a product or service through an advertisement.
The challenge in writing a good persuasive text is to use a mix of emotive language and, in some cases, images that are supported by hard evidence or other people’s opinions.
In a persuasive essay or argument essay, the student strives to convince the reader of the merits of their opinion or stance on a particular issue. The student must utilise several persuasive techniques to form a coherent and logical argument to convince the reader of a point of view or to take a specific action.
PERSUADING PEOPLE REQUIRES A CONSISTENT APPROACH…
Persuasive texts are simple in structure. You must clearly state your opinion around a specific topic and then repeatedly reinforce your opinions with external facts or evidence. A robust concluding summary should leave little doubt in the reader’s mind. ( Please view our planning tool below for a detailed explanation. )
TYPES OF PERSUASIVE TEXT
We cover the broad topic of writing a general persuasive essay in this guide, there are several sub-genres of persuasive texts students will encounter as they progress through school. We have complete guides on these text types, so be sure to click the links and read these in detail if required.
- Argumentative Essays – These are your structured “Dogs are better pets than Cats” opinion-type essays where your role is to upsell the positive elements of your opinions to your audience whilst also highlighting the negative aspects of any opposing views using a range of persuasive language and techniques.
- Advertising – Uses persuasive techniques to sell a good or service to potential customers with a call to action.
- Debating Speeches – A debate is a structured discussion between two teams on a specific topic that a moderator judges and scores. Your role is to state your case, sell your opinions to the audience, and counteract your opposition’s opinions.
- Opinion Articles, Newspaper Editorials. – Editorials often use more subtle persuasive techniques that blur the lines of factual news reporting and opinions that tell a story with bias. Sometimes they may even have a call to action at the end.
- Reviews – Reviews exist to inform others about almost any service or product, such as a film, restaurant, or product. Depending on your experiences, you may have firm opinions or not even care that much about recommending it to others. Either way, you will employ various persuasive techniques to communicate your recommendations to your audience.
- Please note a DISCUSSION essay is not a traditional persuasive text, as even though you are comparing and contrasting elements, the role of the author is to present an unbiased account of both sides so that the reader can make a decision that works best for them. Discussions are often confused as a form of persuasive writing.
A COMPLETE TEACHING UNIT ON PERSUASIVE WRITING SKILLS
Teach your students to produce writing that PERSUADES and INFLUENCES thinking with this HUGE writing guide bundle covering: ⭐ Persuasive Texts / Essays ⭐ Expository Essays⭐ Argumentative Essays⭐ Discussions.
A complete 140 PAGE unit of work on persuasive texts for teachers and students. No preparation is required.
THE STRUCTURE OF A PERSUASIVE ESSAY
1. Introduction
In the introduction, the student will naturally introduce the topic. Controversial issues make for great topics in this writing genre. It’s a cliche in polite society to discourage discussions involving politics, sex, or religion because they can often be very divisive. While these subjects may not be the best topics of conversation for the dinner table at Thanksgiving, they can be perfect when deciding on a topic for persuasive writing. Obviously, the student’s age and abilities should be considered, as well as cultural taboos, when selecting a topic for the essay. But the point holds, the more controversial, the better.
Let’s take a look at some of the critical elements of the introduction when writing a persuasive essay:
Title: Tell your audience what they are reading.
This will often be posed as a question; for example, if the essay is on the merits of a vegetarian lifestyle, it may be called something like: To Eat Meat or Not?
Hook : Provide your audience with a reason to continue reading.
As with any genre of writing, capturing the reader’s interest from the outset is crucial. There are several methods of doing this, known as hooks. Students may open their essays with anecdotes, jokes, quotations, or relevant statistics related to the topic under discussion.
Background: Provide some context to your audience.
In this introductory section, students will provide the reader with some background on the topic. This will place the issue in context and briefly weigh some opinions on the subject.
Thesis statement: Let the audience know your stance.
