Persuasive Essay Topics for Students

Persuasive vs. Argumentative: What’s the Difference?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but there are key differences:

Three Types of Persuasive Appeals

Strong persuasive writing typically uses a combination of these appeals:

Strong Calls to Action

Persuasive essays often end by telling the reader what to do next. Here are examples:

Persuasive Transition Phrases

Use these phrases to strengthen your argument and guide readers:

1. Students should be allowed to use phones during lunch
2. Schools should use standards-based grading instead of letter grades
3. Recess should be required for all grade levels
4. Students should have a say in curriculum decisions
5. Homework should be optional
6. Schools should start later for teenagers
7. Students should be able to test out of required classes
8. Schools should provide free breakfast and lunch to all students
9. Teachers should not be allowed to give homework over breaks
10. Students should be allowed to listen to music while working
11. Dress codes should be eliminated
12. Schools should have mental health days built into the calendar
13. Class sizes should be capped at 20 students
14. Schools should teach life skills like cooking and budgeting
15. Students should evaluate their teachers
16. Schools should eliminate standardized testing
17. All schools should have air conditioning
18. Schools should provide free tutoring for all students

1. Our town should build more bike lanes
2. The community should have a youth center
3. Local businesses should offer student discounts
4. Parks should be improved with more shade, seating, and safe play areas
5. The city should plant more trees
6. Public transportation should be free for students
7. Communities should have more public art
8. Local libraries should have longer hours
9. The town should ban single-use plastic bags
10. Communities should invest in after-school programs
11. There should be more farmers markets in our area
12. The city should create more green spaces
13. Local businesses should hire more teenagers
14. The community should have more recycling options
15. Public pools should be free during summer
16. Towns should not have curfews for teenagers

1. Everyone should learn to cook basic meals
2. People should limit social media to one hour per day
3. Everyone should read for pleasure daily
4. People should exercise at least 30 minutes every day
5. Everyone should learn a second language
6. People should volunteer regularly
7. Everyone should keep a journal
8. People should take regular breaks from technology
9. Everyone should learn basic first aid
10. People should walk or bike instead of driving short distances
11. Everyone should learn to manage their own money
12. People should prioritize sleep over entertainment
13. Everyone should learn to swim
14. People should grow their own food when possible
15. Everyone should practice mindfulness
16. People should spend more time outdoors

1. Parents should limit children’s screen time
2. Social media companies should verify user ages
3. Video games should have stricter ratings enforcement
4. Schools should teach digital citizenship
5. Companies should not collect data from minors
6. All software should have parental controls
7. Social media should show content chronologically
8. Tech companies should pay users for their data
9. Phones should have mandatory break reminders
10. Schools should provide laptops to all students
11. Social media platforms should do more to reduce anonymous harassment
12. Streaming services should limit autoplay features
13. Tech companies should hire more diverse employees
14. Digital textbooks should replace physical ones
15. Apps should show time spent more prominently
16. Social media influencers should disclose all sponsorships

1. Schools should have healthier vending machine options
2. Energy drinks should be banned for minors
3. All students should have access to mental health counseling
4. Schools should teach nutrition more thoroughly
5. Water should be the default drink at restaurants
6. Junk food advertising should be restricted
7. Schools should have more physical education time
8. Mental health should be part of the standard curriculum
9. Sugar content should be more visible on packaging
10. Schools should provide stress management classes
11. Fast food restaurants should offer healthier kids’ meals
12. Sleep education should be taught in schools
13. Schools should have quiet spaces for students who need them
14. Sports drinks should not be marketed to children
15. All restaurants should post calorie counts
16. Schools should teach meditation and relaxation techniques

1. Schools should reward acts of kindness
2. Every student should have a leadership opportunity
3. Schools should have anti-bullying peer programs
4. Random acts of kindness should be encouraged schoolwide
5. Students should mentor younger students
6. Schools should celebrate character as much as academics
7. Empathy should be taught as a subject
8. Students should be recognized for improvement, not just achievement
9. Schools should have conflict resolution training
10. Community service should be part of every school year
11. Students should learn about different cultures
12. Schools should use restorative justice instead of suspensions
13. Gratitude practices should be part of school routines
14. Schools should teach active listening skills

1. Schools should go paperless
2. Plastic water bottles should be banned on campus
3. All new buildings should be environmentally friendly
4. Schools should have gardens
5. Recycling should be mandatory
6. Schools should use renewable energy
7. Single-use plastics should be banned
8. Schools should compost food waste
9. Environmental science should be required
10. Schools should have energy-saving competitions
11. Students should learn to repair instead of replace
12. Schools should reduce food waste
13. Carbon footprint should be taught in science class
14. Schools should have “no idling” zones for cars
15. Students should plant trees as part of graduation
16. Schools should host community clean-up days

1. Teenagers should have part-time jobs
2. Allowances should be tied to chores
3. Students should learn investing basics
4. Buying used should be encouraged over new
5. Students should have savings accounts
6. Financial literacy should be required for graduation
7. Advertising to children should be restricted
8. Students should understand credit before graduating
9. Shopping local should be encouraged
10. Students should learn to budget before college
11. Impulse buying should be discussed in school
12. Students should understand the true cost of products
13. Comparison shopping should be taught
14. Students should learn about ethical consumerism

1. Write a letter convincing your principal to change a school rule
2. Give a speech persuading classmates to join a club
3. Write to a company about improving their product
4. Give a speech convincing teachers to try a new approach
5. Write to your city council about a community issue
6. Give a speech encouraging civic participation (voting when eligible, volunteering, attending community meetings)
7. Write to a newspaper editor about a local concern
8. Give a speech persuading your school to start a new program
9. Write to an author explaining why their book should be taught
10. Give a speech convincing parents to allow more independence
11. Write to a business proposing a student partnership
12. Give a speech encouraging participation in a cause
13. Write to the school board about a policy change
14. Give a speech about why a field trip would be educational
15. Write to a restaurant about healthier options
16. Give a speech about the importance of an issue you care about
17. Write to a tech company about a feature request
18. Give a speech welcoming new students to your school