135 Persuasive Essay Topics for Elementary, Middle, High School
Persuasive writing is one of those skills that can help students succeed in real life. Learn the basics of this valuable skill, then use our big roundup of persuasive essay topics for practice. They cover a wide range of subjects, so every student will find something that piques their interest.
Plus, we’ve teamed up with secondary English teachers Stacey Lloyd (@stacey.lloyd) and Krista Barbour (@whimsyandrigor) to bring you useful tips for teaching persuasive writing, along with their favorite persuasive writing prompts!
Jump to:
What Is Persuasive Writing?
In a persuasive essay, the writer aims to convince a reader to accept a position or take an action by combining clear reasoning, credible evidence, and rhetorical techniques. The general parts of persuasive writing include:
- Hook: Start with an attention-grabbing story, quote, statistic, or personal emotional appeal to the audience.
- Thesis statement: Clearly and succinctly, state your desired opinion or outcome up front. This could be the point of view you want the reader to adopt (“Pineapple has no place on a pizza.”) or the action you want them to take (“All adults should educate themselves and vote in every election.”).
- Evidence and support: Use facts to support your point of view, citing sources whenever you can. Using logic and reason, explain how those facts back up your position. Choose evidence that’s most likely to sway your specific audience.
- Counterarguments and rebuttals: It’s important to know your audience so you can anticipate and overcome potential counterarguments they might make.
- Emotional appeals: Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative essays, but they incorporate more emotion rather than sticking strictly to facts and logic. For instance, you might try to anger, scare, or create a sense of pride in your reader so they’ll be more likely to agree with you. This is what sets the two styles apart.
- Call to action: Finish strong with the specific action you’d like the reader to take, whether it’s voting responsibly or never putting pineapple on a pizza again!
How To Teach Persuasive Writing
Stacey Lloyd (@stacey.lloyd) has 15 years of experience as a curriculum designer and English teacher working with grades 8 to 12, while Krista Barbour (@whimsyandrigor) is a middle school English teacher with 17 years of experience. They shared their top tips with We Are Teachers for teaching this key skill, and now we’re sharing them with you!
Give students the tools before they write
“Start by having students spot, analyze, and understand persuasive techniques in the world around them,” Stacey advises. “From physical magazine ads to Super Bowl commercials, get them hunting for the rule of three, rhetorical questions, emotive language, or jargon.”
Krista agrees: “Have students share their observations with the class. This is a great way to crowdsource a cache of possible techniques they can use in their writing.”
“Once students start seeing persuasive techniques everywhere, they become curious and excited about how language can be used to persuade,” Stacey adds. “By the time they sit down to write, those tools should feel really familiar, so they can reach for them naturally rather than trying to remember a list.”
Try it: 40 Real-World Persuasive Writing Examples
Start with lots of low-stakes talking
“Build in five minutes at the end of a lesson for students to battle it out over gloriously silly topics: Who is the GOAT? What’s the perfect doughnut flavor? Which is the coolest species of bird?” suggests Stacey. “Or give pairs a boring piece of stationery and two minutes to pitch it as a product.”
Both teachers agree that verbal debates are a great starting point for writing. “Kids test out their reasoning on a live audience, see what lands, what they need to adjust, and what is just flat-out ineffective,” Krista explains. As Stacey says, “By the time they start writing, they already have something to say!”
Try it: 101 Funny Debate Topics for Elementary, Middle, and High School
Make the writing purposeful
“A persuasive essay addressed to ‘whoever’ is asking a kid to perform into a void,” Krista observes. “A persuasive letter to the principal, the school board, or a company support line changes everything.
She and Stacey both feel real audiences make the experience more meaningful. “A real audience raises the effort considerably and makes the whole task feel authentic,” Stacey shares. “It’s also a strong starting point for writing, because it gives students an authentic audience, which means that they have to really think about who they’re persuading and what that person cares about, and that’s the heart of persuasion.”
Krista sums it up: “Creating an authentic audience will encourage kids to have an authentic voice.”
