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controversial topics to write a speech on

30 Controversial Speech Topics to Engage Your Audience

Searching for that standout speech topic can feel like a quest in itself, especially when you want to ignite lively debates and keep your audience riveted. Like many before me, finding topics that spark interest without fading into the background noise has been a challenge.

After diving deep into research, I’ve uncovered 30 controversial speech topics guaranteed to provoke thought and discussion . In this guide, I’ll walk you through these provocative issues from both perspectives, equipping you with everything you need to deliver engaging speeches .

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Choosing speech topics that are up-to-date and relevant sparks lively debates .
Controversial issues like gun control, LGBTQ+ rights, and climate change engage audiences by provoking strong emotions.
Personal connection to a topic makes your speech more authentic and memorable .
Researching both sides of an argument for controversial topics is crucial for effective persuasive speaking .
Addressing subjects like racial injustice, healthcare, and education reform encourages critical thinking and discussion .

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

Good persuasive speech topics are timely and relevant, spark controversy and debate, and create a personal connection with the audience. They address pressing issues that people care about, stirring emotions and provoking thoughtful discussion.

Timeliness and relevance

Choosing the right topic for a speech means finding something that people care about today. It’s all about what is happening in the world right now. During my time with Toastmasters International , I learned quickly that topics fresh in the news or on people’s minds have the most impact.

For example, when discussing hot button issues like gun control or climate change , I made sure to use up-to-date information and statistics . This approach always engaged my audience more effectively because it connected with their immediate experiences and concerns.

I also realized timeliness goes hand-in-hand with relevance. A topic might be current but not touch on what matters to your specific audience. In New York City, where I started my public speaking journey, subjects like immigration and freedom of speech resonated deeply due to the city’s diverse population and vibrant debates .

Tailoring your speech around what is timely *and* relevant ensures you capture not just the attention but also the hearts of your listeners.

To truly engage an audience, merge timeliness with relevance; it transforms a good speech into an unforgettable one.

Controversy and debate

Controversy and debate are crucial elements in selecting a persuasive speech topic . It’s important to choose issues that stir emotions and elicit strong opinions , as this energizes the audience.

When I began public speaking, harnessing controversial topics like gun control or LGBTQ+ rights helped me connect with my audience on a deeper level. It’s refreshing to see people engage passionately, leaving a lasting impact.

Examining contentious subjects challenges both the speaker and audience, fostering personal growth and critical thinking skills .

Personal connection

As a budding public speaker, I know the struggle of finding a controversial speech topic that resonates with you. It’s essential to pick a topic you feel passionate about and have personal experiences or stories related to it.

This makes your speech more authentic and engaging for the audience.

When choosing your controversial speech topic, consider issues that have impacted your life directly or indirectly. Share personal anecdotes or real-life examples to establish a strong connection with the audience and make your speech more compelling.

30 Controversial Speech Topics

Engage your audience with 30 controversial speech topics.

Gun control

As a public speaking beginner, I understand the sensitive nature of discussing gun control. This topic involves the regulation of firearms and has sparked heated debates across the country.

It’s essential to research both sides of the argument and dive into statistical data to form a well-rounded viewpoint for an informative discussion or speech.

The article highlights that credible sources are crucial in presenting accurate information about gun ownership laws, gun violence statistics , and constitutional rights . Additionally, understanding your audience is vital when addressing this contentious issue to ensure engagement and respect for varying perspectives.

Immigration

Immigration remains a hotbutton issue , sparking widespread debate and controversy. When choosing speech topics, immigration ranks high due to its polarizing nature and impact on communities .

It’s crucial to present well-researched information from credible sources to back up arguments when discussing this issue. For example, in my previous speech, I discussed the importance of understanding both sides of the argument while preparing for a persuasive speech on immigration.

This approach offers a balanced perspective that engages the audience effectively.

LGBTQ+ rights

Moving from the intense topic of immigration, we shift our focus to LGBTQ+ rights. The article mentions a range of speech topics suitable for engaging an audience in argumentative essays or speeches related to LGBTQ+ rights as well as other pertinent social issues .

Climate change

Growing up in New York City, I have seen firsthand the impact of climate change. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events like hurricanes and heatwaves is echoing all over the world.

As a public speaking beginner, discussing climate change can engage your audience as it’s a hot-button issue with polarizing opinions . It’s crucial to rely on reliable sources for statistics and scientific evidence when crafting your persuasive speech that touches on this tumultuous topic.

Social media and censorship

Social media and censorship are polarizing speech topics that stir debate. It’s crucial to research and understand both viewpoints when discussing these issues. In my experience, people have strong opinions about the impact of social media on freedom of expression , as well as concerns about censorship affecting online communication .

The dynamics of these subjects can make for compelling persuasive speeches or debates , but it’s important to navigate them with sensitivity and respect for differing perspectives .

Moving on to the next section – Vaccinations.getMinimize Split infinitive

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are a crucial tool in preventing the spread of diseases . They work by boosting the body’s immune system to fight off harmful viruses and bacteria. Vaccines have helped eradicate or significantly decrease the impact of many deadly diseases, such as polio, smallpox, and measles.

Ensuring that accurate information is shared with your audience is important when discussing vaccination topics for public speaking events or persuasive essays. It allows you to effectively convey the benefits of vaccinations while addressing concerns about their safety and efficacy .

Capital punishment

Capital punishment is a controversial speech topic that sparks debate and strong emotions . It’s important to research both sides of the argument and understand the audience when preparing a persuasive speech on this topic .

The use of reliable information and credible sources is crucial when discussing this contentious issue .

Moving on to the next compelling speech topic – Gender inequality.

Gender inequality

Gender inequality is an ongoing issue that affects people all around the world. It’s crucial to understand that gender inequality limits opportunities and rights based on gender. Statistics show that in many parts of the world, women are still paid less than men for the same work.

Additionally, this issue impacts various areas such as education, healthcare, and career advancement .

In society today, it remains vital to address and combat these disparities by advocating for equal treatment regardless of gender. Initiatives to increase awareness and promote equality can help create positive change for future generations.

Animal rights

Choosing a controversial speech topic like animal rights can be impactful. It’s essential to uncover reliable information and real-life stories that will support your argument. When presenting, engage the audience by sharing personal experiences or examples to make it more relatable and compelling.

For example, when I discussed animal rights in a speech, I shared a story about how my family adopted a rescue dog and the impact it had on our lives. Such personal anecdotes can resonate with the audience emotionally and leave a lasting impression.

Animal rights is an emotive subject matter where factual data coupled with emotional appeal can sway opinions effectively. Personalizing the content with real-world instances of animal welfare issues further strengthens one’s position on this contentious issue in front of an audience.

Abortion can be a sensitive and contentious topic . It involves a woman’s right to choose or the protection of an unborn child . With this subject, it is essential to approach it with empathy and understanding for differing viewpoints.

In my opinion, it’s crucial to research both sides thoroughly and remain respectful when discussing abortion in a public speaking setting.

It is important not only for those directly involved but also for the audience members who may have personal connections to this issue. The emotional weight behind abortion requires careful consideration when presenting arguments or discussing its ethical and moral implications .

Education reform

Education reform is vital for shaping our future. It involves updating and improving educational systems to meet the needs of a changing society. By addressing issues like curriculum relevance , teacher training , and access to resources , we can ensure that every student receives a high-quality education .

This is crucial in preparing them for success in an ever-changing world.

Now let’s explore the impact of “Healthcare” on society.

Healthcare is an important subject to consider when selecting a controversial speech topic. Ensuring access to reliable medical care for everyone should be a top priority. Medical costs are a major concern in our society, and it’s crucial to address the disparities in healthcare services , especially for those with lower incomes or in marginalized communities .

The state of healthcare impacts us all, making it an engaging topic that can spark meaningful discussions .

When looking at the next heading on “Tips for Preparing a Controversial Persuasive Speech” – Let’s delve into some useful strategies for preparing your persuasive speech on these topics.

Racial injustice

Racial injustice is a pressing issue affecting many people. It’s important to address this topic with sensitivity and awareness. Understanding the historical context and current impact of racial injustice is crucial in delivering an impactful speech.

Engaging the audience through personal stories and statistics can shed light on the urgency of addressing this critical societal concern.

As a public speaking beginner, tackling controversial topics like racial injustice might seem daunting, but it’s essential to approach it with empathy and research. Exploring different perspectives and experiences related to racial injustice can help create a well-rounded discussion that resonates with your audience.

Freedom of speech

Growing up, I learned early on about the importance of freedom of speech . It’s the right to express ideas and opinions without censorship or restraint , a fundamental part of democracy .

Freedom of speech can spark change and allow diverse voices to be heard .

Now, let’s dive into how we can effectively use this crucial freedom for persuasive speeches by choosing thought-provoking topics that engage our audience.

Media bias can influence the way information is presented to the public. Its impact can shape people’s opinions and beliefs about certain topics. Understanding media bias helps speakers choose reliable sources and present balanced arguments.

It’s crucial to be mindful of this when delivering persuasive speeches on contentious issues.

Drug legalization

Getting into the topic of drug legalization, it’s a contentious issue that stirs up strong emotions and differing opinions . The key is to research thoroughly and understand both sides of the argument before making your case.

When I was preparing for my speech on this topic, I found that using reliable sources helped me support my arguments effectively. Ensuring credible information can make or break your persuasive speech on drug legalization in engaging an audience effectively.

In composing my argumentative speech on drug legalization, finding a compelling angle made all the difference. It’s advisable to choose a side that resonates with you personally and also has factual backing to capture your audience’s attention.

Moving from the topic of “Drug legalization” to discussing “Gun rights,” it’s crucial to consider the controversial nature of this issue. The debate around gun rights often centers on the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects citizens’ right to bear arms .

It’s essential to navigate through various viewpoints and statistics when addressing this topic in a persuasive speech or argumentative essay. Understanding audience perspectives is vital for delivering a compelling and thought-provoking presentation on gun rights, especially given its contentious nature .

As someone who aims to engage an audience with persuasive speaking topics, it’s important to approach gun rights with sensitivity and awareness of diverse opinions . Providing well-researched facts and examples can help illuminate this complex subject matter in a way that fosters informed discussion and critical thinking among listeners or readers.

Free college tuition

As a public speaking beginner, I know that discussing free college tuition can ignite passionate debates . It is crucial to research and obtain reliable information when preparing for such a controversial speech topic.

When choosing this topic, I understand the importance of backing up arguments with credible sources to gain support and credibility in discussions and persuasive speeches. With the rising costs of education , advocating for free college tuition can certainly engage an audience and spark thought-provoking conversations .

I have learned that presenting compelling topics like free college tuition not only grabs attention but also invites thorough exploration and discussion among listeners or readers.

Police brutality

When discussing police brutality, it’s critical to highlight the alarming statistics and impacts. For instance, in 2020, there were over 1,100 documented cases of police killings in the United States alone.

This issue has a personal connection for many people and is significant when considering controversial speech topics . It’s crucial to research both sides of the argument before preparing a persuasive speech on this topic to understand its complexity and anticipate opposition from various audience members .

This paragraph presents factual details about police brutality without delving into too much historical or political context that could make the discussion overwhelming for beginners in public speaking.

Cultural appropriation

Cultural appropriation involves adopting elements of a culture without understanding or respecting their significance. It’s important to recognize the impact on marginalized communities and approach cultural exchange with sensitivity and respect .

Foreign policy and intervention

As someone new to public speaking, it’s important to choose speech topics that provoke thought and discussion. Foreign policy and intervention are hotbutton issues relevant in today’s world.

These contentious speech subjects can spark engaging debates and provide a compelling platform for persuasive speeches. When preparing for a presentation on foreign policy and intervention, I recommend meticulously researching both sides of the argument and understanding the diverse perspectives of your audience.

By acknowledging differing viewpoints, it becomes easier to anticipate opposition and prepare counterpoints effectively.

Prostitution

When considering controversial speech topics , prostitution stands out as a compelling subject due to its ethical and legal implications . It’s an issue that sparks debate on morality , public health , and human rights .

Exploring this topic can lead to engaging discussions about the regulation of sex work and the well-being of those involved. The complex nature of prostitution makes it both challenging and thought-provoking for speakers.

– Assisted Suicide

Assisted suicide

Assisted suicide is a controversial speech topic. It involves the ethical debate surrounding terminally ill individuals choosing to end their own lives with medical assistance. This subject requires sensitivity and a balanced approach when presenting arguments for and against it, as it evokes strong emotions in people.

It’s crucial to thoroughly research both sides of the argument and ensure that credible sources support your points if you choose to address this sensitive topic in your speech. The goal is to engage your audience through thought-provoking discussion while respecting differing opinions on this complex issue.

Cultural diversity in schools

Cultural diversity in schools is vital for creating a nurturing and inclusive environment . It encourages students to appreciate different backgrounds and perspectives, fostering empathy and respect .

Embracing cultural diversity helps prepare students for the global community they will be part of as future leaders. Understanding diverse cultures also enriches the learning experience , promoting open-mindedness and acceptance .

Diversity in schools contributes to a well-rounded education by allowing students to learn from each other’s unique experiences. It also provides opportunities to celebrate various traditions and customs , creating a rich tapestry of knowledge within the school community.

Internet privacy

Now, let’s transition from discussing cultural diversity in schools to exploring the topic of internet privacy . It’s crucial to understand that privacy online is a significant concern for many people.

With increasing digital footprints and growing cyber threats , safeguarding personal information is more important than ever before. As public speakers, we need to be mindful of these concerns when discussing controversial speech topics related to the internet and individual privacy.

Income inequality

Income inequality is a significant issue that affects many people in our society. It creates disparities between the rich and the poor , leading to social and economic challenges . Reliable data shows that income inequality has been increasing over the past few decades , with the top earners receiving a disproportionately large share of total income .

This disparity can lead to social unrest and hinder overall economic growth . Understanding this topic is crucial for effective public speaking as it sheds light on an important societal issue.

As someone who has experienced the impact of income inequality firsthand, I understand its importance as a speech topic for engaging an audience in meaningful discussion. Addressing this subject requires empathy, understanding, and strong research skills to present compelling arguments and propose viable solutions.

Mental health stigma

Transitioning from the societal issue of income inequality, let’s shift our focus to mental health stigma . This is a topic that affects many individuals and can evoke strong emotions .

It’s important to address this sensitive issue with empathy and understanding.

Many people facing mental health challenges encounter stigma, which can lead to discrimination and feelings of isolation . Keywords like “stigma,” “discrimination,” and “isolation” are significant in discussions about mental health.

Genetically modified foods

Now, let’s talk about genetically modified foods . These are organisms whose DNA has been altered in a way that doesn’t occur naturally. The topic sparks debates around their safety and potential impacts on the environment and human health .

It’s crucial to consider reliable sources when delving into discussions about this contentious subject .

Genetically modified foods have DNA alterations not found in nature, sparking heated debates on their safety and impact on the environment and human health. It’s important to rely on credible sources for discussions about this controversial topic.

Immigration bans

Immigration bans are a hot topic due to their impact on individuals and communities . The controversy surrounding this issue sparks heated debates. Immigration policies shape the identity of a nation, laying the foundation for diverse perspectives.

Public speakers should approach this topic with sensitivity, acknowledging its power to evoke strong emotions and differing viewpoints among their audience. Understanding both sides of the argument is crucial when addressing this contentious subject.

The article emphasizes that reliable sources are essential for engaging in discussions about immigration bans which hold much significance not only in today’s society but throughout history as well.

Death penalty for juveniles

The death penalty for juveniles is a contentious topic that sparks debate. In the United States, the Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that it’s unconstitutional to execute individuals for crimes committed while under the age of 18 .

However, this decision isn’t global—some countries continue to allow juvenile offenders to be sentenced to death. The discussion around this subject includes considerations of brain development, culpability, and international human rights standards.

Moving on to “Legalizing same-sex marriage”…

Legalizing same-sex marriage

After discussing the controversial issue of the death penalty for juveniles, now let’s consider legalizing same-sex marriage . It is a topic that sparks intense debate and personal experiences play a significant role in shaping opinions.

Many people strongly support the rights of individuals to marry regardless of gender, while others hold on to traditional beliefs about marriage being between a man and a woman. The legalization of same-sex marriage has indeed been an evolving and polarizing topic, reflecting shifting social values and attitudes towards equality.

The issue surrounding same-sex marriage legalization continues to be contentious due to varying religious, cultural, and political perspectives worldwide. In my journey through public speaking development, I’ve realized how important it is to approach such topics with sensitivity as they have real-life impact on individuals’ rights and liberties .

Tips for Preparing a Controversial Persuasive Speech

Research both sides of the argument thoroughly and understand your audience well. Practice your delivery and anticipate opposition to present a convincing controversial persuasive speech.

Research both sides of the argument

When choosing a controversial speech topic, it’s crucial to research both sides of the argument. This helps in understanding different perspectives and strengthens your position with well-rounded knowledge .

By examining multiple viewpoints, you can anticipate opposing arguments and effectively address them during your persuasive speech presentation.

Ensure that as a public speaking beginner, you utilize credible sources to support each side of the argument for thorough research. This will help in building a comprehensive understanding of the topic while boosting your confidence during the delivery of your speech or presentation.

Understand your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial. Tailor your speech to their interests and beliefs. Use language they understand and connect with. Avoid polarizing topics that may alienate them, instead, aim for common ground to engage effectively.

Remember the importance of being relatable and using examples your audience can relate to. This helps in making a connection with them. Understanding their perspective is key as it guides you on how to present the topic convincingly and persuasively.

Practice delivery and anticipate opposition

Understanding your audience is crucial. Anticipate objections and prepare responses. Confidence and a clear delivery are key. Rehearse in front of friends for feedback. Learn to address opposing views respectfully .

I know how important it is to pick the right topic for a speech. It can make or break your connection with the audience. Giving you 30 controversial speech topics was my aim to spark engagement and lively debate.

These topics touch on current issues that stir emotions and invite diverse opinions .

I’ve learned from my journey in public speaking that challenging topics often keep listeners on the edge of their seats, eager to hear your perspective. Whether it’s gun control, climate change, or gender inequality, each subject offers a rich field for exploration and argumentation.

Crafting a persuasive speech requires understanding both sides of any issue. This approach not only strengthens your arguments but also prepares you for counterarguments you may face.

Remember, knowing your audience is key to tailoring your message effectively.

These contentious subjects aren’t just academic exercises; they mirror real-world conflicts and dilemmas we navigate daily. Engaging with such topics helps us refine our viewpoints and possibly influence others’ opinions—a core goal of any persuasive speaker.

So dive into these themes with an open mind and a prepared heart. They’re more than just speeches; they’re conversations about the world we share and how we envision its future.

Ryan Nelson is the founder of Speak2Impress, a platform dedicated to helping individuals master the art of public speaking. Despite having a crippling fear of public speaking for many years, Ryan overcame his anxiety through diligent practice and active participation in Toastmasters. Now residing in New York City, he is passionate about sharing his journey and techniques to empower others to speak with confidence and clarity.

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112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging

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

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

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

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

Choose Something You’re Passionate About

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

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

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

Steer Clear of Cliches

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

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

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

Have a Clear Side of Opposition

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

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

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

Environment

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

Science & Technology

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

Social Media

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

Parenting & Family

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

Entertainment

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

Arts & Humanities

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

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

Do Your Research

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

Understand Your Audience

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

Have Someone Read Your Speech

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

Practice Makes Perfect

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

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

Debate Topics

Need to write an argumentative essay? Preparing for an upcoming debate? ProCon.org has over 100 topics complete with pro and con arguments, quotes and statistics from experts, historical information, and other pertinent research.

Abortion – Should abortion be legal?

Alternative Energy – Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels?

American Socialism – Should the U.S. become socialist?

Animal Dissection – Should K-12 students dissect animals in science classrooms?

Animal Testing – Should animals be used for scientific or commercial testing?

Artificial Intelligence – Is artificial intelligence good for society?

Banned Books – Should parents or other adults be able to ban books from schools and libraries?

Binge-Watching – Is binge-watching good for you?

Cancel Culture – Is cancel culture (or callout culture) good for society?

CBD for Pets – Is CBD good for pets?

Cell Phone Radiation – Is cell phone radiation safe?

Cheerleading – Is cheerleading a sport?

Churches & Taxes – Should churches (including mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt?

College Education – Is a college education worth it?

Congressional Term Limits – Should term limits be imposed on U.S. Senators and Representatives?

Constitutional Carry of Handguns – Should permitless, “constitutional carry” of guns be legal?

Corporal Punishment – Should corporal punishment be used in K-12 schools?

Corporate Tax Rate – Should the federal corporate income tax rate be raised?

Cuba Embargo – Should the United States maintain its embargo against Cuba?

DACA & Dreamers – Are DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and the DREAM Act good for America?

Daylight Saving Time – Should the United States keep daylight saving time?

DC AND Puerto Rico Statehood – Should Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico be granted U.S. statehood?

Death Penalty – Should the death penalty be legal?

Defund the Police – Should police departments be defunded, if not abolished?

Dress Codes – Should dress codes be implemented and enforced?

Drinking Age – Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to a younger age?

Drone Strikes – Should the United States continue its use of drone strikes abroad?

Drug Use in Sports – Should performance-enhancing drugs be accepted in sports?

Election Day National Holiday – Should the election day be made a national holiday?

Electoral College – Should the United States use the electoral college in presidential elections?

Employer Vaccine Mandates – Should employers be able to mandate vaccinations?

Felon Voting – Should people who have completed felony sentences be allowed to vote?

Fighting in Hockey – Should fighting be allowed in hockey?

Filibuster – Should the U.S. Senate keep the filibuster?

Fracking – Should the United States continue fracking

Free College – Should public college be tuition-free?

Fur Clothing Bans – Should fur clothing be banned?

GMOS – Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be grown?

Gold Standard – Should the United States return to a gold standard?

Golf – Is golf a sport and are golfers athletes?

Gun Control – Should more gun control laws be enacted?

Historic Statue Removal – Should historic statues be taken down?

Homework – Is homework beneficial?

Illegal Immigration – Should the U.S. government provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants?

Internet – Is the internet “making us stupid?”

Kneeling during the National Anthem – Is kneeling during the national anthem an appropriate form of protest?

Mandatory National Service – Should the United States have mandatory national service?

Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) – Should medical aid in dying be legal?

Medical Marijuana – Should medical marijuana be legal?

Milk – Should humans consume dairy milk?

Minimum Wage – Should the federal minimum wage be increased?

Net Neutrality – Should the U.S. have net neutrality laws?

Obesity – Is obesity a disease?

Olympics – Are the Olympic games an overall benefit for their host countries and cities?

OTC Birth Control Pills – Should birth control pills be available over-the-counter (OTC)?

