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The Healing Power of Music

Music therapy is increasingly used to help patients cope with stress and promote healing.

By Richard Schiffman

“Focus on the sound of the instrument,” Andrew Rossetti, a licensed music therapist and researcher said as he strummed hypnotic chords on a Spanish-style classical guitar. “Close your eyes. Think of a place where you feel safe and comfortable.”

Music therapy was the last thing that Julia Justo, a graphic artist who immigrated to New York from Argentina, expected when she went to Mount Sinai Beth Israel Union Square Clinic for treatment for cancer in 2016. But it quickly calmed her fears about the radiation therapy she needed to go through, which was causing her severe anxiety.

“I felt the difference right away, I was much more relaxed,” she said.

Ms. Justo, who has been free of cancer for over four years, continued to visit the hospital every week before the onset of the pandemic to work with Mr. Rossetti, whose gentle guitar riffs and visualization exercises helped her deal with ongoing challenges, like getting a good night’s sleep. Nowadays they keep in touch mostly by email.

The healing power of music — lauded by philosophers from Aristotle and Pythagoras to Pete Seeger — is now being validated by medical research. It is used in targeted treatments for asthma, autism, depression and more, including brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and stroke.

Live music has made its way into some surprising venues, including oncology waiting rooms to calm patients as they wait for radiation and chemotherapy. It also greets newborns in some neonatal intensive care units and comforts the dying in hospice.

While musical therapies are rarely stand-alone treatments, they are increasingly used as adjuncts to other forms of medical treatment. They help people cope with their stress and mobilize their body’s own capacity to heal.

“Patients in hospitals are always having things done to them,” Mr. Rossetti explained. “With music therapy, we are giving them resources that they can use to self-regulate, to feel grounded and calmer. We are enabling them to actively participate in their own care.”

Even in the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Rossetti has continued to perform live music for patients. He says that he’s seen increases in acute anxiety since the onset of the pandemic, making musical interventions, if anything, even more impactful than they were before the crisis.

Mount Sinai has also recently expanded its music therapy program to include work with the medical staff, many of whom are suffering from post-traumatic stress from months of dealing with Covid, with live performances offered during their lunch hour.

It’s not just a mood booster. A growing body of research suggests that music played in a therapeutic setting has measurable medical benefits.

“Those who undergo the therapy seem to need less anxiety medicine, and sometimes surprisingly get along without it,” said Dr. Jerry T. Liu, assistant professor of radiation oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

A review of 400 research papers conducted by Daniel J. Levitin at McGill University in 2013 concluded that “listening to music was more effective than prescription drugs in reducing anxiety prior to surgery.”

“Music takes patients to a familiar home base within themselves. It relaxes them without side effects,” said Dr. Manjeet Chadha, the director of radiation oncology at Mount Sinai Downtown in New York.

It can also help people deal with longstanding phobias. Mr. Rossetti remembers one patient who had been pinned under concrete rubble at Ground Zero on 9/11. The woman, who years later was being treated for breast cancer, was terrified by the thermoplastic restraining device placed over her chest during radiation and which reawakened her feelings of being entrapped.

“Daily music therapy helped her to process the trauma and her huge fear of claustrophobia and successfully complete the treatment,” Mr. Rossetti recalled.

Some hospitals have introduced prerecorded programs that patients can listen to with headphones. At Mount Sinai Beth Israel, the music is generally performed live using a wide array of instruments including drums, pianos and flutes, with the performers being careful to maintain appropriate social distance.

“We modify what we play according to the patient’s breath and heart rate,” said Joanne Loewy, the founding director of the hospital’s Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine. “Our goal is to anchor the person, to keep their mind connected to the body as they go through these challenging treatments.”

Dr. Loewy has pioneered techniques that use several unusual instruments like a Gato Box, which simulates the rhythms of the mother’s heartbeat, and an Ocean Disc, which mimics the whooshing sounds in the womb to help premature babies and their parents relax during their stay in noisy neonatal intensive care units.

Dr. Dave Bosanquet, a vascular surgeon at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, Wales, says that music has become much more common in operating rooms in England in recent years with the spread of bluetooth speakers. Prerecorded music not only helps surgical patients relax, he says, it also helps surgeons focus on their task. He recommends classical music, which “evokes mental vigilance” and lacks distracting lyrics, but cautions that it “should only be played during low or average stress procedures” and not during complex operations, which demand a sharper focus.

Music has also been used successfully to support recovery after surgery. A study published in The Lancet in 2015 reported that music reduced postoperative pain and anxiety and lessened the need for anti-anxiety drugs. Curiously, they also found that music was effective even when patients were under general anesthesia.

None of this surprises Edie Elkan, a 75-year-old harpist who argues there are few places in the health care system that would not benefit from the addition of music. The first time she played her instrument in a hospital was for her husband when he was on life support after undergoing emergency surgery.

“The hospital said that I couldn’t go into the room with my harp, but I insisted,” she said. As she played the harp for him, his vital signs, which had been dangerously low, returned to normal. “The hospital staff swung the door open and said, ‘You need to play for everyone.’”

Ms. Elkan took these instructions to heart. After she searched for two years for a hospital that would pay for the program, the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, N.J., signed on, allowing her to set up a music school on their premises and play for patients at all stages in their hospitalization.

Ms. Elkan and her students have played for over a hundred thousand patients in 11 hospitals that have hosted them since her organization, Bedside Harp, was started in 2002.

In the months since the pandemic began, the harp players have been serenading patients at the entrance to the hospital, as well as holding special therapeutic sessions for the staff outdoors. They hope to resume playing indoors later this spring.

For some patients being greeted at the hospital door by ethereal harp music can be a shocking experience.

Recently, one woman in her mid-70s turned back questioningly to the driver when she stepped out of the van to a medley of familiar tunes like “Beauty and the Beast” and “Over the Rainbow” being played by a harpist, Susan Rosenstein. “That’s her job,” the driver responded, “to put a smile on your face.”

While Ms. Elkan says that it is hard to scientifically assess the impact — “How do you put a number on the value of someone smiling who has not smiled in six months?”— studies suggest that harp therapy helps calm stress and put both patients and hospital staff members at ease.

Ms. Elkan is quick to point out that she is not doing music therapy, whose practitioners need to complete a five-year course of study during which they are trained in psychology and aspects of medicine.

“Music therapists have specific clinical objectives,” she said. “We work intuitively — there’s no goal but to calm, soothe and give people hope.”

“When we come onto a unit, we remind people to exhale,” Ms. Elkan said. “Everyone is kind of holding their breath, especially in the E.R. and the I.C.U. When we come in, we dial down the stress level several decibels.”