Try it: To Learn Persuasive Writing, These Students Wrote “Why You Should Adopt Me” Essays for Shelter Pets
Tap into their passions
“As with most things in education, this is all about agency and choice,” Stacey notes. “Start with what students already feel passionate about. One of the joys of working with young people is how strongly they feel about fairness. Teenagers especially are seeking independence, questioning authority, and pushing back on rules and the status quo as they form their own opinions, which is fertile ground for persuasive topics!”
She continues, “A great way to root out that passion is to offer provocative statements and watch how they react.” Try things like:
“State provocative claims and watch which ones make a kid sit up straighter,” urges Krista. “That flash of ‘wait, that’s not fair’ is the raw material. Ask them to chase down why they reacted that way, and the essay writes itself from there.”
Stacey recommends throwing out provocative claims like “School should start later” or “Contact sports should be banned.” “What do I really disagree with here? What is it about this that makes me angry?” she probes. “Then let them choose from a range of topics that connect to those reactions, because choice makes a huge difference in how invested they are.”
Try it: 125+ Controversial Topics for Debates, Essays, and More
Work across disciplines
Stacey also points out that persuasive writing topics are a terrific opportunity for interdisciplinary work. “Especially in middle and high school, it’s worth reaching out to colleagues in other subject areas and asking what their students are learning that could fuel an argument. Students are already building knowledge in those classes, and persuasive writing gives them a purposeful way to use it. The bonus is that students come to the writing already knowing their facts, so they can focus on shaping the argument.”
She offers these examples:
- Geography: Argue whether wealthy countries should be responsible for funding climate action.
- History: Debate whether a historical figure deserves to be remembered as a hero, or make the case for which event changed the world the most.
- Science: Argue whether lab-grown meat should replace traditional farming.
Differentiate persuasive writing from argumentative writing
“Persuasive language is a different beast than argumentative writing,” cautions Krista. “It’s less ‘Prove your point with logic’ and more ‘Make the reader feel something, then hand them the reasons to justify feeling it.’”
Here’s the biggest point she makes with her students: “Argumentative writing sticks to logic and evidence; persuasive writing allows and even encourages writers to lean heavily into the emotion of a subject. Teach the distinction explicitly, or you’ll get essays that are logically airtight and emotionally inert.”
With these tips in mind, take a look at this big list of persuasive essay and writing topics, and keep an eye out for Stacey and Krista’s favorite prompts in each category. Plus, be sure to follow them on Instagram (@stacey.lloyd and @whimsyandrigor) for more awesome English teaching tips and advice!
School and Education Persuasive Essay Topics
Stacey Lloyd’s Pick: Should students get to grade their teachers?
“I can hear my own past students getting excited about this one! They so often have deep feelings about their teachers and would love to argue about it. You just have to be careful it doesn’t get specific or personal.”
Krista Barbour’s Pick: Are letter grades helpful, or should we replace them with something else?
“This one’s a sleeper hit. Every kid has an opinion on grades, but almost none of them have thought past ‘I don’t like getting bad ones.’ It forces them past the gut reaction into actual argument. They have to consider what would replace grades, and would it really be fairer? Great for teaching the move from complaint to an actionable claim.”
Elementary/Middle School
- If you could change one school rule, what would it be?
- What is the most important school subject?
- Should all students wear school uniforms?
- Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?
- Do you think schools should ban junk food from their cafeterias?
- Should schools have dress codes?
- Is it better to be good at academics or good at sports?
Middle/High School
- Should students be able to use their phones during the school day?
- Is year-round school a good idea?
- Should every student have to participate in athletics?
- Should schools teach life skills like financial responsibility?
- Is it ever OK to cheat on homework or a test?
- What are the ideal starting and ending hours for a school day?
- Which is better, book smarts or street smarts?
- Does your school handle bullying well?
- Should all students have to learn a foreign language?
High School
- Should we stop giving final exams?
- Which is better, private schools or public schools?
- Should students be required to volunteer in their communities?
- Do you think college should be free for anyone who wants to attend?
- Should schools be allowed to ban some books from their libraries?