Penny – Should the penny stay in circulation?

Pit Bull Bans – Should breed-specific legislation (“pit bull bans”) be enacted?

Pokémon – Is Pokémon Go good for our society?

Police Body Cameras – Should police officers wear body cameras?

Prescription Drug Costs – Should the U.S. federal government regulate prescription drug prices?

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Private Prisons – Should prisons be privatized?

Recreational Marijuana – Should recreational marijuana be legal?

Reparations for Slavery – Should the federal government pay reparations to the descendants of slaves?

Right to Healthcare – Should all Americans have the right (be entitled) to health care?

Sanctuary Cities – Should sanctuary cities receive federal funding?

Santa Claus – Is there really a Santa Claus?

Saturday Halloween – Should Halloween be moved permanently to Saturday?

School Uniforms – Should students have to wear school uniforms?

Single-use Plastics Ban – Should single-use plastics be banned?

Social Media & Digital Addiction – Does social media spur digital addiction and other social ills?

Social Security Privatization – Should social security be privatized?

Space Colonization – Should humans colonize space?

Standardized Tests – Do standardized tests improve education in America?

Student Loan Debt – Should student loan debt be eliminated via forgiveness or bankruptcy?

TikTok Bans – Should TikTok be banned?

Uber & Lyft – Are ride-sharing companies a benefit to society?

Universal Basic Income (UBI) – Should the United States implement a universal basic income?

U.S. Supreme Court Packing – Should packing the U.S. Supreme Court ever be considered?

Vaccines for Kids – Should states be allowed to mandate vaccines for school attendance??

Vaping E-Cigarettes – Is vaping e-cigarettes safe?

Vegetarianism – Should people become vegetarian?

Video Games & Violence – Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?

Voting Age – Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Voting Machines – Are electronic voting machines the best method for voting?

Zoos – Should zoos exist?

Archived Topics

Please note that ProCon no longer updates these debates.

ACLU – Is the ACLU good for America?

Big Three Bailout – Should the big three car manufacturers be bailed out by the U.S. government?

Born Gay – Is sexual orientation determined at birth?

Climate Change – Is human activity primarily responsible for global climate change?

College Football Playoffs – Should college football replace the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) with a playoff system?

Dakota Access Pipeline – Should the Dakota Access Pipeline be completed?

D.A.R.E. – Is the D.A.R.E. program good for America’s kids (K-12)?

Gay Marriage – Should gay marriage be legal?

Congressional Insider Trading – Should insider trading by Congress be allowed?

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – What are the solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Obamacare – Is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) good for America?

Paying College Athletes – Should colleges and universities pay college athletes?

President Bill Clinton – Was Bill Clinton a good president?

President Ronald Reagan – Was Ronald Reagan a good president?

Presidential Election, 2008 – Which candidate would make the best U.S. president?

Presidential Election, 2012 – Which candidate should be U.S. president in 2012?

Presidential Election, 2016 – The candidates and where they stand on the issues

Presidential Election, 2020 – 2020 Presidential Election Site

Prostitution – Should prostitution be legal?

School Vouchers – Should states have school voucher programs?

Tablets v. Textbooks -Should tablets replace textbooks in K-12 schools?

Teacher Tenure – Should teachers get tenure?

Under God in the Pledge – Should the words “under god” be in the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance?

U.S. Drone Shot down by Iran – Was the U.S. drone shot down by Iran over international waters?

U.S.-Iraq War – Should the U.S. have attacked Iraq?

WTC Muslim Center – Is it appropriate to build a muslim community center (aka the ”ground zero mosque”) near the World Trade Center site?

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200 Jaw-Dropping Controversial Speech Topics

By: Author The GenTwenty Team

Posted on Last updated: April 28, 2024

Categories College

Today, we’re diving into the juicy world of controversial speech topics. Whether you’re gearing up for a fiery debate or just looking to spice up your next presentation, these topics are sure to get people talking.

From politics and religion to social issues and beyond, we’ll explore some of the most contentious subjects out there. So buckle up, keep an open mind, and let’s dive into the controversy!

Controversial speech topics can fall into various categories, sparking debates and discussions. There are so many good topics which can lead to some persuasive speeches and introduce a new point of view. Here are 10 categories with examples of controversial topics in each:

1. Politics and Government :

Politics and government often stir up passionate debates whether among high school students or college students. Here are 10 extremely controversial speech topics in this category:

Gun Control : Should there be stricter gun control laws, or should gun ownership be a fundamental right?
Immigration : Should there be stricter immigration policies, or should borders be more open?
Abortion : Is abortion a woman’s right to choose, or is it morally wrong?
Capital Punishment : Is the death penalty an effective deterrent for crime, or is it inhumane and should be abolished?
National Security vs. Privacy : Should governments prioritize national security over individual privacy rights, or vice versa?
Climate Change : Is climate change primarily caused by human activity, or is it a natural cycle?
Government Surveillance : Should governments have the right to conduct mass surveillance on their citizens to prevent terrorism?
Healthcare Reform : Should healthcare be a public service provided by the government, or should it be privatized?
Electoral College : Should the United States abolish the Electoral College and elect presidents based on the popular vote?
Military Intervention : Is military intervention justified to protect human rights in other countries, or does it often lead to more harm than good?
Electoral College Reform : Should the United States abolish the Electoral College and elect presidents based on the popular vote?
Term Limits for Politicians : Should there be term limits for politicians to prevent career politicians and encourage fresh perspectives?
Voting Rights : What measures should be taken to ensure equal access to voting, and should voting be mandatory?
Government Transparency : How can government transparency be improved to ensure accountability and prevent corruption?
Political Campaign Finance Reform : Should there be stricter limits on campaign contributions and spending to reduce the influence of money in politics?
Political Polarization : How can political polarization be addressed to promote more constructive political discourse and decision-making?
Immigration Reform : What policies should be implemented to address immigration issues, such as illegal immigration and border security?
National Security vs. Civil Liberties : How should the balance between national security and civil liberties be maintained, especially in the context of surveillance and anti-terrorism measures?
Government Regulation of Big Tech : Should the government regulate big tech companies to protect competition and prevent the spread of misinformation?
Globalization and Trade Policies : How should governments approach globalization and trade policies to ensure fair trade and protect domestic industries and workers?

2. Social Issues :

Social issues often evoke strong emotions. You may find some controversial issues among this subject matter:

Same-Sex Marriage : Should same-sex marriage be legalized, or is marriage strictly between a man and a woman?
Racial Profiling : Is racial profiling an effective law enforcement tool, or is it a form of discrimination?
Affirmative Action : Is affirmative action necessary to promote diversity and equality, or does it lead to reverse discrimination?
Gender Identity : Should transgender individuals have the right to use the restroom corresponding to their gender identity?
Police Brutality : Is police brutality a systemic issue that needs to be addressed, or are these isolated incidents blown out of proportion?
Income Inequality : Should the government intervene to reduce income inequality, or is it a natural result of a capitalist society?
Abortion Rights : Should women have the right to choose abortion, or is it morally wrong?
Freedom of Speech : Should hate speech be protected under freedom of speech, or should it be restricted to protect marginalized groups?
Legalization of Drugs : Should drugs like marijuana be legalized and regulated, or should they remain illegal?
Euthanasia : Should individuals have the right to end their own lives in cases of terminal illness or unbearable suffering?
Gender Pay Gap : Is there a gender pay gap, and if so, what can be done to address it?
Homelessness : How should society address the issue of homelessness, and what can be done to provide support and solutions?
Access to Healthcare : Should healthcare be a universal right, and if so, how can access to healthcare be ensured for all?
Gun Control : What measures should be taken to address gun violence and ensure responsible gun ownership?
Immigrant Rights : How should society approach immigration policies to protect immigrant rights while addressing national security concerns?
Mental Health Stigma : How can society reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and improve access to mental health care?
Education Inequality : How can education be made more equitable, especially in terms of funding and resources for schools in low-income communities?
Workplace Discrimination : How can society address issues of workplace discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other factors?
Child Welfare : What reforms are needed to protect children from abuse and neglect, and how can society better support families in need?
Cultural Relativism : Is morality relative to culture, or are there universal moral principles that apply to all societies?

3. Ethics and Morality :

Ethics and morality are deeply personal and often contentious topics. However, a good persuasive speech topic means having your main points and facts down pat. Here are 20 extremely controversial speech topics in this category:

Euthanasia : Should euthanasia be legalized for terminally ill patients who are suffering?
Animal Rights : Should animals have the same rights as humans, including the right to life and freedom from exploitation?
Genetic Engineering : Is it ethical to use genetic engineering to enhance human capabilities or create designer babies?
Capital Punishment : Is the death penalty a justifiable form of punishment, or is it cruel and inhumane?
Cloning : Is human cloning ethically permissible, or does it raise too many moral concerns?
Surrogacy : Is commercial surrogacy exploitative, or does it provide a valuable service to those unable to conceive?
Censorship : Is censorship ever justified, or does it violate fundamental rights to freedom of expression?
Privacy Rights : Should individuals have an absolute right to privacy, or are there circumstances where privacy can be violated for the greater good?
Environmental Ethics : Are humans morally obligated to protect the environment, or is human well-being more important?
Torture : Is torture ever justified in extreme circumstances, such as to prevent a terrorist attack?
Cultural Appropriation : Where is the line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation, and how should it be addressed?
Corporate Social Responsibility : Should corporations be held to higher ethical standards regarding their impact on society and the environment?
Privacy vs. Security : To what extent should individual privacy be sacrificed in the name of national security?
Circumcision : Is infant circumcision ethical, or should individuals be able to decide for themselves when they are older?
Drug Legalization : Should all drugs be legalized and regulated, or does this pose too many risks to society?
Sexual Ethics : What are the ethical boundaries when it comes to sexual relationships, pornography, and sex work?
Environmental Conservation : How far should we go to protect the environment, even if it means restricting human activities?
Religious Freedom : To what extent should religious beliefs be accommodated in public life, especially when they conflict with secular laws?
Artificial Intelligence Ethics : What ethical guidelines should govern the development and use of artificial intelligence, especially as it becomes more advanced?

4. Technology and Privacy :

Technology and privacy are hot topics with plenty of controversial angles. The first step is to realize the different sources technology and privacy stem from if you are really wanting to grab an audience’s attention.

Government Surveillance : Is mass surveillance by governments a necessary measure for national security, or does it infringe on privacy rights?
Social Media Monitoring : Should social media platforms be allowed to monitor users’ activities to prevent harmful behavior, or does this violate privacy?
Biometric Data Collection : Is collecting biometric data (like fingerprints or facial recognition) for security purposes justified, or does it pose too many risks to privacy?
Data Mining : Should companies be allowed to mine user data for targeted advertising and product development, or is this an invasion of privacy?
Internet Censorship : Is censorship of the internet necessary to protect individuals from harmful content, or does it violate freedom of expression?
Online Privacy Laws : Should there be stricter laws regulating how companies collect and use personal data online, or would this stifle innovation?
Encryption : Should individuals have the right to encrypt their communications to protect their privacy, or does this hinder law enforcement efforts?
Health Data Privacy : Is it ethical for companies to collect and analyze health data from wearable devices, or does this raise concerns about privacy and consent?
Smart Home Devices : Do smart home devices that listen and record conversations invade privacy, or do their benefits outweigh these concerns?
Digital Rights Management : Should digital content be protected by strict DRM (Digital Rights Management) to prevent piracy, or does this restrict consumer rights?
Facial Recognition Technology : Should facial recognition technology be used for surveillance and law enforcement, or does it pose too many risks to privacy and civil liberties?
Employee Monitoring : Is it ethical for employers to monitor employees’ digital activities, such as emails and internet usage, to ensure productivity and security?
Cybersecurity vs. Privacy : Should governments prioritize cybersecurity measures, even if it means compromising individuals’ privacy?
Internet of Things (IoT) : Are the conveniences of IoT devices worth the potential privacy risks associated with them?
Biometric Identification : Should biometric identification methods, such as fingerprint or iris scans, be used for authentication purposes, or do they raise privacy concerns?
Digital Surveillance in Public Spaces : Should governments be allowed to use digital surveillance technologies, such as CCTV cameras and facial recognition, in public spaces to enhance security?
Data Breaches and Privacy : How should companies be held accountable for data breaches that compromise individuals’ privacy?
Online Tracking and Behavioral Advertising : Should companies be allowed to track users’ online activities to personalize advertising, or does this violate privacy rights?
Government Backdoors in Encryption : Should governments require tech companies to create backdoors in encryption software to allow access for law enforcement, or does this weaken overall cybersecurity?
Digital Privacy in Healthcare : How should sensitive healthcare information be protected in the digital age, especially with the increasing use of electronic health records?

5. Environment and Sustainability :

Environmental and sustainability issues are no easy task and often spark intense debates. These potential topics could range from global warming to animal testing but some do require lots of research to explore the subject matter.

Climate Change : Is climate change primarily caused by human activity, or is it a natural phenomenon?
Fossil Fuels vs. Renewable Energy : Should the world continue to rely on fossil fuels, or should the transition to renewable energy sources be accelerated?
Deforestation : Is deforestation necessary for economic development, or should more be done to protect forests?
Plastic Pollution : Should single-use plastics (like plastic bags) be banned to reduce plastic pollution, or are there better alternatives?
Wildlife Conservation : Is wildlife conservation more important than economic development, or can they coexist?
Overpopulation : Is overpopulation a significant environmental issue that needs to be addressed, or are other factors more pressing?
Water Scarcity : How should water resources be managed to ensure equitable access and sustainability?
Nuclear Energy : Is nuclear energy a viable solution to reducing carbon emissions, or does it pose too many risks?
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) : Are GMOs essential for sustainable agriculture, or do they pose risks to the environment and human health?
Carbon Pricing : Should carbon pricing be implemented to incentivize businesses to reduce emissions, or are there better approaches?
Ocean Acidification : How should ocean acidification, caused by carbon dioxide absorption, be addressed to protect marine ecosystems?
Fracking : Is fracking a viable method for extracting natural gas, or does it pose too many environmental risks?
Environmental Regulations : Should environmental regulations be strengthened to protect the environment, or do they hinder economic growth?
Meat Consumption : Should people reduce their meat consumption to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or is this unnecessary?
Carbon Offsetting : Is carbon offsetting an effective way to reduce emissions, or does it allow polluters to avoid taking real action?
Sustainable Development : Can economic development be achieved sustainably, or is there an inherent conflict between growth and environmental protection?
Geoengineering : Should geoengineering technologies be explored to counteract the effects of climate change, or do they pose too many risks?
Environmental Justice : How can environmental justice be achieved to ensure that marginalized communities are not disproportionately affected by environmental degradation?
Climate Change Denial : Should climate change deniers be given a platform, or should their views be dismissed in favor of scientific consensus?
Consumerism and Waste : How can consumerism be reduced to minimize waste and environmental impact, and what role should businesses and governments play in this?

6. Education :

Here are 20 controversial speech topics in the area of education. They would make great argumentative essays and can even play into other topics such as violent video games and the access to sugary drinks. The following topics are a great way to explore education with a target audience:

Standardized Testing : Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student learning, or do they place undue stress on students and teachers?
Charter Schools vs. Public Schools : Should public funds be used to support charter schools, or do they drain resources from public education?
School Vouchers : Should parents be given vouchers to use public funds for private or charter schools, or does this undermine public education?
Inequality in Education : How can education be made more equitable, especially in terms of funding and resources?
Sex Education : Should sex education be taught in schools, and if so, what should be included in the curriculum?
Transgender/Gender Education : Is gender education beneficial for students, or is it not appropriate?
School Safety : How can schools ensure the safety of students and staff, especially in light of recent school shootings?
Teacher Tenure : Is teacher tenure necessary to protect educators from unfair dismissal, or does it make it difficult to remove ineffective teachers?
Online Learning : Is online learning an effective alternative to traditional classroom instruction, or does it lack the same level of engagement and interaction?
Religious Education : Should religious education be taught in public schools, or does this violate the separation of church and state?
Arts and Music Education : Should arts and music education be a priority in schools, or are they less important than core academic subjects?
Technology in the Classroom : How can technology be effectively integrated into the classroom to enhance learning, without replacing traditional teaching methods?
Critical Race Theory : Should critical race theory be taught in schools to educate students about systemic racism, or does it promote division and resentment?
Homeschooling : Is homeschooling a viable alternative to traditional schooling, or does it isolate children from important social experiences?
Student Loan Debt : How can the issue of student loan debt be addressed to ensure that higher education remains accessible to all?
School Discipline : What is the best approach to school discipline, and how can it be implemented in a way that is fair and effective?
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Education : Should schools provide education about sexual orientation and gender identity, or is this the responsibility of parents? How, for example, could this play into a topic such as school uniforms?
Physical Education : How can physical education be improved to promote better health and fitness among students?
Curriculum Content : How should curriculum content be determined, and who should have input into these decisions?
Teacher Pay and Benefits : Are teachers paid and compensated fairly for their work, or are they undervalued compared to other professions?

7. Healthcare :

Healthcare is a complex and often contentious topic. Here are 20 controversial speech topics related to healthcare:

Universal Healthcare : Should healthcare be a universal right provided by the government, or should it remain a private service?
Healthcare Costs : How can the rising costs of healthcare be addressed to ensure access for all?
Healthcare for the Elderly : How should healthcare for the elderly be funded and managed, especially with an aging population?
Healthcare for the Homeless : How can healthcare services be improved for homeless individuals, who often lack access to care?
Mental Health Care : Is there enough support and funding for mental health care, or is it still stigmatized and underfunded?
Abortion Rights : Should abortion be legal and accessible, or should it be restricted?
Healthcare for Immigrants : Should immigrants have access to healthcare services, regardless of their legal status?
Alternative Medicine : Should alternative medicine practices be integrated into mainstream healthcare, or should they be regulated more strictly?
End-of-Life Care : How should end-of-life care be managed, including the use of palliative care and euthanasia?
Healthcare for the Uninsured : How can healthcare services be improved for the uninsured, who often rely on emergency care?
Medical Malpractice : How should cases of medical malpractice be handled to ensure accountability and justice?
Healthcare for Veterans : Are veterans receiving adequate healthcare services, or is more support needed?
Reproductive Health : How should reproductive health services be provided and funded, especially for low-income individuals?
Healthcare for Children : How can healthcare services be improved for children, including access to vaccinations and preventive care?
Healthcare for the Disabled : Are individuals with disabilities receiving adequate healthcare services, or are there barriers to access?
Healthcare for the LGBTQ+ Community : How can healthcare services be more inclusive and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community?
Healthcare Technology : How can technology be used to improve healthcare services, while also addressing concerns about data privacy?
Healthcare in Developing Countries : How can healthcare services be improved in developing countries, where resources are limited?
Healthcare and Obesity : How should healthcare services address the growing issue of obesity, including prevention and treatment?
Healthcare and Drug Addiction : How can healthcare services better address drug addiction, including access to treatment and support services?

8. Economics and Finance :

Here are 20 controversial speech topics in this area:

Income Inequality : Is income inequality a natural result of a capitalist economy, or does it indicate a systemic problem that needs to be addressed?
Minimum Wage : Should the minimum wage be raised to provide a living wage for all workers, or would this hurt businesses and lead to job losses?
Wealth Redistribution : Should wealth be redistributed to reduce inequality, or does this discourage hard work and innovation?
Corporate Taxation : Should corporations pay higher taxes to fund social programs, or would this hinder economic growth and job creation?
Globalization : Is globalization beneficial for all countries, or does it lead to exploitation and economic imbalance?
Trade Policies : Should countries prioritize free trade agreements, or should they protect domestic industries through tariffs and trade barriers?
Financial Regulation : Should governments regulate financial markets more strictly to prevent another financial crisis, or does this stifle economic growth?
Universal Basic Income : Should governments implement a universal basic income to reduce poverty and inequality, or would this be too costly and lead to dependency?
Austerity Measures : Are austerity measures necessary to reduce government debt, or do they harm the economy by reducing spending?
Privatization of Public Services : Should public services such as healthcare and education be privatized to improve efficiency, or does this lead to inequality and reduced access?
Monetary Policy : Should central banks use quantitative easing and low interest rates to stimulate the economy, or does this create asset bubbles and inflation?
Cryptocurrency : Is cryptocurrency a viable alternative to traditional currencies, or is it a speculative bubble waiting to burst?
Gig Economy : Is the gig economy a flexible and innovative way of working, or does it exploit workers and undermine job security?
Sustainable Investing : Should investors prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in their investment decisions, or does this limit returns?
Debt Forgiveness : Should countries forgive the debt of developing nations to promote economic development, or does this set a bad precedent?
Welfare Reform : Should welfare programs be reformed to encourage self-sufficiency, or do they need to be expanded to provide a stronger safety net?
Financial Bailouts : Should governments bail out failing banks and corporations to prevent economic collapse, or does this reward risky behavior?
Financial Literacy : Should financial literacy be taught in schools to empower individuals to make better financial decisions, or is this the responsibility of parents?
Tax Havens : Should tax havens be abolished to prevent tax evasion and promote global economic fairness, or do they serve a legitimate purpose?
Inflation Targeting : Should central banks target a specific inflation rate to stabilize prices and promote economic growth, or is this approach too rigid and ineffective?

9. Media and Freedom of Speech :

Media and freedom of speech frequently ignite heated discussions. It is not hard to find an interesting topic with which to start off the writing process of an effective persuasive speech.

Fake News : How should society address the issue of fake news, and what role should the government play in regulating it?
Censorship : Is censorship ever justified, or does it violate fundamental rights to freedom of expression? Should social media platforms regulate content more strictly?
Hate Speech : Should hate speech be protected under freedom of speech, or should it be restricted to protect marginalized groups?
Media Bias : How can media bias be addressed to ensure balanced and accurate reporting?
Social Media Regulation : Should social media platforms regulate content more strictly to prevent misinformation and hate speech?
Journalistic Ethics : How can journalistic ethics be upheld in an era of clickbait and sensationalism?
Freedom of the Press : Should journalists have special privileges and protections under the law, or should they be held to the same standards as everyone else?
Whistleblower Protections : Should whistleblowers be protected from legal repercussions for exposing wrongdoing, or does this undermine national security?
Political Satire : Should political satire be protected as a form of free speech, or does it contribute to a culture of disrespect and divisiveness?
Public Access to Information : Should governments be required to provide access to information to the public, or are there valid reasons for withholding information?
Media Ownership : Should there be limits on media ownership to prevent monopolies and ensure diverse viewpoints?
Internet Freedom : Should the internet be regulated to prevent harmful content, or should it remain a free and open platform for expression?
Digital Rights : How can individuals’ digital rights be protected in an era of widespread surveillance and data collection?
Artistic Freedom : Should artists have the right to create and distribute controversial or offensive works, or should there be limits on artistic expression?
Public Shaming : Is public shaming an effective tool for holding individuals and institutions accountable, or does it perpetuate a culture of outrage and intolerance?
Corporate Influence in Media : How can the influence of corporations in media be reduced to ensure unbiased reporting?
Freedom of Speech on College Campuses : Should there be limits on freedom of speech on college campuses to protect students from offensive or harmful speech?
Media Literacy : How can media literacy be improved to help people discern between reliable and unreliable sources of information?
Digital Disinformation Campaigns : How should governments and tech companies address digital disinformation campaigns that seek to manipulate public opinion?

