Students don’t always jump at the chance to craft an argument. That’s why having the right topics can make all the difference.
We’ve all faced the challenge of staring at a sea of blank faces when asking students to brainstorm their own debate topics. Or worse, receiving essays that recycle the same tired arguments year after year. This list of persuasive essay topics changes that.
With over 130 carefully curated prompts, you’ll have a resource designed to inspire discussions that are both thoughtful and intentional spanning different categories:
You’ll also find opportunities to connect these topics to other types of writing, like informative essays, giving students a chance to explore multiple modes of expression.
And while you’re at it, don’t miss the chance to make writing interactive and accessible directly from PowerPoint (for you) and on devices (for students) with the add-in, ClassPoint.
Use the prompts below to create interactive Short Answer activity slides where students can submit their essay responses back to your PowerPoint in real time.
Persuasive Essay Topics by Academic Level
Persuasive writing is a skill that grows with students as they progress through their academic journey. The topics below are carefully curated to match the cognitive and experiential levels of students at different stages of education.
Elementary School Topics
At this stage, persuasive writing should be fun, and tied to everyday experiences. These topics encourage young learners to think critically about their world while keeping things light and engaging.
- Should schools have a pet day where students can bring their pets to class?
- Is it better to play outside or stay indoors on a rainy day?
- Should kids be allowed to design their own school uniforms?
- Is it okay to eat dessert before dinner sometimes?
- Should every classroom have a “calm corner” for students who feel upset?
- Would you rather have a longer summer break or more holidays throughout the year?
- Should all kids learn how to grow plants in school?
- Is it fair for parents to make kids clean their rooms?
- Should children be allowed to vote on family decisions like what movie to watch?
Middle School Topics
Middle school students are beginning to form opinions about fairness, and societal norms. These topics challenge them to become aware of their surroundings and consider multiple perspectives.
- Should middle school students be allowed to grade their teachers?
- Is social media helpful or harmful for friendships?
- Should junk food be banned from school cafeterias?
- Would it be better if schools started later in the morning?
- Should students be required to learn a second language?
- Is it fair to give homework over the weekend?
- Should all students participate in at least one extracurricular activity?
- Is it okay for kids to have cell phones in school?
- Should video games count as a sport in school competitions?
- Would life be better without television?
- Should parents let kids choose their own bedtime?
High School Topics
High school students are ready to tackle real-world issues. These topics encourage them to take a stance on complexities while developing their persuasive writing skills.
- Should high school students be allowed to leave campus for lunch?
- Is standardized testing an effective way to measure intelligence?
- Should college education be free for everyone?
- Does social media do more harm than good for teenagers?
- Should schools teach financial literacy instead of advanced math?
- Is it ethical to use animals for scientific experiments?
- Should professional athletes be role models for young people?
- Is climate change the biggest threat facing humanity today?
- Should voting be mandatory for all citizens?
- Is it fair to judge students based on their GPAs?
- Should schools ban energy drinks from vending machines?
- Is it better to focus on one hobby or try many different ones?
- Should teens be allowed to work full-time jobs during the school year?
- Can failure ever be a good thing?
- Should fast food companies be held responsible for obesity rates?
College/University Topics
College-level persuasive writing requires nuanced arguments, and analysis. These topics challenge students to grapple with diverse societal issues and propose thoughtful solutions.
- Should governments provide universal basic income to all citizens?
- Is artificial intelligence a greater threat to jobs than an opportunity?
- Can systemic racism ever truly be eradicated?
- Should countries prioritize space exploration over solving problems on Earth?
- Is the gig economy empowering workers or exploiting them?
- Should universities eliminate tuition fees for students pursuing STEM degrees?
- Is cancel culture a form of accountability or censorship?
Persuasive Essay Topics by Theme or Subject Area
Persuasive writing often thrives on exploring timeless themes that shape our world. The topics below are organized into distinct categories, each addressing thought-provoking issues related to ethics, the environment, identity, human behavior, and innovation.
Ethics & Morality
These topics explore questions of right and wrong, encouraging students to reflect on their values and principles.
- Should parents be allowed to edit their children’s genes to prevent diseases?
