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60 Interesting Public Speaking Topics to Engage Your Audience

If you’re the type of person who gets head spinningly, palms-sweaty nervous when asked to make a public speech, you’re certainly not alone. As intimating and intimidating as it may seem, it’s true that having the ability to confidently stand in front of an audience and deliver a speech can be a super useful tool. Not only could it bring you better marks in school, it’ll also come in handy in future job applications, leadership positions, and even in everyday conversation. Now that you’re serious about conquering public speaking , the next step is knowing what to say. We’ve got your back on this one. Here’s a list of 60 interesting public speaking topics which promise to keep your audience engaged and eager to hear what you have to say. Customize them however you please, add more information and ideas of your own, and let your ideas do the talking! Let’s get going!

Interesting Public Speaking Topics

Public speaking provides a unique opportunity for speakers to share their opinions, experiences, and knowledge in an interesting way. Interesting public speaking topics can range from controversial to informative, from historical to present day, from fun to serious. When selecting a topic , it’s important to consider the interests of your audience as well as what you can provide appropriate supporting information on. Controversial or opinion-based topics can be engaging, but it’s important that all sides of the argument are presented fairly and no one in the audience is disparaged or excluded. Additionally, providing both sides of an argument here helps inform your audience and may even expose them to different perspectives. Informative topics are great for teaching audiences about specific subjects or movements, while delivering the information in an entertaining and interesting way. Explain how each piece fits into the bigger picture and build suspense throughout your talk. Additionally, if you have personal stories associated with the topic, by all means include them; these stories help make your presentation more memorable and engaging for your audience. Historical topics provide excellent fodder for a public speaking engagement; beyond teaching about specific events that occurred in our past, you can also shed light on important dates in history or major events of the past century. Providing context helps bring to life lessons from those points in time that still influence us today. Current events are also great platforms for public speaking – highlighting what is happening now provides a powerful connection between speaker and audience as everyone is probably equally (or almost equally) knowledgeable about it—and if not? You get to teach them! When presenting current events as your topic, make sure you use up-to-date sources and highlight any compliance changes or other political matters that could affect your audience directly. Now let’s move on to discuss current events as an interesting public speaking topic…

Current Events

When it comes to public speaking, current events make for a highly engaging topics. Depending on the agenda and purpose of the speech, current events can be used either to inform and educate the audience or to galvanize support and motivate action. When dealing with current events, speakers should strive to remain impartial while bringing forth both sides of the argument. For example, if the event is to discuss international trade policy in light of recent tariffs disputes between major trading partners, speakers should present both advantages and disadvantages of increased tariffs. Understanding the core issue at hand without commenting on the efficacy of each side’s policies is key in order to maintain an impartial outlook. Similarly, when addressing a complex social issue like discrimination against minority groups or income equality, it is important to provide a sober and nuanced overview of the issue while ensuring that all sides are properly represented. Naturally, as certain issues become particularly salient in the public debate , more detailed analysis may be necessary in order to provide a full account of the situation. With that said, presenters must always exercise caution when discussing hot-button topics so as not to alienate any portion of their audience. Finally, speakers may choose to conclude their discussion by proposing a plan for action or connecting their topic with wider implications for society. As such, choosing current events as one’s topic allows for an opportunity to create real change that can have tangible benefits for members of their audience. With this potential impact in mind, let us now explore creative ideas that are just as interesting but offer a different approach.

10 Current Events Topics

• COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on society, economy, and healthcare systems
• Climate change and environmental issues, including wildfires, hurricanes, and rising sea levels
• Global politics and international relations, including tensions between countries and geopolitical conflicts
• Technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, automation, and the future of work
• Social justice movements, including Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, and their impact on society
• Mental health and wellbeing, including the effects of the pandemic on mental health and access to mental health services
• Education and the challenges of remote learning and hybrid learning models
• Immigration and refugee crises, including the global response and the impact on individuals and communities
• Economic inequality and the wealth gap, including the effects of the pandemic on job losses and income disparities
• The role of media and technology in shaping public opinion and discourse, including issues of censorship and misinformation.

Fun Public Speaking Topics

Public speaking can be an incredibly effective method of communication and expressing ideas to an audience. When selecting a topic for a public speaking event, it is important to choose one that will be engaging, exciting and entertaining . Fun public speaking topics are a great way to captivate your audience’s attention. Some fun topics popular today include conspiracy theories, humorous anecdotes and weird trivia questions. In addition to topics that can evoke laughter, you could opt for a conversation-like approach by selecting topics tailored towards discussing or debating current events or pop culture trends. This type of discussion creates a sense of involvement amongst your listeners, as they are likely to have their own opinions on the subject matter at hand. Knowing the interests of your audience makes it easier to pick one of these types of interesting conversation starters. Yet another type of enjoyable public speaking topic is one related to personal experience. By sharing stories from your own life you can create a connection with your audience because they realize you are not only knowledgeable about academic subjects but also about human experiences. For example, you could talk about how traveling abroad changed your perspective or how volunteer work with animals opened up new opportunities in your life. No matter what route you take, having a fun element in each speech encourages conversations , making it more engaging for the listener.

Here are 10 fun topics for public speaking:

• The science of laughter and how it can improve mental and physical health
• The history of popular board games and how they have evolved over time
• The art of cake decorating and how to create beautiful and delicious desserts
• The world of cosplay and the art of creating intricate costumes
• The benefits of travel and tips for planning the perfect vacation
• The world of online gaming and the rise of esports
• The history of memes and how they have impacted popular culture
• The art of mixology and how to make creative cocktails at home
• The joys and challenges of pet ownership and the benefits of having a furry friend
• The world of improv comedy and how to master the art of improvisation.

These fun public speaking topics spark imagination and interest from all those involved in the discussion. While brainstorming ideas, it is important to keep in mind that the topic should contain enough material to elaborate upon while maintaining a lighthearted spirit; balance is key!

Controversial Public Speaking Topics

Controversial public speaking topics can be excellent ways to engage your audience and spark a lively discussion. It is best to keep the language used respectful, as well as being mindful of the makeup of the audience you are presenting to. Popular controversial public speaking topics range from opinions about current events and politics, religion, gender roles and LGBTQ issues, amongst other things. When debating each side of the argument, it is important to make sure that one doesn’t invalidate or insult the opposing views.

Here are 10 controversial public speaking topics:

• Gun control and the right to bear arms
• Abortion and reproductive rights
• Capital punishment and the death penalty
• Immigration policy and border control
• Affirmative action and equal opportunity employment
• LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality
• The legalization of marijuana and other drugs
• Animal rights and animal testing
• Freedom of speech and hate speech laws
• Climate change and the role of humans in causing and combating it.

No matter which topic you decide to explore, controversial public speaking topics provide a great opportunity for learning experiences. With great research beforehand, ambitious speakers can use these occasions to inform their audiences in meaningful ways. Moving on to the next section, motivational public speaking topics have become increasingly popular within the last several years. This type of speech aims to inspire its audience by inciting positive feelings and emotions while promoting an inspiring idea or action plan.

Key Points to Remember

Controversial public speaking topics can be engaging to an audience, but the language used should remain respectful regardless of opinions held. Popular topics include current events, politics, religion, gender roles, and LGBTQ issues. When debating both sides of a controversial argument, it is important not to insult or invalidate another viewpoint. Controversial public speaking gives speakers a great opportunity to enhance learning experiences with thorough research and information .

Motivational Public Speaking Topics

Motivation is a powerful tool that can influence and inspire people to realize their potential and reach unseen levels of success. When applied effectively, motivational public speaking topics can be incredibly impactful and help an audience take action on ideas they can implement in their daily life. The key to delivering an effective motivational talk is to focus on the idea of progress. Talk about how something good can be accomplished over time if dedication and hard work are continually applied. Present stories of real-life successes, as well as struggles, to illustrate these points and increase the audience’s engagement level. Make sure to inject positive energy into your speech by outlining strategies the audience can use to stay motivated while achieving their goals. By presenting topics in a motivational manner, you can help ensure that members of your audience feel encouraged, empowered, and inspired. If you are debating a controversial topic, make sure to present both sides of the argument within the same motivating framework.

Here are 10 motivational public speaking topics:

• Overcoming obstacles and achieving success
• Finding purpose and meaning in life
• Building self-confidence and self-esteem
• The power of perseverance and determination
• Mindfulness and living in the present moment
• Overcoming fear and taking risks
• The importance of setting and achieving goals
• Turning setbacks into opportunities for growth
• Developing a positive mindset and attitude
• The benefits of gratitude and appreciation in life.

Keeping these important principles in mind will allow you to deliver a compelling motivational presentation that helps your audience believe in themselves and develop clear directions for taking action. Taking the right steps today will bring better results tomorrow — this is a concept worth discussing during your talk.

Historical Topics for Public Speaking

History is a rich and complex tapestry of events, ideas, and movements that have shaped the world we live in today. Exploring historical topics can help us gain a deeper understanding of our collective past, and shed light on the challenges and triumphs of human experience. From the fall of the Roman Empire to the Civil Rights Movement, there are countless historical topics that continue to fascinate and inspire us. In this list, we explore ten historical topics that offer a glimpse into the great events and movements that have shaped our world.

Here are 10 historical topics to talk about:

• The fall of the Roman Empire and its impact on European civilization
• The French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
• The Industrial Revolution and its impact on society, economy, and technology
• The American Revolution and the birth of the United States of America
• The Renaissance and its impact on art, science, and culture
• The colonization of the Americas and the impact on indigenous populations
• The World Wars and their impact on global politics and international relations
• The Age of Exploration and the impact of European colonization on the world
• The Civil Rights Movement and the fight for racial equality in the United States
• The Cold War and the global tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Persuasive Speech Topics

Persuasive speeches are designed to convince the audience to take a particular action, adopt a certain viewpoint, or support a specific idea. These speeches can be powerful tools for effecting change and promoting important causes. From protecting the environment to advocating for social justice, persuasive speech topics cover a wide range of issues that are relevant to our world today. In this list, we explore ten persuasive speech topics that can inspire and motivate audiences to take action and make a positive impact on the world around us.

Here are 10 persuasive speech topics:

• The importance of recycling and reducing waste to protect the environment
• The benefits of meditation and mindfulness for mental health and well-being
• The need for stricter gun control laws to reduce gun violence
• The importance of early childhood education for future success
• The benefits of a plant-based diet for health and the environment
• The need to address income inequality through progressive taxation
• The importance of access to affordable healthcare for all individuals
• The need for comprehensive sex education in schools
• The benefits of renewable energy sources for a sustainable future
• The need for increased support for mental health resources and services

Public speaking is not always an easy task. Whether you are presenting a persuasive or informative speech, it can be difficult to keep your audience interested and engaged. In order to do this, it is essential to choose the appropriate public speaking topics. The fifty-plus interesting public speakings topics suggested in this article can provide plenty of inspiration and help you deliver a powerful message to your audience. Whether you take a light-hearted approach or focus on a more serious subject matter, picking the right public speaking topics can make all the difference. Larger philosophical questions may prove intimidating and impractical as public speaking topics, while trivial conversation starters may bore your audience before they even start listening. To get the most out of your speeches, it is important to pick a topic that walks the line between engaging your listeners without making them uncomfortable or unsure of how to respond. It is also imperative that you develop solid argumentation and presentation skills if you want to succeed in public speaking. An entertaining speech must still provide solid facts and evidence while at the same time grabbing the attention of your listeners. A good balance between interesting content and persuasive rhetoric should help make any speech successful.

Responses to Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative public speaking topics.

Creative public speaking topics can range from the exploration of current trends, to unique takes on traditional topics. For example, if discussing the current state of education, one could focus on the trend of more expensive tuition for higher education and dive into the implications this has for students and the job market, or discuss emergent strategies for providing greater access to educational opportunities in economically disadvantaged areas. Additionally, one could explore the current technology landscape and how it will shape future generations, or investigate developments in artificial intelligence that are redefining our understanding of what “intelligence” means. One could also take a more artful approach to public speaking and open up a dialogue about the power of creativity in solving problems or elicit discussion around empathy as a form of communication. Ultimately, creative public speaking topics are limited only by creative thought and provide an exciting opportunity for speakers to present inspiring ideas in entertaining ways.

What are some tips for choosing public speaking topics?

Some tips for choosing public speaking topics include: 1. Choose topics that are relevant to your audience. Make sure the topic is of interest to them and will keep their attention. 2. Research the topic thoroughly before speaking. Knowing the subject matter well will make it easier to engage your audience. 3. Select a topic that is both challenging and interesting. While choosing a subject that people might be familiar with can be safe, make sure it is still engaging and stimulating. 4. Avoid topics that are too controversial or sensitive. Refrain from such topics as they could lead to arguments or displeasing reactions amongst the audience members. 5. Expand on popular material but don’t plagiarize other speakers’ ideas. People like new concepts and appreciate hearing new information so challenge yourself to come up with something original!

370+ Speech Writing Topics For Students

Discover our guide with great speech writing topics for debate speeches, persuasive speeches, informative speeches, and much more. Get answers below.

Writing and delivering a speech can be nerve-wracking, especially for the first time. Explore our top speech writing topics for college and high school students and get answers to your frequently asked questions about how to choose a speech topic and overcome anxiety surrounding public speaking. For tips on how to write a speech , check out our guide!

How to Prepare For Public Speaking 

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College and high school students often find themselves giving a speech for the first time, which can be stressful if you’ve never done public speaking before. Students can prepare ahead of time in several different ways to help set the stage for success – here are just a few:   

• Learn the fundamentals of giving a good speech. This includes understanding the elements of a speech, such as the introduction, body, and conclusion. Each section should flow smoothly into the next and build upon the main point. Pay close attention to which words you choose and how your delivery comes across.
• Practice makes perfect. Try to find opportunities to speak in front of an audience in different situations, even if it’s just in front of family, friends, or in front of a mirror. It can also help to record yourself so you can listen back and identify areas that need improvement. The more practice you have, the more confident you’ll feel when it comes time to give your speech.
• Use relaxation techniques before giving your speech. You can start by taking some deep breaths and focusing on exhaling slowly. You can also try progressive muscle relaxation, which involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in your body several times until your muscles begin to relax on their own naturally. You can also check out these quick writing topics .

• The dangers of social media. 
• How to improve American healthcare. 
• The problems with plastic bags. 
• How cell phones lessen the quality of life. 
• Why criminals need rights. 
• If students should be required to study art. 
• How the war on drugs harms communities of color.
• If schools should ban certain types of books. 
• If statues of slave owners should be removed from public property. 
• If more practical subjects should be taught in school instead of algebra. 
• If religion causes fighting and wars. 
• If outlawing drugs makes them more desirable. 
• If taking photographs of children in public should be illegal. 
• How making food a reward sets the stage for eating disorders. 
• If men should be granted paternity leave when they have or adopt a baby. 
• If routine circumcision should be banned in the United States. 
• How artificial intelligence stands to change the world. 
• How American prisons are a form of modern-day slavery. 
• Why the media needs more cultural and racial diversity. 
• If restaurants have an obligation to purchase produce from local farmers. 
• Global Warming & Climate Change 
• Renewable Energy Benefits 
• Problems In The American Education System 
• Harmful Ingredients In Fast Food
• Animal Testing, Zoos, And Other Forms of Animal Cruelty 
• The Difference Between Real Life And Reality Shows
• The Issue Of Indoor Pollution
• Unethical Fast Fashion Practices 
• The Benefits Of Journal Writing 
• The Dangers Of Texting And Driving 
• The Benefits Of Gender-Affirming Care For Trans People 
• The History Of Racism In America 
• The Dangers Of Hazing In College 
• How Natural Disasters Develop With Climate Change 
• How To Think Critically When Watching The News 
• Homelessness Statistics And Trends In America 
• The Use Of Color Psychology In Marketing  
• The Physical Effects Of Tattoo Ink 
• The Psychological Impacts Of Beauty Pageants  
• How Social Media Affects The Brain
• How best to protect endangered animals. 
• If having pet birds is ethical. 
• If vegetable gardens should replace grass lawns. 
• The impact of plastic disposables on the environment. 
• The most efficient type of renewable energy. 
• How increasing train travel can benefit both people and the environment.
• If zoos should be strictly regulated or banned. 
• The impact of fracking on the environment. 
• If animal testing should be outlawed. 
• If the government needs to allocate more resources to national wildlife preserves. 
• The deforestation crisis. 
• Air pollution and the impact of poor air quality on human health. 
• If people should be allowed to own certain types of exotic animals and keep them as pets. 
• How to reduce the presence of microplastics in the ocean. 
• How drilling for oil impacts water aquifers and sources of clean, fresh water in America. 
• If all grocery stores should stop using plastic bags. 
• If parents should be allowed to choose their child’s sex and physical characteristics 
• If vaccinations should be mandatory. 
• If private corporations have a responsibility to create sustainable products. 
• The impact of robots on the environment. 
• If cloning animals and humans is moral. 
• Whether physician-assisted suicide and compassionate euthanization should be legalized.
• If cigarette smoking should be outlawed. 
• If minors should be allowed to purchase birth control without parental permission. 
• If sugary drinks should be taxed to discourage overconsumption. 
• If America should have a single-payer healthcare system. 
• The importance of adequate mental health care for high school students. 
• Racial bias in the American healthcare system. 
• If women face higher rates of being denied adequate pain control by healthcare providers.
• If cannabis is harmful or helpful for certain medical conditions. 
• If fast food restaurants have a responsibility to offer more affordable healthy food options. 
• The role of relaxation in physical and mental health. 
• If organ donation should be mandatory. 
• How to address the obesity epidemic in America. 
• If doctors should be paid according to their patient outcomes. 
• How to reduce the cost of prescription medications for the average person. 
• The benefits of laughing on physical and mental health. 
• If breastfeeding should be more normalized in America. 
• Sources of indoor air pollution and its impact on physical health. 
• If food additives in America are unsafe. 
• How technology can improve daily life. 
• The consequences of biological warfare. 
• How the advancement of robotics will impact the human population. 
• If the internet is more dangerous than it is beneficial. 
• The role of social media and online bullying in teen suicide. 
• Practical applications for 3D printing. 
• The future of self-driving cars. 
• The differences and similarities between computers and the human brain. 
• If colonizing the moon is possible and beneficial or harmful to the human species. 
• How cell phones affect the human body. 
• If humans can be grown in an artificial womb. 
• If text messaging jargon is having a negative impact on human language. 
• How technology has changed over the years for the better or worse. 
• The impact of cryptocurrency on world economics. 
• Using virtual reality to augment mental health treatment. 
• The intersection of artificial intelligence and animatronics.
• The future applications of nanotechnology. 
• The applications of drones in global military efforts. 
•  If dependence on technology is a danger to humanity. 
• The impacts of Wi-Fi signals on human health. 