10. Religion and Beliefs :

Religion and beliefs are deeply personal and often contentious topics. Here are 20 controversial speech topics in this area:

Religious Freedom : Should individuals have the right to practice their religion freely, or should there be limits to religious expression?
Religion in Schools : Should religion be taught in schools, and if so, how should it be incorporated into the curriculum?
Creationism vs. Evolution : Should creationism be taught alongside evolution in schools, or should it be kept separate?
Religious Extremism : How should society address the issue of religious extremism, and what role should the government play in combating it?
Interfaith Dialogue : How can interfaith dialogue be promoted to foster understanding and tolerance among different religious groups?
Religious Symbols in Public Spaces : Should religious symbols be displayed in public spaces, such as schools and government buildings?
Blasphemy Laws : Should blasphemy laws be abolished, or do they serve a legitimate purpose in protecting religious sensitivities?
Conversion Therapy : Should conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ individuals be allowed on religious grounds, or should it be banned?
Women’s Rights in Religion : How can women’s rights be promoted within religious institutions that may have traditional gender roles?
Religious Tax Exemptions : Should religious organizations be exempt from taxes, or should they be treated like any other nonprofit organization?
Religious Texts and Literature : How should society approach the study and interpretation of religious texts and literature, especially in a diverse and multicultural world?
Religion and Politics : To what extent should religious beliefs influence political decisions and policies?
Secularism vs. Religion : Should society strive for a secular state that separates religion and government, or should religion play a more prominent role in public life?
Religious Minorities : How can the rights of religious minorities be protected in societies where they are the minority?
Scientific Advancement vs. Religious Beliefs : How should society reconcile scientific advancements that may challenge religious beliefs?
Religious Freedom vs. LGBTQ+ Rights : How can society balance religious freedom with the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in matters such as marriage and adoption?
Religious Tolerance : How can religious tolerance be promoted in societies with diverse religious beliefs?
Religious Rituals and Practices : Should religious rituals and practices be respected and accommodated in public spaces, or should they be restricted to private settings?
Religious Education for Children : How should religious education for children be approached, especially in multicultural societies?
Religion and Science Education : How should science and religion be taught in schools to avoid conflict and promote understanding?

What Topic Will You Choose?

Controversial speech topics are a crucial part of public discourse and public speaking, challenging us to think critically, consider different perspectives, and engage in meaningful conversations. While these persuasive topics may stir strong emotions and opinions, they also provide an opportunity for growth and understanding.

Remember that some of the best persuasive speech topics require the outline by a great persuasive essay first. But, by approaching these topics with an open mind and a willingness to listen, we can contribute to a more inclusive and enlightened society.

So, whether you’re discussing politics, religion, social issues, or any other controversial topic , remember to keep the conversation respectful and constructive. After all, it’s through these debates that we can truly learn from one another and move forward together.

454 Persuasive Speech Topics: Easy, Fun, & Controversial Ideas for Students

Every day, we create and consume persuasive messages. For example, when we argue about what movie to watch or where to go on the weekend. But how often do we pause to consider how we form our arguments or perceive the ones we hear from others? Public speaking on persuasive topics provides us the chance to do so.

Persuasive speeches do not inform the audience on the issue but rather convince them to take action or change their attitudes. In this article, we’ll discuss the structure of the persuasive speech. You’ll also find many compelling topics for public speaking that can come in handy and motivate the audience to change!

🔝 Top 10 Persuasive Speech Topics in 2024

✍️ persuasive speech outline, 😊 easy persuasive speech topics.

🎒 Speech Topics for High School
🎓 Speech Topics for College

⭐ Good Persuasive Speech Topics

💊 medical persuasive speech topics.

🍃 Environmental Speech Topics

⚖️ Ethical Persuasive Speech Topics

➡️ problem solution persuasive speech topics, 😜 funny persuasive speech topics, 🤔 controversial persuasive speech topics, 📝 persuasive essay topics, ❓ persuasive speech faq, 🔗 references.

Why should society accept the AI revolution?
Free education should be accessible to everyone.
Social media impacts social behavior.
Sports should be a part of children’s life.
The death penalty should be canceled.
Fashion and style reveal the inner world of the person.
Every country should have open borders.
Teenagers are addicted to Instagram and Snapchat.
Solo travel is the best method to explore oneself.
Should teachers teach kids in middle school about sex?

Delivering persuasive speeches is not that easy. It usually requires thorough preparation and thoughtful structuring to convey your message clearly and motivate the audience to make a move. We have prepared a detailed outline to help you create an effective persuasive speech. Check out the table below to learn its key components!

Speech component	Explanation
	Your speech should create interest and set the tone of the speech. Since your speech is persuasive, your general goal is to convince your audience. This is what your audience should do or think after listening to your speech. The must present your main argument or position on the topic.
	Start your speech with a that will make the audience curious about the topic. Further, show how your speech topic is connected to the listeners’ interests, concerns, or needs. Establish your credibility by demonstrating your expertise, knowledge, or experience to gain the audience’s trust. In the final part of your , present your thesis and outline the central arguments you will make in your speech.
	Include a linking sentence that would tie your introduction to your speech’s main body. Describe the problems concerning your topic and their effects, supporting your claims with evidence. Problem 1 + Effects + Evidence Problem 2 + Effects + Evidence Problem 3 + Effects + Evidence Make a smooth from discussing the problem to proposing the solution. Provide a thoughtful solution to the problem and present a detailed plan to implement it. Description of the solution. A step-by-step plan of action.
	Include a linking sentence to connect the main body and the . In this section, you should recap the key arguments or ideas presented in the speech, highlighting their significance. Directly request the audience to take particular actions according to the information from your speech. End with an effective comment that sticks in the audience’s memory and reinforces your message.

Money cannot buy love and loyalty.
Higher education should be free for everyone .
Online communication is better than offline.
Students should not wear the uniform .
Use of cell phones while driving should be banned .
Youngsters should respect their elders.
Why should lying be banned?
Gay marriage should not be legal .
Selfies in tourist locations should be taxed.
iOS is better in use than Android .
Should the federal government legalize the use of marijuana ?
Gender should not matter in the sports industry .
Why should people colonize Mars ?
Why should same-sex marriage be a norm ?
People should visit dentists several times per year.
Educational institutions should promote inclusivity .
Should societies impose monogamy ?
Adventures are better than routine life.
Memes are a quick way to brighten up the mood.
Why humans should not visit Mars .
Offensive jokes should be forbidden.
Nightclubbing is a waste of time.
Tattoos should be considered fine art .
Why should Halloween as the event be canceled?
A good sense of humor helps make new acquaintances.
Why celebrities should avoid political topics .
Why does time pass faster on vacation?
Life exists after death.
Why celebrities should be apositive role model .
Vaping should be banned in public places.

🎒 Persuasive Speech Topics for High School

Dating a coworker should be illegal.
Should parents spank their children ?
Jealousy destroys all types of relationships.
Procrastination plays a vital role in the working process.
Should we restrict the Internet usage by children ?
Why shouldn’t parents force their kids to go to church?
Small businesses should be protected by law.
Should US public schools have a longer year ?
Why are online bloggers beneficial to society?
Owning a business leads people to feel lonely and isolated.
Adult children should support elderly parents .
Bitcoin should be used as legal currency.
Technology doesn’t make us lazy.
Why you should not have grades in school .
Why should the death penalty still be used as a punishment?
People should buy only electric vehicles .
Cigarette manufacturers should be prohibited .
Kids under the age of 13 should have an 8 PM curfew .
Police brutality against black people should be punished.
Censorship issue: books should never be banned .
People should have hobbies to be satisfied with life.
Having a role model is essential for constant self-improvement.
Why should marriage be based on love and not arranged ?
Why is creativity crucial in the SMM industry ?
The payment for commonalities should be decreased.
Why should evolution be taught in schools ?
Planning prevents procrastination.
Listening to music while driving decreases the rate of car crashes.
English language learners should be immersed in English .
Lotteries should be illegal, the same as gambling and casinos.

🎓 Persuasive Speech Topics for College

The government should take serious measures to prevent the issue of child pornography .
Should Mormon children be returned to their homes ?
Enormous coffee consumption can cause anxiety or panic attacks.
The three-day weekends can increase work productivity .
All police officers should wear a body camera .
Why texting on the road is the leading cause of car accidents?
The number of ads on the billboards should be cut.
Should public servants have the right to strike ?
Democracy as the government structure has a lot of pitfalls.
Foreign aid from the United States should aim to support global peace.
Why juveniles should be tried as adults .
Affirmative action should be taken to redress historical and ingrained inequalities.
The government should promote the spread of charter schools .
Should casinos be legal in Texas ?
The Black Lives Matter movement has played a vital role in preventing vigilante violence.
COVID-19 vaccines should be mandatory to protect people at risk.
Should parents have the right to choose their children based on genetics ?
Genetic engineering can be used for the treatment of genetic diseases.
White nationalism should be canceled.
Should guns be banned from college campuses ?
Why does routine make people feel healthier and more energetic?
Food preferences have the power to connect people around the world.
Individuals should not be allowed to sell their body organs .
Positive childhood memories play a crucial role in a person’s development.
Each individual should have a sense of purpose.
Should aid to developing countries be stopped ?
Border security should be a priority in ensuring national safety.
Extreme weather disasters are the consequences of global warming.
Should we rely on eye-witness testimonies to identify crime-suspects ?
Why does applying sunscreen reduce the risks of skin cancer ?

Whether you want to change the opinion of your audience or motivate them to action, here are some fascinating and thought-provoking topics that are perfect for persuasive speeches:

Year-round school is better for academic success .
Should academic achievement be a primary concern for college admission ?
The use of fossil fuels should be banned to stop global warming.
The drinking age should be raised to 25 years old.
Why should marijuana be legalized and crack or cocaine remain illegal ?
Abortion should be legalized at the federal level.
Why is a strong middle class crucial to economic development?
Should social norms change at the brink of the new era ?
Prisoners should be allowed to vote after being acquitted.
Violent video games promote aggressive behavior in teenagers.
Why should bullies be expelled from school ?
Parents should not track the location of their children.
Why is conflict necessary for change in a relationship?
Drinking age should be lowered to 18 years .
The prices of pharmaceutical drugs should be affordable for elders.

Persuasive Speech Topics about Music

Every person who has good hearing may sing.
Discusison of why we should keep vocal fry .
Why does classical music still play a vital role in music art?
The lyrics of a song should elicit emotions in the audience.
Legalizing free downloads of music and movies .
Music is an effective way to communicate with the masses.
Pirating music is a severe danger to the country’s economy.
Can music be an enhancement to education ?
Rap music has a bad influence on people’s behavior.
Music should be an anchor to positive emotions.
How does music reinforce stereotypes ?
Songs with violent lyrics should be banned for teenagers under 18.
Music has the potential to be the most effective therapy for mental illnesses.
Does music distract students or help them ?
Why should patriotic songs inspire people to feel passionate about their country?

Sports Persuasive Speech Topics

Coaches should be more active in athlete health management.
Should athletes be held to a higher moral standard ?
Why should hunting animals be banned as a sport in all countries?
Extreme sports with severe consequences should be outlawed.
Should football be banned for being too violent and dangerous ?
Heavy training and burnout put young athletes at risk of serious injury.
Alcohol and tobacco advertising during athletic events should be forbidden.
Reasons why kids should not play football .
The success of the football team depends on coaching skills.
College athletic teams should have sponsorship from the government.
College athletes should not be paid .
Terrorist countries should not be allowed to host international sporting activities.
Why do stress and anxiety make athletes more vulnerable to injuries?
Should Russian athletes be allowed to play in tournaments ?
The pay for men and women athletes should be equal.

Social Media Persuasive Speech Topics

Social media dating should be treated more seriously.
Should social media be banned ?
Social media is to blame for the proliferation of online sexual exploitation.
Why does Internet communication impact politics and social awareness?
YouTube comments: users should have a choice .
Instagram and TikTok make people more selfish.
The use of social networks should be banned for elementary school students.
Lemon coffee trend on TikTok shouldn’t be done .
Social media causes severe mental disorders.
Why do social networks lead to problems with self-esteem ?
Should online shaming be considered a problem ?
Instagram is the best place to earn money in the modern world.
The key benefit of social media is the freedom of speech .
Social media for children: threat or opportunity ?
People should be more cautious with using social networks.

The field of medicine provides many intriguing and interesting persuasive speech topics for students! You can check some of them below:

Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.
Should parents avoid vaccinating their children ?
Why should health insurance cover dentistry?
Artificial intelligence positively influences the healthcare industry.
Mandatory overtime for nurses should be eliminated .
Medical aid for dying should be legalized.
Organ donation and transportation should not be forbidden.
Why we should all be wearing face masks .
Marijuana should be legalized for medical purposes .
COVID-19 vaccination protects children and adolescents.
Should we withhold life support ?
Healthy eating habits positively impact physical health.
E-cigarettes lead to lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Should physician-assisted suicide be legal ?
The quality of prenatal and postnatal care should be improved.
Animal testing in medical research should be canceled.
Should COVID-19 vaccines be mandatory ?
Sex education is crucial in preventing teenage pregnancy .
Childhood obesity comes from the lack of nutrition education in schools.
Should patients have access to truthful information ?
Regular medical checkups lower the chance of premature mortality.
People should regulate the amount of sugar intake to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Competence for nurses: why is it important ?

Mental Health Persuasive Speech Topics

Employers should create healthy work environments for their workforce.
Social media as a cause of anxiety and depression .
Children experience mental health issues less often than adults.
Stress at work leads to severe psychological issues.
Does social media use contribute to depression ?
Music therapy should be widely used in healing and recovery processes.
Implicit bias shapes the way medical providers interact with patients.
Hypnotherapy as an effective method for treating depression .
Regular sport and a healthy diet promote good mental well-being.
Why do open discussions on mental health help cope with anxiety?
Substance abuse: the cause of social problems .
Promoting a person’s social-emotional well-being leads to lower crime rates .
Raising awareness of mental health reduces suicide rates .
Why is anxiety not related to personal weakness ?
Mental healthcare professionals should encourage self-care to avoid burnout.

This image lists common myths about mental health.

Psychology Persuasive Speech Topics

Trauma-focused psychotherapy is the most effective method of treating people with PTSD .
Psychology: when we should trust our senses .
Why do family relationships affect behavior patterns in children?
Burnout at work is the leading cause of mental disorders.
Is creativity a modern panacea from boredom and depression ?
People should not work as psychologists without higher education.
The harm reduction treatment model is a great alternative to abstinence.
Is Islamic spirituality a key to psychological well-being ?
Why is it a bad idea for therapists to text clients?
The social pressure from peers leads to a mental breakdown.
Psychological testing: beneficial or harmful ?
War veterans should take therapy for PTSD.
Marketing firms use human behavior patterns to their advantage.
Psychology: does a criminal mind exist ?
Happy childhood does not guarantee good mental health.

🍃 Environmental Persuasive Speech Topics

The environment takes an important place in our lives. We can make beneficial changes and save the Earth for future generations by highlighting numerous persuasive environmental topics in our speeches! Here are some of the most relevant ones:

Eco-fashion is an effective way to save the Earth.
Clear cutting in rainforest should be limited .
Plastic pollution poses a danger to the marine ecosystem.
Why does overpopulation negatively impact the environment?
Seven things you should know about the eco-friendly bags .
Eco-tourism helps conserve natural resources and raise environmental consciousness.
People should care about e-waste in our digital age.
Reasons why plastic bags should be banned .
Why do plant-based diets positively affect people’s mental and physical health?
Rural development contributes to widespread pollution and wildfires.
Should the Green New Deal be embraced ?
Buying sustainable production has a positive effect on biodiversity promotion.
Quality of life highly depends on the quality of the environment.
Water recycling: why is it important ?
Every person should plant a tree beside the house.
Littering should be punished with heavy fines.
Renewable energy: why do we need it ?
Covid-19 has played an essential role in the environment’s recovery.
Developed countries are responsible for global warming .
Why hunting is environmentally beneficial .
We should aim toward a paperless society.
A carbon tax should be necessary to preserve the environment.
Biodiversity on the Earth: why is it crucial for the environment ?

This image shows environmental issues to argue about.

Persuasive Speech Topics about Food

Fast-food restaurants should ban the usage of palm oil.
Should Americans adopt a vegan lifestyle ?
Why should the use of chemicals in agriculture be decreased?
Factory farms increase the instance or exacerbation of asthma cases .
Should food manufacturers label all GMOs ?
Food waste significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
People should form mindful consumption habits and proper food storage techniques.
Eating home-cooked food is essential .
Seasonal eating has a positive impact on reducing transportation emissions.
Plastic food packaging should be banned around the world.
Is fast food really harmful and can it be healthy ?
The government should take water-saving measures at the national level.
Why can optimizing energy usage in food processing save the environment?
Genetically modified foods: how safe are they ?
A responsible food system contributes to the long-term health of our planet.

Persuasive Speech Topics About Animals

People should prioritize the protection of endangered species .
Animals should have the same rights as humans: pros and cons .
Zoos should be closed to prevent animal abuse.
Beauty companies that encourage animal testing should be banned.
Animal welfare: why animals should be treated with kindness and respect .
Why are animal sports banning campaigns ineffective?
Young kids should be taught how to take care of animals.
Save animals: experimentation should be stopped .
Spending time with pets reduces stress and depression.
Domestic animals should be vaccinated as necessary.
Animal use in scientific testing should be stopped .
Pets should be adopted from the shelter rather than bought in a shop.
Why should pets be microchipped?
Should animals be used for research ?
Flies, bees, and other insects are essential to the ecosystem.

Ethical persuasive speech topics provide a compelling platform for discussing our world’s moral issues and inspiring significant change. Below are the best persuasive speech topics on ethics themes that can come in handy!

People should live together before marriage.
Philosophy prospectus: why should we be moral ?
LGBT people should be permitted to serve in the military .
Why should suicide commitment be legal?
Should parents be responsible for children’s crimes ?
Vaccinations against infectious illnesses should be made mandatory in schools.
Why is lying appropriate when it comes down to survival?
Why should I be moral when it is not in my best interest to do so ?
A sugar tax can assist in reducing the spread of diet-related health issues.
People should be legally responsible for their moral decisions and actions.
Should Kant be criticized for his absolutism ?
Why should graffiti be considered art?
Wearing natural fur and leather is unethical in the modern world.
Should children be tried as adults for murder ?
Children should be protected from using inappropriate websites.
Each person should own a gun for personal protection.
Ethical dilemma: should gene editing be performed on human embryos ?
Kids should be taught ethics in elementary school.
Religious organizations should be required to pay taxes.
Should behavior be made illegal because it is considered immoral ?
Innovative gadgets make teenagers lazy and rude.
Terminally ill patients should have access to euthanasia .
Should the powerful have a right to rule over the weak ?

Business Persuasive Speech Topics

Harassment is one of the most significant ethical challenges in business .
Biometric security should be mainstream in firms .
Abuse of leadership negatively affects company development.
Why are transparency and trustworthiness crucial in business financial performance?
Should companies disclose key executives’ medical problems ?
Extraverts are worse entrepreneurs than introverts.
Companies should foremost create a good working environment for their employees.
Should companies engage corporate social responsibility ?
Smoke breaks should not be allowed during the working process.
Why is working for a rival a wise decision?
Should marketers test advertising ?
Political relationships should not be used for business development .
Free perks to employees positively influence overall productivity.
Why should businesses embrace remote work ?
Each business should take corporate social responsibility .

Political Persuasive Speech Topics

Psychological therapies should be government funded.
Should illegal immigrants be made legal citizens ?
Why is torture an inappropriate method to receive a confession in prison?
Welfare recipients should be obliged to submit to a drug test.
Why gun control laws should be scrapped .
Political corruption should be punished with the death penalty.
Why should the government fund partisan organizations?
Why should Bernie Sanders be a president ?
The voting age should be decreased to 16 years old.
Why is there never a good enough cause to declare war?
Military policy that should be changed .
Prostitution should be legalized and protected by the law.
Illegal immigration significantly impacts terrorism act rates.
Chinese one-child policy: why it should not be relaxed .
Health insurance should be mandatory by law.

Persuasive Speech Topics About Education

Teachers should use social networks to communicate with students.
Should Canada provide free tuition for university students ?
Why is higher education overrated?
Exams should no longer be used to assess the skills of students.
Why should vocabulary lessons be taught ?
Online learning is more effective than attending classes at school.
University bribes affect hardworking students.
Should stimulants be prescribed to boost grades ?
Why do teachers assist students in cheating during exams ?
Teachers’ preferential treatment in schools should be punished.
Should the US adopt the British tradition of a gap year ?
Parents and students should report bullying and cyberbullying cases.
Students should not be allowed to have their phones with them during school.
Should concealed handguns be allowed in Texas classrooms ?
Immigrants without documents should be permitted to attend public schools.

Problem-solution topics convince audiences to actively engage in discovering practical and effective answers to challenges affecting our society. Check out some ideas below!

How can we deal with climate change ?
Should Georgia legalize gambling to raise revenue ?
Maintaining peace and security is critical for poverty prevention.
Filtration and disinfection as methods to solve the water pollution issue.
Have “three-strikes” laws been effective and should they be continued ?
How can a rise in public awareness decrease human rights violation cases?
Taking baths as a way to reduce anxiety and stress.
Why should immigrants receive social services ?
How can the government solve the problem of wage inequality?
Buying e-books as a way to protect the environment.
Where and how sex education should be conducted among the young people ?
Government sanctions are crucial to reducing child labor .
How can we provide adequate salaries for qualified teachers?
The Right-to-Die bill: why all states should pass it .
Interactive games as a way to increase attention in class.
International cooperation is vital to combat cyber threats .
Should the province of Nova Scotia increase its minimum wage ?
Donating as a method to reduce global poverty .
How to deal with misinformation and fake news in the digital age?
How should we deal with the rising cost of education ?
Planning strategies are essential to solve the problem of overpopulation.
How can gender inequality be stopped at school or the workplace?
Animal transplantation and commerce in organs should be used to reduce the shortage in organs .
Increasing access to cheap internet infrastructure as a way to narrow the digital gap.
How can we solve the problem of doping in sports ?
E-cigarettes smoking: threat or solution ?
Good school culture as a modern approach to reducing truancy .
Reading out loud helps improve the critical thinking of students .
Assisted suicide as a solution in end-of-life care .
How can we make the media ethical and responsible?

