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Fun persuasive speech topics: 205 light-hearted ideas

By: Susan Dugdale 

What's on this page:

• 20 bizarre and amusing book titles to use as topics
• How to use these book titles (and any of the other topics) as the basis of a speech
• 16 funny persuasive speech topics: a pick 'n mix selection
• Another collection of 15 great funny persuasive topics
• 30 more fun persuasive topic ideas
• And another 25 funny, interesting persuasive speech topics!
• 25 potentially absurdly funny persuasive topics
• 26 ridiculously daft and funny persuasive topics
• Fun persuasive topics: 26 seriously silly ideas
• 23 more amusing persuasive speech topics
• More persuasive speech resources: topic suggestions, notes on how to write a persuasive speech, an example persuasive speech outline using Monroes Motivated Sequence, plus a free printable speech outline for your own use.
• For more about humor - how to use it well in speeches
  
  

Weirdly amusing and bizarre book titles! 

What were those authors thinking? And who were they expecting to read their work?

Is there actually an audience for these books?

Come on, convince me that I should read them

Use these book titles as a starting point and let your mind run free. 

Persuade us that we need what is contained within the covers of any one of these 20 extraordinary books.*

*These are titles of real books -  not a figment of my over active imagination. Check this link to Abebooks.com and all will be revealed. It's worth a visit just see the covers. Some of them are truly, glorious retro masterpieces.

How to use these titles as the basis of a speech

You do not need to actually read the books. (I don't think they'll be on a college student's reading list any time soon. ☺)

Instead choose a title, or any of the other 185 topics on this page: one you think has the potential to make an amusing and good persuasive topic. Then, let it work its magic in your mind.

Use your imagination (brainstorm*) to come up with your own ideas.

When you have three or four strong points that you intend to use in the body of your speech, flesh them out with compelling details: important fun things everyone absolutely needs to know about.

*brainstorm - an excellent and efficient method of rapidly generating ideas on a particular subject or theme.

If you haven't used the brainstorming technique before, you can find out more and see examples of it in action by clicking the link: what is a brainstorm?

How Tea Cosies Changed the World

As an example, here's the beginning of a fun persuasive speech using the book title - How Tea Cosies Changed the World.

Compelling "alternative facts" I've invented to establish the humble tea cosy as a world changer, an important influencer, are:

• The once vast and highly influential British Empire was built on tea. Every important event or meeting had the taking of tea as its center-point.
  
  Expanding the colony? Let's chat over a nice cup tea about it. Those meetings could be very long, and tea needs to be drunk hot. Therefore, to minimize the distraction and distress caused by tepid or worse, cold tea, a tea-cosy was placed over the teapot to keep the tea inside it warm. Thus, allowing history to be made. (Examples needed to illustrate.)
  
  
• The tea-cosy as an ambassador - A cosy was often given as a gift to important dignitaries on visits to other countries - becomes a tangible reminder of the Empire and its power. (Examples needed.)
  
  
• The tea cosy as a symbol of domestic, national and international harmony - bringing people together, uniting them - fostering civilized conversations in often difficult situations...

Obviously, it needs much more development. However, I'm sure you get the idea. It's absurd, ridiculous and lots of fun!

Who'd have thought a hand knitted tea-cosy could achieve so much! They need to be preserved and protected. They're an endangered artifact...

Is it a true story? No. Does that matter? No.

What does, is that you construct and deliver a good speech: one demonstrating you understand how to persuade effectively and is entertaining for the audience. That's the most important thing.

16 funny persuasive speech topics

Another 15 great funny persuasive topics 

 OMG! 30 more fun persuasive topic ideas -:)

And another 25 funny, interesting persuasive speech topics!