Ms. Elkan’s harp can do more than just soothe emotions, says Ted Taylor, who directs pastoral care at the hospital. It can offer spiritual comfort to people who are at a uniquely vulnerable moment in their lives.

“There is something mysterious that we can’t quantify,” Mr. Taylor, a Quaker, said. “I call it soul medicine. Her harp can touch that deep place that connects all of us as human beings.”

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How Music Can Be Therapeutic

Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments.

Listening to music is widely considered to be a quick way to improve your mood, but it's becoming increasingly clear that there are many more benefits to listening to music than just a quick mood boost. Research has shown that music has a profound effect on your body and psyche. In fact, there’s a growing field of healthcare known as music therapy, which uses music to heal.

People who practice music therapy are finding it can help cancer patients, children with ADD, and others. Hospitals are beginning to use music therapy to help ease pain and tension, to ward off depression, to promote movement, and to calm patients, among other benefits. Keep reading to learn more about the powerful ways music can affect the body and mind.

Therapeutic Effects of Music

The following are some of the physical effects of music that explain why music therapy can be so effective:

Brain Waves

Research has shown that music with a strong beat can stimulate brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking, and slower tempos promoting a calm, meditative state.

Research has also found that music can change brainwave activity levels to enable the brain to shift speeds more easily as needed. This means music can have lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you’ve stopped listening.

Breathing and Heart Rate

With alterations in brainwaves come changes in other bodily functions, specifically those controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This means things like breathing and heart rate can be affected by the changes music can bring. Slower breathing and a slower heart rate can help activate a relaxation response , among other things.

State of Mind

Music can also be used to bring a more p ositive state of mind , helping to keep depression and anxiety at bay. The uplifting sound of music and the positive or cathartic messages conveyed in lyrics can improve mental state as well.

Having a more positive state of mind as a baseline can help prevent the stress response from wreaking havoc on the body and can help keep creativity and optimism levels higher, which in turn bring many of their own benefits.

Other Benefits

Music has also been found to bring many other benefits, such as lowering blood pressure (which can also reduce the risk of stroke and other health problems over time), boosting immunity, easing muscle tension , and more.

With so many benefits and such profound physical effects, it’s no surprise that so many are seeing music as an important tool to help the body stay (or become) healthy.

Music Therapy

With increasing research demonstrating the benefits of music, it's no surprise music therapy is growing in popularity. Music therapists help with several other issues as well, including stress. For more information on music therapy , visit the American Music Therapy Association's website .

Using Music on Your Own to Improve Health

While music therapy is an important discipline, you can also achieve many benefits from listening to music on your own. It is likely you have been doing this since you were a teenager, but it is important to continue incorporating music into your daily life as you age. Whether it's throwing music on to dissolve the stress of a long drive or using it to keep motivated while exercising, listening to music daily can be used for relaxation, energy, and catharsis.

Mofredj A, Alaya S, Tassaioust K, Bahloul H, Mrabet A. Music therapy, a review of the potential therapeutic benefits for the critically ill . J Crit Care . 2016;35:195-199. doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2016.05.021

Kordovan S, Preissler P, Kamphausen A, Bokemeyer C, Oechsle K. Prospective study on music therapy in terminally ill cancer patients during specialized inpatient palliative care . J Palliat Med . 2016;19(4):394-399. doi:10.1089/jpm.2015.0384

Wang W-C. A study of the type and characteristics of relaxing music for college students . Proc Mtgs Acoust . 2014;21:035001. doi:10.1121/1.4902001.

Ellis RJ, Thayer JF. Music and autonomic nervous system (dys)function . Music Percept . 2010;27(4):317–326. doi:10.1525/mp.2010.27.4.317

De Witte M, Spruit A, Van Hooren S, Moonen X, Stams GJ. Effects of music interventions on stress-related outcomes: a systematic review and two meta-analyses . Health Psychol Rev . 2019;:1-31. doi:10.1080/17437199.2019.1627897

Aalbers S, Fusar-Poli L, Freeman RE, et al. Music therapy for depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2017;11(11):CD004517. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004517.pub3

Lee KS, Jeong HC, Yim JE, Jeon MY. Effects of music therapy on the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system in stress-induced university students: a randomized controlled trial . J Altern Complement Med . 2016;22(1):59-65. doi:10.1089/acm.2015.0079

By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Persuasive Speech Topics on Music

Althea thompson.

Persuasive speeches provide solid examples and facts on one side of a controversial topic. There are several debatable topics on music ranging from music therapy to censoring lyrics. Speeches on music are effective because almost everyone can relate to hearing or playing an instrument. The best persuasive speeches touch an emotional side of the listener. A great speech also provides a new perspective on the topic that the audience will remember.

Explore this article

Music Therapy
Music Intelligence
Censoring Music

1 Music Therapy

The use of music as therapy lacks public awareness. Groups such as the American Music Therapy Association seek to assure people that music therapy is beneficial. This speech topic supports the evidence-based medical benefit in music therapy. The American Music Therapy Association is just one of the organizations using credentialed professionals for music intervention. Music therapists help meet the emotional needs of clients by creating, singing, and listening to music. The speech presenter should provide examples and real life testimonies about how music therapy has improved a client's medical state.

2 Music Intelligence

The idea of music making children smarter is debatable and controversial. This persuasive speech topic would seek to support the idea that children who play musical instruments read earlier, and score higher on standardizes tests. For example, experiments done in 1993 claimed that listening to Mozart would increase the IQ by eight points, but this claim remains debatable. Patricia DeCorsey, coordinator of Lawrence University's Early Childhood Music Program, claims that music simply develops the mathematical and language centers in the brain. The speech should encourage children to learn music in the developing years.

3 Censoring Music

Music censorship is a controversial topic and makes a great persuasive speech topic. There are arguments on both sides of the debate about how tight restrictions should be on music. The National Coalition Against Censorship is a group of non-profit organizations who seek to defend First Amendment rights. This group defends freedom of communication through music. However, there are those on the opposing side who seek stricter guidelines on explicit music lyrics and content. The Federal Communications Commission is a government agency in charge of monitoring music, television, and radio for content. This speech can argue on either side about whether music should be censored or free for expression by the artist.

1 American Music Therapy Association
2 Childrens Music Workshop: Can Music Make You Smarter?
3 National Coalition Against Censorship

About the Author

Althea Thompson began writing professionally in 2002, and her work has appeared on CBN News and in the award-winning "Focus Magazine." She holds a Master of Arts in journalism from Regent University and a Bachelor of Arts in communication and writing from Houghton College.

