Current Event Persuasive Topics for Fall 2009
U.S. Public Speaking and Essay Ideas for the Fall Semester
Aug 9, 2009
For American students in need of a persuasive topic for a public speaking class or for a persuasive essay, one of the easiest ways to find great topics is by looking at current events. With the sometimes controversial and groundbreaking policies of the Obama administration, to the abundance of foreign policy crises worldwide, to the ever-present abundance of celebrity news, there's plenty going on to talk or write about.
Here are some ideas for current event related topics for Fall 2009.
Obama Administration Topics
Like it or not, the Obama administration is enacting some serious changes, and along with that comes strong opinions and controversy—which is the perfect recipe for a persuasive topic. The media is abuzz with commentary on just about everything Obama does, so any topic related to this administration should be easy to research. Top that off with some odd scandals such as the "birthing" movement – which maintains that Obama is not eligible to be president because he may not have been a U.S. citizen at birth – and there are more than enough topics to go around.
Here are just a few of the many topics to choose from related to the Obama administration.
- Is the American Reconstruction and Recovery Act an effective idea?
- Is Obama's proposed health care policy feasible?
- Are Obama's economic policy's sufficient for turning around the U.S. economy?
- is the "cash for clunkers" program a good idea?
- Is Barack Obama eligible to be president by birth?
- Did the Obama administration respond appropriately to the conflict surrounding the Iranian election?
- Should Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor have been confirmed?
- Is the U.S. Department of Education's income based student loan repayment program a good idea?
- Has the Obama administration done too much to bail out health care companies?
Other American News Topics
It's a busy time in America, with plenty of things that are of concern to the public interest. Between fears about swine flu and frustration with the economy, Americans are paying closer attention than usual to current events. Take advantage of this interest in a persuasive speech or essay!
Here are some American news topics:
- Is the U.S. doing enough to control the spread of swine flu (the H1N1 virus)?
- Have the public and the media overreacted to the swine flu?
- Did the public and the media pay too much attention to the death of Michael Jackson?
- Was Sarah Palin irresponsible in stepping down as Alaska's governor?
- Should Bill Clinton have gotten involved in the case of the journalists who were kidnapped in North Korea?
- Should former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich go to jail for attempting to sell a Senate seat?
- Should the U.S. continue to invest money in the space program?
- Should gay marriage be legal in the United States?
- Should the military abolish the "don't ask, don't tell" policy?
World News Topics
The United States isn't the only country embroiled in serious domestic and foreign policy issues. The economic downturn has affected all nations, as have continuing issues surrounding free trade and world finance. Here are some of the many international news issues that might be used for a persuasive topic.
- Was the Iranian election legitimate?
- Should nations further sever relations with North Korea and Kim Jong Il?
- Should NATO continue to expand its membership?
- Should the Israelis and Palestinians work towards a two-state solution?
- Should the world be doing more to prepare for a swine flue outbreak?
- Should the world be doing more to slow down climate change?
- Is outsourcing more beneficial than harmful?
- Is free trade more beneficial than harmful?
Current Event Topics
Choosing a persuasive topic related to current events can be advantageous. These topics are will seem interesting and relevant to audience members, and they will be eager to listen and learn more. these topics will also be easy to research. And with so much going on in the world, it's always easy to find a current event to debate.
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