25 potentially absurdly funny persuasive topics

Come on. Do your wicked best to convince us that:

1. wearing mismatched socks is a bold statement of individuality.
2. being geekily passionate about obscure niche interests is cool.
3. everyone should develop a hilarious alter ego to unleash their inner silliness.
4. humor and laughter improve our sense of wellbeing.
5. small random amusing acts of kindness make a big difference.
6. certain types of music can make us happier.
7. comedians can raise awareness about important topics while making people laugh.
8. day dreaming is good for you - letting your mind wander can enhance creativity and productivity.
9. there are cognitive, cultural, and career advantages to speaking fluent emoji.
10. the superpowers of committed couch potatoes need celebrating.
11. adults need to rediscover the joy of puddle jumping.
12. grocery shopping is actually an Olympic Sport: 10 strategies for winning gold.
13. emoticons are a universal language and deserve more respect.
14. collecting 'useful' souvenirs (spoons, coasters...) from every trip you go on is a meaningful activity.
15. cats are far superior to dogs as pets.
16. sometimes the best way to achieve success is to do nothing.
17. acknowledging and embracing awkward personal moments can lead to more genuine and meaningful interactions.
18. there really is a Sock Monster who steals them from the laundry one at a time.
19. taking life seriously is seriously overrated and causes major problems. 
20. dad jokes are an essential part of life and should be welcomed and celebrated.
21. air guitar is a legitimate highly skilled art form deserving respect.
22. eating chocolate has extraordinary health benefits as proven by extensive scientific research.
23. laziness can lead to innovative solutions and advancements in technology. 
24. watching silly cat videos on the internet is therapeutic.
25. power naps should be officially integrated into daily schedules in all workplaces and educational institutions. 

26 ridiculously daft and funny persuasive topics

Keep a straight face and give your audience a taste of deadpan humor, while skillfully persuading them that:

1. pretending to understand modern art is in itself an art form.
2. winning an argument even when you're wrong is a useful survival skill. 
3. talking to your belongings as if they can hear, understand and respond is a good, safe way to unburden yourself and keep your sanity.
4. there are benefits to having a disorganized, messy work desk. 
5. from a cat's point of view, they are superior to humans. 
6. research shows laughter yoga in traffic jams prevents rage.
7. mastery of the remote control is an affirmation of power.
8. pretending to listen to someone while daydreaming is an essential survival skill.
   
9. becoming a hoarder is proof of thinking ahead.
10. these 5 best dance moves for weddings will impress and have you talked about for a long time.
11. your thumbs deserve to be celebrated for all the dexterous texting they do. 
12. the selfie-taking generation is in existential crisis. They do not know who they are, or if they exist, unless they frequently see images of themselves.
13. mental and emotional health is improved by talking to plants.
14. you can stay fit without having to work out in the gym: a definitive guide.
15. food dropped on the floor is fine to eat if picked up within 5 seconds.
16. having confessional conversations with your pet will keep you sane.
17. affirmations on refrigerator magnets can be life changing.
18. the checkout line at the supermarket will double in length the moment you join it.
19. the increase in 'accidental' pocket dialing is actually a sophisticated communication strategy.
20. there is untapped potential in parallel universe tourism.
21. having a terrible sense of direction can have unexpected benefits.
22. popping bubble wrap is curiously satisfying and addictive.
23. winning arguments with toddlers is possible: the ultimate guide for caregivers.
24. the future of communication depends on mastering the use of GIFs.
25. selective hearing is an essential skill for the survival and longevity of relationships.
26. finding inner peace through the checkout process is possible: The Zen of online shopping therapy - a complete guide.

Fun persuasive topics: 26 seriously silly ideas

Your audience's lives will be vastly improved through understanding that:

1. waiting for a webpage to load is an opportunity to change their lives: 5 life-enhancing things to think about and do.
2. adding perfectly timed and utterly useless facts to conversations is an art worth pursuing.
3. they need to know how to safely navigate the uncharted waters of self-photography: selfie etiquette for newbies. 
4. there is a deep emotional connection between humans and their Wi-Fi routers.
   
5. faking enthusiasm convincingly regardless of the occasion is a useful skill: the ultimate guide. 
6. unicorns are far superior to regular horses.
   