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What is Music Therapy? Elevator Speeches and Quick Pitches

Published on: Aug 30, 2019 | | 0 comments

by Annie Roberson, MT-BC

If you’re a music therapist, a music therapy student, or someone who loves a music therapist, you’ve probably found yourself trying to quickly explain music therapy to a bewildered conversation partner in a taxi, at the grocery store, etc. In situations like these, having a prepared quick pitch or elevator speech about music therapy can go a long way to educate and advocate for the profession of music therapy!

Read to the end for a free download of printable wallet cards and phone backgrounds to assist you in your pitches!

What is music therapy.

First, let’s take a look at the American Music Therapy Association ’s official definition of music therapy:

“Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” (AMTA, 2010).

There’s a lot of good stuff to dissect in that meaty paragraph! Let’s break it down.

Evidence-Based Use of Music

This means that clinical music therapy is guided by the best available scientific research. In other words, we have the data to support the results we see in music therapy sessions.

Individualized Goals

This means that we tailor each session to our clients’ unique needs and preferences – we’re not necessarily playing Mozart to relieve stress all day long! 😉

Within a Therapeutic Relationship

We’re not just making music to have fun – although we certainly do have lots of fun! – we’re actively working with our clients to address therapeutic goals like cognition, communication, socialization, emotional regulation, and motor skills.

A Credentialed Professional

To be considered a music therapist in the United States, an individual must pass the board examination administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists in order to receive their MT-BC (Music Therapist – Board Certified) credential. Once an individual has passed their exam and earned their MT-BC credential, they are officially a music therapist and are eligible to provide music therapy services!

Did you know? The Certification Board for Music Therapists is an independent association that is a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) and accredited by their National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCAA), making the CBMT a leader in the national credentialing field, particularly for professions with between 5,000 and 10,000 practitioners ( CBMT, 2019 ).

Completed an Approved Music Therapy Program

Yes, we really did go to school for this! There are hundreds of collegiate music therapy programs across the United States approved and regulated by the American Music Therapy Association. In order to even sit for the board exam, an individual must earn a degree from one of these approved programs, taking classes in music, psychology, music therapy techniques and applications for various settings and populations, as well as 1200 hours of clinical training spread out over the course of a degree and an internship typically lasting at least six months.

Want to learn more about becoming a music therapist? Check out this blog post!

Creating Your Elevator Speech

Chances are, you won’t have time to explain each part of the official definition of music therapy to a curious colleague in one elevator ride. That’s why having shorter, more digestible explanations in your back pocket is so crucial!

I like to break my elevator speeches down to a bare-bones definition and throw in shorter stories or examples if I have time. I find that when people ask what music therapy is, often what they’re really asking is “what does your job actually look like?”

Here are the quick-pitch “elevator speeches” I have ready to explain music therapy in a short amount of time.

Length of Elevator Ride: One Floor

“I’m a board-certified music therapist! I use music to help people work on their non-musical therapeutic goals like communication or motor skills.”

Length of Elevator Ride: Two Floors

Length of Elevator Ride: Three Floors

“I’m a board-certified music therapist! I use music to help people work on their non-musical therapeutic goals. Just this morning, I used drumming to help my client with cerebral palsy strengthen her arms and extend her reach! Music therapists work with people across the lifespan from NICU babies to hospice care to address goals like communication, cognition, socialization, emotional regulation and expression, and motor skills.”

When the Elevator Gets Stuck

Woohoo! You have a chance to answer more in-depth questions about the incredible work that music therapists do every day! I like to follow each answer with some more personal information or experience, and a good story or two if the conversation permits to really solidify that personal connection.

Music Therapy FAQs

Here are my answers to some common music therapy FAQs:

Who do music therapists work with?

Music therapists work with all sorts of people! From NICU babies, folks with disabilities, people in neurological rehab, those in hospice care, and everyone in between, as long as someone is motivated by music and would benefit from working towards therapeutic goals, it’s likely that they might be a candidate for music therapy.

I work primarily with adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as Autistic individuals.

What are therapeutic goals?

Therapeutic goals are skill areas that therapists and clients work together to strengthen. Music therapists address therapeutic goals including communication, socialization, cognition, emotional regulation and expression, motor skills, and spiritual skills, when appropriate.

For example, I use music to strengthen communication skills by prompting my clients to fill in the blanks to their favorite songs using vocalizations, sign language, and AAC technology!

Where do music therapists work?

Music therapists work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities, correctional facilities, private practices, and mental health facilities, just to name a few.

I work for a music therapy private practice and work mostly in the home health setting, traveling all over DFW to do music therapy with individual clients in their homes.

I’ve never heard of music therapy before! Is it a new profession?

People have been discussing the healing benefits of music since Plato and Aristotle, but music therapy in America can trace much of its professional growth to the period surrounding World Wars I and II when it became clear that returning veterans responded very well to music in their physical and emotional rehabilitation. The first collegiate music therapy program was actually established at Michigan State University in 1944 !

Ready to put your skills to the test?

Grab your “Ask Me About Music Therapy” shirts and totes now from the Fort Worth Music Therapy Fund and help expand access to music therapy services in Northwest Texas while educating the public about our profession!

Annie Roberson, MT-BC

Music therapist – board certified, [email protected], download elevator speech kit here, get your free download.

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Heart and Harmony Music Therapy

Heart and Harmony is a team of like-minded therapists who are committed to providing high-quality music therapy services to the DFW community.

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What is music therapy?

“Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” (AMTA, 2010).

Speech on Music Has Healing Power

Music is not just a form of entertainment, it’s a powerful healer too. It can lift your spirits, calm your mind, and even ease physical pain.

Ever felt better after listening to your favorite song? That’s the healing power of music at work. It’s like a friend that understands your emotions and helps you feel better.

1-minute Speech on Music Has Healing Power

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! I would like to speak on the topic ‘Music Has Healing Power’. We have all experienced the soothing and therapeutic impact of music on our minds and souls at some points in our lives.

Music is not merely a source of entertainment; it plays an essential role in our emotional well-being. It has a unique link to our emotions, which is why it is an incredibly effective stress management tool. The calming effect of music can significantly reduce stress, making us feel relaxed and cheerful.

Music also has a profound effect on our health. Scientific studies have proven that music therapy helps in dealing with various health issues like depression, autism and schizophrenia. It has been found to lower heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, which reduces anxiety and stress in cancer patients.

Music also aids in the healing of the mind. It has the power to bring back lost memories for people with Alzheimer’s disease. The soothing power of music helps them to recall past experiences, which they may have forgotten.

Let us all embrace the power of music and use it as a tool to heal, to recover, and to live. It is a universal language that does not need interpretation, a language that heals without any side effects. Indeed, music is a therapy that can brighten up the darkest days.

Thank you, and let’s keep the music playing.

2-minute Speech on Music Has Healing Power

Today, I stand before you to speak about a topic that is close to my heart – ‘The Healing Power of Music’. Music, without a doubt, is a universal language. It’s a magical form of expression that transcends the barriers of language, age, race, and culture.