This image shows current problems with possible solutions.

Funny persuasive speech topics perform two functions: entertain and persuade the target audience. We have prepared a list of the cleverest ideas for you to use in your speech!

Video games should be considered a sport.
Should apartments ban dogs based on breed ?
Why is the Moon landing fake?
Eating dessert first positively impacts people’s well-being.
Feminism: how a man should look at a woman .
The homework for high school students should be canceled.
Laughing is the best therapy for depression.
Why should pitbulls not be banned ?
People in the future should have personal robots.
Why should children be allowed to choose their bedtime?
Should people under 18 get a tattoo ?
Instagram kills individuality in teenagers.
Why should schools have pizza breaks between classes?
Should plant-based dairy be labeled as milk ?
Parents should not be allowed to comment on their kids’ wardrobe choices.
The consumption of junk food should be controlled on the federal level.
The United States government should release more UFO information to the public .
Comic books should be used to teach Mathematics.
The mismatched socks impact academic performance during exams.
Should spamming be illegal ?
The government should create insurance for breakups.
The Loch Ness Monster should be protected from annoying tourists.
Should people be paid to stay healthy ?
Why can sarcastic jokes save the conversation?
Men should always go on compromise with their wives.
Gender stereotypes: should real men wear pink ?
Rap music provokes aggressive behavior among teens.
Why breaking up via social media should be illegal?
Online dating should not be classified as dating .
Binge-watching Netflix should be practiced during the lessons.

Controversial persuasive speech topics provoke listeners’ critical thinking and encourage dynamic discussion. Check the best persuasive speech topics on controversial themes below!

Why does a bad first date lead to a strong and long relationship?
Why should flogging be brought back ?
The dream job topic is the lightest way to talk about work.
Aliens should share their secret technologies with NATO.
Ukraine should not join the European Union .
Only intelligent speakers should have freedom of speech.
Atheism is not a religion but rather a philosophical position.
Should college education be free for all US citizens ?
Why is nuclear energy ingrained as part of the power grid in the US?
Terrorists are generally more sadistic than religious.
Why cameras should be placed in public places .
Everyone should be able to possess a gun .
Why is it crucial to be selfish from time to time?
Should schools distribute condoms ?
People should pass the test on political awareness before voting.
Gay people should be permitted to adopt children.
Should the sale of human organs be legalized ?
Why is feminism irrelevant in the 21st century?
Schools should provide free birth control for teenagers .
Should gay and lesbian couples be allowed to adopt ?
Children as young as 12 should be allowed to work.
Why should human cloning be allowed?
Should the US resume a millitary draft ?
The show The Kardashians is harming society.
Why are most conspiracy theories fake?
What should society censor ?
The Big Bang Theory movie deepens viewers’ knowledge of science.
McDonald’s should be opened in every town around the world.
Why should abortion be included in the national healthcare plan ?
Why is writing an autobiography a good idea?

Need to write a persuasive essay ? Do not panic! Here are some additional persuasive topics that you can use for your writing:

Negative news on TV increases the level of stress.
Should sex and violence be restricted on television ?
Leisure time should be spent with benefits for physical and mental health.
Daydreaming develops learning skills in students.
Why the government should not have bailed out banks .
Every person should be required to participate in national public service.
Cell phone radiation is hazardous to people’s health.
What qualities should a leader have ?
More money should be invested in space exploration .
Alternative medicine should be outlawed.
Mandatory job drug test should be allowed .
Why can stalkers be dangerous?
Parents should not buy a lot of candies for their children.
Which country should the US invest in, Australia or Mexico ?
Students should plant trees to contribute to a greener environment.
Why is your biggest failure the most beneficial lesson for you?
Why should we look at race when trying to understand fascism ?
Countries that started the wars should pay reparations .
Pineapple on a pizza should be canceled.
Why Guantanamo Bay should stay open .
Why should you and your parents never be friends on Instagram?
Starting a day by making a bed increases productivity during the day.
Why the Pantheon should be preserved .
TikTok is an entertaining social network as well as educational.
Using curse words should be taxed.
Should net neutrality be protected or discontinued ?
Dreaming is the first step in achieving the goal.
Stereotypes and biases are not appropriate in the modern world.
Should Turkey enter the European Union ?
Why are politics bad role models for children?

What Is a Persuasive Speech?

A persuasive speech is a type of communication with the audience where the speaker tries to persuade them by appealing to logic, ethics, or emotions. The speaker must provide clear arguments to back up their point of view. In contrast to informative speeches, persuasive speeches do not try to give information. Instead, they motivate audiences to think or behave differently.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech?

Various qualities characterize effective persuasive speeches:

Attention-grabbing introduction . Convincing speakers immediately draw the listener into their messages by starting with a brief intriguing statement supported by evidence.
Authority to speak . The audience usually heeds speakers’ messages if they establish their expertise and credibility.
The logical order . The speaker should put the arguments logically and sequentially to control the information flow.
Effective conclusion . The final part of the speech is the last chance to convince the audience, so it must summarize key points and include a call to action.

What to Write a Persuasive Speech on?

To find a perfect topic for your speech, follow the steps below:

Think of something that is important to you or has a life-changing effect.
Try to understand what makes you happy or angry about this theme.
Write down ways in which you can make a difference.

That’s it! Now you know which topic has the potential to inspire action or change among the target listeners!

What Are Good Persuasive Speech Topics?

If you want to rock the stage as a public speaker, aim at topics that are controversial and risky. Human cloning, polygamy, workplace romance, and abortion are just a few examples. Like no other, such topics provoke the audience to take action and change. In addition, they raise deep concern in listeners’ minds and show alternative viewpoints on the issue.

110+ Controversial Debate Topics to Challenge Your Students | We Are Teachers
100 Persuasive Essay Topics | ThoughtCo
Keeping Your Speech Moving | Stand Up, Speak Out
Persuasive Speeches | Public Speaking as Performance
Persuasive Speaking | University of Pittsburgh
Persuasive Speaking | Communication in the Real World
105 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics for Any Project | PrepScholar
Appendix A: Persuasive Speech Topic Ideas | Principles of Public Speaking
Top 10 Controversial Psychiatric Disorders | LiveScience
Mental Health Myths and Facts | SAMHSA
Select a Research Topic: Current Events and Controversial Issues | Southern Adventist University
Persuasive Speeches: What Are You Questioning? | UNC Greensboro
100 Persuasive Speech Topics for Students | ThoughtCo
Persuasive Speech Topics on Relationships | Classroom
Unique Persuasive Speech Topics for College | YourDictionary
How to Slay Your Speech | University of Alaska Fairbanks

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150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics for Students in 2024

April 1, 2024

Do you know that moment in your favorite film, when the soundtrack begins to swell and the main character stands up and delivers a speech so rousing, so impassioned, it has the entire room either weeping or cheering by the time it concludes? What distinguishes the effectiveness of such a speech is not only the protagonist’s stellar delivery but also the compelling nature of the subject matter at hand. Choosing an effective persuasive speech topic is essential for guaranteeing that your future speech or essay is as moving as these . If this sounds like a tall order, have no fear. Below you’ll find a list of some of the best and most interesting persuasive speech topics for high school students to tackle, from the playful (“Pets for President”) to the serious (“Should We Stop AI from Replacing Human Workers?”).

And if you’re craving more inspiration, feel free to check out this list of Great Debate Topics , which can be used to generate further ideas.

What is a Good Persuasive Speech?

Before we get to the list, we must address the question on everyone’s minds: what is a persuasive speech, and what the heck makes for a good persuasive speech topic? A persuasive speech is a speech that aims to convince its listeners of a particular point of view . At the heart of each persuasive speech is a central conflict . Note: The persuasive speech stands in contrast to a simple informative speech, which is intended purely to convey information. (I.e., an informative speech topic might read: “The History of Making One’s Bed,” while a persuasive speech topic would be: “Why Making One’s Bed is a Waste of Time”—understand?)

And lest you think that persuasive speeches are simply assigned by your teachers as a particularly cruel form of torture, remember that practicing your oratory skills will benefit you in all areas of life—from job interviews, to business negotiations, to your future college career in public policy or international relations . Knowing how to use your voice to enact meaningful change is a valuable skill that can empower you to make a difference in the world.

Components of a Great Persuasive Speech Topic

The ideal persuasive speech topic will inspire the audience to action via both logical arguments and emotional appeals. As such, we can summarize the question “what makes a good persuasive speech topic?” by saying that the topic must possess the following qualities:

Timeliness and Relevance . Great persuasive speech topics grapple with a contemporary issue that is meaningful to the listener at hand. The topic might be a current news item, or it might be a long-standing social issue. In either case, the topic should be one with real-world implications.
Complexity . A fruitful persuasive speech topic will have many facets. Topics that are controversial, with some gray area, lend themselves to a high degree of critical thinking. They also offer the speaker an opportunity to consider and refute all counterarguments before making a compelling case for his or her own position.
Evidence . You want to be able to back up your argument with clear evidence from reputable sources (i.e., not your best friend or dog). The more evidence and data you can gather, the more sound your position will be. In addition, your audience will be more inclined to trust you.
Personal Connection. Do you feel passionately about the topic you’ve chosen? If not, it may be time to go back to the drawing board. This does not mean you have to support the side you choose; sometimes, arguing for the opposing side of what you personally believe can be an effective exercise in building empathy and perspective. Either way, though, the key is to select a topic that you care deeply about. Your passion will be infectious to the audience.

150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics

Should tech companies regulate the development of AI systems and automation to protect humans’ jobs?
Should we limit screen time for children?
Is it ethical for AI models like Dall-E to train themselves on artists’ work without the artists’ permission?
Should the government regulate the use of personal drones?
Is mass surveillance ethical? Does its threat to civil liberties outweigh its benefits?
Are virtual reality experiences a valuable educational tool?
Do the positive effects of powerful AI systems outweigh the risks?
Do voice assistants like Siri and Alexa invade individuals’ privacy?
Are cell phone bans in the classroom effective for improving student learning?
Does the use of facial recognition technology in public violate individuals’ privacy?
Should students be allowed to use ChatGPT and other AI tools for writing assignments?
Should AI-generated art be allowed in art shows or contests?
Who holds responsibility for accidents caused by self-driving cars: the driver or the car company?

Business and Economy

Should we do away with the minimum wage? Why or why not?
Is it ethical for companies to use unpaid internships as a source of labor?
Does the gig economy benefit or harm workers?
Is capitalism the best economic system?
Is it ethical for companies to use sweatshops in developing countries?
Should the government provide free healthcare for all citizens?
Should the government regulate prices on pharmaceutical drugs?
Should the government enact a universal base income?
Should customers be required to tip a minimum amount in order to ensure food service workers make a living wage?
Should someone’s tattoos or personal appearance factor into the hiring process?
Should US workers have more vacation time?
Is big game hunting beneficial for local communities?
Should we legalize euthanasia?
Is it ethical to use animals for medical research?
Is it ethical to allow access to experimental treatments for terminally ill patients?
Should we allow genetic engineering in humans?
Is the death penalty obsolete?
Should we allow the cloning of humans?
Is it ethical to allow performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
Should embryonic stem cell collection be allowed?
Do frozen IVF embryos have rights?
Should state and federal investigators be allowed to use DNA from genealogy databases?
Should the government limit how many children a couple can have?
Is spanking children an acceptable form of discipline?
Should we allow parents to choose their children’s physical attributes through genetic engineering?
Should we require parents to vaccinate their children?
Should we require companies to give mandatory paternal and maternal leave?
Should children be allowed to watch violent movies and video games?
Should parents allow their teenagers to drink before they turn 21?
Should the government provide childcare?
Should telling your children about Santa Claus be considered lying?
Should one parent stay home?
Should parental consent be required for minors to receive birth control?
Is it an invasion of privacy for parents to post photographs of their children on social media?

Social Media

Should social media platforms ban political ads?
Do the benefits of social media outweigh the downsides?
Should the government hold social media companies responsible for hate speech on their platforms?
Is social media making us more or less social?
Do platforms like TikTok exacerbate mental health issues in teens?
Should the government regulate social media to protect citizens’ privacy?
Is it right for parents to monitor their children’s social media accounts?
Should social media companies enact a minimum user age restriction?
Should we require social media companies to protect user data?
Should we hold social media companies responsible for cyberbullying?
Should schools ban the use of social media from their networks?
Should we be allowed to record others without their consent?
Do online crime sleuths help or hurt criminal investigations?

Education – Persuasive Speech Topics

Would trade schools and other forms of vocational training benefit a greater number of students than traditional institutions of higher education?
Should colleges use standardized testing in their admissions processes?
Is forcing students to say the Pledge a violation of their right to freedom of speech?
Should school districts offer bilingual education programs for non-native speakers?
Should schools do away with their physical education requirements?
Should schools incorporate a remote learning option into their curriculum?
Should we allow school libraries to ban certain books?
Should we remove historical figures who owned slaves from school textbooks and other educational materials?
Should we have mixed-level classrooms or divide students according to ability?
Should grading on a curve be allowed?
Should graphic novels be considered literature?
Should all students have to take financial literacy classes before graduating?
Should colleges pay student athletes?
Should we ban violent contact sports like boxing and MMA?
Should sports leagues require professional athletes to stand during the national anthem?
Should sports teams ban players like Kyrie Irving when they spread misinformation or hate speech?
Should high schools require their athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
Should the Olympic committee allow transgender athletes to compete?
Should high schools ban football due to its safety risks to players?
Should all high school students be required to play a team sport?
Should sports teams be mixed instead of single-gender?
Should there be different athletic standards for men and women?
In which renewable energy option would the US do best to invest?
Should the US prioritize space exploration over domestic initiatives?
Should companies with a high carbon footprint be punished?
Should the FDA ban GMOs?
Would the world be a safer place without nuclear weapons?
Does AI pose a greater threat to humanity than it does the potential for advancement?
Who holds the most responsibility for mitigating climate change: individuals or corporations?
Should we be allowed to resurrect extinct species?
Are cancer screening programs ethical?

Social Issues – Persuasive Speech Topics

College education: should the government make it free for all?
Should we provide free healthcare for undocumented immigrants?
Is physician-assisted suicide morally justifiable?
Does social media have a negative impact on democracy?
Does cancel culture impede free speech?
Does affirmative action help or hinder minority groups in the workplace?
Should we hold public figures and celebrities to a higher standard of morality?
Should abortion be an issue that is decided at the federal or state level?
Should the sex offender registry be available to the public?
Should undocumented immigrants have a path to amnesty?
Do syringe services programs reduce or increase harmful behaviors?
Should there be a statute of limitations?
Should those who are convicted of a crime be required to report their criminal history on job and housing applications?

Politics and Government

Is the Electoral College still an effective way to elect the President of the US?
Should we allow judges to serve on the Supreme Court indefinitely?
Should the US establish a national gun registry?
Countries like Israel and China require all citizens to serve in the military. Is this a good or bad policy?
Should the police force require all its officers to wear body cameras while on duty?
Should the US invest in the development of clean meat as a sustainable protein source?
Should the US adopt ranked-choice voting?
Should institutions that profited from slavery provide reparations?
Should the government return land to Native American tribes?
Should there be term limits for representatives and senators?
Should there be an age limit for presidential candidates?
Should women be allowed in special forces units?

Easy Persuasive Speech Topics

Should schools have uniforms?
Can video games improve problem-solving skills?
Are online classes as effective as in-person classes?
Should companies implement a four-day work week?
Co-ed learning versus single-sex: which is more effective?
Should the school day start later?
Is homework an effective teaching tool?
Are electric cars really better for the environment?
Should schools require all students to study a foreign language?
Do professional athletes get paid too much money?

Fun Persuasive Speech Topics

Should we allow pets to run for public office?
Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Would students benefit from schools swapping out desks with more comfortable seating arrangements (i.e., bean bag chairs and couches)?
Is procrastination the key to success?
Should Americans adopt British accents to sound more intelligent?
The age-old dilemma: cats or dogs?
Should meme creators receive royalties when their memes go viral?
Should there be a minimum drinking age for coffee?
Are people who make their beds every day more successful than those who don’t?

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics

Is the movie ranking system an effective way to evaluate the appropriateness of films?
Should the government place a “health tax” on junk food?
Is it ethical to create artificial life forms that are capable of complex emotions?
Should parents let children choose their own names?
Creating clones of ourselves to serve as organ donors: ethical or not?
Is it ethical to engineer humans to be better and more optimized than nature intended?
Should we adopt a universal language to communicate with people from all countries?
Should there be a penalty for people who don’t vote?
Should calories be printed on menus?
Does tourism positively or negatively impact local communities?
When used by non-Natives, are dreamcatchers cultural appropriation?
Should companies require their employees to specify pronouns in their signature line?
Should commercial fishing be banned?
Are cemeteries sustainable?
Is it okay to change the race, culture, and/or gender of historical figures in movies or TV shows?

I’ve Chosen My Topic, Now What?

Once you’ve selected your topic, it’s time to get to work crafting your argument. Preparation for a persuasive speech or essay involves some key steps, which we’ve outlined for you below.

How to Create a Successful Persuasive Speech, Step by Step

Research your topic. Read widely and smartly. Stick to credible sources, such as peer-reviewed articles, published books, government reports, textbooks, and news articles. The right sources and data will be necessary to help you establish your authority. As you go, take notes on the details and nuances of your topic as well as potential counterarguments. Research the counterarguments, too.
Choose an angle. For example, if you chose the topic “Should we limit screen time for children?” your speech should come down firmly on one side of that debate. If your topic is frequently debated, such as abortion, capital punishment, gun control, social media, etc. try to find a niche angle or new research. For example, instead of “Should abortion be legal?” you might consider “Should you be able to order abortion pills online?” Another example: “Should the death penalty be banned?” might become “How long is it ethical for someone to stay on death row?” If you do some digging, even the most cliche topics have incredibly interesting and relatively unexplored sub-topics.
Create an outline. Your outline should include an introduction with a thesis statement, a body that uses evidence to elaborate and support your position while refuting any counterarguments, and a conclusion. The conclusion will both summarize the points made earlier and serve as your final chance to persuade your audience.
Write your speech. Use your outline to help you as well as the data you’ve collected. Remember: this is not dry writing; this writing has a point of view, and that point of view is yours . Accordingly, use anecdotes and examples to back up your argument. The essential components of this speech are logos (logic), ethos (credibility), and pathos (emotion) . The ideal speech will use all three of these functions to engage the audience.

How to Practice and Deliver a Persuasive Speech

Talk to yourself in the mirror, record yourself, and/or hold a practice speech for family or friends. If you’ll be using visual cues, a slide deck, or notecards, practice incorporating them seamlessly into your speech. You should practice until your speech feels very familiar, at least 5-10 times.
Practice body language. Are you making eye contact with your audience, or looking at the ground? Crossing your arms over your chest or walking back and forth across the room? Playing with your hair, cracking your knuckles, or picking at your clothes? Practicing what to do with your body, face, and hands will help you feel more confident on speech day.
Take it slow. It’s common to talk quickly while delivering a speech—most of us want to get it over with! However, your audience will be able to connect with you much more effectively if you speak at a moderate pace, breathe, and pause when appropriate.
Give yourself grace. How you recover from a mistake is much more important than the mistake itself. Typically, the best approach is to good-naturedly shrug off a blip and move on. 99% of the time, your audience won’t even notice!

Good Persuasive Speech Topics—Final Thoughts

The art of persuasive speaking is a tricky one, but the tips and tricks laid out here will help you craft a compelling argument that will sway even the most dubious audience to your side. Mastering this art takes both time and practice, so don’t fret if it doesn’t come to you right away. Remember to draw upon your sources, speak with authority, and have fun. Once you have the skill of persuasive speaking down, go out there and use your voice to impact change!

Looking for some hot-button topics in college admissions? You might consider checking out the following:

Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
Should I Apply Test-Optional to College?
Should I Waive My Right to See Letters of Recommendation?
Should I Use the Common App Additional Information Section?
High School Success

Lauren Green

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

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Controversial speech topics

242 controversial speech topics

How to choose a good argumentative speech topic.

By: Susan Dugdale

'Girls wear trousers whenever and where ever they choose. Therefore boys should be accorded the same freedom to wear dresses if they want to.'

That's an example of a current controversial speech topic. It does exactly what you want a good controversial topic to do: trigger emotional responses both for, and against it. Schools who require their students to wear gendered uniforms (dresses for girls and trousers for boys) are being actively challenged!

Controversial or argumentative topics teach us to evaluate ideas, to think through pros and cons, and to debate. Because they are often so polarizing, they make some of the very best persuasive speech topics!

What's on this page:

242 controversial speech topics - 40 food topics , 31 babies and children topics , 37 topics on teenagers , 133 topics on differing aspects of society
What are controversial speech topics? Understanding what makes a topic controversial - the mix of passion, belief, fact and fiction.
How to choose the best argumentative topic
Resources for more topics and developing your speech

What are controversial speech topics?

The key word is controversial. It has a similar meaning to argumentative. Controversial comes from the word controversy meaning:

a prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; disputation concerning a matter of opinion.
contention, strife, or argument.

Synonyms are:

disagreement, altercation.
quarrel, wrangle.

Click for a full dictionary definition.

Therefore controversial speech topics or argumentative speech topics are those evoking passionate opinions: ones capable of splitting families, friends, communities and countries.

These are the hot topics, the sensitive topics, the ones we're currently working our way through.

Both sides of the debate are often convinced their point of view is right and their opposition's is wrong.

The benefit of delving into subject matter like this is being pushed to consider our own attitudes, values and emotional responses, which in turn helps makes us think more clearly.

Historical controversial speech topics

History gives us examples of topics that once caused major strife. Now with the benefit of hindsight, we may wonder what all the fuss was about. Opinions have changed. What was once dangerous to discuss or even think about has become commonplace: unremarkable and acceptable.

Believing the earth moves around the sun, doesn't even raise an eyebrow now. But in 1633, in Italy, it was a highly controversial subject. The Roman Inquisition sentenced the famous astronomer Galileo to permanent house arrest over it.

Centuries later the abolition of slavery, giving women the vote, and desegregation in schools provoked similarly strong responses.

Modern controversial topics

Like their historical forerunners, these are argumentative or persuasive speech topics reflecting the current political and social issues impacting on, and shaping people's lives.

They can be broad, affecting everybody in the world, for example the global warming controversy (Does it really exist?), or narrow, concerning far fewer people. A good example of the latter are local conservation issues.