- Is it morally acceptable to profit from disaster relief efforts (e.g., selling supplies at inflated prices)?
- Should whistleblowers who expose corruption always be protected by law, even if they break confidentiality agreements?
- Can revenge ever be justified, or is forgiveness always the better choice?
- Should companies be allowed to use customer data for targeted advertising without explicit consent?
- Is it fair to prioritize one life over another in emergency situations, such as organ transplants?
- Should individuals have the right to opt out of jury duty without consequences?
- Is it ethical to create art or entertainment that glorifies harmful behaviors?
- Should people be allowed to sell their organs for money, even if it risks exploitation?
- Can lying ever be justified if it leads to a greater good?
Environment & Sustainability
These topics focus on environmental challenges and sustainable practices to think about humanity’s role in protecting the planet.
- Should countries impose mandatory carbon budgets for households?
- Is it ethical to prioritize endangered species over human development projects, even if it displaces communities?
- Should governments subsidize eco-friendly products instead of taxing polluting ones?
- Is it realistic to expect everyone to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle, or should systemic changes take priority?
- Should cities ban cars entirely to reduce air pollution, or is this too extreme?
- Is planting trees enough to solve deforestation, or do we need stricter laws against industrial logging?
- Should wealthy nations pay reparations for their historical contributions to climate change?
- Is it fair to blame previous generations for today’s environmental problems?
- Should meat consumption be discouraged through higher taxes or public awareness campaigns?
- Is it ethical to use animals for scientific research aimed at solving environmental crises?
- Should access to clean water be considered a basic human right, enforceable by international law?
- Should countries share proprietary green technologies to address global environmental crises?
- Is it ethical to prioritize renewable energy projects over preserving natural landscapes?
Identity & Society
These topics delve into how individuals and groups define themselves within societal structures, fostering reflection on culture, and belonging.
- Should cultural appropriation be treated as a serious offense, or is it an inevitable part of globalization?
- Is it important for schools to celebrate all cultural holidays equally, or should they focus on national traditions?
- Should people be allowed to choose their own pronouns regardless of biological sex, and should institutions enforce this?
- Is it fair to ban religious symbols in public spaces in the name of secularism?
- Should society value individual success more than teamwork, or vice versa?
- Should beauty standards be regulated in advertising to promote inclusivity?
- Is nationalism a positive or negative force in today’s increasingly interconnected world?
- Should communities prioritize preserving traditions over embracing modernity, or can both coexist?
- Is it ethical to profit from cultural heritage sites, such as charging tourists to visit sacred landmarks?
- Should age restrictions exist for certain career paths, like politics or leadership roles, to ensure maturity?
Human Behavior & Relationships
These topics examine interpersonal dynamics to help students reflect on how humans interact and form connections.
- Is it selfish to prioritize personal happiness over family obligations, or is self-care essential?
- Should friendships end if one person moves away, or is distance no longer a barrier in the digital age?
- Is jealousy ever a healthy emotion in relationships, or does it always signal insecurity?
- Should kindness always be prioritized over honesty in difficult conversations, or is transparency more important?
- Is competition among friends harmful or motivating, and how far is too far?
- Should adults apologize to children when they make mistakes, or does this undermine authority?
- Can true friendship exist between people with vastly different values, or are shared beliefs essential?
- Should people be allowed to sever ties with toxic family members, even if it causes societal judgment?
- Is it possible to rebuild trust after betrayal, or are some actions unforgivable?
Innovation & Progress
These topics explore the impact of advancements in technology, science, and ideas, challenging students to consider the benefits and risks of progress.
- Should artificial intelligence be allowed to make life-and-death decisions, such as in medical emergencies?
- Is it ethical to use gene editing to enhance human abilities beyond curing diseases?
- Should self-driving cars be mandatory to reduce accidents, or does this infringe on personal freedom?
- Is it dangerous to rely too much on technology in daily life, or is this simply the next stage of human evolution?
- Should space exploration take priority over solving Earth’s problems, or are these goals mutually exclusive?
- Is it fair to replace human workers with robots in industries like manufacturing, or does this create long-term benefits?
