Persuasive Speech Ideas

At a loss for persuasive speech ideas? Persuasive speeches, which are intended to affect the beliefs of the audience and/or to move them to act, are most effective when they embody the honest belief of the speaker.

When considering ideas for persuasive speeches, think about what you really care about in your life. Think about something you believe in that you would like others to believe or about something that you think others should do.

There are the obvious persuasive speech ideas that have to do with long-standing controversial issues.

You could take a stand on abortion, the death penalty, gun control, assisted suicide or term limits for our elected officials.

You could present your point of view on issues that are in the realm of current events such as immigration, the war in Iraq, gas prices, or the use of cellular phones in cars.

Other controversial persuasive speech ideas may include expressing your opinion on the legalization of marijuana, the drinking age, mandatory seat belt laws, or using animals for experimentation.

However, controversy is not always necessary for an effective persuasive speech.

What will make your persuasive speech most effective is your genuine passion about the topic. In writing classes, students are often told to write about what they know. It is the same in public speaking. Look to your own life for persuasive speech ideas.

You may feel most comfortable speaking about something that is not controversial but rather, easy to persuade people about because it has a "feel good" aspect to it.

Have you or has someone in your life been affected by a chronic or unusual illness? Give a speech that advocates for more research into the condition or urge your audience to donate time or money to an organization that helps people who suffer from that illness.

Evoking emotions through relating personal experiences is a powerful element of effective persuasive speeches.

Similarly, has your life been affected by a preventable tragedy?

Representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are out in the community every day in an effort to persuade others not to drink and drive.

Is this a cause that is dear to your heart or is there another injustice you've been touched by that could bring out your most persuasive nature? It is easy to turn your anger and frustration into powerful persuasive speech ideas.

You can also develop persuasive speech ideas from the activities you are involved in.

Do you volunteer in the community or at an animal shelter or as a Big Brother or Big Sister?

Persuade your audience to participate in the organization you are involved in or, to volunteer in general. By bringing to mind what you get out of your participation, you will become passionate on behalf of others receiving the same reward and making a contribution.

Remember that persuasive speeches have a call to action.

In other words in a persuasive speech you want people to believe, donate, support, volunteer for, vote for or contribute to your cause. In making your case you have to create a desire in your audience to do what you ask by appealing to their self-interest.

To be as persuasive as you can possibly be, make sure that your persuasive speech ideas involve something you truly care about that would similarly appeal to the self-interest of your audience.

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