For instance in the area where I live there is a current, very lively, debate over land usage adjacent to an estuary.

Should a developer be given permission to close down the much used public walkway on the estuary edge in order to make it easier for his commercial development to go ahead?

Images: 1. bush along edge of estuary 2. Heavy machinery clearing bush. Text: Should a developer be given permission to close down a public walk way on an estuary?

Regardless of their reach: global, national or local, controversial subjects draw impassioned debate.

Who is right? Who is wrong? And is there a middle ground or compromise acceptable to both sides?

Return to Top

How to choose a perfect persuasive speech topic

If you want your speech to be the best it can be, what comes next can make or break it.

Your first step is to consider ALL of the following aspects carefully before settling on a topic.

Who is your target audience?

A good speaker always considers their audience and shapes their speech around them. Think about the people you intend to speak to:

Are they young? Are they older? Are they predominately male, female, or a mix?
What common themes, attitudes, values and beliefs unite them?
What cultural or social backgrounds do they have?
What would be a good topic, one that is appropriate for both them and the occasion? The right topic will genuinely interest them, and will benefit them to know about.
What do they expect from you as a speaker?

What is the purpose of your speech?

Do you want to shock?
Do you want to inform?
Do you want to persuade?
Is it a mixture of all, or some, of the above?
What do you want the audience to do as a result of having listened to your speech?

Research & presentation

An effective controversial or argumentative speech is well researched. This provides it with a rational, rather than purely emotive, base.

For example: "I don't like XXX.", has no logical appeal at all! It is not an argument.

However, " I don't like XXX for the following three reasons..." , is the beginning of one.

If you want to challenge or change opinion you will research:

the background history of your topic
both sides of the argument - the for and against

You will present:

factual, and if possible, demonstrable evidence or proof
unbiased statistics
and do so in a way that the audience can follow while fulfilling your speech purpose.

And very lastly

Choose a subject that truly interests you. That way your enthusiasm will carry you through the research, writing process, and rehearsal, to delivery.

242 controversial speech topics

There are 242 persuasive speech topic ideas below for you to consider, split across four broad groups: food, babies and children, teenagers, and society.

What is more fundamental than the foods we eat?

Like air the breathe, the food we eat is essential to our survival and its history is a fascinating window into country, culture, and class.

Food is controversial. It always has been and always will be. It is that way because it is vital, and anything vital arouses deeply felt passions.

Have fun with these!

Fad dieting is driven by fashion rather than by fact and reason.
Children should never be fed foods containing refined sugars.
Children should never be put on fad diets.
A mono (single food) diet of any sort is dangerous. Eg. a banana, or an apple diet.
Refined sugar in manufactured foods including drinks causes ill health.
Foods that are high in refined sugars should be taxed.
All manufactured foods should have complete disclosure ingredient labeling.
A vegan diet is the way of the future.
Eating endangered species of any sort should be banned.
Killing sharks for their fins to make shark fin soup should be illegal.
Catching whales for consumption should be banned.
Foie gras, and any other food produced through cruelty to animals, birds or fish, should be entirely banned.
Only foods produced sustainably and ethically should be eaten.
The use of aspartame (sugar substitute) should be banned.
Plastic food packaging should be banned.
Our diets should mainly consist of seasonal foods that come from the region we live in.
Fresh foods are healthier than processed.
Locally grown foods are best.
Artificial preservatives should not be used in food preparation.
There should be no such thing as food waste.
Healthy free food should be available to those who need it.
Everybody should be taught to how to prepare simple, nutritious meals using raw ingredients rather than packaged or processed foods.
Eating healthily saves lives.
Schools should provide healthy meal options for their students at either free or at minimal cost.
Fast, or take-out, food is addictive.
Food should be prepared for the eyes as well as the stomach.
Eating well doesn't need to be expensive.
City authorities should encourage and support growing food on public land.
We are what we eat. Fact or fiction.
Children should be encouraged to eat whatever is given them.
Do we eat to live, or live to eat?
Judging people on the basis of the food they eat shows a lack of empathy.
Good table manners are essential.
Meals need to be eaten at regular times.
In western, or first world, countries we need to control portion size.
Food snobbery reinforces socio-economic difference.
Food manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure the food they produce is wholesome regardless of its price and who it is intended for.
Special designer diets are a luxury.
Eating less meat and dairy foods would help save the planet.
The family who eats together stays together.

Babies, children and teenagers

There are few topic areas more emotive than those to do with children. They are our future, our personal and family continuity, and often our reason for living.

How we shelter them, bring them up, educate and nourish them, literally and metaphorically, will always spark intense debates.

Topics about babies and children

Image: two yellow eggs: 1 marked with a female symbol, the other with a male symbol. Text: Gender preference and the use of reproductive technology poses an ethical debate.

The use of reproductive technology should be accessible to every one.
Gender preference and the use of reproductive technology poses an ethical debate.
Gender should never be a reason to abort a fetus.
Genetic engineering is a moral and ethical minefield.
Cloning babies should be banned.
Children learn while they are in their mother's uterus.
Every mother and her new-born child should receive the very best care available regardless of expense - paid for by state subsidy if needed.
Children and babies should never be taken from their birth mothers on account of race.
Being born outside of marriage is not a crime.
All children should have the right to know who their parents are.
Every child, regardless of the circumstances of their conception and birth, has the right to live, and to be loved.
Every child has the right to a childhood.
No child should be expected or forced to go to work.
Every child has a right to an education.
No child should be denied health care on the basis of cost.
Every child deserves the best and most nutritious food possible.
All children should have the opportunity to develop their abilities.
No child should be the subject of any form of exploitation.
Indoctrination (political or religious) of children is morally wrong.
Children's education and extra-curricular activities should be free of gender bias.
Children should be encouraged to be the best of themselves they can be, rather than the best boy or girl they can be.
Marketing for children should be gender-free.
Pink-washing everything (clothing, toys, sports gear ...) for girls is nothing but cynical marketing.
'Boys will be boys' as an explanation for tolerating poor behavior from male children is damaging.
Advertising targeting children needs to be in the child's best interest.
The rise of children's use of technology has impacts on their ability to learn effective, meaningful face-face communication skills.
Children without their own screen (computer, tablet etc) are compromised educationally.
Every child should have unscheduled, uninterrupted time to play.
The culture of excessive public health and safety concern is inhibiting children's natural curiosity to experiment and learn about their own physical capabilities.
Parental and societal pressure to achieve academically is not always in the child's best interest.
A woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body and to have them respected. That includes: using, or not using, the best of whatever method of birth control is available to her, pre-birth screening for disabilities, and abortion on demand.

Topics for, and about, teenagers

Image: retro cartoon drawing of a girl weeping. Text: An unplanned teenage pregnancy ruins more lives than one.

Making errors of judgment as a teenager is part of learning to become a responsible adult.
Cell phones are an absolute necessity for teenagers.
Cell phone usage restrictions are understandable.
As a teen friends have more influence than family.
Negotiating parental expectations is part of being a teenager.
A teenager should not be allowed to get tattooed.
Gender identity is becoming less important.
All teenagers should do regular public service work.
Teenagers should work to contribute toward their own living costs.
Alcohol and drug education for teenagers is seldom effective.
Bullying of any sort is unjustifiable.
Taking and posting selfies on social media is a form of narcissism.
Real friends are not the people who like your posts on social media.
Keeping safe on the internet is important.
Every teenager deserves at least three or four chances.
Single sex schools are best.
Educational opportunities should be available to all.
A juvenile should never be treated like an adult in the justice system.
Teenagers have a right to privacy.
Most juvenile crime is the result of living in difficult family situations and communities.
Teenage boys would not act out so much if they had positive male role models.
An unplanned teenage pregnancy ruins more lives than one.
The advertising industry exploits teenage insecurities.
Ranking students on their academic scores is not an accurate measure of their potential.
Being a teenage boy/girl is becoming increasingly challenging.
Girls wear trousers. Therefore boys can wear dresses if they choose to.
Stereotyping anybody is limiting the possibility you may have to see them as a real person.
The music industry needs to take more responsibility for the way they influence moods and behavior.
Censorship is sometimes necessary to protect us from things and people who could cause us harm.
Violence should never be glorified or admired.
Learning to cope with embarrassment without plunging into despair is an important life lesson.
Leaning to accept and positively work with our own shortcomings is a sign of maturity.
Envying others for their looks, money, intelligence and abilities or anything else is a waste of time.
Parents should never lie.
Respecting adults can be very difficult.
What a person looks like, how they dress, determines how people respond to them.
Having a positive role model is essential.

Controversial topics covering aspects of our society

Medicine, drugs, education, conservation, voting, climate change, fossil fuels, water shortages, colonization, taxes, art, religion, housing...

There are so many topic possibilities to be controversially passionate about! Any one of them could make a good speech.

Image: cartoon of man sitting on street in a heart shaped beam of yellow light. Text: The homeless on our streets need our help.

Aside from what is required by nature for reproduction of the human species, there are no true gender specific roles.
Equal pay for equal work should be enshrined in law.
Everybody who works for a living deserves a livable wage.
Social services should be fully funded and supported by government.
Nobody deserves to have a better standard of healthcare than anybody else.
The homeless on our streets need our help.
Victims of family violence should never be shamed.
Perpetrators of family violence need help rather than blame.
Poverty causes people to commit crimes, not character.
All recreational drugs should be legalized.
Addictive illegal drugs are not the root cause of the problems that people who use them have. They are only an indication of something else needing closer attention.
Alcohol should be taxed more heavily to help reduce alcohol related problems.
Pharmaceutical companies should be held accountable for the dependency difficulties people get into with some prescribed drugs.
Animal testing of pharmaceutical drugs is unethical.
Cars should be banned from city centers.
Owners of vehicles that run on petrol or diesel should pay an emission tax.
Increased use of public transport should be supported and encouraged by the state.
Individual ownership of vehicles for transport in cities should be discouraged.
A license to drive a vehicle should be much harder to get.
Driverless cars are the way of the future.
Everyone in cities benefits from more green spaces.
Easily accessible green spaces should be part of any housing development.
Accessibility to green spaces improves people's mental health.
All urban development should be 'green': fully sustainable.
Affordable, secure, healthy housing should be available to all.
The countries, the cities, and the houses we live in shape our lives.
Acceptance of equality and diversity is the only way forward for society.
Diversity is more than mere tokenism.
All people are equal, but some are more equal than others is a truth we need to accept.
Opportunities are open for everybody. People just need to take them.
Poverty is a state of mind that is outwardly expressed through low educational achievements and poor job choices.
Being poor is not a crime, a character flaw, or a judgment from God.
Monetary wealth always polarizes people.
Wealth should never be used as a measure of a person's worth.
Becoming more and more wealthy through exploitative means should not be allowed.
Paying taxes is necessary for society to function.
Tax avoidance is unethical.
Taxes should be used to benefit those who need it most.
Tax breaks should only be given to companies or people who genuinely need them.
Those who are more wealthy should pay more tax.
How land is used should be decided in conjunction with those who will be impacted, not just the land owner.
Land is a finite resource and should be treated accordingly.
Land use practices that are known, and proven, to cause long term harm to the environment should be banned.
We all live in the world, therefore we all should have a say about how its resources are used.
Deep-sea mining should be banned.
Fracking does more harm than good.
Global warming and deforestation go hand in hand.
Intensive and extensive mono-cropping is ultimately unsustainable.
Eco-terrorism is justifiable.
'Green' industrial, agriculture and fishing practices are the only way to slow the damage we are doing to our planet.
Eco-fascism is a misguided attempt to preserve a white, privileged existence. (See this UK Guardian article for more: Eco-fascists and the ugly fight for 'our way of life' as the environment disintegrates )
All animals deserve to be treated with respect.
Colonizing space is a possible answer to our growing environmental challenges.

Artists are as essential to society's health and well-being as any other service we depend on: for instance law and order, medical ...
Public art humanizes our cities. It shows us who we are.
Works of art that were stolen from their owners in times of war should be returned.
Artifacts that have been removed from their places and countries of origin should be returned.
The role of street art is to provoke.
Admissions to city museums and art galleries should be free.
Cultural appropriation in art, music, or any other sphere, is theft.
Good art is always controversial.
The elderly have the right to expect to be fully cared for.
Ageism is a mark of an intolerant, arrogant society.
We need to make it easier for families to support their elderly members in their own homes.
Everyone who needs it should have access to good child care for their children.
Segregation through race, gender, intellectual capacity, physical abilities, health, religion, wealth ... supports and underlines a tiered society.
Political correctness has gone mad.
Some day we will look back and wonder why it took so long, and why we had to go through so much strife to establish that same sex couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples.
Any form of extremism is dangerous.
Racial profiling should be illegal.
Using quota systems to manage people is demeaning.
School violence would be much less if guns were not so freely available.
School violence is a symptom of a very sick society.
Hate crimes are often committed for revenge.
'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth' is never justifiable.
There should be far greater gun control.
Controlling who owns guns will not stop crime.
The gentrification of our cities is to blame for the increased cost of housing and growing homelessness.
State censorship is justified.
Sensible censorship is about protecting vulnerable people from material which could cause them harm.
Censorship on the internet is impossible.
Beauty in a person is a state of mind or being, not necessarily something physical.
Our concepts of beauty are determined by popular culture.
An aging body can be beautiful.
Fashion is to blame for the rise of eating disorders among young people.
Being a slave to fashion is foolish.
Fashion is creative, artistic and fun.
Fashion celebrates the joy of looking and feeling good.
A woman dresses well to make other women envious.
Fashion that inhibits movement is ridiculous.
Wearing a piece of conspicuously brand-labelled clothing is a signal that the wearer wants to be identified as sharing the brand's values and image.
Clothing choices speak louder than words.
Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is barbaric and should be banned.
Voting rights should be automatically granted to anyone of voting age who is of sound mind and a citizen.
Voting should be compulsory for everyone who is entitled to vote.
People should be allowed to follow whatever religious belief they choose.
Karl Marx said, religion is the opiate of the masses. How is that true?
Being a good person and being a religious person can be two very different things.
Can a religion and a cult be one and the same?
Religious practices that physically or psychologically harm a person should be banned.
Once they are old enough, children from religious families should have the freedom to make their own decision about whether or not they want to follow in their family's footsteps.

Stalking, either physically or online, is harassment and those who do it should be prosecuted.
Where and when does the right to privacy stop?
How can we protect our privacy, and use social media?
Unauthorized collection and use of personal data is illegal. Offenders, regardless of who they are, should be prosecuted and those who profit from the use of illegally collected data should forfeit their gains. (As an example see this Wikipedia overview of the 2018 Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal where millions of Facebook users had their personal data used for political advertising.)
Government control of the media is sometimes necessary.
Society is controlled by whoever controls our media.
There is no such thing as unbiased news coverage.
If media companies have a particular political and/or commercial interest it should be transparent.
Anybody or organization who either generates or passes on fake news should be prosecuted.
Fake news and conspiracy theories feed on fear.
Some conspiracy theories are true.
Some news seems so shocking it can't be true.
We are wrong to be fearful about artificial intelligence.
Joseph Goebbels, minister of propaganda for the German Third Reich under Adolf Hitler, famously said: “If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.” Is this true?
We are less able to judge if what we read online is fake news or not because the way we get our news has changed in the digital age. Through the use of algorithms information is filtered and we are shown articles reflecting the existing opinions of our own and our friends. How true is this?
Only foolish people fall for online scams and get-rich quick schemes.
Provocative headlines can be an effective way to provoke interest.
When do advertising campaigns step over the line and become offensive?
Advertising companies feed on people's weaknesses.
Nationalism creates 'them and us' scenarios.
We need to think and cooperate on a global scale.
Separatism is seldom successful.
Confusing tolerating hate speech with freedom of speech or the right to speak is wrong.
Freedom of speech comes with responsibility.
Empathy as well as action are needed to change the injustices of the world.
Religion has no place in the government of a country.
A country gets the government and leadership it deserves.
Sometimes personal ethics and morals need to be put aside for the good of the community.
Putting people in jail is neither humane nor sustainable.
Electronic surveillance is violation of human rights.
Torture is never justified.
War is a barbaric answer to a problem between countries.

If you need more topic ideas ...

Try Questia - You'll find an enormous list of controversial topics in alphabetical order , starting with Abortion and ending with Year-round school . Each topic area has an overview and an associated book or article list. It's an extremely thorough compilation and an excellent resource.

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The Best Controversial Topics for Debates and Essays

General Education

Controversial topics are a good choice for an essay or debate because they immediately draw in the reader or listener. The adage that “controversy sells” is so rooted in society that even the rapper Chamillionaire named his second album after it! Controversial issues are also a good topic because it’s easier to write a strong thesis and find sources to back up your argument . After all, when something is controversial, everybody wants to have their say over it.

However, it’s also important that you address controversial issues with sensitivity and care. Because controversial topics tend to raise emotions, you must walk a thin line between opinion and fact in order to build trust between you and your reader/listener.

In this article, we’re going to give you the best controversial topics you can use for essays and debates—and we’ll explain the controversies for you, too! We’ll also discuss when to use controversial topics, the pros and cons of choosing a controversial issue, and tips for making sure you’re treating a controversial topic with sensitivity and respect.

That’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

Controversial topics are issues that can really get people up in arms. (Yes, it's a dad joke. No, we're not sorry.)

What Are Controversial Topics?

If you’ve flipped on a television lately, you’ve probably seen people on the news arguing different sides of an issue. (Occasionally, these arguments can get pretty emotional!) When you see this happening, there’s a good chance that the people you’re watching are discussing a controversial topic.

Controversial debate topics include subjects that create strong differences of opinion. They are issues that can affect politics, society as a whole, individuals on a personal level, the environment, or any other area of life that people feel strongly about. Additionally, controversial issues often have no clear answer because people’s feelings and personal beliefs are often strongly involved.

3 Pros and 3 Cons of Using Controversial Topics in Essays or Debates

It might be tempting to pick any old controversial topic and run with it. Not so fast! While controversial topics definitely give you a lot to talk about in an essay or debate, there are some definite drawbacks to dealing with hot-button issues.

Here are the pros and cons you should consider before deciding to use a controversial topic in your work.

Pro #1: It’s Usually Easy to Find Sources

Everyone wants to have their say on controversial topics, which is great when you need sources to include in your paper! A quick library or Google search will turn up tons of information. It can make that part of writing (or preparing for a debate) much easier.

Con #1: It Can Be Hard to Find Good Sources

When you Google a controversial source, the results can be overwhelming. While you’re probably going to have tons of hits, they'll be from a wide range of sources like social media, personal blogs, podcasts, and message boards (like Reddit and Quora). Just because something appears high in a Google result doesn’t make it a good source that you can site in a paper or speech.

Good sources are ones that are written by credentialed authors (they are experts in their field) and include reliable, cited evidence. A good place to find good sources are scholarly databases, like JSTOR and ProQuest, since the articles on these databases have been vetted by other experts before they are published. Reputable news outlets can also be good resources, too.

Pro #2: It’s Easier to Talk About Things That Interest You

If you care about a topic you probably already know a little bit about it. This is especially true for many controversial issues. After all, they tend to be controversial because many people have opinions on them! If you pick a controversial issue that’s near and dear to your heart, you’ll find that you have a lot to say about it.

Con #2: It’s Hard to Keep Your Emotions In Check

If it is a topic you care about a lot, you probably already have strong opinions formed. But in order to build trust with your reader/listener and to be accurate, you need to use neutral language so that your reader/listener can draw their own conclusions based on your work. While it’s tempting to call people out or get heated, those are both pitfalls you should avoid .

Pro #3: Controversial Issues Capture Attention

Tackling a subject like mass incarceration, the death penalty, or abortion is a good way to get your audience to sit up and take notice. People want to hear your opinion to see how it does—or doesn’t—match their own.

Con #3: You Open Yourself Up to Criticism

On the flip side, if your argument doesn’t align with their beliefs, the people reading or listening to your argument may criticize your opinion or belief because it is not the same as theirs. You’ll have to spend extra time making sure you’ve created a strong argument since people have often spent more time thinking about a controversial topic and are better able to challenge your position.

How to Pick Good Controversial Topics for Teens

When picking what topic to write about, it’s important that you pick a good strong topic that is relevant and that has an amount of easy to find good sources. When deciding on a topic, try to keep these tips in mind!

Tip #1: Choose a Topic That Interests You

It’s easier to work on a subject you enjoy. Don’t use a topic you find boring or have no interest in. Write about a topic you are passionate about, since your own interest will shine through in your writing or speech. Also, when you pick a topic you like, the assignment can actually be fun. Imagine that!

Tip #2: Be Passionate...But Not Too Passionate

Stay away from topics where you might be too passionate about one side since it can be tough to distance yourself enough to see both sides of the argument. You’ll want to know what good arguments the other side has so that you can defend your position against them. If you're too passionate about a subject, you might miss key details that help you defend your position. Every side has good points—that’s why there’s an argument in the first place!

Tip #3: Make Sure There’s Hard Evidence

Pick a topic where there’s evidence, not just a “he said, she said” kind of thing. Avoid arguments that don’t have any facts or figures backing them up or they are entirely opinion based. Examples of topics that are controversial but lack compelling evidence include government conspiracies or theories that have been proven false, like the Earth being flat or that pineapple belongs on pizza (it doesn’t).

Tip #4: Know Your Audience

If you are writing about controversial debate topics, ask yourself who it is you are trying to persuade. Is it your teacher? A certain segment of the population? If you know who your audience is, you can better tailor your argument to hit on the points they care about.

For example, say you’re writing an essay about how teacher’s unions are unnecessary. If your audience is your teacher—who's probably in a union!—you’re going to have to work harder to prove your point since they’re more likely to be in favor of unions. (You’ll also need to make sure you’re being fair and respectful to avoid offending your teacher. We’ll talk more about how to do that in a minute.)

In the example above, knowing your audience can (and should) change the way you write your argument in order to make it as persuasive and convincing as possible.

Tip #5: Narrow Down Your Topic

Make sure your topic is broad enough that you have plenty of information sources to choose from but narrow enough that you aren’t overwhelmed by the amount of information. An easy way to narrow a broad topic is to limit it to a time period or geographical location. For instance, let’s say that you want to write an argumentative essay about climate change. Climate change covers a lot of ground, so you could narrow it down to only writing about climate change in the last 15 years. You could narrow it down even more by writing about how climate change has affected a small geographical location, like California or your own city, in the last 15 years.

Gun control is a perennially controversial topic in the United States.

The Best Controversial Topics of 2019

Here are some of the most controversial topics discussed this year. Many of these issues are evergreen topics, which means you’ll be able to find plenty of information for them!

These are topics related to current political subjects both in the US and abroad.

