Controversial Speech Topics

Speeches can be intimidating, and that feeling of being “on stage” seems all the more concerning when you have to talk about a controversial subject. The most important factor to consider when planning your controversial speech is choosing a good topic that fits your personality. You will know if a topic is a good fit for you if it meets certain criteria:

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100 Persuasive Speech Topics for Students

By Grace Fleming

• The topic stirs an immediate emotional reaction in you
• The emotional reaction is ​not so strong that you risk “losing it” if someone disagrees
• You can think of at least three important facts or subtopics to help you take a stand and organize a sound case

Use the topics below as inspiration for your assignment, whether you are planning to write a controversial speech or an argument essay. Each topic is followed by a brief prompt, but that prompt is not the only way to approach your topic. The list is designed to inspire ideas. You may choose a different approach to one of the topics.

Controversial Topics for Persuasive Speeches

• Abortion—Under what circumstances should it be legal? You may want to consider age and health issues.
• Affordable Care Act—Is an individual’s access to healthcare a legitimate concern of the federal government?
• Adoption—Should citizens from wealthy countries be able to adopt children from Third World countries? Should gay couples adopt?
• Age Discrimination—Should the government create policies to ensure that employers don’t discriminate based on age?
• Airport Security Measures—How much privacy are we willing to sacrifice in the name of flight safety?
• Animal Rights—When we promote animal rights, do we restrict human rights? What is the proper balance?
• Arms Control—Who's responsible for controlling arms trades around the world?
• Arms Trading—What are the ethical implications?
• Birth Control—What concerns do you have about age? Access? Affordability?
• Border Control—What measures are ethical? 
• Bullying—Are we all guilty in some way? How can we reduce bullying?
• Crimes on College Campuses—How can students stay safe?
• Censorship—When is it necessary for public safety?
• Chemical Weapons—When are they ethical? Are they ever?
• Child Labor—Where in the world is this a problem today? Is it your problem?
• Child Abuse—When is it OK to step in?
• Child Pornography—Is individual privacy more important than child safety?
• Cloning—Is cloning ethical? 
• Common Core—What is the truth? Is it dumbing down our students?
• Conservation—Should the government promote conservation?
• Cutting and Self-Harm—When should you say something if you suspect cutting is happening?
• Cyber Bullying—When are we guilty?
• Date Rape—Are we doing all that we can? Do we blame victims?
• Death Penalty—Is it ever okay to kill someone? When is it okay in your opinion?
• Disaster Relief—Which measures really work? 
• Domestic Violence—When should we speak up?
• Drinking and Driving—Do you know someone who pushes the boundaries?
• Drug Trade—Is the government doing enough? What should change?
• Eating Disorders—What if you suspect a friend has a problem?
• Equal Pay—Are we making progress?
• Euthanasia / Assisted Suicide—Where are the ethical boundaries? What if a loved one was facing this choice?
• Fast Food—Should the government have a say about fast food menus?
• Food Shortages—Do we have an ethical obligation?
• Foreign Aid—How much of a role should your nation play?
• Fracking—What about your own backyard?
• Free Speech—Is this more important than public safety?
• Gang Violence—How can it be reduced? What are the causes?
• Gay Rights—Are we making progress or are we regressing? 
• Gerrymandering—How much should we control when it comes to drawing lines?
• GMO Foods—How do you feel about labeling? Should we label all modified foods?
• Global Warming—Where is science? What do you think?
• Government Surveillance—Is it OK for the government to spy in the name of public safety?
• Gun Laws—What does the Second Amendment really mean? 
• Habitat Destruction—Should the government protect animals from human encroachment?
• Hate Crimes—Should hate crimes result in stiffer penalties?
• Hazing—When do fun and tradition become dangerous behavior? Who decides this?
• Homelessness—How much should we do for the homeless?
• Hostage Release/Trade—Should the government ever negotiate?
• Human Population—Should it ever be controlled? Are there too many people on the planet?
• Human Trafficking—Are governments doing enough to protect the innocent? Should they do more?
• Internet and Gaming Addiction—Are teens at risk? Should there be limits to teen access?
• Juvenile Delinquency—When should teen criminals be treated as adults?
• Illegal Immigration—What is the most ethical response? Where should we draw lines?
• Legalization of Marijuana—What is the impact?
• Mass Shootings—Is this a mental health problem or a gun control problem?
• Media Bias—Is the media fair and balanced? How has the internet made things better or worse?
• Medical Records and Privacy—Who should have access to your medical information?
• Meth Use—How do we educate young people about the hazards?
• Military Spending—Do we spend too much? Too little? Is this a safety issue?
• Minimum Wage Increase—What should be the minimum?
• Modern Enslavement—How do we end it? 
• National Rifle Association—Are they too powerful? Not powerful enough?
• Obesity in Children—Should this be a government concern?
• Outsourcing Jobs—When do we dictate to businesses about outsourcing, and when do we be “hands off?”
• Photobombing—Is this a privacy concern? Are there legal issues to consider?
• Poaching—How do we protect endangered animals? What penalties should be in place?
• Prayer in Schools—Whose business is this? Does the government have a say?
• Prescription Drug Use—Are teens over-drugged? What about younger children?
• Racial Profiling—Have you been a victim?
• Racism—Is it getting worse or better?
• Rape Trials—Are victims treated fairly? Are the accused?
• Recycling and Conservation—Do we do enough? Is it anybody’s business what you do?
• Same-Sex Marriage—Is this a problem or a non-issue?
• Selfies and Social Media Images—Is self-image becoming a mental health issue?
• Sex Trade—How can we stop this?
• Sexual Promiscuity—When is it dangerous? What should we do?
• Sexting—How is this dangerous and destructive?
• School Vouchers—Should they exist?
• Social Networking and Privacy—Who has the rights to your image? Your reputation?
• Stand Your Ground Laws—How much is too much when it comes to self-defense?
• Standardized Tests—Are they fair?
• Stem Cell Research—What is ethical?
• Teen Depression—Who is in danger?
• Teen Pregnancy—Is education effective enough?
• Teens and Self-Image—What is harmful?
• Terrorism—How do we fight it?
• Texting While Driving—Should it be illegal?
• Violence in Movies—Is it harmful?
• Violence in Music—Is this art?
• Violence in Schools—Are you safe? Where do we draw the line between freedom and safety?
• Violence in Video Games—What are the effects?
• Water Shortages—Who has rights to water?
• World Hunger—Is it our obligation to feed others?