Selecting a good presentation topic is the first step to a successful speech. A topic that resonates with the audience’s pain points and is filled with freshness can catch their attention quickly and directly. A high-quality topic can also lay the foundation for the logical structure of the speech, making the subsequent argument presentation and supporting evidence more organized and convincing.
In this blog post, we will learn about the key points of persuasive presentations and some compelling persuasive presentation topics.
Persuasive Speech VS. Informative Speech
A persuasive speech is a type of speech aimed at changing or reinforcing the audience’s attitudes, opinions, beliefs, or behaviors. The speaker uses logical arguments, emotional appeals, references to credible sources, and other techniques to encourage the audience to accept and align with their viewpoint.
This differs from an informative speech, which focuses on sharing knowledge, presenting information, or explaining concepts. The goal of an informative speech is to help the audience understand facts, ideas, processes, or trends related to a topic.
To clarify your purpose before giving a speech, ask yourself: Do I want to persuade others to accept my perspective, or do I simply want the audience to learn about a specific topic or process?
Compelling Persuasive Presentation Topics
EDUCATION Persuasive Presentation Topics
● Climate education should not be an elective course
● What should humans learn when AI can store everything?
● Does a liberal arts education no longer matter?
● Lifelong learning: Staying competitive in a rapidly changing world
● Do schools stifle students’ creativity?
● Should schools restrict students’ use of electronic devices to academic purposes only?
● Should online exams completely replace traditional paper-based exams?
● What is the true purpose of education?
● Zombie apocalypse simulation drills on campus.
● Should schools establish independent anti-bullying oversight departments to monitor and address incidents in real-time?
BUSINESS Persuasive Presentation Topics
● Should businesses prioritize profit maximization or take on more social responsibility?
● Should companies be required to provide paid education and training programs for employees?
● Who should bear liability for autonomous vehicle accidents: manufacturers, algorithm providers, or owners?
● Rejecting alcohol-centric business culture
● Should companies be banned from enforcing unreasonable overtime cultures in the workplace?
● Should gig economy platforms provide social security for freelancers?
● Can employee ratings of management truly improve workplace dynamics?
● Should governments impose "monopoly windfall taxes" on mega-corporations?
● Developing tourism projects in cultural heritage sites: Economic empowerment or civilizational exploitation?
HEALTH Persuasive Presentation Topics
● Is “intermittent fasting” scientific weight loss or modern health mysticism?
● Should terminally ill patients have the right to choose euthanasia?
● Will the legalization of surrogacy commodify women’s wombs?
● Should treatment be prioritized over punishment for mentally ill individuals who commit violent crimes?
● Unveiling the marketing tactics behind ‘wellness and health preservation’
● Adequate sleep is a key factor in improving work and study efficiency and should be valued and actively improved
● A healthy diet is more effective than taking health supplements in preventing diseases and enhancing health
● Are the occupational injuries of e-sports players underestimated by society?
● Should obesity be defined as a “chronic disease” and subject to mandatory intervention?
● Does the high cost of psychotherapy exacerbate the psychological disease burden of different social classes?
● Can AI psychotherapists replace human therapists?
SOCIAL ISSUES Persuasive Presentation Topics
● Should transgender prisoners be housed according to biological sex or gender identity?
● Should the bail system be based on “risk assessment” rather than “financial means”?
● Should transgender individuals use public restrooms based on self-identified gender rather than biological sex?
● Should vocational training be prioritized over university education?
● Is short-form video culture undermining deep reading and critical thinking skills?
● Should employers bear greater support responsibilities for women re-entering the workforce after childbirth?
● Is Virtual Reality (VR) social interaction eroding real-life interpersonal relationships?
Notes on Persuasive Speech
1. Share Your Passion with the Audience
Your enthusiasm is contagious. This powerful emotion can spark the audience’s curiosity and interest in your topic, drawing them in and encouraging them to pay closer attention.
By radiating passion, you also show your genuine commitment to the subject, which helps build trust and connection with the audience.
2. Create Emotional Resonance
Tap into shared values and align your message with the audience’s deepest aspirations.
When you share experiences or emotions that mirror theirs, listeners feel understood. This sense of connection makes them more open to your ideas.
3. Back Your Claims with Evidence
Facts and data are key to making your case credible.
Reliable statistics, research findings, or real-life examples help convince the audience that your ideas are trustworthy.
The evidence adds weight to your arguments and strengthens your persuasiveness.
4. Speak Smoothly, Speak from the Heart
Clear, natural delivery helps listeners follow your ideas effortlessly. Pair this with heartfelt emotion to let your sincerity and enthusiasm shine through—this authenticity keeps the audience engaged.
5. End with a Clear Call to Action
Wrap up your speech by guiding the audience on what to do next. Give them practical steps to support your cause or tackle the issue you’ve highlighted. A strong closing empowers them to act.
AI-Powered Presentation Creation
With continuous innovation and breakthroughs in AI technology, its application in presentation creation holds vast potential. AI can provide limitless inspiration for structuring your presentation content while refining your text to create a more personalized experience tailored to your identity and audience.
Smallppt is an excellent AI-powered presentation tool. Simply input your topic or upload relevant documents, and it intelligently generates or analyzes a text outline. Choose a template from Smallppt’s library, apply it, and within moments, you’ll receive a polished, professional presentation.
To deliver a successful persuasive speech, start by choosing a compelling presentation topic. With Smallppt by your side, you can save time while making your presentation look polished and professional.
Pick one of these topics to kickstart your talk—and don’t forget the tips mentioned in the article!
