Persuasive Writing Topics
In persuasive writing you are generally attempting to convince (persuade) readers to agree with your point of view but may be asked or choose to write a discussion, in which you present the opinions held by both (or all) sides of an argument. Students are typically presented with questions or statements when it comes to persuasive writing tasks, although persuasive writing always involves answering some sort of question. If presented with the statement All children should play sport for example, the writer must address the question of why (or why not) children should play sport.
Below is a list of topics presented as either questions and/or statements. If you are writing in response to a question, you will need to think about what your response is. Do you feel strongly about only one side of the argument or issue or can you see both sides? If you are responding to a statement, you need to decide whether you agree or disagree with the statement or whether you can see both sides of the argument. If you wish to argue in favour or against one side of the argument, you will need to write an exposition. If you can see both sides then you need to write a discussion.
Plan
Before you start writing you need to prepare a brief plan for what you want to write about. You can't write your introduction or conclusion until you know the arguments you wish to make, so start by planning those. If you are in year 3 or 5 you are expected to present three arguments.
Below is a list of topics presented as either questions and/or statements. If you are writing in response to a question, you will need to think about what your response is. Do you feel strongly about only one side of the argument or issue or can you see both sides? If you are responding to a statement, you need to decide whether you agree or disagree with the statement or whether you can see both sides of the argument. If you wish to argue in favour or against one side of the argument, you will need to write an exposition. If you can see both sides then you need to write a discussion.
Plan
Before you start writing you need to prepare a brief plan for what you want to write about. You can't write your introduction or conclusion until you know the arguments you wish to make, so start by planning those. If you are in year 3 or 5 you are expected to present three arguments.
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Questions
1. What is the best book you have ever read? 2. Who do you think deserves an award for helping others? 3. Are we doing enough to look after the environment? 4. What should we do if we fail at something? 5. Which offers a better lifestyle, the city or the country? 6. Should students have to wear a school uniform? 7. Are schools doing enough to stop bullying? 8. Is a No Hat No Play rule fair? 9. Are school hours too long? 10. Should teachers be allowed to set homework? 11. Should school canteens only serve healthy food? 12. Should junk food be banned from lunch boxes? 13. Should all schools have air-conditioning? 14. Should children exercise daily? 15. Should all children be made to play a sport? 16. Should all children learn a musical instrument? 17. What is the most important thing in life? 18. Should children be allowed to stay up late? 19. Is it better to read books or watch television? 20. Is watching a screen more educational than reading a book? 21. Should children be limited to one hour of screen time daily? 22. Is playing electronic games a waste of time? 23. Are cats better than dogs? 24. Should animals be kept in cages? 25. Is taking public transport better than driving a car? 26. Is Australia a good holiday destination? 27. Is there too much pressure on children these days? 28. What are the best ways for children to relieve stress? 29. Should pets be microchipped? 30. Should students be allowed do use their mobile phones at school? 31. What are the benefits for children of sleepovers? 32. Should most learning take place on a computer? 33. Is honesty the best policy? 34. What makes a true friend? 35. Have children lost their imaginations? 36. Do families spend enough time together? |
Statements - Do you agree or disagree?
1. Children don't have enough time to play. 2. Children spend too much time looking at screens. 3. We spend too much money on unimportant things. 4. All students should wear a school uniform. 5. We are too dependent on technology. 6. Schools are not doing enough to stop bullying. 7. Schools should not have a No Hat No Play rule. 8. School hours are too long. 9. Teachers should not be allowed to decide what students should do in their time at home, such as setting homework. 10. School canteens should only serve healthy food. 11. Junk food should be banned from lunch boxes. 12. All schools should have air-conditioning. 13. Children should exercise daily. 14. All children should be made to play a sport. 15. All children should learn a musical instrument. 16. If you fail at something you should give up. 17. Children should be allowed to stay up late. 18. Reading books is better than watching television. 19. Children should be limited to one hour of screen time daily. 20. Playing electronic games is a waste of time. 21. Cats are better than dogs. 22. Animals should never be kept in cages. 23. Taking public transport is better than driving a car. 24. Australia is a good holiday destination. 25. Riding a bike is better than driving a car. 26. Too much is expected of children these days. 27. Watching screens is the best way for children to relieve stress. 28. Mobile phones are an important part of a child's education. 29. Children learn best on computers. 30. Honesty is the best policy, always. 31. Children have lost their imaginations. 32. Families do not spend enough time together. 33. It is better to be the oldest rather than the youngest. 34. Children must be resilient. 35. The summer holidays are too long. 36. The best superpower would be ____________. |