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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

224 School Speech Topics for All Grades [High School, Middle School, Elementary]

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

In this article:

High School

Middle school, elementary school, school speech topics checklists, list of school speech topics.

• Girls are under more pressure in high school.
• Schools must not sell unhealthy foods.
• Cyberbullies should be suspended from school.
• Peer pressure will help students grow.
• Parents must not pay kids for good grades.
• Students don’t spend enough time reading books.
• Class sizes make a big difference.
• Schools must get involved with obese students weight issues.
• All students should join the gym.
• Schools should offer rewards for good test scores.
• Cheerleading isn’t a sport.
• The media is to blame for the pressure of girls wanting perfect bodies.
• Mass-shooting in schools can be prevented.
• 16 is an appropriate age to start dating.
• The in crowd is usually the most insecure group.
• Failing is a blessing in disguise.
• Students do not know how to live in the moment.
• Fashion isn’t all that important.
• The methods used to deal with bullies are not effective.
• Private schools are not better than government schools.
• Co-ed schools are better than single-gender schools.
• Recess time must be extended.
• Standardized tests are not a measure of a students ability.
• Textbooks shouldn’t be replaced by technology in high schools.
• Students shouldn’t be graded for gym.
• Birth control should be available at schools.
• Cheating at school is getting worse.
• Sugary drinks should not be sold at school.
• Healthy school lunches are a lost cause.
• Boys hide their body image pressure.
• Smoking makes students outcasts.
• ‘Name and shame’ does not change teenage behaviour.
• Bystanders must be held responsible for not intervening when there is trouble at school.
• Gay students need older gay role models.
• It should be illegal for under 21’s to buy cigarettes.
• Grouping students by ability only benefit the smartest ones.
• Students are less religious than their parents.
• It is important to have a mix of friends to socialize with.
• Kids purposely make parenting hard.
• Helping a friend isn’t always good.
• Not every teacher has the ability to inspire students.
• High school kids don’t need helicopter parents.
• High schools don’t recognize a student’s full potential.
• Class sizes should not exceed 20 students.
• Extra online classes are worth it.
• School should be all year round.
• Parents embarrass their kids too much.
• Attractive students have an advantage over others.
• Students have no interest in government matters.
• Hard work is more important than talent.
• The morning after pill shouldn’t have an age restriction.
• Group work in class should be kept small.
• The best way to learn is alone.
• Teachers don’t use technology to its full potential.
• Dropping out of high school should be an illegal offense.
• The racial make up of a school is important.
• Outings to museums have no educational value.
• Creativity isn’t something that can be taught.
• Students have too much workload.
• Untidy handwriting is a sign of intelligence.
• Student’s interests will change in high school.
• It is important to take career assessment tests.
• 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.
• Students must know their place in the classroom.
• Teachers want to create leaders.
• Tutors are necessary even with good grades.
• Locker room talk is demeaning to female students.
• Driving must be taught in High School.
• Plagiarism is getting out of hand.
• The importance of not being a follower.
• Students should focus school work ahead of a social life.
• Students should leave a team if they are never chosen to play.
• Leaving high school with no clear career path isn’t a bad thing.
• Students should always have condoms with them.
• Never shrug off small assignments.
• High school should be treated as if it were a job.
• Web filters at school are not restrictive enough.
• There is too much focus on sports in high schools.
• All students should get involved in exchange programs.
• Group projects only cause conflict.
• Teachers should be allowed to refuse problem students in their classes.
• Principals don’t help develop teachers enough.
• Corporal punishment is abuse.
• Robotics now and in the future – is it helpful in the daycare business?
• Your most embarrassing moment at school and the way you saved your face, solve and fix the awkward situation.
• Amazing discoveries or facts you have never heard of before and like to introduce to your class.
• Adventure racing and famous heroes on motorbikes – so-called off the road movie clips could be nice video aids Such as Steppenwolf.
• Astronomical signs and their meanings. Make it personal by asking a volunteer to give all the info you need.
• Nursing your parents when they get older. Lots of young people do that in their spare time, and they do not often speak about it. Take a chance and show them the world of voluntary care by friends, children, and neighbors.
• Islands in Oceania, in the tropical Pacific Ocean region. There where the date line starts.
• Railroads and trains from 1850, and great train builders and engineers is a high school speech topic to work out.
• How to visit and enjoy an art museum with an audio guide tour on your ears.
• Strange experiences in a restaurant or bar and the moral lesson you draw after that.
• Hurricanes, how they start and their international accepted standards for name giving (boys and girls names from a to z).
• Food photography is much difficult than you think.
• A narrow escape from trouble …
• How to organize surprise parties.
• Why are television soaps popular – did you know a whole team of scenarists writes the storylines – often three per edition?
• I want a new law on … Well feel free to repair and remedy abuses.
• What do you think about often when you enter the school?
• What have you always wanted to do and did not have the courage to ask or really act?
• What would you like to change and why? This one is especially good as graduation input and output.
• Things we can’t understand.
• What are your community activities?
• Suggestions for a school field trip in the autumn.
• Dream explanation, ask for dreams, explain them. Consult dream reading professional and keep away from the shabby occult business.
• Rhetorical questions, Socratical debating techniques.
• Great places to go in the world.
• Hiking trails nobody knows and you want to share.
• See Europe in seven days after high school!

Middle school speech topics for public speaking and oral writing assignments from outdoor activities to Greyhound racing and Rodeo riding to sports games. I have brought into being several themes, suggestions and easy to develop ideas for school:

• My hobby and pet peeves.
• Free time activities that you can recommend.
• What brands or products are popular in this school and why?
• Unusual experiences in the last year.
• Outdoor activities, and indoor activities on a rainy day.
• Why we are no longer kids but are called young adults.
• Suggestions for fun weekends.
• Animation characters and their voices.
• Antarctica research of penguins.
• Aviation pioneers.
• Celebrities, actors, and actresses.
• Computer games are great middle school speech topics if you have an interested audience who likes to game at home.
• Flying discs tricks on the beach side.
• Foreign flags and their story – perhaps you should play the anthems too for a full picture.
• Reasons to abandon grounding rules.
• Rodeo riding: how to survive more than 30 seconds on the riding machine 🙂
• Strange world records set in history.
• Skateboarding tips and tricks, safe on the sidewalks.
• Greyhound racing and the bet systems that are used.
• The world would be a better place if … (fill in your highest dreams)
• Environmental problems in our community.
• Fashion trends in the last century.
• Pen pals or email pals; how traditional patterns have changed.
• My favourite sports games on television.
• My checklist for if you move to another town.
• Kid cooking is cool – if you know how to prep recipes 🙂
• My trip abroad to Europe or Latin-America.
• Monitoring butterflies in the field outside and in our garden.
• Aztec masks and their amazing stories and secrets hidden inside.
• Mythological monsters such as the Minotaur and Nymphs.
• How to organize a fun weekend for the whole family.
• If I was born hundred years ago, I would be …:
• African masks and their meaning in holy rituals.
• Ancient Chinese emperors and their interesting uniform and dress looks.
• The Ice Age; when, how and the causes are good K-6 subjects to come across.
• Pollution sources in our world, and what to do about them in a cost-friendly way at home.
• A Day In the life of a kid in Ancient Rome, compare it with your own modern life.
• Discovering caves are cool grade 6 speech topics to tell something more and show them the work of speleologists.
• Traditional fairy tales from around the world – remember the thick book of the Grimm Brothers?
• Puppets and their funny looking but indeed very serious theatrical performances from Java, Indonesia.
• The Diary of Anne Frank (book or movie) and the meaning today.
• My penpal or better: email-pal from the other side of the world.
• The secrets of the Egypt King Tutankhamun.
• If I was a journalist, I should investigate …
• If I won one million dollars, I would …
• When I am grown up I want to become a / an …
• Last weekend I was at …
• The funniest thing that ever happened to me this month or year.
• Things that make you happy right away if you have the power to buy or dictate.
• Ways I use to relax.
• Favorite sports moments.
• The character I want to be in a movie the hero with heroic courage / or the villain who gets the worst of it in the end.
• My most memorable vacation trip till now.
• The best summer camp games I have ever played and enjoyed very much.
• My favorite spot in the woods near our cabin.
• Your most favorite memories are also great grade 6 speech topics too to talk about in school.
• When you take a walk in the woods, you can see more than you might think …
• Recipes for kids, orally like your favorite meals and food.
• Cool home computer games I like to play, criticize, review and share in class.
• The day I was sick and I must see the doctor.
• Pot and care for a plant or small vegetable ishard labor and needs patience.
• How to make a marionette puppet – a grade 8 speech topic for the artistic
• Birds in our backyard, you’re perplexed about the miles they flew to get there.
• Oceans of the world: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic gulf streams.
• A ride in a truck for transporting heavy objects.
• What is a decent dress code for a serious dinner at official moments:
• My musical instrument and the lessons I take.
• Why giraffes have long necks.
• Animals I should take in Noah’s Ark – and the philosophy behind it.
• Why I like to dance my favorite dance.
• I cope with fear of public speaking for this grade 8 speech by … (secret tactic)
• Magic tricks with simple playing cards for every unexpected occassion.
• Exotic fruits and vegetables in grocery stores; look up where they come from.
• Best 3D paper models: cars, robots, spaceships, airplanes, buildings.
• Things to expect when your mother is pregnant.
• Birds, bears and rabbits spend the winter by sleeping, why?
• My first visit to a dentist: the correct way to brush and floss your teeth.
• Family members I admire: uncles, aunts, nieces or nephews.
• Music festivals and the big logistics puzzle of the organizing parties involved.
• History of the Panama Canal, and the way the pilotage handle very big ships.
• How does global warming affect the icebergs?
• If I was my father or mother for one day.
• My favorite era in history.
• What’s in my room at home.
• The school field trip I would like to make.

Elementary school speech topics on animal keeping, favorite things to do at home or the playground and specific hints that lead to innumerable variations:

• What makes me happy.
• Our last vacation trip.
• Fairy tale characters you would like to talk with.
• Magic tricks you can show.
• Funny things my pet has done. A great quantity of this special theme is to be sorted out of animals and keeing them at home. Do consult your atending if you may bring an animal in class. In case of hesitation – do not cross this line:
• My favorite family story.
• Oceans in the world.
• My neighbourhood.
• Funny Halloween costumes, inspires to lots of funny elementary school speech topics.
• A visit to the doctor, dentist.
• How does it feel to wake up an being a giant?
• Places I lived.
• Why I want to travel in space to the interstellair universe.
• The best paper airplanes withput less folding work.
• How boomerangs return to their sender.
• Circus clowns in all sorts and characters.
• My one-day internship at the fire department.
• Fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
• The best fishing spots.
• My best birthday ever.
• I am good at …
• This is the song I like to sing every day is: …
• Making puzzles of thouands pieces and the tricks I have learned.
• Police uniforms or fire department attire outfits.
• What can you see in the zoo?
• Musical instruments in an full orchestra.

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 skills. In a nutshell: they are easy to answer questions to make a better choice for creating the best result.

Also on this page, you will discover tips to concrete communication issues and education resources. They lead you in the right direction; you only have to use your fantasy.

Let the imaginary juices flow in your brains!

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

Read all my checks for writing subjects and after you have completed that task follow all secure education idea links to the online education lists I have shaped and modified in class education material:

More aggravated lists of themes and valuable information regarding different subjects for future generations education are below. As well as a summary of the implications and / or requirements of what you have found, and school speech topics you could analyze in class.

You can sort out any ideas you like to talk about in oral lessons, scan the possible suggestions and think about what your audience like to hear you talking about: cite short passages and quotation excerpts from well-known experts in the field of research, or refer to good knowledge illustrations and sustainable proof.

Learn to gather material from outside sources about your thread for grades 9 through 12 learning, and deliver your opinion strongly and concisely. Give plain reasons for something you believe. Foster support for your solution, theory or device.

This is principally beneficial for achieving higher education institute assertiveness when you are on stage and put two or more views together, and provide a reason for putting them together by logical reasoning. Another method is approaching the subject matter in both positive and negative lights.

Tracing how something has induced artificially from an earlier state to its current form could welcomed by higher pedagogic instructors.

Next tip: workout extensive information on indoor and outdoor recreation activities to tempt your public to explore other activities than dating, dancing and drinking in a local bar.

Sports is a candidate for finding senior graded school speech topics. E.g. sport as profession to earn a living. With a scientific twist you make it more sophisticated, and because you’re highly qualified and have an actively learning attitude you are able to get their thesis commitment.

Some moves that matter in lower classes are the so-called critize teaching skills, often described as asking and wondering through critical inquiry:

You can help your teacher and fill her or him with enthusiasm by going extracurricular in proposing a particular judgment on a certain top topicality and examen the validity of the arguments by criticizing. This has been in practice in the late seventies – when things went the old-fashioned and more severe way 🙂 – but this technique has made a terrific comeback and is now used in grades 5 through 8 homework assignments.

Many of my visitors look for sixth grade inspiration, or class 6 if you live in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Primary 5 or 6 in Singapore, and 6ГЁme in France for example. Anyway, in what country you are right now does not matter; all school speech topics are created for children in the range of eleven and twelve years old.

The same holds good for class conversations of (usually) thirteen to fourteen years old who try to cover explanations of various objects and their meaning in the accustomed world of the eight grade population.