- Is attending college worth the time and effort?
- Are single-gender schools better or worse for students?
- Should schools reduce or eliminate standardized testing?
Life and Ethics Persuasive Essay Topics
Krista Barbour’s and Stacey Lloyd’s Pick: If you find money on the ground, should you try to find the person who lost it, or is it yours to keep?
“No clean right answer, which is exactly the point,” Krista says. “Kids can’t win this one on facts alone, so it’s a great low-pressure place to practice emotional appeals.”
“Ethical dilemmas touch on core human values like fairness, rights, and harm, so they naturally provoke a strong emotional response,” says Stacey. “It’s a brilliant way to get students to lean into pathos and make emotive arguments.”
Elementary/Middle School
- What animal makes the best pet?
- Which is better, giving or receiving?
- Should kids have set bedtimes or just go to bed when they’re sleepy?
- Is it better to save your allowance or spend it?
- If you could make a new law, what would it be?
- Which is better, living in the city or in the country?
Middle/High School
- Is it OK to eat animals?
- Is it better to adopt from an animal shelter instead of buying from a breeder?
- Why is it important to vote?
- Is it better to be kind or truthful?
- Who faces more peer pressure, girls or boys?
- Is it OK to keep animals in zoos?
- Which is more important, happiness or success?
- Should we ban plastic bags and bottles?
- Is social media helpful or harmful?
High School
- Should all Americans be required to vote?
- Should wealthy people pay a higher tax rate?
- Is democracy the best form of government?
- Should free speech have any limitations?
- Should we change the minimum driving age in the United States?
- Is capital punishment ever ethical or justified?
- Should parents be punished for their children’s mistakes or crimes?
- Do you think the government should find a way to provide free universal health care for everyone?
- Does immigration benefit the United States?
- Is a border wall between Mexico and the United States essential for reducing crime rates?
- Should the United States have stronger gun regulations?
Science and Technology Persuasive Essay Topics
Stacey Lloyd’s Pick: Is it right for countries to still maintain nuclear weapon arsenals?
“This is a great example of the power of a real-world topic because it shows students that persuasive writing can be used to engage in society and even advocate for change. It’s also excellent practice in using evidence and anticipating counterarguments, whichever side they take. And I can see opportunities for turning their arguments into a letter to the editor or sending it to their local representative.”
Krista Barbour’s Pick: Should there be a minimum age requirement to own a smartphone?
“This is basically the essay version of a conversation they’re already having with their parents, which means the evidence-gathering feels like research for their actual life, not just an assignment. Bonus: It pairs beautifully with a counterargument paragraph, since most kids will have to argue against the rules their own parents have preached.”
Elementary/Middle School
- Is Pluto a planet?
- Should we plant more trees instead of building new houses?
- Would you rather explore the ocean or outer space?
- Are there benefits to playing video games?
- Is it better to recycle things or throw them away and buy new ones?
- Is it better to be an animal that lives in the water or on land?
Middle/High School
- Should all people have free internet access in their homes?
- Are humans responsible for an increase in the climate change rate?
- Should all communities be legally required to recycle?
- Is there intelligent life on other planets?
- What’s better, cable TV or streaming apps?
- Should parents use their children’s cell phones to track where they are?
- Which is better, Macs or PCs?
- Should kids under 13 be allowed to use social media sites?
- Do all people have a responsibility to help combat climate change?
- Do people rely too much on technology in the modern world?
High School
- Should human cloning be legal?
- Should vaccines be mandatory?
- Do the benefits of nuclear power outweigh the risks?
- Should testing on animals be made illegal?
- Will expanded use of artificial intelligence be good for humanity?
- Does technology create more jobs than it eliminates?
- Should scientists try to develop a way for people to live forever?
- Should cryptocurrencies replace cash?
- Does the cost of space exploration outweigh the value?
- Should we ban cigarette smoking and vaping entirely?
Sports and Entertainment Persuasive Essay Topics
Stacey Lloyd’s Pick: What’s the best video game system?
