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150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics for Students in 2024

April 1, 2024

good persuasive speech topics

Do you know that moment in your favorite film, when the soundtrack begins to swell and the main character stands up and delivers a speech so rousing, so impassioned, it has the entire room either weeping or cheering by the time it concludes? What distinguishes the effectiveness of such a speech is not only the protagonist’s stellar delivery but also the compelling nature of the subject matter at hand. Choosing an effective persuasive speech topic is essential for guaranteeing that your future speech or essay is as moving as these . If this sounds like a tall order, have no fear. Below you’ll find a list of some of the best and most interesting persuasive speech topics for high school students to tackle, from the playful (“Pets for President”) to the serious (“Should We Stop AI from Replacing Human Workers?”).

And if you’re craving more inspiration, feel free to check out this list of Great Debate Topics , which can be used to generate further ideas.

What is a Good Persuasive Speech?

Before we get to the list, we must address the question on everyone’s minds: what is a persuasive speech, and what the heck makes for a good persuasive speech topic? A persuasive speech is a speech that aims to convince its listeners of a particular point of view . At the heart of each persuasive speech is a central conflict . Note: The persuasive speech stands in contrast to a simple informative speech, which is intended purely to convey information. (I.e., an informative speech topic might read: “The History of Making One’s Bed,” while a persuasive speech topic would be: “Why Making One’s Bed is a Waste of Time”—understand?)

And lest you think that persuasive speeches are simply assigned by your teachers as a particularly cruel form of torture, remember that practicing your oratory skills will benefit you in all areas of life—from job interviews, to business negotiations, to your future college career in public policy or international relations . Knowing how to use your voice to enact meaningful change is a valuable skill that can empower you to make a difference in the world.

Components of a Great Persuasive Speech Topic

The ideal persuasive speech topic will inspire the audience to action via both logical arguments and emotional appeals. As such, we can summarize the question “what makes a good persuasive speech topic?” by saying that the topic must possess the following qualities:

  • Timeliness and Relevance . Great persuasive speech topics grapple with a contemporary issue that is meaningful to the listener at hand. The topic might be a current news item, or it might be a long-standing social issue. In either case, the topic should be one with real-world implications.
  • Complexity . A fruitful persuasive speech topic will have many facets. Topics that are controversial, with some gray area, lend themselves to a high degree of critical thinking. They also offer the speaker an opportunity to consider and refute all counterarguments before making a compelling case for his or her own position.
  • Evidence . You want to be able to back up your argument with clear evidence from reputable sources (i.e., not your best friend or dog). The more evidence and data you can gather, the more sound your position will be. In addition, your audience will be more inclined to trust you.
  • Personal Connection. Do you feel passionately about the topic you’ve chosen? If not, it may be time to go back to the drawing board. This does not mean you have to support the side you choose; sometimes, arguing for the opposing side of what you personally believe can be an effective exercise in building empathy and perspective. Either way, though, the key is to select a topic that you care deeply about. Your passion will be infectious to the audience.

150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Should tech companies regulate the development of AI systems and automation to protect humans’ jobs?
  • Should we limit screen time for children?
  • Is it ethical for AI models like Dall-E to train themselves on artists’ work without the artists’ permission?
  • Should the government regulate the use of personal drones?
  • Is mass surveillance ethical? Does its threat to civil liberties outweigh its benefits?
  • Are virtual reality experiences a valuable educational tool?
  • Do the positive effects of powerful AI systems outweigh the risks?
  • Do voice assistants like Siri and Alexa invade individuals’ privacy?
  • Are cell phone bans in the classroom effective for improving student learning?
  • Does the use of facial recognition technology in public violate individuals’ privacy?
  • Should students be allowed to use ChatGPT and other AI tools for writing assignments?
  • Should AI-generated art be allowed in art shows or contests?
  • Who holds responsibility for accidents caused by self-driving cars: the driver or the car company?

Business and Economy

  • Should we do away with the minimum wage? Why or why not?
  • Is it ethical for companies to use unpaid internships as a source of labor?
  • Does the gig economy benefit or harm workers?
  • Is capitalism the best economic system?
  • Is it ethical for companies to use sweatshops in developing countries?
  • Should the government provide free healthcare for all citizens?
  • Should the government regulate prices on pharmaceutical drugs?
  • Should the government enact a universal base income?
  • Should customers be required to tip a minimum amount in order to ensure food service workers make a living wage?
  • Should someone’s tattoos or personal appearance factor into the hiring process?
  • Should US workers have more vacation time?
  • Is big game hunting beneficial for local communities?
  • Should we legalize euthanasia?
  • Is it ethical to use animals for medical research?
  • Is it ethical to allow access to experimental treatments for terminally ill patients?
  • Should we allow genetic engineering in humans?
  • Is the death penalty obsolete?
  • Should we allow the cloning of humans?
  • Is it ethical to allow performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
  • Should embryonic stem cell collection be allowed?
  • Do frozen IVF embryos have rights?
  • Should state and federal investigators be allowed to use DNA from genealogy databases?
  • Should the government limit how many children a couple can have?
  • Is spanking children an acceptable form of discipline?
  • Should we allow parents to choose their children’s physical attributes through genetic engineering?
  • Should we require parents to vaccinate their children?
  • Should we require companies to give mandatory paternal and maternal leave?
  • Should children be allowed to watch violent movies and video games?
  • Should parents allow their teenagers to drink before they turn 21?
  • Should the government provide childcare?
  • Should telling your children about Santa Claus be considered lying?
  • Should one parent stay home?
  • Should parental consent be required for minors to receive birth control?
  • Is it an invasion of privacy for parents to post photographs of their children on social media?

Social Media

  • Should social media platforms ban political ads?
  • Do the benefits of social media outweigh the downsides?
  • Should the government hold social media companies responsible for hate speech on their platforms?
  • Is social media making us more or less social?
  • Do platforms like TikTok exacerbate mental health issues in teens?
  • Should the government regulate social media to protect citizens’ privacy?
  • Is it right for parents to monitor their children’s social media accounts?
  • Should social media companies enact a minimum user age restriction?
  • Should we require social media companies to protect user data?
  • Should we hold social media companies responsible for cyberbullying?
  • Should schools ban the use of social media from their networks?
  • Should we be allowed to record others without their consent?
  • Do online crime sleuths help or hurt criminal investigations?

Education – Persuasive Speech Topics 

  • Would trade schools and other forms of vocational training benefit a greater number of students than traditional institutions of higher education?
  • Should colleges use standardized testing in their admissions processes?
  • Is forcing students to say the Pledge a violation of their right to freedom of speech?
  • Should school districts offer bilingual education programs for non-native speakers?
  • Should schools do away with their physical education requirements?
  • Should schools incorporate a remote learning option into their curriculum?
  • Should we allow school libraries to ban certain books?
  • Should we remove historical figures who owned slaves from school textbooks and other educational materials?
  • Should we have mixed-level classrooms or divide students according to ability?
  • Should grading on a curve be allowed?
  • Should graphic novels be considered literature?
  • Should all students have to take financial literacy classes before graduating?
  • Should colleges pay student athletes?
  • Should we ban violent contact sports like boxing and MMA?
  • Should sports leagues require professional athletes to stand during the national anthem?
  • Should sports teams ban players like Kyrie Irving when they spread misinformation or hate speech?
  • Should high schools require their athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
  • Should the Olympic committee allow transgender athletes to compete?
  • Should high schools ban football due to its safety risks to players?
  • Should all high school students be required to play a team sport?
  • Should sports teams be mixed instead of single-gender?
  • Should there be different athletic standards for men and women?
  • In which renewable energy option would the US do best to invest?
  • Should the US prioritize space exploration over domestic initiatives?
  • Should companies with a high carbon footprint be punished?
  • Should the FDA ban GMOs?
  • Would the world be a safer place without nuclear weapons?
  • Does AI pose a greater threat to humanity than it does the potential for advancement?
  • Who holds the most responsibility for mitigating climate change: individuals or corporations?
  • Should we be allowed to resurrect extinct species?
  • Are cancer screening programs ethical?

Social Issues – Persuasive Speech Topics

  • College education: should the government make it free for all?
  • Should we provide free healthcare for undocumented immigrants?
  • Is physician-assisted suicide morally justifiable?
  • Does social media have a negative impact on democracy?
  • Does cancel culture impede free speech?
  • Does affirmative action help or hinder minority groups in the workplace?
  • Should we hold public figures and celebrities to a higher standard of morality?
  • Should abortion be an issue that is decided at the federal or state level?
  • Should the sex offender registry be available to the public?
  • Should undocumented immigrants have a path to amnesty?
  • Do syringe services programs reduce or increase harmful behaviors?
  • Should there be a statute of limitations?
  • Should those who are convicted of a crime be required to report their criminal history on job and housing applications?

Politics and Government

  • Is the Electoral College still an effective way to elect the President of the US?
  • Should we allow judges to serve on the Supreme Court indefinitely?
  • Should the US establish a national gun registry?
  • Countries like Israel and China require all citizens to serve in the military. Is this a good or bad policy?
  • Should the police force require all its officers to wear body cameras while on duty?
  • Should the US invest in the development of clean meat as a sustainable protein source?
  • Should the US adopt ranked-choice voting?
  • Should institutions that profited from slavery provide reparations?
  • Should the government return land to Native American tribes?
  • Should there be term limits for representatives and senators?
  • Should there be an age limit for presidential candidates?
  • Should women be allowed in special forces units?

Easy Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Should schools have uniforms?
  • Can video games improve problem-solving skills?
  • Are online classes as effective as in-person classes?
  • Should companies implement a four-day work week?
  • Co-ed learning versus single-sex: which is more effective?
  • Should the school day start later?
  • Is homework an effective teaching tool?
  • Are electric cars really better for the environment?
  • Should schools require all students to study a foreign language?
  • Do professional athletes get paid too much money?

Fun Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Should we allow pets to run for public office?
  • Does pineapple belong on pizza?
  • Would students benefit from schools swapping out desks with more comfortable seating arrangements (i.e., bean bag chairs and couches)?
  • Is procrastination the key to success?
  • Should Americans adopt British accents to sound more intelligent?
  • The age-old dilemma: cats or dogs?
  • Should meme creators receive royalties when their memes go viral?
  • Should there be a minimum drinking age for coffee?
  • Are people who make their beds every day more successful than those who don’t?

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Is the movie ranking system an effective way to evaluate the appropriateness of films?
  • Should the government place a “health tax” on junk food?
  • Is it ethical to create artificial life forms that are capable of complex emotions?
  • Should parents let children choose their own names?
  • Creating clones of ourselves to serve as organ donors: ethical or not?
  • Is it ethical to engineer humans to be better and more optimized than nature intended?
  • Should we adopt a universal language to communicate with people from all countries?
  • Should there be a penalty for people who don’t vote?
  • Should calories be printed on menus?
  • Does tourism positively or negatively impact local communities?
  • When used by non-Natives, are dreamcatchers cultural appropriation?
  • Should companies require their employees to specify pronouns in their signature line?
  • Should commercial fishing be banned?
  • Are cemeteries sustainable?
  • Is it okay to change the race, culture, and/or gender of historical figures in movies or TV shows?

I’ve Chosen My Topic, Now What?

Once you’ve selected your topic, it’s time to get to work crafting your argument. Preparation for a persuasive speech or essay involves some key steps, which we’ve outlined for you below.

How to Create a Successful Persuasive Speech, Step by Step

  • Research your topic. Read widely and smartly. Stick to credible sources, such as peer-reviewed articles, published books, government reports, textbooks, and news articles. The right sources and data will be necessary to help you establish your authority. As you go, take notes on the details and nuances of your topic as well as potential counterarguments. Research the counterarguments, too.
  • Choose an angle. For example, if you chose the topic “Should we limit screen time for children?” your speech should come down firmly on one side of that debate. If your topic is frequently debated, such as abortion, capital punishment, gun control, social media, etc. try to find a niche angle or new research. For example, instead of “Should abortion be legal?” you might consider “Should you be able to order abortion pills online?” Another example: “Should the death penalty be banned?” might become “How long is it ethical for someone to stay on death row?” If you do some digging, even the most cliche topics have incredibly interesting and relatively unexplored sub-topics.
  • Create an outline. Your outline should include an introduction with a thesis statement, a body that uses evidence to elaborate and support your position while refuting any counterarguments, and a conclusion. The conclusion will both summarize the points made earlier and serve as your final chance to persuade your audience.
  • Write your speech. Use your outline to help you as well as the data you’ve collected. Remember: this is not dry writing; this writing has a point of view, and that point of view is yours . Accordingly, use anecdotes and examples to back up your argument. The essential components of this speech are logos (logic), ethos (credibility), and pathos (emotion) . The ideal speech will use all three of these functions to engage the audience.

How to Practice and Deliver a Persuasive Speech

  • Talk to yourself in the mirror, record yourself, and/or hold a practice speech for family or friends. If you’ll be using visual cues, a slide deck, or notecards, practice incorporating them seamlessly into your speech. You should practice until your speech feels very familiar, at least 5-10 times.
  • Practice body language. Are you making eye contact with your audience, or looking at the ground? Crossing your arms over your chest or walking back and forth across the room? Playing with your hair, cracking your knuckles, or picking at your clothes? Practicing what to do with your body, face, and hands will help you feel more confident on speech day.
  • Take it slow. It’s common to talk quickly while delivering a speech—most of us want to get it over with! However, your audience will be able to connect with you much more effectively if you speak at a moderate pace, breathe, and pause when appropriate.
  • Give yourself grace. How you recover from a mistake is much more important than the mistake itself. Typically, the best approach is to good-naturedly shrug off a blip and move on. 99% of the time, your audience won’t even notice!

Good Persuasive Speech Topics—Final Thoughts

The art of persuasive speaking is a tricky one, but the tips and tricks laid out here will help you craft a compelling argument that will sway even the most dubious audience to your side. Mastering this art takes both time and practice, so don’t fret if it doesn’t come to you right away. Remember to draw upon your sources, speak with authority, and have fun. Once you have the skill of persuasive speaking down, go out there and use your voice to impact change!

Looking for some hot-button topics in college admissions? You might consider checking out the following:

  • Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
  • Should I Apply Test-Optional to College?
  • Should I Waive My Right to See Letters of Recommendation?
  • Should I Use the Common App Additional Information Section?
  • High School Success

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Lauren Green

With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook  A Great Dark House  (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming novel (Viking/Penguin).

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speeches for students topics

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!

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Interesting speech topics for students

180 unique speech topic ideas from 5 broad areas

By:  Susan Dugdale  

What are the most interesting and unique speech topics for students? Or for yourself? How, and where do you find them?

Let's answer those questions, and more.

On this page you'll find:

speeches for students topics

Return to Top

So what are the best GOOD original speech ideas?

3 essential elements of interesting speeches.

Image: retro drawing of puzzled girl thinking. Text: What's an interesting speech topic? Comical novels? Cats? The history of chocolate?

Speech topics become interesting that way because they fulfill three essential requirements.

  • You are genuinely enthusiastic about the subject. You love the topic and want to find out more about it.
  • The subject will appeal to your audience. It has relevance for them. They'll want to know about it. 
  • The twist, angle, or perspective you bring to the topic is different - one the audience will not have heard before.

If you can tick off all three aspects your speech is much more likely to be interesting for everyone, yourself included.

Put your spin on these interesting speech topics

The five topic areas below are broad. I have suggested some potentially good speech ideas in each of them. You'll find those under the area's introductory overview.

Use my suggestions as a beginning point: a trigger to get  your own creative juices going. With luck you'll find exactly the topic you need to inspire you. (I sincerely hope so!)

Social media themed topics

Online social media like Facebook (recently re-branded as Meta Platforms), Twitter (which has now become X), Pinterest, Instagram, Whatsapp, and Tik Tok have been with us a comparatively short time. Yet their growth has been astronomical!

Facebook, the first of them, made its public debut in 2004, 17 years ago, and according to its Wikipedia page , has 2.85 billion monthly active users, as of 31 March 2021 .  Its use as a vehicle to reach people all over the world is extraordinary. The power and influence Facebook users have been able to exert is unparalleled. As a society we've never seen this before.

Twitter (X), Pinterest,  Instagram, Whatsapp and Tik Tok although newer players share, to a lesser degree, similar capacities.

Older electronic media, TV and radio, couldn't reach into the personal private lives in the same intimate one to one, person to person way. Neither could print.

What do these changes mean for society?  What will happen to old-fashioned face-to-face communication skills?

Look over these topics carefully. What aspects of them you'd find interesting to explore?

Our increasing reliance on varying forms of online communication is new and our scientists, psychologists, and doctors are only beginning to understand its impact on our behavior.

Image: young girl with badge showing Facebook thumbs up icon on her tee-shirt. Background text: Please like me, please like me, please like me...

50 interesting social media speech topics

  • Social media kills face to face conversation skills.
  • Texting is necessary for social survival.
  • An online friend can be just as real as an offline one.
  • Social media breaks down real-time relationships.
  • How did people build and maintain networks BEFORE  social media?
  • What is the real value of social media? Three points.
  • How to avoid being cyber bullied.
  • Rules for forming online friendships.
  • Spelling skills are dead. Long live txt speak!
  • What will be the next major social media development?
  • Rules for using social media responsibly.
  • Publicly "liking" or "not liking" a person's posts can cause anxiety.
  • What is real news and what is false? How do you know?
  • Three excellent community building uses of social media.
  • Social media is addictive.
  • Social media encourages and supports racialism.
  • Social media companies are not responsible for how people use them.
  • Social media dissolves social, economic and cultural barriers.
  • How private is personal information on social media?
  • Fake personas and social media.
  • There is not enough fact checking on social media.
  • It is too easy to post without thinking on social media.
  • There is too much content on social media. It overwhelms.
  • What is the impact of social media on business?
  • Having an opinion does not make a person an expert.
  • Social media makes it easy to help someone immediately.
  • Social media brings people with similar interests together.
  • Social media encourages the need for instant gratification.
  • Some social media challenges should never be accepted.
  • There should be an user age limit on social media platforms.
  • Getting news from social media is unreliable.
  • Censorship is impossible on social media.
  • How do politicians use social media?
  • What is a social media echo chamber?
  • How can social media undermine democracy?
  • Social media can be, and is, used for mass surveillance.
  • Social media can be a time waster.
  • Social media makes people dissatisfied with their lives.
  • The rise of cancel culture: what it is, how it works.
  • Why people share things they shouldn't.
  • How using emoticons is replacing using words.
  • How social media is used in hiring and firing people.
  • How social media stunts personal creativity.
  • How social media allows a person to find their voice.
  • Using social media improves fine motor skills.
  • How social media is used in peer-support programs.
  • Should social media companies be held accountable? 
  • What is the impact of not being social media?
  • How to become an influencer.
  • Outline the main differences between two or three social media platforms.

Visiting yesterday: historical speech topics

The importance of history is frequently debated. Those against digging around in their own or anybody else's past often use the saying "Life is best lived looking forward" to explain their stance.

What they want to avoid is becoming stuck in history, bogged down by old traditions or beliefs that inhibit a person in some way. "That was then, this is now", they say.

Crimes against humanity: ethnic cleansing, genocide, state sanctioned terrorism, racial discrimination, and religious persecution are all examples of attitudes and events people often want to leave in the past.

The main reason for that is because untangling them, acknowledging and accepting responsibility where required, and finding an equitable way to move forward can be exceedingly difficult for all concerned.

And yet, if we don't examine and learn from the past, surely we'll do similar things over and over again.

Those who believe that understanding and knowing our history is important say, to use the words of Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, that "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."

They argue that to know who we are, what we are doing, where we are going, and how our actions may impact on other people, other communities, countries, or the world, we need to thoroughly understand our past. That means looking carefully at the lives and times of our ancestors. 

I believe understanding our "yesterdays" helps us build better "todays" - richer futures for everyone. 

Attitudes change and as they do, so too does what society accepts as "normal". 

A brief shorts story

To illustrate here's a simple and these days, non-controversial example.

Something as ordinary as a woman wearing shorts was quite extraordinary in the 1940s and 50s. Women who wore them were considered fast: very unladylike.

And some American city councils actually went so far as to ban women from wearing them in public.

Image: 1950s pin up golfer girl wearing a pair of shorts. Text: When wearing shorts was taboo

The  United States Golf Association went further. They decreed neither men nor women could wear them while participating in tournaments: a rule that remained until the 1980s.

(In my family, my  Grandmother was forbidden to leave the house in them.)

Can you imagine what life would be like for women if we'd held on to that? 

Today we have moved on. A woman wearing a pair of shorts is no longer a disgrace or committing a crime. *

(Click this National Public Radio link  When wearing shorts was taboo  to find out more. It's a fascinating peek into the past.)

* I am fortunate to live in a country where women are free to wear what they choose. However there are many places in the world where they are not.

This 2020 study from Washington Pew Research Center is interesting reading:  Women in many countries face harassment for clothing deemed too religious – or too secular .

Family focused and community speech topics

The topics here are focused around the history of family and community life.

Dive into them and you may just find them compelling - really interesting. They'll give you new insights and maybe, an appreciation, of what went before, and what you have now. 

Image-retro 1950s-children crossing the road going to school. Text: Historical Myths Number 63 - School days! The happiest days of your life!

45 interesting historical speech topics

  • What Grandma/Grandpa did for fun and recreation 50 years ago.
  • What Grandma/Grandpa did to earn a living when they finished their schooling.
  • At the same age as I am now my parents were doing XXX and my grandparents were doing XXX (compare and contrast across 3 generations).
  • Were there differences between education for boys and for girls 50 + years ago? If so, what were they? 
  • Our town's history - why it was built where it is, who lived there.
  • What type of jobs did men and women typically do 50+ years ago?
  • The biggest manmade or natural disaster in our local history.
  • Headline stories from our local newspapers 50+ years ago.
  • How festivals and important events (birthdays, weddings, Christmas, Easter...) were celebrated in my family many years ago.
  • Food fads or food fashions - how have they changed over the years? TV dinner anyone? What about a smoothie?
  • Prepare a typical 1950s desert as a demonstration speech.
  • How has food preparation changed over the last 25 years? Over the last 100 years?
  • Check out the family photographs. How has clothing changed through the years? For babies? For girls? For boys? For adults?
  • Ask your grandparents about what household chores they did on a regular basis. How does that compare with what you do?
  • Did your grandparents get an allowance? If so, how much was it, and what did they do with it?
  • What are differences between the house or apartment that your grandparents grew up in and the one you live in?
  • What household items held pride of place 50+ years ago?  
  • The history of my first and last name - where it came from, what it means and how it's changed over the years.
  • A walk through a typical 1950s/1960s/1970s school day. Were they really "the best days of our lives"?
  • How has classroom discipline changed over the last 100 years?
  • How have the subjects taught in schools changed over the last 50+ years?
  • What school activities and sports were common 50+ years ago? 
  • Word fashion (the current slang) - what's in, what's out. Examples from bygone eras and present day.
  • The origin of local place names - how places get their names, why they stick, or change.
  • What jobs are no longer needed in your area because of modern technology?
  • How has going shopping changed over the last 3 decades?
  • Have attitudes around money and possessions changed over the last 50 + years in your community?  
  • How did the area you live in cope with the 1918 Spanish Flu Epidemic? How does that compare with what happened during the height of the Covid Pandemic?
  • What is the predominant cultural background of the community you live in?
  • What languages are part of the linguistic history of your area? In what ways are they seen and heard today?
  • What traditions have been passed down the generations in your family or community?
  • What service organizations were active in the community 50 + years ago? What did they do? How did they help?
  • What religions were practiced in your community 50 + years ago?  Has that changed? How?
  • What were attitudes in your community towards people who were seen as 'different' 50 + years ago?
  • What were the most common ways of meeting new people and socializing 50 + years ago in your community?
  • Tell the history of an local historic building or monument. 
  • What was the latest music 20/50/100 years ago?
  • What were the biggest social issues 50 + years ago in your area? Have things changed?
  • How have historical events directly affected your family and community?
  • What were the commonest methods of transport 50 + years ago in the area. What changes have there been?
  • Tell the story of a local character or hero.
  • What were the major natural features of the landscape in your area before towns and cities were built?
  • What were the native animals, birds, trees and other plants in the area  a long time ago? Has that changed? 
  • How have people changed the local natural landscape? For better? Or for worse? 
  • This day in history - a slice of major events from around the world for the date you are giving your speech.