Children speak the truth, is often said 🙂 And that saying is more than true. Give them something to chew on in public – from colouring plates to planting and caring for trees – and it is so easy, a younger persons can do it 🙂

More for girls and boys – although it depends on the specific age or progress of the pupils – can be found at this index number two. Help them to be able to get to know the material, and to make the first steps on the path of learning the rudimentary public speaking skills (that are valuable for their whole life).

I have shaped a list that also contains some reference information for nursery and primary and kindergarten material.

10 Tips to Write the Best High School Valedictorian Speech

Ceremonial Speech Topics

9 thoughts on “224 School Speech Topics for All Grades [High School, Middle School, Elementary]”

The topics are 1: the worst day in my life 2: how can we take care of our elders at home. 3: good qualities about your classmates. 4: how I learnt cycling. 5: if you are alone at home and a stranger enters what would you do.

My topic ideas are: Why I hate speeches (for middle school or elementary school) My favorite type of music (for elementary school) Why parents shouldn’t spank their children and better ways to punish children (for elementary school)

The key to success is positive thinking

My favorite holiday

Wow. Just wow.

mental health is an important issue

“Prayer should be compulsory”…that’s my suggestion of a topic

At school there should be a free period where you can do anything you want

Why is the canteen so expensive?

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How to Make a Good Speech for School

Last Updated: February 26, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,263,659 times.

A good speech in school will earn you the admiration of your teachers and peers alike. You probably won't deliver the kind of speech you hear in the movies, but that's a good thing: people will enjoy your original take much more. From getting an idea to conquering stage fright, here are the steps to take if you want to make your final speech a memorable, exciting success.

Sample Speeches

Writing the Speech

• If you're not sure which theme to choose, write down or summarize a few stories and statements you could include in your speech. Pick the ones you like best and see if there's a unifying theme to tie them together.
• See What to Do and What Not to Do for more advice on themes.

• Don't interrupt one point with a clause, or section set aside by commas or parentheses. Instead of saying "Our tennis and basketball teams, which we all know won the regional championships two years ago, need increased funding to compete," say "Our tennis and basketball teams both won the regional championships two years ago. Now we need to increase their funding to compete with other schools."
• You can reference your school's slang once or twice to get a laugh, but don't overdo it, especially if there are parents in the audience.

• Find a broad message that your whole audience can connect to their own life, but still deals with a specific idea. For instance: "Become an even better version of the hero who inspired you." (But don't steal your "original" idea from this website!)
• Your stories can be specific incidents in your life or from history, but you should connect them to a more general idea. For instance, you could tell a story about your sibling's hospital visit, then go on to talk about overcoming fear and hardship in general.
• If you like what you're writing but it doesn't fit the theme you had planned, it's fine to adjust your topic or switch it entirely. Switch back and forth between writing stories and brainstorming a theme if you keep getting stuck.

• Surprise your audience by diving right into a tough story. "When I was ten years old, I lost my father."
• Make your audience laugh by telling a joke, especially one that everyone in the room will get. "Hello everyone. Let's have a round of applause for the guy who installed air conditioning."
• Start with a grand, thought-provoking statement. "Our galaxy contains billions of earth-like planets, and we're only just beginning to discover them."
• Most likely, someone else will introduce you, and many of your classmates know you already. Unless you're asked specifically to introduce yourself, you can get right to the good stuff.

• To use an example from earlier, if your theme is "Become an even better version of the hero who inspired you," you could begin your speech with two or three sentence about your hero, then say "You all have heroes who inspire you, but you don't have to just follow them. You can become even greater than the people you look up to."

• Include phrases such as "Now I'd like to talk about..." and "But we should also remember..." when moving on to your next idea.

• Build up to a big ending, then crack a joke to wrap up a funny speech. "And I know when you walk to the ballot box tomorrow, you'll be ready to do the right thing. Protect the interests of yourself and your school by washing your hands afterward. Do you know how many people touch that thing?"
• If you're giving a commencement speech, leave people feeling excited or awed about the future. This is a big moment and you have the power to help them realize it. "Years from now, you will be the father or mother your kid looks up to. The writer who changes the way we think. The inventor who creates new ways to live. Come up to the stage and start becoming heroes!"

• Have a teacher, family member, or trusted friend check it over for grammar mistakes and offer feedback. Spelling isn't as important, since you'll be speaking out loud.

• If your topic involves a lot of numbers, plan to write them on the board so your audience can remember them

• Your notes are there to remind you what to say next and of important facts. "Move on to bear wrestling story (guy's name is Paul Bunyan)" is the level of detail you need.

Practicing and Delivering the Speech

• Practice giving your speech in as situation as similar to your actual speech as possible.
• In general, you should stay fairly still while giving a speech. Small hand gestures and occasionally moving to a new spot are fine, especially if they help you feel and appear confident

• If you speech is too long, you absolutely need to cut some material out of it or shorten the longer stories or ideas. If you're giving a commencement speech, aim for a 10 or 15 minute maximum. An election speech should be no more than a few minutes, and your teacher should be able to tell you the time limit for a class assignment speech.

• If you can't stop rushing, work out how long you should spend on each section and write the number of minutes at the top of each index card or paragraph. Practice near a clock so you can check whether you're on pace.

• Use slightly different words each time once you have the main ideas down. Try not to get caught up on exact memorization; using a new phrase to communicate the written idea makes your speech sound more natural.

• Practice varying your facial expression if your face looks fixed and mechanical.
• Try to vary the tone of your voice as well. Don't make it sound like you're reciting every word from memory; pretend you're speaking in ordinary conversation.

• Try to make eye contact with different members of your audience throughout the speech. Don't stare at any one person for too long.
• Resist the temptation to hide by standing near a corner or large object.
• Don't fidget, tap your foot, or make other nervous gestures. Try slowly walking back and forth across the stage to get rid of your nervous energy.

• Dressing nicely will increase your confidence and gain respect and attention from your audience.

What to Do and What Not to Do

• Memories your class shares and personal memories that many people will connect to, such as your first day at the school.
• Overcoming obstacles. Talk about how your classmates overcame problems related to academics, finances, and health, and how proud everyone is that they're standing here.
• The diversity of your classmates and celebrating the rich variety of experiences, personalities, and interests at your school. Describe some of the many ways people will go on to do good in the world.

• Address your audience directly. Ask them questions to get them thinking, although you shouldn't expect an answer.
• Use groups of three. The human brain loves repetition, and especially trios. Start three sentences with the same phrase, speaking louder each sentence.
• Use emotive language. Try to provoke a strong emotional response in your audience, not present a list of facts to them.

• Don't tell stories that only a few friends will understand. Even references that your whole class will get should be used sparingly if there are parents in the room as well.

• Go change the world!
• Today is not the last day of your education, but the first.
• The future belongs to you.
• If elected, I will be the voice of the students.
• It's time for change!

• If you're giving a high school commencement speech, remember that not everyone in your class will be attending college. Don't joke about your education letting you avoid a "bad" profession; chances are good there's a parent who has that job out in the audience.=

Common Questions: Tips for Writing & Rehearsing a Speech

How do you start a speech for school?

Start by introducing yourself and thanking the audience. You can kick off the speech with a relevant “what if” question that gets the audience thinking and expand on it. Or try starting with a strong statement or quote related to your topic, then follow it up with an impactful question to answer in your speech. [14] X Research source

Where do I start when I'm writing a speech?

Start by sitting down and brainstorming to get your creative juices flowing. What is the focus of your speech? Who is your audience? Why is your speech important? Once you have some notes down, start refining your ideas until you get to one main point or theme that you’ll base your speech on. [15] X Research source

What parts should I include in a speech to make it the most effective?

Create a speech that has a clear introduction for your main point or thesis statement. Then, include and expand on 2-3 main points to make up the body of your speech. To conclude, summarize and restate your thesis to include your key points, and then make your closing statement. [16] X Research source

How do I get better at giving a speech I've written?

Read the speech out loud several times to get a feel for it. Record or take video of yourself giving the speech to find any weak spots and adjust anything that feels awkward or choppy. Ask friends or family to watch you rehearse and give you honest feedback. Then, just keep practicing until you've nailed it. [17] X Research source

• Look at everyone in the audience, not just one person. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Make sure you don't offend or embarrass your audience. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Before you start, pick a spot on the wall to focus on. Throughout the speech, keep looking at that spot after each sentence. This shows to your audience and teacher that you can make eye contact! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

• Writing tool
• Index cards

You Might Also Like

• ↑ [v161163_b01].12 November 2019.
• ↑ https://finley-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/f/finley-h/localcontent/how_to_write_a_speech.pdf
• ↑ https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/articles/for-the-novice-six-simple-steps-to-writing-a-fantastic-speech
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-introductions
• ↑ [v161163_b01]. 12 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zv7fqp3/articles/z4w96v4
• ↑ https://classroom.synonym.com/write-good-speech-school-4859.html
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-delivery
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-start-off-a-speech
• ↑ https://open.maricopa.edu/com225/chapter/selecting-a-topic-brainstorming-your-ideas/
• ↑ https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/support/writingcenter/public-speaking/resources-for-public-speaking/speech-structure
• ↑ https://open.maricopa.edu/com225/chapter/practicing-your-speech/

About This Article

To make a good speech for school, choose a theme or topic to focus your speech on so it's easier to write. When you're writing your speech, stick with simple language so your audience understands and doesn't get bored. Also, try to start your speech with a joke, story, or shocking fact that will immediately grab their attention. Remember to talk directly to your audience by asking rhetorical questions and making references they'll understand. End your speech with something memorable, like an inspirational quote or a call to action. To learn more about how to practice and memorize your speech before you present it, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Great Speech for School

If you want to write a speech that will catch your audience in a meaningful and engaging way, you should have some basic things under your sleeve. Speech writing, so to say, offers school students a unique opportunity to present the needed information in the most meaningful and impactful way. It provides them with the rare chance to learn how to convey it in the most persuasive way that leaves them grappling for more. Successful speech should combine a lively narrative with descriptive, persuasive, and explanatory know-how. 

Better still, successful ones begin early in their life to develop the most incredible charm in the address. Think of those instances when the teacher or tutor had to call you in front of the class to do one. For most high school students, that is the most trying moment of your life. By all standards, that is also how to create a lasting relationship with the audience. Here, you will begin to develop strong confidence to appeal to the emotions of listeners while still making a logical and engaging talk.

Why You Should Master Speech Writing Early

School students are often assigned oral presentation projects as groups or individually as part of the speech writing skill. Even though your kids may never become known figures or corporate members who must do presentations, at one point in life, they may be required to talk to the masses. They can begin writing by looking at papers that are published at Studydriver.com for free so they get a feel of what a speech looks like. They can even use the samples there for better study. Enrolling them in writing is an important step that may turn out to be an invaluable move in later life.

Tips on Writing a Winning Speech

These are some of them for writing: 

1. The Audience

They are the pillar upon which your talk derives its meaning. Before the project, carry out thorough knowledge of the group of persons you are about to address. For instance, you may be preparing to address the administration on the contemporary issues affecting the student body. The format should be crafted to meet the needs of the immediate audience which is the administration. 

2. A Befitting Topic

Before you open your speech, it is important to get one that is engaging. Public speaking rides on the wave syndrome of your audience. Known figures such as George Washington were men who could drive them into a euphoric mood in a matter of minutes. Your opening remarks should contain the imaginative opener that pulls the crowd. It must be an area that you know strongly about, something that drives you to bring a point. It should carry the logical content that befits the administration. 

3. Research 

Public speaking is not meant to waste people's time. You must thoroughly know your topic or the listeners will get the lack of substance in your content and drift away. Just like formal writing, you must organize the stuff in such a way that it will drive sense and deliver the message. The thesis statement must be clear and carry the weight of the message you want to pass on. For instance, if your message is directed towards the student body , you will need to organize your thoughts in such a way that aligns with those of your target group. 

4. Write Your Speech

Now that you have your crowd and the three elements to write a good speech, you can now go ahead and draft. It is good to follow the following writing tips in order to produce excellent public speaking skills . 

5. The Outline

The public speaking outline will help you organize your good idea in a way that will cause them to remember the core points and the main theme of your presentation. It is important that the purpose be clear and to the point. There is no better way of achieving that than organizing your feelings with a focused outline.

6. Be Conversational

Your public speaking and tone should not be rigid and too formal. It should be conversational and humorous if it is to endear the hearers. It is not good practice to read in front of your group. Instead, you should note down the key issues to help you remember the content or make a PowerPoint presentation. Good speakers have a way of coining out words that carry visual aids and techniques. Such visual content usually dazzles the imagination of the hearers and leaves them with a lasting memory in their speeches. 

7. Be Specific in your Speeches 

Write precise sentences. Support every point with statistical data from sources that are authentic and authoritative. In this way, you will be able to draw attention, even if you are talking to school students at US colleges with the best financial aid . Check the process to ensure that every word you speak carries the weight of your talk. 

Speeches outlines should contain the following areas:

Introduction: Your introduction must identify one line, be precise and specific. It should describe the aim. The introduction actually summarizes your persuasive speech format without leaving any doubt or question. 

Business or Cause: Describe what you are or do or cover in brief sentences. Let them understand who you are, what you want to stand for and focus on showing the best series of actions.