“This topic won’t be for everyone, but the students it is for will be passionate about it, and that’s exactly what you want. It’s a lovely example of why choice matters.”
Krista Barbour’s Pick: Choose a book that’s been made into a movie. Which was better, the movie or the book?
“I’ll take any excuse to get books into a persuasive writing unit. It also sneaks in literary analysis under the cover of a ‘fun’ prompt, which is my favorite kind of trick to play on a class!”
Elementary/Middle School
- Should kids be allowed to watch TV on school nights?
- Are video games better than board games?
- Should we allow little kids to play competitive sports?
- Which is better, reading books or watching TV?
- What new sport should be added to the Olympics?
- Should all neighborhoods have free parks and playgrounds?
Middle/High School
- Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
- Which is better, paper books or e-books?
- Are celebrities obligated to be positive role models for their fans?
- Does playing violent video games make people more violent in real life?
- Do video games need more inclusive and diverse characters?
- What is the best music genre?
- Which is better, fiction or nonfiction?
- What is one book that everyone should read?
- Are graphic novels just as valuable as traditional fiction books?
- Is the current movie rating system (G, PG, PG-13, etc.) effective?
- Are movie theater tickets too expensive?
- Have youth sports become too competitive?
- Does playing video games make you smarter?
- Does reality TV actually depict real life?
High School
- Should sports teams have to pay to build their own arenas or stadiums rather than relying on the community?
- Do women’s sports deserve the same funding and coverage as men’s sports?
- Should everyone play on the same sports teams, regardless of gender?
- Are professional athletes/musicians/actors overpaid?
- Is hosting the Olympics a waste of a country’s money and resources?
- Should college athletes be allowed to accept a salary for playing?
- Should high school athletes be required to maintain a minimum GPA to continue playing?
- Are contact sports like boxing and football too dangerous?
- Are awards like the Grammys and Oscars biased and in need of reform?
Just for Fun Persuasive Essay Topics
Krista Barbour’s Pick: Should you put pineapple on a pizza?
“I’m not sure why I am still surprised that this question always gets kids into heated and passionate debates, but it does! I use this one on day one of a persuasive unit specifically because the stakes are zero. It literally doesn’t matter but kids get to practice hook, rule of three, and call to action without the pressure of being ‘right,’ which is exactly when the techniques actually stick. Side note: Pineapple is delicious on pizza.”
Stacey Lloyd’s Pick: What would be the best superpower to have?
“The stakes are low and there’s no right answer, so students can focus on structuring an argument and using persuasive techniques without worrying about being ‘correct.’ It’s fun too, and fun is such an important ingredient in learning!”
- What’s the best holiday?
- What is the very best food of all time?
- Which make better pets, dogs or cats?
- Which is better, artificial Christmas trees or real ones?
- What’s the best season of the year?
- Should you put ketchup on a hot dog?
- Is a taco a sandwich?
- Does fruit count as dessert?
- Is it better to eat dessert first?
- Should people have to go to school or work on their birthday?
- Are clowns scary or funny?
- Which is more dangerous, werewolves or vampires?
- What’s the best pizza topping?
- What would be the best superpower to have?
- Should everyone make their bed every day?
- Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
- Should you eat macaroni and cheese with a spoon or a fork?
- What ingredients would be in the world’s best ice cream sundae?
- Is Monday the worst day of the week?
- Would you rather travel back in time or forward in time?
- Is it better to be too hot or too cold?
- Are there aliens living among us here on Earth?
Get your free printable persuasive essay graphic organizers!
Download our Persuasive Essay Graphic Organizer Bundle to pair perfectly with your lesson and allow your students to plan their writing with helpful visuals. There are two worksheets, one with a simple layout for younger students and one with a detailed layout that’s best for older students. Both graphic organizers feature a road map theme that walks your students through all the steps, such as stating their claim, providing reasons and supporting facts, and restating the claim. These graphic organizers work for both persuasive and argumentative essays.
What are your favorite persuasive essay topics for students? Come exchange ideas in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out The Big List of Essay Topics for High School.