Just plain weird: unusual speech topics

Things, natural or man-made, are often labeled weird or strange because we have never seen, considered or experienced them before. These "new" things become objects of fascination triggering responses varying from awe to disgust. Either way, "good" or "bad" weird jolts a person out their accepted ordinary/normal world, challenging them to consider something different.

Weird things, old and new, can be really interesting and stimulating!

Image: tiger-budgie Text: 100% pure weird

61 weird speech topic suggestions

Quirky clothing/body adornment fashions : some very old, some much newer!

Show and tell the story behind:

  • powdered wigs - why men and women wore them
  • bustles - Why did women wear especially shaped padding ( bustles ) to hold out their skirts at the back?
  • crinolines - Why would a woman from the Victorian era want to wear a wide, bell-shaped, steel-hooped cage under her skirts?
  • panniers - Why did women in the 18th century broaden their skirts at the sides with panniers? 
  • chopines - The first platform shoes, popular in 16th & 17th century. Were they worn to avoid the dirt in the streets or for prestige?
  • lotus shoes - tiny jeweled slippers to fit the bound feet of Chinese women. Find out more: The consequence of foot binding . 
  • cod pieces - a male garment originally worn to conceal and protect genitals dating from the 15th century that became something so much more  
  • corsets - a garment worn by men and women to support and shape the body. In the 19th century their wide-spread use by women caused them major health issues.
  • bombasts - a 16th century practice of wearing padded clothing to enhance/exaggerate the body's natural shape
  • the cockade - a symbol of freedom - originally worn by French soldiers
  • ruffs - a detachable collar that grew larger and more elaborate
  • winkle picker shoes - Who were the men who wore them?   The history of winkle pickers 
  • body piercings - the different types of piercings, and their origin
  • tattoos -trace its history across cultures, its meanings, the wide spread use of tattoos, how to remove a tattoo
  • statement jewelry - the history of jewelry to show status  - wedding rings, engagement rings, crowns, chains of office, the use of precious stones

Are they hoarders or collectors? Why do some people collect things like: unopened bottles of coca cola, album covers, newspapers, playing cards, cigarette packets, menus, garden ornaments, old pens, comics, paper table napkins, autographs, branded memorabilia eg. McDonalds happy toys, Barbie dolls, hair clips, salt and pepper shakers ...

Find out. Do an interview. Take some photos.

Weird beliefs - research and present one or two beliefs you find the strangest. Who believed them?  When were they believed? Where? What country? Can you explain the reason why? 

  • that cigarettes were good for health
  • that the earth was flat and you could fall off its edge
  • that trains went so fast they literally rattled people's brains, making them insane
  • that washing hands before surgery was unnecessary
  • that some races and cultures are superior to others
  • that eugenics (controlled breeding in humans) is an acceptable way to eliminate inheritable characteristics seen as undesirable 
  • that disease was spread by smell
  • that the sun was the center of the universe
  • that seatbelts in cars were unnecessary
  • that a woman's role in life is to make her husband happy

Very strange animals, birds, fish or insects - what are the weirdest, where do they live, what do they eat? 

Here's ten remarkable creatures to get you started.

  • axolotls (Mexican Walking Fish)
  • flightless cormorants
  • long wattled umbrella birds
  • assassin bugs
  • stick insects
  • shoebill storks

Weird inventions - What was it? Who invented it? When, where and why?

Some inventions are truly weird. They were when they were thought up and made, and they still are now. Others were thought weird at first but today are regarded as impossible to live without. 

Investigate any of these:

  • The bicycle - It was considered a dangerous fad.
  • Talkies - talking in the movies. That was thought a gimmick.
  • Mono-wheeled motorbikes
  • Automobiles
  • The saluting device for perfect salutations
  • The hug me pillow and other 'clever' devices, like hairy stockings
  • Electric lamps or light bulbs
  • Personal computers
  • Vaccinations

Strange sports : where are they played, when, by whom, and how. For example:

  • wife carrying
  • egg and cheese rolling (two separate sports)

(The oddness of a sport is often a matter of perspective. If you've never heard of it, or seen it played before, then it may seem weird to you. However to the people involved, either as participants or observers, the sport is accepted as normal, frequently without question.)  

  • Fact or fiction? Choose an interesting true story to retell that seems unbelievable.
  • Trivia: little bits of often useless information. Why does it fascinate? 
  • Research and present little known awe inspiring facts about the functioning of our bodies. 
  • Urban myths - what are they, examples, how are they spread and why are they believed?
  • Weird people. Find out about famous eccentrics: people who have decided to live life on their own terms. 
  • Why do records like the largest man in the world, the longest fingernails, or the greatest number of pies eaten in an hour fascinate people?
  • How many other people share your name? Where are they in the world and what do they do?
  • Weird coincidences - Is it fate, the super-natural at work, or is it really a series of freak coincidences? 
  • Weird professions - passed and present. For example being employed as a rat catcher, chimney sweep, mud lark, lamp lighter, bicycle courier, doula, video game tester, mobile app developer 
  • Weird buildings - For example, the basket building in USA,  the egg shaped office building in India, or the bubble house in France.

Trading places

Image: vintage drawing of a man swinging from a rope upside down. Text: Good life lessons - getting a different perspective, looking from another angle.

Age old wisdom says there would be fewer misunderstandings and arguments if we learned to see the world from the each others perspectives. We would be less quick to judge, more tolerant and more understanding if we saw and felt how it was to walk in the shoes of another person.

Looking from a different perspective broadens and deepens our thinking.

The 5 topic suggestions below span personal through to major world events. Ask yourself, how would it be if I was there or, if this person was me? What would I think? What would I feel?

5 from another perspective speech topics 

  • In XXX {insert the name of a country eg Japan, Samoa, Chile} in XXX {insert the year or century eg the 19th century} a day in the life of a person my age would be ...
  • A day in my Mother's/Father's life at the same age I am now. Where did your parents live? Town or country? In a house or an apartment? How did they get to school? What did they study? What chores did they have to do daily?  
  • Retell an historical event as if you were there and part of it. Choose an event you find interesting eg. the fall of the Berlin Wall, granting women the right to vote, the death of Martin Luther King ...
  • Tell how a major invention or medical break-through changed lives as if you were there. Eg. the development of the smart phone, bionic prosthesis, laser surgery ...  
  • If I was {insert a word of your choice - eg. homeless, physically disabled in some way - blind, deaf, reliant on a mobility scooter ...} my experience of the world would be changed. How? What issues would you face? How would you meet them?

What were the beginnings or the origins of...?

There is a story behind everything and some of them are really interesting!

For instance the Christmas tradition of kissing under mistletoe (a plant that grows on trees) dates way back to the time of the Druids who thought it had mystical powers. It was supposed to bring good luck and keep evil spirits away.

In Norse mythology it signified love and friendship, hence the kissing! And, dear reader, of course there is more to find out. Enough to prepare an interesting, entertaining speech.

The same applies to all the other topic suggestions below.

Image: traditional Xmas card. Text: Christmas traditions: carols, food, presents, trees ...

19 speech topics exploring origins

  • Christmas celebrations or any aspect of them eg. cards, carols, gift giving, special food ...
  • Easter celebrations (or any other widely observed customary celebration)
  • Table manners or eating etiquette. How do "good" table manners vary from culture to culture? Why were they developed in the first place? 
  • Common sayings eg. "to be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth" or "the salt of the earth"
  • Types of music eg. rock and roll, jazz, hip hop ...
  • Types of art eg. folk art, sculpture, pottery, theater ...
  • Postal stamps or money
  • Softball, grid iron or any other sport
  • The current governmental system
  • Zodiac signs
  • Beauty Queen pageants
  • Modern warfare
  • Education - schooling in your country or your area
  • Card or board games 
  • Advertising
  • Television soaps. What's the story behind those long running TV serials?
  • Print - books, newspapers
  • Journalism - where did it start?
  • Language - how does it develop?

Avoiding the procrastination trap

The time is now! 

Having looked through all these potentially  good speech  topics  please don't fall into the  procrastination trap!

Tomorrow - (definition) - When everything finally gets done. Eg. I'll do this speech tomorrow!

Make yourself a  short list  of at least  three possibilities  and thinking about your audience, the main purpose of your speech and your personal interest or enthusiasm for each of them, whittle your list down to the best one.

Points you'll want to consider as part of your decision making are:

  • the time you have to prepare your speech
  • how much you know about the topic already. Do you need to do lots of research, or some? Is the research easy to do?
  • the angle you intend to use - is it persuasive, informative, humorous, unconventional, potentially shocking or upsetting, quirky? How does that fit with your audience's needs and if your speech is for a classroom assignment, the guidelines you have been given?

More places to find interesting speech topics

If you really are stuck for a topic that resonates with you check these sources out.

  • magazines for specialist opinion pieces
  • the top news sites, blogs - for commentary on political events, natural disasters, social issues
  • radio - community, country and world news plus commentary and analysis
  • television for documentaries and indepth reportage
  • bulletin boards in your own community - for current topical events eg a meeting to discuss the implication of closing the local mine or the impact of raising the cost of public transport
  • your family and friends
  • Listening to the conversations around you and observing closely what you see.
  • This site! Click this link - speech topics - to find many more pages full of interesting speech ideas.

How to get better grades for your speech

What does your teacher long to hear.

I taught high-school level English for many years and over that time listened to hundreds of speeches.

Those students I gave an A grade to got them because their:

  • topic was interesting. They'd either found an original angle to present known material or found a "new" topic.
  • speech was tailored for the audience. It was relevant to them and personalized.
  • presentation was well structured. It had a good opening, body and conclusion.
  • delivery had been rehearsed. They knew their speech. The use of props or additional material was appropriate and well integrated into the flow of the speech.
  • audience listened and enjoyed what they heard.

You are welcome to use my  speech evaluation checklist  as a guide to help you prepare an A grade speech of your own.

To prepare, structure & deliver your speech use these pages:

  • how to write a speech  You'll find full explanations and examples of the step by step process needed to get you safely from choosing your topic to presenting the speech itself.
  • voice image   Did you know your voice is an important part of giving your speech? The quality of your voice can make the difference between being listened to and not. Go to the  voice image   page. Read and follow the links to find out how you can optimize your vocal delivery.

speeches for students topics

  • vocal variety Use tone, pitch, pause and pace to deliver your speech effectively. An interesting speech topic is a great start. It would be shame to waste it and the work you've done through weak delivery!
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PrepScholar

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 105 interesting persuasive speech topics for any project.

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General Education

feature_persuasivespeech.jpg

Are you struggling to find good persuasive speech topics? It can be hard to find a topic that interests both you and your audience, but in this guide we've done the hard work and created a list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. They're organized into ten categories and cover a variety of topics, so you're sure to find one that interests you.

In addition to our list, we also go over which factors make good persuasive speech topics and three tips you should follow when researching and writing your persuasive speech.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

What makes certain persuasive speech topics better than others? There are numerous reasons, but in this section we discuss three of the most important factors of great topics for a persuasive speech.

It's Something You Know About or Are Interested in Learning About

The most important factor in choosing and creating a great persuasive speech is picking a topic you care about and are interested in. You'll need to do a lot of research on this topic, and if it's something you like learning about, that'll make the process much easier and more enjoyable. It'll also help you sound passionate and informed when you talk, both important factors in giving an excellent persuasive speech.

It's a Topic People Care About

In fourth grade, after being told I could give a persuasive speech on any topic I wanted to , I chose to discuss why the Saguaro cactus should be the United State's national plant. Even though I gave an impassioned talk and drew a life-size Saguaro cactus on butcher paper to hang behind me, I doubt anyone enjoyed the speech much.

I'd recently returned from a family vacation to Arizona where I'd seen Saguaro cacti for the first time and decided they were the coolest thing ever. However, most people don't care that much about Saguaro cacti, and most people don't care what our national plant is or if we even have one (for the record, the US has a national flower, and it's the rose).

Spare yourself the smattering of bored applause my nine-old self got at the end of my speech and choose something you think people will be interested in hearing about. This also ties into knowing your audience, which we discuss more in the final section.

It Isn't Overdone

When I was in high school, nearly every persuasive speech my classmates and I were assigned was the exact same topic: should the drinking age be lowered to 18? I got this prompt in English class, on standardized tests, in speech and debate class, etc. I've written and presented about it so often I could probably still rattle off all the main points of my old speeches word-for-word.

You can imagine that everyone's eyes glazed over whenever classmates gave their speeches on this topic. We'd heard about it so many times that, even if it was a topic we cared about, speeches on it just didn't interest us anymore.

The are many potential topics for a persuasive speech. Be wary of choosing one that's cliche or overdone. Even if you give a great speech, it'll be harder to keep your audience interested if they feel like they already know what you're going to say.

An exception to this rule is that if you feel you have a new viewpoint or facts about the topic that currently aren't common knowledge. Including them can make an overdone topic interesting. If you do this, be sure to make it clear early on in your speech that you have unique info or opinions on the topic so your audience knows to expect something new.

body_presentation-1.jpg

105 Topics for a Persuasive Speech

Here's our list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. We made sure to choose topics that aren't overdone, yet that many people will have an interest in, and we also made a point of choosing topics with multiple viewpoints rather than simplistic topics that have a more obvious right answer (i.e. Is bullying bad?). The topics are organized into ten categories.

Arts/Culture

  • Should art and music therapy be covered by health insurance?
  • Should all students be required to learn an instrument in school?
  • Should all national museums be free to citizens?
  • Should graffiti be considered art?
  • Should offensive language be removed from works of classic literature?
  • Are paper books better than e-books?
  • Should all interns be paid for their work?
  • Should employees receive bonuses for walking or biking to work?
  • Will Brexit hurt or help the UK's economy?
  • Should all people over the age of 65 be able to ride the bus for free?
  • Should the federal minimum wage be increased?
  • Should tipping in restaurants be mandatory?
  • Should Black Friday sales be allowed to start on Thanksgiving?
  • Should students who bully others be expelled?
  • Should all schools require students wear uniforms?
  • Should boys and girls be taught in separate classrooms?
  • Should students be allowed to listen to music during study hall?
  • Should all elementary schools be required to teach a foreign language?
  • Should schools include meditation or relaxation breaks during the day?
  • Should grades in gym class affect students' GPAs?
  • Should teachers get a bonus when their students score well on standardized tests?
  • Should children of undocumented immigrants be allowed to attend public schools?
  • Should students get paid for getting a certain GPA?
  • Should students be allowed to have their cell phones with them during school?
  • Should high school students be allowed to leave school during lunch breaks?
  • Should Greek life at colleges be abolished?
  • Should high school students be required to volunteer a certain number of hours before they can graduate?
  • Should schools still teach cursive handwriting?
  • What are the best ways for schools to stop bullying?
  • Should prostitution be legalized?
  • Should people with more than one DUI lose their driver's license?
  • Should people be required to shovel snow from the sidewalks in front of their house?
  • Should minors be able to drink alcohol in their home if they have their parent's consent?
  • Should guns be allowed on college campuses?
  • Should flag burning as a form of protest be illegal?
  • Should welfare recipients be required to pass a drug test?
  • Should white supremacist groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
  • Should assault weapons be illegal?
  • Should the death penalty be abolished?
  • Should beauty pageants for children be banned?
  • Is it OK to refuse to serve same-sex couples based on religious beliefs?
  • Should transgender people be allowed to serve in the military?
  • Is it better to live together before marriage or to wait?
  • Should affirmative action be allowed?
  • Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
  • Should Columbus Day be replaced with Indigenous Peoples' Day?

Government/Politics

  • Should the government spend more money on developing high-speed rail lines and less on building new roads?
  • Should the government be allowed to censor internet content deemed inappropriate?
  • Should Puerto Rico become the 51st state?
  • Should Scotland declare independence from the United Kingdom?
  • Whose face should be on the next new currency printed by the US?
  • Should people convicted of drug possession be sent to recovery programs instead of jail?
  • Should voting be made compulsory?
  • Who was the best American president?
  • Should the military budget be reduced?
  • Should the President be allowed to serve more than two terms?
  • Should a border fence be built between the United States and Mexico?
  • Should countries pay ransom to terrorist groups in order to free hostages?
  • Should minors be able to purchase birth control without their parent's consent?
  • Should hiding or lying about your HIV status with someone you're sleeping with be illegal?
  • Should governments tax soda and other sugary drinks and use the revenue for public health?
  • Should high schools provide free condoms to students?
  • Should the US switch to single-payer health care?
  • Should healthy people be required to regularly donate blood?
  • Should assisted suicide be legal?
  • Should religious organizations be required to pay taxes?
  • Should priests be allowed to get married?
  • Should the religious slaughter of animals be banned?
  • Should the Church of Scientology be exempt from paying taxes?
  • Should women be allowed to be priests?
  • Should countries be allowed to only accept refugees with certain religious beliefs?
  • Should public prayer be allowed in schools?

Science/Environment

  • Should human cloning be allowed?
  • Should people be allowed to own exotic animals like tigers and monkeys?
  • Should "animal selfies" in tourist locations with well-known animal species (like koalas and tigers) be allowed?
  • Should genetically modified foods be sold in grocery stores?
  • Should people be allowed to own pit bulls?
  • Should parents be allowed to choose the sex of their unborn children?
  • Should vaccinations be required for students to attend public school?
  • What is the best type of renewable energy?
  • Should plastic bags be banned in grocery stores?
  • Should the United States rejoin the Paris Agreement?
  • Should puppy mills be banned?
  • Should fracking be legal?
  • Should animal testing be illegal?
  • Should offshore drilling be allowed in protected marine areas?
  • Should the US government increase NASA's budget?
  • Should Pluto still be considered a planet?
  • Should college athletes be paid for being on a sports team?
  • Should all athletes be required to pass regular drug tests?
  • Should professional female athletes be paid the same as male athletes in the same sport?
  • Are there any cases when athletes should be allowed to use steroids?
  • Should college sports teams receive less funding?
  • Should boxing be illegal?
  • Should schools be required to teach all students how to swim?
  • Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
  • Should parents let their children play tackle football?
  • Will robots reduce or increase human employment opportunities?
  • What age should children be allowed to have a cell phone?
  • Should libraries be replaced with unlimited access to e-books?
  • Overall, has technology helped connect people or isolate them?
  • Should self-driving cars be legal?
  • Should all new buildings be energy efficient?
  • Is Net Neutrality a good thing or a bad thing?
  • Do violent video games encourage players to become violent in real life?

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3 Bonus Tips for Crafting Your Persuasive Speech

Of course, giving a great persuasive speech requires more than just choosing a good topic. Follow the three tips below to create an outstanding speech that'll interest and impress your audience.

Do Your Research

For a persuasive speech, there's nothing worse than getting an audience question that shows you misunderstood the issue or left an important piece out. It makes your entire speech look weak and unconvincing.

Before you start writing a single word of your speech, be sure to do lots of research on all sides of the topic. Look at different sources and points of view to be sure you're getting the full picture, and if you know any experts on the topic, be sure to ask their opinion too.

Consider All the Angles

Persuasive speech topics are rarely black and white, which means there will be multiple sides and viewpoints on the topic. For example, for the topic "Should people be allowed to own pit bulls?" there are two obvious viewpoints: everyone should be allowed to own a pit bull if they want to, and no one should be allowed to own a pit bull. But there are other options you should also consider: people should only own a pit bull if they pass a dog training class, people should be able to own pit bulls, but only if it's the only dog they own, people should be able to own pi tbulls but only if they live a certain distance from schools, people should be able to own pit bulls only if the dog passes an obedience class, etc.

Thinking about all these angles and including them in your speech will make you seem well-informed on the topic, and it'll increase the quality of your speech by looking at difference nuances of the issue.

Know Your Audience

Whenever you give a speech, it's important to consider your audience, and this is especially true for persuasive speeches when you're trying to convince people to believe a certain viewpoint. When writing your speech, think about what your audience likely already knows about the topic, what they probably need explained, and what aspects of the topic they care about most. Also consider what the audience will be most concerned about for a certain topic, and be sure to address those concerns.

For example, if you're giving a speech to a Catholic organization on why you think priests should be allowed to marry, you don't need to go over the history of Catholicism or its core beliefs (which they probably already know), but you should mention any research or prominent opinions that support your view (which they likely don't know about). They may be concerned that priests who marry won't be as committed to God or their congregations, so be sure to address those concerns and why they shouldn't worry about them as much as they may think. Discussing your topic with people (ideally those with viewpoints similar to those of your future audience) before you give your speech is a good way to get a better understanding of how your audience thinks.

More Resources for Writing Persuasive Speeches

If you need more guidance or just want to check out some examples of great persuasive writing, consider checking out the following books:

  • Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History by William Safire—This collection of great speeches throughout history will help you decide how to style your own argument.
  • The Essentials of Persuasive Public Speaking by Sims Wyeth—For quick direct tips on public speaking, try this all-purpose guide.
  • Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo—This popular book breaks down what makes TED talks work and how you can employ those skills in your own presentations.
  • We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman—These two recent speeches by contemporary writers offer stellar examples of how to craft a compelling (and engaging) argument.

Conclusion: Persuasive Speech Ideas

Good persuasive speech topics can be difficult to think of, but in this guide we've compiled a list of 105 interesting persuasive speech topics for you to look through.

The best persuasive speech ideas will be on a topic you're interested in, aren't overdone, and will be about something your audience cares about.

After you've chosen your topic, keep these three tips in mind when writing your persuasive speech:

  • Do your research
  • Consider all the angles
  • Know your audience

What's Next?

Now that you have persuasive speech topics, it's time to hone your persuasive speech techniques. Find out what ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos are and how to use them here .

Looking to take your persuasive technique from speech to sheets (of paper)? Get our three key tips on how to write an argumentative essay , or learn by reading through our thorough breakdown of how to build an essay, step by step .

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Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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110 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics to Impress Your Audience

Learn how to give an impressive persuasive speech and explore our comprehensive list of persuasive speech ideas .

A group of students applauding a persuasive speech

Learn what makes a persuasive speech with these topics

Introduction

What makes a good persuasive speech topic, how to create and deliver a compelling persuasive speech, 110 interesting persuasive speech topics, introduction .

Are you having a hard time coming up with the right persuasive speech topic? One that isn’t boring or cliche? Are you looking for a persuasive speech topic that will both interest you and captivate your audience? It’s easier said than done, right?

Creating and delivering an interesting persuasive speech is a major endeavor. The last thing you want is to get stuck on the first step—selecting a persuasive speech topic. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. To help you identify the perfect persuasive speech topic for you, we’ve compiled a list of 110 compelling persuasive speech ideas. Every single one of these ideas has the potential to be an outstanding persuasive speech. 

In addition, we’ll peel back the curtain to teach you what makes a good persuasive speech topic and give you expert tips on delivering a successful persuasive speech that will convince and astound your audience.

