This document provides guidance on choosing an effective topic for a persuasive speech. It suggests picking a topic that is interesting, controversial, and proposes a targeted change rather than an extreme one. A list of 14 potential topics is included, ranging from abortion to internet regulation. Readers are instructed to choose 3 topics from the list, develop specific speech topics using those 3, and then select one topic for their persuasive speech.

1. A TIME TO KILL
PERSUASIVE SPEECH

2. WHY WAS THIS PERSUASIVE?
• Context?
• Voice?
• Demeanor?
• Attitude?
• Word Choice?

3. CHOOSING A TOPIC
• Choose a topic that really interests you.
• Example: A student who had been in a serious car accident
and suffered only minor injuries because he was wearing a
seat belt gave a speech entitled “The Use of Seat Belts in Cars
Should Be Required by Law.”
• Suggest a change that isn’t too large.
• Example: It would be very difficult to convince a heavy smoker
to stop smoking completely. However; you might be able to
persuade him or her to cut down to one pack a day.
• Choose a topic that is controversial.
• Example: The topic “English is Spoke All Over the World” is not
controversial. However, the topic “Everyone Should Learn
English as a Second Language” and “English Should be
Required in South American Schools” are topics that could be
argued sine many people might not agree with these options.

4. TOPICS
1. Abortion
2. Capital punishment
3. Arranged marriages
4. Sex education
5. Human cloning
6. Legalization of marijuana
7. Mercy killing
8. Homosexual Adoption
9. Gender reassignment surgery
10. Gun Control
11. Animal Experimentation
12. Internet Regulation
13. Nuclear Weapons
14. Separation of Church and State

5. WHAT TO DO?
• Choose 3 topics.
• Create possible speech topics using the 3 you
chose.
• Choose 1 specific topic to use for your persuasive
speech.