• Women’s Empowerment 
• The Me Too Movement 
• Overcoming Peer Pressure 
• The Value Of Community Service 
• Mental Health And Wellness 
• Productivity And Time Management 
• How To Own Up To Mistakes And Learn From Them 
• The Benefits Of Meditation 
• Money Management 
• Taking Time For Yourself 
• How To Become A Winner 
• How To Be A Better Role Model
• Turning Failures Into Successes 
• Handling Rejection Gracefully 
• How To Work Smarter Instead Of Harder 
• Why Time Is More Valuable Than Money 
• Setting Effective Goals 
• How To Break Bad Habits 
• How To Cope When Bad Things Happen 
• Thinking And Speaking Positively
• How mental health can affect friendships and other relationships.
• Tips for managing conflicts with friends. 
• How to communicate special needs effectively to friends. 
• The qualities of a good friend. 
• Signs of a toxic friendship and how to get out of one. 
• How people from different generations can be friends. 
• If sororities and fraternities promote friendships or cause problems. 
• How to help a friend who is experiencing thoughts of self-harm. 
• What loyalty and dependability mean in a friendship. 
• How to hold friends accountable for wrongdoing without destroying the friendship. 
• What can be done about bullying that occurs inside a friend group? 
• If friends have a responsibility to report dangerous behavior. 
• If men and women can be friends. 
• If it’s a good idea to develop a friendship with someone before dating them and why. 
• The benefits of keeping in touch with your childhood or high school friends. 
• If groups of single parents can become friends and raise their children together. 
• How friends can help each other succeed in life. 
• The challenges of maintaining friendships as a busy adult. 
• What gifts would you get your friends if money was no object? 
• How to avoid jealousy in a friendship. 
• Signs of toxic family dynamics and how to get out of harmful cycles. 
• The definition and impact of generational trauma. 
• Qualities of a strong and healthy family dynamic. 
• How parents can build a loving family and home life. 
• Communication tips for family members. 
• If families with young children should limit their screen time. 
• The benefits of going on family vacations. 
• The best ways to balance work and family commitments.
• The importance of staying in touch with family members who are far away. 
• How having a family can enrich someone’s life. 
• If you should be required to donate a lifesaving organ or blood to a family member. 
• If children should be required to take care of elderly parents. 
• If the Christian religion promotes misogyny within conservative families. 
• If the number of children a couple can have should be regulated by the government. 
• If parents should be held accountable for crimes committed by their children. 
• If couples should be required to take parenting classes before starting a family. 
• How spanking causes brain damage in young children. 
• Misconceptions new parents have about raising kids in modern society. 
• What it means to go “no contact” with a parent and why adult children choose to leave their families.
• What a “chosen family” is and how people develop familial relationships outside of their blood relatives. 
• What Is Good Sportsmanship?
• Professional Sports Salaries 
• How Sports Impact Human Psychology
• Sports And Mental Development 
• Benefits Of Childhood Sports 
• How Sports Teach Morals 
• Do International Sports Promote World Peace?
• Why Dance Is A Sport 
• Should School Sports Be Mandatory?
• What Competitive Sports Teach About Life 
• Sports and Performance Enhancing Drugs 
• Trans People In Sports 
• The Role Of Social Media In Sports 
• How Sports Build Social Skills
• How Losing At Sports Teaches Life Lessons 
• Are Professional Sports Too Commercialized Now? 
• Sports And Virtual Reality 
• The Future Of College Sports 
• What Players Want Sports Coaches To Know 
• Sports And Disabilities 
• Violent Video Games 
• The Death Penalty 
• Human Rights Issues 
• Obesity in America
• Mass Shootings In Public Places 
• Alcohol Has A Greater Negative Impact On Society Than Cannabis 
• The War Against Drugs 
• Cellphone Policies In Schools 
• Religious Indoctrination Is Child Abuse 
• Police & Qualified Immunity 
• Regulating Senior Drivers 
• Affirmative Action 
• Stem Cell Research 
• Peaceful Protests 
• Contraceptive Regulation 
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) 
• Arranged Marriages 
• Censorship 
• Animal Breeding 
• The Adoption Industry 
• If America is not a true democracy. 
• If corporations should be allowed to donate to political campaigns. 
• If celebrities should be able to run for public office. 
• If poverty should be a government priority. 
• The prevalence of political corruption in America. 
• If the voting age should be raised in America. 
• If the United States should fund wars between other countries. 
• If national voter ID laws would disenfranchise minority voters. 
• The definition and prevalence of domestic terrorism in America. 
• Why it’s important for young people to vote. 
• If far-right influencers promote dangerous ideals. 
• If the government should spend less money on the military and wars. 
• If Social Security benefits should be preserved for future generations. 
• If Americans should get to vote for who serves on the Supreme Court. 
• If Congress should have term limits. 
• If the Electoral College should be abolished. 
• How minorities are represented in Congress. 
• If private for-profit prisons should be banned or heavily regulated. 
• If the police should be required to operate their body cameras at all times. 
• If people imprisoned for marijuana offenses should be let out in states where cannabis is now legal. 
• Abortion 
• Free Education In America 
• Right To Marry 
• Racism And Poverty In America 
• Food Deserts And Malnutrition 
• Substance Abuse And Crime Rates 
• The Right To Housing 
• Wage Inequality 
• Crime Recidivism Reduction 
• Child Labor 
• Agricultural Integrity 
• Taxing Religious Institutions 
• Prostitution 
• Minimum Wage 
• Common Sense Gun Control Laws 
• Gender And Sexual Orientation Discrimination 
• Violence In Media 
• Paid Maternity And Paternity Leave In America 
• What skills do entrepreneurs need to be successful? 
• How to motivate and engage employees at work. 
• Top indicators of business success. 
• How to make money using your passion. 
• The importance of good financial planning for businesses. 
• How companies can create loyal customers for life. 
• Why businesses need to create a powerful brand image in today’s competitive market. 
• Tips for people who want to start their own business. 
• How to create a home office. 
• Why do some companies have high turnover rates? 
• If incentivized customer reviews are unethical. 
• If businesses should be held responsible for false advertising. 
• If businesses should be allowed to lobby people in Congress. 
• Ethical marketing practices for new businesses. 
• How to balance owning a business and starting a family. 
• Women entrepreneurs in America. 
• Do companies have a responsibility to help manage inflation?
• The disparity between CEO and employee pay. 
• If the existence of billionaires is ethical. 
• How businesses can cultivate positive company culture. 
• The scariest thing you ever did and how you overcame your fear. 
• A difficult decision you had to make and why you made the choice you did. 
• Your favorite teacher and what you learned from them. 
• Something you learned about yourself that improved your life. 
• A regret that you have and what you wish you would have done instead and why. 
• Something valuable you broke or lost and how it made you feel. 
• Someone you admire in your personal life and what they taught you. 
• Your ambitions and why you want to achieve them. 
• A family member you looked up to as a child and why. 
• The most exciting thing you’ve ever done and if you would do it again. 
• The type of job you want to hold in the future and why. 
• Specific expertise you hold and how it can provide value to your community. 
• Charities or social initiatives you support and why. 
• What your favorite motivational quote is and why. 
• Something that makes you unique and distinguishes you from other people. 
• The historical figure you most look up to and why. 
• A time you failed at something you tried but learned an important lesson from the experience. 
• A close call you had with something and how the situation might have turned out differently. 
• Somewhere you would visit in the world and why you would go there. 
• Something you learned watching television or listening to the radio that changed your life. 
• Graduation Speeches 
• Valedictorian Speeches
• Independence Day Speeches 
• Wedding Toasts
• Eulogies 
• Speeches For Beauty Pageants 
• Pep Rally Speeches 
• Award Acceptance Speeches 
• Introduction Speeches 
• Presentation Speeches 
• Farewell Speeches 
• Dedication Speeches 
• Commemorative Speeches 
• Retirement Speeches
• Welcome Speeches 
• Birthday Speeches 
• Tribute Speeches 
• Keynote Addresses 
• Anniversary Speeches 
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speeches 
• If traveling to Hawaii is ethical. 
• If it’s dangerous for women to travel internationally alone. 
• How travel can be educational. 
• If vacations have a positive impact on emotional and psychological health. 
• How travel can help prevent burnout. 
• The dangers of drinking tap water when traveling to other countries. 
• If there should be more travel accommodations for plus-size people. 
• How viruses spread on cruise ships. 
• Top reasons people travel. 
• How to manage travel frustrations like missed flights and canceled reservations. 
• What to do if there’s an emergency while traveling. 
• Ethical tourism in poor countries. 
• How to get to know a country’s customs when traveling. 
• The impact of traveling on the economy. 
• How American tourism impacts politics. 
• The intersection between travel and religion. 
• How the COVID-19 pandemic affected the travel industry. 
• What travel means to you. 
• If young children should be allowed to travel to dangerous places. 
• How to navigate currency exchange issues when traveling. 
• How COVID-19 impacted public education in America. 
• The benefits of e-learning for children of different ages and education levels. 
• If corporal punishment should be allowed in schools with or without parental consent. 
• If sodas and energy drinks should be allowed in high schools. 
• The different types of learning styles and how these play a role in public education. 
• The impact of public school on child socialization. 
• If schools should abolish homework policies. 
• How elementary and middle schools should treat young trans students. 
• The role of the Internet in American education today. 
• How schools can provide more support to students with learning disabilities. 
• If special education in schools is actually beneficial to students who are struggling in class. 
• Comparing American schools to educational institutions in other countries. 
• If students should be taught sex education in schools and if so, to what degree? 
• If high school students should have access to condoms at school. 
• If college should be free. 
• Why teachers of all grade levels don’t make enough money in America. 
• If a student’s grades are an indicator of their intelligence. 
• If students should be required to learn etiquette at a certain age. 
• If public education institutions should implement school uniform policies. 
• If the pressures of school have a negative impact on kids who should be enjoying their childhood. 
• The definition of trauma and how it impacts young children. 
• How emotional abuse impacts psychological development in children. 
• How dissociative disorders work to protect the brain from the impact of severe trauma. 
• How reverse psychology works. 
• The greatest contribution to modern psychology in history. 
• How people with different personality disorders experience the world. 
• The psychological relationship between parents and their children. 
• The intersection between sleep and psychology. 
• The differences between psychology and psychiatry. 
• How psychologists benefit society and human development. 
• How child psychology differs from adult treatment modalities. 
• How psychological treatment has changed over the years. 
• If basic psychology should be a required high school or college course. 
• How violent movies and television impact human psychology.
• How short and long-term memories form. 
• The impact of bullying on child psychological development. 
• The psychological impact of childhood neglect. 
• If antidepressants are overprescribed.
• The comorbidity of trauma and personality disorders. 
• If birth order affects a child’s psychological development. 

Looking for more? You might also be interested in our list of the best report writing topics .

• How Trix cereal discriminates against rabbits by making their cereal for kids. 
• If plants have feelings and if vegans are committing acts of vegetable cruelty. 
• Why the grass might literally be greener on the other side of a fence. 
• How to be good at being lazy. 
• Why lying well can be considered a talent. 
• How being annoying can be considered an art. 
• How to fail at a job interview. 
• Tell a story about a joke that didn’t go over well. 
• Compare Instagram to real life. 
• If regifting is an ethical practice.
• Why clothing companies don’t put pockets in women’s clothes. 
• Why bad pickup lines work better than traditionally good pickup lines. 
• Why a cartoon character should be elected President. 
• A practical guide to surviving the zombie apocalypse. 
• If internet surfing counts as an aerobic workout. 
• Why kids shouldn’t have to clean their rooms. 
• The worst business slogans and why. 
• The correct way to offend someone. 
• How to cheat at the game of Life. 
• A list of the worst gifts ever. 

If you liked this post, you might also find these essays about being a student helpful.

The three main types of persuasive speeches are value-based, policy-based, and emotional-based. Value-based speeches argue a certain concept based on its merits, while a policy persuasive speech argues for a certain course of action. Emotional-based speeches seek to elicit a certain response from the audience by evoking an emotional reaction.

Some people find that focusing on their breathing helps to calm their nerves, while others find visualization exercises like picturing the audience in their underwear to be a helpful way to diffuse the tension. Others say that simply accepting that they will be nervous and embracing that feeling is the best way to get through it.  

Looking for more? Check out our round-up of the best inspirational books !

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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!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

151 Best Public Speaking Topics In 2021

Thu Oct 21, 2021

Do you love giving a speech in front of a large group of people or simply feel nervous about it? Sometimes, the lack of preparation and planning a good speech may cause the latter. With today's fast-paced environment, you will have to step up on stage to deliver a speech at some time in your life. Writing a compelling and insightful speech necessitates the selection of a suitable topic, extensive research. It will need the creation of individual ideas to communicate everything fact and opinion. It might be difficult to select a suitable speech topic for your speech . But don't worry, the work has been done for you! This blog provides a list of popular English speaking themes as well as some useful tips and methods. Be ready to effectively communicate your views and suggestions in front of the public. Table Of Contents:

List Of Best Speech Topics For Public Speaking

1-minute speech topics.

• 2-Minute Speech Topics

Unique Speech Topics

Interesting speech topics, easy speech topics, speech topics on environment.

• Speech Topics On Social Issues

Speech Topics On Greatest Leaders

Speech topics on education, speech topics on health, frequently asked questions.

Speeches are entirely about the speaker's own ideas. It should not be duplicated from another source. It ultimately boils down to what the speaker believes about any particular issue. Examine the following collection of English Speaking Ideas on various current topics and themes.

A 2-minute speech is an excellent method to start into public speaking and is often utilised in the classroom. It's brief. It's quick.

To make things easier for yourself, choose a topic that fascinates you and about which you can speak passionately.

• Public Smoking
• Bar Hours of Operation
• Confirmed Alien Sightings
• The Rape Culture
• Indian Reservation Casinos
• Marijuana Legalization
• Making Prostitution Legal
• The Dangers of Cosmetic Surgery
• Adoption Across Cultures
• What Causes Men to Have Affairs?
• What Is the Importance of Reading?
• Homelessness in the United States
• Reducing the Legal Drinking Age
• General Education Courses (20)
• Is Online Dating Dangerous or Safe?
• How to Speak English in America
• Getting Your Pets Spayed/Neutered
• Are Video Games Beneficial to Your Health?

Choosing new and exciting unique speech themes for your public speaking skills is vital. It can also help with any other special event that necessitates developing your own exceptional experiences. Read through these ideas and choose just the ones that are unique to you.

• Seniors are no longer able to adopt children.
• TV commercials are not works of art.
• Allow students to use social media at school.
• Cash will be phased out.
• Music has the ability to heal.
• Historic structures must be protected.
• There should be a one-car-per-family regulation.
• Marriage should be permitted only after the age of 25.
• Parents who home educate their children should first have to pass examinations.
• The Bermuda Triangle is not a work of fiction.
• Medication has no effect on hyperactive youngsters.
• It is possible to survive without internet access.
• Leadership cannot be learned.
• Married couples should engage in extramarital relationships.
• Modern art just requires ambition.

Almost always, you will be required to present one or more compelling speeches throughout your career.

Unless the topic is appropriate, no matter how good your material or delivery is, you will fail to make an impression. As a result, when making this decision, one must use extreme caution and wisdom. Here are some interesting topics to choose from, especially if it’s your first on stage.

• Reality television is a source of exploitation.
• Reality programmes are far from authentic.
• Computer-based learning is the most efficient.
• Gamification and virtual reality are the educational technologies of the future.
• Juvenile criminality is tolerated.
• Prostitution need to be legalised.
• To conserve endangered species, severe fines should be imposed.
• Pollution of the environment is a worldwide issue.
• The developed world is to blame for global warming.
• Is Pink appropriate for men
• Eco-fashion is the way of the future.
• Fashion shows one's actual self.
• Travel introduces fresh experiences.
• Travel broadens your horizons.
• Rhetorical learning is less essential than personal experience.

If you don't have much time to prepare or research , it's necessary to adhere to what you know. This will greatly reduce your burden because you already know the majority of what there is to know.

Here are some simple and easy speech topics on popular topics.

• There are less professional ads in schools.
• Why are single-gender public schools preferable than co-ed?
• From cradle to finish, schools should educate students on healthy nutrition.
• Students who engage in cyberbullying should be expelled from school.
• Before getting married, you should live together.
• Higher education is a basic requirement for success in today's world.
• French fries and drinks should not be served in schools.
• Students who study online are more likely to cheat.
• Classic literature should be reserved for college students alone.
• Every kid at every school should be required to wear a uniform.
• After completing a basic education, students should be put in trade schools.
• Exam results provide little insight into a student's skills.
• History textbooks do not always tell the entire storey.
• It is critical for students to learn about all global faiths in school.
• Homeschooling outperforms formal education.