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There are three questions you can use to determine which persuasive speech topics will lead to enthusiastic applause and standing ovations. 

Does the persuasive speech topic interest you?

A major part of writing a persuasive speech is doing ample research on the subject you choose. So one of the first things you should ask yourself when considering a potential persuasive speech topic is, “Would I enjoy learning about this subject extensively?” If you can’t answer that question with an emphatic, “Yes!” you might want to continue your topic search. You don’t want to spend hours diving into a subject you don’t enjoy.

Plus, an audience can easily pick up on boredom or lack of interest in a persuasive speech, and you clearly don’t want that. On the other hand, if you’re explaining a subject you’re passionate about, your audience will get caught up in your excitement—resulting in a much more compelling and persuasive speech.

Here’s another word of advice. Some people will tell you to pick a persuasive speech topic you’re already an expert in, and that’s certainly one way to go about it. While we won’t tell you being an expert in the subject should be your top deciding factor, this approach has its advantages—you’re already familiar with the lingo and the basics of the subject are. This helps you significantly speed up your research process. But if you have the time and willingness to tackle an entirely unfamiliar subject that utterly fascinates you, we say go for it!

Will the persuasive speech topic interest your audience?

So you’ve found a few persuasive speech topics that interest you. But what about your audience? Do they share your interest? Even if you argue your points with enthusiasm, will they be bored by your subject? 

To answer these questions, you have to understand your audience well. Study them to learn what grabs their attention. What do they care about? What topics are relatable to their lives or their communities? What subjects will they be more likely to get emotionally invested in?

When you find persuasive speech topics that equally interest you and your audience, you’re setting yourself up for success.

Has the persuasive speech topic been covered too many times?

This is the last question you should ask yourself before committing to your persuasive speech topic. Has this topic been overdone? Even if your audience is invested in the subject, they’ll be quickly bored if they’ve listened to ten similar speeches prior to hearing yours. You won’t be persuasive if your listeners can predict each of your arguments before you give them. 

Instead, search for persuasive speech topics that are unique and fresh—something your audience hasn’t heard a hundred times before. The one exception to this is if you can approach an overworked topic with a completely fresh and unusual perspective. For example, maybe you can approach the gun control debate as someone whose friend died from an accidental shooting, but your family still owns guns and enjoys hunting as a pastime. 

Once you’ve chosen your persuasive speech topic (our list of 110 riveting persuasive speech ideas is coming next!) and completed your research on the subject, you’ll begin the writing process. Use this step-by-step approach to produce an outstanding speech that easily persuades your audience to adopt your viewpoint.

Determine your thesis. What opinion or belief are you convincing your audience to embrace? Are you asking them to take a specific action after listening to your speech? Just as you do when writing a college essay , make sure your thesis or call-to-action is crystal clear before you start writing.

Organize your main arguments. Create an outline of the evidence or points you’ve collected to support your thesis. Make sure your ideas flow logically into each other and build your case.

Support your arguments with facts and examples. You’ll want to use multiple sources for your evidence, with a preference for well-known or reputable sources. (Please don’t cite Wikipedia!) You can also get personal by using anecdotes from your own life or the lives of someone close to you. This will increase your persuasive speech’s impact.

Add emotional connections with your audience. Make your argument more powerful by appealing to your audience’s sense of nostalgia and common beliefs. Another tactic (which marketers use all the time) is to appeal to your listeners’ fears and rely on their instincts for self-preservation.

Address counterarguments. Rather than waiting for your audience to think up objections to the points you make, do it yourself. Then dispute those objections with additional facts, examples, and anecdotes. 

Wrap up your persuasive speech with a strong conclusion. In your closing, restate your thesis, tug on your audience’s heartstrings one last time with an emotional connection, and deliver your decisive call to action.

Now that you have a strongly written persuasive speech, your final task is this: practice, practice, and practice some more! We guarantee your delivery won’t be perfect on your first attempt. But on your tenth or fifteenth, it just might be.

Record yourself delivering your persuasive speech so you can play it back and analyze your areas needing improvement. Are your pauses too long or not long enough? Did you sufficiently emphasize your emotional points? Are your anecdotes coming out naturally? How is your body language? What about your hand movements and eye contact?

When you’re feeling more comfortable, deliver your speech to a friend or family member and ask for feedback. This will put your public speaking skills to the test. Ensure they understood your main points, connected emotionally, and had all their objections answered. Once you’ve fine tuned your persuasive speech based on your warm-up audience’s feedback, you’ll be ready for the real thing.

Now for the fun part! We’ve compiled a list of 110 persuasive speech topics—broken down by category—for you to choose from or use as inspiration. Use the set of three questions we shared above to determine which of these interesting persuasive speech topics is right for you.

Art, Media, and Culture

Should tattoos still be considered “unprofessional”?

Do romantic movies and books glorify an unrealistic idea of love and lead to heartbreak?

Should offensive and inappropriate language be removed from classic literature?

Does watching TV shows or movies about teenage suicide encourage it or prevent it?

Is creating films and documentaries about criminals glorifying them and inspiring some to become criminals themselves?

Should art and music therapy be prioritized over traditional talk therapy?

College and Career

Should the cost of college be reduced?

Are income-share agreements better for students than taking out student loans?

Should college athletes be paid like professional athletes are?

Are same-sex colleges beneficial or antiquated?

Should everyone go to college?

What are the benefits of taking a gap year before starting college?

Would removing tenure and job-protection from professors improve or reduce the quality of higher education?

Has the traditional college model become outdated in the age of the Internet?

Should you pursue a career based on your passions or a career based on earning potential?

Economy and Work

Should the federal minimum wage be increased?

Is the boom of e-commerce harmful or beneficial to small communities?

Should everyone receive paid maternity and paternity leave?

Is capitalism a harmful or beneficial economic system?

Should manufacturing and outsourced work be moved back to the United States?

Would three-day weekends increase work productivity?

Should working from home be the new standard?

Why should we pay more to support small businesses and services instead of going to large companies and retailers? 

Should the US establish mandatory military service for all its young people, such as the countries of Israel and South Korea do? 

Should there be a mandatory retirement age?

Should classes about mental health and wellness be added to school curriculum?

At what age or grade should sex education be taught in schools?

How can sex education be taught more effectively?

Should school funding be dependent on taxes of district residents or should all schools receive an equal amount of funding from the state?

What are the benefits of year-round schools?

Are charter schools hurting or helping low-income communities?

Is homeschooling beneficial or harmful to children?

Should students on the Autism spectrum be integrated into regular classrooms?

What should be the qualifications for books to be banned from schools?

Should advanced math classes in high school be replaced with more practical courses on financial literacy and understanding taxes?

Are grades an accurate representation of learning?

Should we switch to the metric system?

What is the most important book every high school student in America should read?

What are the benefits of teaching art and music classes in high school?

Should independent learning be offered as a larger option in high school?

What are the benefits of making preschool free to all families?

Environment and Conservation

Should fuel-run vehicles be banned?

How does it benefit nature to reduce human paper consumption?

Should it be okay to own exotic animals as pets?

Should hunting be made illegal?

What is the biggest current threat to the environment and how would you suggest we remedy it?

Should disposable diapers be banned?

Should zoos and animal theme parks (such as Sea World) be closed?

Family and Religion

Should children have the right to virtual and physical privacy from their parents?

“It takes a village to raise a child.” How important is a community in raising children?

Is it better for a young child to attend daycare or stay home with a parent?

Should children be told to believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy?

Nature vs. nurture—which is the most powerful influence on a person’s character?

Should parents have to give approval in order for their minor children to receive birth control?

How does learning about family ancestors impact you in the present and future?

Should parents teach their kids about sex or is it the responsibility of the school system?

What is the most beneficial parenting style and why?

Should cults receive protection under freedom of religion?

What are the benefits of belonging to a religious community?

Should parents force their children to go to church or let them decide for themselves?

Government and International Relations

Should states have the ability to secede from the U.S.?

Should Puerto Rico be added as a state to the U.S.?

How long should judges serve on the Supreme Court?

Should the U.S. have open borders?

Should the U.S. get involved when leaders of other countries commit human rights violations against their own people?

Is the U.S. overly dependent on manufactured goods and imports from other countries?

Should the government focus on increasing revenue or reducing spending?

Health and Medicine

Should universal health care be freely given to everyone? 

Should soda and candy be banned from school campuses?

Should tobacco products be completely banned in America?

Is a plant-based diet better than a meat-based diet?

Should addiction counseling and treatment be covered by health insurance?

Would taxing fast food help combat obesity?

Should we ban all genetically modified foods?

What would be the benefits of making all birth control methods (e.g. condoms, the pill) free of charge?

Should homeopathic and alternative medical treatments be covered by health insurance?

Politics and Society

Should voting become mandatory?

What could politicians do to appeal to younger generations of voters?

Should prisoners have the right to vote?

Would it be better in the U.S. if elected politicians were younger?

Should the police use rubber bullets instead of real bullets?

Are private, for-profit prisons a threat to prisoners’ rights?

Should U.S. military funding be increased or decreased? 

Should there be stricter or looser restrictions to qualify for welfare assistance?

Is our current two-party political system good enough or in need of replacing?

Should major corporations be eligible for tax breaks?

How can the current policy on undocumented immigrants in America be improved?

Should it be illegal for politicians to receive donations from large corporations?

Science and Technology

Should animal testing be banned?

Should organ donation be optional or mandated for all?

Is artificial intelligence a threat?

Should parents be allowed to scientifically alter their children’s genes?

What is the best option for renewable energy?

Should military forces be allowed to use drones in warfare?

Should self-driving cars be illegal?

Do the benefits of the internet outweigh the loss of privacy?

Should it be illegal for companies to sell their consumers’ information?

Should the government more strictly regulate the Internet?

How much screen time is too much?

Should everyone receive free internet?

Should we build a colony on the moon?

Social Media

At what age should children be allowed to be on social media?

Should schools be responsible for teaching safe social media education?

When should children be allowed to have a cell phone?

What should the punishment be for cyberbullying? 

Do online friendships have the same benefits as in-person friendships?

Are social media influencers beneficial or harmful to society?

Has the popularity of “selfies” increased self-confidence or self-centeredness?

Is cancel culture a positive or a negative thing?

What are the most reliable, unbiased sources to receive news and information?

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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.

Jamie Oliver persuasive speech

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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100 Speech Topics For College Students

speeches for students topics

College won’t be complete without having to deliver a speech in front of the class. From social issues to current events, there are many topics to choose from when it comes to speech topics for college students. With the right topic, you can create an engaging and memorable speech.

Here are some speech topics for college students that can help you get started with your next presentation:

  • The Importance of Mental Health and Self-Care on College Campuses
  • How to Make the Most of Your College Experience
  • Finding Your Passions and Pursuing Your Dreams in College
  • The Benefits of Joining a Student Organization
  • Networking for Success: Making Connections in College
  • Overcoming the Fear of Failure in College
  • Balancing Academics, Social Life, and Extracurricular Activities
  • Time Management Strategies for College Students
  • Exploring Options for Off-Campus Living
  • Learning How to Budget and Manage Finances in College
  • Self-Care Tips for College Students
  • The Benefits of Studying Abroad
  • Developing Healthy Study Habits
  • Navigating the College Social Scene
  • Preparing for Life after College
  • Impact of Social Media on Communication and Relationships
  • Role of Technology in Education and Its Potential to Revolutionize the Way We Learn
  • Importance of Volunteering and Community Service for Personal and Professional Development
  • Impact of Globalization on Cultural Identity
  • Importance of Diversity and Inclusion on College Campuses
  • Challenges and Rewards of Studying Abroad
  • The Role of Activism in Creating Social Change
  • The Impact of Climate Change and What Individuals Can Do to Reduce Their Carbon Footprint
  • The Importance of Financial Literacy and Managing Money in College and Beyond
  • Climate Change and Its Consequences
  • The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the College Setting
  • The Challenges and Benefits of Studying Abroad
  • Importance of a College Education
  • The Benefits of Building a Professional Network
  • The Impact of Social Media on College Life
  • How to Balance Education and Social Life on Campus
  • Finding the Right Career Path for You
  • The Benefits of Internships and Apprenticeships
  • Exploring Your Personal Values and Beliefs
  • Mindfulness and Mental Health
  • The Pros and Cons of Student Loans
  • The Impact of Student Debt on Future Generations
  • Dealing With Stress and Anxiety in College
  • Exploring Different Study Strategies and Techniques
  • Exploring Different Career Paths After College
  • The Benefits of Time Management and Organization
  • Navigating the Job Market After Graduation
  • The Benefits of Extracurricular Activities
  • Preparing for Graduate School and Beyond
  • Exploring Different Campus Resources
  • The Impact of Globalization on Education
  • Should College Be Free? Pros and Cons
  • Different Types of Leadership Styles
  • The Benefits of Networking and Mentoring
  • The Challenges of Being a Student Leader
  • Being A Top Student: Tips and Strategies
  • How to Balance Your Social Life With Your Studies
  • The Value of Quality Family Time
  • The Benefits of Having a Supportive Family
  • The Impact of Working Parents on Their Children’s Education
  • Role of Family in Encouraging Academic Achievement
  • How to Cope with Family Pressure During College Years
  • Benefits of Having a Mentor in Your Family
  • Role of Technology in Family Communication
  • Impact of Financial Stress on Family Relationships
  • Changing Dynamics of Family Roles in Society
  • The Benefits of Having a Positive Relationship With Your Siblings
  • The Challenges of Being a First-Generation College Student
  • How to Minimize College Debt
  • The Impact of College Debt on Your Future
  • Managing College Debt: Strategies for Success
  • Student Loans: How to Make the Best Use of Them
  • Is College Debt Worth It?
  • Understanding the Options for Repaying College Debt
  • Overcoming Depression and Low Self-Esteem
  • The Role of Positive Thinking in Mental Health
  • The Benefits of Therapy for Students
  • How to Recognize the Signs of Mental Illness
  • The Role of a Support System for Mental Health
  • The Impact of Stress on Mental Health
  • How to Balance Academics with Social Life in College
  • The Pros and Cons of Living on Campus
  • How to Select a Major that is Right for You
  • Understanding College-Level Expectations and Study Habits
  • Living with Roommates: Tips for Peaceful Coexistence
  • The Transition from High School to College
  • How to Manage Time as a Busy College Student
  • Navigating the College Financial Aid System
  • How to Stay Safe on Campus
  • Getting Involved in Campus Organizations
  • The Advantages of Taking Online Courses
  • Having Fun and Staying Healthy in College
  • Making Friends and Developing Social Networks
  • Adjusting to Life After Graduating from College
  • Coping with Loneliness and Homesickness
  • Dealing with Student Burnout
  • Managing Time and Prioritizing Tasks
  • Building Resilience and Handling Rejection
  • Overcoming Procrastination
  • Creating a Support System
  • Having Difficult Conversations
  • Making Healthy Choices
  • Developing Self-Confidence
  • Learning to Balance Work and Play
  • Taking Responsibility for Your Education

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, college students have a wide variety of speech topics to choose from. Whether it’s a persuasive speech about a current event, an informative speech about a historical figure, or a humorous speech about an interesting topic, there is something for every student’s tastes. These speech topics give college students the opportunity to explore their interests, challenge their beliefs, and develop their communication skills.

Related Posts:

Motivational Speech Topics

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English Speech Topics for Students

dulingo

  • Updated on  
  • Apr 2, 2024

english speech topics for students

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 as well as learn the art of expressing oneself 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!

Checkout our 200+ Essay Topics for Students in English

This Blog Includes:

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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?
  • 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?
  • 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

Quick Read: English Speaking Books

Quick Read: Essay on Peer Pressure

Quick Read: Essay on Health and Fitness for Students

  • I mportance 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?
  • 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?

  • Speech about dreams
  • Speech about life
  • Speech on time
  • Speech on discipline
  • Speech on happiness
  • Speech on kindness
  • Speech on value of time
  • Speech on health and fitness
  • Speech on Doctor
  • Speech on Nurse
  • Graduation Day Speech
  • World Health Day Speech
  • Sex Education Speech
  • 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

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

  • Climate Change
  • Ozone Layer Depletion
  • Reducing Water Levels
  • Deforestation
  • Global Warming
  • Waste Management
  • Water-Saving Techniques
  • Reducing the Green Cover of Earth
  • 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

Also Read: 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

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

  • 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
  • The Economic Consequence of Corruption
  • Corruption and International Aid
  • Media and Corruption
  • Fighting Corruption
  • Corruption in Politics
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Quick Read: 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
  • 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 

Check out this list of all the important national and international days in 202 4 !

  • 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
  • Actions speak louder than words
  • Knowledge is Power
  • Ignorance is Bliss
  • Don’t judge a book by its cover
  • Hard work is the key to success

Explore these proverbs & their meanings through this blog on Difficult Phrases !

  • 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

To know what to mention in such speech topics, explore the Great Personalities in the World !

  • 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?

Check Out: Synonyms List

  • 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
  • Importance of Value Education
  • 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 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.

tips for writing and speaking

  • 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 as well as ensuring the whole speech is interactive and engaging.
  • When you need more specialized assistance, a  US essay writing service  can be a valuable resource for crafting your speech.

While preparing for English Speech topics, you must also check out IELTS Speaking Topics !

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.

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.

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.

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

Related Reads

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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100+ Informative Speech Topics & Ideas for All Students 

  • Post category: Uncategorized
  • Reading time: 30 mins read

As a student tasked with delivering an informative speech, finding the right topic can be a difficult first step. The challenge doesn’t just end with selecting a topic; it extends to researching, preparing, and effectively presenting it. We’ve got you covered.

Our selection of informative speech topics is filled with captivating and relevant ideas to keep your audience engaged while educating them. You can choose any of these topics as a starting point for an informative and memorable speech.

List of Informative Speech Topics for Students

When selecting informative speech topics for students, the aim is to find subjects that are educational, engaging, and relevant to their interests and experiences. Here are some diverse and thought-provoking informative topic ideas that college students can explore for their informative speeches:

Good Informative Speech Topics for Students

  • First Aid Basics and Their Importance
  • Cold and Flu: Symptoms and Prevention
  • Pediatric Nursing: Caring for Children
  • Mental Health Awareness in Adolescence
  • Essentials of Nutritional Health
  • The Science and Importance of Vaccines
  • Hygiene Practices to Prevent Illness
  • The Role of Sleep in Maintaining Health
  • Understanding and Managing Allergies
  • An Introduction to Human Anatomy
  • Special Considerations in Geriatric Nursing
  • Effective Stress Management Techniques
  • The Health Benefits of Regular Exercise
  • Ethical Considerations in Nursing
  • Managing and Understanding Diabetes
  • Fundamentals of Wound Care
  • Common Skin Conditions and Treatments
  • The Diverse Role of Nurses in Healthcare
  • Basics of Pain Management
  • Promoting Cardiovascular Health

Best Informative Speech Topics for College

  • Advanced First Aid and Crisis Management
  • In-depth Analysis of Mental Health Disorders
  • Pediatric Oncology: Challenges and Care
  • Lifestyle’s Impact on Chronic Diseases
  • Nutritional Therapy in Healthcare Settings
  • Vaccine Development and Effectiveness
  • Infection Control Techniques in Hospitals
  • Sleep Psychology and Related Disorders
  • Comprehensive Allergy Management
  • Detailed Study of Human Physiology
  • Geriatric Nursing and Age-Related Diseases
  • Advanced Stress and Anxiety Management
  • Exercise Physiology in Disease Prevention
  • Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing
  • In-depth Look at Diabetes and Endocrine Health
  • Advanced Techniques in Wound Healing
  • Dermatology from a Nursing Perspective
  • Leadership and Management in Nursing
  • Comprehensive Approaches to Pain Management
  • Cardiac Care and Rehabilitation Techniques

Easy Informative Speech Topics

  • Basic First Aid Techniques Everyone Should Know
  • The Importance of Hand Hygiene in Preventing Infections
  • Understanding Common Cold: Symptoms and Treatment
  • Introduction to Healthy Eating and Nutrition
  • Basic Steps for Blood Pressure Monitoring
  • Sleep Hygiene: Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep
  • Stress Management: Simple Relaxation Techniques
  • Basics of Diabetes: Types and Management
  • Understanding and Preventing Seasonal Allergies
  • Basic Wound Care: Do’s and Don’ts
  • The Role of Vaccinations in Public Health
  • The Impact of Smoking on Health
  • Introduction to Mental Health and Well-being
  • Basic Skin Care and Sun Protection
  • The Importance of Regular Exercise
  • Understanding Asthma: Basics and Management
  • Principles of Healthy Weight Management
  • Dehydration: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention
  • Introduction to Geriatric Health Issues
  • Pediatric Health: Common Childhood Illnesses

Short Informative Speech Topics

  • Handwashing: The Best Way to Prevent Germs
  • Quick Tips for a Healthy Heart
  • Introduction to CPR: Basic Steps
  • The Dangers of Antibiotic Resistance
  • Understanding Migraines and Headache Management
  • Basic Nutrition: Vitamins and Minerals Essentials
  • The Significance of Breast Cancer Awareness
  • Recognizing and Responding to a Stroke
  • Basic Eye Care and Common Eye Problems
  • Importance of Vaccines in Disease Prevention
  • Ear Health and Preventing Hearing Loss
  • Simple Techniques for Anxiety Relief
  • Oral Hygiene and Dental Health Basics
  • Foot Care for Diabetics
  • Dealing with Common Digestive Disorders
  • Bone Health: Preventing Osteoporosis
  • Overview of Common Respiratory Diseases
  • Basic Understanding of Arthritis
  • Skin Cancer Awareness and Prevention
  • Basics of Maternal and Child Health

Interesting/ Fun Informative Speech Topics

  • The Evolution of Nursing Throughout History
  • Fascinating Medical Discoveries and Innovations
  • The Role of Pets and Animals in Healing
  • Bizarre but True: Unusual Medical Conditions
  • Medical Miracles: Remarkable Recovery Stories
  • How Laughter Benefits Physical Health
  • Exploring the Power of the Placebo Effect
  • Myths and Facts About the Human Brain
  • Pioneering Women in the Field of Nursing
  • The Science Behind Love and Its Health Benefits
  • Unique Traditional Healing Practices Around the World
  • The Future of Telemedicine and Virtual Healthcare
  • The Psychology of Pain: Perception vs. Reality
  • The Weird World of Rare Genetic Conditions
  • How Music Therapy Enhances Health and Well-being
  • The History and Significance of World Health Day
  • Famous Medical Experiments in History
  • The Impact of Space Travel on Human Health
  • The Influence of Social Media on Health Trends
  • Nursing in War: Stories from the Frontline

Unique Informative Speech Topics

  • The Link Between Climate Change and Public Health
  • The Future of Genetic Engineering in Medicine
  • Exploring the World of Rare Diseases
  • Nursing Practices in Different Cultures
  • Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
  • The Psychology of Color in Healing Environments
  • The Impact of Globalization on Healthcare
  • Revolutionary Medical Treatments Under Development
  • The Ethical Dilemmas of Modern Medicine
  • The Role of Nutrition in Chronic Disease Management
  • Virtual Reality and its Application in Healthcare
  • The Evolution of Surgical Techniques
  • The Role of Nurses in Disaster Response
  • Breakthroughs in Brain-Computer Interfaces
  • The Connection Between Art and Healing
  • The Growing Field of Gerontechnology
  • The Science of Sleep Disorders
  • The Challenges of Healthcare in Remote Areas
  • The Effects of Social Isolation on Mental Health
  • The Role of Robotics in Modern Surgery

Popular Informative Speech Topics

  • The COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned
  • The Opioid Crisis: Understanding and Prevention
  • Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma
  • The Importance of Healthcare Accessibility
  • The Role of Technology in Modern Nursing
  • The Impact of Diet on Mental Health
  • The Challenges of Nursing in a Pandemic
  • Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Breastfeeding: Benefits and Challenges
  • The Rise of Telehealth Services
  • The Importance of Patient Advocacy in Nursing
  • The Effects of Social Media on Teen Mental Health
  • The Growing Problem of Antibiotic Resistance
  • The Benefits of Yoga and Meditation in Healthcare
  • Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
  • The Impact of Stress on Physical Health
  • The Role of Community Health Nursing
  • Advances in Cancer Treatment and Research
  • The Importance of Health Education in Schools
  • The Growing Trend of Wellness and Preventative Care

Informative Speech Topics – 2024 Ideas

  • The Role of Nursing in Global Health Initiatives
  • Advances in Stem Cell Research and Therapy
  • The Future of Personalized Medicine
  • The Ethics of Assisted Reproductive Technologies
  • The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Patient Care
  • The Growing Trend of Plant-Based Diets and Health
  • The Use of Big Data in Healthcare
  • The Challenges of Providing Healthcare in Conflict Zones
  • The Role of Mental Health First Aid
  • The Impact of Climate Change on Infectious Diseases
  • Innovations in Wound Care and Healing
  • The Future of Nursing Education
  • The Role of Nurses in Palliative and End-of-Life Care
  • The Effects of Pollution on Respiratory Health
  • The Importance of Global Vaccine Equity
  • The Challenges of Rural Healthcare Delivery
  • Emerging Trends in Healthcare Technology
  • The Psychology Behind Chronic Pain Management
  • The Importance of Cultural Competence in Nursing
  • The Growing Field of Nursing Informatics

Creative Informative Speech Topics

  • The Art and Science of Nursing
  • The Role of Storytelling in Patient Care
  • Innovative Approaches to Patient Education
  • The Impact of Urban Design on Public Health
  • The Intersection of Fashion and Medical Wearables
  • Creative Therapies in Mental Health Care
  • The Use of Gamification in Health Education
  • The Role of Nurses in Health Policy Development
  • Exploring the World of Holistic Nursing
  • The Future of 3D Printing in Medicine
  • The Importance of Empathy in Healthcare
  • The Use of Augmented Reality in Surgical Training
  • The Role of Nutrition in Cancer Prevention
  • Innovations in Home Health Care Technology
  • The History and Future of Epidemics and Pandemics
  • The Role of Nurses in Climate Change Advocacy
  • The Use of Social Media in Health Awareness Campaigns
  • The Evolution of Maternal and Neonatal Care
  • Exploring the Benefits of Alternative Medicine
  • The Role of Nurses in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

What Is An Informative Speech?

