With a little guidance, students can create their own persuasive essay topics.
Persuasive essays, also referred to as "argumentative" essays, are written by middle, high school and college students. The persuasive essay is meant, through the use of a clearly stated thesis and supporting evidence, to convince the reader that the writer's point of view is viable. Persuasive essay topics can be connected to reading in English class, a subject of study in history or an argument based upon "real life" circumstances or simply written for fun.
Literature Topics
For persuasive essays on literature topics, have students write a book review that either recommends or pans a particular novel. For this essay, they should consider their classroom peers as their audience, focusing their persuasion to the reading interests of their own age group rather than the public at large. Students should take care to include specific references to the novel that make it appealing (or not) to kids their age. Alternately, have them create a persuasive character analysis. If your class has read "To Kill a Mockingbird," for example, students could create a character analysis arguing that Boo Radley is a hero or villain or that Atticus is an effective or ineffective lawyer. Students should support their claim with examples from the text.
American History Topics
For American history, consider topics that ask students to take a side concerning an issue that changed the course of the nation. Ask them to write an essay taking a stand on topics such as "Slavery was the cause of the Civil War -- true or false?" or "President Andrew Jackson -- right or wrong in his decision to relocate Native Americans west of the Mississippi?" or "Would the Civil Rights movement have succeeded if it had be a violent rather than nonviolent one?" or "Would the United States have entered World War II, even if the Japanese had not bombed Pearl Harbor?" For these essays, students should create a strong thesis that they are able to support with factual evidence.
Funny Topics
Kids can combine the rigors of proper persuasive essay writing with fun by creating funny essays that also attempt to persuade the reader. They can create an essay that argues that "Every family should be allowed only one child," one that argues that "Homework should be outlawed" or that "Playing video games is an educational activity." For these persuasive essays, remind students that they can have fun and be silly, while at the same time making sure to include supporting evidence that supports the topic's thesis. If you prefer, have students create their own topics, in subjects relating to pets, school, home or friends.
"Real Life" Topics
Students often have strong opinions on subjects that affect their daily lives on the local, national or international level. Have students write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, arguing that your city needs a recreation center for the area's youth or that bike lanes would make it easier for kids to travel by bike safely through the streets. Alternately, bring a few editorials from the local paper to class and discuss the topics with students, having them select one to which they will write a letter in response. Students can also write a letter to the school newspaper persuading students to show spirit by attending more of the school's sporting events or one that campaigns for more healthy lunchroom food choices.
Tags: write letter, argues that, arguing that, character analysis, create their, essay topics, persuasive essay
