Domestic violence, child abuse, or abuse of political power are good topics for a persuasive speech. A searching out of facts to support the idea, helps to make the subject credible. For example, statistics bear out the fact that professionals are required to report child abuse; however, only 17.1 of teachers in Virginia report alleged child abuse. The use of facts, statistics and personal experiences, establish the speaker as credible and believable.
Be passionate about the topic chosen to persuade. Topics which breed passion in people are often political. Topics such as the availability of health care, the alleged war on drugs, or prayer in schools. Most people have a strong opinion about how individuals are affected politically. For example, Martin Luther King Jr's. emotional "I Have A Dream" speech eloquently presented King's vision of a future where people of all races recognized one another as human beings first.
The subject of outsourcing has been an economic problem in this country for years. While outsourcing may be good for a corporation, there are economic consequences when labor is minimized. A persuasive topic often involves some controversy. Topics could include the true cost of environmentally friendly energy, abortion, education, gun control, or public mental health.
Many states are experiencing tremendous budget shortfalls. In response, some states are releasing prisoners early or drastically reducing budgets for education. State policy usually has a more direct impact on people far sooner than federal changes.