Persuasive writing topics

Persuasive writing exercises help students communicate their opinions clearly and develop critical thinking and writing skills. We’ve put together a list of persuasive writing topics for students to take a clear stance and think critically about a range of issues.  

Best of all, students can use Kialo Edu discussions to hone their arguments and counterarguments, meaningfully organize their research, and deepen their topic knowledge. Kialo is completely free and always will be, so sign up to discover the benefits of using Kialo discussions for persuasive writing assignments with your students!

Easy persuasive writing topics

These easy persuasive writing topics offer an accessible method of helping younger students develop arguments, or introducing inexperienced students to persuasive writing. Students can dive straight into these relatable options, without the need for in-depth research. Try them in the classroom for an enjoyable writing experience that encourages creativity and enthusiasm!

• Should kids have to earn their pocket money?
• Should kids be allowed to eat all of their Easter chocolate at once?
• Is a beach vacation better than a vacation in the mountains?
• Is breakfast important?
• Are ghosts real?
• Does pineapple belong on pizza?
• Do aliens exist?
• Should everyone get a day off work for their birthday?
• Do smartphones make us less smart?
• Is regifting acceptable?
• Should e-scooters be allowed in city centers?
• Should video games be considered a sport?
• Should the weekend consist of three days?

Persuasive writing topics on love and friendship

Students will explore the dynamics of family life and friendships with these engaging persuasive writing topics. These topics will encourage students to reflect on meaningful questions that have a real impact on their lives, while encouraging thoughtful and open communication.

• Is it better to have a few close friends than lots of casual friends?
• Should mobile phones and tablets be allowed at family mealtimes?
• Do children need privacy?
• Should all parents attend parenting classes?
• Should parents be friends with their kids on social media?
• Is the amount of entertainment content available today a good thing?
• Is it okay for parents to share photos of their kids on social media?
• Were Romeo and Juliet really in love?
• Is it okay to end friendships over politics?
• Should children be allowed to choose their own bedtime?
• Does technology negatively impact quality family time?
• Should children do chores around the house?
• Is having weekly family meetings a good idea?
• Do smartphones make friendships stronger?
• Should parents have a say in their teenagers’ friendships?
• Is love a choice or a feeling?
• Can friends be held to the same expectations as family?

Persuasive writing topics about art

Enhance students’ ability to discuss subjective and more abstract concepts with these persuasive writing topics about art. Students not only learn to present their arguments effectively, but will also broaden their understanding and appreciation of art. 

• Are art critics worth listening to?
• Can art be objectively bad?
• Is fashion art?
• Is AI art really art?
• Is it ok to separate the art from the artist?
• Should there be age restrictions on viewing some art?
• Is art an effective method of driving social change?
• Should climate change protestors target art to promote their cause?
• Is it ethical to use dead animals in artworks?
• Is graffiti a form of art or vandalism?
• Should art education be mandatory in schools?
• Should famous pieces of art be allowed in private collections?
• Should museums be free for all?
• Should governments provide financial support to struggling artists?
• Can the value of art be measured by its popularity?
• Should there be a strict definition of art?

Persuasive writing topics about culture

Students will refine their argumentation skills while exploring current trends in their world and critically assessing the media they consume with this selection of cultural persuasive writing topics.

• Is listening to books better than reading them?
• Would it be good to be famous?
• Which video game console is the best?
• Do movie studios make too many reboots and sequels?
• Is Black Friday worth it?
• Is “Barbie” a feminist film?
• Is it ok for feminists to wear makeup?
• Does the movie “Oppenheimer” glorify nuclear war?
• Should video games have loot boxes?
• Which fantasy/science fiction book series is the best?
• Should society reject fast fashion?
• Are reality shows harmful to contestants?
• Should celebrities use their platforms to speak out on political and social issues?
• Is influencer culture beneficial to society?
• Should public figures be held responsible for their influence on public behavior?
• Is celebrity culture harmful to society?

Persuasive writing topics on history

Persuasive writing on historical events can help students engage in more critical and deeper analysis of past events, helping them gain a clearer understanding of their impact on the present. These topics look at specific events but also broader questions related to historical analysis.

• Do the Vikings deserve their bad reputation?
• Was the Industrial Revolution good for society?
• Did the revolutions of 1848 really “fail”?
• Should we still celebrate Columbus Day?
• Can we ever truly know history?
• Did women have to use militancy to obtain the vote?
• Did the French Revolution need to be so bloody?
• Should the British Museum return artifacts to their countries of origin?
• Should history lessons include ethical judgments?
• Should we remove statues of problematic historical figures?
• Which would be better to visit: ancient Egypt or ancient Greece?
• Should we stop telling the “first Thanksgiving” story?

Environmental persuasive writing topics

Developing the ability to argue effectively for environmental issues equips students with the skills to advocate for meaningful action and influence important discussions on sustainable practices. These environmental persuasive writing topics will raise awareness of the challenges facing our world today and encourage informed opinions.

• Are water resources a basic human right?
• Do rich countries have an obligation to help poorer countries weather climate change?
• Should “necessity defense” be a legal defense for climate activists?
• Should environmental conservation take precedence over economic growth?
• Should fracking be banned?
• Is species conservation a worthwhile use of resources?
• Should animals have rights?
• Should fossil fuels be banned?
• Should public transport be free?
• Should individuals assume responsibility for climate change?
• Should people buy fair trade products?
• Should we work to conserve endangered languages?
• Should trophy hunting be banned worldwide?
• Is it a good idea to use wind farms?

Civics persuasive writing topics

Whether students are arguing for policies, advocating for change, or reflecting on the way we live, these civics persuasive writing topics will put students on their way to becoming informed and active citizens.