After surveying the topic in the first part of the introduction, it is now time for the student writer to express their opinion and briefly preview the points they will make later in the essay.
2. Body Paragraphs
The number of paragraphs forming this essay section will depend on the number of points the writer chooses to make to support their opinion. Usually three main points will be sufficient for beginning writers to coordinate. More advanced students can increase the number of paragraphs based on the complexity of their arguments, but the overall structure will largely remain intact.
Be sure to check out our complete guide to writing perfect paragraphs here .
The TEEL acronym is valuable for students to remember how to structure their paragraphs. Read below for a deeper understanding.
Topic Sentence:
The topic sentence states the central point of the paragraph. This will be one of the reasons supporting the thesis statement made in the introduction.
These sentences will build on the topic sentence by illustrating the point further, often by making it more specific.
These sentences’ purpose is to support the paragraph’s central point by providing supporting evidence and examples. This evidence may be statistics, quotations, or anecdotal evidence.
The final part of the paragraph links back to the initial statement of the topic sentence while also forming a bridge to the next point to be made. This part of the paragraph provides some personal analysis and interpretation of how the student arrived at their conclusions and connects the essay as a cohesive whole.
3. Conclusion
The conclusion weaves together the main points of the persuasive essay. It does not usually introduce new arguments or evidence but instead reviews the arguments made already and restates them by summing them up uniquely. It is important at this stage to tie everything back to the initial thesis statement. This is the writer’s last opportunity to drive home their point, to achieve the essay’s goal, to begin with – persuade the reader of their point of view.
Ending an essay well can be challenging, but it is essential to end strongly, especially for persuasive essays. As with the hooks of the essay’s opening, there are many tried and tested methods of leaving the reader with a strong impression. Encourage students to experiment with different endings, for example, concluding the essay with a quotation that amplifies the thesis statement.
Another method is to have the student rework their ending in simple monosyllabic words, as simple language often has the effect of being more decisive in impact. The effect they are striving for in the final sentence is the closing of the circle.
Several persuasive writing techniques can be used in the conclusion and throughout the essay to amp up the persuasive power of the writing. Let’s take a look at a few.
TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT PERSUASIVE ESSAY
PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES
In this article, we have outlined a basic structure that will be helpful to students in approaching the organization of their persuasive writing. It will also be helpful for the students to be introduced to a few literary techniques that will help your students to present their ideas convincingly. Here are a few of the more common ones:
Repetition: There is a reason why advertisements and commercials are so repetitive – repetition works! Students can use this knowledge to their advantage in their persuasive writing. It is challenging to get the reader to fully agree with the writer’s opinion if they don’t fully understand it. Saying the same thing in various ways ensures the reader gets many bites at the ‘understanding’ cherry.
Repetition Example: “The use of plastic bags is not only bad for the environment, but it is also bad for our economy. Plastic bags are not biodegradable, meaning they will not decompose and will continue to take up space in landfills. Plastic bags are also not recyclable, meaning they will not be reused and will instead end up in landfills. Plastic bags are not only bad for the environment, but they are also bad for our economy as they are costly to dispose of and take up valuable space in landfills.”
In this example, the phrase “not only bad for the environment but also bad for our economy” is repeated multiple times to reinforce the idea that plastic bags are not just a problem for the environment but also the economy. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the point and makes it more persuasive.
It is also important to note that repetition could be used differently, such as repeating a word or phrase to create rhythm or emphasis.
Storytelling: Humans tend to understand things better through stories. Think of how we teach kids important values through time-tested fables like Peter and the Wolf . Whether through personal anecdotes or references to third-person experiences, stories help climb down the ladder of abstraction and reach the reader on a human level.
Storytelling Example: “Imagine you are walking down the street, and you come across a stray dog clearly in need of food and water. The dog looks up at you with big, sad eyes, and you cannot help but feel a twinge of compassion. Now, imagine that same scenario, but instead of a stray dog, it’s a homeless person sitting on the sidewalk. The person is clearly in need of food and shelter, and their eyes also look up at her with a sense of hopelessness.