Music has the power to transport us to different places in our mind, to evoke strong emotions, trigger memories and to make us dance with joy or mourn in sorrow. But beyond entertainment, did you know that music has healing benefits too? It is as much about mental and emotional well-being as it is about entertainment.

Interestingly, the healing power of music is not a new-age theory. Its roots can be traced all the way back to the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome where music was used to ease pain, ward off evil spirits, and even cure illnesses. In the modern world, music therapy has become a recognized therapeutic service used in hospitals, educational institutions, and therapy centers.

Scientific research has shown that music has the power to affect our moods and emotions. It can stimulate the release of endorphins, the ‘feel good’ hormones in our body, helping us to stay happy and relaxed. It has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, thereby aiding in stress relief and relaxation. Music, with its soothing and rhythmic properties, can be a great tool for managing anxiety and depression.

Furthermore, music can improve cognitive performance. For instance, listening to Mozart’s music, often referred to as the ‘Mozart Effect’, has been linked to an improvement in short-term memory. In the realm of physical health, music has been found to aid pain management, reduce blood pressure, and even boost our immune system.

The beauty of music is that its healing power doesn’t discriminate – it can touch anyone and everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a passionate musician, a casual listener, young or old. The rhythm and melody have a unique way of reaching out and touching our souls, helping us heal, relax, and find joy.

In conclusion, music is not just a form of art; it’s a form of therapy. It speaks when words fail to express. It soothes our mind, heals our soul, and brings us together. It’s like a trusted friend always available to comfort us in times of distress. So, let’s embrace music wholeheartedly and allow it to bring harmony and balance into our lives.

For those of us who are already submerged in the world of melodies and rhythms, let’s continue to let it heal us, move us, and take us on journeys far and wide. For those who haven’t yet opened up to the healing power of music, I encourage you to do so. You won’t regret it.

Thank you very much for your attention.

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One Comment

Very impressive speech..so helpful..

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Music as therapy, music has messages you can utilize to help you cope..

Posted December 16, 2021 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches that what people say to themselves correlates to how they feel, which affects how they act.
Certain messages in music can help people change their mood and better cope with challenges.
Powerful messages in music that encourage growth include accepting what is and taking responsibility for one's response to adversity.

Dick Clark said, “Music is the soundtrack to our lives.” I don’t disagree with that. Think about how music has highlighted poignant interludes in your life, such as when you danced at prom, cheered a team on to a big win, or cooed a lullaby to a baby. Music helps you brave traffic and it soothes you to sleep. And music can keep you occupied as you wait for the cable company to answer the phone...whether you like it or not.

Often, music has had one other important task: It's there when we are sad. Have you ever been dumped and then played on repeat the Bonnie Rait song, “I Can’t Make You Love Me"? Or perhaps lost a loved one and cried to “Tears In Heaven” by Eric Clapton until you had no more tears? The point is, when we are sad we seek out music that seems to understand exactly how we feel. Sometimes the music can make us feel better, sometimes it can make us feel worse. Regardless, we have it to help us recognize that life can be full of heartbreak, loss, and loneliness .

So what happens when you realize that Celine Dion knows a thing or two and your heart will indeed go on? When you have decided you are sick of letting the same people break your heart, tired of being angry your friends ditched you, or you just want to feel less anxious about what you can’t control? You need some new tunes.

Utilizing the theory of cognitive-behavioral therapy , or CBT, I work to teach my clients that what we say to ourselves has a direct correlation to how we feel, and thus affects how we act. In this sense, listening to Whitney Houston belt out “Annnnnd I……………….Will always love yooooooou” might be telling you there is no one else out there to love. You might then feel hopeless, depressed , and truly lost. Are you then going to run to the next computer to perk up your online dating profile? Probably not. Albert Ellis, one of the minds behind CBT, once said, “Accept that along with many good things, bad things exist, change them if you can, and accept what you can’t change. Remember it’s your thoughts that create the way you feel. It’s practically never hopeless. Acceptance is the key.” So let’s modify the playlist, change what the song is telling you, and thus adjust your feelings and ultimately your behavior.

I am going to present to you three songs I believe have the type of messages you can utilize to help cope with what life brings:

“Things Happen” (Dawes)

In this song, the singer says very plainly, “Things happen, that’s all they ever do.” To me, this line is significant in that it brings life’s ups and downs into a simple statement of fact. By saying “things happen,” you are accepting the present moment as it is. You are allowing the chain of events that brought you here to exist as they are, and, in doing so, removing residual blame, shame , guilt , and/or anger . By accepting the “things” that occur in your life, you are able to move forward, instead of being stuck in wanting to change something you cannot.

Another line in the song goes, “You can just ignore it, put it out of mind / But ain’t it funny how the past won’t ever let something lie?” The song is reminding us that we can’t stop our thoughts from happening. By trying to ignore them, we are refusing to believe in our own truths and feelings. Instead identify your thought as helpful or hurtful, accept that “things happen,” and move forward with purpose.

“Nothin But Time” (Cat Power)

Cat Power’s Chan Marshall told reporters that she wrote this song for her friend’s bullied teenage daughter. In it are the words, “Your world is just beginning… It's up to you to be a superhero / It's up to you to be like nobody.” Reflective of the It Gets Better Project , this song is a reminder not just to the young but to all of us that what feels heavy and insurmountable now can change through time and personal growth. You’ve heard the phrase, “One day at a time," itself a wonderful coping statement. Cat Power is reminding you that those days are many and that as you go through each one, “You ain’t got nothing but time / And it ain’t got nothing on you.” The power in this song is that it forces you to take yourself out of the direct moment and gives you a foundation for personal evolution. It reminds you of the choice you have: staying in the hurt and pain or moving forward, one step at a time, one day at a time.

“Shake It Off” (Taylor Swift)

What do you tell yourself when people make fun of you, say you’re no good, or that you have no future? How about “ Baby I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake / Shake it off, shake it off.” This song is a powerful anthem for anyone who ever felt mistreated by those around them.

Swift sings of other people's opinions but never gives those opinions any weight. She doesn’t say to herself, “Maybe they are right” or “I must not be that great because of what they are saying about me.” Instead, she trusts herself to know who she is deep down and believes that to be true. “Haters gonna hate” indeed. You can’t change how others act or what they think. You can try by being a good person, but ultimately it is out of your control.

Sir Anthony Hopkins once said, “My philosophy is: It's none of my business what people say of me and think of me.” Stop letting others challenge who you believe in yourself to be true. Swift sings, “It’s like I got this music / In my mind, saying it’s gonna be alright.” That music she sings of is her changing those automatic negative thought patterns and in doing so, changing her feelings of self-worth .

