Persuasive essays
1. Do we need prisons?
2. Should the death penalty be mandatory for all murderers, or just for those who manage to kill
people even when staying in a prison?
3. Do we have the right to exhume bodies of prominent people and move them from one place to
another?
4. Better naked, than in furs?
5. Should men be allowed to have more than one wife?
6. Plastic surgeries: a way to become more beautiful, or someone’s unhealthy idea?
7. In some Asian countries cutting off thief’s right hand is still commonly practiced. Do you think
this is the best way out?
8. Talk about major issues (sex, abortion, marijuana, etc.).
9. Say why talking about main issues (sex, abortion, marijuana, etc.) all the time not only lessens
their importance, but even evokes irritation.
10. Why atheists have to be tolerant to religion, while religious people are not tolerant to atheists?
11. Was the “sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll” era significant, or not?
12. Vegetarians vs. Meateaters. Whose side are you on? No fence-sitting, please.
13. Why talking about sex is okay, and talking about cheating is embarrassing?
14. Do you want to have a cosmetic surgery?
15. Is it important to talk openly about the contraception?
16. Which country has the prettiest girls?
17. Prove that blondes are actually smart.
18. What do you think about gay marriages?
19. Is it helpful being skeptical?
20. When you moved to this town, it was relatively small. Now that it’s expanding, your parents
consider moving to a calmer place. You, however, have friends here that you don’t want to live.
Talk to your parents about the necessity of staying.
21. A friend of yours, a skinny girl, thinks that she needs to lose a few pounds. Tell her why losing
more weight will only damage her health.
22. As a result of political instabilities, a local political organization reacts severely to the acts of the
government. It plans to throw an act of protest. You know that this party is dangerous. Your
friend, however, is inspired and wants to join. Tell him about possible consequences of getting
into something that is not trustworthy.
23. Your Mom is not happy with an outfit/make up that you are wearing for a school dance. Try to
calm her down.
24. You think that school uniform destroys you as an individual. Write a persuasive letter to your
principal.
25. You are tired of news on TV. They all tell you about the number of victims in Middle East. Tell
why it is unethical for journalists to make money on deaths and war.
26. Cheating and lying can sometimes be helpful. Convince your readers by giving bright examples.
27. Think and prove that living in a big city is better than living in a small town (and vice versa).
28. Convince your parents to buy you something.
29. You have your own point of view on marriage and family. Convince your readers why it is
correct.
30. You want to go and study abroad, but there are a number of reasons why you should take
someone with you. Persuade a friend of yours that Italy is just the right place for both of you.
31. The book you’ve just finished is absolutely fantastic. Explain to your family member/friend why
it is so good. Try to persuade him/her to read it, too.
32. A history teacher thinks that showing the movie Pearl Harbor will be just enough to cover the
material on the World War II. Prove that you are eager to know more than this, and how the
lack of important information can result on your future.