Persuasive Writing

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Persuasive Writing Topics

The criteria for choosing a good topic is:
 

Relevance to Student Experience

The best topics directly connect to students’ daily lives and experiences, like school lunch breaks, homework policies, or phone use in class. This personal connection helps students form authentic arguments because they can draw from firsthand knowledge.
 

Clear Two-Sided Arguments

Strong topics have valid arguments on both sides. For example, “Should Students Get Paid for Good Grades?” has reasonable pros (motivation, reward for effort) and cons (creating wrong incentives, fairness issues). This allows students to explore counterarguments and strengthen their reasoning.
 

Age-Appropriate Complexity

The topics are complex enough to sustain detailed discussion but not so complex that they overwhelm middle school students. For instance, “Should School Start Later?” involves manageable factors like sleep science, transportation logistics, and family schedules.
 

Concrete Rather Than Abstract

Good topics deal with tangible issues rather than abstract concepts. “Should Schools Ban Junk Food?” is more accessible than a topic like “Should Schools Reform Educational Policy?” because students can readily understand the components involved.
 

Emotional Investment Potential

Topics that students can feel passionate about, like pet ownership or creative arts programs, tend to produce better writing because students are naturally motivated to express their views.
 

Limited Scope

The best topics are focused enough to be covered thoroughly in a school essay. “Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in Class?” is more manageable than “How Should Schools Use Technology?”
 

Research Accessibility

Topics should have readily available information that students can research to support their arguments. Issues like school uniforms or year-round schooling have plenty of existing studies and examples students can cite.
 

Current Relevance

Many topics touch on current issues that matter to today’s students, like social media use or environmental concerns (recycling programs), making them feel more meaningful to write about.
 
Here’s a list of >50 topics that fit this criteria:
  • Why Every Middle School Should Have a Longer Lunch Break
  • Should Students Be Allowed to Use Phones in Class?
  • The Importance of Having a Dress Code at School
  • Are Year-Round Schools Better for Students?
  • The Benefits of Starting School Later in the Morning
  • Should Homework Be Banned for Middle Schoolers?
  • Why All Students Should Learn a Second Language
  • The Case for More Outdoor Classes in Our Schools
  • Should School Uniforms Be Optional?
  • Why Schools Should Offer More Creative Arts Programs
  • Why Every Student Should Have a Pet: A Case for Furry Friends
  • Should School Days Start Later? The Benefits of Extra Sleep
  • Video Games: Are They Good or Bad for Students?
  • The Importance of Learning a Second Language in Today’s World
  • Junk Food vs. Healthy Snacks: What Should Be In Our School Cafeterias?
  • Should Kids Get Paid for Good Grades? Exploring the Idea
  • Are School Uniforms Helpful or Harmful? Let’s Discuss
  • Why Recycling Should Be a Must in Every School
  • The Role of Social Media: How It Affects Friendships and Learning
  • Should Everyone Learn How to Cook? The Life Skills Argument
  • Why School Uniforms Should Be Mandatory
  • Should Students Get Paid for Good Grades?
  • The Importance of a Homework-Free Weekend
  • Should Junk Food Be Banned in Schools?
  • Why Every Student Needs a Pet
  • The Case for Longer Lunch Breaks
  • Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in Class?
  • Why Learning a Second Language is Essential
  • The Benefits of Year-Round Schooling
  • Should Schools Offer More Arts Programs?
  • Why Kids Should Have Longer Lunch Breaks
  • Should Homework Be Banned in Middle School?
  • The Benefits of Year-Round Schooling
  • Is School Uniform a Good Idea or Not?
  • Why Video Games Are Important for Learning
  • Should Schools Teach Money Management?
  • The Case for More Field Trips
  • Why Everyone Should Learn a Second Language
  • Should Students Get Paid for Good Grades?
  • The Importance of Healthy Snacks in School
  • Why Every Kid Should Have a Pet: The Benefits of Responsibility
  • Should Schools Ban Junk Food? A Look at Health and Choices
  • Video Games: Are They Good or Bad for Kids?
  • Should Kids Get Paid for Good Grades? Exploring Motivation
  • Why Recycling Should Be Mandatory: Making a Difference
  • Should Schools Start Later in the Day? The Case for Sleep
  • The Importance of Learning a Second Language: Why It Matters
  • Should Social Media Be Limited for Teens? The Pros and Cons
  • Why Homework Should Be Reduced: Finding Balance in Life
  • The Benefits of Playing Sports: Health
  • Why Should Students Have Longer Lunch Breaks?
  • Should Homework Be Banned in Middle School?
  • Is Year-Round Schooling a Better Option?
  • Why Swimming Should Be a Required Class.
  • Should Students Be Allowed to Use Phones in Class?
  • Why School Uniforms Should Be Optional.
  • Should Schools Offer More Creative Arts Classes?
  • Why Recycling Programs Matter in Schools.
  • Should Students Have a Say in School Rules?
  • Why Every Student Should Read the Same Book.

PS To learn how to structure and write a persuasive speech check out my pack on TPT