An informative speech is a type of speech that aims to educate the audience on a specific topic, providing them with facts, insights, and information in a clear and understandable manner. Its main objective is to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the listeners about the subject being discussed.

What are the 4 Types of Informative Speeches?

Informative speeches are a cornerstone of effective communication, especially in educational and professional settings. They serve the crucial purpose of educating and enlightening audiences on various topics. Broadly categorized, there are four distinct types of informative speeches, each serving a unique role in conveying information.

The four types of informative speeches are:

Descriptive Speeches:  These speeches aim to provide a detailed, vivid, and clear picture of a person, place, object, or event. The goal is to make the audience feel as if they are familiar with the subject through the use of descriptive language.

Explanatory Speeches: These focus on explaining a concept, idea, or phenomenon. The objective is to clarify the subject matter and help the audience understand it better, often involving the breaking down of complex ideas into simpler parts.

Demonstrative Speeches: These speeches are about showing or demonstrating how to do something. They are often accompanied by visual aids and step-by-step instructions, making them particularly useful for teaching processes or procedures.

Definition Speeches: This type involves explaining the meaning, context, or background of a specific term, concept, or issue. It’s about providing a clear and precise definition that enhances the audience’s understanding of a subject that might be abstract or complex.

Choosing Informative Speech Ideas

When writing an informative speech, one of the most critical steps is selecting a compelling and appropriate topic. Choose an informative speech topic that is interesting and can captivate your audience and ensure your message is conveyed and understood. Here’s how to choose a topic using the Five W’s – Who, What, When, Where, and Why –  approach:

Who: Consider your audience. Who are they? What are their interests, age group, and educational background? Selecting an interesting topic that resonates with the specific demographics of your audience will make your speech more impactful.

What: Determine the subject of your information speech. What topic do you want to address? Ensure it’s informative, interesting, and something you’re passionate about. The ‘what’ should also align with the purpose of your speech – are you aiming to educate, explain, demonstrate, or define?

When: Timing can be crucial. When is the best time to talk about these essay topics? Choose a subject that is timely and relevant. For instance, discussing technological advancements would be more engaging if aligned with recent breakthroughs.

Where: The setting or context where your professional speech will be delivered can influence your choice. Where will you be speaking? In a classroom, a business meeting, or a community event? The environment and occasion can dictate the appropriateness and tone of your topic.

Why: Finally, consider why this topic is essential. Why should your audience care about it? The ‘why’ is crucial for creating a compelling speech that informs and connects with the audience on a deeper level.

How to Write a Killer Informative Speech

Writing a good informative speech involves several key steps, each designed to ensure that your speech is engaging, informative, and memorable. Here’s a guide to help you craft an effective informative speech:

Choose a Topic

When selecting a topic for an informative speech essay, choose one that aligns with your interests and expertise, ensuring a passionate and knowledgeable presentation that resonates with your audience. The topic should be engaging, offering new insights or a deeper understanding of a subject, and appropriately scoped to be thoroughly covered within the time allotted for your speech. This balance ensures that your speech is informative, interesting, relevant, and impactful to those listening.

Understand Your Audience

Understanding your audience is a crucial aspect of preparing an informative speech. This involves analyzing their interests, background knowledge, and expectations to tailor your presentation for maximum engagement and relevance. For instance, a speech aimed at industry professionals should differ in complexity and terminology compared to one intended for high school students. 

Knowing the audience’s baseline understanding of the topic helps avoid oversimplification or excessive complexity. Additionally, understanding their interests can guide you in choosing which aspects of the topic to emphasize, making the speech more appealing and relatable. A well-tailored speech, cognizant of its audience, delivers information effectively and ensures that the audience remains engaged and interested throughout the presentation.

Gather Evidence and Facts From Credible Scholarly Sources

Gathering evidence and facts from credible scholarly sources is fundamental in preparing an informative speech. This process involves extensive research to ensure the information you present is accurate, current, and authoritative. Utilizing sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable online databases adds depth and credibility to your speech. It’s important to critically evaluate these sources for their reliability and relevance to your topic. 

Incorporating well-researched facts and evidence strengthens your arguments and enhances your speech’s overall quality. It demonstrates to your audience that you thoroughly understand the subject and are committed to providing them with trustworthy and informative information. This careful attention to source selection and fact verification is key to delivering a speech that is engaging and intellectually robust.

Deconstruct the Topic to Select the Best Ideas

Deconstructing the topic involves brainstorming and breaking down the overarching subject into its constituent components or key ideas. By identifying these core elements, you can structure your speech in a logical and organized manner. 

This ensures you cover all relevant aspects of the topic and enables you to prioritize and emphasize the most significant and compelling ideas. Through this deconstruction and selection process, you can create a clear, focused, and engaging speech, providing your audience with a well-structured and informative presentation.

Write a Thesis Statement for Your Informative Speech

A thesis statement serves as the compass that guides the entire public speaking presentation. It encapsulates the main message you aim to convey and provides a roadmap for both you as the speaker and your audience. 

A well-constructed thesis statement should state the topic and indicate the specific angle, perspective, or key points you plan to cover. It’s the nucleus around your informative essay speech, ensuring your content remains focused and relevant. Moreover, a strong thesis statement provides your audience with a clear understanding of what to expect, enhancing their comprehension and engagement throughout your speech.

Inform Rather Than Persuade the Audience

Here, the primary objective is to inform and educate the audience rather than to persuade or convince them. This key distinction underlines the importance of objectively presenting facts, data, and information without bias or attempting to sway opinions. The aim is to give the audience a well-rounded understanding of the topic, enabling them to form opinions and make informed decisions. 

While persuasive speeches focus on advocating for a particular viewpoint, informative speeches prioritize clarity, objectivity, and the dissemination of knowledge. By adhering to this principle of informing rather than persuading, speakers can build trust with their audience and ensure that their message is received as credible and unbiased.

Write the First Draft of Your Speech

Here, you transform your research, unique ideas, and thesis statement into a cohesive and structured narrative. Focusing on getting your ideas down on paper without being overly concerned about perfection is important. Start with a strong introduction that grabs the audience’s attention and presents your thesis statement. In the body of the speech, present your key points or ideas logically, providing supporting evidence and examples. 

Finally, craft a conclusion summarizing the main points and leaving a lasting impression. While the first draft may be rough around the edges, it serves as the foundation for refining and improving your speech in subsequent revisions. It’s a critical step in turning your knowledge and insights into an informative and engaging presentation.

Start Writing Your Essay with Power Words 

Power words can include compelling statistics, vivid anecdotes, thought-provoking questions, or impactful quotations. The goal is to grab your audience’s attention immediately, piquing their curiosity and drawing them into your speech. They set the tone for your presentation and create an initial impression that can linger throughout the speech. 

They also serve as hooks, enticing the audience to listen attentively and setting the stage for the valuable information you are about to impart. Starting your speech with such impactful words creates an engaging opening that sets the tone for the rest of your presentation.

Develop the Body of the Speech

The body of your informative speech is where you delve into the core content, presenting your key points, supporting evidence, and explanations. Each key point should be organized logically, and transitions between them should be smooth to maintain the flow of your speech. To ensure clarity, providing examples, statistics, and relevant facts that bolster your main ideas is essential. Visual aids, if applicable, can enhance comprehension and engagement. 

Remember to maintain an objective and informative tone, steering clear of persuasion or bias. By developing the body of your speech with a clear structure and comprehensive content, you enable your audience to follow along easily and gain a deep understanding of the topic. This is where the substance of your speech lies, and a well-structured body ensures that your informative message is effectively conveyed to your audience.

End Your Informative Speech with a Bang

Concluding your informative speech with impact is essential to leave a lasting impression on your audience. This closing section is where you summarize your main points, reinforcing the key takeaways for your listeners. It’s also an opportunity to make a final statement or leave the audience with something to ponder. 

An effective conclusion can involve a powerful quote, a thought-provoking question, or a call to action, depending on the nature of your speech. By ending your speech with a “bang,” you ensure that your audience departs with a clear understanding of the topic and a sense of closure, making your presentation memorable and impactful.

Proofread and Edit, Then Present

Proofreading and editing your informative speech is the final critical step before the presentation. Carefully review your speech for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy. Check for any factual inaccuracies or inconsistencies in your content. Ensure that your speech flows smoothly, with logical transitions between ideas. Pay attention to your pacing and tone to ensure a natural and engaging delivery. 

If using visual aids, ensure they are well-prepared and integrated seamlessly into your presentation. You must practice your speech multiple times to refine your delivery and become comfortable with the content. Effective proofreading and editing, followed by diligent rehearsal, contribute to a polished and confident presentation that will effectively inform and engage your audience.

Bottom Line

Selecting topics for an informative speech requires thoughtful consideration to ensure the audience is engaged, informed, and enlightened. The key is to choose subjects that are not only interesting and relevant but also rich in content, allowing for a deep dive into facts, data, and insights. A compelling informative speech topic should entertain and cater to the audience’s interests and knowledge level while offering new perspectives or information. 

Balancing complexity with clarity is crucial, ensuring the topic is neither too esoteric nor overly simplistic. Whether the speech aims to educate, raise awareness, or provide a fresh outlook on a familiar subject, the topic should spark curiosity and invite further exploration. Ultimately, the success of an informative speech lies in its ability to convey knowledge in a compelling and accessible manner.

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50 Topics for Impromptu Student Speeches

Illustration by Catherine Song. ThoughtCo. 

  • Homework Tips
  • Learning Styles & Skills
  • Study Methods
  • Time Management
  • Private School
  • College Admissions
  • College Life
  • Graduate School
  • Business School
  • Distance Learning
  • M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
  • B.A., History, Armstrong State University

For the many people who break out in a sweat at the very idea of speaking in front of an audience , the prospect of speaking on an unknown topic with little to no preparation is likely terrifying. But you don't have to be afraid of impromptu speeches. As it turns out, the secret even to off-the-cuff speeches is preparation.

Impromptu Speech Tips

  • Decide on your topic
  • Come up with three supportive statements related to your topic
  • Prepare a strong conclusion

Use this list of impromptu speech topics to practice making a quick speech outline in your head. For each of the topics below, just think of three main points you'd like to make. For example, if your speech topic is "Your least favorite chores," you could quickly come up with three statements:

  • I don't know anybody who likes to fold laundry, so the first task on my list of unhappy chores is folding laundry.
  • Taking out the trash is another chore that most people dread, and I'm no different.
  • The worst chore in the entire household has to be cleaning the toilet.

If you go into your speech with these statements in your head, you can spend the rest of your time thinking up supporting statements as you speak. When you've identified your three main points, think of a great finishing statement. If you end with a great closer, you'll really impress your audience.

Start Practicing With This List

  • My three favorite animals.
  • What you would find in my closet. Make something up.
  • What you'd find under my bed.
  • The best letter of the alphabet.
  • Why your mom/dad is special.
  • A day that stands out.
  • The best surprise ever.
  • If I had a million dollars to give away.
  • If cats/dogs ruled the world.
  • A trip to remember.
  • My favorite day of the year.
  • If I could only eat three foods forever.
  • If I could design a school.
  • Why books are important.
  • Three surprising facts about me .
  • How to impress your parents.
  • How to plan a party.
  • A job I'd love to have.
  • A day in my life.
  • If I could have dinner with anyone.
  • If I could travel through time.
  • My favorite book.
  • An important lesson I've learned.
  • What I've learned from cartoons.
  • The smartest cartoon character.
  • Three things I'd change if I ruled the world.
  • Why sports are important.
  • The worst chores at home.
  • Why I deserve an allowance.
  • If I were in charge of school lunches.
  • If I had invented school.
  • The best theme park rides.
  • Whom do you admire most?
  • What is your favorite animal?
  • How to achieve your dreams.
  • Why you need a baby brother.
  • How to annoy an older sister.
  • How to save money.
  • Three things that scare me.
  • Great things about snow days.
  • Things you can make out of snow.
  • How to spend a rainy day.
  • How to walk a dog.
  • Great things about the ocean.
  • Things I'll never eat.
  • How to be a slacker.
  • Why I like my town.
  • The best parts of a parade.
  • Interesting things you see in the sky.
  • Things to remember when you're camping.
  • An experience with a bully.
  • 100 Persuasive Speech Topics for Students
  • Chemistry Pick Up Lines to Try on Your Crush
  • How to Give an Impromptu Speech
  • Practice Speaking Skills With Impromptu Speeches
  • 5 Tips on How to Write a Speech Essay
  • Impromptu Speech Activities
  • How to Write and Structure a Persuasive Speech
  • Speech Topics to Meet Oral Communication Standards
  • Memorable Graduation Speech Themes
  • Writing a Descriptive Essay
  • Writing Prompts for Elementary School Students
  • How to Write a Great Essay for the TOEFL or TOEIC
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  • A Sample Essay for Common Application Option #7: Topic of Your Choice
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Speech Topics in English for Students and Children

Many times we have wanted our voices to be heard and also inspire others with our ideas and thoughts. However, we aren’t able to do so in the correct manner sometimes. It is mostly because one fails to find the right words at the right times. That is why we have speeches. They help you attract the attention of the audience and make people listen to you. In school and college, speech topics become a part of our lives. While it is comparatively easy to write an essay, to deliver a speech is an entirely different thing. Proper persuasive speech topics can help you inform and convince your target audience. In order to do that, you need to do thorough research and state valid points to make a good impression.

When we talk about persuasive speech topics, it is important to note that they must inform, educate, convince or motivate your audience. In other words, you will be influencing them to accept your point of view. The finest persuasive speech topics are always stimulating, daring and very crisp and clear. Always remember to choose an interesting persuasive speech topic. It will help attract the attention of the listener or reader from the start to the end. Moreover, make sure to have ample knowledge about the topics, which will assist you in counter-questioning.

When choosing your persuasive speech topic, make sure it is familiar so you can prepare it easily. Further, your audience must care about the topic and must be able to easily visualize them. The main point is to make sure to not choose something that is overdone. Emotional topics help stimulate more emotions and give better chances of achieving the desired outcome.

Types of Persuasive Speech Topics

  • Factual Persuasive Speech – Use facts and figures to prove whether the topic is true or false
  • Value Persuasive Speech – Argues whether something is morally correct or not
  • Policy Persuasive Speech – Speeches that try to advance policies, laws and more.

There are a lot of persuasive speech topics that we consider interesting enough to be chosen as given below. All these persuasive speech topics are relevant and will remain so for a long time. When it comes to choosing persuasive speech topics, your options are infinite. We have compiled some of the best ones to help you make a good impression.

Toppr has done all the thorough research on your behalf so you can solely focus on delivering the speech excellently. In this article, we have listed out numerous important speech topics from various categories for special occasions, on prominent leaders, motivational, persuasive speech topics and more. They are appropriate for everyone from school students to college ones. Our vast collections of speech topics ensure you find anything and everything that you are looking for. Following is a great list of speech topics divided into different categories like persuasive speech topics and more for a better and quick search:

Persuasive Speech Topics

List of 100+ Speech Topics for Students and Children

List of persuasive speech topics.

  • Will punishing bullies help?
  • How to speak confidently in public?
  • Do exam results alone determine a child’s worth?
  • Do video games promote violence?
  • How to overcome the fear of Maths?
  • Should schools have longer recess time?
  • Should schools make swimming lessons mandatory?
  • What is the best age to own a mobile phone?
  • What is better: Paper books or E-Books?
  • How to overcome exam fever?

List of Persuasive Speech Topics on Environment

  • How will recycling help us?
  • Should there be a ban on smoking in public places?
  • Should zoos be banned?
  • Should there be a ban on animal testing?
  • Will banning plastic bags help?
  • Should exotic animals be kept as pets?
  • Is the government doing enough to tackle Global Warming?
  • How to control water pollution?
  • What is better: Buying pets or Adoption?
  • Why Elephant riding is unethical?

Speech Topics about Prominent Leaders

  • APJ Abdul Kalam Speech
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Speech
  • Lal Bahadur Shastri Speech
  • Mahatma Gandhi Speech
  • Speech On Swami Vivekananda

Speech Topics about Yourself

  • My Aim In Life Speech
  • My Mother Speech
  • My School Life Speech
  • My School Speech

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Speech Topics on Environment and Nature

  • Climate Change Speech
  • Global Warming Speech
  • Save Environment Speech
  • Save Water Speech
  • Speech About Nature
  • Speech On Air Pollution
  • Speech On Deforestation
  • Speech On Disaster Management
  • Speech On Environment
  • Speech On Importance Of Water
  • Speech On Pollution
  • Speech On Waste Management
  • Speech On Water
  • Speech On Water Pollution
  • Speech On World Environment Day

Speech Topics on Festivals and Events

  • Speech on Ambedkar Jayanti
  • Children’s Day Speech
  • Christmas Day Speech
  • Gandhi Jayanti Speech
  • Hindi Diwas Speech
  • Human Rights Day Speech
  • Independence Day Speech
  • International Women’s Day Speech
  • Labour Day Speech
  • Mother’s Day Speech
  • Speech On Baisakhi
  • Speech On Diwali
  • Speech On World Population Day
  • Teachers Day Celebration Speech
  • Teachers Day Speech
  • Welcome Speech For Independence Day
  • Tryst With Destiny

Speech Topics on Proverbs

  • Health Is Wealth Speech
  • Knowledge Is Power Speech
  • Laughter Is The Best Medicine Speech
  • Speech On Unity Is Strength

Speech Topics for Special Occasions

  • Best Man Speech
  • Best Farewell Speech
  • Annual Function Speech
  • Farewell Speech For Colleague
  • Retirement Farewell Speech
  • Thank You Speech
  • Thank You Speech For Award
  • Thank You Speech For Birthday
  • Thank You Speech For Farewell
  • Vote Of Thanks Speech
  •  Welcome Speech For Republic Day
  • Welcome Speech For Annual Function
  • Welcome Speech For College Function
  • Welcome Speech For Conference
  • Welcome Speech For Event
  • Welcome Speech For Farewell

Speech Topics on Social Issues

  • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Speech
  • Clean India Speech
  • Organ Donation Speech
  • Road Safety Speech
  • Speech On Child Labour
  • Speech On Agriculture
  • Speech On Cleanliness
  • Speech On Corruption
  • Women Empowerment Speech
  • Speech On Unemployment

Speech Topics about Education

  • Importance Of Education Speech
  • Speech on Education
  • Speech On Books
  • Speech On Education System In India
  • Speech On Girls Education
  • Value Of Education Speech

Speech Topics for Kids

  • Doctor Speech
  • Speech On Money
  • Speech On Mother
  • Speech On Music
  • Speech On Respect
  • Speech On Sports
  • Speech On Sports And Games
  • Speech On the Importance of Teacher in Our Lives
  • Speech About Friendship
  • Speech On India
  • Speech On Junk Food
  • Speech On Grandparents

Speech Topics on Public Speaking Topics

  • Speech On Article 370
  • Speech On Constitution Of India
  • Election Speech
  • Leadership Speech
  • Political Speech
  • Speech About Youth
  • Speech On Fashion
  • Speech On Generation Gap
  • Speech On Indian Army
  • Speech On Indian Culture
  • Speech On Internet
  • Speech On Technology
  • Speech On Unity
  • Speech On Yoga
  • Speech On Travel And Tourism
  • Speech On Health
  • Speech On Importance Of Cleanliness

List of Persuasive Speech Topics on Education

  • Should school uniforms be banned?
  • Should we allow mobile phones in school?
  • Co-Education has more benefits or drawbacks?
  • What is better: Rote learning or Hands-on Learning?
  • Boarding schools are better than Day schools?
  • Dropping a year helps students or not?
  • Are PowerPoint presentations a waste of time?
  • Having the same grading system for all students, is it fair?
  • Should it be mandatory for all schools to have a canteen?
  • Are smart classes beneficial to students?

Motivational Speech Topics

  • Speech About Dreams
  • Speech About Life
  • Speech On Time
  • Speech On Discipline
  • Speech On Happiness
  • Speech On Kindness
  • Speech On Value Of Time
  • Speech On Health And Fitness

Tips for Writing a Speech

It does not matter if you have the most innovative ideas if you don’t execute them well in your speech. A good speech always invokes emotion, is well-researched and addresses relevant subjects. In order to write a good speech, make sure to follow the points given below:

Structure: Always remember to have a definite structure when you begin writing your speech. It is a frame that will give shape to your speech and help keep you on track. Jot down all ideas coming to your mind and then connect them so that each part has something interesting to keep the audience intrigued.

Vocabulary: A speech is meant for an audience that is filled with different types of people. You need to make sure you are using the right words so your message is conveyed successfully to each and every one. Only the right words can express and highlight your message. Thus, the level of complexity must match the level of the audience of your speech.

Relatable: Your speech is what you make of it, if your speech has incredible points but you don’t deliver it well, it won’t work. Try to include relatable things in the speech to make everyone comfortable and deliver it in a humanized manner so the audience relates to you as well as your speech.