For public speaking , consider environmental speech themes and essay writing on many elements of our ecology. https://www.letstute.com/s/store/courses/Spoken%20English

Do you want to write about sustainability in the environment? These suggestions will serve to enliven your imagination.

• The dangers of oil spills in the water.
• Recycling should be made compulsory.
• Why is it necessary to save oil?
• Why should we use reusable bags?
• Why should palm oil be banned?
• Mining should be prohibited in environmentally vulnerable regions.
• Disposable diapers pollute the environment.
• In deciding how a person will turn out, the environment is more significant than heredity.
• The dangers of drilling for oil in Alaska.
• Fishing restrictions are required to protect the ecosystem.
• Endangered species must be protected.
• We need to put more money into alternate fuels.
• Endangered oceans ought to be protected.
• We should work for a paperless society.
• Conserve the world's resources.
• Rain forests must be safeguarded.

You may also like:

• The massive list of 51 English speaking tips
• How talk in English
• 13 Actionable tips to learn English Speaking

Speech Topics on Social Issues

When working on a speech that asks you to write about a societal topic, you must be neutral in your research and writing. The topic you choose should be related to and relevant to the societal issue addressed in your speech. Here are a few issues that will have a bigger influence in terms of social affairs.

• The notion that all individuals are equal
• The statistics on homelessness in the United States are accurate. Fashion is the biggest cause of kid misbehaviour.
• Corporate corruption is a major factor of poor economies in many countries.
• Never take your right to privacy for granted.
• People are not killed by firearms. People kill one other, and the meaning of beauty pageants is muddled.
• The prevalence of spoiled children has increased as a result of media violence.
• The world's biggest population has lost its cultural identity.
• There is an urgent need to put an end to the maiming and abuse of schoolgirls.
• China's one-child policy is justifiable.
• In current culture, correct tipping etiquette and procedures
• Unemployment, a growing crisis
• The Importance of the Right to an Education
• Child trafficking as an unspoken issue

The capacity to lead is extremely powerful since it allows you to influence the future and control the behaviour of others.

Choose a theme for your speech that focuses on the notion of leadership. By delving into this subject and expanding on it in your speech, you may not only increase your personal understanding of what makes a successful leader. However, also communicate your insights with your listening crowd. Pick on the topics below to exemplify leadership.

• Jacinda Adern
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Nelson Mandela
• Winston Churchill
• Martin Luther King Jr
• Abraham Lincoln
• Mother Teresa
• Napoleon Bonaparte
• George Washington
• Julias Caesar
• Franklin D Roosevelt
• Francoise Hollande
• Pope Francis
• Akbar the Great

Education is a human right to which everyone is entitled. When individuals differ on what is good and wrong with education, problems occur. As a part of public speaking, education becomes an important topic to address the audience about.

The topics listed below are ones that everyone working in or with education must deal with at some time.

• The value of education in advancing one's career
• Outside the classroom, there is a lesson to be learned.
• The Advantages of E-Learning
• E-learning vs. traditional classroom instruction
• What will the future of education look like?
• Is it appropriate for instructors and students to connect on social media?
• Should homework be assigned in schools?
• How to Achieve Academic Success in College Through Online Learning
• Which is the better measure of success: theory or practise?
• Various modes of learning and teaching
• Before being admitted to school, one should undergo a psychological evaluation.
• Do you believe it should be permissible for students to drop out before reaching the age of 18?
• Should life skills classes be required in schools?
• Should public universities be free?
• Should laptops take the role of textbooks?

Today, public health speeches are required so that people may concentrate on promoting and safeguarding community health. It is critical to implant the concept of well-being in broad groups of people, with a focus on wellness.

Here is a list of compelling and instructive health and wellness speech themes. These are certainly, also for the purpose of enhancing your own thinking and that of others.

• Diet beverages are frequently not diet at all, while ordinary beverages are not quite regular.
• Going barefoot in the summer is beneficial to your feet.
• Take a test to determine whether you are susceptible to any hazardous diseases or viruses.
• Why you shouldn't work too hard if you have diabetes.
• Breakfast is the most essential meal of the day for several reasons.
• Fast food establishments should provide healthier choices.
• Do you believe that sex education should be taught in schools?
• People who live in cities will die younger.
• Excessive salt consumption is harmful to one's health.
• Consumption of meat should be decreased.
• People should be more concerned about their sleep.
• Why should you become an organ donor?
• Why should we utilise homoeopathic remedies?
• Why are vaccinations beneficial?
• Are e-cigarettes preferable to cigarettes?

1. What are the 4 types of public speeches?

To master public speaking, you must first distinguish between four styles of public speaking:

• Ceremonial Speaking
• Demonstrative Speaking
• Informative Speaking
• Persuasive Speaking

2. What do you say in a 2-minute public speech?

Prepare your 2–3 main points ahead of time, and keep in mind that a successful presentation would include:

• Captivating start, such as a strong quotation or questions that pique your audience's attention.
• Introduction, major body, and conclusion are all well-structured.
• A strong conclusion that will stay with the viewers.

3. What is the best topic for students?

The Best Speech Topics for Students:

• Noise Pollution
• Women Empowerment
• Environment Pollution
• Health and Wellness

4. What are the 7 elements of public speaking?

The 7 aspects of public speaking are:

• The speaker
• The message
• The channel
• The listener
• The feedback
• The interference
• The circumstance

5. How do you practice impromptu speaking?

You may practise spontaneous speeches in two ways:

• You're on your own. Every day, pick a different random topic and talk out about it.
• Speak in front of a group. The greatest method to master spontaneous speaking is to practise in front of a group and receive expert criticism.

People are generally encouraged to talk about a current issue in order to help them become better public speakers. They are also required to acquire the skill of expressing themselves in front of an audience. Choosing the appropriate topic before you begin practising your speech may make all the difference. It is a method of keeping your audience engaged and from being bored. You may also choose one about which you are enthusiastic so that you can express it properly. When considering these persuasive English speech ideas, ensure you keep it interesting, engaging, short, and clear. Do you think we left something out? Or do you have a topic that you believe is significant and would want to add? Please mention them in the comments section below!

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English Speech Topics for Students

• Updated on  
• Sep 20, 2024

Writing an exciting and thoughtful speech requires selecting a good topic, researching it thoroughly, and forming individual opinions to express the same. School students are usually asked to speak on a contemporary topic to help them become good public speakers and learn the art of expressing themselves in front of an audience. While many speech competitions often allot topics beforehand, you might also have heard of extempore where topics are given on the spot for speech. This blog brings you a list of common English speech topics as well as some helpful tips and tricks that can assist you in effectively expressing your thoughts and opinions in front of an audience. Before starting, we would like to give you one piece of advice: you can also Humanize AI to humanize these topics for better readability and human touch if required. Let’s begin!

This Blog Includes:

List of best english speech topics for students, 1-minute speech topics, 2-minute speech topics, 3-minute speech topics, easy topics for speech in english, english speech topics on environment, english speech topics on technology, english speech topics on independence day, english speech topics on diwali, english speech topics on corruption, english speech topics on feminism, english speech topics on mother’s day, english speaking topics on capitalism, engish speech topics on gandhi jayanti, english speech topics on reading, english speech topics on communism, english speech topics on deforestation, english speech topics on social issues, english speech topics on important days & events, english speech topics on greatest leaders in india & around the world, english speech topics on indian culture, english speech topics on proverbs, english speech topics on human rights, english speech topics on education, english speech topics on the importance of water, miscellaneous speech topics, types of persuasive speech topics, tips for writing and speaking a speech.

Speeches are all about one’s thoughts. It should not be copied from somewhere. It is all about what the speaker thinks of any given topic. However, take a look at the following list of English Speech topics on different contemporary issues as well as concepts.

• The Best Day of My Life
• Social Media: Bane or Boon?
• Social Media Influence
• Favourite Subject
• Favourite Book
• Pros and Cons of Online Learning
• Benefits of Yoga
• If I had a Superpower
• I wish I were _____
• Human Rights
• Environment Conservation
• Women Should Rule The World!
• The Best Lesson I Have Learned
• Paperbacks vs E-books
• How to Tackle a Bad Habit
• My Favorite Pastime/Hobby
• Why Should Every Citizen Vote?
• Learning a New Language
• Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Is it real or not?
• Importance of Reading
• Importance of Books In Our Life
• My Favorite Fictional Character
• Introverts vs Extroverts
• Lessons to Learn From Sports
• Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder

Checkout our 200+ Essay Topics for Students in English

• Importance of Kindness
• Is there Value in Homework?
• Things I learned in Lockdown
• How Can Food Be Recycled?
• Should Art Be A Part of the school curriculum?
• Effects of Video Games
• Effects of Cartoons
• Your Best Friend
• Should Schools Teach Sign Language?
• Women Make Better Presidents/Prime Ministers
• Why Books Are Better Than Movies?
• Life Was Better When Technology Was Simple
• Impact of Technology On Our Health
• Should Children’s Reality Shows Be Banned?
• Learning In the Wake of COVID-19
• Hard Work vs Smart Work
• What Makes Learning Fun?
• The Coolest Inventions You’ve Seen
• Nuclear Energy
• Importance of AI in Education
• Importance of Extracurricular Activities
• Should Exams be banned?
• How to Tackle Bullying in Schools?
• Public Transportation Benefits
• How to Spread Kindness

• Speech About Dreams
• Speech About Life
• Speech on Time
• Speech on Discipline
• Speech on Happiness
• Speech on Kindness
• Speech on the Value of Time
• Speech on Health and Fitness
• Speech on Doctor
• Speech on Nurse
• Graduation Day Speech
• World Health Day Speech
• Sex Education Speech
• Speech on Qualities of a Good Human Being

Check out how to write an Essay on Peer Pressure

• Importance of Education
• Is It Beneficial to Learn a Second Language?
• Music has Healing Power
• Success in Life
• Self Confidence
• 18th Birthday
• Love Is More Powerful Than Hate
• Social Impact of Covid-19
• How can Online Learning be Fun?
• Make Public Transport Free
• Should Violent Video Games Be Banned?
• Speech on Learning
• Climate Change
• Ozone Layer Depletion
• Reducing Water Levels
• Deforestation
• Global Warming
• Waste Management
• Water-Saving Techniques
• Reducing the Green Cover of Earth
• Afforestation
• Endangered Species Need Protection
• Importance of Fishing Regulations
• Importance of Investing in Alternative Fuels
• Impact of Ocean Acidification on Marine Organisms
• The Misuse of the Term “Sustainable Development” by Environmentalists
• Microbial Benefits
• E-Waste Management
• Natural Disasters and Their Impact on Economic Growth
• Energy Alternatives – Only Solution to The Environmental Damage
• Extinction of Rare Species
• World Environment Day
• Disaster Management
• Over and Improper Use of Natural Resources
• Air, Water and Soil Pollution
• Efficiency of Recycling
• Environmental Awareness 

Check out How to Write Dialogue: Format, Tips and Examples

• Technology and Mental Health
• Privacy in the Digital Age: Navigating the Challenges of Data Collection and Surveillance
• The Impact of Technology on Society
• Artificial Intelligence : The New Normal
• The Role of Social Media in Communication and Social Interactions
• Sustainable Technology : Innovations for a Greener Future
• The Rise of E-commerce
• Gaming Technology: Entertainment, ESports and Interactive Experiences
• The Digital Divide : Bridging the Gap for Equal Access to Technology
• The Ethical Dilemmas of Emerging Technologies
• The Journey of Independence Day
• The Significance of Independence Day
• Indian Independence Day
• Remembering the Founding Fathers
• The Spirit of Independence
• Independence Day and Volunteering
• Independence Day Speeches
• India’s Road to Freedom
• Independence Day and National Identity
• Independence Day in the Digital Age
• Independence Day and Women’s Empowerment
• Diwali: The Festival of Lights and Its Significance in Hindu Culture
• Diwali and the Victory of Good Over Evil
• Diwali and the Art of Giving
• Diwali and the Spirit of Forgiveness
• Diwali and Cultural Exchanges
• Diwali and the Essence of Joy
• Diwali and Social Responsibility
• Diwali and Artistic Expressions
• The Rituals and Traditions of Diwali
• Diwali and the Symbolism of Light

Also Read: English Vocabulary: Meaning, Types, Tips to Improve

• The Economic Consequence of Corruption
• Corruption and International Aid
• Media and Corruption
• Fighting Corruption
• Corruption in Politics
• Corruption in India Speech
• The Role of Transparency and Accountability in Curbing Corruption
• The Role of Technology in Combating Corruption
• Whistleblowing and Protecting Mechanism
• Corruption in Business and Corporate Practices
• Understanding Feminism
• The Future of Feminism
• Feminism and Parenting
• Feminism and Online Activism
• Feminism and Environmental Activism
• Feminism and Reproductive Rights
• The Gender Pay Gap: Examining Inequalities in the Workplace
• Feminism and its Evolution
• Feminism and Body Positivity
• Feminism and Media Representation: Encouraging Authentic and Diverse Portrayals of Women
• Expressing Gratitude and Love to Mothers
• The Influence of Mothers in Shaping Our Values and Beliefs
• Motherhood and Education
• Mother’s Day and Volunteerism
• Mother-Daughter Relationship
• The Role of Mothers in Shaping Society
• Mother’s Day Crafts and DIY Gifts
• Learned Lessons from Mothers
• Mother’s Day Around The World: Cultural Traditions and Celebrations

Exploring English Speech Topics? You must also take a look at Extempore Topics !

• Capitalism: An Introduction to the Economic System and Its Principles
• The Future of Capitalism
• Pros and Cons of Capitalism
• Capitalism and Globalisation
• Capitalism and Consumerism
• Capitalism and Financial Crisis: Undertaking the Risk and Mitigation Measures
• Capitalism and Environmental Sustainability
• Capitalism and the Role of Government
• Corporate Social Responsibility in Capitalism
• Capitalism and the Digital Economy
• Mahatma Gandhi : The Father of the Nation and His Ideals
• Remembering Gandhi: Reflecting On His Life and Legacy
• Gandhi’s Influence on the Indian Independence Movement
• Satyagraha: The Power of Truth and Nonviolent Resistance
• Gandhi’s Philosophy of Swaraj
• The Role of Women in Gandhi’s Freedom Struggle
• Gandhi’s Teaching on Education and Moral Values
• Gandhi’s Lasting Legacy
• Gandhi’s Vision for a Just and Inclusive Society
• The Relevance of Gandhi’s Principles in Today’s World
• The Influence of Reading on Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
• Reading and Mental Health
• Benefits of Reading
• Reading and Empowerment
• The Role of Reading in Academic Success and Lifelong Learning
• Promoting a Reading Culture: Encouraging Reading Habits in Society
• Reading Biographies and Memoirs
• Reading and Social Connections
• The Joy of Reading: Escaping Into the Different Worlds and Characters
• Translating a Book Into Another Language
• Reading and Personal Identity
• The Current State of Communism
• Communism: An Introduction to the Ideology and Its Historical Context
• The Evolution of Communist Movements
• The Role of the State in a Communist Society
• The Fall of Communist Regimes
• Communism and Religious Freedom
• Communism and Gender Equality
• Communism and Workers’ Rights
• The Criticisms of Communism
• Deforestation: Causes, Consequences and Global Impact
• Deforestation and Climate Change
• Deforestation and Carbon Sequestration
• Deforestation and Individual Actions
• Deforestation and Wildlife Trafficking
• Deforestation and Sustainable Development
• Deforestation and Indigenous Communities
• Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss
• Deforestation and Forest Fires
• The Importance of Forests

Check out how to write Speech on Nuclear Energy

• Women Empowerment
• Education of Girl Child
• Unemployment
• Casteism 
• Reservation
• Importance of Maintaining Hygiene
• Child Labour
• Social Distancing
• Organ Donation
• Importance of the Right to Education
• Child Trafficking
• Cultural Diversity
• Struggles of Immigrants
• Impact of Globalisation
• Adult Education
• Road Safety
• Independence Day
• Mother’s Day
• World Cancer Day
• World Population Day
• World Health Day
• Ambedkar Jayanti
• Gandhi Jayanti
• Human Rights Day
• Zero Discrimination Day
• Women’s Day
• Thanksgiving
• Anti-Terrorism Day
• Hindi Diwas 
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Raja Rammohan Roy
• George Washington
• Albert Einstein
• APJ Abdul Kalam
• Nelson Mandela
• Kailash Satyarthi
• Diversity in India
• Speech on Holi
• The Role of Yoga and Meditation in Indian Culture and Its Global Impact
• The Importance of Traditional Indian Clothing
• Indian Folklore
• Indian Festivals
• The Art of Indian Dance
• Traditional Indian Medicine (Ayurveda)
• Indian Epics and Mythology
• Social Customs and Etiquettes in Indian Society
• Indian Sports and Games

Also Read: Speech on Indian Culture

• Honesty Is The Best Policy
• When There’s A Will, There Is A Way
• Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
• Actions Speak Louder Than Words
• Knowledge is Power
• Ignorance is Bliss
• Hard Work is The Key to Success
• The Role of International Organisations in Promoting and Protecting Human Rights
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A Milestone in Human History
• Gender Equality: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women
• Ensuring a Safe and Sustainable Environment for the Next Generation
• The Right to Education: Empowering Minds
• Bridging the Gap Between the Rich and Poor
• Human Rights and Armed Conflicts
• Global Fight to Combat Human Trafficking
• Human Rights and Climate Change
• Religious Freedom: Tolerance and Coexistence in a Diverse Society
• Importance of Teacher in Your Life
• SAT Scores for College Application
• Student Bullies Should be Expelled
• Consequences of Cheating in Exams
• Homeschooling is Better Than Normal Schooling
• Importance of Value Education
• Importance of Sports and Physical Exercises
• Schools vs Colleges
• What is the Difference Between a School, College and University in the USA?
• The Water-Energy Nexus
• The Essence of Water: Exploring the Live-giving Properties of H2O
• Water as a Driver of Economic Growth and Prosperity
• Water Security: Ensuring Equal Access and Quality for All
• Water and Agriculture
• The Role of Water in Ecosystems
• Water and Blue Economy
• Water Diplomacy: Promoting Collaboration for Transboundary Water Management
• Water and Cultural Significance: Exploring Symbolisms and Rituals
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Foundational for Human Health and Dignity
• Article 370
• Women rights
• The Constitution of India
• Youth of India
• Culture of India
• Importance of Unity
• Generation Gap
• Old Age Homes
• Family Values
• Leadership skills
• Rise of Smart Classes
• Grading System
• Importance of Practical Education
• Benefits of Co-Education
• Importance of Co-Curricular Activities
• The Uselessness of Power-Point Digital Presentations
• Rise of Technology
• Excessive Usage of the Internet
• Speech on Fear
• Speech on Dependence on Technology
• Importance of Social Media
• Speech on India of My Dreams
• Indian Education System
• Speech on My India

While exploring persuasive English speech topics, you must make sure that they are stimulating, engaging, concise and clear. There are three main types of Persuasive Speech topics which are:

1. Factual Persuasive Speech : These topics include facts, figures and statistics to thoroughly analyse the given topic and assess whether it’s true or false.

