Here is a list of speech topics sure to cause discussion—and be remembered:

1. Speeches about money: the best ways to save it, spend it, and earn it.

2. Why is NASA going to cut more trips to outer space? Also, consider writing a speech on the most important advances made in NASA such as the Hubble.

3. Why has there been an increase in law-breaking? Which crimes are on the rise and why?

4. On this day in history, what remarkable things were happening during different years?

5. What does social responsibility mean to you? Consider writing a speech about how you contribute to your community and why it’s important for each person to assume responsibility.
6. Write a speech about what you think people’s greatest fears are and why. Along the same lines, where do phobias come from?

7. Write a speech about how television commercials slant viewpoints (such as “being the best) or why sometimes television news is slanted. Who owns the station and why do they allow slanted or biased views to air?

8. Write a speech about how you would overcome poverty and why poverty is still a problem in major countries such as the United States, Australia, Great Britain, and Canada. How did the poverty begin?

9. Write a speech about why the strawberry is considered a part of the rose family or why tomatoes are considered fruit.

10. Which is worse: life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty? Write a speech about your views on each or both and explain the impact on society.

11. Write a speech about how women are different from men.

12. What experience have you had that has made the biggest impact on your life?

13. Write a speech about how to start a charitable event, what charity you would choose, and why.

14. Write a speech about how outsourcing jobs has affected your country.

15. Do you think global warming is true? Write a speech about what each person can do to help curb global warming.

16. What is your favorite book of all time? If it was/is a best-seller, why do you think so many other people like the same book you do?

17. Write a speech about why people should know another language (be bi-lingual). Why would this be so important?

18. What does it take to be a great leader? Write your speech around confidence, knowledge, communication skills, and other qualities that make people leaders.

19. Write a speech about gun control: do you believe in it or oppose more restrictions on personal ownership of weapons.

20. Is the “doomsday” date of December 21, 2012 just another Y2K? Write a speech about why you think it is or isn’t due to differences.

21. Do you think immigration laws should be tougher or more lenient? Consider writing a speech about an ancestor who immigrated to the country you reside in and what the ‘rules’ were then.

22. Write a speech about why certain prejudices still exist and why people should be treated equally.

23. Write a speech about your experience writing your speech! How did you find your topic, how did you begin writing it, and if memorization and/or ‘props’ such as a PowerPoint presentation or handout enhances or detracts from a speech.

24. Do you think there should be more restrictions on imports from third-world countries? For example, there have been issues with tainted wheat imported into the United States from China.

25. Write a speech about the widespread obesity problem in children, along with the rise in their getting diabetes. What makes a person obese; not reading food labels, not having regular balanced meals, etc.

26. Is purchasing goods and services over the internet better than buying products or hiring people locally? Write a speech about the differences.

27. Write a speech about advances in medical research. You can choose one area, such as cancer, or sum up several other areas.

28. Write a speech about the differences between pharmaceutical drugs versus home remedies.

29. Write a speech about your country’s biggest asset and its history (such as oil, for example).

30. Are polar bears and penguins endangered? Write a speech as to how this has occurred.

Tips:

Keep your speech to the point.

Limit your speech to 10 minutes.

Practice your speech in front of a mirror.

Make sure you’ve researched your speech topic.

Let others read or listen to your speech and ask for their critiques.