Examples: When you use examples, it helps support and proves your point in a better manner. It also helps convince the audience and result in better engagement. Try using just enough examples so people buy what you are offering and also to add that emotional edge to your speech.

Short: The worst thing you can do to your audience is to deliver a long speech. Do not try too hard and sum up your views in a short and informative speech. In fact, the longer you take, the more mistakes you will make. When someone is investing their time to listen to you, make sure it is worth it.

To sum it up, a good speech requires time and effort. Try to pick the right topic if it’s in your hand and express your thoughts and opinions freely, without any hesitance. Consistency is key, you won’t get it perfect the first time, but eventually, you will get there.

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Speech for Students

  • Speech on India for Students and Children
  • Speech on Mother for Students and Children
  • Speech on Air Pollution for Students and Children
  • Speech about Life for Students and Children
  • Speech on Disaster Management for Students and Children
  • Speech on Internet for Students and Children
  • Speech on Generation Gap for Students and Children
  • Speech on Indian Culture for Students and Children
  • Speech on Sports for Students and Children
  • Speech on Water for Students and Children

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50 Interesting Informative Speech Topics for College

26 September, 2020

15 minutes read

Author:  Mathieu Johnson

Informative speeches grant speakers a responsible mission of educating people about significant ideas and themes. They’re also about sharing thoughts and opinions on this or that topic, aimed at expanding understanding and providing listeners with relevant insights for further deliberation. Therefore, it’s a particular type of speeches given to put things into sharp focus and offer food for thought. Read up to know which informative speech topics have the most impact.

Informative Speech Topics

What is an informative speech?

As mentioned above, it’s a kind of speech that, well, informs the audience about your topic. Sounds simple enough, but simplicity is deceptive, and there are enough secrets behind this science. Specifically, not all people are fully aware of the fact that the “what” question is a key element that needs to be answered, for with informative speeches, you want to choose a topic most likely to be well received.

Of course, you can speak about something you already know, but you can also talk about the topic which is absolutely new to you. In this case, however, you must make sure that the theme will be relatively easy to research and studied before speech delivery. Another important point worth noticing is that organizational requirements and type of information for informative speech usually intertwines with those for an informative essay, for the latter is often an extension of the first.

How to write an informative speech?

How to write an informative speech

So, now it’s time to move from theory to practice and write an informative speech. But where do you start from?

Although there are many different processes involved in the process, we’ll narrow them to essentials to help you better grasp the idea of how a perfect speech should be tailored.

Stage 1. Research and Brainstorming

Think about the topic.

The first and most crucial step is about choosing the right topic. We’ve mentioned before that it’s vital to select the issue you feel free to talk about. However, there are also cases when professors assign a specific task for you. Either way, the point here is to conduct thorough research based on the given or chosen topic.

If you want to explain the history of some company, band or event, for example, make sure to deliver the message clearly, without going here and there. For this, consider talking about particular points which will cover the whole speech and help the audience quickly digest it. Otherwise, your speech will depart from the topic, and listeners will find it challenging to follow your thoughts.

Gather Evidence

Every scholarly work proves its credibility by the inclusion of relevant sources to show both the audience and the instructor that you’ve put enough effort into the work to sound authoritative. This is a great chance to get a good mark, but more importantly, earn trust from listeners. To cite the evidence correctly, you can search for some facts, stats, or numbers in a variety of sources. These include textbooks, books, and encyclopedias (online ones work as well), scholarly articles, reputable news bureaus, and government documents. If these are hard to find for you, think of alternatives, like online journals and magazines. But be careful and don’t use sources from there if they are not credible and reputable. As an example, use The New York Times, The Guardian, Harvard Business Review, SAJE journals, Forbes, etc.

Also, keep in mind that the evidence you’ll use should depend on the subject of your talk. If it’s about science, check scientific publications. If it’s about medicine – embark upon texts on this specific sphere. Finally, don’t forget to create a works cited page at the end of your speech and put all your sources there. Even if your instructor does not specify such a requirement, create a list anyways. This will help you keep references organized, and you will be able to pick a suitable one from the list.

Generate a Nice Thesis

A thesis is the core of impactful speech that tells listeners about its focal points. It also reveals the purpose of your speech and provides the audience with an insight into what the speech is all about. Notably, your thesis should not exceed the length of one-two sentences and be as precise as possible. More so, thesis, like the speech itself, is not about convincing people to take your topic stance immediately. Rather, it’s about informing listeners about significant events or cases which they could analyze and make relevant conclusions themselves. No need to push them or force to change the perspective, just try to be genuine and honest with people you’re talking to. Considering that it’s a scholarly piece of work, there’s no room for appealing to emotions or subjective claims. So in informative speeches, objectivity is the key player.

How to Start Informative Speech Writing?

Informative speech outline

The outline is a skeleton of your speech that briefly explains each of your points. This is basically a list of short sentences which reveal the meaning of your main speech ideas. Remember that this list is not for the audience; it’s for your own use. So the task here is to write about every point in a way you’ll understand. You can also use notecards instead of paper so that it’ll be much easier for you not to get lost in a sea of ideas and organize the speech properly. Tip: include numbers and capital letters for headings, and bullet points or other figures to mark subheadings.

If you are still unsure on whether you can cope with your task – you are in the right place to get help. Our essay writers will easily answer the to the question “Who can write my speech?”

Stage 2. Writing

Once the sketches are ready and you have a clear understanding of what to speak about, move on straight to writing.

Craft an Engaging Intro

What does engaging stand for in this case? It denotes some speech elements which will be enticing for listeners from the first sentence. It’s a common practice to start speeches with different hooks to call for more people’s attention. There are a plethora of techniques you can use to make an unforgettable first impression: jokes, anecdotes, examples from personal life, interesting statistics, rhetorical questions, quotes of famous people. You can even invent your own attention-grabber which will help you knock down listeners.

Give More Detail in the Main Body

Once you managed to create impact by the introduction and made sure everyone will be eager to listen to you further, you need to expand the explanation of key speech ideas in a well-structured, organized manner. Like in regular life, you start a story from the beginning to the end, while gradually moving from one idea to another. The same goes for informative speech – you need to ensure that the flow of your narration is logical and concise, fully elaborated, and precise. Also, don’t forget about making transitions between sentences. They will make your speech flow naturally, helping the audience to process the information much easier and effortlessly.

Wrap Everything Up in Conclusion

The ending of your informative speech should restate the main idea and the thesis you’ve mentioned in the introduction. There’s no need to say new things that will only confuse your audience. Instead, all the conclusion needs is a nice wrapping of the already stated claims.

So basically you want to review your main points and thereby deliver listeners a message which they will perceive as a major takeaway from what you’ve just told them. However, the introductory part should by no means repeat previous information word by word. It’s just a short restatement that covers up the main points.

Proofread and Edit the Final Version

Once the text is written entirely, it’s a must for you to double check it to avoid possible mistakes. If your informative speech turns out not as informative as expected due to grammatical or lexical errors, you’ll not be taken seriously, which we bet is not the purpose of delivering your talk. So, to prevent casualties from happening, you’ll need to use reliable editing and proofreading tools. Grammarly is an excellent source for this. Its accurate algorithm detects all kinds of mistakes and fixes them on the fly in a matter of seconds. And you can also check the text for plagiarism to make sure that it has no analogs anywhere on the web.

The Writing Process of Informative Speech

Stage 3. Perfecting Speech Delivery

Memorize your speech.

Half work is done – you have a writing piece. Now it’s time to learn it. Of course, it’ll take you time to do this, but with a little patience and enough time, you can memorize it even faster than expected. Besides, it’s not recommended to learn the speech from A to Z, inside out and upside down by heart. If your instructor is indulgent enough, feel free to memorize your talk in a way that allows you to explain your ideas clearly and consistently. To facilitate the process of learning, you can memorize sentence by sentence until you’re confident. And even if you forget something during delivery, you can always count on the outline that’ll give you a hint on what to talk about next.

Practice Reading Speech Aloud

When the final product is finally ready and polished, you need to concentrate on reading it.

Practice the speech in a mirror, to a friend/relative/pet, or record yourself to trace the tone and intonation. This way, you’ll make sure that your informative speech is brilliant and you deliver it just the way you wanted. Besides, this practice can help you critically evaluate the flaws and correct them before the actual delivery. Have enough time for this, because even experienced speakers always rehearse their speeches. Finally, focus on the way you use gestures, the way you stand and look at the audience, and facial expressions.

How to Deliver Informative Speech?

List of informative speech topics

There are lots of easy informative speech topics to choose from, but we offer you to review our topics list with some of the most alluring ones to get you started. Let’s examine pro informative topics that’ll help you write a memorable speech.

Topics for informative speech about music

  • Frank Sinatra – a beloved father of music
  • The drastic evolution of french music
  • Deep house – the most popular music style among youngsters
  • Why did rock and roll became an epitome of popular dance music
  • Why does reggae music most known under the name of Bob Marley
  • The psychological and physical benefits of listening to music
  • Chill, lounge and electronica has market the era of progressive sound
  • The impact of rap music on society at large
  • The art of playing the violin
  • The evolution of jazz music and its connection to historical movements

Informative speech topics about animals

  • Why are so many animals under extinction today and how do we fix it?
  • Why dogs are considered as humans best friend?
  • The history and evolution of polar bears
  • Why does rhinos horn trimming in South Africa still allowed
  • How to properly raise chinchillas
  • The most dangerous types of dogs on the planet
  • Staggering intellectual abilities of elephants baffle even scientists
  • How to keep snakes away and save your life
  • Different types of butterflies
  • The history of bees and their role in the world

Topics for informative speech about global warming

  • Patterns in climate change: rising temperatures and flooding
  • What Effects does Climate Change have on the Earth and its Inhabitants?
  • What are the practical solutions to global warming
  • What is global warming and what causes it?
  • The future of global warming: dismal predictions and statistics
  • Controversial opinions about global warming
  • The greenhouse effect as the top one reason of climate change
  • The global issue of global warming: what’s next?
  • Humans are responsible for the emergence and progress of global warming
  • Sanctions against generation of greenhouses: will they ever take place?

Informative speech ideas about sports

  • How sports improve human physical and psychological health
  • Is golf the game of the past?
  • The real life of sport teams: from trainings to furious games
  • Can roller skating be considered a kind of sport?
  • What’s more dangerous: white water rafting or ice diving?
  • The history of sports: whom do we owe respect?
  • Hockey 101: gear, playing techniques, team spirit
  • Why is boxing the most dangerous type of sports
  • The most unusual kinds of sports humans have invented
  • The importance and potential threat of football for the world 

Interesting speech topics about food and drinks

  • How to bake a cake and not put on weight
  • Why does alcohol bring so much trouble to contemporary youth?
  • There are no superfoods, the study shows
  • Does fast food really cause addiction?
  • The secret ingredient of Coca Cola and why you’ll never want to drink it again
  • If the fruit diet useful for health?
  • Why bananas can save the world
  • Eating vegetables and olive oil is a golden ticket to rejuvenation
  • What’s the difference between natural and processed foods?
  • Why eating pizza is the worst way to get away with cooking

As you can see from the list of topics for speeches, informative speech is a perfect occasion to explore interesting themes in depth and share your knowledge with people who are most likely to learn new things with you. Discovering a variety of topics and writing them on paper is perhaps the most engaging task your instructor has ever assigned you. And if you find it challenging to come with the right idea for a good topic, just send a “ write my speech ” request, and we’ll complete your order in no time.

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Public Speaking Resources

279 Demonstration Speech Topics and Ideas: A Complete Guide

Before proceeding towards the demonstration speech topic, let us know what it actually does.

Demonstration speech clarifies how to do something or how something works. Here, the objects or physical activity by the presenter is displayed.

It is also considered as one of the basic types of presentation. They are usually assigned to high school and college students.

This type of speech is popular in commercial and other adult training surroundings. They are among the most widespread speech.

A demonstration speech is a kind of informative speech. The primary purpose of the presenter is to teach the audience about the task or the procedures in steps.

Due to its popularity, the presenter must present the demonstration speech decisively. The key purpose of Demonstration speech is to develop skills in expository speaking.

It also helps to present a process or steps using objects or physical activity.

  • Argumentative Speech Topics and ideas: A Complete Guide
  • Informative Speech Topics and Ideas: The Ultimate Guide
  • 100 Easy Persuasive Speech Topics and Guide

Yet, most of you might not know the basics to deliver an effective demonstration speech. If you count on the one, this article is especially dedicated to you.

Through this article, I will present demonstration speech topics along with some effective tips.

When you have selected the demonstration speech topic, make an attractive and effective starting. It is better to start with an introduction.

Follow these steps for better consequence:

  • Give short description about the topic you are going to present
  • Why you decide to present on the topic
  • Why your listeners should understand how to do it. Give them a sneak glance of a few paybacks.
  • Tell them that they are going to do it themselves after sometimes. This is the only thing your audience have to do is pursue your directions.

Table of Contents

1. Start with why

4. give a brief summary of the complete process, 3. go through the steps, one-by-one, 4. talk about preferences, extras, or variation, 5. allocate time for queries, 6. summarize briefly, 1. try to get audience members doing it, 2. visuals lead a demonstration speech, 3. expand your demonstration with follow-up resources., some rules for presenting demonstration speech, informative demonstration speech topics:, specific demonstration speech topics:, tech-related demonstration speech topics:, hobby-related demonstration speech topics:, fashion-related demonstration speech topics:, household-related demonstration speech topics:, demonstration speech topics for students:, demonstration speech topics for business:, funny demonstration speech topics:, demonstration speech topics for health/fitness:, conclusions, outline of demonstration speech.

There are different methods to present a demonstration speech. Some of them are listed below:

A demonstration speech deals with training the audience to carry out a task or the whole process. Just as with any instructive task, it can become helpful when your audience is motivated to learn.

It is a must to tell your audience how they get to benefit from the knowledge you are about to present. When your audience knows the reason behind learning a new task, they desire to learn.

There are different ways to encourage your audience. Yet, one of the best ways is to start the speech with a why or some motivational stories. Draw an image of how their life improves with the new knowledge.  

Earlier than you dive into the information, give an overview of the general process. An advanced outline of the steps implicated makes audiences understand the benefit of speech.

While learning a new task, some of your audience will fear that it is difficult. An early outline ensures your audience that it is not too difficult.

When you do not provide a brief, it’s complicated for your audience to understand the steps. 

The audience won’t have the essential framework. An ideal way to show the outline is a figure explaining the steps of the task at a high level.

Together with the outline, you can list the basic needs of the task, and any assumptions you are making.

For an instance, for a speech on how to format the computer, explain with images. You can also use screenshots here to make them clear.

One of the finest things about a demonstration speech is the core of your overview that is set for you. Here, you only need to endure the steps of the task in order.

Better make the sequence of steps as easy as possible. Break down the process into important steps and make your audience understand clearly.

Now, your audience has noticed the task or procedure presented from start to end. Better provide some extra options or variations.

For an instance, you are presenting on how to cook chicken. Start with the necessary description at first. After that, discuss alternate ingredients, various flavors, and other ways to cook chicken. This makes your speech interesting.

Taking queries from the audience and answering them is compatible for a demonstration speech. This lets the audience look for an explanation on any of the steps which they do not understand. Relevant to the topic and circumstances, you can decide to take questions at the end.

At last, you should summarize the procedure in brief, and review the advantages. This lets your audience know the benefits of performing a similar task.

Best Ways to Elevate Your Demonstration Speech

Below is the list of best tips on how to elevate your demonstration speech:

Your preference for audience participation is often determined by how long your presentation is.

It also includes the setting in which the expression takes place. The accessibility of supplies can be shared by the audiences as well. It will be great if you get the audience to participate in the presentation.

Every demonstration speech gets better with appropriate visuals to follow your demonstration and procedures.

For an instance, for the speech on swimming, keep different relevant images. This gives audiences an idea to swim knowing the procedures.

Find here some options:

  • Your body plays a significant role – For physical task speech like playing a football, your body plays a significant role. You can express each of the steps to enhance the demonstration.
  • Physical support gives the real experience – There are two different types of support and they are real and models. Real support is the actual objects used while presenting the task. Models are the fake version of the real object and scaled-down version.
  • Utilize images as much as possible – When your body and physical support are not enough, use images as much as possible. When you do this, it helps to engross yourself in the images to alive the action that would be implicated.

Any type of images you prefer, make sure your audience can see them with ease. If they cannot see your images they might not understand your speech as well.

A single presentation may not be enough to guarantee your audiences gained the knowledge. To get a better result, provide resources they can use after the demonstration is over.

This covers:

  • Internet, books, pamphlets, or other specialist sources. They can ask for deeper information or high-quality training.
  • Handout the steps, and diagrams or images to prove key details.
  • Give contact information. So that your audience can contact in the future as they try to apply the knowledge you have presented.
  • The speech you present should be original by the applicant.
  • Objects or physical activity by the presenter should be displayed.
  • Presentations will take place in a normal-sized room. A table or desk will be supplied. All visual aids, property, and tools are to be supplied by the presenter.
  • This category excludes the use of property or tools. This comprises, but not imperfect too, weapon, sharp knives, unsafe chemicals, and animals.
  • Only one person should be used to help out the presenter. They can help as the object of the demonstration. They can also set up or handle the equipment. It is permissible for the assistant to be both an object of expression and to assist with equipment.
  • The highest time limit ion of the speech is 10 minutes, counting set up and strikes down. A 30 second is allowed, after which one point will be reduced from the assessment item coping with the rate.

Some Demonstration Speech Topics:

Demonstration Speech Topics and Ideas

  • How to Get the best airfare
  • How to Work with a travel agent
  • How to become the prime minister
  • How to become a pilot
  • How to Pack a suitcase
  • How to Travel and Leisure
  • How to landscape your front yard on a limited budget
  • How to read a map
  • How to print a digital photo
  • How to use oven
  • How to set and splint a broken leg (when medical help is not available)
  • How to drive a car
  • How to prevent injury
  • How to calculate a mortgage payment
  • How to register for voting
  • How to tie a knot
  • How to clean running shoes
  • Give a baby a bath
  • Change a diaper (think about baby safety too)
  • Read and understand nutrition labels
  • How to avoid identity theft
  • How to play poker
  • How to make beads
  • How to make an ice sculpture
  • How to make a bird feeder
  • How to attract hummingbirds to your garden
  • How to whistle
  • How to make your garden full of flowers year round
  • How to fix a flat tire
  • How to create a Halloween mask
  • How to clean your car
  • How to cash a blank cheque
  • How to Save electricity and save money
  • How to Save auto fuel and money
  • How to Buying a fuel-efficient car
  • How to Save Money
  • How to taste wine
  • How to organize a surprise party
  • How to clean your swimming pool
  • How to clean your golf clubs
  • How to make a new candle of old ones
  • How to organize your wedding
  • How to make a water-colour
  • How to build a shed
  • How to find a public speaking program that works
  • How to become a good actress
  • How to become a famous film star
  • How to write a film script
  • How to stop thinking
  • How to write a business-like letter
  • How to train your brains
  • How to greet Japanese people
  • How to become a policeman
  • How to climb a building
  • How to make a dancing show
  • How to become the president
  • How to be in the chair in a meeting
  • How to start Green Commuting
  • How to board in sand
  • How to ride bicycle
  • How to paint a room
  • How to swim
  • How to draw a house
  • How to play chess
  • How to clean golf clubs
  • How to clean shoes
  • How to wash and wax a car
  • How to plan a party
  • How to arrange flowers
  • How to wrap a present
  • How to build a sled
  • How to Decorate a cake
  • How to make a paper aeroplane
  • How to juggle
  • How to iron a shirt
  • How to paint a table
  • How to decorate a Christmas tree
  • How to Install a dimmer switch for a light (not for fluorescent lights)
  • How to Install a car stereo
  • How to make garden stepping stones
  • How to feed a snake
  • How to make a fishing lure
  • How to detect if someone is lying
  • How to develop the best serve in a tennis game
  • How to knot a carpet
  • How to make honey
  • How to blow a glass
  • How to use the cruise control
  • How to make a genealogical tree
  • How to Make a hydrogen supplemental fuel cell
  • How to calculate your golf handicap
  • How to make a golf swing
  • How to find the best health insurance
  • How to find the best car insurance value
  • How to calculate wallpaper
  • How to build a go-cart
  • How to clean silver
  • How do bulletproof vests work?
  • How do airbags work?
  • What can duct tape be used for?
  • How to create an animated character
  • How to become an empath
  • How to format computer
  • How to Program your cell phone
  • How to Download or upload files on the computer
  • How to Build a good website
  • How to Build a website
  • How to Set up an e-mail account
  • How to set up a blog
  • How to install a WordPress theme
  • How to create an iPhone application
  • How to upgrade the memory in your computer
  • How to remove scratches from DVD’s
  • How to make a foxhole radio
  • How to play a computer game
  • How to send an email
  • How to play an online games
  • How to use linkedin
  • How to live a more private online life
  • How to play clash of clan
  • How to use a cell phone
  • How to text a message
  • How to bottle your own wine
  • How make a sweet lassi
  • How to make an ice-cream
  • How to pick a color and understand the color palette
  • How to Grow a herbal garden
  • How to dance
  • How to do card tricks
  • How to make sushi
  • How to ride a unicycle
  • How to do magic tricks
  •      How to knit/crochet
  • How to decorate a cake
  • How to Grow and prune a bonsai tree
  • How to throw a ball
  • How to Play a video game to win
  • How to make your own soap
  • How to make candles
  • How to play football
  • How to use a DSLR camera
  • How to create a worm farm
  • How to do graffiti
  • How to do poi spinning
  • How to do origami
  • How to take a picture with a digital camera
  • How to paint an egg
  • How to write a limerick
  • How to line dance
  • How to compose a photograph
  • How to swim the backstroke
  • How to pick locks
  • How to edit a video
  • How to dance a certain dance
  • How to solve a Rubik’s cube
  • How to make a pop-up card
  • How to make animals out of balloons
  • How to make paper Mache figures
  • How to speak Italian
  • How to make stained glass objects
  • How to beatbox
  • How to raise tadpoles
  • How to read music notes
  • How to learn playing guitar
  • How to use your breath when you sing
  • How to make beer
  • How to play piano
  • How to make a cocktail
  • How to bowl
  • How to read music
  • How to lay a table
  • How to waltz
  • How to perform a card trick
  • How to Apply acrylic fingernails
  • How to Manicure your own fingernails
  • How to Manicure someone’s fingernails
  • How to Polish your shoes
  • How to Accessorize with the clothes your wear
  • How to Coordinate clothes for any occasion
  • How to frost hair
  • How to make your own jewellery
  • How to apply hair dye to your hair
  • How to apply a permanent to someone’s hair
  • How to braid cornrows
  • How to braid hair (had to do this in nursing school)
  • How to dry your hair properly
  • How to clean brush your teeth (back it up with scientific research)
  • How to put on makeup
  • How to trim a bonsai tree
  • How to trim your moustache
  • How to wrinkle a skirt
  • How to do braids
  • How to use scarves on your head, neck, body
  • How to tie a tie
  • How to make your own wedding dress
  • How to dress like a princess
  • How to become a princess
  • How to fold a skirt
  • How to apply face paint
  • How to Set a formal dinner table
  • How to Choose a bottle of wine for dinner
  • How to open a can peaches
  • How to carve a pumpkin
  • How to Plan a vegetarian meal
  • How to Frost and decorate a cake
  • How to Make a fast summer salad
  • How to Make Barbecue sauce
  • How to Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
  • How to make a sweet dessert
  • How to make ice
  • How to Make a root beer float
  • How to Make an omelette
  • How to Make pancakes
  • How to Make Ice cream
  • How to Tenderize meat
  • How to Make a subway sandwich
  • How to Plan an eight course meal
  • How to make peanut butter bars
  • How to make chicken chilli
  • How to Bake cookies
  • How to Make devilled eggs
  • How to Bake a cake
  • How to Stuff a turkey
  • How to Make fudge
  • How to bake a pie (or anything else you like / know how to cook)
  • How to be a vegetarian
  • How to eat oysters
  • How to Make your own jelly
  • How to Eat with chopsticks
  • How to make burgers
  • How to make Irish Coffee
  • How to make a fast summer salad
  • How to Save water at home
  • How to Recycle at home
  • How to Build Green
  • How to Save energy at home
  • How to Grow your own garden
  • How to change a plug
  • How to mend a fuse
  • How to Create a PowerPoint presentation
  • How to write a resume
  • How to be a model student
  • How to do well on standardized tests
  • How to deliver an informative speech
  • How to do proper time management
  • How to socialize with more people
  • How to balance work and school
  • How to find a part-time job
  • How to write a college essay
  • How to give a presentation
  • How to organize an event
  • How to start a bed & breakfast
  • How to hire the right people
  • How to sell yourself
  • How to effectively close any client
  • How to network well
  • How to create a business plan that works
  • How to make the most of working from home
  • How to do nothing for a living
  • How to live an anti-social life
  • How to make your ex jealous
  • How to get more presents on your birthday
  • How to deliver a speech with a handover
  • How to scramble together a last-minute presentation
  • How to lose your belly fat
  • How to do yoga
  • How to stretch before working out
  • How to kick box
  • 5 minute workouts to keep you fit
  • How to perform tai chi
  • How to plan your diet
  • How to snowboard
  • How to manage stress
  • How to check your blood pressure
  • How to check your blood sugar
  • How to train for a marathon

The demonstrative speech topics and ideas presented above should help you get started with your demonstrative speech and deliver a powerful speech. Let me know what you think about this article by commenting below.