Let your conclusion drive your listeners to seek help from you. Give it time, keep it short, rich, and authoritative so that they can look to you for more news. If possible, get printouts and hand them out to your crowd. Sample speech writing is the type of art that works when one must gain knowledge in order to be a successful speaker. That is why starting the learning at the lower level is recommended. It will prepare the school students for the challenges ahead. A debate club is a place to start. Therefore, enrolling your children early in this course is highly recommended so you can give and share with the world. 

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Speech topics for children

141 best speech topics for kids: middle school and up

By:  Susan Dugdale  

Providing suitable school speech topics for children is often a real challenge.

(And, yes, I know that's an understatement! I've been there as the parent AND as the teacher. Finding that gem of an idea to light up a child's imagination can be a mutually exhausting exercise. Hopefully this page will provide the speech topic you need very quickly. ☺)

What's on this page

• 8 themed lists of speech topic suggestions
•  Community and social issues
• Arts and culture
• Fun and whimsy
• Sports and games
• Seasons and nature
• Animals, birds, fish
• Hobbies and interests

Finding suitable speech topics for children

As their teachers or parents, we want stimulating, interesting subjects for them to work with. However we also need them to be aligned with their age group.

If we make the topics too adult, we risk pushing them into areas they're too young to cope with. If we make them too simplistic, we run the risk of minimizing or patronizing their growing sense of awareness.

As in everything, we need to find the balance.

These speech ideas have worked well for me with middle-school children, aged between 11 years to approximately 14 years.

You'll find some are more suitable for an imaginative child and others for a practical, factual child. Of course, the topic you select will also depend on the objective or goal for the speech.

And if by small chance you reach the end of the page and no speech idea has leaped out to grab you, there's another 50+ elocution topics for kids waiting here.

School Speech Topics for Children - Community, School & Social Issues

• That more 'green' space (parks) should be set aside for community use
• That recycling should be compulsory
• Everyone should do some sort of regular community service.
• That large non-electric cars should be banned
• What rights should a child have and why?
• Smacking a child should be illegal
• Does watching violent TV programs make a child think violence is acceptable?
• Everybody should have access to healthy affordable housing.
• Does advertising influence our food choices?
• Do certain types of pop music teach the wrong values?
• Should students have the right to choose what school they go to?
• Class sizes should be limited to 20
• What do you like most about your school?
• The school leaving age should be abolished.
• Parents should not pay (bribe) their children to get good grades.
• Standardized tests are not a reliable a measure of a person's intelligence.
• The words we use and how we say them influences how people behave toward us
• Failing a class can be a positive thing.
• Clothes and being fashionable are way too important.
• Wearing a school uniform lessens the distinctions between those who come from more affluent homes and those who don't.
• Coed schools are better.
• Extra tuition for those who want or need it should be available free of charge.
• Bullying behavior needs to be dealt with promptly and firmly.
• Parents should monitor how we use the internet.
• Chat rooms can be dangerous
• Earbuds are anti-social
• Good manners are important

Speech Topics for Children - Arts & Culture

• Graffiti is art.
• Explain a cultural festival or practice of significance to you that others may not know about or appreciate.
• Why are film stars so popular?
• Who is your favorite screen hero and why?
• What is pop art?
• Who is your favorite book/cartoon character and why?
• What inspires you about dance/art/drama/music or film?
• If you were to write a book for your age group to read what would it be about?
• My favorite festival is...
• I learn the piano, violin, trumpet, drums (insert whatever instrument)...because...
• The type of art I like to look at is...
• Strange facts about artists, dancers, musicians etc.
• If I was a famous screen star I would...
• My favorite story/poem/song as a little child was...

Speech Topics for Children - Fun & Whimsy

• A day in my life as a... table, pencil, car, potato, bicycle, blackboard, window, ball, or anything else!
• If I ruled the world...
• Why I am on the top of Santa's nice/naughty list this year
• If I was a parent, the ground rules I would make are...
• When I'm famous it will be for...
• The silliest practical joke I ever played
• If I had three wishes they would be...
• If I re-wrote the story of 'The Three Little Pigs', 'Cinderella' etc. it would go like this...
• I am a fashion guru and I have decided the new trend will be...
• What I think of people from the viewpoint of a tree in the school grounds.
• My secret life as a hero.
• My greatest and best invention.
• Weird and wonderful words - what do they mean?
• How to write using invisible ink.
• My secret code...How to invent and use a coded language.

School Speech Topics for Children - Sports & Games

• Explain the game of checkers/drafts/chess.
• My favorite sporting hero is...
• The best summer sport is...
• I enjoy learning gymnastics, martial arts...because...
• Extreme sports are dangerously exciting.
• In winter I love to ski, ice skate...
• Everybody should learn to play a team sport.
• Sport should not be compulsory.
• The best indoor games are...
• The best on-line games are...
• In sport, the rules are there to protect the players.
• What I learnt through learning to play...
• Winning is not so important as participating.
• Strange sports or games.

Speech Topics for Children - Food

• The best meal in the world is...
• The foods I do not like are...
• My favorite food to make is...
• What's in my lunch box compared to what's in my friend's. 
• How I learnt to cook.
• Healthy food I really like
• The best sandwich fillings in the world
• The best birthday party food
• My favorite Christmas (celebration) food.
• Mealtimes in our house - a description
• Table manners...Are they important?
• When we eat out, my favorite thing to order is...
• Fashions in food. What foods used to be eaten regularly that has now gone out of fashion?
• What food do you eat most of? Potatoes? Bread? Pasta? How many different ways is it served?

Speech Topics for Children - Seasons & Nature

• Why do we have seasons?
• How and why does a tree change the color of its leaves in the fall?
• How does a tree grow?
• What type of wind has the greatest impact where you live? Monsoon? Mistral? The Cape Doctor?
• Why does the sky appear blue?
• Why do we have day and night time?
• How come the earth goes round and round?
• What are stars?
• How does gravity work?
• Why are there tides?
• Explain how snow is formed.
• How is a diamond made?
• What is global warming?
• Show the patterns formed in frost.
• How does a rainbow work?
• Research strange plants - carnivorous etc.
• What and where are the biggest trees in the world?
• How and why should we conserve nature?

Speech Topics for Children - Animals/Birds/Fish

• Why is a dog often called a "man's best friend"?
• Are there bad dogs or bad dog owners?
• What is horse sense?
• Do animals communicate with each other? If so, how?
• What birds or wild animals do you see regularly in your home area?
• How has the horse been used by man throughout history?
• What animal makes a great pet and why?
• How to look after a pet properly
• Do animals really think or do we only think they do?
• Is hunting animals fair?
• Is eating meat fair?
• What rights should animals have?
• Tell an inspiring true story about an animal.
• Are zoos good places and why?
• Find out about conserving animals/birds/fish in your local area.
• Retell a myth or legend about an animal/fish/bird.
• Research strange or rare animals/birds or fish.
• Interview a pet shop owner to find out what are the most popular pets.
• What do you think about restrictions around fishing?
• Should having a pet cat be banned because they catch birds?
• What is the symbolism associated with some animals/birds or fish? For example, a lion stands for courage or strength.

Speech Topics for Children - Hobbies/Interests

• My doll/car/card etc collection
• How to make a model car, truck, plane ...
• How to sew your own clothes
• How to knit
• How to take a good photograph
• The best board games to play with friends
• The best online games for kids
• How to play an instrument - a flute, a violin, guitar, piano...
• How to make a garden
• How to do a magic trick, or two
• How to fold paper (origami)
• How to put on a play or a concert for friends and family
• How to make finger puppets
• How to scrapbook
• How to learn another language
• How to ride a horse, skateboard, etc
• The best rainy-day activities are...
• How to tell a joke
• The best thing I've ever learnt...

Other resources for children's speech topics and speeches

If you've found nothing here to ignite your imagination do try this page of 50+ elocution topics for kids.

If you're here looking for a topic for your own child, go through both pages with them: this one and the other. Suggest other possibilities and adaptions of the topics as you go. You'll need to find a subject they genuinely care about and it's best if the final decision is made by them!

Writing a speech for children

Were you looking for information to help you write a speech for children rather than speech topics for them to use? If so, you'll find this page How to write a speech for kids useful.

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50 Topics for Impromptu Student Speeches

Illustration by Catherine Song. ThoughtCo. 

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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.
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• 10 Warm Ups for Lesson Plans
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• A Sample Essay for Common Application Option #7: Topic of Your Choice
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• Last Day of School Activities

How to start a speech for students (Ultimate opening lines)

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Topics , Speech Writing

Schools and their love for speeches is an affair we are all quite aware of. Now if you are looking to move beyond the mundane way of delivering speeches in school and are in search of some amazing speech openings for students, you are at the right place!

Speeches are the most common form of public speaking that is encouraged in schools . Be it for a competition, assignment, presentation, or even as a punishment (oops), speeches are everywhere in a student’s life.  

To get a quick idea on speech opening lines for students , don’t forget to check out our video on 3 speech opening lines for students!

But before we dive into understanding how to go about your speeches, it is important to first understand why educational institutes focus so much on speeches or public speaking in general that they begin introducing us to speeches as early as primary sections.

Why is speech encouraged in Primary school?

It is a common practice to give the students a little idea about giving speeches as early as primary school. Part of the reason is that these are the foundational years and form as a stepping stone for the students to get a little more used to public speaking as they move to higher classes .

A couple of ways students in primary schools may be asked to give speeches would be to introduce themselves or at competitions like fancy dress competitions.

What is the use of speech in high school?

In high school, as students gain more understanding about the world at large and develop their opinions, giving speeches is encouraged in school to help them navigate their thoughts to their peers. Further, speeches as a form of public speaking also help build the student’s soft skills .

A few ways giving speeches in high school can help in developing their soft skills are:

1. critical thinking.

Speeches aren’t about blurting out your ideas or opinions, rather it requires you to research and find evidence to back your point of view, or to think critically to deliver a speech that effectively reaches the other students.

2. Problem-solving

Speeches could be framed around a popular or controversial issue that the student wishes to provide their insight into. This would encourage them to come up with solutions. Apart from that, even coming up with a speech can be a task sometimes, and overcoming those challenges too can be counted in as a way of problem-solving

3. Time-management

With a huge number of students in high school, speeches are almost always time-bound. This also means that the students have to structure their speeches in a way that fits the time given, further inculcating time management skills in them.

4. Active listening

Speeches are not only about delivering or conveying your ideas or findings but also about listening carefully to what others have to say in terms of questions that may ask.

Why is speech required at college?

Speeches in college have an entirely different goal than the one that schools have.

In college, it isn’t always mandatory to give speeches or to participate in public speaking. However, a few reasons why giving speeches or public speaking is encouraged in colleges is because:

• It helps in developing communication and public speaking skills that can be very beneficial to their professional life later.
• Speeches may also be a way to meet new people and make new connections.
• It improves the student’s leadership skills. How? We have all heard how a good speaker carries with him or her the potential to influence and lead the crowd, and that is how practicing public speaking in college helps improve a student’s leadership skills.

When can students be asked to give a speech?

As we just discussed that the purpose of giving speeches changes as we progress in our school. However, there are a couple of situations where mostly all students are expected to present their speech. And they are:

Classroom/section speeches

Classroom or section speeches are the ones you give in front of your classmates or people from your age group. Generally, the presentation of assignments and competitions comes under this category.

Graduation Speech

Students may also be expected to present a graduation speech . However, the big difference here is that not everyone gets the opportunity to present a graduation speech or commencement address as it is known.

What type of speech is a graduation speech? Or what type of speech is a commencement speech?

Graduation speeches or commencement speeches are parting speeches wherein the focus is on reflecting on the good times in the institute and motivating others for their bright future ahead. Depending on the purpose as selected by the speaker, these speeches could be persuasive, informative, or entertaining in nature . 

How to start a speech as a student 

Giving speeches as a student, even if you have been doing it for the past few years can still end up being a little challenging.  But rather than giving you tons of tips on things you can focus on while coming up with your speech or speech openings for students, we have got one ultimate tip . If you follow that, you should ideally be able to reach your audience more effectively.

Ultimate tip when writing speeches or speech openings for students

Write how you speak, not how you write.

When I came across this tip, I was surprised too. Because is indeed true that we write very differently when we have to show the speech to someone in written form but if asked honestly, do we speak in such a highly polished, extra professional vocabulary?

The idea is not to write the speech or speech opening riddled with slang but rather in a way that you’d feel comfortable listening to and understanding easily had you been the listener.

So in short, prepare the speech with the listener in mind, not the reader .

What is a good opening line for a speech?

Most opening lines for speech in school begin with a good morning.  We usually follow it with greetings or addressing the audience and the guests.

Wondering how you greet everyone in a speech?

Here is a list of ways you can begin with a simple good morning:

• Good morning everyone presents here today. I’m delighted to present my views and understanding on a very delicate yet overlooked topic; Gender sensitization in the workplace.
• Good afternoon esteemed members of the jury, my friends and peers, and everyone present in the room today.
• Good morning to the faculty, the non-teaching staff, and the class of 2022!!

Now it is a good practice to begin your speech with your usual greetings. However, in this blog, we are trying to look beyond the usual.

