Topics for Persuasive Speeches for High School Students

Delivering a speech is not an easy task. However, one need not get intimidated by it. Speech or oratory is an art which can be developed with practice. You just need to know the proper technique and improve your skills with proper practice. Persuasive speech is one of the most interesting types of speeches. It differs from an ordinary informative speech as the speaker needs to persuade the audience to have a particular viewpoint. Hence, the speaker himself must have a thorough knowledge of the speech topic of his/ her speech in order to convince the audience effectively. Although it may seem tempting to go for the contemporary issues, it is always better to go for the subject of one's interest for an effective speech.

Good Persuasive Speech Topics for High School Students

• Is imprisonment an effective punishment?
• Should body piercing/ tattooing be banned?
• Should learning foreign language be made mandatory in schools?
• Are chat rooms safe?
• Is there life after death?
• Press rights/ freedom of press should be severed.
• Human cloning is a boon/ bane.
• Ban on mobile phones in certain areas.
• Should paparazzi be banned?
• Gender equality is a must in every nation.
• Severe eligibility criteria should be set for diplomats and statesmen.
• Use of arms is essential for personal security in high tension areas.
• Should casinos be banned?
• Computers should be provided for free to students.
• Use of steroids be allowed in sports and athletics.
• Ban on keeping certain animals as pets.
• Juvenile criminals should be subjected to psychiatrist treatment.
• Juvenile criminals should be sentenced like adult criminals.
• Sex education should be mandatory in schools.
• Vaccinations should be made compulsory.
• Wrestling/ boxing should be banned.
• Immigration laws should be severed/ relaxed.
• Use of animals for any form of entertainment should be banned.
• Voting should be mandatory.
• Drinking should not be permitted without a license.

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics for High School Students

• Which is better: Hamlet or Macbeth?
• Paper is the most useful thing on the Earth.
• Being a single parent can also be fun.
• Life without Internet is impossible.
• Working women face more difficulties than housewives.
• Do ghosts exist?
• Unsolicited phone calls/ junk mail be banned.
• Use of solar power should be made mandatory in tropical regions.
• Teachers should be paid according to performance.
• Use of artificial sweeteners.
• Fad diets can be life-threatening.
• Tipping for service should be banned.
• Charity/ community service should be made compulsory.
• Is internet dating harmful?
• Small towns/ villages are better than metro cities.
• Finance education should be compulsory in high school.
• Safety measures in college laboratories.
• Beauty pageants set false rules on beauty.
• Use of fireworks should be banned.
• All citizens in the world should have the right to practice any religion.

These persuasive speech topics can also be used for writing persuasive essays. Lastly, remember that a thorough research, deeper knowledge and confidence can help you be a successful speaker. Good luck!