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150 Just a Minute Topics for Engaging and Effective Speeches

Navigating the choppy waters of public speaking can be daunting. Like many, I’ve grappled with finding the right words to captivate an audience. Yet, through trial and error, I uncovered 150 powerful topics that truly resonate.

This article is a treasure trove of quick tips and compelling subjects suitable for every type of speaker. Are you ready to transform your speaking skills and enthral your audience ?

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • “Just a Minute” is a game that improves speaking skills by challenging players to talk about a topic for one minute without hesitation, deviation, or repetition. This helps with quick thinking and confidence in front of an audience.
  • The article offers 150 topics catered to various audiences, including adults and students, covering areas from fun and humorous to relevant social issues. These topics engage listeners and encourage meaningful discussions.
  • Tips for delivering successful speeches include preparing a structured outline , practicing delivery techniques like maintaining eye contact and using gestures, and adapting content to be respectful while keeping it interesting.
  • Speeches can touch on important days, famous leaders, personal growth themes , or even light-hearted subjects to elicit laughs. This variety ensures speakers can find relatable content that resonates with their audience.
  • Incorporating these exercises in ESL classrooms or personal development sessions enhances vocabulary, fluency, public speaking skills , critical thinking abilities as well as boosts overall confidence in oral communication.

What is Just a Minute Speech?

Just a Minute Speech is an impromptu speaking activity where participants are given a topic and have to speak about it for one minute without hesitation, repetition, or deviation. It’s a great exercise for practicing spontaneous speaking skills and boosting confidence in public speaking engagements.

Explanation of the game

Just a Minute is a speech game that challenges speakers to talk about a topic for one minute without hesitation, deviation, or repetition . The goal is simple: keep talking for 60 seconds straight on any given subject.

Players must be quick-thinking and articulate to succeed. This exercise sharpens impromptu speaking skills and boosts confidence in front of an audience.

Incorporating Just a Minute in the ESL classroom can work wonders for language learners . It encourages students to think on their feet and practice English in an engaging, low-pressure setting.

Through this game, participants improve vocabulary, fluency , and public speaking abilities all at once. Now let’s move on to how you can give a successful Just a Minute speech.

How it can be used in the ESL classroom

Impromptu speaking exercises like Just a Minute can be beneficial for ESL learners. These speech topics help students practice oral communication and improve their speaking skills.

Engaging with diverse topics also enhances vocabulary and language fluency , making it an effective tool for language acquisition and confidence-building in public speaking. Moreover, these exercises align with the need to provide persuasive, impromptu speaking topics that challenge students to express their ideas effectively within a limited time frame.

In the ESL classroom , incorporating Just a Minute activities allows students to engage in lively debates on relevant or nonsensical presentation topics, effectively enhancing not only their oral communication but also critical thinking skills .

Tips for Giving a Successful Just a Minute Speech

Prepare your speech outline carefully

Practice delivering your speech with confidence

Preparation techniques

To prepare for a Just a Minute speech, begin by selecting a topic that interests you and aligns with your audience. Research your chosen topic thoroughly to gather relevant information . Organize your thoughts and create an outline or structure for your speech. Practice speaking on the topic multiple times to build confidence and fluency. Record yourself and evaluate your performance, paying attention to areas that need improvement. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to further enhance your delivery. Keep practicing until you feel comfortable and ready to deliver a compelling speech.

Delivery tips

  • Stand confidently with good posture .
  • Make eye contact with the audience.
  • Speak clearly and at a moderate pace .
  • Use gestures to emphasize points .
  • Control nervousness by taking deep breaths.
  • Practice your speech multiple times for fluency.
  • Record yourself to identify areas for improvement.
  • Pay attention to your tone and pitch while speaking.
  • Be enthusiastic and passionate about your topic.
  • Engage the audience by asking questions or involving them in your speech.

Remember, speak with conviction and confidence!

Sample speech outline template

To effectively deliver a just a minute speech, it’s important to have a well-structured outline. Here’s a sample speech outline template to guide you:

  • Introduction
  • Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question
  • Topic introduction : Introduce the topic and its relevance
  • Thesis statement : Clearly state the main idea or purpose of your speech
  • Supporting detail 1 : Provide evidence, examples, or statistics
  • Supporting detail 2 : Further elaborate on the first point
  • Supporting detail 2 : Add depth to the second point
  • Summary of key points : Recap the main points discussed in the speech
  • Restate thesis : Reinforce the main idea
  • Closing statement : End with a memorable and impactful concluding remark

This structured approach will help you deliver an engaging and effective just a minute speech that captivates your audience.

Sample Just a Minute Topics for Adults

– Adults can tackle fun and nonsensical topics for a laugh or pick relevant and popular subjects to engage their audience.

Fun and nonsensical topics

Sure, here is the response:

Fun and nonsensical topics:

  • If animals could talk , which would be the funniest?
  • Why do superheroes wear their underwear over their pants?
  • What if the sky was green and grass was blue ?
  • If you could have any superpower, but it only worked on Tuesdays, what would it be?
  • Is cereal soup ? Why or why not?

Relevant and popular topics

When transitioning from fun and nonsensical topics to relevant and popular topics, it’s important to consider subjects that resonate with the audience and are timely. Here are some engaging and relevant just a minute topics for speeches:

  • Social media impact on society
  • The importance of mental health awareness
  • Climate change and its global effects
  • Gender equality in the workplace
  • The future of technology and artificial intelligence
  • Cultural diversity and inclusion in today’s world
  • Cybersecurity concerns in the digital age
  • The influence of pop culture on youth
  • Health benefits of regular exercise and nutrition
  • The significance of volunteer work in communities

These topics are designed to engage your audience, spark conversation, and create impactful speeches that resonate with contemporary issues.

Topics for a giggle or a laugh

Let’s transition from relevant and popular topics to some lighthearted options. These speech topics are meant to bring a smile to your audience’s faces and keep them engaged:

  • Silly superstitions that people believe in
  • The funniest thing that ever happened to me
  • How to survive a zombie apocalypse with humor
  • The most embarrassing moment in my life
  • My favorite jokes and why they always make me laugh
  • A funny story about my pet
  • Hilarious things kids say and do
  • The most ridiculous fashion trends throughout history
  • Awkward first date experiences and what I learned from them
  • Unusual foods from around the world that will make you chuckle

Sample Just a Minute Topics for Students

Sample Just a Minute Topics for Students include subjects like important days and events, famous leaders in India and around the world, social issues, personal development and growth, as well as miscellaneous topics.

Dive into the full list of engaging speech topics to captivate your audience!

Topics on important days and events

On important days and events, such as Independence Day or Women’s History Month, your speech could revolve around the significance of the occasion . You could discuss the historical context , its impact on society , or how it’s celebrated globally . Here are some examples:

  • Exploring the significance of World Environment Day and the need for environmental conservation.
  • Reflecting on International Women’s Day and the contributions of women to society.
  • Discussing the historical background of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and its relevance today.
  • Analyzing the importance of Earth Day and promoting sustainable living practices .
  • Delving into the cultural significance of Diwali and its celebration across different regions.

Remember that these topics provide an opportunity to educate, inspire, and engage your audience with timely and relevant content.

Famous leaders in India and around the world

As a public speaking beginner, it’s important to draw inspiration from famous leaders who have impacted the world. Here are some influential leaders in India and around the world:

  • Mahatma Gandhi – Leader of the Indian independence movement
  • Nelson Mandela – South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader
  • Martin Luther King Jr. – Civil rights leader in the United States
  • Indira Gandhi – First female Prime Minister of India
  • Winston Churchill – British Prime Minister during World War II

Understanding the leadership styles and communication skills of these iconic figures can provide valuable insights for honing your own public speaking abilities .

Moving forward to discuss topics related to “Social issues”.

Social issues

When discussing social issues, it’s important to address topics that are relevant and impactful. Here are some engaging and thought-provoking social issue speech topics to consider:

  • The impact of social media on mental health and well-being
  • Addressing homelessness in our communities
  • The importance of promoting diversity and inclusion in society
  • Strategies to combat bullying in schools and workplaces
  • Raising awareness about the significance of environmental conservation efforts
  • Exploring the effects of poverty on individuals and communities
  • Advocating for better mental health support services
  • The role of technology in addressing societal challenges
  • Examining the stigma surrounding mental illness and ways to combat it
  • Promoting gender equality and women’s rights initiatives

Each of these topics holds significant relevance in today’s society, offering opportunities for powerful speeches that can inspire change.

Personal development and growth

As someone new to public speaking, it’s essential to consider personal development and growth when preparing for speeches. Here are some areas that can help you develop and grow as a speaker:

  • Confidence Building : Learn techniques to overcome nervousness and build confidence in front of an audience.
  • Vocal Variety : Practice using tone, pitch, and volume to add interest and emphasis to your speech.
  • Body Language : Understand the impact of body language on communication and learn how to use gestures effectively.
  • Storytelling Skills : Develop the ability to tell captivating stories that engage listeners and convey your message effectively.
  • Self-Reflection : Take time to evaluate your strengths and areas for improvement after each speech performance.
  • Adaptability : Learn how to adapt your speaking style to different audiences and speaking environments.
  • Continuous Learning : Stay updated on public speaking trends and techniques through workshops, books, or online resources.
  • Feedback Reception : Embrace feedback from mentors or peers to refine your speaking skills continually.
  • Goal Setting : Set specific goals for improving various aspects of your public speaking abilities.
  • Mindfulness Practice : Incorporate mindfulness exercises to stay focused and present during speeches.

Miscellaneous topics

As someone who has navigated the complexities of public speaking, I understand how important it is to have a wide range of topics to choose from. Here are some miscellaneous topics that can help you dive into different areas and sharpen your oratory skills:

  • Debunking Common Myths : Unveil the secrets behind popular misconceptions and challenge your audience’s beliefs.
  • The Power of Gratitude : Explore the transformative impact of practicing gratitude in one’s daily life.
  • Embracing Change : Discuss how embracing change can lead to personal growth and development.
  • The Art of Problem-Solving : Share effective strategies for tackling challenges and overcoming obstacles.
  • Exploring Cultural Diversity : Delve into the beauty of diverse cultures and their influence on global society.
  • The Influence of Technology : Examine how technology has revolutionized communication and connectivity in the modern world.
  • Overcoming Adversity : Inspire your audience by discussing strategies for overcoming adversity and emerging stronger.
  • The Ripple Effect of Kindness : Highlight the profound impact small acts of kindness can have on individuals and communities.
  • Sustainable Living Practices : Advocate for environmentally friendly habits that promote a sustainable future for our planet.
  • The Power of Self-Reflection : Encourage introspection as a tool for personal growth and self-improvement.

These topics are designed to enhance your presentation skills, engage your audience, and spark meaningful discussions.

Exploring “150 Just a Minute Topics for Engaging and Effective Speeches” reveals a goldmine for those eager to improve their public speaking skills . These topics aren’t just words; they represent doorways to confidence, engagement, and effective communication.

Whether you’re stepping onto the stage for the first time or looking to refine your skills, this collection offers something valuable.

Dr. Alexander Reed brings an insightful perspective on these speech topics. With over 20 years of experience in communications and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric Studies from Stanford University, Dr.

Reed has dedicated his career to understanding what makes speeches compelling. He’s not only taught at leading universities but also consulted with Fortune 500 companies on crafting persuasive messages.

According to Dr. Reed, the brilliance of “150 Just a Minute Topics” lies in its diversity and relevance . These prompts challenge speakers of all levels by demanding clarity and conciseness within one minute while keeping audiences engaged—a true test of skill in brevity.

Safety and ethics play crucial roles here too. Dr. Reed emphasizes that each topic is designed with sensitivity in mind, ensuring speakers approach subjects respectfully without sacrificing the depth or engaging nature of discussions.

These topics fit seamlessly into our daily lives as well—be it classroom education, Toastmasters meetings, or personal development practices at home.

Yet no tool is without its limitations—the constraint of time may sometimes rush deeper exploration of complex issues.

Comparing this resource with others on the market shows its unique value proposition but also highlights that some individuals might seek more specialized content depending on their interests or professional needs .

Ultimately, Dr.Reed endorses these just-a-minute topics as exceptionally worthwhile for anyone looking to harness their speaking potential quickly and efficiently.

Their true worth comes from how effectively they train speakers to capture attention immediately—a critical skill in today’s fast-paced world.

speeches for students topics

Ryan Nelson is the founder of Speak2Impress, a platform dedicated to helping individuals master the art of public speaking. Despite having a crippling fear of public speaking for many years, Ryan overcame his anxiety through diligent practice and active participation in Toastmasters. Now residing in New York City, he is passionate about sharing his journey and techniques to empower others to speak with confidence and clarity.

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100 Best How To Speech Topics & Ideas In 2023

how to topics

How to topics make students feel like experts. They also allow them to practice non-fiction writing. That’s because these topics require them to explain how a person can do something. It can be something simple like how to follow more topics on Pinterest or something complex like how to create a nuclear reactor.

When writing about how to essay topics, students should dissect processes from the beginning to the end. They should also include all the necessary information to enable the reader to achieve their desired results. Essentially, essays and speeches on these topics should guide readers into doing something successfully.

The Purpose of How To Speech Topics

Good how-to topics make learners more confident and competent nonfiction writers. Some students consider this as their writing genre. These topics describe how certain tasks are completed. Something good about this writing genre is that it allows learners to describe processes that they are familiar with.

This enables learners to focus on writing while enjoying the experience that’s enjoyed by experts. They also feel good about communicating something meaningful to their audiences. In most cases, students are asked to write how-to speeches. That means they have to choose how to topics for demonstration speech. And, this genre has many topics that students can choose from. Here are some of the major categories of how to speech ideas.

How To Speeches Topics for High School Students

Some high school teachers ask students to write speeches demonstrating how certain things are done. If you’ve been asked to write on such a topic, here are good how-to speech topics to choose from.

  • How to write an admission letter for university or college
  • How to remain safe in an unfamiliar or new environment
  • How to make new friends at a new college
  • How to choose a college or university
  • How to choose a study program
  • How to choose a career
  • How to choose the best game
  • How to become a public speaker
  • How to choose activities that improve self-esteem and confidence
  • How plants produce and use oxygen
  • How to put off something you don’t like without hurting others
  • How to prepare for a marathon or a long race
  • How to get a scholarship to study overseas
  • How to stay fit in high school
  • How to grow flowers indoors or in a garden
  • How to create something like a painting or building at home
  • How to prepare French fries at home
  • How to prepare for college
  • How to search for academic articles on the internet
  • How to prepare for a trip with family

These are great how-to speech topics that can earn top grades for high school students when researched and written properly. It’s, however, important that learners choose the topics they are familiar with and comfortable writing about.

How To Topics for Second Grade

Second grade is the time when children are developing writing skills. At this time, children start to express their opinions and recount narratives. They can also provide instructions in writing. Here are some of the best topics of how to teach writing to second-grade children. Asking second-grade children to write about these topics will engage them in writing and spark their creativity.

  • How to be kind to other people
  • How to make your birthday special and memorable
  • How to build a beautiful house
  • How to read a bedtime story
  • How to tell a story
  • How to make chocolate
  • How to play your favorite games
  • How to tie your shoes
  • How to keep a friend
  • How to take care of your pet
  • How to get a good school report card
  • How to make a friend
  • How to prepare for dinner
  • How to sharpen a pencil
  • How to blow bubbles
  • How to draw a picture
  • How to paint the best picture
  • How to tidy your room
  • How to tidy your desk
  • How to give a pet a bath

These are great how to presentation topics that can enable second-grade children to express their opinions with simple words and improve their writing skills.

How To Speeches Topics for College Students

College time provides a chance to sharpen writing skills. This is the place where students learn to research, analyze, organize, and present solid ideas. Here, students are expected to write on how to process speech topics that can be used to do something professionally.

Here are great how to demonstration speech topics community college students can choose from:

  • How to use a Smartphone to complete homework
  • How to avoid peer pressure
  • How to avoid recurring nightmares
  • How to write a great essay
  • How to write a research paper
  • How to look stylish and fashionable in college
  • How to choose a major
  • How to avoid procrastination in college
  • How to avoid stressful situations in college
  • How to finish Aleks topics fast
  • How to study for exams
  • How to write a great film review
  • How to start a business after college
  • How to improve your writing skills
  • How to improve your public speaking skills
  • How to enhance your leadership skills
  • How to survive a recession
  • How to start an online business
  • How to avoid drug addiction in college
  • How to learn a second language in college

These are also amazing how to topics for speech or presentation. However, they should be researched properly to come up with informative pieces.

Topics for How To Speech for University

Maybe you’ve been asked to write a speech and present it to demonstrate how to do something. Here are amazing how to process speech topics that you can choose from.

  • How to survive a pandemic
  • How to introduce a topic for an essay
  • How to write a narrative essay
  • How to choose an essay topic
  • How to devise a lesson plan for teaching preschool children
  • How to campaign for a leadership position
  • How to search for academic journals on the internet
  • How to write a book review
  • How to research a topic before writing a paper
  • How to effectively manage finances and save money
  • How to perform a qualitative study using people as your subjects
  • How to avoid stress in the workplace
  • How to start and run an online cosmetic business
  • How to stay fit during a pandemic
  • How to prepare for a new job
  • How to prepare for an interview
  • How to install new software on a laptop or desktop computer
  • How to stay fit without skipping essential meals

Funny How To Topics

Perhaps, you want to write the most interesting speech or essay. In that case, consider the following topics.

  • How to fail exams easily
  • How to become the best in procrastination
  • How to look more intelligent
  • How to use hobbies to judge others
  • How to catch a liar
  • How to persuade your parents to do homework for you
  • How to use the horoscope to explain failures
  • How to boost your IQ by playing computer games
  • How to convince your friends to pay your bills
  • How to determine the intelligence level of your pet
  • How to teach your pet to talk
  • How to become the most annoying person in your school
  • How to make your parents accommodate you when you are already 30 years old
  • How to ensure that your parents do not spend a lot of time on social media
  • How to make your first date a total failure
  • How to be the happiest person in your family
  • How to make your girlfriend or boyfriend love you forever
  • How to make other people hate you
  • How to make people love you
  • How to push an annoying person away

Every student knows how it feels to walk into hot topics. If you don’t want to struggle to search for the information required to write an essay or a speech, consider topics in this category. Ask our thesis writers to help you, if you cannot make your choice.

Choosing topics in this genre can mark the beginning of the nonfiction writing journey for most students. Nevertheless, learners should know how to come up with story ideas and research them properly to come up with informative, solid essays or speeches.

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America’s Colleges Are Reaping What They Sowed

Universities spent years saying that activism is not just welcome but encouraged on their campuses. Students took them at their word.

Juxtaposition of Columbia 2024 and 1968 protests

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Produced by ElevenLabs and News Over Audio (NOA) using AI narration.

N ick Wilson, a sophomore at Cornell University, came to Ithaca, New York, to refine his skills as an activist. Attracted by both Cornell’s labor-relations school and the university’s history of campus radicalism, he wrote his application essay about his involvement with a Democratic Socialists of America campaign to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act . When he arrived on campus, he witnessed any number of signs that Cornell shared his commitment to not just activism but also militant protest, taking note of a plaque commemorating the armed occupation of Willard Straight Hall in 1969.

Cornell positively romanticizes that event: The university library has published a “ Willard Straight Hall Occupation Study Guide ,” and the office of the dean of students once co-sponsored a panel on the protest. The school has repeatedly screened a documentary about the occupation, Agents of Change . The school’s official newspaper, published by the university media-relations office, ran a series of articles honoring the 40th anniversary, in 2009, and in 2019, Cornell held a yearlong celebration for the 50th, complete with a commemorative walk, a dedication ceremony, and a public conversation with some of the occupiers. “ Occupation Anniversary Inspires Continued Progress ,” the Cornell Chronicle headline read.

As Wilson has discovered firsthand, however, the school’s hagiographical odes to prior protests have not prevented it from cracking down on pro-Palestine protests in the present. Now that he has been suspended for the very thing he told Cornell he came there to learn how to do—radical political organizing—he is left reflecting on the school’s hypocrisies. That the theme of this school year at Cornell is “Freedom of Expression” adds a layer of grim humor to the affair.

Evan Mandery: University of hypocrisy

University leaders are in a bind. “These protests are really dynamic situations that can change from minute to minute,” Stephen Solomon, who teaches First Amendment law and is the director of NYU’s First Amendment Watch—an organization devoted to free speech—told me. “But the obligation of universities is to make the distinction between speech protected by the First Amendment and speech that is not.” Some of the speech and tactics protesters are employing may not be protected under the First Amendment, while much of it plainly is. The challenge universities are confronting is not just the law but also their own rhetoric. Many universities at the center of the ongoing police crackdowns have long sought to portray themselves as bastions of activism and free thought. Cornell is one of many universities that champion their legacy of student activism when convenient, only to bring the hammer down on present-day activists when it’s not. The same colleges that appeal to students such as Wilson by promoting opportunities for engagement and activism are now suspending them. And they’re calling the cops.

The police activity we are seeing universities level against their own students does not just scuff the carefully cultivated progressive reputations of elite private universities such as Columbia, Emory University, and NYU, or the equally manicured free-speech bona fides of red-state public schools such as Indiana University and the University of Texas at Austin. It also exposes what these universities have become in the 21st century. Administrators have spent much of the recent past recruiting social-justice-minded students and faculty to their campuses under the implicit, and often explicit, promise that activism is not just welcome but encouraged. Now the leaders of those universities are shocked to find that their charges and employees believed them. And rather than try to understand their role in cultivating this morass, the Ivory Tower’s bigwigs have decided to apply their boot heels to the throats of those under their care.