It doesn’t mean that you will not be saying good morning or your basic greetings; the only difference is that you’ll not be opening your speech with it but addressing these basic formalities later in the speech.

How do you start a speech without saying good morning?

There are a couple of ways you can start a speech without saying good morning. Here are some of the ways we will take a look at in this blog:

• “Imagine” scenario
• “What if” scenario
• Rhetorical questions
• Statistics and figures
• Powerful statements

Quotes are phrases or things spoken by someone influential . Quotes as speech openings for students can not only help them go beyond the widely popular way of beginning any speech but will also help them establish credibility right in the very beginning!

Now if you have ever wondered,

How to start your speech with a quote?

Here are a couple of examples of using quotes as speech openings for students:

Lon Watters had said that “A school is a building with four walls, with tomorrow inside.” And it would be wrong if I said that I didn’t agree with every bit of what he said. As we come to an end of our journey with this school that has provided us with tons of opportunities to learn, grow, interact and make memories we sure will cherish forever…

“If you don’t have a plan for your life, somebody else does.” This is a quote given by Michael Hyatt and isn’t it something we have all been experiencing all these years of growing up as our parents or guardians make plans for us right from the way we dress to the school we go to and sometimes even the careers we choose. Good morning everyone, I am Myra, a student of XYZ school standing here to voice my opinion on “Factors that influence your career decisions.”

 2. “Imagine” Scenario

This happens to be a personal favorite of mine when it comes to speech openings for students. A very simple yet beautiful way to engage your audience right at the beginning of your speech while at the same time allowing them to relate to what you’ll be saying next is what the image” scenarios are all about.

Before we begin, I’d like you to take a moment and imagine walking through a trail. You see the lush greens and pretty sky above you, the most dynamic clouds following everyone you go. Try sniffing the smell of wet soil and a hint of flowery fragrance as you walk towards the edge of the hill expecting to take a glimpse of the utter beauty that these hours of walking would lead you to, but you find something else. You see something that sends chills down your spine. There are some strange men performing rituals right in the very heart of these dense greens. You wonder what it is all about until it hits you; you have just uncovered a cult.

For the next example, I’d like you to take a look at the video below and check for yourself how wonderfully the speaker (although not a student) has made use of the “imagine” scenario to share his tragic experience with his audience.

Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary. Well I had a unique seat that day. I was sitting in 1D.

3. “What If” Scenario

What if I told you that the best speech openings for students are actually the ones wherein they come up with an opening that best represents their style and comfort at delivering speeches, be it with a joke or a story?

Do you see what I did there?

That is an example of a “what if” scenario. It is similar to the imagination scenario we discussed above but the only difference here is that “what if” speech openings for students focus on providing an alternative idea to the audience while the imagined scenarios provide the audience an opportunity to relate to the speaker.

4. Rhetorical question

Rhetorical questions are questions the speaker includes in his/her/their speech that doesn’t necessarily require the audience to come up with an answer but are posed to get the audience thinking on the same.

Using rhetorical questions as speech openings for students can work wonders especially when you are looking for either a very quick speech opening or have very little time to deliver the speech.

An example of using rhetorical questions for speech opening is given below:

Talking about the new policy that makes it illegal to check the gender of the child before birth, do you think that it will curb the issue of female foeticide? Or will it simply take the activity underground?

The art of silence is phenomenal. Opening your speech in silence can help enhance your speech in two ways.

First, it will give the audience some time to settle in , post which you can expect to grab their dedicated attention. And secondly, silence would give you some time to understand the room and calm your pre-stage anxiousness .

6. Statistics and figures

Want to begin your speech on a hard-hitting and eye-opening note?

Show the numbers, the figures, and any statistics that serve your purpose for giving the speech.

It is very common to overlook the seriousness of any situation when you aren’t aware of the real extent of its seriousness. But when we have numbers in front of us, there is no more room for being in denial.

Examples of using Statistics or figures as speech openings for students

• According to the 2019 WWF report , on average, we consume about 1,769 microplastic particles every week. 1769 microplastic particles every single week, can you imagine that?
• 3.2 million teenagers between the age of 12-17 were depressed in the US as of 2017. Now you can only assume the number has increased over the past 5 years.

7. Powerful  Statements

Powerful statements are statements that try to break any common ideologies held by the public. Another example of a powerful statement is stating a fact or idea that isn’t openly spoken .

The video below is one such example of how the speaker tries to break a perception generally held by the people.

How often have we been told to include stories in our speech?

Almost every time isn’t it? So here we are to bombard you yet again by saying that stories are extremely fun and engaging forms of speech openings for students.

You can either share your experience or someone else’s story.

You can also refer to a Recent Conversation by starting your speech with something like “Just the other day as I was walking out of my Philosophy lecture, I asked Mr.Dee about his philosophy on life, and what he said was so eye-opening that I could not wait to share with all of you.”

An adorable example of how to begin a speech with a story is given below to help you get a clearer idea.

Examples of speech openings for students

Speech opening lines for public speaking competitions.

When it comes to public speaking competitions like elocutions, speech competitions, or even presentations, it is almost always recommended to begin with self-introduction . The reason is quite simple; there is a high chance that your audience might not know you .

But if you don’t want to begin with a self-introduction, you can start by using any of the alternatives we discussed earlier. Click here to go back and take another peek at it.

Speech Opening Lines for Self-introductions

Speech openings for self-introductions need to be simple, to the point yet descriptive.

Wait a minute? Wasn’t I contradicting myself in that line?

Yes, but that is how opening lines for self-introductions would ideally work. As people expect you to talk about yourself in depth in the rest of your speech, your opening lines would just be a teaser about yourself.

2 most important things to add in your self-introduction opening lines for students

• What do you do?

Other things that you can talk about in these opening lines include:

• Where are you from?
• What is your goal?
• What does your organization do?
• A little bit about your family

Examples of opening lines for students

Good morning, I am Reini. I recently graduated from BMU college and have since been working as a Design intern at Desgynopedia. 

Hello and good evening everyone. I am Nicole and this is my team, Alina, Tim, Harold, and Noman. We are in our senior year majoring in Organizational psychology. Today we would like to talk about the 5 main Psychological factors that impact any organization’s overall performance.

Hey, I am Nizan. I am a nerd for Political Science and Greek Philosophy and am currently majoring in the same. My love for the subjects is also the reason why I am here to present a topic I found very intriguing “The injustice behind socrates’ death.”

Funny speech opening lines for students

If you are giving a speech for a competition, one of the most fun ways of opening your speech could be to say “Good morning to the faculty, my friends, and (look at the opponents) others.”

Other funny opening line examples:

• I almost bunked school today until I realized that this speech carries marks and I sure don’t want to be in a class with our juniors. Just imagine! Who could do that?
• Hello and good morning to everyone, except the ones who are well prepared for their speeches today.
• Hello everyone, I’m excited to present my speech on XYZ’s topic today. I mean come on, what could be better than waking up at 7 am on a Monday morning to give a speech?
• Today I’ll be talking about XYZ because I was told to!

Best Speech Opening Lines by students

1. chase dahl.

In one of the funniest speech opening lines by students, Chase Dahl opens up by saying “You know I have never understood how imagining the audience naked was supposed to make you less nervous. Honestly, I’m just uncomfortable right now.”

2. Kyle Martin (The King’s Academy)

Yet another Valedictorian speech that has caught our eye is the one given by Kyle Martin. The reason we would suggest you take a look into the opening lines of his speech is so that you can take notes on how beautifully he has described the efforts taken by every department of the institute as he tries to thank them for their efforts.

Presentation Opening Lines

Presentation speeches are a little different compared to your usual speeches and the major reason for that is because now you have access to visuals or your PPT.

Besides some of the ways already discussed above, you can begin the presentation by pointing out a particular slide. You can show your audience a graph, table, pictures, or any other creative and eye-catching ideas that can also turn out to be an amazing presentation opening.

How to start a presentation speech example for students

A few common ways you can open your speech are:

• Hello everyone, I am Miya. I would first like to thank you all for your time.
• For those who don’t know me, my name is Nazia, and if you do know me, hello again!
• Good afternoon to all you wonderful people present here. I am Ryan and as you can see on screen, today I’ll be speaking on “The hazards of drinking from plastic bottles.”

For more examples of opening lines check out 50 Speech Opening Lines .

You might also like to know:

How to start a speech for the student council.

Speeches for student council are usually persuasive. They are your pitch to convince your fellow students to vote for you and help you get the position you are looking for.

So ideally, you should start by addressing everyone in the room . Then make a point to introduce yourself. Once you have introduced yourself, remind the audience why you are speaking which means let them know the position you are campaigning for. Bring up at least 1-2 issues that the students are most concerned about and tell them how if elected you’ll provide solutions to their issues.

Try to end it on a high note and don’t forget to add your campaign slogan .

You can also begin by stating your campaign slogan .

Yet another way to begin your speech for the student council is by challenging your opponent’s point of view or campaign . However, this would work only f you have a better strategy or solutions to the issues raised by your opponents.

Lastly, do something that no one expects from you . Let me share a story here to help you understand this point better. During one of the student council speeches, one candidate asked the audience to stand up, move a step in the front then go back to their seats and settle down. Following this, she said, “My parents told me if I could move the audience, I’d win.” And so she did win!

What is a speech class?

A speech class in high school or college is usually a short course or 1-semester course wherein the student is expected to improve on their public speaking skills along with critical thinking and active listening skills.

It essentially enhances their oral communication skills.

This also reminds me to introduce you to our courses that help enhance your public speaking and communication skills. If you are interested, head to Frantically Speaking .

But if your appetite for learning more about opening speeches isn’t satiated yet, we suggest you go check out our Video on the Powerful speech opening lines.

To Conclude

There are tons of ways to get creative with speech openings for students. From saying a simple good morning to adding stories, quotes, statistics, rhetorical questions, and even silence!

Get creative with your speech openings. As we always say, there are no right or wrong ways of public speaking as such, only a way that suits perfectly for you is the one that is right for you.

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16 Public Speaking Tips for Students

Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of The Anxiety Workbook and founder of the website About Social Anxiety. She has a Master's degree in clinical psychology.

Aron Janssen, MD is board certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and is the vice chair of child and adolescent psychiatry Northwestern University.

Public speaking tips for students aim to reduce anxiety that can interfere with giving presentations or speeches in class. These tips can also be helpful for those with social anxiety disorder (SAD)   who have difficulty speaking in front of a group or telling a story among friends.

Public Speaking Tips

If you have SAD and need to give a speech  in elementary school, high school, college, or university, it helps to be as prepared as possible . Beyond preparation, however, there are strategies that you can use to reduce anxiety and fight the urge to stay home with a fake illness.

Even great speakers practice their speeches beforehand. Practice out loud with a recording device or video camera and then watch yourself to see how you can improve. If you are feeling brave, practice in front of a friend or family member and ask for feedback.

• Talk about what you know : If possible, choose a topic for your speech or presentation that you know a lot about and love. Your passion for the topic will be felt by the audience, and you will feel less anxious knowing that you have a lot of experience to draw from when other students ask you questions.
• Concentrate on your message : When you focus on the task at hand, anxiety is less likely to get out of control. Concentrate on the main message of your speech or presentation and make it your goal to deliver that message to the other students in your class.
• Grab the audience's attention : Most of your fellow classmates will pay attention for at least the first 20 seconds; grab their attention during those early moments. Start with an interesting fact or a story that relates to your topic.
• Have one main message : Focus on one central theme and your classmates will learn more. Tie different parts of your talk to the main theme to support your overall message. Trying to cover too much ground can leave other students feeling overwhelmed.

Tell Stories

Stories catch the attention of other students and deliver a message in a more meaningful way than facts and figures. Whenever possible, use a story to illustrate a point in your talk.

Being prepared to speak in public can also be important if you have social anxiety disorder. Feeling confident and prepared to give your speech may help lessen your feelings of anxiety. Some of the things that you can do to prepare include:

• Visit the room : If you have access to the classroom where you will be speaking outside of class hours, take the time to visit in advance and get used to standing at the front of the room. Make arrangements for any audio-visual equipment and practice standing in the exact spot where you will deliver your speech.
• Rack up experience : Volunteer to speak in front of your class as often as possible. Be the first one to raise your hand when a question is asked. Your confidence will grow with every public speaking experience.
• Observe other speakers : Take the time to watch other speakers who are good at what they do. Practice imitating their style and confidence.
• Organize your talk : Every speech should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Structure your talk so that the other students know what to expect.

Manage Your Anxiety

Taking steps to deal with your feelings of anxiety can also make public speaking easier. Some of the things that you can do:

• Tell someone about your anxiety : If you are speaking in front of a high school or college class, meet with your teacher or professor and describe your public speaking fears . If you're in elementary or high school, share your fears with your parents, a teacher, or a guidance counselor. Sometimes sharing how you feel can make it easier to overcome stage fright.
• Visualize confidence : Visualize yourself confidently delivering your speech. Imagine feeling free of anxiety and engaging the students in your class. Although this may seem like a stretch for you now, visualization is a powerful tool for changing the way that you feel. Elite athletes use this strategy to improve performance in competitions.
• Find a friendly face : If you are feeling anxious, find one of your friends in class (or someone who seems friendly) and imagine that you are speaking only to that person.