2. Policy Persuasive Speech : Discussing policies, laws and reforms, these speech topics critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the given policy or law and suggest the improvements that can be made.

3. Value Persuasive Speech : Mainly focusing on social or political issues, these speech topics present the critique and argument of whether certain actions are morally right or not.

While speaking on a particular topic, there are certain things that you must keep in mind to make your speech expressive and effective. Let’s take a look at some useful topics that help you in acing any topic you are speaking on.

• Always research the topic. If you are participating in an extempore, then make sure to go through the common and popular topics as well as the unconventional ones that you might get. Preparation is the key to delivering an impressive speech. For inspiration, look up various speech examples to see how effective speakers engage their audience
• Whether you are given a topic on the spot or you are prepared for the speech, it is always pivotal that you seem interested in speaking about it. Relate the given issues to your own life and this will help you in giving it your twist.
• Pay extra attention to your body language and enunciation. While a gesticulative approach will make you seem outward, having timid body language can cause a wrong impression.
• Ponder upon the different viewpoints on a topic . Try to present a holistic view of the given topic but don’t forget to present your opinion on it as well. Along with this, don’t try to take sides unless the topic demands you to.
• Involve your audience, if possible. This way, you will be able to interact with the people and it will also be useful in fighting the fear of public speaking.
• Don’t mug up a speech. It becomes evident when someone just speaks on a topic continuously and the audience might realise that you have memorized it or you might forget a certain part which will let the whole speech fade away from your brain.
• Instead, make notes about the topic in your mind, remember certain keywords and try to maintain a particular flow in your speech.
• Incorporate humour in your speech in a way that you do not offend anyone or overdo it but get a positive reaction from the audience. Humour is a great way of lightening the mood and ensuring the whole speech is interactive and engaging.

Related Reads

Ans: Juvenile delinquency is acceptable. Prostitution should be legal. Underage driving should be punishable by law. Beauty pageants for children should be banned. Prisoner’s right to vote. Voting rights should not be universal. Guns should be banned from college campuses.

Ans: A three-minute speech is undoubtedly a wonderful starting point for public speaking. This is because you need to communicate with your audience more effectively when you just have a short amount of time. In addition, the speech ought to be concise, pertinent, and clear.

Ans: Life is the gift of God in the form of trust that we will make it meaningful in whatever we can. We are all unique individuals. No one is born like you and no one will ever be, so cherish your individuality. Many times, I come across people accusing God of things that they don’t have. They always cursing their lives.

 Ans: 2-minute speeches are  short and crisp speeches of about 260-350 words .

Ans: The most famous English speech topics for students cover a wide range of topics that not only attract attention but also encourage students’ critical thinking and effective communication skills. The most famous English speech topics for students are: Importance of AI in education Social media influence Corruption Importance of reading Speech on sports Women’s empowerment World Environment Day Benefits of Exercise Child labour Effects of video games Efficiency of recycling Importance of extracurricular activities Independence Day Learning a new language Public transportation benefits Rise of technology Speech on cleanliness Technology and mental health Unemployment Why books are better than movies? Yoga Ambedkar Jayanti Article 370 Children’s Day

Thus, we hope that this list helps you in preparing for different English speech topics. Gearing up for IELTS ? Sign up for an online demo session with our experts at Leverage Edu and we will assist you in preparing for its different sections as well as improving your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills to ensure that you ace the exam with flying colours!

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14 comments

I take english speaking classes, please provide me sone more material to help student’s.

Here are some articles on books and study material that will help your students- https://leverageedu.com/blog/english-speaking-books/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/books-by-charles-dickens/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/best-books-by-george-orwell/

I want topic on students and online classes

It is helpful for my school homework thanks 😸

Glad we could help!

Nice advise 👍

Thank you, Pragya!

Not good topics 🤔🤔

Thanks for the suggestion. We will update the blog!

Helpful for students . So I like it

Thanks for reading! Also, read: Daily Used English Words Speech on Importance of English Reach us at 1800 57 2000 for study-abroad related matters!

You people are giving great contribution in internet learning and it is for all….

Hi, thank you for your valuable feedback.

Awesome! Its really awesome article, I have got much clear idea concerning from this post.

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115 Public Speaking Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Public speaking is a crucial skill that can greatly benefit individuals in various aspects of their lives. Whether it is delivering a presentation at work, giving a speech at a special event, or participating in a debate, being able to effectively communicate with an audience is essential. However, coming up with a topic for your speech can often be a daunting task. To help you out, here are 115 public speaking essay topic ideas and examples to inspire you:

• The importance of effective communication in the workplace
• How to overcome the fear of public speaking
• The power of storytelling in public speaking
• The impact of body language on communication
• How to deliver a compelling presentation
• The art of persuasion in public speaking
• The role of humor in communication
• The benefits of practicing public speaking
• The influence of technology on public speaking
• The art of impromptu speaking
• How to engage and connect with your audience
• The ethics of public speaking
• The role of public speaking in leadership
• The art of delivering a TED talk
• The importance of audience analysis in public speaking
• The impact of language and culture on communication
• The power of silence in public speaking
• The role of visual aids in presentations
• The influence of emotions on communication
• The art of public speaking in a virtual world
• The benefits of joining a public speaking club
• The impact of social media on public speaking
• The role of feedback in improving your speaking skills
• The art of delivering a eulogy
• The importance of authenticity in public speaking
• The influence of gender on communication
• The impact of public speaking on personal development
• The role of improvisation in public speaking
• The benefits of using storytelling techniques in speeches
• The art of delivering a commencement address
• The importance of practicing vocal variety in public speaking
• The influence of nonverbal cues on communication
• The impact of public speaking on career advancement
• The role of listening in effective communication
• The benefits of using humor in speeches
• The art of delivering a persuasive speech
• The importance of clarity in communication
• The influence of power dynamics on public speaking
• The impact of fear on public speaking
• The role of empathy in effective communication
• The benefits of using rhetorical devices in speeches
• The art of delivering a motivational speech
• The importance of adapting your message to different audiences
• The influence of technology on public speaking anxiety
• The impact of cultural differences on communication
• The role of storytelling in building rapport with your audience
• The benefits of using visual aids in presentations
• The art of delivering a powerful closing statement
• The importance of practicing active listening in communication
• The influence of body language on public speaking effectiveness
• The impact of public speaking on social change

In conclusion, public speaking is a skill that can be developed and improved with practice and dedication. Use the above 115 public speaking essay topic ideas and examples to inspire your next speech and engage your audience effectively. Remember to tailor your message to your audience, practice active listening, use visual aids, and incorporate storytelling techniques to make your speech memorable and impactful. With the right preparation and mindset, you can become a confident and persuasive speaker in no time.

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• Games, topic printables & more
• The 4 main speech types
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• About me/contact
• Impromptu public speaking topics

-200 first-rate impromptu speech topics 

By:  Susan Dugdale  

• 50 impromptu topics
• Yet another 50 random speech topics
• Then 50 more good impromptu speech topics
• And finally, 50 funny impromptu speech topics.
• Plus links to more impromptu speech topics and activities.

The topics cover a broad cross section of subject matter. Use them for table topics at your Toastmaster's Club, with your high school public speaking class as practice for debate competitions or, by yourself.

Some of them are quirky and funny.

Many are deliberately provocative to stimulate a response from both you, the speaker and, your audience!

Others are open-ended or neutral to allow whatever occurs in your mind to fit the topic. You could use those ones to tell a true story; a personal experience, share your personal bloopers, or talk about the meaning of life!

Any one of the 200 will make a good subject for an excellent impromptu speech.

These types of speeches, off the cuff and without much time to prepare, are a great way to polish communication skills. And, most importantly, they're fun!

Are you in a hurry & needing impromptu speech topics ready for use now?

Solve your problem in 5 minutes. Get the first list of 50 impromptu speech topics on this page plus 48 more in an instantly available print-and-go pdf. 50 + 48 = 98 impromptu speech topics!

Quick tips for practicing by yourself:

• Choose a good topic, one that appeals to you from any one of the lists below.
• Give yourself a strictly monitored preparation time of no more than one minute in which to note an opening, a couple of main points with examples and, a conclusion.
• Deliver your speech while timing and, if possible, recording it. Aim to speak for a couple of minutes.
• When you play the recording back, listen for speech structure, (Is there one?), content and fluency. Each of these combine to create the overall impact of your speech.

If you're using these impromptu speaking topics with a friend or in front of an audience in a classroom, use the same method but skip the recording.

Be sure though to allow enough time to give and receive feedback. Along with regular practice, it's a vital part of improving!

Ideally once you or your class has become more confident, you'll allow less preparation time.

The ultimate goal is to be given a speech topic, do some quick thinking and to begin speaking on the subject coherently and easily, almost immediately.

Literally, you get given the topic, the green light, timer or stop watch is flicked on, you open your mouth and go!

Get help with impromptu speaking formats

If you've arrived at this page on impromptu public speaking topics without having seen my impromptu speaking tips page, pay a visit there too.

You'll get really useful information on structural patterns as well as delivery tips.

If you're new to making this kind of short duration speech, both will help a great deal.

The 7 patterns, in particular, are invaluable. They'll stop you from blundering aimlessly around blurting whatever occurs to you first! Something I remember doing quite frequently before I found them. ☺

Return to Top

50 impromptu public speaking topics

• My biggest concern for the future is...
• Real wealth is never measured in money or possessions.
• Conservation is survival.
• Real love is not the stuff of pop songs.
• If I were an animal I'd be a...
• Plants have feelings too.
• Junk food's popularity relies on marketing.
• To err is human. To forgive is divine. Discuss.
• The world is a smaller place these days.
• The more we communicate, the less we really say.
• When I grow up...
• The best letter of the alphabet is...
• Goals are good for you.
• The most important lesson of my life so far...
• Intelligence is not enough.
• If I ruled the world...
• Color affects the way people feel.
• Ill health begins in the mind.
• Team sports build strong individuals.
• Laughter is the best medicine.
• Fools and their money are easily parted.
• Discipline is not a dirty word.
• Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
• Children learn what they live with.
• My favorite day of the year is...
• What characteristics make an ideal hero and why?
• What and who is an average person?
• Being young is over-rated.
• In what situation is lying a good idea?
• Does money make the world go round?
• What human quality do we need more of and why?
• Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
• How we look is unimportant. It's who we are on the inside that counts.
• Fashion victims I have known.
• Pets are for people who don't have children.
• Summer is the best and worst of times. Why?
• The media controls how and what we think.
• Advertising targeting children is immoral.
• Talking to someone and talking with someone are two different activities.
• Real learning doesn't occur in a classroom.
• What would you rather be - wise or intelligent?
• True wisdom comes from experience.
• A sense of humor is essential.
• Uniforms stifle individuality.
• What is normal is decided by the society we live in.
• Manners matter.
• Children should not watch television.
• Art is essential to life.
• Cities are for people not cars.
• Peace is possible.   

Grab 'n go for busy people - Printable Speech Topics

Impromptu Speech Topics on the RUN

Get the first 50 topics on this page PLUS 48 more. It's a Serendipity (little-bit-of everything) Selection in an instantly available printable format: 14 topics per A4 page.

Preview an extract. See the 14 topics on page 5 of 7.

98 printable impromptu speech topics

Select, print, cut-and-GO!

50 excellent random impromptu speech topics

Here's the second list of 50. If a topic ends with an ellipsis, (...), replace it with a word or phrase of your choice.

E.g. 'I wish I was...' might become 'I wish I was sitting on a beach with my best friend.', or 'I wish I was more courageous.'

• What has more impact? Being beautiful or being kind?
• I wish I was...
• The color yellow reminds of...
• Swear words are satisfying to say.
• Share one important memory.
• What have you said that you immediately regretted?
• Explain how to withstand peer group pressure.
• The only certainties in life are death and taxes.
• Nationalism fuels wars.
• Doing what you want, when you want, does not build character.
• Every woman needs a husband.
• Love is exploited by manufacturers and shopkeepers.
• The Christmas season has been hijacked for profit.
• Vital medicines should be free.
• Social service should be compulsory.
• Being poor is not a crime.
• Love is not always the answer.
• What does it mean to be in a black mood?
• We should have Thanksgiving every day.
• When is stealing necessary?
• What is unforgivable?
• Being wrong is good for us.
• Who is the enemy? Why?
• Ignorance is a root cause of violence.
• What I loved doing most as a kid.
• A saying I’ll never forget is...
• The most important lesson I learned from my mother.
• What foreign language should we learn.
• If you could be a famous person for a day who would you be?
• The silliest thing I ever saw.
• An idea is never original.
• Copying other people is not bad. It’s the way we learn.
• Social media is both good and bad.
• The item I value most.
• We procrastinate because we are fearful of being wrong.
• Learning not to pre-judge a person is very difficult.
• The last book I read.
• My favorite time of the day.
• If I changed my name I’d change it to...
• People in my family never...
• Something I want to believe in but can’t.
• Becoming educated is a life-long mission.
• Learning to be grateful for what we have makes us happier.
• Sexual predation is never acceptable.
• Real friends love us, despite our faults.
• How to tell the difference between real and fake news.
• Describe an everyday miracle.
• Being different makes the world a richer place.
• Green washing is a modern crime.
• The contents of my bathroom cupboard.

Another 50 good impromptu speech topics

And here's the third list!

• Comfort food: what is the food that makes you feel good.
• How I got my name and what it means.
• What would happen if I had to be without my phone.
• An everyday hero.
• What qualities makes a person a leader?
• It’s OK to be wrong and it’s OK to fail.
• My favorite clothes: what are they, and why have you chosen them.
• My favorite song: what it is, and why is it your favorite.
• My favorite place: the place where I feel best.
• The worst food I’ve ever eaten.
• My favorite season of the year.
• How being locked down over Covid has changed how we learn.
• How the Covid pandemic changed my life.
• What country I want to visit and why.
• How to break a bad habit.
• The best trick I ever played.
• A skill I want to learn.
• The difference between liking and loving someone.
• Why keeping up with national and international news is important.
• The sport that seems strangest to me.
• Cars reflect their owners.
• The clouds in the sky sometimes remind me of...
• We need to take cyber-security seriously.
• How can you tell if someone is telling a lie.
• Trees communicate with each other.
• What I collect, and why.
• Curiosity underpins inventions.
• I wish someone would explain to me why...
• What I am most proud of about myself.
• If you could go back in time, what time and event would you return to?
• Three convincing reasons for not completing your homework.
• Tell two truths and one lie. Ask the audience to pick the lie.
• Why is it important to look someone in the eye?
• What is the absolutely best way to relax?
• Is there truth in the saying: “Clothes make the man”?
• In what ways can sport be seen as a religion?
• The three most annoying habits of people in my family.
• How to sound and act like an expert.
• Is it immoral for the immensely wealthy not to use their money to help people living in poverty?
• Is there any truth in the saying: “Fake it until you make it”?
• Why do some people behave as if they are superior to others?
• My secret ambition is to become...
• Name three words setting your peer group and generation apart from your parent’s generation? Eg. GOAT, dope, sick. What do they mean? How are they used?
• Why girls should be allowed to play contact sports.
• Why vaping should be banned along with cigarettes.
• Why is it important to vote?
• Who is the best person you have ever met? Why are they the best?
• What would you do if you could do anything?
• Explain these sayings: “take a chill pill” and “all that glitters is not gold”.
• In what major ways has the world changed in the last 20 years?