There are countless other songs that are out there to pick you up, help you think clearly, and show you there is a better way to treat yourself. Christina Aguilera believes “You’re Beautiful,” Katrina & the Waves encourage you to keep “Walking on Sunshine,” and Journey reminds you, “Don’t Stop Believing." Use the power of music to change what you say to yourself. Yes there is heartbreak, yes there are mean people, and of course, times can be rough. But to help what you say to yourself, “Let the Music Do the Talking” (Aerosmith).

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/articles/albert-ellis-phd-1913-2007

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-new-adventures-of-cat-power-…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/8286801/Anthony…

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Persuasive Speech Topics about Music

Persuasive Speech Topics About Music: They say music is food to the soul. It is inspiring and meaningful when sung with a purpose.

If you are learning music at one point you will be required to present a persuasive speech about music. In this case, you will require a good persuasive speech topic about music, a topic that will persuade your audience.

These Music Persuasive Speech Topics will inspire you to find an ideal topic.

Find a collection of Persuasive Speech Topics about Music below.

Persuasive Speech Topics About Music

The Impact of Low and Depressive Tones On People’s emotional Vibe

How can cultural conflicts be settled down with the help of music?

Why is “praise and worship” a separate genre of music?

Trap music: analysis of the subculture.

The use of classical music when teaching autistic children.

Has the role of record companies become obsolete?

The Impact of Patriotic Songs on Creating Loyalty Amongst The Citizens

Is It Wrong To Listen To Songs All Through Because It Will Make Someone Lazy?

The Relation of Psychology To Music

The use of profanity in rap vs rock music.

How can playing a musical instrument help a person’s mental state?

How the music tastes of our parents and grandparents shaped our taste.

How Does Music Help Toddlers In Learning? Is It Easier or Harder?

The stress relief through the lens of extreme styles of metal music.

Elvis Presley’s cultural heritage.

The Naming of Music Notes Should Be Changed

Has Jazz Been Extinct In Music Genres?

Is There Such A Thing As Music Addiction? Give relevant Examples

The ethics in the production of music albums.

A Career In Classical Music

The perception of music by the modern youth.

The perception of music by infants.

Does Music Bring About Unity?

How has rock music changed since the 70s?

The perceptions of music by the dolphins.

Does playing a musical instrument lead to better writing skills?

The Impact of Music on Meditation and Finding The Purpose of Life. Is The Universe Musically Inclined?

The Impact of Music on Healing The Mind, Body, and Soul

Dance and music.

People Who Have A Career In Classical Music Attain A Lot Of Respect From Everyone

Music Has Been There Since Ancient Civilizations and Has SO Many Aspects To It That We Do Not Know About

The use of music in political campaigns.

Music Vibrations Can Affect Anyone And Any Place

Can a person’s character be identified by their musical tastes?

Should White People Listen To Rap?

How do modern college students perceive classical composers?

The heritage of Baroque composers.

Is Punk Rock Reviving?

The role of music education in the United States.

Anyone Can Appreciate Music

Hans Zimmer – the peculiarities of cinematic soundscapes.

Music Does Not Sooth All The Time

Exploring the culture of punk rock in the United Kingdom.

Nirvana and Soundgarden: the history of grunge music.

How Does Music Help In Identifying The Culture and Traditions Of People?

The role of AI-based tools in the creation of musical instruments.

Should Loud Music Be Banned?

The history of American Southern Rock music.

Genesis as the pioneers of progressive rock.

Romantic nature of Antonio Vivaldi’s music.

The most popular misconceptions about country music in the United States.

The protest music of Northern Ireland.

Should Music Be incorporated by Doctors and Shrinks to Help Their Patients Heal Faster?

The use of music education in elementary school curriculums.

The Impact of Classical Music On Plant Growth

The use of neuroscience in the creation of synthesized music.

Music Persuasive Speech Topics

John Lennon: from children of the flowers to strong political statements.

Popular music and its effect on the distorted body image model.

The history of Moog synthesizer.

Should Schools Put A Ban On Music That Encourages Violence?

How Many People Prefer Country Music?

The use of music for rehabilitation purposes.

The history of garage rock in the United States.

Should Official Places of Work Incorporate Music In The Premises or It will Be A Distraction For The Employees?

How Popular Is Indie Pop Today

Do People Relate To Rock Music?

Music Is Not Positive All The Time

Does metal music lead to violent behavior?

Music Is Its Own Language

Military matters: the presence of music in the military.

A Career In Music Does Not Guarantee A Fulfilled Life

The Role of Classical Music in Relaxing Individuals

Should Music Be Incorporated Into School’s Curriculum?

The Extensive Impact of Pop Music on European Trends and Culture

Why are Gibson guitars so popular among American youth?

Should Musicians and Singers Get More Pay From The Government Because Their Job Is Difficult and They Entertain People

The college underground bands (choose any example).

Why are the physical mediums to produce music still important?

How Does Music Increase Productivity or Decrease It? Are People Differently Affected By Sound?

Should music created by the computer be considered art?

The Roe of Rap Music In Promoting Violence

How Has Hard Rock Influenced the Behaviour of People?

How Popular was Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan During His Time? Most People Did not Understand His Language or Culture

How has rap music affected modern social movements?

Do You Regard Michael Jackson A Legend Despite the Bad Press He Received when He Was About to Die

How Is Pop Music Transforming Today?

Does Rap Music Represent Rebellion? Does it Define Rebels?

The tones and scales of Middle Eastern music.

The role of musical collaborations during pandemic times.

The sounds of nature for treatment of mental health conditions.

Music Is Regarded As A Positive and Influential Aspect of Life. However, many Cultures Do Not Advocate People To Listen To It As It Promotes Bad Values

The songs of war and protest in the United States.

Not Everyone Can Learn How To Play An Instrument

Steve George is Blogger, a marketer and content writer. He has B.A. in Economics from the University of Washington. Read more about Mzuri Mag .

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Persuasive Speech

Learn How to Write a Perfect Persuasive Speech

13 min read

Published on: May 24, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

What is a Persuasive Speech?

A persuasive speech is aimed at convincing the audience to adopt or agree with the speaker's viewpoint or call to action. It involves presenting a well-reasoned argument with supporting evidence and appeals to emotions.

Importance: Persuasive speeches can influence people's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors towards a goal or cause, making them important. They inspire action and bring change.

Types of Persuasive Speeches

There are several different types of persuasive speech you can choose from depending on your goals and audience. Let's take a closer look at some of the most common types.

Policy Persuasion

This type of persuasive speech aims to convince the audience to support a specific policy or action. It can be delivered by politicians, activists, or anyone who wants to change public policy. A policy persuasive speech often involves outlining the benefits of the proposed policy and addressing potential concerns or objections.