Press Play for Advice on Finding Courage

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares a strategy to help you find courage when you need it the most.

Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

Maintain Perspective

Remember that other students are on your side. Think about a time when you have been an audience member and the student delivering the speech or presentation was noticeably nervous. Did you think less of that student? More likely, you felt sympathetic and wanted to make that person more comfortable by smiling or nodding.

Remember—other students generally want you to succeed and feel comfortable. If for some reason the audience is not on your side or you experience bullying or social exclusion, be sure to discuss this with a parent, teacher, or guidance counselor.

Be Confident

Sometimes just knowing what makes a good speech can help you feel more confident. Focus on some of the following elements and practice them before you have to speak in public.

• Develop your own style : In addition to imitating good speakers, work on developing your own personal style as a public speaker. Integrate your own personality into your speaking style and you will feel more comfortable in front of the class. Telling personal stories that tie into your theme are a great way to let other students get to know you better.
• Avoid filler words : Words such as "basically", "well", and "um" don't add anything to your speech. Practice being silent when you feel the urge to use one of these words.
• Vary your tone, volume, and speed : Interesting speakers vary the pitch (high versus low), volume (loud versus soft), and speed (fast versus slow) of their words. Doing so keeps your classmates interested and engaged in what you say.
• Make the audience laugh : Laughter is a great way to relax both you and the other students in your class, and telling jokes can be a great icebreaker at the beginning of a speech. Practice the timing and delivery of your jokes beforehand and ask a friend for feedback. Be sure that they are appropriate for your class before you begin.
• Smile : If all else fails, smile. Your fellow classmates will perceive you like a warm speaker and be more receptive to what you have to say.

Don't Apologize

If you make a mistake, don't offer apologies. Chances are that your classmates didn't notice anyway. Unless you need to correct a fact or figure, there is no point dwelling on errors that probably only you noticed.

If you make a mistake because your hands or shaking, or something similar, try to make light of the situation by saying something like, "I wasn't this nervous when I woke up this morning!" This can help to break the tension of the moment.

A Word From Verywell

It's natural to feel frightened the first time you have to speak in front of your class. However, if you fear continues, interferes with your daily life and keeps you awake at night, it may be helpful to see someone about your anxiety.

Try talking to a parent, teacher, or counselor about how you have been feeling. If that doesn't get you anywhere, ask to make an appointment with your doctor. Severe public speaking anxiety is a true disorder that can improve with treatment .

Spence SH, Rapee RM. The etiology of social anxiety disorder: An evidence-based model . Behav Res Ther. 2016;86:50-67. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2016.06.007

By Arlin Cuncic, MA Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of The Anxiety Workbook and founder of the website About Social Anxiety. She has a Master's degree in clinical psychology.

School Speeches

Ever had any experience of delivering a school speech that made everyone stood up on their toes as their applause filled the auditorium as your speech example  comes close to an ending? If you haven’t experienced such a feat before and are just days away from delivering your first ever school speech, you need to know that there are a lot of ways to deliver your speech which leaves a lasting impact on the audience. Don’t fill your mind with thoughts that inspire the growth of anxiety for we offer you tips for effectively imparting the message of your speech to your audience.

• Speech Templates and Examples
• Graduation Speech Examples

But before anything else, not being oblivious to what school speeches are is essential for you to come up with brilliant ideas as you start composing your speech. Examples of downloadable school speeches are also offered in this article which you may use as your reference anytime.

School Student Graduation Speech

Size: 75 kB

Sample School Speech

Size: 56 kB

Law School Speeches

Size: 85.0 kB

Just like any other speeches, the main purpose of the speech should be to deliver your message to a crowd in which the points are moot to those who live by different philosophies or ideas. School speeches have a wide scope of discussion. They can tackle economic, societal, health (in general), cultural, and even individual issues, and aim to raise awareness about these issues. Speeches are filled with ideas that break the norm yet persuade the audience to consider them by making them think. Your points can be easily fortified if you do an in-depth research about your topic and by citing factual instances as your examples. You may also see the  Motivational Speech

The content of the inspirational speech consists of perfectly organized ideas that lead your audience to the core on how you understand things and how the ideas came to be. The ideas are products of critical analysis rather than just relying on the opinions of random sources that are displayed on digital platforms. When the ideas are presented in a disorganized manner, your points or arguments can be easily countered because jumping from one idea to another without a good transition can suggest something beyond what you have failed to research. Now, that is one thing you wish to avoid. Delivering a speech that causes only confusion to the audience does not even equate to not delivering any scholastic speech at all.

School speeches are deemed as vital scholastic projects or activities for this prepares the students in facing possible future impediments that could detriment the growth of humanity. There is power in words that can even bend cultural follies that are continually venerated and preached in the current. Taking into consideration that a school speech is a collaboration of critically analyzed ideas which will be proposed to the public, speeches are meant to inspire other ideas other than what is already in it. Your ideas that stir the ideas of others refers is a response from your audience. That is why it is important for you to choose the right words and terms and doing an extensive research on a certain topic in the process of composing your school speech so that your ideas will suggest other brilliant ideas coming from the audience. You may also see  the Welcome Speech .

Although this scholastic practice is rated biasedly by persons who share different opinions, this is a very good way to prepare young students in combatting future idealists who do not think about the social welfare than merely their own. There are lots of learnings in a well-crafted school speech that enables the minds of the young ones to think beyond the borders of school textbooks. And for you to make a good educator, state something that will leave your audience with a lasting impact on their lives.

Clarke School Speech

Size: 21.0 kB

Writing a School Speech

Writing a school speech can be a challenge if your teacher assigns you a topic you despise or are completely oblivious to. But, not being able to compose an effective one is not a very good enough reason given the access to the internet and school libraries, or other sources you can refer to. To help you out with difficulties in composing one, refer to our tips below. You may also see the  award speech examples .

• Instead of thinking or complaining about how difficult your topic is, motivate yourself to learn about it . A topic which is foreign to you may sound extremely difficult already. The technique for instances such as this is to encourage yourself to learn about certain topics which you know nothing about. Your unwillingness to perform school duties because your teachers have not discussed anything about your topic be the reason why you fail to compose an effective school speech. It comes with the absolute necessity that you do extensive research for your assignments; thereby, increasing the degrees of your understanding of the concept of certain matters to suffice individual curiosity and get rid of ignorance. You may also see the  speech examples for students
• Make certain that your sources are reliable . It has become rampant in today’s age where the spread of fallacious news is forcibly imposed on people who buy any ideas. When doing your research, you have to make sure that the ideas you have gathered are factual. This is why there is a need for you to do an extensive research than just rely on one source. If ever you spot some points in your reference that is questionable to you, don’t hesitate to research more about that point. In the age of digital revolution, the main source of acquiring information is via the internet. There are blogs or articles that may present opinions and ideas rather smartly, even though the ideas being referred to are not accurate. You don’t want your speech to be an embodiment of misleading information. The purpose of your informative speech is to educate, so always take some time to think about the sources of your information before preaching your ideas to your audience.
• Organize your ideas well and deliver a good argument. The organization of thoughts and ideas is important for you not to create ambiguities. A well-organized idea paired with the perfect choice of words is what makes a speech effective. Also, you have to make sure that your ideas from factual sources are arranged perfectly to guide your audience to your main point. If you fail to arrange your ideas, there are instances where one of your ideas breeds to audience assumptions that contradict your other ideas.
• Start with something that stirs the audience’s interests, and end your school speech with a statement that leaves a lasting impact on the audience . Starting with a quote not common to all or a statement that speaks of the very core of your ideas is a good way to entice your listeners. In case your speech fails to do so, your audience will be stricken with boredom and would not bother giving your ideas and opinions the chance to be heard. Furthermore, once you are through with presenting your ideas, write a conclusion that persuades your audience to consider your perspective. This can be attained by writing a conclusion that declares an idea that makes them think rather than declare how your ideas are right and must be implemented. Ending your school speech with a question is a good way to make your audience think, and come up with ideas that even you know nothing about. You may also see the  presentation speech .

School Speech by Superintendent

Size: 187 kB

Sample Speech for Secondary Schools

Size: 232 KB

Head Boys Speech to the School

Size: 120 KB

Middle School Speech

Size: 324 KB

High School Beginning Speech

Size: 653 KB

Summit School Speech Program

Size: 220 KB

With everything that is mentioned above, crafting a commendable school speech would be a whole lot easier. Of course, there remains still the challenges in crafting one but knowing the purpose alone of a speech already unloads the cumbersome thought of making a school speech for purposes of completing your school requirement. State your ideas well, and influence your audience with your brilliant ideas. You may also see the  college graduation speech examples .

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• My School Speech

Speech For Students on My School

Schools are considered as the temple of knowledge for students. Schools prepare the students to be future leaders and help them to face problems without any fear. Schools help students in understanding the importance of discipline and time management. 

Similarly, my school played an important role in shaping my life. The values and the character I developed during my school days helped me in facing the world and understanding the problems. 

Below my school speeches are given, a long speech on my school and a short speech on my school. Students can refer to this speech and prepare for any debate or essay writing competitions. 

Long Speech on My School

Good morning everyone! I would like to give a small speech about my school. As we all know schools are the temples of learning that teach students many things. School provides a balanced education which helps in improving the student’s both physically and mentally growth. Besides academics, there is a wide range of skills learned at school which includes good behaviour, communication skills, responsibility, time management, and sports skills. 

Schools are the first place where we learn new things. It is the place where new friends are made and those friendships sometimes are carried on throughout life. Schools are considered as heaven on earth and it is very hard to imagine the world without schools. 

Schools are the first place where we learn about various new things which help in our growth. Schools help us to learn how to balance life properly. Similarly, my school played an important role in my life. The man I am today is all because of what I learned during my school days. 

I studied in an all-boys school which was established in 1979. It has a very old building which looks like a huge mansion. It is the oldest school in my town. It has a history of producing toppers to the country. It has a  building which stands tall and has a renowned name across the city and  I am sure it will be for many years to come. 

For the past 30 years, my school has a track record of producing the highest number of toppers in the board exams, and that’s the reason many students want to get into it. 

The unique quality of my school is that it not only focuses on only academics but also gives a lot of importance to sports. 

When it comes to sports my school has the biggest playgrounds in the city for various sports like badminton, cricket, volleyball, throwball and many more. Because of this reason every year, an inter-level sports competition is held in my school’s playground. Fortunately, I was also part of the badminton team that won 2nd place at the all-school badminton championship. The various competitions held at my school help me realize the importance of fitness in my life and I want to thank my school for that.

In addition to the sports competition, various science competitions were also held annually in my school. Different science projects were presented and the best one was awarded a cash price and a trophy. During these competitions, students’ presentation and public speaking skills were tested. Despite being shy I participated in the competition but lost it as I was not very good at presenting my science project. During that time my teachers helped me and pointed out the mistakes which I made. It helped me a lot in the future as I worked on those mistakes and now I am not afraid. I thank my teachers for that. 

To conclude this speech, all I want to say is that I loved attending my school. It was my second home. A home where my friends were like my family members who cared for and loved each other. I feel lucky to have such friends in my life. It was the place where I felt enthusiastic to learn new things. A place where I learned the skills which helped me in facing the challenges fearlessly. Last but not least I would like to thank my teaching and non-teaching staff who were always polite and helped me whenever I needed them. 

Short Speech on My School

Good morning everyone! Today I would like to give a speech at my school. As we know schools are the temples of learning that teach students many things. Schools provide a balanced education that helps in improving a student both physically and mentally. 

Besides academics, different skills are taught at school that includes sports skill, communication skills, time management, and so on. Similarly, my school played an important role in my life. The man I am today is all because of what I learned during my school days. 

I studied in an all-boys school which was established in 1979. It is the oldest school in my town. It has a history of producing toppers to the country. It has a building that stands tall and has a renowned name across the city.

My school has a track record of producing the highest number of toppers in the board exams. The unique quality of my school is that it not only focuses on only academics but also gives a lot of importance to sports.

My school had the biggest playground in the city and because of that every year an inter-school competition is held in various sports like kabaddi, cricket, volleyball and so on. The winners are handed a trophy and a cash prize. 

Science competitions are also conducted in my school that test the ability of students’ presentation and public speaking skills. The winner of the competition was handed a trophy and a scholarship problem for further studies. 

To conclude this speech, all I want to say is that I loved attending my school. It was my second home. A home where my friends were like my family members who cared for and loved each other. A place where I learned the skills which helped me in facing the challenges fearlessly. Last but not least, I would like to thank my teaching and non-teaching staff who were always polite and helped me whenever I needed them. 

10 Lines on My School Speech In English

Schools are the first place where we learn new things. It is the place where new friends are made and those friendships sometimes are carried on throughout life.

Schools are considered as heaven on earth and it is very hard to imagine the world without schools. 

Schools help in learning new things which helps in the growth of a student.

For many years, my school had a record of producing the highest number of toppers and that’s the reason many students want to get into my school. 

My school was a complete package that taught me the importance of self-discipline in life. 

The teaching and the non-teaching staff at my school are very polite. They are always ready to help students.

My school has the largest playground in the city and that’s the reason every year inter-level sports competitions are held.  

Every year science competitions are held at my school that aims at improving the public speaking and the presentation skill of the students. 

