19 Great Persuasive Speech Examples & Topics + How to Write One (2026)

It takes one persuasive speech to change your life.

Back when I was a striker in my soccer team, my dad said something that stuck with me. “If you don’t shoot, you don’t score.” 

Simple but powerful. It’s been a life philosophy of mine ever since, whether that’s in making connections or in running my business.

As a podcaster or speaker, you can achieve the same impact with your words. A casual listener can end up being changed by something you say in an episode.

So if you’re gearing up for your next speaking gig, this article will make sure you captivate audiences and leave them with quotable quotes.

I listed 19 persuasive speech examples you can take inspiration from and included templates you can use for your introduction, main ideas and conclusion.

What Is a Persuasive Speech?

A persuasive speech is a verbal presentation that aims to convince your audience to adopt a specific point of view or take action. 

Unlike a simple informative talk, it uses appeal, logic, and emotion to sway the listener. The goal is to create a connection with the audience so they trust your stance and remember your message long after you finish speaking.

What are persuasive speech examples?

Persuasive speech examples are blueprints showing how to structure a compelling argument from start to finish. 

For coaches, consultants, and authors using Talks, these examples show exactly how to pitch yourself as a guest or frame your expertise when the host hits record. 

They teach you to grab attention fast, hold it through the middle, and end with a call to action that benefits both you and the show. 

You can model these structures to persuade podcast hosts to book you, or to inspire listeners to follow your work after the episode ends.

19 Great Persuasive Speech Examples

The best way to learn persuasion is to see it in action. Below are 19 persuasive speech examples covering every format from quick one-minute intros to full keynote addresses. 

Each includes a hook, core argument, and closing technique you can adapt for your next media appearance or guest pitch.

Persuasive speech examples about life

1. Title: The Second Mountain

Use this example when you want to use a personal experience to point out a universal truth.

• Introduction: “I spent ten years climbing the wrong mountain, and when I arrived, the view from the top was empty.”
• Main idea: “True fulfillment comes from commitment to others, not personal achievement alone.”
• Conclusion: “Your true mountain is waiting. Start climbing today.”

Talks tip: Use this structure to share your founder journey when pitching podcasts about entrepreneurship, showing dedication to service over status.

2. Title: The Power of Small Moments

This demonstrates how you can use storytelling to spark reflection.

• Introduction: “A stranger held the door for me yesterday, and it changed my week.”
• Main idea: “Tiny acts of kindness create ripple effects that shape our lives more than grand gestures.”
• Conclusion: “Look for the small moment today. You might change someone’s life.”

Talks tip: Perfect for wellness shows where you need to illustrate how micro-habits create macro-results, building credibility through relatable anecdotes.

Persuasive speech examples in real life

3. Title: Why I Changed My Mind

This example draws from an intriguing premise that happened in the speaker’s life.

• Introduction: “I used to oppose everything I am about to tell you, and I was wrong.”
• Main idea: “Changing our minds is a sign of strength, not weakness, especially when new data emerges.”
• Conclusion: “Be brave enough to update your beliefs. It’s the ultimate form of integrity.”

Talks tip: Ideal for expert panels where you need to show intellectual humility while still maintaining authority on your topic.

4. Title: The Quiet Power of Introverts

Zoom in on your observation about something that happens in real life. Then use that to anchor the bigger conversation.

• Introduction: “The room was loud, but the best idea came from the person who said nothing for twenty minutes.”
• Main idea: “Introverts contribute unique value to teams and conversations that extroverts miss.”
• Conclusion: “Listen to the quiet voices. They often hold the answers.”

Talks tip: Use this framework when giving a persuasive speech to leadership podcasts about workplace culture, using the shock of counter-intuitive claims to hook college students and executives alike.

Persuasive speech examples mental health

These addresses prioritize compassion and compassionate language. They aim to inform while reducing stigma through trustworthy delivery.

5. Title: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Talk about sensitive topics with compassion to appeal to the listener’s emotions and gain trust.

