Do you want to convince or influence an audience to take a specific action? If yes, a persuasive speech may be all you need. Its goal is to change how people think or what they do, rather than just giving information, like an informative speech.
Like other presentations, however, a persuasive speech begins with the right topic. You can only convince the audience to take your desired action if your topic is great to begin with.
In this blog, we’ll cover over 100 trending persuasive speech topics for 2026 across various categories, including education, technology, the environment, society, and business.
What Are the 4 Types of Persuasive Speeches?
Before we delve into persuasive speech topics to make a presentation on, you should understand the various types of persuasive speeches, as this helps you choose the right topic and align it better with your message.
The four main types are:
1️⃣ Fact-based speeches: Focus on proving whether something is true or false. e.g Does regular physical exercise directly improve academic performance?
2️⃣ Value speeches: Argue whether something is good/bad, right/wrong. An example is “Is social media doing more harm than good?”
3️⃣ Policy speeches: Push for a specific change or action. e.g., Why the government should ban single-use plastics.
4️⃣ Motivational/action speeches: Inspire people to act immediately. For example, “Why should students build skills outside the classroom?”
Good Subjects for Persuasive Speeches on Education
Education remains one of the most persuasive speech subjects anyone can speak on. It provides an opportunity to discuss topics related to digital learning, skills-based education, assessment methods, and other issues affecting students, parents, teachers, and policymakers.
| Topic | Key Persuasive Angle |
|---|---|
| 1. Should primary schools teach coding? | Prepare kids early for future careers |
| 2. Is online learning effective? | Compare it to real classroom engagement and outcomes |
| 3. Are private schools better than public schools | Argue on the quality and access each provides |
| 4. Do school uniforms improve discipline | How does it make students focus more? |
| 5. Homework does more harm than good | Provide evidence on burnout in students |
| 6. Should teachers be paid more | What teachers do and why they deserve better |
| 7. Should schools start later in the day? | Prove that students perform better at different times of the day |
| 8. Loan debts should be forgiven | Why repaying student loans is a burden |
| 9. Teachers must receive tech training regularly | How educators perform better with tech knowledge |
| 10. Are scholarships favoring the right students? | Compare merit and access |
| 11. Schools should provide free meals | Argue that nutrition shouldn’t hinder learning for students |
| 12. Arts education is as important as STEM subjects | Develop creativity |
| 13. Physical and Health education should remain mandatory | Talk about how it helps to develop good health habits |
| 14. Is bilingual education necessary today? | Discuss cultural competence |
| 15. Should schools teach emotional intelligence | How to approach life beyond the classroom |
Best Persuasive Speech Topics on Health and Lifestyle
Do you need persuasive speech ideas on health and lifestyle? Wellness habits, mental health awareness, popular lifestyle trends, and other topics around this theme are great for persuading an audience because they connect directly to day-to-day life and well-being.
| Topic | Key Persuasive Angle |
|---|---|
| 1. Is mental health as important as physical health? | Encourage the audience to strike a balance |
| 2. Are fitness trackers effective? | Show evidence of behavior change |
| 3. Sugar should be regulated like tobacco | Address the health costs of heavy intake |
| 4. Universal healthcare should be a basic human right | Argue for easier access to public health |
| 5. Why everyone needs therapy | Remove the stigma associated with mental health |
| 6. Child obesity is a form of neglect | Address parental responsibility in the child’s nutrition |
| 7. Energy drinks should be banned for minors | Protect young people from caffeine overdose |
| 8. Is wellness culture becoming toxic? | Compare self-care with the pressure to fit societal standards |
| 9. Are wellness influencers qualified to give advice? | Speak on the credibility of celebrity figures in the industry |
| 10. Is work-life balance attainable? | Stress the need to balance productivity and well-being |
| 11. Why travel is important to grow | How exposure broadens perspectives |
| 12. Is self-diagnosis via the internet safe? | Medical accuracy and when to see a doctor |
| 13. Every pet owner must be trained | Argue for responsible care and safety |
| 14. Should fast food outlets display health scores? | Make customers aware of what they eat |
| 15. Is burnout becoming a lifestyle disease? | The impact of modern work culture on well-being |
Persuasive Speech Subjects on Technology & Innovation
Themes around developments and trends in technology, such as AI, social media, cybersecurity, etc., make some of the best persuasive speech topics you can find. They are important because they directly influence how we learn, work, and communicate today.
