What is a persuasive essay?
Persuasive essays are written to persuade readers to accept your argument. An essay on the Renaissance’s changes in Italian Art would not be persuasive. But, an essay where you argue for the Renaissance’s peak in Italian Art would be persuasive.
Argumentative and persuasive essays attempt to persuade the reader to agree with their author. But, these essay types share key differences. Argumentative essays are more balanced and cover both sides. Persuasive essays tend to focus on the side of the author who agrees. These essays are more opinion-based than argumentative essays that rely solely on data and facts.
These are the essential elements of persuasive essays:
Introduction: This section introduces the topic and explains why it is important. The thesis follows.
– Thesis: A sentence summarizing the topic of the essay and your position on it.
– Reasons why you support your side: Each main idea will typically have its very own paragraph.
– Supporting your argument with facts or examples. Constructive essays are allowed to include your opinion more than other essays. However, using concrete examples can make an argument stronger than simply relying upon your opinion.
– Conclusion : A summary of the main points, a restatement of the thesis and a recap about why this topic is important.
What makes a good persuasive essay topic?
Theoretically speaking, persuasive essays could be written on any topic you like. However, this doesn’t mean that you should. It is easier to write persuasive essays about certain topics. Below are some guidelines to help you choose the right topic.
This is a topic you care about
It’s possible, of course, to write essays about boring topics. It’s probably something you have done before. You’ve probably done it! You’ll enjoy researching and writing your essay more if you care about it.
There is enough evidence to support your argument
To make a persuasive essay topic stand out, passion alone is not enough. Make sure that you have enough evidence and examples to back your point. You can have your opinion featured in persuasive essays more than any other essays. However, your argument will not be strong if you don’t have evidence.
You might, for example, believe mint chocolate chip is the best icecream flavor. But could you really write a whole essay about this? What are your reasons mint chocolate chips are the best (other than the delicious taste)? Which evidence supports your belief? How many studies have been conducted on the preferred flavors of ice cream to warrant an entire essay? The best persuasive essay topics are those that you are passionate about. You need to be able to communicate your point clearly and provide evidence.
It’s manageable.
It’s not always easier to choose a topic that is more complex than you actually need, especially when it comes essay topics. While choosing a vast, complicated topic might seem like a good idea, it can be hard to distill all the information into a concise essay. An essay on WWII’s effects on American life is not a good idea. It would require that you analyze both wars’ impacts in many areas of American daily life. This would be a massive undertaking. It would be better to focus on one effect that wars had on American life (e.g., changes in women’s employment) rather than on the whole. Doing this will make writing persuasive essays and researching easier.
List Of 113 Excellent Persuasive Essay Subjects
Here are more than 100 persuasive essay topics, divided into ten different categories. If you like an idea, you will choose the side you want to defend in your essay. You might choose to write an essay on “should fracking become legal?” Once you have decided whether fracking should remain legal or illegal you will write an essay in which you argue why.
Arts/Culture
– Should students be required learn an instrument at school?
– Was Game of Thrones’ end in line with the rest of Game of Thrones?
Music as a way to manage mental illness
Are libraries becoming obsolete because of e-readers?
– Is Harry Potter’s popularity greater than it should be?
– Music with offensive or profane language should have a warning label
– How do museums attract more visitors?
Are students allowed to take an art or music class instead of a PE class?
Are the Kardashians good and bad role models?
Finances
– Should those with higher incomes have to pay more taxes?
– Should all highschool students be required take a course in financial literacy and should they?
Is it possible for Americans to live the American Dream?
Do you think it is better to be an intern at a high-profile company than a worker in a small store or restaurant?
Do you think the United States should impose higher or lower tariffs?
– Should students who have graduated from college be able to get their student loans forgiven
Restaurants should stop tipping and instead pay more to their staff.
Learning
– Do students need to learn cursive writing at school?
Which is more significant: PE or music class?
Is it better for a school to be open all year, with shorter breaks?
– Should schools be abolished from a class ranking?
– Is it possible to teach sex education at school to students?
Are students allowed to go to public universities without paying tuition?
How can school bullies be changed?
SAT/ACT: Is it accurate to measure intelligence with these tests?
– Can students learn sign language instead?
Are the College’s Greek Life Benefits Worth It?
Do students actually learn more by doing homework?
– Why does math score higher in countries than it does for American students?
– Should parents/teachers have the authority to ban certain books at schools?
How can we reduce school cheating?
– Should college admissions officers consider race?
Moral principles
– Are there any limitations on freedom of speech?
– Should students be required or permitted to complete community service before they can graduate highschool?
– Should felons convicted of a crime that has been completed be allowed to vote?
Are gun owners more closely regulated?
– Should recycling become a mandatory requirement?
– Should parents be allowed to request paid parental leave from their employers?
– Should torture be allowed under certain circumstances?
Children under 18 years old should be allowed to undergo cosmetic surgery.
– Should white extremist groups be allowed rallies in public spaces?