Finally, 50 funny impromptu speech topics

• What I wish I'd said. Responses I would have given if I was quick enough.
• If you could choose a theme song, what would yours be and why?
• If my pet could talk, this is what they'd say about me.
• If you ran the news outlets, what would your top headlines for today be?
• Tell us about the worst hair cut you ever had.
• What clothing choices have you made in the past that you now regret?
• If you were a hero for the day, what would you do?
• Why does Murphy's Law (Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong) kick in when we're under pressure? 
• What kinds of things are you a secret snob about?
• Three reasons why I decided to take up extreme knitting.
• Why sports cars should only be driven by young beautiful people.
• What are the worst chores you've ever had to do around your home.
• What is the funniest personal habit you've witnessed in your friends or family?
• Three funny facts about your home country.
• What's wrong with saving the best for last?
• The best trick that's ever been played on me.
• The real reasons why I decided to become a pop star.
• Which celebrity would you invite to dinner?
• What 'funny story' gets told over and over again in your family?
• What food did you dislike the most as a child and why?
• What's the silliest situation you've even been in?
• Share an amusing situation where you read someone's body language wrongly.
• What eccentric habits are you going to adopt?
• If you could become someone else, who would you be and why?
• What three things bore you the most?
• What personal habit has caused you the most trouble?
• Why is your daily horoscope always right?
• What is the best day of the week, and why?
• How to become an expert procrastinator.
• Three things I wish my mother had told me.
• Fascinating trivia - the useless facts I know.
• How to recover from embarrassing yourself publicly. 
• What's the real story behind the saying: "to beat around the bush" or "to take the cake"?
• What would you invent if you could?
• If you could meet a person from the past, who would it be, and why? 
• What's your three top tips for living well?
• If you could only have the same food every day, what would you choose?
• What happened on your best 'worst' date?
• The top ways to make people like you. 
• The real reasons why people do not talk to each other on public transport.
• The reasons why I will bequeath my fortune to my cat.
• What item of clothing do you own that makes you feel good?
• If you had a personal logo, what would it be? 
• What words or phrases do people use that let us know who they mix with, and how old they are?
• What is the silliest or most trivial problem you currently have?
• If 'looks can kill', who would you most like to see in front of you and why? 
• What thing have you kept for sentimental reasons? Why?
• What words do people frequently use that annoy you immensely?
• What is something you've misplaced or lost that had inconvenient consequences?
• What online sites frequently cause you to lose track of time?   

EVEN MORE good impromptu speech topics!

10+ themed sets of fun impromptu speech topics fresh from the creative, wild and wacky department! 

If you're looking for inspiration for your public speaking class or you need table topics for Toastmasters, these are contagiously silly subjects:  lighthearted and nonsensical. (Like the bumper sticker wisdom quote illustrated below.)

Fun Impromptu Speech Topics   to get them laughing - the best way to learn ☺

Here's four themed sets of 20 table topic questions : Christmas, music, life-lessons and thought-provoking topic ideas. There's a printable for each set, plus an overview of table topics: its benefits, how a Toastmasters table topics session is run, what makes a good topic, the value of feedback, and more. 

Another option are these 150 1 minute speech topics . They are split into 3 groups of 50: those suitable for kids, 50 work/career themed suggestions and another 50 just for fun. You'll also find 3 sample speech outlines and example speeches: text and audio. Plus a free printable speech outline.                

See example impromptu speech outlines

Click for example impromptu speech outlines . See how to take a topic and develop it into an outline for a speech. You'll find e xamples of seven different structural patterns: PREP, Problem - Solution, Cause - Effect - Remedy, Before - The Event - The Result, Past - Present - Future, and two more.

Each comes with a printable outline for your own use, which seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? In the same league as 'lead balloon' and 'civil war'. When did war become civil, or balloons filled with lead actually fly? They didn't.

Impromptu speaking and completing an outline only makes sense if you regard the outline as tool to help you commit the pattern to memory. Once you've got it, you'll no longer need to write your key points and their transitions out.

Go to impromptu speech outline patterns .

Fun activities for practicing impromptu speaking

For more impromptu speaking practice ideas visit this page of public speaking games . 

While some of these activities are drama based you'll find all 10 of them useful and FUN! They are especially good if you're a teacher looking for ideas to help you plan impromptu public speaking lessons for your class.

The One Minute Speeches activity featured below is included in the collection however it's minus the pdf of instructions, game variations and printable topics.

One minute speeches - 368 topics + instructions!

368 topics, instructions for introducing and running a session on One Minute Speeches, plus activity variations in an instantly available format. A great reusable impromptu speaking resource for busy teachers! Have a look: One Minute Speeches

Impromptu speech activities bundle

And for those of you who want more than one activity check out this  comprehensive bundle of   17 proven fun and effective impromptu speech activities , complete with full guidelines and printables. 

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75 Persuasive Speech Topics and Ideas

October 4, 2018 - Gini Beqiri

To write a captivating and persuasive speech you must first decide on a topic that will engage, inform and also persuade the audience. We have discussed how to choose a topic and we have provided a list of speech ideas covering a wide range of categories.

What is persuasive speech?

The aim of a persuasive speech is to inform, educate and convince or motivate an audience to do something. You are essentially trying to sway the audience to adopt your own viewpoint.

The best persuasive speech topics are thought-provoking, daring and have a clear opinion. You should speak about something you are knowledgeable about and can argue your opinion for, as well as objectively discuss counter-arguments.

How to choose a topic for your speech

It’s not easy picking a topic for your speech as there are many options so consider the following factors when deciding.

Familiarity

Topics that you’re familiar with will make it easier to prepare for the speech.

It’s best if you decide on a topic in which you have a genuine interest in because you’ll be doing lots of research on it and if it’s something you enjoy the process will be significantly easier and more enjoyable. The audience will also see this enthusiasm when you’re presenting which will make the speech more persuasive.

The audience’s interest

The audience must care about the topic. You don’t want to lose their attention so choose something you think they’ll be interested in hearing about.

Consider choosing a topic that allows you to be more descriptive because this allows the audience to visualize which consequently helps persuade them.

Not overdone

When people have heard about a topic repeatedly they’re less likely to listen to you as it doesn’t interest them anymore. Avoid cliché or overdone topics as it’s difficult to maintain your audience’s attention because they feel like they’ve heard it all before.

An exception to this would be if you had new viewpoints or new facts to share. If this is the case then ensure you clarify early in your speech that you have unique views or information on the topic.

Emotional topics

Emotions are motivators so the audience is more likely to be persuaded and act on your requests if you present an emotional topic.

People like hearing about issues that affect them or their community, country etc. They find these topics more relatable which means they find them more interesting. Look at local issues and news to discover these topics.

Desired outcome

What do you want your audience to do as a result of your speech? Use this as a guide to choosing your topic, for example, maybe you want people to recycle more so you present a speech on the effect of microplastics in the ocean.

Persuasive speech topics

Lots of timely persuasive topics can be found using social media, the radio, TV and newspapers. We have compiled a list of 75 persuasive speech topic ideas covering a wide range of categories.

Some of the topics also fall into other categories and we have posed the topics as questions so they can be easily adapted into statements to suit your own viewpoint.

• Should pets be adopted rather than bought from a breeder?
• Should wild animals be tamed?
• Should people be allowed to own exotic animals like monkeys?
• Should all zoos and aquariums be closed?

Arts/Culture

• Should art and music therapy be covered by health insurance?
• Should graffiti be considered art?
• Should all students be required to learn an instrument in school?
• Should automobile drivers be required to take a test every three years?
• Are sports cars dangerous?
• Should bicycles share the roads with cars?
• Should bicycle riders be required by law to always wear helmets?

Business and economy

• Do introverts make great leaders?
• Does owning a business leave you feeling isolated?
• What is to blame for the rise in energy prices?
• Does hiring cheaper foreign employees hurt the economy?
• Should interns be paid for their work?
• Should employees receive bonuses for walking or biking to work?
• Should tipping in restaurants be mandatory?
• Should boys and girls should be taught in separate classrooms?
• Should schools include meditation breaks during the day?
• Should students be allowed to have their mobile phones with them during school?
• Should teachers have to pass a test every decade to renew their certifications?
• Should online teaching be given equal importance as the regular form of teaching?
• Is higher education over-rated?
• What are the best ways to stop bullying?
• Should people with more than one DUI lose their drivers’ licenses?
• Should prostitution be legalised?
• Should guns be illegal in the US?
• Should cannabis be legalised for medical reasons?
• Is equality a myth?
• Does what is “right” and “wrong” change from generation to generation?
• Is there never a good enough reason to declare war?
• Should governments tax sugary drinks and use the revenue for public health?
• Has cosmetic surgery risen to a level that exceeds good sense?
• Is the fast-food industry legally accountable for obesity?
• Should school cafeterias only offer healthy food options?
• Is acupuncture a valid medical technique?
• Should assisted suicide be legal?
• Does consuming meat affect health?
• Is dieting a good way to lose weight?

Law and politics

• Should voting be made compulsory?
• Should the President (or similar position) be allowed to serve more than two terms?
• Would poverty reduce by fixing housing?
• Should drug addicts be sent for treatment in hospitals instead of prisons?
• Would it be fair for the government to detain suspected terrorists without proper trial?
• Is torture acceptable when used for national security?
• Should celebrities who break the law receive stiffer penalties?
• Should the government completely ban all cigarettes and tobacco products
• Is it wrong for the media to promote a certain beauty standard?
• Is the media responsible for the moral degradation of teenagers?
• Should advertising be aimed at children?
• Has freedom of press gone too far?
• Should prayer be allowed in public schools?
• Does religion have a place in government?
• How do cults differ from religion?

Science and the environment

• Should recycling be mandatory?
• Should genetically modified foods be sold in supermarkets?
• Should parents be allowed to choose the sex of their unborn children?
• Should selling plastic bags be completely banned in shops?
• Should smoking in public places be banned?
• Should professional female athletes be paid the same as male athletes in the same sport?
• Should doping be allowed in professional sports?
• Should schools be required to teach all students how to swim?
• How does parental pressure affect young athletes?
• Will technology reduce or increase human employment opportunities?
• What age should children be allowed to have mobile phones?
• Should libraries be replaced with unlimited access to e-books?
• Should we recognize Bitcoin as a legal currency?
• Should bloggers and vloggers be treated as journalists and punished for indiscretions?
• Has technology helped connect people or isolate them?
• Should mobile phone use in public places be regulated?
• Do violent video games make people more violent?

World peace

• What is the safest country in the world?
• Is planetary nuclear disarmament possible?
• Is the idea of peace on earth naive?

These topics are just suggestions so you need to assess whether they would be suitable for your particular audience. You can easily adapt the topics to suit your interests and audience, for example, you could substitute “meat” in the topic “Does consuming meat affect health?” for many possibilities, such as “processed foods”, “mainly vegan food”, “dairy” and so on.

After choosing your topic

After you’ve chosen your topic it’s important to do the following:

• Research thoroughly
• Think about all of the different viewpoints
• Tailor to your audience – discussing your topic with others is a helpful way to gain an understanding of your audience.
• How involved are you with this topic – are you a key character?
• Have you contributed to this area, perhaps through blogs, books, papers and products.
• How qualified are you to speak on this topic?
• Do you have personal experience in it? How many years?
• How long have you been interested in the area?

While it may be difficult to choose from such a variety of persuasive speech topics, think about which of the above you have the most knowledge of and can argue your opinion on.

For advice about how to deliver your persuasive speech, check out our blog  Persuasive Speech Outline and Ideas .

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Cultural Informative Speech Topics

Learning about different cultures can drastically expand your viewpoint of the world. These speech ideas cover everything from language to ancient history to pop culture. 

• How to learn about local culture while traveling
• The importance of workplace culture
• How to build a positive corporate culture 
• How social media connects and promotes culture 
• The oldest cultures in the world 
• Modern versus traditional gender roles 
• How women have transformed corporate leadership 
• The dangers of hustle culture
• How social media culture impacts self-esteem
• How to learn from watching movies
• The rise of podcasts and their role in modern culture 
• The role of social media in business 
• How immigrants maintain cultural traditions in their new countries
• Ancient archeological artifacts you’ve never heard of
• Native American spiritual traditions
• Holy herbs and plants across global cultures
• How to make an African tribal basket
• The portrayal of black culture in the media
• Culture of Scandinavia
• Burial rituals in ancient Mesopotamia 
• History and meaning of the Om symbol
• The history of Buddhism
• How to show respect in Japanese culture
• The cultural history of African Americans 
• Chinese traditional foods 
• Top 10 foreign dishes you have to try before you die
• The most important spiritual symbols in the world
• Generational differences in Mexican culture
• The symbolism of marigolds in Mexican traditions
• What is Dia De Los Muertos?  

Want to radically improve your presentation skills? Watch our video for 10 presentation ideas:

Informative Speech Topics About History

They say, “history repeats itself.” Consider giving a unique or lesser-known perspective about historical events for a thought-provoking speech. Use museum artifacts and first-hand accounts to guide your points. 

• The Civil Rights Movement
• The oldest civilizations in the world
• Nelson Mandela’s historical impact
• The truth about colonization and Thanksgiving 
• How the Industrial Revolution impacted the environment 
• The real story of the Titanic 
• The craziest criminals in history  
• What caused the Great Depression? 
• What schools get wrong about black history 
• Religion during the age of the Aztecs
• Archeological evidence of aliens
• Ancient history of dogs and wolves 
• What caused the Salem witch trials?
• The American Revolution
• The role of Christianity in slavery
• Human rights violations throughout history
• How life changed for Native Americans after colonization 
• The role of urbanization on the changing American landscape
• The cowboy era: myths and truths 
• The American Constitution
• The most influential people in world history
• Forming of the United Nations
• What caused World War I?
• Financial panics and recessions throughout history
• The Prohibition era 
• What led to consumerism in society? 
• The Vietnam War
• The California Gold Rush
• The true story of Pocahontas
• Little-known facts about Mexican history

Informative Speech Topics About Music

Music is the soundtrack to our lives. Beyond mere entertainment, its impact dives into the roots of culture, identity, and brain function. Here are some exciting ways to incorporate your love of music into an informative speech. 

• How music can help mental health 
• Why you should learn an instrument
• How listening to music improves your productivity
• Genres of music 
• Links between classical music and IQ
• Why do people bond over music 
• Rarest instruments in the world
• The easiest instruments to play
• Best country musicians of all time
• How hip hop music has shaped culture in America
• Evolution of rap and hip hop 
• The origins of rock n’ roll in southern blues music
• The history of opera
• The best electronic dance music
• The impact of reggae music
• How punk rock got its start 
• How folk music shaped Appalachia 
• Country music hall of fame
• Must-see musical landmarks around the world
• Importance of gospel music
• The ethics of sampling other artist’s music
• How music shapes subculture 
• Has social media made record companies obsolete?
• The importance of musical education in public schools
• Music as a form of protest
• How sad music helps you overcome heartbreaks
• Why music shapes generations
• How dancing can change your mindset
• From the phonograph to iPhone: History of music machines

Health Informative Speech Topics

The ever-changing landscape of health offers a wealth of resources. Leave an impact on your audience by inspiring them to improve their eating habits or approach healthy living in a new way. Be sure to find the right sources for these speeches to make sure you are citing correct health science.

• How to extend your lifespan 
• Links between diet and mental illnesses 
• How to cook healthy food on a budget 
• Why a daily walk outside can transform your health
• History of herbal medicine 
• Let food be thy medicine: From Hippocrates to modern day food pyramid
• Why you should do yoga for 15 minutes a day
• Benefits and drawbacks of a vegetarian diet
• The healthiest fruits in the world 
• What is really in processed food?
• Is weight lifting or cardio better for burning fat?
• How agriculture affects our health
• The gut microbiome
• The dangers of pesticides in our food system
• How soil health impacts human health 
• Who controls the food system? 
• The science behind keto diets
• The dangers of low-fat diets
• Top 5 best foods for brain function
• The daily habits of the healthiest people in the world
• Differences in definitions of health
• European versus American food ingredients 
• The role of fats in brain function 
• How to fix a headache
• The benefits of magnesium
• The best supplements, according to science 
• The main signs of a stroke
• The chronic disease epidemic in America 
• How to lose weight the healthy way
• Why you should avoid eating seed oils
• Why you should stop eating gluten 
• How to prevent arthritis
• The real causes of diabetes
• Is meat actually bad for you? Pros and cons
• How to stop the mental health epidemic 
• How dental health impacts your digestion
• Amazing benefits of black seed oil
• The Harvard Longevity Project: Why happy people live longer
• Ancient health remedies from around the world
• Why you should eat fermented foods
• Causes of cancer and how to prevent it
• Why people should donate their organs
• Effects of radiation
• The healthiest cultures in the world 
• Why obesity is a modern problem
• How to have stronger bones
• Healthcare access for minorities
• Why fast food restaurants are addictive
• Pros and cons of salt
• How to overcome stress
• The dangers of e-cigarettes
• People need to drink more water
• The insurance and healthcare system in America
• How friendships improve your health
• Why couples should exercise together
• Benefits of dark chocolate
• Dangerous food additives you’ve never heard of
• Easy ways to improve your nutrition
• How to reverse hair loss
• Secrets to have healthy hair
• Benefits and drawbacks of stem cell research 
• Why you should stop drinking soda
• How to reduce asthma attacks
• Health benefits of ginger
• Why you should drink tea

Key Takeaways: Find Inspiration for a Speech

Any informative topic can be used to craft a speech, but a showstopping presentation requires thinking outside the box and approaching your speech from a unique point of view. Before you settle on a topic for your next speech, be sure that your speech idea is:

• Authentically interesting : Discussing something that doesn’t spark your interest is no use. Choose a topic or idea that you actually care about for an authentic and passionate delivery. 
• Relevant to your audience : If you don’t know your audience, you might as well be speaking to a wall. Professional presenters understand the general knowledge level of their audience and what information will be valuable or interesting to them. 
• Easy to research : Obscure topics can be alluring and challenging to research. Choose a topic that has plenty of information available in books or online. Be sure to use reputable sources and cite them when necessary.
• The proper length : The depth and detail of your speech ultimately depend on the length of time you have to talk. Pick a subject that you can thoroughly describe in the allotted time frame.  

Once you narrow down a few of your favorite topic ideas, start brainstorming how you want your speech to impact the audience. Use these 10 Presentation Ideas That Will Radically Improve Your Presentation Skills , such as:

• Why you should save the best for first and last
• How to design epic presentation slides
• Why you shouldn’t over-rehearse
• How to own the stage 

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10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

Few are immune to the fear of public speaking. Marjorie North offers 10 tips for speakers to calm the nerves and deliverable memorable orations.