Example: Why we need to implement a carbon tax to combat climate change

Value Persuasion

Value persuasive speeches aim to persuade the audience to adopt a particular set of values or beliefs. This type of speech can be used to promote a certain worldview or to challenge an existing belief system.

This type often uses emotional appeals to connect with the audience and encourage them to see things from a different perspective.

Example: Why volunteering is important for building a sense of community

Factual Persuasion

Factual persuasive speeches focus on presenting evidence and logical arguments to convince the audience of a particular point of view.

This type of speech is often used in academic or professional settings. The goal is to persuade an audience based on facts and evidence.

Example: The benefits of a plant-based diet for human health and the environment

Motivational Persuasion

Motivational persuasive speeches aim to inspire the audience to take action or make a change. This type of speech is often used by coaches, motivational speakers, and leaders to encourage their audience to achieve their goals.

Example: How to overcome fear and achieve your dreams

Need to deliver a motivational speech but stuck on what to talk about? Our blog offers an abundance of motivational speech topics to help you create a memorable speech.

Comparative Persuasion

Comparative persuasive speeches involve comparing two or more options to persuade the audience to choose one over the other. This type of speech can be used to compare products, services, or ideas.

Comparative persuasion can be particularly effective when the audience is already familiar with both options being compared.

Example: Why our product is better than our competitors' products

Problem-Solution Persuasion

Problem-solution persuasive speeches aim to persuade the audience to take action to solve a particular problem. This type of speech often involves identifying a problem that the audience cares about and presenting a viable solution.

This type can be particularly effective when the audience is already aware of the problem and is looking for a solution.

Example: How we can reduce plastic waste and preserve the environment by adopting a circular economy model

Want to become a well-rounded speaker? Our blog can help you understand the various types of speeches and how to deliver them effectively.

Elements of a Persuasive Speech

Here's a detailed table outlining the key elements of a persuasive speech with examples:

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How to Write a Persuasive Speech?

To write a persuasive speech, follow these essential steps:

Step#1: Choose A Compelling Topic

Select a subject that is relevant, interesting, and aligns with your audience's interests and values.

Step#2: Understand Your Audience

Research and analyze your target audience's demographics, beliefs, and concerns. This knowledge will help you tailor your speech to resonate with them effectively.

Step#3: Define Your Goal

Determine the specific outcome you want to achieve with your speech. Is it to persuade, inspire, or motivate your audience? Clarify your objective early on.

Step#4: Develop A Strong Thesis Statement

Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that presents your main argument or position. This statement will serve as the foundation for your persuasive speech.

Step#5: Gather Supporting Evidence

Conduct thorough research to find credible and compelling evidence, examples, statistics, and expert opinions that support your thesis. This evidence will strengthen your arguments and make them more persuasive.

Step#6: Structure Your Speech

Organize your speech into an introduction, body, and conclusion.

The introduction should grab your audience's attention, introduce the topic, and present your thesis statement. The body should present your main points and supporting evidence. The conclusion should summarize your key arguments and end with a strong call to action.

Step#7: Use Persuasive Language And Rhetorical Devices

Employ rhetorical devices such as anecdotes, metaphors, analogies, and emotional appeals to engage your audience and make your arguments more persuasive. Use strong and convincing language throughout your speech.

Step#8: Anticipate And Address Counterarguments

Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and counterarguments. Present them respectfully and then refute them with logical reasoning and evidence. This demonstrates your credibility and strengthens your persuasive case.

Step#9: Practice And Refine Your Delivery

Rehearse your speech multiple times to improve your delivery and timing. Pay attention to your body language, voice modulation, and overall confidence. Practice in front of a mirror or seek feedback from a trusted friend or colleague.

Step#10: Engage Your Audience

During your actual speech, connect with your audience by maintaining eye contact, using gestures, and speaking with passion and conviction. Encourage audience participation through questions, stories, or interactive elements.

Techniques for Persuasive Speaking

To deliver a persuasive speech that truly resonates with your audience, it's important to use a variety of techniques.

Here are five techniques you can use to make your speech more persuasive and effective:

1- Emotional Appeal

One of the most powerful techniques for persuasive speaking is emotional appeal. This involves using language and stories that evoke strong emotions in your audience, such as fear, anger, or compassion.

By connecting with your audience on an emotional level, you can make your message more memorable and impactful.

2- Logical Appeal

Another effective technique is logical appeal, which involves using reasoning and evidence to support your argument. This can include statistics, facts, and expert opinions. It helps to bolster your case and convince your audience that your position is the right one.

3- Ethical Appeal

The ethical appeal involves appealing to your audience's sense of morality and values. This can include using examples of right and wrong behavior. By framing your argument in ethical terms, you can make it more persuasive and compelling.

4- Repetition

Repetition involves repeating key ideas throughout your speech to emphasize their importance and make them more memorable. This can be especially effective for driving home your main points and making a lasting impression on your audience.

5- Rhetorical Questions

Rhetorical questions can be an effective way to engage your audience and encourage them to think deeply about your message. By asking questions that lead your audience to draw their own conclusions, you can make your speech more interactive.

Delivering a Persuasive Speech

Delivering a persuasive speech requires more than just having a well-written script. Here are some tips to help you deliver your speech effectively:

Using body language effectively: Your body language can convey confidence, enthusiasm, and sincerity. Use gestures, facial expressions, and posture to emphasize key points and connect with your audience.
Maintaining eye contact: Eye contact is essential to establishing trust and credibility with your audience. Make eye contact with different members of your audience to engage them and maintain their attention.
Speaking confidently and clearly: Your voice should be clear, strong, and articulate. Use pauses and inflection to emphasize key points and vary your tone and pace to keep your audience engaged.
Handling audience questions and objections: Be prepared to answer questions and address objections from your audience. Listen carefully, acknowledge their concerns, and provide thoughtful responses that reinforce your key points.

Read our blog on speech writing for practical strategies to make your speechwriting process smoother!

How to Choose a Topic For Persuasive Speech?

To effectively brainstorm persuasive speech ideas, it is vital to consider the "who, what, when, where, and why" approach.

Who: Who is my intended audience for this speech? What are their interests and beliefs? How can I connect with them on a personal level?
What: What topics am I knowledgeable about and passionate about? What topics are relevant and timely to my audience? What topics can I research and present with credibility?
When: How much time do I have to present? Should I choose a broad topic or a niche topic based on the time frame? Is my topic appropriate for the time of day or the event schedule?
Where: Where will I be delivering this speech? What is the setting and environment? What tools and resources will be available to me?
Why: What is the purpose of my speech? Do I want to inform, persuade, or motivate my audience? Why is my topic important and why should my audience care about it? How can I make my audience feel connected to my topic and invested in my message?