The winner of the science competition is given a cash prize and a trophy. 

I love attending my school and it’s like my second home. A home where my friends are like my family members.

School Speech For Students

A school is one of the only places which act as a temple of education. The place is not only for teaching the students the many facts of life but also to have them develop their brains. With the schools playing an important role in a student’s life, many institutions require the students to write or give a speech on the topic “My School”. This might be introduced at any point of time in a student’s life. They may be asked to do this when they are in the 1st standard or when they are in the 10th standard. The marks, scores, or grading system may vary as per the students who are chosen to participate. 

Students can have a good preparation regarding such speeches which can make them realize their own potential for giving such speeches. These can also build their confidence. 

Teachers - A Helping Hand  

Students might be asked to give a long speech or a short speech. It all depends on the decision that the school has taken. Though it might be a competition among students, the teachers are encouraged to get involved as well. They can most certainly help the students in the whole process.

The duty actually falls onto the English teachers. They are the ones who can help the students more effectively. They can have the students take the step forward on their own and give the best speech without any grammatical or vocabulary errors. 

FAQs on My School Speech

1. Can the students mention the history of the school in their My School speech?

Yes, the students can definitely mention the history of the school in their My School speech. This is more of practice when they are giving a long speech that requires them to tell all about their school. One thing that they must keep in mind is to not make it boring, but interesting. The students are required to let the speech go in flow, from the very beginning and tell all about the changes and advancements that have happened over the years.

2. What is the best way to learn a My School speech?

Students, who are selected to give a My School speech can do so in an easy manner. They must first mention or take the pointers that must be included in their speech. They can then take the help of their teacher to structure the speech in such a way that it goes with a flow and they can easily remember it. They can also learn the speech in chronologically set lines which can remind them about the topics that were to be followed by another.

3. How can a student prepare for their best My School speech?

There are many approaches to prepare the best My School speech. A student may ask for somebody’s help. They can make a list of the things that must be included, all of which might be about achievements, academic success, the environment, or anything related. They can talk about the marvelous journey of their school as well. The students are, in fact, encouraged to talk about all they get to learn as well as about their teachers and how good they are.

4. Do the students only have to mention the academics of a school in their My School speech?

When it comes to giving a My School speech, it is not always necessary to mention only the academics. A student can also mention the many other things that help them get ahead in their school or just things that they simply like. Students may mention the attitude of the school staff in their My School speech along with the many amenities that they get to enjoy on a regular basis. They can also go forth with mentioning the type of platform that their school provides them.

5. How can one keep their My School speech short?

The students, in order to keep their My School speech short, ask for the help of their teachers. They can do this on their own as well, but it is always a good idea to take their teacher’s opinion. They must make sure that they are talking in the to the point manner that goes a long way in keeping their speech short. They must also ensure that their speech does not contain any unnecessary information that does not help the structure of the whole speech.

Speech on School Life

School life is a journey you will remember forever. It’s filled with lessons, friendships, and countless unforgettable experiences.

Your days in school shape your future. They mold you into the person you become, teaching you important values while making you smarter.

1-minute Speech on School Life

Good day, dear audience!

Let’s talk about school life, a journey that shines brightly in our hearts. School, you see, is not just a place where we study. It is a world of its own, filled with dreams, discoveries, and friendships that last a lifetime.

School is where we learn about numbers, words, history, and science. We get to explore the world in our geography class, and create beautiful artwork in art class. We learn about the stars in the sky, the creatures in the ocean, and the different cultures around the world. Every day is a new adventure, full of knowledge and excitement.

But school is not just about books and exams. It’s also about the fun we have during recess, the thrill of sports day, the laughter in the canteen, and the joy of annual day celebrations. These moments create memories that stay with us forever. School is about learning to dream, to aspire, to dare, and to create.

And then, there are our friends and teachers. They become our second family. Our friends are there for us in our laughter and tears, in our joys and sorrows. They teach us about friendship, trust, and loyalty. Our teachers guide us, inspire us, and help us become better human beings. They show us the path to success and encourage us when we stumble.

In conclusion, school life is a wonderful journey. It is full of learning, fun, and friendships. It shapes us, inspires us, and prepares us for the future. So, let’s make the most of our school life and cherish every moment of this beautiful journey.

Also check:

• Essay on School Life

2-minute Speech on School Life

Ladies and Gentlemen,

School life, a journey filled with memories, lessons, joys, and challenges, is a wonderful stage in our lives. It is the time when we learn, grow, and shape ourselves. It’s like a movie, full of different scenes, emotions, and experiences. This speech is dedicated to the magic of school life.

Every morning, the school bell rings, marking the start of a new day. The sound of that bell brings a rush of excitement. We greet our friends, share stories, and settle down in our classrooms, ready to learn. Each day is a fresh page in our life’s book, waiting to be filled with new knowledge, skills, and ideas.

In school, we meet our first friends, the ones who stand by us during good times and bad. We share laughter, tears, tiffin boxes, and secrets. We learn the value of friendship, and how it can make our days brighter. We form bonds that last a lifetime, and these friendships become a vital part of our school life story.

In addition to friendship, school life teaches us about discipline and resilience. The school bell, the uniform, the rules, they all serve a purpose. They teach us to respect time, to be organized, and to follow guidelines. We learn to handle failure, to get back up when we fall, to keep trying until we succeed. This resilience builds our character and shapes us into strong individuals.

School life is also filled with extra-curricular activities. Sports days, annual functions, school trips, these are the moments when we get to express ourselves, to discover our talents and passions. We learn to work as a team, to support each other, to celebrate each other’s success. These experiences help us understand that school is not just about books and exams, but about overall personality development.

Then comes our favorite part – the teachers. They guide us, support us, motivate us. They are our mentors, our role models. They ignite our imagination, inspire us to dream big, and equip us with the tools we need to chase those dreams. They are the guiding stars in our school life journey, helping us navigate through challenges and towards success.

Lastly, school life is about memories. The joy of scoring the first goal in a football match, the pride of winning the spelling bee, the thrill of the school trip, the nervousness of the first stage performance. These memories are the gems that we collect during our school life, gems that we cherish forever.

In conclusion, school life is a beautiful blend of learning, friendship, discipline, self-discovery, guidance, and memories. It is the foundation upon which we build our future. It is a journey that teaches us, changes us, and prepares us for the rest of our lives. Let’s cherish this journey, embrace its lessons, and carry its memories with us, always. Thank you.

• Speech on School Is A Temple Of Learning
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English Speech Topics for Students

• Updated on  
• Apr 2, 2024

Writing an exciting and thoughtful speech requires selecting a good topic, researching it thoroughly, and forming individual opinions to express the same. School students are usually asked to speak on a contemporary topic to help them become good public speakers 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. Let’s begin!

Checkout our 200+ Essay Topics for Students in English

This Blog Includes:

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

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

• The Best Day of My Life
• Social Media: Bane or Boon?
• 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.

• 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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My School Life Speech for Students and Children

My school life speech.

Memories have been the part and parcel of my life, much like everyone else. We remember the good days which have gone by and the bad ones as well. One of the good memories in life is definitely of their school life. In fact, it is considered to be the best phase of their lives by many. A student knows the importance of school life and they consider it the golden period of their life. And why should it not be? It is the first truly impactful thing in one’s life and the importance of it can never be disproved. Read my school life speech here.

A Learning Experience

My school life was surely a learning experience. The confidence and motivation it gave me, I couldn’t get anywhere else. Most importantly, it is the place where I recognized my uniqueness and individuality. My school life is no less than a treasure for me which gave me invaluable joys in life.

It is where I started by learning the alphabet and can now solve equations using the same. The warm welcome I received when I first started my school is something I will never forget. It is what also defines why my school life is so important to me.

My school life helped me learn about the things which were first mysterious to me. For instance, I got answers to many questions that were always at the back of my mind. It helped me gain knowledge and excel in studies. It is through my school life that I realized I have the talent of being a painter.

The things I have learned over the course of my school life will always stay with me forever. In fact, had it not been for my school life, I would’ve missed out on so many things. The knowledge, experience and memories, I owe it all to my incredible school life.

Get the Huge list of 100+ Speech Topics here

An Unforgettable Journey

It has indeed been an unforgettable journey which will remain in my heart forever. My school life was filled with lots of excitement and love. It made me understand the value of time and became a wonderful chapter in my life.

It is definitely the period where I found myself and learned a great deal about myself. My school life helped me learn dedication and self-actualization. My teachers motivated me and pushed me to achieve my best which is a big part of what I am today.

Most importantly, I earned friends here. Friends who will remain so for my entire lifetime. One of the greatest blessings of my school life has indeed been my friends. They were the ones who made this journey unforgettable and easy.

They helped me when I was down and elevated me when I was up. Moreover, they gave me strength and the courage to try out new things. My most memorable moments have been the ones spent with my friends. Other than that, I will remember the times we spent in the school canteen during recess. Each day was magical in my school life.

As we all know that the first and last day of our school life is the most memorable days. I entered my school weeping and even while leaving, I have the same tears in my eyes. The difference being the former was for not wanting to go and the latter is for not wanting to leave. They joys my school life has given are surely countless and will remain to be the best days of my life.

Read Essays for Students and Children here !

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16 responses to “Speech on Water for Students and Children”

this was very helpful it saved my life i got this at the correct time very nice and helpful

This Helped Me With My Speech!!!

I can give it 100 stars for the speech it is amazing i love it.

Its amazing!!

Great !!!! It is an advanced definition and detail about Pollution. The word limit is also sufficient. It helped me a lot.

This is very good

Very helpful in my speech

Oh my god, this saved my life. You can just copy and paste it and change a few words. I would give this 4 out of 5 stars, because I had to research a few words. But my teacher didn’t know about this website, so amazing.

Tomorrow is my exam . This is Very helpfull

It’s really very helpful

yah it’s is very cool and helpful for me… a lot of 👍👍👍

Very much helpful and its well crafted and expressed. Thumb’s up!!!

wow so amazing it helped me that one of environment infact i was given a certificate

check it out travel and tourism voucher

thank you very much

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School Speech Topics-  Free Written Speeches

School speech topics - we list informative speech topics that are great for speeches for school.

Some of the speeches can be adapted, some can be used as is and some will act as a springboard for your imagination as they help you to create your own unique speech.

Our speeches can be a great starting platform for school essays as well.

Our first speech - universal and always popular. What could be better than a free written speech that can be adapted to suit your favorite sports team? If you don't find exactly what your are looking for - keep popping in for a visit. Sooner or later, as we enhance and extend the site, you're sure to find the perfect speech!

Travel with us as we show case school-friendly speeches across all genres for all ages - keep scrolling down the page - we'll get you there.

The World's Greatest Fan

An atmosphere of tension lingers in the air. The crowd is dead still as a man steps up to the plate. Just one obstacle stands between failure and a championship. The pressure of a cult of fans is resting on one man's shoulders.

A whistle breaks the silence. The ball is blasted from the field...GOAL! Manchester United win the Champions League!

I am a Manchester United fan of note. My dad has been the driving force in the greatest passion of my life since the day I was born. I am a Manchester United fan - born and quite clearly...bred.

I come from a long line of Manchester United supporters that can be traced back through a number of generations before me. In fact, it seems that the "Manchester United" gene is mutating and each generation  is becoming exponentially more fanatical.

It all started off with my grandfather and his friends loudly cheering for the Man United team of his day, while sipping a gentlemanly beer at the local pub, listening to a radio broadcast of the match of the day.

But now it seems to have taken on a life of its own. Our weekends, anniversaries, birthdays and even holidays are carefully planned around the Premier League Fixtures -and well-when it comes to the FA Cup , life in our household comes to a standstill. This is not a good time to get sick - believe me, you will have to fend for yourself and do so quietly.

Other babies nodded off to sleep to childhood lullabies and peaceful music. I dozed off to sleep listening to the background cheering of United Fans , punctuated every now and again, with a loud "YES!!" and a victory walk around the lounge for every goal scored.

Most other babies had Mom and Dad huddled around them, gently coaxing them to say their first word, "Mom or Dad?" Not so with me. I had Dad - not so gently, coaxing me to say Man-ches-ter . And guess what, I got it - my first word!

So, I stand before you - the world's greatest fan. I am a living example of how genetic engineering and a daily dose of "Manu-ism" brainwashing can create a new generation of genetically superior Man United Fans.

School speech topics - please guys - you have got to learn your speech. Your teacher will be assessing your speaking skills NOT your reading skills.

If you know your speech, if you are well prepared - then those nerves seem to tone down a little and you engage your audience with great content and effective body language.

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Student Council Speech Sample

Writing a student council speech may seem daunting, but having an example to look at can help inspire you.

Use the speech on this page to help you think about what you might like to say to the students voting for you.

Following the example below, you will learn how to prepare the following parts of the Student Council Speech:

• Introduction

If you need more guidance after reading this page, visit  Twelve Vital Tips for Student Council Speeches and see another Sample Speech by "Charlie" that follows a twelve step process from knowing your audience to ending with a call-to-action.

The speech below was sent in by Stephanie who was running for student council President of her high school. 

Thanks for sharing your speech, Steph, and for helping other students get an idea of what to say!

After reviewing Steph's speech, check out another  student council speech sample  for additional inspiration.

