Sample Speeches by Category:

Informative Persuasive School Demonstration

Controversial Wedding Miscellaneous

Motivational

PERSUASIVE SPEECH

The best persuasive speech topics are thought-provoking, daring and have a clear
opinion. You should speak about something you are knowledgeable about and can argue
your opinion for, as well as objectively discuss counter-arguments.

Types of Speech Topics

While exploring persuasive English speech topics, you must make sure that they are
stimulating, engaging, concise and clear. There are three main types of Persuasive Speech
topics which are:

1. Factual Persuasive Speech: These topics include facts, figures and statistics to
thoroughly analyse the given topic and assess whether it’s true or false.

2. Policy Persuasive Speech: Discussing policies, laws and reforms, these speech topics
critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the given policy or law and suggest
the improvements that can be made.

3. Value Persuasive Speech: Mainly focusing on social or political issues, these speech
topics present the critique and argument of whether certain actions are morally right or
not.
6 Steps for Writing a Persuasive Speech

Writing a persuasive speech doesn’t have to be difficult, as long as you select your topic wisely
and properly prepare. If you’re ready to learn how to write a persuasive speech, follow these key
steps and you’ll be on your way.

Step 1: Select a Topic and Angle

Come up with a controversial topic, one that will spawn heated debates regardless of your
position. This could be just about anything, from abortion to human trafficking or even animal
rights. Assuming you are able to select your topic, choose one that you are passionate about.

 If you’re a teen, explore persuasive speech topics for high school for topic ideas.
 Adult speech writers can browse unique persuasive speech topics for inspiration.

To ensure your topic isn’t too broad, select a particular angle you will focus on. Research the
topic thoroughly, focusing on background, key facts and arguments for and against your angle.

Step 2: Define Your Persuasive Goal

Once you have chosen a topic, the next step is to decide exactly what your goal is with regards to
persuading the audience.

 Are you trying to persuade them in favor of a certain position on an issue?

 Are you hoping they’ll change a behavior or an opinion as a result of listening to your speech?
 Do you want them to make a decision to purchase something or donate money to a cause?

Knowing what your goal is will help you make wise decisions about how to approach writing
and presenting your speech. Explore persuasive writing examples to see different goals in action.

Step 3: Analyze the Audience

Understanding the perspective of your audience is critical any time you are writing a speech.
This is especially true with a persuasive speech, because not only are you seeking to get them to
listen to you, but you’re also hoping they’ll take a particular action after listening to your
presentation.

 Consider who is in the audience (age, sex, other demographic characteristics, and why they are
there).
  Consider how audience members are likely to perceive the topic you are speaking on so you can
better relate to them on the subject.
 Grasp the obstacles audience members face or have with regards to the topic so you can build
appropriate persuasive arguments to eradicate the obstacles.

Step 4: Build an Effective Persuasive Argument

Once you have a clear goal, are knowledgeable about the topic and have insights regarding your
audience, you’ll be ready to build an effective persuasive argument to deliver in the form of a
speech. Follow the best practices for writing a memorable speech.
Persuasive Techniques

Start by deciding what persuasive techniques are most likely to help you accomplish your goal.

 Would an emotional appeal help win attendees over to your way of thinking?
 Should you use a rhetorical question to get audience members to reflect on possibilities?
 Is there a good way to sway the audience with logic and appeals to reason?
 Is it possible that a bandwagon appeal might be effective?

Step 5: Outline Your Speech

Once you know which persuasive strategies are most likely to be effective, your next step will be
to create a keyword outline to organize your main points and structure your persuasive speech
for maximum impact.

 Start strong, letting your audience know what your topic is, why it matters and what you hope to
convince them to do as a result of your presentation.
 List your main points, thoroughly covering each, being sure to build the argument for your
position and overcome opposing perspectives.
 Conclude by appealing to audience members to act in a way that will indicate that you have
successfully persuaded them.

Since motivation is a big part of persuasion, the steps for writing a motivational speech can be
very helpful as you organize your speech.

Step 6: Deliver a Winning Speech

Of course, what you say is important, but how you say it is also critical. This includes your
overall presentation style and visual aids.

 Select appropriate visual aids to share with your audience, such as charts, graphs, photos, or
illustrations that will help engage and persuade your audience.
 Practice until you can deliver your speech confidently. Maintain eye contact, project your voice
and avoid ums, uhs and other forms of vocal interference.
  Let your passion about your subject shine through, as your enthusiasm may be just what it takes
to motivate audience members to see things your way.

Follow these tips for giving a great speech and you’ll be on your way to delivering a powerful
persuasive speech that’s sure to have winning results.

Build on Your Persuasive Speaking Skills

Whether you’re delivering a persuasive speech for a class assignment, a work-related
presentation or a social issue that you strongly support, following these steps can help you
prepare. Now that you’re familiar with the steps for writing a persuasive speech, further build on
your persuasive abilities by coming up with an elevator pitch about yourself. In essence, an
elevator pitch is really just a 30 to 60 second persuasive speech that can help you introduce
yourself quickly and effectively when you have an opportunity to build new connections.
Mary Gormandy White
Staff Writer
 Say "No" to Secondhand Smoke
I stumbled out of the building, coughing and wheezing, smoke filling my eyes and
lungs. I tugged frantically at my tie to loosen my collar, my head pounding as I
ran out the door.