- Should scientists be allowed to experiment without government oversight, or is regulation necessary to prevent harm?
- Is technological progress making us less connected as a society, or does it simply redefine connection?
- Should access to the internet be considered a basic human right, and how should governments ensure universal access?
Persuasive Essay Topics by Real-World Relevance
The world is constantly evolving, shaped by current events, and future possibilities. The topics below are organized into categories that reflect real-world trends, shifts included.
Trending Topics
These topics focus on what’s dominating headlines and public discourse right now, encouraging students to weigh in on timely debates.
- Should social media platforms ban political advertisements entirely?
- Is it ethical for influencers to promote products they don’t personally use?
- Should companies be allowed to use AI-generated content (e.g., deepfakes) in marketing?
- Should remote work be here to stay, or being full-time in offices must make a comeback?
- Should governments regulate cryptocurrency to prevent fraud and scams?
- Is it fair for streaming services to charge more based on household income?
- Should schools require students to take courses on media literacy to combat misinformation?
- Should fast fashion companies be held accountable for environmental damage?
- Is it ethical to prioritize delivering packages over worker safety in industries like e-commerce?
- Is the rise of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) a positive or negative development for art and creativity?
- Should cities ban short-term rentals like Airbnb to address housing shortages?
Historical Perspectives
These topics invite students to reflect on how history informs the present and shapes the future.
- Should historical monuments tied to controversial figures be removed or preserved as educational tools?
- Was colonialism ever justified, or was it inherently exploitative?
- Should schools teach both the achievements and atrocities of historical leaders equally?
- Is it fair to judge historical figures by modern moral standards?
- Should countries return stolen artifacts to their countries of origin, even if it impacts museums?
- Could the outcomes of major wars have been different with better leadership decisions?
- Should governments apologize and provide reparations for historical injustices like slavery?
- Is it possible to learn from history without repeating its mistakes, or is progress cyclical?
Future-Focused
These topics explore futuristic ideas and innovations, challenging students to imagine what lies ahead.
- Should humans prioritize colonizing other planets over solving Earth’s problems?
- Is it ethical to create artificial ecosystems if natural ones become uninhabitable?
- Should robots be granted rights if they develop human-like intelligence?
- Is it realistic to expect humanity to transition to fully renewable energy within the next 50 years?
- Should governments invest in asteroid mining as a solution to resource scarcity?
- Is it wise to merge human brains with technology to enhance cognitive abilities?
- Should space tourism be restricted to scientists and researchers only?
- Is it ethical to design pets or animals with specific traits through genetic engineering?
- Should future cities be built underground to combat climate change and overpopulation?
Global Impact
These topics examine issues that go beyond borders, encouraging students to think about humanity’s shared responsibilities.
- Should wealthier nations be required to take in more refugees than poorer nations?
- Is it ethical for countries to hoard vaccines during global pandemics?
- Should international trade agreements prioritize environmental sustainability over economic growth?
- Is it fair for countries with large militaries to intervene in other nations’ conflicts?
- Should there be a global tax on carbon emissions to fund climate solutions?
- Is cultural globalization eroding local traditions, or is it fostering unity?
Everyday Challenges
These topics focus on relatable, day-to-day struggles that impact individuals and communities.
- Should people be allowed to sue companies for causing burnout through excessive work demands?
- Is it ethical to prioritize convenience over privacy when using smart home devices?
- Should grocery stores stop offering discounts on unhealthy foods like soda and chips?
- Is it fair for landlords to raise rent significantly in response to market demand?
- Should public transportation be free to reduce car usage and traffic congestion?
- Is multitasking harmful to productivity, or is it an essential skill in modern life?
Cultural Shifts
These topics explore how societal norms, values, and behaviors are evolving over time.
- Should gender-neutral bathrooms become mandatory in all public spaces?
- Is it ethical for companies to enforce strict dress codes in the workplace?
- Should traditional gender roles still influence family dynamics in the 21st century?
- Should workplaces allow employees to bring pets to reduce stress and improve morale?
- Is it possible to balance preserving cultural heritage with embracing modernity?