| Topic | Key Persuasive Angle |
|---|---|
| 1. Should AI replace human customer service? | Compare efficiency and sympathy |
| 2. Blockchain will transform supply chain transparency | Trace products from origin to consumer |
| 3. Is smartphone addiction a legitimate disorder? | Compare it to other behavioural addictions |
| 4. Should children learn programming before handwriting? | Which skill is more important for the future? |
| 5. 5G technology poses health risks | Examine evidence and discuss precautions |
| 6. Should AI be used in hiring decisions? | The Influence of Artificial Intelligence in Human Resources |
| 7. Is technology making us less creative? | Delve into over-reliance on automation |
| 8. Self-driving cars will reduce traffic fatalities | Present safety statistics and technological progress |
| 9. Should online anonymity be limited? | How to make people more accountable for their actions |
| 10. Will AI create more jobs than it eliminates? | A threat or an opportunity? |
| 11. Robots shouldn’t look like humans | Discuss ethical boundaries and the uncanny valley effect |
| 12. Should tech layoffs be regulated? | Argue for ways to regulate the workforce |
| 13. Big Tech monopolies must be broken up | Take note of innovation and competition. |
| 14. Cryptocurrency will replace traditional banking | Talk about decentralization in finance |
| 15. Should autonomous weapons be prohibited? | Argue against AI-driven warfare |
Ideas on Persuasive Speeches About the Environment
Topics about our environment provide great ideas on persuasive speeches to present to any audience. These ideas, already widely debated, are easily relatable since they affect everyone alike. They focus on themes like climate change, conservation, renewable energy, pollution, and many more.
| Topic | Key Persuasive Angle |
|---|---|
| 1. Fast fashion is destroying the planet | Connect consumer habits to environmental cost |
| 2. Composting should be mandatory in all cities | Reduce methane from landfills |
| 3. Should tourism be restricted in natural reserves? | More ways to conserve extinct species |
| 4. Overfishing will collapse ocean ecosystems | Present stats and how to regulate commercial fishing |
| 5. Nuclear energy is our best clean energy option | Encourage the use of renewable energy sources |
| 6. Are environmental NGOs effective? | Evaluate the impact of existing bodies |
| 7. Deforestation for agriculture must end | Protect the air we breathe |
| 8. Cities should mandate green roofs on all buildings | Discuss urban heat reduction and air quality |
| 9. Companies must use sustainable packaging | Share responsibilities between consumers and producers alike |
| 10. Bottled water should be banned in public spaces | Reduce plastic waste and promote tap water |
| 11. Should urban farming be encouraged? | Promote food security for everyone |
| 12. Electric vehicles should receive government subsidies | Accelerate transition from petrol engines |
| 13. Carbon taxes to combat climate change | Make polluters pay fines |
| 14. Should climate education be compulsory in schools? | How to increase environmental awareness from the most basic level |
| 15. Food waste is a crisis that can be solved | Present solutions for composting and redistribution |
Persuasive Speech Topics on Society and Culture
Society and culture influence beliefs, traditions, behavior, media influence, and communication, making them rich topics for persuasive speech. These subjects resonate with diverse audiences and allow speakers to explore values, trends, and social change.