Marjorie North

Snakes? Fine. Flying? No problem. Public speaking? Yikes! Just thinking about public speaking — routinely described as one of the greatest (and most common) fears — can make your palms sweat. But there are many ways to tackle this anxiety and learn to deliver a memorable speech.

In part one of this series,  Mastering the Basics of Communication , I shared strategies to improve how you communicate. In part two, How to Communicate More Effectively in the Workplace , I examined how to apply these techniques as you interact with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace. For the third and final part of this series, I’m providing you with public speaking tips that will help reduce your anxiety, dispel myths, and improve your performance.

Here Are My 10 Tips for Public Speaking:

1. nervousness is normal. practice and prepare.

All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. Some nerves are good. The adrenaline rush that makes you sweat also makes you more alert and ready to give your best performance.

The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. Take the time to go over your notes several times. Once you have become comfortable with the material, practice — a lot. Videotape yourself, or get a friend to critique your performance.

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2. Know Your Audience. Your Speech Is About Them, Not You.

Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for. Learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your choice of words, level of information, organization pattern, and motivational statement.

3. Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your Purpose.

Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points. Make sure to grab the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds.

4. Watch for Feedback and Adapt to It.

Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and stay flexible. Delivering a canned speech will guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

5. Let Your Personality Come Through.

Be yourself, don’t become a talking head — in any type of communication. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

6. Use Humor, Tell Stories, and Use Effective Language.

Inject a funny anecdote in your presentation, and you will certainly grab your audience’s attention. Audiences generally like a personal touch in a speech. A story can provide that.

7. Don’t Read Unless You Have to. Work from an Outline.

Reading from a script or slide fractures the interpersonal connection. By maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on task.

8. Use Your Voice and Hands Effectively. Omit Nervous Gestures.

Nonverbal communication carries most of the message. Good delivery does not call attention to itself, but instead conveys the speaker’s ideas clearly and without distraction.

9. Grab Attention at the Beginning, and Close with a Dynamic End.

Do you enjoy hearing a speech start with “Today I’m going to talk to you about X”? Most people don’t. Instead, use a startling statistic, an interesting anecdote, or concise quotation. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience is sure to remember.

10. Use Audiovisual Aids Wisely.

Too many can break the direct connection to the audience, so use them sparingly. They should enhance or clarify your content, or capture and maintain your audience’s attention.

Practice Does Not Make Perfect

Good communication is never perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect. However, putting in the requisite time to prepare will help you deliver a better speech. You may not be able to shake your nerves entirely, but you can learn to minimize them.

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About the Author

North is a consultant for political candidates, physicians, and lawyers, and runs a private practice specializing in public speaking, and executive communication skills. Previously, she was the clinical director in the department of speech and language pathology and audiology at Northeastern University.

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101 Public Speaking Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best public speaking topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 simple & easy public speaking essay titles, 📑 interesting topics to write about public speaking, ❓ research questions about public speaking.

• Public Speaking as an Effective Skill Proper application of public speaking knowledge will allow the new member of a group to move through the stage of getting to know the colleagues and feel comfortable talking with new people in unfamiliar situations.
• The Art of Public Speaking The main purpose of communication is to involve the listener in the discussion and make him/her perceive the message of the speech.
• Steve Jobs’ Public Speaking Evaluation Jobs was dressed the same as the graduates, therefore contributing to his confidence and the gravity of his words. His speech was well-organized, and Jobs talked of every point stated in the outline in the […]
• Communications: Public Speaking Problems The main problem that people face when speaking to the public is the inability to understand the expectations of the audience.
• The Art of Public Speaking: Steve Jobs and His Messages While one must give credit to the groundbreaking ideas that the innovator introduced to the audience, the delivery of the information also played a significant part in the success of the performance.
• Importance of Public Speaking and Eloquence Skills This is due to the fact that a human being is constantly progressing and enhancing the scope of the worldview. For example, using public speaking abilities provides an opportunity to persuade authorities and the community […]
• An Analysis of Barack Obama’s Style of Public Speaking During the course of his speech, Obama alludes to this slogan a number of times to drive home the point that he is the ‘agent of change’.
• Toastmasters and Public Speaking The act of public speaking can be defined as the process of speaking to a group of people in a deliberate and well structured manner with the purpose to inform, entertain or influence listeners.
• Public Speaking: Why Recycling Is Important The intention of such a program is to make “recycling of lead batteries easier and more profitable to recycle would lead to more extensive recycling programs.
• Personal Public Speaking Critique The purpose of this critique is to evaluate the speech I gave during the class, note the strong and weak points as I see them after the fact, and suggest improvements.
• Public Speaking and Audience Analysis To begin with, the speaker may be directly invited by an organization, which may be a business conglomerate, a school, community, a political party, or a religious institution to make a public speech on a […]
• Glossophobia: The Public Speaking Anxiety The level of fear in public speaking among the male and female participants was determined using a percentage and frequency approach.
• Communication Techniques in Public Speaking Initially, a public speaker has to watch the words in the content of a speech, to deliver the right message. This implies that a public speaker has to limit the frequency of using the word […]
• Public Speaking: Ethics and Critical Thinking The audience should be able to trust the speaker. The speaker will also use valid arguments and facts before presenting his or her findings to the audience.
• Public Speaking and Rhetorical Implications The speaker makes connections between the audience and the topic of his speech a few times. The speaker recognizes some relationships between himself and the audience at some points in his lecture.
• Public Speaking Courses Analysis While a job as a nursing assistant may not require formal public speaking, the skills learned in a public speaking course can still be applied and transferred to other areas of the professional and personal […]
• Public Speaking: The Key Requirements In conclusion, a good public speaker should prepare well for the speech and deliver it confidently while communicating effectively to the listeners.
• Speech Preparation Outline: Importance of Taking Public Speaking Classes General Purpose: To Inform/ Persuade the Audience Specific Purpose: By the end of the speech, the audience will agree that completing public speaking has psychological, professional, and social benefits.
• Public Speaking as the Art of Communication The more homogeneous is audience composition, the easier it is for the speaker to achieve the desired result with the speech.
• Public Speaking: Presentation Analysis Darryll Stinson’s strength in the analyzed presentation is in the introduction of the argument in the middle of the speech. Once the harms of rejection are characterized and explained in detail, so the audience is […]
• Important Aspects of Public Speaking In addition, both speakers know the techniques of paralinguistics and extralinguistics, that is, the range and tonality of the voice and the inclusion of pauses in speech. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to notice differences […]
• Public Speaking About Public Health The article talks about the comparison of the life of the elderly, socially active, and in isolation. Confidence, charm, and friendliness are three of the main contributors to a person’s appeal.
• Public Speaking Fears and Overcoming Techniques However, the fear of public speaking is an issue that threatens the effectiveness of this form of art. Every individual should be familiar with ways to avoid the fear of public speaking.
• Effective Public Speaking in Business Environment The aim of this paper is to reply to a discussion of glossophobia by deliberating on the importance of effective public speaking in the twenty-first-century business environment.
• Public Speaking in Ancient Greece and Roman Empire With this in mind, investigation of some main peculiarities of the development of art of public speaking public can help to understand its peculiarities better.
• Importance of Mathematics, English and Public Speaking Public speaking is a subject that is very important in business administration as it is in other careers. Therefore, studying mathematics equipped me with statistical skills as well as other mathematical skills that are very […]
• Better Public Speaking and Presentation It is normal and even beneficial for the speaker to feel a little nervous when planning to make a public speech, especially when the speech is expected to generate a massive change of thought to […]
• Delivering Effective Oral Presentations: How to Succeed in Public Speaking The author contents that a strong ending of a presentation will be a plus as it will leave an impact to the audience.
• Public Speaking by American Politicians Introducing a specific topic should attract readers and provide them with the reason for listening to the speech up to the end. In such a manner, the President manages to establish credibility and review the […]
• Improving Public Speaking Skills Among African American Students Within a High School Institution
• African-American Youth Public Speaking and Community Relations
• Behavior Modification Plan for Public Speaking
• Rhetoric: Creating Community Through Public Speaking
• How Public Speaking Improves Your Social Life?
• Incorporating Public Speaking Into Regional and Urban Town Planning
• Public Speaking Anxiety and Its Effect on Students
• Effective Techniques for Overcoming Anxiety Associated With Public Speaking
• Intro to Public Speaking. Managing Nervousness
• How to Get Prepared for Public Speaking: Main Tips for Tough Speeches
• Social Phobia and Fear of Public Speaking Psychology
• The Personal Benefits That Come With Taking a Public Speaking Course
• How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking?
• Psychological Interventions for Fear of Public Speaking
• Susan and Steven Beebe’s Public Speaking Handbook Review
• Mass Persuasion: The Power of Public Speaking
• Effective Public Speaking Audience Contact
• Defining, Explaining, and Treating Public Speaking Anxiety
• Improving Public Speaking and Oral Communication Skills
• Critical Thinkings About Principles of Public Speaking
• How Public Speaking Classes Improve Writing and Presentation Skills?
• Analyzing the Common Fear of Public Speaking and Presentations Among Students
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• Presentations
• Public Speaking

The Best Source for PowerPoint Templates (With Unlimited Use)

Before we dive into how to make a speech, let's look at a powerful tool that can help you design your presentation.

Envato Elements is a great place to find PowerPoint templates to use with your speech. These presentation templates are professionally designed to impress.

Envato Elements is an excellent value because you get unlimited access to digital elements once you become a subscriber. Envato Elements has more than just presentation templates . You get:

• stock images
• and much more

To become a subscriber, just sign up and pay a low monthly fee.

Sample Public Speaking Scenario

Here's a possible public speaking scenario:

You've just opened a small web design business in your town, and you join the town Chamber of Commerce. As a result, you're invited to give a short, five-minute presentation at the next Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Coming up with a public speaking speech for the scenario described above could be a challenge if you've never written or given a public speech before. Fortunately, there are some speech-writing steps that you can use that'll make speech writing easier.

Let's use this example and walk through the steps for writing a speech.

7 Steps for Writing a Speech

The steps for writing a speech for public speaking are like the steps for writing a presentation in general. But at each stage of the writing process, you need to keep your audience in mind:

1. Research Your Audience

Whenever you do any type of writing you need to consider who you're trying to reach with your writing. Speech writing is no different. The more you know about your target audience, the more effective your writing will be.

In the example above, you know that your audience is going to be the other members of the Chamber of Commerce. They're likely to be small business owners just like you are.

What to Do After You Research Your Audience:

Once you've defined your audience, you can gear your speech towards them. To do this, ask yourself questions like:

• What does this audience need?
• What problem can I solve for them?
• Is there anything else I need to consider about my listeners?

In the example we're using for this tutorial, most small businesses in your town fit one of the following three situations:

• They've got a website that works well.
• They've got a website, but the design is outdated or doesn't work well.
• They don't have a website.

2. Select a Topic

In this example your topic is already given. You've been invited to introduce your business. But you also know that the speech is going to be fairly short--only five minutes long.

While it's always a good idea to keep a speech focused, this is especially important for a short speech.

If I were writing the public speaking speech for the scenario we're working with, I'd narrow the topic down like this:

• Create a list of the strengths of my business.
• Compare the list of business strengths to the problems I observed with the other members' websites in the previous step.
• Focus my presentation on the areas where my business strengths meet weaknesses (needs) of other Chamber of Commerce members.

Let's say that I noticed that quite a few members of the chamber have websites that use outdated fonts, and the sites aren't mobile-friendly. Instead of listing everything my web design business could possibly do, I'd focus my short speech on those areas where I observed a need.

You can use a similar process to narrow the topic down any time you need to write a speech.

Avoid the temptation of trying to cover too much information. Most people are so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new data they receive each day that they can't keep up with it all. Your listeners are more likely to remember your public speaking speech if it's tightly focused on one or two points.

3. Research Your Topic

In the example we've been going over, you probably don't need to do a lot of research. And you've already narrowed your topic down.

But some public speaking situations may require that that you cover a topic that you're less familiar with. For more detailed speech writing tips on how to study your subject (and other public speaking tips), review the tutorial:

4. Write Your Speech

Once you've completed the steps above, you're ready to write your speech. Here are some basic speech writing tips:

• Begin with an outline . To create a speech your audience will remember, you've got to be organized. An outline is one of the best ways to organize your thoughts.
• Use a conversational tone . Write your speech the way you would normally talk. Work in some small talk or humor, if appropriate.
• Use the speaker notes . Typically, speaker notes aren't seen by the audience. So, this is a good place to put reminders to yourself.
• Be specific . It's better to give examples or statistics to support a point than it is to make a vague statement.
• Use short sentences . It's likely you're not going to give your speech word for word anyway. Shorter sentences are easier to remember.

In this example scenario for the short speech we're preparing for the Chamber of Commerce, your outline could look something like this:

• Introduction . Give your name and the name of your business. (Show title slide of website home page with URL)
• Type of Business . Describe what you do in a sentence or two. (Show slide with bulleted list)
• Give example of a recent web design project . Emphasize areas that you know the other businesses need. (Show slides with examples)
• Conclusion.  Let the audience know that you'd be happy to help with their web design needs. Offer to talk to anyone who's interested after the meeting. (Show closing slide that includes contact information)
• Give out handouts . Many presentation software packages allow you to print out your speech as a handout. For a networking-type presentation like the one in our example, this can be a good idea since it gives your listeners something to take with them that's got your contact information on it.

That simple speech format should be enough for the short speech in our example. If you find it's too short when you practice, you can always add more slides with examples.

If you've been asked to give a short speech, you can change the speech format above to fit your needs. If you're giving a longer speech, be sure to plan for audience breaks and question and answer sessions as you write.

5. Select a Presentation Tool

For most presentations, you'll want to use a professional presentation tool such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, or a similar package. A presentation tool allows you to add visual interest to your public speaking speech. Many of them allow you to add video or audio to further engage your audience.

If you don't already have a presentation tool, these tutorials can help you find the right one for your needs:

Once you've chosen a presentation tool, you're ready to choose a template for your presentation.

6. Select a Template and Finish

A presentation template controls the look and feel of your presentation. A good template design can make the difference between a memorable public speech with eye-catching graphics and a dull, forgettable talk.

You could design your own presentation template from scratch. But, if you've never designed a presentation template before, the result might look less than professional. And it could take a long time to get a good template. Plus, hiring a designer to create an original presentation template can be pricey.

A smart shortcut for most small business owners is to invest in a professional presentation template. They can customize it to fit with their branding and marketing materials. If you choose this option, you'll save time and money. Plus, with a professional presentation template you get a proven result.

You can find some great-looking presentation templates at  Envato Elements  or  GraphicRiver . To browse through some example templates, look at these articles:

Even a short speech like the one we've been using as an example in this tutorial could benefit from a good tutorial. If you've never used a template before, these PowerPoint tutorials can help:

7. How to Make a Public Speech

Now that you've completed all the steps above, you're ready to give your speech. Before you give your speech publicly, though, there are a few things you should remember:

• Don't read your speech . If you can, memorize your speech. If you can't, it's okay to use note cards or even your outline--but don't read those either. Just refer to them if you get stuck.
• Practice . Practice helps you get more comfortable with your speech. It'll also help you determine how your speech fits into the time slot you've been allotted.
• Do use visual aids . Of course, your presentation template adds a visual element to your public speech. But if other visual aids work with your presentation, they can be helpful as well.
• Dress comfortably, but professionally . The key is to fit in. If you're not sure how others at your meeting will be dressed, contact the organizer and ask.
• Speak and stand naturally . It's normal to be a little nervous but try to act as naturally as you can. Even if you make a mistake, keep going. Your audience probably won't even notice.
• Be enthusiastic . Excitement is contagious. If you're excited about your topic, your audience will likely be excited too.

In the example we're using in this tutorial (and with many public speaking opportunities), it's important not to disappear at the end of the meeting. Stick around and be prepared to interact individually with members of the audience. Have answers to questions anyone might have about your speech. And be sure to bring a stack of business cards to pass out.

5 Quick Tips to Make a Good Speech Great (& More Memorable)

After reading about the basics, here are some more tips on how to write a great speech really stand out:

1. Have a Strong Opening

Start your speech with a strong opening by presenting surprising facts or statistics. You could even start with a funny story or grand idea.

Another way to start your speech is to open with a question to spark your audience’s curiosity. If you engage your audience early in your speech, they're more likely to pay attention throughout your speech.

2. Connect With Your Audience

You want a speech that'll be memorable. One way to make your speech memorable is to connect with your audience. Using metaphors and analogies help your audience to connect and remember. For example, people use one writing tool to put the speech's theme in a 15-20 word short poem or memorable paragraph, then build your speech around it.

3. Have a Clear Structure

When writing your speech, have a clear path and a destination. Otherwise, you could have a disorganized speech. Messy speeches are unprofessional and forgettable. While writing your speech, leave out unnecessary information. Too many unnecessary details can cause people to lose focus.

4. Repeat Important Information

A key to writing memorable speeches is to repeat key phrases, words, and themes. When writing your speech, always bring your points back to your main point or theme. Repetition helps people remember your speech and drives home the topic of your speech.

5. Have a Strong Closing

Since the last thing that your audience listened to what your closing, they'll remember your closing the most. So, if your closing is forgettable, it can make your speech forgettable. So, recap your speech and repeat essential facts that you want the audience to remember in your closing.

Five PowerPoint Presentation Templates (From Envato Elements - For 2022)

If you’re writing a speech for a presentation, save time by using a premium presentation template:

1. Toetiec PowerPoint Presentation

Toetic PowerPoint Presentation has 90 unique slides and 1800 total slides that you can easily add your information onto. There are ten light and dark versions that come with this template. Also included in this template are vector icons, elements, and maps.