Is Brexit a good or bad idea?

In 2016, the United Kingdom voted to settle the question of whether or not they should leave the European Union. Proponents of Brexit argue that leaving the EU would save money for the nation as they would no longer need to pay a membership fee to the EU. Opponents argue that the UK will lose money due to new trade restrictions.

Did Russia interfere with the 2016 Presidential Election?

After Donald Trump won the 2016 Presidential Election , there were several investigative reports published that suggested that Russia used targeted Facebook ads to encourage people to vote for Trump , and Russia may have been the ones who hacked the Democratic National Convention. Trump supporters have been quick to rebuff this claim, arguing that the election results reflect the will of the American population. However, those who are anti-Trump argue that Trump did not legitimately win the election and that the results were due to Russian interference. They cite the fact that Hilary Clinton had a larger popular vote than Trump to support this.

Should there be stricter gun control?

The United States has experienced more than 200 mass shootings in 2019, and each new incident brings up controversial questions about gun control. Those in favor of gun control argue that more gun laws would reduce gun deaths. Those against gun control argue that the Second Amendment protects their right to own guns and any legislation for stricter gun control would be unconstitutional.

Should America allow illegal immigrants to become American citizens?

As more and more immigrants arrive at America’s borders, the debate over immigration becomes even more heated. On the pro side, people argue that illegal immigrants help the economy by paying taxes and that most immigrants came here as asylum seekers, which is legal. Opponents argue that these immigrants have crossed the border illegally and that a large portion of these immigrants are violent criminals and should be sent back to protect American citizens.

Should the death penalty still be allowed?

Many states have done away with the death penalty, yet some states still support it. Many have questioned if the death penalty is a moral, ethical, and effective way to deal with crime. On the pro side, the argument is that the death penalty acts as a deterrent to crime and can help bring closure to families affected by heinous criminal activity. On the con side, the argument is that it violates the 8th amendment and that sometimes innocent people have been put to death.

Should abortion be allowed?

Recently, several states have enacted new legislation limiting access to abortion. The pro-choice/pro-abortion side argues that women should be allowed to control their bodies without any interference from the government or religious authority. The pro-life/anti-abortion side argues that abortion is murder and inflicts pain and suffering on the unborn fetus. They are also opposed to Roe vs. Wade , a court decision that made abortion legal in the United States.

Should doctor-assisted suicide be allowed?

In January of 2019, Hawaii will join six other states in enacting Death with Dignity laws for patients with terminal illnesses . However, unlike in countries like Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, and the Netherlands, doctor-assisted euthanasia is still illegal according to US federal laws. Many believe it should also be legal on the federal level. Those for doctor-assisted suicide argue that allowing those with chronic pain or terminal illnesses to end their lives is a compassionate act that relieves their suffering. Those opposed argue that it violates the Hippocratic Oath to “do no harm,” and allowing euthanasia is a slippery slope that will lead to doctors deciding who is worthy of life and who is not.

Should the government legalize recreational marijuana?

As of 2018, there are 11 states that have legalized recreational marijuana: Alaska (2014), California (2016), Colorado (2012), DC (2014), Maine (2016), Massachusetts (2016), Michigan (2018), Nevada (2016), Oregon (2014), Vermont (2018), and Washington (2012). Legal marijuana proponents argue that the War on Drugs was a failed initiative that unfairly affected minority communities,and that marijuana isn’t any worse for you than drinking alcohol. Those against legal marijuana argue that the drug is addictive and leads to a higher percentage of school dropouts, car accidents, and crime.

These are topics based on current controversies happening in the scientific field.

Are humans causing global warming?

As the polar ice caps continue to melt, people question whether or not human activity is responsible for raising the temperature of the Earth . Proponents of this idea argue that due to human-generated waste and carbon dioxide, we are responsible for this rise in temperature. Opponents argue that the earth has gone through many warming and cooling cycles and that human activity is not to blame.

Are GMOs good or bad?

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of controversial questions raised by GMO, or genetically modified, crops. Those in favor of GMOs, which stands for genetically modified organisms, argue that without genetically modified crops and animals, there would be food shortages; they also argue that GMOs have been around for millennia. Those opposed to GMOs argue that GMOs could be the cause of the rise of cancers and that the pesticides needed to grow GMO crops contribute to pesticide-resistant pests.

Will work done on artificial intelligence eventually lead to our demise?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more sophisticated, which raises questions about the ethics and eventual outcome of creating artificial intelligence . Proponents believe artificial intelligence will keep us safer and solve many of the world’s problems; but opponents believe that developing AI might not be ethical, they ask whether or not robots programmed with AI count as conscious beings and should be given rights, or if AI will eventually lead to humanity’s downfall.

Should we allow gene editing on human beings?

2017 saw exciting advances in the science of gene editing with the arrival of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing method. However, it’s also raised some controversial debate topics regarding the ethics of allowing gene editing. Gene editing proponents argue that gene editing will allow us to cure genetic diseases and prolong life. But opponents argue that the technology will create more social inequity because only the rich will be able to afford it. They also argue that editing the genes of human embryos is tantamount to playing God.

Are self driving cars really safe?

In 2018, a car accidentally ran over and killed a pedestrian as she was crossing the street in Tempe, AZ. Despite this, driverless car manufacturers like Tesla and transportation companies like Uber argue that driverless technology is ultimately safer than human piloted transportation. This is due to the fact that driverless cars would feature many sensors and safety features whereas human drivers have a tendency to get distracted or sleepy while driving, and some may be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are many pro and con arguments about the controversial issues related to driverless technology , which makes this a great controversial topic for essays and debates!

Should anti-vaxxers be forced to vaccinate their kids?

Recently a measles outbreak has spread throughout Europe. According to the World Health Organization, there have been at least 40 measles-related deaths associated with the outbreak. Many blame anti-vaxxers, or parents who believe vaccines cause autism and other illnesses, for the spread of this disease. Those who are pro-vaccine argue that vaccines save lives and by not vaccinating their children , anti-vaxxers are putting others at risk. Anti-vaxxers argue that vaccines can cause serious side effects like autism, seizures, or Guillain-Barre Syndrome. They also argue that getting vaccinated is a personal choice that should be respected by the government.

Do we really need a General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?

In April of 2016, the European Union enacted the General Data Protection Regulation, which is designed to protect EU citizens’ personal data. Proponents for the GDPR argue that it will prevent the number of wide-scale data breaches and hacking that occurs on a day to day basis. Opponents argue that the GDPR doesn’t do enough to protect data and that it will negatively impact the economy because of the fines that will be enforced if a company fails to comply with GDPR guidelines.

Should we grow our meat in a lab?

Recent advances in technology have allowed scientists to experiment with lab-grown, edible meat that doesn’t require animal slaughter. Supporters of lab grown meat claim it is better for the environment and does away with the moral issues surrounding animal husbandry, including animal abuse and inhumane farming practices. Opponents claim lab grown meat may have adverse health effects on people who eat lab-grown meat, especially since the technology is so new. Opponents also argue that lab-grown meat could end the farming industry and put thousands of people out of work.

Uber is great when you need a lift...but does it treat its employees fairly?

Society & Culture

These are current topics that involve our day to day lives.

Should transgendered people be allowed to use the bathroom of their choice?

Earlier last year, North Carolina passed a law that prohibited transgender people from using the bathroom of their choice based on their expressed gender rather than their biologically assigned sex . The “bathroom bill” is the first of its kind to specifically address the issue of transgender public restroom access. Proponents for the bill argue that allowing biological males and females to use the same restroom will lead to a higher percentage of sexual assault and was a risk to public safety. Opponents argue that the bill is discriminatory.

Is it still okay to use UBER?

In 2017, UBER was rocked by claims of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, and false advertising. The hashtag #DeleteUber went viral in January 2017, and many users and drivers boycotted the company. This situation raises two controversial questions. First, what rights do contract workers have in this new, emerging gig economy ? And second, is UBER the victim of cancel culture , or do customers have an ethical obligation to boycott companies with shady practices?

Cultural appropriation or cultural appreciation? What’s the difference?

Katy Perry has been criticized for her 2017 music video "This Is How We Do” because the singer wore cornrows in her hair. Many have claimed the appearance of a Caucasian woman with a traditionally black hairstyle is cultural appropriation . These opponents argue that because people of color have been discriminated against for wearing traditionally black hairstyles, white women who sport the same hair styles profit from it. However, some argue that without cultural appropriation, many elements of minority cultures have become popularized, like rap music and R&B .

Should we give men accused of sexual misconduct a second chance?

In 2017, comedian Louis CK was accused of sexually harassing his female colleagues . Since these accusations went public, Louis CK has tried to rehabilitate his image, and h e has since publicly apologized. But this raises the question of whether we should give men accused of sexual misconduct a second chance if they seem to have learned their lesson.

Is social media ruining society?

According to a 2018 survey, approximately 70% of Americans use at least one social media site including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter . Those in favor of social media argue that it promotes a sense of community and helps create social interactions. But social media detractors argue that sites like Facebook or Reddit waste time, trigger mental illnesses, and encourage dangerous bullying.

Should people get fired for what they say on social media?

Recently, James Gunn, the director of Guardians of the Galaxy , was fired by Disney because there were several tweets on his Twitter feed they believed were offensive. He is not the only one, either: Roseanne was fired by Netflix after she made an offensive tweet towards politician Valerie Jarrett. This has raised some controversial questions, like whether someone be held professionally accountable for what they say on social media . Proponents for social media accountability argue that what someone posts on social media is a reflection of who they are as a person. Opponents argue that posting on social media is protected by free speech and that the context of the posting should matter.

Is the #MeToo movement helping or hurting women?

The #MeToo movement began in 2017 with a series of articles that accused Harvey Weinstein of rape and sexual assault. These articles led to Weinstein’s ostracization from Hollywood and eventually led to criminal investigations into his behavior. The #MeToo movement has brought down several powerful men with accusations of sexual misconduct. But some argue the movement has set the feminist movement back by discouraging companies from hiring women due to their fear of lawsuits.

Is Gen Z worse than previous generations?

Someone is always complaining that the generation after them is worse than their generation. As members of Gen Z mature and reach adulthood, they face many criticisms from the preceding generations. For example, d etractors have accused Gen Z of being lazy and introverted. However, others think Gen Z might be the generation that saves the world.

Arts & Entertainment

These are topics that are currently affecting sports, tv, Hollywood, literature, music, and art.

Should movies and television shows be forced to hire more diverse casts?

Hollywood has come under fire for “whitewashing” or the act of casting a white actor when the role should have gone to a person of color. An example of this is when Rupert Sanders, director of Ghost in the Shell , cast Scarlett Johansson as the Asian protagonist Major . Opponents of this practice argue that “whitewashing” takes jobs away from deserving POC actors. However, others argue that art should be free of any restrictions or boundaries .

Should the show 13 Reasons Why have removed its controversial scenes?

In 2017, Netflix released an original show based on the young adult novel 13 Reasons Why , which focuses on the suicide of 17-year-old Hannah Baker. Parents and educators opposed the release of this show due to the fact that it involved several controversial topics for teens such as suicide and rape. But those that support the show have argued that it provided a way to start conversations with teens about these tough topics . Ultimately, Netflix went back and edited out the controversial scenes. This topic gives you the opportunity to talk about whether mature content like suicide and rape is appropriate in shows aimed toward teenagers. You can also discuss whether Netflix’s removal of the offending scenes is the right decision or not.

Should male and female actors make the same amount of money?

In 2018, Hollywood came under fire after the internet learned that Michelle Williams was paid substantially less for her role in “All The Money In The World” than her male co-star, Mark Wahlberg. Some argue that as the bigger star, Whalberg deserved to be compensated at a higher rat e. Others argue that Williams did the same amount of work as Wahlberg and should receive the same amount of pay. This issue plugs into the larger social issue of pay discrepancies based on race and gender.

Should athletes be allowed to kneel during the national anthem?

People have started to boycott Nike for their commercial featuring Colin Kaepernick . Kaepernick is a San Francisco 49ers quarterback who has received a lot of press for being the first athlete to kneel during the national anthem in protest the treatment of African Americans and minorities in the United States. President Trump has publicly stated that any athlete who kneels during the national anthem is being disrespectful and should be fired. Yet others defend kneeling during the anthem, regarding it as an expression of free speech that’s protected under the First Amendment.

The 5 Best Tips for Treating Controversial Topics With Sensitivity and Respect

In order to write a good argument and convince your reader/listener to agree with you, you will need to treat your controversial issue with sensitivity and respect. This helps the reader/listener to trust you.

But that can be really hard when you feel passionately about your topic and your opinions! Here are the best tips for making sure you stick to the facts, not the feelings.

Tip #1: Avoid Charged Language

An author is accused of using loaded language when they substitute words with positive or negative connotations instead of using more neutral language. Some examples of this are using the word “superior” instead of better, calling the opposition “stupid,” or using biased terminology (“infanticide” vs. “abortion”). While emotional appeals are a great tool to persuade people to your point of view, when they’re used in the wrong way, they come across as overly aggressive and biased.

Tip #2 : Avoid Logical Fallacies

A logical fallacy is an error in your argument’s logic because it presents the topic’s information in a deceptive way. Below are some common logical fallacies to watch out for.

Straw Man Fallacy: this is when you ignore your opponent’s real argument and instead argue that your opponent believes something easily ridiculed or proved false.

Slippery Slope: this is when you argue that something seemingly benign will lead to an unlikely extreme.

Generalizations: generalizations are statements about an idea that do not have any facts to support them. They tend to play into stereotypes and often rely on exaggerations or over the top statements.

For more information on logical fallacies and how to avoid them, check out this resource.

Tip #3: Do Not Attack Your Opponent Personally

This is called an ad hominem fallacy, and is often referred to as “mud-slinging” or “bashing.” When you do this, it implies that the only way you can counter your opponents viewpoints is through personal attacks. (Also, it’s just not cool.) Instead, stick to using facts and figures to show why their argument is wrong.

Tip #4: Avoid Hyperbole, Stereotypes, and Clichés

These are common issues that crop up in argumentative writing that ultimately weaken your position.

Hyperbole happens when you exaggerate. When you use hyperbole, you risk misrepresenting the issue at hand—which is an argument killer. For example, take this statement: “If we don’t stop climate change now, we’ll all be dead in 10 years.” While climate change is definitely a huge risk to humanity, saying everyone on Earth will die in a decade if we don’t fix is a significant exaggeration. It would be better to say something like, “If we don’t start to solve climate change now, we’re risking the livelihoods and safety of future generations.” This is a more moderate statement that you can back up with facts, like scientists’ belief that climate change will put coastal cities underwater.

Stereotypes are oversimplified, misinformed, or prejudiced assumptions held about other people or things. For example, a common stereotype is that all women love pink. (Spoiler alert: they don’t.) While stereotypes like this seem harmless, most are not. For example, a stereotype like the idea that all immigrants are criminals is extremely harmful. Stereotypes are not only false, they make you seem biased and ill-informed.

Finally, clichés are overused or commonplace phrases, themes, or expressions . These are often phrases that have been said so much that they’ve lost all real meaning. For example, the idea that people can “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” is a textbook example of a cliché. Instead, it’s better to explain the idea behind the cliché in more detail. In this case, it would be better to say that people—no matter their station in life—can create opportunities for themselves through hard work.

Tip #5 : Don’t Beat a Dead Horse

Remember that your job is to present them with the facts in an open and honest way. If you have done a good job, your reader or listener will come away with the same opinion as you, or at least more informed. It’s okay to state your opinion in your paper as long as you use other sources to back your opinion up and are fair to the other side. (Also resist the urge to restate your opinion every other sentence—it’s monotonous and doesn’t do much to win your reader over!)

5 Resources for Finding More Controversial Debate Topics

If you’re not inspired by the topics we’ve already mentioned, don’t worry. There are many other controversial topics out there! Here are some other places you can look to find a topic that’s perfect for your essay or debate.

#1: ProCon.Org

You probably noticed that we’ve included links in this article that take you to ProCon.org . That’s because this website is a treasure trove of controversial issues! The website has lists of ideas that they break down into general pro/con lists, and each topic links you research starters.

#2: National & Local News

Much of the modern news cycle is devoted to discussing hot-button topics of our time. If you’re looking for topics related to current events, news sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post will help! Also, don’t discount your local news resources, either. They’ll give you valuable information about what’s going on in your community and how larger, national issues are impacting where you live.

#3: They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (Fourth Edition) by Cathy Birkenstein & Gerald Graff

Writing argumentative papers where you have to pick (and defend) your perspective is a skill you’ll use throughout high school, college, and beyond. They Say/I Say walks you through everything you need to know to write an argument. Even better: the book uses controversial issues as a way to teach writing, so you’ll get expert instruction on how to use them to write an amazing paper.

#4: Documentaries

Documentaries provide more in-depth perspectives on topics—both historical and contemporary—that have shaped the world. A great documentary can give you a thorough overview of an issue, and often they dig into different perspectives around an event, idea, or historical moment. The PBS series, Frontline , is a good place to start, but don’t be afraid to look at critically acclaimed films (like The Times of Harvey Milk or How to Survive a Plague ) for inspiration as well.

#5: The Learning Network

The Learning Network , a blog run by The New York Times, is a great resource for students and teachers. They have lots of great resources, and their article on 200 prompts for argumentative writing is amazing for anyone looking for essay or debate topics. The article split into categories by topic and links to articles that can help explain each issue. It’s a great place to find a topic that interests you.

What’s Next?

Controversial topics are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things you can research and write about for class. Check out our list of 113 amazing research paper topics to put you on the path to an A+ paper grade! ( If you’re looking for speech topics or argumentative essay topics , we’ve got you covered, too.)

Researching a controversial topic is just the first step in the argumentative process. You also have to be able to persuade your reader or listener to believe in your point of view. Here are 3 killer tips to help you write an amazing argumentative essay.

Learning how to read critically, come up with an argument, and communicate it is one of the fundamental skills you’ll need to tackle the writing portions of the SAT and ACT. To make sure you’re prepared, check out our step-by-step guide to the essay portion of the SAT ( and the ACT ).

Looking for help with high school? Our one-on-one online tutoring services can help you study for important exams, review challenging material, or plan out big projects. Get matched with a top tutor who is an expert in the subject you're studying!

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Controversial Speech Topics That Will Wake Your Audience

Controversial speech topics in public speaking and writing should not give you shudders especially when everyone is trying to pull the right strings and walk the safe path. You will learn skills that will help you evoke opinions that are strong enough to move your audience, on both sides of the argument. The scope of controversial issues today is just too wide to be ignored. This gives you as a speaker a special place in addressing these issues in numerous fields and to tread slippery grounds playing the devil’s advocate.

The importance of developing argumentative skills is through extensive writing college students have to do in the course of their study. College writing skills help students learn the art of critical thinking that comes handy in defending various positions of arguments. A skill that runs through different settings, including political talks and public policy forums. You need this skill as a college student ahead of your final dissertation proposal to energize your argument positions.

What Are Controversial Topics?

Controversial issues are those which span various positions of an argument and often result in disagreements. Controversial persuasive speech topics involve discussions on these issues. Controversy is known to evoke strong emotions especially if it compromising one’s beliefs, values, and ethical principles.

Why Is It Important To Raise Controversial Topics?

Issues leading to controversy are often unspoken. But this is not the position social educators hold today. How else do students acquire substantive knowledge that enhances their understanding of the social world? Speech topics for college students are not only designed to deepen their scope of oratory ideas and the ability to identify good persuasive speech topics but also instill in them a rare capacity to deliver thoughtful judgments and informed decisions amid issues of controversy. Every student needs the knowledge of these controversial topics to craft an informative speech.

How To Choose A Speech Topic?

The initial step towards a successful presentation is your choice of informative speech topics. Most students often get it wrong because they choose topics which they barely deliver. The knowledge of your audience should help shape your topic to resonate with them perfectly. And lastly, is your interest in the topic. Choose a topic that claims much of your interest to increase your credibility during the presentation.

List of Controversial Speech Topics For 2019-2020 Schoolyear

And now let’s explore different examples of controversial topics in various spheres of life. These are among the most interesting topics to talk about in a speech and the most likely to feature in your college writing, classified by field, purpose, and different groups. Knowledge on these topics will equip you with a thorough understanding of the world as well as coming up with a catchy write up such as essays and research proposals. So why is writing important in education ? Writing and presenting speeches are particularly essential at the college level since they ultimately prepare you to engage with the world and its diverse demography throughout the course of your profession.

No negative political campaigning should prevail
Electronic voting: concerns around security and privacy.
A President governing a nation by a set code of ethics
Abolition of the electoral college
Black Lives Matter VS Blue Lives Matter
What is the impact of minimum wage on employment?
Tax rates are too high
Governments bailing out banks and financial institutions
Should farmers receive financial protection from perils such as droughts and pests?
Labor unions
The national deficit
Political campaign finance reforms
Differences in salaries: professional athletes vs. military men and women
Student loan debt

Social policy

Women have less wealth. How to fix this.
The American welfare state
Culture wars: Stigma and discrimination
Social work and service delivery issues
The spread of hate and racism
Causes and effects of world wars I and II
The advent of legalized abortion
Feminism and women rights
Botched executions and the death penalty in America
Make personal health records public
Medical malpractice protection
Ethics around the study of human genetics
Medical marijuana and its benefits
Animal testing and experiments

Nature and Environment

Should we continue using pesticides and harm the environment?
Recycling programs should be mandatory
Garbage output should be restricted on a weekly basis
Global warming: is it happening or mere propaganda?
The US-Iraq war was wrong
Where is lasting peace for the Middle East?
The US should stop playing the world policeman
Diplomacy or force? What should we do with North Korea?
We shouldn’t allow Iran to go nuclear

Law and order

Outlaw capital punishment
Firearms with high-capacity magazines should be outlawed
Mandatory federal sentencing and its impact
How safe are shall-issue laws for concealed carry permits?
Prisoners have their rights
Should churches continue enjoying their tax-exempt status?
Why do churches say NO to divorce?
Organized religion has no place in society today
Teaching religion in public schools: does it benefit society?
Holy Spirit in Christian churches today

Science and researches

Use of eugenics to enhance humans
Implanted GPS
Should we refrain from using genetically modified food products
Hormone replacement therapy and ovarian cancer
Is human cloning ethical?
Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia
Should there be slavery reparations?
Partial-birth abortion
Protection and individual nourishment of children in “the system.”
Every person’s life should be protected
Sex offender notification
Same-sex marriages: legal or illegal?
LGBTQ’s have their rights
Birth control: it’s regulation and availability
Men to take their share in the birth control burden

Entertainment

Gambling; legal or illegal
Rock and roll is the best kind of music
Why advertising alcohol and cigarettes should be banned
Social impact of violent video games
Body tattooing among other body art
Age limit for sexual education
Homeschooling and its impact on children
Should bilingual education be mandatory?
Evolution or creation? Which one should be taught in public high schools?
Schools have fallen short of their life skills classes.
Walmart needs to implement a dress code
Smoking is actually good for you
Are cats better companions than dogs?
Teenagers should be given credit cards
There are benefits in texting while driving.