Also, the book   Student Council Campaign: Winning Strategies, Speeches, Poster, and Slogans  reviewed below can help you take your entire campaign to a whole different level, not only your speech. 

Beginning of the student council speech

• Introduce yourself
• Set your audience at ease
• Use a quick attention getter or theme
• Provide a brief foreshadowing of your call to action 

Good afternoon, students and staff members! My name is Stephanie, and I'm running for student body president. I'll keep this quick as I'm sure you are ready to get out of here.

You might be saying to yourself, "Should Stephanie really be the student body president? After all, she's only been at our school for two years."

Body of the student council speech

• Organize around just 2-3 main ideas
• Provide 2-3 supporting details for each claim
• Points should solve for a pain your audience (your fellow students) feels

It's true that I am fairly new to Jefferson Anderson High School. At first glance, this may seem like a disadvantage. I didn't attend this school for my freshman and sophomore years, and I've only known most of you for a couple of years.

When you think about it though, there is actually a benefit in choosing someone who is coming into the school from somewhere else. I have new ideas that I can bring in from the school I was at before.

Are you tired of doing the same old things year after year? Are you ready to do something different?

One thing I noticed about this school when I came last year is that most of the students didn't really get to make any of the decisions here at the school.

Did anyone ever ask you what you wanted to do for a fundraiser? Did anyone ever ask you what you wanted to buy with the money we raised? Who makes these decisions?

Those types of decisions are left up to student council. The person you choose to represent you as president will speak for the entire senior class. Do you want to choose someone who will make those decisions for you without knowing what you want?

If you vote for me as student council president, I promise to always get your opinions before making any decisions. You should have a say in the actions that will affect you.

Every single one of you can come to me with your ideas, and I promise to listen and speak for you.

Conclusion of the student council speech

• Briefly summarize your main points
• Weave in your theme
• Include a clincher and call to action

I may not be the most well-known person running for student council president, but I promise to listen to each and every one of you.

You matter. Your opinion matters. Don't choose someone who will make all of the decisions for you. Don't vote for the person who will pick whatever their friends want them to choose.

Choose someone who wants to be your spokesperson. Choose someone who cares about what you want.

Choose me, Stephanie, for your student council president.

End of Speech

When writing a student council speech, you need to remember to research what the student body NEEDS and WANTS . Connecting with the audience is key. Let them know how you will serve them!

You can interview students, teachers, administrators, etc. to find out what would help your school grow and develop in a positive direction, then incorporate those ideas into your presentation.

This advice is useful whether you're running for student council president, treasurer or secretary. Do your due diligence and know what it is your target audience wants to hear before you write your speech!

Continue reading  Twelve Vital Tips for Student Council Speeches  and see another Sample Speech.

Or, check out the student council speech in the video below for more ideas on how to present the best address ever. This guy has charisma and is funny as well!

Winning Strategies for a Student Council Campaign eBook:

According to Isaac Myhrum, a winner of student council seats beginning in the 6th grade, you can develop the confidence and skills to lead. Isaac rose above the typical popularity contest to win on merit and credibility. His book  Student Council Campaign: Winning Strategies, Speeches, Poster, and Slogans  will guide you to improve your overall strategy and your student council speeches. 

Some of the lessons to help you win election include:

• developing campaign speech ideas and topics
• voter audience analysis
• forming a campaign team
• examples of successful posters
• and more advice for appealing to student voters.

You can order on  Amazon  for reading with the free Kindle App and support Best Speech Topics with a small commission. 

[Full disclosure: Best Speech Topics is a compensated affiliate of Amazon.]

Running for student council is an admirable pursuit. Use our student council speech guidance to become a representative of your council for the right reasons - to make positive change and help fellow students. Winning provides an opportunity to improve your school and make meaningful change. (Owens, E. (2015, August 11). Viewpoint: 4 reasons to run for student government . Retrieved December 2, 2018, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/college/2015/08/11/viewpoint-4-reasons-to-run-for-student-government/37405191/)

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Ohio State president 'will not compromise' on safety as campuses face Gaza war protests

In an end-of-the-semester email sent Monday afternoon to the campus community, Ohio State University President Ted Carter followed up on communication from over the weekend with a reminder of the university's stances on protesting and free speech.

On Saturday, Ohio State said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that hate speech is "deplorable and does not align with our values, even if allowed under the First Amendment."

The post came following a couple of campus protests in the past few days over the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza . Video clips from one of those protests were shared on an Instagram account belonging to StopAntisemitism — "a grassroots watchdog organization dedicated to exposing groups and individuals that espouse incitement towards the Jewish people and State and engage in antisemitic behaviors," according to its website.

In his email, Carter said that college campuses "must be places where we can process these events through respectful discussion and debate."

"We are here together to learn from one another and hear new and different perspectives — including those with which we disagree," he said.

Carter said he wants students, staff and faculty to stand up for what they believe in, and that Buckeyes should "dedicate ourselves to using our voices with civility and compassion."

"I remain steadfastly committed to maintaining an environment where all members of our community feel welcome while continuing to uphold the First Amendment and the laws of our state and nation," Carter said.

Cater added that Ohio State will "continue to prioritize safety," including having university police officers and trained staff on-site for demonstrations, and enforcing space rules that prohibit "intentional disruptions of university events, classes, exams or programming, including commencement."

Carter also warned that when protected speech becomes threatening, "Ohio State has and will always move quickly to enforce the law and university policy."

"I will not compromise on this," he said.

Carter asked that people consider their words wisely.

"Even if speech is protected, is it how you would talk to a member of your family or a friend?" he said. "Displays of hate speech on our campuses, even if allowed under the First Amendment, are reprehensible and do not align with our values. Ohio State must be a place where all are welcome and safe."

Remarks come as campuses face protests nationwide

The Hamas-Israel war has sparked protests on college campuses across the country since shortly after Hamas attacked Israelis on Oct. 7.

More than 100 people were  arrested last week at a pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University  in New York City over Israel's military actions in Gaza. Columbia administrators announced Monday that it would move to hybrid classes for the rest of the semester because of the protests.

The student groups were also protesting the university's financial investment in "corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine," the group told USA Today.

Students were forcibly removed by police from tents pitched on lawns at the center of campus.

Police in New Haven, Connecticut arrested several dozen protesters at Yale University on Monday and charged them with trespassing during a protest demanding Yale divest itself from weapons manufacturers that supply Israel with arms.

Harvard University has restricted access to Harvard Yard until Friday in anticipation of pro-Palestine student protests during the Jewish Passover holiday.

Sheridan Hendrix is a higher education reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. Sign up for Extra Credit, her education newsletter,  here .

[email protected]

@sheridan120

Horace High School Wins First State Speech Championship

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) - West Fargo Horace High School won their first ever State Speech Championship Saturday. Horace High and it’s Speech Team is just four years old but took home their first ever state title in style; winning multiple events, and making the finals in several categories.

“We had 48 events qualify to State out of a possible 56 and from there we had 34 events make finals. So of our events in the State Tournament we had a little over 70 percent break to finals and from there, that wound up being about 30 percent of the total finalists at the tournament and from there, five were actually crowned State Champion,” said Nathan Amberg.

The team credits preparation for the events as well as dedication to their goals for their success at State.

”It we wanted to have those State Champions we had to understand we needed to win certain rounds. We needed to have a certain amount of prep work done ahead of time in order to to have that pre-work in to have that success,” said senior Nadir Mohamed.

“It was a really cool experience for the kids. As soon as we got on the bus though it was like, ' hey friends, this is a really cool moment but a reminder of what we’re working for which is being champions in life and again that’s the biggest thing we work for in the program is what skills, and what can we take away from this that’s going to help these kids be successful for the rest of their life’s.,” said Amberg.

The Hawks say that the team maintained a healthy balance of accountability and support on their road to their first ever State Title.

“Our team.. it feels like family.. being able to come to practice every day and know hey, I’m going to have a little bit of social time but then I’ve got to get to work and I know that my teammates are going to push me to be the best that I can be,” said Junior, Alora Rude.

Copyright 2024 KVLY. All rights reserved.

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Schools try to balance freedom of speech and security during student protests

Sequoia Carrillo

Schools weigh freedom of speech and safety risks as nationwide protests pop up on college campuses over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Did USC set ‘very bad precedent’ by canceling valedictorian speech over safety threats?

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Five months ago, USC cited safety as a rationale for banning economics professor John Strauss, who is Jewish, from campus after student activists said they felt threatened when he approached them at a protest and said “Hamas are murderers. ... I hope they all are killed.”

“Our north star is protecting the safety of our community,” a USC spokesperson said at the time.

Now the university is again citing safety concerns for canceling a Muslim valedictorian’s speech at its May commencement ceremony.

More than six months after the Hamas attack on Israel that started a war, campus administrators nationwide are struggling to uphold principles of free expression amid mounting pressure from donors, legislators and activists who claim an ever-expanding amount of speech — or potential speech — subjects students not only to physical danger but also to psychological harm.

Free speech advocates note that the decision regarding Asna Tabassum, a USC senior who is graduating with a major in biomedical engineering, was not caused by anything she said or planned to say. Instead, the university said, online discussion had taken on an “alarming tenor” as activists objected to her minor — resistance to genocide — and a link to a pro-Palestinian website Tabassum had shared on her Instagram profile .

“This sets a very bad precedent,” said Alex Morey, director of campus rights advocacy with the nonprofit civil rights group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. “Moving forward, are they going to cancel every speech that could have anything to do with Israel-Palestine because they’re worried about ‘safety concerns’?”

Free speech experts fear that USC, in canceling its valedictorian’s speech, is paving the way for a censorious commencement season, offering others a playbook on how to silence potentially controversial speakers in the weeks to come.

“A university, except in the most exceptional cases, should not be giving in to threats of violence in order to suppress speakers,” said Keith Whittington, a political scientist at Princeton University and author of “Speak Freely: Why Universities Must Defend Free Speech.”

“It’s a corruption and compromise of the university’s very basic commitments.”

The use of safety concerns to shut down campus speech did not start after Oct. 7. But, Morey said, universities have increasingly canceled events as they have seen an uptick in protests of Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.

Last month, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas halted a public lecture from a visiting Israeli professor 15 minutes after he started speaking when pro-Palestinian protesters burst into the room.

Asaf Pe’er, an expert on theoretical high-energy astrophysics, was not speaking about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His lecture was on black holes.

Rather than stop the disruption, citing the protesters’ 1st Amendment rights, UNLV police escorted Pe’er off campus “to ensure his safety.”

Other cancellations in the name of safety have taken place across the country, from Indiana University shutting down an art exhibit by Palestinian artist Samia Halaby to the University of Vermont canceling an in-person appearance by a pro-Palestinian poet .

Experts who track campus speech say university leaders have predominantly targeted speakers expressing support for the Palestinian cause.

“It’s definitely the pro-Palestinian speech that we are seeing very broadly being subjected to institutional punishments,” Morey said. “That’s not to say that there aren’t cases where pro-Israel or Zionist speakers are being punished.”

Part of the reason pro-Palestinian activists are targeted in greater numbers is that more students have embraced the Palestinian cause in recent years.

Some protests have crossed the line into unprotected expression, Morey said. But there is also growing pressure on university officials from donors and legislators worried about antisemitism to crack down on pro-Palestinian speech.

“It’s a pressure cooker for administrators,” Morey said. “In these cases, we want to make sure that their lodestar are student and faculty rights, rather than who is exerting the most pressure.”

When USC announced that Tabassum would be the valedictorian, two groups — Trojans for Israel, a campus student group, and EndJewHatred, a national movement dedicated to fighting antisemitism — spoke publicly against her.

In an Instagram post , Trojans for Israel said Tabassum “propagates antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric,” but did not cite anything she had written or said publicly. Instead, the post points to a link she had shared on her social media page that leads to a website describing Zionism as a “racist settler-colonial ideology.”

In an interview with The Times , Tabassum said she had not spoken to administrators about her speech, in which she said she had planned to convey hope and emphasize that “we must continue to use our education as a privilege to inform ourselves and ultimately make a change in the world.”

“The university has betrayed me,” she said.

USC administrators contested the idea that Tabassum’s inability to speak is a free speech issue.

“There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement,” Provost Andrew T. Guzman said in a campuswide letter . “The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.”

The 1st Amendment guarantees only that the government refrains from abridging freedom of speech. But experts on campus discourse asserted that as an institution of higher learning, USC has a responsibility to defend freedom of ideas.

USC communications professor Christina Dunbar-Hester, chapter president of the USC American Assn. of University Professors, said in a statement that it was disingenuous to frame Tabassum’s speech as a security issue without specifying a threat.

Guzman, she noted, did not offer any details, saying only that the discussion had “escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement.”

And that, Dunbar-Hester said, raises the question of whether USC faced a specific credible threat or was just trying to find a way to get around controversy.

“Here, we have capitulated to a ‘heckler’s veto’ before the fact,” she said. “Why is the burden of a potential threat placed on the shoulders of the valedictorian rather than those who would disrupt her?”

Dunbar-Hester said USC’s action — coming days before conservative legislators in Washington grilled the president of Columbia University — plays into the hands of “anti-intellectual reactionaries” who cynically sought to “demonize campus communities that express solidarity with the Palestinian freedom struggle.”