• Are online privacy protections more important than public safety?
• Should dress codes be eliminated?
• Should we shorten the 40-hour workweek?
• Does feminism have to be intersectional?
• Is it ever okay to break the rules?
• Is justice more important than peace?
• Should “victimless” crimes remain illegal?
• Is the internet an overall good thing for society?
• Should national service be mandatory?
• Should advertising be allowed to target children?
• Should billionaires be taxed more?
• Are universal basic income programs the future?
• Should companies have quotas for women in top-level positions?
• Should free menstrual products be provided by the government?
• Should societies prioritize freedom over security?
• Is the right to privacy more important than freedom of the press?
• Should drugs be legalized like alcohol?
• Is freedom of speech always a good thing?
• Should people be allowed to record others in public spaces?
• Is social media a threat to democracy?
• Is the gig economy a positive development for workers?

Persuasive writing topics on education

These persuasive writing topics on education will encourage students to consider different perspectives on questions that personally impact them! Students will learn to articulate their opinions in a way that is both convincing and respectful.

• Are there too many school holidays?
• Should schools take students on trips abroad?
• Should teachers have to wear a uniform?
• Should academic tests be banned for students under 14?
• Is it okay for parents to confiscate teenagers’ mobile phones?
• Should schools provide free meals for all students?
• Should AI tools be allowed in school assessments?
• Should it be mandatory for university students to spend one term abroad?
• Does playing video games benefit learning?
• Is cyberbullying worse than face-to-face bullying?
• Should coding be a required subject in school?
• Should the summer holidays be shorter?
• Should school start later in the day?

Political persuasive writing topics

By engaging in political persuasive writing topics, students practice arguing for their position and developing the skills for participating in political discussions. Political topics are often divisive, and the process of organizing ideas and making sense of them through writing gives students the space to form their own viewpoints.

• Do the benefits of direct democracy outweigh the costs?
• Is democracy a good form of government?
• Should citizens have to pass a political knowledge test in order to vote?
• Is taking care of global issues more important than caring about local issues?
• Should the world disarm their nuclear weapons?
• Should we lower international trade barriers?
• Should countries with poor human rights records be allowed to host international sporting events?
• Should governments spend money on foreign aid?
• Should foreign intervention be used to protect women’s rights?
• Should all citizens be required to vote?
• Should governments prioritize reducing poverty over other policies?

Philosophical persuasive writing topics

These philosophical persuasive writing topics will have your students grapple with nuanced questions of ethics and life. Students can develop their reasoning abilities and learn to challenge their own assumptions and communicate on fundamental questions where the correct answer is far from clear!

• Is it ever okay to lie?
• Is it okay to be selfish?
• Is it ok to do wrong for the greater good?
• Is it immoral for people to own pets?
• Is pacifism moral?
• Should euthanasia be legal?
• Should morals be relative depending on culture?
• Should cloning humans be legal?
• Should we ever use force to create peace?
• Should society prioritize individual freedoms over collective welfare?
• Can morality exist without religion?
• Should people break unjust laws?
• Should the genetic engineering of human embryos be banned?
• Is mandatory organ donation ethical?
• Is war ever justifiable?
• Should we always respect people in authority?

Science persuasive writing topics

Rational decision-making and evidence-based arguments are central aspects of these science persuasive writing topics. Students will reflect on the meaning of innovation and progress, and consider how science and technology can help address the challenges of the world around them.

• Is space tourism a good idea?
• Would it be good to be an astronaut?
• Is AI just pretending to be smart?
• Should driverless cars prioritize passenger safety over everything else?
• Do the costs of AI outweigh the benefits?
• Have mobile phones improved people’s lives?
• Should deepfake technology be regulated by law?
• Should we develop technology that can read minds?
• Should there be strict rules regulating the data used to train LLMs?
• Does technology make us less intelligent?
• Is it a good thing that machines will likely do most human work in the future?
• Should internet service be nationalized?
• Should we allow weapons in outer space?

Religious persuasive writing topics

These religious persuasive writing topics give students the opportunity to reflect on religious diversity with nuance and respect, while also learning to articulate and defend their perspectives on what can be very personal topics.

• Is Buddhism a religion?
• Should atheism be considered a religion?
• Should Easter be celebratory or serious?
• Is marriage a thing of the past?
• Do all religions worship the same higher power?
• Is Judaism compatible with democracy?
• Is Islam compatible with democracy?
• Is Christianity compatible with democracy?
• Is religious faith compatible with science?
• Is the declining interest in religion a problem?
• Should religious leaders speak out on social and political issues?
• Is it appropriate for teachers to speak about their religious beliefs with students?

Persuasive writing topics on sports

Whether examining athletic and team performance or the societal impact of sports, these sports persuasive writing topics will help students develop critical thinking skills on a subject that many are passionate about. And for even more sports ideas go to our dedicated blog post on sports debate topics.

• Are penalty shootouts a good way to decide the winner?
• Is winning the most important part of sports?
• Should the Olympics include more extreme sports?
• Should prize money be equal in men’s and women’s sports?
• Are international sporting events bad for the environment?
• Should all televised sports be free to watch?
• Should video replays be used in sports?
• Should anyone under 18 years old be banned from competing in the Paralympics?
• Should anyone under 18 years old be banned from competing in the Olympics?
• Are advancements in data analytics good for professional sports?
• Should advertising be allowed on sports kits?
• Should athletes be role models for young people?
• Is climbing Mount Everest still a big deal?

We’d love to hear about any great persuasive writing topics you like to use, or how you use one of these topics with your students! Please get in touch at feedback@kialo-edu.com or on any of our social media channels.