Current Event Persuasive Topics for Late 2008
U.S. Public Speaking and Essay Ideas for November and December
Nov 14, 2008
For students looking for a persuasive topic for their public speaking classes or for a persuasive essay assignment for the Fall 2008 courses, a quick glance at the newspaper or at cable news may be all the inspiration that's necessary. After a dramatic presidential election that saw the election of the first African American president, as well as the world financial crisis since the Great Depression, the number of relevant, timely current events topics are endless.
Moreover, this is a time in history where many Americans remain powerfully divided on many issues, including the war in Iraq, gay marriage, abortion, health care, and the role that the government should play in financial bailouts. This means that there's plenty of controversy to go around -– which is exactly what a student needs when looking for a persuasive topic.
Here are some of the many topics students might choose for a persuasive speech or essay to complete their Fall 2008 assignments.
Election Topics
When it comes to the 2008 presidential election, first there's the question of the candidates themselves – Barack Obama and John McCain – and whether the decision America made was the right one. Then there's the question of Sarah Palin, McCain's highly controversial vice presidential pick. And don't forget other controversial elections, such as Alaska's senatorial election, featuring convicted felon Ted Stevens. Here's a few presidential topics to choose:
- Was Barack Obama the best choice for president?
- Does Barack Obama have enough experience to be president?
- Which of the candidates' foreign policy plans was better?
- Which of the two candidates' health care plans was better?
- Which candidate did a better job in the debates?
- Should Obama have chosen Hillary Clinton as his running mate?
- Did race help or hurt President-Elect Obama in this election?
- Was Sarah Palin a smart pick for John McCain?
- Was Sarah Palin qualified to be vice president?
- Was Sarah Palin treated unfairly be the media because she was a woman?
- Should Ted Stevens be on the ballot after he was convicted of being a felon?
- Should the electoral college be abolished?
- Was the news coverage of the election biased?
Other Political Topics
The presidential election may be the big news, but there are plenty of other current event topics to write about as well. In addition, don't forget to look for international topics that affect the rest of the world, in relation to the United States or not. Here are some of the many choices.
- Should the government have agreed to the $700 billion bailout?
- Should the government bail out failing auto companies?
- Was it right for several states, including California, to ban gay marriage?
- Should the U.S. withdraw its troops from Iraq?
- Should the U.S. increase its military presence in Afghanistan?
- How should the U.S. respond to Iran?
- How should the U.S. respond to Russian aggression?
- Should No Child Left Behind be replaced?
- How should the world react to the crisis in the Congo?
Christmas and Holiday Related Topics
Of course, the presidential election isn't the only thing that's on people's minds at the end of the year! While the holiday season is full of merriment, there are some controversial topics surrounding this time of year that can make some excellent speech and paper topics. Here are a few choices.
- Has Christmas become too commercialized?
- Is it wrong for stores to start selling holiday merchandise as early as August?
- Is there a War on Christmas in the United States?
- Should public college campuses be free of Christmas and other holiday decorations?
- Should public elementary and secondary schools be free of Christmas and other holiday decorations and activities?
- Should manger scenes, and other religious Christmas and holiday decorations, be allowed in public places?
- Should secular Christmas and holiday decorations be allowed in holiday places?
Current Events Make Great Topics
Teachers have heard more than their share of overused, tired persuasive topics, so current event topics can be a great alternative. Moreover, researching most of these topics should be easy, and if anything, there will be too much information to sort. Give one of these topics a try, and you may be surprised at what a great choice you made.
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