100 Persuasive Essay Topics

What is a persuasive essay?

A persuasive essay is an academic text that outlines the author’s position on a specific topic or issue. The main purpose is to lay out facts and present ideas that convince the reader to take the author’s side on the issue. If there is a topic that you believe in or have a strong opinion on, it’s a good option to base your essay on such a topic.

Keep in mind that a persuasive essay is not the same as an argumentative essay. This is a common misconception because the two are easily confused with one another. While an argumentative essay presents information that supports the claim or argument, it is the persuasive one that serves only one mission – to persuade and convince the reader to take your side on the issue. Make sure you get this right.

How to write a persuasive essay?

This is a brief version of our persuasive essay guide. For more detailed instructions, you can check how to write a persuasive essay.

Structure and organization are integral parts of an effective persuasive essay. In general, the structure of a persuasive essay is the same as in other essay types, consisting of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

The introduction is the opening paragraph that should include a hook that has the ability to catch the audience’s attention. You should also provide a guideline for your main argument, known as the thesis statement. The introduction is the first thing that your readers will see so thus it has a strong influence on how your essay is received.

Related posts: How to write an Essay introduction | Essay outline guide 

The body is the core of your essay and presents the themes and issues that support your thesis statement. In a traditional five-paragraph essay, the body consists of three paragraphs. You may use facts and evidence as well as quotations to support your statement. Each paragraph should focus on discussing a single issue.

The conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay. It should sum up the main points of your body and connect them to your thesis statement. In persuasive essays, the conclusion is often used as a last resort to convince and appeal to the audience.

This essay format guide can help you properly arrange the content of your essay.

How do persuasive essay topics differ from those of an argumentative essay?

Many confuse the topics for the two essay types: persuasive and argumentative. There are many characteristics shared by both but their approaches to writing are different. Argumentative essay topics are compiled for a paper that states the main argument, the thesis statement and defends it throughout the paper. In contrast, persuasive essay topics are designed for a paper that should convince and persuade the audience to take the author’s side on the issue. Keep in mind, however, that persuasion is not about manipulation or coercion but instead focuses on the context and timing.

Need help choosing a topic? Below is a list of the best 100 persuasive essay topics. But in case you feel stuck with your essay assignment, you can also use our top essay writing service and let professional essay writers take care of your persuasive essay.

Persuasive essay topics on social issues

1. Working hours have to be more flexible.

You can write about how people have different sleeping patterns and that’s why the same strict schedule from 9 to 5 is not suitable for everyone. You can also refer to research about human’s natural sleeping habits and point out the important connection between proper sleep and performance at work.

2. Psychedelics should be legal

Psychedelics are a controversial topic because they have been declared illegal under the UN conventions even if studies have shown that psychedelics are physiologically safe and do not result in addiction. By taking the side of those who support the free use of psychedelic drugs, you can convince and persuade your audience by citing the extensive medical research on this topic. You can also mention how psychedelics have been proven to help treat addictions.

3. Education cannot be free in the U.S.

As you prove your point, you should focus on persuading your audience by stating the reasons why the free education system is not a realistic option for the U.S. You can list the disadvantages for the economy that free education would have and point out why using the Nordic countries as an example doesn’t work.

4. Bailing out the Greek government was a bad idea

If you choose this topic, you must have some knowledge of financial issues and the economy. It can take some time to do the background research on the different aspects but your claims will be more compelling when backed up by data and research. You can point out the absurdity that the Greek government cannot repay its debts without borrowing more while at the same time it cannot cover the debts by tax revenues and no country is willing to lend it more money.

5. Technological development is mostly positive

The rapid development of technology has made some people worried about the growing influence of technology in our everyday lives. You could list the pros and cons of modern technologies and provide examples of the numerous opportunities that advanced technology can provide.

Persuasive essay topics on education

1. Successful students should be encouraged more

It’s often the case that classrooms have a mix of successful and less successful students, and the less successful students are the ones who determine the pace. You can mention how successful students can become easily frustrated if they don’t have the chance to use their full potential at school.

2. Video games are not responsible for the violent school attacks

This is a controversial topic especially in the U.S. because it appeals to the emotions of many parents. The research has proved, however, that mentally stable children who play violent video games are not more likely to commit any violent attacks in school than those children who don’t play such video games. Citing appropriate research will give your statements more credibility.

3. It’s not dangerous if students spend their free time in front of computers

You could point out that there are many examples of successful people who spent their free time in front of computers and didn’t just waste their time. It’s worth mentioning that it depends on what students are doing on the computer. If they are, for example, learning programming, then they should be encouraged to do so. The demand for new employees in the IT field is increasing constantly.