2. Suflen Multipurpose Presentation

Suflen Multipurpose Presentation template has a professional design that can work for any presentation topic. This template comes with over 450 total slides. With this template, you've got five color themes to choose from. Also, this template comes with illustrations, graphics, and picture placeholders.

3. Virtually PowerPoint

Virtually PowerPoint template is a modern and minimal style presentation template. This template comes with over 50 slides. You can use this template for any presentation theme.

4. Amarish PowerPoint Template

Amarish PowerPoint Template comes with five color themes that allow you to choose the color you want. This template is another multipurpose template that can work for any purpose. Also, this template comes with over 150 total slides and infographics, illustrations, and graphics.

5. Qubica PowerPoint Template

Qubica PowerPoint Template comes with over 150 total slides and five premade color themes. Easily add images into your presentation template by dragging the image of your choice into the picture placeholder. Everything in this template is entirely editable.

Learn More About How to Write a Great Speech

Here are some other tutorials that provide more information on giving a speech:

Learn More About Making Great Presentations

Download The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations eBook now for FREE with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. Get your ideas formed into a powerful presentation that'll move your audience!

Make Your Next Speech Your Best Ever!

You've just learned how to write a good public speaking speech. You've been given a sample speech format and plenty of other speech writing tips and resources on how to write a good speech. You've seen some templates that'll really make a PowerPoint stand out.

Now, it's up to you to write the best speech for your needs. Good luck!

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Sarah Joy . Sarah is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+.

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What We Can Learn from Great Political Speakers

A conversation with former Obama speechwriter Terry Szuplat on commanding an audience, no matter the size.

• Apple Podcasts

The worlds of business and politics might seem worlds apart, but executives can learn a lot from the most successful political communicators. Terry Szuplat spent several years on the speechwriting team for President Barack Obama, helping to carefully craft his messages and win over audiences. He has gone on to coach business leaders including Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, and he says that many of the same principles for good speechwriting and delivery apply - whether you’re giving a presentation to your team, pitching a client, or making comments in a moment of crisis. He explains the importance of authenticity and personal stories, structure, language choice and presence. Szuplat is the author of the book  Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience .

ALISON BEARD: Welcome to the HBR IdeaCast from Harvard Business Review. I’m Alison Beard.

In the political world, success often depends on being an inspirational public speaker, and we all know a good speech when we hear one.

JOHN F KENNEDY: Two thousand years ago, the proudest boast was “civis Romanus sum.” Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is “Ich bin ein Berliner.

RONALD REGAN: Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

BARACK OBAMA: And that means that when I said the fate of the republic rests on you, I wasn’t joking. But that shouldn’t make you fearful that should make you excited. It’s not often where you can move the arc of history.

ALISON BEARD: Now, your next conference talk or all-staff presentation might not seem comparable to a presidential address, but our guest today says there’s a lot business leaders can learn from the most talented political speechmakers about how to effectively communicate, persuade, and captivate an audience.

Terry Szuplat was a speechwriter for President Obama and now teaches at American University. He’s also a keynote speaker and trainer and has helped many executives, including Salesforce’s Marc Benioff, to hone their public speaking skills. He wrote the book Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience. Terry, thanks for being here.

TERRY SZUPLAT: Thanks so much for having me.

ALISON BEARD: First question, is public speaking really as an important a skill for business leaders to master as it is for politicians? Do we all really need to be good at this to succeed in the corporate world?

TERRY SZUPLAT: Oh, absolutely. I mean, I think when you look back at some of the most successful business leaders of all time, they were great communicators. Steve Jobs is one. Spend a moment on LinkedIn and every day people are dissecting his speeches even now. A great product, a great service can only get you so far. You have to be able to get up and sell it with enthusiasm and energy. And so yeah, absolutely.

ALISON BEARD: And how much of being a great public speaker is natural talent versus practice? Is it even possible for someone who starts out afraid of public speaking or tentative or just not good at it to get to a Steve Jobs or Obama level with a lot of work?

TERRY SZUPLAT: I’m so glad you asked that because this is one of the phrases that kind of drives me insane. We hear it all the time, “Oh, that person is a naturally gifted speaker.” I don’t think anyone is a naturally gifted speaker. I think like any skill, it’s a skill that you can learn and you can improve upon and you can get better at it.

When Barack Obama was a young community organizer in Chicago in his twenties, he was giving a speech and he froze up. And as someone who wrote for him for years, I was stunned by this because we all remember that speech where he came out in 2004 and burst onto the national scene with a very memorable speech. I was fascinated, how do you go from being a 20-something year old who freezes up giving a speech to someone who can give a remarkable address like that? And he told me the story of how he worked to get better and he practiced and he trained and he worked hard on becoming a better communicator.

So this isn’t just something you’re born with. It isn’t something that some people are inherently better at. It takes practice. Steve Jobs practiced over and over and over again so that when he finally came out on the stage and he wasn’t saying it for the first time. And so you can get better. Even as someone who struggled with public speaking myself, you can practice, you can rehearse. You can make your presentations more effective and deal with any anxieties that you feel on the stage in the moment.

ALISON BEARD: When you start to work with an executive who wants to get better, what’s your first step?

TERRY SZUPLAT: One of the most important things is to get ourselves in the right mindset. I think the biggest thing that’s going on when people are anxious about public speaking, and I’ve had clients like this. I had a client once who had been extremely successful in finance, but all of a sudden found himself in a public-facing role for the first time in his life in his fifties, and he was very anxious about it.

One of the things I tried to talk him through was that he had a story to tell and a perspective to share that no one else in the world has. We all have our own stories, our own experiences, our own careers, and a lot of people make the mistake that they have to match somebody else. They have to match the other three people on the panel. But we should all sort of give the speech that only we can give, think deeply about what we bring to the situation, what we can say that no one else can say, the stories that we can bring from our own careers, our own experiences. That’s what makes us unique.

And I say that because it actually helps take some of the anxiety out of it, when you realize that no one else in the world can tell that story better than you. And when I ask my clients, “Okay, tell me the story of how you started the company or tell me the story of the biggest challenge you faced in your company,” all of a sudden their face lights up, they start telling stories that they’ve had inside them all along. And so giving them the space to just be who they are and not have to think that they have to match some unattainable ideal, I find is just a huge mind shift that puts people in a better spot to be able to go out and, again, give the presentation that only they can give.

ALISON BEARD: Thinking about those very personal things, like the sacred story or your unique voice or personality, how do you apply that when it’s not the big keynote address or retirement speech? When it’s the presentation at the all staff or the quarterly earnings call?

TERRY SZUPLAT: I’ve helped companies with their quarterly earnings call. And those can be very dry. When you look at the books filled with the greatest speeches in history, there aren’t many earnings calls in those speeches.

ALISON BEARD: No.

TERRY SZUPLAT: But even those are an opportunity to do what I think all great speakers have to do, again, whether you’re speaking to 5,000 people or 50 people or five people, you’ve got to tell a story – like all great stories, the basic lessons that we learn in school as kids, that stories have a clear beginning, a clear middle, and a clear end. There’s a narrative arc to them and there’s a clear takeaway.

And oftentimes on earnings calls it’s just loaded with numbers, loaded with data, and you get to the end of this 10-minute presentation and your head is spinning with so much data, you’ve lost the thread. You don’t know what’s the takeaway. What did that company want me to think about their earnings that quarter? So I think making sure that you’ve, and I write about this in the book, all the things you should do before you give a presentation, even a small one of sitting down, finding a quiet space and just thinking deeply about what it is you’re trying to accomplish.

One of the things that I talked about with President Obama once, I said, “You’re a very effective public speaker. What do you think makes someone an effective speaker?” And he said something that I agree with, which is effective public speakers are people who are sure of their core convictions.

And I think we see that a lot in the business world and in politics. The speaker has thought deeply about who they are, what they believe, what their values are, what they’re trying to achieve, what their goals are, and they can articulate them clearly because they’ve thought through them clearly.

I encourage people, if you have to give a presentation in a week, a month, or a few months to sit down with yourself, maybe with your team, if you have one, if you’re a business leader, and go through these 10 questions that I lay out, what you’re trying to achieve, what is my mission? What is my vision?

I mean, these are big questions. They’re a little scary for some people, but I think that’s why a lot of people don’t do it. It forces you to think deeply about who you are and what you’re trying to achieve. But that’s what great leaders do and that’s what great speakers do.

ALISON BEARD: So it sounds like you’re saying that when you’re working with people, you want to spend just as much time on the planning than you do on the writing and the delivery.

TERRY SZUPLAT: Absolutely. In fact, I spend far more time planning than we do on the writing. So here I am, I’m called a speechwriter, but I spend most of my time researching and thinking and planning and interviewing, getting to know the person, helping them get to know themselves better.

I had client once who had run a series of investment institutions and we were sitting around her table and I was getting ready to help her deliver a commencement speech and asked her a lot of these questions: Tell me about your upbringing. Tell me about why you do this work. Why did you get involved in business? What were the biggest challenges you had when you started your business? What have the biggest challenges that you’ve overcome as you run your business?

And at one point, she put her hand up, she said, “All right, this is starting to feel like a therapy session.” And I was thrilled. I said, “That’s exactly what this is. This is exactly, we’re thinking deeply about who you are, what you believe, and what you want to communicate so that you can be an authentic, sincere leader who connects with your audience on a human level and they don’t feel like they’re getting a policy briefing because that’s not what a speech is, that’s not what a presentation is.”

And so, yeah, I spend far more… I have something that I call the 50/25/25 rule, which is how to use your time to prepare. And I suggest that however much time you have to get ready, a week, a month, a few days, a few hours, just spend the first 50% of your time thinking, researching, writing down ideas. It takes the pressure off. You don’t have to start writing your presentation or producing your PowerPoint slide decks right away. Only then, once you have all your ideas, you can spend maybe 25% of your time writing and 25% of your time practicing, building, making sure you build in that time for practicing, which particularly in business I see a lot of leaders don’t do it, folks are busy, schedules are packed. But making sure you protect that and reserve that space for practicing is very important.

ALISON BEARD: So let’s talk about the writing process. First of all, how do you think about structure? We are all told to hook people from the start. What’s the best way to do that?

TERRY SZUPLAT: It all depends on the audience, the scenario, the setting, what you’re trying to achieve. But there’s, I mean, all sorts of ways to do it. The most important thing you need to do is hook them, grab them in some way so that they want to keep listening.

I think one of the biggest mistakes that speakers make is that they don’t think enough about that opening sentence, the opening words. Back at the White House, we’d spend a lot of time thinking about when the speaker comes out, in our case, it was the president, when you come out as a business leader, what are the very first words out of your mouth? Because that more than perhaps anything else in the speech is going to decide whether you connect with your audience or not.

Sometimes it can be as simple as, and you’re going to laugh when I say this, saying hello enthusiastically. I know every time I say this, people laugh. I am stunned that more speakers don’t do this. They walk out, they rustle their papers, and they start ticking through a long list of acknowledgements. There is nothing interesting or engaging or inspiring about that.

Now imagine someone who comes out with a little pep in their step and they look at the audience and here’s a crazy idea they smile and they say hello, good morning, good afternoon. Just they’re human. I’m stunned that more people don’t do it. It’s one of the simplest, easy ways to just connect with your audience.

ALISON BEARD: It’s how all pastors greet their congregations, right?

TERRY SZUPLAT: Yes. Think about when you’re at church or synagogue or temple, at mosque, what do they do? They greet you. And the greatest thing about that is I think one of the mistakes a lot of speakers make is they go too far in this direction. They do this awful thing, “Good morning everybody. How are you doing today?” Now all of a sudden, you’ve put your audience on the spot. You’re asking them to somehow give you something, which raises the bar. And then if they don’t do it, if they don’t say good morning back to you, or if they don’t, then know all of a sudden it’s awkward. So you’re 20 seconds out and all of a sudden things have gone off the rails. So I don’t encourage people to try to get their audience to respond like that. They will do it naturally if you come out and greet your audience.

There’s all sorts… I mean, one of the most… Again, another really effective way to do it, a lot of leaders find themselves in situations where we haven’t been introduced. So we actually have to introduce ourselves to the audience. And one of the most effective ways to do that is in one sentence say who you are, and that takes work.

In one sentence, how would you like the audience to perceive you? A lot of situations we get to decide that. It’s a little scary, but it’s also an incredible opportunity. You see this at a lot of congressional hearings. One of the great examples was when Frances Haugen, the Facebook whistleblower, testified before Congress, and she had this great opening where she said, “Good morning, my name is Frances Haugen. I joined Facebook because I believe it could connect people and make the world a better place.” But I’m here today because I believe it’s doing, I’m paraphrasing, great damage to our country.

ALISON BEARD: Yeah.

TERRY SZUPLAT: In one or two sentences, she told you who she is, what she does, why she cares, why she’s there today. I mean…

ALISON BEARD: It’s a good opportunity to communicate that sort of sacred story. Why are you the person who’s telling this story? Yeah.

TERRY SZUPLAT: Yes.

ALISON BEARD: And so what needs to happen in the middle of the speech for it to be effective?

TERRY SZUPLAT: So you’ve got your opening to me is your chance to establish some sort of emotional human connection with your audience, right. Then yeah, you get to the sort of meat of your presentation, the middle. I mean and to me that’s really where the heavy work is done, that’s where you’re persuading, that’s where you’re making your case, that’s where you’re really trying to bring your audience along to help them see your point of view.

And I think there are various… Again, there’s no one way to do this because no one presentation, but I think one of the most important things that we can do, especially in the business world, is I think we have to beware of the danger of data, specifically too much data. And I think another big mistake that a lot of speakers make is we load our audiences up, which is way too many numbers, way too many facts and figures.

The audience typically doesn’t have the script in front of them. So all they can do is listen. All they can do is process. It’s an auditory experience. And most people are not taking notes. So you hit them with 30 numbers, 30 statistics, you’re just overwhelming your audience.

And there’s all sorts of research, and when you do this too many numbers can actually make people less likely to donate to your organization or volunteer for your organization or become an employee or apply. I think we have to be really careful of not overloading our audiences.

And the other flip side of that is, okay, well, if not numbers, then what? I think it comes back to human stories. Again, lots of research that I include in the book shows that when you tell someone a human story about another human being, they perk up, they listen. They’re more likely to join an organization, partner, volunteer. A lot of this happens in the middle of the speech where you’re slowly bringing your audience to your point of view.

ALISON BEARD: And that’s important for people to remember, even when it is that presentation to the team about the latest sales number, you want to bring in a story about a customer or the mission and vision of the sales organization and how you’re achieving it.

TERRY SZUPLAT: I’m so glad you said that because I get this a lot in a lot of the workshops I do or the training sessions. I work with a lot of corporate communication teams or corporate speech writers, and they say, “Well, our industry, our sector, they want the numbers. They want the data.” And right, I’m not saying no numbers ever, no data ever. Of course, you need to show your investors the return on their investment that they’re going to get. You need to show a potential partner how your product or your service is going to make their business more profitable, more efficient, what have you.

The mistake though is that people go too far in that direction. So it’s a hundred percent numbers. And I think as you said, there’s always a story to tell. You can tell the story of why you chose to be in this sector, why you love your work. You could tell the story of a customer, you could tell the story of a partner, and you want to tell the story of a customer whose life is better and changed.

So we talk about great stories and great speeches having a clear beginning, middle, and end. Well, that tracks not coincidentally to the three elements of any great pitch or presentation, which is problem, solution, change. You want to lay out the problem you’re trying to fix. You want to offer your solution, your product, your company, your service, and you need to show the difference it’s going to make in the life of that consumer or that company. And if you do those three things, you’re on track for an effective, persuasive presentation. You don’t do those things, why should anyone buy your product?

ALISON BEARD: When it comes to the ending, what is the best way to leave people doing the thing you’re asking them to do or thinking the way you want them to think or wanting to hear more from you?

TERRY SZUPLAT: The ending is the wrap up. This is not the time for you to be introducing new concepts. If the beginning is sort of the emotional connection that you establish, the human connection with your audience, making them want to listen to your middle, the ending is just a way to, again, bring it back to the emotional connection so they actually want to go out there.

So you can do all sorts of things. You can do a recap. I mean, that’s common. You don’t have to recite every single point. If you have five points to your presentation, you don’t have to recite every single and you can quickly tick through them. But to me, I think the best thing an ending can do is, again, leave the audience with a sense of empowerment and vision and hope.

To me, there is only one way to end any sort of speech, any presentation of any kind. You have to end with hope. So you’ve got to give your audience hope that whatever your vision is, whatever your solution is can actually be achieved. You have to paint a picture of the future where it’s actually working. Otherwise, why is your team going to work extra hours? Why are they going to put in the extra work? Why are they going to do everything it takes to launch that new service, that new product?

There’s a great neuroscientist out of London called Tali Sharot. She and others have spent years studying how we all as humans think about the present and the future. And they find that we tend to overestimate the likelihood of good things happening in our lives and our careers and underestimate the likelihood of bad things happening. And she and others call it the optimism bias.

And she has this beautiful phrase that she says that she thinks biologically, chemically in our brain where hardwired for hope. I just absolutely love that because I think if you accept the fact that most of the people in your audience are hardwired for hope, they want the future to be better, they want the product to work, then if you as a speaker, if you can tap into that hope, it’s one of the most powerful things you can give your audience. They can go back to their desk, go back to work, and pull out all the stops and do the things you’re asking of them.

ALISON BEARD: One point you make that is near and dear to my heart is that people should use simple conversational language even when you’re talking to a really intelligent audience of peers or your bosses. So why is that so important?

TERRY SZUPLAT: It’s so important because, here’s the brilliant, crazy, radical idea, if people can’t understand you, they can’t do what you want. How’s that for boiling it down?