By using this approach, you can pick a topic that you are interested in and effectively capture the attention of your audience.

Persuasive Speech Topics

Here are some persuasive speech topics that may inspire you to create a successful persuasive speech:

Should the Supreme Court have term limits?
What makes a good persuasive speech topic and how to pick one?
Should schools be required to teach financial literacy as a mandatory subject?
Should mental health treatment be covered by health insurance?
The key elements of a successful persuasive speech and how to deliver it.
Should art and music therapy be considered a legitimate form of treatment?
At what age should children be allowed to use social media and why?
How high school students can prepare and deliver persuasive speeches that flow logically.
Should the minimum wage be increased to a living wage?
Do video games contribute to increased aggression and should they be regulated accordingly?

Check out our blog on interesting persuasive speech topics to get plenty of ideas and get inspired!

Examples of Persuasive Speeches

Here are some examples of powerful and influential persuasive speeches from both historical and contemporary figures:

Historical Examples:

Martin Luther King Jr.'s " I Have a Dream " speech
Winston Churchill's " We Shall Fight on the Beaches " speech
Abraham Lincoln's " Gettysburg Address " speech
Susan B. Anthony's " Women's Right to Vote " speech

Contemporary Examples:

Greta Thunberg's speech on climate change at the United Nations
Barack Obama's " Yes We Can " speech
Malala Yousafzai's speech at the United Nations on education for girls
Elon Musk's speech on space exploration and colonization

Tips for Delivering an Effective Persuasive Speech

Here are some tips for delivering a successful persuasive speech:

Practice, practice, practice: Rehearse your speech to improve your delivery and confidence.
Be passionate about your topic: Emphasize your enthusiasm to engage and persuade your audience.
Connect with your audience: Build a rapport with your audience by showing empathy and relating to their experiences.
Use visuals if appropriate: Use visual aids, such as images or charts, to reinforce your message and improve comprehension.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Persuasive Speech

You should avoid these mistakes when giving a persuasive speech:

Not knowing the audience
Lack of preparation
Failing to establish credibility
Overwhelming the audience with information
Ignoring counterarguments
Using weak or irrelevant evidence
Lack of enthusiasm or passion
Reading directly from notes or slides
Going off-topic or rambling
Ignoring time constraints.

The Bottom Line!

We have covered everything you need to know about writing a persuasive speech. We have discussed the different types, essential elements, and techniques for writing a compelling persuasive speech.

Additionally, we have provided some persuasive speech topics and tips that you can use to make your speech more engaging. We hope this guide has been helpful to you in crafting a persuasive speech that will impress your audience.

Looking for an essay helper to guide you through your academic journey? Look no further! Our team of experienced writers is here to assist you in crafting top-notch essays that will impress your professors.

But that's not all, if you're looking for an extra boost in productivity, don't forget to check out our AI essay generator .

Caleb S. (Education, Marketing)

Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.

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Techniques for Speech and Language

One of the main goal areas targeted by Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) techniques is speech and language. Speech and language goals may include to improve muscular control of the speech and respiratory apparatus; to improve articulation; to improve initiation of speech sounds; to stimulate speech production; to improve pitch, inflection, breath control, or volume; and to improve speech intelligibility. There are several NMT techniques to address these goal areas, and I will share a short summary of each of them and how they may be used:

Developmental Speech and Language Training through Music (DSLM) – the use of developmentally-appropriate musical materials and experiences to enhance speech and language development. This technique is appropriate for clients who have little to no functional language, children with autism, and children with disabilities that have a severe impact on language.

Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) – a three-level approach to improve fluent output of language for clients with severe Broca’s aphasia.

Musical Speech Stimulation (MUSTIM) – the use of musical materials (like songs, rhymes, and chants) to stimulate non propositional speech. This may be done by having clients with aphasia or any speech disorder filling in the blank at the end of a phrase.

Oral Motor and Respiratory Exercises (OMREX) – sound vocalization exercises and wind instrument playing to work on strength and coordination in making speech sounds. This technique is appropriate for clients with apraxia, cerebral palsy, and people with respiratory problems.

Rhythmic Speech Cueing (RSC) – the use of metric or patterned rhythmic cues to control speech rate, and to facilitate initiation of speech. This technique is appropriate for clients with apraxia, dysarthria, and fluency disorders.

Symbolic Communication Training through Music (SYCOM) – the use of structured experiences in instrumental or vocal improvisation to train communication behavior. This technique is appropriate for clients who may not develop speech, but could still master or re-gain language concepts.

Therapeutic Singing (TS) – singing activities to practice speech articulation and improve respiratory function. This technique is appropriate for clients with apraxia, dysarthria, and medical conditions.

Vocal Intonation Therapy (VIT) – controlled singing and other vocal control exercises to improve inflection, pitch, breath control, vocal timbre, and volume. This technique is appropriate for clients with voice disorders, medical conditions, and dysarthria.

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112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging

What’s covered:, how to pick an awesome persuasive speech topic, 112 engaging persuasive speech topics, tips for preparing your persuasive speech.

Writing a stellar persuasive speech requires a carefully crafted argument that will resonate with your audience to sway them to your side. This feat can be challenging to accomplish, but an engaging, thought-provoking speech topic is an excellent place to start.

When it comes time to select a topic for your persuasive speech, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options to choose from—or your brain may be drawing a completely blank slate. If you’re having trouble thinking of the perfect topic, don’t worry. We’re here to help!

In this post, we’re sharing how to choose the perfect persuasive speech topic and tips to prepare for your speech. Plus, you’ll find 112 persuasive speech topics that you can take directly from us or use as creative inspiration for your own ideas!

Choose Something You’re Passionate About

It’s much easier to write, research, and deliver a speech about a cause you care about. Even if it’s challenging to find a topic that completely sparks your interest, try to choose a topic that aligns with your passions.

However, keep in mind that not everyone has the same interests as you. Try to choose a general topic to grab the attention of the majority of your audience, but one that’s specific enough to keep them engaged.

For example, suppose you’re giving a persuasive speech about book censorship. In that case, it’s probably too niche to talk about why “To Kill a Mockingbird” shouldn’t be censored (even if it’s your favorite book), and it’s too broad to talk about media censorship in general.

Steer Clear of Cliches

Have you already heard a persuasive speech topic presented dozens of times? If so, it’s probably not an excellent choice for your speech—even if it’s an issue you’re incredibly passionate about.

Although polarizing topics like abortion and climate control are important to discuss, they aren’t great persuasive speech topics. Most people have already formed an opinion on these topics, which will either cause them to tune out or have a negative impression of your speech.