Is it safer for women to have abortions illegal?
– Is aid from abroad really beneficial for developing countries or not?
Is there a time when freedom of speech needs to be restricted?
– Can people older than a certain age adopt children?
Government/Politics
– Should the minimum age for voting be increased/lowered/maintained the same?
Is Puerto Rico eligible for statehood?
Is the United States required to build a wall along its border with Mexico?
– Who should be printed next on American banknotes
– Should America’s military budget be cut?
– Were China’s unintended child policy positive or detrimental to the country’s overall health?
DREAMers – Should they be allowed to become citizens of the United States?
– Is it more important to have national security than personal privacy?
What is the government’s responsibility to assist homeless people?
– Should it be possible to abolish the electoral colleges?
What should the US do to increase or decrease its annual refugee admissions?
– Should private-run prisons be closed?
Which US President was most effective?
What will Brexit do to the UK’s economy?
Well-being
What are the best ways to prevent Ebola from spreading?
Is the Keto diet safe?
Is it necessary for the FDA to regulate vitamins or supplements more strict?
– Should all public school students be required to have a vaccine?
Is it safe for me to eat genetically altered food?
How do you make your insurance more affordable?
How can teens be less likely to become pregnant?
– Should recreational marijuana legalized in the United States?
– Should birthcontrol pills come without prescription?
Is it appropriate to ban pregnant women from purchasing cigarettes or alcohol?
– Why have adolescents become more anxious?
Is it better to eat low-carb than low-fat for weight loss?
The past
What is the cause of the USS Maine’s destruction?
Did King Arthur really exist?
– Was it justified for the US to drop atomic bombs during WWII
– What caused the Rwandan Genocide?
– What happened the Roanoke colony’s settlers?
– Was US Civil War started because of disagreements about slavery?
– What is the cause of the many disappearances in Bermuda’s triangle?
Knowledge obtained through experimentation and observation of natural phenomena.
– Should nuclear power not be allowed?
– Do animals need to be tested for scientific purposes?
– Can zoos harm or help animals?
Scientists should be allowed the ability to clone individuals.
– Should circuses ban animals?
– Is fracking legal?
Do people have the right to keep exotic animals for pets?
– What’s best to decrease illegal poaching of African wildlife?
– How can we reduce global warming’s impact?
– Should Euthanasia be Legalized?
– Does there exist any evidence that extraterrestrial life exists?
Do you think it is appropriate to ban aggressive breeds of dog?
Do you think the United States should spend more on space exploration?
– Should government subsidies be given to renewable energy?
Is solar power worth the price?
– Should stem cell therapy be allowed in medicine?
Is it right that the US should leave the Paris Climate Agreement?
Athletics
A lifetime ban should be given to athletes who fail a drug screening.
College athletes should be paid a salary
– Can the NFL do more for players who sustain concussions?
Are PE classes good for students staying in shape?
Horse racing banned
– Is cheerleading a sports?
Is it okay for children under 18 to play tackle football?
How much is it worth hosting the Olympic Games in Vancouver?
Innovations
Online Schools: Are they as efficient as traditional schools or can they be just as effective?
– Does violent video gaming encourage violent behaviour in real life or just online?
– Should facial recognition technology not be allowed?
Is excessive use of social media a sign of depression/anxiety
Is it possible to speak multiple languages without translating technology?
Steve Jobs: Visionary or great marketer?
Are children younger than 18 allowed to use social media?
What 21st-century invention is having the biggest impact upon society?
What do you think about ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft?
What could Facebook do to better protect privacy?
Is technology going to increase or decrease inequality around the world?
Here are some tips for writing persuasive essays.
Now that you’ve decided on the perfect topic, it’s time to start writing. These are three ways to write a great essay.
Do Your Research
If you don’t know the subject matter or omit an important aspect of it, your argument is likely to fall apart. A person who isn’t familiar with the topic won’t convince readers, and they won’t support your view. Research your topic before you start writing. You should read a variety of sources, understand the arguments, and ask experts about your topic. It is tempting to rush into writing. However, if you do your research, writing will be easier.
Create the Perfect Thesis
Your thesis should be the first sentence in your persuasive essay. The thesis is the most important sentence in your persuasive essay. It should be clear and concise. Your thesis must be precise and clear. If you aren’t sure about your thesis, it can be helpful to ask your teachers or classmates to review it before you start writing the rest.
Take a look at the other side
Since you want your audience to believe that your side is the best, you will spend the majority of your essay on your side. But, that doesn’t mean you have to ignore the other side of the argument. Your essay should discuss both the positive and negative sides. It will improve your essay’s quality by incorporating all viewpoints in it.
Summary: Persuasive Essay Ideas
It can be hard to find persuasive topics. However, we have compiled a list with 113 great topics that you can browse. These topics are easy to summarize in essays and will make persuasive essays stand out.
Once you’ve decided on your topic, here are some tips for writing.
– Do your research
– Create a perfect thesis
Take into consideration the other side