The point of this story is to show that just as we feel compelled to help a stray animal in need, we should also feel compelled to help a homeless person. We should not turn a blind eye to the suffering of our fellow human beings, and we should take action to address homelessness in our community. It is important to remember that everyone deserves a roof over their head and a warm meal to eat. The story is designed to elicit an emotional response in the reader and make the argument more relatable and impactful.
By using storytelling, this passage creates an image in the reader’s mind and creates an emotional connection that can be more persuasive than just stating facts and figures.
Dissent: We live in a cynical age, so leaving out the opposing opinion will smack of avoidance to the reader. Encourage your students to turn to that opposing viewpoint and deal with those arguments in their essays .
Dissent Example: “Many people argue that students should not have to wear uniforms in school. They argue that uniforms stifle creativity and individuality and that students should be able to express themselves through their clothing choices. While these are valid concerns, I strongly disagree.
In fact, uniforms can actually promote individuality by levelling the playing field and removing the pressure to dress in a certain way. Furthermore, uniforms can promote a sense of community and belonging within a school. They can also provide a sense of discipline and structure, which can help to create a more focused and productive learning environment. Additionally, uniforms can save families money and eliminate the stress of deciding what to wear daily .
While some may argue that uniforms stifle creativity and individuality, the benefits of uniforms far outweigh the potential drawbacks. It is important to consider the impact of uniforms on the school as a whole, rather than focusing solely on individual expression.”
In this example, the writer presents the opposing viewpoint (uniforms stifle creativity and individuality) and then provides counterarguments to refute it. By doing so, the writer can strengthen their own argument and present a more convincing case for why uniforms should be worn in school.
A Call to Action: A staple of advertising, a call to action can also be used in persuasive writing. When employed, it usually forms part of the conclusion section of the essay and asks the reader to do something, such as recycle, donate to charity, sign a petition etc.
A quick look around reveals to us the power of persuasion, whether in product advertisements, newspaper editorials, or political electioneering; persuasion is an ever-present element in our daily lives. Logic and reason are essential in persuasion, but they are not the only techniques. The dark arts of persuasion can prey on emotion, greed, and bias. Learning to write persuasively can help our students recognize well-made arguments and help to inoculate them against the more sinister manifestations of persuasion.
Call to Action Example: “Climate change is a pressing issue that affects us all, and it’s important that we take action now to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the planet for future generations. As a society, we have the power to make a difference and it starts with small changes that we can make in our own lives.
I urge you to take the following steps to reduce your carbon footprint:
- Reduce your use of single-use plastics
- Use public transportation, carpool, bike or walk instead of driving alone.
- Support clean energy sources such as solar and wind power
- Plant trees and support conservation efforts
It’s easy to feel like one person can’t make a difference, but the truth is that every little bit helps. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for the planet.
So, let’s take action today and make a difference for a better future, it starts with minor changes, but it all adds up and can make a significant impact. We need to take responsibility for our actions and do our part to protect the planet.”
In this example, the writer gives a clear and specific call to action and encourages the reader to take action to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the planet. By doing this, the writer empowers the reader to take action and enables them to change.
Now, go persuade your students of the importance of perfecting the art of persuasive writing!
A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING FACT AND OPINION
This HUGE 120 PAGE resource combines four different fact and opinion activities you can undertake as a WHOLE GROUP or as INDEPENDENT READING GROUP TASKS in either DIGITAL or PRINTABLE TASKS.
20 POPULAR PERSUASIVE ESSAY TOPICS FOR STUDENTS
Writing an effective persuasive essay demonstrates a range of skills that will be of great use in nearly all aspects of life after school.
In essence, if you can influence a person to change their ideas or thoughts on a given topic through how you structure your words and thoughts, you possess a very powerful skill.