• Introduction: “Last year, I couldn’t get out of bed for three days, and I thought I was broken.”
• Main idea: “It took me a while to realize that mental health struggles are part of the human experience, not personal failures requiring silence.”
• Conclusion: “Your pain is valid. Your story matters. Speak it.”

Talks tip: Adapt this for mental health podcasts by adding public health statistics to strengthen your main idea.

6. Title: The Myth of Hustle Culture

Present your thesis statement and present claims and evidence to back it up.

• Introduction: “We wear burnout like a badge of honor, but it’s actually killing our creativity.”
• Main idea: “Rest isn’t the opposite of productivity. It’s the foundation of sustainable success.”
• Conclusion: “Rest is a natural part of the process. Be intentional with taking care of yourself.”

Talks tip: Great for productivity shows where you need to address the frequently asked questions about work-life balance.

Persuasive speech examples for students

7. Title: Your Phone is a Tool, Not a Master

Use this to connect with younger audiences using logical arguments, so you don’t sound preachy.

• Introduction: “The average teenager checks their phone 96 times a day. I counted mine. It was one hundred and twelve.”
• Main idea: “Digital mindfulness is a skill that protects your attention span and mental clarity.”
• Conclusion: “Pick up your phone with purpose. Put it down with power.”

Talks tip: Use this when pitching educational podcasts or youth-focused shows, to show you understand the audience’s daily reality.

8. Title: Why Time Management Matters More Than Talent

This is designed for speeches directed to college students. It challenges a common belief and replaces it with a stronger argument.

• Introduction: “What if the biggest reason students struggle isn’t a lack of ability, but a lack of structure?”
• Main idea: “Time management creates consistency, which leads to better results than relying on talent alone.”
• Conclusion: “Build a weekly plan and treat your time like your most valuable resource.”

Talks tip: When used in podcast interviews, position this as a mindset shift that helps your audience stop relying on motivation and start building systems

Informative and persuasive speech examples

9. Title: The Truth About Microplastics

This informative speech example blends data with advocacy. It shows how to inform while pushing for change.

• Introduction: “You are eating a credit card’s worth of plastic every week. Here’s what that means for your body.”
• Main idea: “Microplastic pollution requires immediate industry regulation and personal behavior change to protect human health.”
• Conclusion: “Start with one plastic-free swap today. Your cells will thank you.”

Talks tip: Use this informative approach when guesting on environmental or health shows, layering data with personal stakes to convince your audience that the issue affects them directly.

Short persuasive speech examples

10. Title: Three Questions

Brevity forces clarity. This example packs a full persuasive speech outline into under 60 seconds.

• Introduction: “Ask yourself three things every morning.”
• Main idea: “Daily self-inquiry creates alignment between your actions and your values faster than any productivity app could.”
• Conclusion: “Questions first. Answers follow.”

Talks tip: Ideal for radio spots or podcast intro segments where you have just a minute to establish credibility and grab the audience’s attention before the main interview begins.

3 minute persuasive speech examples

11. Title: The 5 AM Club Myth

Elaborate this outline to reach three minutes, enough for a strong opening, a body with a clear main point, and a memorable close.

• Introduction: “You don’t need to wake up at 5 AM to be successful. What you really need is to wake up with intention.”
• Main idea: “Personal rhythm matters more than prescribed schedules for creative output.”
• Conclusion: “Find your own timing. Own it.”

Talks tip: Use this on business podcasts using the three-minute structure to show you respect the host’s time while delivering value. Explore longer speeches with this guide on five-minute speeches.

2 minute persuasive speech examples

12. Title: Busy vs. Productive

If you’re trying to persuade listeners in just two minutes, use contrasts to show your point quickly.

• Introduction: “Busy people talk about how little time they have. Productive people show results.”
• Main idea: “Activity without outcome is a form of procrastination that steals your impact.”
• Conclusion: “Measure output, not hours.”