...fresh….air….gotta….have….fresh…..air…

Was it a fire?

Terrorist attack?

No, I was simply eating my dinner when a gentleman at the table next to us
decided to light up a cigarette. The smoke went right into my face and lungs. All
of a sudden I couldn't breathe, my chest hurt and I panicked.

Ladies and gentlemen, by the end of this year more people will die from second
hand smoke related deaths than the average crowd at a Major League Baseball
game. Secondhand, or passive smoke, is an insidious killer that is harming adults,
and more critically, children around the country every day.

My goal in speaking to you today is to enlist your support in a federal ban of all
smoking from all public places without hesitation.

But isn't this America? Shouldn't I have the right to smoke? If I want to pollute
my lungs and ruin my health, why should that be any concern of yours?

The facts are that secondhand smoke is responsible for many of the same
diseases as if the sufferers had smoked the cigarettes themselves. These diseases
include cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases.
For example, the International Agency on Research on Cancer found that
“involuntary smoking is carcinogenic to humans." Various studies in the United
States, Australia, and the United Kingdom point to a significant increase in risk of
lung cancer among those exposed to passive smoke.

The California Environmental Protection Agency found that passive smoking

increases the risk of breast cancer in young women by 70%. In a separate paper,
the US Surgeon General found that there was evidence that suggested that there
was a causal relationship between smoking and breast cancer.

Secondhand smoke is even associated with the loss of hearing in non-smoking

adults.

What? What did you say?

Studies have shown that both active and passive cigarette smoking increases the
risk of their atherosclerosis. Also, exposure to secondhand smoke increases the
risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in adults 50 and over.

And our children?

Putting children at risk is unforgivable at best and probably criminal. In a 2006

report, the US Surgeon General found that the evidence is sufficient to infer a
relationship between secondhand smoke and sudden infant death syndrome.

And - horrifyingly - the risk of developing brain tumors is higher among children
exposed to passive smoking, even if the mother does not smoke.

The California Environmental Protection Agency found that the risk of childhood
cancer (and adult lung cancer) increases after childhood exposure to passive
smoking.
Sadly I could go on, and on, and on. And on!

Secondhand smoke in the home is one problem. But to go to a public restaurant,

or concert, or any event and to experience secondhand smoke is impacting the
health of our population and increasing healthcare costs. Without doubt, it
should be banned by federal mandate in the next session.

While you have the option of whether to smoke or not, I DON'T have the option
of not breathing.

Nor do our children.

Speech Topics
1. The Best Day of My Life
2. Social Media: Bane or Boon?
3. Pros and Cons of Online Learning
4. Benefits of Yoga
5. If I had a Superpower
6. I wish I were ______
7. Environment Conservation
8. Women Should Rule the World!
9. The Best Lesson I have Learned
10. Paperbacks vs E-books
11. How to Tackle a Bad Habit
12. My Favorite Pastime/Hobby
13. Why should every citizen vote?
14. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Is it real or not?
 15. Importance of Reading
16. Importance of Books in Our Life
17. My Favorite Fictional Character
18. Introverts vs Extroverts
19. Lessons to Learn from Sports
20. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

21. Importance of Kindness

22. Is there Value in Homework?
23. Things I learned in Lockdown
24. How can food be recycled?
25. Should Art be a part of the school curriculum?
26. Should schools teach sign languages?
27. Women make better presidents/prime ministers
28. Why books are better than their movies?
29. Life was better when technology was more simple.
30. Impact of technology on our health
31. Should children reality show be banned?
32. Learning in the Wake of Covid-19
33. Hard Work vs Smart Work
34. What Makes Learning Fun?
35. The Coolest Inventions You’ve Seen
36. Men should wear pink
37. Importance of AI in Education
38. Importance of Extracurricular Activities
39. Should exams be banned?
40. How to tackle Bullying in Schools?

Easy Speech Topics in English

41. Importance of Education

42. Is it beneficial to learn a Second Language?
 43. Music has healing power.
44. Fake news
45. Love is powerful than hate
46. Social Impact of Covid-19
47. How can Online Learning be Fun?
48. Make Public Transport Free?
49. Should violent video games be banned?
50. Learning about all world religions in schools is important

English Speech Topics on Environment

51. Climate Change

52. Depletion of Ozone Layer
53. Reducing Water Levels
54. Deforestation
55. Global Warming
56. Waste Management
57. Water-Saving Techniques
58. Reducing Green Cover of Earth
59. Endangered species need protection
60. Importance of fishing regulations
61. Importance of investing in alternative fuels
62. Impact of ocean acidification on marine organisms
63. The misuse of the term “sustainable development” by environmentalists
64. Microbial benefits
65. E-Waste Management
66. Natural disasters and their impact on economic growth
67. Energy alternatives – Only solution to the environmental damage
68. Extinction of rare species
69. World Environment Day
70. Disaster Management
71. Over and Improper Use of Natural Resources
72. Air, Water and Soil Pollution
73. Efficiency of Recycling
74. Banning of Animal Testing
75. Extinction of rare species
76. Wildlife Protection
77. Hazards of Smoking in Public Places
78. Using Animals for Entertainment should be Banned
79. Proper Care of Street Animals
80. 3Rs: Recycle, Reuse, Reduce