Provocative

Sex trade should be stopped
Is media fair and balanced
Legalization of marijuana: what is the impact?
The US does not negotiate with terrorists.
Government surveillance and public safety

Interesting

Social networking and online privacy
Freedom of speech on social media
The government should put an end to income inequality
Replace the electoral college by popular vote
Fuel efficiency of vehicles

Motivational

Self-help books. Do they actually help?
“Pride House” for LGBTQ athletics
Teens and self-image
Adoptive parents should allow biological parents access to the children they gave birth to
Teen depression
Increase or lower the age of consent?
Prohibition vs. drug legalization
Chemical and biological warfare
Outdoor smoking bans vs. claims to public space
Free press vs. fair trial

For Different Groups

For college students.

Implanted GPS is an infringement on privacy
Availability of HIV drugs kits on drug counters
Should mass school shootings be given media attention?
The ethics of combining human and animal DNA in stem cells research
Health insurance companies’ use of genetic information and medical history of their clients to assess their insurance worthiness.

For high school students

Should prayers be imposed in schools?
Single parents should not be allowed to adopt
Nature vs. nurture. Is going green legit and working?
Religion is essential for spiritual growth in a society
No adult content should be allowed to feature in cartoon and other programs watched by children
Disarming Americans may lead to civil war
Journalism is the art of intellectual prostitution
Hunting should be encouraged since it brings in money for state and local enterprises
Why the all-male court culture has failed
The ethics of Drone warfare

The above list puts to rest your quest for good topics to write a speech on. They are the most popular speech topics taking into account both the longstanding controversies in human history and the emerging issues in society.

Therefore, as you begin thinking about your dissertation or thesis proposal at the end of your course, you need to explore some of the persuasive topics above and write extensively to hone your skills. Students are encouraged to think about unique topics for their dissertation papers early in their degree programs and prepare their proposals for approval. A good proposal includes a statement of the problem or a topic of persuasion you seek to explore and the context in which you want to present your ideas. Then a thorough review of the literature relevant to the research problem.

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100 Persuasive Speech Topics for Students

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If you are planning a persuasive speech, you should think about a topic that can engage your audience. For this reason, you may want to consider a few topics before settling on the one that allows you to be more descriptive and entertaining.

Another important factor when picking a persuasive speech topic is to choose one that can provoke your audience. If you stir up a little emotion in your audience members, you'll keep their attention.

The list below is provided to help you brainstorm. Choose a topic from this list, or use it to generate an idea of your own. It could even be an idea that opposes the proposed example. For instance, instead of arguing American workers should be guaranteed a three-day weekend by law, you could argue why this shouldn't be the case.

How to Pick a Good Persuasive Speech Topic

Persuasive speeches are generally meant to convince an audience to agree with an idea you present. The topics can range from political to scientific or societal, and professional to personal—or even fun. They can be almost anything.

Just remember, a persuasive speech is different than a persuasive essay because you are presenting to an audience. So as you decide on a topic, think about your audience and decide on a subject matter that will be appropriate, compelling, and engaging to discuss. Perhaps it's a timely issue attracting a lot of news coverage, or maybe you want to be motivational and encourage a healthy activity. Whatever it is, structure your argument with a hook to capture attention , a clear definition of the topic or issue, and finally, your proposed solution or opinion.

100 Examples of Persuasive Speech Topics

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

15 Persuasive Essay Topics About Controversial Issues

Controversial issues can be a great way to get your students engaged, and they also make perfect persuasive essay topics.

Whether your goal is to explore the controversial issue itself or to teach the mechanics of persuasive writing, controversial issues and persuasive essays go hand in hand.

In order to write a good persuasive essay, you need to feel passionately about an argument. Having a good prompt and a good issue let’s you do that.

The flip side is that to show you really understand a controversial issue, you have to make an argument about it. A persuasive essay is the perfect summative assessment to see whether a student really understands the issue and can articulate their opinion.

Below, I’ll share a list of 15 persuasive essay topics and writing prompts that you can use with your class. If you scroll down to the bottom, I’ll also wrap up with some other methods and resources that can help you teach these controversial issues and how to write argumentative essays.

List of Persuasive Essay Topics and Writing Prompts

So, without further ado, here’s a list of questions that would make great writing prompts for a persuasive essay.

Should the Government Ban or Regulate Indecency on Television?

This is a controversial issue as old as the airwaves. As long as there’s been radio and television, there have been arguments about what is acceptable and what is obscene.

If you’re studying constitutional law or taking AP U.S. Government, you’re probably familiar with George Carlin and his famous “ Seven Dirty Words ” bit. But for the average student, this persuasive writing topic is still relevant.

Think about the music you hear on the radio. What is bleeped out? Why do we have “dirty” and “clean” versions of hit songs? Why are some television shows allowed to curse, be violent, and have nudity, while others don’t?

You could definitely take this broader topic and make it more specific and timely by relating it to a current hit song or television show that your students are in to.

But however you phrase it, whether or not the government should regulate indecency on television is a great persuasive essay topic.

Should Voters Be Required to Show Identification?

For the last few years, this has been an increasingly hot topic as individual states have moved to implement various forms of voter ID laws. On the face of it, this sounds reasonable, but underneath the surface there are arguments about voter suppression and exclusion.

Is voter fraud a problem that needs to be dealt with? An answer to this question should likely depend on some research about the extent to which people are impersonating voters to enter the voting booth.

What kind of ID should be required? Different types of ID have different requirements to obtain them, and so this choice matters to.

Finally, how do you deal with the potential for discriminatory exclusion? Some people – the elderly, the young, low income – are more likely to not have ID, and for some people it can be a financial burden to secure the documentation necessary to get an ID.

Here’s a great, short NY Times Op-Doc video about the issue, which leans more to the “against” side of voter ID laws .

This ongoing policy debate about Voter ID laws makes for a great argumentative essay topic.

Should Race Be a Factor in Admissions to Universities?

Affirmative action has been a controversial issue for decades. Initially, the debate was over whether or not strict racial quotas were an appropriate way to make up for centuries of discrimination and segregation.

These early forms of affirmative action were struck down by the Supreme Court in Regents of the University of California vs Bakke , but other forms of affirmative action survived. Bakke affirmed that universities could use race as one factor in their admissions, and universities have been trying to strike the proper balance since.

A few years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in again – in Fisher v. University of Texas – and upheld more holistic processes designed to ensure diversity. But in the aftermath of Fisher , a group of students have brought a case against Harvard that is likely destined to find itself at the Supreme Court soon.

Which begs the original question – is it appropriate for a University to use race as a factor in admissions in order to guarantee diversity of its student body?

Should the Government Limit the Amount of Money Spent on Political Campaigns?

The influence of money in politics is another issue that has been fought out in the Supreme Court over the last 50 years. Money in politics is nothing new, and there are plenty examples of its corrupting influence in the early history of the United States.

But since the 1970’s, the federal government has struggled to strike a proper balance between regulation and free speech. Early campaign finance laws sought to restrict spending, and that was ultimately overturned. More recently, McCain-Feingold (aka BCRA) tried to funnel campaign spending into committees that have strict disclosure and contribution regulations.

Much of that came to an end with Citizens United , and since 2010 there has been a renewed surge of “dark” money in politics. So there’s really two parts to this question – a) should there be restrictions on how much money people can contribute and/or spend and b) does the public have a right to know who is contributing money to whom?

One way or another, the question of campaign finance is a great persuasive essay topic.

Should the Government Publicly Finance Campaigns?

Related to the previous question, you might also use this question as an argumentative essay prompt – should the government avoid the influence of money altogether by publicly funding campaigns?

There are some examples to look at. In 1974, the federal government set up a Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and candidates can use it to get matching dollar amounts if they agree to certain restrictions. But since Citizens United , the program has largely fallen out of favor.

New Jersey is one of several states with a public funding option for gubernatorial campaigns, and Arizona and Maine have more comprehensive systems offering public funding for state legislative elections. But these laws have also been challenged in court, and part of Arizona’s public financing law was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2011.

A simple version of this persuasive essay topic would focus on whether or not the government should publicly finance campaigns, while a more complex version might touch on how the government could do it in a way that withstood judicial scrutiny.

Should the United States Intervene When Foreign Dictators Use Chemical Weapons on Their Own People?

This is a more narrow version of the general question – should the United States intervene in foreign countries or mind its own business?

In some historical cases – like World War II and the Holocaust – it seems pretty obvious that intervention is a good idea. But in the present moment, it’s a little harder to identify that dividing line.

There have been a number of recent cases along these lines – Syria, Iraq, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Students will likely have a huge range of opinions on the issue, with some being fiercely isolationist and others advocating intervention on the slightest chance of abuse.

This is one of my favorite persuasive essay topics because it links up so directly with a theme that I talk a lot about in class – conflict. Read more about teaching with themes here.

Should the Federal Government Raise the Minimum Wage to $15 per hour?

The federal minimum wage is $7.25, and it’s been there since 2009. With the Fight for $15 movement is gaining steam around the country, this would make a great persuasive writing topic.

What once seemed kind of crazy is slowly becoming more realistic. First, some progressive cities took the lead, like Seattle. Now, some states are following suit – including New Jersey and Illinois.

Of course, there’s still plenty of pushback against this idea and a national minimum wage hike doesn’t seem to be in the cards in the near future. But a student could certainly take a side and stake out an argument – and maybe even send it to their legislature.

This is another one of the persuasive essay topics that relates directly back to a major theme in social studies – this time the theme of economics, and whether or not the economy is fair. Read more here about essential questions related to economics.

Should Congress Require Annual Standardized Tests in Schools?

Here’s another essay topic that’s particularly relevant for students. Every student knows the pain of testing – in fact just this morning, I spent several hours proctoring the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA).

Testing has been around a long time, but the frequency of it increased – and was required nationwide – after the 2001 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (aka “No Child Left Behind”). Congress took another look at the issue with the next reauthorization – the Every Student Succeeds Act – but they ended up leaving the testing mandate alone.

So what do your students think? Ask them and have them write an argumentative essay about it.

You could also put a twist on this question by focusing on the use of tests as an exit requirement. There’s no federal mandate for this, but some states do require students to pass a standardized test to graduate. For older students, this surely a topic about which they’ll have an opinion.

Should the United States Grant Asylum to Refugees?

This is another age old question that has taken on new relevance. From the beginning of its history, the United States took in people who could be considered refugees. Historically, the greatest test of this question may be the Holocaust, and early on the United States failed that test.

You can watch this PBS Frontline episode, Forever Prison , to learn about the plight of Haitian refugees to the United States in the 1990’s. More recently, there are refugees looking to come to the United States from the Middle East and from Latin America. If your students spend any time watching the news, they’ve surely heard something about this.

This topic could revolve around what people are fleeing from. Should we only accept refugees from religious persecution and human rights abuses? What about crime or poverty? Or natural disasters?

It’s a complex question that gets to the heart of the immigration policy debate – and makes a perfect argumentative essay prompt.

Should the Government Have Access to Encrypted Devices and Communications Platforms?

The topic of government surveillance pops up in the news from time to time. Under Bush, there was the warrantless wire-tapping, the use of phone metadata, and the FBI snooping on e-mails.

More recently, this question focuses on access to encrypted communication platforms – like WhatsApp. To your students, these are probably just convenient ways to chat with each other. But to people with security concerns, they’re also a way to make sure that no one is listening in on their conversations.

There could be some good reasons for that. There could also be some bad reasons. Apparently terrorist groups like ISIS have used these encrypted communication platforms to plan attacks, which begs the question – should the government have some kind of backdoor to get in?

Some students will shrug this off and think it’s no big deal, while others will probably react with quite a bit of concern.

Should the Federal Government Permit or Ban the Death Penalty?

This is a good argumentative essay topic to use in conjunction with the Bill of Rights. The Eighth Amendment says no cruel unusual punishment – which should mean no death penalty, right?

Of course, there’s a historical angle to this. The death penalty was widely accepted in 1789, so you can make an argument that the Eighth Amendment doesn’t forbid it.

But there’s also the angle of justice and equity. In the 1970’s, through a series of court cases, the death penalty was deemed arbitrary and capricious – because it tended to be used more against certain offenders (i.e. African Americans).

This led to some reforms, and some states have continued to use the death penalty. Texas is leading the way on that front. Other states, however, have banned it, while others have put a moratorium on executions because of concerns over the method of execution.

Should Hate Speech Be Protected by the First Amendment?

This is another great writing prompt to use with the Bill of Rights, and it’s one that’s sure to elicit strong reaction from your students.

Supreme Court caselaw has held that speech – even hate speech – is protected by the First Amendment. A pivotal case in this vein was Brandenburg v. Ohio . In that case, the Court decided that speech could only be limited if it created an imminent danger, not because it was hateful.

Another way to frame the question is to focus on social media platforms. Recently, Facebook, Twitter, and other companies have come under fire for allowing White Supremacists to share various forms of hate speech on their platforms. One could then make a connection to any number of violent incidents throughout the country (or the world).

So if the government can’t regulate hate speech because of the First Amendment, does a platform like Facebook have an obligation to do so? Great topic for a persuasive essay.

Should the Government Send a Manned Mission to Mars?

I love space, so this question really appeals to me. Fifty years ago, people might have thought JFK was crazy when he planned to send a man to the moon. I’m sure there were plenty of heated debates about that.

Today’s frontier is a bit further away, but is it any more crazy? Sure, there are some technological leaps that need to be taken before it’s possible. But in the early 1960’s, putting a man on the moon may have seemed crazy, too.

But it’s an important question for the space program. What’s next? Back to the moon, on to Mars, or something else? Or should we just hang out on Earth for a while and try to fix what we’ve got here?

Maybe it’s the science fiction fan in me, but I just think this is a great topic to think about. I’d love to see what students would write about this in an argumentative essay.

Should the Federal Government Have to Balance the Budget?

This is a question that should come with a heavy dose of economics and economic policy. But it’s one worth asking. It could also be a good vehicle for teaching some of these concepts that might otherwise seem boring and wonky.

You could also connect this back to history. When you teach about the early years of the nation and Alexander Hamilton’s role as the Secretary of the Treasury, there’s undoubtedly something that comes up about the National Debt. Instead of talking about that in historical isolation, you can connect that today and think about the current federal budget.

This is also back in the news this week, with moderate Democrats (i.e. the Blue Dog Coalition backing a concept that has traditionally been more closely associated with Republicans. Perhaps it’s a blip on the national scene and the topic will fade away, but if it’s in the headlines why not use it as a persuasive essay topic?

Should the Voting Age be Lowered to 16?

We’ll end with this one because it has a direct impact on students. Should teenagers be allowed to vote?

A few years ago, this might have sounded crazy. But over the last few years there have been several municipalities that lowered their voting age to 16. At the federal level, Rep. Ayanna Pressley introduced an amendment to a bill on federal election reform that would have lowered the age for participation in Congressional and Presidential elections.

There’s also a historical angle to this question. Once upon a time – not all that long ago – you couldn’t vote at 18. To today’s students it may seem like a fait accompli , but the 26th Amendment that lowered the voting age was less than fifty years ago. At the founding of the country, some states required voters to be as old as 25.

So let students wrestle with this writing prompt in an argumentative essay and put together an argument for (or against) lowering the voting age.

Other Methods and Resources for Teaching Controversial Issues and Persuasive Essays

A big piece of teaching how to write a persuasive essay is the topic, but – especially with controversial issues – it also helps to teach some background about the topics.

One place you can look for resources for these questions is C-SPAN’s Classrooms Deliberations . These are in depth lessons on current policy debates that come scaffolded with C-SPAN videos and other resources. Some of these questions are featured in these Deliberations lessons, and this can be a great place to find the factual resources your students need to write good arguments.

Two other methods that you could think about using with these controversial issues are Take a Stand and A/B Writing . With the Take a Stand activity, students arrange themselves on a continuum based on how they feel about a question. With A/B writing, students choose a statement to agree with and write down their reason for choosing it. Either method is a great way to get students to start thinking about a topic that’s going to turn into a persuasive essay.

Finally, a lot of these issues are things that are debates that are playing out in the country right now. If you follow the news, you’re bound to hear about many of these issues on a weekly basis. Better yet, if you teach current events on a regular basis in your class, you can have your students relate what they’ve learned in the news to these essays. Here are some resources on how to use CNN10 to teach current events in your class .

Which Issue Have You Used From These Persuasive Essay Topics?

Have you used one of these topics in your class? How did you students respond?

Do you have another controversial issue that you’ve used as a topic for a persuasive essay? What was it?

Drop a line in the comment below and share with our readers.

1 comments on “15 Persuasive Essay Topics About Controversial Issues”

Anna H. Smith
November 27, 2020

I really appreciate this website. I have learned some inciteful writing information. I feel strongly that I can go forward with the information that I have gained from this post. Great persuasive controversial essays you have shared. Thanks very much.

144 Controversial Speech Topics

No matter where we go or what we look at, we’re bound to come across controversial subjects. Each and every one of us has a distinct point of view. Some tend to cling to their opinions more intensely than others. The controversial character of a subject is given not only by the disputes that surround it but also by the affective responses and the duration of the disputes. Certain disagreements can last for entire decades! In this article, we’ve made a list of the best controversial speech and compare and contrast thesis topics. All of these topics are designed to arouse the readers’ interest.

The primary target of approaching a controversial subject is to stimulate the audience to discuss the issue. It goes without saying that many people simply won’t be willing to change their opinions, regardless of how much effort you put in convincing them. Nevertheless, such attitudes shouldn’t discourage you. You can’t expect to change the world in a single day! Your rhetorical analysis thesis must make the readers aware of a given situation by presenting it from your point of view. When your words strike a sensitive chord, you can be sure that what you’re doing is meaningful.

When approaching a controversial speech topic, you should be bold and sincere. Furthermore, you should always follow your instinct. However, don’t forget that you need to stay well-mannered and your approach must be pertinent. Keep in mind that, in some cases, it might be pretty easy to cross the line between stating your opinions and offending your audience, an error you should avoid by all means! Moreover, the lack of relevance can lead to disagreement. That said, take a look at our list of great controversial speech topics and choose the one that you feel the most excited about.

Political and economic topics

Abortion procedures: supporters of life vs. supporters of option
The entitlements of the LGBTQ community
Firearm regulations vs. Second Amendment entitlements
The legalization of assisted suicide in case of individuals suffering from deathly afflictions
The utilization of sadism as a questioning strategy
Can ethnical profiling be justified?
The phenomenon of bribery in the press
Nonacceptance of the Pledge of Allegiance in certain educational institutions in the US
The Black Lives Matter movement as opposed to the Blue Lives Matter movement
Should the President be bound by some predetermined moral ground rules when ruling the country?
The disestablishment of the Electoral College procedure
Should people who work in agriculture be granted financial protection against issues such as water shortages or plagues?
American actions on the Iraqi front
The US ought to avoid interfering in the internal issues of other countries
Countrywide shortage
Is global peace achievable?
The economic measures discussed in the electoral campaign
Racism: the tendency of victimizing oneself
Atomic weapons control
Governmental financial assistance of banks and economic organizations
Work associations
Homosexual matrimony
The income of sportspeople as opposed to that of people who work in the army
The excessive utilization of insults in electoral campaigns
The fight against homelessness
The reduced ethical standards in the US
Inmates’ entitlements
Felonies generated by racism
University accessible to everyone
Saving kids from abusive parents and placing them in the system
Unequal treatment for males and females in work environments
The practice of student loans
Is Common Core beneficial or detrimental?
Moral principles in the field of medicine
How to enhance the living conditions in nursing institutions
Is death penalty a cruelty or a necessity?
The TSA excessive rules applied in airports
Should people be allowed to buy alcohol at younger ages?
The age at which people should be allowed to drive
The prohibition of animal trials and experiments
The legalization of same-sex matrimony
Excessive taxes
The limitations of the 1st Amendment Rights
Putting an end to censorship: people are entitled to know!
The limitations and regulations surrounding unlawful immigration
Becoming a legal immigrant is a complicated procedure
Is pleading mental illness a tactic of avoiding justice?
Harsher weapon regulations in educational institutions
More severe penalties for sex offenders
The laws related to tobacco consumption
Bribery amongst police officers
Alerts regarding sex offenders
Harsher regulations against racism
More severe punishments for underage pornographic materials
Life in prison may lead to future offenses
Signing up for organ donations
Compulsory drug tests for professional sportspersons
The regulations for wearing the seatbelt and motorcycle helmet
The disestablishment of the jury system
People who adopt children have the legal obligation of allowing them to communicate with their biological progenitors
Organizing philanthropical events responsible for donation distribution
Harsher sanctions for individuals who commit acts of violence towards animals
Relinquishing the necessity of authorization for search ad seizures
Compulsory sterilization and castration of pets
The utilization of spanking as a corrective method
The availability of adoption documents
Overusing the right to take legal action against a person
Strategies utilized in prisons
Birth control laws and accessibility
The personal character of medical documents
Defense against professional misconduct in the field of medicine
The minimum wage and the way in which it influences work operations

Historical topics

Steps towards legalizing cannabis
Are specters real?
Females’ role in the homestead
Creationism vs. Evolutionism
Midwives are a thing of the past
Mass extermination
The reasons and outcomes of the First World War
The origins and outcomes of the Second World War
The feminist movement and females’ entitlements

Religious topics

The eradication of organized religious groups would benefit the entire world
How religion disapproves of marriage annulments
Couples who share a home without getting married

Scientific, biological and medical topics

The harmful outcomes of ingesting Genetically Engineered food
People with lung cancer as a result of smoking receiving damages
PETA and the fight against animal brutality as a reason for becoming a vegan
The utilization of antibiotics by meat businesses
Should vaccines be compulsory for being admitted into a public educational institution?
Are vaccines beneficial or detrimental?
Are extraterrestrials real?
Should those who apply for social assistance be subjected to drug testing?
Biological weapons
Alien spacecraft
Males should be more involved in birth control procedures
Fetal mistreatment throughout the pregnancy period
The US’ fight against obesity
Studies of stem cells
Paranormal occurrences
Treatment for people with mental handicaps
“Value size” alternatives should be removed from fast foods
The utilization of renewable and alternative energy

Sexual topics

Should polygamy become legal?
How watching porn can affect a matrimony
Sexuality in television
Same-sex couples raising kids
Gay people in the army
Gay and bisexual people
The introduction of adult topics in TV programs and films designed for kids
Sexual identity

Entertainment topics

Tattoos and different forms of corporeal art

Environmental topics

Is global warming a real problem or is it a big lie?
Worldwide weather conditions modifications
Ecological behaviors
Establishing limits for trash production

Philosophical topics

The significance of our existence
Truthfulness and deceit
The scientific technique as a continuous procedure

Technological topics

Embedded GPS devices as a menace to intimacy
How wireless internet and mobile phone signals can damage our health
Gas effectiveness of cars
Generating alternative energy
Creating human clones
Drones as war weapons
Internet schooling
The excessive utilization of computers in educational institutions
Plastic surgical procedures
Public supervision devices

Educational devices

How homeschooling can influence kids
Should people with artistic skills attend more practical universities?
The year-round school system
Educational institutions fail to teach us about life
Suspension as a disciplinary measure
The importance of pre-schools
The role of homework
Supervision of educational institutions
Measures for protecting institutionalized kids
Refusing to use products which are the result of animal violence

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Everyday Philosophy: 3 rules for discussing controversial topics

Black and white photo of an American flag waving against a blurred background of buildings, framed by red and beige rectangular blocks.