I spoke with 30 students, professors, and administrators from eight schools—a mix of public and private institutions across the United States—to get a sense of the disconnect between these institutions’ marketing of activism and their treatment of protesters. A number of people asked to remain anonymous. Some were untenured faculty or administrators concerned about repercussions from, or for, their institutions. Others were directly involved in organizing protests and were wary of being harassed. Several incoming students I spoke with were worried about being punished by their school before they even arrived. Despite a variety of ideological commitments and often conflicting views on the protests, many of those I interviewed were “shocked but not surprised”—a phrase that came up time and again—by the hypocrisy exhibited by the universities with which they were affiliated. (I reached out to Columbia, NYU, Cornell, and Emory for comment on the disconnect between their championing of past protests and their crackdowns on the current protesters. Representatives from Columbia, Cornell, and Emory pointed me to previous public statements. NYU did not respond.)

The sense that Columbia trades on the legacy of the Vietnam protests that rocked campus in 1968 was widespread among the students I spoke with. Indeed, the university honors its activist past both directly and indirectly, through library archives , an online exhibit , an official “Columbia 1968” X account , no shortage of anniversary articles in Columbia Magazine , and a current course titled simply “Columbia 1968.” The university is sometimes referred to by alumni and aspirants as the “Protest Ivy.” One incoming student told me that he applied to the school in part because of an admissions page that prominently listed community organizers and activists among its “distinguished alumni.”

Joseph Slaughter, an English professor and the executive director of Columbia’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights, talked with his class about the 1968 protests after the recent arrests at the school. He said his students felt that the university had actively marketed its history to them. “Many, many, many of them said they were sold the story of 1968 as part of coming to Columbia,” he told me. “They talked about it as what the university presents to them as the long history and tradition of student activism. They described it as part of the brand.”

This message reaches students before they take their first college class. As pro-Palestine demonstrations began to raise tensions on campus last month, administrators were keen to cast these protests as part of Columbia’s proud culture of student activism. The aforementioned high-school senior who had been impressed by Columbia’s activist alumni attended the university’s admitted-students weekend just days before the April 18 NYPD roundup. During the event, the student said, an admissions official warned attendees that they may experience “disruptions” during their visit, but boasted that these were simply part of the school’s “long and robust history of student protest.”

Remarkably, after more than 100 students were arrested on the order of Columbia President Minouche Shafik—in which she overruled a unanimous vote by the university senate’s executive committee not to bring the NYPD to campus —university administrators were still pushing this message to new students and parents. An email sent on April 19 informed incoming students that “demonstration, political activism, and deep respect for freedom of expression have long been part of the fabric of our campus.” Another email sent on April 20 again promoted Columbia’s tradition of activism, protest, and support of free speech. “This can sometimes create moments of tension,” the email read, “but the rich dialogue and debate that accompany this tradition is central to our educational experience.”

Evelyn Douek and Genevieve Lakier: The hypocrisy underlying the campus-speech controversy

Another student who attended a different event for admitted students, this one on April 21, said that every administrator she heard speak paid lip service to the school’s long history of protest. Her own feelings about the pro-Palestine protests were mixed—she said she believes that a genocide is happening in Gaza and also that some elements of the protest are plainly anti-Semitic—but her feelings about Columbia’s decision to involve the police were unambiguous. “It’s reprehensible but exactly what an Ivy League institution would do in this situation. I don’t know why everyone is shocked,” she said, adding: “It makes me terrified to go there.”

Beth Massey, a veteran activist who participated in the 1968 protests, told me with a laugh, “They might want to tell us they’re progressive, but they’re doing the business of the ruling class.” She was not surprised by the harsh response to the current student encampment or by the fact that it lit the fuse on a nationwide protest movement. Massey had been drawn to the radical reputation of Columbia’s sister school, Barnard College, as an open-minded teenager from the segregated South: “I actually wanted to go to Barnard because they had a history of progressive struggle that had happened going all the way back into the ’40s.” And the barn-burning history that appealed to Massey in the late 1960s has continued to attract contemporary students, albeit with one key difference: Today, that radical history has become part of the way that Barnard and Columbia sell their $60,000-plus annual tuition.

Of course, Columbia is not alone. The same trends have also prevailed at NYU, which likes to crow about its own radical history and promises contemporary students “ a world of activism opportunities .” An article published on the university’s website in March—titled “Make a Difference Through Activism at NYU”—promises students “myriad chances to put your activism into action.” The article points to campus institutions that “provide students with resources and opportunities to spark activism and change both on campus and beyond.” The six years I spent as a graduate student at NYU gave me plenty of reasons to be cynical about the university and taught me to view all of this empty activism prattle as white noise. But even I was astounded to see a video of students and faculty set upon by the NYPD, arrested at the behest of President Linda Mills.

“Across the board, there is a heightened awareness of hypocrisy,” Mohamad Bazzi, a journalism professor at NYU, told me, noting that faculty were acutely conscious of the gap between the institution’s intensive commitment to DEI and the police crackdown. The university has recently made several “cluster hires”—centered on activism-oriented themes such as anti-racism, social justice, and indigeneity—that helped diversify the faculty. Some of those recent hires were among the people who spent a night zip-tied in a jail cell, arrested for the exact kind of activism that had made them attractive to NYU in the first place. And it wasn’t just faculty. The law students I spoke with were especially acerbic. After honing her activism skills at her undergraduate institution—another university that recently saw a violent police response to pro-Palestine protests—one law student said she came to NYU because she was drawn to its progressive reputation and its high percentage of prison-abolitionist faculty. This irony was not lost on her as the police descended on the encampment.

After Columbia students were arrested on April 18, students at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study decided to cancel a planned art festival and instead use the time to make sandwiches as jail support for their detained uptown peers. The school took photos of the students layering cold cuts on bread and posted it to Gallatin’s official Instagram. These posts not only failed to mention that the students were working in support of the pro-Palestine protesters; the caption—“making sandwiches for those in need”—implied that the undergrads might be preparing meals for, say, the homeless.

The contradictions on display at Cornell, Columbia, and NYU are not limited to the state of New York. The police response at Emory, another university that brags about its tradition of student protest, was among the most disturbing I have seen. Faculty members I spoke with at the Atlanta school, including two who had been arrested—the philosophy professor Noëlle McAfee and the English and Indigenous-studies professor Emil’ Keme—recounted harrowing scenes: a student being knocked down, an elderly woman struggling to breathe after tear-gas exposure, a colleague with welts from rubber bullets. These images sharply contrast with the university’s progressive mythmaking, a process that was in place even before 2020’s “summer of racial reckoning” sent universities scrambling to shore up their activist credentials.

In 2018, Emory’s Campus Life office partnered with students and a design studio to begin work on an exhibit celebrating the university’s history of identity-based activism. Then, not long after George Floyd’s murder, the university’s library released a series of blog posts focusing on topics including “Black Student Activism at Emory,” “Protests and Movements,” “Voting Rights and Public Policy,” and “Authors and Artists as Activists.” That same year, the university announced its new Arts and Social Justice Fellows initiative, a program that “brings Atlanta artists into Emory classrooms to help students translate their learning into creative activism in the name of social justice.” In 2021, the university put on an exhibit celebrating its 1969 protests , in which “Black students marched, demonstrated, picketed, and ‘rapped’ on those institutions affecting the lives of workers and students at Emory.” Like Cornell’s and Columbia’s, Emory’s protests seem to age like fine wine: It takes half a century before the institution begins enjoying them.

N early every person I talked with believed that their universities’ responses were driven by donors, alumni, politicians, or some combination thereof. They did not believe that they were grounded in serious or reasonable concerns about the physical safety of students; in fact, most felt strongly that introducing police into the equation had made things far more dangerous for both pro-Palestine protesters and pro-Israel counterprotesters. Jeremi Suri, a historian at UT Austin—who told me he is not politically aligned with the protesters—recalls pleading with both the dean of students and the mounted state troopers to call off the charge. “It was like the Russian army had come onto campus,” Suri mused. “I was out there for 45 minutes to an hour. I’m very sensitive to anti-Semitism. Nothing anti-Semitic was said.” He added: “There was no reason not to let them shout until their voices went out.”

From the May 1930 issue: Hypocrisy–a defense

As one experienced senior administrator at a major research university told me, the conflagration we are witnessing shows how little many university presidents understand either their campus communities or the young people who populate them. “When I saw what Columbia was doing, my immediate thought was: They have not thought about day two ,” he said, laughing. “If you confront an 18-year-old activist, they don’t back down. They double down.” That’s what happened in 1968, and it’s happening again now. Early Tuesday morning, Columbia students occupied Hamilton Hall—the site of the 1968 occupation, which they rechristened Hind’s Hall in honor of a 6-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza—in response to the university’s draconian handling of the protests. They explicitly tied these events to the university’s past, calling out its hypocrisy on Instagram: “This escalation is in line with the historical student movements of 1968 … which Columbia repressed then and celebrates today.” The university, for its part, responded now as it did then: Late on Tuesday, the NYPD swarmed the campus in an overnight raid that led to the arrest of dozens of students.

The students, professors, and administrators I’ve spoken with in recent days have made clear that this hypocrisy has not gone unnoticed and that the crackdown isn’t working, but making things worse. The campus resistance has expanded to include faculty and students who were originally more ambivalent about the protests and, in a number of cases, who support Israel. They are disturbed by what they rightly see as violations of free expression, the erosion of faculty governance, and the overreach of administrators. Above all, they’re fed up with the incandescent hypocrisy of institutions, hoisted with their own progressive petards, as the unstoppable force of years’ worth of self-righteous rhetoric and pseudo-radical posturing meets the immovable object of students who took them at their word.

In another video published by The Cornell Daily Sun , recorded only hours after he was suspended, Nick Wilson explained to a crowd of student protesters what had brought him to the school. “In high school, I discovered my passion, which was community organizing for a better world. I told Cornell University that’s why I wanted to be here,” he said, referencing his college essay. Then he paused for emphasis, looking around as his peers began to cheer. “And those fuckers admitted me.”

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As Seinfeld Receives Honorary Degree at Duke, Students Walk Out in Protest

Following the walkout, the comedian, who has been vocal about his support for Israel, opted to take a lighter approach in his commencement speech.

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Dozens of Students Walk Out of Duke Commencement Ceremony

As the comedian jerry seinfeld received an honorary degree at duke university’s commencement, dozens of students walked out and chanted, “free palestine.” some also chanted mr. seinfeld’s name during the walkout..

From stage: “Big deal about our commencement speaker?” [crowd boos and cheers] Some in crowd: “Free Palestine!” Some in crowd: “Free Palestine!” Some in crowd: “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!” From stage: “Thank you.”

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By Eduardo Medina and Emily Cataneo

Reporting from Duke University’s campus in Durham N.C.

  • May 12, 2024

Jerry Seinfeld knows his way around handling awkward moments onstage. Even so, the initial reception he faced at Duke University’s commencement on Sunday reflected a more complicated audience than usual.

As Mr. Seinfeld, who has recently been vocal about his support for Israel, received an honorary degree, dozens of students walked out and chanted, “Free, free Palestine,” while the comedian looked on and smiled tensely.

Many in the crowd jeered the protesters. Minutes later, as the last of the protesters were filing out, he approached the mic. His first words were: “Thank you. Oh my God, what a beautiful day.”

In his commencement speech, Mr. Seinfeld was mostly cautious, opting for a tight comedic script interspersed with life advice instead of a full-on response to the protests against his presence.

Still, in one part of his speech, he defended various types of privilege and appeared to hint at the elephant in the room.

“I grew up a Jewish boy from New York,” he said to applause from the crowd. “That is a privilege if you want to be a comedian.”

Outside Duke’s stadium, graduates walked around campus, chanting: “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest.” When they arrived at a green space, they were joined by hundreds of other people — including faculty, relatives and other protesters — who organized a makeshift graduation for them.

As they prepared to throw their caps in the air, Mr. Seinfeld continued his speech inside Wallace Wade Stadium, telling students that while he admired their generation’s commitment to inclusivity and not hurting other people’s feelings, “it is worth the sacrifice of occasional discomfort to have some laughs.”

Mr. Seinfeld, who has two children who have attended Duke, has been uncharacteristically vocal about his support for Jews in Israel while doing press in recent weeks for his latest film, “Unfrosted,” which chronicles the invention of Pop-Tarts .

Typically an apolitical comedian who prefers punchy takes on ordinary observations, Mr. Seinfeld is now engaging in the type of celebrity activism that few associate with him, and that has drawn criticism and praise. Since the attacks of Oct. 7 in Israel, he has signed a letter in support of the country and posted an earnest message on social media about his devotion to it.

His wife, Jessica Seinfeld, a cookbook author, recently promoted on Instagram a counterprotest at the University of California, Los Angeles, that she said she had helped bankroll. (She condemned the violence that occurred at a later counterprotest.)

In December, Mr. Seinfeld traveled to Tel Aviv to meet with the families of hostages, soberly recounting afterward the missile attack that occurred during the trip.

Still, his comments on the issues have been somewhat modest.

“I don’t preach about it,” he told GQ last month. “I have my personal feelings about it that I discuss privately. It’s not part of what I can do comedically, but my feelings are very strong.”

On Sunday, Mr. Seinfeld played to the crowd, telling students: “You’re never going to believe this: Harvard used to be a great place to go to school. Now it’s Duke.”

Not everyone at Duke, however, was laughing at Mr. Seinfeld’s jokes.

The Rev. Dr. Stefan Weathers Sr., an ordained minister in the American Baptist Church who was awarded a Ph.D. in divinity, had written a letter before the ceremony to the university asking that the comedian be replaced, citing Mr. Seinfeld’s ongoing and strong support for Israel.

Shreya Joshi, a graduate and one of the organizers of the protest, said that after Duke selected Mr. Seinfeld as the speaker, she and other seniors, faculty members and pro-Palestinian supporters began organizing the walkout and an alternate graduation.

Ms. Joshi, 21, who studied history at Duke and will be attending law school at the University of Chicago, said that it was painful to have lost out on a high school graduation ceremony in 2020 because of the pandemic, and the seniors still wanted one this year, even if it meant creating one outside of the university’s official channels.

And that pain, she added, paled in comparison to what people in Gaza are experiencing.

“The fact that we were going to sit here and celebrate our own?” Ms. Joshi said. “It felt trivial in the face of all that. Have you seen the tiny violin? That’s how it felt.”

Ms. Joshi said that they had tried to leave the main commencement ceremony in the least disruptive way possible. They chose to leave as the honorary degree was being given to Mr. Seinfeld because “none of us particularly wanted to listen to Seinfeld.”

Eduardo Medina is a Times reporter covering the South. An Alabama native, he is now based in Durham, N.C. More about Eduardo Medina

Our Coverage of the U.S. Campus Protests

News and Analysis

Pomona College: At least one person was arrested after scuffles broke out among pro-Palestinian protesters , private security officers and police officers outside Pomona College’s commencement in Los Angeles.

U.W. Milwaukee: Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will take down a pro-Palestinian encampment that had stood for two weeks under an agreement reached with the school , university officials said.

Duke: Dozens of students walked out  of Duke University’s commencement ceremony as Jerry Seinfeld, who has been vocal about his support for Israel, received an honorary degree.

Turning to Al Jazeera :  Students active in campus protests value the Arab news network’s on-the-ground coverage  and its perspective on the Israel-Hamas war. They draw distinctions between it and major American outlets.

Black Colleges :  The White House appears anxious about President Biden’s speech at Morehouse College, a historically Black institution. But for complex reasons, such campuses have had far less visible Gaza tensions .

A Different Approach :  University leaders in Britain have so far adopted a more permissive attitude to pro-Palestinian encampments than their U.S. counterparts. Here’s why .

speeches for students topics

Students Walked Out of Duke Graduation Because Jerry Seinfeld is Jewish?

In 2024, students across the u.s. were protesting the israeli military’s bombardment of gaza., nur ibrahim, published may 14, 2024.

On May 12, 2024, dozens of Duke University's graduating students staged a walkout as the ceremony's guest speaker, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, stepped up to the lectern. They chanted "Free, free Palestine" as other students appeared to jeer them. (Duke's student newspaper described the number of students walking out as about 100.)

The walkout prompted many people online to claim the students were protesting because Seinfeld is Jewish, and those who participated in the walkout were antisemitic. A post by former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican,  stated , "So students at Drake [sic] walk out because the speaker, Jerry Seinfeld, is Jewish? This is antisemitism, cloaked in concern for Gaza." 

Another post, from Democratic U.S. Rep Daniel Goldman of New York,  said : "Jerry Seinfeld is a Jewish American who has nothing at all to do with Israel's foreign policy or military defense. Holding an American Jew responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is quintessential antisemitism."

However, the organizers of the walkout stated a number of reasons for their protest, and none of them had to do with Seinfeld's religious identity. They included Seinfeld's vocal support for Israel, protesters' calls for Duke University to disclose its investments in Israel as well as divest from companies with ties to Israel, and calls for a cease-fire.

Snopes found no documented evidence that the organizers were walking out due to the speaker's Jewish identity, nor did we come across footage or slogans in which protesters used antisemitic language. We also cannot fully determine the intentions of each and every student participating in the protest. We have reached out to a student organizer behind the walkout and will update this story if we receive more information. 

Seinfeld and his wife expressed their support for Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in which Hamas militants killed  approximately 1,200 people   in Israel and took hundreds of hostages. In December 2023, he visited hostages' families in Tel Aviv, and posted on his Instagram page, "I will always stand with Israel and the Jewish people." 

His wife, Jessica Seinfeld, said she donated to support counterprotests to the pro-Palestine demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles. A group of counter-protesters swarmed the UCLA Palestine solidarity encampment, attacked the protesters, tried to break down barricades and shot fireworks into the camp, according to the Los Angeles Times. Jessica Seinfeld reportedly condemned that violence. (It is unknown whether the counter-protesters were affiliated with the fundraiser she contributed to.)

In 2018 , Jerry Seinfeld and his family visited the so-called "Anti-terror Fantasy Camp" in the West Bank's Gush Etzion bloc — which is made up of numerous Israeli  settlements ,  illegal under international law. At the camp, they experienced what Israeli news outlet Haaretz described as a counterterrorism and security training academy with programs for tourists seeking a taste of the Israeli military experience.

In their comments to the media, student protesters at Duke repeatedly drew attention to the crisis in Gaza, where Israeli military operations have  killed around 35,000 people. 

Skijler Hutson, one of the student organizers, told The Chronicle , Duke's student newspaper, that the university's decision to have Seinfeld as commencement speaker "only solidified what has long been obvious: Duke University is more concerned with the interests of its donors than with taking action against genocide."

Zella Hanson, another organizer described in the story as an anti-Zionist Jew, told  The Chronicle  that — in addition to the university's decision to invite Seinfeld to speak, despite him being "an avid supporter of the Israeli military … [that] is committing genocide in Gaza" — students were protesting how "every university in Gaza has been destroyed."

(In May 2024,  Reuters reported, according to Palestinian data, all 12 of Gaza's higher-education institutions were damaged or destroyed. More than 350 teachers and academics have been killed, and around 90,000 students were left stranded without any educational institutions, according to the data.)

Shreya Joshi, another organizer of the protest, told The New York Times   the students began to plan the walkout after Seinfeld was selected as the guest speaker. She said the pain of missing out on graduation paled in comparison to what people in Gaza were experiencing.

She  added they tried to leave without creating disruption while Seinfeld received his honorary degree because "none of us particularly wanted to listen to Seinfeld."

Joshi told The Chronicle  that the protesters felt an obligation to act as their class graduation "takes place as the genocide of the Palestinian people enters its eighth bloody month." 

Other students  said the walkout would have happened regardless of who was speaking. One senior, Jen Gobaira, said to The Chronicle  that they left as Seinfeld began talking about how he was brought in for "light entertainment." Gobaira said  they thought, "Actually, that's not what I need right now," and left. 

In advance of the ceremony, the organizers distributed flyers with their demands to the university, which included Duke disclosing any investments in Israel, divesting from holdings in companies "profiting from the occupation of Palestine," boycotting academic partnerships with Israeli universities and demanding an immediate cease-fire.

Footage from the event showed protesting students leaving while holding up the Palestinian flag, with others wearing the kaffiyeh scarf, historically described as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinians. 

Some students who did not participate in the protest supported the walkout, saying it did not disrupt the event and allowed students to voice their opinions. Others said they simply wanted to enjoy graduation and did not support the protest. 

Alkas, Dawoud Abu, et al. "Gazans Strive to Study as War Shatters Education System." Reuters, 13 May 2024. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gazans-strive-study-war-shatters-education-system-2024-05-13/. Accessed 13 May 2024.

Briquelet, Kate. "Jessica Seinfeld and Bill Ackman Fund Pro-Israel Counterprotests at Colleges." The Daily Beast, 1 May 2024. www.thedailybeast.com, https://www.thedailybeast.com/jessica-seinfeld-and-bill-ackman-fund-pro-israel-counterprotests-at-ucla. Accessed 13 May 2024.

"Duke Students Walk out of Jerry Seinfeld Graduation Speech in Gaza Protest." The Guardian, 13 May 2024. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/13/jerry-seinfeld-duke-university-graduation-protest. Accessed 13 May 2024.

"Duke Students Walk out of Jerry Seinfeld Graduation Speech in Gaza Protest." Guardian, 2024. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aE7i22MiGY. Accessed 13 May 2024.

Flegenheimer, Matt, and Marc Tracy. "Jerry Seinfeld Can No Longer Be About Nothing." The New York Times, 4 May 2024. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/04/us/politics/jerry-seinfeld-antisemitism-jewish-identity.html. Accessed 13 May 2024.

"Gush Etzion Junction: The Deadly Roundabout." BBC News, 27 Apr. 2016. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36102449. Accessed 13 May 2024.

"Israel's Settlements Have No Legal Validity, Constitute Flagrant Violation of International Law, Security Council Reaffirms." United Nations, 23 Dec. 2016. https://press.un.org/en/2016/sc12657.doc.htm. Accessed 13 May 2024.

"Jerry Seinfeld and Family Visit Anti-Terror Fantasy Camp in West Bank." Haaretz, 8 Jan. 2018. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2018-01-08/ty-article/.premium/jerry-seinfeld-and-family-visit-anti-terror-fantasy-camp-in-west-bank/0000017f-e56e-d97e-a37f-f76fe60f0000. Accessed 13 May 2024.

Medina, Eduardo, and Emily Cataneo. "As Seinfeld Receives Honorary Degree at Duke, Students Walk Out in Protest." The New York Times, 12 May 2024. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/12/us/jerry-seinfeld-duke-students-walk-out-protest.html. Accessed 13 May 2024.

PerryCook, Taija. "Timeline: The Oct. 7 Hamas Attack and Israel's Retaliatory War on Gaza." Snopes, 20 Nov. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//articles/465623/oct-7-hamas-attack-and-israeli-retaliation/. Accessed 13 May 2024.

"Pro-Palestinian Graduates Stage Walk-out during Commencement, Host Alternative Ceremony and Advocate for Divestment from Israel." The Chronicle, https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2024/05/duke-university-class-of-2024-commencement-walk-out-jerry-seinfeld-genocide-in-gaza-pro-palestine-divest-boycott-sanction-speak-alternative-graduation-ceremony-covid-19-pandemic-october-7-attacks-pro-israel-chapel-languages-building-national-movement. Accessed 13 May 2024.