Talks tip: Use this on podcast guesting opportunities where pre-recorded intros need to hook listeners before the full conversation starts.

1 minute persuasive speech examples

13. Title: One Sentence

Sixty seconds is the ultimate test of persuasion. This example proves how short and simple can still move hearts.

• Introduction: “Write one sentence that describes the life you want.”
• Main idea: “Having a clear vision matters if you want to achieve something meaningful or if you want to change your life.”
• Conclusion: “Read your one sentence daily. Live by it.”

Talks tip: Perfect for public speaking opportunity elevator pitches where you must convince event organizers to book you.

Persuasive speech examples situation

These are practical application scenarios. They show how to address specific moments like pitches and fundraising asks.

14. Example: Podcast Guest Pitch

Use this format to get booked on podcasts that match your expertise.

• Introduction: “Your listeners keep asking about passive income. I’ve helped 400 people build it this year.”
• Main idea: “My expertise fills a gap in your back catalog while serving your current audience and introducing new possibilities.”
• Conclusion: “Let me give your audience the roadmap they’re asking for.”

Talks tip: Use this direct approach when pitching to become a podcast guest. You can also use this as your speaker bio on your Talks profile to find good matches.

15. Example: Call for Donations

Persuasive speeches are also delivered for a good cause. 

• Introduction: “$20 feeds a family for three days. Here’s exactly how.”
• Main idea: “Small donation amounts create measurable impact when directed efficiently, making every donor a partner in change.”
• Conclusion: “Choose to donate and make a difference today.”

Talks tip: Adapt this for nonprofit podcasts or fundraising episodes where you hope to convince listeners to contribute to the advocacy.

Persuasive speech examples advertising

16. Title: The Last Notebook You Will Ever Need

Marketing is persuasion with a price tag. This example shows how to sell confidently.

• Introduction: “I burned through 17 planners in three years. Then I designed one that actually worked.”
• Main idea: “This notebook’s flexible format adapts to how real people think, not how productivity gurus pretend we work.”
• Conclusion: “Try it for thirty days. Return it if it hasn’t brought you clarity.”

Talks tip: Use this framework when promoting your products and services at the end of the podcast episode.

Persuasive speech examples PDF

Want to read full persuasive speech examples? These PDF documents give you complete speeches and guides you can take inspiration from.

1. Famous Persuasive Speeches: This worksheet highlights some of the best-known persuasive speeches from historical figures like Winston Churchill and Elizabeth I. 
2. Persuasive Speech (St. Gabriel’s): This features full-length speeches by college students about different topics like climate change, history, social issues, and politics.
3. Persuasive Speeches (Fountain Head Press): This dives into the components of a persuasive speech and different strategies you can explore to connect to your audience.

Persuasive Speech Best Topics

Selecting the right topic determines whether your persuasive speech lands or flops. It engages listeners even before you say a word.

The best topics sit at the intersection of your expertise, what the audience needs, and the current popular conversation. Let’s look at some examples you can adopt today.

Ideas for persuasive speech topics

Starting a podcast? Find your next speech idea with the topics already close to you.

1. Personal pain: Turn your biggest struggle into a speech about the solution you built.
2. Audience questions: Use comments from your last three talks to identify what people actually want to know.
3. Trend reversal: Take a trending topic and argue the opposite position with solid research.

Persuasive speech examples topics

A clear, relevant topic makes your argument easier to build and helps you convince your audience faster. Here are example speech topics across different niches:

1. Why remote work increases productivity and well-being
2. Why practical skills matter more than degrees
3. Why everyone should learn public speaking
4. Why starting early in entrepreneurship matters

To turn any of these into a good persuasive speech, start by choosing one topic that aligns with your experience.

How to Write a Persuasive Speech

Writing your speech takes effort. You need to understand your audience’s perspective, anticipate counterarguments, and build a logical bridge they’d want to cross.

Follow these practical tips to draft a strong introduction, body, and conclusion for your persuasive speeches.