Be careful not to rant wildly. Use facts and other people’s ideas who think similarly to you in your essay to strengthen your concepts.
Your biggest challenge in getting started may be choosing a suitable persuasive essay topic. These 20 topics for a persuasive essay should make this process a little easier.
- WHY ARE WE FASCINATED WITH CELEBRITIES AND WEALTHY PEOPLE ON TELEVISION AND SOCIAL MEDIA?
- IS IT RIGHT FOR SCHOOLS TO RAISE MONEY BY SELLING CANDY AND UNHEALTHY FOODS TO STUDENTS?
- SHOULD GIRLS BE ALLOWED TO PLAY ON BOYS SPORTING TEAMS?
- IS TEACHING HANDWRITING A WASTE OF TIME IN THIS DAY AND AGE?
- SHOULD THERE BE FAR GREATER RESTRICTIONS AROUND WHAT CAN BE POSTED ON THE INTERNET?
- SHOULD PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES HAVE TO TAKE DRUG TESTS?
- ARE TEENAGE PREGNANCY SHOWS A NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON VIEWERS?
- SHOULD GAMBLING BE PROMOTED IN ANY WAY IN SPORTS EVEN THOUGH IT BRINGS IN LARGE AMOUNTS OF REVENUE?
- SHOULD SPORTING TEAMS THAT LOSE BE REWARDED BY RECEIVING INCENTIVES SUCH AS HIGH DRAFT PICKS AND / OR FINANCIAL BENEFITS?
- SHOULD SHARKS THAT ATTACK PEOPLE BE DESTROYED? SHOULD WE GET INVOLVED IN FOREIGN CONFLICTS AND ISSUES THAT DON’T DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR COUNTRY?
- SHOULD WE GET INVOLVED IN FOREIGN CONFLICTS AND ISSUES THAT DON’T DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR COUNTRY?
- COULD VIDEO GAMES BE CONSIDERED AS A PROFESSIONAL SPORT?
- IF YOU WERE THE LEADER OF YOUR COUNTRY AND HAD A LARGE SURPLUS TO SPEND, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT?
- WHEN SHOULD A PERSON BE CONSIDERED AND TREATED AS AN ADULT?
- SHOULD SMOKING BECOME AN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY?
- SHOULD THE VOTING AGE BE LOWERED?
- DOES PROTECTIVE PADDING IN SPORTS MAKE IT MORE DANGEROUS?
- SHOULD CELL PHONES BE ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM?
- IS TEACHING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE A WASTE OF TIME?
- SHOULD WE TEACH ETIQUETTE IN SCHOOLS?
PERSUASIVE PROMPTS FOR RELUCTANT WRITERS
If your students need a little more direction and guidance, here are some journal prompts that include aspects to consider.
- Convince us that students would be better off having a three-day weekend . There are many angles you could take with this, such as letting children maximize their childhood or trying to convince your audience that a four-day school week might actually be more productive.
- Which is the best season? And why? You will really need to draw on the benefits of your preferred season and sell them to your audience. Where possible, highlight the negatives of the competing seasons. Use lots of figurative language and sensory and emotional connections for this topic.
- Aliens do / or don’t exist? We can see millions of stars surrounding us just by gazing into the night sky, suggesting alien life should exist, right? Many would argue that if there were aliens we would have seen tangible evidence of them by now. The only fact is that we just don’t know the answer to this question. It is your task to try and convince your audience through some research and logic what your point of view is and why.
- Should school uniforms be mandatory? Do your research on this popular and divisive topic and make your position clear on where you stand and why. Use plenty of real-world examples to support your thoughts and points of view.
- Should Smartphones be banned in schools? Whilst this would be a complete nightmare for most students’ social lives, maybe it might make schools more productive places for students to focus and learn. Pick a position, have at least three solid arguments to support your point of view, and sell them to your audience.
VISUAL JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR PERSUASIVE WRITING
Try these engaging, persuasive prompts with your students to ignite the writing process . Scroll through them.