Instead, choose topics that are fresh, unique, and new. If your audience has never heard your idea presented before, they will be more open to your argument and engaged in your speech.

Have a Clear Side of Opposition

For a persuasive speech to be engaging, there must be a clear side of opposition. To help determine the arguability of your topic, ask yourself: “If I presented my viewpoint on this topic to a group of peers, would someone disagree with me?” If the answer is yes, then you’ve chosen a great topic!

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for what it takes to choose a great persuasive speech topic, here are over one hundred options for you to choose from.

Should high school athletes get tested for steroids?
Should schools be required to have physical education courses?
Should sports grades in school depend on things like athletic ability?
What sport should be added to or removed from the Olympics?
Should college athletes be able to make money off of their merchandise?
Should sports teams be able to recruit young athletes without a college degree?
Should we consider video gamers as professional athletes?
Is cheerleading considered a sport?
Should parents allow their kids to play contact sports?
Should professional female athletes be paid the same as professional male athletes?
Should college be free at the undergraduate level?
Is the traditional college experience obsolete?
Should you choose a major based on your interests or your potential salary?
Should high school students have to meet a required number of service hours before graduating?
Should teachers earn more or less based on how their students perform on standardized tests?
Are private high schools more effective than public high schools?
Should there be a minimum number of attendance days required to graduate?
Are GPAs harmful or helpful?
Should schools be required to teach about standardized testing?
Should Greek Life be banned in the United States?
Should schools offer science classes explicitly about mental health?
Should students be able to bring their cell phones to school?
Should all public restrooms be all-gender?
Should undocumented immigrants have the same employment and education opportunities as citizens?
Should everyone be paid a living wage regardless of their employment status?
Should supremacist groups be able to hold public events?
Should guns be allowed in public places?
Should the national drinking age be lowered?
Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
Should the government raise or lower the retirement age?
Should the government be able to control the population?
Is the death penalty ethical?

Environment

Should stores charge customers for plastic bags?
Should breeding animals (dogs, cats, etc.) be illegal?
Is it okay to have exotic animals as pets?
Should people be fined for not recycling?
Should compost bins become mandatory for restaurants?
Should electric vehicles have their own transportation infrastructure?
Would heavier fining policies reduce corporations’ emissions?
Should hunting be encouraged or illegal?
Should reusable diapers replace disposable diapers?

Science & Technology

Is paper media more reliable than digital news sources?
Should automated/self-driving cars be legalized?
Should schools be required to provide laptops to all students?
Should software companies be able to have pre-downloaded programs and applications on devices?
Should drones be allowed in military warfare?
Should scientists invest more or less money into cancer research?
Should cloning be illegal?
Should societies colonize other planets?
Should there be legal oversight over the development of technology?

Social Media

Should there be an age limit on social media?
Should cyberbullying have the same repercussions as in-person bullying?
Are online relationships as valuable as in-person relationships?
Does “cancel culture” have a positive or negative impact on societies?
Are social media platforms reliable information or news sources?
Should social media be censored?
Does social media create an unrealistic standard of beauty?
Is regular social media usage damaging to real-life interactions?
Is social media distorting democracy?
How many branches of government should there be?
Who is the best/worst president of all time?
How long should judges serve in the U.S. Supreme Court?
Should a more significant portion of the U.S. budget be contributed towards education?
Should the government invest in rapid transcontinental transportation infrastructure?
Should airport screening be more or less stringent?
Should the electoral college be dismantled?
Should the U.S. have open borders?
Should the government spend more or less money on space exploration?
Should students sing Christmas carols, say the pledge of allegiance, or perform other tangentially religious activities?
Should nuns and priests become genderless roles?
Should schools and other public buildings have prayer rooms?
Should animal sacrifice be legal if it occurs in a religious context?
Should countries be allowed to impose a national religion on their citizens?
Should the church be separated from the state?
Does freedom of religion positively or negatively affect societies?

Parenting & Family

Is it better to have children at a younger or older age?
Is it better for children to go to daycare or stay home with their parents?
Does birth order affect personality?
Should parents or the school system teach their kids about sex?
Are family traditions important?
Should parents smoke or drink around young children?
Should “spanking” children be illegal?
Should parents use swear words in front of their children?
Should parents allow their children to play violent video games?

Entertainment

Should all actors be paid the same regardless of gender or ethnicity?
Should all award shows be based on popular vote?
Who should be responsible for paying taxes on prize money, the game show staff or the contestants?
Should movies and television shows have ethnicity and gender quotas?
Should newspapers and magazines move to a completely online format?
Should streaming services like Netflix and Hulu be free for students?
Is the movie rating system still effective?
Should celebrities have more privacy rights?

Arts & Humanities

Are libraries becoming obsolete?
Should all schools have mandatory art or music courses in their curriculum?
Should offensive language be censored from classic literary works?
Is it ethical for museums to keep indigenous artifacts?
Should digital designs be considered an art form?
Should abstract art be considered an art form?
Is music therapy effective?
Should tattoos be regarded as “professional dress” for work?
Should schools place greater emphasis on the arts programs?
Should euthanasia be allowed in hospitals and other clinical settings?
Should the government support and implement universal healthcare?
Would obesity rates lower if the government intervened to make healthy foods more affordable?
Should teenagers be given access to birth control pills without parental consent?
Should food allergies be considered a disease?
Should health insurance cover homeopathic medicine?
Is using painkillers healthy?
Should genetically modified foods be banned?
Should there be a tax on unhealthy foods?
Should tobacco products be banned from the country?
Should the birth control pill be free for everyone?

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original persuasive speech ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Do Your Research

A great persuasive speech is supported with plenty of well-researched facts and evidence. So before you begin the writing process, research both sides of the topic you’re presenting in-depth to gain a well-rounded perspective of the topic.

Understand Your Audience

It’s critical to understand your audience to deliver a great persuasive speech. After all, you are trying to convince them that your viewpoint is correct. Before writing your speech, consider the facts and information that your audience may already know, and think about the beliefs and concerns they may have about your topic. Then, address these concerns in your speech, and be mindful to include fresh, new information.

Have Someone Read Your Speech

Once you have finished writing your speech, have someone read it to check for areas of strength and improvement. You can use CollegeVine’s free essay review tool to get feedback on your speech from a peer!

Practice Makes Perfect

After completing your final draft, the key to success is to practice. Present your speech out loud in front of a mirror, your family, friends, and basically, anyone who will listen. Not only will the feedback of others help you to make your speech better, but you’ll become more confident in your presentation skills and may even be able to commit your speech to memory.

Hopefully, these ideas have inspired you to write a powerful, unique persuasive speech. With the perfect topic, plenty of practice, and a boost of self-confidence, we know you’ll impress your audience with a remarkable speech!