Howard Rodman, a professor of the writing division at the USC School of Cinematic Art and former president of the USC-AAUP chapter, said administrators decided to cancel Tabassum’s speech without buy-in from the faculty.

“I have spoken to many people who feel that this is a disastrous decision, and no one who feels that it was a correct decision,” he said.

Among USC faculty, Rodman said, there was no widespread agreement on free speech.

“There are people who say, ‘We’re 1st Amendment absolutists,’ who believe that the remedy for speech you don’t like is more speech,” he said. “There are people who believe that the structural question of who owns the megaphone supersedes that. ... ‘Why should the people who own the apparatus of the transmission of ideas have the sole access to it?”

Rodman blamed officials, donors and legislators for the assault on campus free speech.

“The traditional values of the university are under assault by donors who wish to determine policy,” Rodman said. “They’re under assault by a government that places restrictions on what you can do once you have received government money.”

Students have also played a key role in setting up a climate of censorship, experts say.

About a decade ago, Morey said, 1st Amendment attorneys at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression began to notice a shift: Students, who had long advocated for their own free speech rights, were increasingly asking administrators to regulate words and ideas.

In 2014, students at Wellesley College started a petition calling for the removal of an outdoor statue of a man in his underwear, claiming that it was a source of “triggering thoughts regarding sexual assault.” The following year, students at Yale University demanded that Nicholas Christakis step down from his position as faculty-in-residence at Silliman College, after a viral moment in which he tried to converse with students who took offense at an email his wife, Erika Christakis, wrote to students questioning administrators’ guidelines on Halloween costumes.

Commencement ceremonies have long been a magnet for protests, with a rich tradition of students and faculty heckling speakers, turning their backs on them or forcing them to withdraw.

For more than a quarter of a century, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has kept a campus deplatforming database that has tracked such disputes, starting with media mogul and Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner’s withdrawal from a 1998 commencement at Macalester College after students protested the team’s use of an Indian mascot.

By 2016, disinvitations were so common that President Obama, speaking at a Rutgers commencement, chided students for pressuring former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to drop out as commencement speaker two years before due to her role in the Iraq war.

“I don’t think that’s how democracy works best, when we’re not even willing to listen to each other,” Obama said .

The focus on safety intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic as students became involved in Black Lives Matter protests, Morey said.

At USC, administrators made business professor Greg Patton “take a short-term pause” from teaching a communications course in August 2020 after Black students complained that a Chinese-language example he used during class sounded like a racial slur and caused them mental harm.

In a letter to MBA students, a dean wrote that such language was “simply unacceptable” for faculty to use because it could “marginalize and harm you and hurt your feelings of psychological safety.”

In November, administrators told Strauss he could not teach undergraduates that semester after he declared: “Hamas are murderers. That’s all they are. Every one should be killed, and I hope they all are killed.”

Strauss swiftly found himself the subject of dueling petitions: One called for USC to fire him and create a “safe learning environment free from hate speech or discriminatory behavior”; another urged officials to allow him back on campus, arguing that “Jewish people should not have to hide for their safety.”

In early December, USC administrators announced they had lifted all of the restrictions on Strauss.

Over the last few years, commencement disputes over controversial speakers calmed down as universities exercised more caution over who they invited. “They tried to avoid controversy, not by canceling speakers, but by avoiding inviting speakers in the first place,” Morey said.

The focus of controversy may now be turning to students.

Last year, a law student speaking at the City University of New York’s law school commencement caused a national furor when she called for a “revolution” to take on the legal system’s “white supremacy,’’ CUNY’s collaboration with the “fascist NYPD” and Israel’s “project of settler colonialism.”

After the New York Post ran a front-page story about the student, Fatima Mousa Mohammed — headlined “Stark Raving Grad” — CUNY’s Board of Trustees and chancellor announced that 2024’s commencement would not feature student speakers.

Figuring out what is a legitimate security threat on campuses has become increasingly fraught as activists and administrators blur the line between physical and psychological safety.

“Part of what has happened on university campuses for quite some time has been a claim about a kind of emotional and psychological safety,” Princeton’s Whittington said. “That’s primarily a conceptual argument — one that doesn’t seem to require any evidence in order to assert. Universities then can be extremely sweeping in who they might decide to censor or suppress or punish, in reaction to those kinds of complaints.”

Canceling speech while upholding safety in a vague way, without outlining a concrete threat or distinguishing between physical or psychological harm, would only encourage more complaints, Whittington said.

“Universities have an important obligation to explain that these kinds of concerns about emotional psychological safety are just not something that they can be responsive to at all,” Whittington said. “And in the case of genuine threats to physical safety, there ought to be a very high bar before the university is willing to take the step of shutting down a speaker.”

The irony of what happened to Tabassum is it has given her a much bigger platform.

In the last 48 hours, she has conducted a whirl of media interviews, appearing on CNN’s “NewsNight” and in a front-page story in The Times.

“When you silence us,” she said, “you make us louder.”

More to Read

USC cancels appearance by director Jon Chu, others amid valedictorian controversy

April 19, 2024

USC students protest the ‘silencing’ of valedictorian with cancellation of speech

April 18, 2024

Letters to the Editor: Canceled valedictorian speech is another self-inflicted black eye for USC

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USC decision to cancel Muslim valedictorian's speech further inflames tensions on campus

LOS ANGELES — Some students at the University of Southern California said their sense of pride was dashed this week when the school canceled Muslim student Asna Tabassum's valedictorian speech out of security concerns.

They said the announcement of Tabassum's selection as valedictorian this month made them feel seen and heard.

“It showed me that our people have a voice on campus,” said USC student Abdullah Khlefat, who is Muslim.

Another student, named Layan, who asked that her last name not be used because she was afraid of being harassed for speaking out, said the announcement had brightened her outlook about the future.

“For a sliver of a moment, I had a sense of hope. I felt like one day I could be like Asna,” said Layan, a first-year student majoring in political science.

Those dreams were crushed when USC Provost Andrew Guzman rescinded Tabassum's invitation to speak at graduation, citing security concerns over tensions related to “the ongoing  conflict in the Middle East ."

He said in an announcement Monday  that “over the past several days, discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor.”

“The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement,” the announcement read in part.

University officials did not respond to a request for details about threats the school may have received since the announcement or whether Tabassum had been made aware of them.

First-year student Danica Gonzalez, who supports Tabassum as valedictorian, said she believes the university is using security as pretext. She pointed to last year's commencement, which former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, attended when their daughter Sasha graduated.

"There is no way the university can’t protect her," Gonzalez said of Tabassum. "It’s just that they’re choosing not to."

After Tabassum was selected as valedictorian, at least two pro-Israel and Jewish groups complained to USC about the choice. They pointed to her social media activity, including her Instagram account, which links to a slideshow encouraging people to “learn about what’s happening in palestine, and how to help.”

It calls for “one palestinian state,” which it says “would mean palestinian liberation, and the complete abolishment of the state of israel.” 

Brandon Tavakoli, president of Trojans for Israel, called Tabassum’s post “antisemitic.”

“The university has to make the decision about whether this valedictorian and her propagation of antisemitic vitriol online is worthy of being the representative of the class of 2024,” he told NBC News . “Commencement is supposed to be an inclusive and welcoming space for all students, including Jewish graduates and their families.”

Trojans for Israel said in a statement on Instagram that university officials failed to vet Tabassum's social media posts and condemn what it described as antisemitic content.

"We call on the University to speak with more moral clarity and hold our esteemed leaders to the highest standards of University standards," the statement read in part.

The recent controversy at USC underscores rising tensions across college campuses since the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7.

Last week, a University of California, Berkeley, professor confronted a Muslim student during a dinner for graduating law students, an incident that was recorded on video and triggered an outpouring of anger and frustration from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups.

Earlier this month, 20 students at Pomona College in Southern California were arrested after they stormed and occupied the college president’s office.

At Columbia University in New York, several students were suspended this month after they hosted an unsanctioned event on campus featuring a speaker linked to a terrorist organization.

Tensions at USC reached a boiling point this month after Tabassum was selected as valedictorian, Gonzalez said. Students who disagreed with Tabassum's support for the Palestinian cause berated her on social media, and her supporters used those same platforms to defend her and denounce the school when her speech was canceled.

"It's been very jarring," Gonzalez said. "It feels like the university is just trying to protect its image."

Tabassum was born in the Southern California community of Chino Hills and majored in biomedical engineering with a minor in resistance to genocide, which included studying how technology, immigration and literacy play roles in the type of medical care people receive, according to a statement USC released when she was named valedictorian.

Layan, who was born in Syria and moved to the U.S. in the fifth grade, described Tabassum as a mentor and a role model.

“She wears a hijab, and I wear a hijab and am also Muslim,” Layan said. “I feel so connected to her.”

Layan first met Tabassum at the Muslim Student Union this year, she said. Tabassum introduced herself and swapped phone numbers with Layan, promising to keep her updated on events where Layan could meet new people.

“She is genuinely such a sweet person. I just know from the bottom of my heart she wouldn’t wish violence on anyone,” Layan said.

In a statement, Tabassum said the university’s decision is thinly veiled racism.

“Although this should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all,” she said.

Alicia Victoria Lozano is a California-based reporter for NBC News focusing on climate change, wildfires and the changing politics of drug laws.

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School Board Cancels Gay Actor’s Anti-Bullying Talk Over His ‘Lifestyle’

Maulik Pancholy was scheduled to give a talk on anti-bullying at a Pennsylvania school next month. School board members scrapped it, citing concerns about his activism and “lifestyle.”

By Orlando Mayorquín

A Pennsylvania school board canceled an anti-bullying speech by the actor Maulik Pancholy, who is gay, after board members raised concerns about his “lifestyle,” prompting outrage from the surrounding community.

The Cumberland Valley School District school board voted unanimously to pass a motion to cancel Mr. Pancholy’s speaking event next month at Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, a community of about 9,000 people roughly 100 miles west of Philadelphia.

The board drew criticism after the members voiced what some called homophobic concerns about Mr. Pancholy’s activism and his lifestyle.

Mr. Pancholy played the obsequious assistant to Alec Baldwin’s character on the TV show “30 Rock” and voiced Baljeet in the cartoon “Phineas and Ferb.” He is also an author who has written children’s books, including one called “The Best at It,” about a gay Indian American boy named Rahul and his experience dealing with bullying in a small Midwest town.

“He labels himself as an activist who is proud of his lifestyle and I don’t think that should be imposed on our students,” said Bud Shaffner, a board member at the Monday evening meeting.

Kelly Potteiger, a newly elected board member who campaigned for her seat as a member of the local chapter of the right-wing activist group Moms for Liberty , voiced concerns that Mr. Pancholy would discuss his children’s books, which deal with the bullying faced by its L.G.B.T.Q. characters, or his own experience with “anti-bullying and empathy and inclusion.”

“Again, it’s not discriminating against his lifestyle, that’s his choice, but it’s him speaking about it,” Ms. Potteiger said. “He did say that that’s not the topic, but that’s what his books are about.”

In a memo sent on Thursday to faculty, staff and administrators, the leadership of the Cumberland Valley School District said that it was disappointed in the board’s move.

“While the issue of ‘political activism’ was cited, statements made publicly by individual board members identified Mr. Pancholy’s sexual identity as a factor, an identity shared by many of members of our school community,” the memo said.

“We believe that Mr. Pancholy’s assembly should have been allowed to happen and that all of our staff and students should be proud to be part of a community that values who they are,” it added.

Every year, the middle school brings young adult authors to visit with students, according to the district. It noted that the motion to cancel the assembly, which was to have taken place on May 22, had not been on the agenda and was introduced by a board member during the meeting.

In a statement issued on Thursday evening, Mr. Pancholy said: “When I visit schools, my ‘activism’ is to let all young people know that they’re seen. To let them know that they matter.”

He added: “I wonder why a school board is so afraid of that?”

The cancellation prompted a petition to reinstate the event that stated that the decision was made “solely because he is openly gay.”

Trisha Comstock, who has two sons enrolled in the school district, started the online petition. By late Wednesday evening, the petition had gotten more than 1,000 signatures.

In a phone interview, Mr. Shaffner said his comment was misconstrued and that his remark about Mr. Pancholy’s lifestyle had to do with his activism.

“The fact that he is a self-proclaimed political activist is what we object to,” Mr. Shaffner said.

On his website, Mr. Pancholy calls himself an “activist” who works on social justice causes. But Mr. Shaffner and other board members cast his work as political and said they worried his speech could violate a district policy barring political events.

“There is no political agenda,” Ms. Comstock said in a phone interview. “He is not trying to pass policies or change minds or anything like that.”

“They cloaked it as ‘We want to keep politics out of school’ when they clearly knew it had nothing to do with politics,” she added.

Ms. Comstock said that if the policy were applied more broadly, other groups, such as “Mothers Against Drunk Driving,” would be considered activists.

“Would we ban them from coming and talking to our members?” she said.

Ms. Comstock, whose children once attended the school, said the board’s decision was not representative of the community.

“And that’s why our community is outraged right now,” she said. “This isn’t who we are.”

Orlando Mayorquín is a breaking news reporter, based in New York, and a member of the 2023-24 Times Fellowship class , a program for journalists early in their careers. More about Orlando Mayorquín