4. Teachers should be able to expel students who misbehave

The power dynamics have changed in the classroom. While in the past teachers used to have enough authority over their students, it seems that now students are the ones who are in charge. You can use examples of recent cases where students have tried to benefit from this shift and explain how it can result in a situation where the demand for a teacher’s profession starts to decline sharply.

5. P. E. should not count toward your GPA

You can explain how the GPA should not be affected by how well students can play ball. While useful for everyone’s general well-being and health, physical education is not connected to academic abilities. Focus on how P.E. doesn’t prepare anyone for further academic studies at university but still counts toward GPA. Be sure to also mention how the P.E grade relies too much on students’ physical qualities that they cannot improve simply by reading more books.

Related post: Argumentative essay topics guide

Persuasive essay topics on sports

1. Chess is not a sports game
2. Stereotypes about high school athletes are wrong
3. Bodybuilding is often dangerous for the body
4. Male trainers should not mentor female athletes
5. Energy drinks and sports are a bad combination

Persuasive essay topics on music

1. Modern pop music is a disgrace for the music industry
2. There is a connection between depressing music and suicide
3. Internet hasn’t killed the CD
4. Parental warning labels on records are useless
5. Musicians should have the power instead of producers

Persuasive essay topics on literature

1. You cannot read a novel on public transport
2. E-books will never replace paper books
3. YouTube has replaced the library
4. Anyone can write a poem
5. Reading novels is not useful for everyone

Funny persuasive essay topics

1. The client is rarely right
2. Legalizing all drugs would make the world a happier place
3. If you want to live longer, drink wine and eat chocolate
4. Parents should not decide their child’s name
5. McDonald’s offers a high-quality restaurant experience

Controversial persuasive essay topics

1. Human embryonic stem cell research is unethical
2. Atheism is more dangerous than organized religion
3. Euthanasia needs to be legalized everywhere
4. GMO is safe
5. Same-sex couples should not be allowed to adopt children

Persuasive essay topics on the environment

1. Using public transport helps protect the environment
2. People are too selfish to give up flying
3. Abandoning nuclear power is not realistic
4. Humans cannot prevent climate change
5. People who trash should be penalized

Persuasive essay topics for elementary school

1. Wearing a school uniform is a limitation of freedom
2. People should stop eating sweets
3. Bringing a pet to school is a bad idea
4. Going to bed early makes life better
5. Video games can be useful for children

Persuasive essay topics for middle school

1. The world needs to stop producing plastic
2. School grades don’t determine success in life
3. Voting age should be lowered to 16
4. Freedom to choose classes would increase motivation
5.  More free time makes people happier

Persuasive essay topics for high school

1. Politicians are not doing enough to save the planet
2. Higher IQ can make you depressed
3. Schools should focus more on teaching computer skills
4. Life would be better without the internet
5. Private citizens do not need to own guns

Persuasive essay topics for college

1. A flat tax rate would make life more equal
2. Hate speech laws limit freedom of speech
3. Gender pronouns should be determined by biological
4. Western culture is not a male dominated patriarchy
5. Religions are important for functional societies

Easy persuasive essay topics

1. Death penalty is unethical
2. Recycling should be mandatory
3. College can be a waste of time for some people
4. People should switch to a 3-day weekend
5. Drug tests should be a standard procedure for all companies
6. Students must be allowed to pray in
7. Life is better now than 100 years ago
8. Everyone should become a vegan
9. Using animal fur is unethical
10. All Americans should speak more than one language
11. Beauty contents need to be banned
12. College athletes should pay tuition fees
13. Drinking age should be lowered to 18 in the U.S.
14. Students need longer holidays
15. Using Facebook is a waste of time
16. School days should start later
17. Bullies should be expelled
18. School uniforms are a good idea
19. Children need to read more
20. Teachers need higher salaries

Advanced persuasive essay topics

1.  The government should provide free internet to everyone
2. Medical testing on animals is unethical
3. Open borders lead to chaos
4. Birth control pills increase gender inequality
5. Illegal immigrants need to be sent back
6. Free speech has no limitations
7. All people should have a constitutional right to healthcare
8. Puerto Rico should be a separate state
9. Sexual education is not the school’s responsibility
10. An individual’s right to privacy is more important than public safety
11. Having a natural disaster survival plan is necessary
12. Eating meat is natural for humans
13. Immigration has more pros than cons
14. Recreational marijuana should be legal everywhere
15. Members of Congress should have limited terms
16. The government has the right to surveillance
17. The U.S. President should be allowed to have only one term
18. Russia is the biggest security threat to world peace
19. Illegal immigrants are responsible for their reputation
20. The United States needs a wall with Mexico