7. everyone should have their own personal pet rock.
8. communicating with emojis is a basic requirement for modern living.
9. they can survive a zombie apocalypse using bubble wrap.
10. replacing chairs with hammocks lessens stress and  promotes relaxation.
11. speaking gobbledygook jargon makes a person sound intelligent.
12. becoming a professional cereal box collector is a worthy career move.
13. the secret lives of garden gnomes have a positive impact on society.
14. learning to dance like a robot will attract the perfect life partner.
15. being a bubble blower spreads joy and happiness.
16. training your goldfish to perform tricks requires perseverance and patience.
17. establishing a national rubber duck appreciation day is important.
18. replacing all cars in cities with unicycles will solve their congestion and pollution problems.
19. wearing your clothes backward is the latest fashion trend.
20. training to become a competitive pillow fighting champion is possible with your guidance.
21. belly laughing at least 20 times a day has therapeutic benefits.
22. teaching penguins to fly is necessary for their preservation.
23. the world needs more superhero sloths in order to be saved.
24. conducting business meetings on trampolines promotes efficiency and creativity: Bouncing Around Big Business Ideas - A guide for entrepreneurial leaders.
25. using glitter as a source renewable energy has significant positive environmental impacts.
26. replacing handshakes with high-fives would speed up finding resolutions for the world's trouble spots.

23 more amusing persuasive speech topics

Take it to your audience. Lay it on the line. Leave no room for doubt. Persuade them that:

1. developing perseverance and commitment through binge-watching TV shows is commendable. 
2. a little bit of chaos can be surprisingly freeing.
3. starting with dessert is a rational approach to dining.
4. taking silly selfies boosts self-confidence.
5. having a messy clothes closet is a sign of creativity and a busy, active life.
   
6. singing loudly off-key relieves stress. 
7. dancing badly demonstrates supreme self-confidence.
8. wearing the wildest and most colorful socks on Silly Sock Day is important because it brings everyone in a workplace together.
9. loudly sharing your private phone conversations in public places is liberating.
10. laughing at your own mistakes is a key to happiness and success. 
11. embracing your inner child leads to a more joyful and fulfilling life. 
12. pineapple on pizza is not only acceptable but tasty.
13. invisible friends make the best life coaches. 
14. speaking in rhyming couplets guarantees you'll get everyone's attention. 
15. having a dedicated dance move for every life situation is important if you're not that nimble with words. 
16. wining arguments using mime instead of words. 
17. an emoji sticker-based currency system has good economic potential. 
18. wearing pajamas to work/school has significant benefits. 
19. all national anthems should be replaced with catchy jingles. 
20. egg rolling should be classed as an Olympic sport.
    
21. using rubber chickens as stress-relief tools has advantages.
    
22. listening to baby animal lullabies as an adult is therapeutic. 
23. the vehicle you drive reflects your personality.

More persuasive speech resources

Another 827 persuasive topics!☺

1. 100 persuasive speech ideas
2. 50 good persuasive speech topics
3. 309 'easy' persuasive speech topics
4. 310 best persuasive speech topics for college 
5. 108 feminist persuasive speech topics
   

How to write a persuasive speech

Get a 7 step checklist covering all aspects of crafting a good persuasive speech that will take you from topic selection to choosing the best structural pattern to suit your purpose.
Go to: writing a persuasive speech.

Persuasive speech outline with FREE printable

I've also put together an overview of the classic 5 step pattern of persuasion called Monroe's Motivated Sequence. It comes with a free printable, blank ready-for-you-to-complete persuasive speech outline template.  I hope you find it useful!

How to use humor well in speeches

I'm sure you know that cliche: 'One person's funny is another person's not.'

To use humor well, to have people laughing with you, and not at you, which is a painful experience, you need to know what you're doing.

Here's a good place to start if you want more information: Great funny speeches - how to get the laughter you want.