| Topic | Key Persuasive Angle |
|---|---|
| 1. There should be no “tipping” culture | Advocate for better wage structures instead |
| 2. Is online shaming ever justified? | Evaluate the need for ethics in how we relate |
| 3. Beauty pageants are outdated and objectifying | Challenge superficial judgment standards |
| 4. Should body cameras be mandatory for police officers? | Increase accountability and transparency |
| 5. Cancel culture is going too far | How to demand accountability and give forgiveness in return |
| 6. Should cultural festivals be modernized? | Discuss their relevance today and a possible upgrade |
| 7. Celebrities should stay out of politics | Expertise Vs platform influence |
| 8. Marriage as an institution is becoming obsolete | Examine changing relationship structures |
| 9. Museums should return artifacts to the countries of origin | Address cultural heritage and colonialism |
| 10. Should slang be accepted in formal communication? | How language continues to evolve |
| 11. Violent video games need stricter age restrictions | Shield developing minds from graphic content |
| 12. There is a greater need for public libraries | Talk about improving access to education resources |
| 13. Are reality shows damaging society? | The impact of media on how we think and act |
| 14. Parental leave should be equal for all genders | Promote shared caregiving responsibilities |
| 15. Is peer pressure stronger online? | Compare with real-life society |
Persuasive Speech Ideas on Politics and Current Events
If you want to keep your audience up-to-date on politics and current events, you’ll find the ideas for a persuasive speech here quite helpful. These topics are developed around relevant themes that are likely to spark discussions, such as policy debates, elections, civic responsibilities, or social movements.
| Topic | Key Persuasive Angle |
|---|---|
| 1. Should voting be mandatory? | Encourage people to perform their civic duties |
| 2. Lobbying should be severely restricted | Reduce special interest influence |
| 3. Lowering the voting age to 16 would strengthen democracy | Engage young people in civic life earlier |
| 4. Should public officials disclose assets? | Kick against corruption and make them accountable |
| 5. Third parties deserve equal debate opportunities | Challenge the two-party system’s dominance |
| 6. Is social media influencing elections? | How public opinion shapes political decisions |
| 7. Should public protests be restricted? | Public order or denial of human rights? |
| 8. Government transparency should be legally mandated | Provide citizens with access to processes of decision-making |
| 9. Debates should be fact-checked in real time | Hold candidates accountable immediately |
| 10. Is freedom of the press under threat? | Holding government officials accountable for Press freedom violations |
| 11. Should civic education be compulsory? | Inform citizens about government and politics right from the classroom |
| 12. Supreme Court justices should have term limits | Prevent lifetime appointments from becoming outdated |
| 13. Political dynasties weaken democratic systems | Fight against power concentration in families |
| 14. Voter ID laws suppress turnout and should be eliminated | Remove barriers to democratic participation |
| 15. Should youth be more involved in politics? | Encourage young people to engage in leadership from the grassroots level |
Topics for Persuasive Speeches on Business and Economy
Business and economy themes also make good subjects for persuasive speeches as they focus on practical and often debated issues like entrepreneurship, workplace trends, finance, and market policies, to mention a few.
| Topic | Key Persuasive Angle |
|---|---|
| 1. Why employees should only work four days every week | How to improve productivity |
| 2. Executive compensation is out of control | Address income inequality within organizations |
| 3. Unpaid internships should be illegal | Ensure fair compensation |
| 4. Should companies prioritize profit or people | How to stay ethical even while trying to generate revenue |
| 5. Corporate tax havens should be eliminated | Ensure fair contribution to public services |
| 6. Entrepreneurship should be taught in high schools | Develop business skills and an innovative mindset |
| 7. Advertising to children should be banned | Protect young consumers from manipulation |
| 8. Are startups overrated? | Balancing risk and reward |
| 9. Cryptocurrency regulation protects consumers | Balance innovation with fraud prevention |
| 10. Is automation good for the economy? | Talk about the evolution of jobs and the risk it poses |
| 11. Cashless societies exclude vulnerable populations | Maintain the diversity of payment methods |
| 12. Should minimum wage be increased? | Argue for the rising standards of living |
| 13. Worker cooperatives create more sustainable businesses | Democratize workplace decision-making |
| 14. Subscription models exploit consumer psychology | Discuss the endless recurring payments |
| 15. Are gig jobs sustainable careers? | How to guarantee job security |
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Conclusion
Your audience is giving you a chance to convince them, and that’s why they are there listening to you. However, you can only do this when your speech is persuasive enough.
Whether you want to present a fact, influence a policy change, argue about a value, or motivate your audience to take a particular action, the right topic can make all the difference. And we have covered the best persuasive speech topics to convince any audience.
Got a topic? Head over to AiPPT and let the AI tool transform your idea into a polished presentation in minutes. Select a stunning presentation template, and you’re halfway to delivering a perfect persuasive speech.