ALISON BEARD: Perfect. Very simple. Very conversational.

TERRY SZUPLAT: Yeah, right? There you go. When we get up and stand in front of a group of people in business, anywhere in our lives, we’re doing that because we’re asking to do something, to think differently, to act differently, to do more, to work harder, what have you. They’re not going to do that if they don’t understand what we’re saying. If we are just falling back on all these buzzwords and jargon and corporate speak, the sort of word salad that we’ve convinced ourselves means something, then they won’t do what you want to do.

I had someone say to me once, they said, “Well, if 90% of my audience understands me, I consider that a success.” And I was like, “Absolutely no, I consider that an abject failure because that means 10% of your audience didn’t understand what you were saying. And among that 10% might’ve been your next investor, your next donor, your next partner, your next customer. So why would you leave 10% of your audience out in the dark? Think of how many deals you’re missing, how many partnerships you’re missing when people can’t understand you.”

So yeah, I call it the barbecue rule also, which is that imagine if you were at a barbecue with your family and your friends and they asked you what you do for a living. You wouldn’t just bombard them with jargon and buzzwords and things like synergies and leveraging innovations and catalyzing outcomes and leveraging innovation, yet those are the kind of phrases we hear all the time, particularly in business. You would just talk to your family and friends in a more human conversational way. And so I lay out ways that we can all do that, especially in business.

ALISON BEARD: Yeah. What’s your view on including jokes?

TERRY SZUPLAT: Many, many times a client has come to me and said, “I need a joke. I need to open with a joke.” And my answer typically is, “No, you do not.” You are not a stand-up comedian. No one expects you to be. You do not need to open with a joke, a canned joke. No one wants to hear a priest or rabbi, minister walk into a bar. Nobody wants to hear that stuff.

What I think people are getting at is that you don’t need a joke, you just need some humor. You just need some humanity. You can use humor and humanity to open your speech in a way that connects with your audience, maybe gets them to chuckle, brings a little levity, but it’s not “joke.”

You know, a little bit of self-deprecation goes a long way. And many of us are parents, many of our spouses, our kids are always keeping us in line and taking us down a notch. These are things we can all relate to. I lay out some of those ways in the book.

One of the writers on our team who did a lot of the comedy writing for President Obama said something to me once that I thought was really powerful. And he said, “Humor is a tool to remind us of the things that we share and to delight your audience in a way that surprises them around shared connections.” So you think about the times you chuckle, the times you laugh, that’s what’s going on. You’re chuckling because yeah, they’re saying something you know to be true.

ALISON BEARD: You also make the point that any great speech will be fully written out, even if you’re not using a teleprompter. So why not notes or bullet points so that you’re speaking more naturally?

TERRY SZUPLAT: Right. So I have no problem with people, and I do this myself. By the time you get to the podium, sure, you might boil your speech, your presentation down to an outline, a few key points on the back of an envelope, something like that. What I’m getting at when I say we have to write it out is I think until we… There’s an old saying, if you haven’t written it out, you haven’t thought it out. And it’s really easy to get up there in front of a group and just sort of talk. Many of us can talk.

The hard thing is until you’ve written your speech out, you haven’t thought through your arguments. I’ve seen this many times where I’ll be sitting around with a CEO and they bring in the team of advisors and “Okay, today we’re going to talk about what we want to get done in this presentation.” And everybody has a thought and everybody has ideas. They’re great ideas. But then as the writer, I go back and I try to write it down and realize, oh, point one didn’t really lead to point two and it didn’t really set up point three. When you’re just talking it out loud, you don’t necessarily see that.

So number one, writing it out forces you to confront the logic and the errors in your own arguments. Two, it’s a great way for your organization to see what your real priorities are. If you haven’t written it down, you haven’t thought through your priorities clearly.

And I would just say sometimes writing it down can be a forcing mechanism. It can help you and your team come to a conclusion. I’ve seen this many times where a policy or a product isn’t fully rolled out, but meanwhile, everyone’s writing the script to roll it out. And that process of writing the words down helps you understand better what your pitch is.

And I’d say, finally, you have to practice. Great speakers practice, presidents practice, great CEOs practice. And you can’t practice if you don’t have some sort of script to work on. I really believe in this deeply. I’ve seen CEOs who don’t have a written script and every time they practice it, it comes out completely different. And so then they practice five times, it’s five different speeches, and then no one knows what’s going to happen when they actually get up to speak for real. By the time you get to the podium, you may not read it word for word, but I still think there’s tremendous value in writing out your presentations word for word.

ALISON BEARD: So how does all of this apply in more on-the-spot speaking situations that are still high stakes, like a job interview, for example?

TERRY SZUPLAT: Yes. Actually did a LinkedIn post about this recently in lead up to the presidential debates because a debate really is a job interview. And I think a lot of the same lessons of a great presentation apply to an interview. In this case, your audience is maybe one person or two or three people, depending on how many people are interviewing you. And I think the process that I’ve described to you today is very much the same. Spending a lot of time researching, knowing the history and the background and the vision and the values of your audience, the organization that you’re seeking to join. Telling stories that only you can tell about your experiences. Not giving generic answers, but telling stories about, again, with every answer having three parts, a problem, a solution, and an end. A problem that you faced in your old job, of the solution that you offered and the change in the result that it delivered, how it improved your organization.

So much of what I describe in the book can work for a job interview as well. You know, smiling, saying hello, ending with hope, the hope that you’re going to be able to work together and what you can bring that organization. These lessons work whether you’re speaking to a thousand people or one person.

ALISON BEARD: Well, thank you so much for your time today. I learned a lot.

TERRY SZUPLAT: Thank you so much for having me.

ALISON BEARD: That’s Terry Szuplat, a former speech writer for President Obama and author of the book Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience.

And we have more episodes and more podcasts to help you manage your team, your organization, and your career. Find them at hbr.org/podcasts or search HBR on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Thanks to our team, Senior Producer Mary Dooe, Associate Producer Hannah Bates, Audio Product Manager Ian Fox, and Senior Production Specialist Rob Eckhardt. And thanks to you for listening to the HBR IdeaCast . We’ll be back with a new episode on Tuesday. I’m Alison Beard.

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243 Easy and Simple Speech Topics

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

If you have interest and knowledge in a specific subject, it makes for an easy speech topic. If a subject is not complex, it makes for an easy subject. If you have interest and knowledge on a simple non-complex topic, that makes for a really easy speech topic.

If time doesn’t allow for much preparation or research, what’s best is to stick with something you know. This will cut down significantly on your workload because you already know most of what there is to know.

In this article:

Family, Friends, Relationships

Government and the law, miscellaneous, easy and simple speech topics on popular subjects.

• Teachers should be required to take basic skills tests every few years to keep their certification
• Less professional advertisements in schools
• Why single-sex public schools are better than co-ed
• SAT scores for college applicants
• Student cyber bullies should be expelled from school
• Hazing on college campuses is a problem
• Higher education is a basic need for succeeding in life today.
• Schools should not serve french fries and soda
• Students that study online cheat more.
• Classic literature should only be for college students.
• Every student in every school should wear a uniform
• Students should be placed in trade schools after getting a basic education
• Exam scores have little indication on a student’s abilities
• History textbooks don’t tell the whole truth
• Learning about all world religions in schools is important
• Homeschooling is better than traditional education
• Phones are distracting students from learning
• Going to college has little bearing on a successful future
• Students should learn and be fluent in a second language
• Mandatory community service for students to graduate high school
• Should tablets and other technology replace books?
• Schools should educate on proper nutrition from start to finish
• Regulating the music at school dances to eliminate cursing
• The impact of gym class on students

• Dual parent households benefit children more.
• Couples are wrong to stay together for the kids.
• Family must always come first.
• Parents need to stop forcing their own dreams on their children.
• Live together before getting married.
• Married couples must have date nights.
• Breastfeeding is better than formula feeding
• Discipline should be based on rewards, not punishment
• Divorce doesn’t damage children.
• Lower cost childcare or childcare provided at every workplace
• Make help more readily available to single pregnant mothers
• Never borrow money from friends.
• Pros and cons of abstinence
• Imposing a curfew on kids 17 and under
• Parents should be accountable for not providing a healthy diet to their children
• Kids having jam-packed schedules isn’t good for them
• Long distance relationships don’t work.
• It’s not good to be an only child.
• Families eating together is important
• Kids today are being made to be selfish, disrespectful, and entitled
• Teenagers should contribute to household expenses
• The need for parental consent to give teen girls birth control
• Restrictions on how many children one family can have
• Free counseling to at-risk youth
• Parents right to give consent for their child to drink at home under supervision
• Should parents respect kids privacy at all times?
• How it takes a village to raise a child
• Parent’s responsibility to discuss sex education
• Video game violence causing violent kids
• Imposing better and more affordable options for the aging community

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• Dogs are better pets than cats.
• Exotic animals are not pets.
• Neutering pets is a must.
• Humans have turned pit bulls into monsters.
• Zoos do not give animals enough space.
• Adopt don’t shop is key to getting a pet.
• Birds are not meant to live in cages.
• Dolphins are intelligent creatures.
• Zoos cause more harm than good
• Euthanize dogs that have bitten more than once
• Ban slaughter houses for horses
• Why dogs are man’s best friend
• Not allowing people to keep exotic animals as pets
• Pit bulls aren’t the problem , it’s their owners

• Two child max rule should apply worldwide.
• Smoking in all public places should be illegal worldwide.
• Legalize abortion for rape and incest cases.
• Buyers should be punished even harsher than poachers.
• Cosmetic surgery should be regulated.
• Equal punishment and less protection for celebrities who break the law
• Impose bi-annual drivers tests for people over 60
• People on welfare should be drug tested to receive welfare, and at random to keep it
• Moral and legal stance on capital punishment
• Immigrants should be required to speak the primary language of the country they wish to immigrate to
• Red light cameras at every traffic light
• Everyone having access to affordable or even free universal health care
• The government is no longer “by the people and for the people”
• Impose stricter federal restrictions on internet content
• Making self-defense courses available to the public
• Regulate automobile emissions
• All weapons must be registered with the police
• The government shouldn’t censor information given online
• Stricter punishments for driving drunk
• No death penalty for juveniles
• Higher standards held for the President
• Weeding out the dirty politicians
• Protecting the quality of drinking water in America
• Criminals should pay restitution to their victims rather than to society
• Eliminate cursing on day-time television
• Restrictions on garbage output to reduce pollution and carbon footprint
• Legal issues are the best sources to find suggestions for persuasive speech topics.
• There is a need for more prisons.
• Human rights must be respected.

• People need to visit dentists more often.
• Fast foods must be more expensive than healthier foods.
• Music has healing power.
• Fast food restaurants are not responsible for obesity.
• Eating fruit is healthier than drinking fruit juice.
• Medical marijuana isn’t a cure.
• Vegan diets are too extreme.
• Benefits of drinking 2L of water per day is a myth.
• Calcium doesn’t make teeth stronger.
• Losing weight is easy, keeping it off is not.
• Aging cannot be reversed.
• Fat isn’t bad for you.
• Electronic cigarettes are harmful.
• Diet pills do not work.
• Balanced sugar-free nutrition is an effective treatment for ADHD.
• Hospitals should allow owners of pets to have their pets brought in
• Buying local goods is better for the economy and for our health
• The impact of consuming all organic foods on our bodies
• The benefits of alternative medicine vs. Western medicine
•  HIV and AIDS testing done annually for Health Care Professional 
• Fast food and the war on obesity
• Morbidly obese people should have to pay more for public transportation
• Healthcare should include a gym membership and nutrition counseling
• The negative implications of Facebook
• Television programs must be censored before broadcasting.
• Talking during movies at the theater is rude behavior.
• How the paparazzi hinders free press
• The good and bad when it comes to Google
• The paparazzi are the real stalkers.
• Celebrities get away with everything.
• Video games are not evil.
• Downloading copyrighted MP3s is piracy.
• Sex and violence on television is harmful to children.
• Ad spots in news programs should be banned.
• News media should give equal attention to all politicians.
• There is nothing real about reality TV.
• Social media should be blocked at work places.
• Fake news writers should be punished.
• Word of mouth will always be the best form of advertising.
• TV’s will soon be a thing of the past.
• Romantic movies set unrealistic standards.
• Ads aimed at children should be strictly regulated.
• Television has become the number two news source after the internet and tv will be further downsized.
• Beer advertisements promote irresponsible drinking and ought to be banned from the communal street views.
• Harry Potter books are popular even among adults.
• News reporters earn money because of people who make a mess of their lives.
• No news is good news!
• Books should never be burned in public.
• Advantages of having a three-day weekend instead of a two-day weekend
• Why everyone should visit Disney World
• Allow married women to enter Miss World and Miss Universe pageants.
• There couldn’t be enough beauty contests for children!
• Beauty contests degrade women.
• Some market toys provoke and promote violent behavior.
• Mac is better than PC
• Santiago de Chile tourists must be made aware of pickpocketers. (or another city)
• Love is far more powerful than hate
• Make free public wi-fi available
• Bike-sharing programs
• Stealing from the rich to give to the poor is not nobel.
• The morals behind lying
• Silly games like Candy Crush are making people less intelligent
• Using hands-free devices while driving
• Using lie detector tests for employment purposes
• What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
• Money can’t buy happiness
• Is Batman a real superhero?
• Why there aren’t more female construction workers
• Lie detector tests are inaccurate.
• Organic food tastes better.
• Alternative power is the answer to our energy crisis.
• It’s immoral to genetically design babies.
• Every property needs to have at least one tree.
• Nursery rhymes need to be looked at better.
• Hostels are not a place for children.
• Plant fruit trees on sidewalks.
• Religion and science can go hand in hand.
• Everyone should know how to swim.
• Not wearing a seat belt a personal choice.
• Opposites will always attract.
• Climate change is always changing.
• Not enough is done to end world hunger.
• Battery farming is unethical.
• People shouldn’t be paying for drivers licenses.
• Smokers make the most acquaintances.
• First impressions are always right.
• Cash should be abandoned completely.
• Allow mind reading during poker.
• Minimum wage is too low.
• Security cameras are an invasion of privacy.
• Clients don’t want birthday messages from businesses.
• Allow casual dress clothes in the workplace.
• Make public transport free.
• The welfare system doesn’t work.
• Organ donors should be paid.
• All kids on a winning team should get a trophy.
• Illegal immigrants don’t harm the economy.
• Humans are vegetarian by nature.
• Self-driving cars will cause fewer accidents.
• It is time to include internet slang to dictionaries.
• Teens are unfairly stereotyped.
• Group homes are better than foster care.
• Guns don’t kill people.
• Fracking is dangerous.
• Money isn’t the root of all evil.
• Being homeless is a choice.
• The school curriculum is too overloaded.
• Graffiti is art.
• Priests shouldn’t be giving marriage counseling.
• Everyone must be taught to do CPR.
• Juvenile crime is dealt with incorrectly.
• Older generations were crueler.
• Royal families are not needed in this day and age.
• Fame will always be bad for children.
• Prisoners must not be allowed tovote.
• Yearly HIV tests for all health professionals.
• Being skinny is no longer cool.
• Lego’s are not gender bias.
• The drought in Cape Town will happen in other parts of the world too.
• Employees know more than employers.
• Adoption records should be opened.
• Affirmative action is false competition in the workspace.
• Aids tests should be required in federal prisons – for all inmates and the prison guards too.
• The millimeter wave scanner at airports security zones strikes out all privacy that we fought for.
• Water management in our home really does matter.
• Why you should only buy fair trade.
• Hundred percent airline safety is an utopia.
• Helping runaways is a crime.
• Help addicted popstars immediately and save them.
• Hands free cell phone use in cars must be promoted better.
• Drivers quickly forget their drivers education.
• The driving age for teens should be raised to 18.
• The 1st Amendment is not a shield for hate groups.
• Reducing crime is a utopia.
• Impose trade and social sanctions on countries that do not prohibit child labor.
• More cold cases will be solved if investigators make use of DNA available.
• Ban the sale of guns at shops and stores.
• Saying what you want must not include hate speech.
• Immigrants must learn the language of the country they move to.
• Refund or rebate extra taxes collected plus interest on it to those who paid.
• Help the homeless down the streets and persuade them to look for work.
• Cell phone use is dangerous while driving.
• How Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas.
• History of our National Anthem and rituals.
• Paying off mortgage debt early is a good investment.
• Global awareness makes us responsible citizens of the world.

Nothing really stand out? No problem. Start by writing a list of things that interest you. Keep going until you find something you know a good deal about and that you could talk about forever. Choose something that will get your blood boiling, that you feel strongly about, even if others don’t. You’ll likely convert some people to your way of thinking just by the way you speak about your chosen topic.

No matter what topic you choose, always be credible and purpose-driven. Giving false facts is a big “no-no” and so is being wishy-washy with you speech. Give it meaning, give it purpose.

Just remember, what may be  easy speech topics to one person, isn’t always easily understood by someone else. So keep that in mind when persuading your audience.

613 Original Argumentative Speech Topics Ideas

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8 thoughts on “243 Easy and Simple Speech Topics”

which topic is best topic in the world?

Thanks a lot It helped me in debate competition

Oof! that was quite a lot of reading, but it helped me greatly! I’m in a speech contest (middle grade, I’m in Canada).

Nice Idea to Easy and Simple Speech for Student Great Work well done

Thanks a lot it’s helpful

Last year I was super motivated to do a speech, and I came first in my school, with the topic of beach and ocean pollution. But know i’m not even motivated at all. Any suggestions of what I should do?

when your watching a movie with your parents and it gets to a sex scene and you tryna act cool: yes, the floor is very nice

My school has the best topics from this website UWU

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