"'Unacceptable': Why It Took Hours for Police to Quell Attack at UCLA pro-Palestinian Camp." Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2024, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-05-01/why-did-it-take-police-so-long-to-end-the-violent-clashes-at-ucla. Accessed 13 May 2024.

"Nearly Three Dozen Students Walk out on Jerry Seinfeld's Duke Graduation Speech." WRAL, 2024. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2yBfrLlCcU. Accessed 13 May 2024.

By Nur Ibrahim

Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing.

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

206 Great Speech Topics for Teens [Persuasive, Informative]

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Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

List of Speech Topics for Teens

Pick from our long list of 200+ interesting speech topics for teens. This page includes both persuasive and informative speech topic ideas.

speech topics teens

  • “Divorce” should be possible between parents and their kids
  • It should be possible to choose your family
  • Why you don’t need money or cash
  • Why having siblings is a good thing
  • Monday should be the third day of a three-day weekend
  • Free access to a therapist after a breakup
  • Zombies are real
  • Being lazy is a true art
  • Why students should be allowed to choose what they learn about in school
  • There is plenty of truth to horoscopes
  • Why cell phone use should be allowed at school
  • Girls should be able to join boys sports teams
  • Junk food isn’t all that bad
  • Why homework does more harm than good
  • Staying in is the new sneaking out
  • Pets are far better to talk to than parents
  • Students should get iPads or Tablets rather than books
  • Eating should be allowed at any time during the school day
  • Study abroad should be available to students in high schools
  • Why sex education in school is so awkward and useless
  • More free time means more time to get into trouble
  • Teens should be taught practical skills in school
  • Teachers should be required to have a great sense of humor
  • There is nothing real about reality TV.
  • Practical skills must be taught at school.
  • Teens must tell their parents everything.
  • Personality matters far more than beauty.
  • Condoms mustn’t be handed out in schools.
  • All teens need a pet.
  • There is not enough rape and sexual assault prevention awareness.
  • It is okay for teens to sleep a lot.
  • Diet pills must not be easily available to teens anywhere.
  • Teenage girls should be forced to go back to school after having a baby.
  • Teen suicide is not given enough attention.
  • Cyberbullies must be dealt with more severely.
  • Homeschooled teens are socially awkward.
  • Teen boys and girls should be taught in separate classes.
  • Teen girls should have a say in regards to abortion.
  • Tattoos should be illegal for teens.
  • Teens that commit serious crimes should be charged as adults.
  • Teens wouldn’t be tempted to drink if there was no age restriction.
  • Yearly check-ups at gynecologists should be compulsory for teen girls.
  • More time should be spent reading.
  • Not enough is done to prevent teen pregnancy.
  • Magazines marketed at teens are too ‘grown up’.
  • The media is responsible for the moral decline of teens.
  • Teens must not get involved in online relationships.
  • Troubled teens must do community service.
  • No teen must be labeled a lost cause.
  • Parents must never get teens too much money.
  • Old school values must be implemented in schools.
  • Bullying changes a teen forever.
  • It is important that teens become volunteers.
  • Teens should spend more time with the elderly.
  • Beauty contests are harmful.
  • Parents have no right to embarrass their teens.
  • Eating disorders are a result of a mental illness.
  • Teens should avoid dating too young.
  • Driving tests should be free.
  • Teens should be rewarded for doing the right things.
  • Teens must have mobile phones.
  • Listening to music during study hall will improve concentration.
  • Make it illegal for teens to drop out of school.
  • Tablets must replace textbooks.
  • Every teen should learn to cook.
  • Cosmetic surgery is not for teens.
  • Facebook is for old people.
  • TV shows have too much influence on teens.
  • Having a Pen Pal is very hip.
  • Peer pressure can be a positive thing.
  • Teens should spend more time in nature.
  • Cool teachers are easier to learn from.
  • Driving age should be 18.
  • Birth control must be made available without parents consent.
  • Teens should not follow their teachers on social media.
  • Teens need to wear a school uniform.
  • Parents don’t prepare their teens properly for puberty.
  • Part-time jobs should be legal from the age of 14.
  • Teens divorcing parents shouldn’t be allowed.
  • Quiet time for teens is a necessity.
  • Everyone should keep a journal.
  • Teens should have their own savings account.
  • Parents have the right to always have access to their teens phone.
  • Teenagers can become millionaires.
  • Fame is bad for young people.
  • Boys get more acne than girls.
  • Respond to your enemies with kindness.
  • There is no such thing as a bff.
  • Piercing your tongue is disgusting.
  • Having too many friends is like having a part-time job.
  • Teens that are outsiders are the smartest.
  • Parents shouldn’t expect all teachers to leave a lasting impression on their children.
  • Funny guys get more dates than the handsome ones.
  • Wearing glasses makes you look cool.
  • Parents have the right to choose a teens dress code.
  • Teens are old enough to choose which parent to live with.
  • Group projects should be scrapped.
  • Prom is overrated.
  • Teens lead very stressful lives.
  • There is no getting out of a Friendship Zone.
  • Teens need adults to trust them.
  • Teens must stop trying so hard to look like everyone else.
  • Leggings are not pants.
  • Teens crave responsibility.
  • Risk is a temptation for teens.
  • FOMO is a real fear.
  • ‘Because I said so’ is not a reply that works on teenagers.
  • Teens want to be spoken to as adults.
  • Children do care what their parents think of them.
  • Parents are embarrassing.
  • Drunk driving is the number one reason to up the driving age.
  • Date someone with the same beliefs.
  • Do not be devoted to one single sport, and choose for a physical team playing games and activities.
  • Most magazines do not use the appropriate attractive language for teens.
  • Teenagers should be banned from beauty surgery.
  • News network organizations should re-invent themselves to attract teens.
  • Most television shows are manipulating and influencing teens.
  • Teens should volunteer at a local soup kitchen for homeless.
  • Reinvent the pen pal handwritten letter with people from all over the world!
  • Peer pressure can be good when people influence you to act good.
  • Video games should be forbidden.
  • Academic camps help you preparing for the education college admission procedures.
  • How I met my first boyfriend/girlfriend
  • Best friends are hard to come by
  • The unrealistic standards that modern women are held to
  • Gay and lesbian teens are no different than me
  • Why I should tell your parents everything
  • Why you can’t trust your mom’s fashion advice
  • Why personality matters more than beauty
  • Time travel must be real

Informative

  • Basic Chinese phrases to survive travelling in China
  • Remarkable texts in ads
  • The top five bizarre tabloid news articles
  • Why a chicken still walks even with the head cut off
  • The most dangerous snakes you have to watch out for in the fields
  • How you can easily burn out of homework
  • Ten things to remember about garage sales
  • Special effects of horror movies revealed
  • The secrets behind the preparation of your food in fast food restaurants and the marketing trap you are walking in as soon as you enter the establishment where they serve meals to customers.
  • The top five parent excuse notes
  • Top tips to behave effectively in the class of Mr. or Mrs. …
  • Tips for buying gifts and gadgets for someone who is not a close friend but more of some sort of an acquaintance of your parents
  • Bad presents to get and bad gifts to give
  • The alarming signs you are addicted to web games
  • How to find out for sure if your friends are truly your friends
  • Different ways to use a brick
  • Cool, useful things my parents have taught me
  • How to teach your grandma to text
  • How to make your parents proud by doing what you love
  • Top five things I do that annoy my mom
  • How to fake a sickness and get out of school
  • The coolest art project I’ve made
  • The real feelings behind exams
  • The last time I got caught in a lie…
  • Things that boys/girls don’t know about girls/boys
  • Gym class: What’s the worst that could happen?
  • To get a job or not to get a job, that is the question
  • The most widely accepted excuses for not handing in your homework on time
  • How to master procrastination and still pass all your classes
  • Tips for pulling off the ultimate makeover
  • Popularity: How to get it, how to keep it
  • My generation’s obsession with all things scary
  • The best hobbies you won’t want to miss out on
  • What makes a bully become a bully
  • How to be smart and pretty
  • The difficulty of finding employment as a teenager
  • What it’s like being the oldest/youngest sibling
  • Ten uses for duct tape that everyone should know
  • What my life will be like in twenty years
  • If I ruled the world…
  • How to make people buy what you’re “selling”
  • When your family forces you to spend time with them…
  • The weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten
  • What my dream house would be like
  • The coolest place on Earth
  • The top tricks to faking a cold and getting away with it
  • How to do more homework in less time
  • Gossip: How to know what’s real and what isn’t
  • How schools can help obese students get their lives back
  • How to tell someone to “go away” without sounding rude
  • Teens’ obsessions with material objects and status
  • Things my parents say that annoy me
  • My dream job would be…
  • What to look for in a boyfriend/girlfriend
  • How not to get a date with your crush
  • The secrets to nailing the “innocent” look
  • Famous/successful people who were told “no” before they were told “yes”
  • How to get a new outfit out of your parents with little effort
  • Ways to get your parents to apologize to YOU
  • How to get the ________ you’ve been dreaming of (shoes, purse, pony, etc.)
  • How to make it through Valentine’s Day without a boyfriend/girlfriend
  • Best tips for picture-perfect selfies
  • For the funniest videos on YouTube, search for _______
  • The coolest science projects that will get you an A every time
  • Things I’ve learned that have made me wiser
  • If I could create my own holiday, it would be ________
  • How to get out of class/school without getting in trouble
  • The coolest inventions I’ve ever seen
  • How to prepare for your first kiss
  • If I could write a letter to the President
  • What I think the world will be like in 100 years
  • The latest hair trends
  • How to get someone to do your work for you without asking
  • The top five topics to talk about on your date
  • Why some young people are self-harming.
  • How to overcome your painful shyness in speech class

130 Awesome Speech Topics for Kids

Types of Public Speaking

34 thoughts on “206 Great Speech Topics for Teens [Persuasive, Informative]”

the earth is flat

how much flat could a flatearther prove if a flatearther could prove the earth was flat

Emberrsing photos

the earth is flat yuh

i do not believe the earth is flat, I believe it is triangle

I think the earth is flat beacause Jake Pauls and Logan Paul are flat. And they are the earth. #MaverickGang

xbox is better than ps4

The earth is not flat!

earth is flat tbh

i believe the earth is a donut and when we are looking at the ‘sky’ we are really looking at the sea

The earth is not flat it is a cube and Xbox is better than PS4

What is the hardest event to get over in your life and why?

Nursery Rhymes

how to get away with murder

The earth is obviously a bowl, otherwise all of the water would’ve fallen out of the earth.

I dislike the “Homeshooled teens are socially awkward” topic: I believe it is both false, rude, generalized, and not a proper subject for a speech whatsoever. A lot of the topics on this list are immature and shallow. I personally am a 13 year old homeschooling teen and next time I need an idea I will not come here. If you have questions or arguments please feel free to try to prove them….

Clearly you need to get some information on what “argumentative” speech is.

all of these topics sound like old men wrote them

the earth is shaped like a pyramid

nintendo switch is better than xbox

Clearly the earth is spherical However, I believe we are on the inside face of the sphere, which means that all these ‘stars’ they talk about are actually the lights on the other side of the world. And then the moon landings must have been faked.

i believe in the doughnut theory and think the bermuda triangle is the hole in the middle of the earth……..

Xbox is better then PS4 AF!!

ps4 is better than xbox and the earth is not round it is a hexagon

ps3 is better then ps4

The earth is round duhhh what did the guys see when they were in space? A round earth from earth what do u see? a round moon …… Illuminati Confirmed…….

disagree w most of these topics and yes the earth is a donut

can someone please give me a good speech topic please thanks

i- all you people are wrong. the earth is oBviOusLy kardashian shaped. they basically rule the world, it would make sense that the planet they’re living in loves them so much, it took their form. duh.

all video game platforms can burn xx

nah i’m just playing

I really like these Speech Topics they will help me more to win!

Is water wet

you can burn fire

kids should not be able to choose if their gay or not their to young to know and it will just be a phase just like blm

@the hard truth Those children have the freedom to be who they are, if you like it or not

basic names should be banned.

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Duke students walk out to protest Jerry Seinfeld's commencement speech in latest grad disruption

Duke university students walked out of sunday's commencement as speaker jerry seinfeld was introduced. seinfeld has been a vocal israel supporter. it is the latest in a series of college disruptions..

speeches for students topics

Dozens of students participated in a walkout during Duke University's commencement ceremony on Sunday to protest comedian Jerry Seinfeld, a supporter of Israel who was invited as the guest speaker.

The walkout was one of the latest commencement disruptions to come amid continued protests on college campuses of Israel's war in Gaza. On Saturday, protesting students at Virginia Commonwealth University walked out as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered the commencement address. On the same day, students at the University of California, Berkeley interrupted commencement with pro-Palestinian chants.

In North Carolina, students dressed in caps and gowns got up from their seats in Duke's football stadium and headed toward the exit; several waved Palestinian flags and shouted "free, free Palestine," videos show. Chants of "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" could be heard from the stands as Seinfeld received an honorary degree.

In the days following the Oct. 7 attack in which Hamas and other militant groups killed some 1,200 Israelis and took over 250 people hostage, Seinfeld signed an open letter that condemned the attack and generally supported Israel. In December, he visited Israel and met with the families of hostages.

In an interview with GQ published in April , Seinfeld said he was surprised by "hostile" reactions to his trip but he does not regret it. "I don’t preach about it. I have my personal feelings about it that I discuss privately," he said. "It’s not part of what I can do comedically, but my feelings are very strong."

On Sunday, Seinfeld did not directly address the walkout in his speech, which went largely without interruption.

"A lot of you are thinking, 'I can't believe they invited this guy.' Too late," he said, before moving on to the concept of privilege. "I say, use your privilege. I grew up a Jewish boy from New York. That is a privilege if you want to be a comedian."

Universities across the country announced changes ahead of commencement and various graduation events, some much more drastic than others. Columbia University and the University of Southern California canceled their main commencement ceremony. Others, like Emory University in Atlanta and Pomona College outside of Los Angeles, moved large graduation events off campus. Several universities that did not change locations or cancel commencement have said they've taken extra measures to ensure the events run smoothly, like upping security.

Commencement speakers removed, others drop out

In addition to the protests, speakers themselves have either been removed from commencement plans or chose to drop out themselves.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield has been removed from the commencement program of Xavier University in Louisiana and the  University of Vermont after an uproar of rebukes from students.

Last week, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead backed out of his planned speech at the University of Massachusetts Amherst,  calling  the university's decision to call police on student protesters "a shameful act." Days before Whitehead's announcement, police arrested over 130 people and dismantled a pro-Palestinian encampment.

Before the University of Southern California canceled its mainstage graduation, it canceled a planned commencement speech by valedictorian Asna Tabassum, who faced backlash from pro-Israel groups who accused her of espousing antisemitic views on social media. She said in a statement that she was silenced and subjected to "racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all."

For nearly a month, pro-Palestinian encampments, sit-ins and building occupations have popped up across hundreds of college campuses in the U.S. and overseas. The protests exploded in size and quantity after Columbia University had the New York City Police Department clear an encampment on April 18. Demonstrators have called for universities to divest from Israel and companies profiting from the war, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Contributing: Reuters; Jeanine Santucci and Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY

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speeches for students topics

Campus protests over the Gaza war

Biden says he supports the right to protest but denounces 'chaos' and hate speech.

NPR Washington Desk

speeches for students topics

President Biden gives remarks about student protests over the war in Gaza from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Thursday. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

President Biden gives remarks about student protests over the war in Gaza from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Thursday.

President Biden defended the protests roiling college campuses across the country, but also emphasized the importance of the rule of law and denounced hate speech of any kind.

The president gave the brief, hastily arranged remarks from the White House Thursday morning following days of colleges and universities struggling to contain pro-Palestinian protests.

House passes bill aimed to combat antisemitism amid college unrest

House passes bill aimed to combat antisemitism amid college unrest

How some faculty members are defending student protesters, in actions and in words

How some faculty members are defending student protesters, in actions and in words

"We've all seen images and they put to the test two fundamental American principles," Biden said. "The first is the right to free speech and for people to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard. The second is rule of law. Both must be upheld."

He said people have a right to get an education and freely walk across campus without fear. "There's the right to protest but no the right to cause chaos," he said.

Biden added that there is no place for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind in America.

Watch his remarks below.

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George Mason's Spring 2024 Commencement in pictures

Spring 2024 Commencement at George Mason University on May 9 at EagleBank Arena celebrated nearly 11,000 graduates and certificate recipients. Graduates hailed from 114 countries and 50 states. Mason photographers captured the excitement and spirit of the day.

Graduate smiles in the crowd

Congrats, Grads! Visit the Alumni Association site

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COMMENTS

  1. 150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics for Students in 2024

    Note: The persuasive speech stands in contrast to a simple informative speech, which is intended purely to convey information. (I.e., an informative speech topic might read: "The History of Making One's Bed," while a persuasive speech topic would be: "Why Making One's Bed is a Waste of Time"—understand?)

  2. 100 Persuasive Speech Topics for Students

    100 Examples of Persuasive Speech Topics. Studying martial arts is good for mind and health. Competitive sports can teach us about life. Reality shows are exploiting people. Community service should be a graduation requirement for all high school students. The characteristics that make a person a hero.

  3. 112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging

    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.

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    60 vocal variety & body language topics. 60 speech topic ideas to help you work with body language and gesture. They're perfect for evocative personal storytelling speeches or for either of these Toastmasters Pathway projects: Level 2: Learning Your Style: Effective Body Language or, Level 1: Mastering Fundamentals: Vocal Variety and Body Language.

  5. 180 + unique and interesting speech topics for students

    180 unique speech topics for students from 5 broad areas. Social media - 50 social media themed speech topics. Visiting yesterday - 45 interesting historical speech topics focused on family and community. Just plain weird - 61 speech topic suggestions focusing on the oddities and weirdness of the world and its inhabitants.

  6. 105 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics for Any Project

    105 Topics for a Persuasive Speech. Here's our list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. We made sure to choose topics that aren't overdone, yet that many people will have an interest in, and we also made a point of choosing topics with multiple viewpoints rather than simplistic topics that have a more obvious right answer (i.e.

  7. 224 School Speech Topics for All Grades [High School ...

    Students do not have to get involved with everything in high school. Weekend jobs make students more responsible. It is important that students volunteer in fields of interest. ... School speech topics tips for verification and 1-2-3 step checking at the secondary middle, high and elementary public speaking homework assignments on teaching ...

  8. 110 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics to Impress Your Audience

    Creating and delivering an interesting persuasive speech is a major endeavor. The last thing you want is to get stuck on the first step—selecting a persuasive speech topic. Don't worry, we've got you covered. To help you identify the perfect persuasive speech topic for you, we've compiled a list of 110 compelling persuasive speech ideas.

  9. 212 Speech Topics For College Students [Persuasive, Informative

    College speech topic inventory of logical action sequences for higher education students. All are broad and should be narrowed for a classroom speech. For example, Safe Sunbathing can be narrowed to persuasion on your personal tips on how to enjoy the sun safely on holidays. Another sample: Homesickness.

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    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 ...

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    From social issues to current events, there are many topics to choose from when it comes to speech topics for college students. With the right topic, you can create an engaging and memorable speech. Here are some speech topics for college students that can help you get started with your next presentation: The Importance of Mental Health and ...

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    List of Best English Speech Topics for Students. 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. 1-minute Speech Topics

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    Here is our list of 10 interesting speech topics. Beauty is not only in the eye of the beholder. Children don't play enough. Animal testing is necessary. Girls are too mean to each other. Men should get paternity leave. Tattoos are an addiction. If I had a year to do what I want. Butterflies: deadly creatures.

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    Good Informative Speech Topics for Students. First Aid Basics and Their Importance. Cold and Flu: Symptoms and Prevention. Pediatric Nursing: Caring for Children. Mental Health Awareness in Adolescence. Essentials of Nutritional Health. The Science and Importance of Vaccines. Hygiene Practices to Prevent Illness.

  15. 50 Topics for Impromptu Student Speeches

    Things I'll never eat. How to be a slacker. Why I like my town. The best parts of a parade. Interesting things you see in the sky. Things to remember when you're camping. An experience with a bully. Cite this Article. This list of speech topics plus tips for making impromptu speeches will help students learn to feel comfortable making a speech ...

  16. Speech Topics in English for Students

    Types of Persuasive Speech Topics. Factual Persuasive Speech - Use facts and figures to prove whether the topic is true or false. Value Persuasive Speech - Argues whether something is morally correct or not. Policy Persuasive Speech - Speeches that try to advance policies, laws and more.

  17. 333 Informative Speech Topics To Rock Your Presentation

    For example, students could teach their classmates how to be more productive or cook a healthy meal. Comparative speeches: When a speaker compares or contrasts two alternative things, they help the audience understand the similarities or differences between two topics. For example, a comparative speech may weigh the pros and cons of private ...

  18. 50 Good Informative Speech Topics for College

    With our informative speech topics, you will stand out with your engaging speech. And our experts can assist you with generating impactful work. US. 19292010148 . ... Art Research Paper Topics. Students obtaining degrees in fine art and art & design programs most commonly need to write a paper on art topics. However, this subject is becoming ...

  19. 259 Demonstration Speech Topics & Ideas: A Complete Guide

    1. Start with why. A demonstration speech deals with training the audience to carry out a task or the whole process. Just as with any instructive task, it can become helpful when your audience is motivated to learn. It is a must to tell your audience how they get to benefit from the knowledge you are about to present.

  20. 150 Just a Minute Topics for Engaging and Effective Speeches

    Key Takeaways "Just a Minute" is a game that improves speaking skills by challenging players to talk about a topic for one minute without hesitation, deviation, or repetition. This helps with quick thinking and confidence in front of an audience. The article offers 150 topics catered to various audiences, including adults and students, covering areas from fun and humorous to relevant ...

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    How To Speeches Topics for College Students. College time provides a chance to sharpen writing skills. This is the place where students learn to research, analyze, organize, and present solid ideas. Here, students are expected to write on how to process speech topics that can be used to do something professionally.

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  25. As Seinfeld Receives Honorary Degree at Duke, Students Walk Out in

    Share full article. As the comedian Jerry Seinfeld received an honorary degree at Duke University's commencement, dozens of students walked out and chanted, "Free Palestine.". Some also ...

  26. Students Walked Out of Duke Graduation Because Jerry Seinfeld is Jewish

    Nur Ibrahim. On May 12, 2024, dozens of Duke University's graduating students staged a walkout as the ceremony's guest speaker, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, stepped up to the lectern. They chanted ...

  27. 206 Great Speech Topics for Teens [Persuasive, Informative]

    The media is responsible for the moral decline of teens. Teens must not get involved in online relationships. Troubled teens must do community service. No teen must be labeled a lost cause. Parents must never get teens too much money. Old school values must be implemented in schools. Bullying changes a teen forever.

  28. Duke students walk out to protest Jerry Seinfeld's commencement speech

    0:07. 1:01. Dozens of students participated in a walkout during Duke University's commencement ceremony on Sunday to protest comedian Jerry Seinfeld, a supporter of Israel who was invited as the ...

  29. President Biden supports campus protests but denounces any form of hate

    President Biden gives remarks about student protests over the war in Gaza from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Thursday. ... "The first is the right to free speech and for people to ...

  30. George Mason's Spring 2024 Commencement in pictures

    Spring 2024 Commencement at George Mason University on May 9 at EagleBank Arena celebrated nearly 11,000 graduates and certificate recipients. Graduates hailed from 114 countries and 50 states. Mason photographers captured the excitement and spirit of the day. George Mason President Gregory Washington delivered Commencement remarks to an arena ...