Persuasive Essay Examples (Student Writing Samples)
Below are a collection of persuasive essay samples. Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail. Please take a moment to read the persuasive texts in detail and the teacher and student guides highlight some of the critical elements of writing a persuasion.
Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of persuasive text writing.
We recommend reading the example either a year above or below, as well as the grade you are currently working with, to gain a broader appreciation of this text type.
VIDEO TUTORIALS FOR PERSUASIVE WRITING
OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO PERSUASIVE ESSAY WRITING
Teaching Resources
Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.
WHERE CAN I FIND A COMPLETE UNIT OF WORK ON HOW TO WRITE PERSUASIVE ESSAYS?
We pride ourselves on being the web’s best resource for teaching students and teachers how to write a persuasive text. We value the fact you have taken the time to read our comprehensive guides to understand the fundamentals of writing skills.
We also understand some of you just don’t have the luxury of time or the resources to create engaging resources exactly when you need them.
If you are time-poor and looking for an in-depth solution that encompasses all of the concepts outlined in this article, I strongly recommend looking at the “ Writing to Persuade and Influence Unit. ”
Working in partnership with Innovative Teaching Ideas , we confidently recommend this resource as an all-in-one solution to teach how to write persuasively.
This unit will find over 140 pages of engaging and innovative teaching ideas.
PERSUASIVE ESSAY WRITING CHECKLIST AND RUBRIC BUNDLE
The Ultimate Guide to Opinion Writing for Students and Teachers
Top 5 Persuasive Writing Techniques for Students
5 Top Persuasive Writing Lesson Plans for Students and Teachers
23 Persuasive writing Topics for High School students
How to write an advertisement: A Complete Guide for Students and Teachers
How to Start an Essay with Strong Hooks and Leads
The content for this page has been written by Shane Mac Donnchaidh. A former principal of an international school and English university lecturer with 15 years of teaching and administration experience. Shane’s latest Book, The Complete Guide to Nonfiction Writing , can be found here. Editing and support for this article have been provided by the literacyideas team.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Knowing how to write a college essay is a useful skill for anyone who plans to go to college. Most colleges and universities ask you to submit a writing sample with your application. As a student, you’ll also write essays in your courses.
To write an argumentative essay, write an opening paragraph that introduces the topic, craft a thesis statement that details the position or side of the argument defended in the body, and provide supporting arguments throughout the body of ...
Writing a perspective essay begins with choosing a topic, determining the thesis statement for the essay, choosing a specific point of view and backing up the essay with concrete examples, illustrations and questions.
Unique Persuasive Essay Ideas · How much should the public know about a celebrity's personal life? · Is there ever a good reason for war? · Is it ethical to train
Arts/Culture · Should students be required to learn an instrument in school? · Did the end of Game of Thrones fit with the rest of the series?
Political persuasive essay topics · Should protesters be allowed to block traffic? · Why should you vote? · Should same-sex marriage be legal?
Life and Ethics Persuasive Essay Topics · Who faces more peer pressure, girls or boys? · Should all Americans be required to vote? · Is it better
Beginner · Kids should get paid for good grades. · Students should have less homework. · Snow days are great for family time. · Penmanship is
A persuasive essay — also called a position paper or argument essay — is a piece of academic writing in which you employ logic and evidence
100+ Persuasive Essay Topics · What's the best genre of music to listen to when you're unhappy? · Do you think that music and movies be free? · Are great guys or
Writing about something funny and entertaining is always more pleasant. Not only it puts you in a good mood, but also it helps you to train your
A well-constructed introductory paragraph immediately captures a reader's interest and gives appropriate background information about the paper's topic. Such a
Persuasive essays can be both a form of academic writing and personal writing. They typically begin with a question that the writer spends the
TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT PERSUASIVE ESSAY · Never leave any doubt about your position and point of view in the introduction. · The stronger the evidence, the