How to start a persuasive speech examples

Your introduction determines whether the listener leans in or checks out. Try these openers:

1. Confession: Admit a past mistake that led to your current expertise.
2. Contrast: Start with what they expect, then pivot to what’s true.
3. Question: Ask something that makes them pause and reflect before you answer.

How to write a good persuasive speech

Writing a good persuasive speech isn’t about sounding smart. It’s about being clear, relatable, and convincing enough that your listener actually takes action.

1. Choose topic: Start with something you genuinely care about (e.g., your framework, advocacy, industry experience).
2. Know audience: Ask yourself what they care about, what they fear, and what they want to change.
3. Use storytelling: Facts alone rarely move people, but storytelling builds a connection with the audience.
4. Keep it simple: Avoid trying to say too much in one speech.
5. Guide your flow: Smooth transition lines help your ideas connect naturally.

Persuasive speech conclusion examples

Ending strong is non-negotiable. Here’s how to close with power:

1. Circular close: Return to your opening story and reveal the ending you withheld.
2. Challenge close: Give the audience a specific task to complete within 24 hours.
3. Vision close: Paint a picture of the world after they adopt your framework.

Persuasive speech examples outline

A solid persuasive speech outline keeps you on track. Here’s one for a good persuasive speech about getting booked on podcasts:

Introduction: 

Start with a bold statement, a question, or a quick story that sparks curiosity and grabs the audience’s attention.

Example: “Most experts don’t struggle with knowledge. They struggle with being seen.”

Thesis: 

State clearly what you want the audience to believe by the end.

Example: “Visibility is not luck. It’s a repeatable system anyone can build.”

Main point 1:

Explain the common struggle your audience faces and why it matters. 

Example: “It’s been weeks since you launched your online business. But with no traffic, it’s not really making a dent in your bottom line.”

Transition: 

Shift smoothly into your solution. Use a simple line to guide the flow of your entire speech.

Example: “So if visibility isn’t random, what actually works?”

Main point 2: 

Break down your method into two to three clear steps. Use evidence to support each step so it feels practical and trustworthy.

Example: “Start with podcasting. Reach loyal and engaged audiences as an expert guest.”

Counter arguments: 

Acknowledge what people oppose or question.

Example: “You might think you need a big following first, but that’s not true. You can become a guest as long as you find the right opportunity.”

Main point 3: 

Show how your idea works in practice with a quick case study or example.

Example: “Brian booked 12 guest spots in a month. He didn’t have any before he tried Talks.”

Conclusion: 

Restate your thesis and key takeaway simply.

Example: “Visibility is built through consistent action, not luck.”

Call to action: 

Tell them what to do next. Make it clear, specific, and easy to follow.

Example: “If you want to test out this idea for yourself, create a profile on Talks and grow your reach.”

Explore this guide on podcast script templates for more specific examples.

Is Persuasive Speech Formal?

No, not necessarily. You can adapt your persuasive speech based on the situation. Match your tone with the setting, while maintaining authority for the audience to trust you. 

A boardroom address uses different language than a podcast guesting, but both require the same core elements: a clear thesis, emotional appeal, and strong call to action. 

Just remember, whether it’s just a casual chat or a keynote speech, success is always measured with this question: Did you make a difference in the way listeners act or think?

Take Action Today

Persuasive speech examples show you what it takes to be a great speaker. Put them to the test in your podcast episodes or during guest speaking appearances. 

Create your free Talks profile today and secure your next speaking gig. Whether that’s as an expert guest or as a host for a podcast interview, this modern platform makes sure you make relevant connections fast.

No need to pitch and you won’t find yourself doomscrolling through endless emails. 

Get access to a quick setup to get your Talks Creator profile up and running and match with other pros in as fast as 5 minutes.

Mila got results agencies couldn’t give her. Matt’s already booked with several big shows.

Register for Talks for free today and book your next speaking opportunity now!