Welcome to Everyday Philosophy, the column where I use insights from the history of philosophy to help you navigate the daily dilemmas of modern life.
This week, an exasperated Steve asks what tricks and tips we can offer to have better conversations about heated topics.
Using Chalmers as our scaffold, we unpack three rules to promote any fruitful discussion.

In today’s political climate, how can we come together and seek some common ground or understanding? What are the mechanics of doing that? Is there some script or set of ground rules? — Steve, US

Well, this is a different kind of question demanding a different kind of answer. Usually in this column, we look at the pros and cons or the for and against of an argument before reaching some irritatingly ambiguous conclusion. This week, though, Steve is asking for advice. I’ll assume that most people reading this agree it’s a good thing to “come together and seek some understanding” in today’s political climate. So, we won’t look at two sides but instead look at three tips to help Steve in his quest.

A few years ago, the philosopher David Chalmers compiled a list of “guidelines for respectful, constructive, and inclusive philosophical discussion.” Chalmers argued these are true in a philosophical setting — seminars, conferences, and so on — but I think they are just as handy for Steve’s question. I’ll use Chalmers’ document as a starting point and pepper in some examples and philosophical allusions just to add a bit of spice.

So, here are the “ground rules” for coming together.

First, be respectful

One of the largest obstacles to any meaningful conversation is the flag-waving lure of angry tribalism. When we start a discussion about things like politics or religion, we often retreat to the defensive. We lash out. We snarl and slobber like a wolf protecting its territory. Worse still, we treat the other person as an enemy to repel — a traitor, a heretic, an idiot. So, if we’re to have a good discussion, we must start from a position of respect. For Chalmers, this means being nice, not interrupting, not rolling your eyes or sneering, and not assuming the other person is lying or conniving. In short, it’s all the things your teacher taught you when you were six years old but somehow forgot.

In their 2018 bestseller How Democracies Die , political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt highlighted how the erosion of respect as a political norm has led to increased polarization. They argued that democratic systems rely on “mutual toleration,” a basic respect between competing political groups. Without this norm, we fall into a cycle of retaliation and division, with opponents treated not as rivals but as existential threats. For Levitsky and Ziblatt, then, respect is not merely politeness — it’s essential to the survival of our political structures.

Second, be constructive

When you talk to someone, do not see it as a competitive debate. There are no winners and losers here, but rather, if all goes to plan, you’re both winners — you’ll both have deeper, wider, and more robust insights than before. As Chalmers puts it, a philosophical discussion “is not a zero-sum game.” You don’t have to force the other person into the mud and proclaim yourself the Overlord of Political Discourse to have a successful discussion. If someone presents a position you disagree with, it’s better to find a compromise than seek to burn it down. Chalmers puts it well when he says, “Objections are fine, but it’s also always OK to be constructive, building on a speaker’s project or strengthening their position. Even objections can often be cast in a constructive way.”

Let’s say Steve is talking to a friend about immigration policy. His friend argues for stricter border controls, while Steve advocates for more open borders and humanitarian aid. Rather than framing the conversation as an “open versus closed” debate, Steve could acknowledge the legitimate concerns about immigration. By recognizing the friend’s worries while still advocating for a humane approach, Steve can move the conversation from polarized opposition to a more balanced, solution-oriented discussion. The fact is, things like the immigration debate are not binary. There is a scale to every position, and it’s best to see a discussion as a way to identify where someone falls on that scale.

Third, be inclusive

When you’re passionate about something — or when you’ve spent an hour reading about it the night before — it’s easy to get on a pedestal. You want to share your ideas and monologue your way to impressed applause. If that’s what you want, set up a YouTube channel. Upload yourself ranting and preaching to your heart’s content and share the URL. Because if you actually want a discussion, you need to let someone else get a word in. Do not go on and on. Don’t hold on too long to the talking stick.

In the ancient world, the dangers and disappointments of a monologue are why Plato disliked books. Plato thought that the only intellectually rigorous activity worth repeating was dialectic. It was a back-and-forth discussion, which (as we saw earlier) seeks to construct rather than destroy our ideas. When you read a book, though, you cannot talk back. These days, you might send an ambitious email to the author, but it’s not the same. A book is passive and one-way, and, for Plato at least, it’s a far inferior pedagogic experience.

Don’t forget the rules

I really appreciate Steve’s question because it also highlights something that we perhaps don’t appreciate much anymore: the fact that there are rules or “scripts” to having a productive and meaningful conversation. Coming together in today’s polarized political climate requires more than just good intentions; it requires thoughtful mechanics.

Respect must be the starting point because without it conversations inevitably deteriorate into angry standoffs. You need to actively work to construct meaning from the conversation, even when it would be easier to just tear the other person down. And finally, you have to ensure that everyone gets to contribute. Discussions should be inclusive, not platforms for self-aggrandizing monologues.

So, there are two things here. First, we need rules or principles if we’re to move forward. Second, Chalmers’ principles — respect, constructiveness, and inclusiveness — are some of the best starting points you can find.

Surprising Science Political Well-Being Going on marches, signing petitions, staging rallies and other political activism could actually improve your health and general well-being, according to two new studies.

9 non-controversial subjects that you can actually talk about around the Thanksgiving table

Published: Nov. 22, 2017, 7:55 p.m.
Lizzy Acker | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

By Lizzy Acker

If you’ve been following the news, you will know that Thursday is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving can be a challenging time, when you are forced to sit down with family members you have blocked on Facebook and talk about, well, something.

This year, with sexual assault and harassment allegations against famous men piling up and nuclear war always sort of in the back of everyone’s minds, things could be especially tough. So, while you cook up your yams, please memorize the following list of acceptable topics of discussion around the table.

"'Justice League' is bad."

Always start with a statement that everyone can agree on. Even people who haven’t seen “Justice League” can agree that it is terrible. Feel free to follow this up with, “Ben Affleck never deserved Jennifer Garner.”

Remember, not all movies can be discussed over Thanksgiving dinner. Best not to engage in a conversation about mother-daughter dynamics in “Lady Bird” while your grandma and mother are present.

Frank Lovece/Newsday

"Babies are cute."

It is important to avoid most topics around children: the having or raising of them is off-limits. But why not express a sentiment that is sure to get a nod ‘round the room?

MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images

"[Name of not-present relative that everyone thinks is kind of a mess] is kind of a mess, right?"

Nothing brings people together like a common person to disparage. Pick someone who isn't alive for best results, as alive people are almost 100 percent sure to be butt-dialed in from your aunt's phone.

"They should bring back 'The Oprah Winfrey Show.'"

Remember when Oprah was on network TV? When we all had the same cultural touchstone and her name was Oprah? America may not have been better then, but everyone can agree that Oprah made it a little less terrifying.

Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

"I wish they would solve homelessness."

As long as you don’t specify who “they” is or how it should be solved, this is one everyone can agree about for several minutes. When someone starts bringing up causes though, move on to the next topic.

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

"I miss Tom Petty."

Literally everyone loves Tom Petty. This subject can be discussed for hours and can even end in a sing-along if things go well.

Mikael Wood/Los Angeles Times

"What are we all doing to prepare for The Big One?"

While there are people who can find controversy in nearly every natural phenomenon, mostly everyone will agree that a major earthquake is a very real possibility. Use this time to make sure your family has an emergency plan.

"Steph Curry is good at basketball."

You don’t have to like Steph Curry to agree that he is objectively very good at basketball.

"Traffic is worse than it's ever been."

When all else fails, mention traffic. There is not a single person, except for maybe oil company executives, who likes traffic. If you are related to an oil company executive, feel free to skip this one.

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052 [email protected] , @lizzzyacker

Follow @lizzzyacker

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My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

127 Funny Controversial Topics

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

What better way to engage your audience and lift spirits at the same time than by introducing a funny controversial topic?

172 Funny Controversial Topics intro image

We’ve compiled several lists of fun, silly, and sometimes plain ridiculous questions organized by subject matter that you can use in your class, speech, essay, debate, or any time you need a little conversation starter. They deal with everything you can think of – from toilet paper to Harry Potter to the Universe itself!

But first, let’s explore why such topics work.

If you’re looking for a more serious tone, however, check out our list of controversial topics .

Why Use Funny Controversial Questions?

A controversial question, almost by definition, is compelling enough to stand on its own. So why add the element of humor?

In the age of social media and short attention spans, it’s getting harder and harder to keep people focused on one thing for more than a few minutes.

But it’s not impossible.

Can We Write Your Speech?

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

You just need two things – a topic that everyone can relate to, and a way of framing it that begs a question your readers and listeners can’t resist responding to.

That’s where controversial subjects come in. They work because people usually have a strong opinion on them one way or the other. What’s more, people might be so sure of their stance on a given topic that they really want to convince those who hold an opposing view to switch sides. This creates a great opportunity for an interesting debate.

But controversial issues may sometimes be too close to people’s hearts. Such matters can be so sensitive that people can be offended, and discussions turned into arguments.

That is why you might want to inject humor into your good debate topic. Humor is a natural and immediate way to relate to others, so it’s a great way to set the stage for a more serious question without the risk of devolving into arguments. Plus, talking about amusing things can really lighten the mood, making it an effective means of letting off steam even while a more profound conversation is taking place.

In this article:

Funny Controversial Dilemmas

Funny controversial hypotheticals, funny controversial topics on the universe, funny controversial topics on morality, funny controversial topics on food, funny controversial topics on relationships, funny controversial topics on sports, funny controversial topics on art & fiction, funny controversial topics on children & school, funny controversial topics on animals, a list of 127 funny controversial topics and questions.

So let’s dive into our funny controversial topics. If you’re looking for more serious subjects, check out our Controversial Topics page.

There are things we just can’t seem to agree on, no matter how much time we spend discussing them. That’s why introducing such topics is a great way to let ideas flow. Some of these have to do with people’s firmly established views or habits, so it’s hard to resist sharing an opinion.

Is summer better than winter?
Is spring better than fall?
Is going out better than staying home?
What’s the right way to pronounce GIF?
Which came first? The chicken or the egg?
Should toilet paper hang over or under the roll?
Are morning people more productive than night people?
Are blondes really not as smart as brunettes or redheads?
Is being Instagram famous better than being TikTok famous?
Is the American accent better than the British accent?
Are introverts too quiet or extroverts too loud?

Few things are more fun than exploring hypothetical situations, whether in the realm of possibility or fantasy. There’s something captivating about putting yourself or others in a made-up situation and exploring the different reactions.

Is it OK to ask the genie for infinite wishes?
Would you rather be deaf or blind?
If you had the option, would you choose to live forever?
Would you rather be extremely short or extremely tall?
Would you give up three fingers in exchange for $1 million?
Would you rather lose both legs, both arms, or one of each?
Would you rather be rich and have no friends or poor but with many friends?
Would you rather live in a hot, sandy desert, or the North Pole?
Would you rather travel 100 years forward or back in time?
Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or 1 horse-sized duck?
How many chickens would it take to kill an elephant?
Who would win in a fight between a bear and a gorilla?
What’s the right way for a dog to wear pants?
If all world leaders were women, would there be wars?
If you could have one superpower, which one would it be?
If one superhero was real, which one should it be?
Would you rather be the hero or the sidekick?
Should there be a sarcasm font?
Should we get rid of Mondays?

Funny Controversial Topics on the Universe

We’re all fascinated by the mystery of existence, so topics about life and the Universe are immediately captivating. And since questions like these are either as of yet unanswered (or maybe even unanswerable), it’s hard to exhaust discussions that deal with them.

Do aliens exist?
Have aliens already visited us?
Does the Universe have a beginning and an end?
If the Earth is not flat, why do we say the ‘corners of the Earth’?
Can we even know if God exists?
Are we living in a simulation?
Are we living in a dream?
When did time start?
Are ghosts real?
Is water really wet?
Is thirteen an unlucky number?

Morality is no laughing matter. But there’s always a lighter side to things, especially when it comes to moral questions that deal with the imaginary or the hardly consequential.

Is the client really always right?
Is life easier when you’re beautiful?
Are looks more important than brains?
Are Santa’s elves compensated fairly?
Should it be illegal for a man to wear skinny jeans?
Does the person in the middle seat in an airplane get both armrests?
Is cheating on exams ever justified?
Is lying to help a friend acceptable?

There seem to be endless disagreements on how food should be stored, cooked, eaten, and even served. That’s probably why our list of controversial food topics is the longest one. You can probably spend days discussing the questions related to pizza alone. So here’s some food for thought (ba dum – tss).

What’s the best pizza topping?
Does pineapple belong on a pizza?
Should pizza slices be triangles or squares?
Is it ever acceptable to eat pizza with a fork and knife?
Is New York-style pizza better than Chicago-style pizza?
Is McDonald’s better than Burger King?
Is grass-fed beef better than corn-fed beef?
Is Coke better than Pepsi?
Are diet drinks worse than regular drinks?
Is tap water better than bottled water?
Is cake better than ice cream?
Should you bite or lick your ice cream?
Should red wine be kept in the fridge?
Should butter be kept in the fridge?
Should fruit be kept in the fridge?
Are gluten-free diets overhyped?
Are hotdogs sandwiches?
Is cereal a type of soup?
What is the best fry shape?
How many slices should you cut cake into?
Should you eat rice with a fork, a spoon or chopsticks?

Funny Controversial Topics on Relationships

Relationships are hard. It’s not easy to figure out what (and who) is right or wrong on any given issue within a couple. That’s why a lot of relationship questions have entered the public domain and become hot-button issues – some funnier than others.

Can men ever know what a woman want?
Do men actually gossip more than women?
Should we kiss with open or with closed eyes?
Are men with beards more attractive than clean-shaven men?
Should men and women have different roles in a relationship?
Should arguments in a couple be avoided or encouraged?
Is it OK to keep secrets from your partner?
Are long-distance relationships worth it?
Is sex before marriage wrong?
Is online dating good or bad?
Should robots have faces?
Should dating between co-workers be allowed?
Should people date a partner much older than themselves?

If you want to grab people’s attention or start a lively discussion, it’s hard to go wrong with the topic of sports. Even if part of your target audience is not interested in sports, that in itself can become a subject for discussion. Just imagine asking a group of people if baseball is boring!

Is dancing a real sport?
Is e-gaming a real sport?
Is pro-wrestling a real sport?
Is bodybuilding a real sport?
Is cheerleading a real sport?
Is golf more boring than curling?
Have touchdown celebrations gone too far?
Which one is the real football – soccer or American football?

Funny Controversial Topics on Art & Fiction

Whether it’s songs, films, books, or paintings, art is always subjective. Or is it? That’s one controversial and fun question to consider! In any case, it’s always fun to discuss topics related to art and popular fiction, as people are usually familiar with them and eager to share an opinion.

Are movies better than books?
Are e-books better than paper books?
Is music getting worse over time?
Are The Beatles overrated?
Is Bansky’s work real art or just a stunt?
Is contemporary art as good as classical art?
Is Marvel better than DC?
Is Star Wars better than Star Trek ?
Is American Idol better than The X Factor ?
Is Friends better than How I Met Your Mother ?
Is Harry Potter better than The Lord of the Rings ?
If Harry Potter -like magic existed, should it be legal?
Is Wile E. Coyote the victim, rather than the Road Runner?
Did Han Solo shoot before Greedo?

Funny Controversial Topics on Children & School

Should students be paid to go to school? Should parents force children to do homework if they don’t want to? These are just some of the questions related to kids and school that can stir a fun debate.

Are children smarter than adults?
Do nursery rhymes carry hidden messages?
Are smartphones making kids smart or stupid?
Should a student be allowed to use Twitter, Facebook or other social media sites in school?
Should students be banned from using phones during class?
Are beauty pageants hurting children’s self-esteem?
Is playing video games bad for children’s health?
Do video games make kids smarter?
Is the Barbie doll a good role model for girls?
Are clowns funny or scary?
Should a kid be allowed to keep secrets from parents?
Should a kid be allowed to get tattoos?
Should homework be banned?
Should science be optional in middle school?
Is science more important than art in school?
Should we stop teaching handwriting in school?

As much as we’d like to ask our animal companions a few things, it seems unlikely that we’ll get a coherent answer. So we’re left with discussing some animal issues among our own species.

Do dogs dream?
Are dogs smarter than cats?
Are cats better pets than dogs?
Are bunnies better pets than either cats or dogs?
Are fish the best pet?
Do animals have emotions?
Do animals have consciousness?
Are cats evil?

Looking for a funny debate topic? Check out our page dedicated to those. Or if you want to start a more serious discussion, visit our Debate Topics page.

292 Education Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative, Argumentative]

166 Argumentative Essay Topics

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Write the research strategy and human subjects sections of your grant application and contract proposal
Comply with appropriate policies and regulations, including registration and reporting in ClinicalTrials.gov

In 2016, NIH launched a multi-faceted effort to enhance its stewardship over clinical trials. The goal of this effort is to encourage advances in the design, conduct, and oversight of clinical trials while elevating the entire biomedical research enterprise to a new level of transparency and accountability. The NIH definition of a clinical trial was revised in 2014 in anticipation of these stewardship reforms to ensure a clear and responsive definition of a clinical trial. Learn more about why NIH has made changes to improve Clinical Trial Stewardship .

NIH Definition of a Clinical Trial

The term " study " refers to a research protocol or set of experiments designed to investigate a scientific question. in which one or more human subjects are prospectively assigned prospectively assigned The term "prospectively assigned" refers to a pre-defined process (e.g., randomization) specified in an approved protocol that stipulates the assignment of research subjects (individually or in clusters) to one or more arms (e.g., intervention, placebo, or other control) of a clinical trial. to one or more interventions interventions An "intervention" is defined as a manipulation of the subject or subject's environment for the purpose of modifying one or more health-related biomedical or behavioral processes and/or endpoints. Examples include: drugs/small molecules/compounds; biologics; devices; procedures (e.g., surgical techniques); delivery systems (e.g., telemedicine, face-to-face interviews); strategies to change health-related behavior (e.g., diet, cognitive therapy, exercise, development of new habits); treatment strategies; prevention strategies; and, diagnostic strategies. (which may include placebo or other control) to evaluate the effects of those interventions on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes. health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes. A "health-related biomedical or behavioral outcome" is defined as the pre-specified goal(s) or condition(s) that reflect the effect of one or more interventions on human subjects' biomedical or behavioral status or quality of life. Examples include: positive or negative changes to physiological or biological parameters (e.g., improvement of lung capacity, gene expression); positive or negative changes to psychological or neurodevelopmental parameters (e.g., mood management intervention for smokers; reading comprehension and /or information retention); positive or negative changes to disease processes; positive or negative changes to health-related behaviors; and, positive or negative changes to quality of life.

Infographic: Clinical trials include a wide range of studies, including mechanistic, exploratory/development, pilot/feasibility, other interventional, behaviorial, and basic experimental (BESH) studies.

DECISION TOOL

Your human subjects study may meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial.

FIND OUT HERE

Use the following four questions to determine the difference between a clinical study and a clinical trial:

Does the study involve human participants?
Are the participants prospectively assigned to an intervention?
Is the study designed to evaluate the effect of the intervention on the participants?
Is the effect being evaluated a health-related biomedical or behavioral outcome?
You are studying healthy participants
Your study does not have a comparison group (e.g., placebo or control), or has a single arm
Your study is only designed to assess the pharmacokinetics, safety, and/or maximum tolerated dose of an investigational drug
Your study is utilizing a behavioral intervention, or measuring intent to change behavior
Only one aim or sub-aim of your study meets the clinical trial definition
Your study is no more than minimal risk

Studies intended solely to refine measures are not considered clinical trials. Studies that solely involve secondary research with biological specimens or health information are not clinical trials.

Upcoming Events

Decision Tree for NIH Clinical Trial Definition (PDF) – Print this decision tree for an easy reference for the four questions that identify a clinical trial.
Case Studies – These simplified case studies illustrate the differences between clinical trials and clinical studies.
NOT-OD-15-015 – Notice of Revised NIH Definition of “Clinical Trial”
Key Dates & Policy Notices
Training & Resources
Human Subjects Research
ClinicalTrials.gov
Research Methods Resources
ClinRegs: International Clinical Trials Regulations
For NIH Staff

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30 Controversial Speech Topics to Engage Your Audience

Key Takeaways

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

Timeliness and relevance

Controversy and debate

Personal connection

30 Controversial Speech Topics

Gun control

Immigration

LGBTQ+ rights

Climate change

Social media and censorship

Capital punishment

Gender inequality

Animal rights

Education reform

Racial injustice

Freedom of speech

Drug legalization

Free college tuition

Police brutality

Cultural appropriation

Foreign policy and intervention

Prostitution

Assisted suicide

Cultural diversity in schools

Internet privacy

Income inequality

Mental health stigma

Genetically modified foods

Immigration bans

Death penalty for juveniles

Legalizing same-sex marriage

Tips for Preparing a Controversial Persuasive Speech

Research both sides of the argument

Understand your audience

Practice delivery and anticipate opposition

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What are your chances of acceptance?

Your chancing factors

112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging

Choose Something You’re Passionate About

Steer Clear of Cliches

Have a Clear Side of Opposition

Environment

Science & Technology

Social Media

Parenting & Family

Entertainment

Arts & Humanities

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Understand Your Audience

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200 Jaw-Dropping Controversial Speech Topics

1. Politics and Government :

2. Social Issues :

3. Ethics and Morality :

4. Technology and Privacy :

5. Environment and Sustainability :

6. Education :

7. Healthcare :

8. Economics and Finance :

9. Media and Freedom of Speech :

10. Religion and Beliefs :

What Topic Will You Choose?

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