75 Persuasive Essay Topics for High School and College Students

Introduction

Persuasive essays challenge you to take a position on an issue and convince your reader to agree with you. The best persuasive topics are debatable, timely, and meaningful — they matter to your audience and have enough evidence to build a strong case.

This list of 75 persuasive essay topics is organised by category. Each topic is designed to spark a compelling argument.

Education

1. Schools should require students to wear uniforms.
2. College admissions should not consider standardised test scores.
3. Financial literacy should be a required high school course.
4. The school year should be year-round with shorter breaks.
5. Students should grade their teachers.
6. Schools should ban junk food from vending machines.
7. Physical education should be required through all four years of high school.
8. Homework should be banned in elementary school.
9. Students should be allowed to use phones during lunch.
10. The US should adopt a tuition-free community college system.
11. Schools should teach meditation and mindfulness.
12. Foreign language classes should be mandatory.
13. Arts programs should receive equal funding to sports programs.
14. Schools should provide free menstrual products.
15. Gender-neutral bathrooms should be standard in all schools.

Technology

16. Social media platforms should require age verification.
17. The government should regulate the use of artificial intelligence.
18. Schools should ban cell phones during class time.
19. The internet should be considered a public utility.
20. Companies should be required to disclose their data collection practices.
21. Algorithmic content recommendation should be regulated.
22. People should be required to take digital literacy classes.
23. Self-driving cars should be required to have manual override options.
24. Social media platforms should be held liable for content posted by users.
25. Cryptocurrency should be regulated like traditional currency.
26. Parents should limit children's screen time.
27. Technology companies should prioritise privacy over profit.

Environment

28. Plastic bags should be banned nationwide.
29. Factory farming should be outlawed.
30. Individuals have a moral obligation to reduce their carbon footprint.
31. The government should ban gas-powered cars by 2035.
32. Corporations should be required to report their environmental impact.
33. National parks should charge higher entrance fees for maintenance.
34. Water should not be sold in plastic bottles.
35. Urban communities should invest more in green spaces.
36. Meat consumption should be taxed to reduce environmental impact.
37. Composting should be mandatory in all cities.
38. Oil drilling should not be allowed in protected wildlife areas.

Health

39. Vaccinations should be mandatory for all children.
40. Healthcare is a human right.
41. Mental health education should be part of the school curriculum.
42. Sugar should be regulated like alcohol and tobacco.
43. The government should regulate the nutritional content of fast food.
44. Employers should offer mental health days.
45. Energy drinks should be banned for minors.
46. Healthcare prices should be transparent.
47. Prescription drug prices should be regulated by the government.
48. Schools should provide free mental health counselling.
49. The food industry should be required to label GMO ingredients.

Politics and Law

50. The voting age should be lowered to 16.
51. The Electoral College should be abolished.
52. Felons should have the right to vote after serving their sentence.
53. The US should adopt ranked-choice voting.
54. Police officers should wear body cameras at all times.
55. The minimum drinking age should remain 21.
56. Marijuana should be legalised nationally.
57. The death penalty should be abolished.
58. Mandatory minimum sentencing laws should be eliminated.
59. The voting process should be made more accessible.
60. Prisons should focus more on rehabilitation than punishment.

Society and Culture

61. College athletes should be paid for their performance.
62. Fast fashion harms the environment and should be regulated.
63. Beauty standards in media are harmful to young people.
64. Cultural appropriation in fashion is a serious issue.
65. Social media influencers should be regulated as advertisers.
66. Professional athletes are overpaid.
67. Celebrities should not be role models.
68. The minimum wage should be a living wage.
69. Advertising aimed at children should be banned.
70. Zoos should be abolished.
71. Pet adoption should be prioritised over buying from breeders.
72. Parenting classes should be required for new parents.
73. Social media has negatively affected interpersonal communication.
74. Volunteering should be a required part of high school graduation.
75. The work week should be reduced to four days.

How to Write a Persuasive Essay

Structure:

1. Introduction: Hook the reader, present your position, and preview your arguments
2. Body paragraphs: Each paragraph presents one reason with supporting evidence
3. Counterargument: Address one opposing view and explain why your position is stronger
4. Conclusion: Restate your position, summarise key points, and end with a call to action

Tips:

• Know your audience — what values and concerns do they have?
• Use evidence — data, expert opinions, and real-world examples
• Address counterarguments — this makes your argument stronger
• Use confident language — avoid "I think" or "maybe"
• End with a call to action — what do you want your reader to do or believe?

Summary

Persuasive essays develop your ability to construct logical arguments and persuade others. Choose a topic you care about, use strong evidence, and structure your argument clearly.