For your persuasive essay, consider issues or topics that matter to you and make a list. (Hint: Choose an issue that sparks differing opinions in people.) Persuasion always deals with opposing viewpoints rather than issues agreed upon by most people. You’re not going to get very far with a persuasive topic about the dangers of texting while driving, for example, because almost everyone agrees that texting while driving is dangerous. Let’s look at some ideas and questions to get you started.

Ideas for a persuasive essay

• Fast food and obesity
• Media coverage during war
• School uniforms in public schools
• Healthcare access in poor communities
• Bullying prevention as part of the school curriculum
  
• Restrictions on teen drivers' licenses
  

Initial questions to ask

• Which issue do I care about the most?
• What reasons can I think of to support my position?
• What are some opposing opinions that other people might have?

Points to consider

• Availability of relevant information
• Appropriateness of the subject
• Appropriateness of scope (too broad or too narrow)
• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, the audience

More suggestions to help you choose a topic include

• listing recent reading selections that remind you of freedoms you cherish or situations you’d like to change;
• checking newspapers and television news programs for issues and ideas that affect your world; or
  
• jotting down one or two topics that stir strong feelings in you.

As you choose a topic, think about what you believe. How can you express your opinion most clearly? Note: If you need to review the process of generating ideas, go to the lesson titled “Generating Ideas.”

For this lesson, we’re going to use the topic “War Correspondents and Media Coverage during War” as an example so that you can see how to write a thesis and develop support for a persuasive essay.